Chapter 220 The Four Great Supports
On the sixth day of the sixth month of the twenty-first year of the Xuanhuang era of the Great Yu Dynasty, atop Yanshan Mountain, amidst the howling night wind, the assembled officials gathered.
The flickering torches on the towering altar illuminated the massive "mountain of assassin corpses," making it resemble the entrance to hell.
"Cough cough..." The heavy smell of blood mixed with the strange aroma of spices produced by burning sacrificial offerings, making Mu Xi unable to breathe.
Yu Wang Muji sat high in the main seat, his face as dark and cold as the night. His hawk-like eyes swept across the entire scene before finally settling on the mountain of corpses: "Grand Preceptor, whether or not we can see the 'Six Harmonies Star Phenomenon' tonight, I want you to burn the bones of these traitors with 'sacrificial fire,' crushing their bones to ashes, so that their souls may be scattered and never be reincarnated. This is to serve as a warning to others."
The "Assassin Corpse Mountain" that was originally at the foot of the mountain was forcibly moved to the top of the mountain by King Yu, all for the sake of this moment.
The Imperial Preceptor, Xian Ling, dressed in a plain white robe, held a staff in one hand and a white mask with gold patterns in the other. His expression turned grave upon hearing this: “Your Majesty, the ‘Six Harmonies Astrological Manifestation’ is approaching, a time of transition between Yin and Yang, when the energies of heaven and earth are in disarray. Forcibly burning so many resentful souls may trigger a backlash of malevolent energy, disrupting the astrological charts and harming the nation’s fortunes. According to ancient rites, we should first perform a ritual to deliver the spirits from suffering and appease the vengeful spirits, and then…”
"No need for further explanation, I understand all of this." King Yu interrupted rudely, a flash of ferocity in his eyes. "I want the world to see what the consequences are for those who attempt to assassinate me. This is divine punishment, so the Grand Preceptor need not worry. Just cast the spell to ignite the sacrificial fire."
After a moment of contemplation, Xian Ling tightened his grip on the mask. "If Your Majesty insists on this, then it would be best if there were four more powerful shamans on the altar to oversee things. Otherwise, it would not be a big deal if I were to suffer a backlash, but I fear that Your Majesty's national fortune would also suffer a backlash."
When it comes to the "fate of the nation," King Yu has to take it seriously, but where can he find four "great shamans" in a short time?
Xian Ling then said, "My disciple Xian has already achieved success and can serve as one person, but we are still short three people, and I don't know..."
King Yu's gaze swept across the assembled officials below, finally settling on Marquis Shen Lun of Yong: "Marquis of Yong, the name 'Jiuyi' resounds throughout the south. Today, I request that you guard a corner of the altar for me, what do you say?"
Shen Lun hesitated for a moment, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Advisor just said that a Grand Shaman is needed to oversee things. Although I have some knowledge of shamanism, I am just a shaman and cannot be compared to a Grand Shaman."
The King of Yu looked at Xian Ling and asked a question.
Xian Ling's face showed a fleeting look of surprise and astonishment: "I have long admired Master Jiuyi, but I never expected that you would be Lord Shen. I could not have asked for this."
Shen Lun couldn't refuse, so he could only bow and say, "In that case, I'll make a fool of myself."
He walked slowly up to the altar, his fingers twitching slightly beneath his wide sleeves, as if he were making some kind of preparation.
There are already two people in the four corners, but two more are still needed.
Just as King Yu was in a dilemma, Queen Gao suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, I recommend someone here. Although he is not a great shaman, he is one of the best among the shamans."
As soon as Queen Gao finished speaking, a person slowly emerged from the shadows behind her.
The man was tall and thin, dressed in a jet-black robe embroidered with eerie dark gold runes, and wore a mask of the same style, revealing only two unfathomable eyes that seemed to devour light.
"That evil sorcerer... what's his name, 'Qiu Chi'?" Mu Xi's pupils suddenly contracted.
