"What!? No way!?" Jiang Huoer's whole body trembled.

"When have I ever lied to you, son? This news was secretly told to me by your Uncle Yi," Jiang Zicheng said with a smile. "He also mentioned that although it's still a secret now, the Imperial Capital will surely find out soon. Then, it'll become a royal mine."

Jiang Zicheng's words carried hidden implications. First, Yi Aimin had shared this in secret, proving the saltpeter deposit was unknown to others. Second, the Imperial Capital would learn of it soon—meaning this was a one-time chance. If Jiang Huoer wanted free saltpeter, he had to act fast.

"Dad, you should've told me earlier!" Jiang Huoer was in a frantic rush. Saltpeter was as vital as life to him. His life motto was: "Where there's saltpeter, there's Jiang Huoer." Of course, he had other mottos too. The most famous one, coined by his schoolmates, was: "Cannon Fire Until Dawn on New Year's Eve."

This nickname traced back to when Jiang Huoer was eleven and invented a miniaturized Divine Martial Cannon.

On that New Year's Eve, during the tradition of staying up late, families across Spirit Martial Town lit red lanterns and set off firecrackers. No one held back for their children—not even the town's poorest household spared enough firecrackers for a joyful celebration.

But this year, the town head's house was unusually quiet. Normally, Boss Qian's firecrackers boomed the loudest in Spirit Martial Town, followed by the town head's. ThirdSister's and the yamen's were also thunderous. Some constables couldn't return home for the holiday. To ensure these hardworking men enjoyed a proper New Year, Yi Aimin—the Venerable Just Judge who loved his people like children—personally funded lavish celebrations every year. This act was a cherished tale in town.

So why weren't the town head's firecrackers sounding?

Simple: Jiang Huoer had taken them all for experiments.

The idea struck Huor just before the New Year. Those firecrackers were a golden opportunity—rare and fleeting. Why not seize every bit?

His invention, a miniature Divine Martial Cannon, wasn't meant for battle. It aimed to maximize destruction with minimal gunpowder.

To achieve this, the iron cannonballs needed perfect sizing. A tiny gunpowder charge inside would explode, shattering the layered iron shells. The resulting shrapnel would unleash massive blast damage.

Jiang Huoer had calculated the gunpowder would last two hours—from the Hour of the Rat to the Hour of the Ox, ending before the Hour of the Tiger. Those peak hours were the liveliest, and his cannon would amplify the excitement for lion dance troupes in the streets.

But he never expected a cannonball to detonate beside him the moment he lit the fuse. The shockwave knocked him unconscious instantly. Uncontrolled, the cannon rampaged wildly. It first demolished Spirit Martial Town's outer walls, then collapsed several houses, and even killed roosters wandering the streets. When the blasts began, townsfolk instantly knew the culprit. They cursed Jiang Huoer fiercely but dared not insult his mother—she was the town head's wife, after all. No one risked that.

That night became known as the "Black New Year's Eve" or the "Deadly New Year's Eve." Though no one died, several were injured.

Worse, the cannon fire didn't stop as planned—from the Hour of the Rat to the Hour of the Tiger.

Because the shots fired intermittently, it actually lasted from the Hour of the Rat until dawn.

Townspeople spent the entire night hiding in basements or under beds. Anxiety stole their sleep, and fear of mid-celebration explosions killed any urge for fun.

Only when Jiang Huoer woke the next day did the chaos end. Finding his cannon empty and seeing the town's ruined state, he rushed to ring the golden bell on the west wall. This bell, forged to warn against Mountain Bandit raids, signaled "enemy attack" with one ring and "all clear" with two.

After that incident, his schoolmates honored him with the title: "Cannon Fire Until Dawn." Beyond celebrating his fearless dedication to cannonry, the nickname carried... deeper meanings.

"Where is it? Where!?" Jiang Huoer's eyes gleamed with a green light—a raw hunger for saltpeter, a pure love for gunpowder.

"It's far, Huor. You can't go. I won't allow it," the town head waved his hand.

"Distance? Pfft! I can ride a horse just fine," Jiang Huoer patted his chest. "Dad, trust your son's skills, okay?"

"Well... I was planning to use connections next week when Imperial Capital officials arrive, to send you there..."

"Dad, you know I don't care about the Imperial Capital. If I choose, I'd rather fire cannons in Spirit Martial Town my whole life~"

"Think carefully, son. I'm warning you—Xiu Ran and Meng Qi are both leaving for the Imperial Capital. Won't you be lonely alone here?"

"As long as I have saltpeter, I won't be lonely." Jiang Huoer's devotion was absolute—he even slept hugging saltpeter.

"Alright then..." Jiang Zicheng hesitated visibly. "Since you've decided, I won't argue further."

"Dad, you still haven't told me where it is!"

"Far away. In Tahang."

"Tahang Mountain...? Saltpeter there?" Jiang Huoer gasped. "Is Uncle Yi's intel reliable?"

"Uncle Yi said there might be some. His constables on patrol found a large deposit. But it could also be leftovers from the Celestial Mechanism Camp's training. It's not guaranteed."

"Guaranteed or not, I must try!" Jiang Huoer's curiosity burned at its peak. "Even if it's the Celestial Mechanism Camp's forgotten stash, I'll haul it back. This could be a massive haul!" His mouth watered, and Jiang Zicheng fought a laugh.

"So, Huor, when do you leave?"

"Early tomorrow morning!"

"Too soon?"

"If you'd told me this morning, I wouldn't have gone to Spirit Stream with Xiu Ran and Meng Qi. I'd have left this afternoon—and I still think that's late," Jiang Huoer sighed heavily. "Anyway, Dad, handle my travel funds, horses, and relay station permits for changing mounts."

"Consider it done." Jiang Zicheng's heart bloomed with quiet joy. Huor hadn't spotted his scheme. Not spotting it was best.

The youth stretched. "Then I'm off to bed, Dad. I want an early start tomorrow."

"Go ahead. I'll prepare your gear and sleep after."

"Yes~~~"