Chapter Summaries

Ye Qingcang confronted Surprise Carp outside a Netherworld contact point and explained how his Formless Men could infiltrate and replace the organization’s personnel. He left the choice of joining him to Surprise Carp, then knocked on the courtyard door.

• Ye Qingcang and Surprise Carp arrived at a Netherworld contact point, where she warned him that attacking Netherworld would be dangerous and unnecessary.
• Ye Qingcang declared that, with preparation, he could slowly take control of Netherworld and invited Surprise Carp to witness his rise to leadership.
• Ye Qingcang described how his Formless Men could devour people, acquire their memories and appearances, and spread through Netherworld’s frequent contacts.
• Ye Qingcang showed Surprise Carp a pill that triggered a strong reaction, then invited her to serve him loyally or manage Netherworld herself.
• Ye Qingcang waved away Surprise Carp’s need to answer and knocked on the courtyard door.

Ye Qingcang and Jing Ni entered a Netherworld transfer point, where Ye Qingcang transformed its manager into a loyal Formless Man. He ordered the new follower to find suitable vessels for his colleagues, leaving the pair with the night's work ahead of them.

• Ye Qingcang and Jing Ni entered the transfer point after using the standard client knock.
• Ye Qingcang caught the manager off guard and pressed a parasitic lump of flesh onto his scalp.
• The manager tried to resist and signaled Jing Ni to kill him, but Ye Qingcang restrained him completely.
• The manager became Formless Sequence No. 890 and pledged fanatical loyalty to Ye Qingcang and the Mother.
• Ye Qingcang asked Formless Man No. 890 to find vessels for his colleagues and absorb their memories during the night.

Ye Qingcang used a Faceless Man embedded in a Netherworld transit point to obtain classified contact records and plan an infiltration, revealing how thoroughly Netherworld had been compromised. He left the Faceless Man in place to maintain his cover and departed with Surprise Carp to continue the operation.

• Ye Qingcang's respectful treatment moved the middle-aged man, who read his body's memories and revealed two plans based on Netherworld's contact registers.
• The Faceless Man explained how impersonators with copied memories could infiltrate Netherworld's ranks and make the organization unable to trust its own investigations.
• Ye Qingcang took the bamboo slips, told Surprise Carp they had what they came for, and ordered the Faceless Man to remain undercover until summoned.
• The Faceless Man identified himself as a third-batch creation who had earned selection through the operation against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's intelligence branch.
• Ye Qingcang encouraged the Faceless Man to earn another campaign medal, then left with Surprise Carp.

Ye Qingcang readied himself for a confrontation between Han Fei and Ji Wuye and brought Surprise Carp to Purple Orchid Pavilion. There, they met Han Fei, Red Lotus, Zi Nu, Nong Yu, and Wei Zhuang, whose blunt question about Surprise Carp's identity Ye Qingcang answered calmly.

• Ye Qingcang warned Surprise Carp that Netherworld's Han Kingdom network had been paralyzed and invited her to stay by his side if she wanted to observe his bid to lead Netherworld.
• Surprise Carp chose to accompany Ye Qingcang to Purple Orchid Pavilion, and Nong Yu escorted them to Han Fei's private room.
• Ye Qingcang entered the room and greeted Han Fei, Red Lotus, Zi Nu, Nong Yu, and the white-haired Wei Zhuang.
• Wei Zhuang questioned whether a Heaven Ranked Assassin from Netherworld should be present, and Ye Qingcang asked whether her identity affected her right to attend.
• Wei Zhuang said Surprise Carp's identity did not matter and that he had only been curious.

Ye Qingcang explained that he had secretly taken control of Netherworld’s Xinzheng branch using flesh-like control pellets, easing Han Fei’s fears about the danger. He offered the others pellets to test, and the gathering turned to celebrating Han Fei’s appointment as Minister of Justice, with Red Lotus claiming credit.

