After Zhang Yu left the Radiant Light Dao Palace, he turned back to the Guardian of Rectitude Palace. No sooner had he reached the steps than he saw petals of every color drifting around the palace grounds, accompanied by the continual crackle of firecrackers.
It was now the end of the twelfth month. In a few more days, it would be the year 382 of the Great Xuan Calendar.
The Profound Court only recorded years and had no notion of a New Year, but the divine officials seemed greatly drawn to the occasion. Red lanterns hung beneath the eaves and corridors surrounding the palaces, and everyone had changed into new clothes and adornments.
Moreover, folk legends claimed that a Year Beast appeared during the New Year and had to be frightened away with firecrackers. Among the common people, this was merely a legend, but in the upper level, born of the thoughts and sentiments of countless living beings, the Year Beast truly existed. Whenever the old and new years changed over, it would emerge.
Naturally, the Year Beast did not dare approach the Profound Venerable Dao Palace. It would only assault the stations of divine officials. Any divine official who had become an official on duty at the Profound Venerable Dao Palace would light firecrackers to show that they had roots to rely upon, and thus avoid being attacked.
As he entered, a divine maiden official on duty came forward, performed a respectful curtsy, and offered him a golden register. "Guardian of Rectitude, the New Year is near. Master Xue is responsible for scattering auspicious snow on New Year's Eve. May she carry out her duty here at the Guardian of Rectitude Palace?"
Within the Clear Firmament Primordial Magnetism, matters such as the passage of sun and moon, driving the