Clang! Clang! Clang! Nine peals of the gong rang out, echoing endlessly across the docks.
On both sides of the altar, the shamans gripped short staffs and sang hymns of worship. But if one listened closely, every note carried a tremor.
The first time one heard it, one might truly think that was simply the distinctive quality of the worship song.
The officiant looked toward the figure at one side. His chest rose and fell as he drew a deep breath, steadied his thoughts, then shouted in a deep voice.
"Chief Priest, proceed!"
The musicians raised their bronze horns. A great drum faced with yellow oxhide was struck by the Great Hammer, its booming roar resounding through the entire Azure Stone Street, growing ever more heavy and majestic, as though pounding against the hearts of the crowd with thunderous boom, boom echoes.
Liang Qu rose. One step per drumbeat, beneath countless watching eyes, he slowly advanced along the altar's central axis, climbed the thirteen steps, and came to a stop atop the altar.
At the center of the five-foot-long altar table, a huge Mountain Ghost head faced the great river. Its yellowed vertical pupils were dull and lifeless, while thick black blood clung beneath it.
"Light the incense!"
Liang Qu lit the incense with charcoal, bent down, and placed it in the censer.
"Present the wine!"
Liang Qu took the wine jug, filled three cups, and stood still.
"Recite the sacrificial text!"
"River God above, I borrow the land of Yi Xing City, stand beside the waters of the Jiang Huai River, bear the hopes entrusted by all, gather the people's wishes, and lead the people in reverent worship before Your Excellency today, presenting this sacrificial text—"
"When chaos first parted, Heaven and Earth were born. Heaven traced the sun