Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• A Cloud Knight is found disoriented and weak, his weapon having spoken to him and led him to attack Yan Qing.
• Yan Qing's sword is found flying around, seeking help, leading a group to follow it to a ferry crossing.
• The group finds the ferry crossing leading to the Dragon Altar, where Yan Qing is suspected to be, but the sea is covered in thick fog.

Character Developments

• The disoriented Cloud Knight reveals his encounter with a weapon spirit and his subsequent attack on Yan Qing.
• Yan Huan shows confidence in the group's ability to handle Yan Qing, implying he might be more powerful than he lets on.

Significant Themes

• Possession and loss of control (seen in the Cloud Knight and potentially Yan Qing).
• The power of weapons and artifacts (the Cloud Knight's weapon spirit, Yan Qing's sword).

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan, Sushang, Guinaifen, and Huo Huo work together to follow Yan Qing's sword and find him.
• Yan Huan expresses confidence in their ability to handle Yan Qing, highlighting his leadership and belief in his companions' abilities.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Huan, Sushang, Guinaifen, and Huo Huo set out to rescue Yan Qing, who is possessed by a Suiyang (Molten Torch) and trapped in an illusion on the Dragon Altar.
• They find Yan Qing surrounded by a dense sword array, with Molten Torch's voice urging him to fight the group to improve his skills.
• Yan Huan decides to engage Yan Qing in combat, recording it to disprove any future accusations.

Character Developments

• Yan Qing: He is now possessed by Molten Torch, who is influencing his actions and thoughts, making him more aggressive and confident in his abilities.
• Yan Huan: He remains confident and willing to take the lead in challenging Yan Qing, showing his desire to protect the others and his eagerness to prove himself.

Significant Themes

• Possession and control: Molten Torch's influence over Yan Qing raises questions about free will and control, as Yan Qing's actions are not entirely his own.
• Confidence and overconfidence: The theme of confidence is explored through the characters' reactions to the situation. Yan Qing's overconfidence, fueled by Molten Torch, contrasts with the others' caution and concern.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Yan Qing: Their interaction sets up a potential conflict, with Yan Huan challenging Yan Qing to a fight to test his skills and prove his loyalty to the Imbibitor Dragon Venerable.
• Yan Huan and Dan Heng: Yan Huan consults with Dan Heng about the situation, seeking his opinion on how to handle it. Dan Heng gives him the freedom to act as he sees fit.
• The group (Sushang, Guinaifen, Huo Huo, and Yan Huan): They work together, with Yan Huan taking the lead, to approach Yan Qing and attempt to rescue him from Molten Torch's influence.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Qing attempts to challenge Yan Huan in order to continue training under Molten Torch’s guidance.
• Before Yan Qing can finish speaking, Yan Huan knocks him down with a thrown red brick, mocking his inability to dodge such a simple attack.
• Yan Qing insists on a formal sword duel, arguing that his swordsmanship can only improve through honest practice. Yan Huan reluctantly agrees and takes up an ordinary iron sword.
• Molten Torch urges Yan Qing to fight to the death, claiming that true swordsmanship is defined by victory and that only the winning sword deserves to be passed down.
• Sushang condemns Molten Torch for manipulating Yan Qing’s competitive spirit and treating people as expendable tools. She defends the principle that a swordsman’s will matters more than victory.
• Yan Qing hesitates to kill Yan Huan, admitting that he only wants to spar and fears the consequences of killing a Cloud Knight.
• Molten Torch escalates the situation by suggesting that Dan Heng and others be brought into the conflict so all past grudges can be settled.
• Yan Huan challenges Yan Qing to make the first move. Yan Qing attacks with extraordinary speed, but Yan Huan blocks every strike effortlessly.
• The chapter ends with the sword duel intensifying, establishing that Yan Huan’s reactions and technique are still superior to Yan Qing’s.

Character Developments

• Yan Qing: Remains stubborn, proud, and eager to improve. Despite repeated defeats, he refuses to abandon his pursuit of stronger swordsmanship. However, he also shows moral restraint by resisting the idea of killing Yan Huan, revealing that he values honorable sparring over bloodshed.
• Yan Huan: Appears relaxed, mocking, and confident. His use of a brick and deliberately inferior iron sword emphasizes both his unconventional methods and overwhelming skill. He is willing to provoke Yan Qing but does not initially seek a deadly confrontation.
• Molten Torch: Reveals itself as manipulative and bloodthirsty. It pushes Yan Qing toward lethal combat, exploiting his ambition and sense of honor rather than genuinely guiding him.
• Sushang: Acts as a moral counterweight to Molten Torch. She openly denounces its philosophy and argues that swordsmanship should not destroy a person’s conscience or free will.
• Dan Heng: Warns Yan Huan against taking the duel too far and criticizes his recklessness.
• Guinaifen and Huo Huo: Serve as shocked observers, reacting to the sudden violence and absurdity of Yan Qing’s challenge.

