Chapter Summaries

After Fang Ran woke on the beach, Xia Yao invited him to spend National Day with her and the others, but he turned her down because of bureau business. He remained on the island with Xiao Huo, imagining the ordinary holiday he had missed and recalling a woman’s dreams from a concert.

• Fang Ran woke after sleeping through the afternoon, learned Ye Sheng had rescued him from the sea, and got his Nokia phone back from Gou Yu.
• Fang Ran answered Xia Yao’s call and heard her invite him to travel with her, Lingzi, Fang Xiaoran, and the others during National Day.
• Fang Ran told Xia Yao that he and the others had bureau business and could not return for the holiday, and Xia Yao offered to explain to Fang Xiaoran.
• Xia Yao hung up and regretted not inviting Fang Ran sooner while Ming Ling watched her.
• Fang Ran pictured the ordinary vacation he might have had, then accepted hot chocolate from Xiao Huo and recalled a woman describing her dreams at a concert.

The Night Bureau discussed its lineup for the National War in a Simulation Scenario set in London, and Ye Sheng decided Su Qun would not fight because of his injury. She then abruptly announced that she would withdraw from the National War, leaving the Bureau stunned.

• The Night Bureau learned that the National War battlefield would be a Simulation Scenario of London, giving their opponents a terrain advantage.
• The young master asked who would fight in the C-Rank match, and Hua Ling objected when Su Qun offered to participate because his back injury could worsen.
• Ye Sheng said she would not send Su Qun into battle and explained that keeping everyone safe mattered more to her than winning.
• Ye Sheng asked Fusu to gather Mu Cheng and the others, then announced that she had decided to withdraw from the National War.

Fang Ran lounged with the Bureau’s younger members while the others discussed preparations for the National War, and he discovered that Ai Ma was the young master’s real, embodied Artificial Intelligence. Mu Cheng reflected that everyone in the Bureau had stories the others did not know, then asked Fang Ran whether he had one too.

• Fang Ran relaxed with Yota, Qing Ning, Mu Cheng, and Gou Yu while Ye Sheng and the others discussed National War arrangements.
• Fang Ran learned that Ai Ma was an actual person and the young master’s Artificial Intelligence, with her other appearances serving as alternate accounts.
• Gou Yu explained that the young master had funded the Bureau’s reconstruction and that Ai Ma handled its computational functions.
• Fang Ran questioned why the young master had created Ai Ma, while Qing Ning blushed and claimed she did not know.
• Mu Cheng said the young master had stories unknown to his companions and asked Fang Ran whether everyone in the Bureau had such a story.

Fang Ran learned that the Night Bureau’s members had joined the National War largely to support Ye Sheng, while their small numbers and lack of an eligible C-Rank fighter had doomed their previous attempts. Ye Sheng announced she would give up on winning this time, but Fang Ran stunned everyone by declaring himself C-Rank.

• Mu Cheng, Qing Ning, Yota, and Gou Yu explained that the Young Master joined the Night Bureau and returned for the National War because of Ye Sheng, and that the Bureau’s members wanted to win for her.
• Fang Ran learned that the Night Bureau had lost both previous National Wars because it lacked enough members for the group battle and had struggled to win the A-Rank match.
• Ye Sheng announced that the Night Bureau should give up on victory because Su Qun was still recovering, Uncle could not compete, and they had no suitable C-Rank fighter.
• Ye Sheng refused Su Qun’s offer to participate, insisting that he should not risk his health.
• Fang Ran interrupted the discussion and revealed that he was C-Rank.

Fang Ran revealed that he had reached C-Rank, stunning the Night Bureau and easing their shortage of fighters for the National War. As the group reacted to his rapid advancement, the young master pressed Ye Sheng to explain why he wanted to give up on winning the National War.

• Fang Ran announced that he was C-Rank, and Spellcaster seized him and demanded he atone by wearing womenswear and sharing photos in the family group chat.
• The Night Bureau members checked Fang Ran’s interface and questioned how he had advanced from D-Rank to C-Rank in just over three months.
• Fang Ran explained that he had gained Magic Energy from scenarios and received technological equipment from the Wandering Night Angel, though he still had less than the C-Rank requirement of six thousand Magic Energy.
• Gou Yu confirmed that he was still E-Rank, while Mu Cheng and Yota despaired over their own shortcomings.
• Recovery stopped Spellcaster from attacking Fang Ran and reflected that he had changed since she first met him.
• The young master turned back to Ye Sheng and asked whether he would explain the real reason he wanted to give up on winning the National War.

