Even as Ning Chen marveled at what a genius the man was, he was deeply worried.

If the other side really was using a Mauser 98k, couldn't he kill anyone he wanted?

Put a scope on a Mauser 98k and you had a sniper rifle.

Just then Liu Baiyi came back.

He came over to the bed, saw that Ning Chen was in fairly good spirits, and held up a long, cloth-wrapped object. "We caught the man who tried to kill you. I took this off him. I don't know what it is.

It's heavy, though, so it's probably made of iron. My guess is this is what he used on you. Want to open it and have a look?"

Ning Chen's eyes burned as he stared at the thing in Liu Baiyi's hands. He was overjoyed.

Judging by the shape, unless he was mistaken, it was a sniper rifle.

Liu Baiyi really was something. He'd actually caught the man who'd tried to kill him.

Ning Chen said quickly, "Please open it, Elder."

Liu Baiyi said "Mm" and peeled away the cloth.

Ning Chen's eyes narrowed. He'd guessed right. It was a sniper rifle... only it was one whose breech had burst.

The chamber had blown apart. The thing was completely ruined.

Ning Chen asked, "Elder, was the shooter hurt?"

Liu Baiyi paused. "He was. His right hand, his chin and his neck were all a mangled mess."

Ning Chen understood.

No wonder the man hadn't fired a second shot.

The breech must have burst when he tried.

Ning Chen held out his hand. "Elder, let me see it."

Liu Baiyi handed it over and asked offhandedly, "You know what this is?"

"A gun."

"Hm?"

Ning Chen winced. The thing was so heavy that taking it pulled at his wound. But he explained anyway. "Not a spear. Not that kind of weapon. It's an advanced kind of musket."

Liu Baiyi gave a slight nod and said nothing more. He knew nothing about this sort of thing; even if Ning Chen explained, he wouldn't understand.

As Ning Chen examined the sniper…