Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group encounters a mountain with strong yin energy, likely the site of a bandit stronghold wiped out by an expert, now a Wicked Land.
• They struggle to leave the area, with an unseen force trying to prevent their departure by tripping the donkey's hooves.
• After a long journey, they find themselves back at the scorched circle where they had dealt with the Corpse Beggars, indicating they've been circling back to the Ghost Village.

Character Developments

• Steward Zhou reveals his knowledge of trickery and Ghost Walker skills, but he's hesitant to teach Hu Ma.
• Hu Ma shows his strength and resourcefulness, carrying the coffin across a river and acknowledging the group's reliance on him.
• Steward Zhou's fear grows as they encounter strange phenomena, showing his vulnerability despite his experience.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between the living and the dead, with the Ghost Village's spirits trying to prevent the group from leaving.
• The power of determination and resilience in the face of adversity, as the group continues their journey despite the obstacles.
• The consequences of past actions (the expert's elimination of the bandits leading to a Wicked Land), highlighting the theme of cause and effect.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū work together, with Zhang Agū using her incense array to protect them and Hu Ma physically carrying the coffin and helping with the donkey cart.
• Steward Zhou seeks help from Hu Ma and Zhang Agū when he's frightened, showing his reliance on their strength and knowledge.
• The group dynamics shift as they face new challenges, with everyone contributing ideas and support to keep moving forward.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group is lost and surrounded by malevolent energy, making it difficult to escape.
• Zhang Agū uses a headless little ghost to guide them out of the dangerous area.
• They encounter various supernatural disturbances during their escape, leaving physical marks on some members.
• They finally reach a town to rest after a harrowing journey.

Character Developments

• Zhang Agū demonstrates her skills as a Ghost Walker, using her headless little ghost to lead them to safety.
• Hu Ma shows concern for the well-being of the group, ensuring they rest and are rewarded for their hard work.
• The Cart Driver and hired hands show resilience, managing to keep up despite the terrifying experiences.

Significant Themes

• The power of unique abilities: Zhang Agū's headless little ghost proves crucial in navigating the dangerous area.
• Resilience and perseverance: The group endures the supernatural disturbances and continues their journey.
• The importance of rest and recovery: After their ordeal, they prioritize rest and replenishment.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Agū and Hu Ma work together, with Hu Ma admiring Zhang Agū's skills and learning from her.
• Zhang Agū shows care for the group, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• The group supports each other, with Hu Ma rewarding the Cart Driver and hired hands for their efforts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group arrives at a town and leaves the coffin at a coffin shop.
• They buy necessary items for a Ghost Walker (incense, candles, paper, cinnabar talismans, etc.) at a paper crafting shop.
• The group learns that the bridge they need to cross to continue their journey is cursed, causing people to fall into the river midway.

Character Developments

• Zhang Agū, the Ghost Walker, explains her methods and skills to Hu Ma, revealing that Ghost Walkers gain an aura that attracts adversaries after summoning spirits.
• Hu Ma learns about the core craft of Ghost Walkers, which involves setting up an altar and summoning spirits.
• Hu Ma becomes curious about Zhang Agū's special skills and the spirits she might summon.

Significant Themes

• The entanglement of Ghost Walkers with karma due to their involvement with adversaries.
• The distinction between Yin Objects and Talisman Objects in Ghost Walker's craft.
• The necessity of understanding and interacting with various adversaries in Ghost Walking.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū spend time together, with Hu Ma asking questions about Ghost Walker's craft, and Zhang Agū patiently explaining her methods and skills.
• Hu Ma interacts with a kind-looking old man who shares information about the cursed bridge and the extortion happening there.
• The group discusses their plans to cross the Sha Zi River, with some suggesting turning back or appeasing the Bridge Lord, while others consider hiring a boat or buying offerings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group encounters a bridge with mysterious and strange phenomena.
• They are told to make offerings to cross, with the bridge's guardians demanding a chicken, fish, and pig's head.
• Halfway across the bridge, the cart slips, and Hu Ma notices a pair of worn-out shoes tied to a bridge pillar.
• The bridge guardians demand the coffin be opened for inspection.
• Hu Ma opens the coffin lid, and the guardians let them pass, the bridge's strangeness ceasing.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma: Shows resourcefulness and quick thinking in handling the situation, prioritizing safety and practicality.
• Zhang Agū: Demonstrates knowledge of supernatural phenomena and maintains composure in the face of danger.
• Steward Zhou: Initially reluctant to cross the bridge, he plays along with Hu Ma's plan to ensure their safety.