Significant Themes

• Honor versus survival: Molten Torch defines swordsmanship through victory and death, while Sushang and Yan Qing advocate restraint, integrity, and nonlethal competition.
• Manipulation and free will: Molten Torch presents its bloodlust as martial wisdom, but Sushang recognizes that it is using Yan Qing’s ambition to control him.
• Skill versus confidence: Yan Qing is convinced of his progress, yet his inability to dodge a brick and Yan Huan’s effortless defense expose the gap between his confidence and actual ability.
• The meaning of a swordsman: The chapter questions whether mastery requires abandoning compassion, ultimately suggesting that moral judgment is part of true strength.
• Humor amid danger: The dramatic confrontation is undercut by Yan Huan’s casual brick attack, his poor-quality sword, and Yan Qing’s misplaced confidence.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan repeatedly teases and provokes Yan Qing, while Yan Qing responds with formal seriousness and insists on a fair duel.
• Molten Torch attempts to turn the spar into a death match, pressuring Yan Qing to discard mercy.
• Sushang directly confronts Molten Torch and defends Yan Qing’s autonomy.
• Dan Heng tries to restrain Yan Huan, but Molten Torch uses his presence to widen the conflict.
• During the final exchange, Yan Qing attacks rapidly and skillfully, but Yan Huan parries every blow, demonstrating the considerable difference between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Qing, possessed by the Suiyang, challenges Yan Huan, but is suppressed by Yan Huan's speed and strength without any swordsmanship techniques.
• Yan Qing retaliates with a massive sword array and rain of flying swords, but Yan Huan evades them without counterattacking.
• Jing Yuan, Yan Huan's master, arrives at Suiyuan and decides to handle the situation with Yan Qing.
• Fuyan, a fragment of Molten Torch, is present and expresses her envy of Jing Yuan's situation.

Character Developments

• Yan Qing: Becomes increasingly obsessed with winning and losing, leading him to take a wrong path in improving his swordsmanship.
• Yan Huan: Shows restraint and respect for Jing Yuan's family matter, not interfering despite being capable of handling the situation.
• Jing Yuan: Recognizes his failure as a master in guiding Yan Qing and feels sadness for his disciple's wrong turn.
• Fuyan (Molten Torch): Expresses her strong killing intent and disdain for Jing Yuan's situation, revealing her combative nature.

Significant Themes

• Master-Disciple Relationship: Jing Yuan's sadness highlights the importance of proper guidance in the master-disciple relationship.
• Obsession with Winning and Losing: Yan Qing's focus on winning and losing clouds his judgment and leads him astray.
• Restraint and Patience: Yan Huan's restraint in not interfering with Jing Yuan's family matter demonstrates his respect for their relationship.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Yan Qing: Yan Huan suppresses Yan Qing's attacks without using swordsmanship techniques, showing his superior speed and strength.
• Jing Yuan and Yan Huan: Jing Yuan thanks Yan Huan for informing him about Yan Qing's situation, but Yan Huan reveals he came for Fuyan instead.
• Fuyan and Jing Yuan: Fuyan expresses her disdain for Jing Yuan's situation and envies Molten Torch's lack of recognition for its master.
• Fuyan and Yan Huan: Fuyan expresses her dislike for Yan Huan, calling him a scoundrel and telling him to get lost.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jing Yuan and Yan Huan arrive at the Dragon Altar to find Yan Qing attacking with a widespread sword rain.
• Yan Qing challenges Jing Yuan, but after a moment of hesitation, he challenges the sword array (Molten Torch) instead.
• A fierce duel ensues between Yan Qing and his sword array manifestation, with Molten Torch demonstrating Yan Qing's techniques with enhanced power.

Character Developments

• Yan Qing: Struggles with his purpose and confidence in swordsmanship, ultimately deciding to challenge his teacher to prove himself.
• Jing Yuan: Shows faith in Yan Qing's ability to find his own reason for wielding a sword, rather than relying on victory or defeat.
• Molten Torch: Disappointed in Yan Qing's hesitation, he uses Yan Qing's own techniques against him to teach him a lesson.

Significant Themes

• The true purpose of swordsmanship: Jing Yuan believes Yan Qing should find his own reason for wielding a sword, not just for winning or losing.
• Shamelessness vs. civilized methods: Yan Huan suggests that in fights, one should not be bound by civilized rules; the shameless may win.

Character Interactions

• Jing Yuan and Yan Huan: They discuss Yan Qing's growth and the nature of swordsmanship, with Yan Huan providing a contrasting perspective.
• Yan Qing and Molten Torch: Their teacher-student relationship is strained as Molten Torch criticizes Yan Qing's lack of progress and challenges him to a duel.
• Yan Qing and Jing Yuan: Yan Qing initially challenges Jing Yuan but later changes his mind and challenges Molten Torch instead, showing respect for Jing Yuan's faith in him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Qing and Molten Torch engage in a prolonged, world-shaking battle.
• Yan Qing wins after a sudden breakthrough in his swordsmanship.
• The group seals Molten Torch in the Binding and Evil-Repelling Formation.
• Yan Qing and Jing Yuan have a private discussion after the battle.

