Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Empire's Xth Expeditionary Fleet returns to the Imperial Capital, led by Count Raymond.
• The return is marked by a grand triumphal ceremony, with the flagship Dandong passing through an expanded section of the Lancang Grand Canal.
• Count Raymond is to receive a decoration from the Emperor and is expected to secure a prominent post in the Imperial General Staff.

Character Developments

• Count Raymond, the commander of the Imperial Expeditionary Fleet, is a pragmatic and ambitious man who disdains the pomp and circumstance of the triumphal ceremony. He believes the Empire's frequent expeditions into the Southern Seas are counterproductive and has no intention of leading another expedition.
• Raymond is also a ruthless leader, earning him nicknames like "Bandit" and "Butcher" among the native tribes due to his role in their enslavement and displacement.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of imperial overreach and excessive plundering.
• The tension between personal ambition and moral responsibility.
• The impact of war and invasion on native populations.

Character Interactions

• Count Raymond interacts with the cheering crowd at the harbor, though he finds their enthusiasm irritating and unnecessary.
• He also interacts with a civil official who reads out His Majesty's decree of commendation and announces Raymond's upcoming audience with the Emperor.
• Raymond receives news from home about the birth of his son, which dampens his spirits despite his recent military success.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei Roland, born seemingly normal, becomes silent and unresponsive, leading to the belief he's an idiot.
• At three years old, Du Wei crawls out during a storm, screams at the sky, and falls ill. The Countess, fearing for his life, seeks divine intervention.
• Du Wei recovers but remains silent. In his sleep, he murmurs "Made," leading the Countess to believe it's a divine sign. She promotes a stable groom named Made to serve Du Wei.

Character Developments

• Du Wei: Initially considered a genius, he becomes silent and unresponsive, earning him the label of an 'idiot.' After his illness, he shows a trace of warmth towards his mother.
• The Countess: Initially hopeful about Du Wei's intellect, she becomes desperate and devout when he falls ill, seeking divine intervention. She shows unwavering love and devotion to Du Wei.

Significant Themes

• Perception vs Reality: Du Wei's silence leads others to perceive him as an idiot, but his actions (like crawling out during the storm) suggest otherwise.
• Divine Intervention: The Countess believes in divine intervention, leading her to interpret Du Wei's murmurings as a sign from the Goddess of Light.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei and The Countess: The Countess's unwavering love and devotion to Du Wei are evident, even as she struggles with his condition.
• Du Wei and Made: Du Wei, in his sleep, influences the Countess to promote Made, leading to an unexpected change in Made's status.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Count Raymond returns home after a three-year military campaign, skipping the victory celebration.
• He meets his three-year-old son, Du Wei, for the first time and is disappointed by the boy's frail appearance and silence.
• Count Raymond decides to hire the best teacher in the Empire to help Du Wei speak and assigns Alpha, his loyal captain of guards, to train Du Wei in martial arts starting the next month.
• Count Raymond is promoted to Deputy Commander of the Imperial Command and relinquishes his naval title.
• Alpha examines Du Wei and concludes that he is too weak and constitutionally deficient for martial arts training.

Character Developments

• Count Raymond: Shows disappointment in Du Wei's appearance and silence, prioritizes military prowess, and is resolute in his decisions.
• Du Wei: Remains indifferent and silent despite his father's disappointment, possibly harboring resentment towards his absent father.
• Alpha: Loyal and honest, provides a realistic assessment of Du Wei's physical condition.

Significant Themes

• Military prowess and legacy: Count Raymond values military merit and expects Du Wei to follow in his footsteps.
• Disappointment and expectations: Count Raymond is disappointed in Du Wei's appearance and silence, while Du Wei may feel resentment towards his father's expectations.
• Honesty and loyalty: Alpha provides an honest assessment of Du Wei's condition, prioritizing the boy's well-being over the count's wishes.

