One had been seized, but there was more than one shaman in the crowd.
They brazenly wore their shaman robes, making no attempt to hide.
King Zhou's burning of books struck at their roots. How could they not resist fiercely? Let him kill them on the spot if he dared. As long as he did not kill them, even if he imprisoned them, the feudal lords, nobles, and even commoners who believed in shamans had ten thousand ways to rescue them.
The shamanic tradition flourished in the feudal lords' domains.
"Your Majesty possesses extraordinary talent and vision. Now the realm is peaceful, the four seas are tranquil, and all the people prosper in their livelihoods. This is precisely the time to win the hearts of the realm. Burning books will surely chill those hearts and make them see Your Majesty as a ruler who recites the classics yet forgets his ancestors!"
"There are countless shamans throughout the realm. Everyone knows the rites of sacrifice and reveres heaven, earth, spirits, and gods. How could the shamanic tradition possibly be stamped out? Your Majesty may burn poetry and books, may ban brushes and ink, but even if you burn them today, new books can be written tomorrow. If Your Majesty continues burning books, not only will it achieve nothing, but the people may turn away from you in heart and spirit..."
The witches and male spirit mediums chimed in one after another. They were not merely arguing their case; they were issuing outright threats.
What they said was true. Banning shamans would undoubtedly shake the foundations of Great Shang's rule.
The Dark Phoenix Guard wanted to seize the shamans one by one, but Zi Shou waved a hand, in no hurry to have them act.
Speak louder.
A witch stepped forward and