Character Developments

• Yan Qing: Realizes the true meaning of swordsmanship, overcomes his delusion, and wins against Molten Torch.
• Jing Yuan: Shows understanding and leniency towards Yan Qing's predicament.
• Yan Huan: Proves himself as a capable member of the ghost-hunting squad, willing to take risks to help Yan Qing.

Significant Themes

• Delusion and Reality: Yan Qing's battle with Molten Torch explores the theme of being trapped in one's own delusions and the struggle to return to reality.
• Growth and Breakthrough: Yan Qing's sudden improvement in swordsmanship highlights the theme of personal growth and breakthroughs.
• Loyalty and Forgiveness: Jing Yuan's understanding and forgiveness towards Yan Qing emphasize the theme of loyalty and forgiveness among mentors and mentees.

Character Interactions

• Yan Qing and Molten Torch: Their battle showcases their equal skill and honor, with Molten Torch acknowledging Yan Qing's victory.
• Jing Yuan and Yan Qing: Jing Yuan's mentorship and understanding towards Yan Qing's situation strengthen their bond.
• Yan Huan and Guinaifen: Their collaboration in editing the report for the Luofu Miscellany demonstrates their teamwork and mutual respect.
• Huo Huo and the Squad: Huo Huo's concern for the squad's safety and well-being highlights her role as a caring and responsible team member.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Guinaifen's livestream fame leads to rumors about her retirement, which she denies.
• Huo Huo goes missing, sparking concern among the ghost-hunting team.
• Guinaifen posts online, seeking help to find Huo Huo.
• The team suspects Fuyan's involvement and decides to interrogate him.

Character Developments

• Guinaifen becomes more famous, causing her to feel full of herself.
• Yan Huan remains calm and analytical, suggesting Fuyan's involvement in Huo Huo's disappearance.
• Kafka maintains a serious and concerned demeanor, focusing on finding Huo Huo.
• Fuyan reveals his involvement in Huo Huo's disappearance, displaying a menacing and uncooperative attitude.

Significant Themes

• Fame and its consequences (Guinaifen's sudden popularity and the rumors it spawns).
• Teamwork and unity (the ghost-hunting team's concern for Huo Huo and their collective effort to find her).
• Manipulation and deceit (Fuyan's role in Huo Huo's disappearance and his taunting of the team).

Character Interactions

• Guinaifen and Yan Huan discuss the online rumors and Huo Huo's disappearance, leading to the decision to interrogate Fuyan.
• The ghost-hunting team reunites to search for Huo Huo, showing their solidarity and concern for each other.
• Fuyan's interaction with the team reveals his malicious intent and lack of cooperation, escalating the situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fuyan manipulates Huo Huo into searching for Tail, leading her to Liuyun Crossing.
• Huo Huo is found unconscious at Liuyun Crossing, her spirit trapped in a Stellaron's illusion.
• Kafka suggests taking Huo Huo back to the Ten Lords' Decree for help, but Yan Huan offers to enter her mental world to wake her up.

Character Developments

• Fuyan: Reveals her manipulative nature and enjoyment in causing trouble, further cementing her status as an antagonist.
• Huo Huo: Falls for Fuyan's tricks and ends up in a dangerous situation, highlighting her impulsive nature.
• Yan Huan: Demonstrates his medical knowledge and willingness to help Huo Huo, showing his growth as a responsible character.
• Kafka: Shows concern for Huo Huo's well-being and offers a reliable method to help her, displaying her professionalism.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: Fuyan's actions highlight the theme of manipulation and its consequences.
• Trust and vulnerability: Characters are vulnerable when it comes to what they care about, leading to poor decisions.
• Reliance on others: Characters must rely on each other and their unique skills to solve problems, emphasizing teamwork.

Character Interactions

• Fuyan and Huo Huo: Fuyan manipulates Huo Huo, leading her into danger.
• Yan Huan and Kafka: They discuss and share methods to help Huo Huo, showing mutual respect and cooperation.
• Yan Huan and Guinaifen/Sushang: They discuss and agree on a course of action to help Huo Huo, demonstrating unity and agreement among the group.

Summary of “I Didn’t Leave Either”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kafka reveals that Tail, the Suiyang Huo Huo has been searching for, has been hidden inside her Cangyue Gourd all along. She explains that she temporarily sealed him according to regulations after Tail asked her to conceal him.
• Tail admits he arranged this out of resentment toward Huo Huo, believing she did not appreciate him and would regret losing him. Kafka now offers him a chance to return to Huo Huo, provided he helps resolve the current possession and exorcise the other Suiyang.
• Tail agrees and intends to possess Huo Huo, defeat the Suiyang controlling her, and restore their previous relationship.
• Meanwhile, Huo Huo remains trapped inside a Suiyang-created illusion. Without Tail’s help, she must navigate the maze alone, a task made harder by her lack of confidence and limited experience handling such situations independently.
• The illusion forces Huo Huo to confront painful memories:
  • Her mother rejects her, fearing the “filthy thing” attached to her, and sends her away to the Ten Lords’ Decree.
  • Former classmates mock her burned tail and call her a monster.
  • These scenes intensify Huo Huo’s loneliness and reinforce her fear that everyone eventually abandons her.
• At the end of the chapter, Huo Huo encounters an illusory Tail and assumes he is leaving her as well. She breaks down, saying she does not want to be alone again.
• The illusory Tail responds in confusion, saying, “But I... didn’t leave either?”—suggesting that the illusion may be exposing a deeper truth about Huo Huo’s memories, fears, and relationship with Tail.

