Chapter Summaries

Bi Xin returned to his neglected courtyard after Count Kangle struck him and began to suspect his father and elder brother might have been involved in his mother's death. Seeking help, he visited Su Ziji, who ordered Luo Jiang to guard their private conversation.

• Bi Xin returned to his room, where Yuzhu treated his swollen cheek as he lamented his father's hostility and his family's mistreatment.
• Yuzhu mentioned hearing that Bi Xin's elder brother was cruel and his father heartless, prompting Bi Xin to wonder whether rumors about his mother's poisoning were true.
• Bi Xin decided to seek help from Su Ziji and left his courtyard without telling Yuzhu when he would return.
• At the Duke of Dai's Residence, Su Ziji stopped his chess game with the Wild Daoist and went to meet Bi Xin in Plum Hall.
• Bi Xin bowed to Su Ziji and thanked him for promoting him, then hesitated to explain why he had come.
• Su Ziji called Luo Jiang in and ordered her to guard the door while he and Bi Xin spoke.

Bi Xin asked Su Ziji to investigate whether his mother, Zhang-shi, had been poisoned, and Su Ziji agreed. They reached her grave outside the city, where Bi Xin hesitated before opening it.

• Bi Xin told Su Ziji that he suspected his eldest brother had poisoned Zhang-shi and asked him to uncover the truth.
• Su Ziji agreed to investigate, and the Wild Daoist offered to examine the body.
• Su Ziji, Bi Xin, the Wild Daoist, and Luo Jiang slipped out of the city and traveled to the Kangle Earl's Residence burial ground.
• Bi Xin found Zhang-shi's grave, marked by deliberately planted bell-ringing grass, but faltered when Su Ziji urged him to reconsider disturbing her rest.

Bi Xin, Su Ziji, Luo Jiang, and the Wild Daoist opened Lady Bi Zhang-shi's grave and confirmed she had died by poison. Bi Xin pledged himself to Su Ziji and asked him to deliver justice by killing Bi Shu, and Su Ziji agreed.

• The Wild Daoist examined the Kangle Earl's burial ground and guided Bi Xin in opening Lady Bi Zhang-shi's grave.
• Bi Xin opened the coffin and saw his mother's partly decomposed body beneath the moonlight.
• The Wild Daoist tested the corpse with a silver needle and confirmed that Lady Bi Zhang-shi had died of poison.
• Bi Xin realized his suspicions about his elder half-brother, Bi Shu, and his father's failure to seek justice were true.
• Bi Xin and the Wild Daoist restored the grave and concealed the signs of their digging.
• Bi Xin pledged to obey Su Ziji and asked him to kill Bi Shu, and Su Ziji promised to do so.

Wild Daoist advised Bi Xin to seek a posthumous title for his mother by serving the court, while Luo Jiang remained unsure why the Duke of Dai had brought her along. Two days later, a scholar carrying the old Dragon Lord’s Golden Seal entered Capital City and learned from a local informant about the Duke of Dai’s conflicts and Bi Xin’s expulsion from his family.

• Wild Daoist told Bi Xin that inheriting his family’s estate or earning the fourth rank could let him petition for a posthumous title for his mother.
• Luo Jiang wondered whether the Duke of Dai had deliberately let her learn sensitive information so he could identify her if she leaked it.
• A scholar entering Capital City discovered that the old Dragon Lord’s Golden Seal countered the pressure of the city’s dragon aura.
• The scholar hired a self-proclaimed Information Broker to tell him about current events in Capital City.
• The Information Broker described the Duke of Dai’s dispute with the Wei Family over a shortfall in the Imperial Feather Guards and a suspicious restaurant death.
• The Information Broker said Count Kangle had cast Bi Xin out and removed his name from the family genealogy after Bi Xin joined the Duke of Dai.

Chapter Summary: The One Destined by Fate

Key Plot Points and Events

• Book of Documents learns about Duke of Dai’s remarkable rise and growing political troubles from a talkative carriage passenger, Wang Erzhu.
• Duke of Dai, once raised among commoners, became the Top Scorer, was acknowledged by the emperor, and rapidly rose from Marquis to Duke of Dai.
• His reputation is controversial: he has personally killed enemies, destroyed several powerful Shang families in the southwest without waiting for authorization, and slain a prince of Lin.
• Duke of Dai is currently under pressure from both Prince Qi and Prince Shu, whose combined political influence has led officials to repeatedly impeach him. Despite lacking a strong faction, he is attempting to resist both princes.
• Book of Documents arrives at Clear Garden Temple and is met by a handsome young monk, Bianxuan.
• Bianxuan uses a Dharma technique to see through Book of Documents’ disguise and discovers that he is actually Zhou Xuan, a powerful Quasi-Demon King whose true form is a crow.
• Zhou Xuan recognizes Bianxuan as one of the Three Wonders of Divine Elegance, a prodigy of the Brahma Sect famed for his appearance, Dharma abilities, and strength.
• Bianxuan brings Zhou Xuan to a courtyard in Lay Buddhist Garden that once housed Duke of Dai. The courtyard still contains faint traces of noble aura.
• Zhou Xuan accepts the lodging, believing the capital may contain the great opportunity foretold by divination—someone destined to help him become a Three-Legged Golden Crow.

Character Developments

• Duke of Dai is established as an extraordinarily capable and ambitious figure. His meteoric rise, military accomplishments, and willingness to act decisively have made him both feared and politically isolated.
• Book of Documents becomes more intrigued by Duke of Dai after hearing how much influence he has gained despite his recent acknowledgment and lack of established support.
• Zhou Xuan is revealed to be a powerful crow demon pursuing the transformation into a Three-Legged Golden Crow. He is cautious, observant, and actively searching for the person connected to his destined opportunity.
• Bianxuan is shown to possess exceptional spiritual perception and composure. He can identify Zhou Xuan’s true nature but remains polite and restrained rather than hostile.
• Wang Erzhu serves as an informed but ordinary source of Capital City rumors, eagerly offering information in exchange for payment.

