Chapter 1 The Tumult

"Dong!"

When the main gate of Longde Hall was burned and collapsed to the ground, Luo Sigong's thoughts momentarily froze.

The Forbidden City was supposed to be the most heavily guarded place in the world. Since ancient times, no ghosts or monsters had ever been able to intrude and run amok. Any incidents were the result of human wrongdoing.

But the bizarreness of the situation today was akin to seeing a ghost in broad daylight for Luo Sigong.

He looked up at the sky. Above the Forbidden City, besides the might of the nation, there was also the great position of the Heavenly Department, protected by Doumu (Mother of the Dipper).

Although no one had yet inherited Doumu's position, it still hovered above the Forbidden City, not allowing any ghosts or monsters to invade.

Yet, at this moment, the stars remained still, without any reaction.

When a nation is about to rise, there will be auspicious omens;

When a nation is about to fall, there will be monstrous signs.

Luo Sigong felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly shook off the ominous thought. The Ming Dynasty was currently at its zenith, how could there be any signs of its downfall!

Of course, Ji Xiang, who was now inside the hall, had a deeper understanding of the situation.

Although he didn't know why the national authority was blind, he thought to himself, "Just because there's a 'No Smoking' sign, does that really mean no one will smoke?"

"Monster!"

Luo Sigong finally snapped out of his daze. He drew his saber, thinking that this was the first time in his life he was going to slay a demon!

"Go!"

The imperial guards obeyed and immediately swarmed forward. But with a mere wave of the Fire God's hand, one of the guards in azure armor was instantly engulfed in flames!

He frantically beat at his armor and clothes. He looked up, only to have five balls of fire pierce his body. In an instant, flames erupted from all seven orifices. In a few breaths, he was burned from the inside out, turning into a charred corpse!

Bang!

The charred corpse fell to the ground, the flames still burning, illuminating the dark corners!

The scene shocked all the imperial guards of the Southern Bureau.

"The imperial guards of the Southern Bureau... Huhu... I understand now, Zheng Guifei (Consort Zheng) sent you, right... You probably didn't expect to run into me here."

"Since you're here, you can't leave. What a surprise, I only came here tonight to kill that Daoist priest."

"And, I am not a monster!"

"I am a god, a true Fire God, officially appointed by your Ming Dynasty!"

The Fire God in crimson robes, covered in raging flames, pointed at the main gate of Longde Hall. Ji Xiang was nowhere to be seen inside the hall, not even a shadow.

"Hiding is useless."

The Fire God's gaze swept over the imperial guards. He scoffed and took a step forward.

The guards retreated half a step, like startled rabbits.

"The Southern Bureau, what a disgrace, a bunch of mortals. If the people from the Northern Bureau were here tonight, I wouldn't be able to leave."

The Fire God made no attempt to hide his disappointment in the guards of the Southern Bureau.

It was true. Even though Consort Zheng's elder brother was the commander of the imperial guards, and even though she was Emperor Wanli's favorite concubine, the procedures and trouble required to mobilize the Northern Bureau were still beyond her reach.

"Monster, cease your arrogance!"

Luo Sigong was furious. He had been frightened by Ji Xiang earlier, and now he was being mocked by this fire demon. He felt he was losing face. Now that the demon dared to kill his men, he immediately fumbled at his waist and pulled out a golden plaque!

This was one of the items that restrained divine beings: the Palace Prohibition Plaque!

The Northern Bureau didn't have this item. It was only held by the Southern Bureau and the Flag Guard. It represented the Forbidden City's prohibitions!

No divine being was allowed to use magic within the Forbidden City!

In the past, this item was always used on the people of the Northern Bureau. Luo Sigong never imagined he would see a ghost or monster in the Forbidden City!

The Shuntian Prefecture had the Yin Division in the outer city, the Heavenly Administration in the inner city, and the imperial authority in the imperial city. Where did this monster come from?

The golden plaque radiated brilliant light, illuminating the courtyard of Longde Hall with righteousness. However, the Fire God stood under the golden light, bathing in its rays, without the slightest discomfort. Until the golden light faded, the Fire God remained standing, without moving a step!

Luo Sigong was shocked!

How could the Palace Prohibition Plaque be useless!

"Just what are you! Even a true god couldn't withstand the suppression of the Palace Prohibition Plaque!"

This Palace Prohibition Plaque was the ultimate prohibition. Except for the true gods personally appointed by the Emperor, no other god could possibly...

Luo Sigong suddenly froze.

Cold sweat dripped down his back!

Personally appointed by the Emperor... Not long ago, Emperor Wanli had just renovated a Fire God Temple! And had personally visited it!

Luo Sigong's face turned extremely pale. How could such a thing happen? Had this Fire God gone mad? The Emperor had personally appointed him as a true god, yet he was ungrateful and dared to cause trouble in the Forbidden City!

Wasn't the salary the Emperor paid him high enough?

He further realized that if the Fire God had gone to the Palace of Heaven and Earth instead of Longde Hall, wouldn't that be...!

The surrounding imperial guards of the Southern Bureau also panicked.

The Fire God's voice carried a playful tone:

"You've never seen a god or monster before, have you? You don't know how to deal with it, do you?"

"A Qilin robe, a fourth-rank military official, quite impressive! Too bad, if I had met you before I became a true god, the Qilin on your robe could have torn me to shreds. But now, it doesn't seem to be reacting at all."

"After all, how could the divine beast evolved from the might of the nation react to a true god appointed by the might of the nation?"

"I am now an avatar of the Ming Dynasty's national authority! All the prohibitions in this palace are transformed from the national authority, how could they be effective against me!"

Luo Sigong was stunned. He looked at his own robe. The Qilin embroidery was not moving at all. And he had just learned that the birds and beasts embroidered on the robes of civil and military officials had the function of suppressing evil spirits?

The Fire God chuckled, "Now, I can come and go as I please here, all thanks to the Ming Emperor."

"Everyone who comes in here must die. You can be considered as burying yourselves with that Daoist priest. Blame him for still being alive. He was already dead, but for some reason, he was resurrected."

"So, I had to come here personally."

The information revealed by the Fire God shocked Luo Sigong.

That little Daoist priest in Longde Hall... had died once before?

But at this moment, the Fire God waved his hand, and in an instant, several armored imperial guards were swallowed by the raging fire!

The courtyard of Longde Hall was filled with fire, and screams were heard everywhere!

Luo Sigong roared:

"You monster! Do you think the Forbidden City is your home, that you can come and go as you please! You're courting death!"

The Fire God thought of the agreement that Zhu Changluo had mentioned earlier, that once things were over, the Fire God Temple would replace the Zhenwu and Three Purities here. Thus, a clear expression appeared on the face formed by flames, a sneer:

"Indeed, this will soon be my home. The one who should die is you, right!"