Volume One, Chapter 15: I Present You, the Demon Qing, with a Gift! A Nuclear Bomb!

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“What... kind of cannon is this?”

“Those ten demon warriors have reached the pinnacle of demonization. Their Ten Thousand Spirits Demon Formation can withstand a strike from a ninth-rank Void-Breaking Master. Even my improved cannons cannot break through their formation.”

“Yet, this mysterious cannon of the Shengming faction possesses such terrifying power that with a single shot, it obliterated them all!”

“Moreover, the cannon’s residual force even forced me to step back several paces!”

The Shaman of the Youqing clan stared at the shattered Ten Thousand Spirits Demon Formation and the fallen demon warriors, disbelief shining in his eyes.

With the earth-shaking blast from the Sky Dominion Heavy Cannon, the entire Western Garden Martial Arena fell into a brief silence.

Then, waves of astonished exclamations and heated discussions erupted!

“This... how is this possible? When did Shengming’s cannons become so formidable?”

“Haha! You Youqing always boasted about your unmatched weaponry, but now we see it’s nothing special!”

“Whatever the Mo family’s mechanical arts or the Shaman’s witchcraft, they are mere illusions before Shengming’s cannon!”

“Exactly! And to say Shengming is backward and militarily weak—this one shot alone has utterly humiliated Youqing!”

“Hmph, Youqing still dare to be arrogant? Shengming’s cannon will show you what real warfare looks like!”

Those ministers who had previously urged Zhu Youjian to give up now seemed like different people, launching fierce verbal attacks on the Youqing envoys, their words dripping with mockery and disdain.

Zhu Youjian sat aloof on his high seat, watching coldly.

The speed with which these Donglin faction ministers turned their faces was truly astonishing.

He shook his head slightly, thinking to himself: These ministers are such fair-weather friends, swaying with whichever wind blows strongest.

This poisonous atmosphere must be cleansed.

Yet, Zhu Youjian was also greatly surprised and pleased by the overwhelming power displayed by the Sky Dominion Heavy Cannon.

Even he had not expected that the weapon produced by the system-rewarded armory would be so powerful.

With one strike, ten first-rank Void-Breaking Masters, who had formed a demon array and manifested their demon forms, were instantly reduced to ashes.

Clearly, if deployed on the battlefield, this cannon would be invincible.

However, Zhu Youjian also clearly saw its flaws.

Its charging time was too long; loading the shells consumed vast amounts of time and manpower, and it required a substantial infusion of celestial and terrestrial spiritual energy.

Moreover, the materials used were extremely rare—some only accessible to Void-Breaking Masters—making mass production prohibitively expensive.

Still, even so, this heavy cannon was enough to restore Shengming’s pride among the southern kingdoms.

The matter of sourcing materials could be addressed gradually.

The Shengming generals present were overjoyed, enthusiastically discussing the cannon’s might, their eyes shining with excitement!

“This cannon is truly a battlefield killer! One shot is enough to annihilate a Void-Breaking Master!”

“Indeed, if we can deploy such cannons broadly in the Shengming army, battlefield casualties will be greatly reduced, and it will intimidate other states into submission!”

“Absolutely. With this cannon, Shengming will hold absolute supremacy on the battlefield, whether in siege warfare or open combat—we will be invincible!”

Meanwhile, the Youqing Shaman’s face darkened as he asked grimly, “Emperor Chongzhen, where did Shengming get such a powerful cannon? Which Mo family titan helped you?”

Zhu Youjian merely smiled faintly in response.

Leaning his head on one hand, he paid no attention to the question.

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Sun Chengzong sneered and said, “Why borrow the Mo family’s name? This cannon was personally improved and cast by His Majesty of Shengming!”

At these words, the ministers exchanged stunned glances, shock written plainly on their faces.

They all turned their eyes to Zhu Youjian, filled with doubt and amazement.

This newly enthroned emperor possessed such skill, capable of improving and casting such a mighty cannon?

Could it be that the emperor had suddenly unlocked a heavenly insight?

Yet, upon reflection, it seemed unlikely.

Most probably, the emperor secretly sought help from a Mo family luminary or had secretly adopted Mo family beliefs.

But to protect the Mo family’s reputation for “non-aggression,” they would not openly claim the cannon as their creation and instead credited the emperor himself.

After all, the Mo family maintained a strict non-aggression philosophy and would not lightly intervene in inter-state conflicts.

Even if their aid benefited a certain nation, they would keep it hidden to preserve their image.