Ye Sheng tried to persuade the Night Bureau to give up pursuing victory in the National War, but her teammates insisted that they all wanted to win and agreed to fight together. The team began planning its lineup and tactics against the European Union Royal Court, while Fang Ran was assigned the C-Rank battle as an opportunity to gain experience.

• The young master challenged Ye Sheng to reveal why she wanted to give up victory, but she said she could not explain and asked everyone to participate without forcing themselves to win.
• Fu Su, Su Qun, the Spellcaster, the young master, and Hua Ling told Ye Sheng that they also wanted to win the National War and would share the burden with her.
• The young master started the tactical discussion, and Su Qun identified Leonidas, Neil, and Edgar as Fang Ran's likely C-Rank opponents.
• The young master confirmed that he, the Magician, and Mu Cheng would represent the Night Bureau in the B-Rank battles, while Mu Cheng asked to keep the games and consoles in her room.
• Hua Ling and Fu Su asked whether the Royal Court had gained new members, and Ai Ma reported that the Night Web had no information about new recruits.
• The Spellcaster suggested that the Royal Court might change its lineup to reclaim its honor after losing the B-Rank and C-Rank battles last time, while Fang Ran reacted in surprise.

The Night Bureau finalized its National War lineup and learned Ye Sheng had reached the second tier of A-Rank, while preparing for the decisive battles against the European Union Royal Court. In England, Osphia Le Guin arrived at Colossus’s castle, where the unexpectedly small gathering hinted that the lineup differed from what the Night Bureau had expected.

• The Young Master, the Spellcaster, and Mu Cheng discussed the Night Bureau’s B-Rank fighters and the importance of the A-Rank battle against the Royal Court.
• The uncle revealed that Ye Sheng had reached the second tier of A-Rank, and she agreed to take responsibility for fighting Colossus while the Spellcaster would face Herschel Linhua.
• The Spellcaster, Mu Cheng, and Meng Lang left the strategy meeting and chased Fang Ran with water guns, while Gou Yu watched them go.
• Osphia Le Guin arrived at Colossus’s castle, where the butler welcomed her and the gathered guests noticed that fewer people were present than expected.

The author described a lonely, illness-plagued solo trip from October 3 to 9, including visits with classmates and a disappointing trip to Beijing. They returned home grateful for their ordinary, carefree life and promised to focus on updates for the rest of October.

• The author began traveling alone while sick, received an IV drip, and visited an aquarium in Qinhuangdao, where they spent money on Ark pulls but did not get the Little Sheep.
• The author watched The Captain, got a painful cupping treatment, and then developed a fever and facial swelling while traveling to BJ; hospital tests failed to explain the symptoms.
• The author stayed at a classmate's dorm, observed their classmates' working life, and met an old classmate to play Great Melee before booking a hotel near the airport.
• The author took a taxi to Da Xing Airport and flew home, concluding the trip had been unsuccessful but feeling grateful for their own carefree life and for readers' support.
• The author said they would not travel again in October and promised that their updates would meet or exceed the previous month's word count.

Osphia Le Guin met the Royal Court members gathered at a Victorian castle to prepare for the coming National War against Huaxia's Night Bureau. After Colossus revealed his history as Ye Jiangran's defeated opponent, two unexpected arrivals appeared by teleportation, leaving Osphia stunned by the woman among them.

• Leonidas questioned whether Osphia Le Guin was too young to help defeat Huaxia's Night Bureau, while Simon urged him not to judge her by appearances.
• Osphia introduced herself as Italy and the Vatican's replacement for Edgar, and Herschel Lin Hua and Colossus arrived to greet the group.
• Colossus and Herschel praised the leadership of the young A-Rank heading Huaxia's Night Bureau and recalled her father, Ye Jiangran, as Colossus's opponent in past National Wars.
• Simon asked where the remaining teammates were, and Herschel activated a teleportation array in the reception hall.
• A handsome young man and an unfamiliar platinum-haired woman appeared; Osphia recognized the woman and reacted with shock.

As the Night Bureau prepared for the National War, Ye Sheng tested the Young Master's tactics and Fang Ran was reminded of the importance of representing Huaxia. Fang Ran went to seek Su Qun's advice before his match the next day.

• Ye Sheng evaded the Young Master's traps and praised the threat posed by his firepower and illusions, while Mu Cheng complained that the exercise had endangered her.
• The Night Bureau returned from its island break and rehearsed for the National War, where winning the A-Rank match and one other match could secure victory.
• Meng Lang caught Fang Ran trying to stuff his Chocolate Box into a combat boot, and the two wrestled until Gou Yu arrived.
• Gou Yu reminded Fang Ran that he would represent Huaxia against elite European competitors in the National War, making Fang Ran panic.
• Gou Yu suggested that Fang Ran ask Su Qun for tactical advice, and Fang Ran went to find him.