Significant Themes

• Fate and destiny: Zhou Xuan’s arrival in the capital is guided by divination, and he searches for the person destined to provide his great opportunity.
• Political power and rising influence: Duke of Dai’s rapid advancement demonstrates how an outsider can disrupt established power structures.
• Hidden identities and perception: Both Book of Documents and Zhou Xuan conceal their true natures, while Bianxuan’s Dharma allows him to see through Zhou’s disguise.
• Ambition and transformation: Zhou Xuan’s goal of becoming a Three-Legged Golden Crow reflects the pursuit of extraordinary power and higher status.
• Fortune and aura: The lingering noble aura in Duke of Dai’s former residence suggests that his destiny and influence may extend beyond ordinary human accomplishments.

Important Character Interactions

• Book of Documents and Wang Erzhu: Wang recounts Duke of Dai’s history and political struggles, shaping Book of Documents’ understanding of him. Book of Documents rewards Wang generously for the information.
• Book of Documents and Bianxuan: Bianxuan recognizes Book of Documents’ true identity, though the chapter quickly reveals that the visitor is actually Zhou Xuan.
• Bianxuan and Zhou Xuan: Their first meeting is marked by mutual appraisal. Bianxuan identifies Zhou’s demonic nature, while Zhou recognizes Bianxuan’s extraordinary status and becomes more confident about cooperating with the Brahma Sect.
• Zhou Xuan and Duke of Dai’s legacy: Though Duke of Dai is absent, his former courtyard and lingering noble aura leave a strong impression on Zhou Xuan, suggesting their destinies may eventually intersect.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Bianxuan visits a secluded temple courtyard to consult his martial uncle, an elderly monk, about Zhou Xuan’s arrival in the Capital City.
• Bianxuan is uneasy because Zhou Xuan is a powerful Demon King who may harbor hostile intentions, yet the temple appears willing to cooperate with him.
• The old monk explains that Zhou Xuan possesses the karmic potential to become an Enlightened King and that the temple need not interfere in whatever he intends to do. According to him, the Great Zheng Dynasty may simply be facing the karmic consequences of its past actions.
• The monk questions how Ji Zicheng—once only a failed examination candidate and minor official—managed to obtain the opportunity to conquer the realm. Bianxuan answers that it was Heaven’s Mandate, but realizes the monk is implying that Ji Zicheng’s rise may have depended on ties to the Demon Race.
• Bianxuan concludes that the dynasty’s past karmic debt to the demons is what allows Zhou Xuan, a near-Demon King, to enter the Capital City so easily.
• After leaving the monk, Bianxuan encounters Zhou Xuan in the rain. He offers to guide him around the Capital City, and Zhou Xuan accepts.
• The scene shifts to Embroidered Grace Street, where Zhou Yao is shopping for embroidered fan panels with a female relative and companion.
• Zhou Yao suddenly hears a mysterious female voice again. Her distraction arouses her companion’s suspicion, so she excuses herself and leaves to attend to the matter.

Character Developments

• Bianxuan: His confidence is shaken by the implications of his martial uncle’s words. He begins to see the dynasty’s history, Ji Zicheng’s rise, and Zhou Xuan’s presence through the lens of karmic debt rather than simple political or military circumstances. He also feels that he has fallen in his martial uncle’s estimation after failing to draw closer to Princess Xinping.
• The elderly monk: He reveals a detached, fatalistic understanding of history. Rather than treating Zhou Xuan as an immediate enemy, he views his arrival as part of the Great Zheng Dynasty’s destined karmic retribution.
• Zhou Xuan: He remains courteous and composed, presenting himself as a traveler interested in seeing the Capital City. His true intentions remain unclear, but his willingness to accept Bianxuan as a guide suggests confidence and calm.
• Zhou Yao: She is shown to be secretly troubled by the recurring mysterious voice. Although she initially denies being distracted by personal thoughts, the message is important enough for her to abandon her shopping companion immediately.

Significant Themes

• Heaven’s Mandate versus karmic causation: The chapter questions whether dynastic power truly comes from Heaven’s approval or from unresolved debts and alliances involving the Demon Race.
• Retribution and political legitimacy: The Great Zheng Dynasty may not be an innocent victim of demonic interference; its current danger may be repayment for past actions.
• Fate and inevitability: The old monk treats Zhou Xuan’s arrival as something permitted by existing karmic conditions, suggesting that certain events cannot simply be prevented through human intervention.
• Hidden motives and unseen forces: Zhou Xuan’s intentions and the identity of the mysterious voice troubling Zhou Yao remain concealed, creating an atmosphere of political and supernatural suspense.
• Appearance versus reality: Zhou Xuan appears to be a polite tourist, while Bianxuan and the monk suspect that his visit carries far greater significance.

Character Interactions

• Bianxuan and the old monk: Their conversation is respectful but tense. Bianxuan seeks practical guidance, while the monk responds with philosophical hints rather than direct answers, ultimately dismissing him.
• Bianxuan and Zhou Xuan: Their meeting is cordial. Bianxuan abandons some of his reservations and offers to act as Zhou Xuan’s guide, while Zhou Xuan responds playfully to Bianxuan’s attempt to avoid formal honorifics.
• Zhou Yao and her companion: The companion casually teases Zhou Yao about appearing distracted, but Zhou Yao withholds the truth. When the mysterious voice speaks again, Zhou Yao abruptly ends their outing, leaving the companion curious and mildly displeased.

