Chapter Summaries

Zhixu City sealed itself off as Du Huoguan investigated the framing of Shi Chun and his companion, trapping Qi Yueru and Ba Yingshan inside. After reading the reports, Nie became interested in Shi Chun’s history of giving others his chances to leave the Land of Exile, and recognized that Shi Chun had kept his promise to remain until everyone else could go.

• Zhixu City vanished from the outside world when its gates sealed, and Ba Yingshan warned Qi Yueru to flee after Du Huoguan took over the Prison’s investigation.
• Qi Yueru prepared to leave, but learned the city had been sealed and every route outside was blocked.
• Ba Yingshan offered to lead the arrest of the Seven Bends Bay chief, but Du Huoguan warned him to stay clear because a traitor might be inside the city.
• Du Huoguan brought Shi Chun’s and Wu Jinliang’s statements and background information to Nie, who woke and asked to read the papers himself.
• Nie focused on Shi Chun’s many chances to leave the Land of Exile, which he had given to others, and Du Huoguan confirmed Shi Chun had lived by his promise to be the last to go.

Nie ordered Shi Chun and the false claimant to fight to the death, then reflected on Lan Qiaoyan’s words about affection and loyalty as he watched the desolate wilderness. Shi Chun was taken to the fighting ground badly wounded, while guards pressured the claimant to accept the match.

• Du Huoguan explained why the Eastern Nine Plains’ suspicious supply shipment and the silencing of hundreds might be connected to Shi Chun’s framing and Qi Yueru’s revenge.
• Nie ordered the false claimant to fight Shi Chun until one of them died, with both executed if they were still alive after ten drumbeats.
• Nie recalled Lan Qiaoyan’s words about affection and loyalty and described her as a strange bloom in the desert.
• Du Huoguan arranged the fight outside the building, while a city guard told the claimant that Shi Chun was badly wounded and threatened him when he questioned the rules.
• The guards brought Shi Chun to the open ground, where he waited in torn, bloodied clothes, believing the authorities were treating justice as a game.

Shi Chun faced the false accuser in a ten-beat barehanded duel where both sides would die if neither won in time. He shattered the opponent’s poisoned-needle trap and landed a powerful blow, while Nie recognized Shi Chun’s technique as the Demon-Bathing Art.

• Shi Chun assessed his injuries and realized his duel opponent would be the false accuser, easing his fear that Shen Youkun’s backers controlled the City Guard.
• A guard started the ten-beat duel, and the false accuser charged with Shi Chun after the second beat.
• The false accuser flung his rag, which concealed poisoned needles, but Shi Chun blasted the cloth apart and sent needles into the accuser.
• Shi Chun closed in before the accuser could take an antidote, locked arms with him, broke free, and struck his chest with a powerful palm.
• Du Huoguan saw a skull-like mark appear on the accuser’s back, and Nie identified Shi Chun’s technique as the Demon-Bathing Art.

Shi Chun killed his accuser with a distinctive technique, confirming the Prison Master's suspicion that he had murdered Qi Yueru's son and younger brother. The Prison Master opened a spatial rift, and a terrifying great demon emerged, leaving Shi Chun immobilized and face-to-face with an enormous fox.

• Shi Chun killed the accuser before the seventh drumbeat, and the Skull Blood Mark appeared on the corpse.
• Du Huoguan recognized the mark and understood that the Prison Master had staged the duel to test whether Shi Chun's attacks matched the killer's methods.
• The Prison Master opened a silent spatial rift, and his rhythmic tapping unsettled people across the city.
• A great demonic aura spread through the city, pinning Shi Chun and knocking down anyone who tried to rise above it.
• An enormous blue-green fox emerged from the rift, examined the immobilized Shi Chun, and drew a fawning smile from him.

Nie protected Shi Chun by letting the Azure Fox Great Demon devour the evidence of his killing, then explained the origins and limits of Shi Chun’s Demon-Bathing Art. He ordered Du Huoguan to release Shi Chun and execute Qi Yueru, openly challenging the Qi Household to respond.

• The Azure Fox Great Demon licked Shi Chun, devoured the accuser’s corpse, and withdrew through the spatial rift.
• Du Huoguan realized Nie had arranged for the Fox Demon to erase evidence against Shi Chun and asked about Shi Chun’s cultivation.
• Nie explained that the Demon-Bathing Art had once slain the Devil Ancestor but relied on scarce Demonic Qi and could leave its practitioners stuck at Initial Martial.
• Nie told Du Huoguan that the art could absorb killing aura and that its victims’ souls and forms were utterly destroyed.
• Nie ordered Du Huoguan to let Shi Chun go and execute Qi Yueru, declaring that he would take responsibility for defying the Qi Household.

