Rescue + Public Settings 4

A few hours later, Miao Xin arrived at her destination.

As soon as it got dark, she pulled up her hood and arrived at the factory wall. She didn't care about the surveillance cameras at all and simply climbed over the wall.

Anyway, there's going to be a mess of food all over the place soon, so there's no point in trying to hide it. Miao Xin even waved at the camera.

Inside the warehouse, Miao Xin successfully located the target equipment.

[Vertical large submersible pump, 60-meter head, 3000 cubic meters per hour flow rate, 800 kilowatts power.]

She took out a sticky note and checked it against the nameplate on the equipment. As her business became more frequent, Miss Vengeful Spirit became more skilled.

[This is it; check the interface method.]

[Um.]

Miao Xin located the water pump's outlet, marked with a diameter of 600 mm and a flange connection.

On the deck of the White Triangle, a large amount of material had already been moved here. The ship had long since left port, and was now ten kilometers away from Brown Gold Island.

The summoning spell of this size is quite voluminous. Considering the coal procurement, they expect to stay here for five to six days, so caution is advised to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Su Ming stretched, put away his laptop, and went up to the deck.

After checking the materials list, Beianqi gave Su Ming a ready gesture.

Upon the initial teleportation, the water pumps were enveloped and quickly disintegrated within the warehouse.

The loud noise alerted the factory security guards, Miao Xin quickly took over control. With a few leaps, the Little Spiky Head darted into the other side of the warehouse and arrived at the transformer.

The second teleportation unfolded, and the transformer followed suit. The material order was extracted, transported across an unknown distance to another world, and reorganized using the matter of that other world.

This time, Su Ming began to feel the pressure, and after completing the task, he swayed slightly.

At Little Spiky Head's feet, there was another large pile of debris. Miao Xin put her hands in her pockets, passed by the approaching crowd, and arrived at the storage area outside the factory building, where she found the matching 600mm pipe.

[Make sure you have all the connecting bolts, metal washers, and elbows; bring the special tools if you have them too.] Su Ming said.

[I know.]

Miao Xin calmly picked and chose, quickly gathering the necessary items into a pile.

Su Ming initiated the third teleportation. A pile of metal pipes turned into fragments in the dark light and collapsed onto the snow. On the deck of the White Triangle, large amounts of metal material condensed to form thick water pipes.

Simpler structures consume far less Magic Power. But even Su Ming was starting to feel the strain after three such attempts, so he sat cross-legged on the deck. Beianqi brought him a cup of hot tea and handed it to him.

"I just need a rest," Su Ming said, ordering the skeleton to set sail on the White Triangle to meet up with Zijin and the others.

Beianqi picked up a set of bolts, examined the flange structure on the pipe, and gestured, "This design is great! It's very easy to assemble!"

The White Triangle sailed toward the coast where the mine was located and arrived at its designated position about fifteen minutes later.

The skeleton servants led the sailors to lower the bone anchor and secure the ship.

The boat was about 100 meters from the shore, and Qiluo had already used earth magic to erect two small mounds in the sea.

The cable that Zijin had made was stretched from the mine along a wooden pole all the way to the shore, then over two mounds, where the unicorn was already waiting.

She held a cable in her mouth, spread her wings, and flew the last few dozen meters, landing on the deck of the White Triangle.

The zombies took over and dragged the cables toward the ship's electrical control cabinet. The unicorn repeated the process twice, pulling over the remaining two cables as well.

Another group of zombies threw the metal pipes into the sea one by one, then jumped into the water themselves, carrying the pipes from the seabed to the shore. The large water pump was a bit heavy, so Beianqi directed the zombies to attach buoys to reduce its weight, and they also pushed it into the sea, pulling it towards the shore.

The remaining zombies on the ship carried the transformer into the lower deck, where Su Ming began to secure it and connect it to the circuitry.

With nearly two hundred workers busily engaged in the operation, the relocation was quickly completed. Zijin had already finished preparations, including the winch and rigging, around the mine. There was no one else around, and Beianqi, citing technical confidentiality, demanded that Fletcher clear the area.

Qiluo descended from the sky to Zijin's side, bringing the water pump installation guide that Su Ming had given her. The scholar glanced through it and found it wasn't too complicated; the various diagrams were all very simple. She first had the nearly ten-meter-long water pump of the zombie be hoisted vertically, then connected the cable, poured waterproof glue, and installed the first section of the metal outlet pipe.

She then used a winch and rigging to lower the water pump, connecting the second section of the outlet pipe above. In this way, the pump sank deeper and deeper, and the metal pipes grew longer and longer. When it reached the predetermined depth of about 35 meters, Zijin had a large number of zombies go into the water to install supports for the pump, ensuring its stability after operation. Then, a curved pipe was connected above to guide the pump's output to the drainage ditch.

Beianqi checked the overhead cable distance and came over to help. Qiluo was responsible for patrolling the surrounding area to make sure no one got close.

