Earthshaking Upheaval, Stars Shift and Dipper Turns

The little town was especially quiet at night. Small places had few entertainment venues to begin with, and even if they did, it was now curfew. Aside from night watchmen and a handful of others, no one was permitted to wander outside after dark.

Everyone had gone home early—to eat, sleep, and beat their children.

Only this courtyard had gained a touch of liveliness.

Several young scholars were drinking wine and reciting poetry, loudly discussing the court's bizarre policies.

"Emperor Suiguan is utterly fatuous. He actually lifted the ban on religion, allowing those Daoists and monks to grow stronger. This is an act that will ruin the nation."

"Exactly, exactly. In the three years since Suiguan took the throne, the people have been left without a livelihood, and all manner of chaotic policies and bizarre phenomena have never ceased."

"The court officials do not stop him. Instead, they let Emperor Suiguan carry on with his nonsense."

"As officials, they accomplish nothing. That brat Suiguan acts willfully, while Daoism and Buddhism run wild."

"If one day we step into the Golden Hall, we must speak frankly and remonstrate, rebuking all those lords!"

The scholars drunkenly spouted all manner of reckless nonsense.

People were like this. They always thought everyone else was an idiot, using their one-sided understanding to scorn the actions of others.

Suddenly, a cold wind swept through. The scholars shuddered, feeling as though ghosts were pressing down upon them. All at once, they could no longer move.

They whimpered and babbled, unable to utter a single complete sentence. They no longer resembled the men who had been speaking so loftily moments ago.

Only when they felt a sudden warmth in their crotches did they realize they had regained control of their bodies. Shouting about ghosts, they charged out of