Courtyard House: A Major Power's Heavy Industry, Hand-Crafted Nuclear Fusion

A temporary assessment platform was set up in the center of the workshop.

Two vises, two files, and a bunch of random old lock and key blanks.

The workers who were watching surrounded the place so tightly that it was impossible to move.

Yi Zhonghai stood on the judges' panel, his face grim. Several experienced level-seven fitters he had brought along stood beside him, serving as notaries.

Workshop foreman Lao Zhang sat in the middle, acting as the referee.

"The rules are simple."

Yi Zhonghai pointed to the rusty old-fashioned pin tumbler lock on the table. "This lock doesn't have an original key. I'll give you ten minutes to figure out the lock's structure. Then, blindfolded, you'll have to use your sense of touch to file teeth into a blank key blank and open the lock. Su Zheng, you demonstrate first, then have your apprentice Zhao Ming do it. If Zhao Ming can open it, you pass!"

This rule sounds fair, but it actually harbors hidden dangers.

This lock was clearly chosen specifically by Yi Zhonghai. The lock cylinder is severely aged, the pins are loose, and there may even be hidden defects. Let alone blindly duplicating it, even if you were to try and duplicate it by sight, most people wouldn't be able to do it correctly.

Moreover, they only give you ten minutes to figure it out!

Su Zheng walked to the control panel and picked up the lock.

[The Eye of Truth scans.]

[Item: Damaged three-ring pin tumbler lock]

[Internal structure: 5 pins, of which the 3rd spring is faulty, and the hole for the 5th pin is severely worn.]

[Activation method: Special compensation is required for the key teeth...]

In just a few seconds, Su Zheng had already mastered the lock.

But he didn't rush to start. Instead, he pretended to fumble around for a while and even took out a probe to poke the keyhole.

"Alright."

Su Zheng put down the lock, picked up a piece of black cloth, and blindfolded himself.

"Start the timer!" Old Zhang shouted.

Su Zheng picked up the file and the key blank.

Sizzle—sizzle—sizzle—

His movements were not fast, but extremely steady.

Each stroke of the file seemed to be the result of meticulous calculation.

The surroundings were completely silent, except for the echoing sound of a file scraping against metal.

three minutes.

In just three minutes.

Su Zheng stopped what he was doing.

He removed his blindfold and inserted the freshly filed key into the lock.

"Click".

A crisp sound.

The locking beam popped open!

opened!

"Bravo!" Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd.

"Master Su's skills are amazing!"

"This is what a true level eight craftsman looks like!"

Yi Zhonghai's expression darkened further. He hadn't expected Su Zheng to resolve the "sick lock" so quickly.

"Hmph, it's not a skill for the master to be capable, it's a skill for the disciple to be capable," Yi Zhonghai said coldly. "Zhao Ming, it's your turn."

All eyes were on Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming was a first-class skilled worker, usually doing rough work. He had almost no experience with delicate tasks like key duplication, let alone blind duplication!

He was so nervous that his whole body was shaking.

Su Zheng walked to Zhao Ming's side, said nothing, but gently took his hand.

A steady force was transmitted.

"Don't panic." Su Zheng's voice was very soft, only passing between the two of them. "Remember the feel of that lock just now? The third pin was loose, and the fifth one was crooked. When filing, the third pin should be a little shallower, and the fifth pin should be a little off-center. Use the posture I just taught you, keep your mind calm, and keep your hand steady."

This is the core data analyzed by the [Eye of Truth] being directly given to Zhao Ming!

This is not just technical guidance, it's an "open-book exam"!

Zhao Ming took a deep breath and nodded.

He blindfolded himself and picked up a file.

At first, his hands were shaking a little.

"Sizzle..." The first cut went a little off course.

Yi Zhonghai smirked: As expected, it didn't work.

But then, Zhao Ming seemed to find his rhythm.

The posture Su Zheng had just taught him kept replaying in his mind; he used his waist to generate power in his upper arms.

nourish - nourish -

The sound gradually became stable.

Although not as fluid and graceful as Su Zheng's, it possessed the focus and dedication of a beginner.

Ten minutes have passed.

Fifteen minutes have passed.

Yi Zhonghai was getting impatient: "Is it any good or not? If it's not good, then don't..."

"alright!"

Zhao Ming suddenly shouted and stopped what he was doing.

He took off his blindfold, his forehead covered in sweat, and clutched the key, still warm from his body, tightly in his hand.

He inserted the key into the lock with trembling hands.

Rotate.

its stuck.

It's not open.

"Hahahaha!" MCA couldn't help but burst out laughing. "I told you! He's a complete waste of everyone's time!"

Yi Zhonghai breathed a sigh of relief, a victorious smile spreading across his face: "Su Zheng, it seems your apprentice..."

"Don't rush."

Su Zheng suddenly spoke up, "Zhao Ming, step back a little, then gently lift it up, and then turn it."

This is a special opening method for that loose spring!

Zhao Ming was taken aback for a moment, then immediately did as instructed.

Let's step back a little, raise the bar, and share!

"Click!"

The crisp sound of the lock being opened was like heavenly music at that moment.

The lock is open!

The entire room fell silent.

Immediately following was even more enthusiastic applause and cheers than before!

"Holy crap! It's really open!"

"This Zhao Ming is amazing! A first-class craftsman can make keys blindly?"

"This isn't Zhao Mingshen, this is Master Su Shen! How could he teach someone like this?"

The veteran fitters also looked on incredulously, exchanging glances and seeing shock in each other's eyes.

This ability to "turn stone into gold" is even more terrifying than having good skills!

Yi Zhonghai's smile froze on his face, as if he had swallowed a dead fly.

He lost.

We lost completely.

Not only did he fail to stop Su Zheng from taking on disciples, but he also became a stepping stone for Su Zheng's "god-level teaching ability"!

Workshop foreman Lao Zhang was the first to react, leading the applause: "Good! Good! A great teacher produces great students! Comrade Su Zheng, I approve your apprenticeship! From now on, Zhao Ming and the others will be under your guidance!"