Chapter Summaries

Jiang Qiao explored a street where slain Vicious Ghosts had respawned in different roles and noticed the strange behavior of a group of children. After questioning an Old Beggar about the children, he realized the street’s crowd and noise had vanished.

• Jiang Qiao saw that the street’s Vicious Ghosts had returned in swapped roles, including Yao Hu as a porter, and suspected the bandit stockades were tied to the Tongling Island Research Institute.
• Jiang Qiao followed a group of children and watched them fall into a shallow roadside pit and disappear without any Supernatural Fluctuations.
• Jiang Qiao found that his Dual Pupils showed a distorted view of the Supernatural Space and decided to rely mainly on his normal vision.
• Jiang Qiao paid the Old Beggar to ask about the children, and the Old Beggar claimed Vicious Ghosts had killed everyone on the street days earlier.
• Jiang Qiao realized that the street’s bustling crowd and noise had disappeared, leaving only the Old Beggar in sight.

Jiang Qiao investigated an eerie city where vicious ghosts lived like humans and learned that its streets and time behaved strangely. After the constables spotted him vanish, he slipped into the Prefectural Yamen, where officials were already discussing his appearance as an incident from an hour earlier.

• Jiang Qiao found a deserted street where vicious ghosts had been struck down by lightning and met two constables investigating the scene.
• Jiang Qiao asked about the Old Beggar, but the young constable denied that any beggar had been there.
• The older constable questioned Jiang Qiao about the Old Beggar and demanded his name and address, so Jiang Qiao used Stealth to disappear.
• The constables identified Jiang Qiao as a vicious ghost and fired a signal flare to alert the city patrols.
• Jiang Qiao entered the Prefectural Yamen and overheard the Great Lord and local magnates discussing his appearance, which they believed had happened an hour earlier.

Jiang Qiao watched Lord Zhu take control of the Vicious Ghost investigation in Lan Guan City and use a strange, non-supernatural power to restrain and inspect the officials and local gentry. After Lord Zhu left to investigate the latest sighting, Jiang Qiao reflected on how this power might relate to attempts to overcome supernatural erosion.

• Jiang Qiao overheard the city officials and gentry discuss searching for the Vicious Ghost without discussing what they would do if they found it.
• Lord Zhu arrived with Admiral Wang's order to take charge of Vicious Ghost incidents in Lan Guan City and led the group to investigate the latest sighting.
• Lord Zhu restrained everyone with a strange aura, scanned their bodies for signs of Vicious Ghost erosion, and warned them not to obstruct him.
• After Lord Zhu and the others left, Jiang Qiao noticed that the reported time of the latest sighting had changed and wondered whether the strange power came from the research institute.
• Jiang Qiao considered the limits of reincarnation and the Night Pearl as ways to restore living bodies, noting that supernatural erosion ultimately returned.

Jiang Qiao concluded that Lan Guan City’s rulers were using presets and material-world methods to control Vicious Ghosts without changing their underlying nature. Lord Zhu investigated the city’s failures, reprimanded Qian Changqing, and sent a message for help, but the returning pigeon vanished into feathers, leaving the danger unexplained.

• Jiang Qiao reasoned that the city’s Vicious Ghosts were being experimentally controlled through presets, though their supernatural core remained unchanged.
• Lord Zhu questioned the city officials about the lack of people entering or leaving Lan Guan City and criticized their handling of the hauntings.
• Lord Zhu slapped Qian Changqing and accused him and his staff of neglecting the investigation and failing to notice the city’s abnormal isolation.
• Lord Zhu tied a note to a pigeon and released it toward the outskirts, warning the officials that they would be punished if the situation was serious.
• The pigeon returned without a body, leaving only feathers, and Lord Zhu recoiled in alarm.

Lord Zhu discovered that anyone or any animal leaving Lan Guan City turned into a human skin or feathers, trapping the city’s inhabitants inside. Meanwhile, Jiang Qiao investigated the Vicious Ghosts and found that the dead and their revived forms could not perceive one another, while the revived answered only limited questions.

• Lord Zhu sent a clansman outside Lan Guan City, and the man returned as a shriveled human skin before reaching the gate.
• Lord Zhu tested yamen runners, animals, another gate, and the city walls, confirming that anyone or anything leaving the city was transformed.
• Lord Zhu concluded that a great ghost had sealed the city and recalled a western city once trapped in fog for six months.
• Jiang Qiao observed that killed Vicious Ghosts revived with mechanical behavior and sometimes exchanged character models.
• Jiang Qiao learned that revived people and their living family members could neither see nor touch one another, and that some revived figures responded only to limited questions.