Chapter Summary: A Calamity Star Arrives

Key Plot Points and Events

• After leaving the Zhou Residence, Zhou Yao’s companion notices that the ox cart turns toward Duke of Dai’s Residence rather than taking the usual route home. She recalls rumors that Zhou Yao frequently visits the residence and suspects Zhou Yao may be interested in someone there.
• In Duke of Dai’s study, Su Ziji discusses the recent attacks launched by the Princes of Qi and Shu. Although they have joined forces to investigate and obstruct him, they have found no decisive weakness.
• Su Ziji explains that Count Kangle’s decision to remove Bi Xin from the family register was useful, since Bi Xin’s self-interest makes him a valuable asset. He also stresses that the residence must maintain strict procedures and avoid even minor irregularities as its organization expands.
• Su Ziji suddenly experiences an ominous premonition. He worries that the princes may have discovered a critical flaw, particularly the secret troop-training grounds connected to Zeng Nianzhen. However, he cannot see how anyone could trace that operation back to Duke of Dai’s Residence.
• He reassures his retainers that the current crisis is manageable. The princes’ cooperation may actually alarm the Emperor, who would not want either prince to become too powerful through genuine alliance. Su Ziji believes the present hardship is temporary and deliberately maintains an outward appearance of vulnerability.
• After the retainers leave, Su Ziji admits privately that his unease remains unexplained. He is then informed that Zhou Yao has requested to see him directly.
• Zhou Yao is brought to the side hall. Su Ziji notices that, despite the Blackwood Bracelet concealing her aura, her transformation is becoming increasingly obvious. She appears almost detached from the mortal world, showing signs of early cultivation after “Entering the Dao.”
• Su Ziji worries that Zhou Yao’s growing spiritual presence may eventually expose her and potentially implicate Ye Buhui. He also realizes that she lacks only a proper cultivation method to progress rapidly and conceal herself more effectively.
• Zhou Yao finally reveals why she came: she warns Su Ziji that “a calamity star has arrived” and urges him to prepare immediately, while refusing to disclose how she learned this information.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji remains calm, strategic, and politically perceptive despite pressure from two powerful princes. He deliberately turns the attacks into an opportunity to appear disadvantaged before the Emperor. However, his unexplained foreboding reveals that even he cannot account for every danger.
• Zhou Yao continues to undergo dramatic spiritual transformation. Her cultivation has advanced to the point that her otherworldly nature is becoming visible, even though her bracelet masks her aura. She also demonstrates initiative and growing importance by approaching Su Ziji with a serious warning.
• Zhou Yao’s cousin becomes more suspicious of her relationship with Duke of Dai’s Residence, showing how gossip surrounding Zhou Yao is spreading.
• Ye Buhui does not appear, but Su Ziji’s decision to keep her uninformed shows his continuing concern for her safety and his desire to shield her from knowledge of the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart.
• Su Ziji’s retainers are reassured by his composure and confidence, viewing him as a stabilizing leader during the political assault.

Significant Themes

• Hidden threats and foreboding: Although Su Ziji believes the political attacks are under control, his instinct warns him that a more serious danger is approaching.
• The limits of preparation: Su Ziji has carefully anticipated the princes’ moves, yet he cannot identify the source of the new threat, suggesting that it lies outside his current calculations.
• Political power and balance: The princes’ alliance may threaten the Emperor’s control, showing how rival factions can become dangerous when they cooperate.
• Concealment versus exposure: Zhou Yao’s bracelet hides her spiritual aura, but her physical transformation increasingly betrays her identity. Similarly, Su Ziji’s apparent weakness conceals his true strategic position.
• Cultivation and transformation: Zhou Yao’s movement beyond ordinary humanity introduces the tension between spiritual advancement and the need to remain hidden in the mortal world.
• Trust and secrecy: Zhou Yao asks Su Ziji to trust her without explanation, while Su Ziji withholds information from Ye Buhui to protect her.

Important Character Interactions

• Su Ziji and his retainers: He analyzes the princes’ attacks, emphasizes caution, and reassures them that the crisis is temporary.
• Su Ziji and Zhou Yao: Their meeting shifts the chapter from political maneuvering to supernatural danger. Su Ziji observes her transformation and worries about its consequences, while Zhou Yao gives him a cryptic but urgent warning.
• Zhou Yao and her cousin: Though they do not directly interact in the chapter, the cousin’s observations reinforce the growing rumors about Zhou Yao’s visits to Duke of Dai’s Residence.
• Su Ziji and Ye Buhui: Their interaction is indirect; Su Ziji consciously excludes her from the meeting because he fears the matter may concern the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart.

Su Ziji learned that a person who entered the city was being protected by Brahma Dharma and ordered Wild Daoist to investigate. Meanwhile, the emperor heard that the Duke of Dai was struggling against Prince Qi and Prince Shu’s allies and wondered whether his rank was too low to build a faction.

• Zhou Yao warned Su Ziji that a humanlike calamity star had entered the city and was now under Brahma Dharma’s protection, preventing her from tracing them.
• Su Ziji urged Zhou Yao to visit Princess Xinping’s Daoist temple, then told Wild Daoist to investigate newcomers with ties to a temple.
• Su Ziji reflected that he had reached the limit of the Coiling Dragon Heart Method but could not advance without a seed of humanity, which he thought might come from becoming a prince.
• Huo Wuyong reported to the emperor that the Great Restoration Elixir still lacked a seven-aperture exquisite heart, and the emperor ordered him to search farther afield.
• Eunuch Zhao told the emperor that Prince Qi and Prince Shu’s supporters were opposing the Duke of Dai, while the empress’s efforts to win support had achieved little.
• The emperor worried that the Duke of Dai was being overwhelmed before the Great Restoration Elixir was ready and wondered whether his rank was too low to attract a faction.

Chapter Summary: “Deliberately Concealing His Prowess”

Key Plot Points and Events

• The emperor considers whether to promote Duke of Dai, Ji Zizong, to Prince of Dai. Such a promotion would greatly increase Ji Zizong’s authority as commander of the Imperial Feather Guards and give him enough influence to contend with the two imperial princes.
• However, the emperor remains deeply suspicious of Ji Zizong because of the Crown Prince’s death. He fears that elevating Ji could create another uncontrollable political threat.
• The emperor wonders whether Ji Zizong has been deliberately hiding his true abilities. Zhao Eunuch reports that the Imperial City Office has extensively monitored Ji, his household, and his wife, Bu Hui, but has found no clear evidence of extraordinary competence. Ji’s efforts to win over the Imperial Feather Guards have produced only modest results.
• Concluding that he may simply be overthinking matters, the emperor decides to continue observing Ji rather than immediately promoting him.
• Meanwhile, Zhou Xuan waits in a restaurant for Prince Qi to pass by. After observing Prince Qi’s procession, Zhou recognizes that Prince Qi possesses powerful noble qi and a concealed connection to the Demon Race.
• Zhou Xuan believes Prince Qi may be linked to the person destined to aid his own path to enlightenment, but he remains cautious because choosing the wrong ally could ruin his future.
• A half-demon Book of Documents scholar named Xu Ling arrives after responding to Zhou Xuan’s summons. Xu Ling explains that, as a half-demon, he can remain in the Capital City more easily than a full demon and has cultivated through the Examination Path.
• Zhou Xuan asks Xu Ling to help him meet Prince Shu. Xu Ling explains that Prince Shu is hosting Book of Documents scholars at a restaurant and that Zhou can enter alongside him without attracting suspicion.
• They travel to the restaurant, where Prince Shu has reserved all three floors. Although they enter freely, Xu Ling says they cannot directly access the third floor where Prince Shu is holding his gathering.

