Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Old King arrives at a banquet, and his four most likely successors—First Prince, Third Prince, Seventh Prince, and Second Princess—are present.
• The Sixth Princess is delayed due to issues in her territory.
• The Old King shares a table with his four most trusted subordinates—Governor Joe Valentine, Kingdom's Financial Officer Rowen Harvey, Kingdom Legion Commander Heshlet, and Su Xiao (Iron Hand)—enjoying their company.
• The Old King receives news that the Little Princess (Shalin) has been attacked.
• The Old King orders the Royal Capital to be sealed until the next morning and dispatches Rowen Harvey, Joe Valentine, and Heshlet to handle various tasks.

Character Developments

• Old King: Shows his desire for companionship and trust, and his ability to maintain composure and make strategic decisions.
• Su Xiao (Iron Hand): Remains calm and composed, showing no signs of drunkenness, and is only responsible for killing.
• Kingdom Legion Commander Heshlet: Shows fear of the Old King and obedience to his orders.
• Kingdom's Financial Officer Rowen Harvey: Demonstrates cunning and strategic thinking, advising the Old King and taking on important tasks.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and succession in the kingdom.
• The Old King's loneliness and desire for companionship.
• The importance of trust and strategic thinking among the Old King's confidants.

Character Interactions

• The Old King interacts with his four most trusted subordinates, showing favoritism towards Su Xiao.
• The four princes and princesses show different demeanors and strategies, with the Seventh Prince charming his sisters and the First Prince being polite and gentle.
• The Old King's confidants show unity and cooperation in handling the Little Princess's attack, each taking on a specific task.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Princess Shalin Herbert is murdered, and the Old King tasks Su Xiao with finding the murderer within 18 hours.
• Su Xiao activates a side mission, "The Death of Shalin Herbert," with a reward of a pale gold gem and a penalty of a slight decrease in the Old King's trust.
• The Old King's reaction indicates the murder is a serious provocation to the royal family and power structure.
• Su Xiao discovers the body in the Royal Palace's garden, with the Queen and Legion Commander Karen present.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao: Demonstrates his seriousness and efficiency in handling the mission, showing no unnecessary emotion.
• The Old King: Reveals his fury and determination to find the murderer, highlighting his protective stance towards the royal family.
• The Queen: Shows deep grief and distress over her daughter's death, but her behavior seems odd to Su Xiao.
• Legion Commander Karen: Shows remorse and responsibility for the security breach but is also oddly behaved, as he should be more focused on finding the culprit.

Significant Themes

• Power struggle and its consequences: The murder of a young princess, not involved in power struggles, highlights the dangers and collateral damage of political intrigue.
• The importance of the royal family: The Old King's reaction emphasizes the significance of the royal family's safety and the consequences of threatening it.
• The complexity of human emotions: The Queen's grief and Karen's remorse are tainted by odd behaviors, hinting at deeper motivations or secrets.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and the Old King: Their interaction is brief but efficient, with the Old King entrusting Su Xiao with the mission and Su Xiao accepting it without unnecessary words.
• Su Xiao and the Queen/Commander Karen: Su Xiao's interaction with them is minimal, but their behavior raises his suspicions.
• The Queen and Commander Karen: Their interaction shows a shared grief but also an odd dynamic, with the Queen's wailing disrupting Su Xiao's investigation and Karen's focus seemingly divided.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Shalin Herbert, a young princess, is found dead in the Royal Palace's back garden, killed by a sharp weapon through the heart.
• Su Xiao, an expert in wound analysis, deduces the sequence of events: the killer stabbed Shalin from behind, lifted her, threw her onto a flower bed, and cleaned the bloodstains afterward.
• The Queen dies suddenly after seeing Shalin's corpse, revealing she had ingested poison beforehand.
• Legion Commander Karen commits suicide, blaming everyone present before dying.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao demonstrates his expertise in analyzing wounds and deductive reasoning.
• The Queen's grief seems genuine, but her actions are peculiar, hinting at a secret.
• Legion Commander Karen shows remorse and despair before committing suicide.

