A Ruler's Fear!

"One low-grade Fire-Starting Talisman added."

"One low-grade Flamefire Talisman added."

"One low-grade Fire-Thunder Talisman added."

As the military clerks called out their counts, the man recording them worked up a sweat.

Acting City Lord Qi Kaisheng was sweating too.

His sweat, though, came not from work but from shock. "They're all genuine low-grade Mystic Talismans? How is that possible?!

"Surely these fellows wouldn't all lie through their teeth just because they're afraid of offending the Upper Army Grand General?!"

At that thought, he stepped forward himself and began rummaging through the piles of talismans the clerks had tallied, trying to look casual.

"Rustle, rustle, rustle..."

He flipped through two, then another two. His hands moved faster and faster!

"Hm. These two really are low-grade Flamefire Talismans."

"These are Fire-Starting Talismans, all right."

"And these are all Fire-Thunder Talismans."

"What's more, the thunder-and-fire power lying dormant in these talismans is stronger than in any low-grade Fire-Thunder Talisman I've ever seen!"

"Hiss—to this point, every talisman I've examined has been finished and usable. Not a single defective one!"

"This... this, this..."

Realizing he had measured a gentleman's heart with a petty man's yardstick, Qi Kaisheng flushed with shame.

At last, he gathered a whole stack of talismans into his arms and bowed deeply to Qin Yao. "Marshal, your kindness to Nine Suns Commandery is engraved upon my heart.

"Please allow me the audacity to thank you on behalf of every soldier and civilian in the city!"

"That's enough. Get up."

Qin Yao reached out as if to help him and said with a faint smile, "Seeing how careful and conscientious you are, I trust you to hold Nine Suns Commandery even if the barbarian dogs attack."

Qi Kaisheng bowed again, visibly moved. "I will not fail you!"

Meanwhile, outside the warehouse...