"Could I ask you, Senior Titled Douluo, to test this weapon?" Jiang Siming asked.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at Bone Douluo.
"Fine. Let's see just how good this weapon of yours is." Bone Douluo slapped the table, stood up, and moved some distance away. A film of Soul Power enveloped him.
"Please be careful, Senior." Jiang Siming pulled the trigger and fired a single shot.
"How did it feel, Senior?" Jiang Siming asked, taking another sip of tea.
Bone Douluo slowly returned to his seat, looking surprised. "Fengzhi, this strange weapon really is quite powerful. A level-forty Soul Ancestor could be seriously injured if they weren't careful. But killing one would be a bit of a stretch. Still, I didn't feel the slightest fluctuation in Soul Power. It's simply unbelievable."
"Siming, would you consider selling this weapon exclusively to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? I assure you, the price will satisfy you," Ning Fengzhi said earnestly.
"Uncle Ning, the real strength of this weapon doesn't lie in its damage. It lies in how quickly it can fire several shots in a row." Jiang Siming raised his hand and fired three shots in rapid succession.
"It can lock onto a target, aim, and fire in quick succession. I'm afraid even a level-fifty Soul King would be injured," Jiang Siming said calmly.
"Since I brought it out, that should make my position clear. I can give this weapon to you for free. I'm sure the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has the resources to mass-produce it." Jiang Siming put on a show of generosity.
"Siming, if you put it that way, how could I accept?" Ning Fengzhi said, though inwardly he was overjoyed.
"Kid, don't tell me you've got your eye on my Rongrong?" Bone Douluo blurted out.
"Cough, cough. You've got the wrong idea, Senior," Jiang Siming said awkwardly.
"What? My Rongrong isn't good enough for you?" Bone Douluo demanded again. Jiang Siming could only smile helplessly.
"Actually, the weapon's real power comes from this." Jiang Siming took out a bullet and loaded it in front of the two men before firing.
"Making the bullets is a complicated process, so..." Jiang Siming hesitated deliberately.
Ning Fengzhi smiled. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a large and wealthy organization; money wasn't an issue. If Jiang Siming had truly offered the weapon for free, Ning Fengzhi would have been a little suspicious.
"All right, all right. Name your price, Siming," Ning Fengzhi said generously. He was in an excellent mood. The sect's inner disciples were all auxiliary-type Soul Masters, and this weapon would give them the means to protect themselves. What's more, even people without Soul Power could use it. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's combat strength would increase tremendously.
"I'll tell you the exact price later, Uncle Ning, for a few reasons. But please rest assured: now that I've brought it out, I won't go back on my word." Jiang Siming met Ning Fengzhi's gaze.
It wasn't that Jiang Siming didn't want to name a price. Making the bullets would require Tang San's help. Since gunpowder didn't exist in this world, he had to rely on Tang San. And as for the cost, Jiang Siming didn't dare make a wild guess. Douluo and reality were, after all, two different worlds.
"You're Rongrong's friend, Siming. I trust you." Ning Fengzhi patted Jiang Siming on the shoulder.
"Tell me, Siming, are you betrothed to anyone?" Ning Fengzhi asked meaningfully.
Jiang Siming grumbled inwardly, Do people in the Douluo World really encourage getting married this young?
"I'm sorry, Uncle Ning. I already have a girlfriend." Jiang Siming spread his hands helplessly.
"Haha, it's perfectly normal for a man to have several wives and concubines. Just look at me." Ning Fengzhi thumped his chest.
Jiang Siming cursed inwardly. Are you that worried your daughter won't get married?
"Uh, well... I'm a one-woman kind of guy." Jiang Siming didn't know what else to say.
"What? Kid, what's wrong with our Rongrong? You don't want her?" Bone Douluo slapped the table again. The poor thing was on the verge of falling apart.
"All right, Uncle Gu. I was only joking. You don't mind, do you, Siming?" Ning Fengzhi asked with a smile.
Jiang Siming cursed inwardly. Do you think I dare mind right now?
"Of course not, Uncle Ning. You're joking," Jiang Siming said, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Well, Siming, I'll be on my way. There are still plenty of matters to handle in the sect." Ning Fengzhi stood up.
"Please, Uncle Ning." Jiang Siming rose as well and cupped his hands.
Ning Fengzhi really was a shrewd man. In just a few words, he'd put Jiang Siming in an awkward position. Jiang Siming could face life and death without flinching, yet matters of the heart always unsettled him.
Jiang Siming shook his head helplessly and left the teahouse. After putting on his black robe and mask again, he returned to the Soto Grand Arena.
Three hours later, at the Suiyu Pavilion restaurant in Suotuo City.
"Cheers! Here's to a victorious first match!" Dai Mubai raised his cup. The others all joined in.
"Boss Dai, aren't my sausages amazing? They really did the trick, didn't they?" Oscar asked with a lecherous grin.
Dai Mubai rolled his eyes at Oscar, then shot the others a look. They all understood. Only Zhu Zhuqing, sitting beside Jiang Siming, hesitated a little.
Jiang Siming quietly watched them exchange glances and smiled faintly.
"Brother Siming, I'd like to toast you. Thank you." Xiao Wu was the first to raise her cup.
Jiang Siming knew exactly what Xiao Wu meant. He raised his cup and drained it too.
"Siming, I'd like to toast you too. Thank you for the pills. I won't say more—let's put it all in the drink. I'll finish mine; drink as much as you like." Dai Mubai raised his cup and downed it.
Jiang Siming spread his hands helplessly and drank his down too.
Seeing that, everyone took turns offering him toasts.
Half an hour later.
"Rongrong, I love you so much. I'm going to give you lots and lots of monkeys!" Oscar clung to a pillar and poured out his feelings.
Tang San sat dazed, staring blankly at the others sprawled drunk across the table, a wine cup in his arms. He was clearly completely wasted. Everyone else had passed out at the table.
Looking at the others sprawled all over the place, Jiang Siming couldn't help laughing. Then he looked at Zhu Zhuqing, nestled against him with flushed cheeks. She was adorable, and he couldn't help feeling a little helpless too. The seven of them had spent so long plotting together, yet none of them had thought Jiang Siming might have such a high tolerance for alcohol.
Jiang Siming's body broke down alcohol extremely quickly. Getting him drunk was no easy task.