• Surprise Carp told Han Fei and the others that Ye Qingcang controlled her and Netherworld’s Xinzheng branch, which had become isolated from outside help.
• Han Fei worried that Netherworld would retaliate, while Wei Zhuang inferred that Ye Qingcang was feigning obedience and secretly controlling the branch.
• Ye Qingcang explained that Netherworld’s headquarters remained unaware and showed the group four flesh-like pellets that could control a person when attached to bare skin.
• Zi Nu warned Ye Qingcang that Han Kingdom might have countermeasures against parasitic control methods, and he thanked her.
• Ye Qingcang congratulated Han Fei on becoming Minister of Justice, while Red Lotus took credit for helping secure his appointment.

Han Fei teased Ye Qingcang about Crimson Lotus’s feelings, but Ye Qingcang said it was too early to discuss romance and warned that Han Fei’s new post as Minister of Justice was dangerous. Wei Zhuang and Zi Nu explained that Han Fei had been trapped between Ji Wuye and Zhang Kaidi, and Ye Qingcang predicted Ji Wuye would soon test him.

• Han Fei hinted that Crimson Lotus liked Ye Qingcang and asked Ye Qingcang to state his position.
• Ye Qingcang said he and Crimson Lotus were not lovers, noted his many relationships, and urged Han Fei to focus on the risks of becoming Minister of Justice.
• Crimson Lotus admitted she felt comfortable with Ye Qingcang but asked why Han Fei’s appointment was a bad thing.
• Wei Zhuang explained that Ji Wuye and Zhang Kaidi had each maneuvered Han Fei into the ministerial post for their own purposes.
• Zi Nu and Ye Qingcang explained that Han Fei would have to choose whether to act against Ji Wuye and predicted Ji Wuye would soon challenge him.

Han Fei explained how becoming Minister of Justice benefited him despite Ji Wuye and Zhang Kaidi’s schemes, and gathered his allies to establish an organization. He named it Quicksand, setting it against Night Curtain.

• Red Lotus angrily blamed Ji Wuye and Zhang Kaidi for using Han Fei, but Zi Nu explained that Han Fei had gained the position and influence he wanted.
• Red Lotus realized Han Fei had little to lose by accepting the post of Minister of Justice, since his enemies would oppose him regardless.
• Ye Qingcang explained the value of Han Fei’s new position and described how Quicksand and Reverse Quicksand could divide their roles between open politics and covert operations.
• Han Fei told Ye Qingcang, Zi Nu, Wei Zhuang, Red Lotus, and the others that it was time to establish an organization.
• Han Fei named the organization Quicksand and said it would bury Night Curtain.

Han Fei discussed the obstacles in the Ghost Soldiers Robbery Case and planned to confront Ji Wuye without waiting for formal proof. Ye Qingcang and Wei Zhuang revealed that Water Dissolving Gold explained how the military pay had been switched, while Ye Qingcang also supplied intelligence and testimony that could expose Ji Wuye.

• Han Fei told Zi Nu that the soldiers and transport records offered no leads, the gold’s disappearance seemed impossible, and his father’s deadline worked in Ji Wuye’s favor.
• Han Fei said he would target Ji Wuye directly and teach him that excessive pride became arrogance, though Zi Nu doubted he could bluff the general.
• Ye Qingcang arrived with a piece of gold and poured wine on it, causing it to smoke and shrink as Han Fei and Zi Nu recognized how the gold had been replaced.
• Wei Zhuang entered through the window and identified the substance as Nine Springs Gold, also called Water Dissolving Gold, which he had obtained through Seven Absolutes Hall.
• Ye Qingcang provided bamboo scrolls containing testimony from Hundred Birds members and findings from Straw Raincoat Guest’s intelligence network, explaining that Netherworld had gathered the information.

Ye Qingcang revealed that Li Kai, the presumed-dead former Right Sima, could help Han Fei undermine Ji Wuye by secretly taking Liu Yi’s place. Li Kai agreed to pursue revenge and clear his fallen soldiers’ names, and Ye Qingcang proposed disguising him as Liu Yi.