Character Developments

• The Emperor: Reveals increasing distrust and anxiety regarding Ji Zizong. His concern over the Crown Prince’s death makes him hesitant to empower another potential rival, even while recognizing the political value of promoting Ji.
• Ji Zizong, Duke of Dai: Remains an ambiguous figure. His apparent lack of influence and mediocre results may indicate genuine weakness—or deliberate concealment of his abilities. His political position is fragile but potentially dangerous.
• Zhao Eunuch: Acts as the emperor’s trusted informant and provides a detailed account of the surveillance surrounding Ji Zizong. He is candid but careful in speaking to the emperor.
• Zhou Xuan: Demonstrates strategic patience and caution. He investigates Prince Qi rather than immediately committing to him and actively seeks access to Prince Shu through indirect means.
• Xu Ling: Introduced as a respectful, capable half-demon and Examination Path cultivator. His ability to move through elite scholarly circles makes him a useful guide and intermediary.

Significant Themes

• Political suspicion and hidden strength: The chapter questions whether apparent weakness is genuine or intentionally performed, especially in court politics.
• The danger of power: The emperor fears that granting authority to Ji Zizong may create a threat that cannot later be controlled.
• Cautious alliance-building: Zhou Xuan treats political and supernatural alliances as matters of life and death, emphasizing patience over impulsive commitment.
• Human-demon coexistence: The difficulties demons face in entering the Capital City contrast with the adaptability of half-demons, highlighting divisions between bloodlines and the social limitations imposed by the city.
• Fate versus choice: Zhou Xuan searches for the person connected to his destiny but recognizes that fate must still be tested carefully through observation and judgment.

Character Interactions

• The emperor and Zhao Eunuch discuss Ji Zizong’s conduct, revealing the emperor’s doubts and Zhao Eunuch’s role as both informant and cautious adviser.
• Zhou Xuan observes Prince Qi from afar, evaluating his bearing, political potential, and demonic connections without making contact.
• Zhou Xuan summons Xu Ling and questions him about his identity and abilities. Xu Ling responds respectfully and offers his assistance.
• Xu Ling guides Zhou Xuan toward Prince Shu’s gathering, enabling Zhou to infiltrate the prince’s literary circle, though the chapter ends before Zhou can meet Prince Shu directly.

Chapter Summary: “Fateful Ties, Ill and Good”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Xuan visits a renowned multi-story building associated with Prince Shu. The third floor is guarded by two exceptionally powerful Prince’s Residence soldiers, prompting discussion of the strength and historical role of noble household troops.
• Xu Ling recalls how Prince Zhong’s guards once helped the imperial envoy kill the alchemist Feiyun and seize his Daoist scriptures, demonstrating how formidable armored soldiers were in the past.
• Zhou Xuan reflects that the world has changed since the Dragon Palace opened. Demons and other powerful beings may no longer be so easily suppressed by ordinary military forces, and a new age of fortune is beginning.
• Although Prince Shu is inside the building, Zhou Xuan senses that his affinity with the Demon Race is weaker than Prince Qi’s. He decides not to pursue further contact and leaves.
• While traveling toward Prince Lu’s Residence, Zhou Xuan and Xu Ling discuss other possible contenders for the throne: Prince Lu and Duke of Dai. Zhou Xuan plans to meet Prince Lu first and leave Duke of Dai for last.
• Zhou Xuan explains the difference between “ill ties” and “good ties.” An ill tie involves killing someone and devouring their fate, while a good tie means supporting a potential ruler and gaining a share of the resulting destiny.
• The ox-cart passes Duke of Dai, Su Ziji, who is accompanying his wife, Ye Buhui, while shopping for silk. Su Ziji’s Dragon Eyes briefly reveal Zhou Xuan’s true form and identify him as possibly a crow—or even a Golden Crow.
• Su Ziji is alarmed because Great Demons are normally suppressed by the Capital City and should not be able to move openly there. He suspects Zhou Xuan may possess a rare artifact that conceals or suppresses his demonic aura.
• Zhou Xuan likewise senses something unusual about Su Ziji. Although Su Ziji’s aura appears weaker than Prince Shu’s, he gives Zhou Xuan a powerful and strangely ambiguous impression.
• After the two pass one another, both remain troubled and suspicious. Zhou Xuan concludes that Duke of Dai’s connection to the Demon Race is simultaneously strong and weak, making him exceptionally difficult to understand.

Character Developments

• Zhou Xuan: Becomes more determined to seize the rising fortune rather than wait passively. He carefully evaluates the imperial princes according to their affinity with the Demon Race and weighs whether to form alliances or eliminate rivals. His uncertainty regarding Duke of Dai reveals that he has encountered a potentially important and unpredictable figure.
• Xu Ling: Continues acting as Zhou Xuan’s informed guide and loyal attendant, explaining the military hierarchy and identifying major political contenders.
• Su Ziji: Demonstrates powerful Dragon Eyes and a cautious, perceptive nature. His brief sight of Zhou Xuan confirms that he is capable of seeing through disguises, but he deliberately conceals his alarm from Ye Buhui.
• Ye Buhui: Appears as Su Ziji’s wife and provides a glimpse of his ordinary domestic life. Su Ziji’s concern for her and attempt to continue their outing contrast with the hidden supernatural danger around them.
• Prince Shu and Prince Qi: Though they do not appear directly, their differing levels of affinity with the Demon Race shape Zhou Xuan’s political calculations. Prince Qi appears especially powerful and closely aligned with demonic forces, while Prince Shu is more connected to Confucianism.