During this time, Su Ming came over, checked the water pump installation method, and confirmed that it was correct. He connected the cable to the on-site control cabinet, tested the insulation performance, and set up the controls. The group worked intensely for more than four hours to complete the installation.

Su Ming started the steam engine and generator until the voltage output was normal.

[Prepare to power on. Clear the area around cables and equipment. Pull away the zombies, and don't get close yourself; maintain a safe distance.] Su Ming transmitted to everyone, [Otherwise, you'll get shocked by the high-voltage electricity—the kind that works like lightning magic.]

This is Qiluo's magic, which can easily connect the minds of multiple people.

"With so many zombies, it doesn't matter if a few get electrocuted," Qiluo said. "How stingy!"

"[What I'm heartbroken about is the equipment!]" Su Ming said angrily.

The group conducted a final check on their respective sections and confirmed that everything was normal.

When Su Ming closed the switch, 6 kV of voltage traveled through a 400-meter cable to the distribution cabinet at the mine entrance.

"The voltage here is normal," Zijin, glancing at the voltage indicator.

[Okay, turn it on.]

Zijin started the water pump, Yu Ming sounded, the winch began to vibrate, and then water sprayed out from the thick metal drain pipe, until more and more, finally forming a huge column of water that gushed out.

[Whoosh!] Beianqi cheered as she watched the astonishing amount of water drained.

Hearing the tremendous sound of water, Qiluo flew overhead and saw a large amount of water being continuously pumped from the well. She stared in astonishment for a long time before murmuring to Beianqi, "[Continuous, stable, inexpensive, high output. The technological power you described is indeed incredible!]"

[Right, right, sister! They have many more amazing things!]

****

Su Ming measured the outflow of water and estimated that the pumping time would be approximately sixteen hours.

"Let's take turns guarding the equipment!" Beianqi suggested. Su Ming thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll take the first shift with Qiluo."

Zijin thought this arrangement was reasonable. "[Then Beianqi and I will go rest first, and we'll take turns in eight hours.]"

Beianqi flew back to the White Triangle, high-fived Su Ming as she landed on the deck, and then skipped and hopped into the cabin. Zijin returned shortly after, glancing at Su Ming, whose face was pale from excessive Magic Power consumption.

"How about I switch to the first shift, and you can rest first?"

"It's alright, just guarding the equipment is a kind of rest," Su Ming said.

Zijin nodded and went back to her room.

She quickly washed up and lay down in bed, but then heard a knock on the door.

"Sister Ailisha, would you like to eat crab?"

"Never mind, I don't really like it," Zijin replied. Crabs and the like require peeling the meat out bit by bit, and when she was a dragon, she always ate them whole; she had never gone through such trouble to eat.

Beianqi then left. Zijin, however, couldn't sleep. Because they had been busy all day, everyone had only eaten some pancakes made by the skeleton servants for dinner, wrapped in the unpleasant lettuce. She hadn't eaten enough, and her stomach was now empty and uncomfortable.

After lying down for a while, Zijin got up, intending to find something to gnaw on.

She remembered there were some fresh soybeans in the warehouse, which were crunchy when eaten raw. But unexpectedly, she couldn't open the door; Su Ming had used the White Bone Mark to block her access!

She was about to get angry when she noticed a note stuck on the warehouse door, written in Chinese.

There's a cake in the fridge, your favorite flavor. Eat that if you're hungry.

Zijin tore off the note. She went to the workshop and found the cake Su Ming had mentioned in the refrigerator. It was a large, round cake with no cream, only some raisins mixed in.

This was made by Su Ming in a rice cooker during her spare time. She held it in her hands and could still smell the fresh fragrance of eggs and lemon.

Zijin stood there for a while, then let out a long sigh. She poured two glasses of milk, cut the cake into six triangles, placed them all on a plate, and prepared to go find Su Ming.

She used her Omniscient Vision to search and found that Su Ming was not on the White Triangle.

"That must be over there in the mine, "Zijin thought. Carrying her tray, she carefully flew towards it in the cool night breeze. Fortunately, the distance wasn't far. Just as she was about to land, she heard Beianqi's voice.

"Su Ming, I cooked some crabs, let's eat together!"

Where did the crab come from?

"My sister caught it. She's an amazing diver; she's really good at catching these."

"Then let's invite her along."

"No, that's not even enough to fill her teeth," Beianqi replied. "Besides, she was already full when she grabbed it. I also asked Sister Ailisha, and she doesn't want any."

"Alright then."

On the open ground beside the mine, two figures found a rock and sat down. One of them spread out a tablecloth on the ground and placed the plates and cutlery on it.

Su Ming hadn't eaten properly for dinner; he was indeed hungry. He picked up a crab leg, took a bite, and the sweet and fresh taste immediately filled his mouth.

During this time, Beianqi also learned about Su Ming's tastes and specially chose the braised sauce method.

