Chapter Summaries

Pan Ling spoke with Qin Yiyan about why Xu Shi had spared her and explained how Luo Yu’s flaws had been overlooked, leading Qin Yiyan to question her hostility toward Xu Shi. Pan Ling offered to tell her about the protagonist and the Heavenly Principle, but first ordered Qin Yiyan, whom she called Xu Shi’s maid, to fetch her a drink.

• Xu Ying spent time with Su Lin, while Qin Yiyan felt uneasy watching her grow close to Xu Shi’s household.
• Pan Ling confronted Qin Yiyan about feeling like a prisoner and asked what the Church would have done if their positions were reversed.
• Pan Ling admitted she might have killed Qin Yiyan herself, then explained that Xu Shi did not consider the Church important or regard Qin Yiyan as an opponent.
• Qin Yiyan asked why Pan Ling had chosen Xu Shi over Luo Yu, and Pan Ling described Luo Yu’s neglect and flaws, which she and others had once failed to see.
• Pan Ling suggested Luo Yu’s role as the protagonist might explain why people overlooked his behavior, and Qin Yiyan asked her to explain.
• Pan Ling offered to explain the protagonist and the Heavenly Principle after ordering Qin Yiyan to bring her a drink.

Pan Ling told Qin Yiyan that the Heavenly Principle had manipulated their lives, prompting Qin Yiyan to reconsider the Saintess, Luo Yu, and Xu Shi. After Pan Ling defended her loyalty to Xu Shi despite calling him a bad person, Qin Yiyan decided to judge him for herself; meanwhile, Xu Shi handled imperial affairs and waited as Lu Baiyan woke.

• Pan Ling explained the truth about the Heavenly Principle, and Qin Yiyan struggled to accept that her life and relationships might have been manipulated.
• Qin Yiyan chose to forgive the Saintess and raise her again as a younger sister, while Pan Ling speculated that the Heavenly Principle had influenced the so-called protagonists.
• Qin Yiyan questioned Pan Ling about Xu Shi, and Pan Ling called him a bad person but said his character did not change her loyalty to him.
• Pan Ling advised Qin Yiyan to judge Xu Shi with her own eyes, and Qin Yiyan decided to reconsider him without relying on her assumptions.
• Xu Shi managed Hualan Empire affairs and noted that Han Jingchuan had died, while Lu Baiyan recovered and woke to find Xu Shi beside him.

After waking from the final battle, Lu Baiyan learned that the Church had fallen and Xu Shi had transformed the Hualan Empire. Xu Shi turned down calls to execute him and offered him a chance to redeem himself by helping with a future plan, while Qin Yiyan reconsidered Xu Shi as she eavesdropped.

• Xu Shi told Lu Baiyan what had happened during the final battle and described the reforms underway in the Hualan Empire.
• Lu Baiyan apologized for never accepting Xu Shi’s earlier offers, and Xu Shi said he understood but would not treat them as reconciled.
• Xu Shi showed Lu Baiyan memorials from his own family urging the court to execute him, then offered him a chance to redeem himself through service.
• Lu Baiyan accepted Xu Shi’s offer to help with his next plan once he recovered.
• Qin Yiyan concluded that Xu Shi had won Lu Baiyan’s loyalty through calculated pressure and tolerance.
• Xu Shi appeared behind Qin Yiyan and asked how long she planned to eavesdrop, calling her his little maid.

Xu Shi confronted Qin Yiyan about investigating him and learned that Pan Ling had prompted her to do so. After hearing Pan Ling’s theory that Divine Breath might spread protagonist halos, Xu Shi brought her into his plans to clear away the Rust Fog and overthrow the Heavenly Principle.