Character Interactions

• Count Raymond and Du Wei: The count is disappointed in Du Wei's appearance and silence, while Du Wei remains indifferent and possibly resentful.
• Count Raymond and Alpha: The count trusts Alpha's judgment and asks for his honest opinion about Du Wei's condition.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Count Raymond is disappointed when his son, Du Wei, shows no aptitude for martial training.
• He decides to focus on Du Wei's literary education instead, offering a large reward to anyone who can make Du Wei speak.
• Du Wei starts speaking after being exposed to a strong smell in the stables.
• A renowned scholar, Mr. Rosiat, is hired to tutor Du Wei, who shows exceptional intelligence at a young age.
• However, Mr. Rosiat resigns after Du Wei makes politically sensitive remarks, leaving the count disheartened about his son's future.

Character Developments

• Count Raymond: Initially focused on Du Wei's martial prowess, he shifts his attention to his son's literary education after Du Wei shows no aptitude for martial arts. He becomes disheartened when even a renowned scholar fails to educate his son properly.
• Du Wei: Despite being young, Du Wei shows exceptional intelligence and understanding of complex topics. He becomes aware of his unique knowledge and experiences a sense of isolation and unease.
• Mr. Rosiat: Initially confident in his teaching abilities, he becomes frightened after Du Wei makes politically sensitive remarks and resigns from his position as Du Wei's tutor.

Significant Themes

• The pressure to conform to societal expectations and the consequences of not doing so (Count Raymond's initial disappointment in Du Wei's lack of martial prowess).
• The dangers of knowledge and the allure of ignorance (Du Wei's realization that his unique knowledge sets him apart from others and causes him distress).

Character Interactions

• Count Raymond and Du Wei: The count's initial disappointment in Du Wei's lack of martial prowess creates tension between them. However, as Du Wei shows exceptional intelligence, the count's attitude towards his son softens.
• Du Wei and Mr. Rosiat: Du Wei's exceptional intelligence impresses Mr. Rosiat initially, but the scholar becomes frightened after Du Wei makes politically sensitive remarks, leading to his resignation.
• Du Wei and Made: Made, Du Wei's personal attendant, is loyal and caring towards Du Wei. He tries to comfort Du Wei when the young master is troubled.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Count Raymond, desperate to find a path for his "idiot" son Du Wei, invites Mage Clark to test Du Wei's aptitude for magic.
• Mage Clark explains that magic is the pursuit of unlocking divine revelations and understanding the world, and that mages borrow power from nature, not from within themselves.

Character Developments

• Du Wei demonstrates understanding and insight beyond his years, surprising Mage Clark.
• Mage Clark shows arrogance and condescension, expecting Du Wei to be ignorant and fearful.

Significant Themes

• The nature of magic and the role of mages in society.
• The fear and respect mages command due to their power and eccentricity.
• The expectation that Du Wei, as the heir of the Roland Family, should follow a certain path in life.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei and Mage Clark have a conversation about magic, with Du Wei displaying unexpected understanding.
• Count Raymond is desperate to find a suitable path for Du Wei, even considering the unpopular option of becoming a mage.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Clark tests Du Wei's magical talent using a crystal ball, which responds with intense light due to Du Wei's strong spiritual power.
• Clark teaches Du Wei a basic spell and asks him to meditate and sense the power of nature, but Du Wei only feels hungry.
• Clark leaves, disappointed that Du Wei lacks the ability to sense magical elements, deeming him unsuitable for mage training.
• The count is disappointed in Du Wei's failure to impress Clark.

Character Developments

• Du Wei: Despite his strong spiritual power, Du Wei fails to demonstrate the ability to sense magical elements, leading Clark to believe he lacks mage potential. He is unaware of the misunderstanding and continues to be himself.
• Clark: The proud mage is initially impressed by Du Wei's spiritual power but becomes disappointed when Du Wei fails to sense magical elements. He suggests Du Wei study potion-making instead.
• The Count (Raymond): He is hopeful that Du Wei will impress Clark but is disappointed when Clark leaves without accepting Du Wei as an apprentice. He misunderstands Clark's words and concludes that Du Wei is an idiot.

Significant Themes

• Talent and potential: Du Wei possesses strong spiritual power but lacks the ability to sense magical elements, leading Clark to believe he has no mage potential.
• Perception and misunderstanding: The count misunderstands Clark's words and concludes that Du Wei is an idiot, leading to a negative reputation for Du Wei.
• Disappointment and acceptance: Both the count and Clark are disappointed in Du Wei's lack of mage potential, while Du Wei remains unaware of their expectations and continues to be himself.

