Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Heroine Wu decides to leave Changjing after accomplishing her mission, planning to start anew without any ties to her past identity.
• She meets Song You at the western City Gate, expressing her gratitude for their friendship and promising to meet again in the future.
• Song You and Three Flower Lady return home, and Heroine Wu leaves Changjing.

Character Developments

• Heroine Wu accepts her past and decides to move on, leaving behind her old identity and the city where she lived for years.
• Song You reflects on his friendship with Heroine Wu, appreciating the easygoing companionship they shared.
• Three Flower Lady continues her studies diligently, eager to learn and improve.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and the changes it brings.
• The importance of companionship and friendship in the jianghu.
• The struggle between one's past and the desire for a fresh start.

Character Interactions

• Heroine Wu and Song You share a heartfelt farewell, acknowledging their friendship and the impact it had on their lives.
• Song You and Three Flower Lady return to their daily routine, with Three Flower Lady continuing her studies and Song You reading the Cai Medical Canon.
• The fox demon from Crane Immortal Tower visits again, displaying her mischievous and playful nature.
• Cui Nanxi, an old acquaintance, comes to visit and chats with Song You.

Key Plot Points and Events

• General Chen bids farewell to Song You, expressing gratitude for his help in saving his life.
• Song You learns from the emperor that he was instrumental in convincing him to spare General Chen.
• Song You and General Chen share a moment of understanding about protecting the peace of Great Yan.
• Song You packs and leaves his travel journals and paintings at the City God Temple.
• On the morning of the Lantern Festival's second day, Song You leaves Changjing with Three Flower Lady, accompanied by many well-wishers.
• Lady Wanjiang and her maid catch up to Song You, and they decide to travel together for a while.

Character Developments

• General Chen shows gratitude and remorse, promising to protect the peace of Great Yan.
• Song You demonstrates his influence and wisdom in convincing the emperor to spare General Chen.
• Lady Wanjiang and her maid reveal their astuteness in guessing Song You's departure date.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and gratitude (General Chen's promise to Song You and the emperor)
• Influence and wisdom (Song You's role in convincing the emperor)
• Friendship and companionship (Song You's decision to travel with Lady Wanjiang and her maid)

Character Interactions

• Song You and General Chen share a solemn moment of understanding about protecting the peace.
• Song You and Lady Wanjiang, along with her maid, decide to travel together, showing camaraderie and shared interests.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lady Wanjiang and her maid join Song You on his journey, aiming to visit Abundant Prefecture and Yao Prefecture.
• They reveal that they suspect the Imperial Preceptor's ghost city project might attract Great Yaos from the alligator-dragon clan.
• Song You agrees to travel with them, but maintains a guarded attitude.

Character Developments

• Lady Wanjiang and her maid show their true nature, revealing they are not as refined and noble as they initially appeared.
• Song You remains cautious but open to their company, showing a desire for ease and freedom.

Significant Themes

• Fate and Coincidence: The characters' paths crossing again is seen as a result of fate or coincidence.
• Trust and Guardedness: Song You's wariness towards Lady Wanjiang and her maid highlights the theme of trust and guardedness in relationships.

Character Interactions

• Lady Wanjiang and her maid try to befriend Song You, using humor and sincerity.
• Song You remains guarded but polite, showing a desire for ease and freedom while keeping his distance.
• The swallow, a young demon, shows loneliness and a desire for companionship, contrasting with the foxes' attempts at friendship.

Plot Points and Events

• Song You, accompanied by Lady Wanjiang and her maid, visits Qingxiao Temple to meet Taoist priest Mu Yunzi.
• The temple primarily worships the Orthodox Gods of the Thunder Department, led by Zhou Leigong.
• Song You meets Mu Yunzi and his disciples, spends the night at the temple, and the next day, he studies the divine register.

Character Developments

• Song You: Shows respect and admiration for Mu Yunzi's reputation. He is calm, collected, and curious about the temple's deities.
• Lady Wanjiang: Quiet and attentive, she listens to Song You and Mu Yunzi's conversation with interest.
• Mu Yunzi: Initially taken aback by Song You's visit, he is hospitable and treats his guests with respect.

