There was utter chaos in the warehouse of Niu Family. The workers ran here and there as they tried to put down the flames. But strange enough, the flames didn't reduce at all.
It was like water has no effect on the flames. The ghastly green flames kept burning and burning, devouring everything it touched.
The entire stock of silk and cotton simply burnt into ashes due to the high intensity of the flames. And other than the warehouse, the fire started to creep toward the workshop too.
" Damn it! What the hell are you bastards doing!?"
" Water! Someone bring more water!"
" It's not working! The water can't extinguish the flames!"
" Ghost flames! These are ghost flames! Someone cursed Niu family!"
The workers were dumbfounded as they ran here and there. Some of them even started to kowtow, pleading to the gods and ghosts to not harm them.
The strange green flames raged with the wind current, making the flames spread faster. The howling of the wind and the green flames were like the laughter of an invisible evil being, making everyone panic for their lives.
So, Was it really ghost flames?
Jia Hao sat in the Phoenix Cloud Pavilion leisurely as he enjoyed the wine. He came here in the early evening, quiet before the fire started in the Niu Family's workshop.
' Haha, Sodium is quite a good material.'
Originally, the legend of ghost flames or will o wisps originated from the phosphorus in the bones, which catches fire in the middle of the night due to its reactive nature.
Sodium is also similar to phosphorous, but even more volatile. Jia Hao asked the person at Donghu Chemical Laboratory to prepare a special compound.
It mainly consists of sodium, which starts burning even when soaked in water. He asked the chemical expert to add some barium to make the flame burn in bright green flames.
Sodium is a soft metal, that can be cut with a knife like tofu. After mixing both items, they sliced the block into smaller seeds and coated them with a special type of chemical.
The coating was temporary, which would wash away after being heated and dried for far too long.
[ Super Buring Tablets: Small sodium capsules that will catch fire after their outer coat dissolves. Due to the barium, it will produce green flames. However, the effects are enhanced by five times thanks to some special enchantment, making ordinary water useless before such flames]
Jia Hao was pleasantly surprised when he saw the things were enchanted, increasing the potency of the small tablets. After arriving here, he tasked Old Yang and a few loyal subordinates to slowly insert these small seed like tablets into the silk cocoons and cotton flowers.
After doing that, they soaked them in the water before sending them to the Niu Family. After all, soaking them in the water won't any suspicion as it was supposed to prevent them from catching fire.
" Oh, A plate of spicy beans, please." Jia Hao smiled at the courtesan fawning at him.
" Young Master Jia is so talented. Are you not going to compose any poems today?"
" Well, I can certainly do." Jia Hao gave a smug grin. " However, Such a thing depends upon the chance encounter. After all, I would rather not create any poems than make a mediocre one."
" Kyaah! Young Master Jia is such an upright person."
" Young Noble Jia, Could you join me for a literary evening in my boudoir?"
" Why you? I believe Young Noble Jia should pick me..."
' No matter what, Getting attention from beauties never feels bad.' Jia Hao grinned.
" Brother Jia is really enjoying his time here, Huh? I didn't know you were already a famous scholar here."
Jia Hao's expression froze as he turned around, looking at a familiar face.
' Fuck! What is he doing here?' Jia Hao was alarmed when he saw Li Qing and Zhou Yan.
" Brother Li...I mean, Brother Qing..." Jia Hao almost blurted out Li Qing's real name.
" What a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see you here." Jia Hao fawned over her.
Li Qing smiled lightly. " Me too, Brother Jia. Looks like the fate led us here."
As they sat together, Jia Hao saw someone whispering something to Zhou Yan. Zhou Yan's expression changed as he hurriedly informed Li Qing.
" What happened, Brother Qing?" Jia Hao raised his brows.
" Just got a news." Qing Li ordered some light tea as he looked at Jia Hao with a calm smile. " The warehouse of Niu Family caught fire."
" Oh? Really?" Jia Hao put on a surprised expression. " How is this possible?"
" I don't know." Li Qing shook his head. " But it looks like, You Cai Family benefited the most."
" What are you trying to say, Brother Li?" Jia Hao smirked as he swirled the wine glass.
" This is a judgment of heaven. How can a frail mortal like me could have hands in it?"