Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Mo purchases the Tang Heng Dao at the auction.
• He discovers the blade's immense weight and malicious intent, which he suppresses with his Taiyin Qi.
• Sun Tong, the auction house boss, shows interest in Chen Mo's background.
• Chen Mo exits the auction house and encounters a strange, greenish-gray moonlight and a formation or ghost domain.
• A fat man, who won the Soul-Calling Banner at the auction, is cornered by shadowy creatures in the alley.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo demonstrates his strength and control over the malicious blade, showing his prowess as a cultivator.
• Sun Tong reveals his curiosity about Chen Mo's background, hinting at his own network and influence.
• The fat man shows fear and desperation as he's surrounded by the shadowy creatures.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivators and their weapons.
• The dangers of the Ghost Market and its hidden forces.
• The consequences of meddling with the supernatural, as seen with the fat man and the Soul-Calling Banner.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo and Sun Tong have a brief, measured exchange, with Sun Tong attempting to gather information about Chen Mo.
• Chen Mo encounters the fat man in distress, but there's no interaction between them yet.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Mo and the fat man, Boss Hu, are ambushed in an alley by six paper dolls, which are revealed to be Shadow Puppets crafted by the Hou Family of the Yin Sect.
• Old Hou, the Shadow Craftsman, appears and demands the item they recently auctioned off, threatening to use the Shadow Puppets if they refuse.
• Boss Hu tries to negotiate, but Old Hou reveals his intention to kill them after taking the item.
• Old Hou senses something amiss with Chen Mo's behavior and calls for his accomplice, Old Dog, to deal with Chen Mo.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo: Initially appears cowardly, retreating into a corner and avoiding involvement. However, his steady demeanor suggests he's not as afraid as he seems.
• Boss Hu: Shows initial bravado but quickly becomes desperate and frightened when faced with the Shadow Puppets. He tries to negotiate but eventually accepts his fate.

Significant Themes

• Cowardice vs. Bravery: Chen Mo's initial cowardice is juxtaposed with his later actions, challenging the traditional notion of bravery.
• Trust and Betrayal: Boss Hu's trust in Chen Mo is betrayed, as Chen Mo doesn't intervene to help him.
• Power and Manipulation: Old Hou's use of the Shadow Puppets to intimidate and control others highlights the theme of power and its manipulation.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo and Boss Hu: Despite being allies at the auction, Chen Mo's inaction in the face of danger causes Boss Hu to lose trust in him.
• Old Hou and Old Dog: Old Hou's command to Old Dog suggests a hierarchical relationship, with Old Hou giving orders and Old Dog following them.
• Old Hou and the Shadow Puppets: Old Hou's control over the Shadow Puppets demonstrates his power and influence over the situation.

Plot Points & Events

• Old Dog triggers a formation, summoning three Medicine Corpses to attack the fatty.
• Old Hou sends Shadow Puppets to intercept Chen Mo but is surprised by weaponized Paper Puppets.
• Chen Mo wounds Old Hou and takes him captive, interested in the Hou Family's Shadow Puppet Technique.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo demonstrates his formidable combat skills and ruthlessness, wounding Old Hou and showing no mercy.
• Old Hou, despite his experience, is no match for Chen Mo and is forced to use a life-saving talisman.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Hou Family's Shadow Puppets is challenged by the weaponized Paper Puppets.
• Chen Mo's interest in learning the Hou Family's techniques highlights his ambition and thirst for knowledge.

