The wind filled the tower before the mountain storm arrived. These past days, layers of dark clouds had shrouded the skies over Chang'an.
And now, those dark clouds had even entered the Imperial Palace, gradually casting the entire palace into gloom. Even she, the Female Emperor, had sensed that something was amiss.
The Empress Dowager represented one faction, while that black shadow with the green Life Lamp above its head represented another. Most importantly, she kept feeling that something was wrong with many of the civil and military officials.
When something was out of the ordinary, there had to be a demon behind it!
Now, the day of the great calamity was fast approaching, and the Cultivators' Assembly was about to convene.
On top of that, all manner of strange incidents kept occurring throughout Chang'an.
Even a fool would probably realize that an enormous vortex was slowly forming, seeking to drag all of Kyoto into it.
Could it be...
That Chang'an, too, would become a forbidden land?
The Female Emperor pondered for a long time before finally shaking her head, driving all those tangled thoughts away.
With a shake of her sleeve, a golden rope appeared. It looked exquisitely crafted, with bells tied along it, as well as some red silk threads.
One glance was enough to tell that it was nothing respectable.
Just a slight shake produced a jingling sound.
At the sight of the golden rope, the Female Emperor drew a deep breath and gradually calmed herself. Still, a blush inevitably rose on her face, as though she had thought of something rather embarrassing.
Finally, she gritted her teeth and glanced around. Only after confirming that the hall's doors and windows were tightly shut, leaving no danger of being exposed, did she slowly lift her Imperial Robe and