Chapter 152 The Moment the Lights Come On: Spring Festival
The study was packed with people. Stone Fist, Gray, Elder Farador, Norm, Kalan, Mia, Aunt Lian... even Little Black, who was perched on Lin Yue's shoulder, and Little Fen, who was peeking out from the doorway, were all listeners to the meeting.
"I have a crazy idea," Lin Yue said bluntly.
The group exchanged glances, their hearts sinking.
Every time the mayor said this, it meant they were about to pull off something big.
Lin Yue described in detail what he had seen deep in the cursed land, and then drew out his ideas on paper.
“The gases released by the Earth’s Lament contain enormous energy, but their flow is chaotic and extremely unstable.” He said, drawing as he spoke. “My idea is to use a special device to collect these gases, then guide them to flow along a fixed path, and finally transform them into a power that we can use.”
"How do we collect it?" Shi Quan asked, frowning. "That stuff isn't water; you can't hold it in a bucket, can you?"
“This is where Norm’s help comes in.” Lin Yue looked at the Silent Youth who had chosen and loved pursuing a career in scientific research. “Norm, you mentioned energy guiding runes before. Could you explain them in more detail?”
Norm stood up, cleared his throat, and seemed to be organizing his thoughts.
"Whispers may not be skilled in the advanced magic of elves, but having guarded the earth's wounds for generations, they have a certain understanding of those energies. We have an ancient system of runes. When inscribed on specific materials... it can create an attraction, drawing in free energy and causing it to flow along the runes' patterns."
"It's like putting reins on a Pegasus. Not by forcibly controlling it, but by guiding it. Letting it follow the path drawn on the map."
Lin Yue's eyes lit up: "Could these runes be engraved on the inner wall of the pipe? So that after the gas is drawn into the pipe, it flows along the path of the runes to the turbine?"
Norm thought for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Theoretically, it's feasible. But it requires a lot of experimentation. The arrangement, spacing, and depth of the runes... will all affect the effect. And..." His expression became serious, "These runes are what our ancestors used to seal the earth's calamity. No one has ever tried to use them to collect and guide energy."
"So this is a completely new attempt," Lin Yue said.
“Yes,” Norm nodded, “It might succeed, or it might…”
"Bomb," Shi Quan added.
Norm nodded awkwardly.
“Alright,” Lin Yue slammed his hand on the table, “Norm, this task is yours. If it blows up, so be it, we can just start over!”
He then turned to Elder Faradol: "Elder, what suggestions do you have regarding the site selection?"
Elder Farador pondered for a moment before speaking, "The core area of the Earth's Lament has energy that is far too violent to be controlled with our current abilities. The amount of gas released there is tens or even hundreds of times greater than that of the outer area, and the temperature and pressure are also far beyond what is normal. If we approach rashly, let alone collect energy, we could be instantly swallowed up."
He continued, "But around the core, about ten miles away, there are some relatively stable energy zones. The amount of gas released there is not as intense as in the core, but it is still considerable. More importantly, the energy fluctuations in those zones are somewhat regular, unlike the completely disordered energy fluctuations in the core."
"I suggest we try it out in those areas first. Once the technology is mature, we can then consider expanding to the core areas."
Lin Yue nodded: "A steady and methodical approach is the right one."
He looked at Stone Fist: "Uncle Stone Fist, I'm entrusting the turbine to you. The requirements are that it can withstand high pressure and high temperature, and it must be sturdy enough."
"A high-pressure turbine?" Stone Fist's eyes lit up. "Interesting. It sounds really exciting. Give me the blueprints, and I'll tear down the blacksmith shop to build one for you."
Kailan stepped forward as well: "I can have people plant a ring of purifying plants around the facility. This will form a natural protective barrier. In case of any miasma leakage, it will also have a buffering effect."
“I have some seeds that I brought from the Valley of Tears,” he added. “Those plants are naturally able to absorb toxins and purify the air. They have protected us in our homeland for many years.”
Elder Farador looked at Kailan with satisfaction.
“Okay,” Lin Yue looked around, “Stonefist will be in charge of the turbine, Norm will be in charge of the runes, and Kael’tane will be in charge of the protective circle. Everyone, split up and work separately. If there are any problems, please communicate with us immediately.”
Xiao Fen let out an excited "woof" at the door, her huge tail scraping a piece off the door frame.
Little Black lazily flicked its tail: [Here we go again. These guys get all worked up like they're on steroids. Oh well, do whatever you want. It won't kill me anyway.]
...
In the days that followed, the entire project team threw themselves into intense work.
The first challenge is site selection.
Gray and several Silent Guides led Lin Yue on a three-day journey around the edge of the Cursed Lands.
For three days, they navigated around toxic swamps and climbed hills piled with strange rocks. At each location, the guide would close his eyes and sense the energy fluctuations of the area in a unique way.
"This won't work... the energy is too chaotic..."
"This won't work either... the ground is unstable..."
"This place...hmm...is interesting..."
