Great Shang Palace.
After the morning court session ended, King of Shang, Emperor Xing, locked himself in his sleeping quarters, refusing to see even the Queen Jiang and Consort Huang despite their repeated requests for an audience.
Li Jing's great victory, although a joyous affair, put unprecedented pressure on Emperor Xing.
In his view, the current situation in Great Shang was more complex than ever before. Shang Rong, Bi Gan, Master Wen Zhong... these men loomed over him like mountains, making him feel suffocated.
Moreover, he was aware that Great Shang's greatest threats never came from the Ghost Country but from Xi Qi and the feudal lords.
That Western Marquis Ji Chang, who acted so graciously day and night, presenting himself as a paragon of virtue and even sending his eldest son, Bo Yikao, with generous gifts to win over hearts in Chao Ge—praised by the courtiers and the people alike.
