This memory and manual dexterity can be said to be extremely strong.
Truly a master craftsman.
"An unbelievably exquisite structure, this must be a type of hidden weapon, right? If this bronze pellet were filled with flint and gunpowder, the power of its explosion in a sealed environment might rival that of a crossbow."
After taking out a bullet and sniffing it at the tip of his nose, the Pharmacist's face revealed a look of shock.
What shocked him was not the technique, for by disassembling it, he understood the principle quite well; he was shocked by the craftsmanship of all the parts, including the bronze pellet!
"Even if I were to make it myself, I fear I couldn't replicate it. However, the craftsmanship is too pronounced; this shouldn't be..."
Holding the pistol and puzzled, the Pharmacist then asked Tao Yu,
"May I fire one to try it out? I can offer you some compensation afterward."
"Senior, please feel free to take it. This thing isn't valuable where I come from. It's produced by machinery, not the work of a grandmaster."
Tao Yu, having a rough understanding of the Pharmacist's temperament from the original work, didn't make any demands.
"Good lad, I can't be taking advantage of the younger generation."
The Pharmacist chuckled lightly, then took aim at a peach tree with the pistol and pulled the trigger.
Bang~
After firing, the Pharmacist's expression changed subtly, and then he leaped to the peach tree, touching the bullet hole with an earnest look.
"What kind of gunpowder is this? Its power is even greater than I estimated."
He then picked up the cartridge case and sniffed it at the tip of his nose,
"Saltpeter as the main ingredient? Has such great power? There's no smell of sulfur..."
Seeing this, Tao Yu also felt somewhat bewildered; isn't gunpowder all the same? How would I know? As long as it works, that's all that matters.
Clutching the cartridge in his hand, the Pharmacist seemed to fall silent for a moment before turning back to Tao Yu and said,
"Young friend, was your earlier detection of me due to some sort of clever trick?"
With both Perception and such immense power, just this hidden weapon alone could pose a significant threat to most of the martial artists.
"Uh, not exactly, I do have some confidence in my own strength."
Pharmacist Huang was slightly taken aback.
If Tao Yu were facing Hong Qigong, he certainly wouldn't bring up such a troublesome ability; a simple exchange of strengths would suffice.
But since his opponent was Huang the Eccentric, it was natural to fully leverage what he could!
"Yes, just like this."
With his palm slightly showing the effects of Demonization, it drew a visibly moved expression on Pharmacist Huang's face.
Cheng Lixue and Zhang Hao exclaimed in low voices, astonished.
They had never suspected that Brother Tao, who had been with them for so long, was actually a demon!
However, as he had been good company along the way and was openly revealing his nature now without hiding anything, they felt rather reassured. It almost gave them a sense of being trusted.
Cheng Lixue's cheeks turned even redder, her lips quivering slightly as if she thought of something.
Pharmacist Huang then said with a sly smile,
"Young man, aren't you afraid I'll slay demons and vanquish evil?"
"Till now, I believe elder is not one to be confined by conventional moral conduct, and besides, this is merely an ability. I am, without a doubt, human," Tao Yu retorted, accurately capturing the elder's persona.
This outworldly demon had discerned after a few encounters that he was not one to be bound by formalities. Huang the Eccentric couldn't help feeling joy in his heart, quite pleased with this realization.
That's just the kind of man I am!
"Alright then, let's see how capable you are, young man. Whether this Demonization can take a beating."
Pharmacist Huang took a light leap backwards, landing on the railing of the gazebo with a chuckle,
"Come on, if you can force me off this railing, consider it my loss."
Seeing how confident Pharmacist Huang was, Tao Yu also looked amused.
If it were an up-front confrontation without any sneak attacks, he knew he was outclassed. But since you've set your own limitations, don't blame me for picking on an elder.
"Elder, be careful, for my strength is considerable."
Tao Yu clasped his hands again, while Cheng Lixue and Zhang Hao quickly retreated to the side to avoid getting splattered with blood.
The seemingly immortal elder who could drift away and the young man who could turn into a demon were actually squaring off, leaving others somewhat unable to react.
Especially Cheng Lixue, recalling how Tao Yu's palm transformed into that demonic keratinous layer, she imagined God knows what, her complexion paling yet also flushed with an unnatural rosiness, as her legs squeezed together noticeably...