Character Interactions

• Clark and Du Wei: Clark tests Du Wei's magical talent and teaches him a basic spell, but Du Wei's inability to sense magical elements disappoints Clark.
• The Count and Du Wei: The count is hopeful that Du Wei will impress Clark but is disappointed when Clark leaves without accepting Du Wei as an apprentice. He misunderstands Clark's words and concludes that Du Wei is an idiot.
• Du Wei and himself: Despite the misunderstandings and disappointments of others, Du Wei remains unaware of their expectations and continues to be himself.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Count Raymond is disappointed in Du Wei's lack of talent and focuses on having another son to inherit the family.
• Du Wei becomes obsessed with studying magical pharmacology, a form of magic that involves creating potions with various ingredients.
• Du Wei's younger brother, Gabri, is hailed as a genius and the future hope of the Roland Family.
• At thirteen, Du Wei is sent away from the Imperial Capital to oversee the family business in the Kote Province, effectively banishing him from the count's estate.

Character Developments

• Count Raymond: Focuses on his younger son, Gabri, after being disappointed in Du Wei's lack of talent. He arranges a marriage alliance for Gabri and banishes Du Wei.
• Du Wei: Becomes fascinated with magical pharmacology, but his knowledge remains theoretical due to lack of access to necessary ingredients. He is sent away from the Imperial Capital.
• Gabri: Gains recognition as a genius and the future hope of the Roland Family. He is betrothed to the granddaughter of the Minister of Finance.

Significant Themes

• Disappointment and disinheritance: Count Raymond's disappointment in Du Wei leads to his focus on Gabri and Du Wei's eventual banishment.
• Talent and genius: Du Wei's lack of talent in magic contrasts with Gabri's perceived genius, highlighting the importance of talent in this world.
• Family legacy: The count's desire for an heir to carry on the Roland Family's legacy drives his actions and decisions.

Character Interactions

• Count Raymond and Du Wei: The count's disappointment in Du Wei leads to minimal interaction between them, and eventually, Du Wei's banishment.
• Du Wei and the countess: The countess continues to show affection towards Du Wei, visiting him secretly and comforting him.
• Du Wei and Gabri: Although not directly interacting, Du Wei's banishment highlights the contrast between his situation and Gabri's, who is hailed as the future hope of the family.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei, the exiled eldest son of Count Raymond, travels back to his family's ancestral home in Kote Province with a small entourage of twenty guards, a steward (Made), and a coachman.
• They stop at Giant Tree Town's tavern for the night, drawing attention due to their noble appearance and small number of guards.
• Another group of travelers, including a striking young woman and a mage, also enter the tavern.

Character Developments

• Du Wei: Despite his exile, he remains calm and composed, showing no signs of bitterness or resentment. He is well-read and prefers the company of books.
• Made: The former coachman, now steward, is pragmatic and focuses on the positives of his new role, even considering finding a wife in Kote Province.
• The Guards: They are disheartened by their exile and the lack of prospects in Kote Province, lamenting their fate compared to those who remained in the Imperial Capital.

Significant Themes

• Exile and its emotional impact on Du Wei and his guards.
• The stark contrast between the nobles' lives and the common people's lives, as seen in the tavern setting.
• The allure of the Imperial Capital and the disdain for remote, rural areas like Kote Province.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei interacts minimally with his guards and the tavern patrons, preferring to read his books.
• Made takes care of the arrangements and keeps the guards in line.
• The guards interact with each other, expressing their discontent and lamenting their situation.
• The tavern patrons, including prostitutes and drunkards, interact with Du Wei's group, expressing curiosity and disdain.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei and his guards are in a tavern when a group of adventurers, including a mage, arrives.
• A drunken knight provokes the adventurers, leading to a brawl.
• Du Wei instigates his guards to fight the adventurers, resulting in a chaotic battle.
• Du Wei discovers that the adventurers' weapons are magically enchanted and that the mage is unusually powerful.
• Du Wei personally takes down the mage and his guards capture the adventurers.