On the eve of the National War, Fang Ran received tactical advice from Su Qun and wandered the shore to calm his nerves about his first deployment. Beneath a brilliant sea of stars, he saw Ye Sheng leap from the water.

• Su Qun explained how terrain, intelligence, and battle conditions could determine the outcome of Fang Ran’s National War fight.
• Fang Ran left Su Qun’s room late at night, reflected on his mentor’s guidance, and admitted he was nervous about the next day.
• Fang Ran encountered the young master painting on the balcony, and the young master suggested he walk by the reefs and mentioned the island’s mermaids.
• Fang Ran wandered along the shore, thought about the unease of facing change, and lay back on a reef beneath a brilliant sea of stars.
• A figure leapt from the water, and Fang Ran recognized Sister Ye Sheng.

Ye Sheng helped Fang Ran calm his unease by taking him underwater, and a message from Shui Lianxin reminded him why he wanted to grow stronger. Reinvigorated, Fang Ran returned to the Night Bureau's A-rank Training Ground and prepared to train with Earl.

• Ye Sheng told Fang Ran that unease was natural for a new Participant and shared that someone had once offered her similar reassurance.
• Ye Sheng took Fang Ran underwater, where he experienced the peaceful ocean and left his anxiety behind.
• Nokia delivered photos and a voice message from Shui Lianxin saying she wanted to go to the beach with Fang Ran next time.
• Fang Ran laughed with joy as he looked at the photos and felt renewed determination to help his friends live happily.
• Fang Ran returned to the Night Bureau's A-rank Training Ground and asked Earl whether he had prepared what Fang Ran requested.

The National War began as the Night Bureau and the Royal Court prepared for their C-Rank battle in a London Simulation Scenario. Fang Ran entered the Preparation Area with Meng Lang and Gou Yu, carrying Su Qun’s sword and a newly awakened Sand Card.

• Ye Sheng and Spellcaster met Royal Court A-Ranks Colossus and Herschel Lin Hua above London and declared their sides’ determination to win the National War.
• The Night Bureau entered the Simulation Scenario’s Observation Room, where the C-Rank Final Stage countdown began and Fang Ran learned the rules for the battle.
• Fang Ran kicked Meng Lang into the Preparation Area portal and persuaded Gou Yu to enter as well, volunteering to lead the C-Rank fight.
• Fang Ran borrowed Su Qun’s Tang Blade, said something good would happen, and entered the portal as the Sand Card glowed inside his Chocolate Box.

The Night Bureau watched Fang Ran enter the C-Rank Ranked Battle with Meng Lang and Gou Yu, wondering about his newfound confidence and the mysterious box he carried. When the battle’s opening positions appeared, both sides were shocked to see an unexpected participant among the Night Bureau combatants.

• Hua Ling, Mu Cheng, Qing Ning, and others noticed Fang Ran seemed more confident than before as he entered the Preparation Area with Meng Lang and Gou Yu.
• Revival worried that the Royal Court might send three fighters after discovering the Night Bureau had brought three participants, while the young master reassured her that the battle could unfold unpredictably.
• Yota identified Fang Ran’s rectangular box as encrypted future-technology equipment, and Hua Ling speculated that it contained his trump card.
• The virtual screen showed London as the Ranked Battle began, and the Night Bureau members were stunned by the opening scene.
• At the Royal Court, Colossus warned Simon not to underestimate the Night Bureau, and a platinum-haired woman confidently said that a certain child was participating.
• When the participants’ positions appeared, Colossus and the Royal Court members recognized an unexpected figure among the Night Bureau combatants.

The C-rank battle began in a London simulation, where Fang Ran, Meng Lang, and Gou Yu unexpectedly appeared together in the City of London. They immediately found the full Royal Court team nearby, so Fang Ran called for Plan-R and led his teammates in a desperate retreat.

• The Night Bureau watched the battle begin and saw that the Royal Court had fielded three combatants, including a golden-haired young woman instead of Edgar.
• Meng Lang arrived in the City of London and discovered Fang Ran had dragged him into the battle despite his E-rank designation.
• Fang Ran and Meng Lang argued and brawled until Gou Yu appeared and joined them.
• Gou Yu spotted all three Royal Court combatants standing across the street, less than two hundred meters away.
• Fang Ran shouted "Plan-R! Launch!!" and ran, prompting Meng Lang and Gou Yu to flee after him.

