Crane-Cry Mountain, Five-Tone Peak.
Nightfall.
The first scattered stars had only just appeared in the sky, and the moon flickered behind the clouds, its radiance not yet very distinct.
Yet beneath the hundred-mile sea of clouds, a thousand torches already lit the night in a magnificent haze of colored light.
Halfway up the mountain, inside a Daoist temple with a red roof and green pearl ornaments.
Besides the seven or eight disciples of Changying Court seated there, Liu Lingzheng had specially invited quite a few members of the Third Court's great clans to lend their support and bolster his prestige.
For a time.
Colored lanterns dazzled the eyes, and pipes and singing clamored in the ears-
Seventy-two Treasure-Lotus Dharma Torches suspended in midair slowly unfurled, illuminating the entire hall in brilliant colors, as resplendent as a jeweled palace of glass amid the waves of the Eastern Sea, with rosy radiance steaming as though at a boil.
The Aloeswood Incense gave off a subtle fragrance without smoke or flame, its lingering haze soothing both heart and bones-another refined pleasure.
Amid the mingling cups and drinking tallies, Sima Quantong did not raise his cup. He merely surveyed everyone coldly, a faint trace of mockery in his eyes.
He was not unfamiliar with Liu Lingzheng; the two had dealt with each other several times.
The man's moods were unpredictable, and he repaid the smallest grievance. He would often fly into a rage over some trifling matter and absolutely refuse to stop until he got what he wanted.
Yet he had little real ability, relying solely on outside influence to intimidate others, fierce in appearance but weak within.
Had his branch not carried considerable weight and standing within the Chishuo Liu Clan, Liu Lingzheng's conduct would probably have earned him a sword through the