Yue state (1)

Yang Qing's Office

True to form, just as the Flying Shadow Hawk's liaison had promised, a pile of obsidian-black talismans lay neatly arranged on Yang Qing's desk the moment he arrived.

He walked over, took his seat, and began picking up the talismans one by one, eventually reaching the very last one. Beneath it, a folded parchment lay in wait.

The lack of surprise on his face suggested he had expected it—and indeed, he had. Without hesitation, he picked up the parchment and silently muttered an incantation. At once, a change swept across its surface.

Initially blank, the parchment now bore a faint, dot-like drawing of an eagle amulet. Positioned as if it were a seal, it resembled the insignias used by royalty to authenticate their letters—only simpler and less distinct.