Chapter Summaries

Lin Bai warned the Emperor of Chu that the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace and the Northern Region might be hiding abducted Holy Sons and Ancestors in the imperial capital to provoke the sect leaders and implicate the imperial clan. The Emperor of Chu placed the investigation under Lin Bai and Zhao Linbai’s supervision, then summoned Liang Wang to seek help investigating the imperial clan.

• Lin Bai proposed that the Nine Underworlds Demon Palace and the Northern Region might be holding most of the abducted Holy Sons and Ancestors in the imperial capital until the sect leaders arrived.
• The Emperor of Chu agreed the plot was possible and reasoned that the enemies intended to turn the sect leaders against the Chu Empire by killing the Holy Sons.
• The Emperor of Chu gave Lin Bai Zhao Linbai’s Sword-Bearer Envoy token and command of the Blood Dragon Legion, but Lin Bai declined to investigate the imperial clan himself.
• The Emperor of Chu accepted Lin Bai’s refusal and ordered him to withdraw, then summoned Liang Wang to the palace.

Emperor Chu assigned Prince Liang to investigate possible threats within the imperial family, while Northern Region and Jiang Lan'ai negotiated over Princess Chenxian and the search for the Heaven Heavenly Dao Clan’s missing Holy Son. The chapter left Prince Liang preparing to investigate with his own people as trouble continued to build around Chu.

• Emperor Chu named Prince Liang the best person to investigate the imperial family and ordered him to search the four clans and one sect, especially the major sects in the imperial capital.
• Prince Liang asked to use his own people, and Lin Bai agreed not to assign him additional manpower.
• Northern Region demanded that Jiang Lan'ai explain the Hunting Realm incident and secure Princess Chenxian’s marriage to Liang Wang, while Jiang Lan'ai sought more time and promised a satisfactory answer.
• Northern Region said the Heaven Heavenly Dao Clan’s cloud boat had been attacked by powerful bandits, leaving many disciples and patriarchs dead or injured.
• Lin Bai said he would not interfere in the imperial family’s affairs and urged Northern Region to let the patriarchs handle the growing turmoil.
• Jiang Lan'ai agreed to give Northern Region one month and promised to report any trace of the Holy Son or patriarch immediately.

Lin Bai met Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang after leaving the imperial palace, and they confronted him about the vanished Crown Princes and patriarchs. As their territories teetered on the edge of rebellion, Lin Bai suggested that evidence from the Chu imperial clan could shape what the world accepted as truth.

• Lin Bai emerged from the imperial palace and found Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang waiting to speak with him.
• The three went to a quiet alley, where Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang described growing unrest in their territories after their leaders vanished.
• Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang asked Lin Bai where the missing Crown Princes and patriarchs were and said they needed evidence.
• Lin Bai asked whether they wanted real or fake evidence, then warned that even false evidence would become true if it came from the Chu imperial clan.
• Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang considered Lin Bai's answer as they faced turmoil within their sects.

Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang headed to Prince Chen's Residence under close surveillance, while Wei Ying and Qi Lingyu were told they could enjoy the Imperial Capital as long as they caused no trouble. On the way, Wei Ying encountered the four Holy Sons of the Marquisate and declined their invitation to drink, leaving them to plan another meeting.

• Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang complained that Zhao Xing Office agents and imperial guards followed them wherever they went.
• The Southern Region told Wei Ying and Qi Lingyu they could go out and enjoy the Imperial Capital, provided they did not cause trouble or burden the authorities.
• The four Holy Sons of the Marquisate—Wei Ying, Ling Wen, Tuo Baxin, and Rong Yunxin—waited at a pavilion and invited the Southern Region and the others to drink.
• The Southern Region declined because he had business at Prince Chen's Residence, and Wei Ying asked when they could meet instead.
• The Southern Region suggested another day, while Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang welcomed the prospect of enjoying the city at the Chu Kingdom's expense.

