232: Firearms sparked conflict

Whale oil burned in the bronze lamps of the Core Hall of Beyond Heaven, casting a faint light on the Jade Slip in Jun Xiaoyao's fingers.

The words "Pili Hall" on the Jade Slip were circled three times in cinnabar, with a line of small text annotated beside it: "Controls firearms in North of the River, controls 30% of the Black Iron Mining Area's shares."

"News from The Net, Pili Hall Master Lei Qianzhang has recently spread word in the black market that he intends to buy up Jiangnan silk at ten times the price, cutting off our supply."

Zhao Gao stood bowing below the steps, his voice lowered extremely low, "He also said, 'Beyond Heaven is just a bunch of rats hiding behind The Net; if they dare to show their faces, let them taste the power of our firearms.'"

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the Jade Slip, a hint of coldness curling at the corners of his lips: "Firearms? That's new."

He looked up at the summoning array; the spirit light at the center of the array was flickering—this was the System's notification of a new summoning opportunity.

"Activate summoning," he said indifferently.

The array patterns lit up, golden runes flowing across the ground like water, interweaving into an ancient net. A moment later, the light shrank sharply, and a figure appeared in the array: eight feet tall, face like heavy dates, phoenix eyes slightly raised, holding a green dragon crescent blade, radiating an imposing righteousness.

[Summoning Successful]

[Character: Guan Yu]

[From: romance of the three kingdoms world]

[Realm: Late Stage Great Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. green dragon crescent blade Technique (Perfection) — The saber momentum is heavy and fierce, capable of splitting mountains and rocks, containing the Qi of "loyalty and righteousness," intimidating the petty. 2. Spring and Autumn Saber Technique (Major Achievement) — Based on the great righteousness of the "Spring and Autumn," the Saber Intent is upright and bright, specifically breaking tricky Moves. 3. Dragging Saber Technique (Perfection) — Feigning weakness to lure the enemy, suddenly launching a counterattack, the angle of the saber is tricky, difficult to guard against.]

[Loyalty: 100%]

"Subordinate Guan Yu, pays respects to the Young Lord." Guan Yu knelt on one knee, his voice like a booming bell, the crescent blade propped on the ground, causing the floor tiles in the hall to tremble slightly.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at him, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "Yunchang, you have come just in time. The Pili Hall in North of the River is using firearms to act violently; do you dare to go and meet them?"

Guan Yu raised his head, his phoenix eyes shooting out sharp light: "With the Young Lord's order, even if there are thousands of people, I will go!"

I. The Net Scouts the Path

Three days later, in the dense forest on the outskirts of the Black Iron Mining Area, the Luowang Assassins "Shadow One" was lying on the treetop, using a telescope to observe the defenses of Pili Hall. Three iron cannons stood at the entrance of the mining area, their muzzles aimed at the approaching path, and a dozen guards carrying firelocks patrolled back and forth, the tokens at their waists engraved with the word "Lei."

"The Hall Master has ordered, from today on, anyone from Beyond Heaven who approaches within a hundred feet of the mining area, fire directly!" a bearded guard shouted in a rough voice, "The Hall Master said, whatever Beyond Heaven, Under Heaven, if they dare to grab our black iron, we will blow them into ashes!"

Shadow One retreated silently into the dense forest, pulling three poison needles from his fingertips—this was a "greeting gift" for the patrol team. He pressed the mechanism in his sleeve, and the poison needles broke through the air, precisely hitting the back of the necks of three isolated guards. A moment later, the guards fell silently to the ground. He quickly searched for the mining area layout map in their arms, on which the location of the firearm depot was marked, written in red ink as "Ten Thousand Catties of Gunpowder."

"Interesting." Shadow One sneered, rolled the layout map into a thin tube, and stuffed it into the copper tube on the leg of a carrier pigeon. When the pigeon flapped its wings and rose into the sky, he had already disappeared into the depths of the dense forest—the rules of The Net: leave no traces after finishing a job.

