Driving Back Shangyang, Part One

Above the Demon Heavenly Court, immortal mist drifted through a magnificent haze. Golden palaces and jade towers rose amid countless shafts of light. An alarm bell rang again and again, each peal more urgent than the last, as though the whole court could hear it. Even the ethereal clouds shuddered and churned beneath its tolling, sending thousand-foot waves rolling across the sea of clouds!

In the Soaring Firmament Palace stood two thrones built of gold, crystal, cool agate, ancient warm jade, nine-colored glazed stone, and other treasures. The two Demon Emperors, Dijun and the Eastern Emperor, sat upon them. The bell rang from the Eastern Emperor Bell in the Eastern Emperor's hand, its peals answering the Monster Summoning Banner floating in the air. Waves of auspicious energy spread forth, and demons throughout the world felt their call!

Before long, countless demon clouds arrived. Some stopped outside the Soaring Firmament Palace; others entered, all in orderly fashion. Dijun and the Eastern Emperor wore purple-and-gold imperial robes embroidered with three-clawed Golden Crows, their finery blazing with color and light. Below them stood the Ten Great Demon Gods: Jimeng, Yingzhao, Baize, Feidan, Feilian, Jiuying, Shangyang, Qinyuan, Citie, and Guiche!

After a while, the hall was full. Dijun called the Ten Great Demon Gods forward and said, "The battle is upon us. You will command hundreds of millions of troops to take the Reincarnation Netherworld. Are you confident?"

The ten Demon Gods answered together, "Absolutely!"

"Haha! Good!" Dijun laughed. He handed the River Chart and Luo Script to Jimeng and the Eastern Emperor Bell to Guiche, then gave them further instructions.

The demon army, hundreds of millions strong, assembled fully equipped. Jimeng stepped forward and reported to Dijun, "Your Majesty, the troops are ready. Our people's morale is high. This is the time to