Significant Themes

• Death and its aftermath: The sudden deaths of Shalin and the Queen highlight the theme of death's unpredictability and the chaos it leaves behind.
• Trust and betrayal: The killer's identity is unknown, suggesting a breach of trust within the Royal Palace.
• Secrets and hidden truths: The Queen's poison and Karen's suicide imply that there are secrets being kept, which will likely be explored further.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao interacts with the Imperial Guards, using them to block the view of the Queen while examining Shalin's corpse.
• The Queen and Su Xiao have a tense interaction; she pleads to see Shalin's body, but Su Xiao is initially reluctant.
• Legion Commander Karen's final moments involve a confrontation with Su Xiao and the Imperial Guards before committing suicide.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Old King remains composed upon hearing about the chaos in the Royal Palace.
• Su Xiao, as Iron Hand, is given three days to find the killer, with the threat of losing his identity if he fails.
• The Old King's brief "loss of composure" hints at the gravity of the situation.
• Su Xiao deduces that the killer has eliminated most witnesses and used the same potent poison on the Queen and Royal Direct Guards.

Character Developments

• The Old King shows his composure and authority, hinting at his experience and wisdom.
• Su Xiao demonstrates his analytical skills and deductive reasoning, showcasing his competence as Iron Hand.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: The Old King's composure and Su Xiao's investigation highlight the struggle for power and control within the palace.
• Secrecy and Manipulation: The killer's actions emphasize the theme of secrecy and manipulation in the pursuit of their goals.

Character Interactions

• The Old King and Su Xiao have a brief, direct exchange, establishing their relationship and Su Xiao's new mission.
• Su Xiao's thoughts reveal his analytical process and understanding of the situation, but also his confusion about the motive behind the killings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Xiao, the Iron Hand, investigates the Little Princess's murder.
• A detective, Norinista Fode, reveals that Legion Commander Karen killed the Little Princess.
• Su Xiao realizes the murder was a ruse to lure him away from the Old King's banquet.
• The Old King's quick thinking thwarts an assassination attempt on him and the kingdom's elite.
• Su Xiao suspects Kingdom Financial Officer, Rowen Harvey, due to his unusual behavior.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao demonstrates his intelligence and deduction skills.
• The Old King shows his wisdom and quick thinking in responding to the assassination attempt.
• Legion Commander Karen is revealed to be a victim, forced to act by the mastermind.
• The Little Princess and the Queen are revealed to be pawns in the mastermind's plan.

Significant Themes

• Power and manipulation: The mastermind uses the Little Princess's death to manipulate events and gain power.
• Wisdom and cunning: Both Su Xiao and the Old King display exceptional intelligence and quick thinking.
• Sacrifice: The Little Princess, the Queen, and Legion Commander Karen all make significant sacrifices.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao interacts with the maidservant and the Imperial Guards, demonstrating his authority and ruthlessness.
• The Old King interacts with Heshlet, Joe Valentine, and Rowen Harvey, showing his trust in them and his understanding of their roles.
• The mastermind manipulates the Little Princess, the Queen, and Legion Commander Karen, showing their cunning and lack of regard for others' lives.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The deaths of the little princess, the queen, and Legion Commander Kalun were part of a larger plan to draw away the Iron Hand (Su Xiao).
• The plan involves assassinating the old king, with the queen's pregnancy being a crucial factor.
• Detective Nonista Ford is killed, and Su Xiao learns about the impending assassination attempt on the Second Princess.
• Kingdom's Financial Officer Rowen Harvey is suspected of involvement and absconds from the Royal Capital.
• An undead assassin, targeting Su Xiao, appears in the Second Princess's pleasure house.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao: Realizes the true scale of the Undead race's plan and decides to capture the undead assassin alive for information.
• Rowen Harvey: Absconds from the Royal Capital, confirming his involvement in the plot against the royal family.
• Detective Nonista Ford: Killed by the undead assassin, highlighting the danger and stakes of the investigation.

Significant Themes

• The Undead race's long-term plan and intelligence.
• The power struggle within the human royal family.
• The consequences of keeping secrets and the danger of silence.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and the beautiful woman: She provides information about Rowen Harvey's whereabouts and is later killed by the undead assassin.
• Su Xiao and the undead assassin: They engage in a standoff, with Su Xiao planning to capture the undead alive for information.

