The Prefectural Magistrate's Office of Luoyang was located in the middle of the southern line. It was accessible from all sides, making transportation convenient. The tip of Ye Que's foot had just touched the grounds of the Prefectural Magistrate's Office when a large crowd of commoners emerging swiftly from the 36 lanes of the city. Watching from a high vantage point, the stream of people looked like black threads. The point of their convergence was also the Prefectural Magistrate's Office. When the glorious Tang Empire was established, it was expressly stipulated in the law that all cases must be transparent and all investigation files were put on the public record to ease supervision. A significant crowd had gathered outside the lobby by the time the Senior Prefectural Official of Luoyang, Song Gongming, was prepared to begin the trials. If one were to take a careful look, one would easily discover that most of the Branch Masters of the D

"The auspicious pair, a match made in heaven, pay their respects in the Jade Hall. The crowd fights to get a glimpse of the delicate bride and the dapper groom. The marriage is so loving that the couple had the leisure to play with parrots. They play the mouth organ, attracting the attention of phoenixes. During the family reunion in the month of flowers, the gem-lined fan is removed. The slim and graceful lady takes on a new shape. Rumor has it that she bears an heir. The days of bliss continue." The Prefectural Magistrate of Luoyang, Song Gongming, congratulated the old general, Ye Zhengru, for the marriage of his son. "Guests get drunk on exquisite wine during the delightful banquet. The luan and the phoenix soar above the houses in this magnificent nation, bearing witness to the beautiful cooperation of two families. They reflect the laughter and kissing in the newlywed home. The newlyweds play the mouth organ in bliss while mimicking Xiaoshi. They raise the platte

"A large group of demonic beasts has been discovered outside of Luoyang City." "His Highness has decreed that all officials from the three departments and six ministries, nine courts and five directorates, 16 guards of southern magistrates and 10 armies of northern magistrates must report to duty within an hour. No excuse for delay is permitted." Due to Lin Shan's shouting earlier, the place was already deathly quiet. Thus, the words of the red-armored man rang loud and clear in the ears of the esteemed guests and the onlookers, including the nearby Ye Yunhai. It was a rude shock for everyone to learn about the appearance of a large group of demonic beasts and during daytime at that. They rose to their feet in unison and felt cold sweat forming on their back. All of them prayed hard that their respective departments wouldn't slip up. If something happened, it would be a crime punishable with the execution of one's entire clan.

The seventh day of the seventh month. It was close to 11 pm. The Imperial Palace of the glorious Tang Empire, the Forbidden City. The little monk that walked into Luoyang during the day was now standing tall on the roof of the Ziluo Golden Palace with his hands clasped behind his back and pale green kasaya billowing in the air. It made for an incredibly peculiar scene. On the worshipping square several kilometers away from the Ziluo Golden Palace, the Emperor of the glorious Tang Empire was leading a dozen or more of his cabinet ministers. He waved his hand and looked at his ministers. "Is this the person the astronomer of the Star-harvesting 18-storey Tower?" "In response to Your Highness: This person is called Zhai Xingzi. Even though he looks about eight or nine, he's more than 60 years old. He's the most senior astronomer in the Star-harvesting 18-storey Tower. If even he fails to calculate where the River Soldiers would be

"The great Divine Tool—the River Soldiers will appear soon!" "It will manifest at the Imperial Mausoleum, at the ley lines of the imperial sovereignty!" On the very same day the Emperor had received the results of his seers' and soothsayers' auguries, word of the prophecy began leaking quietly out of the imperial city into the public through various channels. Like the faint trembling spreading from the centermost skeins of a vast spider web, the news caused ripples in the domains of the Cultivation World and the Five Main Tribes of Demon Race alike; the news was readily available to anyone who had an ear to it. The site of the Imperial Mausoleum, with its restrictions and the various dangers that skulked within, became known to anyone interested. What should have been a carefully-guarded secret had become as public as a flaming brand in the dark. It was no longer a secret; but a general knowledge to everyone, even the common fo