Yang Jian's Third Eye

In the celestial realm of the Nine Heavens, where palaces of jade and pearl floated upon clouds of rainbow hue, the Jade Emperor, ruler of all deities, observed the mortal world with a heavy heart. Below, the Shang Dynasty, once glorious, was crumbling under the decadent and cruel rule of King Zhou, whose evils had attracted a host of malevolent demons and yaoguai that plagued the innocent. To combat this rising darkness, the Jade Emperor summoned his nephew, the warrior Yang Jian, a paragon of martial prowess and virtue. His form was tall and majestic, a testament to his divine heritage, and at his side was his faithful companion, the Howling Dog, a celestial beast with fur like polished jet and eyes that glowed with fierce loyalty. Before his descent to the mortal plane, the Jade Emperor revealed Yang Jian's latent destiny: a slumbering power concealed within his forehead—the Third Eye. 'This is not a weapon of destruction, but a lantern of truth,' the sovereign intoned, his voice echoing with the weight of cosmic order. 'It shall see through all falsehoods, reveal all evils hidden by glamour, and guide your hand towards true justice.' Thus charged, the god and his hound descended from the heavens, their mission to cut a path of righteousness through the world's gathering shadows.

For months, Yang Jian traveled the war-torn land, his martial skill vanquishing countless lesser demons and bandits. Yet, the Third Eye remained dormant, a silent, unopened lotus upon his brow. He understood its power in theory, but true awakening required more than mere combat; it demanded a catalyst of profound spiritual significance. This catalyst came in a small, drought-stricken village, where the people were afflicted by a mysterious plague. The local chieftain, a seemingly benevolent and wise man, blamed the suffering on a reclusive old woman who lived on the outskirts, claiming she was a wicked sorceress who had cursed them. Whipped into a fury by their fear, the villagers, led by the chieftain, marched to her hut with torches and farming tools, intent on burning her alive. Yang Jian intervened, his powerful presence halting the mob. The chieftain pleaded his case with eloquent tears, his performance so convincing that even the Howling Dog growled at the cowering old woman. The scene was a perfect illusion of righteous anger.

As the mob's fury reached its peak, a profound silence fell over Yang Jian. He closed his two physical eyes, turning his perception inward, seeking not with sight but with spirit. He focused on the fundamental principles of Tao—the balance of yin and yang, the harmony of truth. He thought of the innocent suffering in the village, the fear in the old woman's eyes, and the convenient narrative of the chieftain. In that moment of deep meditation and empathy, a searing pain, then a sublime warmth, blossomed in his forehead. With a sound like tearing silk, the Third Eye opened, radiating a beam of pure, silvery light that held no heat, only illumination. This divine gaze swept over the scene. The chieftain’s form shimmered and melted away, revealing the true visage of a grotesque, venom-spitting serpent demon, its illusion broken. The silver light then touched the so-called 'sorceress's' hut, revealing not a den of dark magic, but a humble abode filled with hanging medicinal herbs; she was a healer, not a hag. The truth was laid bare, undeniable.

With a roar that shook the very earth, Yang Jian unleashed his fury upon the revealed serpent demon, his three-eyed sight preventing any escape through trickery or illusion. The battle was swift and decisive. With the demon slain, its malignant magic dissipated, and the village's plague lifted with the morning mist. The people, ashamed and grateful, bowed to their divine savior. This experience was Yang Jian's true Investiture. He learned that the highest form of justice (yi, 义) is blind to prejudice but all-seeing to truth. His Third Eye was the physical manifestation of this principle—a tool that served compassion (ren, 仁) and moral integrity. He did not glory in its power, but accepted its solemn responsibility. From that day forward, Yang Jian, the Three-Eyed True Lord, and the Howling Dog became the ultimate hunters of evil, their legend weaving into the epic tapestry of the Investiture of the Gods. He became a celestial guardian whose sight pierced the deepest darkness, ensuring that in the universe, no deception could ultimately hide from the light of truth.