The day for the holy sacrifice of the Yin-Yang Sect's Divine Generals was March 23rd, 3586 of the Wa Emperor Calendar.
Early that morning, just as the sun rose, Zhang Tie had barely stepped out of his courtyard when he saw that, besides Chief Steward Si's two attendants, a black-robed Divine General from Qian Changqing's side was also waiting respectfully outside.
"Chief Steward Si, Protector Qian sent me to ask whether preparations for the holy sacrifice have been completed!"
The black-robed Divine General was exceedingly courteous to Zhang Tie in his guise as Chief Steward Si. Though Chief Steward Si was not yet a Divine General, everyone in the fortress knew that his advancement to that rank was as certain as a nail driven into a board. Moreover, he was deeply trusted by the Venerable and belonged to the Venerable's own Si Family. A man like that had a bright future ahead of him in Azure Dragon Hall; no one dared slight him.
A smile appeared on Zhang Tie's face as he carefully assumed the right tone. "Please tell Protector Qian that the altar is ready. The holy sacrifice can begin at the altar in an hour!"
"Understood. I'll report back at once!"
The black-robed Divine General departed.
Zhang Tie pondered for a moment at the courtyard gate, then instructed one of the attendants beside him, "Go notify Elder Xue. The holy sacrifice will be held at the altar in one hour!"
"Yes!" The attendant accepted the order, then trotted away under Zhang Tie's watchful gaze to notify Xue Yuxiu.
Zhang Tie drew a deep breath and looked up at the sky—on this day, the weather in Azure Hibiscus City of the Thousand Forest Central Domain was excellent. At daybreak, the sky was already clear for ten thousand miles, and