Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

Chapter 311 135 Meeting Your Majesty and Dispatching an Imperial Envoy

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Qintian Bureau.

Faint sounds of various instruments in operation could be heard.

An elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in a plain long robe, sat upright on the edge of a rooftop.

His hands were interlaced, fingers moving slightly, as if calculating the unresolved mysteries of the world, his brows occasionally furrowing.

Suddenly, as if he had calculated something significant, disbelief crossed his brow.

At that moment, the hurried footsteps interrupted his contemplation.

The Chief Officer of the Qintian Bureau spoke in a slightly panicked voice, "Director, Your Majesty is coming here; you should come down quickly to meet him."

Upon hearing this, a peculiar glint appeared in the old man's eyes.

"Alright, I understand."

As soon as he finished speaking, he moved gracefully, showing no signs of age, but instead the agility of a young man.

With a single step, he disappeared from the rooftop, leaving only a faint stardust afterglow in the air.

At this moment, the Emperor of Great Zhou, dressed in a Dragon Robe, walked steadily into the courtyard of the Qintian Bureau.

His expression was stern, and the imperious aura of an emperor was undeniable in his gaze as it scanned the surroundings sharply.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, his eyes focused on an empty space in front of him.

Under his scrutiny, starlight gathered little by little, revealing an elderly man with a white beard and hair.

Upon seeing him, the latter hurriedly bowed and said respectfully, "Your humble servant Feng Daxun greets Your Majesty."

Ji Zikong had no intention of idle chit-chat with the Qintian Bureau Director; he spoke with authoritative gravity, "Director, I observed the celestial phenomena by night and felt something amiss thousands of miles away. I came specifically to seek your advice."

Director Feng Daxun slightly bowed and in a voice that was both aged and full of vigor, said, "Your Majesty is wise. A few days ago, I also sensed it. This is a sign of nature's Spiritual Energy conglomeration, suggesting that foreign Spirit Essence has descended upon our Great Zhou territory, and its scale is not small."

Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong's eyes flashed with urgency: "If that is the case, I shall go personally to seize this Spirit Essence and add supreme fortune to our Great Zhou!"

Director Feng Daxun shook his head, a trace of helplessness and regret appearing on his face: "Your Majesty is unaware that nature's Spirit Essence is always ethereal and elusive, beyond human force. Although I can glimpse heavenly secrets, I am not omnipotent. This Spirit Mechanism, I calculated carefully—it vanished the very day it descended. It is too late now, which is why I did not report it to Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Ji Zikong was momentarily stunned: "I see, let it be. Director, I require your attentive observation in the future. Should anomalies reappear, you must report them to me immediately."

"I understand."

"By the way, there's another matter I wonder if the Director has considered?"

Director Feng Daxun solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, demons are vastly different from our Human Clan. Although they can sense changes in foreign Spirit Essence early, colluding with demons is like seeking a tiger's skin—ultimately, not a solution."

"Let's first get through the current situation. All the frequent Spirit Mechanisms present a rare opportunity for our Ji Clan; we must find a way to harness these Spirit Mechanisms for our own use."

Director Feng Daxun pondered for a moment and then bowed in agreement: "I shall obey."

"Alright, I will not disturb the Director any further. Remember to report to me anytime something arises."

Director Feng Daxun stood solemnly as the current Emperor of Great Zhou flicked his long sleeves and left with his hands clasped behind his back.

After leaving the Qintian Bureau, the Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, appeared a bit displeased at not having captured this Spirit Mechanism, but he knew there was no helping it and that it was not the Qintian Bureau's fault.

Now, hidden threats abound in Great Zhou, and he increasingly felt that the doomsday warnings from the ancestors were not unfounded.

Perhaps a great change was indeed imminent for the Human Clan.

The increasing presence of demons seemed like undeniable proof.

With these thoughts, as the ruler of the world, his expression grew grim.

"Your Majesty, the Great General requests an audience; he says he has urgent matters to report." As Ji Zikong was lost in thought, the Chief Eunuch reported urgently, interrupting his pondering.

Feeling inevitably irked, he asked, "What urgent matters?"

"Your Majesty, the Great General did not specify, and I do not know."

The Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, demanded with an unangered authority, "Bring him in."

"At once, Your Majesty."

Soon, the armored Great General Xue Zhao was led before Ji Zikong by the Chief Eunuch.

"Your humble servant Xue Zhao pays respects to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor."

Ji Zikong's face was as calm as water: "Rise, my dear subject. What urgent matters bring you here?"

His tone was neither warm nor cold, but carried an undeniable authority.

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhao straightened up, his eyes bright as he looked at Ji Zikong, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, it concerns the Spirit Mechanism in Yongzhou."

"Oh?" Ji Zikong's expression changed at the mention of Spirit Mechanism.

Xue Zhao continued, "Recently, I received confidential information that in addition to rampant demons, there's been unusual activity in the Spirit Mechanism in Yongzhou, potentially involving the security of the nation, which must be urgently reported to Your Majesty."

Upon mentioning this, Ji Zikong recalled the report from Bai Mu, the governor of Yongzhou, about the demon infestation.

He had discussed this with the Qintian Bureau and planned to send personnel there but had not expected the matter to include a Spirit Mechanism.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, Ji Zikong looked back at the Qintian Bureau.

'The Director surely knows about this; he deliberately didn't mention the Spirit Mechanism of Yongzhou. He is deceiving me!'

Ji Zikong's brows furrowed, and his gaze sharpened instantly.

"What is he trying to do?"

The Director was someone his ancestors appointed personally and had served three reigns; he wouldn't harm the Ji family's state affairs, which made it difficult to comprehend.

After a swift mental calculation, Ji Zikong said to Xue Zhao, "Explain clearly what is happening."

Xue Zhao took a deep breath and relayed the information obtained from Xue Bai meticulously and sincerely.

"Your Majesty, we should dispatch an envoy promptly: firstly, to support the governor suppressing demons; secondly, to investigate the Spirit Mechanism matter—neither should be overlooked."

After Xue Zhao's report, Ji Zikong remained silent for a moment, the space between them quiet enough for the occasional birdsong to be heard.

He stared into the distance, deep in thought, seemingly weighing a significant decision.

"What you say is right; the matter in Yongzhou cannot be underestimated. I shall immediately order an envoy to investigate this matter thoroughly." Ji Zikong quickly made a decision: "As for the selection, let Shi Wenbo go."

Xue Zhao's eyes lit up, as Shi Wenbo was one of his family's men.

"However, Your Majesty, sending only one person might not be enough."

Ji Zikong's gaze swept over Xue Zhao, as though seeing through his intentions.

Seeing this, Xue Zhao was pleased but remained composed, waiting for Ji Zikong's follow-up.

"I recall your son, Minister Xue, being exceptionally intelligent and valiant. Let him accompany the envoy this time to gain experience and assist as needed."

Hearing this, Xue Zhao smiled and quickly knelt to express gratitude: "Your Majesty is wise. I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my son. He will not fail Your Majesty's trust and will assist the envoy."

"Additionally, let Cui Jin and Ji He go as well."

Xue Zhao's expression faltered.

One was their family's arch-enemy, and the other was a loyalist of the royal family.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xue Zhao's expression composed as he replied.

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