Li Kingdom lay in the Southern Regions, and its national fortune had always belonged to fire. The summer solstice was precisely when the yang energy of heaven and earth reached its annual peak—when yang reached its extreme, it became overbearing. As the saying went, "At the height of yang, fire rages; old and new burn together." If one were to judge the fortune or misfortune of changing banners and masters... this was the most inauspicious day.
Yet Ji Boyong had specifically chosen this day to accept abdication and establish an imperial line. His words, "True gold fears no fierce fire," meant that he would use the most blazing flames to forge the most resplendent gold. In the most perilous situation, he was determined to temper a great nation into being.
Of course, it was also because the Jing Kingdom delegation had already entered Righteous Peace, Lou Junlan had clearly come bearing the Imperial Faction's suspicions, and Song Huai's arrangements in Li Kingdom could no longer remain hidden...
Song Huai had no intention of hiding them either.
On the very day Ji Boyong proclaimed himself emperor in Righteous Peace, Eastern Celestial Master Song Huai personally raised the principle flag on Penglai Island—
The sun and moon stood for Zhao; the king's standard stood for principle. This banner was the "Bright Sun and Moon Banner," bearing the forms of sun and moon, gleaming with brilliant gold. Raised high in the air, it shone with a splendor unseen in four thousand years. Displayed alongside Jing Kingdom's "Heaven and Earth Wandering Dragon Banner" on Penglai Island, each revealed its own magnificence.
This was the most direct declaration possible!
Penglai Island recognized Ji Boyong's legitimacy, acknowledged Li Kingdom as a Dao Kingdom, and was even willing to honor it as a Dao Sect State.
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