Nie ordered Shi Chun released while keeping the theft case open, and Qi Yueru was killed after refusing to expose Ba Yingshan. Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang left the inner city and found a corpse hanging above the gate, unaware of the duel that had secured their release.

• Du Huoguan questioned Nie's decision to kill Qi Yueru, and Nie ordered him to release Shi Chun while leaving the theft case open.
• Shi Chun realized that nervousness activated the supernatural power in his right eye, and Du Huoguan sent him away to have his details recorded.
• City guards attacked Qi Yueru at the barbican, but she refused to name Ba Yingshan, so Du Huoguan signaled for her execution.
• The guards hung Qi Yueru's corpse outside the inner city's main gate and spread the claim that Nie had killed her for theft.
• Lan Qiaoyan confirmed Qi Yueru's death, while Ba Yingshan hid in fear and hoped she had not exposed him.
• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were released with their belongings and saw Qi Yueru's corpse hanging above the gate.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang returned to Wangbo Tower after escaping the inner city, where Shi Chun explained that he had won a duel against his accuser and was released while the theft case remained unresolved. Lan Qiaoyan revealed that the Prison Master’s killing of Qi Yueru had likely shaken the Qi Household, leaving the two men safer for now.

• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang left the inner city and followed Lan Qiaoyan’s party to Wangbo Tower.
• Sugar Sand welcomed them and hinted that the proprietress had entered the inner city to help them.
• Shi Chun told Lan Qiaoyan and Old Tan that he had killed his accuser in a duel and been released, though the case could be reopened if new evidence appeared.
• Lan Qiaoyan told Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang that Qi Yueru was Shen Youkun’s mother and suspected the Prison Master had killed her over a deeper matter.
• Lan Qiaoyan reasoned that the Qi Household would avoid openly associating with Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, making the Prison Master’s intervention a lucky break for them.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang left the Prison of Life with Wangbo Tower after collecting six thousand merit each, while Du Huoguan pressed Lan Qiaoyan to identify a traitor in the City Guard. The two men entered the dark passage toward the outside world, excited for what awaited them.

• Lan Qiaoyan sent Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang out with Wangbo Tower’s delivery party after Zhixu City lifted its lockdown.
• Blacksmith explained that Wu Jinliang’s heavy saber had helped him survive by slowing him down and keeping him at the back of battles.
• Du Huoguan asked Lan Qiaoyan to name the City Guard traitor, but she denied knowing who it was.
• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang verified their merit and received six thousand southern floating sandalwood gold each.
• After waiting for Wangbo Tower’s goods to be inspected, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang set out through the passage toward the outside world.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang left the Land of Exile and traveled with the Wangbo Tower party to Skyward City, where they were overwhelmed by the outside world. The chapter ended as they heard a storyteller recounting the powers and conflicts shaping the realm.

• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang emerged from the Prison of Life and struggled to adjust to the beauty of the outside world.
• The Wangbo Tower party carried the pair down the mountain after they repeatedly stopped to marvel at the scenery.
• Shi Chun persuaded the Wangbo Tower party to take them along to their destination rather than leave them in the nearest city.
• The party brought Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang to Skyward City and left them beside a waterfall pool.
• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang explored the bustling city and heard an old storyteller describe the Ten Hall Yamas, the Jailer of the Twelve Cities, and the Empress.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang reached Liyun Tower, where Shi Chun considered helping the disgraced Bian Weikang raise money to save Xiang Lan'er from being sold. Meanwhile, Xiang Lan'er revealed that she planned to use her connection to Bian Weikang to gain control over Mount Wukang for the Demonic Path.

• Wu Jinliang persuaded Shi Chun to visit Liyun Tower, and the two found a crowd gathered outside.
• Bian Weikang begged for fifty thousand gold to complete the payment that would let him and Xiang Lan'er stay together, after his father expelled him from Mount Wukang.
• A bystander explained that Xiang Lan'er had raised four hundred and fifty thousand gold, but Bian Weikang could find no one willing to lend him the remainder because of Lü Taizhen's influence.
• Shi Chun sympathized with Bian Weikang and considered helping him raise the money, while Wu Jinliang wondered why the crowd was blocking Liyun Tower's entrance.
• Madam Feng Chi questioned Xiang Lan'er's plan to submit to Bian Weikang, and Xiang Lan'er explained that she intended to enter Mount Wukang and bring it under the Demonic Path's control.

Xiang Lan'er and Feng Chi staged a desperate escape plan to make Bian Weikang value her, while Shi Chun reunited with Old Dong and Big Stone in Liyun City. Shi Chun sought fifty thousand gold to buy Xiang Lan'er from Liyun Tower and resell her to Lü Taizhen, leaving Wu Jinliang to realize the plan was a business deal, not a fight over a woman.