Osphia, Leonidas, and Neil encountered Fang Ran and his two Night Bureau companions at the start of the National War, but Fang Ran immediately fled into the Leadenhall Building. In the royal court’s observation room, Aurelia Le Guien recognized him and secretly warned him not to underestimate his opponent.

• Osphia, Leonidas, and Neil found themselves beside the three Night Bureau participants in London’s Financial City and prepared to greet them before fighting.
• Fang Ran abruptly abandoned his companions and ran into the Leadenhall Building, leaving both teams and the observers stunned.
• The Night Bureau observers lamented Fang Ran’s bad luck and their team’s disadvantage against the royal court’s three C-Ranks.
• Colossus joked that the C-Rank battle had lost its suspense, while Aurelia Le Guien recognized Fang Ran and concealed her shock.
• Aurelia Le Guien used a rule-breaking warning to tell Fang Ran not to underestimate his opponent.

Fang Ran, Meng Lang, and Gou Yu fled through the Lantehe Building as Leonidas, Neil, and Osphia pursued them. Fang Ran used his Chocolate Boxes to evade their attacks, but Leonidas equipped magical greaves and began a faster assault, leaving the three Night Bureau members facing him again.

• Leonidas ordered Neil and Osphia to pursue the three people who had entered the Lantehe Building, and Osphia used a prayer to accelerate their movement.
• Fang Ran and Meng Lang argued and hurled objects at each other as they raced through the building, while Gou Yu followed with a cactus.
• Leonidas smashed through the building's outer wall and attacked Fang Ran with his pile driver, but Fang Ran blocked the blow with a shield and escaped using a Jump Card.
• Neil fired a beam at Fang Ran as he leaped between floors, and Fang Ran deflected it with lightning before Leonidas and Neil tracked him to the higher floor.
• Leonidas pulled mechanical greaves from a spatial cube, powered them up, and charged at Fang Ran, Meng Lang, and Gou Yu at greatly increased speed.

Fang Ran, Meng Lang, and Gou Yu were driven into a dead end by the Royal Court team’s coordinated pursuit and support. Neil’s attack sent Gou Yu and Meng Lang crashing through the glass wall, leaving Fang Ran alone at the edge of the fourteenth floor.

• Fang Ran and Meng Lang evaded Leonidas’s charge and Neil’s beams as they fled through Lantehe Building, while Gou Yu analyzed the enemy team’s coordination.
• Meng Lang concluded that Osphia was supporting Leonidas and Neil, but Fang Ran said they had no way to reach her.
• Leonidas, Neil, and Osphia cornered Fang Ran, Meng Lang, and Gou Yu on the fourteenth floor and challenged them to fight.
• Neil fired a red beam that shattered Gou Yu’s crystal barrier and sent him through the glass wall; he then struck Meng Lang and knocked him outside as Fang Ran shouted after them.

Gou Yu returned from the National War simulation and reflected on his first battle while the Night Bureau reassured him. In the London scenario, Fang Ran and Meng Lang faced three opponents, and Fang Ran revealed a secret plan that left Meng Lang with the impossible task of holding one enemy back and defeating the other two.

• Gou Yu returned to the observation room, where the Night Bureau checked on him and praised his calm judgment despite his limited strength.
• Gou Yu said the gap in magical energy and power had left him unsure how he could have helped, and Recovery suggested he ask Fang Ran when the scenario ended.
• Fang Ran and Meng Lang faced Leonidas, Neil, and Osphia at Lantehe Building, while Meng Lang complained that Fang Ran had brought him into the fight without a plan.
• Neil's red beam steadily wore down Fang Ran's shield, and Meng Lang offered to reveal his C-Rank strength to help.
• Fang Ran said he had a secret plan and told Meng Lang to distract one opponent, then somehow defeat the other two while Meng Lang held the first back.

Fang Ran baited the Royal Court trio into unleashing Osphia’s powerful Arcane Torrent, then dropped his nine-layer defense and threw dark crystal powder into the attack while calling for Lami. The chapter ended as the beam bore down on him and his long-awaited counter was about to begin.

• Fang Ran reassured Meng Lang that he still had an unused trump card, then raised nine layers of defensive barriers.
• Leonidas and Neil judged that the barriers would not hold and asked Osphia to combine their magic energy into an attack.
• Osphia summoned the Eye of Argus and fired Arcane Torrent at Fang Ran and Meng Lang.
• Fang Ran’s nine barriers vanished as the beam struck, leaving the Observation Room and Osphia stunned.
• Fang Ran threw dark crystal powder into the unobstructed beam and shouted for Lami to come eat.