Dinner was sashimi. Surprisingly, raw tuna tasted better than when pan-fried. It was rare for both humans and demons to agree on a dish, and here, it was all about eating it raw.
After dinner, I found Yaoyao. My qi blasts no longer needed a lighter to ignite; I could generate them myself now. However, it took a longer time, about five seconds, to gather enough energy to form an egg-sized qi blast.
Yaoyao suggested that I didn't need to make such large qi blasts. A glass-ball-sized one would be powerful enough against most experts, especially since it was for a surprise attack, which no one could defend against or dodge.
That made sense, and it would conserve my true qi.
After learning qi blasts, I started practicing accuracy. I could aim my index finger with the naked eye, much like aiming a firearm – a three-point alignment. The only issue was that my index finger was quite prominent, lacking a rear sight and front sight. Within three to five meters, it was manageable, but at longer distances, it tended to deviate.
Yaoyao said that was a problem she also faced, but because her qi blasts were large enough, she never considered such errors. Furthermore, in combat, she never needed to attack from long range; it was always close-quarters combat.
However, I didn't possess Yaoyao's close-combat skills. For now, these qi blasts would be used as "hidden weapons," so precision was paramount. I devised a plan: wear two rings on my index finger. One with a larger diameter, worn at the base of the finger, and another with a smaller diameter, worn at the tip. Then, on the sides of both rings facing the thumb, I'd add two protrusions, one serving as the rear sight and the other as the front sight. This way, I could achieve "three-point alignment."
Yaoyao thought it was a good idea and wanted to try it too, but we didn't have any rings at our base and needed to get them made outside.
That was easy; jewelry stores offered custom-made services.
Without delay, I found Chen Ke. Yaoyao and I disguised ourselves and prepared to head into the city. We encountered the fox demon, who also wanted to go out for a stroll.
The fox demon loved driving and was an excellent driver. When we went out together, she usually drove, with Yaoyao and me in the back, allowing us occasional intimate moments.
I remembered a large jewelry store in Laobie Bay and had the fox demon drive us through the city. It was nine in the evening. We arrived at the jewelry store. This area was a "city that never sleeps," and jewelry stores typically closed around midnight. I described my idea to the staff and asked if they could custom-make rings according to my specifications. The salesperson said it was no problem; as long as the money was right, the customer was king. They measured our fingers and confirmed that due to the simple design, we could pick up the rings the next evening.
Afterward, I visited the villa developed by Shabia nearby. Since the haunting had been resolved, the villa's sales office was bustling even at night. Cheng Xiaojuan was also helping there. My disguise was random, so she didn't recognize me, and I didn't disturb her. I went directly to the back mountain to find the ghosts who refused to go to the underworld.
The leading middle-aged ghost approached and bowed deeply, "Lord Wu, you've come to visit us again?"
"Just passing by, and I suppose it's a visit. Also, I need to discuss something with you," I replied, genuinely having an agenda.
"Last time, I asked if you wanted to join the army, and you felt it wouldn't be worth it if you died. Now, there's a new situation. See if you want to consider it." I still felt like I hadn't fully resolved their issue.
"What situation? Please enlighten us, my lord," the middle-aged ghost said. The other ghosts also emerged from the mining area upon seeing me.
"The underworld is about to establish an artillery corps. You should know what artillery is – they operate far from the battlefield, in the rear. If you're willing to participate, you'll receive priority protection from the imperial army on the battlefield, so there will be no danger. Do you want to consider it?" I proposed. This was my idea.
"Protection... what if enemy artillery spots us and engages in a counter-attack?" the middle-aged ghost pondered, showing a deep understanding of artillery warfare, especially since their demise was caused by artillery bombardment of Jianyu.
"Don't worry, the enemy's artillery will definitely not match your range!" I asserted confidently. I wouldn't have approached them for this discussion without such a technological advantage.
The middle-aged ghost conferred with those behind him. He said if that were truly the case, they might consider it. But then he asked, why would the imperial court heavily rely on them as artillerymen when there were plenty of people in the underworld?
"That's precisely why I'm here," I smiled. "If you agree, I will ensure you are the first to learn how to operate artillery, turning you into skilled technicians. This way, once you reach the underworld, they'll have no choice but to value you."
"Very well, we agree. We'll do as Lord Wu commands!" the middle-aged man said, cupping his fists.
"Decisive. Then, wait for my news. I'll head back now."
"Lord Wu, safe travels!"