• Xiang Lan'er and Feng Chi planned to stage a beating and a suicide threat so she could leave with Bian Weikang after he grew desperate for her.
• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang reunited with Old Dong and Big Stone, who had found work at Wangbo Tower and admitted they had revealed Wu Jinliang's embarrassing behavior to the proprietress.
• Wu Jinliang chased Old Dong and Big Stone with his saber until Shi Chun stopped him, then demanded that they buy him and Shi Chun new clothes.
• Shi Chun asked Old Dong and Big Stone to obtain forty thousand gold immediately and told Wu Jinliang he needed another ten thousand.
• Shi Chun explained that he planned to buy Xiang Lan'er from Liyun Tower for fifty thousand gold and sell her to Lü Taizhen for two hundred thousand, rather than fight him over her.

Shi Chun arranged to borrow forty thousand gold from Miss Miao to finance a scheme involving Liyun Tower’s star courtesan, while Wu Jinliang eagerly contributed his savings. As Shi Chun and his companions prepared the money, Feng Chi led Xiang Lan’er downstairs, where Xiang Lan’er waited for a chance to act.

• Wu Jinliang realized Shi Chun’s plan could make a large profit and insisted on contributing six thousand gold.
• Shi Chun accepted Wu Jinliang’s money and waited with him for Old Dong and Big Stone to return.
• Old Dong and Big Stone brought Che Si, who delivered forty thousand gold from Miss Miao and confirmed Shi Chun would repay it within three days without interest.
• Shi Chun accepted the loan and explained that he needed the money, while Che Si watched as Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang gathered their funds.
• Feng Chi cloaked Xiang Lan’er to hide her injuries and brought her to a small side room downstairs.
• Xiang Lan’er pushed back her hood and listened for a chance to act.

Bian Weikang begged Feng Chi to free Xiang Lan'er, but she refused and ordered her men to remove him. Shi Chun intervened with the help of Wu Jinliang's enormous blade, and Feng Chi turned her attention to the newcomers from Wangbo Tower.

• Bian Weikang pleaded with Feng Chi to give him more time and let Xiang Lan'er go, but she taunted him and demanded that he release her.
• Bian Weikang said he would take Xiang Lan'er back to Mount Wukang, while Shi Chun resolved to stop him from taking her there.
• Feng Chi ordered her men to throw Bian Weikang out, and Xiang Lan'er hurried toward the door before a shout stopped everyone.
• Shi Chun told Wu Jinliang to deal with anyone who challenged them, and Wu Jinliang produced his enormous blade, frightening Liyun Tower's thugs.
• Feng Chi noticed the Wangbo Tower attire among Shi Chun's companions and asked where the honored guests were from.

Shi Chun intervened when Liyun Tower humiliated Bian Weikang, lending him fifty thousand sandalwood gold to buy Xiang Lan’er’s freedom. After the money was verified and Bian Weikang was released, Xiang Lan’er was summoned from a side room.

• Shi Chun told Feng Chi to let Bian Weikang go and condemned her for bringing shame on Mount Wukang.
• Bian Weikang asked Shi Chun for a loan, and Shi Chun promised him fifty thousand sandalwood gold to free Xiang Lan’er.
• Wu Jinliang delivered the money, and Feng Chi ordered her enforcers to release Bian Weikang after checking the gold.
• Shi Chun told Feng Chi to bring Xiang Lan’er, while Old Dong and Big Stone watched the money being counted.
• Feng Chi asked Shi Chun his name, and he answered before ignoring her awkward response.
• A messenger told Xiang Lan’er that Bian Weikang had raised the money, and she prepared to go outside.

Shi Chun helped Bian Weikang reunite with Xiang Lan'er and took possession of her Deed of Sale, while Feng Chi quietly investigated his group. At the Carefree Inn, Shi Chun destroyed the deed and declared Xiang Lan'er free, unaware that it was a crude forgery and Old Dong suspected they had another plan.

• Feng Chi handed Shi Chun Xiang Lan'er's Deed of Sale after the five hundred thousand sandalwood gold was counted, and Shi Chun led the reunited couple toward the Carefree Inn.
• Shi Chun secretly passed the deed to Wu Jinliang, who later returned it to him while arriving in a new white outfit with Old Dong.
• Che Si learned that Shi Chun had paid to free Xiang Lan'er and hurried back to report the situation to Miss Miao, while Feng Chi sent an attendant to investigate Shi Chun's background.
• Shi Chun told Bian Weikang and Xiang Lan'er that he had been released from the Land of Exile and escorted them to the Carefree Inn.
• Shi Chun read the deed, tore it up, and declared Xiang Lan'er free, while Old Dong recognized that Wu Jinliang had forged it and suspected they intended to use it as leverage later.

Shi Chun helped Bian Weikang escape his debt by tearing up the Deed of Sale, then visited Miao Yilan at Wangbo Tower. Miao Yilan welcomed him upstairs while Shi Chun bought two copies of a popular book, leaving their meeting still to come.

