Cries echoed in the night as thunder rushed over the sky as to announce the incoming peril. Blood descended upon the ground coloring it crimson as bodies adorned every corner of the city. Laughter echoed as men and women in horrendous forms ripped through the people of the city with delight in their eyes.

The people prayed to their ancestors but only the turbulent sky answered them with rain and roars. No one dared to utter their discontent but their thought soon turned to their Emperor. Pleading that he would send them aid.

*****

A loud yawn echoed in the office as Yecao Cao stretched his stiff limbs. How long did he have to sit here? He peered at the Emperor who had to spend the passing three hours ignoring him while he worked through the documents.

The Shaofu had spent just about the same amount of time pandering the grumpy Zhiji trying to distract him with a game of Go. He had taken up the white stones as they often were for veterans and allowed Yecao Cao the control of the black stones which gave him the ability to move first. Yecao Cao laid another black stone and noticed the frown growing deeper on Lin Hai’s face. The poor man had for some reason assumed that he was an amateur. His distraught looked revealed that he sincerely regretted that mistake.

“You are truly good, Xiao Mei. I have to forfeit,” said Lin Hai finally with a sigh.

“I have to spend a lot of time lately playing with the Wang Yu,” Yecao Cao said and bowed to Lin Hai who did the same.

“Oh, Wang Yu is undefeated in this game of strategy. Did you ever win?” asked Lin Hai as he studied the board.

“Wang Yu is a genius. Don’t compare him to this plum,” muttered the Emperor and peered at Yecao Cao who shrugged.

“Why should I tell? Neither of you would believe me if I said I have defeated the Wang Yu. Just ask him.”

The Emperor rolled his eyes and muttered something muffled while Yecao Cao let out yet another yawn.

“Why am I even here? I spent the last few days by your side doing nothing,” muttered he.

“I want to make the appearance of spending time with you to keep up the illusion of you being my favorite,” The Emperor replied without looking at him. He had a strange expression on his face as he read a document carrying the sigil of Sichuan. Disbelief? The expression caught Yecao Cao’s attention and he leaned forward.

“Anything interesting happening?”

“Define interesting.”

“Anything that doesn’t involve me staring at your face.”

Lin Hai coughed to try to mask his chuckle while the Emperor rolled his eyes. “You are too outspoken. How your family has survived is beyond me.

“So? Anything interesting?”

“Sichuan has sent a request for aid.”

Lin Hai sat up straight. “Why? the San family rarely lowers themselves to ask for help.”

“The San family… That’s the family that Lin Hai has connections to,” thought Yecao Cao with a frown. The governing family of Sichuan and one of the three great families.

“The local villages have been attacked by the Yaoguai sect,” the Emperor said with a grim look on his face. The Mo of the Yaoguai sect were demons, exiled to the lands of Diyu beyond the mountains of Yuánjiao. The mountains were guarded by the Zhang sect who kept the demons at bay.

“Why are they calling on us? This is the matters of the Zhang sect, not Tian,” Yecao Cao said with a frown.

“The Zhang sect cannot handle this on their own. The force is too large and is lead by the demon Emperor himself, Hei Yaoshi.”

“That is strange. The demon Emperor rarely leaves his seat in Beizhou, the capital of Diyu. Why would he do so now?” Lin Hai asked.

“I do not know but these are not common bandits. We cannot rush in without thought,” muttered the Emperor.

“Then what does Huángdi suggest that we do?” asked Lin Hai who awaited his orders with patience.

“Send word to the Jade Emperor of Jùshan, the Jade mountain. The king of all Dragons is far more equipped to advise about this incident than us mortals,” The Emperor finally concluded. “And let’s hope that Sichuan can hold long enough for us to receive answers.”

*****

It took nearly a month for the answer to arrive. The court had assembled and was close to a riot. They could handle bandits and war with Zhong but the Mo, demons, were another thing. Their powers rivaled that of the sects but unlike the sects, the Yaoguai has never been shy to involve themselves in the affairs of mortals.

Entire families have been wiped out by the deviant sect and kingdoms have fallen into disarray. This threat was a dire one and many feared that it would be ignored by the Jade Emperor who was safe in his Jade mountain at the far west of Tiandi.

Di Xúe had a solemn expression on his face as he looked out over his court. It still bothered him that he had no idea of the motives of the Demon Emperor. It felt like walking in absolute darkness, not even being able to see where you are going. It was dangerous but this must be done.

“The Jade Emperor has called for the mortal kingdoms of Tian and Zhong, the Gui, spirits, of Bushou and the Renlóngs, Dragonkin, of Kunlún Shan mountains to send troops to end the threat of the border. We are all to send our best warriors and supplies to the Sichuan and fight of the Demon Emperor,” Di Xúe declared with a steady voice even if his inner was in turmoil.

