Time flew like an arrow, and the sun and moon flashed past like a shuttle through a loom. In the world of immortal cultivation, years passed like days, and twenty peaceful years soon slipped by.
For the warring immortal and demonic paths, this was merely a respite in which both sides held their forces still. For mortals, however, it was almost an entirely different world.
In Tulin Harbor on Horsehead Island, colored lanterns were hung along the main streets of the city center as night fell. Wind chimes and brocade could be seen everywhere, decking the prosperous port in brilliant light.
This was a local celebration, the Colored Lantern Festival.
The festival's origins had long since become impossible to trace, but it had endured, becoming an indispensable part of local custom.
Whenever this day arrived, the city held a grand evening lantern viewing. Young men and women often took the opportunity to attend matchmaking gatherings or meet their sweethearts.
Customs in this feudal society were conservative, so anything improper was naturally out of the question. Still, being able to stay out until nearly midnight and openly meet members of the opposite sex made this a rare annual occasion, one the young especially looked forward to.
"Mother, I'm going out."
In the courtyard of a gentry household in the south of the city, a young gentleman brought his attendant to the rear courtyard to pay his respects to his mother before preparing to leave.
On festivals like this, the fabulously wealthy found it inconvenient to venture out, while the poor could not afford to celebrate. Naturally, prosperous commoner households like theirs formed the main body of participants.
"Wait, my son. Have you brought everything?"
His mother stopped him and asked.
The young gentleman said, "I prepared five colored lanterns especially for