Jiang Qiao theorized that the humanlike residents of Lan Guan City might be survivors of Tongling Island who had transformed into Vicious Ghosts while preserving their human consciousness. He discovered that the dead residents naturally created Ghost Domains separating them from the living, but remained uncertain what kind of Vicious Ghosts the residents feared.

• Jiang Qiao compared the residents’ behavior in life and after death to ghosts, noting that the dead became rigid Vicious Ghosts isolated from the living by Ghost Domains.
• Jiang Qiao considered whether the Green Lotus Sect or the lost Tongling Island civilization could have created the residents’ unusual condition.
• Jiang Qiao connected Tongling Island’s rumored ability to let humans possess supernatural entities with the possibility that its survivors had become Vicious Ghosts while retaining human emotions and identities.
• Jiang Qiao reasoned that the residents may have followed the Evolver path before death and observed that their Ghost Domains arose innately when they revived.
• Jiang Qiao wondered why the dead residents’ character models changed and what kind of Vicious Ghosts the living residents feared.

Jiang Qiao investigated the strange aura trapping Lan Guan City and waited for its source to appear. A tree-stump creature attacked the market ward, and Jiang Qiao recognized it as something like a Ghost Slave.

• Jiang Qiao discovered that a mysterious aura sealed Lan Guan City and traced its source to a projection linked to the research institute.
• Jiang Qiao watched the city's lockdown tighten as rumors spread, residents went missing, and soldiers punished those who defied the restrictions.
• Jiang Qiao heard a scream at the market ward entrance and saw a tree-stump creature kill the soldiers guarding it.
• The Stump Monster seized a nearby resident with a thorny vine and pierced his neck, and Jiang Qiao suspected it was a Ghost Slave.

Jiang Qiao watched a Ghost Slave called the Stump Monster attack Yan Gui District and observed the city soldiers’ ability to fight it. After the soldiers killed and removed the monster, he expected the source of the Ghost Slaves to arrive soon.

• The Stump Monster entered Yan Gui District, and panicked residents fled while some tried to escape over the district wall.
• The Stump Monster killed a family inside their home as they hid from it.
• A patrol squad led by a capable soldier attacked the Stump Monster with crossbows and a saber, killing it.
• The squad leader reported six guard soldiers and five civilians dead, then had the monster’s corpse sealed in a box and taken away.
• Jiang Qiao watched the Vicious Ghosts revive and wondered whether the Ghost Domains around them would clash when the source of the Ghost Slaves arrived.

As Lan Guan City grew colder and more dangerous, Jiang Qiao joined the Flying Horse Escort Agency and patrolled Prosperity Street with a new team. After an uneventful shift, a terrifying blood-soaked shadow appeared above the street leading to the city's research institute.

• As Vicious Ghost attacks increased and supplies dwindled, factions formed across Lan Guan City, and Jiang Qiao joined the Flying Horse Escort Agency.
• Jiang Qiao learned about the agency's martial artists, including Chief Escort Liu Hei Wu and escort master Du Long, who had saved a girl during the Stump Monster attack.
• Dong Er Lu led Jiang Qiao, Lu Li, and Jiang Kui on patrol around Fei Liu Workshop, where they found no Vicious Ghosts.
• After the patrol team handed over its duty, Jiang Qiao sensed a terrifying aura rising from the street toward the research institute, and a blood-soaked shadow appeared over the city.

Lord Zhu evacuated the Prefectural Yamen and nearby residents toward West City District as plant-like evil creatures overwhelmed the central area of Lan Guan City. During the retreat, a gigantic blood-red tree erupted from the ground, leaving everyone stunned.

• Lord Zhu arrested Qian Changqing and his allies, took control of the Prefectural Yamen, and forced the inner-city clans to cooperate.
• Lord Zhu and his soldiers fought plant-like evil creatures while his adviser warned that the Prefectural Yamen would face endless attacks.
• Lord Zhu ordered the food moved and led the soldiers in retreat toward West City District.
• The clans and nearby residents followed the evacuation, while Lord Zhu learned that the clans had secretly stockpiled armor-piercing heavy crossbows.
• A mournful wail sounded, and a blood-red tree burst from the ground and towered toward the heavens.

A towering Demon Tree spread across Lan Guan City, spawning evil creatures that slaughtered residents as Lord Zhu ordered an evacuation to the outskirts. Jiang Qiao watched the retreat and suspected the city itself suppressed supernatural power, while Lord Zhu’s despair suggested no rescue was coming.

