This son-in-law is wicked in a good way!

"Because his subordinates were worried about being discovered, they hid in the distance and kept watch."

"After the alchemist named Xu Fu led his team down the mountain, they immediately retreated to a very far place."

"Then, Xu Fu chanted a spell, and my subordinate heard a loud 'bang,' as if the sky had collapsed and the earth had split open, and the two mountains collapsed with a crash."

"Your Majesty, Zhang Ping'an can actually summon heavenly lightning! It's absolutely astonishing!"

Even now, when Xiao Che thinks about it, his heart still races.

That loud noise almost scared him to death.

Two of his younger bodyguards were so terrified they wet themselves on the spot.

Each of the Empress's personal guards was handpicked and fearless.

But that deafening roar was like the might of heaven. Even though humans are the most intelligent of all beings, they felt a deep-seated awe in the face of such divine power.

The Empress also looked serious, exchanging a glance with Mo Yu beside her; both of them had unusually solemn expressions.

"For the commander of my personal guards to be so frightened, the power of that thunderbolt must have been earth-shattering."

Although the Empress did not witness the blasting of the mountain herself, the sheer power of the explosion, which could potentially collapse two mountains, is enough to send chills down one's spine.

"Go and rest for now!" The Empress waved her hand.

"This subordinate takes his leave!"

Xiao Che turned and left, his steps unsteady, nearly falling over.

"I never expected that he would actually do it."

After Xiao Che left, the Empress no longer concealed her emotions, her face filled with shock.

"Those are two mountains!"

"Zhang Ping'an actually possesses the ability to move mountains? Is he even human?"

For the first time, the Empress's face showed deep awe and fear.

"Xiaoyu, I don't believe Zhang Ping'an can summon heavenly thunder. That loud noise must have been from his secret weapon."

The Empress said with absolute certainty.

Mo Yu also looked solemn: "If such a weapon really exists, once the news gets out, the six kingdoms of the world will probably go crazy for it."

"At that time, Zhang Ping'an will probably be the object of everyone's desperate attempts to win him over."

"Your Majesty, we must keep this a secret. No one can know that Zhang Ping'an can create such a powerful weapon."

The Empress nodded: "That's right. To the outside world, say that lightning struck down those two mountains. Make sure the Night Watch and the personal guards all give the same story."

"Yes."

Mo Yu bowed respectfully.

"Tomorrow morning, you will come with me to see Zhang Ping'an." The Empress's expression was somewhat complicated.

If before, she only admired Zhang Ping'an, but from this moment on, she became somewhat wary.

If, after clarifying things tomorrow, the weapon that summons heavenly lightning can continue to be developed, then the Empress must consider firmly binding Zhang Ping'an to herself.

Otherwise, the only option is to kill him.

Xu Fu and his men returned a day later than Xiao Che.

They first went to the Night Watchman's office to see Zhang Ping'an.

Looking at the travel-worn group, Zhang Ping'an smiled and said, "You've all had a long journey!"

"Xu Fu has not failed the trust placed in him!" Xu Fu knelt on one knee and bowed.

When they returned, Zhang Ping'an didn't ask whether the mission was successful, but instead cared about how hard they had worked, proving that they held a higher place in Zhang Ping'an's heart than the mission itself.

Following a master like that, even death would be worthwhile.

"Good, very good!"

"Xu Fu, take your men back to rest first. We'll reward you for your contributions later!" Zhang Ping'an said generously.

He won't be like those wicked capitalists who want the horse to run but don't want to feed it.

"Then I'll take my leave!" Xu Fu led his disciples back to Baiyun Temple.

Zhang Ping'an glanced at the twenty night watchmen and found that their gazes towards him were filled with awe, even fear.

"Are you all... alright?" Zhang Ping'an asked tentatively.

He guessed that these people were probably stunned by the power of the explosives.

Xu Fu and his men had already witnessed the power of explosives, and he had also explained it to them.

However, these night watchmen had absolutely no knowledge of explosives.

Just as all living beings fear thunder, the power of explosives will surely leave an indelible impression on them for a lifetime.

"Your Excellency's divine might is unparalleled; we are filled with admiration!"

The colleague in charge suddenly knelt on one knee and bowed to Zhang Ping'an with clasped hands.

The others followed suit, bowing and shouting, "Your Excellency's divine might is unparalleled! We admire you immensely!"

"Thank you all for your kind words. Feel free to have fun at the brothel tonight, it's on me!" Zhang Ping'an waved his hand generously, showing no stinginess whatsoever.

"Your Excellency is mighty!"

A wolf howl immediately erupted from the scene.

These people generally couldn't afford to go to the brothel.

Of course, the name of the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) was widely known.

After all, every man wants to go to a high-class place.

"Alright, everyone go back and rest! Oh, and don't forget to check in with the adults, or I won't be responsible if they deduct your wages."

"Ha ha……"

As soon as Zhang Ping'an stepped out, he was intercepted by Chu Tian and Mo Yu.

"Brother Chu, I knew you would come looking for me."

This was as Zhang Ping'an had expected.

"Hey, where are my brothers from Chu?"

"He doesn't know the news yet," the Empress said, offering an excuse.

"Alright, shall we talk at our usual spot?" Zhang Ping'an gestured for them to proceed.

A private room in a restaurant.

The Empress gazed intently at Zhang Ping'an: "Young Master Zhang, have you used up the artifact that summons heavenly lightning?"

Zhang Ping'an said with a regretful expression, "It's all used up."

"I was worried it wouldn't be enough, after all, there are two mountains!"

"Then you can continue researching and developing it!" the Empress suggested.

Zhang Ping'an shook his head: "The materials are hard to find, unless you clean out all the latrines in the Great Wu Dynasty."

"I see..." The Empress looked thoughtful, seemingly lost in thought.

"Young Master Zhang, does this item have a name?"

Zhang Ping'an thought for a moment and said, "I'll call it Thunderclap."

"Thunderclap? That name is quite fitting," the Empress muttered to herself after repeating it a few times.

"However, Young Master Zhang, you must not reveal to outsiders that you can develop such a thing. Just say that the alchemist summoned heavenly lightning to split the mountain down."

"Thank you for your thoughtful consideration, Brother Chu. That's exactly what I was thinking too." Zhang Ping'an was well aware of the consequences of the gunpowder information being leaked.

This is why he instructed Xu Fu to keep the night watchmen away from the location where the explosives were placed.

The Empress nodded.

A moment of silence followed.

Then, the Empress suddenly stared at Zhang Ping'an and asked, "Young Master Zhang, is there really no Heaven-Shattering Thunder left?"

Zhang Ping'an looked completely innocent: "Brother Chu, you don't think I'd be hiding anything from you, do you?"

"Alas, Brother Chu, you have truly broken my heart. I have been completely open and honest with you, and yet you doubt me?"

Zhang Ping'an looked sad, and his acting skills scored nine points.

The Empress couldn't help but feel a little guilty, realizing she shouldn't have doubted Zhang Ping'an.

"Young Master Zhang, I'm sorry, but I'm just too curious about that thunderbolt. I want to see for myself what kind of divine object it is."

Zhang Ping'an nodded, indicating his understanding: "If I ever make another Thunderclap Bomb in the future, I'll make sure Brother Chu gets a good look at it first."

"It's a deal!"

"Then I'll take my leave now. I need to tell my younger brother about this."

The empress got up and left.