Key Plot Points

• Su Xiao finds an Undead, Ildo, in a brothel, who was about to kill a prostitute.
• Su Xiao uses a pebble to kill the prostitute to prevent alerting more people.
• Ildo reveals she has an ability called 'Spirit Power', which is similar to Su Xiao's 'Azure Steel Shadow'.
• Su Xiao decides to capture Ildo alive to study her ability.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao shows restraint and strategic thinking, wanting to capture Ildo alive to learn about 'Spirit Power'.
• Ildo underestimates Su Xiao initially but becomes cautious after sensing his power.

Significant Themes

• The relationship between the Undead and the Saint Warriors, and their abilities.
• The value of capturing enemies alive for information and learning.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and Ildo have a tense standoff before Su Xiao tries to capture her alive.
• Su Xiao uses the name 'Rowen Harvey' to try and intimidate Ildo.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Xiao uses a Magnetic Core Light Burst Bomb to temporarily blind Ildo, an undead girl.
• Ildo falls from the chandelier due to the blast.
• Su Xiao uses Alchemical Bombs to disorient Ildo further.
• Ildo regains partial vision and uses an ability similar to 'Prideful Song' to protect herself.

Character Developments

• Ildo: Despite her strength and experience, she lacks practical combat adaptability, leading to her initial defeat.
• Su Xiao: He demonstrates his tactical prowess by using non-lethal methods to capture Ildo alive.

Significant Themes

• The importance of adaptability in combat.
• The use of tactics and strategy over brute force.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and Ildo's battle highlights their respective strengths and weaknesses. Su Xiao's tactics overwhelm Ildo's initial reliance on her physical abilities and experience.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ildo, an Undead, infiltrates the Royal Capital to assassinate the Old King but is captured by Su Xiao.
• Su Xiao captures Ildo alive to gain information about the Extinction Law Shadow ruins and to complete his Main Mission.
• Su Xiao interrogates Ildo, trying to break her mental defenses to obtain accurate intelligence.
• Executioner Dunknik, Ildo's master, breaks through the Iron Hand's defenses to rescue Ildo but is lured into a trap by Su Xiao.

Character Developments

• Ildo: Despite her strength, she lacks combat experience and is captured by Su Xiao. Her willpower is tenacious, but she's mentally broken by Su Xiao's interrogation methods.
• Su Xiao: He demonstrates his strategic thinking by luring Dunknik into a trap. He's calm and calculating, using psychological warfare to break Ildo's defenses.
• Dunknik: Although not directly seen, his strength is hinted at. He's powerful enough to break through the Iron Hand's defenses but falls into Su Xiao's trap.

Significant Themes

• The power of intelligence and information: Su Xiao uses his knowledge of the Undead race and their strong individuals to deduce Ildo's master and set a trap.
• Psychological warfare: Su Xiao uses mental pressure and manipulation to break Ildo's defenses, showing the importance of mental strength in combat.
• The consequences of underestimation: Ildo underestimates Su Xiao's strength and is captured. Dunknik underestimates Su Xiao's preparations and falls into a trap.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and Ildo: Their interaction is one of captor and captive, with Su Xiao using psychological warfare to break Ildo's defenses.
• Su Xiao and Dunknik: Although they haven't directly interacted, Su Xiao lures Dunknik into a trap, showing his strategic thinking and preparation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ildo, an Undead, is restrained in an X-shaped metal frame after being interrogated by Su Xiao.
• Bubuwang, a dog, enters the interrogation room, attracted by Ildo's scent and the keys around its neck, which could potentially unlock Ildo's restraints.
• Ildo attempts to manipulate Bubuwang to get the keys, but Bubuwang teases her, moving closer and then away, causing Ildo emotional distress.

Character Developments

• Ildo: Initially defiant and strategic, Ildo becomes desperate and emotionally unstable as Bubuwang teases her.
• Bubuwang: Bubuwang is revealed to be more intelligent than it appears, deliberately teasing Ildo for its own amusement.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between captor and captive, and the psychological toll it takes on both parties.
• The use of manipulation and control, both by Su Xiao (through Bubuwang) and Ildo (attempting to control Bubuwang).

