The Prophecy Might Be Right

Luo Pei's delivery of the imperial decree had gone smoothly enough. The Dragon Maiden had accepted it, and only then had the strange phenomenon appeared on the lake. As far as this mission went, it should have counted as a complete success.

Yet that very night, something had gone wrong with the stars. The Emperor Star, representing the sovereign of the Zheng Dynasty, had shifted. What an earthshaking matter that was! And that was not all: two more stars, one large and one small, had approached its original position. Once this celestial configuration was linked to events in the world below, it was enough to send a chill down anyone's spine.

This was a world of gods and demons, after all. Both reading faces and observing the heavens had real substance.

Thinking of the terrible consequences this might bring, Governor-General Zhao offered a word of advice, then quickly fell silent.

He was wisely protecting himself. He did not want to express an opinion on this matter, much less become entangled in it.

Although the shift in the stars was almost certainly not caused by Luo Pei's delivery of the decree, even a one-in-ten or one-in-a-hundred possibility could bring the calamity of confiscated property and an exterminated clan.

Luo Pei understood Governor-General Zhao's attitude. He appreciated even that one word of advice. Cupping his hands toward the governor-general, he sighed again and said nothing.

The two boarded their boats, one after the other.

With his exceptional hearing, Su Ziji had caught Governor-General Zhao's advice despite standing some distance away.

He had also taken in both men's expressions.

It seems they suspect the stars have something to do with the Dragon Maiden, too.

*The timing is certainly unfortunate. This celestial configuration appeared right after her investiture. Anyone would find it hard to