These mechanical beings were imbued with such vitality because they contained something within their heads—a central control unit, much like that of a robot, which allowed them to carry out a series of tasks only when instructed.
Presumably, the master artisan who crafted this construct had programmed it to guard whatever lay within the gate; this was why anyone who approached the circular portal would be met with an attack. If a robot has a central control unit, then for this mechanical being, one simply needed to locate the command center within its "brain," modify it, and the problem would be solved.
Li Dai recalled the entry on mechanical constructs in the library pavilion of her sect. The final chapter mentioned that every mechanism leaves a mark; only by identifying the creator’s seal could one issue new commands to it. Top-tier master artisans could make these seals last for ages, and some could even guide the construct to develop its own thoughts based on the creator's initial imprint. That was how mechanical beings with self-awareness came to be. Such a construct, aside from its physical body, was no different from a living person.
Chapter 569