Character Interactions

• Ildo and Bubuwang: Ildo tries to manipulate Bubuwang, but Bubuwang, acting on Su Xiao's orders, teases Ildo, causing her emotional distress and wearing down her willpower.
• Bubuwang and Su Xiao: Bubuwang is shown to be Su Xiao's pet and accomplice, following his orders to torment Ildo.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ildo attempts to take advantage of Bubuwang's stupidity to escape but hesitates due to fear of failure.
• Amu, the Minotaur guard, arrives and falls asleep after a while.
• Bubuwang reveals its intelligence to Ildo after she realizes its acting.
• Su Xiao uses spicy food to keep Ildo awake and mentally harass her.
• Two undead, including Qiyamashanga, infiltrate the Iron Hand Mansion to rescue Ildo or silence her.

Character Developments

• Bubuwang: Reveals its high intelligence and acting skills, using its charisma to interact with Ildo.
• Ildo: Realizes Bubuwang's intelligence and succumbs to Su Xiao's tactics, eating the spicy food to avoid being force-fed.
• Su Xiao: Anticipates the undead's arrival and prepares an ambush, demonstrating strategic thinking.
• Qiyamashanga: Shows leadership and strategic thinking, wanting to capture Su Xiao alive for their plan.

Significant Themes

• Intelligence and deception: Bubuwang's acting and Su Xiao's tactics highlight the importance of intelligence and deception in achieving goals.
• Endurance and perseverance: Ildo's refusal to eat the charity food and her determination not to reveal information despite her exhaustion.
• Strategic planning: Su Xiao's anticipation of the undead's arrival and his preparation for an ambush.

Character Interactions

• Bubuwang and Ildo: Bubuwang uses its high charisma to interact with Ildo, eventually revealing its intelligence and offering her food.
• Su Xiao and the undead: Su Xiao anticipates the undead's arrival and prepares an ambush, while Qiyamashanga tries to capture Su Xiao alive.
• The undead infiltrators: They work together to infiltrate the mansion, showing teamwork and coordination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Xiao anticipates undead arrival and sends Amu and Bubuwang to distract one of them.
• Amu engages in combat with an undead wielding a broad short blade, demonstrating its resilience and frost abilities.
• Su Xiao uses the Apostle's Eye to scan the second undead, Dunk Nico, revealing his powerful stats and skills.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao: Shows strategic thinking and calmness under pressure, using Amu and Bubuwang to distract the undead while he focuses on the more threatening opponent, Dunk Nico.
• Amu: Proves its worth in combat, taking significant damage but remaining resilient and effective in keeping the first undead occupied.
• Dunk Nico: Revealed to be Ildo's master and a formidable opponent, with high stats and powerful skills.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between the characters, with Su Xiao strategically using his companions to his advantage.
• The reveal of Dunk Nico's strength, foreshadowing a challenging confrontation with Su Xiao.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao sends Amu and Bubuwang to distract one undead while he focuses on Dunk Nico.
• Amu and the first undead engage in a prolonged, brutal combat, showcasing Amu's resilience and frost abilities.
• Dunk Nico and Su Xiao have a tense standoff, with Dunk Nico recognizing Su Xiao as an Extinction Law user and expressing intense hostility.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Xiao encounters Dunk Nico, an Undead race member, who recognizes Su Xiao as an Extinction Law user.
• Dunk Nico reveals that the Undead race has a deep-seated hatred and fear of the Extinction Law users due to a past massacre.
• Su Xiao and Dunk Nico prepare for a fight; Dunk Nico uses his Spirit Power to create and control two blade wheels, which he throws at Su Xiao.
• Su Xiao blocks one blade wheel with his saber but is still about 15 meters away from Dunk Nico, making it difficult to use his Dragon Shadow Flash ability.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao: Shows caution and strategic thinking, considering the cooldown and potential future needs of his 'Demon Hunter Moment' ability.
• Dunk Nico: Reveals his hatred for the Extinction Law users and demonstrates his unique combat style using Spirit Power to create and control blade wheels.

Significant Themes

• Hatred and fear passed down through generations (Undead race's feelings towards Extinction Law users).
• Strategic decision-making in combat (Su Xiao's consideration of his abilities' cooldown and future use).