Lin Bai agreed to host the four Saint Sons of the Northern Region at Immortal Abode Restaurant that night. After they left, Wang Zhengyang, Hu Sheng, and Qi Lingyu warned Dongyu that the Northern Region’s four Flourishing Sects had secretly fomented unrest throughout the Devil Realm and might be involved in the Saint Sons’ abduction.

• Lin Bai promised Jiang Yu that he would host the four Saint Sons at Immortal Abode Restaurant that night if his visit to Prince Chen’s Residence did not take too long.
• After Lin Bai and his companions departed, Wang Zhengyang and Qi Lingyu voiced their distrust of the Southern Region’s Saint Sons.
• Wang Zhengyang explained that the Northern Region’s four Flourishing Sects supplied the Southern Region with resources and secretly encouraged wars and border rebellions.
• Hu Sheng told Dongyu that the Northern Region’s sects had provoked unrest along the borders for generations and that their influence had also contributed to Lin Bai’s invasions of the Southern Region.
• Qi Lingyu and Hu Sheng warned Dongyu that the Northern Region’s sects might be involved in the Saint Sons’ abduction and urged him not to let them remain in the imperial capital.

Lin Bai, Prince Chen, and the Chu Emperor worked with Qi Lingyu and Ten Thousand Saints Mountain to contain unrest among the Prince Chen's factions after a Saint Son was abducted. The Chu imperial family promised a satisfactory answer within half a month, while the One Night Divine Sect was left out of the agreement.

• Qi Lingyu reserved a private room at the Immortal Abode Restaurant and arranged a banquet for the Southern Region's Prince Chen's factions and Wang Zhengyang.
• Lin Bai brought Wang Zhengyang and Qi Lingyu to meet Prince Chen and the Third Prince, and they discussed stabilizing the Eastern Region's alliance.
• Qi Tian Sect and Qi Lingyu said their factions needed a reasonable explanation from Chu before they could reassure the Prince Chen's factions in their territories.
• The Chu Emperor accepted responsibility for the abduction and promised Qi Lingyu and Ten Thousand Saints Mountain a satisfactory answer within half a month.
• Prince Chen asked the two Saint Sons to keep their territories stable and united against the Four Gloom Demon Palace, and they agreed.

At Immortal Abode Restaurant, Chu Zimo warned Lin Bai that her sisters were far more formidable than they appeared and revealed that Prince Liang's Estate had been given authority to investigate the imperial clan and execute suspects. Lin Bai's appointment was a deliberate test meant to keep the estate in check, while Sun Jingye urged Chu Tingxue to help their father amid the dangerous political situation.

• Chu Zimo recounted how Chu Tinghan had crushed a rebellion and devastated five Thousand Prefectures, earning a fearsome reputation.
• Chu Zimo advised Lin Bai to sever his connection with Princess Chenxian before Chu Tingxue became angry.
• Sun Jingye reprimanded Chu Tingxue for acting like a good-for-nothing and told her to help their father.
• Chu Zimo told Houye that Prince Liang's Estate was secretly investigating the imperial clan with authority to execute suspects before reporting.
• Houye realized Lin Bai had granted the estate this authority as an open test and a warning to the imperial clan.

Lin Bai learned that the imperial clan, the Five Great Families, and the Seven Sects would be searched in a joint operation led by Prince Liang’s Estate. As the sect leaders gathered at the Immortal Abode Restaurant, Chu Tingxue left Qi Tian Sect behind with the Southern Region.

• Chu Tinghan told Lin Bai that the Azure Dragon Battalion would begin a half-month search of the capital at dawn, with the Zhao Xing Office, imperial guards, and Wolf Marquis assisting Prince Liang’s Estate.
• Lin Bai recognized that Chu Di’s order reflected distrust of Prince Liang’s Estate and meant the search would be carried out by three factions.
• Chu Tingxue and the Azure Dragon Battalion prepared to leave the Immortal Abode Restaurant, while Qi Tian Sect insisted on staying with the Southern Region.
• Chu Tingxue teased Qi Tian Sect about the Moon Palace, embarrassing him as the gathered sect leaders watched.
• After Chu Tingxue left, the Southern Region agreed to let Qi Tian Sect stay, and the Holy Sons and Holy Maiden of the Five Great Flourishing Sects joined the gathering.

