A New Dawn

The first official meeting of the Department of Harmonious Rest took place in what used to be the Imperial War Room.

The battle maps had been replaced with comfort zone charts, and the strategic planning table now held an impressive array of tea sets and snack platters.

Someone had even installed a "Nap Emergency" bell, though its only function seemed to be waking Mingyu up for important snack times.

Night Lord Wei, now officially "Senior Minister of Shadow Relations and Nap Coordination," was reviewing proposals from his former army. His new official robes included comfortable slippers, a development that had shocked the court tailors but delighted his shadow tendrils.

"'Converting abandoned fortresses into shadow-themed tea houses'?" he read incredulously. "And 'Implementing darkness-based meditation gardens'? 'Strategic deployment of comfort-enhanced void spaces'? What happened to consuming worlds and eternal darkness?"

"Too much work," Mingyu commented from his newly installed reclining throne, which could adjust to seventeen different napping positions. "Besides, have you tried consuming a world? Very heavy on the stomach. Bad for digestion."

The Night Beasts had taken to their new roles with surprising enthusiasm. One group was developing "tactical relaxation techniques," while another experimented with using shadow tendrils for massage therapy.

A particularly innovative Beast had discovered that shadow-essence could be woven into incredibly comfortable blankets, though the first prototypes had a tendency to eat pillows.

"Our latest research suggests," a Beast reported, wearing spectacles made of condensed darkness and a tiny scholar's hat, "that we can reduce territorial aggression by 73% through strategic placement of comfortable seating.

Also, we've found that shadow-infused tea has remarkable calming properties, though it does make the drinker temporarily speak in cosmic whispers."

"WHAT?" shouted a court official who had tried said tea, his voice echoing with the sounds of distant galaxies.

Li Xuan, now "Director of Frost-Shadow Temperature Balance," watched as her ice crystals danced with shadow wisps, creating beautiful patterns in the air. "The harmonization is remarkable. Like a duet between winter and night."

"More like a party," Rui Lin corrected, having found her calling teaching Night Beasts the art of shadow-fire cooking. "It's all about balance," she explained, while a Beast carefully seared dumplings with void-flame. "Too much darkness makes them gloomy, too much fire makes them angry. Just like politics, but with better snacks."

A junior Night Beast had attempted to create a shadow-fire-ice fusion dish, resulting in what could only be described as a temporarily sentient soup that tried to give dietary advice.

Emperor Feng, showing wisdom beyond his years, had fully embraced the new direction. The Imperial Court now scheduled meetings around optimal napping hours, and all major decisions required a "rest period for contemplation." He had even instituted "Casual Shadow Friday" where officials were encouraged to let their darker sides relax a little.

"Productivity has actually increased," he noted with amazement. "Turns out well-rested officials make better decisions. Who knew?"

"Everyone who ever took a proper nap," Mingyu replied sagely, before demonstrating his point by solving three provincial disputes in his sleep.

Bao Ping had become something of a celebrity among the younger Night Beasts, teaching them his unique blend of enthusiastic martial arts and accidental wisdom. His "Justice Nap" technique was particularly popular, though the palace architects were getting tired of repairing walls.

"You have to commit to the fall!" he demonstrated, tripping gracefully onto a cushion. "The ground is your friend! The wall is your surprise friend! The ceiling is your ambitious friend!"

The palace medical wing had created a special section just for his students.

Elder Yan had filled an entire wing of the Imperial Library with his new theories. "The Metaphysics of Mindful Resting," "Advanced Snack Diplomacy," and "A Comprehensive Guide to Cosmic Comfort" were already being copied by excited scholars.

His latest work, "The Dao of Drowsiness," had caused quite a stir, mainly because the ink was infused with shadow essence and the text occasionally rearranged itself for better reading comfort.

Aunt Bao's kitchen had become the heart of the new administration. "Hungry shadows are grumpy shadows," she declared, supervising a team of human and Beast cooks. "And grumpy shadows start thinking about world domination again. Nobody plots universal destruction on a full stomach."

A Night Beast nodded enthusiastically, then accidentally created a small void while chopping vegetables. "Sorry! Still getting used to corporeal cooking tools."

"Just label it as a specialty pickle jar," Aunt Bao suggested practically.

But it was Mingyu who truly embodied the new era. His ability to solve complex diplomatic issues while apparently sleeping had become legendary. The court had started keeping a list of his drowsy wisdom:

"The delegation from the Mountain Clans is demanding..." an official began.

"Give them the sunny spots in the afternoon," Mingyu mumbled without opening his eyes. "They're just tired of sitting in cold halls. Also, their ceremonial furs are itchy. Send them some shadow-silk robes."

"The Sea Dragons are threatening to..."

"Send them some cushions. Very hard to be comfortable on scales. And some of Aunt Bao's spicy fish dumplings. They're just hangry and too proud to admit it."

"The Phoenix Court is insisting..."

"Tell them to stop roosting in their own fire. Very bad for feathers. Also, recommend our new shadow-cooled meditation rooms. Good for molting season."

The Night Lord, watching his former nemesis drift between sleep and profound wisdom, finally asked the question that had been bothering him.

"How do you do it? How do you see so clearly while seeming to do nothing?"

Mingyu opened one eye. "When you're truly at rest, you see what others miss in their rushing. Universe speaks clearer when you're not too busy to listen. Also, everything looks better after a good snack."

"And the ancient conflicts? The cosmic balance?"

"Balance isn't about equal fighting. It's about finding where each piece can rest easy. Light needs shadow for contrast. Shadow needs light for definition. Both need good dumplings and proper nap times. Simple, really."

As if to prove his point, a young Night Beast hurried in, trailing shadows of excitement. "Ministers! We've discovered something amazing! When we blend shadow essence with tea leaves, it creates the perfect temperature that never gets cold! Though it does occasionally try to have philosophical discussions with the drinker."

"Ah," Mingyu smiled. "The universe's way of saying it's break time. Anyone for an existential cup of tea?"

And so, the great experiment continued. The Department of Harmonious Rest became famous throughout the realm for solving conflicts through strategic relaxation and well-timed snacks.

Villages reported Night Beasts helping with shade management in summer. City guards found their night shifts more pleasant with shadow beings sharing tea and stories about the void between stars.

The ancient prophecies were quietly revised. "And in the final days, darkness and light shall share dumplings, and the world shall know peace through proper rest periods. Also, remember to fluff your pillows regularly."

One evening, as the palace settled into its new routine, the Emperor found Mingyu in his favorite spot, where sunlight and shadow played in perfect balance.

"Is this really how it ends?" he asked. "Not with epic battles, but with tea and naps?"

Mingyu smiled, his golden light pulsing softly. "Endings are just beginnings taking a break. Now, quiet time. History is trying to take its nap."

And somewhere in the universe, Fate itself adjusted its pillows and decided this was, indeed, a much better way to run things. Though it did make a note to request some of those shadow-essence blankets, even if they did occasionally eat pillows.