• Shitan: The Black Emperor
• The Haunted Tea House
• Black Dragon's Betrayal

in the spiritual realm of wûfāng, there were five mythological rulers, referred to as wûfāng shàngdì or "the five august emperors". in some texts, they were combined into a single deity known as tiānhuáng dàdì or "the supreme god of heaven". among them was shitan, the black emperor of rainfall & winter, who possessed the ability to transform into a majestic black dragon at will.while not as renowned as the yellow emperor, the symbol of the cosmos, or the red emperor, credited to guiding humanity towards a settled, agrarian lifestyle, the black emperor lived on a symbol of strength and justice in a world filled with darkness and greed.shitan's true essence was encapsulated within a legendary artifact known as the black pearl, a gem of unimaginable power said to bestow godhood, immense riches, and unparalleled knowledge upon its wielder. in his dragon form, the black pearl resided within the shimmering depths of his imposing maw, a stark reminder of the deity's dual nature — a guardian of both divine secrets and mortal desires. however, when shitan assumed his human guise, the pearl transformed into a humble necklace, its true potential hidden beneath a veil of simplicity.legends were told of the dragon deity's fearsome form, a sight to behold even in the boundless expanse of the divine realm. when shitan took his draconic shape, his wings spanned the horizons, casting shadows that danced like specters across the heavens. each beat of his wings created a tempestuous symphony, heralding storms that swept across the lands, bringing life-giving rain and icy winds. his eyes glowed with a fierce intelligence, reflecting the depths of ancient wisdom and untold power.mortals gazed up in wonder and fear, their hearts filled with a mixture of reverence and longing. whispers of the black pearl fueled their ambitions and stoked the flames of greed within their souls, driving them to seek out the deity and claim his power for themselves.

rumors whispered through the mysterious land of qilin, nestled among the rolling hills and whispering bamboo groves, of a haunted tea house. it was said to be run by an elderly woman, madame lin, who sought to find her long-lost daughter by capturing wayward spirits and searching for a sign from the otherworldly realm. haunted by grief, madame lin's tea house became a prison for lost souls, trapped between the realms of the living and the dead.it was on a cool autumn evening that shitan's journey led him to the door of the tea house. he moved with an otherworldly grace, his flowing cloak shimmering like liquid shadows. his eyes held a glint of knowledge, and his presence seemed to command both fear and awe.sitting at a weathered wooden table, shitan accepted a cup of steaming tea from madame lin's trembling hands. the tea tasted of bitter herbs and lingering sadness, mirroring the emotions that clouded the elderly woman's eyes. as they sat in silence, the weight of unspoken words hung heavy in the air, bridging the gap between the mortal and supernatural realms.sensing the presence of trapped souls lurking in the shadows of the tea house, shitan reached into his cloak and drew forth the black pearl, its surface shimmering with a dark and mysterious energy. with a whispered incantation, shitan summoned the power of the pearl, its radiant light piercing the shadows and illuminating the room in an otherworldly glow.the captive spirits stirred, their restless energy palpable as they floated towards shitan, drawn by the promise of liberation. with a gentle touch of the pearl, madame lin watched in awe as her beloved daughter's spirit materialized before her, her smile radiant and full of tenderness." mother, " the spirit whispered, her voice a melody of love and forgiveness, " i have never left your side. your tea house is a sanctuary for the lost and the wandering. let us journey together, beyond the veil of shadows and into the realm of light. "

tears welled in madame lin's eyes as she embraced her daughter's spirit, feeling the warmth of her presence like a sunbeam on a winter's day. with a final farewell, the spirits of the tea house soared towards the heavens, their whispers of gratitude echoing in the stillness of the night.with a graceful bow, shitan rose from his seat, the black pearl pulsing with a soft, golden light before disappearing into the folds of his cloak. as he made his way to the door, madame lin's voice called out in a soft, tremulous whisper, " thank you, traveler, for bringing peace to my tea house. may your journey be blessed with light and purpose. "and so, the tea house of qilin became a place of healing and renewal, echoing with the whispers of grateful spirits as they found solace in the sanctuary, now a pit stop for traveling souls seeking comfort and guidance in their journey to the next world. she found peace in the knowledge that her daughter's spirit walked by her side, guiding her through the tapestry of time with a love transcended lifetimes.

as dusk settled over the vibrant capital of liaozhou, the black dragon festival was in full swing. temples filled with the faithful, their prayers a delicate melody blending with the gentle crackle of burning incense. food stalls lined the streets, their tantalizing aromas mingling with the sound of laughter and music that echoed through the bustling marketplace.in the heart of the capital stood the grand temple of emperor ping's, the heaven temple, its architecture adorned with intricate carvings and sacred symbols. the emperor himself, a revered figure known for his devotion to the wûfāng shàngdì, often opened the temple to the public during such auspicious occasions.shitan made his way through the throngs of revelers towards the temple, his eyes alight with curiosity and a hint of mischief. it was there that he encountered the temple's groundskeeper, a humble-looking man with weathered hands and kind eyes. the groundskeeper, recognizing the aura of otherworldly power that surrounded shitan, struck up a conversation and extended a warm invitation to join him later that evening to witness the grand firework displays that would illuminate the nigh sky. grateful for the gesture, shitan graciously accepted, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.before the appointed time, shitan slipped away into the shadows, his form transforming in his true guise as the mighty black dragon. with a powerful beat of his wings, he soared, a majestic silhouette against the shimmering moonlight. the mortals gazed up in awe and wonder, their faces upturned in reverence for the mythical creature whose presence graced their festival night. whispers of blessings and good fortune spread through the crowd, a sense of magic and mystery lacing the cool evening air.as the time for the fireworks drew near, shitan descended to the designated spot to meet with the temple groundskeeper. but before he could land, a sudden barrage of arrows filled the air, their tips gleaming in the moonlight as they zeroed in on their target.

shocked and dismayed, shitan realized too late that the groundskeeper was no mere servant but the eldest son of the emperor, jian, the ambitious prince who harbored dark desires for power and control. obsessed with the legendary black pearl, the prince had orchestrated the ambush in a bid to claim its formidable power for himself. in a moment of betrayal, the prince's arrows found their mark, piercing shitan's scaled hide, causing him unimaginable pain, both physical and emotional. the ancient power of the black pearl surged within him, a primal force unleashed in response to the prince's deceit.the skies darkened with ominous clouds and a tempest of wind and rain swept through the streets. the once joyous festival was thrown into disarray, the people scattering in fear and confusion as nature itself seemed to rebel against the betrayal that had occurred. as lightning cracked and thunder roared, shitan mourned the loss of trust and the desecration of the sacred bond between mortals and immortals.in the aftermath of the cataclysmic events that unfolded that fateful night, the wounded dragon vanished into the night, and the capital shrouded in darkness and echoes of regret, a haunting reminder of the fragile balance between power and humility, ambition and reverence.