Character Interactions

• Old Dog and Old Hou work together to ambush Chen Mo and the fatty, but their plan backfires.
• Chen Mo and the fatty are targeted by the Medicine Corpses and Shadow Puppets, leading to a chaotic confrontation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Mo (disguised as Hu the Fatty's brother) encounters Old Dog, who controls Medicine Corpses, in an alley.
• Hu the Fatty offers Chen Mo the Soul-Calling Banner in exchange for help against Old Dog.
• Chen Mo dispatches his Paper Dolls to deal with Old Dog, who is then killed.
• Hu the Fatty gives Chen Mo the Soul-Calling Banner and its manual, then flees.
• Chen Mo confronts Old Hou, who controlled Shadow Puppets, and demands his technique.
• Old Hou reveals the Hou Family's influence and warns Chen Mo of the consequences of learning his technique.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo demonstrates his combat prowess and strategic thinking, using his Paper Dolls to take down Old Dog.
• Hu the Fatty shows cowardice and opportunism but keeps his word about giving Chen Mo the banner.
• Old Hou reveals his family's influence and tries to intimidate Chen Mo into letting him go.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the consequences of using powerful techniques (Old Hou's warning about the Hou Family).
• Trust and betrayal (Hu the Fatty's initial deception, Old Hou's attempt to intimidate Chen Mo).
• The value of life and the cost of using powerful techniques (Chen Mo's decision to kill Old Dog for the banner).

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo and Hu the Fatty: Initially deceptive, but Hu the Fatty keeps his word and shows gratitude towards Chen Mo.
• Chen Mo and Old Hou: Confrontational; Old Hou tries to intimidate Chen Mo, but Chen Mo remains calm and collected.
• Hu the Fatty and Old Hou: Not directly interacting, but both are involved in the Ghost Market's underhanded dealings.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qian the Lame leaves the auction house through a side door, avoiding the attention of scouts.
• He returns home and summons his three disciples, assigning them tasks to investigate the stranger who humiliated him.
• Chen Mo continues his investigation at the Mass Grave Mound, burying the corpses and erasing evidence.

Character Developments

• Qian the Lame: His pride is injured, and he's determined to find out the stranger's background and regain his face.
• Chen Mo: He demonstrates his skill and ruthlessness in interrogating and disposing of the robbers.

Significant Themes

• Face and reputation: Qian the Lame's actions are driven by his desire to maintain his face and reputation as a Blade Lender.
• Investigation and information gathering: Both Qian the Lame and Chen Mo engage in investigations to uncover the truth behind recent events.

Character Interactions

• Qian the Lame and his disciples: Qian the Lame assigns tasks to his disciples, showing his authority and their loyalty.
• Chen Mo and the robbers: Chen Mo interrogates and kills the robbers, displaying his skill and ruthlessness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Mo, after leaving the Mass Grave Mound, takes a tram to the city.
• On the tram, a woman in a qipao complains about Chen Mo's dirty appearance, leading to a confrontation.
• Chen Mo stands up for himself, exposing the woman's pretentiousness and poverty, before getting off the tram.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo: Shows his quick wit, sharp tongue, and lack of fear in confronting social issues. He's resourceful and doesn't shy away from conflict.
• The Qipao Woman: Revealed to be pretentious and arrogant, hiding her poverty behind expensive-looking clothes and accessories.
• The Old Men: Bootlickers who try to side with the qipao woman but are put in their place by Chen Mo.

