Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
According to the initial plan, Yan Liqiang was to leave for White Stone Pass for an inspection in the afternoon after he was done with the inspection at the border trading post in the morning. Due to the discovery of flame oil at the border trading post, he ended up making sudden adjustments to his plan to stay another day in Yingwei County.
…
“That man called Lu Dahai may not be telling the truth. I’ve never heard of this flame oil!” In the rear courtyard at the Yingwei County Bureau, Fu Changde watched Yan Liqiang excitedly order someone to bring him a tub, some sand, and a firestarter to test out the flame oil.
Fu Changde couldn’t help but shake his head. “I know there’s a type of tree called the Red Clamshell Tree in Mount Jade Dragon. If the bark is sliced, the oil can be collected and be used as fuel. This flame oil does have the similar color as those Red Clamshell Trees, but the smell is kind of odd. It might have something mixed in it…”
“Have you not heard of flame oil coming up from underground on Mount Jade Dragon?” Yan Liqiang asked.
“No, never!” Fu Changde shook his head. As a former member of the Qiyun Protectorate, Fu Changde was extremely knowledgeable about the Gulang Plains and Mount Jade Dragon. Yet he had never heard of such a thing. This meant that either no one had really discovered the flame oil before, or not many knew of the discovery and hence it remained unknown until now.
“What about both of you?” Yan Liqiang looked at Qian Su and Lu Wenbin.
Lu Wenbin shook his head and Qian Su frowned while thinking. “I do remember meeting an old craftsmith who was sent to Gan Province’s Weaponsmiths Quarter many years ago. The old man went out to the sea when he was young and mentioned that he had seen stuff coming out from the ground. Just like the flame oil, it could easily catch fire…”
“Oh, what exactly did the old craftsmith say?”
Qian Su was in deep thoughts as he tried his best to recall his memory. “He was drunk when he told me that, so he was slurring his words. I remembered he mentioned about seeing stuff coming out from the ground on an island in the sea. It formed a huge lake which was on fire. The blaze reached the sky and could be seen from even a hundred li away. The fire had been burning every day for a few centuries. Even the locals were scared, and they called it the fires of hell. No one dared to go near the place. When I heard it back then, I thought it was nothing but an exotic tale so I paid no mind to it and just laughed it off…”
“Haha. Regardless, we’ll know if we test it out!” Yan Liqiang smiled. He understood what Fu Changde was saying, but the latter didn’t know that Yan Liqiang had activated the Psychic Serpent in his mind when he was talking to Lu Dahai. Hence, Yan Liqiang clearly knew every thought that crossed Lu Dahai’s mind so he would know if he was lying. Lu Dahai was indeed telling the truth. He had gathered the flame oil from Mount Jade Dragon, and Yan Liqiang even knew the exact spot he had gathered it from.
While talking, Yan Liqiang had picked up a wooden pot and poured half of its contents into the tub. After that, he lit up a wick with the firestarter and tossed it into the tub filled with flame oil.
When the burning wick fell into the tub, it immediately conjured up flames about four feet tall. The soaring flames shocked Qian Su and Lu Wenbin who were watching at the side as they quickly leaped two steps back.
“It’s burning intensely with so little flame oil! It would seem like it burns easier than pine oil and vegetable oil…!” Lu Wenbin exclaimed.
“It’s making quite a lot of black smoke, more than pine oil and tung oil…!” Qian Su commented while staring at the black smoke rising from the tub. “The smell is quite pungent too!”
The raging flames reflected red on Yan Liqiang’s face. He squinted his eyes for a moment, then turned his head around to ask Fu Changde, “Does the oil from the Red Clamshell Trees burn as intensely as this?”
Fu Changde shook his head, “No!”
Yan Liqiang focused on the flame that was burning in the tub for a full seven or eight minutes before it finally died out, leaving only some black ashes behind. Although it was only a short moment, the edge of the tub was already glowing red from the fire.
However, Yan Liqiang was still not satisfied. He poured all the flame oil on the ground paved with limestone in the garden, then lit up a wick and tossed it on the ground. The flame oil on the ground immediately caught fire.
On the third time, Yan Liqiang directly poured some flame oil into a huge tank of water. The flame oil that floated on the water’s surface was once again ignited…
After a few rounds, the beautiful limestone floor in the garden and the huge water tank were scorched black. The plants near the source of flame were also charred black and a strange burnt smell lingered in the garden. The once beautiful garden was now messed up, but the smile on Yan Liqiang’s face broadened. At this very moment, Yan Liqiang could confirm that this flame oil was just what he needed. Although he still couldn’t understand how this stuff that came out from the ground of this world was different than the crude oil and petroleum from his previous world, it didn’t matter. The most important thing was that it was useful!
Not only that, but it seemed to be in abundance!
Qian Su, Lu Wenbin, and Fu Changde slowly figured out something after they watched Yan Liqiang tirelessly repeat the tests and saw the happy smile that appeared on his face afterward.
“My lord, this thing will be extremely useful in the army…!” Fu Changde rubbed his chin as a sly smile appeared on his face.
“Yes, I’ll leave this in your hands. Lu Dahai will come to find you again!”
Yan Liqiang pondered for a brief moment, “If Lu Dahai can bring this thing out from the mountain in just a basket on his back, that means the location of this flame oil on Mount Jade Dragon isn’t that far from Yingwei County. When he comes by again, you may reveal to him our identities and promise them some benefits to win them on our side so we can transport this flame oil out from the mountain together. Do not disclose this to anyone for now. The fewer people that know about this, the better!”
“Rest assured, my lord. I know what to do!” Fu Changde nodded.
“Also, take care while storing this thing in huge amounts to avoid accidents. I shall inform the manufacturing bureau to send a group of men here to assist you with this task!”
After a day of delay in Yingwei County to discuss the arrangements regarding the flame oil with Fu Changde, Yan Liqiang finally left for White Stone Pass the next day with a few men on rhinodrake steeds instead of a carriage…