Please pull the trigger for this world one more time.

One early morning, before dawn, it was slightly cool.

Mo Zian gently opened his eyes, threw off the blanket, and pushed open the car door.

After stretching his muscles and bones, which were sore from curling up, Mo Zian carried a thick bakelite longsword and came to an open space not far from the car.

A gentle autumn breeze blew through the woods, swirling up a few fallen leaves, and the chill it brought made Mo Zian shiver slightly.

With his muscles and bones bulging in the dim chill, Mo Zian took a deep breath and skillfully gripped the wooden knife.

"one two three……"

Each simple, unadorned slash unleashes the muscles and power throughout the body. Don't be fooled by the fact that it's a wooden sword; its weight is actually no different from that of an ordinary iron sword.

It's even slightly heavier.

Although the movements were simple, Mo Zian took each strike very seriously. However, as his strength gradually depleted, his movements unconsciously began to become a little distorted.

"Snapped!"

A small bamboo pole suddenly appeared from the darkness and hit Mo Zian's left arm. Mo Zian winced in pain and quickly adjusted his posture.

After another hundred or so slashes, Mo Zian's movements became erratic again.

Then the bamboo pole reappeared.

Mo Zian couldn't sense anyone around him, but he knew clearly who the bamboo pole belonged to—his master's wife, Fengye.

To put it bluntly, his master and mistress were freelance mercenaries, but their prices were very high, and ordinary people couldn't afford to hire them. So, what they did most often was hunting in the mountains.

Moreover, after living here for so many years, he has come to realize something—

His master must be considered a very powerful figure among these enlightened beings. Not only that, but he was also a highly talented gunsmith or light weapons designer.

His knowledge and insight are top-notch.

However, if we're talking about pure martial arts skills, his master's wife, Maple Leaf, is probably far superior to his master, and she also has a unique skill—poison.

He had personally witnessed his master's wife poison a fully grown [Dragon Bear] in five breaths with just one iron dart—that thing was a genuine [Ether Beast], unlike ordinary wild beasts. Not only could it stand up to be three or four times as tall as Mo Zi'an, but it could also use ether to fight.

Therefore, Mo Zian has lived a very fulfilling life over the years, and has learned much more than just martial arts.

"997...998...999...1000!"

After striking the ground a thousand times, Mo Zian was panting heavily, with beads of sweat covering his temples. He took out a water pouch with a mark on it and took a sip.

The water, shimmering with a faint silvery light, carried a strong bitter taste and a delicate fragrance, gently sliding into Mo Zian's body. For Mo Zian, the [Creation Galaxy] had to be diluted very much before he could take it; usually, only 3 to 5 drops could be dissolved in a single water pouch.

Feeling a cool, warm current slowly spreading through his body, Mo Zian assumed a basic boxing stance.

"drink!"

A thousand punches, a thousand kicks.

Then, following the methods Gui Haishuo had taught him, he practiced fist and sword techniques. At this time, Gui Haishuo had somehow appeared beside him and began to instruct and correct Mo Zian's movements.

This has been part of Mo Zian's daily routine over the years.

Come to think of it, that strange dream from before never happened; it was just like a normal nightmare, which made Mo Zian even start to doubt his own judgment.

But he never let his guard down.

……

Finally, the sun rose.

As the sun rises higher, the morning sunlight shines into the autumn forest, casting a golden glow on the fallen yellow leaves.

"Alright, that's all for today!"

"Yes, Master."

Mo Zian let out a long breath. He was already covered in sweat, so he took out the water bag he had been carrying and gulped down the remaining water in it.

Maple Leaf, the teacher's wife, had already set up a small table next to the car, on which was a sumptuous breakfast.

After taking a sip of the oily meat broth, Mo Zian wrapped the smoked meat in a whole flatbread and began to eat it with gusto.

His appetite has increased rapidly in the past two years, and his body has grown rapidly as well.

这个世界的计量单位和前世有着不少区别，这里的1寸大约是前世的5cm，1微寸差不多就是5mm，1丈差不多是0.5m。

Mo Zian's current height is approaching 35 inches (175cm), and the childlike look on his face has faded very quickly.

"Master, when can I start cultivating ether?" Mo Zian asked, his words slightly muffled, as he ate.

"Stand up, let me check your bones," Gui Haishuo said.

As soon as I stood up, the last piece of venison in the soup bowl was gone.

Damn it! We've fallen for their trap!

After breakfast, Gui Haishuo clutched his lower back, which had been pinched until it turned purple again, and started the Ether Car.

……

Licheng.

A mountain town on the southern border of the Guangwu Empire, with a permanent population of around 300,000.

Although its population is not very large, it is one of the most prosperous cities in the entire Southern Xinjiang Province, apart from Yuecheng, the provincial capital.

Although this place is surrounded by mountains, it has a natural river that flows into the sea, and it is also a necessary passage for land transportation. Moreover, it is adjacent to the Guanchao Mountain Range, a branch of the Hengduan Mountains in the central part of the mainland.

The dense forest is like a treasure trove, providing the city with a continuous stream of wealth. Therefore, it is also one of the gathering places for mercenaries and professional hunters of the Guangwu Empire.

Inside a street-facing shop near the west gate of Licheng, various guns and rifles were displayed on the shelf behind the counter. Perhaps because it was midday, there were no customers.

The shop owner was huddled behind the counter, holding a plate of rice noodle rolls in his hands, with a plate of fried small fish in front of him.

Before I could even take a couple of bites, a mechanical roar came from outside the door, and then two figures, one tall and one short, carrying long wooden crates, walked into the store.

A hint of impatience flashed across the shop owner's face, but when he saw who it was, his face instantly lit up with a smile.