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and Dunk Nico: The encounter between these two characters sets the stage for a fight, with Dunk Nico expressing his hatred and Su Xiao showing caution and strategic thinking.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Xiao faces Dunk Nico, who attacks with high-speed, powerful blade wheels.
• Su Xiao initially struggles to defend against the blade wheels, which are too fast to dodge.
• Dunk Nico throws 17 blade wheels simultaneously, encircling Su Xiao.
• Su Xiao activates 'Demon Hunter Moment', temporarily boosting his abilities.
• He deploys multiple layers of Counter Shields to defend against the blade wheels.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao demonstrates his ability to adapt and strategize in combat.
• Dunk Nico shows his formidable combat experience and ability control.

Significant Themes

• The power of adaptability and strategy in combat.
• The importance of understanding and assessing an opponent's abilities.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and Dunk Nico engage in a tense, high-stakes battle of wits and skill.
• Dunk Nico underestimates Su Xiao's abilities, leading to surprise and caution.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Xiao activates 'Demon Hunter Moment,' a powerful ability that allows him to use his skills without cooldown or cost for 100 seconds.
• Su Xiao decapitates Dunk Nico, an Undead powerhouse, in three swift moves using Dragon Shadow Flash and Counter Shield.
• Su Xiao experiments with the offensive form of Counter Shield, creating an unstable energy javelin that explodes, killing a frozen spirit.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao demonstrates his combat prowess and adaptability, pushing his abilities to their limits.
• Dunk Nico shows his combat experience and reflexes, managing to block two of Su Xiao's strikes but ultimately failing to survive.

Significant Themes

• Power and adaptability in combat.
• The cost of using powerful abilities, both in resources and physical strain.
• Experimentation and learning from failures in developing new abilities.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and Dunk Nico engage in a fierce battle, showcasing their skills and reflexes.
• Su Xiao coordinates with Amu to freeze an enemy spirit, allowing him to test his new ability.
• Su Xiao, Bubuwang, and Amu work together to find cover when the energy javelin explodes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Xiao captures an undead named Sajia and brings him to an underground interrogation room.
• Su Xiao shows Ildo, another captured undead, Dunk Nico's severed arm to pressure her into revealing information.
• Su Xiao offers Ildo a deal: reveal the mastermind behind the princess's murder, and he'll let her and Dunk Nico go.

Character Developments

• Su Xiao demonstrates his ruthlessness and cunning in interrogation tactics, using a combination of threats and promises to try and extract information from Ildo.
• Ildo shows loyalty to her kinsman and initially refuses to betray them, even under threat of violence.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics: Su Xiao uses his victory over the undead to assert his power and control over them.
• Trust and betrayal: Ildo's loyalty is tested, and Su Xiao tries to exploit her trust to gain information.
• The consequences of failure: Su Xiao's failure to find the mastermind could cost him his position as Iron Hand.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and Ildo: Su Xiao uses threats and promises to try and coerce Ildo into revealing information, while Ildo remains loyal to her kinsman.
• Su Xiao and Dunk Nico: Su Xiao captures Dunk Nico and uses him as leverage against Ildo.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Xiao interrogates Ildo, who reveals the mastermind's location in Buwa Village.
• Su Xiao kills Sajia, gaining World Origin and a Treasure Chest.
• Su Xiao and Bubuwang leave the Royal Capital to reach Buwa Village, where Luper is hiding.

Character Developments

• Ildo reveals her loyalty to the Undead race but eventually succumbs to Su Xiao's manipulation and reveals the mastermind's location.
• Sajia, an Undead, is killed by Su Xiao, demonstrating his ruthlessness.
• Su Xiao shows strategic thinking in his interrogation of Ildo and his approach to Buwa Village.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal: Ildo's initial distrust of Su Xiao and her eventual betrayal of her master.
• Manipulation and control: Su Xiao's use of psychological tactics to extract information from Ildo.
• Ruthlessness: Su Xiao's willingness to kill without hesitation, as seen in Sajia's death.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and Ildo: Su Xiao manipulates and intimidates Ildo into revealing the mastermind's location.
• Su Xiao and Bubuwang: They work together to reach Buwa Village, with Bubuwang scouting ahead.
• Su Xiao and the City Guards: Su Xiao uses them to reach Buwa Village but keeps them away from the main gate to maintain stealth.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Xiao infiltrates a dilapidated house in Buwa Village, suspecting it to be the hideout of the Undead mastermind, Luper.
• Luper, disguised as a farmer, is captured after a brief struggle. Su Xiao disarms him and prevents his suicide attempts.
• Su Xiao returns to the Royal Capital and presents Luper to the Old King in the Kingdom Assembly Hall.
• The Old King learns that the mastermind behind the recent incidents is Luper, and his helpers have been apprehended or killed by Su Xiao.