Nothing of this scope has ever happened in the last four thousand years and it was disconcerting that it had to happen during his reign.

“Who will lead the troops?” asked Da Sinong, the minister of finance. Di Xúe was not surprised by his eagerness as he was of the San family. He would most likely lose all his power if the San family lost Sichuan to the Mo. Da Sinong’s eyes turned to the Wang Yu who stood there with a smile on his face like he was watching the clouds with a cup of tea.

“Lin Hai is to lead our warriors along with Mei yu Huanyuán,” Di Xúe replied and held back a grimace when he heard the incoming complaints.

“Are you insane? Why send the Steward and the Zhiji to handle such a threat?”

“We will be the laughing stock of Tiandi!”

“The Shaofu might be fine but the Zhiji? Look at him.”

“Please, reconsider! Huángdi!”

Di Xúe’s eyes turned to the two people in question and had to hold back a chuckle. Lin Hai looked like he had eaten something sour and tried his best not to glare at the Emperor. The little Plum’s face was just hilarious. His mouth was wide opened and eyes looked ready to plop out of their sockets.

“Huángdi! This is Sichuan we are talking about. The San family! Please, consider sending the Wang Yu Jían or Zhang Xia,” Da Sinong said with desperate eyes as they darted from Wang Yu Jían and the large warlord.

The cousin to the previous Emperor and the father of Di Xúe’s concubine Fu Chun, stepped forward and hit his large chest. “Leave it to me, Huángdi. I will not let any demons enter our glorious Tian.”

Di Xúe held back the comment that the demons already were here but decided to hold his tongue. This was already shaping out to become an argument. He did not have to pour oil on the flames.

“No, we are most likely only expected to deliver supplies to the sects. Few of our warriors could compare themselves to cultivators. It’s better to send someone who won’t cause trouble because of his pride,” Wang Yu Jían said. Zhang Xia glared at the Wang who gave him no face.

“I am one of the best warriors in Tian!”

“And you most likely will want to proclaim it. Sichuan will already be a nest of chaos when so many different rivaling sects are coming there to help. There will most likely be inner conflict and we need to be able to put some distance between us. Keep the peace,” Wang Yu explained and many nodded as they understood his thoughts. Zhang Xia was too rash to lead this.

Wang Yu bowed to the Warlord,” I do ask you to follow them as the supplies need to be guarded in Sichuan but I ask you to leave the talking to the Shaofu and the Zhiji.”

“Then why cannot you-“ Da Sinong did not finish his sentence as the Wang interrupted him fully knowing what he wanted to ask.

“Because of the pride of the sects. I am too famous among them and they will see my presence as a threat. Their pride would never allow them to be outshined by a mere mortal. Not to mention that I will stand guard. During the battle, the demons might try to conquer Yunzhou and then go further to the capital. I will guard Yunzhou to ensure that it will not be attacked.”

Many were still not convinced and peered at the two youths being chosen for such an important mission.

“I suggested these two to the Huángdi as they are the best for the mission. This is more a question of diplomacy and the Shaofu has connections to the San family which will be crucial to keep the city calm,” Wang Yu Jían nodded to Lin Hai who nodded reluctantly. He looked far from pleased by the idea of handling his relatives.

“True, but the Zhiji is hardly qualified,” Da Sinong snorted. Wang Yu Jían turned to the little plum who just rolled his eyes.

“Shouldn’t this task be given to my brother? He is the patriarch of the Yecao family.”

Everyone frowned in confusion while Di Xúe looked sour. When Wang Yu Jían had given this suggestion Di Xúe had been as skeptical as the rest of the ministers, then he got the explanation and… Was furious. How little did he know of his own subjects!?

“Your brother has already been called upon by a multitude of the sects for supplies. He is busy mediating the sects and has suggested sending you has his representative,” Wang Yu said with a smile and everyone in the room grew cold. When did Yecao Ji gain such connections?!

The little plum groaned, ”stupid brother. I guess I can handle it.”

“Wait, what is this about?” asked Da Sinong furiously and pointed at the little plum. “What do you-“

“The Yecao family has since years back been allied with many of the sects such as the Gui sect, Renlóng sect, and several others. They have a trade agreement with a large number of the sects and is trusted by them which makes the Yecao family a good diplomat between the sects,” Di Xúe explained while hoping that this gave him the illusion of being informed though he fully understood the feelings of his ministers. How could they not know of such a powerful family and how is it that they only hold the title of Tóng?

Everyone stared at the little plum with complicated eyes and for the first time wondered if this actually wasn’t a panda but a sleeping dragon hiding among the dirt, waiting to strike at them. How powerful is the Yecao family?