Significant Themes

• Supernatural phenomena and their interaction with the living.
• The importance of respecting and following rules and traditions.
• The tension between practicality and adherence to principles.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū: They work together, with Hu Ma making decisions based on the situation and Zhang Agū providing insight into the supernatural aspects.
• Hu Ma and Steward Zhou: They collaborate to deceive the bridge guardians, prioritizing safety over adherence to rules.
• The group and the bridge guardians: The group is at the mercy of the guardians, who exploit their situation for personal gain.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group successfully crosses the bridge using Xiang Yatou's disguise as a corpse.
• They reach Dongchang Prefecture and stay at a corpse-herding inn.
• The dangerous group from the bridge pursues them and attacks the inn.

Character Developments

• Steward Zhou demonstrates his skill in disguise and sleight of hand.
• Hu Ma shows concern for the group's safety and strategic thinking.
• Zhang Agū proves her knowledge of Ghost Walker practices and willingness to help.

Significant Themes

• Deception and disguise as a means of survival and protection.
• The danger of underestimating one's opponents and the consequences of reckless actions.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Steward Zhou work together to outsmart their pursuers.
• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū discuss the plan to handle potential threats.
• The dangerous group's internal dynamics are revealed, showing their ruthlessness and lack of unity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Ma and Steward Zhou encounter a group blocking the bridge, searching for an unconscious girl.
• They learn about 'Aunt Cui,' a powerful figure who ordered the search.
• Hu Ma kills the group to maintain secrecy, and they learn Aunt Cui's reputation and her connection to Xiang Yatou's abduction.
• They decide to rush to Anzhou to evade Aunt Cui's influence.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma demonstrates his ruthlessness and efficiency in combat.
• Steward Zhou reveals more about his past and the Ghost Cave Li Family's Yin Die.
• Aunt Cui is introduced as a formidable and mysterious antagonist.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and reputations in the martial world.
• The consequences of underestimating one's opponents.
• The importance of secrecy and discretion in dangerous situations.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Steward Zhou work together, with Hu Ma learning from Steward Zhou's silver needle acupuncture technique.
• Hu Ma and Steward Zhou discuss their next move, deciding to rush to Anzhou.
• Aunt Cui's minions interact with Hu Ma and Steward Zhou, leading to their demise.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group, after fleeing from Aunt Cui's men, stops to rest in a wooded area.
• They learn about Aunt Cui's background and her fear of the Li family.
• Aunt Cui's voice is heard, revealing she's close by and aware of their mission.
• She threatens them, and her presence causes a shop assistant to collapse.
• Zhang Agū decides to summon spirits to counter Aunt Cui.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma: Shows concern for Zhang Agū's safety and agrees to protect her while she summons spirits.
• Aunt Cui: Reveals her fear of the Li family and her willingness to use dark arts to stop the group.
• Zhang Agū: Decides to use her spirit-summoning abilities to combat Aunt Cui.

Significant Themes

• The power of fear and reputation (Aunt Cui's fear of the Li family, her influence in the underworld).
• The use of dark arts and their consequences (Aunt Cui's use of spirit-summoning, its effects on the shop assistant).
• The importance of unity and support (Hu Ma's agreement to protect Zhang Agū).

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Steward Zhou discuss Aunt Cui's background and her comparison to the Li family.
• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū discuss her plan to summon spirits to counter Aunt Cui.
• Aunt Cui's voice interacts with the group, causing fear and confusion.