• A crimson tree unleashed mucus and evil creatures across Lan Guan City, killing residents who could not escape or fight back.
• Lord Zhu ordered the market gates and inner-city gates closed, then admitted that Qian Changqing and other officials had been left behind during the evacuation.
• Jiang Qiao recognized the tree from the research institute and noticed its Supernatural Aura had weakened, leading him to suspect that the space suppressed evil spirits.
• Lord Zhu explained that the tree might be a rooted Demon Ghost, and his subordinate nervously asked whether the Imperial Court would rescue them.
• Lord Zhu dismissed the subordinate, moved with his group to a soldiers' camp in West City District, and showed signs of despair as Jiang Qiao watched.

As Lan Guan City became increasingly overrun by evil creatures, the Flying Horse Escort Agency prepared for a dangerous night and gathered information about the monsters. Liu Hei Wu revealed that escape through the agency’s secret tunnel was impossible, and the chapter ended as an alarm whistle sounded in the courtyard.

• The Flying Horse Escort Agency’s staff secured the gates and organized nighttime patrols after a Stump Monster appeared nearby.
• An escort guard reported that Stump Monsters attacked within about forty paces, while mushroom-covered female ghosts pursued anyone in their line of sight and turned victims into pus.
• Liu Fu, Hu San Dao, and Liu Hei Wu concluded that the city was becoming more dangerous and that they might be trapped.
• Liu Hei Wu explained that a dog turned into a sheet of skin when it crossed the city wall through their secret tunnel, making escape impossible.
• Liu Hei Wu asked Liu Fu to question Steward Yang and Hu San Dao to seek information from Constable Meng, then an alarm whistle sounded in the courtyard.

The Flying Horse Escort Agency struggled to fight off several evil creatures, but Jiang Qiao revealed his overwhelming strength by killing a Stump Monster with one kick and defeating a mycelium-covered Female Corpse. He realized his Evil Spirit Body could suppress the supernatural powers in this strange world, though their altered nature and concealed aura remained unexplained.

• The Flying Horse Escort Agency's escorts and runners fought the Stump Monster and Female Corpse, suffering casualties despite their drills and defensive formation.
• A Stump Monster broke through the group's defenses and attacked Dong Er Lu, smashing his left hand and nearly crushing him.
• Jiang Qiao kicked the Stump Monster apart, revealing the small Strange Corpse parasitizing its stump body.
• Jiang Qiao punched the Female Corpse, making its body curl up and causing the mycelia covering it to shrivel away.
• Jiang Qiao concluded that the world's strange abilities were still supernatural and that his Evil Spirit Body could suppress them.

Jiang Qiao questioned Liu Hei Wu and his companions about Lan Guan City, other hauntings, and the Imperial Court after crushing the invading evil things. He learned of an eight-year-old citywide disaster in Hunter King City and that Lord Zhu served the Eagle Wolf Guard, while Hu San Dao claimed the Imperial Court had beings comparable to great ghosts.

• Jiang Qiao killed the evil things attacking the Flying Horse Escort Agency using only his Evil Spirit Body.
• Jiang Qiao asked Liu Hei Wu about Lan Guan City's history and nearest city, and learned that Jiao County was nearby.
• Liu Fu told Jiang Qiao that Hunter King City had been sealed in dense fog eight years earlier and suffered heavy casualties after the fog lifted.
• Jiang Qiao asked about Lord Zhu and the Imperial Court, and Liu Hei Wu identified Lord Zhu as an inspector of the Eagle Wolf Guard and the fifth son of the Left Vice Minister of War.
• Hu San Dao said he had heard that the Imperial Court had beings comparable to great ghosts.

During Lan Guan City's crisis, the Sun family held a funeral for Sun Bingwen's eldest son, who had been taken by a Female Corpse. Ma Liu arrived with constables to disrupt the gathering, accuse the family of wasting supplies, and enforce Lord Zhu's ban on unauthorized assemblies, leaving the powerful clans afraid that Lord Zhu was targeting the Sun family.

• The Sun family held a small funeral after Sun Bingwen's eldest son was taken by a Female Corpse during their retreat from the inner city.
• Ma Liu kicked in the Sun residence's door, mocked the mourners, and sat down to drink at the funeral.
• Ma Liu smashed his cup and accused Sun Bingwen and the Sun family of defying Lord Zhu's order against unauthorized gatherings and wasting supplies.
• The guests realized Ma Liu was likely acting on Lord Zhu's orders and feared his ruthless power over the city's clans.
• The powerful clans recalled how Lord Zhu had reorganized the city defense army and killed its Deputy Commander, leaving them unable to resist him.