Significant Themes

• Religion and Belief: The temple's purpose, the deities worshipped, and the people's faith in these gods are central themes.
• Cultivation and Virtue: Song You admires Mu Yunzi's cultivation and virtue, reflecting the importance of these qualities in the story's world.
• Travel and Discovery: Song You's journey allows him to explore different places and meet various people, expanding his understanding of the world.

Character Interactions

• Song You and Mu Yunzi: They engage in polite conversation, with Song You expressing his admiration for Mu Yunzi's reputation and Mu Yunzi treating his guest with respect and hospitality.
• Lady Wanjiang and the maid: They interact with Song You and each other, showing deference and respect while also displaying curiosity and interest in their surroundings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You visits Qingxiao Temple to look at the Heavenly Palace Divine Register.
• Lady Wanjiang, a Nine-Tailed Fox demon, is also at the temple, praying to Chijin the Great Emperor to bless her cultivation into a nine-tailed celestial fox.
• Song You learns about the recent incident involving a fox demon causing trouble in Donghe County and being struck dead by lightning.
• Song You decides to leave the temple and asks Three Flower Lady to say farewell to Mu Yunzi.

Character Developments

• Song You demonstrates his understanding of the world's hostility towards demons and his willingness to help Lady Wanjiang despite her demonic nature.
• Lady Wanjiang shows her confidence and disregard for the Heavenly Palace and Taoism, hinting at her powerful background.
• Three Flower Lady, though not appearing much in this chapter, shows her loyalty and obedience to Song You.

Significant Themes

• The coexistence and conflict between humans and demons.
• The power dynamics between different beings in the realm, with the Heavenly Palace and Taoism holding significant influence.
• The potential for understanding and cooperation between different beings, as shown by Song You's willingness to help Lady Wanjiang.

Character Interactions

• Song You interacts with Lady Wanjiang and her maid, learning about their situation and offering his help.
• Lady Wanjiang and her maid interact with a wealthy man at the temple, showing their ability to blend in with humans.
• Song You interacts with Mu Yunzi, though briefly, to bid him farewell before leaving the temple.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You and Three Flower Lady leave Qingxiao Temple, accompanied by Lady Wanjiang and her maid.
• They encounter two officials discussing mysterious deaths, hinting at a supernatural cause.
• They camp in Abundant Prefecture and encounter ghost constables escorting ghosts.

Character Developments

• Lady Wanjiang and her maid show their true fox nature, becoming more open and talkative.
• Song You continues his journey south, seeking to understand the spiritual resonance of heaven and earth.

Significant Themes

• The dual nature of yao and humans, and the tension between their worlds.
• The power of cultivation and the fear it instills in others.

Character Interactions

• Lady Wanjiang and her maid interact with Song You and Three Flower Lady, revealing more about their true selves.
• Ghost constables show fear and awe towards Song You, demonstrating the respect and caution given to powerful cultivators.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group spends a quiet night in the mountains. Three Flower Cat accidentally spills fermented rice soup on their bedding.
• The maid returns with information about the journey to Resource Commandery and Karma Mountain.
• The Taoist priest and the fox demon discuss their plans, with the fox suggesting they part ways soon.
• The Taoist priest discovers the smell of fermented rice soup on his bedding and the maid admits to spilling it.

Character Developments

• Three Flower Cat shows remorse and initiative by trying to clean up the spill and offering the maid coins, hinting at her growing maturity and understanding of human behavior.
• The fox demon expresses her enjoyment of freedom and lack of pretense while traveling with the Taoist priest, revealing her independent and carefree nature.
• The Taoist priest demonstrates patience and understanding by not reprimanding the maid for the spill.

Significant Themes

• The theme of freedom and lack of pretense is highlighted through the fox demon's behavior and thoughts.
• The theme of responsibility and remorse is shown through Three Flower Cat's actions after spilling the fermented rice soup.

Character Interactions

• The fox demon and the Taoist priest have a philosophical conversation about their journey and the potential dangers ahead.
• Three Flower Cat interacts with the maid, giving her coins without explanation, and later, the maid takes responsibility for the spill to protect Three Flower Cat.
• The Taoist priest interacts with the maid, accepting her apology for the spill without further reproach.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group travels by boat along the Hidden River, nearing Resource Commandery.
• They encounter a colossal alligator dragon (mistakenly referred to as a 'dragon') swimming beneath the river, causing waves that threaten their boat.
• Song You uses his bamboo staff to calm the waters and communicate with the alligator dragon, which eventually passes by without further incident.

