Munitions Empire

He spoke with such righteousness, as if he truly developed everything on his own, which captivated Gis completely.

Sure enough, Gis's curiosity was piqued even more, and he couldn't wait to urge for more, "Let's hear it."

"If paper cartridge guns and the K1 Quick Gun are feasible, then what about metal cartridges? Are they reasonable? Assume boldly, then verify! That's always been my approach!" Tang Mo continued to spout fantastical nonsense with such genuine enthusiasm that he almost believed himself.

Gis listened with unwavering conviction, nodding and asking questions, "But how do you deal with the residue from black gunpowder?"

"That's why I started experimenting, relying on the technique of experimenting with mercury fulminate. I was lucky, so I managed to invent almost residue-free smokeless powder," Tang Mo narrated vividly his risky experiments with special formulas in the lab, even saying he almost blew his fingers off.

"Ha..." Gis even chuckled, completely engrossed in the fascinating world Tang Mo depicted.

Then Tang Mo, without any reservations, went on, "With smokeless powder and primers, I began experimenting with metal cartridges. With this invention, high-speed loading of weapons became possible, and so the rate of fire for individual firearms could be further increased."

"After that, Mathews and I discussed whether we could develop automatic loading rapid-fire weapons with the support of metal cartridges." Then, to add credibility to his words, Tang Mo even mentioned a person Gis would definitely have investigated.

"It really is Mathews..." Indeed, Gis had an epiphany, followed by a remorseful sigh. Up until now, Gis believed everything Tang Mo said was reasonable, was true...

Yet Wes knew that Tang Mo was talking nonsense, because when Tang Mo invented the Revolver, Mathews was still a Dwarf drunkard in Northern Ridge!

Moreover, Wes knew that Mathews completely considered himself a disciple of Tang Mo, always addressing Tang Mo as his master on regular days. Such a Dwarf seemed more like a worker, not at all like a partner...

But he couldn't possibly stop Tang Mo from talking nonsense, so Tang Mo continued to ramble on, "Then, we designed several brand-new weapons, including the K3 rifle that used metal cartridges, the automatic G1 machine gun..."

"And... what about cannons?" Gis asked this question with a persistent sense that something was off.

But Tang Mo immediately answered his question, fortifying Gis's sense that something wasn't right, "With the ignition mechanism in place, why not invent a fuse that would detonate upon impact, to be used on shells?"

"You're truly a genius," Gis said dubiously, continuing to ponder what exactly was off.

"I know that," Tang Mo shamelessly accepted the praise, then went on, "Then, using the loading principle of the rifle, I invented breech-loading cannons. They have a longer range and load faster than your Shireck muzzle-loading guns..."

"I accept my defeat without question," Gis felt uncomfortable with the response and even a bit anxious. Thus, he ceased his questioning and nodded in acknowledgment of his defeat.

"Indeed, without question," Tang Mo nodded, agreeing once more with Gis's conclusion.

"I could have been your friend... but I didn't have that choice," Gis said with an expression of immense regret, lamenting to Tang Mo.

"You're wrong about that..." Tang Mo directly dismissed Gis's statement, shaking his head mercilessly.

"How so?" Gis was taken aback, seeming to pinpoint the inconsistency he had felt before in that instant.

"You could never become my friend, Mr. Gis," Tang Mo rejected him with distant coldness.

"You don't plan to let me go back?" Suddenly, Gis seemed to realize something, staring into Tang Mo's eyes as he questioned him.

Tang Mo didn't hide his thoughts, countering directly, "Why would I let you go back?"

"Working with the Shireck Consortium, you could gain more than you imagine," Gis persisted.

Tang Mo remained indifferent and nonchalantly continued to counter-question, "If I take out Shireck, I can just go and take all these things myself, can't I?"

His voice was light when he asked, as if taking out Shireck was not such a difficult task for him.

Wes, who stood behind him and had seen the steel behemoth that Tang Mo had built, knew that Tang Mo was not being arrogant, he was simply stating a fact!

But Tang Mo's tone made Gis completely panic. He suddenly stood up, looking down at Tang Mo, and asked in a harsh voice, "… do you really... think you can take out the Shireck Consortium?"

Tang Mo curiously counter-questioned, "Why can't I?"

"You're really not going to let me go back?" This time, Gis truly panicked; he staggered back a step, unable to believe and asked again.

"Yes," Tang Mo nodded resolutely, without any hesitation.

"You can think it over again; we really can cooperate," Gis emphasized, pleadingly amidst his panic.

"No need…" Tang Mo's refusal remained very straightforward.

Wes who stood behind Tang Mo had already drawn the Left-Wheel Handgun from his pocket and casually pointed it at Gis.

"Would you be willing to tell me where Qiumuluo is?" Tang Mo, as if having remembered something, asked while standing up.

However, Gis did not answer Tang Mo's question but continued to interrogate, "We are both not good people, so why do you want to kill me?"

"You might not understand… it's just because, I find you annoying!" Tang Mo smiled, pushing Gis to the brink of collapse.

He lunged at Tang Mo, trying to grab Tang Mo's collar: "You…"

"Bang!" The gunshot rang out, echoing across the wilderness.

Gis watched in disbelief as a pool of blood rapidly expanded on his chest. He staggered forward yet another step, but his reaching hand began to feel as heavy as lead.

"Shireck… won't let this go…" Gis swayed as he threatened Tang Mo.

"If they don't come looking for trouble, then they can count their blessings! Those people will be praying every day that I'm in a good mood and not in the mood to utterly annihilate them!" Tang Mo said coldly, staring at Gis who had fallen to his knees.

The latter could no longer hear what he was saying; he was just hanging on to his last breath, unwilling to die just yet.

Tang Mo walked away without looking back while Wes stepped forward to finish with two more shots, neat and clean. The crackling gunfire in the distance also gradually ceased.

Gis and his followers had all been shot dead, not a single one had escaped. They, so full of sin, had truly never imagined that they would die so easily in this desolate wilderness…

At the same time, the defeated Shireck private military found that the road they were retreating on was blocked by an army carrying the flag of the Leite Kingdom.

"What's our next move?" Wes caught up with the departing Tang Mo, and while slipping the Left-Wheel Handgun back into his pocket, he asked curiously.

"Follow the original agreement, take what belongs to us…" Tang Mo said while continuing to walk, "Send someone to find Qiumuluo… Someone claimed to have seen him in Gis's camp! He still owes me a debt!"

"Yes, Master!" Wes nodded slightly, then turned back to look at Gis's kneeling corpse…

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