Key Plot Points and Events

• An old woman, despite the distance, catches up to Zhang Agū and her group, displaying supernatural speed and abilities.
• Zhang Agū sets up her altar to confront the old woman, while Hu Ma acts as her protector.
• The old woman summons ghosts and tries to extinguish Zhang Agū's oil lamp, but Zhang Agū successfully repels them.
• Zhang Agū chants a curse, summoning powerful spirits that disperse the mist and destroy the old woman's ghosts.
• The old woman outside the woods, sensing Zhang Agū's power, flees in fear.
• Zhang Agū's summoned spirits nearly harm the shop assistant's and Cart Driver's souls, but she manages to control them.

Character Developments

• Zhang Agū demonstrates her prowess as a Ghost Walker, summoning powerful spirits to counter the old woman's attack.
• Hu Ma shows concern for Zhang Agū's safety and the safety of her group, acting as her protector.
• The old woman reveals her fear and desperation when faced with Zhang Agū's power, fleeing the scene.

Significant Themes

• The power of Ghost Walkers and their ability to summon spirits.
• The fear and desperation that supernatural entities can instill in humans.
• The importance of control and precision in supernatural battles.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Agū and Hu Ma work together to protect the group from the old woman's attack.
• The old woman outside the woods and the old woman in the woods are revealed to be working together, but the former flees when faced with Zhang Agū's power.
• Zhang Agū's summoned spirits nearly harm the shop assistant and Cart Driver, highlighting the danger of such powerful entities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Agū is slapped by an evil spirit, which leaves a chilling coldness behind.
• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū discover a shattered spirit tablet and a paper sedan chair, indicating Aunt Cui's involvement.
• Zhang Agū reveals that the evil spirit she summoned was her betrothed, who forced her into marriage and will kill her in a year.
• Hu Ma offers to use Ghost Walker abilities to deal with Aunt Cui, showing confidence in inviting a powerful spirit.

Character Developments

• Zhang Agū: Shows vulnerability and fear regarding her betrothed evil spirit.
• Hu Ma: Demonstrates confidence and willingness to help, expressing interest in learning Ghost Walker abilities.

Significant Themes

• The power and danger of evil spirits.
• The consequences of defying heavenly principles and damaging karma.
• The importance of understanding one's opponent in combat.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Agū and Hu Ma: Zhang Agū is reluctant to teach Hu Ma her abilities, but Hu Ma insists, showing determination to help.
• Aunt Cui and the old man with a scar: Aunt Cui seeks help from the old man, using their past friendship and his interest in a woman she trained to persuade him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group decides to avoid confrontation with Aunt Cui's forces if possible.
• They leave Dongchang Prefecture, but the Beggar Gang follows and surveils them.
• Steward Zhou sends a letter to the Li Mansion, hoping to distract Aunt Cui.
• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū discuss inviting a spirit to help them, as a last resort.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma shows concern for his companions' safety and is willing to take drastic measures to protect them.
• Zhang Agū is hesitant to take Hu Ma as her disciple but agrees to help him set up an altar to invite a spirit.
• Steward Zhou shows loyalty to the Li family and Hu Ma, giving him the Life-Replacing Copper Coin and teaching him some skills.

Significant Themes

• The power of alliances and cooperation, as Hu Ma and his group face a formidable enemy together.
• The consequences of past actions, as Aunt Cui's pursuit puts the group in danger.
• The desperation and willingness to take risks when faced with insurmountable odds.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū discuss inviting a spirit, showing trust and reliance on each other.
• Steward Zhou shows loyalty to Hu Ma and the Li family, sharing valuable knowledge and resources.
• The cart driver and helpers express their fear and desire to leave the dangerous situation, highlighting the group's internal dynamics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū prepare to set up an altar to face the Beggar Gang.
• Zhang Agū teaches Hu Ma the principles of setting up a righteous altar, choosing a high, spacious, clean, and auspicious site.
• They gather suppression objects, with Zhang Agū explaining their tiers of superiority.
• Hu Ma sets up the altar, lighting the oil lamp with his blood, which becomes his "soul" in the ritual.
• They wait for the Beggar Gang's arrival, with Hu Ma's oil lamp displaying impure, greenish flame due to his death qi.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma learns about Ghost Walker's altar rituals from Zhang Agū, becoming more knowledgeable and cautious.
• Zhang Agū demonstrates her expertise and concern for Hu Ma's safety.

