"Mr. Shen, the Ryukyu mission has delivered a letter of surrender," Qingxing said, holding a gold-gilt box. "They say they are willing to trade sulfur mines for the *Secret Techniques of Xuanji*..."
Shen Xitang sprinkled magnetic powder over the surrender letter, but the hidden message that appeared made her pupils contract sharply. On the Ryukyu brocade in the bottom lining of the box, half of a fragmented dragon-scale tattoo was glowing with a deathly light—the shadow of the Renyin year had after all not completely dissipated.
When heavy snow covered Jinling, Shen Xitang stood before the newly reconstructed Ministry of Works Office.
Chapter 22