Finally, on the evening of the third day, they found a relatively ideal location.
It was a low-lying area about ten miles from the core area, surrounded on three sides by low stone hills, forming a natural barrier. Scattered across the ground were seven or eight vents emitting a faint blue light, releasing gas at a moderate pace with a certain rhythm.
"This is it," Lin Yue decided.
Runes are the second challenge.
Nom scoured all the ancient books treasured by Elder Falador and compiled more than a dozen possible rune combinations. Some of the runes on those parchment scrolls and bamboo slips had faded and become blurred, while others were even incomplete, requiring Nom to deduce and fill in the gaps bit by bit based on the context and logical relationships.
“This symbol… should be ‘引’ (yin)…” He squatted on the ground, frowning and pondering over a yellowed parchment scroll, “But this one also looks like ‘聚’ (ju)… which one is it?”
Elder Farador sat to one side, trying hard to recall the knowledge passed down orally from his ancestors.
“I remember… my elder teacher once said… these two symbols can be used interchangeably in certain situations…”
"What's going on?"
"He didn't finish speaking before... cough cough cough..." The elder coughed violently, and Norm quickly poured him a cup of hot water.
"It's nothing, just an old problem." The elder waved his hand. "You continue your research, I'll think about it some more."
And so, Norm spent his days studying ancient texts and his nights conducting tests at the experimental site, working himself to the bone with dark circles under his eyes and losing weight.
In the first experiment, the runes were engraved too shallowly, and the gas was completely out of control, spraying directly out of the pipe.
Norm was unable to dodge in time and was hit head-on by a stream of dark blue gas.
"Cough cough cough," he squatted on the ground coughing violently, tears and snot streaming down his face.
Fortunately, Kailan reacted quickly, dragged him outside the protective circle, and gave him a bowl of detoxifying soup.
"Are you alright?" Lin Yue asked worriedly.
Norm waved his hand, his voice hoarse: "It's nothing... I just choked a little... I'll carve deeper next time..."
"Let's put on the gas mask before we start the experiment. We need to make sure we're properly protected."
In the second experiment, the rune arrangement order was wrong.
The gas was drawn in, but a strange reaction occurred in the middle of the pipe, condensing into a sticky mass that completely blocked the pipe.
"What the hell is this?" Stone Fist pinched his nose and used pliers to pull the lump out. "It smells worse than the stink bugs in the dwarf mines."
Norm squatted to the side, staring blankly at his notebook.
"The order is wrong... 'Gather' should come before 'Attract', not after it..."
In the third experiment, the rune depth and arrangement were adjusted.
The gas was smoothly drawn into the pipe, flowing along the patterns of the runes at a steady speed and in the correct direction.
Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the exit at the end of the pipe.
Then--
"Bang!"
The outlet was smashed to pieces by the immense air pressure, and debris flew everywhere.
"Damn it!" Stone Fist jumped up, "That almost hit my face!"
He picked up a piece of the shard and examined it closely.
"The gas flow was too fast. It didn't slow down at the end and rushed all over the interface at once, of course it couldn't withstand it."
Norm hung his head dejectedly: "It's my fault... I didn't control the rune's channeling well..."
Lin Yue patted him on the shoulder: "Don't be discouraged, let's think about it again and see where the problem lies."
He crouched down, staring at the fragments and remnants, his mind racing.
"Norm, do you think it's possible to make the channeling power of runes gradual?"
"Gradual?"
"The guiding force is stronger at the entrance to draw in the gas. Then, as you go further in, the guiding force gradually weakens, causing the gas speed to slowly decrease. Finally, when it reaches the turbine, it is at a flow rate that we can control."
Norm's eyes lit up: "This idea is worth trying, but how can we make the channeling power of the runes gradually weaken?"
"Is the carving getting shallower and shallower?" Lin Yue suggested.
“No, it won’t be effective if it’s too shallow.” Norm shook his head and then fell into deep thought.
After a while, he suddenly slapped his thigh: "Spacing, the spacing between the runes can be adjusted. If the runes are arranged more densely at the entrance, the guiding force will be stronger. The further in you go, the larger the spacing will be, and the weaker the guiding force will be."
"Great idea!" Lin Yue exclaimed happily. "Let's give it a try!"
In the fourth experiment, the gas was successfully guided into the pipe and flowed towards the end at a relatively stable speed.
Everyone stared intently at the turbine.
The turbine started spinning.
One lap, two laps, three laps...
"It's done?" Shi Quan's eyes widened.
Before he could finish speaking, the turbine let out a piercing shriek and then completely fell apart.
Fragments flew everywhere, nearly seriously injuring the nearby iron bull.
Shi Quan's face turned green: "My turbine is made of the best iron, how come it can't withstand the pressure?"
Lin Yue picked up a fragment of a leaf and examined it carefully.
“It’s not a problem with the iron,” he said. “It’s a design problem. The impact force generated by this gas flow is different from ordinary water flow or steam. It carries magical energy and has a stronger corrosive effect on the blades. We need to redesign the shape and angle of the blades and also add a special protective layer to the surface.”