Significant Themes

• The importance of proper altar setup and suppression objects in Ghost Walker rituals.
• The consequences of impure cultivation (Hu Ma's death qi) on the altar ritual.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū work together to prepare the altar, with Zhang Agū acting as the mentor and Hu Ma as the eager student.
• They share a moment of camaraderie when Hu Ma offers Zhang Agū a Blood Food Pill, showing trust and generosity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Ma sets up an altar for the first time, demonstrating his potential as a Ghost Walker.
• Aunt Cui and her allies arrive, intending to capture or kill Hu Ma and his companions.
• Aunt Cui's allies prepare to test Hu Ma's strength before the main confrontation.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma: Shows composure and skill in setting up an altar, revealing his talent for Ghost Walking.
• Zhang Agū: Demonstrates her role as a mentor, guiding Hu Ma and being prepared to intervene if needed.
• Aunt Cui: Despite her injuries, she leads her allies and seeks revenge against Hu Ma and his companions.
• Aunt Cui's allies: Each reveals their unique abilities and preparations for the upcoming confrontation.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics: The altar's setup amplifies Hu Ma's strength, while Aunt Cui's allies showcase their own powers.
• Revenge and retribution: Aunt Cui's actions are driven by her desire to avenge her losses and regain face.
• Teamwork and strategy: Both sides prepare for the confrontation, with Aunt Cui's allies coordinating their efforts.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū: They work together, with Zhang Agū guiding Hu Ma and being ready to support him.
• Aunt Cui and her allies: They collaborate, each contributing their unique skills and resources to prepare for the fight.
• Hu Ma and Aunt Cui's allies: They are positioned as adversaries, with Aunt Cui's allies aiming to test and defeat Hu Ma.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū set up an altar to counter the Harmful Head Sect's evil spirits.
• Hu Ma experiences discomfort and unease, realizing they're under attack with nightmare magic.
• Xiao Hong Tang and the headless little ghost are sent as Protectors to deal with disturbances.
• Snakes and insects swarm around the altar, testing Hu Ma's composure.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma demonstrates quick thinking and calmness under pressure, showing potential as a Ghost Walker.
• Zhang Agū proves to be a knowledgeable and reliable guide to Hu Ma.
• Xiao Hong Tang shows initiative and excitement in her role as a Protector.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between Ghost Walkers and other supernatural entities.
• The importance of composure and focus in magical practices.
• The use of incantations and rituals to control and repel supernatural threats.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū work together, with Zhang Agū guiding and advising Hu Ma.
• Hu Ma entrusts Xiao Hong Tang with the role of Protector, showing trust in her abilities.
• The snake charmer and Aunt Cui are mentioned, hinting at their ongoing schemes against Hu Ma and Zhang Agū.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Ma raises an altar to confront the enemy, understanding its benefits and drawbacks.
• The enemy, led by Aunt Cui, probes Hu Ma's altar with various techniques, including a craftsman's nightmare technique and Aunt Cui's four altars of soldiers and horses.
• Hu Ma feels a sharp pain in his forehead, indicating the enemy's serious attack.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma gains a deeper understanding of the Ghost Walker's methods and the power of the altar.
• Aunt Cui, determined to capture Hu Ma, uses her most powerful techniques, revealing her desperation.