Significant Themes

• Social Class and Pretentiousness: The qipao woman's attempt to appear wealthy and superior is exposed, highlighting the theme of social class and the pretentiousness that can come with it.
• Standing Up for Oneself: Chen Mo's willingness to defend himself against the qipao woman's insults shows his courage and self-respect.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo vs. The Qipao Woman: A verbal clash occurs between Chen Mo and the qipao woman, with Chen Mo exposing her pretentiousness and poverty.
• Chen Mo vs. The Old Men: Chen Mo puts the old men in their place for trying to side with the qipao woman, exposing their bootlicking tendencies.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Mo wakes up and observes the morning scene from his window.
• He finds a wooden plaque, a bone whistle, and a bell among Old Dog's belongings, but they seem useless without context.
• He also finds a dagger, a pocket watch, and a Soul-Calling Banner.
• The Soul-Calling Banner, when exposed to sunlight, briefly displays ghostly green lights in the eye sockets of the embroidered ghost head.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo's emotions become increasingly indifferent since fusing with the Ghost Skin.
• He loses interest in worldly pleasures and human interactions, as exemplified by his lack of reaction to a girl he sees from his window.
• He realizes the limitations of the unorthodox paths he's encountered so far.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between the grandeur of unorthodox paths in legends and their actual capabilities.
• The indifference and detachment Chen Mo feels due to the Ghost Skin fusion.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo observes people on the street but feels no connection or interest in them.
• He interacts with the items left by Old Dog, trying to understand their uses.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Mo obtains a replica Soul-Calling Banner and a booklet detailing its use.
• The banner requires essence blood to awaken the sealed souls, which can be enhanced by Taiyin Qi.
• The booklet suggests collecting powerful souls or killing ordinary people to increase the banner's power.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo shows annoyance at not collecting the souls of Old Dog and Old Hou, demonstrating his growing interest in power and strategy.
• He considers the consequences of using the banner's power-increasing method, showing a degree of self-restraint.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of power and its consequences.
• The moral dilemma of using innocent lives for personal gain.
• The importance of self-restraint and maintaining a moral bottom line.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo interacts with the souls in the banner, showing a level of detachment and calculation.
• He engages with the booklet's instructions, weighing the pros and cons of the suggested methods.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A mysterious figure walks through Jin City in heavy rain, heading west, where the Ghost Market is located.
• Qian the Lame uses an aura-tracking technique to identify the mysterious figure's scent on a chair from the auction house.
• Qian the Lame attempts to trace the mysterious figure's aura using a bronze mirror, incense, and a spell.

Character Developments

• Little Fuzi, a newspaper seller, is initially frightened by the mysterious figure but later regains composure.
• Qian the Lame demonstrates his expertise in tracking auras, showing his power and resourcefulness.
• Zhou the Eldest, one of Qian the Lame's disciples, shows initiative by retrieving the chair from the auction house.

Significant Themes

• The power of aura and its importance in tracking individuals.
• The determination and resourcefulness of characters in pursuing their goals.
• The eerie and mysterious atmosphere created by the heavy rain and the mysterious figure's appearance.

Character Interactions

• Little Fuzi and the others huddled under the archway witness the mysterious figure walking by, creating a tense and suspenseful moment.
• Qian the Lame interacts with his disciples, Zhou the Eldest and Liu Desheng, demonstrating his leadership and their loyalty.
• Qian the Lame uses his expertise to track the mysterious figure, showing his importance and influence within his group.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Qian the Lame uses a bronze mirror and his blood to summon a spirit.
• The spirit's image appears in the mirror, revealing a pomegranate tree in Qian's courtyard.
• Qian realizes the spirit is in his courtyard, and he prepares to receive it.
• Four Paper Puppets, made from shadows, attack Qian and his disciples.
• Qian uses Blade Lender coins to deflect the Paper Puppets' attacks.
• Zhao Chen escapes the room but encounters a ghostly figure in the courtyard.

Character Developments

• Qian the Lame demonstrates his power and experience, using his skills to defend against the Paper Puppets.
• Zhao Chen shows quick thinking and agility, managing to escape the room.
• Zhou the Eldest, Qian's eldest disciple, remains in the room, armed with a talisman-wrapped knife.

Significant Themes

• The power of blood and intention in summoning spirits.
• The danger of underestimating the supernatural.
• The importance of quick thinking and action in survival.

Character Interactions

• Qian the Lame and his three disciples (Zhou the Eldest, Zhao Chen, and another unnamed disciple) are present.
• Qian takes the lead in facing the threat, while his disciples react and defend themselves.
• Zhao Chen calls out to Qian for help, showing a level of trust and dependence on his master.

Key Plot Points

• Liu Desheng, Qian the Lame's disciple, is critically injured and pinned to the floor by a paper blade.
• Qian the Lame and Zhou the Eldest are besieged by three Paper Puppets controlled by Chen Mo.
• Qian the Lame uses his last Fire Cloud Talisman to try and destroy the Paper Puppets, but they evade it.
• Zhou the Eldest sacrifices himself to save Qian the Lame, who then escapes through the window.
• Chen Mo kills Qian the Lame in the courtyard.