• Xu Shi caught Qin Yiyan eavesdropping, challenged her reason for keeping watch on him, and learned she wanted to judge his character after Pan Ling’s remarks.
• Qin Yiyan admitted that she considered Xu Shi morally bad but capable, and accepted that the church’s defeat had not been unjustified.
• Xu Shi confronted Pan Ling about criticizing him, then asked her to explain her theory about protagonist halos.
• Pan Ling proposed that Divine Breath could spread protagonist halos, and Xu Shi realized Rust Fog might serve as their medium across experimental zones.
• Xu Shi praised Pan Ling’s insight, told her to hand over the Cat Cult’s affairs, and brought her into his plan to clear away the Rust Fog and overthrow the Heavenly Principle.

Xu Shi told Pan Ling that he was preparing her to take over his work and lead the effort against the Heavenly Principle if necessary, then began testing a way to purify Rust Fog. Lu Baiyan’s ability appeared to restore the gas tank’s Divine Breath, and Jiang Chengcheng confirmed the experiment worked.

• Xu Shi revealed that he had been testing Pan Ling and asked whether she wanted to overthrow the Heavenly Principle; Pan Ling said she did.
• Xu Shi told Pan Ling to keep their conversation secret, prepare to inherit his unfinished work, and study under his allies so she could lead others.
• Xu Shi, Jiang Chengcheng, and Xie Qingyan prepared to test whether Lu Baiyan could rewind Rust Fog’s Divine Breath.
• Lu Baiyan used his ability on a Rust Fog gas tank, and Jiang Chengcheng exclaimed that the method worked.

Xu Shi and the others confirmed that Lu Baiyan could reverse a Rust Fog sample to match its state from thirty minutes earlier, then discussed ways to scale the technique into a method for clearing Rust Fog. The chapter ended with Xu Shi asking Jiang Chengcheng for Serpent Coil’s monitoring records so he could test a long-standing hypothesis.

• Jiang Chengcheng and Xie Qingyan’s instrument recorded the Rust Fog sample as Lu Baiyan reversed it, and repeated trials confirmed the result was reproducible.
• Pan Ling asked what the researchers could do next, and Xie Qingyan considered whether Lu Baiyan’s ability could be enhanced before concluding its limits made large-scale manual reversal impractical.
• Xu Shi proposed using extracted Ability samples to transmit abilities through Rust Fog, then strengthening or combining the samples to increase their effects.
• Jiang Chengcheng agreed to assist Xie Qingyan, who began preparing experiments with the Ability samples she had collected from Ascendants.
• Xu Shi asked Jiang Chengcheng for Serpent Coil’s Rust Fog monitoring records from the past decade so he could verify a long-standing hypothesis.

Xu Shi concluded that the Heavenly Principle had weakened because rising Rust Fog had outpaced its ability to control it, and he urged his allies to accelerate their plans before it recovered. As the group prepared to return to their base, Qin Yiyan asked why he insisted on removing Divine Breath, leaving Xu Shi to answer her challenge.

• Xu Shi connected the Heavenly Principle’s reduced interference and Luo Yu’s weak protagonist halo to the rising Rust Fog, and Jiang Chengcheng presented monitoring data showing its concentration had increased over the past decade.
• Jiang Chengcheng urged the group to take advantage of the Heavenly Principle’s weakness, and Xu Shi agreed to accelerate their growth and move up their return so they could continue research and make plans at their main base.
• After the others dispersed to rest, Xu Shi found Qin Yiyan waiting outside the room after eavesdropping on their conversation.
• Qin Yiyan questioned why Xu Shi insisted on removing Divine Breath, pointing out that opposing the Heavenly Principle did not require eliminating Rust Fog and asking whether he could bear to give up the advantage it provided.

Xu Shi defended his plan to clear the Rust Fog and prepared to leave the Hualan Empire after helping it begin industrializing. Dongfang Xiao reluctantly accepted his departure, then asked him for one last private lesson before he left.

