Five Immortals Mountain had come bearing down with ferocious momentum.
Yet with the deaths of its two disciples, the affair had drawn to a temporary close.
The Ministry of Works had dispatched workers overnight to repair the breach in the palace wall and wash the blood from the square. The great crater smashed into the floor, however, could not be restored anytime soon.
As for Zhao Zhongliu, his injuries were not serious.
But the old man was already advanced in years. After this calamity, he likely had little time left.
Of course, there was good news as well.
The Cold Jade Udumbara had been delivered to the inner palace that very day.
According to Gu Wanlan, barely half an hour after taking the medicine, Bai Yulou's extinguished Heart Lamp had actually shown signs of rekindling.
Faint though they were, at least there was hope.
And yet.
These scraps of good news could not dispel the dark clouds hanging over Chang'an.
Killing immortal disciples and striking down a True Person's Dharma body had certainly been satisfying.
But once everyone calmed down, a new question lay before them.
Could this heaven-toppling calamity truly end peacefully?
The Golden Jade Palace.
Jiang Yuechu dismissed her attendants.
Her waterfall of long hair fell loosely, concealing her smooth, jade-like back.
With the sound of her entering the bath.
Warm water instantly enveloped her entire body.
Though she had entered the Burning Lamp Realm and her flesh was free of impurities, her nerves had remained taut throughout the slaughter-from Jiannan to the Western Regions, then all the way back to Chang'an.
Only now.
Did Jiang Yuechu finally release a long breath of stale air.
She leaned against the tub, resting her arms along its rim, her head tilted slightly back and her eyes closed in repose.