If this world has a ruler, it might be in Heaven. Some celestial beings seem to be quite capricious, manipulating humanity’s fate at will. Meanwhile, some righteous celestial generals strive to defend humanity.

The Bored Jade Emperor

One day, the Jade Emperor grew bored in the Heavenly Palace. He ordered his subordinates to open the gates to the heavens, hoping to admire the sights of the human world. He looked down.

He saw green mountains, emerald waters, and a myriad of flowers in full bloom. Everywhere rang the sound of joyful singing and laughter.

As the Jade Emperor gazed, his beard stiffened and his eyes widened. He exclaimed angrily, “I always thought the Heavenly Palace was the most beautiful. I never imagined the lower world would surpass our heavenly realm.”

So, without even returning to the Heavenly Palace, he issued an imperial decree: commanding one of his celestial generals to quickly set fire to the human world. Daring not to disobey the Jade Emperor’s order, the general left the Heavenly Palace and headed straight for the human world.

Hide the Truth

He discovered that life on earth was vastly different from that in heaven. People’s beautiful lives weren’t earned through the blood and sweat of others, but through their own hard work.

But the Heavenly General knew that disobeying the Jade Emperor’s will would result in death. Finally, he resolved to sacrifice himself to preserve the beautiful human world.

After making up his mind, he returned to heaven and reported to the Jade Emperor, “We have burned the entire human world to ashes, as ordered.” The Jade Emperor laughed heartily and said, “Who is the happiest? Only me, the Jade Emperor. Where is the most beautiful? Only this paradise beyond the human world.”

The Kind Heavenly General Was Killed

After a while, the Jade Emperor grew frustrated again. He suddenly thought of the devastated human world. He wanted to see the rubble of the earth to relieve his annoyance. His attendants helped him to the Heavenly Gate.

When they opened it, he saw that the earth was more prosperous than ever before, and people’s lives were more fulfilling. The Jade Emperor was furious. He roared, “How dare you! How dare you disobey my will!” He immediately ordered his attendants to bring the Heavenly General to Heaven. Without questioning, they beheaded him.

Blood of Heavenly General

Although the celestial general was slain, his heart to save the human world remained. A drop of his blood fell to the ground. An old monk saw it and wrapped it up in a bright red silk cloth.

On the evening of the third day, the drop of blood transformed into a small baby. Weeping bitterly, it declared to the people,

“Tomorrow night, the tyrannical and unreasonable Jade Emperor will send a celestial general to the human world to burn it down. Tell everyone to light torches at their doorsteps. Keep burning them continuously for three nights. This will deceive the Jade Emperor and help us escape this catastrophe.”

Word spread from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, and soon it spread throughout the land. Everyone knew the Jade Emperor was sending his men to burn down the human world.

So, following the baby’s instructions, every household lit torches made of pine branches at their doorsteps. Once the torches were lit, a blazing flame erupted. One day, two days, three days. For three full nights, the earth was engulfed in flames.

Only after witnessing the blaze, the tyrannical Jade Emperor smiled with satisfaction and returned to his heavenly palace to sleep.