Outside the palace walls, the marketplace echoed with the thunderous roars of the morning guards.
"Quickly! Open your stalls! Any delay, and there shall be no place left for your trade!"
The commoners scrambled in haste, arranging their wares to welcome the new day. Yet, in a mere heartbeat, a mysterious shadow crept across the sky, veiling the sun until the world grew dim. Fear erupted in the hearts of both citizens and soldiers. Murmurs rippled through the crowd; some whispered of a deathly omen approaching, while others hid, their bodies trembling in the gloom. Even within the Imperial Palace, officials and ministers were seized by panic. A trusted eunuch ran headlong toward the Great Hall to report the celestial marvel to Emperor Yueqin (Long Yueqin / 龙岳钦). The Emperor stepped out of the hall with a majestic and commanding gait. Though his heart was filled with wonder, he maintained his noble poise. Gazing at the darkened heavens, he demanded of the scholar beside him in a powerful voice,
"What treachery is this? Why has the firmament turned to pitch black!" The scholar stood frozen, as if his soul had departed his body, unable to utter a single word as he watched the sunlight wither away.
Simultaneously, at the training grounds, General Xie Jiuxiao, commander of ten thousand, was drilling his brave troops. Seeing the sky transform, he rushed toward the palace to protect His Majesty, leaving his son, Xie Zhenyang, standing in stunned silence at the supernatural phenomenon. Suddenly, Long Minchen, a youth of the same age with a colossal bow slung across his back, approached with a calm demeanor. "Why do you stand still as a stone carving, Zhenyang? Your father and the others have already departed," Minchen spoke in a flat yet resonant tone. "You haven't moved either. Why then should I be alarmed?" Zhenyang retorted, his voice heavy with a competitive edge. Minchen offered no reply; he merely fixed his gaze upon the brooding sky and the entrance of the training grounds, as if awaiting a fated moment.
As the shadow consumed more than half the sun, General Xie reported the situation to the Emperor with grave concern. At that moment, the Imperial Astronomer, who had been calculating the celestial alignments, shuddered violently before collapsing to his knees to reveal a heavenly secret.
Back at the grounds, Long Xingchen, a young boy in a pristine blue scholar's robe, ran in clutching seven ancient scrolls, his eyes never leaving the archaic script. "Brother! The Great War has arrived!" he proclaimed. Zhenyang frowned deeply upon seeing an illustration in the center of the scroll—a shadow devouring the sun. "What is the meaning of this? Why does this paper mirror exactly what is happening?"
Xingchen wasted no time and began reading the final entry, inscribed in characters as red as a curse
The Record of (#####)
"In the hour when the stars lose their luster—though this phenomenon occurs but rarely—I have calculated the moment of darkness without error. If one desires to wage war for supremacy, there is no hour more fitting than this
When the sun is swallowed, chaos shall seize the hearts of hundreds of thousands. The glorious Dragon Kingdom you take pride in shall become a lawless cage. When the darkness strikes, neither the commoners, the court, nor the corrupt officials shall maintain control... This instability is the golden opportunity to rebel and declare war.
I... a lowly one who was once but dust beneath the feet of Emperor Yueqin, have now sent secret missives to the Shadow Alliance of the North and the forsaken warlords of the borders. They are all eager to join hands with me to topple a tyrant such as you!
My kin and my lineage were put to the sword by your hand until none remained, save for me—the 'lowly child' your guards once scorned as harmless, branding me to be executed upon my twentieth year. How arrogant those guards were!
Now, I have reached twenty as destined, but the fear I once held has vanished. Will you come to take my life yourself? How laughable! For I am now hidden under the protection of a rival kingdom that hungers to tear you apart. You shall never find me!
Watch closely, for the military intelligence, the generals at your side, and even the weaknesses of you and your 'foolish Empress' are all within my grasp. Your despotic dynasty is fated to crumble in the dark. When the eternal night arrives, the entire kingdom shall pay in blood!
And when that time comes... I shall sever your head and display it before your own son, to appease the vengeance I have carried for a decade!"
"I know not what this is, but this is my father's name. Look at this!"
Xingchen said, his voice trembling as he cast aside the first parchment and unfurled the next. Hearing the Emperor's name—Xingchen's father—in a rebel's record, Zhenyang's brow furrowed into a tight knot. His sharp gaze darted to Long Minchen, searching for a flicker of alarm or a hidden truth. Yet, Minchen's face remained as cold and still as a deep well. Did he already know, or was he simply inhumanly detached? Before Zhenyang could voice his suspicion, Xingchen cried out. The paper revealed a meticulously drawn map of the palace—every nook, every cranny, and every secret passage. Xingchen began to read the text written in droplets of blood
The Record of the Vengeful Spirit... He Who Was Erased from the Annals
"Palace walls as high as mountains and stone gates however heavy cannot imprison my flames of vengeance forever. While you feasted upon the Jade Throne and sacrificed the sweat of the people, I carved this map with my own blood instead of ink... not a single inch is missing. The forgotten underground tunnels, the dark sewers leading beneath the imperial bedchamber, or even the shadows lurking behind the dragon pillars in the Great Hall... I know them better than the hounds that guard your gates.
