--- Arc 2/3 --- Hua Cheng had just left Guishi behind and was on the journey back home to his palace in Banyue. He'd already been excited to finally see his gege and their two children again, after having been separated for a few weeks because of his royal duties. However, a strange, rat-like creature led him astray into a deep forest, far away from his entourage. Inside this forest, he found a pagoda, which he soon realised functioned as a gate of sorts that, once he stepped through it, led him to discover more about his kingdom, as well as himself, than he'd ever hoped to learn. And to think he only wanted to reunite with his family as soon as possible... Spoilers for all 5 books!!!!