Immortal after a Hundred Reincarnations

The most convenient and abundant source seemed to be refining it directly from saltpeter mines.

But in the beginning, the Daoists certainly didn’t obtain saltpeter this way.

After all, this stuff was a byproduct of Daoist Alchemy.

The Daoists’ Alchemy Dao was really just an attempt to use refining methods to extract the essence of the world, then consume it for their own benefit.

It was understandable that they would call saltpeter the North Emperor’s Profound Pearl.

They probably saw the beautiful, crystalline substance forming on the surface of caves.

Those guys must have thought it was a condensation of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, which is why they used it for Alchemy.

If the materials for Alchemy came from latrines or pigsties, the Daoists probably wouldn’t have been able to stomach the Elixirs.

The mere sight would have made them vomit, let alone try to refine it.

"Elder Physician! You’ve already accepted my silver notes for ten thousand taels of silver."

Finally, Xu Lei said to the old physician, "Remember the poison oath you swore. Do not reveal this method of production to anyone else.

Do not, for a second, think you can get away with it.

If I find out that you have broken your oath, that you have gone back on our agreement...

...then your entire family, from top to bottom, the old and young of your Man Race, will all pay for your breach of contract with their lives—

Their fate will be the same as this North Emperor’s Profound Pearl!"

As he spoke, Xu Lei’s Magical Power flowed out, seizing a small North Emperor’s Profound Pearl and causing it to levitate before him.

Then, with a jolt of his Magical Power...

...he crushed it with a CRACK.

"So you are a true, enlightened master?"

The Elder Physician jumped, his face draining of color. He quickly and respectfully said, "Please forgive this old man. I was blind and failed to recognize your greatness..."

「Five minutes later.」

Xu Lei met up with Zhou Ya, whose treatment was finished.

"Immortal, did something good happen?"

Zhou Ya couldn’t help but ask, "You seem to be in a very good mood."

Although Xu Lei wasn’t smiling extravagantly, a person’s mood inevitably shows on their face.

"That’s right. I did indeed run into something worth celebrating."

Xu Lei said, "Speaking of which, you’ve turned out to be my little lucky star."

After all, if it hadn’t been for her injured elbow, Xu Lei wouldn’t have come to this clinic today.

"Huh?"

Zhou Ya asked, confused, "A little lucky star? Immortal, what happened?"

But before Xu Lei could answer, Zhou Ya’s stomach let out a GROWL.

"Let’s get something good to eat first."

Seeing this, Xu Lei said, "Come on, we’re going to a grand restaurant."

A slight blush appeared on Zhou Ya’s pretty face. She pursed her lips and followed him.

「Half an hour later.」

Xu Lei and Zhou Ya were in a private room at the restaurant.

After ordering a few dishes, they waited for the food to arrive.

"Come here."

At that moment, Xu Lei said to Zhou Ya, "Do you know what to do now?"

At the same time, Xu Lei’s hand stroked her head.

Zhou Ya froze for a moment, then her pretty face flushed, and the tips of her ears turned pink.

"I know."

Then she said, "Xiaoya is hungry—"

「After the meal.」

Xu Lei and Zhou Ya checked into an inn.

King Ning was currently searching for Zhou Ya everywhere.

Traveling through the night would be too conspicuous.

It was safer to act like normal travelers.

Besides, it didn’t make much difference whether they arrived sooner or later; Zhou Ya’s family had already met with disaster.

The inn room.

They only got one.

An attendant prepared a tub with hot water.

"Help me undress," Xu Lei said to Zhou Ya.

"Yes." Zhou Ya blushed, a little nervous, but still stepped forward and helped Xu Lei off with his clothes with her jade-like hands.

"Attend to me in my bath," Xu Lei said next.

"Yes." Zhou Ya was obedient.

"Take off your clothes. We will bathe together," Xu Lei added.

"Immortal..." Zhou Ya’s expression changed.

"Relax. I promised you, I won’t truly accept your Charitable Giving until your matter is resolved," Xu Lei said.

Zhou Ya hesitated for a moment, then also took off her clothes.

Xu Lei pulled her over, holding her youthful, tender body.

"Let go of my hands. Don’t hold them down."

"Yes. I’m sorry."

"Turn your head. I’m going to kiss you."

"Yes."

"Open your mouth. What do you mean by not opening your mouth for a kiss? You’re the one who agreed to be my woman, it’s not like I forced you! Don’t you forget it!"

"Yes. I’m sorry. Immortal... Xiaoya has opened her mouth. I’m just nervous."

"What does it mean when I pat your head? Have you forgotten?"

"I haven’t forgotten, I haven’t forgotten. Xiaoya remembers."

「Over two months later.」

Xu Lei had brought Zhou Ya all the way to the Capital City.

With the Human Skin Masks for disguise, the journey was, of course, exceptionally smooth.

King Ning couldn’t find them at all.

Xu Lei had originally thought Zhou Ya might run into some trouble while submitting the evidence.

But unexpectedly, everything went quite smoothly for her.

The evidence was now in the hands of a bureaucratic classmate whom her father had trusted in life.

However, the matter was still not settled.

Because that bureaucratic classmate also had to take the evidence and present it before His Majesty the Emperor.

After all, this concerned the rebellion of a Vassal Prince.

It was not a simple matter.

Moreover, because of the Great Shang Dynasty’s founding ancestor, Shang Yin,

the Dynasty had always been distrustful of its officials.

Therefore, to convict a Vassal Prince of treason,

even with evidence,

the matter had to be handed over to the Emperor for a final decision.

The various steps involved in the middle would likely be quite troublesome.

This affair had to be handled with extreme caution.

If any mistake was made, the people involved might all be dead before the evidence even reached the Emperor.

Because this issue was still not considered resolved,

Zhou Ya still had not truly given herself to Xu Lei, allowing him to perform the actual Charitable Giving.

But Xu Lei was not in a hurry.

「One day.」

Inside a manor in the Capital City.

"BOOM!"

A loud explosion erupted.

Dust and stones flew everywhere.

Xu Lei was disheveled and covered in filth, his hair a mess.

But he was overjoyed.

Because today, he had finally succeeded in developing Explosive Firepowder.