Chapter 2: The Divine Soldier's Birth - Panlong Stick

  At the moment Shi Jin pulled the trigger, Shi Taigong was shocked and cried out, his whole body numb and fell to the ground. But that person just stared blankly at the dark muzzle, completely unaware of what it was, let alone what Shi Jin was doing. He only felt a chill run down his spine as he wondered at the sudden change in the gun's shape.

  Shi Jin put away the gun, and after a moment's thought, he took out another silver-plated dragon-headed staff. Shi Jin hurriedly helped his father up, but unexpectedly, Shi Taigong slapped him hard on the cheek with the back of his hand, causing Shi Jin to fall to one side.

  That man rushed forward with a swift step to support Shi Jin, and said to Shi Taigong: "Taigong, why is this? Is it not that you are dissatisfied with his ability? If so, Taigong can rest assured."

  Unexpectedly, Shi Jin broke free from his supporting hand and stared blankly at his furious father in front of him, with a flash of shock and pain in his eyes, unable to understand why his excellent performance had earned him a slap from his old man.

  Shi Taigong sighed heavily, his face showing some difficulty, hesitated for a moment before speaking: "My son was impolite, I hope the guest will forgive him and not take it to heart."

  That person heard this and was very puzzled.

  Shi Taigong continued, "It's strange to say, but I'm sure you won't believe an old man like me. Although you've seen many divine weapons, most of them are just for show and can't even scratch a hair or draw blood. But my son's spear is different from the others, I don't know what kind of incantation he uses, but it can unleash a magical power, that thing you just saw, it's extremely powerful. The dragon's mouth can swallow people whole after a loud explosion. Just now, if you weren't so lucky and had brought your 800,000 imperial guards to block it, I'm afraid...". As he spoke, his eyebrows furrowed again, adding more sorrow to his expression.

  Wang Jin smiled with a knowing look: "This stick is indeed extraordinary, not ordinary. I have been in the army for many years and have never heard of it. But this child's innate talent is even more rare. If guided properly, he will surely become a pillar!"

  Shi Jin was shocked at this moment, and it turned out that the person was actually his own heart's desire, the legendary number one martial artist, Wang Jin, the leader of the 800,000-strong Imperial Guard. The man's skill with a spear and staff was a common sight, and he was also proficient in all eighteen types of martial arts. After being shocked, Shi Jin couldn't help but feel great joy, never thinking that today he would be able to see the hero's magnificence. However, his earlier rudeness made him feel very ashamed, and his face involuntarily turned pale red. Just as he was thinking about this in his heart, he heard Shi Taigong shout at him: "Still not coming over to apologize and pay respects!"

  Shi Jin was delighted to have met a superior, and his heart was secretly overjoyed. Seeing that his father had given him an opportunity to retreat with dignity, he took advantage of the situation and fulfilled his own wishes. Someone brought a large chair for the man to sit on, and Shi Jin properly bowed his head and paid respects to his new master. Shi Taigong then ordered Zhuang Ding to slaughter sheep and cattle, and prepared a sumptuous feast of wine and meat. During the banquet, cups and dishes were passed around, and they talked openly and sincerely, making both host and guest happy, until they dispersed at midnight.

  After the wine party dispersed, Shi Jin was overjoyed and insisted on personally escorting his teacher back to his quarters. Wang Jin had no choice but to follow him. The two walked together, chatting along the way.

  As for the rumors about Mount Liusha, Shi Jin sighed.

  That Shao Hua Mountain is not far from Shi Jia Village, originally a good place to visit and play in the mountains and waters. Although the mountain is high and steep, there are many wild game inside. When Shi Jin was young, he often invited his companions from the village to come up the mountain to play, flying pheasants and geese, and returning with a full load every time. In the blink of an eye, Shi Jin had grown from a teenager into a 20-year-old young man, but he never went to Shao Hua Mountain again.

  "Just a few years ago, there was a group of people living on the mountain, occupying the mountain and acting as kings. It's said that among them were three brothers who took turns being in charge. Although they also often came down from the mountain to rob and plunder, they had always been very polite to Shijiazhuang, and it could be said that they didn't commit any major crimes." Shi Jin sighed again as he spoke.

  Later, the reputation of this Shao Huashan gradually gained momentum. Not only did the number of people and horses increase several times, but they also started to build a magnificent mountain stronghold with great fanfare. The scale was quite impressive at that time. Recently, they have been spreading heroic posters everywhere, recruiting soldiers and buying horses, making a big stir. It is said that they want to seek revenge against County Magistrate Liu. Shi Jin paused for a moment, looking at Wang Jin: "These rumors shouldn't be taken seriously in the first place. The gossip between townspeople has always been mixed, but the authorities who have been pretending to be deaf and dumb are getting anxious, and that County Magistrate Liu is really getting anxious."

  Wang Jin thought to himself for a moment, feeling that this matter was not as serious as Shi Jin had said after being in the official circle for so long. He comforted him by saying: "Although I don't know what kind of person Liu County Magistrate is, the provincial governor's supervisor will not stand idly by and let them cause trouble. It's better to prepare and practice martial arts on the Zhuangzi side."

  Then the two of them discussed how to practice martial arts and train soldiers, later unknowingly changing the subject to that dish of Dragon's Beard Noodles. This time Shi Jing was even more pleased with himself, opening his mouth and unable to stop talking.