"What kind of protection?"
Lin Yue looked at Norm: "Could we also carve some runes on the leaves? To make them more resistant to the impact of those energies?"
Norm thought for a moment: "I can give it a try... but I need to figure out which rune combination to use..."
So, Shi Quan went back into the blacksmith's shop and began a new round of forging with clanging and banging.
Norm continued to optimize the rune array while researching protective runes suitable for turbine blades.
Kailan wasn't idle either; he and his men planted even more purifying plants around the testing grounds. Those unusual plants with their silvery-gray leaves thrived, and the surrounding air visibly became fresher.
Ah Qiang became the busiest porter. Heavy iron parts, stones, and pipes were handled with the ease of toys.
"Master Qiang, slow down! That thing is heavy."
"It's okay, it's not heavy." A-Qiang smiled honestly, carrying an iron plate bigger than himself on his shoulder. "It's much lighter than the stones I used to carry."
Xiao Fen and Xiao Hei are still part of the atmosphere team.
Xiao Fen would squat beside the construction site every day, occasionally letting out a couple of "woofs" as encouragement. One time, she was so bored that she ran after a passing wild rabbit, but accidentally knocked over a pile of newly stacked bricks, and was scolded by Lin Yue.
Xiao Hei occupied the highest position on the construction site, looking down and supervising the entire area.
That idiot screwed the screws on backwards again.
[Hey you on the right, you're holding the blueprint upside down! Upside down!]
[Shi Quan swung his hammer too hard; if he keeps hitting like that, the blades will deform.]
Lin Yue: [Could you go down and help?]
Xiao Hei: [This is mental work, don't you understand?]
...
The fifth experiment.
The sixth experiment.
The seventh experiment.
Every failure brings a new lesson, and every lesson brings them one step closer to success.
In the eighth experiment, the protective runes on the blades worked, and the turbine withstood the energy impact, but the speed was unstable, fluctuating between fast and slow, and it was impossible to output stable power.
In the ninth experiment, the blade angle was adjusted, and the rotation speed stabilized, but the output energy was too weak to even light a lamp.
In the tenth experiment, the intake volume was increased, and the energy output increased, but the turbine bearings could not withstand the high-speed rotation, and after emitting a piercing scream, they were completely scrapped.
“This piece of junk,” Stone Fist squatted on the ground, looking at the red-hot bearing, stomping his feet in anger, “I’ve almost used up all the iron in the blacksmith’s shop.”
“Don’t worry, Uncle Stone Fist,” Lin Yue said. “The problem isn’t the iron material, it’s the lubrication. High-speed rotation generates a lot of heat, which ordinary grease can’t withstand. We need a lubricant that is more heat-resistant.”
Where to look?
Lin Yue looked at Kailan: "Kailan, do you have any special plant oils? The kind that can withstand high temperatures?"
Kaylan thought for a moment: "There is a plant called rock wax grass, whose sap is very heat-resistant after it solidifies. We used to use it to maintain weapons and tools."
"Great, can you get it?"
"I'll go look for it."
Three days later, Kalan returned with a small jar of grayish-white, waxy substance.
That's an extract from rock wax grass; it feels slippery to the touch, yet has a peculiar cooling sensation.
Stonefist applied it to the newly forged bearing and then mounted it onto the turbine.
Finally, in the eleventh experiment, the turbine started rotating steadily.
There was no shrieking, no falling apart, no overheating. Only a deep, powerful rumble, like some kind of heartbeat.
"It's done!" Norm's eyes welled up with tears. "The runes are functioning stably!"
"The turbo is fine!" Stone Fist's voice trembled. "This old guy held on."
“Bearing temperature is normal,” Kailan reported. “The rock wax is effective.”
Lin Yue stared at the spinning turbine, his heart racing.
They succeeded.
At least, the first step was successful.
...
The next step is to scale up this system from an experimental scale to a practical scale.
Li Ge and his team began constructing the formal facilities in the low-lying area chosen by Elder Farador.
An unprecedented building rose from the ground.
Its base is a thick stone foundation, constructed from the hardest granite, and engraved with meticulously designed energy-guiding runes by the Norm. These runes extend from the air intake all the way to the turbine chamber, forming a complex and intricate energy channel.
The tower's body is constructed from a special alloy forged from stone fists. Each iron plate has undergone repeated forging and quenching, making it capable of withstanding extremely high pressure and temperature. Rock wax grass crystals are also inlaid at key joints, serving a sealing and lubricating function.
At the top of the tower is the turbine, which has undergone countless improvements, connected to thick copper pipes that transmit the converted energy.
Around the building, the purifying plants will soon grow into a dense barrier. The small plants, with their silvery-gray leaves, sway gently in the cold wind, silently absorbing any miasma that may leak out.
"Are you ready?" Lin Yue stood in front of the control panel and took a deep breath.
