Lan Province Merged In

Before dawn.

Goose-feather snow drifted down from the pale violet night sky, adding a glaring white undertone to the bleak world.

Noon Gate.

Serving officials of the capital above the fourth rank stood waiting respectfully, their heads dusted white with frost. Now and then, warm vapor spouted from their noses and mouths as they conversed. Amid the wind and snow, words such as "taking office," "retiring," "blood pillar," "Hunting Tiger," and "not yet full" surfaced from time to time.

With the New Year Festival recess approaching and no disasters or calamities to report, there had originally been nothing pressing to memorialize in the capital. Most of the discussion concerned the Ministry of Personnel's new-year transfers and appointments. Yet no matter how they spoke, they could not avoid the blood pillar phenomenon from last night.

A blood pillar one hundred and twenty zhang high had shot into the heavens.

It had risen at the end of Shen Time and lasted until the beginning of Xu Time. Anyone in the entire capital who was not blind could see it.

It had caused a tremendous sensation.

From kings, marquises, generals, and ministers down to peddlers and common laborers, everyone discussed it.

Even on their way here by carriage or horse, the officials had heard breakfast vendors discussing it.

No one capable of becoming a fourth-rank official in the Imperial Capital lacked channels to learn the inside news. But Liang Qu's arrival had been too sudden, without the slightest omen, and the information was incomplete. The officials only knew that someone had broken the age record for entering Hunting Tiger from Wolf Smoke; they did not know by how much.

Creak, creak.

Shoe soles trod on the accumulated snow as eunuchs held great cloaks in their hands, adding layers to ministers who had come