Significant Themes

• The power and limitations of the altar in Ghost Walker's practice.
• The determination and desperation of Aunt Cui in her pursuit of Hu Ma.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū discuss the altar's power and the enemy's moves.
• Aunt Cui and her allies collaborate to probe and attack Hu Ma's altar.
• Steward Zhou assists Hu Ma by using his Trickery Sect skills to suppress the snakes and insects.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Ma, a novice cultivator, is performing a ritual to invite spirits, but he's attacked by a Harmful Head Sect technique that causes him intense pain.
• The opponent, Aunt Cui, uses a wooden puppet to suppress Hu Ma, aiming to drive a nail into his head.
• Hu Ma counterattacks by doubling the incense sticks and cultivating energy to his forehead, forcing the nail out.
• Aunt Cui's allies also make moves: a man with a bamboo flute loses control of his "children," and a scarred old man sends a possessed mule charging towards Hu Ma.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma demonstrates resilience and quick thinking in countering the Harmful Head Sect's attack.
• Zhang Agū shows concern for Hu Ma's safety and is ready to assist him.
• Aunt Cui reveals her ruthless nature and impatience.
• The scarred old man displays his expertise in controlling the possessed mule.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and dangers of cultivator duels.
• The importance of quick thinking and adaptability in crisis situations.
• The consequences of impatience and underestimating opponents.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū work together to protect the altar and counter the Harmful Head Sect's attack.
• Aunt Cui and her allies coordinate their attacks, but Aunt Cui grows impatient and scolds the scarred old man for holding back.
• The scarred old man and the snake charmer (Brother Wang) have a tense exchange, with the old man borrowing Brother Wang's mule for his spell.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Red Lantern Goddess is summoned unexpectedly by Hu Ma, a shopkeeper, who uses a half-burnt Red Incense to invite her divine power.
• She arrives at an altar in a desolate wilderness, finding Hu Ma and Zhang Agū, and realizes he's using her power to protect them from evil spirits and a crazed blue mule.
• The Goddess descends her power, fighting off four powerful evil spirits and eventually subduing them. However, a crazed blue mule, controlled by Aunt Cui's disease spell, charges towards the altar.

Character Developments

• The Red Lantern Goddess: Initially annoyed by Hu Ma's presumptuousness, she becomes impressed by his respectful invocation and decides to help him.
• Hu Ma: Shows respect and deference to the Goddess, demonstrating his understanding of her rules and rituals. He also displays unexpected skill in raising an altar and protecting it.
• Zhang Agū: Shows concern for Hu Ma's safety and provides guidance on protecting the altar.

Significant Themes

• Respect and reverence towards divine entities (illustrated by Hu Ma's invocation and the Goddess's reaction).
• The power dynamics between deities and their followers (shown in the Goddess's initial annoyance and later acceptance of Hu Ma's actions).
• The consequences of disrespecting divine entities (implied by the Goddess's initial displeasure and the threat posed by the evil spirits and the crazed mule).

Character Interactions

• The Red Lantern Goddess and Hu Ma: Initially tense due to Hu Ma's presumption, their interaction becomes respectful as Hu Ma shows understanding of her rules and rituals.
• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū: They work together to protect the altar, with Zhang Agū providing guidance and Hu Ma demonstrating unexpected skill.
• The Red Lantern Goddess and the evil spirits: She fights them off, demonstrating her power and ferocity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Aunt Cui and her helpers face a formidable opponent, the Red Lantern.
• Aunt Cui reveals that she kidnapped the eldest daughter of the Cave Li Family, which puts her and her helpers in grave danger.
• The helpers, initially reluctant, decide to fight to avoid the wrath of the Cave Li Family and an unknown mysterious figure who had hired Aunt Cui.

Character Developments

• Aunt Cui: Shows desperation and recklessness, revealing her past actions and the consequences she faces.
• Helpers: Initially reluctant, they decide to fight to protect themselves from the Cave Li Family and the mysterious figure.

Significant Themes

• Consequences of past actions: Aunt Cui's past actions come back to haunt her, putting her and her helpers in danger.
• Loyalty and betrayal: Aunt Cui's helpers feel betrayed by her actions but ultimately decide to stand by her to protect themselves.
• Power dynamics: The Cave Li Family and the mysterious figure are shown to be powerful entities that the characters must reckon with.

