Chapter 436: Showcase of Art

Originally Li Tai was still wondering why it had to be the day after tomorrow; it was just a display of explosives, couldn't we just call people over tomorrow and demonstrate?

Who knew, Chen Yan actually said to go big, to give a bigger shock!

This suddenly struck a chord with Li Tai.

So the two immediately gathered a group of trusted people, took the many explosives they had made in recent days, and went out.

Until the time arrived at the morning of May 23rd.

Just after finishing court, Li Shimin and Li Chengqian were called over, and besides them were Niu Jinda and others.

When they arrived, Li Shimin was somewhat anticipatory, because Chen Yan was mysteriously vague, saying he would show him what is called art.

He instantly realized the kid must have produced something great, and wanted to put on a show.

So he came over with great expectation.

However, he did not expect to be taken by Chen Yan and Li Tai to a high ground, where a barren mountain could be seen in the distance.

"Zi An, it seems what you produced today is extraordinary," Li Shimin said with interest, scanning the surroundings, hoping to spot something unusual.

Yet he found nothing particularly special.

"Not at all, today's result isn't just my own effort; His Highness the Wei King helped a lot, and it even has something to do with you," Chen Yan said modestly, waving his hand.

Hearing this, Li Shimin was somewhat puzzled.

What could be related to me?

Why can't he make it clear?

"Hey!" General Niu placed his large hands on his shoulder, "I'm telling you, kid, you've taken so many of us to this desolate, uninhabited place; your love for mysterious little quirks is finally satisfied, right?"

"Now it's time to tell us what the purpose of bringing us here is, right?"

Since the weapons and gear were finished, Chen Yan had the items delivered overnight by the bannerless cavalry, and these past two days he has been hastily training the soldiers.

"General Niu, don't be impatient!" Li Tai, his plump face beaming with an unstoppable smile, advised, "There's a saying: a hasty heart can't eat hot tofu."

"Brother Chen and I have toiled day and night to prepare this great killing weapon for you; you'll see it soon, so don't be impatient."

Niu Jinda raised an eyebrow, "A great killing weapon you prepared for us?"

Su Dingfang interjected at this moment, "Is it the life‑saving item the Duke of Wei mentioned last time?"

"Yes!" Chen Yan affirmed.

"Of course, it's not only for your survival, but also to prepare for the Tang Dynasty's future wars."

Li Shimin glanced at Chen Yan; his guess that war was looming was unsurprising, and his anticipation grew even more.

The surprise of Night‑shade Armor, Stranger Sword, and horseshoes nearly stunned him; pulling off such a grand display today, could there be something even better?

"Zi An, now that everyone is here, let's begin quickly."

Chen Yan and the Wei King exchanged a smile; the latter immediately drew a trumpet‑shaped object from his waist, held it to his mouth and shouted, "Everyone ready! I'll count down three, then we all ignite and retreat!"

He shouted loudly, and the sound carried far under that trumpet‑shaped device.

After he finished speaking, several response sounds rang out from the distance in succession.

Li Shimin and the others wore puzzled expressions, but they did not ask any questions, merely waited patiently.

"Very good! Three!"

The Wei King shouted, his face already showing signs of excitement.

"Two!"

"One!"

"Ignite!!!"

As the final "Ignite" fell, Chen Yan timely explained to Li Shimin, "The ones below responsible for ignition are the people His Majesty sent me last time; I selected a few of them, all trustworthy."

Li Shimin looked at him puzzled, not quite understanding what that meant.

And… it seemed like nothing had happened.

"Kid Chen, the thing you called us here to see?" General Niu asked, bewildered, scanning around; there was no movement, no special thing.

"Hehe!" Chen Yan said, hands behind his back, "Do you all remember what I told you I'd show you when I invited you here earlier?"

Beside him, Li Chengqian stroked his chin and said, "I think it was… that we'd be shown what is called art!"

Everyone nodded at that, since the messenger Chen Yan sent had said just that.

"Right!"

Chen Yan silently counted in his mind, seeing the time was near, stepped forward two paces, faced the crowd, and spread his hands wide:

"Now I ask everyone to see what is called......."

He lifted his head slightly, "Art!"

Boom——!!!

A sound like thunder across the nine heavens erupted suddenly! In an instant, the ground shook, the mountain roared! A clear tremor rose from beneath their feet, and a corner of the distant barren mountain surged upward amid billowing dust, then countless huge stones and earth cascaded down like a waterfall!

Yet this was only the beginning!

Boom——!!!

Boom Boom Boom——!!!

The terrifying blasts, identical to the earlier ones, rang one after another, repeatedly exploding madly! They erupted at various spots, echoing across the open plain, the ravaged valleys, and the vast sky, eventually merging into a destructive symphony that battered every ear and soul!

The ground beneath them kept trembling incessantly, making Li Shimin and the others nearly lose their footing.

They all stared wide‑eyed, their faces filled with unprecedented horror and disbelief.

Even Niu Jinda, who had endured countless battle formations and was accustomed to seas of corpses, gaped at the mountain seeming to be torn and shattered by invisible forces, unable to utter a word.

Li Chengqian's face turned even paler; he instinctively stepped back half a pace, the scene before him far beyond his comprehension.

Is… is this really within human capability?

The explosions finally faded gradually, yet the air still reeked of thick gunpowder smoke and a death‑like silence.

"Your Majesty!"

"Li Junxian roared, forcing himself to endure the fear in his heart, drew his sword and stood before Li Shimin."

"Your Majesty, how is it?"

"It's okay, I guess?"

"Chen Yan grinned."

"Li Shimin stared blankly at the desolated mountain in the distance, its features completely altered, and instinctively nodded, \"Alright... alright. \""

"No!"

"He snapped back to his senses, hurried forward, clutched Chen Yan's arm tightly, his voice frantic, \"Zi An, what exactly was that just now? It had such enormous power! \""

"Was that made by you?"

"\"Your Majesty, calm down, no need to hurry, no need to hurry, ha, \" Chen Yan, feeling a bit of pain from being grabbed, quickly said."

"Li Shimin also realized he had acted improperly, forced himself to suppress his emotions, and released Chen Yan."

"\"Let me speak, Father Emperor, \" Li Tai said proudly, stepping forward, \"This is something that Brother Chen and I have researched, called explosive. \""

"\"Its power is immense, enough to split mountains and crack stones; if deployed on the battlefield, it would be unstoppable in sieges and raids! \""

"He grew more excited as he spoke, \"All thanks to Father Emperor; Brother Chen drew inspiration from the immortal pill formula that Father Emperor gave, and thus created the explosive! \""

"\"Father Emperor, this is a great joy! \""

"Li Shimin: \"...... \""

"\"...... \""