Chapter Twelve: Beyond Belief

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Qin Shi Huang’s chest heaved with anger, his entire demeanor unsettled as he kept cursing his unfilial son. Yet, there was something strange about the matter. If it had truly been caused by a furnace explosion, how could the noise have been so loud? What kind of furnace would have to explode to make such a sound?

“Your Majesty, please calm down!” Meng Yi bowed his head and said, “Please don’t let your health suffer from anger!”

Qin Shi Huang took several deep breaths, gradually calming his rage. He said to Meng Yi, “Minister Meng, how could I not be angry? Fusu, this unfilial son, repeatedly commits such absurd acts, wasting all the years of my teachings!”

He felt exhausted inside.

In truth, Fusu was the heir he had chosen in his heart. But in recent days, Fusu’s actions had completely ruined the promising hand he had been dealt.

Fool!

“Your Majesty, please do not lose your temper. The other princes are diligent, studious, and strict with themselves; there has been no wrongdoing on their part,” Zhao Gao took the opportunity to add.

Then, though secretly pleased, Zhao Gao maintained a serious expression and said, “Young Master Gao is learned and talented, full of wisdom and experience.”

“Prince Jianglü is brave and extraordinary, with the ability to lead an army!”

“Furthermore, Prince Huhai is quick-witted, eager to learn, kind and simple, possessing the talent to govern the world…”

“That’s enough!” Qin Shi Huang glared at Zhao Gao.

Meng Yi could no longer listen and spoke bluntly, “Your Majesty, right and wrong can only be judged by what is seen with one’s own eyes.”

At that moment, Chancellor Li Si hurried in, having heard of the recent incident. This news made him very pleased.

Fusu, oh Fusu!

You brought this upon yourself!

This time, it was not the old minister taking advantage of your misfortune—it was your own doing.

As Li Si entered the imperial study, he spoke gravely, “Your Majesty, such a sound is an ominous sign! I fear misfortune is at hand…”

Qin Shi Huang, already deeply superstitious, grew even more somber at these words.

“Your Majesty, when things happen contrary to expectations, there must be a demon behind it…” Li Si wanted to continue.

Qin Shi Huang waved his hand dismissively, “Enough! Today, I will see with my own eyes what these alchemists are up to!”

With that, he left the main hall and headed toward the prison where the alchemists were held.

Li Si and Zhao Gao exchanged glances, both unable to conceal their joy.

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But Meng Yi felt bitter inside.

Why did all the misfortunes fall upon Prince Fusu these days?

Had the Meng family been right or wrong to ally with Prince Fusu back then?

While their thoughts diverged, inside the prison holding the alchemists, Fusu was commanding over a hundred alchemists, shouting, “Everyone must carefully control the fire’s intensity!”

“If the fire is not properly managed, the heavenly thunder we’re refining will be extremely unstable and prone to furnace explosions.”

“So once it’s nearly formed, immediately move away from the alchemical furnace to ensure your safety.”

The over a hundred alchemists listened intently, surrounding several furnaces, occasionally adding key components of gunpowder.

Quarter of an hour later, before Qin Shi Huang arrived, a sudden blaze shot high into the sky.

Then, the fire quickly vanished without a trace.

A massive shockwave burst outward in all directions.

This invisible force instantly shook the shattered prison to its brink of collapse!

Like the heavens splitting and the earth cracking, a thunderous blast echoed on site!

Qin Shi Huang staggered, grabbing Meng Yi’s shoulder to steady himself.

Meng Yi was also shocked. If not for his martial skills, he too would have been unsteady.

The others managed to keep their footing but looked on with terror at the thick smoke rising again in the distance.

“Outrageous!” Zhao Gao’s scalp tingled, every hair standing on end as he shouted, “Seize those traitors! This band of rebels dares disturb the sacred presence—such heinousness is unforgivable!”

Immediately, a squad of imperial guards stormed into the prison and began detaining everyone.

At the same time, Li Si hurriedly ordered, “Put out the fire! Quickly, put out the fire!”

Nearby, palace maids and eunuchs, prepared in advance, rushed forward carrying vessels of water, dousing the scattered sparks.

“Don’t pour water! Don’t pour water!” A figure dashed out from the smoke, shouting to stop them.

Then many alchemists emerged from the smoke, blocking the palace attendants.

Shi Sheng held a handful of black granules, laughing, “Old Six, old Six, we did it—we did it!”

“Hahaha!”

“We finally refined the heavenly thunder!”

“Han Zhong, Han Zhong, are you convinced this time?” Shi Sheng held the black granules and looked around.

Suddenly, an anxious alchemist shouted, “Disaster! Senior Brother Han has been knocked unconscious by the explosion!”

“Knocked unconscious?”

Shi Sheng froze in surprise.

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“Quick, press the philtrum! Press the philtrum!” Fusu hurried over upon hearing the shout, urging action.

“Impossible!” Shi Sheng scratched his head. Han Zhong was the most cowardly of all—they would have long since fled.

Qin Shi Huang was speechless.

This chaotic scene, combined with the thunderous explosion just now, left those who had arrived—including Qin Shi Huang—dumbfounded.

However, Meng Yi was the first to react, stepping in front of Qin Shi Huang, fearing another blast might knock the emperor unconscious as well.

Qin Shi Huang stood rooted in place, motionless, staring blankly at the devastated prison.

Zhao Gao, who had nearly soiled himself in fear moments ago, now felt a mix of shame and anger.

Li Si could not bear it and simply sat down on the ground.

The dozen or so guards lost their formation in confusion.

Suddenly, Qin Shi Huang strode into the prison.

Meng Yi and the others hurried after him.

The blackened hole and the acrid smell of gunpowder made Qin Shi Huang blink repeatedly.

Then, he turned his gaze to Meng Yi, who was equally shocked.

In Meng Yi’s eyes was an unmistakable bewilderment, mixed with a hint of brewing excitement.

“Minister Meng…”

“At your service, Your Majesty!”

“You…” Qin Shi Huang took a deep breath and said, “Have you noticed...?”

Meng Yi nodded, “I have, Your Majesty.”

“But I still find it hard to believe what I have seen with my own eyes—it is simply incredible!”

Qin Shi Huang inhaled sharply, momentarily at a loss for words.

Though he was now emperor, it was his decisions and judgments that had unified the six kingdoms and conquered the world.

Not only in military affairs but in all national governance, Qin Shi Huang held absolute control.

From his knowledge and insight,

The power of this furnace explosion—if applied to building the Great Wall—

The difficulties of mountain excavation and stone carving would be effortlessly overcome!

Wait—

Not just construction.

Such tremendous power, such a huge commotion, such overwhelming deterrence…

If used in warfare!