Character Developments

• Liu Desheng realizes his master never intended to teach him the Blade Lender's trade, only to use him for menial tasks.
• Qian the Lame is terrified and desperate, trying to protect himself and escape.
• Zhou the Eldest shows loyalty and bravery by sacrificing himself for Qian the Lame.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and trust: Liu Desheng feels betrayed by his master, while Zhou the Eldest remains loyal.
• Powerlessness: Qian the Lame's powerful Fire Cloud Talisman is ineffective against the Paper Puppets, highlighting his vulnerability.

Character Interactions

• Liu Desheng envies Zhao Chen for running away and possibly surviving.
• Qian the Lame and Zhou the Eldest try to protect each other from the Paper Puppets.
• Chen Mo toys with Qian the Lame, showing no mercy in killing him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A family of four is found dead in the West City, with bizarre causes of death, suspected to be the work of evil spirits.
• Chen Mo encounters the girl from the second floor (later revealed to be Lin Shaoqing) at a breakfast stall.
• Chen Mo remembers a girl from his past life with similar braids and red strings.
• Chen Mo returns home and counts his loot from Qian the Lame's residence: 42,000 taels in banknotes, 3,000 silver dollars, 5 gold leaves, a bronze mirror, and Qian's ancestral knife.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo: Reflects on his past life and a girl he knew, showing a rare moment of nostalgia and regret for not helping her when he had the chance.
• Lin Shaoqing (the girl with red-stringed braids): Briefly appears, showing no recognition of Chen Mo despite their previous encounter.

Significant Themes

• The ephemerality of life and the past, as seen in Chen Mo's memories of his past life and the girl with red-stringed braids.
• The consequences of one's actions, as seen in the aftermath of Qian the Lame's death and the West City massacre.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo and Lin Shaoqing: They cross paths again, but neither acknowledges the other.
• Chen Mo and the breakfast stall owner: A brief exchange as Chen Mo orders breakfast.
• Chen Mo and the newsboy: Chen Mo buys a newspaper from him, learning about the West City massacre.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Mo receives a note demanding a settlement fee of one hundred silver dollars.
• He inquiries about the note from his neighbors, Old Zhou, Aunt Zhang, and Baozhang Ma.
• Baozhang Ma reveals that the note is from local thugs and suggests they are a misunderstanding.
• Chen Mo learns from Baozhang Ma that the thugs are based at the south city docks, led by a man named Wang Pockmark.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo remains calm and composed in the face of the threatening note, showing no fear.
• Baozhang Ma is revealed to be a cunning and cautious individual, trying to appease both Chen Mo and the local thugs.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between local thugs, the Inspection Bureau, and ordinary citizens.
• The tension between maintaining peace and standing up for one's rights.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo interacts with his neighbors, Old Zhou, Aunt Zhang, and Baozhang Ma, to gather information about the note.
• Baozhang Ma tries to placate Chen Mo while also attempting to protect his own interests.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Mo successfully opens his second Yin Aperture.
• He leaves home to report to the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, leaving Zhou Nian in charge of his house.
• Zhou Nian is left alone in Chen Mo's house for the first time, exploring and appreciating its comforts.

Character Developments

• Zhou Nian: She begins to understand the stark contrast between her own living conditions and Chen Mo's house, sparking feelings of envy and curiosity. She also shows responsibility by agreeing to take care of Chen Mo's house in his absence.
• Chen Mo: He demonstrates trust in Zhou Nian by leaving her in charge of his house. He also shows kindness towards Old Ma by inviting him for dinner and listening to his problems.

Significant Themes

• Social Inequality: The stark contrast between Zhou Nian's cramped, poor living conditions and Chen Mo's comfortable house highlights the social inequality between them.
• Trust and Responsibility: Chen Mo's trust in Zhou Nian to take care of his house shows his confidence in her, while Zhou Nian's agreement to do so demonstrates her sense of responsibility.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo and Zhou Nian: Their interaction is brief but significant, with Chen Mo entrusting Zhou Nian with his house key and asking her to take care of it. Zhou Nian agrees, showing her eagerness to help.
• Chen Mo and Old Ma: Their interaction shows Chen Mo's kindness and willingness to listen to Old Ma's problems, while Old Ma sees Chen Mo as a father figure.