A confrontation between the four sects’ Holy Sons was interrupted when the Witch Sect’s Evil God attacked the imperial capital and Tuoba destroyed its phantom. The Witch Sect withdrew, leaving the Holy Sons to weigh whether they could exploit Chu’s turmoil, while the damaged stone pillar in the Witch Sect’s mountain gate signaled the cost of the clash.

• Ling Wen provoked Tuoba, and Lin Bai mediated after the Witch Sect showed intent to kill Ling Wen.
• The Witch Sect’s Evil God manifested over the imperial capital, causing martial artists to lose control and attack the Supreme Avatar.
• Tuoba’s Supreme Avatar destroyed the Evil God’s phantom, while a cold snort from White Deer Academy dispersed its lingering power.
• The Witch Sect withdrew, and Tuoba warned the Holy Sons not to exploit Chu’s unrest before leaving with Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang.
• Lin Bai suggested the Holy Sons could make use of the Chu royal family’s interest in keeping them in the capital.
• The Witch Sect’s stone pillar cracked further, and Ling Wen collapsed after being injured by the clash.

After Lin Bai subdued the Southern Region’s holy sons at Immortal Abode Restaurant, he and his companions headed to Moon Palace to relax. Chu Zimo arranged an extravagant welcome there, while Lin Bai reluctantly followed Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang inside.

• Lin Bai briefly explained the restaurant incident to Zhu Mo and Chao Yushi, who warned him that the Southern Region’s four great sects likely had hidden motives.
• Zhu Mo left to report the incident to Emperor Chu, while Chao Yushi and the others departed and Chu Tinghan and Chu Tingxue prepared for the imperial clan search.
• Lin Bai told Qi Lingyu that Emperor Chu would likely punish him lightly for confronting the holy sons and killing a Witch Sect Evil God clone; Wang Zhengyang described it as a court tactic.
• Chu Zimo led Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang to Moon Palace, where Lin Bai tried to turn back but learned the two holy sons wanted to visit.
• Chu Zimo ordered the staff to take them to Jade Palace and summon the courtesans from all thirty-six palaces to perform.

Chu Zimo brought Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang to Jade Palace, where Jade Fairy cleared the palace and prepared a reception for them. The other guests left after Chu Zimo threatened them, while he waited for his three friends to arrive and planned to use the occasion to befriend the Holy Sons.

• The Moon Palace steward told Jade Fairy that Chu Zimo and his companions were coming, so she ended her banquet and asked her guests to leave.
• Young Master Zhao and the other guests refused to leave because they resented being dismissed for more important visitors.
• Chu Zimo arrived, ordered the guests to leave within three seconds, and had Jade Palace cleaned and rearranged for his three friends.
• Jade Fairy prepared the palace and arranged for Courtesans from all thirty-six palaces to perform.
• Chu Zimo waited for Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang, who were still admiring the lakeside scenery, and decided to use the visit to build friendships with them.

Lin Bai accompanied Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang through Moon Palace, explaining the courtesans’ backgrounds and the place’s reputation. They reached the lavish Jade Palace, where Chu Zimo had gathered the courtesans of all seventy-two palaces to perform.

• Lin Bai strolled beside Moon Lake with Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang while they adjusted to Moon Palace’s atmosphere.
• Lin Bai told them that Chu Zimo had summoned the courtesans from all seventy-two palaces to perform at the Jade Palace, forcing other guests to leave.
• Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang admitted their unease, and Lin Bai explained that many courtesans had been sent to Moon Palace after their families or sects violated the Chu Kingdom’s laws.
• Wang Zhengyang recognized that the Jade Palace was carved from precious Green Immortal Stone and marveled at its extravagance.
• Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang climbed the Jade Palace’s steps and entered, greeted by elegantly dressed maids.