Character Developments

• Song You demonstrates his power and courage by facing the alligator dragon and protecting the group.
• The boatman shows fear and awe towards the alligator dragon, highlighting the power and mystery of such creatures in the minds of common people.

Significant Themes

• Power and Fear: The alligator dragon's immense size and power instill fear in the boatman and remind readers of the awe-inspiring forces that exist beyond human understanding.
• Communication and Understanding: Song You's ability to communicate with the alligator dragon suggests that understanding and dialogue can sometimes prevent conflict, even between vastly different beings.

Character Interactions

• Song You interacts with the boatman, showing concern and reassurance towards his fear.
• The alligator dragon communicates with Song You, revealing its awareness of the human world and its reluctance to cause harm.
• Lady Wanjiang and Three Flower Lady observe the alligator dragon with curiosity and interest, showcasing their fearlessness and fascination with the supernatural.

Plot Points & Events

• Song You, Lady Wanjiang, and her maid travel together, reaching Resource Commandery.
• They encounter a damaged ferry crossing, likely caused by a giant alligator.
• Song You invites them to Karma Mountain, but they decline, planning to wait for an old acquaintance from Yuezhou.

Character Developments

• Lady Wanjiang and her maid maintain their duality, one speaking truth and the other lies, making it difficult for Song You to discern their true intentions.
• Song You becomes more accustomed to their teasing and filters out their lies.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: Lady Wanjiang and her maid continue to test Song You's trust, while he tries to discern their true motives.
• The impact of the underworld's formation: The alligator dragon's appearance and the damaged ferry crossing hint at the impending changes due to the underworld's formation.

Character Interactions

• Song You, Lady Wanjiang, and her maid continue their playful banter, with Song You growing more tolerant of their teasing.
• Three Flower Cat interacts more with the maid, showing curiosity and playfulness.

Plot Points and Events

• The youth (later revealed to be Yan An) struggles to find information about Hidden South County and Karma Mountain.
• Song You and his companions lose their way while traveling through Resource Commandery.
• They encounter ghost constables who had been pursuing Feng Big Ears and General Chang, two ghost generals who escaped from Yanzhou.
• The ghost constables agree to guide Song You and his companions to Karma Mountain.

Character Developments

• Yan An shows determination and resourcefulness in seeking information.
• Song You demonstrates patience, wisdom, and humility in handling the ghost constables and guiding his companions.
• The ghost constables show respect and deference towards Song You, acknowledging his reputation and deeds.

Significant Themes

• Fate: Song You views the difficulties in their journey and the encounter with the ghost constables as a kind of fate.
• Respect and Reputation: The ghost constables respect Song You due to his reputation and past deeds, illustrating the power of reputation in the world of ghosts and immortals.

Character Interactions

• Song You interacts with the ghost constables, showing understanding and patience towards their situation.
• Yan An and Song You have a brief exchange, with Song You offering guidance and encouragement to Yan An.
• Song You, Three Flower Lady, and Swallow work together to pack their things and follow the ghost constables, demonstrating teamwork and cooperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You arrives at Karma Mountain, the site of the future ghost city, guided by the Imperial Preceptor.
• The mountain is heavily guarded by the Dragon Might Army and yin soldiers due to its heavy ghostly aura.
• The Imperial Preceptor shows Song You the ghost city, which is still under construction and serves as a model for the future underworld.
• The ghost city is vast, extending deep underground, and is illuminated by ghostfires that light up as ghosts pass by.

Character Developments

• The Imperial Preceptor has aged significantly since Song You last saw him, reflecting the passage of time and the gravity of his task.
• Three Flower Lady, initially curious and playful, becomes solemn and attentive as she takes in the vast and eerie ghost city.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and aging, as reflected in the Imperial Preceptor's appearance and the desolate, grassless landscape.
• The contrast between the living and the dead, with the ghost city serving as a stark reminder of the afterlife.
• The power dynamics between the living and the dead, as evidenced by the heavy defenses around the ghost city.

