My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

After leaving the Prime Minister's residence and returning to the Marquis's residence, Jiang Xiaobai went back to his own place.

For the next two days, Jiang Xiaobai didn't go anywhere.

Yes, every day he either sunbathes in the courtyard of the Marquis's mansion or lies on a recliner, eating snacks and drinking tea.

His appearance, on the contrary, seemed to have returned to his old, carefree, and dissolute state.

He may be free now, but the commotion that has spread throughout the capital these past two days is quite significant.

Indeed, the matter of Jiang Xiaobai buying the top scholar's name had already caused quite a stir.

Now that His Majesty has bestowed upon him a silver imperial tally, ordering Jiang Xiaobai to thoroughly investigate the Ministry of Rites, the news has caused an uproar throughout the capital.

Some say that Jiang Xiaobai entered the game himself to investigate the shady practices of the imperial examinations for students across the country.

Some say he was just lucky, that His Majesty happened to use him as a tool.

Some even said that the Ministry of Rites was about to suffer a major setback.

But Jiang Xiaobai, who was under imperial surveillance, made no move whatsoever.

This left many people who were waiting to see what would happen somewhat confused.

Even Jiang Jingcheng has come twice in the past two days.

Every time Jiang Jingcheng came, he would frown and remind Jiang Xiaobai of something, but Jiang Xiaobai would just smile and say that there was no rush.

Jiang Jingcheng was so angry that he wanted to kick someone several times.

Time flew by, and the third day arrived.

In the early morning, Jiang Xiaobai ate breakfast and then lay down on a recliner in the courtyard.

The sun is just right, the breeze is not dry.

Jiang Xiaobai squinted his eyes, feeling incredibly comfortable.

Just as he was dozing off, he suddenly heard footsteps beside him.

Ok?

Jiang Xiaobai turned his head to look.

Zhang Xinnian led Liu Guan in from outside the courtyard.

In Liu Guan's hands, he was carefully holding a wooden box.

coming!

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes lit up immediately, and his previously languid body sat up.

"Is everything ready?"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai looked in the direction of Liu Guan, his face full of anticipation.

"Yes."

As Liu Guan stepped forward, he picked up the wooden box and exclaimed, "Ah, this thing is small, but its internal structure is quite exquisite."

"It is indeed difficult for this old man to complete it within three days."

"So, I found a few former fellow apprentices and asked them to make a few small items each, and that's how we managed to finish the whole thing."

"But don't worry, Your Highness, they only know part of the story, not the whole picture."

"Good, it's better to be cautious."

After listening, Jiang Xiaobai nodded in satisfaction: "Open it and take a look."

Liu Guan nodded and carefully opened the wooden box, and Jiang Xiaobai's gaze also fixed on it.

Inside the wooden box lay a small and exquisite object.

Overall, it looked almost exactly as he had envisioned.

Because of Liu Guan's skill, this thing is even more exquisite than the one he painted.

The surface is also finely engraved with patterns, making it look less like a firearm and more like some kind of exquisite toy.

Jiang Xiaobai reached out and took it out.

It feels slightly cool to the touch, the weight is just right, and it fits extremely comfortably in the palm of your hand.

The more Jiang Xiaobai looked, the brighter his eyes became.

Good guy.

This old man Liu and the Tianji Workshop behind him are really quite capable!

"Excellent, excellent!"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Liu Guan with admiration: "Elder Liu, thank you for your hard work!"

Upon hearing the praise, Liu Guan couldn't help but smile.

However, Liu Guan soon seemed to remember something, and his expression became hesitant: "Your Highness, there is something I am not sure if I should say."

"explain!"

Jiang Xiaobai was in a good mood and waved his hand.

"Although this thing is ingenious, it can indeed knock bullets away."

Liu Guan hesitated for a moment before speaking, "But... its power doesn't seem to be very great."

At this point, Liu Guan looked somewhat embarrassed: "After assembling it, I also tried to make some bullets."

"But those bullets couldn't even penetrate slightly thicker wooden planks."

"I doubt we can even hit a bird, maybe a chicken at best..."

Liu Guan did not continue speaking.

But the meaning is already very clear.

This thing is good-looking, but that's all it is—good-looking.

Zhang Xinnian, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but glance at the small object in Jiang Xiaobai's hand.

He had initially thought that the young master had been acting mysteriously these past two days, perhaps having devised some powerful hidden weapon.