Chu Zimo prepared an extravagant evening at the Moon Palace for Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang, leaving the three arriving guests invited to drink and enjoy themselves. The courtesans learned who the guests were and hurried to prepare their performances.

• Chu Zimo ordered the courtesans at the Jade Palace to behave themselves and prepare to welcome important guests.
• Jade Fairy learned that the guests were Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang, and revealed their identities to the courtesans.
• The courtesans rushed to prepare music, dances, and their appearances for the guests.
• Chu Zimo welcomed Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang at the palace entrance and invited them to enjoy the evening without discussing state affairs or grudges.

Chu Zimo hosted Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang at the Moon Palace, using his connection to Lin Bai to win the Saint Sons’ goodwill. Lin Bai realized Chu Zimo had hidden his abilities to avoid alarming the Chu Emperor, and suspected he was now revealing them because he believed Lin Bai’s marriage to Chu Tinghan was settled.

• Chu Zimo offered to pay for the group’s expensive evening at the Moon Palace, and Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang thanked him.
• Wang Zhengyang praised Chu Zimo’s perceptiveness, and Chu Zimo explained that his sisters handled the estate’s affairs while he enjoyed himself.
• Qi Lingyu suggested the Chu Emperor might fear Chu Zimo’s talent and ambition, so Chu Zimo invited everyone into the Jade Palace without answering directly.
• Lin Bai considered how Prince Liang and his daughters might threaten the Chu Emperor, but concluded Chu Zimo was the estate’s most consequential heir.
• Lin Bai realized Chu Zimo had concealed his abilities and suspected he was now using Lin Bai’s standing to befriend powerful figures because he believed his match with Chu Tinghan was settled.

Chu Zimo hosted Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang at an extravagant banquet in the Moon Palace, using the occasion to entertain the two sect Saints and strengthen their ties. As the wine loosened everyone’s guard and Chu Zimo arranged Courtesans to serve his guests, he hesitated over what to do for Lin Bai because of Chu Tinghan.

• Emperor Chu chose to handle the Prince Liang's Estate's military challenge himself rather than ask the imperial ancestors to intervene.
• Chu Zimo brought Lin Bai, Qi Lingyu, and Wang Zhengyang to the Jade Palace and ordered Jade Fairy to prepare the Moon Palace's grandest banquet.
• More than fifty Courtesans performed for the four men as they ate, drank Dragon Blood Wine, and listened to music.
• Qi Lingyu praised Chu Zimo's banquet and urged Lin Bai to arrange more outings, while Chu Zimo offered to show them around the imperial capital.
• Chu Zimo called Miss Xingye and Miss Xiyue to serve Qi Lingyu and Wang Zhengyang wine, then pulled Jade Fairy into his arms.
• Chu Zimo hesitated to arrange a Courtesan for Lin Bai, fearing Chu Tinghan would be furious if she found out.

At Chu Zimo’s banquet in the Moon Palace, Chu Zimo and Wang Zhengyang arranged for Courtesans to serve Qi Lingyu and Lang Bai Lu, drawing the men into the festivities. Miss Lin Bai then approached Lang Bai Lu with an apology and information about the kidnapped Holy Son and Ancestor, leaving him intrigued by what she knew.

• Chu Zimo arranged for Miss Xingye to serve Qi Lingyu, who accepted and watched her closely.
• Yu Bi Ying arranged for Miss Xiyue to serve Qi Lingyu, whose pipa performance moved him.
• Wang Zhengyang arranged for Miss Lin Bai to serve Lang Bai Lu after Lang Bai Lu said he did not need anyone to pour his wine.
• Miss Lin Bai apologized to Lang Bai Lu for the trouble involving a Flying Sword Devil Sect disciple at Chu Zimo and hinted that she had information about the kidnapped Holy Son and Ancestor.

