novelhk Chapter 41: The Tide of Mechanisms!
Chapter 41: The Tide of Mechanisms!
Chapter 41: The Tide of Mechanisms!
"From now on, our empire will begin mass production of these so-called 'hidden weapons' and will also open sales channels. However, we have decided that the official name for these weapons will be 'mechanical weapons'."
Zhong Li continued. Ning Fengzhi nodded in agreement.
The name "hidden weapon" always feels unrefined, suggesting some kind of unorthodox or sneaky attack rather than a legitimate and powerful weapon.
As for the name "mechanical weapon," it is both fitting and does not carry any connotation of underhanded tactics or malicious attacks.
Originally, the Thousand Rock Army was also equipped with many crossbows and similar weapons to defend against foreign enemies and protect the country's borders on the battlefield. Using them for assassination or江湖 (jianghu) brawls would be a waste.
The origin of this ancient weapon is even older than that of Liyue and the Thousand Rock Army; the immortals learned and mastered this technology in their battles with enemies, and shone brightly in the Demon God War.
"Then what is the price?"
"Sect Leader Ning, rest assured. We will provide you with a list of the weapons for sale and their prices when the time comes. However, the Empire will strictly manage mechanical weapons; every single mechanical weapon sold will be meticulously recorded. Anyone possessing a mechanical weapon must first pass the Empire's review and obtain a 'Mechanical Weapon Permit'."
"'Official ID'?"
Ning Fengzhi was taken aback for a moment.
"That's right. The so-called 'official certificate' is proof of qualification to possess machine weapons, and the state will strictly verify these; and the person holding the certificate is also responsible for the machine weapons under their name. Once any problem occurs, the accountability procedure will be initiated, and not only will the certificate be revoked, but there will also be other corresponding penalties."
The more Zhongli spoke, the more serious Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin's expressions became, and at the same time, they were secretly alarmed.
Were all these things the Fifth Prince's ideas? No wonder he was confident enough to sell such dangerous weapons. This set of measures certainly minimizes the risk.
Not only are all mechanical weapons recorded and have corresponding certificates, but once they are released, they can be linked to a specific person in charge; the sects and forces that can purchase mechanical weapons are also designated by the empire, which is the so-called "license".
The imperial authorities have the right to issue and revoke licenses to sects at any time. Different license specifications correspond to the upper limit on the number of mechanical weapons that sects can possess.
For example, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has been promised the highest-level "Class A License" by Zhongli. This license allows the holder to possess three special-grade mechanical weapons, fifteen first-grade mechanical weapons, fifty second-grade mechanical weapons, and one hundred and fifty third-grade mechanical weapons.
The so-called third-class mechanical weapons are similar in power to silent sleeve darts, while second-class weapons are roughly equivalent to the range of the "Hidden Sand Shot" and the "Zhuge Crossbow." First-class mechanical weapons, on the other hand, are even more powerful than the "Zhuge Crossbow" and can threaten Soul Masters at the fifth and sixth ring levels.
Special-grade mechanical weapons are similar to the "Mysterious Flute" that Zhongli just demonstrated, or the legendary Tang Sect weapons such as the Rain of Pear Blossom Needles, Peacock Feather, and Buddha's Wrath Lotus. They can be considered extremely dangerous strategic weapons.
Only those holding the highest-level "Class A License" are qualified to possess special-grade mechanical weapons. As the license level decreases, the range of mechanical weapons that can be possessed also shrinks accordingly.
The lowest grade, "D-class license," only allows the entire sect to possess ten second-class mechanical weapons and fifteen third-class mechanical weapons, totaling a mere twenty-five. Not a single one more is permitted.
If it is discovered that a licensed sect intentionally leaks, resells, or hoards mechanical weapons beyond the prescribed limit through any channel, its license will be revoked immediately. Then, according to the contract, the Empire will take any means to forcibly reclaim all mechanical weapons owned by the sect and confiscate the "mechanical certificates" of the sect members.
In addition, those who hold "official certificates" are also obligated to accept the empire's summons according to the contract when the empire needs them. This is what is known as "taking up arms to defend the country."
After listening to Zhong Li's entire story, Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi both fell silent. Finally, they exchanged a glance and both saw a bitter smile in each other's eyes.
Mechanical weapons are good as they are; but once you have them in your hands, you're completely controlled by the Heavenly Dou Empire! For Zhongli, this is a pure open scheme; but how many people in this world can resist such an open scheme?
Thinking deeper, how many sects and forces would have to submit to the Heaven Dou Empire in order to obtain a "license" or upgrade the level of authority of the "license"? And the forces that are enemies of the Heaven Dou Empire will probably be restless and unable to eat or sleep!
Putting everything else aside, once this news gets out, will the Spirit Hall still be able to sit still? The emergence of mechanical weapons is a revolutionary challenge for the world of Soul Masters.
Theoretically speaking, a Great Soul Master wielding a mechanical weapon like the "Mysterious Flute" would have the ability to threaten Soul Saints or even Soul Douluos. And the "Mysterious Flute" was just a weapon that Zhong Li showed them; who knows what even more terrifying and heaven-defying weapons might be in the Heaven Dou Empire's arsenal?
In fact, although they don't have it yet, Zhongli and Ying do possess such technology. The "Mysterious Flute" is merely a relatively low-cost mechanical weapon with minimal requirements for consuming immortal power. On the Teyvat continent, it was designed for "ordinary people" without the Eye of God. (One can possess a certain amount of power, and perhaps even great power, without the Eye of God.)
As for truly terrifying beings, like "Gui Zhongji," their appearance on the Douluo Continent would be far too overpowered. They could easily kill even the Deep Sea Demon Whale King and the Beast God Di Tian with a single blow.
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, with mixed feelings, watched Zhongli and his group leave from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"Old Sword, what do you think?"
Ning Fengzhi let out a long breath, his expression becoming extremely solemn, and said.
"The landscape of this continent is about to change! Last time, when I saw that kid named Tang San take out those two hidden weapons, I just thought they were somewhat interesting. Those two hidden weapons were still too weak; they had a significant impact on lower-level Soul Masters, but slightly stronger beings didn't care about them. The price he sold them for also means that, at least in the short term, these things are unlikely to circulate widely."
Chen Xin sighed and said.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. To put it bluntly, the price Tang San charged was outrageous; he absolutely refused to believe that this thing could be made for even a tenth of its original price. It was just that their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was wealthy and didn't lack the money.
If it were an ordinary Soul Master, seeing the price of "Hidden Insults," they wouldn't even hesitate and would turn around and leave. With that money, they could hire a Soul Master as their henchman.
There's one more thing Chen Xin didn't mention. For some reason, he felt that Tang San was narrow-minded, vindictive, and unlikely to achieve great things. Such a person, unless blessed by fate, even if he holds gold in his hands, will only end up working for someone else's benefit.
The Fifth Prince Xue Li
First, with the Heaven Dou Empire as his backer, he could rapidly promote this mechanical weaponry as quickly as possible, provided he had the technology. The Heaven Dou Empire might not have a powerful top-tier Soul Master force, but it was still a nation. Once it mobilized its production capacity, it would be overwhelming, unmatched by any sect or family, not even the Spirit Hall.
He even had a premonition that perhaps the era in which Soul Master families stood parallel to or even above the state was truly coming to an end. The future would be a more orderly era, and also an era more beneficial to ordinary people.
All ancient sects and forces, including Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex, Clear Sky Sect, and Spirit Hall, will have to withstand the test of this wave; those who pass the test will continue to exist, while those who fail will...
This will be the most brutal process of natural selection in the history of Douluo Continent!
(End of this chapter)