  It turned out that on that day, Hong Taizhen made a mistake and damaged the seal of the Demon Temple, disrupting the logic of time and space and the geography of heaven and earth. As the Thirty-six Heavenly Gates fell and the Seventy-two Earthly Fiends descended upon the world, the things of the past several thousand years were also scattered among humans from the realm of Taiwu.

  This Long Gun was originally one of the divine artifacts of the Tai Xu realm. In that great calamity, it overlapped with a Heckler & Koch G41 rifle in space-time and, borrowing the spiritual power of the Tai Xu realm, managed to coexist after being reorganized. Later, by Han Tian Shi through Shi Jin's dream, the method of transmitting this Long Gun and the Heart Intention Propulsion Method was passed on to Shi Jin through the Tai Xu spirit.

  The heavenly master in the dream said that this rifle needs iron ball ammunition. The method of making ammunition is a secret that is not passed on, and I was told to be frugal with it. When I woke up from the dream, I urged my thoughts, and indeed as the heavenly master said, I suddenly ran to the village entrance to test its power, pulled the trigger, heard the explosion, but didn't see anything unusual, so I fired several more times until I couldn't fire again, thinking that the heavenly master was talking nonsense.

  It wasn't long before someone rushed back to the village, saying that two innocent oxen had been killed outside the village, and a farmer named Liu Er had broken his leg and was bleeding profusely. When the villagers invited a doctor to take a look together, I regretted not falling down earlier. What was taken out of Liu Er's leg was exactly the ammunition mentioned by the master that day. And what was found on the oxen's body was also this thing.

  Shi Jin was filled with regret as he spoke, and couldn't help but fall into reminiscence: "It wasn't until then that I realized just how extraordinary this divine artifact truly was - with just a flick of the wrist, it could pierce through a thousand paces. It's just a pity about those bullets, now they're probably gone forever... and now it's even harder to demonstrate it to Master..." He trailed off, unable to help but let out a deep sigh.

  Wang Jin listened, as if reading a heavenly book and map of the sea. Not only was it novel, but also mysterious. Unfortunately, there were only past events to pursue, but it was difficult to see the divine power of the rifle. Although he had some regret in his heart, he still calmed down and comforted Shi Jin: "With the divine instrument in hand, it is naturally heaven's will. I have also heard about firearms in the imperial court. Let me tell you, in Tokyo, there is a person called Thunder Cannon Lei Zhen. That person made excellent firearms. If I remember correctly, one of them was called the Mother and Child Cannon, its power is very similar to what you said."

  Wang Jin thought for a moment and said, "But there is also a difference. His firearms are extremely large, requiring four or five men to operate them. After firing the ammunition, the place where it hits will be devastated. This has always been valued by the imperial court, so I have no chance to study its merits. If you can find Lei Zhen, I think it won't be difficult for him to recreate the ammunition."

  Shi Jin's eyes sparkled at this point. His heart was stirred, and he wished to invite his master immediately to go to Tokyo together to find that person.

  Wang Jin paused and said, "Let's get back to the divine soldier. Its transformation between two objects is heaven's will, there must be a reason. Now the rifle can't be used, but there's another change, which is the Panlong staff. If you master good martial arts with it, even if you only rely on the staff's strangeness, you can still roam the rivers and lakes and gain a reputation as a good hero. Then we'll look for Lei Zhen again."

  Shi Jin listened and suddenly understood, his spirit lifted. As the conversation opened up, Wang Jin also explained his family background and circumstances, Shi Jin listened intently, feeling that his master was a true hero, and he became even more determined to follow him and learn martial arts.

  After that day, Wang Jin taught Shi Jin his eighteen martial arts every day, teaching him each move and style with great care. Before he knew it, half a year had passed in the blink of an eye. Shi Jin learned all eighteen martial arts: spear, hammer, bow, crossbow, gun, whip, rake, sword, chain, axe, halberd, shield, staff, and lance. He mastered each one thanks to Wang Jin's careful instruction, with every move having its own subtleties.

  By the end of January, Wang Jin felt that Shi Jin could stand on his own and be independent. After a thorough examination, he was satisfied and proud, but then he remembered his original plan and bid farewell to Shi Taigong, intending to go to Yan'an Prefecture.

  Shi Jin naturally refused, and Shi Taigong repeatedly tried to persuade him, but Wang Jin thought that an outsider taking over the Shi family was not a long-term plan. It would be better to join the old Zong's camp and secure his livelihood for half of his life. So he made up his mind and let Shi Jin stay behind reluctantly. Shi Jin had no choice but to leave, and as they parted ways after a long time together, their bond was deep. Thinking about this, tears fell involuntarily.

  A few days later, Wang Jin took his mother and left Shijiazhuang. After seeing off the master for several miles, Shi Jin reluctantly returned to the villa, feeling empty and tasteless about food and wine.

  Shi Jin sat under the tree, thinking of his master again, when suddenly a loud noise came from the front of the village. A villager rushed in, looking terrified. As soon as he reached Shi Jin's side, his legs went soft and he fell to the ground. Before Shi Jin could ask what was wrong, the villager had already spoken: "Big brother! The strong man from Shao Hua Mountain has come to kill us! Quickly save..."