Significant Themes

• Fate and political legitimacy: Zhou Xuan views the struggle for the throne as a contest over destiny, with affinity determining who may claim the coming fortune.
• Human–Demon relations: Great Zheng was founded through deep ties with the Demon Race, but each generation weakens those connections as the Human Path asserts itself.
• Changing power structures: Traditional soldiers once had the strength to kill even Monsters, but the Dragon Palace’s opening and the rise of new forces have altered the balance of power.
• Alliance versus destruction: The distinction between good and ill ties frames political relationships as choices between supporting a rival or destroying them for personal gain.
• Hidden identities and perception: Both Zhou Xuan and Su Ziji can see beyond appearances, yet neither fully understands the other. Their mutual uncertainty emphasizes the danger of concealed power.
• The tension between human order and supernatural influence: The Capital City suppresses demons to protect human governance, but Zhou Xuan’s presence suggests that this barrier may no longer be absolute.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Xuan and Xu Ling discuss the guards, the imperial succession, and the meaning of affinity.
• Zhou Xuan observes Prince Shu from a distance but chooses not to meet him directly.
• Zhou Xuan and Su Ziji exchange a brief but intense glance as their vehicles pass, each sensing the other’s unusual nature.
• Su Ziji notices Zhou Xuan’s demonic form through his Dragon Eyes but hides his concern from Ye Buhui.
• Su Ziji and Ye Buhui interact affectionately while shopping, creating a contrast between their peaceful outing and the dangerous supernatural encounter.

Zhou Xuan considered whether to target Prince Lu or the Duke of Dai and chose to seek Prince Qi’s support. Meanwhile, Su Ziji recognized a portrait of the unfamiliar man he had seen in the city.

• Xu Ling described Prince Lu as low-profile and politically cautious, then brought Zhou Xuan to see him fishing at his estate.
• Zhou Xuan sensed a strange connection to Prince Lu and weighed him against the Duke of Dai as a potential target for a baleful bond.
• Zhou Xuan decided to obtain a channel of contact with Prince Qi, and Xu Ling agreed to arrange one.
• Su Ziji told Ye Buhui that a stranger had seemed familiar, then asked Wild Daoist to investigate the man.
• Wild Daoist returned with a portrait, and Su Ziji recognized it as the man he had seen outside the silk shop.

Chapter Summary: “Beat It to Death”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Ziji receives intelligence that a mysterious Great Demon has entered the Capital City and may be connected to Clear Garden Temple, where the powerful monk Bianxuan resides.
• He suspects the demon’s arrival could be linked to the political struggle over the imperial succession, particularly Prince Qi’s faction and its rumored connections to the Demon Race.
• Su Ziji immediately decides to visit Clear Garden Temple to investigate.
• Little Fox insists on accompanying him. She has sensed the Great Demon’s presence and detected a faint trace of demon aura on Su Ziji, leading her to believe that the newcomer may have hostile intentions toward him.
• Little Fox worries because Su Ziji can produce Golden Olives, making him an extremely valuable target for other demons. She privately resolves that the Great Demon should be “beaten to death” if necessary.
• Su Ziji leaves Little Fox outside Clear Garden Temple, warning her not to be noticed by the monks.
• The temple gates are closed, and a young monk explains that Clear Garden Temple has stopped receiving worshippers.
• Su Ziji identifies himself by his formal name, Ji Zizong, and asks to meet Bianxuan.
• Bianxuan personally welcomes him. Their exchange is outwardly warm and friendly, though Bianxuan’s remark that “times have changed” hints at the growing political tension and altered relationship between them.
• When Su Ziji asks why the temple is closed, Bianxuan confirms that it has not been receiving visitors but offers no explanation.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji: Demonstrates caution, political awareness, and initiative. Rather than wait for more information, he directly investigates the suspected connection between the Great Demon, Clear Garden Temple, and the succession struggle. He also shows growing familiarity with Little Fox and can partially interpret her behavior.
• Little Fox: Reveals her sensitivity to powerful demonic presences and her protective concern for Su Ziji. Her fear is motivated not only by danger to herself or Green Hill, but by the possibility that Su Ziji—because of his Golden Olives—could be exploited by a stronger demon.
• Bianxuan: Maintains a calm, courteous exterior and welcomes Su Ziji as an old friend, but his formal behavior and vague answers suggest caution and possible concealment. His statement that circumstances have changed reflects the widening distance between personal friendship and political allegiance.
• Big Fox: Does not appear directly, but is characterized as content to remain at home, contrasting with Little Fox’s restlessness and vigilance.

Significant Themes

• Political intrigue and hidden alliances: The Great Demon’s arrival may influence the imperial succession conflict and reveal connections between religious institutions, demons, and Prince Qi.
• Suspicion beneath courtesy: Su Ziji and Bianxuan speak politely, but both understand that their meeting carries political significance and that neither is revealing everything.
• Protection and loyalty: Little Fox’s concern for Su Ziji highlights the bonds forming between humans and demons despite their different origins.
• Power as vulnerability: Su Ziji’s ability to create Golden Olives grants him influence but also makes him a valuable and potentially endangered resource.
• Changing relationships: Bianxuan’s comment that “times have changed” signals how political circumstances are reshaping old friendships and loyalties.

Character Interactions

• Su Ziji and Little Fox develop a playful but meaningful system of nods and gestures to communicate, showing their growing understanding.
• Little Fox tries to warn Su Ziji about the Great Demon and accompany him as a protector.
• Su Ziji and Bianxuan exchange formal yet familiar greetings, balancing friendship with political caution.
• Bianxuan’s refusal to explain the temple’s closure leaves Su Ziji’s suspicions unresolved and suggests that Clear Garden Temple may be hiding something important.

Su Ziji visited Bianxuan at Clear Garden Temple, where the two remembered the dead Prince of Lin and Su Ziji glimpsed an ominous vision of a Golden Crow fighting a dragon. After learning that a Great Demon may be near his old courtyard and could threaten Ye Buhui, Su Ziji ordered Fox to protect her and resolved to kill the suspected demon.