Shi Quan stood to the side with his arms crossed, his beard trembling with nervousness: "Stop talking nonsense, open!"
Norm stared intently at the rune array, a carving knife in his hand for emergency adjustments.
Xiao Fen crouched in the distance, her tail taut with tension.
"Open the intake valve!"
With a heavy metallic sound, the valve at the bottom slowly opened.
A stream of dark blue gas surged from underground, drawn by the power of the runes, and flowed into the tower through the pipes.
The rune array lit up, and silver light flowed along the patterns drawn by the Norm, gradually taming the raging energy.
The turbine started to turn.
It started slowly, then got faster and faster, emitting a deep rumble.
“Energy output is stable,” Norm exclaimed excitedly.
Lin Yue stared intently at the instrument panel in front of him.
The energy level is climbing... 50%... 70%... 90%...
"Fully loaded!"
He abruptly pressed the last switch.
A buzzing vibration came from the copper pipe, and an unseen force surged along the pipe toward Hope Town.
...
Hundreds of people have already gathered in the central park of Hope Town.
Everyone has heard that the mayor is going to make a great invention, and today is the moment to witness a miracle.
In the center of the square stood a tall wooden pole. A strange glass ball hung from the top of the pole. Inside the glass ball was a thin metal wire, which looked quite ordinary.
"What is that?" an old farmer asked, looking up.
"I don't know, the mayor said it's called an electric light," the young man next to him replied.
"Electric light? What do you mean? Is it edible?"
"Fool, how can you eat a lamp? It's obviously used for lighting."
"Isn't that just an oil lamp? Or a torch? Why make it so mysterious?"
"Who knows? Anyway, the things the mayor does have never disappointed us."
The crowd was buzzing with discussion.
A richly dressed middle-aged man stood at the edge of the crowd, a hint of disdain on his lips. He was Victor, a minor nobleman from Blackrock City. His family was in the animal hide business and had some assets. He had heard that Hope Town was going to have some new invention and had come to see what was going on.
"Hmph, what new gadgets could there be?" he said to his attendants. "I've seen dwarven fluorescent minerals, and even elven magic crystals. Aren't they all more powerful than this broken glass ball? What kind of amazing things can a place like this in the countryside possibly produce?"
The attendant nodded repeatedly: "What you say is true, sir. Those elf magic crystals cost hundreds of gold coins each; they are indeed beyond the reach of ordinary people."
“Exactly.” Victor puffed out his chest proudly. “I have one in my study, which I bought from a merchant in the south at a high price. Although it needs to be infused with magic by a mage regularly, the light it emits, wow, is far superior to any torch or oil lamp.”
Several Silent Ones were standing nearby, including Elder Farador.
The old man's gaze fell on the unlit lamp, his cloudy eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.
"Elder," a young Silent One beside him asked in a low voice, "can it really succeed? With the energy of the Earth's Lament..."
“I don’t know,” Elder Farador said softly, “but I hope it will succeed.”
"But...that's something we've protected for generations...and now it's going to be used..."
“It is for the benefit of the world.” The elder interrupted him. “Child, we protect the earth’s calamity not so that it may sleep forever, but to prevent it from harming the innocent. If one day it can turn from a calamity into a blessing… then our protection will truly have meaning.”
The young silent one fell silent.
Just then, the glass ball at the top of the wooden pole suddenly flashed.
Then, "Buzz—"
A bright light burst forth from the glass sphere.
It wasn't the orange-red of flames or the deep blue of magic crystals, but a pure, bright white that pierced the twilight and illuminated the entire park as if it were daytime.
"Wow--!"
A deafening gasp erupted from the crowd.
"It's lit up! It's lit up!"
"What kind of light is this? It's not fire."
"It's so bright! Much brighter than a torch! Much brighter than an oil lamp!"
The old farmer squatted on the ground, looking up at the lamp with his mouth agape: "My God... I've lived for over fifty years and I've never seen such a bright light!"
A young woman next to her husband tugged at his sleeve, tears welling up in her eyes: "Husband, look, look! If we had a lamp like this in our house, we wouldn't have to strain our eyes when doing needlework at night!"
“Yes, yes!” her husband exclaimed excitedly. “My mother has poor eyesight, and every night when she spins thread, she has to get close to the oil lamp, and her eyes get red from the smoke. If only we had this lamp…”
The children jumped up excitedly, pointing at the light and shouting. A few of the bolder ones even tried to climb up the wooden pole to touch it, but were pulled back by the adults.
"Don't touch it, or you'll get an electric shock."
What is electricity?
"I don't know, but it's really amazing!"
The minor nobleman Victor, who had just been dismissive, was now completely frozen in place.
He had seen the light of the magic crystal before; it was indeed very bright, but it required a magician to constantly infuse it with magic power to maintain, and the light always had a faint blue tint, which would strain his eyes if he looked at it for too long. Having a magician come to recharge it once a month was also a considerable expense.
A small piece of the dwarven fluorescent ore costs tens of gold coins, and its brightness is limited, illuminating only a small area at most, and it will gradually dim over time.