Key Plot Points and Events

+ Chen Mo meets three fellow recruits on the tram to the Anomaly Suppression Bureau: Shen Bao, A-Xiu, and Fang Cheng.
+ They discuss their cultivation paths and the upcoming assessment.
+ Chen Mo reveals he doesn't practice Blood-Qi Martial Arts, but a different path passed down in his family.
+ They arrive at the bustling Anomaly Suppression Bureau Headquarters, witnessing many recruits and their entourages.

Character Developments

+ Shen Bao: Chatty, proud of his early aperture opening, and eager to make a good impression.
+ A-Xiu: Quiet, polite, and seems to have a good relationship with Fang Cheng.
+ Fang Cheng: Stoic, reserved, and appears to be close with A-Xiu.
+ Chen Mo: Calm, collected, and secretive about his cultivation path.

Significant Themes

+ The importance of blood-qi cultivation in the current world.
+ The value of early aperture opening for a head start in cultivation.
+ The contrast between Chen Mo's secretive cultivation path and the mainstream Blood-Qi Martial Arts.

Character Interactions

+ Shen Bao tries to engage Chen Mo in conversation about his cultivation path, but Chen Mo remains vague.
+ A-Xiu and Fang Cheng show curiosity about Chen Mo's cultivation path but don't press the issue.
+ The group witnesses the arrival of other recruits with entourages, highlighting the prestige of the Anomaly Suppression Bureau.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chen Mo and his group arrive at the Anomaly Suppression Bureau headquarters for intensive training.
• They join a long line to collect their badges and uniforms, meeting various new recruits from different backgrounds.
• Chen Mo reunites with Li Jinrong, a local acquaintance, who reveals that his family wants him to join the bureau for connections.
• After collecting their items, they head to their dormitory area, B-Zone, room number seven.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo remains observant and reserved, showing no particular interest in Li Jinrong's chatter.
• Li Jinrong is revealed to be from a wealthy family, seeking connections through the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, and is quite talkative and self-centered.
• The tall, thin man next to them is briefly introduced, hinting at a potential future interaction.

Significant Themes

• Social Inequality: The contrast between Li Jinrong's wealth and the poor man's worn-out clothes highlights the social disparity among recruits.
• Connections and Networking: Li Jinrong's family sends him to the bureau to build connections, emphasizing the importance of relationships in this world.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo and Li Jinrong reunite, with Li Jinrong eager to chat but Chen Mo showing little interest.
• The tall, thin man briefly interacts with Li Jinrong, showing curiosity but not engaging in conversation.
• Chen Mo's group interacts minimally with others, maintaining a reserved demeanor.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group arrives at the East Third Courtyard, where they meet their roommates.
• He Songling, Zhou Fengchun, and two other students (one scholarly, one muscular) are already present.
• A wealthy young man, Wang Haoran, arrives and offers money to swap bunks with Zhou Fengchun.

Character Developments

• Chen Mo: Remains quiet and reserved, choosing a lower bunk and keeping to himself.
• Shen Bao: Talkative and friendly, he engages in conversation with the roommates.
• Li Jinrong: Initially hesitant about the living conditions, he later expresses surprise at Wang Haoran's successful bunk swap.
• He Songling: Sociable and observant, he tries to smooth over the tension between Wang Haoran and the other students.
• Zhou Fengchun: Poor and proud, he agrees to swap bunks for money but shows no emotion.
• Wang Haoran: Wealthy and demanding, he expects the best and is willing to pay for it.

Significant Themes

• Social Class: The stark contrast between Wang Haoran's wealth and the other students' humble backgrounds is evident in their living conditions and attitudes.
• Proud Poverty vs. Greed: Zhou Fengchun's pride in his poverty is juxtaposed with Wang Haoran's greed for comfort.

