Jade Dragon Continent, Biqu Dynasty.
An imperial edict was posted overnight. It read: "To reverse the fate of the nation and secure long-lasting peace, all young boys and girls within the dynasty's borders have a duty to sacrifice for their country."
In an instant, the imperial court and the common people were thrown into turmoil.
Most local authorities merely paid lip service to the decree. The entire dynasty needed to round up eleven thousand children, and as long as their own city's quota was manageable and their own children weren't the ones being offered up, they didn't care about anyone else's.
But there were still some officials whose consciences hadn't died. Reading the contents of the edict, they felt a chill seep into their very bones.
'Has the Emperor gone mad? To be so bewitched by that demonic Taoist that he'd use the lives of children to extend his own?!'
...