But this lamp in front of me...
Its light was pure white, bright yet soft, illuminating the entire square without being glaring.
And it seems to require no one to maintain it, just steadily lighting up, one second, two seconds, one minute, two minutes...
"This...how is this possible?" he murmured, his voice trembling. "How can it stay lit without any magic power? What's the working principle behind this?"
His attendants were also dumbfounded: "M-My lord, this... seems even more powerful than the magic crystal..."
"Shut up!" Victor hissed, but inside he was in turmoil.
What kind of technology does this Hope Town possess?
If this kind of light could be mass-produced... if every household could install such a light...
He dared not think any further.
His magic crystal cost hundreds of gold coins, and he also had to pay the magician a monthly maintenance fee. The lamp in front of him, however, seemed to cost far less, yet it was brighter, more stable, and lasted longer than the magic crystal…
He suddenly had a feeling that his prized magic crystal was a joke in the face of this lamp.
Elder Farador stood in the crowd, tears glistening in his cloudy eyes.
The energies that once brought only disaster are now transforming into light.
"It's done..." he murmured, his voice trembling, "It's really done..."
The young Silent One beside him also had tears in his eyes: "Elder... we've protected it for so many years... it really can..."
Lin Yue stood under the wooden pole, watching the reactions of the people around him, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced loudly, "this lamp, which we call the Electric Lamp, is powered by our newly built Magic Power Plant. From this day forward, every corner of Hope Town will be illuminated by this light!"
"As for Blackrock City..." He paused, then smiled, "We have begun laying a dedicated energy transmission line. Along the railway line, copper wires wrapped with special insulating material will connect the two towns. Although the line losses will be significant, by spring, the people of Blackrock City will also be able to use this stable power. With some effort, it's not impossible to achieve this before spring."
The cheers were deafening.
...
After the power station went into operation, life in Xiwang Town underwent tremendous changes.
Electric lights began to become common in the town. Streetlights were installed on the main street, illuminating the entire street at night. There was no longer any need to walk in the dark, nor to worry about torches being blown out by the wind.
With a stable power supply, Lin Yue also designed a simple electric heating device to keep the house warm and cozy, eliminating worries about the consumption of firewood and coal.
Most importantly, the fuel reserves are finally sufficient, and we can even save most of it for next year.
...
Before we know it, the end of the year is approaching.
Lin Yue decided to hold an even grander celebration this year than last year. This was his second winter in this world, and also the first major festival since he officially took over Blackrock City. He still wanted to use the name he remembered, Spring Festival, to reward everyone for their hard work in the past year, and to pray for a more peaceful and prosperous new year.
“Last year was our first Spring Festival. Although it was lively, conditions were limited,” he said at the meeting. “This year is different. We have electricity, heating, a larger population, and more resources. Moreover, Blackstone City has been officially incorporated into our territory, and the people there should also experience what it’s like to celebrate the New Year.”
"This year's celebration can be divided into two events. The one in Hope Town will be held at Store No. 1, and the one in Blackstone City will be held at Hope Canteen. The program will be more extensive than last year, not only will our own people perform, but we can also invite some professional artists to help us."
Mia's eyes lit up: "Mayor, I've heard that there are many bards and street performers in several towns in the south who have been stranded in the north because of the war and are worried about where to make a living."
"Great!" Lin Yue slapped his thigh. "Invite them all over, provide them with food and lodging, and give them an appearance fee. Let them rehearse well and show off their skills on the Spring Festival Gala."
“And the children at the school,” Aunt Lian interjected, “they’ve learned a lot this year, so we can put on an annual performance.”
“That’s a good idea,” Lin Yue nodded. “Let all the students who want to perform sign up. Anyone with a special talent or passion can participate.”
When the news spread, the number of people signing up far exceeded Lin Yue's expectations. Almost all the students from the academy signed up, totaling more than two hundred. Adding in the town's residents and invited performers, the program was packed full.
"What are we going to do?" Mia asked, looking worried as she held a thick stack of registration forms. "There's not enough time; we can't possibly let everyone go on stage."
"Then let's select the best performers," Lin Yue said. "We'll divide them into several rounds. They'll perform in their respective areas first, and then the best ones will go on the main stage. Don't be discouraged if you're not selected. During the interactive segment at the end of the party, everyone can go on stage and play together."
Thus began a grand audition process for the show.
In the school, the children gave it their all.
There were singers with loud voices, singing "Hope Town Song" taught by Lin Yue; there were dancers, whose movements were still a bit clumsy, but their uniformity was impressive; and there were also people performing mental arithmetic, which was quite wonderful.
"Three hundred and seventy-two plus five hundred and eighty-nine!"
Nine hundred and sixty-one!
"Seventy-three times twelve!"
"Eight hundred and seventy-six!"
"The square root of 81!"
"Nine!"
The parents watching were stunned, marveling at how remarkable children are these days.
