Chapter One: The Celestial Devil's Twins
The Celestial Devil, leader of the Celestial Devil Sect, had four official wives and two concubines. After many years, his fourth wife finally went into labor. Strangely, however, she gave birth to twins. The mother's eyes filled with joy, but the Celestial Devil himself was unwilling to be present. The Second Steward waited anxiously outside the door, an elderly man with a well-groomed, youthful appearance. He was worried for the Fourth Lady—a woman who, if she lost her child and lacked her husband's comfort, might collapse from grief.
The door opened. The midwife delivered unexpected news. "The mother and children are well!"
The Steward asked, "Children?"
"Yes," she replied. "Two healthy, strong boys..."
After a few hours of waiting, the Steward requested an audience with the Fourth Lady. When she appeared, her eyes were shut from the tears of joy, and she smiled. She wanted to speak, but silence was a tempting alternative in her overwhelming happiness. Yet, the infants did not scream or cry. They lay with their eyes wide open, looking around. The Steward had not seen many newborns in his long life, but he knew something was wrong here. Perhaps the children did not wish to ruin their mother's joy.