Yama Rising

Evening, at 6.00 p.m.

He held a folding fan and fanned himself gently. There were three eunuch-like Yin spirits that stood behind him, waiting on him. He was completely calm at this point in time. After all, he’d seen his fair share of such imperial court meetings. Furthermore, King Yanluo had personally given his word that the time that followed was an extension of the host’s obligation.

Chaghan had also changed into a scarlet robe - a typical uniform of Mongol high officials. When he saw Liu Yu, he immediately snorted coldly, “A lounge like this is worse than what I bestow upon my least favoured concubine. How dare he insult us with such terrible amenities?!”

He took a deep gaze at the large clock that hung close to the top of Hell’s Gate. It was exactly 6.00 p.m. He didn’t know what exactly the new King Yanluo of Hell had in store for him because he couldn’t make head or tail of the itinerary. That said, he could see that the program was simple, so what twists and turns could there possibly be?

The entire series of dazzling display was something that Ming Shiyin had constructed entirely out of Yin energy. In that instant, the previously dark canopy that loomed over Hell was suddenly decorated with innumerable purple and red explosions. The multitude of Yin spirits on the ground promptly looked up and gandered at the beautiful sight.

But before the scattering scarlet flames even landed on the ground, a second and a third salvo of golden fireworks shot into the sky, exploding in a concerted pattern from low to high, and then back down once more, almost akin to a dazzling fountain. Moments later, a colourful array of fireworks burst into air from every corner of Hell, blanketing the lands with a brilliant, multicoloured canopy.

The fireworks resulted in a moment of tranquility amidst the usual hubbub of Hell. The gloomy canopy of the skies suddenly became like a screen, rendered in vibrant, fiery colours that brought a surprising moment of solace to the hearts of the Yin spirits.

Hell had come a long way from its days of destitution. It was clear that what awaited them was only days of prosperity.

It was noisy but tranquil. Vibrant, but serene.

It stood to reason. Fireworks were already in existence since the Tang Dynasty, and its use was greatly proliferated in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Everything was recorded in the annals of history. Although modern day fireworks were magnificent in their own right, they still weren’t sufficient to stir the hearts of the feudal officials at all.

But just as he spoke, spots of light suddenly lit up around Hell’s Gate.

And it didn’t light up in a neat fashion either. It started with a single one, before slowly but surely spreading to the rest who were around. Then, almost as though inspired by the beautifully soft sight, every part of Hell, whether under the trees, in the construction sites, or even in the hidden recesses and corners of Hell, everything suddenly lit up with similarly soft lights.

Finally, the soft lights transformed into a beautiful sheen no different from a sea of flickering lights, reflecting the harsh fireworks in the sky with stillness and tranquility.

Indeed, they were.

Every single Yin spirit was holding onto a candle and basking in its warm glow. It was a soft tranquility, and yet the strange stillness and sullenness of the atmosphere was absolutely astonishing. Even the twelve envoys couldn’t help but be started by the discordant sight.

This is a ritual…

Nobody said a single word.

They were filled with an indescribable sensation of sobriety at this very moment.

“Disarmed.” Zhou Yu shut his eyes and retracted his gaze from the majestic sight with a soft sigh. The fireworks in the sky and the soft lights on the ground were no different from a carving knife in his eyes. He was the only one who knew at this very instant that the new King Yanluo of Hell was breaking out his carving knife tonight for a powerful showing!

No diplomats.

This was the true form of Qin Ye’s dimensional strike!

Back in the auditorium, Arthis stared at the twelve envoys with widened eyes. She was located within the auditorium, so she couldn’t personally experience the extent of the astonishment that the envoys were faced with outside. Thus, greatly startled, she turned to Qin Ye, “What’s… going on?”

“The sense of ritual carries with it several important psychological implications. Amongst other things, it bears the power of self-suggestion, the notion of common identity, tugs at the heartstrings, and stirs one to action. If the ruling authority knows how to make full use of rituals to its advantage, it would give rise to… almost mythical effects. For instance, one of the most proliferated ancient rituals of any dynasty would be the imperial court meetings. Such rituals elevate the status of the emperor to that of a mythical existence. It has to be mentioned that us Cathayans possess the strongest inclination to rituals in the entire world. We’ve lived under the feudal system for far too long, and that had led to rituals pervading every part of our human lives, be it in films, television serials, or even other forms of media. In fact, it’s such a pervasive force that it affects us without us even realizing it.”

He coughed softly, “It reminds us that the future is meaningless and perfunctory.”

You’re like the typical student who mucks about with credits in college in a desperate bid to get by… so since when are you so learned in the fields of psychology?!

Qin Ye flushed slightly, “Well, it’s also because I was once adopted by a certain perverted psychiatrist when I was trying to get by…”

“I ended up going insane… Hang on a minute! We shouldn’t get sidetracked with these inconsequential things! Our guests are arriving!”

But they quickly returned to their senses.

Boom… Just then, the auditorium doors opened wide with a bang, and rows of dozens of palatial maiden-like Yin spirits drifted out, half-kneeling on the ground as they lit up a passageway into the auditorium with the exquisite palace lanterns in their hands. Everything from the manner of kneeling to the height at which they toted the lanterns were perfectly aligned. All of the feudal officials, each accompanied by two or three of their own Yin spirit attendants, drifted into the auditorium.

Liu Yu was the first to enter. As soon as he did, his eyes immediately shrank.

In fact, it was completely different from all of the other underworlds. The room was constructed like terraced fields, and rows of seats occupied each terrace. He immediately understood the benefits of such a design. The main stage in the center was clearly the lowest part of the room, and yet it was also undoubtedly the intended centre of everyone’s attention.

There was the story of Goddess Mother Earth transforming into the six paths of reincarnation. There was the story of Nuwa mending the skies. There was even a tall figure of the King Yanluo of Hell walking amidst everything, almost as though it were portraying a truth that he transcended time and walked through the long rivers of history. The fact that such a small space could portray all of these stories simply blew him away. It even stirred an excitement in his heart… and caused his heartbeats to quicken!

Three words immediately surfaced on his mind.

This was an experience no different to that of a Cathayan stepping into the gorgeous Galerie d’Apollon of the Louvre, and taking in the great amazement and awe of the fine reliefs all around and the endless frescoes above. It was also no different to the grand feeling that overwhelms the foreigners whenever they step onto the Great Wall of Cathay for the very first time, or when they stand on one of the watchtowers and take in the endless wilderness surrounding them.

Qin Ye stared intently at the twelve envoys, taking in each and every one of their expressions. Then, he nodded subtly to Arthis. She waved back discreetly, muttering underneath her breath with a stern and somber tone of voice, “We’re starting… Are you sure these little tricks of yours are going to work?”

1. The wikipedia page has some pictures, but I’d encourage you to go google the Apollo Gallery of the Louvre. It’s pretty darn remarkable.