"My son used to be unable to do addition and subtraction within ten, but now he can do such complicated problems?"
"The school is amazing! The city lord is amazing!"
The adults were not to be outdone.
Some people brought out their best skills, playing a whistle made of animal bones with a melodious and loud sound; others played a fast-paced hand drum, reciting stories in fluent rhythm; and an old man even dug out his family's heirloom, a mountain lion headdress made of wood carving and animal hide, and performed a traditional prayer dance. Although he was alone, his movements exuded a primitive and rugged sense of power.
The invited artists are even more talented and versatile.
There was a bard named Marco, known as the Golden Voice, who could sing an ancient heroic epic with breathtaking power. When he sang of heroes fighting giant beasts, some in the audience clenched their fists; when he sang of tragedy and the fall of heroes, some in the audience sighed with sorrow; when he sang of the seeds of hope sprouting in the ruins, the audience was moved to tears.
There was also a street acrobatic troupe, led by a nimble middle-aged woman known as Flying Swallow. They could perform all sorts of thrilling stunts on a taut rope, catching a short sword thrown from a height of three zhang (approximately 10 meters) with their mouths, and simultaneously tossing three burning torches into the air and catching them one by one... It was breathtaking and awe-inspiring.
The most unique events were the programs sponsored by Lin Yue. He sifted through his memories of stories and found skilled locals to create simple props for the Monkey King, including a mask, rake, and crescent shovel, based on his vague descriptions. Several selected, lively, and daring residents and performers, under Lin Yue's guidance, rehearsed a simple yet entertaining short play, "The Monkey King's Adventures." Although the plot was drastically altered and incorporated many elements of local legends, the Monkey King's cleverness, mischievousness, and willingness to challenge authority still captivated everyone, eliciting continuous laughter.
After three rounds of selection, the final program list has finally been finalized.
Two celebrations will be held simultaneously in Hope Town and Black Rock City on New Year's Eve.
...
On New Year's Eve, the two towns were filled with a strong festive atmosphere from the morning.
The streets were adorned with lanterns and ribbons decorated with red cloth and colored paper, and auspicious greetings written in Mandarin were posted at the entrances of shops. Everywhere was filled with people buying New Year's goods, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, bargaining, and children's laughter blended together in a vibrant atmosphere.
"Curned pork, fresh cured pork."
"Candy, sweet candy, children love to eat it."
"New clothes! New cotton-padded coat! They'll keep you warm and presentable during the holidays!"
Women gathered in small groups in the ready-to-wear and general merchandise sections of Yihaodian, carefully selecting their items.
"This material is quite nice; it'll be perfect for making a cotton-padded jacket for my husband."
"Your husband? He's always out and about, whatever he wears is a waste."
"That's right, I took the kid skiing yesterday, and he came back covered in snow. I scolded him for ages..."
"Hey, did you buy that terracotta vase? It's a new one from Ella Pottery, it has wheat ears painted on it, it's so pretty."
"I bought it, I'll put it in the main room. It'll make us look good when guests come over for holidays."
"I'm thinking of buying a new set of bowls and plates. The celadon pottery that Ella and the others made is really beautiful, but it's a bit expensive..."
"What's so expensive about it? It only happens once a year, just buy it."
The men gathered on the street, chatting and watching the commotion.
"Look at this cotton-padded coat of mine, my wife made it for me, it's padded with three layers of cotton inside,"
"That's nothing. Look at these animal skin boots of mine. They were just brought from the north by the caravan this year. They're all furry, and I guarantee your feet won't be cold until spring."
“All you guys know is how to dress up. Look at this—” A burly man pulled an exquisite wooden box from his pocket. “A jewelry box from Kailan Woodworks. A surprise for my wife.”
"Hey, Patton, you've really made something of yourself."
"That's right. The money we earn from working is precisely to give our families a better life, isn't it?"
"That's right. Come on, let's go see what good stuff we have."
On the snow-covered slope outside the town, a group of children were having a great time.
Ever since Lin Yue had snowboards made, they've become the hottest entertainment activity this winter. There are not only double skis but also snowboards, with a wide variety of styles and ways to play. Kids are going crazy for them, and adults are joining in the fun.
“Dad, look at me!” A seven or eight-year-old girl stood at the top of the slope and slid down with a “whoosh.”
"Well done!" his father cheered from below, then stepped onto his skis and followed him down.
The father and daughter tumbled together in the snow, laughing so hard they were doubled over.
Several grown men nearby were competing with each other to see who could skate the farthest and who could fall the hardest; the loser had to buy the winner a drink.
"Haha, Tom, you fell again."
"Shut up, this board is not behaving today."
"It's clearly your skill that's lacking!"
"Come on, let's have another one!"
In the distance, Gray was gracefully gliding down the hillside on a pair of skis, his posture so perfect it was like a textbook example. He was fast yet as steady as a mountain, leaving the people around him stunned.
"Captain Gray, you're amazing!"
Gray nodded casually: "For patrol purposes."
"ah?"
