"The three epochs of antiquity were those of heaven, earth, and humanity."
"In the years of the Heavenly Epoch, Bing Fire shone upon Mount Buzhou, its position held by the [Radiant Bear of Brilliant Sun]. The movement of its eyes became heavenly light; its breathing became furnace fire."
"In the years of the Earthly Epoch, Radiant Bear was slain, and the Fire Minister [Zhu Xian] ascended to the Bing position. He was an ancestor of Chu, close to the shamans, and fell in the southern lands."
"In the years of the Human Era, Yu Yin gave way to a new dynasty, and an Immortal occupied Bing. By the command of Greater Yang, he descended to hold his position in the mortal world and aided Great Zhou in its Dao. Thus, the first king of Great Zhou held the true Fruit Position of 'Supreme Rites' and also obtained the Retainer Position of 'Bing Fire.'"
Liu Xiaowen silently contemplated this ancient canon. After a brief perusal, he gained some understanding of Bing Fire's origins and even learned something of the ancient system of reckoning epochs.
"Our king, in his sacred virtue, ascended to the Bing position. Thus, heavenly light endured and furnace fire never ceased. He entrusted important duties to the shamans, following the example of his ancestors."
He looked at the final sentence, understanding dawning in his heart.
The position of Bing Fire had very likely passed through four successive holders, becoming tangled with Immortals, shamans, rites, and more. Yet its final holder, the King of Chu, Xiong Huai, had chosen to return to the Shamanic Dao.
*In the Zhou dynasty, an Immortal held Bing Fire's position and even aided Zhou in its Dao, allowing Great Zhou's first king to obtain a Bing Retainer Position. Since this was done by Greater