Although I've never seen this person's true face, the chilling, decaying, and bloody aura emanating from him confirms that he is indeed the person in question.
Mu Xun, who was standing next to him, recognized it almost at the same time and frowned.
Yu Wang Muji would agree to anything, as long as there were enough people, without even asking where they came from.
The evil sorcerer bowed respectfully without uttering a sound, his steps as swift as a ghost, and went straight up to the altar.
With the Queen's recommendation and the King of Yu's approval, even though the Imperial Advisor Xian Ling sensed something was amiss, he dared not utter a word.
Mu Xi looked up at Shen Lun on the altar. Shen Lun obviously recognized Qiu Chi immediately, and his brows furrowed.
With only one person left to attend, Prince Yu turned and focused his gaze on Princess Yan Ya, who was attending such a large gathering for the first time.
Princess Yanya stood alone in another corner of the altar, dressed in an elegant moon-white palace gown and wearing a moon-white gauze hat that covered her entire body.
Although she was followed by Granny Wen and the Red Carp Guards, she gave off an air of being aloof and unapproachable.
"Lady Qifeng..." King Yu called out, his voice gentle yet still commanding.
Princess Yan Ya remained silent, her face hidden behind a white veil covering the moonlit palace.
"Lady Qifeng..." King Yu called out again.
Still no answer.
King Yu had no choice but to say, "Princess, you are the former dynasty's Mystic Maiden, which is to say, a great shaman. Since it is for the sake of the souls of the dead, would the Mystic Maiden be willing to lend the Imperial Preceptor a hand?"
Princess Yan Ya's moonlit white veil stirred slightly: "I can provide support, but I still need the Phoenix Melody Zither."
"Alright, someone... quickly fetch the Phoenix Cry Zither." King Yu readily agreed.
Princess Yanya's camp was located halfway up the northern slope of Yanshan Mountain, which was the closest to the summit, but it still took quite a while to go back and forth to retrieve the zither.
But then the Red Carp Guards released some kind of bird, which disappeared into the night sky.
Before long, the Red Carp Guards delivered the Phoenix Cry Zither to Princess Yan Ya.
Princess Yan Ya removed her veil, her clear gaze calm and peaceful. She picked up her zither and slowly walked towards the altar.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Mu Xi went to Princess Yan Ya and said, "Princess, the one wearing the black mask with gold patterns is the evil sorcerer who turned my father into a 'human poison'. This person has a very strong evil aura, so you must be careful."
Princess Yanya paused for a moment, then stepped onto the altar without saying a word.
Thus, the altar and formation of the "Six Harmonies Grand Sacrifice" were initially completed.
In the northeast corner, Marquis Shen Lun of Yong State, not wearing sacrificial robes, sat cross-legged with his hands tucked into his sleeves, radiating an invisible force field.
In the southeast corner, Princess Yanya sat gracefully on a prayer mat, with the world-renowned "Phoenix Cry Zither" placed before her. She wore no makeup, yet she was more beautiful than any woman in the world, a faint crimson flame between her brows, making her seem otherworldly.
In the southwest corner, the evil sorcerer Qiu Chi sat cross-legged, his black mask reflecting a cold luster in the firelight.
In the final scene, Xian Jin, the Imperial Preceptor's disciple, wears the same white mask with gold patterns as his master Xian Ling, holding a sword in one hand and a dharma bell in the other, his crimson robe fluttering in the wind.
"The four great shamans have been appointed to guard the altars. Grand Preceptor, let's begin." King Yu had been waiting impatiently and quickly took his place.
Everyone took their positions. The Imperial Preceptor Xianling put on a white mask with gold patterns, raised his staff high above his head, and began to chant ancient and obscure incantations.
As she chanted, the flames inside the huge bronze cauldron on one side of the altar suddenly leaped several feet higher, their color changing from orange-yellow to eerie blue, emitting a scorching and eerie aura.
With the Grand Preceptor presiding over the ceremony, the other four corners also got to work.
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