Chapter 109 - 107: First Time Talking with Da Bao
A movable pulley is one where the axle moves along with the load. It is essentially a lever where the effort arm is twice the length of the resistance arm. It reduces the effort required but cannot change the direction of the force.
A fixed pulley is one where the axle is stationary. It can change the direction of the force but does not reduce the effort required, making it equivalent to an equal-armed lever.
In two simple sentences:
A movable pulley can halve the required force but does not change the direction.
A fixed pulley can change the direction of the force but does not save effort.
When multiple movable and fixed pulleys are combined to form a pulley system, the required force is reduced even further.
Fortunately, the wood in the Beast World was sturdy enough to bear the weight of the massive stone.
As Nan Zishi pulled the rope, making the huge rock inch its way upward, the surrounding Beastmen stared with wide, shocked eyes.
"What is that?"
"It looks like that female is moving it pretty easily."
"Heavens. I’ve never seen anything like it."
Once Nan Zishi had pulled the stone to the desired height, she tied the vine to a large nearby tree trunk. Then, she had Han Feng fly her up to the branches, where she nudged the massive rock until it rested securely among them.
Suddenly, a huge cheer erupted from the crowd of Bird Beastmen.
"Amazing! Heavens, you’re so amazing!"
"Female, what’s your name? Look at me! My muscles are strong and solid, and I’m a hard worker!"
"Look at me! Are my feathers beautiful?"
One by one, the Bird Beastmen began to put on a display for Nan Zishi, showing off their best features. Many even started performing courtship dances for her directly.
’This female is really incredible.’ Han Feng’s ears reddened.
Nan Zishi felt a bit awkward.
The Bird Beastman Tribe had all sorts of birds, but none were this clever and skillful. And she was so strong! To think she could move such a massive stone into a tree so easily!
The Beastmen didn’t understand the principles of a pulley system, so they simply attributed it all to Nan Zishi’s immense strength.
She was strong, powerful, and exceptionally beautiful.
That made her even more attractive!
Ying Meng couldn’t believe it. ’I wanted to see her make a fool of herself, so how did I end up giving her a chance to show off?’
Seeing the shameless way these male Bird Beastmen were acting, Ying Meng was bursting with rage!
She couldn’t stand to watch any longer. She spread her wings, and with a few forceful flaps, flew off.
He Xian described everything that was happening to Huo Jun, whose interest was greatly piqued.
’I really wish I could see what this female made.’
’I have a feeling her strength isn’t actually that great. The device she made is the crucial part.’
’A pity... I can’t see. It’s such a pity.’
Surrounded by the crowd of Male Beastmen, Nan Zishi suddenly sensed a strange yet familiar presence. She turned her head and saw a young cub, only about six years old, not too far away.
The Fire Red Eagle Cub was tall for his age. Though Huo Jun was clearly only six, he looked as if he could be seven or eight.
His skin had a faint reddish tint, and his features were strikingly handsome. He would undoubtedly grow up to be an exceptionally good-looking male.
A faint smile played on his lips as he listened to the Crane Beastman beside him, his expression holding a hint of yearning.
Nan Zishi felt a great curiosity about this young cub.
From listening to the crowd’s discussions, Nan Zishi had pieced together the following information.
1. Her first contracted Beast Husband might not have been an eagle, but a male Fire Red Eagle Beastman.
2. This Fire Red Eagle Beastman was likely the Lord of the Eastern High Mountain Territory.
3. The cub she had with this Fire Red Eagle was now older, and he too was a Fire Red Eagle Beastman cub.
And the Beastman cub before her, though he seemed slightly older, was about the right age.
’Could he be my cub, too?’
Nan Zishi asked Han Feng, "Lord Chixiao has a cub, right?"
Han Feng replied, "Yes. My brother is already mated."
His ears reddening, Han Feng made a veiled suggestion. His intent was to tell her that while his brother was very powerful, she shouldn’t set her sights on him, since he was already mated. She could, however, look at him instead.
Nan Zishi’s attention wasn’t on that. Her focus was on Huo Jun, and she asked indirectly, "How old is Lord Chixiao’s cub?"
"Six and a half," Han Feng said.
’Six and a half...’
’That’s exactly the age of my first cub.’
"Is his eyesight poor?" Nan Zishi asked, looking in Huo Jun’s direction.
Han Feng nodded.
’Is this six-year-old Bird Beastman cub before me really my Da Bao?’
A pang of pain shot through Nan Zishi’s heart.
’Cubs born after taking a Fertility Pill are prone to having problems.’
’And my first cub was born after I took a Fertility Pill.’
’Could it be because of the Fertility Pill that Da Bao can’t see?’
"I’d like to meet and speak with your lord’s young son. Is that possible?" Nan Zishi asked urgently.
Han Feng was a bit surprised, but he still said, "I’ll go ask for you."
Han Feng went over to talk with Huo Jun, and Nan Zishi watched them nervously.
When she saw Han Feng occasionally glance in her direction, Nan Zishi grew apprehensive.
’At that moment, she had no idea how she could face the Da Bao she had wronged.’
When Huo Jun finally nodded and He Xian led him over to Nan Zishi, she was still in a daze.
Her heart began to pound... THUMP, THUMP.
’Her maternal instincts weren’t actually that strong.’
’During the time she was controlled by the Childbirth System, she had felt guilty toward the Beast Husbands, who were merely tools to her, and their cubs. But throughout the entire process of pregnancy and childbirth, it could not be called love.’
’After all, she was destined to leave, so she never dared to truly give her love.’
But now, facing this beautiful cub who couldn’t see, a multitude of emotions welled up in Nan Zishi’s heart.
Guilt, remorse, heartache... this torrent of emotions all stemmed from a mother’s love.
"Sister Nan. Sister Nan," little Huo Jun called softly.
Nan Zishi snapped back to reality. "Yes. You’re Lord Chixiao’s son. Your name is Huo Jun, right?"
The young boy’s lips curved into a smile, his feathered clothes fluttering gently in the breeze. He nodded. "Mhm."
’He’s my cub.’
’He’s really my cub.’
An inexplicable atmosphere spread between the two of them—one big, one small.
’I failed him, didn’t give him a healthy body, but he has grown up well. It’s clear the Bird Beastmen treat him very kindly.’
’If he and Chi Xiao are both doing well, then I’ll just watch them from afar. I... I won’t disturb their lives.’
Huo Jun also sensitively perceived that something was off about the atmosphere between them.
He asked politely and respectfully, "May I ask you a question?"
"Of course," Nan Zishi replied nervously.
"Just now... Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to cause trouble. But when you lifted that big rock, you weren’t actually using just your own strength. You also used some... some kind of technique, right?"
Nan Zishi was stunned by the cub’s perceptiveness. She gave a surprised, soft laugh.
"Yes."
After receiving her affirmative answer, the six-year-old Da Bao before her broke into a smile that said, ’Just as I thought.’