Character Interactions

• Song You and the Imperial Preceptor exchange pleasantries and discuss the ghost city, with the Imperial Preceptor seeking Song You's help in managing the ghostly aura.
• Three Flower Lady interacts with the ghost city itself, her curiosity and solemnity reflecting her growing understanding of the world around her.
• The Red Date Horse follows Song You without hesitation, demonstrating its loyalty and trust in its master.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You and the State Preceptor tour Karma Mountain Ghost City.
• The State Preceptor shares details about the city's construction, its influence by Heavenly Palace gods, and its purpose as a prototype for the underworld.
• Song You learns about the city's three halls, their functions, and the lack of decision on the ghost kings.
• The State Preceptor reveals that he invited Great Yao demons to help suppress troublesome ghosts and deter demons, monsters, and freaks.
• Song You asks about the dream of burning deceased relatives, and the State Preceptor explains the harsh punishments for evil ghosts during the transition period.
• Song You inquires about Lin You, a man from Yanzhou who showed him hospitality. The State Preceptor has an underworld official search for Lin You's record.
• Lin You's record shows he was punished severely for his crimes as a soldier.

Character Developments

• The State Preceptor demonstrates his knowledge, wisdom, and control over the ghost city, further cementing his reputation as an exceptional figure.
• Song You shows empathy for Lin You's fate but understands the necessity of the harsh punishments.
• Three Flower Lady displays curiosity and intelligence as she explores the ghost city.

Significant Themes

• The establishment of the underworld and its influence on the living world.
• The consequences of one's actions and the karmic retribution they bring.
• The role of authority and governance in maintaining order, both in life and in death.

Character Interactions

• Song You and the State Preceptor engage in a conversation that reveals the State Preceptor's insights and Song You's concerns.
• Three Flower Lady interacts with Song You, showing her awareness and understanding of their surroundings.
• The State Preceptor and an underworld official discuss the search for Lin You's record, demonstrating the efficiency of the ghost city's administration.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You tours Ghost City with the National Preceptor, visiting Fire Prison, where ghosts are punished.
• They discuss the division of ghosts into five ranks based on their actions in life.
• Song You stays in Ghost City for several days, exploring and discussing its plans with the National Preceptor.

Character Developments

• Song You: Shows curiosity and a willingness to learn about the underworld's workings. He also demonstrates his power and knowledge, impressing the National Preceptor.
• National Preceptor: Reveals his ambition and helplessness in the face of greater powers. He shows respect and deference to Song You, seeking his advice and knowledge.

Significant Themes

• Judgment and Punishment: The division of ghosts into ranks and their punishment in Fire Prison reflect the theme of judgment and retribution for one's actions.
• Knowledge and Experience: Song You's journey through Ghost City expands his understanding of the underworld, which is a form of cultivation.

Character Interactions

• Song You and the National Preceptor: They engage in meaningful discussions about Ghost City, the underworld, and the Heavenly Dao, leading to mutual growth and respect.
• Song You and Three Flower Cat: They maintain their usual dynamic, with Three Flower Cat expressing her opinions and Song You accommodating her, showing their strong bond.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You visits the ghost city and finds it well-governed but flawed, with its rules maturing in harmony with the era.
• He suspects the National Preceptor's scheme might lie in the future, around the time the ghost city becomes fully complete and its official posts are established.
• Song You decides to leave after seven days, despite not finding concrete evidence of the National Preceptor's scheme.
• The National Preceptor visits Song You, and they discuss the seal's duration. Song You promises to return in a year to reinforce it.
• Song You, Three Flower Cat, and the horse depart, escorted by the National Preceptor and his men until they reach the commandery city.
• A swallow, sent by Yan An, reports that nothing unusual has been found around Karma Mountain, and Song You asks for its help to watch for any hidden followers after they leave.

Character Developments

• Song You: He remains calm and collected, showing no fear or unease in the ghost city. He decides to leave after realizing he can't find evidence and promises to return to reinforce the seal.
• Three Flower Cat: She continues to display her intelligence and curiosity, teaching Song You about rats and following him loyally.
• The National Preceptor: He shows hospitality and understanding, accepting Song You's decision to leave and discussing the seal's duration. He ensures Song You's safe departure.