• Han Fei and Zi Nu explained that Ji Wuye’s money was their clearest target, since attacking his intelligence networks, military forces, or palace connections would be too risky.
• Ye Qingcang introduced Li Kai, who revealed that he had survived the Baiyue campaign and blamed Liu Yi for betraying him and causing thousands of soldiers to die.
• Li Kai said Liu Yi had colluded with the Three Wolves with Cut Hair to seize Fire Rain Manor’s wealth and had married Li Kai’s former lover.
• Han Fei admitted that he could not yet promise to clear Li Kai’s name or help him take revenge, since their faction lacked the strength to challenge Ji Wuye.
• Ye Qingcang transformed himself to resemble Han Fei and proposed that Zi Nu train Li Kai to impersonate Liu Yi, allowing him to infiltrate Ji Wuye’s ranks and restore the fallen soldiers’ honor.

Ye Qingcang explained why Li Kai should keep his disfigured appearance and use Liu Yi’s identity to judge Madam Hu’s loyalty and gather evidence. Li Kai swore that he would put Han Fei’s cause before personal feelings until they succeeded in changing the world.

• Ye Qingcang demonstrated that he could reshape his face and told Li Kai that restoring his original appearance was possible, but advised him to keep his current one during the mission.
• Li Kai said his disfigurement reminded him of the brothers he had failed and that he would not blame Madam Hu for seeking protection after he abandoned her and their child.
• Zi Nu asked whether Li Kai would resent Madam Hu for giving herself to Liu Yi, and Li Kai said he had no right to blame her for his own broken promises.
• Ye Qingcang teased Han Fei and Zi Nu about their growing closeness; both acknowledged their feelings indirectly but agreed to focus on defeating Ji Wuye first.
• Ye Qingcang advised Li Kai to impersonate Liu Yi after killing him and use Madam Hu’s reactions to uncover how she had treated Liu Yi and whether she would expose Li Kai.
• Li Kai knelt and swore that he would not let private feelings interfere with Han Fei’s public cause, promising to settle any personal debt after they succeeded.

Ye Qingcang and Han Fei discussed using the Ghost Soldiers Robbery Case to take money from Emerald Tiger and build a cavalry force. Zi Nu warned that cavalry would be costly, ineffective in Han Kingdom’s terrain, and politically dangerous, while Wei Zhuang argued that even a small force was needed to counter Bai Yifei’s White Armor Army.

• Ye Qingcang told Han Fei that a successful investigation into the Ghost Soldiers Robbery Case could conceal Li Kai’s replacement of the Army Commandant and expose Emerald Tiger’s profits.
• Han Fei considered using the money to build an armed force, though he recognized that extorting Emerald Tiger would violate his principles about law.
• Zi Nu advised Han Fei and Ye Qingcang against building cavalry, citing the costs, Han Kingdom’s terrain, and the risk that the royal family would seize control of the army.
• Wei Zhuang argued that they needed cavalry, even a small force, to prepare for future warfare and keep Bai Yifei’s White Armor Army in check.

Han Fei defended his plan to build cavalry as a way to challenge Ji Wuye’s military power, and Zi Nu accepted his reasoning. Ye Qingcang then agreed to teach Zi Nu his disguise makeup technique, using Li Kai as a model.

• Han Fei argued that Han Kingdom needed cavalry and said Ji Wuye was only the first obstacle to his larger ambitions.
• Zi Nu conceded that Han Fei was right to establish cavalry, despite its cost, because military power was the key to defeating Ji Wuye.
• Han Fei considered how Ji Wuye and Bai Yifei’s forces maintained a balance and resolved to act before Bai Yifei returned.
• Zi Nu asked Ye Qingcang to teach her his makeup technique, and he let her study his Rouge and Powder and explained its limitations.
• Ye Qingcang proposed demonstrating the makeup technique on Li Kai, and Li Kai agreed.

