On a mountaintop.

The area was now covered in gunpowder smoke and flickering flames.

Imperial soldiers escorted the ash-covered, dirt-faced bandits down the mountain.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

And in a clearing halfway up the mountain path...

Song Chi was kneeling on the ground, his head bowed.

Standing before Song Chi was the heroic young man from before.

This was none other than the second son of the King of Yan.

Gu Gaoxu.

The King of Yan’s second son was currently studying the mortar tube in his hands, examining it from top to bottom.

He looked at its base, then at its muzzle.

He even brought it to his nose and sniffed it.

"Be honest. Did you really make this?"

Gu Gaoxu, holding the tube, tapped it against Song Chi’s helmet and raised an eyebrow.

Song Chi kept his head low and repeated:

"It was indeed made by men under my command, specifically to deal with these mountain bandits."

But Gu Gaoxu’s face was full of disbelief.

’What a joke.’

’If he really made it, why can’t he even stammer out a clear explanation of the principles behind how it fires?’

Just as Gu Gaoxu was about to say something, a voice came from behind, huffing and puffing:

"Second Brother... Second Brother..."

Just then, the Crown Prince of Yan came up, supported by an attendant, panting heavily with a face full of sweat.

Gu Gaoxu looked at his older brother’s state and said with a look of disgust:

"Can’t you eat a little less normally?

Just look at how fat you are! You’re a disgrace to our family!"

Gu Gaochi: "..."

Gu Gaochi then retorted with a pout:

"Wasn’t I just worried something might happen to you?!

You think I wanted to come up here?!"

Once Gu Gaochi had fully arrived, he looked at the mountaintop, a little stunned.

"What?

It’s already been taken?"

Beside him, Gu Gaoxu directly handed the still-warm mortar tube to Gu Gaochi.

"With this thing, we took a mountaintop held by three hundred bandits in less than two hours.

Without a single casualty."

Oh?

Hearing what his younger brother said, Gu Gaochi immediately took the mortar and examined it with curiosity.

Then, Gu Gaochi looked at the kneeling Song Chi and quickly said:

"General, please, rise quickly."

As he spoke, Gu Gaochi helped Song Chi to his feet.

The two brothers’ personalities were polar opposites.

After rising, Song Chi saw the Crown Prince of Yan in his Python Robe and couldn’t help but feel impressed.

’I’ve long heard of the Crown Prince of Yan’s virtuous reputation, and seeing him now, it’s clearly true.’

"To design such an ingenious device, you are truly a great talent, General.

When I return to Yandu and report this to my father, I will ensure you are rewarded."

Gu Gaochi remarked with admiration as he looked at the mortar tube in his hands.

Hearing this, Song Chi’s face lit up with joy.

"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

’In the northern part of the Divine Ling Empire, the most powerful king is none other than His Majesty, King Yan!’

Nearby, Gu Gaoxu simply watched Song Chi with a raised eyebrow, saying nothing.

At the same time, out of the corner of his eye, Gu Gaoxu saw several people rushing up the mountain.

He then shot Song Chi a cold snort, turned, and headed straight down the mountain to meet them.

...

At the foot of the mountain.

Gu Gaoxu, holding a horsewhip, listened to the words of the men around him and sneered, his eyebrow arched.

"I knew he didn’t make it.

Taiping City, huh..."

One of the men beside him lowered his head and said softly:

"Yes, Taiping City. After departing from the Provincial City, Song Chi’s troops made a special detour to Taiping City.

They must have acquired these mortars there.

It’s likely that artisans from Taiping City created them."

Hearing this, Gu Gaoxu grinned.

"Getting interesting. Come on, let’s go have some fun in Taiping City!"

The men around him were stunned by his words. They wanted to advise against it but didn’t dare.

Just then, however, the chubby Gu Gaochi also came down from the mountain.

He immediately came to Gu Gaoxu’s side, grabbed his second brother’s wrist, and glared.

"What are you up to now?!"

Annoyed with his older brother, Gu Gaoxu tried to shake off his hand while retorting with a raised eyebrow:

"Song Chi didn’t come up with this thing. Someone else in Taiping City did. We’re going to check it out!"

But as soon as Gu Gaoxu finished speaking, Gu Gaochi scoffed.

"Oh, give me a break!!

What does it matter to you who made it?!

On our trip to the Imperial City, you were told to study, but you refused. Your behavior was frivolous, and His Majesty the Emperor was furious.

If you cause more trouble on the way back to Yandu and don’t return promptly, Dad will skin you alive!"

With that, Gu Gaochi started dragging his younger brother toward the carriage.

"You’re not going anywhere. You’re coming straight back to Yandu with me.

After Dad has cooled down, then you can go mess with this useless stuff."

Gu Gaoxu wanted to struggle and protest; he really didn’t want to go back.

But then he thought about his old man’s grim face, and suddenly, Gu Gaoxu felt his own ass start to ache.

...

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan still had his arms wrapped around Aunt Zhao’s soft, lovely flesh, refusing to let go.

After realizing the reason for Lu Yuan’s visit, Aunt Zhao couldn’t help but roll her eyes and say coquettishly:

"So, you just came here for money, huh?~

And here I was, wondering why a guy like you would be nice enough to come keep me company~

You never do anything unless there’s something in it for you~"

Lu Yuan just chuckled, hugging Aunt Zhao tighter as he said:

"I came to keep you company too, didn’t I? Otherwise, I could have just waited until tonight at home to ask."

Lu Yuan was lying. He couldn’t wait, or else he wouldn’t have come.

’But then again, sweet-talking someone a little doesn’t really count as lying.’

Aunt Zhao, still in Lu Yuan’s arms, smiled coquettishly, pressing her lips together.

"Alright~

You win~

You can go to the vault and get the silver notes in a bit~"

Hearing this, Lu Yuan chuckled and said:

"Alrighty then! I’ll go get the money now?"