As the starlight from the Purple Forbidden Enclosure leaked through the fissures of the Star-Observing Platform, the Dragon-Locking Nail at the nape of Shen Xitang’s neck began to seep blood. A bead of blood slid along the bronze gnomon, congealing on the surface into the characters "Xin-You"—the very hour when Mars was infringing upon the Heart constellation tonight.
"The Red Dragon Pattern of a Lord Thousand-Householder is, it seems, even more accurate than the Armillary Sphere of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau." She muttered to herself, swiftly tearing a strip of cloth from her bodice and skillfully wrapping it around the wound to staunch the bleeding. Yet, just as she focused on tending to the injury, the corner of her eye caught a glimpse of a golden radiance slithering behind Xiao Heng.
Her heart tightened. She could not help but think of the solar eclipse that should have occurred three quarters of an hour ago, yet the moon remained hanging high in the sky, showing no signs of being swallowed. This bizarre phenomenon made her wary, while simultaneously sparking a keen interest in the golden glow behind Xiao Heng.
Chapter 126