Chapter 24: A Gathering of Lords, and Bo Yikao's Three Treasures - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 24: The Arrival of the Lords and Bo Yikao's Three Treasures *As you gaze at Daji's indifferent expression, doubts creep into your mind, making you wonder if what transpired was merely a dream.* *Yet, you notice a faint blush on the delicate skin at the nape of Daji's neck—an unmistakable mark left by you.* *Aware of your scrutinizing gaze, Daji adjusts her collar subtly, concealing the blemish beneath her clothing.* "Let's go." "The lords have come today to ascertain whether the Shang King has truly awakened." "I will use the secret arts of Tu Shan to alter your appearance, ensuring the lords remain oblivious." "There are rumors that Bo Yikao, the son of the Western Marquis, has brought three extraordinary treasures as tribute." "Among these treasures is the 'Oracle Ape,' a faceless white ape capable of communing with the yin and yang, discerning the past, and understanding the present." "Every hair on its body is naturally grown yarrow, significantly enhancing divination accuracy." "Remember, you must not meet this Oracle Ape face to face." *Daji continues to give a slew of instructions regarding court etiquette. Recognizing the importance of this meeting through her cautious advisories, you nod in acknowledgment.* "Rest assured." *With that, you fall silent.* *You follow Daji and her attendants to the lofty and imposing Lingtai.* *It is morning, and the sunlight streams through the open windows, bathing everything in a glorious glow.* *Lords who arrived days prior stand on either side of the grand hall, the treasures they brought as tribute positioned behind them.* *You spot a young man with an elegant demeanor, his features strikingly handsome, exhibiting an air of noble grace in every gesture.* *Behind this young man, three objects of varying sizes lie concealed beneath black cloth.* "That's Bo Yikao. Exercise caution from here on." *Though Daji's lips do not move, her voice resonates in your ears.* *Nodding slightly in response, you proceed with Daji to the throne representing supreme royal authority.* *The sight of you instills a fleeting panic among the lords, who had not anticipated the rumors to be true—that Shang King Di Xin had awakened.* *Even some officials, privy to nothing, are overcome with emotion.* *Tears flood their eyes in profound elation.* "The king has awakened!" "Heaven bless Da Shang! Heaven bless Da Shang!" "Long may the Shang reign endure!" ... *The hall fills with a cacophony of voices, although Bi Gan's gaze momentarily reveals displeasure, fully aware of the deception behind your guise as the Shang King.* *Following Daji's directives, you cast a satisfied smile at the assembled officials and lords, letting your gaze linger briefly on each individual.* *Anyone who meets your gaze instantly stands wary, maintaining impeccable decorum.* *Once you've surveyed everyone present.* *You speak, your voice flawlessly mirroring that of the Shang King.* "Your unwavering loyalty brings me great comfort." "Hereafter, continue to devote yourselves to the prosperity of our Shang Dynasty!" *Upon hearing your words, the officials and lords immediately display gratitude.* "Long live the King!" "Long live the King!" *After the customary formalities, the day's main event begins.* *The first to present is a lord from Dongyi, a burly middle-aged man with exceptionally thick hair and beard, whose attendant holds a uniquely crafted mask.* *He promptly describes the functions of the mask.* "This is the Nine Skull Sorcerer Mask, constructed from mermaid bones of the East Sea, embedded with nine blood pearls from imperial merfolk. The wearer can communicate with beasts and command the sea demon clans." *Whispers ripple through the crowd, surprised at the remarkable nature of the initial offering.* *Murmurs arise about whether subsequent tributes might eclipse this one.* ... *One after another, the lords present their treasures. Despite the monotonous proceedings, you find yourself captivated by the allure of power.* *The southern state of Chu offers nine jade effigies, clad in a gold-threaded jade garment crafted from Nephrite, concealing lifelike jade puppets of exquisite beauty, capable of song and dance, exuding exotic fragrances.* *The Gui Fang tribe presents the "Blood Wine Urn," which, when filled with water, transforms it into divine nectar upon pouring out, bestowing longevity and enhanced vitality to the drinker.* *The Baiyue presents a pair of "Jade-faced Snake Maidens," enchanting twin sisters inscribed with serpent tattoos, skilled in rain-dance rituals.* *Others contributed the Western Xiongnu's ice-patterned spear, Bashu's bronze sacred tree, and Bei Di's Kui cattle war drum, among others.* *With most treasures now bestowed, only the Western Marquis's eldest son, Bo Yikao, has yet to present his.* *Curiosity piques the remaining lords.* *They are all acutely aware that the three famed treasures from Xi Qi—the Human Bone Zither Cart, the Soul-devouring Cloak, and the Oracle Ape—are unrivaled.* *Rumors circulated that Western Marquis Jichang, to celebrate the Shang King's awakening, brought all three treasures along.* *As the crowd watched eagerly, Bo Yikao's lips curled into an arrogant smile, commanding the reveal of the first treasure.* *With the black cloth lifted, you behold a chariot crafted from the spines of eight hundred human sacrifices, with its four wheels formed from massive human skulls each the size of a water tank.* *A mysterious force seems to bind the components, allowing it to traverse the air.* *Bo Yikao elaborates.* "This is the Human Bone Zither Cart, constructed from the spines of eight hundred robust slaves." "The skulls below are from the Witch Wilderness tribe." "Even in death, they retain immense sorcerous power, capable of floating over eight hundred miles. Upon arrival, a new sacrifice will recharge its peak power." *The Witch Wilderness?* *Unfamiliar with the Witch Wilderness tribe, you hesitate to inquire at Lingtai Hall, where any ignorance could betray your disguise.* *Just as you consider relinquishing your query, Daji's voice whispers in your ear.* "The Witch Wilderness tribe is the forebear of all sorcerers in ancient times. My Tu Shan clan descends from them. The skulls for this chariot likely came from desecrating the graves of Xi Qi's ancestors." *Understanding dawns upon hearing Daji's explanation, revealing the existence of such mystical lineages.* *Following the Human Bone Zither Cart's introduction, Bo Yikao proceeds with the next treasure, the Soul-devouring Cloak.* *Composed of dream-eater hides stitched into a black cape, it is inscribed with twisted oracle bone inscriptions.* *Donning it leads to gradual soul consumption, yet grants the ability to access others' memories during the process.* *Skillfully employed, it could be considered a rare treasure.* *With the Soul-devouring Cloak introduced, the last treasure, the Oracle Ape, is unveiled from its shroud.* *A pure white-haired ape emerges before the gathered assembly.* *Recalling Daji's advice not to face the Oracle Ape directly, you try to avert your gaze.* *But the cloth slips away too swiftly, leaving you no time to react, locking eyes with the creature.* *You clearly discern its features—or rather, its lack thereof.* *Where a face should be is a smooth, eerie blankness.* *The void seems to possess a mysterious attraction, drawing in surrounding gazes, devouring all expressions and emotions, transcending beyond joy or sorrow.* *In the next moment.* *The Oracle Ape begins to expand, inflating from within like a balloon.* *Its mystical prowess remains unseen, thwarted by its abrupt fate.* *Boom!* *Its entire form explodes instantly.* *In that brief moment.* *The hall becomes a scene of flying blood and flesh!* (End of Chapter)