• Xu Shi told Qin Yiyan that he intended to clear the Rust Fog and argued that its artificial origin made removing it necessary to challenge the Heavenly Principle.
• Xu Shi and his group helped the Hualan Empire develop electricity, waterworks, and industry, while Xu Shi allowed some people to keep their old customs.
• Xu Shi announced before the court that he was leaving for Night Sin City, and Dongfang Xiao granted him permission.
• In private, Dongfang Xiao asked Xu Shi to stay and offered to help purify Rust Fog, but he encouraged her to govern the Empire and promised they would remain in contact.
• Dongfang Xiao accepted that Xu Shi would leave, then removed her dress and asked him to give his student one more lesson.

Xu Shi traveled back toward Night Sin City with Xia Ke'an and Xia Wuyou, discussing their return plans after their year in the Hualan Empire. He planned to investigate the Heavenly Principle, upgrade the city, and revise their future voyages, while Xia Ke'an admitted she could not foresee anything connected to the Heavenly Principle.

• Xu Shi noticed that improved sea routes had shortened the journey between Night Sin City and the Hualan Empire to about ten days.
• Xia Ke'an teased Xu Shi about his new relationships and jealousy, then joined him in visiting the recovering Xia Wuyou.
• Xu Shi praised Xia Wuyou for risking her life against Cheng Gujian, and the three played Landlord together.
• Xu Shi said he would interrogate He Yuxia again, use the liquid Rust Fog ore to upgrade Night Sin City, and help everyone resume training.
• Xia Ke'an explained that she could not predict matters involving the Heavenly Principle, and Xu Shi said future sea voyages would require adjusted plans.

Xu Shi discussed how Night Sin City should explore other regions cautiously, build alliances, and awaken people to the Heavenly Principle’s control. The group agreed to help with the plan, then returned to teasing Xu Shi as the night turned intimate.

• Xia Ke'an, Xia Wuyou, and Little Cat Xia discussed the dangers of overseas exploration and the need to assess other city-states’ strength.
• Xu Shi proposed sending merchant caravans to make contact while keeping a low profile, then adjusting their approach after learning about each region.
• The old lady argued that Night Sin City should build an alliance, and Xu Shi said its deeper goal was to awaken people to the Heavenly Principle’s control.
• Xu Shi said they would need to screen potential allies, while Xia Ke'an offered her abilities and Xia Wuyou silently signaled her support.
• Xu Shi and Xia Ke'an resumed teasing each other, and Xia Ke'an and Xia Wuyou both moved close to him as the night turned intimate.

Xu Shi returned to Night Sin City and saw how much its port and Sin City had developed during his absence. After discussing a new luxury cruise venture and hearing Yu Xingchuan's report, he hinted that he had a new task for her.

• Su Lin proposed expanding civilian shipping, and Xu Shi approved a cautious start with luxury ships and cruise parties for Night City's wealthy residents.
• Yu Xingchuan welcomed Xu Shi and the returning group on behalf of the city, then joined Xu Shi, Su Lin, and Gu Yi for a drive around Night Sin City.
• Yu Xingchuan described Sin City's transformation, improved employment, and Ding Jun's return to District Seven after struggling in Night City.
• Xu Shi praised Yu Xingchuan's work keeping the city running and asked her to guess what task he was about to assign her.

Xu Shi assigned Yu Xingchuan to take charge of the Inspection Bureau, the Maritime Bureau, and preparations for overseas alliances, while reassuring Gu Yi that he wanted her to stay by his side. Back home, Xu Shi reunited with Xia Ke'an and welcomed Feng, Ling, Xu Ying, and Qin Yiyan, but a doorbell rang before the household could settle in for dinner.

• Xu Shi put Yu Xingchuan in charge of the Inspection Bureau and Maritime Bureau and told her to establish the new department, recruit personnel, and plan overseas voyages.
• Gu Yi questioned whether Yu Xingchuan could be trusted, but Xu Shi said her competence justified the expense and told Gu Yi he could not bear to leave her behind.
• Xu Shi distracted Gu Yi with the offer of strawberry candy, and Su Lin smiled at how easily her daughter was coaxed.
• Xia Ke'an confronted Xu Shi about Yu Xingchuan riding in his car, while Gu Yi and Su Lin rebuked Xia Ke'an and Xu Shi for stirring up trouble.
• Xia Wuyou guided Feng and Ling around their new home, and Su Lin agreed to teach the red-haired maid how to help prepare dinner.
• The doorbell rang just as Xu Shi was thinking about Su Lin's old maid outfit, and he asked if Ning Wei had arrived.