Character Interactions

• Aunt Cui and her helpers: They argue and blame each other, but ultimately decide to face the danger together.
• Aunt Cui and the mysterious figure: Their interaction is hinted at, showing the mysterious figure's power and Aunt Cui's fear of them.
• The helpers and the Cave Li Family: They fear the Cave Li Family's retribution and decide to fight to avoid it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū face off against demonic cultivators from Pingnan Dao.
• Hu Ma summons the Red Lantern Goddess to combat four evil spirits, gaining the upper hand.
• The opponent uses a wicked technique to drain Hu Ma's altar's magical power and reduce his lifespan.
• Hu Ma decides to engage the enemy directly, leaving Zhang Agū to guard the altar.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma demonstrates strategic thinking and adaptability by deciding to fight the enemy directly despite the risks.
• Zhang Agū shows resilience and determination in protecting the altar despite the pressure she's under.
• The craftsman (Li) from Pingnan Dao reveals his ruthlessness in using a merit-destroying technique to harm Hu Ma.

Significant Themes

• The ruthlessness and desperation of the demonic cultivators from Pingnan Dao.
• The practical skills and adaptability of Night Watchers.
• The consequences of using wicked techniques and the potential for retribution.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Zhang Agū work together to protect the altar and face the enemy.
• Hu Ma and the demonic cultivators from Pingnan Dao engage in a magical duel.
• The craftsman (Li) from Pingnan Dao uses his technique to harm Hu Ma, affecting his family back home.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Ma uses the ultimate skill Four Ghosts Bowing to the Gate to infiltrate the forest, catching the enemies off guard.
• Wang Laizi, the snake charmer, is killed by Hu Ma without realizing it.
• Hu Ma attempts to kill the craftsman but misses due to the craftsman's ruler, which distorts distance.
• Hu Ma uses Five Thunder Golden Toad Roar to kill the craftsman and injure Aunt Cui.
• The scarred old man, Master Shou, reveals his mastery and uses the White Bone Whip to counter Hu Ma's attacks.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma demonstrates his power and skills, showcasing his Night Watcher abilities, including Four Ghosts Bowing to the Gate and Five Thunder Golden Toad Roar.
• Wang Laizi's death highlights the danger of the situation and the enemies' capabilities.
• Master Shou reveals his prowess, using the White Bone Whip and mentioning his impending entry into the mansion, hinting at his high cultivation level.

Significant Themes

• The power of Night Watcher abilities and their versatility against both Evil Spirits and humans.
• The danger and unpredictability of the enemies on the Pingnan Dao.
• The importance of caution and respect for all opponents in the rivers and lakes.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and Wang Laizi: Hu Ma kills Wang Laizi silently and swiftly.
• Hu Ma and the craftsman: Hu Ma attempts to kill the craftsman but is hindered by the craftsman's ruler.
• Hu Ma and Master Shou: Hu Ma and Master Shou engage in a close-range battle, showcasing their skills and power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hu Ma faces a formidable opponent, a scarred old man, in the woods.
• The old man uses a White Bone Whip, which drains lifespan with each strike.
• Hu Ma struggles to gain an advantage, but manages to hold his ground.
• An evil entity, a venomous snake, affects the Altar, causing Hu Ma's difficulties.
• Zhang Agū intervenes, using her own lifespan to drive away the evil energy from the Altar.
• Hu Ma uses three sticks of incense simultaneously, revealing his full cultivation power.
• Hu Ma snatches and breaks the old man's White Bone Whip.

Character Developments

• Hu Ma demonstrates his skills and determination, but also shows caution in using his full power.
• Zhang Agū displays selflessness and bravery by using her own lifespan to protect Hu Ma and the Altar.
• The scarred old man shows his formidable power but is ultimately defeated by Hu Ma.

Significant Themes

• The struggle against powerful opponents and the importance of using one's full power when necessary.
• The theme of selflessness and sacrifice for the greater good, as shown by Zhang Agū.
• The concept of lifespan and its depletion through certain magical attacks.

Character Interactions

• Hu Ma and the scarred old man engage in a tense and dangerous battle.
• Zhang Agū supports Hu Ma from the Altar, ultimately sacrificing her own lifespan to help him.
• Aunt Cui and the beggars attempt to aid the scarred old man in defeating Hu Ma.