The Value of Shells

In this world where gods and demons existed and were told of amongst the humans, and the leader of the human world proclaimed himself the Son of Heaven, why would the Immortals not involve themselves? They might proclaim themselves above such things, but I have lived over a thousand years. The Immortals are a hypocritical bunch, but sensitive to violence; the Canonisation was a blood-letting of such epic proportions that rivers of blood still stained all of China.

Supernatural forces still intervened now and then. Demons and spirits had conscripted in the armies of the Han and the Western Chu. Diao Chan had seduced Lü Fengxian into murdering his foster father. Political power and the prosecution of demons had historical links; inside and outside of China are the same.

This humble servant had assisted Prime Minister Li Si and the King Zheng in the founding of the Qin dynasty.

Our great Tang dynasty was no exception, is no exception, and will not be an exception.

CROSSPOSTED ON AO3 AND FICTIONPRESS