Significant Themes

• The theme of patience and waiting for the right time is reinforced, as Song You decides to leave without concrete evidence and plans to return in a year.
• The theme of the underworld's formation and its impact on the living world is further explored, with the ghost city's perfection being accelerated.

Character Interactions

• Song You and the National Preceptor: They maintain a polite and respectful relationship, discussing the ghost city's rules and the seal's duration. The National Preceptor sees Song You off, showing him respect and gratitude.
• Song You and Three Flower Cat: They continue to interact like a master and pet, with the cat teaching Song You about rats and following him loyally.
• Song You and the swallow: They maintain a secret communication, with the swallow reporting its findings to Song You and being asked to watch for any hidden followers after they leave.

Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Song You learns about the history of Resource Commandery and Hidden River.
• Lady Wanjiang and her maid (Three Flower Lady) meet Song You again and travel with him.
• They part ways at a three-way junction, with Lady Wanjiang and her maid going to visit Princess Changping in Anmin, while Song You continues to Zheng Creek.

Character Developments

• Song You remains focused on his mission and is cautious about the Imperial Preceptor's schemes.
• Lady Wanjiang shows concern for Song You's safety and expresses reluctance at parting.
• The maid continues to be playful and mischievous, trying to give Three Flower Cat a jade bottle of sweetened water.

Significant Themes

• The passage of time and its impact on places and people (e.g., Resource Commandery, Yao Prefecture).
• The power dynamics and potential schemes of the Imperial Preceptor.
• The bond between Song You and his companions, including Three Flower Cat and Yan An (Swallow).

Character Interactions

• Song You interacts minimally with the maid due to her frivolous nature, preferring to communicate with Lady Wanjiang.
• Lady Wanjiang and her maid express gratitude and friendship towards Song You, while also hinting at an old grievance with an 'old alligator.'
• Song You and Three Flower Cat maintain their usual dynamic, with Song You showing affection and care for the cat, while she remains indifferent to material gifts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You and Three Flower Lady stop at an inn in Zheng Creek.
• They order local specialties: rice wine porridge with poached eggs and 'cat ears' (dough snacks).
• The innkeeper shares a local legend about a water god, a man named Bo Shu, and a powerful knife.

Character Developments

• Song You: Shows care and consideration for Three Flower Lady, treating her like a companion rather than a pet.
• Three Flower Lady: Exhibits curiosity and interest in the local legend, particularly when the knife is mentioned.

Significant Themes

• Trust and Integrity: The legend highlights the importance of trust and keeping one's word, as seen in Bo Shu's character.
• Power and Responsibility: The water god's knife symbolizes power, and those who wield it must also bear the responsibility that comes with it.

Character Interactions

• Song You and the Innkeeper: Engage in a friendly conversation, with the innkeeper sharing local lore and Song You asking insightful questions.
• Song You and Three Flower Lady: Their bond deepens as Song You caters to the cat's preferences and includes her in their conversation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You learns about the legend of the Zheng Family head and the Water-Separating Blade from the innkeeper.
• He encounters a group of escort guards at the inn, who have a strange smell similar to the one Three Flower Lady detected in Ghost City.
• Song You visits the Zheng Family residence but does not enter.

Character Developments

• Song You demonstrates his curiosity and investigative nature, seeking information about the Water-Separating Blade and the Zheng Family.
• Three Flower Lady shows her keen sense of smell and determination to uncover the source of the strange scent.

Significant Themes

• The legend of the Water-Separating Blade and its connection to the Zheng Family.
• The potential connection between the escort guards and the strange scent from Ghost City.

Character Interactions

• Song You interacts with the innkeeper, learning about the local legend.
• He also encounters the escort guards, who express curiosity about Three Flower Lady's bowl.
• Song You and Three Flower Lady discuss their plans regarding the escort guards and the strange scent.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Three Flower Cat suspects that some of the caravan guards are eyeing her precious little bowl.
• The Taoist priest and Three Flower Cat devise a plan to catch the thief and gain information about the goods the caravan is escorting.
• A caravan guard attempts to steal the bowl in the middle of the night but is caught by Three Flower Cat.
• The Taoist priest interrogates the guard, who admits to stealing once before and agrees to reveal information about the goods in exchange for not being reported to the authorities.

