Chapter 847, Outsmarting Oneself

Translator: Silavin

 

At dawn, Su Bai checked in with the System as usual and collected his Assistance Package.

 

Without exception, he obtained a Low Grade Assistance Package this time, though the item proved quite useful.

 

It was an exceptionally antique lock, with beautifully carved patterns depicting auspicious dragons and phoenixes.

 

“If I recall correctly, this should be an ancient lock from Earth.” Su Bai examined the lock carefully.

 

Though this lock might not prove exceptionally practical, its aesthetics remained amazing.

 

“Since it has no great utility for it, I’ll give it to the people at the iron ore workshop to study, letting them manufacture locks according to this design.” Su Bai muttered to himself.

 

He reasoned that the Flame Dragon Tribe currently lacked any concept of locks. Since one had just appeared, he might as well let them study it.

 

Su Bai casually placed the lock in his pocket, stepping out to eat breakfast, while also considering the day’s arrangements.

 

“Shaman, today I’ve prepared mixed noodles for breakfast, following the requirements you mentioned last night.” Yu Ying immediately reported.

 

Several bowls of mixed noodles sat on the table, all prepared dry, with various seasonings added.

 

Su Bai had suddenly wanted to eat mixed noodles while drinking millet porridge last night, as he had not eaten them for some time.

 

Since wheat flour was now available, making noodles proved straightforward, and preparing mixed noodles was exceptionally simple.

 

One need only cook the noodles, drain them, then add appropriate seasonings and mix.

 

“Those other bowls belong to Ah’Hua and Ah’Lan, correct?” Su Bai asked after brushing his teeth and washing his face, then sitting down.

 

“Yes, they went out to train early this morning. They should return soon.” Yu Ying nodded.

 

*Step step step…*

 

Yan Hua and Sha Lan arrived at precisely that moment, as if summoned. They strode inside.

 

“Shaman, we’ve returned.” Yan Hua ran in happily.

 

“What’s good to eat today?” Sha Lan swished her cat tail, appearing to be in exceptionally good spirits.

 

“Didn’t we say last night that today we’d eat mixed noodles? So, we’re eating mixed noodles now.” Su Bai gestured for them to sit.

 

After sitting down, Sha Lan noticed the lock on the table, asking curiously, “Shaman, this looks very beautiful. What is it?”

 

Sha Lan tilted her head continuously while examining the lock, seeing such an exquisite item for the first time.

 

She had never seen the patterns on it before, nor could she understand the accompanying keys.

 

“Could it be a new weapon?” Yan Hua immediately thought in that direction.

 

Now, regardless of what Su Bai produced, she always considered whether it might be a weapon.

 

Because several previous items had all been weapons, and exceptionally useful ones at that.

 

“This is not a weapon at all. This is a lock, which I’ve mentioned to you before.” Su Bai explained.

 

He picked up the dragon-phoenix lock, then took the key and demonstrated it to her.

 

*Click! Click!*

 

The crisp sound of the lock opening resonated, then it closed and opened again, continuously producing clear sounds.

 

These operations left them stunned. No one understood what this object’s purpose might be.

 

“Shaman, what is the purpose of this thing called a lock?” Yan Hua asked first.

 

Though opening and closing repeatedly with a strange object proved quite miraculous, she did not understand its utility.

 

If it was not a weapon, she truly could not imagine its purpose. If it were edible, it appeared too similar to iron. Biting it would certainly break one’s teeth.

 

“Xiao Yu, bring me a chest.” Su Bai did not answer directly, instead intending to demonstrate experimentally for the young women.

 

Since chests were manufactured with protruding sections, these sections were reserved for locks.

 

Su Bai had not realised this at the time, merely following mental impressions when drawing the chest design, naturally including a lockable position.

 

When he received the chest, he had not recognised this, having no intention to lock chests at that time.

 

The carpenters also found it peculiar. They did not understand the purpose of the protruding section.

 

They only knew this was a design provided by the Shaman, and following the design precisely was correct.

 

The Flame Dragon Tribe had originally possessed chests, though their chests lacked lids.

 

They were simply square containers without the top board, which should perhaps be called baskets?

 

Su Bai had coincidentally recalled when opening the lock from the System that he had previously reserved space on chests.

 

Unexpectedly, this now proved fortuitous, proving useful for the current demonstration.

 

“Understood.”

 

Yu Ying recovered from her fascination with the lock’s miraculous properties, immediately turning to fetch a chest.

 

She  brought a small chest and placed it on the table, slowly pushing it forward.

 

“Observe carefully.”

 

*Click!* Su Bai took the chest and lock and began demonstrating. Accompanied by a crisp sound, the lock had secured the chest.

 

He pushed the chest forward, saying calmly, “Come, try to see if you can open it, but you cannot damage the chest or lock.”

 

Only by allowing the young women to experiment would they understand the lock’s purpose.

 

“Shaman, if we cannot damage the chest and this lock, we definitely cannot open this chest.”

 

Yan Hua manipulated it several times, discovering the chest and lock remained completely immobile, and also recognising the lock’s exceptional sturdiness.

 

“If we cannot use that thing called a key in the Shaman’s hand, we definitely cannot open it.” Sha Lan did not attempt it at all.

 

Because Sha Lan had already observed Yan Hua’s attempts, and also understood the lock paired with the key.

 

“Precisely. The lock is for this purpose. Without the key and external force, you fundamentally cannot open it.” Su Bai handed the key to Yan Hua.

 

Yan Hua took the key and opened the chest, continuing to ask, “Shaman, but if someone damages this lock? Wouldn’t the lock become useless?”

 

“The lock’s material is copper or iron. Unless you apply exceptionally great brute force, you cannot damage it. Otherwise, destroying it proves very difficult.” Su Bai explained.

 

Locks were certainly not indestructible. They could be damaged, depending only on technique or force magnitude.

 

“I understand. If we manufacture an exceptionally large lock, outsiders cannot easily damage it.”

 

Yan Hua nodded thoughtfully, continuing, “Or it takes a lot of force, which would create a ton of noise, allowing us to promptly discover it.”

 

“Correct.” Su Bai said with satisfaction.