"It's faster to patrol in the morning by stepping on this than by walking."
The group looked at each other in bewilderment, then burst into laughter.
"Captain Gray is really... he does everything so seriously, like he's on a mission."
An elderly man walked over and shook his head with a sigh: "Tsk tsk tsk, you kids are lucky to be born in such a good time. When we were kids, we wouldn't dare to play outside like this in winter. Back then, you could easily freeze to death if you weren't careful."
"Yes, sir, it's all thanks to the mayor."
"Thanks to the mayor." The old man nodded, his gaze distant. "At this time of year, every household would stay indoors, afraid of going out and getting cold. The elderly and children had the hardest time, and several of them would pass away every winter. This year is different. It's warm inside, and we have thick cotton-padded coats to wear when we go out. The children can run around in the snow... We never dared to dream of such a life before."
On the other side, several elderly people were sitting on the frozen riverbank, leisurely fishing.
Several ice holes were carved into the river. The old people, wrapped in thick fur coats, held fishing rods in their hands, their eyes fixed on the water, occasionally exchanging a few words.
"Old buddy, got hooked yet?"
"Not yet. The fish aren't biting today."
"Don't rush, take your time. Anyway, there's nothing else to do, just treat it as sunbathing."
"Yeah, that's true. Life is so comfortable..."
"That's right. In the past, we wouldn't dare go out in winter. Our bones would ache from the cold. Now it's so much better. With those electric heaters, the house is as warm as spring. We can go out fishing, enjoy the breeze, and come back to a warm bed waiting for us. We never dared to dream of such a life before."
"Haha, well said. Come on, try my five-spice stir-fried soybeans, a new product from Yihaodian."
...
As evening approached, night fell.
At the same time, thousands of lights illuminated both Hope Town and Black Stone City.
This is the first Lunar New Year's Eve since the Magic Power Plant went into operation.
In Hope Town, all the streetlights were on, illuminating the entire town as bright as day. Warm light shone from the windows of every house, and the sounds of laughter and cheerful conversation could be faintly heard from inside. Although Blackstone City still lacked electricity, twice as many bonfires and torches as in previous years were lit on the main streets and squares, making it equally bright and lively.
The store was already packed.
A large red curtain hung on the stage, and lanterns and ribbons were arranged on both sides. The audience consisted of long-time residents and new residents of Hope Town, their faces beaming with expectant smiles.
"I heard they hired a professional bard this year."
"There's also acrobatics!"
"The children at school also have to perform; my son has been rehearsing for several days."
Meanwhile, the Hope Canteen in Blackrock City was also bustling with activity. Most of the diners were Blackrock City residents and newly arrived immigrants, many of whom were attending such a large celebration for the first time.
"Will there really be a show to watch?" a young woman asked curiously.
“Of course,” laughed an old man from Hope Town. “I saw it last year, it was so lively. This year it’s sure to be even more spectacular!”
With the sound of a gong, both evening parties began simultaneously.
...
On the stage of Store No. 1, a bard carrying a seven-stringed lyre walked out. He was Marco, the golden-voiced man whom Mia had invited.
"Happy New Year, everyone!" He bowed slightly, his voice clear and bright. "On this night of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, please allow me to sing for you an ancient 'Song of the Northern Pioneers'—"
He plucked the strings, and a melodious tune flowed out:
When the cold wind blows across the wilderness, when the white snow covers the mountains,
There is a group of people who have never given up hope.
They paved the way with their own hands and irrigated the land with their sweat.
On the edge of the cursed land, homes were built…
The audience immediately fell silent, and everyone pricked up their ears.
Marco sings about the pioneering history of the people of the North, which also cleverly incorporates the story of the establishment of Hope Town.
He described Lin Yue as the one who brought the spark of wisdom, Gray as the silent guardian sword, and Stonefist as the craftsman who forged the hammer of hope... Every character was vividly portrayed, and every plot was captivating.
When the song reached the hardships of the group's initial arrival in the wilderness, some in the audience sighed; when the song reached the victory against the Black Rock Gang, some in the audience were thrilled; and when the song reached the scene of bright lights and laughter, some in the audience were moved to tears.
"good!"
"Well sung!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
Immediately afterwards, the acrobatic troupe came on stage.
Their performance included rope dancing and fire meteors. The performers moved with incredible ease on the taut ropes, even somersaulting and walking upside down, leaving the audience breathless. The fire meteors were an even more spectacular feat, with burning spheres dancing at both ends of the chains, drawing dazzling trails of light that were a feast for the eyes.
Then came the school children's performance.
This year's program was much richer than last year's. There was a group recitation of poetry, with children's voices that were tender yet orderly; a short play performed by a small group told the fable of the seed and the boulder, and although they occasionally forgot their lines, their earnest little faces made all the adults smile; there was also a mental arithmetic team composed of several children who challenged the audience with arithmetic problems on the spot, and each correct answer drew cheers.