Distrust those closest to you, for when the night falls this time, I do not return alone. I have planted 'eyes' and 'blades' within the heart of this palace long ago. The guards you see, the eunuchs who serve, or even the maids who bring your tea... who among them awaits the moment to end your life in the dark? Or perhaps... it is the one you have called 'friend' all your life.
This map is no mere chart; it is a 'poisoned dagger' that will pierce the heart of the Yueqin Empire from within. When the sun goes out, every gate once bolted shut shall swing open to welcome the death you once dealt my family!"
At the words "friend all your life," Zhenyang felt as if a blade had sliced through his heart. He narrowed his eyes at Minchen's back. Xingchen looked up at the sky; the last light was being devoured. He slammed the scrolls shut and opened the final, most crucial one. It bore no drawings, only chaotic ancient characters.
Xingchen chanted the final prophecy
"The night creeps in... devouring the sun,"The night creeps in... devouring the sun,
The guards of the realm... their fate is undone.The guards of the realm... their fate is undone.
The blades once loyal... shall shatter in ire,The blades once loyal... shall shatter in ire,
As blood stains the land... and the throne meets the fire.As blood stains the land... and the throne meets the fire.
Ten thousand brave soldiers... shall stand as the dead,Ten thousand brave soldiers... shall stand as the dead,
As shadows entwine... and darkness is spread.As shadows entwine... and darkness is spread.
The one you trust most... shall be the headsman,The one you trust most... shall be the headsman,
As the kingdom falls... to the moon's dark plan.As the kingdom falls... to the moon's dark plan.
The Great General... shall fall to the low,The Great General... shall fall to the low,
As the sins of the past... return for the blow.As the sins of the past... return for the blow.
When the sky turns to ash... and shadows are shed,When the sky turns to ash... and shadows are shed,
The tyrant shall kneel... at the loss of his head!"The tyrant shall kneel... at the loss of his head!"
Xingchen rolled the scroll shut, his heart hammering. He turned to shout at Zhenyang and Minchen, his eyes wide with terror. "Do you see? The last line says: 'When the shadow completely veils the sun, the Southern Gate shall be opened by one robed in white.' It is almost pitch black... Forget it! Why am I wasting breath on children like you?!" Xingchen shrieked with exasperation before bolting toward the Great Hall.
Xingchen reached the hall, seeing his father and the General hesitating. He bit his lip, trying to mimic his father's stoicism, though his voice wavered. "General! Do you not see? If you do not move the troops now, the blood of the people will flood the city gates! Father... I implore you, let the General ride out!"
Recognizing the gravity in the boy's eyes, the Emperor commanded, "General Xie! Do as my son says. To your battle stations!" General Xie leaped onto his warhorse, drawing a blade that caught the final glint of sunlight. "All battalions! To your stations! The rest, follow me!!"
The thunder of hooves shook the marketplace. The General shouted to the bewildered citizens, "Seek cover! Extinguish your lights! Let no one roam the streets! War is at our gates!!"
Confusion turned to frantic activity as doors slammed shut. At the Southern Gate, hundreds of imperial guards stood in eerie silence, their eyes fixed on the encroaching void... awaiting the signal from the 'One in White.'
Inside the palace, Emperor Yueqin donned his golden dragon armor. Meanwhile, after ensuring the safety of the younger princes and princess, Xingchen stopped dead. "Minchen! Where is Zhenyang?"
They ran back to the now-deserted training grounds to find Xie Zhenyang standing alone, clutching a spear, tears of rage and fear in his eyes. He was ready to rush to his father's side. "Are you mad, Zhenyang? Does your father wish for your death?!" Xingchen bellowed.
"At least if I must die, I shall die by my father's side! Leave me be and save yourselves!" Zhenyang roared back. Xingchen stepped forward, his voice chillingly serious. "You fool! Would you let the glory of the Xie clan perish here? If you die, who will carry your father's legacy? Your stubbornness will destroy everything he built!"
The words struck Zhenyang like a physical blow. As he faltered, Minchen moved in, restraining him and stifling his protests. "Fine... my brother and I will stay with you," Xingchen said soothingly. "But for now, hold your tongue and come with us. See what you must take responsibility for..."
Minchen half-dragged Zhenyang to the summit of the Watchtower, the highest point in the realm. From there, they saw General Xie's forces below, the flickering torches in the dimness, and the massive, creeping shadows emerging from the forest—the rebel army.
And as their feet touched the tower floor... the final sliver of sunlight vanished, leaving only a darkness as thick as ink to swallow the world…