The threefold Voice of the Sacred Way swept across the world, rolling like thunder and startling every scholar awake. Those who could not read, however, continued to sleep soundly, hearing nothing.
In the Gu Kingdom Capital, Zhou Huanyu, the right vice minister of rites, sat in his study, staring blankly out the window.
"The sages of old took no joy in worldly things and felt no sorrow over their own fortunes. An official, high in the halls of government, worried for his people; far away among rivers and lakes, he worried for his sovereign. The benevolent worried before all under heaven worried, and rejoiced only after all under heaven rejoiced. I... have served without principle, neither worthy nor benevolent. After so long in a shop of rotting fish, how could I behold Dongting Lake's bright moon and pure breeze? Enough. I need not remain this vice minister. Let the Miscellaneous School toss this Gu Kingdom about!"
Having spoken, Zhou Huanyu wrote a letter of resignation and ordered his servants to deliver his official robes and other effects to the Grand Secretariat.
"Master, what are you doing?" asked Madam Zhou anxiously as she hurried over upon hearing the news.
"Resigning and seeking joy!"
Zhou Huanyu smiled serenely and strode toward the bedroom. With every step, the surrounding primordial energy of heaven and earth rippled.
When he reached the bedroom door, pure energy suddenly swirled around him, setting his robes fluttering.
Madam Zhou stared, dumbfounded. She had never imagined that her husband was about to advance to Grand Academician.
Zhou Huanyu laughed three times and entered the bedroom.
In northern Jing Kingdom stood Weibei Fortress.
The north wind howled fiercely, and autumn's chill ran deepest here.
Outside this northernmost fortress of Jing Kingdom, the air brimmed with death and drifting stench. The