• Su Ziji saw the Jade-Clear Spirit Pagoda and learned that Bianxuan had gathered Lin Yuqing's remains and prayed for his former friend.
• Su Ziji revisited his old courtyard and briefly witnessed Ye Buhui's anguished face and a Golden Crow battling a dragon, which he associated with Prince Qi.
• Fox rushed into Su Ziji's ox cart and used a dictionary to tell him that a Great Demon had nearly discovered her nearby.
• Su Ziji suspected that the Great Demon was Zhou, the lay Buddhist living in his old courtyard, and feared it might threaten him and Ye Buhui.
• Su Ziji told Fox to protect Ye Buhui and decided he would deal with the Great Demon, even if his suspicions proved wrong.

Jian Qu visited the Luo Residence on Su Ziji’s behalf, reassured Mo that Luo Pei was being cared for in prison, and secured Luo Zhengqi’s pledge of loyalty to the Duke of Dai. As Jian Qu left, he saw an ox cart from Prince Lu’s Residence and wondered why its people had come to visit the Luo Family.

• Jian Qu arrived at the Luo Residence and was welcomed by Mo, who thanked the Duke of Dai’s Residence for helping her family.
• Jian Qu told Mo that Luo Pei was well supplied and would not suffer in prison, and he offered continued assistance from the Duke of Dai.
• Mo summoned her eldest son, Luo Zhengqi, who thanked Jian Qu and pledged that the Luo Family would obey the Duke of Dai’s orders.
• Jian Qu left pleased with Luo Zhengqi’s pledge, then noticed an ox cart from Prince Lu’s Residence and wondered why it had come.

Su Ziji directed investigations into the Brahma Sect and the Imperial Feather Guards while concealing his true priorities. Wild Daoist brought him intelligence on the sect, but his account ended before he explained why its influence was limited among the powerful.

• Prince Lu turned his cart back after learning that a Duke of Dai ox cart had just left the Luo Residence.
• Cen Rubai reported that Clear Garden Temple had closed its gates and that the Brahma Sect's activity warranted continued investigation.
• Jian Qu told Su Ziji that Mo had urged her eldest son to seek refuge at the Duke of Dai's Residence and that Prince Lu's cart had been outside.
• Su Ziji assigned the Imperial Feather Guards to monitor disobedient officers and gather information on neutral officers, while privately relying on Lu Fengyun's covert investigation.
• Su Ziji painted and burned a landscape resembling a cultivation diagram, then received Wild Daoist's intelligence on the Brahma Sect.
• Wild Daoist said the Brahma Sect had arrived during the Great Wei dynasty and attracted commoners and scholars, but had few believers among the powerful.

Chapter Summary: “No Divine Efficacy”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Ziji and the Wild Daoist discuss why the Brahma Sect has remained a minor Outer Dao tradition. The Wild Daoist argues that, unlike Daoist alchemists, the Brahma Sect offers no tangible miracles, medicines, or longevity techniques.
• Su Ziji realizes that practical benefits, rather than doctrine or eloquence, determine which powers gain influence. The Brahma Sect’s lofty teachings cannot compensate for its lack of demonstrable results.
• The Brahma Sect has attempted to compensate by collecting martial arts from other schools and studying Daoist techniques and alchemy, though it has not yet mastered or successfully transformed them.
• Su Ziji concludes that Lay Buddhist Zhou of Clear Garden Temple is actually a Great Demon, likely the same being whose presence he previously sensed. The demon’s residence at the temple links it to the Brahma Sect.
• He and the Wild Daoist consider implicating the Great Demon and the princes of Qi and Shu. Su Ziji initially orders continued surveillance of Clear Garden Temple, then abruptly cancels it to avoid exposing his own forces.
• Su Ziji reveals his larger strategy: the emperor’s greatest concern is the Great Restoration Elixir, being secretly refined at Eternal Spring Garden to prolong his life. If the elixir’s ingredients or production are sabotaged, the emperor will likely react with extreme anger.
• To protect Duke of Dai’s Residence from suspicion, Su Ziji plans to let the discovery of the Great Demon and the princes serve as a distraction while he interferes with the alchemical project.
• Returning to his chamber, Su Ziji retrieves an empty Blackwood box and pretends to nap. Little Fox suddenly senses something unusual and rushes toward him.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji: Gains a clearer understanding of the political importance of tangible power and benefits. He proves increasingly calculating, recognizing that the emperor’s obsession with longevity is his greatest vulnerability. His willingness to manipulate demons, princes, and imperial secrets shows his growing strategic ruthlessness.
• The Wild Daoist: Provides information about the Brahma Sect and accepts Su Ziji’s reasoning and plans. Though cynical toward the Brahma Sect, he remains obedient and cautious.
• The Emperor: Though absent, his character is defined by his fear of aging and desire for immortality. His dependence on the Great Restoration Elixir makes him vulnerable to manipulation.
• The Great Demon/Lay Buddhist Zhou: Is revealed as a hidden and dangerous presence in the Capital City, apparently connected to Clear Garden Temple and possibly the Brahma Sect.
• Little Fox: Displays heightened sensitivity and loyalty by immediately detecting something strange in Su Ziji’s chamber and going to investigate.

Significant Themes

• Practical power versus empty doctrine: The chapter argues that tangible results—such as alchemy, longevity, and martial strength—carry more authority than scriptures or rhetoric.
• Political influence and usefulness: Strength or material benefit can make unconventional behavior appear admirable, while weakness or uselessness leads to contempt.
• Longevity and vulnerability: The emperor’s pursuit of immortality is both his deepest desire and his greatest weakness.
• Deception and hidden agendas: Nearly every faction disguises its true intentions, from the Brahma Sect’s appropriation of other traditions to Su Ziji’s plan to conceal his interference.
• The danger of overreach: The Great Demon’s presence in the Capital City challenges the established order and creates an opportunity for Su Ziji to manipulate the court.

Character Interactions

• Su Ziji questions and tests the Wild Daoist’s understanding of the Brahma Sect, gradually guiding him toward a political scheme.
• The Wild Daoist confirms the sect’s lack of genuine divine power and agrees that the demon’s presence can be used against the Brahma Sect and the princes.
• Su Ziji deliberately withholds the full extent of his intentions, especially his plan to sabotage the emperor’s elixir, from the Wild Daoist.
• The chapter ends with Little Fox reacting to Su Ziji’s secretive behavior, suggesting that the Blackwood box or something associated with it may be important.

