Chapter 177

The moonlight on the Sanya Luhuitou reef soaked into the luster of the giant clam, and Shen Xitang’s black leather boots crushed the charred remains of the *Gazetteer of Yazhou Coastal Defense*. Xiao Heng’s Xiuchun Saber cleaved open a massive giant clam, and strings of pearls burst forth upon meeting the night tide—embedded within the nacreous layers were not South Sea pearls, but the design schematics for twelve siege crossbows. Beside the Khmer script on the palm-leaf edge reading "Nineteenth Year of Yongli," the winch tension was actually noted in the Chaozhou dialect! "Lord Thousand-Householder, come quickly and examine these crossbow gear teeth," she whispered. Her jade-like fingers rose, dancing like butterflies as they brushed gently over the ratchet patterns on the bronze gears. "This 'Nine-Fold Engagement' transmission technique has a significant pedigree!" A hint of surprise surfaced in her voice. "This is a modified version of the Luzon war equipment used when Lin Feng attacked Manila during the Wanli era. With such superb craftsmanship, how could it be engraved with the four-faced Buddha emblem of Jayavarman VII?"