Character Developments

• Luper, the Undead mastermind, is revealed to be an exceptional planner and strategist, capable of causing chaos within the Royal Family from afar.
• Su Xiao demonstrates his efficiency and loyalty by quickly capturing Luper and his accomplices, and uncovering the treason of the Kingdom's Financial Officer, Rowen Harvey.

Significant Themes

• Efficiency: Su Xiao's actions highlight the importance of swift and decisive action in maintaining order and stability.
• Trust: The Old King's trust in Su Xiao is evident, as he accepts Su Xiao's word without question and grants him significant privileges.
• Deception: Luper's disguise as a farmer and the Undead's infiltration of the Royal Family underscore the theme of deception and the need for vigilance.

Character Interactions

• Su Xiao and the Old King: Their interaction is casual and respectful, indicating a strong bond and mutual trust.
• The Old King and the Princes/Princesses: The princes and princesses are wary of each other and Su Xiao, with the Sixth Princess being particularly hostile. The Old King maintains a degree of detachment from them.
• Su Xiao and the Princes/Princesses: The princes and princesses are surprised by Su Xiao's efficiency and begin to see him as a potential ally or threat in their power struggles.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rowen Harvey, the Kingdom's Financial Officer, is accused of treason by Su Xiao.
• The Old King questions the reliability of Su Xiao's information for the first time.
• Rowen Harvey is revealed to be a half-blood undead, with no physical characteristics of the undead race.
• The Old King confirms Rowen Harvey's escape, and the First Prince and Third Prince withdraw from the power struggle to take control of the kingdom's finances and military respectively.

Character Developments

• The First Prince demonstrates his commitment to the kingdom's well-being over his personal ambition, choosing to manage the finances to prevent a potential economic collapse.
• The Third Prince also prioritizes the kingdom's safety, volunteering to go to the front line to defend the southwest.
• Su Xiao's reputation grows after solving the 'Little Princess Assassination Case,' making his accusations against Rowen Harvey harder to dismiss.

Significant Themes

• The importance of loyalty and selflessness in leadership.
• The potential dangers of having moles in positions of power.
• The consequences of long-term planning and manipulation by external forces.

Character Interactions

• The First Prince and Third Prince show unity in prioritizing the kingdom's needs over their personal ambitions.
• The Old King tests and acknowledges the First Prince and Third Prince's decisions.
• Su Xiao's information influences the Old King's decisions, highlighting his growing influence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The struggle for the throne intensifies with two major contenders eliminated.
• Su Xiao learns that the Shadow Stone is a key to the Extinction Law Shadow Ruins.
• The second part of the hidden side mission, 'Below the Throne,' activates, tasking Su Xiao with finding the Extinction Stone within the royal palace.
• Su Xiao plans to kidnap a royal family member to help him navigate the palace's mechanisms.

Character Developments

• The Seventh Prince is revealed to be lazy and more interested in women than politics, but he's also powerful and respected among the Holy Warriors.
• The Second Princess is ambitious and strategizes to secure her position, while the Sixth Princess remains intimidating and observant.
• Su Xiao learns about the Shadow Stone and the Extinction Law Shadow Ruins, formulating a plan to find the Extinction Stone.

Significant Themes

• Power struggle and ambition among the royal family.
• The importance of the Extinction Law Shadow Ruins and the keys required to enter them.
• The complexity of political intrigue and the need for caution in Su Xiao's plans.

Character Interactions

• The remaining princes and princesses are at odds, each with their own goals and strategies.
• Su Xiao observes the royals, learning about their strengths and weaknesses, and plans to use one of them to access the palace's mechanisms.
• Su Xiao's interactions with the royals are minimal in this chapter, as he primarily observes and plans.