Little Fox and Big Fox found no Golden Olives despite Su Ziji appearing to sleep, while Su Ziji visited the Dragon Palace to check on the sleeping Ji Jun and seek tools for a plan. Shell Maiden gave him a Golden Crow feather and an Illusion Pearl, and he left the palace using the pearl’s concealment.

• Little Fox and Big Fox rushed to Su Ziji’s bedroom but found no Golden Olives, leaving Little Fox puzzled.
• Su Ziji arrived at the Dragon Palace, where Shell Maiden told him Ji Jun had slept continuously while her power grew and brought favorable weather to the regions under her influence.
• Su Ziji asked Shell Maiden for an object bearing a Great Demon’s aura, and she gave him an unfinished Golden Crow feather left by the late Dragon Lord.
• Su Ziji asked for a disguise spell, and Shell Maiden gave him an Illusion Pearl and taught him its incantation.
• Su Ziji merged the Illusion Pearl into his body, activated it to turn transparent, and left the Dragon Palace.

Chapter Summary: “All Envy”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Ziji awakens after returning to his body from the Water Palace’s Dragon Palace, still clutching a mysterious golden feather.
• He stores the feather in a specially refined Blackwood box, which suppresses and isolates its aura. He intends to use it as planted evidence in a future scheme.
• The two foxes secretly observe the feather’s appearance and wonder whether Su Ziji knows about the Golden Olives that sometimes materialize around him. They remain unable to explain either phenomenon.
• Su Ziji summons Little White and asks her to deliver five taels of silver to a young clerk at the Imperial City Office’s base in Peaceful Alley. Little White accepts the task and leaves with the money.
• Su Ziji reflects on his larger plan. With the Illusion Pearl, he can create an alibi, while the feather can serve as false evidence. However, he still needs information about the Great Restoration Elixir—especially which ingredients are rare or essential—so he decides to seek Huo Wuyong’s advice before the plan advances too far.
• Meanwhile, Luo Jiang meditates in her courtyard and briefly senses a white figure rushing toward the rear gate, likely one of the foxes. Her instincts as a spy prompt her to investigate, but she finds nothing.
• Luo Jiang becomes disheartened by her current position. Although she is treated well as a guest retainer, neither Young Marquis Fang nor the Imperial City Office has given her new instructions, leaving her feeling abandoned and expendable.
• She compares herself unfavorably with Ye Buhui, who, despite not being regarded as exceptionally beautiful, has become Su Ziji’s principal wife and remains constantly by his side.
• Su Ziji then visits Luo Jiang and asks for instruction in swordsmanship for the fourth time. As he arrives, he sees that his Rosewood Pendant’s “Purple Qi from the East” ability is close to reaching Level 12.

Character Developments

• Su Ziji: Becomes increasingly strategic and secretive. He is preparing a complex plan involving deception, an alibi, and false evidence, while carefully gathering information before acting. His gentle treatment of the foxes also shows his affectionate and trusting side.
• Little White and Big Fox: Have grown accustomed to Su Ziji and obediently interact with him. Little White is proactive and willing to carry out errands, while both remain deeply suspicious of the strange feather and the recurring Golden Olives.
• Luo Jiang: Her confidence is shaken by being treated as a disposable spy rather than a valued sword expert. Her envy of Ye Buhui and uncertainty about her own place in the residence reveal growing emotional vulnerability beneath her disciplined exterior.
• Ye Buhui: Though she does not appear directly, she is established as someone privileged by her position as Su Ziji’s wife and constant companion.
• Huo Wuyong: Does not appear, but Su Ziji still relies on his knowledge and intends to consult him before executing the plan.

Significant Themes

• Deception and preparation: Su Ziji’s plan depends on layered manipulation—false evidence, an illusion-based alibi, and knowledge of the elixir’s ingredients.
• Envy and social position: The chapter emphasizes Luo Jiang’s jealousy of Ye Buhui and her realization that talent alone does not guarantee importance or security.
• Abandonment and expendability: Luo Jiang feels that powerful institutions regard her as a replaceable tool, highlighting the harsh hierarchy surrounding political and martial power.
• Hidden knowledge and uncertainty: The origins of the feather and Golden Olives remain mysterious, with both the foxes and the reader left questioning what Su Ziji truly knows.
• Loyalty and companionship: The foxes’ growing familiarity with Su Ziji contrasts with Luo Jiang’s isolation and reinforces the value of personal bonds.

Character Interactions

• Su Ziji gently pets and gives instructions to the two foxes, while Little White responds intelligently and volunteers to deliver the silver.
• The foxes privately debate whether Su Ziji knows about the Golden Olives, revealing their continued distrust and curiosity.
• Luo Jiang’s internal comparisons between herself, Ye Buhui, and Su Ziji expose her feelings of exclusion and envy.
• Su Ziji approaches Luo Jiang in a friendly manner and requests another sword lesson, creating an opportunity for continued interaction while his spiritual cultivation nears a breakthrough.

Chapter Summary: “Purple Dawn Tea”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Yao visits Xinping Temple, the lavish Daoist residence granted to Princess Xinping.
• She presents Xinping with a painting of begonia flowers accompanied by poetry, both painted and written by Su Ziji, the Duke of Dai.
• The artwork deeply affects Xinping. Though she tries to remain composed, her emotional reaction reveals her lingering feelings for Su Ziji.
• Xinping quickly realizes Zhou Yao’s visit is connected to Su Ziji and asks whether he sent her.
• Zhou Yao explains that Su Ziji only mentioned Xinping and suggested she seek the princess’s guidance regarding Daoist scriptures.
• Xinping leads Zhou Yao to her bedchamber and gives her a mysterious booklet copied in Su Ziji’s handwriting.
• When Zhou Yao reads the text, the mysterious presence within her reacts intensely. She enters a strange, euphoric state, briefly senses the entity’s physical form, and faints for an instant.
• After recovering, Zhou Yao drinks Xinping’s prized Purple Dawn Tea, which the princess proudly identifies as the finest of the immortal teas.

