Dusang, hearing Ji Xia's blunt threat, lowered his head, his thoughts inscrutable.
Ji Xia sat high on his throne, gazing at the massive figure of Dusang, the general of the Guvok clan.
After a long silence, Dusang finally raised his head to meet Ji Xia's eyes. His voice was hoarse as he said, "This deal… the Guvok clan will accept it."
A faint smile appeared on Ji Xia's face. "Truly decisive—worthy of a Guvok general."
Dusang's expression remained cold as he asked, "How does Your Majesty plan to transport these cattle and sheep from the Guvok territory to Tai Cang?"
When the sun sets tomorrow, it will not rise again.
Nightfall brings darkness, rendering humans blind in the black of night. Along the journey, numerous monsters and beasts lurk, ready to strike.
Given these challenges, transporting such a large number of livestock from the Guvok lands to Tai Cang would require immense resources. Surely, mere torches wouldn't suffice?
Ji Xia seemed unperturbed by Dusang's thinly veiled sarcasm. After a moment's hesitation, his face lit up with inspiration.
"I've heard that the Guvok clan can see in the dark. General Dusang, I propose you personally take charge of delivering half a month's worth of livestock at a time. That way, we can avoid multiple trips across the wilderness, which would be far too dangerous."
Dusang's face darkened as he cursed his own foolishness for speaking up.
The wilderness at night is rife with peril. Beasts starved by winter prowl the land, waiting for prey. Add to this the threat of snow blocking the roads—transporting such vast herds to Tai Cang would be nearly impossible!
"Your Majesty Ji Xia, it's not that the Guvok clan is unwilling to deliver the livestock, but even if we deploy all our forces—both the Warhound and Hunting divisions—the cattle and sheep would freeze to death on the 800-mile journey!"
Dusang's voice was earnest, trying to reason with Ji Xia.
Ji Xia fell silent, his expression inscrutable.
After a while, he suddenly turned to Dusang and said, "Those with mystical abilities are brimming with spiritual energy. They are neither hindered by winter's cold nor slowed by distance. A round trip between Guvok and Tai Cang would take, at most, half a day."
Dusang was confused and hesitated. "That may be true, but..."
Ji Xia clapped his hands, laughing. "Tai Cang doesn't need live livestock. As long as we have enough meat, it will suffice. Henceforth, General Dusang, I entrust you with the task of delivering fresh meat to Tai Cang each morning."
Dusang, still puzzled, asked, "One hundred cattle and five hundred sheep—just the meat alone would weigh at least two to three hundred thousand pounds. Even a master of mystical abilities—how could they carry such a load over such a vast distance?"
"General Dusang, no need to worry. Naturally, I have a solution."
With a wave of his hand, Ji Xia produced three small leather bags inscribed with intricate designs. Spiritual energy coiled around them as they floated to Dusang.
Dusang looked at the bags with initial confusion, but his eyes widened in shock as he recognized the engraved patterns.
"These are... the Xuanfang Bags recorded in the ancient texts?"
His voice was filled with astonishment as he looked up at Ji Xia.
Ji Xia nodded slightly, smiling. "To complete a task, one must first sharpen their tools. Since you will be delivering meat to Tai Cang, how could I be stingy?"
"Three Xuanfang Bags… for me?"
"Of course not."
Ji Xia's expression darkened. "General Dusang, don't get ahead of yourself. These three bags are loaned to you temporarily, solely for the purpose of delivering fresh meat to Tai Cang."
As he spoke, Ji Xia curled his fingers. A thread of golden spiritual energy emerged, turning a fiery red as it transformed into a tiny three-legged bird. Its delicate wings and flowing tail shimmered with an otherworldly light.
The bird's appearance brought an overwhelming sense of dread to Dusang.
From the bird's thumb-sized body emanated a terrifying spiritual pressure, far surpassing anything Dusang's own abilities could summon.
The bird flitted around Ji Xia's fingers, sometimes fluttering happily, sometimes soaring high. Each movement sent waves of crushing pressure over Dusang.
"This level of mystical power… I've never encountered anything like it! The control of spiritual energy and the sheer magnitude of its force are monstrous!"
Dusang instinctively activated his own spiritual core, preparing to defend himself.
Just as he braced for an attack, Ji Xia flicked the tiny bird. It spread its wings wide, radiating golden light that coalesced into a miniature sun.
The blazing sphere shot toward Dusang with lightning speed.
Dusang roared, preparing to unleash his own mystical powers to defend himself. But before he could act, the miniature sun struck him square in the chest.
"I'm done for!" he thought in despair.
Yet, to his astonishment, the sun didn't explode. Instead, it seeped into his body, bringing immense pain. Dusang howled and gasped, sweat drenching his red fur.
When the pain subsided, Dusang was stunned to find himself unharmed.
"I'm… alive?"
Ji Xia's cold voice broke the silence. "Take a look at your spiritual core, General Dusang."
Dusang hesitated but obeyed. Diving into his spiritual consciousness, he saw his core: a blue ring slowly spinning, its inscriptions glowing faintly. But perched atop the core was a golden three-legged bird, its wings folded in repose.
Dusang was struck with terror.
Ji Xia sipped calmly from a cup as he said, "Don't get any ideas about fleeing with the Xuanfang Bags. That bird will awaken in three months, and when it does, it will unleash its full power.
"Tell me, General Dusang, can your core withstand such an explosion?"
Dusang trembled and remained silent.
Never had he imagined that his confident journey to Tai Cang, intending to slay its ruler, would end like this.
"What are Your Majesty's orders?" he finally asked, head bowed in defeat.
Ji Xia's tone remained cold. "I'll consider extending your life if you diligently deliver meat to Tai Cang each day. But only if you work hard."
Dusang rose and knelt in submission before Ji Xia, his towering frame bowing low.
Ji Xia's eyes glinted with mischief. Clearing his throat, he added, "From now on, you shall bear the title of Delivery Official. Inform the guards of your rank whenever you enter the palace. This is a position granted personally by me."
Dusang looked up, puzzled. "Delivery Official? What kind of position is that?"