Xu Shi told Ning Wei about Cheng Gujian’s identity and reassured him that Wen Shengkui’s health was being protected. He then asked Feather Pen to help establish exchange academies between Night Sin City and the Hualan Empire, recruiting Qin Yiyan and Xia Ke'an for the project.

• Ning Wei privately asked Xu Shi why Wen Shengkui had brought Cheng Gujian back, saying Cheng’s interest in Night Sin City made him seem dangerous.
• Xu Shi explained that Cheng Gujian was an SS-class former Grand Duke of the Hualan Empire, then reassured Ning Wei that Wen Shengkui would receive a self-healing ability after the new medicine was developed.
• Ning Wei joined the welcome dinner, where Xu Shi explained the maritime exploration plan and asked him to adjust Feather Pen’s business toward cultural and educational exchanges.
• Ning Wei agreed to establish exchange academies and support residents pursuing work in the field, while Xu Shi assigned Qin Yiyan and Xia Ke'an to assist.
• Xu Shi teased Qin Yiyan that she could stay if she had grown used to being his maid, and she immediately agreed to join the project.

Xu Shi appointed Qin Yiyan to lead education and cultural affairs, while Ning Wei reflected on Wen Shengkui’s improving circumstances and teased Xu Shi by imagining him with Cheng Gujian. The next morning, Xu Shi woke to Pan Ling caring for him and gave her a Communication Bracelet loaded with study materials, urging her to prepare to manage his affairs in the future.

• Xu Shi persuaded Qin Yiyan to stay and appointed her to lead education and cultural affairs, and she accepted the role.
• Ning Wei told Xu Shi that his efforts had eased Wen Shengkui’s worries, then left Xu Shi unsettled by suggesting Wen Shengkui and Cheng Gujian made a good pair.
• Xu Shi fell asleep after drinking, and Pan Ling covered him with a blanket and prepared breakfast for him the next morning.
• Pan Ling told Xu Shi that she was adapting to life with him and declared that a disciple did not have to be inferior to her master.
• Xu Shi praised Pan Ling’s growing confidence, explained that she could help manage his affairs, and handed her a Communication Bracelet filled with study materials.
• Pan Ling balked at the extensive reading list, but Xu Shi urged her to start studying.

Xu Shi pushed Pan Ling to study so she could become his successor, then visited Tang Shuang to discuss plans for Night Sin City and its academies. After a meeting with Tang Shuang, Shen Qin, and Lin Yue, he agreed to have dinner at Tang Shuang’s home, only to realize he dreaded her cooking.

• Xu Shi made Pan Ling begin an intensive course of study, and she accepted his hopes that she would become his successor.
• Xu Shi visited Tang Shuang at the Governor's Mansion, where Shen Qin arrived to begin working with her.
• Xu Shi discussed publicizing plans for Night Sin City, and Lin Yue confirmed that she had planned the districts and would promote the program with stricter screening.
• Lin Yue recalled her first meeting with Xu Shi, and she and Tang Shuang teased him about his past behavior.
• Tang Shuang invited Xu Shi, Shen Qin, and Lin Yue to dinner at her home, and Xu Shi realized he was afraid of her cooking.

Xu Shi visited Tang Shuang, discussed the Heavenly Principle and He Yuxia’s condition, and shared dinner with her, Lin Yue, and Shen Qin. Tang Shuang then challenged Xu Shi and Shen Qin to confront their feelings for each other, leaving Xu Shi to consider whether their relationship could become something beyond siblings.

