That night, after finishing a full round of the Longevity Technique, Zhu Wu returned to his bedroom.
He pulled out a homemade mortar and pestle from under the bed, along with a bag of homemade charcoal. Creak, creak—he began grinding the charcoal into powder.
Saltpeter, sulfur, charcoal… that was a gunpowder recipe he had heard countless times in his past life. Of course, in modern times, this formula had been refined and perfected.
And how did he know it? The internet, naturally.
After all, who hasn't dreamed of time travel during their youthful, reckless years? The price, of course, was an early death.
A tragic story, no doubt.
This world—Douluo Continent—centered around cultivating martial souls. At this point in time, gunpowder formulas weren't yet fully developed. In fact, the most it was used for was firecrackers—low in power and hardly worthy of official attention.
In the original novel, the only proper use of gunpowder came from Tang San, who used it to make hidden weapons like the Buddha Fury Tang Lotus. That was knowledge brought over from Tang San's past life—not something native to Douluo.
If gunpowder had been widely known in this world, the entire plot might've played out very differently. Imagine the agility clans—how much more valued they'd be.
Flying soul masters dropping bombs from the sky? Who wouldn't want that?
Still, while this world didn't have "gunpowder" per se, the materials to make it weren't hard to find. They were sold in regular medicine shops for civilian use, and regulation was loose. Saltpeter, for example, was a major ingredient in laxatives but also widely used to make glass and dyes. Sulfur was ground into powder as an insecticide, and word had it that even soul masters at Nuoding Academy bought it before entering the Soul Beast Forest to hunt.
So, taking advantage of a few trips to Nuoding City, Zhu Wu bought the ingredients in batches. After that, he began secretly making gunpowder at home.
He had originally planned to use it strictly for self-defense. After all, this was a fantasy world governed by martial might. The rule of law only applied between commoners. When conflict broke out between civilians and nobles or soul masters, it was always the civilians who suffered. That was inevitable. Just because he tried to keep his head down didn't mean others wouldn't cause trouble. His mother's tragic end was proof of that.
The memory weighed heavy on him.
So, to protect himself, he needed power of his own. And for now, gunpowder was the most practical way.
As for Tang San—stealing from him repeatedly, and this time even killing Da Huang, a dog he'd raised like his own child for years—this couldn't be forgiven.
If people don't offend me, I won't offend them. But if they cross me again and again, and I still don't strike back—am I even a man? Hell no. I'll blow you to bits!
He vividly remembered Tang San's so-called righteous creed from the original story: "Those who seek death, let them die." Since he had decided to take revenge, he would do it thoroughly. Best case? Take out both father and son—no loose ends.
"I should make a few more batches. If my martial soul actually awakens with soul power, I'll need to enter the Soul Beast Forest to hunt for soul rings. Gunpowder could help. As for getting back at Tang San, I'll need the right timing. With Tang Hao—an actual Titled Douluo—as his father, getting caught would be a death sentence."
"I really don't get Tang San. He had the formula for gunpowder and still insisted on sticking with hidden weapons instead of making proper explosives."
"Well, the Spirit Hall deacon is due in the next few days. To avoid missing them, I won't go out herb hunting for now. I'll just stay home and focus on making more gunpowder. Blind Douluo Su Yuntao—you better come through for me."
"I don't need dual martial souls or innate full soul power. Even level 7 or 8 would be enough!" Sure, he wanted to kill his deadbeat dad, but he also wanted a decent martial soul.
Turns out I'm the loving father and dutiful son all rolled into one... He cursed silently to himself while grinding the charcoal, a touch of sarcasm in his tone.
Two Days Later – Central Wooden Hall, Holy Soul Village
Tap, tap, tap—footsteps echoed through the room. Zhu Wu, standing in line with the other children, turned his head toward the entrance. It was Old Jack, and behind him came Tang San. The boy's gaze swept over him with a calm expression, as if he hadn't broken into his house and stolen his herbs just two nights ago. What a performance.
Or maybe… just incredibly thick-skinned.
Zhu Wu had the gunpowder ready. Just you wait. He quickly looked away, shifting his gaze to Old Jack.
According to the original story, Tang Hao's attitude did a complete 180 once he learned that Tang San had awakened twin martial souls. He even began earnestly teaching him the Disorder Wind Hammer technique.
During that time, Tang San spent his days near the furnace, forging metal—the perfect chance to strike.
Where there's a furnace, there's a fire source.
"Honorable Battle Soul Master, we trouble you once again," said Old Jack, bowing respectfully as he led Tang San toward the young man.
"My time is short. Let's begin," Su Yuntao replied mildly, returning the bow with a slight nod.
Zhu Wu silently watched the interaction. As expected, Old Jack's expression dimmed slightly before stepping away. Su Yuntao gathered the children and had them line up. Tang San, being the last to arrive, stood at the end of the line. If all went as expected, he'd awaken innate full soul power and become the star of the show.
But what about me, another transmigrator? A flicker of anticipation sparked in Zhu Wu's heart.
