"It was here."
The jumbled rubble parted to either side, and Bai Yujun drifted into the underground cave.
Deep beneath the earth, the streets from those bygone days were still visible. The wood had long since rotted away, while stone walls, bricks, tiles, gold, silver, and porcelain had lain buried in dust for a thousand years. In the middle of the street, under the slanting beam of light from the opening overhead, stood the remnants of a crooked, rust-covered crossbow mechanism.
She landed lightly before it.
Her jade-white fingers brushed across it, wiping away the rust and revealing the metal beneath.
"This crossbow mechanism was probably forged by them after gathering materials themselves. Its techniques and craftsmanship were already the pinnacle of the mortal world in its day."
Once the rust had been wiped away, exquisite patterns became visible. Aside from a certain special rune, the rest were carvings meant to enhance its beauty. They had actually turned a weapon of slaughter into a work of art. What a waste of such craftsmanship.
She drew a breath and blew softly.
"Hoo~"
A gentle breeze swept up the dust and verdigris from the crooked crossbow mechanism.
The dust of ages blew away, revealing the rail—and the crossbow bolt still lodged upon it, never fired...
Rumble—!
At the same time, thunder rolled outside.
A weapon of slaughter that should never have seen the light of day had emerged once more. Her small hand hovered above the spear-like bolt. Somehow... it gave her a faintly uncomfortable sensation, an instinctive rejection. It was disgust carved into the depths of her genes. The closer she came to the arrowhead, the stronger it became, until she could barely suppress the urge to spew dragon flame and burn it to ash.
"Very good. You did not disappoint