In his heart, Po Xian made a silent resolution, while Ji Xia also carefully thought through his memories of Po Xian.
Since Ji Xia had not fully absorbed the memories of the former Crown Prince, many details were missing, and he had to ponder and recall many people and events. The memory of Po Xian was one such example. He vaguely remembered that Po Xian, the Lord of Cang City, was a highly respected figure among the people of Tai Cang. He was a disciple of Ji Xia's father, Ji Shang. Although his cultivation talent wasn't as monstrous as Ji Qianqing's, it was still extraordinary.
Po Xian had followed Ji Xia's father from a young age, receiving Ji Shang's true teachings. His character was greatly influenced by Ji Shang, being kind and gentle toward others but ruthless toward enemies. Additionally, the Cang Guard military stationed between Tai and Cang Cities could quickly support either city in times of war. For many years, the forces of the Zhouqing Kingdom, though eager to act, had failed to cause any significant harm to Cang City.
Thus, Po Xian's reputation in Cang City was excellent, with the common people calling him "Young Master Po" and admiring his grace and demeanor, which were as gentle and exquisite as jade. These things were not very important to Ji Xia, but what mattered was that when they were young, Po Xian often played with him, referring to each other as uncle and nephew. Now that Ji Xia had ascended to the throne and faced a growing number of external threats, having a loyal Nine Heavens powerhouse like Po Xian was of immeasurable value to Tai City.
"Lord Po Xian, has there been any recent movement from Zhouqing?" Ji Xia asked.
After a few rounds of drinking, Lu Shangyin spoke up.
"No unusual movements," Po Xian replied. "I've already received the secret letter from Tai City. I had sent scouts to Cangqing Mountain multiple times to investigate any strange occurrences. To my surprise, Zhouqing has somehow managed to form a connection with the Great Symbol Kingdom."
Lu Yu's face darkened. "That's right. The greatest threat to Tai Cang now isn't the Kingdom of Jiuquan, but the powerful figures from the Great Symbol Kingdom."
Po Xian also wore a solemn expression. He stood up and bowed to Ji Xia. "Your Majesty, I inadvertently obtained a scroll of secret information, and I wish to present it to the royal court."
As he spoke, Po Xian took out a small jade slip from his sleeve.
Ji Xia set down his wine cup, and one of the attendants quickly stepped forward to retrieve the jade slip and present it to him.
Ji Xia examined the jade slip in his hand. It was tiny—about the width of a child's wrist and roughly three inches in length. It was cool to the touch, the jade was clear and translucent, and if it were sold in a free market, it would fetch a high price.
"This came into my possession by chance from a traveling merchant," Po Xian explained as he returned to his seat. "It is from the Great Symbol Kingdom, probably something accidentally lost by their royal court."
Ji Xia nodded thoughtfully. "I've heard from the record keeper of the royal library that the Great Symbol Kingdom is renowned for producing various kinds of jade stones. These stones are ideal for engraving symbols, and they enhance the power of the symbols inscribed on them."
Zhao Qu, the record keeper, added, "That's correct. The people of the Great Symbol Kingdom are masters of symbols, and many powerful symbol clans even have their own jade mines. They mine these stones yearly, and based on their quality, engrave symbols of varying power, which they then sell to other countries."
"The Great Symbol Kingdom became powerful in just three hundred years because they profited immensely from selling these jade symbols. The surrounding nations, except those like ours that can't afford them, have benefited from these symbols—though, in many ways, they have also suffered from them."
Ji Xia listened attentively, now understanding that these jade symbols sold by the Great Symbol Kingdom were not just for the benefit of the common people. They were likely powerful offensive symbols.
"Indeed, the way to rapid wealth and power is through war profiteering," Ji Xia muttered to himself. "The Great Symbol Kingdom rose so quickly in three hundred years, while Tai Cang has existed for over two hundred years, barely surviving. The difference is evident."
"The Great Symbol Kingdom's people have extraordinary innate talent. Many are born with special symbols in their bloodlines, making them natural symbol masters. The strongest of them serve in the royal court, the military, and the government, while the weaker ones engage in commerce or agriculture. This is why the Great Symbol Kingdom has prospered so rapidly."
Zhao Qu continued explaining.
"And this jade slip?" Ji Xia asked, turning his gaze back to Po Xian.
Po Xian replied, "This jade slip contains a vision from the Great Symbol Kingdom, showing an event where they attacked a powerful nation."
Just as Ji Xia was about to open the jade slip, he hesitated and set it aside, deciding to continue eating and drinking instead.
After some time, when the banquet had ended and the officials had left, Ji Xia instructed, "The two high ministers, General Ji, the record keeper, the court attendant, and Po Xian, please remain."
The rest of the officials departed, and when the room was clear, Ji Xia picked up the jade slip and slowly opened it.
The moment the jade slip opened, a light screen emerged from it. One side rose into the air while the other remained within the slip. The screen was wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, emitting a faint glow. Soon, an image began to appear on the light screen.
It showed a massive mountain range, where enormous beasts were roaring. These beasts had three heads—one with a giant horn, another with terrifying tusks, and the third with a cold, menacing gaze. Their bodies were enormous, about five or six meters tall, with thick, reptilian skins and short legs, yet they were full of power.
These creatures radiated intense heat, their thick hides cracked open with lines from which magma seemed ready to burst forth!
The soldiers watching these terrifying beasts on the battlefield were stunned. The worst part was that there were hundreds of these beasts, all of them lined up on the sloped surface of the mountain. On each of the beasts was a strange race, so small in comparison that it was hard to see them clearly without careful observation.
This strange race was about two feet tall and humanoid, but their arms were replaced with tiny wings, and their faces had no features except for a huge, single eye that dominated their faces, taking up more than half of the face's surface.
This massive eye had no pupils!
"What species is this?" Ji Xia wondered in shock. "So small, yet they can tame such terrifying beasts?"
The ministers and officials present also had expressions of curiosity and amazement, mirroring Ji Xia's reaction.
The strange beings sat atop the three-headed beasts, their huge eyes glowing with a blood-red hue. They raised their heads and roared to the sky, their small wings flapping furiously. The beasts seemed to understand their commands and plunged down the mountainside!
The earth shook as they charged!
The only words that could describe the scene of hundreds of these three-headed monsters charging together were "earth-shattering!"
The mountain trembled, and the ground cracked beneath the beasts' massive feet.
As the beasts ran, flames suddenly erupted from the cracks in their skins. The fire spread, igniting everything in its path—trees turned to ash, the earth became an inferno, rocks blackened, and lakes began to boil!
This was no ordinary fire!