Is that a Wisp?

"Yes, Clan Head. We'll be able to deliver four County Arms within the next six months. Two of the sun attribute, and the two of the moon attribute. Everyone in my family will be working on it, so you can rest assured," a middle-aged man from the Liu Clan spoke, giving tea to a wizened old man.

He hailed from a prestigious family belonging to a city, one of the three families in control of the city. Of course, he had more than enough funds to spare for the County Arms. After all, buying a single County Arms not only meant obtaining a precious treasure, it also meant every descendent of the County Arms holder would also possess it.

So, as long as one of them obtained it, they could immediately have children and ensure the County Arms was carried through the bloodline. This way, they would preserve it and ensure that their family would continue growing stronger. 

That was why he had ordered four County Arms, the limit to what he could, since only one family from the Liu Clan could take charge per aristocratic family. 

So, getting four County Arms was the limit every six months. 

Nevertheless, it was enough. After all, the family head was planning for his first two sons and their respective wives to gain these County Arms. And then, he wished for them to have more children.

Then, once every six months, he would allow more and more among his family to become County Arms wielders. 

Their finances allowed such an expenditure. 

The moment news of the County Arms spread throughout the Daxia Empire, everyone had entered a state of frenzy. Nevertheless, not anyone could obtain it. Only the families that obtained permission from the Emperor were allowed to do so. 

Any other family that even dared approach the Liu Estate was charged with treason and executed on the spot. After all, a fort had been erected next to the Liu Estate, where imperial troops were stationed, meant to protect the Liu Clan. 

"Then, I'll take my leave." The wizened old man sighed in relief, handing over the necessary funds. It consisted of both money and precious items ordered by the man from the Liu Clan that took charge of creating their County Arms. 

"You don't have to worry about its completion. Also, you can station someone from your family in our guest house. Once we finish forging all four County Arms, we'll contact you through them," the middle-aged man spoke.

"Thank you, I'll directly send the four from my family that wish to gain the County Arms," the wizened old man said, pleased. 

"Yes, we'll also be imparting them the necessary knowledge in this duration. This way, they'll be able to use their County Arms without trouble," the middle-aged man replied, completing the deal. 

Once the wizened old man left, he sighed, sporting a smile. "Liu Heng's amazing! To think he's able to read the thoughts of everyone like a book and make preparations in advance…"

He sighed, sporting an expression of zealous fanaticism. Everyone from their clan had the same opinion regarding Krune. 

A year had passed since they had begun this journey. Every family of authority in the Daxia Empire had already visited them. To ensure they weren't out of the loop, only the heads of the respective families came. 

It showed the value they had attached to this. 

…

"Finally, I have forged enough for everyone from the main line of the Imperial Family to equip themselves," Krune said, sighing in exhaustion, gazing at the row of County Arms before him. 

He grunted, getting up as he exited the forge, coming out of the room when he noticed everyone on standby were on the ground, prostrating. However, this time, they weren't facing him but the other side. 

The moment Krune gazed at the target of reverence, he prostrated, stating aloud, "Liu Heng greets his Majesty the Emperor!"

"I had been waiting for you all this time." The Emperor smiled, standing at the other end of the corridor. 

"Father has been waiting for almost a month now," Daxia Ting said, standing beside the Emperor. "However, he didn't wish to disturb you."

"You could have just called for me. I would have arrived at a moment's notice." Krune smiled wryly in response. After all, the person before him was the Emperor, the strongest human, the shield of the Daxia Empire. 

And in this world, the Emperor was treated no different to a deity, a manifestation of the heavens. 

So, of course, he had to show enough respect when facing such a being. 

"I myself have been impatient." The Emperor laughed when he heard that. "I even brought all the talented princes and princesses with me."

"How many are there?" Krune asked Daxia Ting, wishing to bring out the necessary County Arms. 

"17 of them," she replied. 

'Thankfully, I have forged enough.' Krune sighed in relief as he muttered inwardly. It took more than two weeks to forge one of the imperial County Arms. So, he had only made 18 of them in the past year. Thankfully, he had one extra when a thought occurred to him. 'Is the Emperor not included in that count?'

He smiled wryly, realizing that all the County Arms he had forged would be used up immediately. He returned to the forge, placed all of them in a suitcase and brought them with him, arriving at a large manor where the Emperor and his descendants were staying. 

As he placed the suitcase and opened it, the Emperor peeked inside, eyes lighting up as he muttered, "They are… powerful."

"Of course, I made them possess the same power as a Star Imperial Arms," Krune replied, watching the eyes of everyone light up in response, sporting emotions of shock and surprise. 

"Please, bestow us the honor, father," Daxia Ting said, taking out a circular item from the suitcase that she handed over to the Emperor, placing it on his palm. 

As the item seeped into his hand, the Emperor noticed a mysterious power welling up within him, making him feel stronger as he closed his eyes, focusing for a couple of minutes before activating the power. 

Immediately, a pair of wings appeared on his back, flapping as they allowed him to take flight. They manipulated his body using gravity, allowing him to freely fly in the air.

The Emperor then thought something as a feather turned into a bolt of lightning, slamming into a boulder nearby. Upon seeing the exhibited power, he was surprised, gazing at the countless feathers still remaining in the wings. "This is almost as strong as a weak Imperial Arms!"

"But of course!" Krune smiled as he replied.