• Shi Chun refused Bian Weikang’s offer to write an IOU, and Bian returned to Xiang Lan’er, who tended his wounds after reproaching him for treating her carelessly.
• Big Stone asked why Shi Chun had not taken an IOU for the fifty thousand gold, while Wu Jinliang and Old Dong kept their plan to explain it later.
• Miao Yilan recalled Shi Chun’s loyalty to the people of the Eastern Nine Plains and told Che Si that Wangbo Tower could employ him if he could not repay the loan.
• Old Dong reported that Shi Chun had arrived to visit, and Miao Yilan invited him upstairs.
• Shi Chun browsed the book stall with Big Stone and bought two copies of Shanhai Lantern.

Shi Chun visited Miao Yilan, declined her offer to join Wangbo Tower, and set out to make his own way despite the danger from Lü Taizhen. Miao Yilan sent Che Si to protect Shi Chun and his companions if Lü Taizhen moved against them.

• Shi Chun bought Miao Yilan a book, visited her office, and thanked her for lending him forty thousand Sandalwood Gold.
• Miao Yilan offered Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang positions at Wangbo Tower, but Shi Chun declined because he wanted to pursue his own ambitions.
• Shi Chun asked Miao Yilan whether they were a good match, then changed the subject when she teased him instead of answering.
• Shi Chun warned Wu Jinliang he could choose whether to join Wangbo Tower, and Wu Jinliang chose to leave with him.
• Miao Yilan ordered Che Si to watch over the group and intervene if Lü Taizhen tried to harm them.

Shi Chun gathered his companions in Skyward City and laid out a plan to sell Xiang Lan’er to Lü Taizhen for a profit while avoiding direct contact with the powerful man. He sent Old Dong to approach Lü Taizhen’s relative Cen Futong as an intermediary, while Che Si continued following Shi Chun.

• At Wangbo Tower, Feng Chi read a note about Shi Chun’s arrival from the Land of Exile and decided to verify the information herself.
• Shi Chun reassured Old Dong and Big Stone that Lü Taizhen would hesitate to target him while he was accompanied by Wangbo Tower attendants, then offered them a share of the profits.
• Wu Jinliang explained the plan to sell Xiang Lan’er to Lü Taizhen, and Shi Chun set their expected price at two hundred thousand gold.
• Shi Chun asked Old Dong and Big Stone to arrange lodging at the Carefree Inn and find a money-minded intermediary close to Lü Taizhen.
• Big Stone suggested Cen Futong, Cao Puqing’s nephew, and Shi Chun instructed Old Dong to secretly invite him to the Carefree Inn with a promise of one hundred thousand gold.
• Old Dong went to contact Cen Futong while Shi Chun headed for the Carefree Inn, followed by Che Si.

Shi Chun persuaded Bian Weikang and Xiang Lan'er to return to Mount Wukang the next morning, offering to escort them. He planned to use the journey to gain access to the sect and learn how to make Immobilizing Talismans, while secretly arranging to sell Xiang Lan'er and fabricate a story about her departure.

• Shi Chun visited Bian Weikang and Xiang Lan'er, offered them money, and urged Bian Weikang to honor his promise to take Xiang Lan'er to Mount Wukang.
• Bian Weikang agreed to return to Mount Wukang with Xiang Lan'er, and Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang offered to escort them.
• Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang agreed to leave the following morning after resting at the inn.
• Back in their room, Shi Chun explained that he wanted access to Mount Wukang to uncover the secrets of making Immobilizing Talismans and profit from Bian Weikang's return.
• Shi Chun told Wu Jinliang that they would sell Xiang Lan'er and claim she had left voluntarily to protect Bian Weikang's future at the sect.

Shi Chun persuaded Cen Futong to help abduct Xiang Lan'er and deliver her to Lü Taizhen, disguising the scheme as a profitable sale. Cen Futong agreed to consider the plan, which Shi Chun said would unfold on the journey to Mount Wukang.

• Big Stone reported that Cen Futong was coming up the mountain, and Shi Chun sent Wu Jinliang to meet him discreetly.
• Cen Futong arrived with two companions, and Shi Chun persuaded him to send them away by promising that the money would go to only one person.
• Shi Chun revealed that he had bought Xiang Lan'er's freedom and offered to sell her to Cen Futong for two hundred thousand gold so Cen could pass her to Lü Taizhen for a profit.
• Cen Futong worried that Bian Weikang and Lü Taizhen might cause trouble, and Shi Chun outlined a plan to abduct Xiang Lan'er while she and Bian Weikang traveled to Mount Wukang.
• Shi Chun told Cen Futong to use Xiang Lan'er's Deed of Sale and a fabricated story to keep her from resisting, and Cen Futong listened with growing interest.