Ma Liu demanded grain from the Sun family on behalf of Lord Zhu, threatening the household with the fate of others who had resisted. Sun Bingwen learned the grain was due in three days and tried to win more time, but Ma Liu left the terms hanging.

• Sun Bingwen denied that the Sun family had disobeyed Lord Zhu and asked Ma Liu what the Prefectural Yamen wanted.
• Ma Liu demanded two million jin of grain, then explained that the Sun family had been assigned a quota of seven hundred thousand jin because it was the only wealthy clan in its neighborhood.
• Sun Bingwen said the family lacked the grain in the city and offered to explain its situation to Lord Zhu.
• Ma Liu warned that three masters who had pleaded poverty had been beheaded at the camp, and said the grain had to be delivered within three days.
• Sun Bingwen asked for more time, and Ma Liu said an extension was possible before trailing off.

Ma Liu threatened the Sun family, demanding their women and grain under Lord Zhu’s authority. Just as his constables reached for Second Madam Sun, Jiang Qiao arrived and wounded them, confronting Ma Liu.

• Ma Liu demanded Sun Bingwen’s granddaughter as a condition for delaying the grain requisition, then changed his demand to Second Madam Sun when Sun Bingwen offered him jade ruyis.
• Second Master Sun drew his saber, but Sun Bingwen hesitated to resist because Lord Zhu controlled the City Defense Army.
• Ma Liu ordered his constables to seize Second Madam Sun and threatened to exterminate the Sun family if they resisted.
• Jiang Qiao appeared, injured the constables who had reached for Second Madam Sun, and challenged Ma Liu to say when he would bury them.

Jiang Qiao confronted Ma Liu for abusing the Sun family and crushed Ma Liu’s constables with overwhelming force. He rejected Ma Liu’s offer to serve him and killed him, leaving the Sun family’s fate unresolved.

• Ma Liu threatened Jiang Qiao and ordered his constables to attack him.
• Jiang Qiao crushed the attacking constables under immense pressure, killing them.
• Ma Liu begged Jiang Qiao for mercy and offered to work as his servant and gather intelligence.
• Jiang Qiao rejected Ma Liu’s offer and killed him.

Jiang Qiao killed the Prefectural Yamen constables who were threatening the Sun family, then asked Sun Bingwen to explain the world’s affairs. Sun Bingwen described Great Zhou’s mounting turmoil and political struggle, and revealed that Lord Zhu belonged to the capital faction and could overwhelm the Sun family.

• Jiang Qiao killed the constables and refused Sun Bingwen’s thanks, saying he had acted because the constable annoyed him.
• Jiang Qiao asked Sun Bingwen to explain Lan Guan City and the wider world, so Sun Bingwen ushered him into the main hall and answered his questions.
• Sun Bingwen explained that Great Zhou faced increasing Vicious Ghost incidents, disasters, rebellions, and conflict between the Imperial Court and aristocratic clans.
• Sun Bingwen described how the capital and local aristocratic factions fought over whether local clans should be permitted to recruit militia.
• Sun Bingwen told Jiang Qiao that Lord Zhu was the son of Zhu Wencan and commanded the Prefectural Yamen’s elite troops, leaving the Sun family unable to resist him.

Jiang Qiao learned about Great Qi’s history, geography, and martial arts from Sun Bingwen, then watched soldiers storm the Sun residence over the killing of a Prefectural Yamen officer. Sun Bingwen asked Jiang Qiao to help his family, pledging that the Sun family would follow him.

• Sun Bingwen told Jiang Qiao that Great Qi had existed for six hundred years, that early historical records were concealed, and that Vicious Ghosts and natural disasters had grown more dangerous in recent decades.
• Sun Bingwen explained Great Qi’s martial arts ranks, and Jiang Qiao realized that training could let Vicious Ghosts grow stronger without killing and eating people.
• Jiang Qiao compared the martial ranks with supernatural orders and estimated that Lord Zhu had recently entered the Sixth Order.
• Soldiers smashed into the Sun residence, surrounded the family, and accused Sun Bingwen of killing an arresting officer and resisting the Prefectural Yamen.
• Sun Bingwen told Jiang Qiao that the Sun family could neither flee nor secure mercy, so he asked Jiang Qiao to help and pledged the family’s allegiance.