Character Developments

• Du Wei shows cunning and strategic thinking by instigating the fight and taking down the mage.
• The adventurers' leader, a gorgeous girl, is revealed to have enchanted weapons, suggesting she has connections or resources beyond her apparent skill level.
• Du Wei's guards are shown to be mediocre fighters, struggling against the adventurers despite their numerical advantage.

Significant Themes

• The power of magic and its value in this world.
• The disparity between appearance and reality, as seen in the adventurers' leader and Du Wei's guards.
• Du Wei's growing interest in and understanding of magic.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei interacts with his guards, instigating the fight and showing interest in the adventurers' leader and her weapons.
• The adventurers' leader and her companions work together to fight Du Wei's guards, with the mage providing magical support.
• Du Wei's guards struggle against the adventurers, eventually capturing them with difficulty.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei captures a group of strangers, including a mage, at an inn to satisfy his curiosity about magic.
• Du Wei is particularly interested in the mage's ability to cast spells without chanting, resembling the legendary Instant Casting technique.
• Du Wei interrogates the mage, examining his spoils and trying to uncover his secret.

Character Developments

• Du Wei: Shows curiosity and determination in pursuing his interest in magic, displaying indifference to moral conventions and the consequences of his actions.
• The Mage: Remains defiant and unwilling to reveal his secret, but is eventually broken down by Du Wei's interrogation.

Significant Themes

• The pursuit of knowledge and power, even at the cost of morality and ethics.
• The value of secrets and the lengths people will go to protect or uncover them.
• The divide between theory and practice in the acquisition of knowledge.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei interacts with the mage, trying to coerce him into revealing his secret about Instant Casting.
• Du Wei's subordinates follow his orders without question, showing their loyalty and fear of their young master.
• The mage's defiance initially matches Du Wei's determination, but he eventually succumbs to Du Wei's interrogation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei captures Ruolin, the adventurer leader, and plans to use her as bait to lure her mage companion.
• Du Wei instructs his guards to keep the mage awake and prevent him from recovering his magical powers.
• Du Wei enters Ruolin's room, where she is bound and waiting.

Character Developments

• Du Wei demonstrates his strategic thinking and ruthlessness in capturing and planning to use Ruolin.
• Ruolin, despite her initial confidence in using her beauty to manipulate men, becomes nervous and uncertain when faced with Du Wei's lack of interest in her.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between men and women, and how Ruolin has used her beauty to manipulate men in the past.
• The manipulation of power and resources, as seen in Du Wei's plan to use Ruolin as bait.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei and Ruolin: Du Wei shows no interest in Ruolin's advances, leaving her confused and uncertain. Their interaction highlights the power imbalance between them.
• Du Wei and his guards: Du Wei gives clear instructions to his guards, demonstrating his authority and strategic thinking.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei captures Ruolin, the leader of an adventuring party, to study her magical weapons.
• He identifies the origins and properties of her weapons through his extensive knowledge of heraldry, history, and magic.
• Du Wei decides to let Ruolin go after studying her weapons, but keeps her mage companion.
• He advises Ruolin to find a peaceful life or rely on a powerful patron.

Character Developments

• Du Wei demonstrates his vast knowledge and analytical skills, proving himself to be far from an "idiot."
• Ruolin realizes the depth of Du Wei's intelligence and is left in shock and awe.

Significant Themes

• The power of knowledge and intelligence.
• The danger of underestimating others based on appearances.
• The importance of self-awareness and understanding one's place in the world.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei and Ruolin: Du Wei's calm and composed demeanor unnerves Ruolin, who finds herself at a loss against his intelligence and insight.
• Du Wei and Made: Du Wei's loyal servant Made shows concern for his master's well-being and is proud of Du Wei's intelligence, despite his master's desire to keep it hidden.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ruolin follows Du Wei's convoy the next day, hesitant and uncertain about her actions.
• Du Wei's party captures a mage, who is treated harshly to prevent him from regaining his magical powers.
• Ruolin and her two companions are spotted following Du Wei's convoy. Du Wei invites Ruolin to his carriage.
• Ruolin kneels before Du Wei and pledges her loyalty, seeking to become his subordinate. Du Wei accepts her pledge and grants her the status of an honorary knight.
• Du Wei reveals his identity as Du Wei Roland, the eldest son of Count Raymond, the head of the Roland Family, and vice commander of Imperial Command.
• Du Wei declines to grant knighthood to Ruolin's two companions, offering them the position of squires instead.