But now that I've heard Liu Guan say this, it seems like its power isn't all that great.

It couldn't even penetrate the wooden planks.

Who can it defend against?

To prevent chickens from jumping up and pecking at them?

"hehe!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai immediately burst out laughing: "Old Liu, you don't understand."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai stood up with his things, turned around and went back into the room.

Before long, Jiang Xiaobai came out again, this time with another blueprint in his hand.

Jiang Xiaobai handed the blueprints to Liu Guan and said, "Make twenty of these according to this."

Liu Guan took the blueprints, glanced at them, and frowned.

"What is this stuff? Why does it contain sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter?"

The more Liu Guan looked, the more puzzled he became.

No, what do these things have to do with bullets?

"Don't ask so many questions, just do as I say."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "This is a bit simpler than the previous one. We should be able to make it today, right?"

"It should be possible."

Liu Guan pondered for a moment, then nodded solemnly: "However, I still maintain that what the young master wants is too strange."

"If something goes wrong..."

"Nothing will happen."

Jiang Xiaobai interrupted, "Do it according to the separate parts on my drawing, don't make any changes."

"yes!"

Hearing Jiang Xiaobai's serious tone, Liu Guan dared not ask any more questions.

He carefully put away the blueprints and quickly turned to leave.

Watching Liu Guan's departing figure, Jiang Xiaobai began toying with the gun in his hand again.

The more I look at it, the more at ease I feel.

Once this item is truly completed, he will have a protective charm.

Although there are martial artists and internal energy in this world.

But even the most capable person needs time to react, right?

When you really encounter danger, who will care about the rules of the martial arts world?

One burst of bullets, and no matter how skilled you are, you'll be lying flat on your back!

"Your Highness."

Looking in the direction Liu Guan had left, Zhang Xinnian asked with some confusion, "Why didn't you have Elder Liu make those other things as well?"

"Instead, we have to separate, which wastes so much time!"

"You don't understand."

Jiang Xiaobai fiddled with the object in his hand and casually said, "This thing is too powerful; it has to be made in parts."

"Otherwise, if it gets out, it will be a disaster."

The gun barrel is a ring.

But the real key is those special warheads.

Liu Guan is trustworthy.

After all, Liu Guan had been in the Marquis's residence for many years and was sent by Jiang Jingcheng.

But he wasn't familiar with the fellow disciples from Tianji Workshop that Liu Guan had found.

With so many people around, if word gets out, it won't be a good thing for him.

Zhang Xinnian listened, but his gaze grew increasingly strange.

Too powerful?

He looked at the small, exquisite object in Jiang Xiaobai's hand.

It doesn't look like it has much power at all.

It's just a small gadget.

It can be even better than a bow and crossbow?

Not to mention compared to a true martial artist.

However, seeing Jiang Xiaobai's mysterious demeanor, Zhang Xinnian didn't press the matter further.

……

That evening.

After having dinner, Jiang Xiaobai was about to take a stroll around the Marquis's residence to digest his food.

Not long after he stepped out of the courtyard, Jiang Jingcheng walked in from outside.

"You brat, when exactly are you planning to make your move and thoroughly investigate the Ministry of Rites?"

Jiang Jingcheng's gaze fell on Jiang Xiaobai, and his brows furrowed immediately: "Now the entire capital knows that you are an imperial inspector personally appointed by His Majesty."

"But you, all you've done these past two days is eat and sleep!"

"If there's no sign of it, how do you plan to explain yourself if His Majesty asks?"

The more Jiang Jingcheng spoke, the worse his expression became.

That brat made such a commotion up ahead.

When it came time to investigate the Ministry of Rites, they fell silent.

Isn't this just making us a laughingstock?

"Father, don't worry."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai smiled calmly and said, "Now everyone knows I'm thoroughly investigating the Ministry of Rites. How many people are there in that ministry? They're probably trying to destroy me!"

"So, I'm waiting!"

"wait?"

Jiang Jingcheng frowned even deeper: "What are you waiting for? How long are you planning to wait!"

"I'll only send you ten guards, is that alright?"

"No, that would be too conspicuous!"

Jiang Xiaobai shrugged helplessly.

Taking so many guards out, the people became wary even before they arrived.

This is inappropriate!

"You little rascal..."

Just as Jiang Jingcheng was about to lash out, Jiang Xiaobai suddenly noticed something, her gaze passing over Jiang Jingcheng and looking towards the direction behind him, a smile appearing on her face...