Ji Qianqing was holding a giant bow so large it seemed almost exaggerated.
The bow was crafted from a strange silvery metal, and both of its limbs were etched with black wings. The bow was as tall as a person, but surprisingly, it weighed less than her Qingjun sword.
"What is this bow called?" Ji Qianqing asked, intrigued.
She had been secretly summoned to the royal court, and Ji Xia, with a serious expression, handed her the silver bow, solemnly instructing her to keep it safe.
"This is the Ten Directions Bow. I acquired it by chance. Its power is remarkable. Keep it well. Perhaps, in a moment of crisis, it could play a critical role," Ji Xia explained gravely.
"This bow is strange," Ji Qianqing remarked as she held it, her fingers brushing against the smooth surface. "The body of the bow seems ordinary, but when I hold it, I can clearly feel the terrifying power hidden within."
Ji Xia nodded in satisfaction at her admiration. "You can feel its strength, can't you? It's powerful enough to make one's heart race. Where did I obtain such a weapon, you ask?"
Ji Qianqing looked at him curiously. "Can you draw this bow?"
Instinctively, she raised her hand to pull the string, trying to draw the bow.
Ji Xia shuddered. He quickly stepped forward and gently tapped her hand. "Wait. This Ten Directions Bow is special. It can only be used once. If it's used carelessly, the consequences could be disastrous."
Ji Qianqing lowered the bow, casually hiding her right hand behind her, which had been tapped by Ji Xia. "Only once?" she asked, surprised.
"Yes," Ji Xia replied. "I'm giving you this bow because your cultivation is the strongest. You can draw it. If war breaks out, try to use it to strike down the enemy's leader."
Ji Qianqing studied the Ten Directions Bow carefully, then handed it back to Ji Xia. "Your Majesty, perhaps you should keep the bow. When the war starts, you can give it to me."
Ji Xia looked at her, puzzled.
She continued to explain, "Such a powerful weapon, if not properly stored and drawn by someone else, the results would be unthinkable. When I saw you take the bow out of thin air, I assumed you have some kind of storage treasure. Why not put the Ten Directions Bow into it, so you can carry it with you? It's much safer than letting me hide it."
Ji Xia thought for a moment and realized she had a point. He nodded, and the bow vanished, disappearing into the Forbidden Decay Divine Tree.
Ji Qianqing was startled. "That storage treasure and the Ten Directions Bow—are they both left to you by the former King?"
Ji Xia glanced around mysteriously, signaling Ji Qianqing to come closer.
Thinking he was about to share a secret, she stepped closer and listened intently. Ji Xia whispered, "I am the Wind Walker. These treasures were bestowed upon me by the Wind."
Ji Qianqing's eyebrows shot up. With a swift motion, she stepped on Ji Xia's foot. He yelped in pain, hopping back while clutching his foot.
"Hmph!" Ji Qianqing coldly snorted, her crimson dress flowing like a fairy as she turned and headed for the door.
At that moment, a guard approached and reported, "Your Majesty, the water reservoir by the Hai Xiu River has been completed."
The massive water reservoir, which had been under construction for less than two days, was finished. Ji Xia once again felt proud of the pragmatic spirit of the people of Taicang.
Standing beside the large water reservoir, Ji Xia admired its beauty. The interior of the reservoir was lined with neatly arranged stone slabs, one layer after another, creating an ancient and elegant aesthetic.
"Open the gates. Let the water flow!" ordered Master Lu'an from the Craftsmaster's Office.
Three soldiers from the Cang Guard pulled iron chains, and the dam on three water channels was opened. The river water from Hai Xiu River began to pour into the reservoir. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the reservoir was completely filled.
"Your Majesty, what is the purpose of this water reservoir?" Master Lu'an asked curiously.
Yin, a high-ranking official, also inquired, "Earlier, you mentioned this reservoir would become the lifeblood of Taicang. What's so special about it?"
Ji Xia hesitated, unsure if the quantity of water would have any direct impact on the efficacy of the Washing Stone (a special crystal). He had initially planned to test it, but the uncertainty had made him delay.
Standing by the Hai Xiu River with a group of Taicang officials, generals, and Ji Qianqing, Ji Xia took a deep breath. Amidst their puzzled looks, he walked up to the reservoir. Focusing his mind, a black crystal, the size of a human head, appeared in his hand, having mysteriously vanished from the Forbidden Decay Divine Tree.
This black crystal had hundreds of facets, each refracting sunlight in a peculiar way, making it shimmer dazzlingly.
Holding the Washing Stone aloft, Ji Xia tossed it into the water.
As the crystal sank, a flash of spiritual light rippled through the water, only to vanish in an instant. The water returned to its calm state.
Ji Xia paused. "Is that it?" he muttered to himself.
Ji Qianqing, the generals, and ministers all stared, startled by the flash. Though they didn't know what the black crystal was, they were intrigued by the strange and wondrous items Ji Xia possessed, like his flying sword and the gourd that called the former King's soul.
They eagerly waited for Ji Xia to explain.
Clearing his throat, Ji Xia turned to Rong Lu, "Summon ten soldiers from the Cang Guard."
Rong Lu left promptly, and within moments, ten tall soldiers appeared, saluting their King.
Ji Xia nodded, taking a ladle from Master Lu'an. A servant then brought over twenty small stone cups.
The young King bent down, carefully filling the ladle with water from the reservoir. Holding the ladle steadily, he poured the water into the small cups with great attention, ensuring not a drop was wasted.
The ministers watched in silence, their curiosity piqued about the water from the reservoir and its purpose.
Ji Qianqing, too, tried to sense any unusual energy in the water with her spiritual essence, but she found nothing.
Two ordinary servant girls took the small cups of water and served them to everyone. Each person received a cup, and the girls quietly stood to the side.
Ji Xia, after thinking for a moment, grabbed another cup and personally filled it, handing it to the two servant girls.
Their faces flushed with excitement. Despite Taicang being a small nation with only around 600,000 people, these two girls were just humble servants. For the King to personally serve them tea, they were moved beyond words.
With trembling hands, they accepted the cups, and Ji Xia stood tall, declaring, "Today is a great day for Taicang. Our hopes may shatter, or they may be realized. From this moment on, we have a chance to survive. So, all Taicang citizens here—drink deeply from this cup!"