The world consists of Yin and Yang energies, which constantly clash and intertwine. When Yang energy prevails, it brings abundant prosperity. But if Yin prevails, malevolent spirits, phantoms, poisonous moons, and plagues tend to breed rampantly amidst extreme heat.
The month of May brings the cacophony of cicadas and the arrival of the Evil Month.
Xiling City was built along a river. Each year during the Evil Month, the city experiences extreme heat and heavy rain, and sometimes a sudden cold wave. Therefore, each May, the people of Xiling abstain from marriages, construction, moving house, and shipbuilding.
Matchmakers, construction workers, laborers, and shipyard artisans all take a long break every May, taking a full month off work to avoid the Evil Month.
With no ships to build or repair, many dock laborers find themselves jobless and loiter around the streets.
