Ch. 61The Cause of the Grain Shortage
Key Plot Points and Events
- The cause of the food shortage in Yangxian County is revealed: disaster relief grain allocated by the imperial court has vanished.
- Ren Gongdao Master, the county governor, is investigating the missing grain, unaware that his son, Bai Yao, is in Yangxian County.
- Cheng Wei, Guo Ming, and Chu Danqing plan to find Bai Yao and remove his Three Corpses Heart Demon.
- They encounter a Heart Demon, a Shadow Person, which is one of the Three Corpses and a demonic obstacle created to cause chaos.
- Da Bao kills the Heart Demon, destroying a crucial component for the Imperial Heaven Examination Ritual or summoning the Son of Imperial Heaven.
Character Developments
- Chu Danqing: Realizes the severity and complexity of the trial, feeling out of his depth as a Reserve Apostle.
- Guo Ming: Shows knowledge of the Imperial Heaven Examination Ritual and the Son of Imperial Heaven, revealing his experience and wisdom.
- Cheng Wei: Shows ruthlessness and willingness to sacrifice Bai Yao if necessary, indicating his pragmatism and determination to survive.
Significant Themes
- Power and Control: The struggle for power and control is evident, with the Way of Peace potentially rebelling or being eliminated by the person in power.
- Loyalty vs. Pragmatism: Cheng Wei's willingness to sacrifice Bai Yao for his own survival highlights the conflict between loyalty and self-preservation.
Character Interactions
- Guo Ming and Cheng Wei: They work together, sharing information and planning their next steps, but there's tension due to Cheng Wei's ruthless attitude.
- Chu Danqing and Guo Ming/Cheng Wei: Chu Danqing feels overwhelmed by the complexity of the trial, while Guo Ming and Cheng Wei seem more experienced and knowledgeable.