Character Developments

• Ruolin: Struggles with her decision to follow Du Wei, ultimately pledging her loyalty to him. She acknowledges her need for a powerful ally and sees Du Wei as a potential "great tree" to lean on.
• Du Wei: Demonstrates his power and influence by accepting Ruolin's pledge and granting her knighthood. He shows little interest in Ruolin's companions, indicating his discernment and high standards.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and alliances: Ruolin seeks an alliance with Du Wei, recognizing his power and influence. Du Wei accepts her pledge, further solidifying his position.
• Identity and reputation: Du Wei reveals his true identity, showing that he is not just a simple scholar but a powerful noble. Ruolin's reaction to his identity suggests that his reputation as an "idiot" is not entirely accurate.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei and Ruolin: Their interaction leads to Ruolin pledging her loyalty to Du Wei. Du Wei accepts her pledge, marking the beginning of their relationship as master and subordinate.
• Ruolin and her companions: Ruolin's companions follow her, hoping to also gain knighthood. However, Du Wei shows little interest in them, leading to their disappointment.

Plot Points & Events

• The convoy travels for a day, crossing the Emerald River (now named Roland River) into the Roland Family's territory.
• The cavalrymen, especially those born on the Roland Plain, express joy and pride upon returning home.

Character Development

• Du Wei begins to understand the significance of the Roland Family and its influence on its subjects.
• Du Wei feels a sudden sense of belonging and anticipation for his return to the ancestral estate.

Significant Themes

• Belonging and identity: Du Wei's realization of his need for a sense of belonging to this world.
• Pride and loyalty: The cavalrymen's pride in being subjects of the Roland Family and their loyalty to it.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei and Made: Made educates Du Wei about the proper way to refer to the Roland Family's subjects, showing his loyalty and pride in his heritage.
• Du Wei and the cavalrymen: Du Wei observes the cavalrymen's joy and pride upon returning home, leading to his own realization about the importance of belonging.

Summary

Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei, the eldest son of the Count, arrives at the Roland Family's ancestral estate for inspection.
• The estate is vast, with a castle, ancestral hall, and a dark forest serving as a natural hunting ground for the soldiers.
• Du Wei is led to the study, which is also a library filled with family history, weapons, and account books.

Character Developments

• Du Wei demonstrates maturity and seriousness beyond his thirteen years, showing interest in the family's history and business.
• Old Steward Hill is revealed to be efficient and respectful, but his intentions are initially unclear.

Significant Themes

• The weight of family history and responsibility.
• The power dynamics within the family and the territory.
• The potential for conflict or intrigue, hinted at by Du Wei's perception of being watched.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei and Old Steward Hill interact formally, with Du Wei asserting his authority and the steward showing deference.
• Du Wei feels a mysterious gaze from an oil painting in the study, hinting at an unknown presence or entity.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei discovers a living painting in the study, which can communicate only at midnight.
• The painting reveals the existence of a hidden chamber with treasures and a way to lift its magical affliction.
• Du Wei finds a riddle hidden in the study, which he solves to reveal a secret entrance behind a bookshelf.

Character Developments

• Du Wei demonstrates curiosity, intelligence, and determination in solving the riddle and uncovering the secret.

Significant Themes

• The power of curiosity and determination in uncovering secrets.
• The use of riddles and hidden clues as a plot device.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei interacts with the living painting, trying to communicate and understand its situation.
• There are no other character interactions in this chapter.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei discovers a secret passage in the family castle, leading to a hidden chamber.
• He finds a locked door with a star chart on the ceiling, which he deciphers to open a hidden passage leading to another chamber.
• Inside, he finds a stone casket with a letter from Semel Chira Roland, the greatest female astrologer of the Roland Family.
• The letter reveals that Semel's research in astrology involves a powerful magic, and she leaves behind a magic crystal and a message for her descendants.

