A strange celestial phenomenon occurred, with the moon raining for a full hour, drenching the entire land before finally ceasing.
Once all anomalies vanished and the familiar starry sky returned, everyone across the Qingzhou Continent finally let go of their fear and trepidation, gradually regaining their composure.
However, this night was destined to be sleepless for countless individuals.
The very next morning, although it was not a scheduled court day according to the latest regulations, the Empress dispatched messengers to the homes of her ministers, summoning them to court one by one.
In the Hall of Governance, civil and military officials, along with the Empress and Chu Chen, were gathered.
"My esteemed ministers, you must all be aware of the strange phenomenon last night. Does anyone recognize what this anomaly signifies? What is its meaning?"
The Empress surveyed the assembly and spoke.
In ancient times, when faced with rare celestial events occurring once in a century or millennium, or those of extraordinary scale, people would often interpret them as divine signs, a message from the heavens to mortals.
In response to the Empress's inquiry, none of the assembled officials recognized the phenomenon. They all shook their heads repeatedly, while Chu Chen remained silent.
Seeing Chu Chen's demeanor, the Empress surmised that since he hadn't shaken his head like the others, he must know something.
She immediately asked, "Prime Minister Chu, I noticed you did not shake your head. Do you know anything about this matter?"
Chu Chen sighed, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, before I speak, may I first request that the Grand Astrologer step forward to answer a few questions?"
"Granted," the Empress nodded quickly.
"Summon the Director of the Imperial Observatory..."
Before the eunuch could finish his pronouncement, a small old man from the rear of the civil official ranks quickly stepped forward, shouting to interrupt the eunuch.
"I, Niu Zhengzhen, Director of the Imperial Observatory, pay my respects to Your Majesty and Prime Minister Chu!"
Chu Chen nodded to him, and with a hint of curiosity, asked, "Director Niu, has the Imperial Observatory managed to decipher anything about last night's anomaly?"
In past life dramas, the Imperial Observatory was often depicted as a department with individuals possessing remarkable abilities, capable of observing celestial bodies and foretelling future events, making them seem mysterious and magical.
He wondered if this particular director was like that, or if there were indeed capable individuals within the Imperial Observatory of the Yunyue Kingdom.
"Regarding this, returning to Prime Minister Chu, the Imperial Observatory has compared this anomaly with all recorded celestial phenomena, but not a single one matches, not even remotely."
"Therefore, we truly do not know."
The old man, Niu Zhengzhen, was sweating profusely, his heart filled with dread.
Historically, if an anomaly occurred that had never appeared before, what would be the consequences? The meaning of the anomaly was a matter for future record.
But the Director of the Imperial Observatory would be held responsible, often losing their head, as had been the case for centuries.
Why? Simple, to bear the blame. No one knew if the new anomaly was good or bad, so they would first find someone to blame and execute to appease the public's fear.
This was also why Niu Zhengzhen, despite being present at court, had initially avoided stepping forward, only doing so when Chu Chen's pointed question made it impossible to evade.
As expected, the Minister of Rites, Wu Sheng, immediately stepped forward and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I impeach the Imperial Observatory for incompetence, for wasting national resources while being useless! I further impeach them for their idleness; for such a significant event as this anomaly, they failed to provide any warning! This is gross dereliction of duty!"
"Your Majesty, I, I..."
The old man, Niu Zhengzhen, was on the verge of tears. He had indeed failed to provide an early warning, but could he be blamed? Who could possibly predict this? Divination through the I Ching and celestial observation were not omnipotent, were they?
But he couldn't say that. If he did, the entire profession, and even the knowledge related to it, might be ruined.
The Empress's expression turned cold. These officials were indeed often of little use, but they were fond of their superstitious pronouncements, which the Empress found quite displeasing.
If in the past it was merely a matter of displeasure, today was vastly different.
The Empress looked at Niu Zhengzhen with a cold gaze and asked, "Did the Imperial Observatory truly detect nothing? Know nothing?"
"Indeed, indeed it is so."
Niu Zhengzhen trembled so much his legs shook, completely devoid of his usual mystical demeanor.
"Hmph, guards!" the Empress called out, intending to have him apprehended and executed as a sacrifice to the heavens, according to custom.
But at this moment, Chu Chen quickly called out, "Wait!"
"What is Prime Minister Chu's concern?"
Hearing this, the Empress waved her hand, halting the imperial guards outside the hall.
"Your Majesty, such an anomaly has likely never appeared in the entire Yunyue Kingdom, or even across the Qingzhou Continent. If that is the case, it is understandable that the Imperial Observatory is entirely unaware."
Chu Chen first spoke in defense of the Imperial Observatory and the old man, then continued, "However, I do know a little about this anomaly."
"Please, Prime Minister Chu, tell me quickly and enlighten me."
The Empress's eyes lit up, and she urged him on.
Although the Qingzhou Continent had cultivators of martial arts, no one had been able to fly through the air for thousands of years. They dared not presume to be immortals or deities, and thus the common people were deeply superstitious about anomalies. This sentiment extended to court officials and emperors throughout history.
If this phenomenon could be understood and interpreted as a celestial auspicious sign, the unrest among the populace could be easily resolved, preventing any threat to popular support or national stability.
The civil and military officials pricked up their ears, waiting patiently and curiously.
Niu Zhengzhen, standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Chu Chen with gratitude and admiration.
Chu Chen cleared his throat and said, "This anomaly is called the Demonic Moon."
Upon hearing the word "demonic" in "Demonic Moon," the Empress and the civil and military officials' faces changed drastically. Could this anomaly be an ill omen rather than an auspicious sign?
"When the Demonic Moon appears, its vastness stretches ten thousand li, as if descending upon the earth. Within it lies a liquid, known as Moon Essence. Moon Essence is the very essence of the moon. When the Demonic Moon emerges, it flows outward like great rivers on the mortal plane, overflowing and transforming into rain that falls from the heavens."
"For humans, being drenched by it or drinking it is no different from ordinary rain or water; it is neither useful nor harmful. However, for the plants, trees, birds, and beasts of the mortal world, if they are drenched by it, their physiques are strengthened; if they drink it, their wisdom is awakened, bringing them endless benefits."
"Firstly, it awakens their intelligence, gradually making them akin to humans. Secondly, it strengthens their bones, blood, and meridians, assisting them in embarking on the path of cultivation, transforming them into demonic beasts, and eventually, with time, into demons."
"Therefore, those who are called 'demonic' refer to this rain as the Emperor's Flowing Sap."
"..."
The Empress was stunned, and so were the civil and military officials.
What on earth was this? It had no effect on humans, but it could turn birds, beasts, and plants into demonic beasts, and then into demons? And they would possess human-like intelligence?
This was a sign of impending upheaval!
*Bang!* The Empress slammed her palm heavily on the dragon table, her face ashen. "Prime Minister Chu, can what you say be true?"
"What I say, I shall be responsible for. Whether it is true or false, one only needs to dispatch soldiers to the mountains and forests to investigate. Even... households in the city that keep livestock, if they were drenched by the Emperor's Flowing Sap yesterday, can be observed."
Damn it!
The civil and military officials and the Empress cursed inwardly. How many birds and beasts were kept in the city? Not to mention the thousands of warhorses and over ten thousand draft horses in the imperial stable. According to this, wouldn't they all take to the sky and devour people?