The crab was huge, Su Ming ate a whole crab leg in one go. "It was delicious, thank you."

"Tan, why are you being so polite?" Beianqi replied. "Here, have some juice." She handed her a glass of hot orange juice.

Su Ming took the cup, a nostalgic look on his face. "It's been so long since I've had a late-night snack like this. Before, after work, a bunch of us would just find some random hole-in-the-wall restaurant and chat away."

"If you like to eat it, I can catch some more," said Beianqi. "There are plenty of things in this sea."

Zijin floated up again, turned around, and returned to the White Triangle.

In the workspace, she tore the cake into pieces little by little and ate them. But after each small piece, she would stop, pause quietly for a moment, and then continue.

She thought of Stacy, one of her few close friends and relatives, and almost the only one still alive. Over the long years, she had lost so much.

However, considering the other person's situation, Stacy could no longer eat. Zijin put away the cake and returned to her room.

****

Sixteen hours later, by evening, the water level had dropped below the tunnel level.

Su Ming slept soundly for eight hours and got up to take over the shift, but Zijin, who was taking over the shift, was clearly in poor spirits.

"What's wrong?" Su Ming asked worriedly.

"I didn't sleep well," the girl replied. "I'm going to rest for a bit."

Su Ming immediately took her hand and reached out to touch her forehead, checking that her temperature was normal. He then rolled up Zijin's sleeve and saw no rash or anything like that.

"I'm not sick." Zijin stood still, letting him examine her.

"Then you should get some rest. Let me know if you feel unwell."

"Um."

The two passed each other, and Su Ming's tense expression relaxed. Although this wasn't the first time they had come into contact like this, for example, when Zijin was sick or injured. They would often get tangled together during their training sessions, and Su Ming, sometimes influenced by her, would even resort to rather ruthless tactics.

But in daily life, such gentle touches are extremely rare. The Zijin's skin is soft, and you can even smell its faint fragrance when you get close, which is too much of a challenge for Su Ming!

He rubbed his face and began inspecting the equipment.

With her Omniscient Vision, Zijin couldn't help but chuckle softly, her gloomy mood improving slightly.

****

Beianqi didn't rest; she was still on duty at the mine. Most of the tunnel had been exposed, and she was worried something was wrong.

Sure enough, upon discovering the water level had dropped, the trapped workers eagerly climbed out and attempted to escape.

[Su Ming, some workers have started to show up!] Beianqi quickly contacted Su Ming.

"Tell them to stay away from the cables!" Su Ming hurriedly said.

"No! Someone's trying to climb up the cable!" Beianqi exclaimed urgently, but the workers ignored her warning. "Stop the machine immediately!"

Beianqi pressed the emergency stop switch on the water pump, and Su Ming quickly disconnected the generator and shut down the steam unit.

After completing all the tasks in the chaos, Beianqi immediately notified the people in the mine to come to the rescue.

Mine owner Fletcher rushed to the scene with his men and quickly ordered ropes to be lowered. After a flurry of activity, nearly a hundred people were pulled up. The rescue team then entered the tunnel and rescued more than a dozen workers with mobility issues.

Fletcher counted the items and found that eight were still missing.

"Mage Fyodor," he said to a mage-looking man beside him, "Could you please help me search?"

The mage Fyodor nodded almost imperceptibly, cast a Water Repelling Spell and Levitation Spell on himself, and then entered the mine with his head held high.

Su Ming couldn't help but take another look. The Water Repelling Spell could repel water, but it would confuse the caster's senses. In all the battles he had participated in before, including those against relatively weak pirates, neither side had ever used this spell.

"A mage whose senses are already dulled would like to use this," Beianqi explained, noticing Su Ming's confusion. "It's like a blind person not minding having a cloth over their eyes, since they couldn't see clearly anyway."

"This level of skill, a mage?" Su Ming was even more puzzled. He was wearing a cloak that suppressed magic, so his magical power was suppressed, and he wasn't sure for the moment.

"How could that be?" Beianqi gave a mocking smile. "At most, a novice mage. They're only good because there aren't any decent combatants here."

Su Ming nodded. "You go and rest first. Your sister and I will watch over things."

Beianqi brushed the dust off her hands and returned to the White Triangle.

In front of the workers, Qiluo did not reveal her true form as a unicorn. Instead, she sat on a tree and impatiently flipped through a book.

She looked around and realized that she no longer needed to be on guard.

"Su Ming, I'm going to catch seafood." Qiluo jumped down from the tree and tossed her book onto the makeshift table that Su Ming had set up.

Su Ming nodded, and the little girl happily ran to the beach and plunged into the sea. For the next two days, all he needed to do was prepare breakfast for her; she would eat her fill outside the rest of the time.

Su Ming glanced around and realized that he was only left with the responsibility of monitoring the equipment. He took out his magic notebook and books.

Let's begin learning.