Character Developments

• Du Wei demonstrates his intelligence, resourcefulness, and determination in solving the riddles and unlocking the secrets of the hidden chambers.
• Semel Chira Roland is revealed to be an exceptional astrologer and mage, leaving behind a powerful legacy.

Significant Themes

• The power of knowledge and discovery, as exemplified by Semel's research in astrology.
• The importance of family lineage and heritage, as Du Wei uncovers his ancestors' secrets.
• The blurring of lines between different fields of study, such as astrology and magic.

Character Interactions

• Although there are no direct interactions in this chapter, Du Wei's connection to his ancestor Semel is established through her letter, creating a sense of lineage and shared purpose.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Semel, a female astrologer, shares her life's work and discoveries about the stars with Du Wei.
• She reveals that stars are not created by gods but are celestial bodies with immense power and cyclical movements.
• Semel's research challenges the authority of the gods and is hidden away for safety.
• She leaves behind a magical creature in an oil painting to guide Du Wei through her research.

Character Developments

• Semel: She evolves from a devoted astrologer to a doubter of divine creation, driven by her research and discoveries.
• Du Wei: He gains respect for Semel's courage and dedication, and feels frustrated by his inability to learn Semel's magic due to his lack of magical talent.

Significant Themes

• Doubt and questioning of religious beliefs and authority.
• The pursuit of knowledge and truth, even when it challenges societal norms.
• The struggle between personal beliefs and societal expectations.

Character Interactions

• Semel interacts with Du Wei through her magical phantom, sharing her life's work and leaving behind guidance for him.
• Du Wei interacts with the magical creature in the painting, feeling frustrated by his inability to release it and learn Semel's magic.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei arrives at the Roland Family's castle in Roland Plain.
• He meets the old steward Hill and learns about the family's finances and his monthly allowance of 300 gold coins.
• Du Wei decides to build a wooden cabin in the forest for his studies and purchases various materials and plants.
• He learns that he has exceeded his monthly allowance and will have to cut down on expenses.
• Du Wei decides to visit the magician prisoner in the dungeon.

Character Developments

• Du Wei demonstrates his independence and resourcefulness, deciding to make his own money and build a cabin for his studies.
• Hill, the old steward, shows his loyalty and efficiency in carrying out Du Wei's orders, but also reveals his displeasure at Du Wei's extravagance.
• Made, Du Wei's former stableman, remains loyal and helpful, offering Du Wei the money he had saved for him.

Significant Themes

• Money and wealth: Du Wei's limited allowance and the family's wealth are highlighted, showing the importance of money in this world.
• Independence and resourcefulness: Du Wei decides to make his own money and build a cabin, demonstrating his desire for independence and self-sufficiency.
• Loyalty: Made's loyalty to Du Wei is shown through his actions and willingness to help him.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei interacts with Hill, the old steward, showing his authority as the master of the castle but also his naivety about the family's finances.
• Du Wei interacts with Made, his former stableman, showing his trust in Made and his willingness to accept his help.
• Du Wei plans to visit the magician prisoner in the dungeon, showing his determination to learn magic and his willingness to confront the magician again.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Du Wei visits the captive mage in the dungeon.
• The mage reveals he is actually only a magic apprentice who cheated his way into a Level One mage qualification.
• He explains that he learned magic by studying magical potioncraft, which can replicate the basic principles of every school of magic.

Character Developments

• Du Wei:
  • Shows curiosity and determination to learn the mage's secret.
  • Realizes the potential of learning magic to access Semel's astrology.
• The Mage:
  • Reveals his past struggles and eventual discovery of a unique path to magic.
  • Shows pride in his accomplishment and willingness to share his secret.

Significant Themes

• The struggle to learn and master magic.
• The discovery of unique paths to achieve one's goals.
• The deceptive nature of mage qualifications and the exploitation of magic apprentices.

Character Interactions

• Du Wei and the Mage:
  • Du Wei interrogates the mage, who eventually shares his secret.
  • They share a moment of understanding and mutual respect.
• Du Wei and Ruolin:
  • Du Wei shows concern for Ruolin's well-being after she spent the night guarding the mage.
  • He reassures her that he has no intention of harming the mage.