Character Developments

• Kafka is shown as pragmatic and controlled. Although she is associated with the Ten Lords’ Decree and has sealed Tail, she did not intend to dominate him and is willing to return him to Huo Huo under negotiated conditions.
• Tail shifts from smug resentment to reluctant responsibility. He initially hid himself to punish Huo Huo emotionally, but he ultimately agrees to help her and appears to care more about her than he admits.
• Huo Huo is forced to confront her deepest insecurities without Tail’s support. Her fear of abandonment, emotional fragility, and long-standing shame over her tail become central obstacles in the illusion.
• Yan Huan, Guinaifen, and Sushang react with shock upon learning that Kafka had been hiding Tail, highlighting how unexpected and significant the revelation is.

Significant Themes

• Fear of abandonment: Huo Huo’s illusion repeatedly shows loved ones and peers rejecting or leaving her, revealing the emotional wound beneath her timid personality.
• Loneliness and dependence: Huo Huo has relied heavily on Tail, and his absence exposes how vulnerable she feels when forced to act alone.
• Misunderstanding and reconciliation: Tail hid himself because he felt unappreciated, while Huo Huo believes she is destined to be abandoned. Their reunion may require both to recognize the pain behind the other’s behavior.
• Identity and stigma: Huo Huo’s burned tail and connection to a Suiyang have caused others to treat her as abnormal or dangerous, shaping her belief that she is a monster.
• Illusions as emotional mirrors: The maze does more than trap Huo Huo physically; it manifests her memories, guilt, and fears, making psychological endurance as important as exorcism.

Character Interactions

• Kafka negotiates directly with Tail, treating him as an intelligent, potentially trustworthy entity rather than merely a creature to be sealed.
• Tail’s relationship with Huo Huo is revealed as conflicted: he complains about her rejection of him but clearly remains concerned about her.
• Huo Huo’s imagined interactions with her mother and classmates recreate the rejection that shaped her insecurity.
• Her final encounter with the illusory Tail contrasts with these earlier scenes: instead of simply rejecting her, he challenges her assumption that he has abandoned her, hinting that their bond may be more mutual and enduring than Huo Huo believes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huo Huo enters Suiyang's illusion, feeling abandoned and depressed.
• Yan Huan, Guinaifen, and Tail also enter the illusion but get separated.
• Yan Huan and Guinaifen encounter a Sushang illusion, who criticizes Guinaifen's lifestyle and purpose.

Character Developments

• Huo Huo: Struggles with feelings of abandonment and depression.
• Yan Huan: Demonstrates his ability to manipulate mental worlds, showing growth in his powers.
• Guinaifen: Feels hurt and confused by the Sushang illusion's criticism of her life choices.

Significant Themes

• Mental and emotional struggles (Huo Huo's depression, Guinaifen's hurt feelings).
• The power of consciousness and mental manipulation (Yan Huan's abilities).
• Identity and purpose (Guinaifen's questioning of her role in Luofu).

Character Interactions

• Huo Huo and Tail: Tail tries to comfort Huo Huo, but she's too consumed by her feelings.
• Yan Huan and Guinaifen: They work together to navigate the illusion and find Huo Huo, showcasing their teamwork.
• Guinaifen and Sushang (illusion): The illusion of Sushang criticizes Guinaifen, causing her to question her purpose and role in Luofu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Huan encounters an illusion of Sushang, who attacks him. He dismisses it and continues with Guinaifen.
• Meanwhile, Tail brings back illusions of Huo Huo's family and classmates to comfort her.
• Yan Huan and Guinaifen encounter illusions of various ghost-hunting team members, which Yan Huan keeps as 'digital pets' for company.
• Yan Huan captures the Suiyang that was tormenting Huo Huo and hands it over to her to be sealed in the Cangyue Gourd, breaking the illusion.

Character Developments

• Huo Huo: Realizes that Tail is real and not an illusion, boosting her spirits. She also understands that Yan Huan and Guinaifen are safe.
• Yan Huan: Shows a playful and eccentric side, treating illusions as 'digital pets' for entertainment. He also demonstrates his strength by capturing the Suiyang.
• Tail: Reveals his true form to Huo Huo and expresses his concern for her, despite his initial intention to leave.

Significant Themes

• Illusions vs. Reality: The chapter explores the difference between illusions and reality, with characters struggling to discern between the two.
• Companionship and Support: The theme of having companions to face challenges together is emphasized, with Yan Huan's 'digital pets' and Tail's return to Huo Huo.

Character Interactions

• Huo Huo and Tail: Their reunion strengthens their bond, with Tail providing comfort and support to Huo Huo.
• Yan Huan and Guinaifen: They work together to navigate the illusions, with Yan Huan's eccentricity contrasting with Guinaifen's practicality.
• Yan Huan and the 'Family' Illusions: Yan Huan interacts playfully with the illusions of his team members, treating them as digital pets, which lightens the mood and breaks the gloom of the illusions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huo Huo wakes up after Tail's return, greeted by her team.
• Kafka receives an urgent report about Suiyang's unrest in Suiyuan.
• The team arrives at Suiyuan to find Fuyan, who has gathered all the Suiyang and is waiting for General Jing Yuan.
• Yan Huan suggests they wait and watch instead of engaging Fuyan, as she should conserve strength for her battle with the General.

Character Developments

• Huo Huo: Recognized as the captain by her team, but remains shy and humble.
• Fuyan: Shows cunning and strategic planning, aiming to lure the Judge away from Suiyuan and gather Suiyang's power.
• Yan Huan: Demonstrates wisdom and calm, advising Fuyan to conserve strength for the upcoming battle with General Jing Yuan.

Significant Themes

• Strategy and cunning vs. direct confrontation
• The power of unity and gathering forces (Fuyan with Suiyang, the team's unity)
• Conservation of strength and resources

Character Interactions

• Huo Huo and Tail: Their bond strengthens as Tail returns to Huo Huo's side.
• Fuyan and Yan Huan: They engage in a verbal exchange, with Fuyan feeling restless about the team's inaction.
• The team: They work together, following Kafka's lead, and support each other's decisions.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Fuyan, a Suiyang fragment, challenges Jing Yuan, the General of Luofu, to a duel.
• Fuyan controls all Nether Envoys in Suiyuan, outnumbering Jing Yuan's forces.
• The ghost-catching team (Huo Huo, Guinaifen, and Kafka) wait for Jing Yuan's arrival before deciding their next move.
• Yan Huan, an outsider, watches the duel leisurely.
• Jing Yuan arrives and questions the presence of the ghost-catching team, leading to a tense standoff with Fuyan.

Character Developments

• Fuyan: Shows aggressive and confident behavior, eager to fight Jing Yuan.
• Jing Yuan: Maintains composure and strategic thinking, questioning Fuyan's tactics.
• Yan Huan: Remains neutral and uninvolved, enjoying the spectacle.
• Kafka, Huo Huo, and Guinaifen: Wait for Jing Yuan's instructions, showing deference to his authority.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and strategic planning in battle.
• The indestructible nature of Suiyang and their mental state's influence on their power.
• The importance of unity and teamwork among allies.

Character Interactions

• Fuyan and Jing Yuan: Engage in a tense standoff, with Fuyan eager to fight and Jing Yuan questioning her tactics.
• Yan Huan and the ghost-catching team: Yan Huan remains neutral, while the team waits for Jing Yuan's arrival before deciding their next move.
• Kafka and the ghost-catching team: Kafka, as an elder, influences the team's decisions, with Huo Huo and Guinaifen deferring to her judgment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jing Yuan reveals his true strength to Fuyan, controlling thousands of Nether Envoys.
• Yan Huan, with Jing Yuan's request, dispels the Nether Envoys' ghost fire, defeating them.
• Fuyan, enraged, transforms into a colossal giant and attacks Jing Yuan.
• Jing Yuan, unmoved, summons the Divine General, who appears to strike down Fuyan.
• Fuyan concedes defeat after experiencing the Divine General's power.

Character Developments

• Jing Yuan: Shows his true strength and strategic prowess. He prioritizes the safety of his soldiers and keeps his promises.
• Fuyan: Realizes her defeat and the futility of her resistance. She accepts her fate but remains defiant and determined.

Significant Themes

• Power and Strategy: Jing Yuan's victory is not just about brute force but also about strategy and understanding his opponent.
• Acceptance of Defeat: Fuyan's struggle to accept her defeat and the consequences of her actions.
• Determination and Resilience: Both characters display immense determination and resilience in their respective ways.

Character Interactions

• Jing Yuan and Fuyan: Their interaction is a battle of wits and power, with Jing Yuan showing respect for Fuyan's strength while Fuyan remains defiant until the end.
• Jing Yuan and Yan Huan: Jing Yuan requests Yan Huan's help to protect the Nether Envoys, showing his care for his soldiers. Yan Huan agrees, showing understanding and cooperation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Huo Huo successfully defeats Fuyan and seals her in the Cangyue Gourd.
• Jing Yuan decides to leave after the situation is resolved, offering help against Dan Heng if needed.
• Yan Huan and Jing Yuan discuss the next Luofu General, with Jing Yuan hinting at Sushang's potential.
• Kafka handles the remaining matters, including sealing the other Suiyangs and entrusting the tail to Huo Huo.
• Sushang shares her achievements with her mother, who expresses concern.
• Yan Huan offers Sushang secret sword manuals to expand her skills.

Character Developments

• Huo Huo gains confidence after defeating Fuyan and is entrusted with the tail's supervision.
• Sushang is recognized for her martial arts talent by Jing Yuan and Yan Huan, and she receives secret sword manuals from Yan Huan.
• Yan Huan shows interest in Sushang's growth and offers guidance.
• Jing Yuan displays his power and influence, offering help to Yan Huan against Dan Heng.
• Kafka efficiently handles the remaining tasks related to the Suiyangs.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics and politics among the Luofu Generals and the Ten Lords' Decree.
• The importance of martial arts talent and skill development, as seen through Sushang and Yan Huan's interactions.
• The responsibility and trust placed in Huo Huo, as she is entrusted with the tail's supervision.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Jing Yuan discuss the next Luofu General, with Yan Huan seeking Jing Yuan's help against Dan Heng.
• Huo Huo and Yan Huan work together to seal the other Suiyangs.
• Sushang shares her achievements with her mother, highlighting the mother-daughter relationship.
• Yan Huan offers guidance to Sushang, showing interest in her growth and offering her secret sword manuals.
• Kafka efficiently handles the remaining tasks, showing her competence and responsibility.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The ghost-hunting team's mission in Suiyang is completed.
• Kafka expresses gratitude for their work and allows Guinaifen's team to continue hunting stray Suiyang.
• Yan Huan and Sushang discuss participating in Xianzhou's upcoming festival activities.
• Guinaifen discovers a post about a "Chess Ghost" in Changle Heaven, challenging people to chess matches with a soul-stake.

Character Developments

• Kafka shows understanding and support for Guinaifen's team's desire to continue their work.
• Yan Huan demonstrates his relaxed and confident approach to his duties, acting as a safety net for the team.
• Huo Huo shows eagerness to participate in missions but admits her lack of skill in chess.

Significant Themes

• The team's camaraderie and mutual support.
• The variety of manifestations and motivations of Suiyang.
• The balance between work and personal interests, as seen in Yan Huan's approach to his duties.

Character Interactions

• Kafka interacts with the ghost-hunting team, expressing gratitude and understanding their desire to continue their work.
• Yan Huan and Sushang discuss their plans for Xianzhou's festival activities.
• Guinaifen, Yan Huan, and Sushang discuss the potential threat of the "Chess Ghost" and divide tasks accordingly.
• Yan Huan and Huo Huo prepare to investigate the "Chess Ghost" together.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Huan and Yan Qing find the Chess Ghost, Suiyang, surrounded by a crowd.
• Yan Qing reveals he's there to improve his swordsmanship by challenging Suiyang, despite not being a chess expert.
• Suiyang, the Chess Ghost, is revealed to be a sore loser who attracts people who have beaten her in chess puzzles, not the other way around.
• Yan Huan agrees to play Suiyang's chess puzzle, solving it easily.

Character Developments

• Yan Huan: Shows his intelligence and problem-solving skills by easily solving Suiyang's puzzle. He also displays confidence and calmness under pressure.
• Yan Qing: Shows growth in self-awareness and restraint, choosing not to react to Suiyang's provocations. He also demonstrates loyalty to Yan Huan, planning to rescue him if he loses.
• Suiyang (Chess Ghost): Revealed to be a sore loser with a big ego, she attracts people who have beaten her in chess puzzles, seeking revenge.

Significant Themes

• Hubris and Humility: Suiyang's overconfidence and inability to accept defeat lead to her downfall, while Yan Huan's humility and willingness to learn allow him to succeed.
• True Strength: The chapter explores the idea of true strength not being solely about physical prowess or martial arts skills, but also about intelligence and problem-solving.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan and Yan Qing: Their interaction shows a growing friendship and mutual respect. Yan Huan is impressed by Yan Qing's growth, and Yan Qing shows loyalty to Yan Huan.
• Suiyang and Yan Huan: Their interaction highlights Suiyang's sore loser attitude and Yan Huan's calm confidence in his abilities.
• Yan Qing and Suiyang: Their interaction reveals Suiyang's disdain for Yan Qing's timidity and Yan Qing's determination to capture Suiyang despite her provocations.

Chapter Summary: “So It Was Made Up After All, Right?”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Chess Ghost attacks Yan Qing and the others through several possessed civilians, accusing skilled chess players of having no morals.
• Yan Qing volunteers to fight, easily defeating the possessed people because they are ordinary civilians and the Chess Ghost has no real combat ability.
• Huo Huo captures the weakened Chess Ghost in the Cangyue Gourd.
• Yan Qing and Yan Huan conclude that the Chess Ghost was unimpressive and that the Suiyang calamity may have largely passed.
• The Department of Earthly Rulings is contacted to handle the aftermath, while Yan Huan and Huo Huo return to Suiyuan and seal the Chess Ghost in the Demon-Locking Tower.
• Yan Huan questions the safety of the sealing method, since a previously captured Suiyang had been released by Fuyan and turned into her subordinate. Huo Huo assures him that the Chess Ghost is currently under heavy guard.
• Guinaifen arrives to gather material for Luofu Miscellany. Yan Huan explains that the supposedly brilliant Chess Ghost was actually weak, ignorant of chess, and had merely controlled people who had already won their games.
• Sushang and Guinaifen reveal that they have been investigating another supernatural case: the Ghost Star-chaser, a green, translucent, unmanned Star Skiff said to appear with bloodstains, missing crew, cargo, and eerie Mimic Demon cries.
• Their story frightens Huo Huo, especially because the Star Skiff allegedly came from Daiyu Xianzhou and was headed toward Cangcheng Xianzhou—both destroyed Xianzhou ships.
• Yan Huan points out that the tale’s witnesses supposedly disappeared, implying that much of the story may have been invented. Guinaifen awkwardly admits that the truth should perhaps not be stated aloud.

Character Developments

• Yan Qing demonstrates his confidence and martial skill, easily overpowering both the possessed civilians and the incompetent Chess Ghost. His disappointment shows that he had expected a genuine intellectual or combat challenge.
• Yan Huan remains laid-back and observant, preferring to let Yan Qing handle the fight. He also shows skepticism toward official explanations and supernatural rumors.
• Huo Huo successfully captures the Chess Ghost but remains timid and highly susceptible to frightening ghost stories. Her attempts to act brave are undermined by her trembling.
• Guinaifen continues acting as a storyteller and reporter, collecting sensational material for Luofu Miscellany. Her dramatic delivery makes the Ghost Star-chaser tale even more frightening.
• Sushang is enthusiastic about the investigation but is also visibly frightened, despite trying to comfort Huo Huo.
• The Chess Ghost is revealed to be a fraud: rather than a powerful ancient spirit with profound chess knowledge, she is a weak and ignorant Suiyang who relied on intimidation and possession.

Significant Themes

• Appearance versus reality: The Chess Ghost’s grand reputation and arrogant behavior conceal her incompetence. Likewise, the Ghost Star-chaser may be more rumor than fact.
• Skepticism toward legends: The characters question exaggerated supernatural stories instead of accepting them at face value.
• Fear and storytelling: Guinaifen’s ghost story becomes more frightening through dramatic presentation and the eerie setting of Suiyuan, even though its factual basis is uncertain.
• The danger of unreliable containment: Yan Huan’s concern about the sealed Suiyang recalls earlier failures and raises doubts about whether the Luofu’s containment methods are truly secure.
• Comedy through anticlimax: Both supernatural threats are deflated—the Chess Ghost is defeated effortlessly, while the supposedly terrifying Ghost Star-chaser may simply be an embellished tale.

Character Interactions

• Yan Qing and Yan Huan exchange amused comments about the Chess Ghost’s lack of skill.
• Huo Huo warns Yan Qing not to harm the possessed civilians and later reassures Yan Huan about the Chess Ghost’s containment.
• Yan Huan gives Guinaifen the real story for her publication, exposing the gap between rumor and reality.
• Guinaifen and Sushang introduce the next investigation, while their increasingly frightening account causes both Huo Huo and Sushang to panic.
• Yan Huan undercuts the ghost story by asking whether the earlier details were fabricated, leaving everyone awkwardly silent.

Chapter Summary: “A Ghost, Huh”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yan Huan, Sushang, Huo Huo, and Guinaifen investigate rumors of the “Ghost Star-chaser,” a half-transparent blue Star Skiff supposedly seen drifting around Hui Xing Port.
• They suspect the vessel may be connected to a Suiyang, since Suiyang can possess humans and mechanical constructs. Yan Huan wonders whether the ship is instead mimicking a Star Skiff.
• At Hui Xing Port, Guinaifen suggests splitting up to search more efficiently, but Yan Huan points out that separating is a classic horror-movie mistake. The group decides to remain together.
• They search the port in a cautious formation, with Yan Huan and Guinaifen guarding the front and rear while Sushang and Huo Huo stay in the middle.
• From a higher vantage point, Yan Huan spots a distant, glowing, semi-transparent Star Skiff. The group approaches it together rather than allowing Yan Huan to investigate alone.
• Near the vessel, they hear an eerie voice calling, “Yukong... we need to talk...”
• Before they can reach the ship, it vanishes, leaving behind a distressed Foxian girl named Qing Ni.
• Qing Ni confirms that she also saw the Ghost Star-chaser. She reveals that she is secretly investigating it despite her superior’s disapproval.
• Qing Ni explains that her mother, Lord Yukong, boarded the Star Skiff several days earlier and has behaved strangely ever since—more sentimental and unlike her normally decisive self.
• The chapter ends with Yan Huan realizing that Qing Ni is Yukong’s daughter and jokingly recognizing her as the child of an important official.

Character Developments

• Yan Huan acts as the group’s practical observer and comic voice. He notices the ghost ship first, remains willing to investigate, and tries to balance curiosity with caution.
• Guinaifen takes initiative in organizing the search and shares Yan Huan’s enthusiasm for documenting the ghost ship.
• Sushang and Huo Huo become increasingly frightened by the horror-like situation. Both insist that the group stay together, showing their caution and dependence on safety in numbers.
• Qing Ni is introduced as brave, secretive, and personally motivated. Although she is officially connected to the Divination Department, she is conducting an unauthorized investigation because she is worried about her mother.
• Yukong, though absent, becomes central to the mystery through reports that her personality has changed after boarding the ghost ship.

