Disaster seemed to spread across the world in an instant. Not only did demons, monsters, and spirit creatures begin appearing with increasing frequency, but in remote places untouched by human traces, or in ruins abandoned because of war, plague, or natural calamity, evil ghosts and vicious ghosts were not merely assaulting the underworld—they were even emerging from the boundary between yin and yang.
Though the Power of the Sun during the day had weakened considerably under the interference of another sun, that supremely rigid and supremely yang sunlight still remained, keeping ghosts and monsters of insufficient cultivation from running wild. But once night fell, people in many places truly came to understand the terror of darkness.
As winter arrived that year, the Emperor Jianchang flew into a furious rage after reading several memorials to the throne at the Great Zhen imperial court. He was so enraged that he could not sleep all night. Before his usual waking hour, he had already dressed and gone early to the Golden Hall to await morning court. It also happened to be the Grand Court Assembly that day, so every capital official qualified to attend would be there.
When the Emperor Jianchang stepped out of his sleeping quarters, the sky was still entirely dark. Two rows of eunuchs were already standing to either side outside, all holding lanterns as they waited.
"Your Majesty, please have a meal first!"
The eunuchs had asked by his bedside earlier, but the emperor's expression had been grim, and he still had no desire to eat anything.
"I have no appetite. Go straight to the Golden Hall. Without Teacher, have this lot all turned into good-for-nothings?"
The Son of Heaven was blazing with anger. The eunuchs and palace maids at his side did not even dare breathe loudly. Only