"Oh, it's Brother Guihai! I'm so sorry for not greeting you properly... And who is this gentleman?"

After exchanging a few pleasantries and briefly introducing Mo Zian, Gui Haishuo said somewhat apologetically, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, I'm disturbing your meal."

"Look at you, bro, I won't bother you anytime you come!"

The shop owner immediately closed the shop and hung up a sign saying it was temporarily closed.

Gui Haishuo opened the wooden boxes, and there lay five exquisitely crafted rifles in each of the two long wooden boxes.

The shop owner picked up a gun and examined it closely, as if it were a work of art. The gun barrel and handguard had a textured dark red color, and the exposed metal parts of the gun barrel were painted a non-reflective black.

The stock is decorated with exquisite carvings and painted with gold lacquer, adding a touch of nobility. At the bottom of the stock are two characters engraved: Shuofeng.

"Click..."

A pleasant mechanical sound echoed through the shop. The smooth mechanical movements and just-right feel gave the shop owner, who was pulling the lever, a fleeting illusion—

This rifle is not a man-made product, but rather like a fruit that grows on a tree, perfectly natural.

"For the past ten years or so, the name 'Shuofeng' has been a golden brand in the civilian market. Your modified 'Hunting-Old Single-Shot' horn sells out every single one. You can't argue with that."

The shop owner looked at the weapon in his hand and sighed, "Look at the position and design of the safety mechanism. It's like it's trying to teach you a lesson. The mechanical design alone is already outstanding, not to mention that you are the inventor of the Miniaturized Ether Core... Alas, a grain of rice cannot compete with the moon's brilliance!"

Oh, right, here...

没等店老闆说完，归海铄直接道：「核心都是我劣化后民用版本，口径也是标準的2微寸（10mm）通用口径，打的是2×4.5微寸（10mm×22mm）民用猎弹。

"Single-shot magazine, no scale markings above 200 zhang (100m), don't worry, it absolutely won't touch the 'turtle's butt' of the People's Armed Forces Command."

"Hey! I knew you were reliable!"

The shop owner pointed to the ten rifles in front of him and waved his hand, saying, "We'll stick to the old rules: 450 each, half in silver dollars, half in banknotes!"

Gui Haishuo nodded slightly: "Deal."

After agreeing on the price, the shop owner started taking out the money and writing checks, while Gui Haishuo took the opportunity to look around the shop.

Looking at the display shelves in the store, Gui Haishuo suddenly asked with some doubt, "Old Wu, why do you have so many gunpowder guns here? I remember you didn't collect these things much before?"

"Large quantities, cheap prices, that's why."

The shop owner first shook his head helplessly, then said excitedly, "Brother, you've been out these past few days, so you probably don't know, but we've taken down Chen Huan's Iron Forest City in this counterattack! It's confirmed, and it'll be renamed Weiyuan City!"

"Oh? Is that so?!" Gui Haishuo was taken aback.

"yes!"

A flush of excitement rose on the shop owner's face. "This time, the Chenhuan people have shot themselves in the foot. Guangwu has finally had a chance to hold its head high after all these years!"

"That's wonderful news!"

Gui Haishuo's expression shifted, and he took a lever-type gunpowder gun from the display shelf. After examining it for a few moments, he looked at the shop owner with a half-smile, "As expected of you, Old Wu, this is a nearly new Chen Huan military item."

The shop owner's face showed a smug look. "You flatter me. There are too many captured Chen Huan guns and blades. It is said that there are four armories in Tielin and Weiyuan City alone. The army cannot handle them, so they have benefited people like me."

"Hey buddy, give me a price. Guess how much I bought these gunpowder guns for?"

Gui Haishuo examined the weapon in his hand and guessed, "Normally speaking, a lever-type military-grade gun like this would cost at least 100-120... I'd guess 70 yuan?"

The shop owner shook his head and held up four fingers: "40 yuan."

"Whoa!"

Gui Haishuo was taken aback. "What's the difference between this and something you found? At such a cheap price, ether guns won't sell!"

"Who says otherwise? 40 yuan is a high price. I've bought as low as 25 yuan before."

The shop owner couldn't help but sigh, "These military-grade gun blades come in, we remove the blades, modify them to civilian standards, and sell them for 80 yuan, making a 50% profit. The cheapest ordinary hunting ether gun is 180 yuan."

Many workshops have gone out of business, but your stuff, even at a high price, is still in high demand.

"Oh, and you can take this gunpowder gun, brother. Consider it a small token of my appreciation."

"I can't accept this..."

"Brother, please don't refuse. In the whole of Licheng, you always come to our house first whenever you visit. I will remember this kindness."

The shop owner then looked at Mo Zian, "Perfect timing, my dear nephew is getting old and needs a toy."

"Then I'll accept it without further ado..."

Gui Haishuo and the shop owner got along very well, while Mo Zian waited quietly and patiently to the side.

Over the years, I've traveled around with my master, and it seems that wherever he goes, he has one or two friends he can chat with.

If all goes well, I'll be treating his master to dinner tonight.

Gui Haishuo was chatting with the shop owner when he suddenly faintly heard the cries of a newspaper vendor outside—it shouldn't be the time for the new newspaper to be published.

The hawking cries grew louder as they approached, and the people inside the shop finally heard what was being said.

"Newspapers for sale! Newspapers for sale! Special edition! The Empire has signed a peace treaty, and Chen Huan has ceded the land south of the Li River! A moment of triumph!"

Newspapers for sale! Special editions and publications for sale! The Empire has signed a peace treaty, and Chen Huan has ceded the land south of the Li River…”