Xu Qing and the Captain were paying very close attention to Master Seventh’s every word.5

That was especially true of Xu Qing. He really wanted to know the truth behind the opening of Forbidden by the Immortal. He didn’t understand why it was being opened now, and why the sleeping god was being given to the red moon to eat. What did it all mean? The red moon was the god of the Nightshades, who were currently at war with humankind. As far as Xu Qing could guess, the only reason to give a sacrifice to the red moon right now would be to curry favor.0

But what was the ultimate reason? Given his limitations, he felt like he wasn’t able to get to the bottom of the matter, as if his vision were obscured by fog.0

“What do you think is going on, Master?” Xu Qing asked.0

Master Seventh stared off toward the central part of the temple complex. “I don’t think Seventh Prince is doing this on his own. True, he’s an imperial prince with countless powerful experts working for him and an entire army under his command. He seems impressive, but the reality is that the emperor still sits on the throne, and...3