Chapter 186 Book 5 Steam
The scent of heated iron and scorched oil lingered in the air as hammers rang rhythmically against anvils in the College of Engineering's main hall. Steam curled in lazy spirals from the tops of kettles and boilers scattered around the room, remnants of earlier failed experiments that students had attempted before their teacher arrived. Though modest in size, the department had grown steadily under the recent influx of attention and support from Xian Town's lord—who, unknown to many, was none other than the young girl walking through its iron-bound gates this morning.
Li An stood out starkly among the burly blacksmith apprentices and soot-covered students. Draped in an elegant yet practical dark-blue robe embroidered with clouds and waves, her frame is petite and small but already shows beauty and elegance. Every step she took carried the calm authority of someone who had seen deeper truths than most mortals ever would.