Character Developments

• Three Flower Cat demonstrates her intelligence and cunning by setting a trap for the thief and transforming into human form to mislead him.
• The Taoist priest shows his wisdom and patience in interrogating the guard, understanding the importance of maintaining the escort's code of honor.
• The caravan guard shows his cowardice and dishonesty in attempting to steal the bowl and initially trying to deceive the Taoist priest.

Significant Themes

• Trust and honesty: The Taoist priest values honesty and trustworthiness, even in the face of theft. He gives the guard a chance to redeem himself by telling the truth.
• Consequences of actions: The guard's theft has consequences, and he must face them, even if it means confessing to his chief escort.
• Intelligence and cunning: Three Flower Cat uses her intelligence and cunning to outsmart the guard and protect her precious bowl.

Character Interactions

• Three Flower Cat and the Taoist priest work together to catch the thief and gain information.
• The Taoist priest interrogates the guard, showing understanding and patience while maintaining his principles.
• The guard interacts with both the Taoist priest and Three Flower Cat, initially trying to deceive them but eventually confessing to his actions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You, the Taoist master, and the escort agency are transporting a mysterious chest containing valuable and rare medicinal ingredients, including Earth Essence and Fragrant Root.
• The escort master reveals that the shipment has been robbed once before, and the contents were briefly exposed, causing a foul smell.
• Song You learns that the shipment originates from Yangzhou and is destined for Yao Prefecture, with a stop in Abundant Prefecture.
• The escort master fears that the shipment's value and the agency's carelessness might anger powerful people and lead to consequences.

Character Developments

• Song You: He demonstrates his integrity by not taking the shipment and keeping his promise not to reveal the escort master's secret. He also shows his wisdom by offering the escort master a way to confess and potentially avoid severe punishment.
• Escort Master: He initially tries to steal from Song You but ends up revealing crucial information about the shipment. Afterward, he confesses his wrongdoings to Escort Chief Peng, showing a change of heart.

Significant Themes

• Integrity and Trust: Song You upholds his word and shows trust in the escort master, while the escort master initially betrays that trust but later regains it.
• Secrets and Consequences: The mysterious shipment and its contents hint at a larger secret, and the escort agency's carelessness might lead to severe consequences.

Character Interactions

• Song You and the Escort Master: Their interaction begins with the escort master trying to steal from Song You, but it evolves into a moment of trust and understanding when Song You offers the escort master a way to confess and potentially avoid punishment.
• Song You and the Three Flower Cat: They work together to investigate the shipment, with the cat's keen senses helping Song You uncover the scent left by the mysterious contents.
• Song You and Escort Chief Peng: Although they do not interact directly in this chapter, their actions show a mutual respect and understanding. Escort Chief Peng salutes Song You, acknowledging his presence and potential importance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Song You encounters Princess Changping on her way to Anmin County, where she has been exiled.
• The Princess reveals she is traveling to see the sights before her exile, as she has never seen the lands of Great Yan.
• Song You asks about the Princess's past, leading to the revelation that Lady Wanjiang, whom he traveled with, is an eight-tailed demon fox with a millennium of cultivation.

Character Developments

• Song You: He remains calm and collected, even when revealing the truth about Lady Wanjiang. He shows concern for the Princess's well-being.
• Princess Changping: She is shocked and disoriented upon learning the truth about Lady Wanjiang. Her confidence and composure are shaken.

Significant Themes

• Deception and Truth: The Princess has been deceived by Lady Wanjiang for years without realizing it. The truth is revealed, causing her to question her past actions and perceptions.
• Power and Manipulation: The Princess's life has been marked by political maneuvering and manipulation. Even in her exile, she is still affected by these forces.

Character Interactions

• Song You and Princess Changping: Their interaction is tense at first, with the Princess wary of the Daoist. However, they share a moment of understanding when the Princess reveals her true intentions for her journey.
• Princess Changping and Lady Wanjiang: Their relationship is revealed to be built on deception. The Princess is shocked and betrayed, while Lady Wanjiang's true intentions remain unclear.