The key to mountains and rivers, where dragon and tiger met.
Those words could not have described Great Yin's Imperial Capital more aptly. It commanded the confluence of the Azure Dragon Mountains and the Heavenly Azure River, its mountains coiled like a dragon, its waterways surging like a tiger-a mighty gateway, a natural stronghold.
The Imperial Palace stood at the heart of the Imperial Capital. Within its walls lay countless halls and towers, waterside pavilions and terraces, magnificent and imposing in all their splendor.
Now, deep within those heavily guarded palace grounds, where strict rules governed every movement, an imperial-yellow glow flowed through a simply furnished warming chamber with an antique air.
"On Wuwang Peak in Longyuan Prefecture, Ming Province, Myriad Calamities Daoist made his move-"
"The casualties in this battle were not especially great, but several figures of considerable importance were involved. Yuwen Xuan, heir to the King of Wu-Yue, lost an arm. The Yinshan Sect's Burial Earth Venerable and Goddess were killed."
"Yu Linfeng was driven underground by a single palm strike from Myriad Calamities Daoist, his bones and sinews shattered. He was then carried off. I fear his chances of survival are slim."
An elderly eunuch with a pale, beardless face bowed as he delivered his respectful report. His speech was neither hurried nor slow as he related every detail.
Reclining on a couch at the head of the room was a middle-aged man in an imperial-yellow everyday robe. His face was lean and somewhat pale, and the body beneath his loose robes seemed rather slight. He was toying with a deep-red Jade Token carved with strange patterns, an intrigued expression on his face.
This was the reigning Son of Heaven, Emperor Fude, who had abolished the Civil Service Examinations immediately upon ascending the throne.
He was