It was noon and the sun is already at its peak position. As if that wasn’t enough, the surrounding temperatures around Mt. Jizu hit as high as 100C while almost half of the Phoenix Empire was experiencing a heat wave, reaching average temperatures as high as 45C.

The usual temperature at the Imperial City is around 25. So, for the commoners, it is indeed as worse as hell.

As for the Northern and Southern Yuan provinces where temperatures are around 35 C, they are experiencing 50-52 C, and citizens are advised to not get out of their homes. People with weak constitutions are getting ill and kids are dying.

While Yuan Menzi didn’t appear to care about the people’s suffering and leisurely enjoyed his time at the clan, the elders couldn’t afford to enjoy such luxury. They were trying their best to help people, although Yuan Menzi is getting credit for it as he holds the authority to release the funds.

In the meantime, at the campsite, the Emperor and his aides were comfortable as the area was completely covered by the heat dispelling barrier.

Mark holed himself up in his tent, trying his best to not leave the place. On one hand, it’s been more than three days and the lava pillar wasn’t just transforming. On the other hand, he was missing the presence of Song Yue.

Unfortunately for him, there were no mobile phones in this world and neither was he comfortable in letting the system and Alina act as mediators to pass the messages between them.

Mark didn’t know that he will be away from home for this long. Hence, he didn’t prepare anything to create some sort of communication channel between them. He decided to purchase a set of long-range communication talismans after this is over.

At around 1 o’clock in the afternoon, in his tent, Mark was seen being busy working on a ballistic missile’s design and its components.

“Hmm, let’s go with 62% titanium, 8% stainless steel, and 30% Duralumin. As for the dimensions, 3100 mm (3.1 meters) would be the optimal length, 160 mm diameter (16 cm), and 21.5 kg warhead. Nah, the speed will be compromised a little bit unless I compromise with the fuel tank for the desired results. In the latter case, the range will be comprised. It’s not like I’m aiming for large distances.

How about 73.5 kg without fuel and explosive charge and 99.5 kg with everything? In that case, an 11 kg mixed warhead can be fitted alongside a 15 L fuel tank. This will ensure atleast 80km and hypersonic speed.

However, the main problem is the engine module. Liquid fuel is more difficult to handle compared to solid fuel but the performance is stronger in the former’s case.

And the next problem is that peroxide hasn’t been invented in this world. Should I go for another comburent? Nah, I can make it myself. If there’s any trouble, I can hire a high-level alchemist for the assist.

Then, what should be the ratio of fuel to comburent? Hmm, let’s see… if I use kerosene and peroxide, then, the ideal ratio should be somewhere between 1:14 to 1:15. Theory won’t cut it. I need to run tests.

As for the warhead, I just need to put two warheads in the explosive module, one serves as the detonator with a smaller quantity of explosives like 1kg and the remaining 10kg will be detonated and destroy the target.

Of course, there are also guidance systems like the electro-optical, radar guidance, infrared guidance, lock before launch, and lock after launch but it is better to just buy them from the system’s store, which will be available once it hits level 6. So, not a big deal.

Hmm, wait a second. Why should I follow the same method and use the same materials as I did on earth? I have the access to rare materials mining. But then again, what’s the use? The destruction depends on the warhead, right? Hmm, come to think of it, what if I can trap some ether energy alongside the explosives? It doesn’t take mass. So, it can be done. But, will it increase the destructive power? What if it causes premature detonation?”

As Mark was thinking about all the possibilities with the addition of ether energy, a soldier entered the tent.

“Lord Lu, I apologize for the intrusion. His Majesty is inviting you to the lunch.” He gave the message.

Lan Ju, who was just lazing around, made a comment as the soldier exited the tent. “Shang Fu doesn’t just give up, does he? For the past three days, he’s been inviting you and you are rejecting it. Yet, he was inviting you again. I guess he wants to mediate between you and that person named Dai Long.”

“Let him do what he wants. I will not budge on my… hmm… wait a second…” Mark decided to eat alone once again but then, something struck his mind, all of a sudden. “Lan Ju, What day is today?”