Lin Bai rejected the Chu imperial family’s attempt to win him over with small favors, while Emperor Chu and his advisers discussed how to keep him in Chu. They concluded that his greatest desire might be reuniting with his family in the Dao Ruins World, but feared the difficulty and consequences of helping him.

• Lin Bai withdrew from the Golden Palace, refusing to blindly comply with the Chu imperial family.
• Emperor Chu and the Smiling Marquis agreed that small favors could not make Lin Bai serve Chu, though the advisers argued that he must not be allowed to leave.
• The Smiling Marquis explained that Lin Bai had accompanied Young Lord Qi Lingyu to the banquet so Qi Lingyu could befriend Wang Zhengyang and Chu Zimo.
• Lin Bai considered what he truly wanted and realized that family ties might be what he yearned for most.
• The Smiling Marquis proposed searching the Dao Ruins World for Lin Bai’s family and friends, but the advisers objected that finding and bringing them out would be difficult and could strengthen the Dao Ruins World.

Lin Bai left the imperial palace and joined Tianshui Sect’s delegation on its way to Prince Liang’s Estate to help investigate the Chu royal clan and the Five Great Families and Seven Sects. The group arrived at the Azure Dragon Battalion’s austere estate to discuss the search, while Qin Yao’s companions still worried over the previous night’s turmoil.

• Qiao Mo, Qin Yao, and the others waited for Lin Bai outside the imperial palace, and Bai Yifei explained that they had accepted the Chu Emperor’s decree for him.
• Bai Yifei told Lin Bai that Tianshui Sect would help Prince Liang’s Estate search the Chu royal clan and the Five Great Families and Seven Sects, with the Zhao Xing Office and the court joining the investigation.
• Qin Yao explained that Tianshui Sect would represent the Five Great Families and Seven Sects, and allowed Chu Zimo, Zhou Xinjin, and the others to accompany her.
• Han Maochun and the Tianshui Sect delegation traveled to Prince Liang’s Estate, where the Azure Dragon Battalion’s soldiers escorted them inside.
• The group saw the estate’s sparse, neglected grounds and went to the study to meet Prince Liang and discuss a countermeasure.

Lin Bai joined Prince Liang, the Zhao Xing Office, and the imperial guards to plan searches of residences belonging to Chu’s imperial clan and the Five Great Families and Seven Sects. He learned that the Zhao Xing Office had detailed records of the sects’ extensive property holdings, leaving the investigation poised to begin.

• Lin Bai entered Prince Liang’s study, where the three princesses and representatives of the Zhao Xing Office and Imperial Guards had gathered.
• Prince Liang announced that the factions would spend the next half month searching every official and private residence in the imperial capital belonging to the imperial clan and the Five Great Families and Seven Sects.
• Zhu Mo presented dossiers listing the factions’ properties and the people living in their private residences.
• Lin Bai read that Tianshui Sect owned more than a thousand properties in the capital and that its disciples owned more than two thousand private residences.
• Zhu Mo confirmed that the dossier was largely accurate, while Lin Bai realized how deeply the Zhao Xing Office had monitored the sects.

Prince Liang, Chu Tingxue, Lin Bai, and their allies discussed how to find the Four Gloom Demon Palace’s hidden members in the Imperial Capital without alerting them. They settled on a public show by Zhao Linbai and the Imperial Guards while Prince Liang’s Estate and Tianshui Sect secretly investigated likely candidates.

• Prince Liang distributed dossiers revealing the extensive businesses, estates, and connections held by the Five Great Families, Seven Sects, and royal family.
• Zhu Mo and Lin Bai warned that the number of people and properties made a complete investigation too slow and that an open search could alert the Four Gloom Demon Palace.
• Lin Bai asked Zhao Linbai to provide files on Four Gloom Demon Palace martial artists and anyone who had dealings with the royal family or the Five Great Families and Seven Sects.
• Prince Liang proposed that Zhao Linbai and the Imperial Guards stage a conspicuous operation while Prince Liang’s Estate and Tianshui Sect secretly identified and investigated suitable candidates.