Character Developments

• Zhou Yao demonstrates increasing confidence and familiarity with Princess Xinping, while carefully fulfilling the purpose hinted at by Su Ziji.
• She discovers that the Daoist booklet has an unusual power and that the mysterious entity within her is strongly affected by it.
• Princess Xinping is shown as outwardly detached and disciplined, but the painting exposes her continued emotional attachment to Su Ziji.
• Her intelligence and perceptiveness are emphasized when she immediately suspects Zhou Yao’s true reason for visiting.
• Su Ziji, though absent, remains central to the chapter through his painting, calligraphy, and indirect arrangement involving the booklet.

Significant Themes

• Hidden emotions beneath formal appearances: Xinping’s elegant, controlled exterior contrasts with her nearly overwhelming response to Su Ziji’s artwork.
• Love, memory, and separation: The painting serves as a tangible reminder of Su Ziji and the bond—or unresolved feelings—between him and Xinping.
• Mystery and supernatural cultivation: The booklet appears to contain more than ordinary scripture, awakening a powerful response in Zhou Yao and the mysterious being inside her.
• Indirect manipulation and concealed purposes: Su Ziji communicates through Zhou Yao without openly stating his intentions, suggesting a larger plan.
• Luxury versus spiritual seclusion: Although Xinping has become a Daoist nun, her temple remains richly furnished and connected to aristocratic life.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Yao and Xinping maintain a polite but familiar relationship, with Xinping teasing her while still welcoming her presence.
• Xinping’s guarded demeanor softens when she sees the begonia painting, revealing the emotional significance Su Ziji holds for her.
• Their conversation shifts from social courtesy to cautious investigation as Xinping questions Zhou Yao about Su Ziji’s involvement.
• Xinping willingly shares the booklet with Zhou Yao, while Zhou Yao conceals the extraordinary experience caused by reading it.
• The chapter closes on a quieter interaction over tea, contrasting Xinping’s refined hospitality with the unsettling supernatural event that has just occurred.

Chapter Summary: “How It Turned Out”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhou Yao visits Princess Xinping at Xinping Temple and learns about the extreme rarity of Purple Dawn Tea. Only three trees exist, and the tea they produce is reserved as tribute, making the Princess’s possession of it a sign of her imperial favor.
• While tasting the tea, Zhou Yao senses a dramatic change in the mysterious voice connected to her Dao volume. The voice trembles and eventually realizes that Purple Dawn Tea is linked to the cultivation method recorded in the volume.
• The voice concludes that Duke of Dai deliberately sent Zhou Yao to meet Princess Xinping so she could encounter the tea and advance her cultivation. It instructs her to cultivate, then falls silent.
• At Red Leaf Abbey, Su Ziji—Duke of Dai—visits the reluctant Daoist Huo Wuyong to study pill refinement. Huo privately resents having to instruct such a powerful noble, fearing repeated visits and political scrutiny.
• Although Huo gives only a few casual explanations, Su Ziji gains substantial experience in Star-Point External Alchemy and obtains two additional ingredients for the incomplete Great Restoration Elixir formula.
• Huo, alarmed that Su may return, orders his disciples to pack up the abbey and move to Eternal Spring Garden, where he plans to refine the elixir in seclusion and avoid further interruptions.
• Su Ziji reflects that the formula now contains six ingredients, which, combined with two items acquired from the Water Palace and Dragon Palace, may be enough to begin the next stage of his plan. He is still waiting for results from Little White.
• In Peaceful Alley, Shi Mingda, a low-ranking Imperial City Office clerk, finds nearly five taels of official silver. Believing it to be a stroke of luck, he immediately spends it on an extravagant meal and wine at a nearby restaurant, where he plans to listen to a martial-world storyteller.

Character Developments

• Zhou Yao becomes more aware of the mysterious voice’s origins and its connection to the Dao volume. Her encounter with Purple Dawn Tea suggests that her cultivation path is tied to rare spiritual resources and perhaps to Duke of Dai’s larger designs.
• The mysterious voice displays a major reaction to the tea, implying that it recognizes or has recovered knowledge connected to the cultivation technique.
• Su Ziji/Duke of Dai continues strategically gathering knowledge and ingredients for the Great Restoration Elixir. He is patient, calculating, and willing to exploit his high status to obtain instruction from others.
• Huo Wuyong is shown to be socially timid and easily pressured despite being a skilled alchemist. His fear of Su Ziji leads him to abandon his abbey and seek refuge in the royal estate.
• Shi Mingda is revealed as opportunistic and materialistic. His sudden windfall brings out his eagerness to indulge himself, though the silver’s suspicious origin foreshadows possible trouble.

Significant Themes

• Rarity and privilege: Purple Dawn Tea’s scarcity emphasizes Princess Xinping’s status and the unequal access to spiritual resources.
• Hidden designs and cultivation: Ordinary encounters are revealed to serve larger purposes, particularly Duke of Dai’s manipulation of Zhou Yao’s path and Su Ziji’s pursuit of alchemical knowledge.
• Power and social hierarchy: Huo Wuyong’s helplessness before Su Ziji demonstrates how rank can outweigh personal authority or expertise.
• Greed and consequence: Shi Mingda’s delight in finding the silver reflects the danger of tempting fortune and suggests that seemingly lucky events may have unseen consequences.
• Preparation and accumulation: Su Ziji’s progress depends on collecting scattered knowledge, ingredients, and assistance, showing that major schemes are built gradually through many small gains.

Character Interactions

• Zhou Yao and Princess Xinping: Their polite exchange over Purple Dawn Tea masks Zhou Yao’s inward preoccupation with the mysterious voice and the tea’s spiritual significance.
• Su Ziji and Huo Wuyong: Su’s high status allows him to pressure the reluctant abbey master into teaching him. Huo’s outward compliance contrasts with his private panic.
• Huo Wuyong and his disciples: His abrupt order to relocate confuses the disciples, highlighting his impulsive reaction after Su’s visit.
• Shi Mingda and the restaurant staff/storyteller: His newfound wealth makes him unusually generous, as he orders fine food and wine in anticipation of an enjoyable afternoon.