The gold of that strongbox alone was worth a considerable sum. Judging by its size and quality, there had to be at least several hundred taels.
Opening the Golden Box, he saw Secret Silver, gold, and bracelets strung with all kinds of gems, including Coral Agate. The sight dazzled him.
I'm rich! Qu Zan could not help thinking as he gazed at all those gems.
Together, the gold and gems were worth at least a thousand taels.
Inside the square box was also a long leather pouch. He opened it to find a folding shortbow.
Even assembled, the bow measured less than a meter long. It was a double-recurved design, its limbs made of dark, lustrous ox horn.
A small tuft of yak hair hung from each bow tip, swaying gently in the breeze. The strands could be used to judge the wind's direction.
Auspicious clouds, lotus flowers, and mantras were carved over its entire surface.
The bowstring was an ashen white, coated with a layer of dark-red, dried blood that would not wash away. Qu Zan examined it with Indra’s Eye and saw pale-red mantra markings within the sinew's grain. It looked like human tendon.
Countless thoughts and grievances twined around the bowstring, some screaming and struggling, others wandering in confusion and pleading for help...
He leaned closer and sniffed, catching a lingering stench of rotting flesh.
"What kind of bow is this? Why are there no arrows..." Qu Zan picked it up and found it very heavy in his hands.
This was the Spirit Shaman's dwelling. As a member of the clergy, the bow he possessed should not have been a mere weapon.
He tried drawing the string. Though heavy, it was much easier to pull than he had imagined.
But the string made a rustling sound, accompanied