Eastern Territory Rebellion, Divine Tiger Bodhisattva

Great Sheng's Eastern Territory, Plainfield Commandery City.

The once fairly prosperous commandery city had now been reduced to a scorched wasteland.

Smoke still rose from the shattered walls and broken ruins. The pungent stench of charred flesh mingled with thick bloodlust, permeating every inch of the air.

Corpses lay strewn across the streets—armored soldiers among them, but even more were Great Sheng commoners of meager cultivation.

Those civilians fortunate enough to survive, yet grievously wounded, curled up in the corners. Intermittent groans and despairing cries rose and fell, tearing at the survivors' taut nerves.

The Nine Luminaries Division branch that symbolized order was now reduced to half a charred broken wall of its once-grand buildings.

The "Nine Luminaries" plaque hanging above it tilted precariously, on the verge of falling, silently declaring that this place had completely fallen.

Tap!

At that moment, heavy footsteps came from the ruined city gate.

A figure slowly entered this purgatory.

The newcomer wore an ancient red-and-white kasaya. His frame was somewhat thin, yet his face was exceptionally kind. His eyes and brows were lowered, carrying the tranquil air of one who pitied all living beings.

He walked unhurriedly over the bloodstained stone road, heading straight toward a ruined plaza where large numbers of wounded had gathered.

The survivors huddled together there, their faces tangled with pain and bone-deep terror.

The Buddhist emissary stopped. His gentle gaze swept across one terrified, despairing face after another. He pressed his palms together, and his clear, steady voice carried across the plaza:

"Amitabha."

"Do not be afraid, benefactors. Everything is all right now."

His voice seemed to carry a strange, soothing power, weakening some of the panicked cries.

"This humble monk is one of the Bodhisattvas under the Great Brahma Palace."

"By order of His Highness the Second Prince,