“How would I know that?” Lan Ju was a bit surprised by Mark’s sudden question. He might be a beast emperor but he has been away from the civilization for a very long time. It’s no surprise that he doesn’t have any idea about the dates.

“Allen?” Mark asked him.

“It’s Friday,” replied the Android, who was sitting like a statue for a while.

Mark then hurriedly opened the Lottery function and almost slapped his forehead. “I forgot about the day.”

He rose to his feet and walked toward the exit, “I’ll go and have lunch with the others.”

“Hmm?” Lan Ju raised his eyebrows, wondering what is going on in Mark’s mind. Nevertheless, he didn’t join him.

Meanwhile, inside one of the tents, the Emperor sat along with his son, Song Tai, and Bai Xun. He was waiting for others to arrive.

He was discussing what to do with the lava pillar causing mayhem across the empire. They aren’t sure when the fire seed will be born. Hence, they had the option of destroying it. It was suggested by the second prince but the Emperor didn’t appear to buy the idea.

“Even if I forget about the fire seed, how do you plan on getting past those hostile forces and destroying the lava pillar?” He asked.

The second prince replied casually, “it isn’t a big deal. We can always take Lu Zhen’s help and destroy the pillar right from here. I don’t think he had sold all of his howitzers to the Western Moon. I’m sure that there will be a couple with him. We can’t buy them but that doesn’t mean that he cannot use them to help us. However, you have to be the one who should take the decision.”

Before being a father, he is the Emperor and he has to take care of his citizens first. Hence, he considered the option.

But, before he replied, his eyes fell on the person who just stepped inside the tent.

To his surprise, the first to arrive is Mark, who never accepted his invitation until now.

“Lu Zhen?” The Emperor called out his name.

Mark replied that he changed his mind and sat down beside the second prince. The latter then asked about Allen and Wu Weibao (Lan Ju), to which, Mark gave a quick excuse that his two companions are on a diet.

Shang Fu bought the lie and nodded with a smile. He was satisfied that Mark attended the lunch and that is enough.

In the next 10 minutes, the other VIPs arrived one after another. Each one of them was surprised by Mark’s presence but they didn’t bother to ask him as their impression of him turned bad because of his refusal to talk to them or eat with them for the past three days.

Throughout the lunch, Mark calmly ate his food, only giving short and decisive answers to either the Emperor or the second prince whenever they tried to strike a conversation with him.

As he was done with the main course and started eating the soy milk pudding, he put his right hand under the table and unleashed the skill, whispering to himself. The ring glowed for 90 seconds before he received a notification stating that he absorbed the luck and the 5-minute timer has started.

Within the next minute, he hurriedly finished the dessert and excused himself by telling that he needed to go out for a walk. He thanked the Emperor for the meal and exited the place.

As soon as he was out, he mumbled, “System, open Lottery Wheel.”

<strong>*Random Unique Weapon*  </strong>

<strong>*Random Bloodline*</strong>

<strong>*Rank-1 Android (Weapons Research specialist)*</strong>

<strong>*Upgrade crystal (superior grade)*</strong>

<strong>*Ungraded battle tank (Merkava Mark IV)*</strong>

<strong>*Peak Potion*</strong>

<strong>*Mysterious Box*</strong>

“Every single item is valuable, this time. However, if I had a choice, I would pick upgrade crystal to improve Allen’s stats.”

He clicked on the spin without wasting any time.

<strong>*Ding! 300 credits were deducted.</strong>

Roughly 25 seconds later, the arrow landed one of the rewards. It was expected as he has 10 points of luck at the moment. But, the reward that came from it was unexpected.

<strong>*Ding! Congratulations, you won “Random Unique weapon”. The weapon box was sent to your inventory.</strong>

As he opened the inventory and clicked on the box with a question mark, similar to the mysterious box, the specific inventory slot glowed for a couple of seconds before an image of an armored suit appeared in the slot.

“I wonder what this might be…”

Mark turned curious as this was the first he received an armor-type weapon. He clicked on it to check the details.

He was forced to halt his footsteps with a look of surprise on his face, “A sci-fi Exo suit? My, my… this is unexpected.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep