Chapter Summaries

Ye Yuqing fought Fujisaka Kei after he revealed himself as a Mud Monster, while Fang Cheng secretly protected her and eventually intervened. Fang Cheng suspected the being controlling Ye Yuqing was the Goddess of Wrath, Tsukimi Mei, but she stayed silent before suddenly collapsing.

• Ye Yuqing rushed Fujisaka Kei, and Fang Cheng used Repulsion to deflect the bodyguards' bullets while she seized him.
• Fujisaka Kei transformed into a Mud Monster, crushed several bodyguards, and sealed the office exits and window with mud.
• Fang Cheng used Repulsion to blast Fujisaka Kei through a wall, then removed Ye Yuqing's mask and asked whether she was Tsukimi Mei.
• Ye Yuqing remained silent as Fujisaka Kei attacked again, and Fang Cheng burned him with Purifying Demon Fire.
• Fang Cheng prepared to take Ye Yuqing away, but she suddenly went limp and fell to the ground.

Fang Cheng rescued Ye Yuqing from the boxing arena and confronted her about the force controlling her body. After Ye Yuqing broke down over feeling neglected, Fang Cheng apologized and comforted her, and she finally began explaining what had happened.

• Fang Cheng took Ye Yuqing away from the boxing arena after Fujisaka Kei died, clearing a path through the guards with Blood Beast Nest creatures.
• Fang Cheng helped Ye Yuqing retrieve the money she had won, and then flew her home on a giant Blood Eagle.
• Fang Cheng landed by the Edogawa River, where he and Ye Yuqing had first met, and demanded to know what was controlling her body.
• Ye Yuqing accused Fang Cheng of caring only about Akie and ran off crying, saying he treated her like a burden.
• Fang Cheng caught Ye Yuqing, apologized, and promised to care for her as much as Akie.
• Ye Yuqing sobbed in Fang Cheng's arms and said that something had suddenly appeared and told her she was going to die.

Ye Yuqing told Fang Cheng that recurring dreams had actually been nights when her body was controlled to fight monsters, and that a voice kept warning she would die soon. After Fang Cheng comforted her and brought her home, he realized she might have feelings for him but still had no idea how to address her situation.

• Ye Yuqing recalled dreams of Fang Cheng and Minghui leaving her behind, followed by nights when her body fought monsters while a woman warned she would die soon.
• Ye Yuqing explained that Fang Cheng's indifference had hurt her and that she had kept her experiences secret because she feared the nighttime fighting would stop.
• Fang Cheng comforted Ye Yuqing and promised to help, but smacked her when she asked him to help restrain Kanzaki Rin.
• Fang Cheng carried the sleepy Ye Yuqing home, where she fell asleep clutching her money bag.
• Fang Cheng reflected that Ye Yuqing seemed to favor him, then drew Thunder-Strike Hammer from his shadow and held it over her head.

Fang Cheng sought Kanzaki Rin’s help understanding Ye Yuqing’s strange dreams, and she suggested asking followers of the Ultimate Bliss Cult about other Artificial Saintesses. Izanae denied causing Ye Yuqing’s condition and explained that she could speak to Fang Cheng because he was her Proxy, while gods could not communicate directly with one another.

• Ye Yuqing woke and saw Fang Cheng holding the Thunder-Strike Hammer, but he convinced her she had dreamed it and sent her back to bed.
• Fang Cheng went to Kanzaki Rin before dawn and told her about Ye Yuqing’s strange dreams.
• Kanzaki Rin suggested asking Ultimate Bliss Cult followers whether other Artificial Saintesses had experienced similar symptoms.
• Kanzaki Rin teased and restrained Fang Cheng, prompting Izanae to speak through her and deny involvement in Ye Yuqing’s condition.
• Izanae said she and Tsukimi Mei had separate minds, that meeting Tsukimi Mei was her choice, and that gods could not communicate directly; she could speak to Fang Cheng because he was her Proxy.

Fang Cheng learned that Ye Yuqing's soul was unstable and worked with Kanzaki Rin to find a way to stabilize it. After two days, Kanzaki Rin found a former Ultimate Bliss Cult member who knew how to address the problem.

• Kanzaki Rin told Fang Cheng that Ye Yuqing's soul was unstable and that Tsukimi Mei might take a year or longer to advise them.
• Fang Cheng told Kanzaki Rin that he had encountered Izanae, and Kanzaki Rin agreed to search the Countermeasure Department's records for information about souls.
• Kanzaki Rin realized she had shared Fang Cheng's hallucination involving Izanae and decided she should keep her distance from him.
• Kanzaki Rin searched records while Fang Cheng reassured Asaka Akie that Ye Yuqing would be fine if they found a way to stabilize her soul.
• After two days, Kanzaki Rin gave Fang Cheng a file about a former Ultimate Bliss Cult member who knew how to solve the problem and explained that current cult members were scarce because of him.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin sought information about the Artificial Saintesses from former cult member Koike Teppei, who agreed to help only if they fulfilled a condition. Koike revealed that he suspected his wife was cheating on him, prompting Fang Cheng to protest that he was not involved.

• Kanzaki Rin explained that Mizuma Atsushi’s death had triggered infighting in the Ultimate Bliss Cult’s Tokyo branch, allowing the Countermeasure Department to arrest members and destroy strongholds.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin reviewed Koike Teppei’s file and learned he would discuss the Artificial Saintesses only if they helped him with something.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin met Koike Teppei at a café, where he verified Kanzaki Rin’s Countermeasure Department ID and agreed to talk.
• Kanzaki Rin asked Koike Teppei what he wanted them to do, and he said he suspected his wife was cheating on him.
• Kanzaki Rin glanced at Fang Cheng, who protested that it was not him.

Koike Teppei asked Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin to investigate whether a Monster had possessed his wife, whom he suspected of cheating with Manager Takada. The two followed him home and hid in a wardrobe to witness what happened that night.

• Koike Teppei showed Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin evidence that his wife had changed and was secretly involved with Manager Takada, but insisted a Monster had possessed her.
• Koike Teppei offered information about the Artificial Saintess and a way to treat unstable soul symptoms in exchange for their help, and Fang Cheng agreed.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin followed Koike Teppei home after nightfall and waited outside until he let them in.
• Koike Teppei guided Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin into a bedroom, where they hid together in a cramped wardrobe.
• Fang Cheng covered Kanzaki Rin's mouth when Koike Teppei and his wife's voices sounded outside, and the voices seemed strange.

Koike Teppei arranged for Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin to witness his wife’s infidelity, but the night turned into a humiliating trap that also brought the pair close together. After Koike Tomomi summoned her lover and their neighbor, Teppei prepared to expose them, only to be stunned by what happened next.

• Koike Teppei secretly poured out the drugged sake, but Koike Tomomi drugged his food and initiated sex with him while Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin hid in the wardrobe.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin grew dazed and nearly kissed before a scream from outside snapped them back to their senses.
• Koike Tomomi left the bedroom and called Manager Takada over, then invited their neighbor Oto Jo as well.
• Koike Teppei realized his wife had been cheating with both men and waited for them to begin so he could expose them.
• Takada Jo and Oto Jo arrived, and Koike Tomomi questioned when their twisted relationship would end; Teppei was left dumbfounded by what he saw.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin discovered that Koike Teppei had been mistaken about his wife and confronted the vengeful spirits possessing two men. After defeating the spirits, Fang Cheng gained two new abilities and tested Soul Projection, leaving his body behind as his soul rose above the bedroom.

• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin rushed out of the closet after Koike Teppei cried for help and found Koike Tomomi fully dressed while Takada Jo and Oto Jo were in bed with Teppei.
• Kanzaki Rin knocked out Koike Tomomi, then Fang Cheng used Repulsion to send Takada Jo and Oto Jo crashing into a wall.
• Two vengeful spirits emerged from Takada Jo and Oto Jo, and Kanzaki Rin identified them as D-to-C-level threats.
• Fang Cheng used Purification to erase one spirit’s resentment, while Kanzaki Rin destroyed the other with a vajra pestle.
• Fang Cheng absorbed the spirits’ energy and gained Possession and Soul Projection, then used Soul Projection and saw his body lying on the floor below.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin defeated two vengeful spirits and learned that Koike Teppei knew about the dangers of Artificial Saintesses. Fang Cheng realized Asaka Akie and Ye Yuqing might have only months before one personality disappeared, and pressed Koike Teppei for the solution he had mentioned.

• Fang Cheng discovered that his soul could pass through objects, while Kanzaki Rin used her Cross Pendant to repel his possession attempt.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin left the devastated Koike Teppei alone, then questioned him over the phone about the Artificial Saintess.
• Koike Teppei explained that when both personalities sharing one soul stayed awake, the weaker personality eventually vanished and the surviving personality could live at most five years.
• Fang Cheng realized Asaka Akie and Ye Yuqing's ability to stay awake together could be a death sentence, and asked Koike Teppei how to solve the problem.
• Koike Teppei hesitated under Fang Cheng's pressure, fearing what Fang Cheng would do if he admitted he did not know the solution.

Fang Cheng learned that a Soul Stabilizer made from a fragment of the Totsuka Blade might save Ye Yuqing, but it had been lost. He mobilized his allies to search for it, then was surprised by someone slipping into bed with him.

• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin questioned Koike Teppei, who explained that the Ultimate Bliss Cult's Soul Stabilizer had been lost by one of its bishops.
• Kanzaki Rin promised to investigate the Soul Stabilizer, and Fang Cheng took her to dinner before planning how to use his connections to search for it.
• Fang Cheng asked Yuguang Qingxue to use the Yuguang Family's resources, then contacted Tsukikage Hatsuka to involve the Iron-Cast Palace and Oni Yunjie.
• Fang Cheng asked the Fox Immortal House to investigate the Ultimate Bliss Cult's higher-ups and planned to approach them when information arrived.
• After Fang Cheng went to bed, someone slipped under the covers and wrapped their arms around him, despite the bedroom door being locked.

Fang Cheng learned that Tsukimi Mei was using Ye Yuqing’s body to protect her unstable soul, though she would not save her, and Izanae warned him not to expect too much from the gods. The next morning, Sato Mai mistook Sato Hayato’s explanation about an enema for a confession and declared her support for him.

• Izanae told Fang Cheng that Tsukimi Mei was protecting Ye Yuqing’s soul by making her vent Rage Fire, but would not save her because it was not worth the effort.
• Izanae warned Fang Cheng that gods were not all-knowing or all-powerful, then transformed into Sato Hayato and got punched by him.
• Asaka Akie made breakfast for the nine people living at Fang Cheng’s home.
• Sato Mai asked Sato Hayato whether he had used the enema in his bag, drawing everyone’s attention.
• Sato Hayato explained that Kujo Go had used the enema, but Sato Mai misunderstood and told him she supported him.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin discovered that the Truth Cult’s Pope possessed the Soul Stabilizer and prepared to visit the cult’s suburban headquarters. To leave Tokyo without breaking his promise to protect Ugou Mirai, Fang Cheng asked Kanzaki Rin to arrange a meeting with her brother, Kamikawa Takumi.

• Kanzaki Rin showed Fang Cheng evidence that the Truth Cult had taken the Soul Stabilizer from the Ultimate Bliss Cult and that it might be the pendant worn by the Truth Cult’s Pope.
• Kanzaki Rin told Fang Cheng that the Truth Cult’s headquarters was in the suburbs, but reminded him that he had promised Yuguang Kaori to protect Ugou Mirai.
• Fang Cheng decided to ask Kanzaki Rin’s brother, Kamikawa Takumi, to keep Ugou Mirai safe while they went after the Soul Stabilizer.
• Kanzaki Rin complained as she drove Fang Cheng to meet Kamikawa Takumi, whom she had persuaded to hear him out.
• Fang Cheng confidently planned to make Kamikawa Takumi an offer he would not refuse.

Fang Cheng persuaded Kamikawa Takumi to help protect Kanzaki Rin by offering him more classic story ideas. After two days of preparations, Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin were ready to leave to find a solution to Ye Yuqing’s problem.

• Fang Cheng met Kamikawa Takumi and Minamoto Kaori at a pastry shop, where Kamikawa Takumi challenged him to explain why he should help.
• Fang Cheng revealed that he knew Kamikawa Takumi had adapted his story and offered him twenty more classic stories in exchange for protecting Kanzaki Rin.
• Kamikawa Takumi accepted the deal, and he and Fang Cheng played an online game together while Kanzaki Rin and Minamoto Kaori were away.
• Kamikawa Takumi later denied that Kanzaki Rin had romantic feelings for Fang Cheng, though he recognized that Fang Cheng had become much stronger.
• Kanzaki Rin spent two days preparing an action plan and equipment for the mission, while Fang Cheng told his household he was going to find something to solve Ye Yuqing’s problem.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin traveled toward Nanmoku Village to infiltrate the Truth Cult and find its current Pope. They reached Kanna Town by Blood Eagle, where Kanzaki recognized an undercover agent’s car being pursued by giant crows.

• Fang Cheng read about the Truth Cult’s violent history and learned that Kanzaki Rin planned to use an undercover agent to reach its headquarters.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin abandoned their car on a damaged suburban road and flew toward Kanna Town on a Blood Eagle.
• Kanzaki Rin fell asleep during the flight, and Fang Cheng shielded her from the wind.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin arrived in Kanna Town and spotted a car fleeing giant crows that spat corrosive phlegm.
• Kanzaki Rin recognized the driver as Kaneda Hideki and urged Fang Cheng to save him.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin met Countermeasure Department undercover agent Kaneda Hideki and traveled with him to the Truth Cult’s headquarters in Nanmoku Village. They entered the settlement and learned how the cult operated, but had not yet met its Pope.

• Fang Cheng used Blood Eagles and Flying Rain Needles to kill a flock of Rot Crows that was chasing Kaneda Hideki’s car.
• Kanzaki Rin introduced herself and Fang Cheng under the aliases Hase Asuka and Tono Taku, and Kaneda Hideki drove them toward Nanmoku Village.
• Kaneda Hideki described how the Truth Cult had taken over Nanmoku Village and suggested they pose as visitors seeking to make a wish so they could meet the Pope.
• Kaneda Hideki showed his credentials at the village entrance and brought Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin inside as his guests.
• Kaneda Hideki explained that the cult cast out residents over sixty and forced believers to work in its factories as the group passed deeper into the settlement.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin entered the Truth Cult’s guarded compound and paid a steep fee to pose as people seeking an audience with the Pope. After Kaneda Hideki left them in their luxurious but confined lodgings, Fang Cheng questioned whether the cult had truly obtained Shiva’s power.

• Kaneda Hideki arranged lodging for Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin and explained that meeting the Pope required a costly entrance fee and a shared wish.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin argued over their cover identities, jokingly suggesting mother and son, lovers, and siblings before leaving the choice to Kaneda Hideki.
• Fang Cheng paid with his bank card, while Kaneda Hideki gave them rules for staying inside the compound until the other wish-makers arrived.
• Fang Cheng inspected the guarded exit and asked Kanzaki Rin whether the Truth Cult had really obtained Shiva’s power.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin investigated the Truth Cult in Nanmoku Village, learning that its powerful third Pope, Kitaryu Shingen, was the Countermeasure Department’s main concern. After posing as senior priests and waiting in the village, they joined Kaneda Hideki and other masked wish-seekers on the way to meet the Pope.

• Kanzaki Rin told Fang Cheng that the Countermeasure Department suspected the Truth Cult’s supernatural power was connected to its mysterious third Pope, Kitaryu Shingen.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin watched Nanmoku Village and, through Kaneda Hideki, bought senior-priest identities and ceremonial robes.
• Fang Cheng used his Blood Beast Nest to scout most of the village while the pair stayed in their hotel under guard.
• After two sleepless nights, Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin argued over sharing a bed, and Kanzaki Rin ended up sleeping on the floor.
• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin prepared weapons, disguised themselves with masks and robes, and left with Kaneda Hideki.
• Dozens of masked wish-seekers boarded the Truth Cult’s convoy and traveled toward the Grand Temple to meet the Pope.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin entered the Truth Cult’s Grand Temple for a ritual, where followers demonstrated their power by cutting themselves and forming a Buddha from blood. When the priests served the Wishers Sacred Wine made from that blood, Fang Cheng secretly used his own blood to keep Kanzaki Rin from ingesting it and disposed of both cups’ contents in the ground.

• Kaneda Hideki gave Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin fake ritual rings and warned them to play along during the ceremony.
• The convoy traveled through candlelit lines of Truth Cult followers and arrived at the Grand Temple, where Fang Cheng secretly released mosquitoes using the Blood Beast Nest.
• The priests led the Wishers into the temple and made them sit in silence as two followers cut open their abdomens and formed a many-armed Buddha from their blood.
• The priests filled cups with the Buddha’s blood and served it to the Wishers as Sacred Wine.
• Fang Cheng drank his cup while using Steel Blood to inject its contents into the ground, then secretly passed his blood to Kanzaki Rin so she could do the same.

Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin discovered that the Truth Cult used hallucinogenic blood to make Wishers reveal their secrets and vulnerabilities, then kept their cover from being exposed. After the ritual, the priest led the Wishers to meet the Pope in a grand hall containing a golden Holy Grail.

• Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin realized the blood had caused the Wishers to hallucinate, while Truth Cult believers questioned them and recorded their private information.
• Kaneda Hideki intercepted the believers who approached Fang Cheng and Kanzaki Rin and warned them to stay careful.
• Believers stripped and photographed the Wishers, so Kanzaki Rin tackled Fang Cheng and they pretended to make out to blend in.
• When two believers moved to check on them, Fang Cheng used Lust Fire and Lubrication to distract them.
• The Wishers recovered from the ritual, unaware that the Truth Cult had learned their secrets, and the priest led them through the temple to meet the Pope.
• Fang Cheng saw a golden Holy Grail displayed before a statue of Shiva in the hall where the Wishers lined up to greet the Pope.