II. Beyond Heaven's Layout

Inside the Beyond Heaven hall, Jun Xiaoyao spread out the layout map, and Zhao Gao marked it on the side: "The firearm depot is in the center of the mining area, surrounded by three layers of barbed wire, with sub-mother mines buried. Lei Qianzhang's study is in the watchtower on the west side of the mining area; it is said that he checks accounts there every night."

Guan Yu stood in front of the map, his finger pointing to the watchtower: "This place has high terrain, easy to defend and hard to attack, but it is also the most conspicuous. This subordinate is willing to take ten Luowang Assassins to raid the watchtower at night and capture the ringleader first."

"No need." Jun Xiaoyao shook his head, "Lei Qianzhang is just a clown; the real trouble is the firearm technique in his hands. The Net found out that they purchased a batch of 'flowering shells' from overseas, with power enough to blow up half a mountain."

He looked at Guan Yu, "Take the green dragon crescent blade to challenge them outside the mining area, only defend and do not attack, forcing Lei Qianzhang to make a Move personally."

Although Guan Yu did not understand, he still bowed and accepted the order: "This subordinate obeys."

Zhao Gao added: "The Young Lord wants to bait them into exposing the weaknesses of the firearms. Lei Qianzhang is conceited that his firearms are invincible and will definitely let you taste their power. We can just happen to figure out the range and loading time of the flowering shells."

III. Confrontation at the Mining Area

Seven days later, in the open space of the Black Iron Mining Area in North of the River, Guan Yu stood horizontally with his blade, the green dragon crescent blade stuck in front of him, the blade reflecting the scorching sun, making people unable to open their eyes.

"Lei Qianzhang, get out and die!" His voice traveled for several miles; the guards in the mining area poked their heads out, but no one dared to step forward.

A burst of wild laughter came from the watchtower: "Where did this lunatic come from, daring to act wildly on Grandpa's territory?" Lei Qianzhang poked his head out, saw Guan Yu's attire, and laughed even more fiercely, "Dressed like the red-faced Guan Gong on the theater stage, thinking that wearing a fake beard can scare people? Come, fire the cannons for me!"

"Boom!" An iron cannon sounded, and the cannonball flew past Guan Yu's side, blowing up dust into the sky.

Guan Yu remained motionless, the scabbard scratching a deep groove on the ground: "Rats who only know how to hide behind cannons, are you worthy of being called a Hall Master?"

Lei Qianzhang was enraged, personally carrying a firelock downstairs, followed by twenty firelock men: "I will let you see what real stuff is!" He raised his firelock and aimed at Guan Yu, "If you don't retreat, I will make you a sieve!"

Guan Yu slowly drew his blade, the green dragon crescent blade flashing with cold light in the sun: "If you have the guts, bring it on."

The firelocks fired in unison, and lead bullets whistled over. Guan Yu swung his blade to block, the blade light like a wall, bouncing all the lead bullets away. "Is this all the power you have?" He stepped forward step by step, his blade momentum rising, "Lei Qianzhang, your firearms are not as good as my one blade."

Seeing this, Lei Qianzhang's face changed suddenly: "Fire the cannons! Use the flowering shells!"

The gunner hurriedly loaded the ammunition, but before the fuse could be lit, the Luowang Assassins "Shadow Two" had already shot a poisoned short arrow from the dark, hitting the gunner's wrist squarely. The fuse fell to the ground and went out halfway.

"Your people?" Lei Qianzhang was both shocked and angry, but he saw Guan Yu's green dragon crescent blade already in front of him. He retreated in a panic, knocking over the firelock rack, "Stop him! Quickly stop him!"

The guards surrounded him with firelocks, Guan Yu's blade momentum sank, and a "Green Dragon Tail Swing" swept out. The firelocks broke into several pieces, and the guards screamed and flew backward. "The Young Lord said, do not hurt the innocent," he looked at Lei Qianzhang, "but you, must come with me."

Lei Qianzhang looked at his wailing subordinates on the ground and finally collapsed: "Beyond Heaven... I submit."

IV. Unexpected Gains

On the way to escort Lei Qianzhang back to Beyond Heaven, Guan Yu found a blue-covered booklet in his study—"Firearm Essentials." The booklet recorded the manufacturing method of flowering shells in detail and even marked improvement plans, signed by "Descendants of the Mohist School in Lingnan."

