As for the proportions for gunpowder, they were probably common knowledge, like a notice posted at a crossroads. After all, they'd learned it in elementary school: one part saltpeter, two parts sulfur, three parts charcoal.
The principle was simple, too. The energy and gas produced by intense combustion couldn't disperse quickly. In a confined space, their volume expanded, building pressure until an explosion occurred.
But Xu Fang obviously couldn't explain it with such unmagical science. A few overexcited bigwigs might accidentally squeeze him to death.
"I'm the son of Military Mages. When my parents passed away, I was powerless. All I could do was watch their lives slip away."
Xu Fang first seized the moral high ground by invoking his two parents who had sacrificed their lives.
Sure enough, Fei Jiao and Zhan Kong's expressions immediately softened.
Zhan Kong in particular thought of the year he'd lost his lover and been driven to a small southern city like a mangy stray dog.
If not for the support and encouragement of his subordinates, including Xu Fang's parents, he'd probably still be wasting away in despair.
"It takes years and a great deal of resources to cultivate a qualified Primary Mage. But a Demon Beast needs only a few months, or even a few weeks, to easily kill several Mages of the same level!"
"This imbalance has cost us dearly in our long war of attrition."
"Elemental Seeds and Magic Tools can help narrow the gap, but they're too expensive. Ordinary Magic Tools especially—blacksmiths look down on making them, and ordinary Mages can't afford them."
Yi Ping, standing nearby, awkwardly rubbed his nose. He specialized in high-end products.
"Back then, I wondered if there was a Magic Tool that was both cheap and effective, one that could fill this gap."
Xu Fang felt the mood had built up enough, and his voice gradually grew more impassioned.
"Now there is!"
"I drew inspiration from Fire Spark. When Fire Spark is released, the fire element around the skill is drawn away, creating a blank zone. The magic energy can only compress within that area, and when it reaches the critical point, it explodes instantly, causing damage."
"First, I reinforced the Iron Skin Corpse's outer shell with a Fortification Array to simulate the blank zone's containment. Then I carved the interior with decomposition and Combustion Arrays, releasing as much of the Magic Stone's energy as possible."
"A complete success!"
"With a firm gaze and ringing voice, full of concern for his country and its people, Xu Fang's impassioned speech had the crowd hanging on his every word.
"Excellent!"
Zhan Kong was the first to applaud. "As expected of someone from our Southern Military Department! You've certainly got some tricks up your sleeve!"
Fei Jiao had been smiling at first, but couldn't hold it in when he heard that. "Southern Military Department? Xu Fang's with the Central Military Department now!"
Zhan Kong cursed. "Nonsense! When did he ever join the Central Military Department? He's a student!"
"He's a second-year high school student. Every second-year student in the Ancient Capital belongs to the Central Military Department!" Fei Jiao insisted, even though he had no real grounds for it. "You entrusted him to me yourself. Now you're changing your mind?"
"You've got some nerve! You never even answered your phone, and left him to fend for himself on the streets. He's just a kid!"
Everyone here was shameless, but Zhan Kong was clearly the best at it. Despite his scraggly beard, he managed to squeeze out a couple of tears, looking so heartbroken he could barely breathe.
If Zhan Kong hadn't gone all those days without calling, Xu Fang might actually have believed him.
"Little brother, little brother!"
Shi Zheng pulled Xu Fang over, a smile spreading across his face. "You awakened an elemental magic, right? What a coincidence—I awakened one too. Maybe our families were one five hundred years ago!"
Lowering his voice, he said, "Don't listen to those two spouting nonsense. How much money do you think you'll make as a rank-and-file soldier? How about this: I'll recommend you to President Han Ji, and guarantee you'll soar to success."
"Shallow! Vulgar!"
Zhan Kong had good ears. Pointing at Shi Zheng, he scolded, "All you know is making money. Is money the only reason to be a Mage?"
"Money can't solve everything, but you can't do without it." Shi Zheng snorted. "I can give the kid an Armor Magic Tool right now to use as a test suit. Can you?"