• Tang Shuang declined Xu Shi’s offer to move in with him and said she hoped they could retire to a countryside home together someday.
• While cooking, Tang Shuang told Xu Shi that He Yuxia had been left silent and drawing in her cell, and Xu Shi argued that the Heavenly Principle’s efforts to erase its Observers showed weakness.
• Xu Shi accidentally chopped off the fish’s head, and Tang Shuang served him a meal she had learned to cook during his absence.
• After dinner, Shen Qin prepared to leave for her dormitory, but Tang Shuang confronted her about avoiding Xu Shi and denying her feelings for him.
• Tang Shuang compared Shen Qin’s reconstructed memories to Xu Ying’s and urged her and Xu Shi to clarify whether they wanted to remain siblings or become something more.

Tang Shuang arranged for Xu Shi and Shen Qin to resolve their feelings, but then claimed her own long-awaited promise with Xu Shi. The three became intimate together, while Lin Yue contented herself with staying close to her Master.

• Tang Shuang and Lin Yue encouraged Xu Shi and Shen Qin to settle their relationship, and Shen Qin said she would accept whatever Xu Shi wanted.
• Xu Shi asked Shen Qin to prove her devotion, and she agreed before Tang Shuang announced that Xu Shi also owed her a promised night together.
• Tang Shuang revealed her scars to Xu Shi, who urged her to have them treated and then kissed her.
• As Xu Shi and Tang Shuang became intimate, Shen Qin joined them, while Lin Yue stayed nearby and attended to Xu Shi.

Xu Shi and Tang Shuang spent the morning teasing each other and enjoying a date after their intense night together. Their conversation turned to improving The Forgotten’s base and resisting Heavenly Principle, leaving them resolved to work toward a future when they could live more freely.

• Xu Shi and Tang Shuang joked about their night together, and Tang Shuang shared some of her fantasies while promising to let him indulge her in the future.
• Xu Shi and Tang Shuang dressed in a Governor's Mansion uniform and wandered through a park in District 17 and District 18.
• Tang Shuang raised concerns about The Forgotten’s shabby base, and Xu Shi proposed investing in its formalization to improve its image and prevent outside forces from exploiting it.
• Xu Shi and Tang Shuang discussed involving Song Chen in the work and noted that Qing Yan had kept him focused on Prism.
• Xu Shi and Tang Shuang agreed to work together against Heavenly Principle so they could eventually live more freely.

Three years after returning to Night Sin City, Xu Shi had helped establish the Star River Federation and left much of its work to Pan Ling while he pursued Rust Fog research. The chapter ended when Gu Yi reported that someone was obstructing the federation’s communications network.

• Xu Shi reflected on the three years since his return as Pan Ling reminded him about a meeting with two B-class city-state rulers.
• Pan Ling had graduated at the top of her class and become Xu Shi’s special assistant, while the federation expanded through alliances with newly discovered city-states.
• Xu Shi explained how the federation classified city-states and recalled how its members had defeated an A-class ruler who tried to seize sole power.
• Xu Shi assigned Pan Ling to lead the meeting and write a report of at least thirty pages, then left to visit Prism’s Rust Fog project.
• Gu Yi arrived and told Xu Shi that someone appeared to be obstructing the establishment of a communications network among the United City-States.

Xu Shi and Gu Yi discussed attacks disrupting the alliance’s expanding network, and Xu Shi realized the hackers behind them might be the three top invader-t figures, α, Chaos, and First of January. He suspected those figures were outside Night Sin City and possibly connected to Heavenly Principle.

• Gu Yi told Xu Shi that an unknown attacker had sabotaged network construction with obstacles, viruses, and regional outages.
• Xu Shi scolded Gu Yi for uploading her consciousness to investigate and warned her about the risk of lasting mental damage.
• Xu Shi considered that hackers outside Gu Yi’s technical team might be responsible, then raised the possibility that invader-t’s top three were targeting her.
• Gu Yi said she had never detected α, Chaos, or First of January operating in Night Sin City.
• Xu Shi reasoned that the three might be outside Night Sin City and that only Heavenly Principle personnel could have influenced its network before cross-regional communications existed.