"Mohist School?" Jun Xiaoyao rubbed the cover of the booklet, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. The Mohist School is good at mechanism techniques; if he can summon Mohist experts, Beyond Heaven can not only control the black iron but also create Sharp Weapons to restrain firearms.

He activated the summoning array again. This time, a soft white light lit up in the array, and an old man wearing cloth clothes and holding a square ruler appeared, with white hair and beard, but his eyes were as clear as a young man's.

[Summoning Successful]

[Character: Mozi]

[From: Spring and Autumn Period Mohist School]

[Realm: Mid-stage Grandmaster]

[Martial Skill Cultivation Technique: 1. Mechanism Technique (Perfection) — Good at building siege weapons, repeating crossbow carts, flying kites, etc., can compete with firearms. 2. Mo Sword Technique (Major Achievement) — The sword momentum is simple and practical, specifically breaking mechanism gaps. 3. Universal Love and Non-Aggression (Special Ability) — Can sense hostility and warn of danger in advance.]

[Loyalty: 100%]

"Old man Mozi, pays respects to the Young Lord." The old man arched his hands, his voice gentle but powerful, "Hearing that the Young Lord wants to make Sharp Weapons to protect resources, the Mohist School is willing to offer its meager services."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at "Firearm Essentials" and Mozi, and suddenly smiled—the dispute in North of the River turned out to be an opportunity for the rise of Beyond Heaven.

Black iron, firearm techniques, Mohist mechanisms... these resources gathered together are enough to increase Beyond Heaven's voice in the mainland by another thirty percent.

V. Undercurrents Surging

Lei Qianzhang was locked in the dungeon of Beyond Heaven, watching Mozi and the craftsmen improve firearms every day, his eyes changing from resentment to obsession.

Three days later, he took the initiative to ask to see Jun Xiaoyao: "Young Lord, I am willing to hand over all the industries of Pili Hall, only asking to be able to follow Old Mo to learn mechanism techniques."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at him through the prison door: "Do you know the rules of Beyond Heaven?"

"I know!" Lei Qianzhang said quickly, "External recruits join The Net, summoned ones join the Inner Hall. I am willing to join The Net and be an assassin, just to trade for a chance to learn!"

Zhao Gao said in a low voice from the side: "Although this person is greedy, he understands firearms, and keeping him is useful."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded: "Yes. But remember, the blade of The Net only recognizes the Young Lord's order, not personal feelings."

At the same time, various forces in North of the River received news that Pili Hall had changed owners and Beyond Heaven had taken over the Black Iron Mining Area.

In the secret room of Murong Manor in Jiangnan, Murong Fu crumpled the secret report into a paper ball: "Beyond Heaven... is becoming more and more tricky."

He looked at the Men in Black beside him, "Notify the 'Shadow Alliance', it's time to act."

The Men in Black bowed and retreated. The moonlight outside the window shone into the secret room, reflecting the word "World" on the wall, revealing a bone-chilling coldness.

Inside the Beyond Heaven hall, Jun Xiaoyao played with the sleeve arrow newly made by Mozi, the arrowhead quenched with paralyzing poison.

Zhao Gao handed over the latest secret report: "Murong Manor has united with the remaining forces of North of the River and is gathering in secret."

"Let them come." Jun Xiaoyao put the sleeve arrow into his cuff, "It just happens to test Old Mo's new gadgets."

He looked at the summoning array, the light at the center of the array was brighter than usual—the System prompted that the next summoning has a chance to appear as a "Heavenly Human Realm" powerhouse.

The night deepened, and the wind in North of the River passed through the mining area, carrying the coldness of black iron and the sulfur smell of gunpowder, blowing towards the direction of Beyond Heaven.

Jun Xiaoyao knew that the calm was only temporary, and a bigger storm was brewing, but he didn't care. After all, the road of Beyond Heaven has always been trodden out in the storm.

And all he needs to do is sit steadily in the hall, watching The Net weave across the mainland, watching the summoned heroic souls clear all obstacles for him.