Chapter 11: Massive Explosion at Wan Yao Pharmacy!
"If the human body is treated as a flat surface, then by adding the limbs, the body's meridian patterns naturally form a three-dimensional structure. Altering that 3D structure would result in different types of Dou Techniques—just like in materials science, where changing molecular structure produces entirely different substances..."
Previously, Jiang Lin had only a vague understanding of Dou Techniques on the Dou Qi Continent. But once he connected Dou Technique energy patterns to molecular structure, everything suddenly clicked. His comprehension of Dou Qi energy patterns became instantly clear and profound.
Some concepts may vary across worlds, but when two concepts overlap between them, it's highly likely the underlying logic behind them shares a strong commonality.
"So if molecular structures correspond, it's not hard to see why there are so many types of Dou Techniques..."
"If the theory holds... I could test it with Burst Step's pattern."
"And the difference between graphite and diamond? Maybe that's what determines a Dou Technique's grade. 'Structure'... 'Pressure'…"
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Having reached an epiphany on Dou Technique principles, Jiang Lin spent the entire following week hammering away in the forge every day, outside of meals and basic training. Even when Mr. Yao and Xiao Yi Xian came to investigate out of curiosity, they couldn't make sense of it. All they saw was that Jiang Lin had set up a straw dummy in his courtyard.
Until—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion suddenly erupted from the backyard forging area. The blast was so powerful, it echoed all the way to the front of Wan Yao Pharmacy.
"Uh... Miss Xian'er, did lightning strike your back garden or what?" In the bustling front hall of the pharmacy, a young man dressed in a Wolf Head Mercenary Corps uniform casually tossed a medicine pouch in his hand. Upon hearing the blast, he instinctively looked toward the rear, then turned his gaze back to the girl in white standing inside.
The girl in white, face hidden behind a veil, froze for a moment. Then her delicate brow arched as her grey-violet eyes shot a cold glare at Mu Li, the deputy leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Corps. She replied calmly, "There's no need for Deputy Leader Mu Li to worry about the affairs of Wan Yao Pharmacy."
Mu Li only shrugged, eyeing Xiao Yi Xian up and down with a smirk. "I'm just worried that silly kid Mr. Yao brought back blew up a boiler or something. This world lacks everything—except idiots. Of all the trades to learn, he picks blacksmithing? Tch tch tch, what a peasant hobby."
Xiao Yi Xian's expression turned frigid. "If you have no injuries or ailments, Deputy Leader Mu Li, please do not block others who need treatment."
Several others in the pharmacy, long annoyed by Mu Li, immediately voiced support:
"If you're sick, get treated. If you're injured, sit down. But if you're here to flirt, kindly get lost!"
"Make way! My brother's arm is broken—we don't have time for your nonsense!"
"If you don't want trouble, move aside!"
While everyone was curious about the explosion in the back, they were far more eager to support Xiao Yi Xian.
Mu Li found himself stared down by a roomful of mercenaries—grim-faced, blood-soaked men who stared daggers at him. Though he tried to glare back, he lacked the presence and retreated inwardly.
Just then, a steward-looking elder stepped out from the inner rooms and whispered into Xiao Yi Xian's ear, "Mr. Yao said not to worry. The boiler exploded in the back, but Young Master Jiang Lin is unharmed."
The elder was Fu Bo, Mr. Yao's trusted right hand.
Although he spoke quietly to Xiao Yi Xian, many sharp-eared individuals overheard.
Mu Li snorted and muttered coldly, "Then you'd best keep a close eye on that idiot brother of yours. He won't be lucky every time."
With that, he puffed up his chest and walked out, feigning bravado, but clearly rattled.
"Understood, Uncle Fu," Xiao Yi Xian replied with a faint smile, though a flicker of disgust flashed in her eyes as she watched Mu Li leave. Then she turned back to the rest of the room and said warmly, "Apologies for the delay, everyone."
"Please, bring the injured man inside. Emergency care is a tradition here at Wan Yao Pharmacy. I hope you'll understand."
"Haha, no worries. Priority goes to saving lives. With luck, maybe you'll save that poor guy's arm!"
"Go on! Everyone needs help sometimes—it's fine!"
Though most of these men were blood-stained mercenaries used to hunting magic beasts and dancing with death, they treated Xiao Yi Xian with surprising warmth and respect.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard behind the pharmacy, chaos reigned.
Mr. Yao had rushed there the moment the blast occurred. Once he confirmed that Jiang Lin was intact—albeit soot-covered with his hair in a frizzy mess—he waved off the servants and instructed Fu Bo to return to the front and maintain order.
Inside the forging yard, Mr. Yao used a stick to poke through the scorched debris. Amid the rubble, he fished out several charred, human-like shapes that looked like limbs turned to coal.
He turned to see Jiang Lin by the pond, fussing over his eyebrows in the reflection. If the boy hadn't been standing right there, Mr. Yao might've believed he'd been blown to bits.
In truth, it wasn't a boiler explosion—Mr. Yao had only said that to calm the others. The actual blast had been caused by a low-tier Grade One fire-attribute magic core. Normally, such a core wouldn't cause such a big bang. But Jiang Lin had added a twist.
He turned it into a bullet by stuffing the "gunpowder" into a "shell casing."
"You little rascal… What on earth are you up to now?" Mr. Yao's voice, for once, held a rare tone of sternness as he looked at the scorched forge and the giggling Jiang Lin by the water.
Mr. Yao seriously wondered if he'd spoiled Jiang Lin too much. If he didn't rein him in soon, would the boy one day blow up the entire pharmacy with a firecracker?
...No, actually, thinking about it, Mr. Yao felt a strange certainty: this brat really could do it!
"I made the dummy perform Burst Step, but I couldn't fully control the magic core's Dou Qi… My poor, handsome eyebrows… sob sob…"
"…"
Mr. Yao seriously considered whether letting Jiang Lin blow up Wan Yao Pharmacy might not be the worst outcome.
(END CHAPTER)
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