We opened a few more chests, tossing aside a magnificent necklace of rubies, a smooth orb of lapis lazuli thickly veined with gold, and a silver hair ornament shaped like a wind chime. When I ran my fingers over it, a tinkling melody filled the cavern.
I gestured toward the gleaming horde. “What should we do with all this?”
Immortals had little need for material wealth apart from ornamentation or vanity. Magic, rank, and bloodlines—these were the true determinants of power in the Celestial Kingdom.
Captain Wenzhi shrugged. “I’ll bring a few pieces for Their Celestial Majesties’ collection, and each soldier is welcome to souvenirs from a hard-won battle. As for the rest, feel free to dispose of them as you wish.”
It was then I saw it, a large wooden box in a corner of the cave, its simplicity a stark contrast to the priceless treasures surrounding it. As I approached it, the unseen tug on my mind grew stronger—like sensing an immortal’s aura, one which called to me alone. Bending down, I pried the lid off, my pulse racing as I stared at what lay within: a bow strung with shining gold cord and carved of green jade. A dragon, from its magnificent head at the tip, arching to its tail at the lower limb. When I touched the cool stone, a thrum of power surged through me like I had thrust my arm through a raging waterfall. Something clicked inside me, as though I’d found something I did not realize I had lost. Lifting the bow, I drew back its string, almost dropping it when a frail beam of light formed between my fingers. It did not hurt, emitting instead a pleasant tingle that crackled before it vanished.
“Sky-fire,” Captain Wenzhi breathed.
The bow fell from my hands. This was said to be a great power—one the Celestial Emperor possessed—of which a single bolt could injure us greatly, even ending our lives.
His eyes were bright as he bent to pick it up. “The Jade Dragon Bow,” he murmured, running his palm along its carvings.
The recognition in his tone startled me. “How do you know? Have you seen it before?”
He shrugged. “There are few weapons of Sky-fire in existence and only one bow.”
“Why did the lightning vanish?” I was puzzled as I had not released the string.
A thoughtful expression crossed his face. “Perhaps your powers aren’t strong enough to wield it yet.”
He appeared calm though his breathing quickened. Raising the bow, he grasped its golden string. The muscles in his arm strained, yet it did not bend when it had yielded for me like a thread of silk. The moment he set it down, the bow sprang into my hands as though I had yanked it.
He raised his head, staring at me intently. Unsettled, I placed the bow back into its box and passed it to him. A loud rattling erupted from within.
He frowned as he pushed the box back to me. The clattering ceased. “Hold on to this for now, until we decide what to do. It seems to have formed a connection with you and this is too powerful a weapon to leave lying around.”
A thrill ran through me at his words. For some reason, I found myself reluctant to part with the bow, but I made myself ask, “Should we return this to the Celestial Kingdom?”
“The bow doesn’t belong to the Celestial Kingdom. I heard its owner disappeared a long time ago. Keep it safe and well-hidden, until we find who we should return it to.” His eyes bored into mine with sudden intensity as he added, “Speak of this to no one.”
I nodded, despite the uneasiness clenching my stomach. Did he fear the Celestial Emperor might claim the bow? Yet it was surely the right thing to do, to restore the bow to its owner.
As I stared at the rest of the hoard, an idea formed. “Let’s distribute this to the villages Xiangliu plagued. While nothing can compensate for the loss of their loved ones, at least their lives will be made easier.”
He nodded. “Make your selection. I’ll call the others.”
I crouched down, picking up a gold bangle studded with coral, its bright colors reminding me of Shuxiao. I tucked it into my waistband. “My friend will like this.”
“Nothing for yourself?” he asked.
I hesitated, before gathering up a necklace of sapphires, the blue fire of its stones like that of Liwei’s crown. Then it slipped through my grasp, clinking as it fell to the ground. “I have no banquets or grand events to attend. Even if I did, I have all I need.” I thought of the pendant I wore, which I never removed. It gave me a sense of belonging, knowing it was from my father, and that my mother’s fingers had clasped it around my neck.
Captain Wenzhi was silent for a moment, before striding to the cavern entrance and calling for the others. As they joined us, their eyes widened at the sight. Even to immortals, this was no ordinary treasure. While they selected jeweled hairpins, necklaces of pearl and amber, and jade bangles, the captain chose several items for the Imperial Treasury and the soldiers who had returned earlier.