The Silent Ones also offered their festival, an ancient and mysterious dance of blessing from the sacred tree. Ella and Kalan led their people, dressed in dresses adorned with green leaves and vine patterns, as they danced gracefully under the soft lights. Their ethereal movements seemed to communicate with heaven and earth, praying for favorable weather and abundant harvests for the entire Hope Town in the coming year.
The most popular performance was undoubtedly "The Monkey King's Adventure." The actor playing the Monkey King wore a headgear, scratched his ears and cheeks, and jumped around, vividly portraying the character's clever and unruly nature. He outwitted and outmaneuvered the characters playing the mountain giant and the greedy goblin. Although the plot was simple, it was full of laughs and highly interactive, making adults and children alike in the audience laugh heartily and applaud continuously.
Below the stage, Stonefist and his five dwarf apprentices occupied half a table.
The table was laden with wine jars and meat, and several dwarfs, their faces flushed from drinking, were shouting and yelling.
"Come on, let's have another drink," Stone Fist raised his wine bowl. "I've been working myself to death on that damn power plant lately. Just that turbine alone ruined so many pieces of iron. Now I can finally relax a bit."
"Master Shi Quan is right, let's do it."
The five apprentices raised their glasses together and drank them down in one gulp.
"Hahaha, that was great," Shi Quan wiped the wine stains off his beard. "You guys did a pretty good job. I really couldn't have built that turbine by myself without your help. Especially Tie Niu, you got the timing just right during the last quenching. You've improved."
Tie Niu blushed even more at the praise, and chuckled foolishly, "It's all thanks to the master's excellent teaching!"
"Come on, eat meat."
Shi Quan forked a large piece of roasted meat and stuffed it into his mouth, squinting his eyes in satisfaction.
At the next table, Gray, unusually, wasn't wearing a stern face; he was drinking and chatting with several patrolmen.
"Captain Gray, I heard you went on patrol this morning on skis?"
“Hmm.” Gray nodded. “Fast.”
"Haha, the captain has learned to play this too."
“It’s not for fun,” Gray said seriously. “It’s practical. It saves energy and increases efficiency.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
On the other side, A-Qiang was surrounded by a group of children, and he told them stories about the grasslands.
"Uncle Qiang, are there really such big long-haired cows on the grassland?"
“Really, it’s several times bigger than any cow you’ve ever seen, and its horns are this long,” Ah-Qiang gestured.
Wow, that's a lot of meat!
"There's plenty of meat, but those cows have a bad temper; most people can't tame them."
"Uncle Qiang, can you tame him?"
Ah-Qiang smiled憨厚ly: "I guess so... I used to tame animals with my tribe..."
The children gasped in awe.
Ah Qiang smiled, but his eyes were a little red.
"Qiang," Aunt Lian said, carrying a plate of his favorite roasted meat over. "Don't just stay with the kids, eat some too. This is marinated with your sauce, it's especially fragrant."
"Thank you, Aunt Lian." Ah Qiang took the plate, his voice slightly choked.
Xiao Fen lay on the edge of the stage, a large bowl of bones and chunks of meat piled in front of her, eating with gusto. Her tail swayed to the rhythm of the music, and she seemed to be enjoying the lively atmosphere as well.
Little Black found a warm corner to curl up in, lazily snoring. Occasionally, it would open one eye to glance at the performance on stage, then continue sleeping.
...
As the party reached its climax, Lin Yue walked onto the stage.
“Friends,” he said loudly, as the noise gradually subsided, “today is the day we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.”
"We have been through so much together in the past year. We built the railway, connecting the two towns. We tamed the raging energy, and for the first time, the dark, cursed land was illuminated by an inextinguishable light."
"Most importantly, we have all become a family, regardless of where we come from or what race we belong to."
"In the new year, I hope everyone will continue to hold onto hope and hold hands tightly. As long as we are united, there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome and no future that cannot be created."
Now, let's welcome the New Year together.
He turned around and nodded to Ah Hu, who was in charge of the special program.
Ah Hu took a deep breath and lit the fuse in his hand.
"Whoosh—"
A beam of light shot into the sky.
"Bang!"
Huge fireworks burst into bloom in the night sky.
Red, green, gold, silver... countless points of light exploded in the darkness, turning into a sky full of stars, illuminating everyone's face.
"Wow--!"
Exclamations of surprise echoed through the sky.
Fireworks burst into bloom in the night sky, adorning the night with a dreamlike beauty.
The children cheered and jumped up, while the adults looked up at the unprecedented spectacle, their eyes welling up with tears.
Everyone surged out, gazing up at the magnificent sky.
Fireworks lit up both Hope Town and Blackrock City simultaneously, echoing each other as if proclaiming to the entire continent:
The new year has arrived.
Lin Yue stood in the crowd, watching the fireworks fill the sky, a smile appearing on his lips.
Happy New Year, you idiot.
Happy New Year, Xiao Hei.
The fireworks were still going off, and the cheers continued.
And the story of Hope Town will continue to be written in this bright new year.
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