In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

"Well, it's not really an 'elevator,' it should just be considered a mechanical escalator."

Xie Yige was stunned by the space in front of her before she could even understand what a "mechanical escalator" was.

This is a huge underground space with a hollow center, an extremely high dome, and smooth, flat walls.

The luminous pearls embedded in the wall illuminated the entire space.

"Mother, you just said you had someone make me a little toy. Was it made by the leader of the Mohist school?" She looked around curiously.

"My little Ge'er is so smart." Xie Wanqing pinched her little cheek again.

She led them to a huge grid wall with a vertical track running through the middle.

Xie Wanqing pressed a button at the base of the wall, and a small box of unknown black material slowly slid down the track.

Xie Wanqing pressed the hidden clasp on the box, and the lid popped open with a "click".

Inside, a strange little thing lay quietly.

It is about the size of a palm, completely black, with smooth and elegant lines. A short, thick iron tube protrudes from the front, and a round, bulging iron wheel is embedded in the middle, with a groove on the side of the wheel.

Under the cold light of the luminous pearl, the object gleamed with a mysterious and icy luster.

"I drew the design for the Mohist master to replicate the M36 revolver. Isn't it beautiful?" Xie Wanqing took out the little thing, held it in his palm, and twirled it around through the groove.

Cui Yutang frowned slightly as he stared at the peculiar black object in her hand. His gaze moved from the opening of the iron cylinder to the bulging iron wheel, and then to the way Xie Wanqing's index finger rested on a certain curved protrusion as she held it.

His intuition told him that this thing was definitely more than just "good-looking".

Instead, it exudes a dangerous aura.

Xie Yige leaned closer, tilted her head and looked at Xie Wanqing for a while, then looked up at Xie Wanqing.

"Mother, what is this for?"

"Baby, watch closely." Xie Wanqing's smile deepened.

Her gestures were crisp and clean; opening the wheel, loading the cartridge, closing the wheel and locking it—the whole set of movements was fluid and seamless.

She straightened her shoulders and arms, quickly raised the iron tool in her hand, and aimed it at a target with a black background and a white circle in the distance on the wall.

His gaze was deep and sharp, filled with a cold and murderous aura; his eyes seemed to have been tempered by countless dark and bloody experiences.

The next moment, she lightly tapped her index finger.

With a loud "bang!", the explosion exploded, the smoke dissipated instantly, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of sulfur.

A perfectly charred bullet hole was clearly visible in the center of the wooden target in the distance. A single, precise shot.

Cui Yutang, standing to the side, was deeply shocked, his pupils slightly contracting.

He was well-versed in military strategy and had seen countless powerful crossbows and sharp blades, but he had never seen such a strange and ferocious weapon.

Without bow or string, without blade or edge, relying only on a small iron tool, it can break through targets and pierce through wood with a single roar, its power is terrifying.

Xie Yige was clearly startled by the noise, and Cui Yutang quickly supported her waist.

"The Mohist master has replicated 50-60% of the power, which is already quite good." Xie Wanqing looked at Xie Yige with a smile.

"Honey, isn't this toy nice?"

After a brief moment of shock, Xie Yige's eyes instantly filled with surprise and excitement.

"Mommy, this toy is amazing! Please teach me how to use it."

"Come here, let me teach you." Xie Wanqing handed the gun to her. "Remember, when you're not shooting, the muzzle should be pointing downwards, not at people."

Xie Yige took the little toy from her; it was much heavier than she had imagined, and the iron gun body gleamed with a cold, hard luster.

"Honey, your wrist strength isn't enough. When you're aiming, you can support your right wrist with your left hand." Xie Wanqing helped her adjust her grip on the gun.

"Raise your arms to shoulder height, lower your elbows slightly, stand firmly, and lock your gaze on the bullseye."

Upon hearing this, Xie Yige immediately focused her attention and memorized it. She was naturally intelligent and had been practicing dance since childhood, so her control over her posture and limbs far surpassed that of ordinary people. Without Xie Wanqing needing to give her much repeated guidance, she quickly found the right posture to exert force.

"My little song is great. Slow your breath, lightly pull the trigger, hold it tight and fire—shoot!"

Another muffled "bang!" rang out.

Xie Yige was jolted away by the recoil of the gunshot, her forearm jolted and her wrist went slightly numb.

"Little Ge'er is amazing, she hit seven rings on her first try." Xie Wanqing's tone was full of praise.

His technique was skillful, indicating that he does this job often.

Xie Wanqing glanced at her son-in-law, who doted on her daughter so much, and became more and more satisfied.

"I think Yu'er has figured out how to use this little toy after watching from the sidelines." She looked at Xie Yige with a smile.

"When you get back, have your husband play with you. You need to practice it as soon as possible."

"Okay, Mother." Xie Yige casually handed her little toy to Cui Yutang, and then hugged Xie Wanqing's arm and acted coquettishly.

"Mother~" her voice was sweet and soft, "Could you ask the leader of the Mo family to do it again? That way, my husband and I can be a couple."

"You little rascal, I just can't do anything with you." Xie Wanqing poked her forehead with her finger. "Don't worry, it's already being done."

"Your husband will have to give him something else."

She paused, her tone becoming serious, and looked at Cui Yutang.

"Yu'er, you need to be mentally prepared. The Empress may send you to handle the matter in the Southwest personally."

"Mother, there are many Gu soldiers in the southwest, it's very dangerous there." Xie Yige said anxiously, "Doesn't our dynasty have many powerful generals? Why send my husband, a civil official, there?"

"There aren't many military officers who support the Empress," Xie Wanqing said, looking at her. "Moreover, she urgently needs to cultivate people who hold high positions and can command respect. As a civil official, Yu'er's promotion is too slow. Only outstanding military achievements and promotions that bypass ranks will earn her the respect of the people."

Cui Yutang felt a little helpless. It seemed he couldn't shake off this troublesome situation in the Southwest. He had just gotten married, and he hadn't even had a chance to warm his sweet and soft wife yet.

The Rong'an Prince's family really did bring him bad luck.

"Thank you for reminding me, Mother. I will make preparations in advance." He respectfully returned the gesture with his hands clasped in greeting.

Before they left, Xie Wanqing gave them a small box of "bullets".

"This thing still needs to be improved by the leader of the Mohist school. You guys can use it to practice and play with it first."

Cui Yutang took the heavy little wooden box and nodded solemnly.

Although she got a new toy, Xie Yige still looked worried after getting into the carriage, her pretty little face all scrunched up.

Cui Yutang picked her up and placed her on his lap, gently pulling her into his arms.

"Don't worry, baby. Mother is only saying it's possible. There are so many people in the court, and I'm not qualified enough; they might not send me." He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "Besides, Father will definitely be the first to object."

Xie Yige nodded sullenly, hugged his waist tightly with both hands, and buried herself deeply in his arms.

Cui Yutang stared blankly out the window, his worry deepening as he thought about what had happened today.

His mother-in-law, Xie Wanqing, had a strange aura, completely different from that of his Yige.

Her expression was cold and indifferent as she gripped the gun, exuding a natural aura of killing intent, as if she had long since merged with this eerie iron weapon.

What is the "M36 revolver"? Since it's a replica, it means there's an original.

Is it really this powerful even with only 50-60% of the original's power? Where did these divine artifacts come from?

Who exactly is she?

He was horrified and couldn't help but hug Xie Yige even tighter.

He looked down at her small face nestled in his arms, and a faint anxiety began to rise in his heart.