Zhan Kong was at a loss for words.
He was broke. Forget an Armor Magic Tool—even handing over the cheapest Shield Magic Tool would feel like ripping out a piece of his own flesh.
But he couldn't lose face, so he resorted to sheer bluster. "I'm not arguing with you. I'll report this straight to our Commander Hua and let him deal with you!"
"I'll do the same. I'll report it to our Grand Commander Jiang!" Fei Jiao chimed in.
Now it was Shi Zheng's turn to curse.
Those two shameless military grunts—did they really think they could play that game with him?
"You two, come with me." He dragged Zhan Kong and Fei Jiao away, leaving Xu Fang and Yi Ping staring awkwardly at each other.
Xu Fang said, "Master Yi..."
"No, no, just call me Xiao Yi." Yi Ping quickly waved his hands.
"...I'll call you Old Yi, then. How's the repair on my Magic Tool coming along?"
"Tomorrow! I'll bring it over before lunch!" Yi Ping smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum. "Here's my number. Call me whenever you need a Magic Tool repaired or want to buy one. Just say the word!"
Xu Fang was only seventeen.
Xu Fang was only a second-year high school student.
But even a blind man could see that this student was about to soar to success.
Even if he did nothing for the rest of his life, the contribution he'd made with the bomb alone would earn him a place in the history of magic!
After they chatted for a while, Zhan Kong and the other two returned.
They'd left glaring and nearly fighting, but came back with their arms around one another's shoulders, like three best friends. No one knew what sort of shady deal they'd struck.
Xu Fang privately despised those three old creeps.
"Little brother, just stay here without a worry. Remember to report to the Southern Military Department after the college entrance exams." Zhan Kong patted Xu Fang's shoulder warmly.
Fei Jiao slapped his hand away. "We'll talk about that later. Come, come, let me explain the military training arrangements..."
"What's there to explain about military training? Little brother, try this Armor Magic Tool on and see if it fits."
Shi Zheng cheerfully took out an Armor Magic Tool, its silvery sheen dazzling.
While Xu Fang was surrounded by adoring bigwigs, Yi Ping became a pitiful tool-hand, clanging away with his tools at the sort of work usually given to interns and churning out a huge pile of bombs.
Zhan Kong and the other two each took several samples and hurried off before dawn.
The next few days passed peacefully.
The three bigwigs and the even bigger bigwigs behind them reached an agreement: for Xu Fang's safety, they would keep the news of his invention of the bomb under wraps.
There was no need to make a fuss about it yet. They'd announce it when the time was right.
The bomb also needed to be tested in practice, to find a suitable balance between power, cost, and production speed. Every new invention had to go through this process.
Everyone who knew about it—including Yi Ping, the two Judgment Society members, one old and one young, and even the bearded man who'd picked a fight that day—was invited to the Judgment Society for tea.
Sun Rui Zhi was among those invited for tea, even though he had no idea what had caused the explosion that day.
As soon as he left the Judgment Society, his father, Sun Erhe, called. He said Master Yi Ping was willing to provide the Sun family's second branch with several more forging slots and asked whether Sun Rui Zhi knew what had happened.
With that brilliant brain of his, Brother Rui Zhi immediately figured it out: Xu Fang was a hidden powerhouse, and to stand up for him, he'd revealed his identity and pressured Yi Ping.
What a loyal friend!
Sun Rui Zhi was moved to tears by his own imagination. He couldn't believe Xu Fang had gone so far behind his back for him.
He'd judged a gentleman by his own petty standards. That really was inexcusable.
Xu Fang's noble character had completely won him over. He was eager to become Xu Fang's lackey and would follow him anywhere without a word of complaint.
Xu Fang had no idea what was going through the kid's head, but he was more than happy to have a lackey.
Mo Fan had Zhang Xiaohou, Mu Bai had Zhao Kun San, and Brother Rui Zhi, though his brain worked in mysterious ways... What did a lackey need brains for?
You're in!
Before you continue