Significant Themes

• Fear versus curiosity: The group is frightened but unable to resist investigating the mysterious vessel.
• Horror conventions and self-awareness: Yan Huan’s comments about horror movies add humor while also emphasizing the characters’ fear of being isolated or ambushed.
• Family concern: Qing Ni’s investigation is driven less by rumors of the supernatural than by concern that something has affected her mother.
• The unknown and supernatural mimicry: The Ghost Star-chaser’s ability to appear and disappear raises questions about whether it is truly a ghost, a Suiyang manifestation, or something else.
• Appearance versus reality: The ship may not be an actual Star Skiff at all, suggesting that the mystery involves imitation, deception, or altered perception.

Character Interactions

• Yan Huan’s horror-movie warning persuades Sushang and Huo Huo not to separate from the group.
• Guinaifen and Yan Huan share excitement about finding and recording the ghost ship.
• Sushang and Huo Huo repeatedly oppose Yan Huan’s plan to approach the vessel alone, prioritizing safety.
• The group encounters Qing Ni immediately after the ship disappears and compares their experiences.
• Qing Ni’s revelation about Yukong shifts the investigation from a simple ghost hunt to a personal mystery involving Yukong’s recent behavioral changes.

Chapter Summary: “Do You Think I’m Possessed, Right?”

Key plot points and events

• Qing Ni reveals that although she is not Yukong’s biological daughter, Yukong has always treated her strictly and lovingly as a daughter.
• She confirms rumors that Yukong may have boarded the mysterious Ghost Star-chaser, raising suspicions that Yukong could have been possessed by a Suiyang.
• Huo Huo, Yan Huan, Guinaifen, and Sushang explain the Suiyang situation to Qing Ni. Qing Ni becomes alarmed for Yukong’s safety and offers her assistance in return.
• Qing Ni reports that a blue-haired foxian pilot in Divination Department uniform was seen on the Ghost Star-chaser. Yan Huan recognizes the description as someone wanted by the Department of Earthly Rulings.
• The group decides not to use the Heartfire Bell inside Sichen Palace, since the palace is an important public and diplomatic venue. Instead, they plan to lure Yukong somewhere more private, with Qing Ni’s help.
• Upon reaching Sichen Palace, Qing Ni becomes afraid that Yukong will realize she investigated the Ghost Star-chaser. She stays behind, leaving the four exorcists to handle the matter.
• Yukong immediately recognizes that the group has come to question her. Yan Huan impulsively rings the Heartfire Bell at her, but it has no effect.
• When confronted about the Ghost Star-chaser, Yukong initially denies knowing anything. After Yan Huan insists that he personally witnessed the star skiff vanish, Yukong asks directly whether they suspect she has been possessed by a Suiyang.

Character developments

• Qing Ni is shown to be deeply concerned about Yukong and willing to break confidentiality to protect her. Despite her official family background, she remains nervous and hesitant, especially when she realizes her actions could be discovered.
• Huo Huo acts compassionately and responsibly, reassuring Qing Ni that the Ten Lords’ Decree will handle the possible possession.
• Yan Huan continues to behave impulsively and theatrically, immediately testing Yukong with the Heartfire Bell rather than following a cautious approach. His confidence also helps pressure Yukong when she attempts to dismiss the rumors.
• Guinaifen and Sushang support the investigation and help weigh the practical and political consequences of confronting Yukong.
• Yukong appears calm, perceptive, and difficult to deceive. Her immediate recognition of the group’s purpose suggests she may already understand what they suspect—or may be hiding information.

Significant themes

• Family loyalty and protection: Qing Ni’s concern for her adoptive mother motivates her to risk official secrecy.
• Trust versus suspicion: The group must determine whether Yukong is possessed or merely connected to the Ghost Star-chaser, while Yukong’s denial increases uncertainty.
• Duty and confidentiality: The characters debate whether Qing Ni counts as a civilian and whether revealing classified information is justified by the potential danger.
• Public responsibility versus urgent action: They avoid causing a disturbance in Sichen Palace, recognizing the importance of preserving the Luofu’s diplomatic image.
• Appearance and deception: The Ghost Star-chaser’s ability to vanish and Yukong’s ambiguous behavior suggest that appearances may be misleading.

Character interactions

• Qing Ni appeals to Huo Huo and the others for information and assistance, establishing an emotional alliance with the group.
• Huo Huo comforts Qing Ni and promises official help, while Guinaifen decides that revealing the truth is necessary.
• The group collaborates on a plan to question Yukong privately, but Qing Ni’s fear prevents her from participating directly.
• Yukong confronts the group openly, and Yan Huan’s reckless use of the Heartfire Bell creates a humorous but tense exchange.
• The chapter ends with Yukong directly challenging their suspicions, shifting the investigation from rumor to a face-to-face confrontation.