Besides this, there was one last ninjutsu: the Multiplication Explosion Tags. This was also invented by the Second Hokage. Truly, he was a master inventor of ninjutsu, with many powerful techniques originating from him.
The Multiplication Explosion Tags was another representative ninjutsu, but it was a technique that required significant wealth to be effective, exclusively for the rich.
The explosion tags themselves had moderate power. Li Xi had previously stated that their power was similar to that of ordinary grenades, without fragmentation damage. In the original work, those who died from explosion tags were mere nameless background characters, not a single one with a name or identity. However, after the Second Hokage modified it into a ninjutsu, it was a different story.
By storing a large number of explosion tags in pre-determined locations, the tags could be summoned one after another upon activation of the jutsu, leading to continuous explosions. You might be able to withstand it for a second, or a minute, but almost no one could endure ten minutes. You weren't Obito, who could withstand six hundred billion explosion tags with Izanagi.
This was a ninjutsu with unlimited power, its strength entirely dependent on how many explosion tags one possessed. It could even be world-ending. Unfortunately, Li Xi didn't have many, only a few hundred.
Overall, the quality was excellent, a rare collection of high-end ninjutsu.
"Spin."
The pointer spun wildly.
"Stop."
The pointer began to slow down, passing over various ninjutsu.
[Congratulations, Master, you have obtained Multiplication Explosion Tags.]
Li Xi couldn't help but laugh and cry. The ninjutsu was good, excellent in all aspects, but it lacked the most crucial component: the explosion tags themselves. To truly demonstrate the power of this ninjutsu, one would need at least tens of thousands of explosion tags. With Li Xi's current few hundred, it was like throwing two stones into a river; it made a sound, but wouldn't even kill a shrimp.
What was even more infuriating was that Li Xi had once asked people in this world about the explosion tags he'd drawn. He'd asked mages, sorcerers, great scholars, priests, and even elves, but they all indicated that sealing such low-tier magic in scrolls was a complete waste and unwise.
In their understanding, the power of an explosion tag was equivalent to a magic trick, its power too small. To seal such meager power into paper could only mean the inventor was bored and had nothing better to do. With such skill, why not seal a forbidden spell?
From then on, Li Xi thoroughly understood that professions were distinct and separate, and he abandoned the idea of trying to manufacture explosion tags himself.
However, now that he had drawn Multiplication Explosion Tags, he could only rely on his two shadow clones to undertake more small tasks, allowing Li Xi to draw more explosion tags. This was one of the drawbacks of pursuing high-level techniques while neglecting low-level necessities. Perhaps it would take many years until Li Xi managed to draw six hundred million explosion tags.
"Again," Li Xi gritted his teeth.
A moment later, after Li Xi called for it to stop,
[Congratulations, Master, you have obtained Chidori.]
"Ohoho, excellent."
The simple hand seals were transmitted into his mind, and Li Xi instantly mastered the Chidori ninjutsu.
It involved using chakra to form high-intensity electrical currents in the hand, which were then used at high speed for an attack, possessing excellent penetration power to inflict piercing wounds on enemies.
Byakuya died by this move. Kakashi shattered one of Kakuzu's hearts with Chidori. Chidori held a notable position on the list of successful ninjutsu that resulted in death.
In the following days, because the Konoha Trade Group was newly established, Li Xi could not leave Kado City. Therefore, he couldn't undertake any B-rank missions from the Adventurer's Guild, and his progress in leveling up finally stalled.
However, the increasingly popular trade, the daily influx of gold, and Kado City's revival, led by Konoha Street, eased Li Xi's desire to take on missions, as he was immersed in Avril and Ais.
In just ten days, some quick-footed mercenaries and trade groups from Yabi City arrived to negotiate cooperation, showing extreme humility. They offered to provide a certain number of weapons forged by dwarves each month, with conditions set by Avril. Such a seller's market was incredibly satisfying. Of course, Li Xi did not make exorbitant demands; instead, he sold at normal prices to every party, treating everyone equally and avoiding offending anyone. A steady stream of income was more profitable than trying to get rich quick.
The temperature on Konoha Street was higher than elsewhere. Hundreds of furnaces acted as heat sources, and under the pounding of six hundred hammers, two hundred weapons were forged daily.
Kado City truly lacked the over a thousand blacksmith apprentices Avril wanted to recruit; even after searching thoroughly, they only found five hundred. The remaining deficit would have to be filled by other cities. It was expected that with the spread of this news, this would happen within half a month.
The dwarves of the Bronzebeard Tribe now absolutely loved this lifestyle. With a barrel of ale in one hand and a large hammer in the other, and several apprentices serving the furnaces, the dwarves only needed to do the hammering. The apprentices handled all other tasks, and they eagerly competed for them, even carrying away empty barrels of ale.
Thanks to the dwarves' consumption, the businesses in Kado City that were revived first were actually coal, ore, and liquor.
Fewer than two hundred dwarves were incredibly thirsty. Regardless of gender or age, each dwarf drank an average of one and a half barrels of ale per day. Due to excessive drinking, several dwarves got so drunk they nearly fell asleep by the furnace. Li Xi had issued strict orders multiple times to drink in moderation. The dwarves outwardly all agreed, but the number of ale barrels shipped out daily did not decrease; in fact, it increased.
Li Xi questioned them. The dwarves adamantly claimed that some of the ale was poured into the furnaces to help start the fire. Li Xi was so angry he almost exploded. Did the ale in this world, which had a lower alcohol content than beer, ignite like alcohol?