"Don't be afraid. Close your eyes and concentrate," said Su Yuntao.
Within Zhu Wu's line of sight, Su Yuntao quickly arranged six black stones into a hexagram formation and called over the first child.
Then, he struck a strong pose and shouted, "Lone Wolf, possess!"
A faint blue light lit up between his brows. His body transformed—black hair turned gray and lengthened; his body grew more muscular and sprouted fur; his pupils turned green and claws extended from his fingertips.
This must be martial soul possession, unique to beast-type souls.
As he activated his spirit, two soul rings—one white, one yellow—rose at his feet. Zhu Wu was awestruck.
"He… he turned into a wolf!" he stammered, showing the wide-eyed innocence expected from a child.
Hearing the voice, Tang San, who had been watching intently, shook his head and glanced at Zhu Wu, his thoughts momentarily unsettled.
He had to admit: Zhu Wu was an unusually clever and mature child.
According to village gossip, Zhu Wu and his grandfather Zhu Gang had settled in Holy Soul Village when Zhu Wu was still an infant. Old Jack took pity on them and helped organize the construction of a bamboo house at the northern foot of the mountain. Zhu Gang had mentioned he knew bamboo weaving, so building near a bamboo grove was perfect—he could craft and sell containers for a bit of extra income.
Just like how Tang Hao had chosen the western riverbank for easy access to water for forging.
Over the years, both families had received much help from Old Jack and the villagers.
After all, both children had only one male elder at home, which made many things inconvenient—especially when it came to infant care.
Tang San clearly remembered suckling milk alongside Zhu Wu at Old Wang's wife's place. Embarrassing in hindsight—especially with the soul of an adult inside—but necessary for survival.
Years later, Tang Hao continued drinking heavily, while Zhu Gang grew older and increasingly feeble, eventually relying on a cane. Zhu Wu had to take on responsibilities early, just like Tang San had. The difference was, Zhu Wu still had his grandfather helping with light chores.
Me? I had to do everything myself... Tang San couldn't help but feel a twinge of resignation.
He had only learned about Zhu Wu's secret herb collecting after noticing his long absences in the mountains. He figured the kid had found something poisonous and was curious.
Truth be told, Zhu Wu was gutsy—and lucky. At such a young age, he dared to explore the mountains alone and often brought back herbs, sometimes even poisonous ones. He claimed the apothecary had given him an illustrated guide to help him identify plants.
Tang San, meanwhile, had no time to search for herbs. Between taking care of his drunk father and having no money—since all their savings went into alcohol—his only option was to steal poisonous herbs from Zhu Wu.
And even then, he only took the poisonous ones.
As a disciple of the Tang Sect, he had his principles. Plus, handling toxic herbs was dangerous for a child like Zhu Wu—it could easily lead to self-harm or the accidental poisoning of others.
But me? I know how to use them safely!
Suddenly—"Ah!"—a child in the center of the formation let out a terrified scream.
Tang San snapped out of his thoughts. The frightened child tried to bolt, but Su Yuntao grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Don't move. I told you there's nothing to fear. This is my martial soul, the Lone Wolf," Su Yuntao explained. Once the child calmed down, he released him and placed his hands on the stones. Six faint green lights shot from his palms into the formation.
"Scythe. No soul power. You can't become a soul master," Su Yuntao concluded flatly.
Then came the second child, the third…
"Hoe. No soul power. Dung fork. No soul power…"
One after another, all the children left disappointed.
Then it was Zhu Wu's turn.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the center of the formation. Su Yuntao, looking slightly pale by now, activated the stones. Faint green light surged into the hexagram, and a soft golden glow began to envelop Zhu Wu.
Soon, particles of golden light began to float into his body—warm and soothing.
"So warm…" Zhu Wu thought, sensing something inside him being drawn out. Based on the original story, he guessed: Is this soul power?
Suddenly, it felt like something broke within him. All that warmth rushed to his right hand. Instinctively, Zhu Wu raised his hand.
A soft white glow appeared.
Milky white.
"???" He froze.
Floating above his palm was a white silkworm, about the width of a chopstick and four centimeters long. It was curled slightly in midair.
This doesn't make sense. Zhu Wu was stunned.
His father's martial soul was the formidable Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. His mother's was an ordinary silkworm. How could he have inherited the weaker one? Shouldn't the dominant martial soul prevail?
Also, what about his strange sensitivity to herbs? He had always assumed it came from his martial soul.
Did it mutate? Or worse… degrade? He suddenly thought of Yu Xiaogang.
"Another useless martial soul," Su Yuntao sighed. "Come, let's test your soul power."
Snapping out of his daze, Zhu Wu nodded slightly. "Return!" he commanded, unsure of how to control his martial soul yet.
A warm, familiar sensation entered his mind. The silkworm wriggled slightly—then vanished.
"???" Zhu Wu was stunned again.
That warmth—had that come from the martial soul?
"What are you spacing out for?" Su Yuntao frowned slightly.
(End of Chapter)
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