Chapter Thirty-Seven: Strange and Sinister

Night descended upon the land, and tonight’s sky was unusually bright and cold, as if the moon hanging overhead had been bitten, its crescent stark against the darkness. Dense clusters of stars surrounded it, dazzling and splendid, like an unfurled canvas painted with wild strokes—so beautiful that one couldn’t help but marvel.

On the outskirts of Yongfu Village, gray shadows circled restlessly—these were vengeful spirits, yet none dared approach the village itself.

Upon a rooftop, two figures stood together.

The one ahead sighed quietly. Hearing this, Liu Ji, who stood behind, asked in puzzlement, “Father, why do you sigh for no reason?”

Liu Heng replied, “Let me ask you: what do you understand about the Land of Calamity? Why is it called the Land of Calamity?”

Liu Ji answered honestly, “Isn’t it because, once night falls in our world, vengeful spirits roam freely? The books all say so.”

Liu Heng shook his head. “Yes and no. What troubles me most is that the number of vengeful spirit attacks on humans has increased significantly compared to the past!”

His expression was grave. “Within just the domain of South King City, there have been two attacks, affecting more than a hundred people—and that’s not counting the rest of the Southern Province or the empire at large.”

Liu Ji frowned. “You mean...?”

Liu Heng continued, “From what I know, throughout the empire’s thousand-year history, attacks by vengeful spirits on humans have been exceedingly rare—almost negligible, not even recorded in the chronicles. So people today know very little about it.”

He sighed again. “I suspect this surge in attacks is no accident—there must be some unknown force manipulating events from the shadows.”

Liu Ji pondered deeply.

Indeed, according to the old records, vengeful spirits do not actively attack humans—this is why Yongfu Village dares to live alone in the wilderness. Yet now, even he knows of two incidents where spirits possessed humans, involving a hundred people. It seems minor at first glance, but the more one thinks, the stranger it becomes, impossible to ignore.

He asked, “Oh, and I remember reading something curious in the imperial chronicles: every hundred years, there’s a large-scale disappearance of the population. Could this have something to do with the mysterious vanishing of Yongfu villagers?”

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Besides, if such a large-scale disappearance occurs, shouldn’t it shake the entire empire? Shouldn’t people find it strange? Shouldn’t there be questions?”

Liu Heng replied with another question, “Do you find it strange?”

Liu Ji nodded. “Of course.”

Truthfully, he was very curious. Every century, a huge number of people vanished. He suspected some evil force was secretly capturing humans for some cruel sacrifice.

Yet the imperial chronicles always attributed the disappearances to natural disasters or external calamities—there were no detailed records, just brief mentions.

Liu Heng laughed softly. “The empire is now peaceful and prosperous; everywhere, people live in harmony, crops flourish, and everyone takes pride in being a child of Nu Xi. Praise for the royal family echoes throughout the land!”

He laughed again. “For strange happenings like this, people at most gossip during leisure time—what else can they do? After all, it doesn’t concern them, does it?”

Hearing this, Liu Ji was speechless.

It was true. Though the matter was strange, for those who lived comfortably and happily, it had no impact on their lives. In this land of calamity, everyone simply wanted good days. Matters unrelated to themselves were discussed only in idle moments—no one would really bother to investigate.

Suddenly, Liu Heng asked, “Do you know the Cult of the Sun God?”

“The Cult of the Sun God?” Liu Ji was taken aback.

“Yes, the Cult of the Sun God is now the imperial faith. The Land of Calamity is indeed plagued by disasters, and the most feared of these is the ‘Heavenly Fire,’ said to be capable of annihilating the world—people call it the wrath of the Sun God.”

Liu Heng explained, “The chronicles record that most large-scale disappearances are related to the Heavenly Fire, and the vengeful spirits, whom people fear, never appear during the day.”

“Thus, the Cult of the Sun God arose five hundred years ago, proclaiming that the Sun God is the sole protector of the Land of Calamity. Over centuries, they have amassed countless followers.”

He suddenly sneered. “Now, they are recognized by the empire as the orthodox faith, second only to the royal house in power.”

For reasons unknown, Liu Ji detected a hint of bitterness in Liu Heng’s words—his father seemed to loathe the Cult of the Sun God.

But truly, wasn’t this Cult supposed to be a legitimate religion? How could people believe in such a thing as the Sun God?

He murmured, rubbing his chin, “So, the mystery of the mass disappearances remains unsolved—there’s no clear answer or explanation?”

“Yes...”

Liu Heng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the moon, which would soon be full, sighing, “What is the answer to this mystery? Why does the population vanish every century?”

“There’s something else I can’t understand.” Liu Ji frowned, rubbing his chin. Rarely alone with his father, he decided to voice his doubts.

“Ask.”

“You know there have been many rebellions by feudal lords in imperial history, right?” Liu Ji said, “According to the records, their strength varied, but none matched the royal house.”

He frowned. “I can’t comprehend—the gap in power was so vast, where did they find the courage to rebel? Were they all mad? Weren’t they just waiting to be crushed by the royal family?”

If it were him, and he had no choice but to rebel, he’d bide his time, wait for the empire to be distracted by a powerful external enemy, then strike from within and topple it. That would offer a much greater chance of success.

“Heh.” Liu Heng chuckled. “I have no idea why—perhaps, as you say, their minds truly were broken!”

Seeing his father didn’t know either, Liu Ji sighed in disappointment. This simple conversation tonight made him realize that this world was far from simple.

Beneath the prosperous surface, sinister currents flowed, like a shadow cast over Liu Ji’s heart.

Was the mass disappearance of people really due to natural disasters as recorded, or the Heavenly Fire said to bring the end of days? He couldn’t believe that among nearly ten billion imperial subjects, not a single soul doubted it. Perhaps most were ignorant, but there must be someone perceptive.

Moreover, anyone who could become a feudal lord, ruling over millions, could hardly be foolish—so why did they rebel despite overwhelming odds? Were they truly mad?

“Brother.”

At that moment, Yan Ye leaped onto the roof. He glanced at Liu Ji and addressed Liu Heng, “Outside the village, a large number of vengeful spirits have gathered.”

“Let’s go, take a look.” Liu Heng jumped down.

Liu Ji followed. The group arrived at the village gate and saw that, indeed, many vengeful spirits were lurking outside, watching them intently.

Yan Ye, puzzled, said, “Since nightfall, vengeful spirits have gathered outside the village. At first, I didn’t pay much attention, but they refuse to disperse.”

Liu Heng, hands clasped behind his back, asked, “Have you noticed anything unusual in the village?”

Yan Ye shook his head. “Nothing.”

Suddenly, Liu Ji said, “Could these spirits be here for us? I feel their gaze is fixed on us.”

Yan Ye rubbed his bald head, confused. “They’re here for us? But what do we have that would interest them?”

Everyone exchanged uncertain glances, unable to make sense of it.

Liu Heng’s expression was grave. “This is very strange. Notify everyone to heighten their vigilance. At first light, we’ll leave for South King City!”

With that, he turned and departed.

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