Character Interactions

• Chen Mo & Shen Bao: They choose adjacent lower bunks and seem to get along well.
• Li Jinrong & Chen Mo: They share a brief conversation about Wang Haoran's fastidiousness.
• He Songling & Wang Haoran: He Songling attempts to mediate between Wang Haoran and the other students.
• Zhou Fengchun & Wang Haoran: Zhou Fengchun agrees to swap bunks with Wang Haoran for money, highlighting their differing values.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Jinrong bribes Shen Bao to switch beds, moving closer to Chen Mo.
• Zhou Fengchun's martial arts background is revealed; he trained in exchange for service in the Anomaly Suppression Bureau.
• Tension arises when a man in a silk shirt mocks Zhou Fengchun's situation.

Character Developments

• Li Jinrong: Shows his eagerness to get closer to Chen Mo and his naivety about the world.
• Zhou Fengchun: Reveals his past and struggles with his current situation.
• The man in the silk shirt: Demonstrates his arrogance and disregard for others' circumstances.

Significant Themes

• Class divisions and social inequality.
• The cost of martial arts training and its consequences.
• Arrogance and disregard for others' struggles.

Character Interactions

• Li Jinrong interacts with Shen Bao, trying to befriend him.
• Zhou Fengchun interacts with He Songling and the man in the silk shirt, revealing his background and facing mockery.
• The man in the silk shirt interacts with Li Jinrong and Zhou Fengchun, displaying his arrogance and insensitivity.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tension arises between Li Jinrong and Qian Mantang due to Li's remark about the Anomaly Suppression Bureau's treatment of its members.
• Chen Mo and his roommates go to the cafeteria for lunch, where they encounter simple, bland food.
• Li Jinrong, displeased with the food, orders expensive, high-quality meat dishes using his personal funds.

Character Developments

• Li Jinrong: Shows his wealth and disregard for the bureau's rules by ordering expensive food.
• Qian Mantang: Reveals his privileged background and sensitivity to criticism.
• Chen Mo: Observes the dynamics between his roommates without participating in the conflict.

Significant Themes

• The contrast between the harsh reality of the Anomaly Suppression Bureau and the trainees' expectations.
• The tension between the wealthy and the commoners, represented by Li Jinrong and Qian Mantang.

Character Interactions

• Li Jinrong vs. Qian Mantang: Their initial conflict highlights their differing backgrounds and attitudes.
• Chen Mo and his roommates: They interact over their shared experience of the cafeteria food and Li Jinrong's extravagance.
• The cooks: They show indifference to the trainees' complaints and eagerness to profit from Li Jinrong's order.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Jinrong, He Songling, and Shen Bao have a meal together, with Li Jinrong showing off his knowledge about exotic beast meat.
• Zhou Jiachang, Liu Ruyan, and their classmates have a meal at the same cafeteria. Zhou Jiachang feels inferior when he hears Li Jinrong's boasting.
• Liu Ruyan leaves early, followed by Fang Yingxia and Shen Zihua. On the tram, Fang Yingxia asks Liu Ruyan about Li Siqing.

Character Developments

• Li Jinrong: Shows off his knowledge about exotic beast meat and his wealth, trying to impress his friends.
• Liu Ruyan: Dislikes Zhou Jiachang's attention and seems interested in Li Siqing, though she doesn't admit it.
• Fang Yingxia: Curious and outspoken, she tries to understand Liu Ruyan's interest in Li Siqing.

Significant Themes

• Wealth and Status: Li Jinrong flaunts his wealth, while Zhou Jiachang feels inferior due to his family's financial situation.
• Attraction and Interest: Liu Ruyan's interest in Li Siqing is hinted at, contrasting with her disdain for Zhou Jiachang.

Character Interactions

• Li Jinrong, He Songling, and Shen Bao: Li Jinrong boasts about exotic beast meat, trying to impress his friends.
• Zhou Jiachang, Liu Ruyan, Fang Yingxia, and Shen Zihua: Zhou Jiachang feels inferior due to Li Jinrong's boasting, while Liu Ruyan leaves early, followed by Fang Yingxia and Shen Zihua.
• Liu Ruyan and Fang Yingxia: Fang Yingxia tries to understand Liu Ruyan's interest in Li Siqing, while Liu Ruyan remains evasive.