There was nothing they could do. Perhaps they felt they had to drink all the ale their ancestors had never tasted. The dwarves dared to disobey Li Xi's instructions regarding drinking. In the end, Li Xi could only instruct the apprentices to keep an eye on their masters to prevent them from making mistakes due to drinking.
The immense amount of liquor consumed by the dwarves made the bar owners ecstatic. The accumulated inventory would be depleted by the dwarves in less than half a month. Now, they were contemplating whether to transport it from other cities or produce it themselves.
The prosperity of Konoha Street finally stimulated the surrounding industries. The first to profit were not legitimate traditional businesses, but the hidden establishments with small signs, catering to hot-blooded mercenaries. With such a large flow of people, even if only two out of ten were taken in, these hidden establishments would be exhausted daily.
The daily consumption of ore and coal also drove the demand for labor, and Kado City, which had been stagnant, was thus revitalized.
"The young lord wants to see you these past few days. He's heard about a banquet he's hosting for you, to reward your contributions. I also heard that many noble ladies wish to meet you," Ais said with a hint of jealousy from the uppermost room, informing Li Xi of this opportunity to enter high society.
Who didn't know that noble banquets were essentially orgies, with behind-the-scenes dirty dealings more shameful than those in hidden establishments? However, it was undeniable that those who became the focus of such banquets, as long as they didn't stubbornly insist on offending the noble faction, would certainly become someone of consequence in Kado City, evolving from a pawn to a player.
Little Monton hosting a banquet for Li Xi showed the significant contribution the Konoha Trade Group had made to Kado City. Little Monton was willing to vouch for Li Xi with his own status and even resort to a honey trap to win him over. It was difficult to fathom that at only eight years old, someone else might be orchestrating this.
"Why would I go? They're all corrupt individuals. If I wanted to become someone important and live a life of debauchery, I would have done so long ago. I wouldn't need to be a mercenary," Li Xi said, stroking Avril's shoulder, showing no regard for those nobles.
"Those noble ladies are probably less pure than dark elves. I only need the two of you."
"If you really don't want to go, you still need to inform the young lord. You'll depend on him in the future, so don't make things too awkward." Hearing Li Xi's disparaging remarks about the decadent nobles and his disinterest in their ladies, Avril smiled.
The nobles themselves probably couldn't even describe how chaotic their private lives were, yet it didn't stop ordinary people from desperately trying to climb into their ranks. Li Xi wasn't from this world; his values were completely parallel and non-intersecting with the values and worldview of this world. He now had two beautiful wives, was powerful, and had more money than he could spend. He was as free as could be. Who would want to associate with those clingy nobles?
However, Avril was right. He did need to decline Little Monton's offer tactfully. He still had to go through the motions of politeness, as he was, in name, a law-abiding citizen under his jurisdiction.
...............
In the deserted City Lord's mansion, Li Xi apologetically faced Little Monton, who barely reached his waist. "My lord, I appreciate your kindness, but you know that Ais, the priestess from the Adventurer's Guild, and I have experienced life and death together. I will never seek anyone else in this lifetime. Furthermore, I am just a crude mercenary who lives by the sword, valuing freedom, wildness, and unrestraint. The life of nobility is not what I wish to pursue. Thank you again for your favor, but I truly do not need it."
Li Xi rubbed his nose, detecting a familiar scent in the air.
Little Monton seemed about to speak and stop him, but being so young, he probably hadn't prepared any suitable lines and was left speechless.
Finally, he looked at Li Xi with innocent eyes. "Actually, noble life isn't as decadent as you imagine. They are all quite kind."
Alas, Little Monton, having no experience, did not have a clear understanding of the word "kind." Li Xi didn't need to educate him in this area. Li Xi's eyes darted, "You'll understand when you grow up. If you truly wish to thank me, could you please allow me to tour the City Lord's mansion? I've had a dream since childhood of leisurely strolling through the City Lord's mansion and experiencing the great deeds of past City Lords."
"That's a small matter. I'll personally show you around." Monton was still too young. As he enthusiastically introduced the history of the castle, he completely failed to notice Li Xi's gaze darting around.
The castle wasn't very large; it took two hourglasses to tour it completely. Li Xi rubbed his nose. The scent was right, but why couldn't he find anything?
At his eight years of age, Monton was tired from walking around the castle. A servant then came to remind him of the time. Yawning, he said to Li Xi, "There's nothing else, I have to go to class. The new teacher, Mr. Monli, is very strict."
Li Xi understood immediately. "My lord, I bid you farewell."
Li Xi walked out without leaving any trace. As he reached the doorway, a middle-aged man carrying a book bound with parchment brushed past him.
Li Xi paused, then curiously called out, "Excuse me, sir, please wait." Sudan Novel Network
The middle-aged man stopped, looked at Li Xi with confusion, and scrutinized him briefly, his eyes revealing that he didn't recognize him. "Sir, is there something you need?"
"May I ask if you are the City Lord's teacher, Monli?"
"I am. And you are?"
Li Xi chuckled. "I am just an ordinary mercenary. I overheard the City Lord say that the new teacher, Mr. Monli, is incredibly knowledgeable and an expert on all historical matters. You know, mercenaries like us often encounter strange things, so I wanted to get acquainted with Mr. Monli. In the future, if I encounter something I don't understand, I can ask for your guidance."