Thump!
Sparks spluttered.
The flame flickered dimly, drawing near the lamp, following the trail of green smoke downward, igniting the wick.
Light splashed out, revealing Liang Qu's features as he pulled the fuse, snuffing out the fire starter.
This was a hollow bronze tube, with a flint wheel fixed on one side. The tube was stuffed with an oil-soaked cotton cord. To light it, you would pull out the cord and flick the flint, and the oil-soaked cord would instantly catch fire. When not in use, pulling the cord back into the tube would extinguish the flame by compression, making it almost as convenient as a lighter in terms of portability.
He placed it on the desk.
Liang Qu gulped down a liter of water to quench his thirst, leaned against the wall to rest with his eyes closed, and massaged his temples.
Tired.
