The Central Hall was extraordinarily grand and vast. In former days, the hundred officials gathered there, generals entered the hall, and Celestial Masters supervised the court—yet there was still boundless room to spare.
Memorials piled up like mountains, affairs of state flowed like the sea. The lands of All Under Heaven, billions of subjects, matters ancient and modern—all were decided within this one hall, yet everything remained in perfect order, deep currents pouring like waterfalls.
But today, it seemed cramped!
Ksitigarbha in black stood in the hall with palms pressed together. Before It stood Ji Fengzhou, clad in ceremonial imperial robes and holding the Central Son of Heaven's ritual sword, having descended from the imperial throne to stand before the Danbi Terrace and challenge It with the authority of All Under Heaven. Behind It was Jiang Shu, dressed in a purple emperor's everyday robes and carrying the Fang Tian Ghost God Halberd upside down, walking in from beyond the hall and stepping into the very heart of power in the Central Empire.
The Central Hall could have contained all things, but these were powers of Transcendence.
Transcendence knew no bonds.
Jiang Shu came alone, halberd in hand, and entered the hall to ask Ksitigarbha for a share of the Buddha's pie.
Yet he did not truly wait for Ksitigarbha's reply. Instead, he looked past Ksitigarbha and met Ji Fengzhou's gaze.
"I came from the East State, halberd in hand, sworn to settle the Netherworld. Central Son of Heaven, only upon our third meeting do we finally see each other!" He laughed. "Why welcome me by coughing blood?"
Back when Qi-Xia contended for supremacy, the Jing Son of Heaven brought Yitian Temple down upon Guiyi, intending to meet the Emperor of Qi in Linzi.
The Emperor of Qi retreated and did