Ye Qingcang prepared to return to the Douluo Star System after training Li Kai to impersonate Left Sima Liu Yi. As Ye Qingcang and his companions carried out their plan, Li Kai captured Liu Yi and began torturing him to perfect the disguise.

• Ye Qingcang decided he needed to return to the Douluo Star System to keep his allies and main base under control.
• Ye Qingcang, Zi Nu, and Wei Zhuang spent two weeks training Li Kai to impersonate Liu Yi, and they chose that night to act.
• Red Lotus, Han Fei, Zhang Liang, Zi Nu, Wei Zhuang, Surprise Carp, Nong Yu, and others came to see Ye Qingcang off, while Red Lotus stayed behind after Han Fei persuaded her.
• Surprise Carp showed Ye Qingcang she would not flee or report back to Netherworld, despite having the strength to escape.
• Li Kai captured Liu Yi and claimed that Liu Yi was really Li Kai, then cut a piece of flesh from him as Liu Yi recognized his captor.

After Li Kai avenged himself on Liu Yi, Ye Qingcang proposed him for Reverse Quicksand. Zi Nu agreed to give Li Kai a chance and arranged an evaluation for the following night at Purple Orchid Pavilion.

• Zi Nu and Ye Qingcang discussed how to dispose of Liu Yi's body after Li Kai finished torturing him to death.
• Li Kai thanked Ye Qingcang and Han Fei, admitted he had vented his anger, and resolved to prevent Liu Yi from returning as a vengeful ghost.
• Ye Qingcang suggested that Li Kai join Reverse Quicksand, and Zi Nu agreed to consider him for a seat.
• Zi Nu told Li Kai that Han Fei, Wei Zhuang, Red Lotus, and she would assess whether he qualified the next night at Purple Orchid Pavilion.

After Li Kai began his infiltration, Ye Qingcang told Zi Nu and Surprise Carp he was leaving and discussed measures to keep events under control after his departure. As they headed back to review the operation against Ji Wuye, Zi Nu and Ye Qingcang wagered on how much military pay Han Fei and Wei Zhuang would recover.

• Ye Qingcang told Zi Nu and Surprise Carp that he could no longer stay permanently, though he would visit when he could.
• Zi Nu agreed to help Ye Qingcang put safeguards in place and suggested they return to ask Han Fei and the others about their progress.
• Ye Qingcang and Zi Nu planned to review the two-pronged operation against Ji Wuye, with Han Fei and Wei Zhuang handling him while the others carried out a switcheroo.
• Zi Nu estimated that Wei Zhuang could seize at least two hundred thousand taels of gold in military pay.
• Ye Qingcang and Zi Nu began betting on how much money Han Fei and Wei Zhuang would recover.

Ye Qingcang and Zi Nu discussed the wealth hidden in Ji Wuye’s warehouse, the strength of Seven Absolutes Hall, and the danger posed by powerful martial artists. They returned to Purple Orchid Pavilion, where Zi Nu proposed meeting Wei Zhuang and Han Fei and starting the warhorse purchase while Ye Qingcang was still there.

• Ye Qingcang dismissed the value of the gold and estimated that Ji Wuye’s forces could have around three hundred thousand taels in reserves.
• Zi Nu criticized Seven Absolutes Hall’s limited strength and reflected on the restrictions that had kept her from advancing beyond the First-Rate Martial Artist level.
• Ye Qingcang and Zi Nu reached Purple Orchid Pavilion and noted that Wei Zhuang and Han Fei had likely finished their warehouse operation early.
• Zi Nu led Ye Qingcang and Surprise Carp upstairs to speak with the others and begin arranging the warhorse purchase.

Zi Nu, Ye Qingcang, and Surprise Carp returned to Purple Orchid Pavilion and learned Nong Yu had gone to settle a disturbance, while Han Fei reported the results of the operation and planned how to use the seized gold. Han Fei allocated funds to expand Seven Absolutes Hall, build an armed force, and protect Purple Orchid Pavilion from Emerald Tiger’s commercial attacks.

