The Meaning of Asura

"So that was what happened. Rest assured, Steward Sun. Now that I know about this, I won't leave you with nothing to show for it. The royal court is on the verge of a major upheaval. There'll be a thorough sifting, and the royal court will know who's gold and who's mere gravel."

Lord Meng patiently offered his advice in a gentle voice.

"Thank you for your graciousness, my lord."

Steward Sun dropped to his knees with a thump and kowtowed heavily.

"Enough. Things have come to this, and we're hardly strangers. As for the Yin Tribulation, what exactly did you see? You may report it to me. I'll inform the royal court and make sure you're rewarded."

"I'll leave it entirely to your lordship."

Steward Sun's spirits soared. He wasted no more time and began recounting what had happened.

"In five days, our Great Yue's new emperor will ascend the throne. Futuo Mountain lies beside the Imperial City and has long received the imperial family's favor. Naturally, all of us at Futuo Mountain must do our part for the new emperor's enthronement. So I personally went into South Mountain to gather Immeasurable Fruits, which ripen once every fifty years, hoping to present them to the royal court as a congratulatory gift to our new emperor."

"By chance, dense clouds gathered overhead. I thought a storm was coming, but in the blink of an eye, thunder and lightning filled the sky, bolts darting like snakes. I wondered where the thunder could have come from with winter approaching. Just then, the thunderclouds began to gather into a mass of lightning, and I realized that either a demon was at work in Futuo Mountain, or some great treasure was about to appear."

"Though I was terrified and was looking for a chance