Earthquake

The next morning, Li Xuan arrived at Li Ming's room, wearing a smile that expressed her excitement to continue their project.

"Good morning," Li Ming greeted, attempting to smile. He had prepared everything and planned to give the drawings to Elder Han. However, since Li Xuan held more authority in the clan, he handed the drawings to her. "Please ask Elder Han to create all this. We can postpone the refining process for now and focus on extracting the oil from the ground."

"Good morning," Li Xuan greeted him before asking, "I understand. I'll pass on your message to Elder Han. What should we do today?"

"Before the tools are ready, it would be best to explore other areas. We haven't examined the layered wall either," Li Ming suggested.

"Understood. I have gathered the necessary people at the mansion's entrance, so let's head there," Li Xuan confirmed.

"Sure," Li Ming nodded. "By the way, I promised to explain the tectonic movement to you, right? Well, we can discuss it along the way."

"Ah!" Li Xuan thought Li Ming had forgotten due to his frustration the previous day. It pleased her to see that he was a man of his word. "Thank you for fulfilling my request. Let's go."

"Yes—" Li Ming began to respond as he opened the door, but an unexpected event interrupted him.

Cry! Cry!

Birds suddenly took flight, crying out as if sensing something. Roars echoed through the city.

"Huh?" Li Ming and Li Xuan raised their heads, wondering what was happening.

However, in the next moment, the ground started to shake.

Grumble! Grumble!

"!!!" Li Ming's eyes widened in shock. Objects around him trembled and toppled, while the ground beneath him undulated and cracked. Dust filled the air as the intense shaking continued.

"What's happening?" Li Xuan panicked, witnessing Li Ming hold onto the door to stabilize himself. She fell to her knees, but Li Ming quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her toward an open space nearby.

The entire mansion descended into chaos and panic. Dangerous sways threatened hanging decorations, and the shaking tested the endurance of the structures.

"What's happening, Li Ming? Do you know something?" Li Xuan asked, her face pale with horror. This was her first experience with such an event. Her legs felt weak, but Li Ming's hand provided a sense of security as he guided her to the courtyard.

People throughout the mansion screamed, unaware of the cause of the calamity.

"Is the God of the Land angry with us?" Li Xuan panicked, contemplating what she should do.

Meanwhile, Li Ming gradually calmed down as they reached a safe spot.

"This is an earthquake. I'll explain it to you once it's over," Li Ming clicked his tongue, observing the disarray left in his room by the earthquake. He couldn't comprehend why an earthquake struck right before he was about to teach Li Xuan about the tectonic movement. It was an irritating coincidence.

"After it's over? Will it end? We must act quickly and appease the God of the Land," Li Xuan suggested, her face drained of color.

"No need. It should end soon," Li Ming reassured her.

As Li Ming predicted, the ground continued to shake for another thirty seconds before the earthquake gradually subsided, leaving behind a sense of disorder and destruction.

Li Ming took a moment to collect himself.

"It stopped?" Li Xuan gasped, never imagining that Li Ming's words would come true. "What actually happened, Li Ming? What do you mean by an earthquake?"

"An earthquake is a natural disaster, similar to a volcanic eruption or a tornado. In fact, that's what I was about to explain to you," Li Ming clarified.

"You mean the tectonic movement?" Li Xuan asked.

"More specifically, tectonic plate movement," Li Ming nodded, correcting the term. "The ground beneath us is constantly shifting."

"Shifting?!" Li Xuan took a step back, unable to believe what she was hearing.

"Yes, but the movement is extremely slow, to the point where you can't even feel it. However, when it reaches a certain point, it can cause significant movements like the one we just experienced. That's what tectonic plate movements entail."

"There are four types of movements: subduction, divergent, transform, and convergent. Subduction occurs when one tectonic plate descends beneath another, leading to volcanic activity and other phenomena. Divergent boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move away from each other, creating ocean ridges and rift valleys. Transform boundaries involve two plates sliding horizontally past each other, which can cause earthquakes like the one we just felt. Lastly, convergent boundaries occur when two tectonic plates collide, resulting in volcanic areas, mountain ranges, and even islands," Li Ming explained.

Li Xuan widened her eyes in shock. She couldn't help but look down, asking, "Does that mean the ground is a living being?"

"No, no. The ground moves due to the forces beneath it... but they are too deep for us to explore," Li Ming clarified.

"Even with your knowledge, Li Ming?"

"Even with someone smarter than me," Li Ming sighed helplessly.

Li Xuan contemplated for a moment. After learning the truth, she felt a sense of calm.

Glancing at the chaos and destruction surrounding them, she inquired, "Isn't the epicenter far from here? Is there any nearby sea?"

"No, why do you ask?"

"I'm worried there might be a tsunami, a massive wave that could sweep everything away," Li Xuan confessed, her heart racing. However, she quickly shook her head. "I apologize, but could you wait for a moment? I need to inform my father so he can reassure the people."

"Sure. I also need to tend to my belongings," Li Ming nodded. "Just be careful, as there may be aftershocks."

"Yes," Li Xuan vigorously nodded. She turned and hurriedly made her way to the meeting room where her father usually held discussions with the clan elders.

Meanwhile, Li Ming, left behind, returned to his room to clean up the mess. "Oh, boy... Why do I have to go through all this? But since Li Xuan is unaware of earthquakes despite her age, it must mean they don't occur frequently here. Hopefully, I won't have to deal with this again."