Hiss...
Barely had sparks risen from the cannon's fuse when a sound like muffled thunder erupted.
Boom!
A cannonball shot out of the barrel, hurtling straight toward Xiao Jinrong.
Xiao Jinrong's pupils contracted. He stamped his right foot hard against the ground and dodged sideways.
The cannonball flew past, almost grazing his body.
The next instant, it struck a house behind him.
Bang!
Flames surged forth, and the house, which had been largely intact, shattered on the spot.
Roof beams snapped, bricks and tiles flew in all directions, and thick smoke billowed into the sky.
Gasp!
The soldiers and servants inside the residence all retreated at the sight, each face paler than the last.
After steadying himself, Xiao Jinrong glanced back, horror etched across his face as well.
That iron lump was actually this terrifyingly powerful?!
Had I been a step slower, wouldn't it have struck me instead?
Then I... would probably have died on the spot!
That realization only stoked Xiao Jinrong's fury. He turned an icy gaze on Zhang Xinnian and said, "Do you know that I am a prince?"
"The reigning dynasty's Seventh Prince!!"
"I know!"
Zhang Xinnian looked at Xiao Jinrong. "So what?"
"Hmph, lay a hand on our Heir Apparent or shout at our duke, and I'd take you on even if you were the King of Heaven himself!"
"You... you utter blockhead!!"
Xiao Jinrong's face turned livid with rage, his whole body trembling.
In all these years, he had never encountered such a blockhead!
Once a normal person learned I was the Seventh Prince, even if they didn't immediately kneel and beg forgiveness, they should at least show some fear, shouldn't they?
Yet this fellow actually dared to use that iron lump even after learning who he was.
Still, Xiao Jinrong understood that such