• Zi Nu and the others entered and found Han Fei writing, Red Lotus with ink on her face, and Wei Zhuang at the window; Red Lotus said Nong Yu had gone upstairs to handle troublesome guests.
• Han Fei explained that the operation had taken 350,000 taels of gold from Emerald Tiger, while the silver and property deeds had been left behind.
• Han Fei proposed spending 50,000 taels to expand Seven Absolutes Hall and 100,000 taels to buy horses and recruit soldiers.
• Han Fei reserved the remaining 100,000 taels to counter Emerald Tiger’s possible commercial attacks, including price-cutting against Purple Orchid Pavilion.

Ye Qingcang discussed his departure and the dangers surrounding Quicksand, then advised Han Fei and the others on Han Kingdom’s political situation. He revealed that Li Kai was Nong Yu’s father before teleporting away, leaving Red Lotus behind with her feelings for him.

• Ye Qingcang warned that Surprise Carp could threaten Quicksand, while Han Fei and Zi Nu argued that he was mostly trying to frighten her.
• Ye Qingcang said he would leave after settling matters and explained that Surprise Carp could not expose Netherworld’s takeover of its Han Kingdom branches.
• Ye Qingcang advised Han Fei to court Bai Yifei’s support and use the possibility of winning him over to unsettle Ji Wuye.
• Ye Qingcang revealed that Li Kai was Nong Yu’s father, prompting Zi Nu to reconsider Li Kai’s role.
• Ye Qingcang asked Zi Nu to investigate Flame Lingji and, if possible, rescue her, then said goodbye and teleported away.

Poseidon Tang San and God King Tang San discussed how Ye Qingcang had repeatedly undermined their schemes and considered ways to survive the growing opposition among the Divine Realm’s God Kings. God King Tang San proposed a desperate plan to seize the Golden Dragon King and Silver Dragon King’s power, relying on suspicion to fracture Ye Qingcang’s faction and create an opening.

• Poseidon Tang San argued that Ye Qingcang’s repeated interference could no longer be dismissed as coincidence, while God King Tang San warned that they lacked the strength and evidence to act against him directly.
• Poseidon Tang San described how most of the God Kings opposed them and questioned whether they could convince Goddess of Life and God of Destruction to support a fabricated accusation against Ye Qingcang.
• God King Tang San revealed his last-resort plan: seize the Golden Dragon King and Silver Dragon King’s power, though he acknowledged that success would benefit him most.
• Poseidon Tang San warned that attacking the injured Silver Dragon King could provoke her to unleash God King-level strength and attract the other God Kings before they could defeat her.
• God King Tang San said they would wait for an opportunity and seed suspicion that the Silver Dragon King intended to expand beyond the Star Dou Great Forest, which he believed would fracture the faction centered around Ye Qingcang.

Asura God and Evil God King discussed Ye Qingcang’s plans and the contest involving Poseidon Tang San and God King Tang San, agreeing to let events unfold while preparing for the Tang Sans to sow distrust. They also discussed the rules for soul-beast ascension and the threat posed by the Silver Dragon King and Golden Dragon King.

• Asura God and Evil God King settled their dispute over Ye Qingcang’s inheritance and agreed to let him act freely in the wider contest among the three star systems.
• Evil God King explained that Ye Qingcang’s aim to kill corrupt Deities would not erase the idea of gods, since the title simply belonged to the strong.
• Evil God King said Poseidon Tang San and God King Tang San would try to divide Ye Qingcang from them, and advised Asura God to remain natural and not reveal suspicion.
• Asura God explained that God King Tang San was staying hidden and refusing to offer Asura God an opening, making him difficult to target.
• Evil God King clarified that his soul-beast God Trial Taker could ascend after taking human form and reaching Rank 70 with a Martial Soul Avatar.
• Asura God warned that the Silver Dragon King and the sealed Golden Dragon King might reunite and become a major threat, and Evil God King agreed.