Volume 1, Chapter 42: The Thunderbolt Musket and the Reasons for the Fall of the Ming Dynasty

Xia Jingtian found blueprints for the "Lightning-Catching Musket" online. This was a single-soldier matchlock musket developed by Zhao Shizhen.

It incorporated the advantages of the European "Lumichong" (matchlock musket) and was developed independently. The musket was about six feet long, weighed five jin, and utilized a breech-loading sub-barrel design with six sub-barrels. The powder pan of the Lumichong was removed, replaced by a fuse inserted directly into the sub-barrel.

"Xiongying, take a look at these blueprints for the Lightning-Catching Musket. The original version was a matchlock, which had significant drawbacks, so I've converted it into a flintlock," Xia Jingtian said as he produced the drawings.

"Teacher is truly brilliant to have come up with these blueprints so quickly. They are exactly what I had in mind," Zhu Xiongying said happily.

With the blueprints in hand, Zhu Xiongying's...

Next, he carefully arranged the beads on a table, then scraped some lime from the wall and sprinkled it over the top of the beads.

First was Ye Xue's attack; because his strength was insufficient, he could not help her take revenge. Later came the round of sixteen matches; if not for the assistance of the sword spirit, Lin Yu likely would have been knocked off the stage by Xiao Yilong long ago.

Lin Wei felt that the Eye of Chaos had collected a type of power, and since this power could not yet be controlled by him, it was being temporarily stored by the Eye of Chaos.

"Haha, let me show you the Eight Auspicious Treasures passed down through the millennia in my Buddhist Kingdom!" the Dalai Lama laughed. The Eight Auspicious Treasures swirled around him, seemingly possessing the immense power to destroy heaven and earth.

The young men guarding the road all wore nervous and solemn expressions, many of them still stained with blood, clearly having already fought a fierce battle with the White Tiger.

Tatalupas dared not be careless. The vast energy within his body erupted, emerging like steam and directly extinguishing Lin Wei's demonic flames.

This voice belonged to the first-generation Demon Lord of the Demon Realm, the sage Canon, a great figure who had single-handedly forged the magical era of Earth.

The reason he had not taken down Ye Linxi with thunderous force earlier was that he wanted to learn certain things from her—such as Zejin, Ye Tingmeng, and the profound meaning of death and reincarnation. Now that he knew everything, this battle had actually been quite worthwhile.

One man and one horse, with a combined weight of over four thousand jin—if it weren't for the fact that they were specially selected, superior warhorses, they truly would not have been able to withstand such a load. Though there were only ten riders, they kicked up dust that filled the sky, the sound of their hooves like rolling thunder, evoking the momentum of a thousand-strong army.

Zejin was not hesitant; he knew his teacher was not angry with him at this moment. If he were to say nothing or speak nonsense, that was when his teacher would truly be angry.

However, since Gu Xunmei had just stated that he would not interfere in the conversation between him and Wang Zhong, Long Ye felt bold enough to chat with Wang Zhong.

The two stood with jars of wine in hand; in the distance, the myriad lights of the city seemed so close that one could reach out and grasp them.

Moreover, the fact that he had reached his current position proved he was no ordinary person. Some of his hidden trump cards could only be revealed at the moment of life and death; naturally, one had to treat such final resorts with great caution.

Three renowned detachments from the Demon Clan stood in formation simultaneously, blocking the area outside the city wall, their burning gazes fixed on the encroaching Soul-Eater Insects.

"It is the effect of these uniquely purposed medicinal herbs; they can cleanse the marrow and dredge the meridians and bones. The baleful energy you have accumulated in your body is too heavy. If it is not channeled beforehand, the consequences will be severe," the fourth elder of the Thieves' Sect explained.

"Since that is the case, I will purchase all of these superior divine artifacts. Does the price of nine hundred million divine stones satisfy you?" the shopkeeper asked, looking slightly deferential.

According to historical records, the longest-living Immortal Fire Phoenix existed even before humanity. It passed through the primordial void, but ultimately suffered a backlash from the Great Dao at the moment of attaining sainthood, perishing within the Dao Realm.

"I will go tell the Green Emperor," Yu Lanting said after some thought, pointing toward Chen Qingdi, who was busy in the kitchen.

After all, for ordinary people, rising in their official careers or attaining immense wealth is considered a complete life.

"Not only did you kill my warhorse with one punch, but you also wounded my body, you..." Zhao Liao was shocked. He was no fool; to act with such arrogance, his opponent was certainly no nameless nobody. Perhaps he was some peerless young master who had just arrived in Zhaoge City.

Furthermore, you possess the foundation in terms of personality and other traits. Thus, HR has decided to offer you an interview opportunity.

"Rest assured, you have become my servant. Matters of your sect no longer concern you. As for your grievances, I may not be able to clear your name, but I can certainly annihilate the sect!" Ye Feng said.

At the end of the day, humans are biological entities. The primary law of biology is survival; in the face of survival, gentlemanly conduct and the like are all nonsense.

"What kind of place is the Ten Directions Forbidden Zone? Why is even Uncle Sun so wary of it?" Jiang Dongyu asked, puzzled.

... [Nonsensical text omitted] ...

"Hmph! Who has such poor manners!" Qiu Deming looked at the audience seats, where some immoral person had scattered scraps of paper everywhere, and couldn't help but complain.

Monk Yuxu shook his head, feeling deeply confused. If this was a conspiracy directed at him, it didn't make any sense. Why was it his disciple, Bai Su, who was taken instead of him?

At the foot of the mountain, the sudden incident occurring above the staircase exit at the north end of the drill ground swept through the entire scene like a fierce storm, instantly drawing the gaze of every Ye family disciple inside and outside the grounds.

Trapped in the space, Zimei was moved to tears. Just as she was about to pour out her longing to Yun Zijin, she was startled into a strange cry by the sight of Yun Zijin's pot-like, bulging belly.

Fortunately, Zhang Chengsen was not a complete liability; at this moment, he provided perfect support.

Patting the dust off his body, the damage Chen Yi had dealt to him seemed to recover in an instant. He took a bottle out of his pocket and uncorked it.

The two listened and nodded frantically. Zhang San smiled and said, "You two pick a scent. Third Brother needs to mix it and let it sit for a month; then the flavor will be even better. When that time comes, there will be plenty for you."

Regarding his own younger brother, Bian Bi'an could always understand his psychological state at the very first moment.

Cheng Ningyuan placed his clothes on the sofa and pulled Ye Yufei down to sit. "We've already eaten out with Third Brother and the others. Cheng Moyu and Dou Dou haven't returned yet?" He checked the time; they should have been back by now.

Mo Li chuckled softly. He understood Chu Xi's meaning, of course; those words were just talk, and he left the person to be led forward by him.

"That's your son, too. Look after your own child; don't bother my wife," Cheng Ningyuan said, hanging up the phone.

Once his phone was fully charged, the first thing Bian Yuanhang did was add Li Ning'er's phone number to his blacklist.

Fan Yanyan and Ouyang Xueqi looked at each other, both feeling somewhat awkward. Fan Yanyan was not a lawyer, and besides the awkwardness, Ouyang Xueqi felt somewhat annoyed that the prison guard had mistaken her for Bi Simin.

For the sake of caution, not having figured out the situation, Hao Yu chose to slowly retreat. Watching the light waves that appeared and vanished before his eyes, Hao Yu reached out a hand to try and sense them.

Yinxian Peak appeared far too thin and frail in front of Fatty Dong. Being grabbed by his clothes by the fatty, he had no way to fight back, yet his expression remained calm, as if he were not frightened at all.