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

Imperial Observatory.

Wisps of blue smoke curled up.

Vague sounds of various instruments operating could be heard in the background.

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

His hands were crossed, fingers moving slightly, as if he were constantly calculating the unresolved mysteries of the world, with his eyebrows frequently furrowed.

Suddenly, as though he had figured something out, a look of disbelief crossed his features.

At that moment, rushed footsteps broke through his deep thoughts.

The Chief Officer of the Imperial Observatory, with a voice tinged with slight panic, spoke, "Director, His Majesty is on his way here, please come down quickly to receive him."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the old man's eyes.

"Alright, I understand."

As soon as his words fell, he moved, displaying none of the frailty of an old man; instead, he was as agile as a young man.

The next moment, he stepped out and, in an instant, his figure vanished from the rooftop, leaving only a faint trail of stardust in the air.

A short while later, the Emperor of Great Zhou, dressed in his Dragon Robe, his steps steady, strode into the courtyard of the Imperial Observatory.

He had an imposing presence, with an imperial air that seemed unquestionable, and he scanned his surroundings with a sharp gaze.

Suddenly, as if he had sensed something, his eyes focused, settling on a patch of void before him.

Under his watch, specks of starlight gathered together to reveal the white-haired old man.

Seeing the Emperor, the latter quickly and respectfully bowed, "This humble Feng Daxun greets Your Majesty."

Emperor Ji Zikong had no intention of having an idle chat with the Director of the Imperial Observatory; in a low and authoritative voice, he said, "Director, while observing the celestial phenomena last night, I had a premonition of disturbances far away and have come to seek your advice."

Director Feng Daxun bowed slightly, his voice aged yet resonant as he spoke, "Your Majesty is wise. I, too, have noticed it a few days ago. It signifies that nature's spiritual energy is converging, a sign that a Spirit Essence from beyond has arrived in the territory of Great Zhou, and it is not small in scale."

Upon hearing this, a look of urgency crossed Emperor Ji Zikong's eyes, "If this is the case, I must personally go and seize this Spirit Essence to bring supreme fortune to Great Zhou!"

Director Feng Daxun shook his head, his face showing a mix of helplessness and regret, "Your Majesty may not be aware, but Spirit Essence is inherently unpredictable and cannot be forcefully obtained by human intervention. Although I can glimpse into the workings of heaven, I am not omnipotent. I have carefully calculated this Spirit Mechanism and found that it had disappeared on the day it arrived. It's too late now, which is why I had not reported it to Your Majesty."

Emperor Ji Zikong was taken aback upon hearing this and then he sighed deeply, "I see, let it be then. Director, in the future, you must pay close attention and report to me immediately if any anomalies occur."

"I understand," responded the Director.

"By the way, there is another matter. Have you considered it, Director?"

Director Feng Daxun paused slightly before replying, "Your Majesty, the demons differ greatly from the Human Clan. Although they can sense the changes in the Spirit Essence from beyond in advance, plotting with demons is akin to seeking a tiger's skin—it's ultimately not a viable solution."

"Let's get past this immediate concern first. With frequent manifestations of Spirit Mechanisms, it is a rare opportunity for us. We must find a way to harness them for the benefit of our Ji Clan," said Ji Zikong.

After pondering for a while, Director Feng Daxun bowed and acquiesced, "I shall obey your command."

"Very well. I shall not disturb you any longer, Director. Remember to report to me immediately if there is any update."

Director Feng Daxun straightened his posture and watched the Emperor of Great Zhou leave with a swirl of his sleeves and hands clasped behind his back.

After leaving the Imperial Observatory, Emperor Ji Zikong's expression was somewhat grim, his dissatisfaction apparent for not having seized this opportunity of the Spirit Mechanism, but he also knew there was no helping it; it wasn't the fault of the Observatory.

With hidden dangers surfacing all around Great Zhou, his conviction that the day of impending disaster spoken of by his ancestors was not merely an absurd myth was growing.

Perhaps the Human Clan was truly on the brink of a significant upheaval.

The increasing number of demons was a clear and evident sign.

With this thought in mind, as the shared ruler of all under heaven, his expression couldn't help but turn grave.

"Your Majesty, the Great General requests an audience, claiming he has urgent matters to report," just as Ji Zikong was lost in his muddled thoughts, the Chief Eunuch by his side hurriedly reported, interrupting his train of thought.

He inevitably felt somewhat annoyed and asked offhandedly, "What urgent matter?"

"Back to Your Majesty, the Great General did not specify, and I am unaware as well."

The Emperor of Great Zhou, Ji Zikong, commanded with an authority that needed no anger to enforce, "Summon the Great General."

"This servant obeys."

Soon after, the Great General Xue Zhao was brought before Ji Zikong, guided by the Chief Eunuch.

"I have seen Your Majesty; long live Your Majesty."

Ji Zikong said with a calm demeanor, "My minister, there is no need for such formalities. May I inquire what important matters have brought you to the palace?"

"Back to Your Majesty."

Imperial Observatory.

Thin smoke curled into the air.

Faintly, there were sounds of various instruments operating.

An old man with completely white hair and beard, dressed in a plain-colored long robe, sat solemnly atop the roof's eave.

His hands were interlocked, fingers subtly moving as if continually calculating the unfathomable mysteries of the world, his brows occasionally furrowing.

Suddenly, as if he had calculated something, an incredulous look crossed his features.

Just at that moment, a series of rapid footsteps broke his deep concentration.

The Chief Officer of the Imperial Observatory spoke with a slightly panicked voice, "Director, His Majesty is on his way here; you must come down quickly to meet him."

The old man's eyes flickered with an unusual light upon hearing this.

"Good, I understand."

As his voice faded, he moved swiftly, showing no signs of frailty but instead displaying the agility of a young man.

The next instant, he stepped forward, and his figure instantly vanished from the rooftop, leaving only a faint stardust afterglow in the air.

A moment later, the Emperor of Great Zhou, clad in a Dragon Robe and with a steady stride, walked grandly into the courtyard of the Imperial Observatory.

His face was dignified, his brows revealed an undeniable imperial authority, and his sharp gaze swept the surroundings.
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Suddenly, as if sensing something, his gaze slowly focused on a void in front of him.

Under his watchful eye, specks of starlight gathered together, revealing an old man with snow-white hair and beard.

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

Ji Zikong had no intention of idly chatting with the Director of the Imperial Observatory. He spoke authoritatively in a low voice, "Director, while observing celestial omens last night, I had a sudden premonition of unusual movement afar. I have come to seek your counsel."

Director Feng Daxun bowed slightly, his aged yet forceful voice replying, "Your Majesty is wise. I too have noticed in the past few days. This is a sign that nature's spiritual energy is converging, indicating that extraterritorial Spiritual Essence has descended upon the territory of Great Zhou, and it is no minor occurrence."

Upon hearing this, a look of urgency flashed across Ji Zikong's eyes, "If that is the case, I should personally set out to seize this Spirit Essence, to add boundless fortune to Great Zhou!

Director Feng Daxun shook his head, a mixture of helplessness and regret appearing on his face, "Your Majesty is not aware, the Spiritual Essence of heaven and earth always moves with spirit, beyond the force of human demand. Although I can glimpse the workings of fate, I am not omnipotent. I have carefully calculated this Spirit Mechanism, and it had vanished on the day it arrived; thus, it is too late to pursue now. That is why I have not reported this to Your Majesty."

Hearing this, Ji Zikong was taken aback before he let out a long sigh, "I see, so that's the case. Never mind then. Director, you must pay close attention hereafter. If such an omen reappears, you must report it to me immediately."