Without further thought, the ministers fell to their knees, shouting long live the emperor.

The true story behind this was unimportant; what mattered was that Shengming now possessed such a powerful cannon!

The Youqing Shaman’s face showed a strange expression, his mind swirling with doubts.

This young emperor could forge such a mighty cannon?

Who would believe that?

Shengming must have the Mo family’s backing.

Only in this way could he have the confidence to confront the Youqing Shaman’s own powers.

At this thought, the Youqing Shaman felt a headache coming on.

He had once believed that with Youqing’s overwhelming strength, they could intimidate Shengming into submission without firing a single shot.

But if Shengming truly allied with the Mo family…

Then the situation would become truly troublesome!

Yet, now it seemed, Shengming was no longer the weak country to be trifled with.

This young emperor might well become Youqing’s greatest future adversary.

Though his face was grim, the Youqing Shaman forced calm and said, “You won the first round, Shengming. Very well, let us proceed to the second round of competition! The second round will be cavalry warfare!”

The ministers were once again taken aback.

“Youqing is cunning—they know Shengming’s cavalry has long been in decline, yet still insist on cavalry warfare to press us.”

Wang Duo, lecturer at the Hanlin Academy, sighed and agreed, “Yes, ever since General Qi Jiguang passed away, Shengming’s cavalry has lost its former glory. How can we compete against Youqing’s Eight Banners iron cavalry?”

Minister Li Banghua of the Ministry of Works wore a grave expression and said, “Cavalry warfare is Youqing’s specialty. If Shengming clashes head-on, the odds are bleak.”

While the crowd fretted and debated, Zhu Youjian suddenly spoke, his voice calm and resolute:

“Since we won the first round, before the second round begins, I will gift you Youqing one more fine thing.”

At his words, everyone present was stunned.

Zhu Youjian raised his hand slightly to signal the imperial guards forward.

Then, a massive launching vehicle was slowly pushed into the arena.

The vehicle resembled a small mountain.

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Mounted atop was an enormous object, about a hundred meters long and several tens of meters high.

Over a hundred imperial guards carefully escorted it, cautious of even the slightest mishap.

“What is that?” a minister asked, eyes wide with confusion.

Another minister examined the colossal launcher curiously and speculated, “With such size, could it be a new type of cannon? Perhaps a new invention from the Mo family?”

A third minister shook his head in bewilderment, “Never seen or heard of the Mo family having such a gigantic weapon.”

The Youqing Shaman frowned as well, his gaze fixed on the massive launcher. He asked gravely, “Emperor Chongzhen, what exactly is this gift you present?”

A mysterious smile curled Zhu Youjian’s lips. “This is a weapon I have newly developed, called the nuclear bomb. Its explosive yield is about one billion tons, and it emits intense radiation comparable in power to your witchcraft. I present it to you.”

The Youqing Shaman’s heart tightened.

She assumed Zhu Youjian was boasting about Shengming’s national power to intimidate Youqing.

Gritting her teeth, she said, “If so, we shall take this back and present it to His Majesty Huang Taiji.”

But Zhu Youjian waved dismissively, a hint of mockery in his tone. “No need for such trouble. I will have it launched directly into your Youqing army’s main camp beyond Shanhaiguan, so your demon forces can personally ‘receive’ this gift.”

Launch directly into the Youqing camp beyond Shanhaiguan?

Everyone was stunned, disbelief written all over their faces.

This world was vast.

From the imperial capital of Shengming to the Shanhaiguan defense line in the southern border, the distance was immeasurable.

What kind of cannon could shoot so far?

It was simply unfathomable!

Yet, as everyone gaped in astonishment, Zhu Youjian had already initiated the launch sequence.

Spiritual light flickered on the enormous launcher, as if mysterious powers were gathering.

The massive nuclear bomb slowly rose, lifted by an invisible force into midair.

“This...”

All present stood agape, watching the ascending bomb, hearts filled with shock and unease.

Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the silence.

The bomb streaked across the sky like a meteor, carrying apocalyptic force as it hurtled toward the distance.

Where it passed, space seemed rent asunder, leaving black fissures in its wake.

Those fissures swallowed everything around like an abyss, inspiring terror.

“This is the ‘generous gift’ I send to you, Youqing!” Zhu Youjian’s voice echoed throughout the arena, dripping with sarcasm and disdain.

Everyone watched as the bomb flew further and further, finally vanishing beyond the distant horizon.

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