"Storm clouds were gathering..."
On the day of the civil service examination, dark clouds blanketed the sky, and a misty drizzle fell.
Aaron coughed again. Pushing open the courtyard gate, he saw a figure kneeling in the yard.
Beneath the hazy rain, her graceful curves stood out.
It was none other than Daoist Tai Yin!
"Master..."
Daoist Tai Yin raised her head. Droplets clung to her brows, lending her an added air of mournful beauty.
Rumble!
Beneath the mackerel-scale clouds, lightning writhed through the sky like serpents.
"Tai Yin... I know you've been kind and compassionate since childhood. Your heart is too soft—you're not cut out for great deeds, unlike your two senior brothers."
Aaron let out a sigh.
Crack!
At that very moment, a bolt of lightning struck, bleaching heaven and earth white.
Clang!
Behind Aaron, Plum Blossom Daoist crumpled to the ground as though all the bones had been pulled from her body.
"Master... His Majesty has decided to lead the civil and military officials in offering sacrifices to Heaven tomorrow. You... you used the imperial mandate to prolong your life, but now that lifeline is about to be severed..."
Daoist Tai Yin wept. "Both senior brothers knew, yet they kept it from you alone!"
"Of course I knew."
Aaron waved a hand, looked toward Xiao Zi, and pointed.
With a ripping sound, Plum Blossom Daoist's sleeve burst apart, and a magical artifact fell from within.
"A communication token?!"
Daoist Tai Yin stared at the token and muttered to herself.
Crack!
Then bolt after bolt of lightning fell in succession, illuminating the two women's faces until they looked as savage as vengeful ghosts!
The imperial palace.
"This civil service examination is the foundation upon which Great Liang selects talent. We cannot afford to be lax..."
Xiao Liang