The Immortal Court. The Imperial Stables.

The place was deserted today. Few immortals passed outside its cloud-wreathed gates; you could even say they were going out of their way to avoid it.

The few who did come on business wore no expression from start to finish. They did everything strictly by the book, took their immortal mounts, and left.

The Director and Deputy Director stood outside the hall, stealing glances at the towering golden body seated behind the desk inside. When they looked away, they both sighed softly at the same moment.

They exchanged a look, and each saw the fear the other couldn't hide.

“We're finished.”

If this place was deserted, somewhere else had to be lively.

And today the liveliest place in the Immortal Court was surely the great hall where the immortal general Azure Luan was being welcomed home.

Even without anyone telling them, stablehands like them had heard the news of his promotion to grand general. He had jumped two grades at once, skipping junior fourth rank entirely, and now held the fourth-rank Leopard Seal. From here on, his immortal career was bright.

And their own superior wouldn't listen to a word of advice. She hadn't prepared any gifts to go and apologize before the Purple-Caltrop Immortal Maiden went down to the mortal world. And today she was ignoring this grand occasion too, sitting quietly in the hall sorting through odds and ends.

He was a fourth-rank immortal general now. Even if he hadn't invited you, would it be so shameful to drop by and offer a few words of congratulation?

Of all the immortals crowding around outside the Azure Luan Grand General's residence palace, how many had actually received invitations? Didn't they all push their way in anyway, gifts in hand and faces thick as walls?

And on top of that, you'd offended him.

The Director and Deputy Director sighed and groaned. They had never seen it before, but now their eyes were opened: these merit immortals weren't only rigid, they were frighteningly aloof.

They just didn't know whether, once the Purple-Caltrop Immortal Maiden came…