Chapter Summaries

Qin Siyang discussed his request to establish an independent military force with Secretary-General Gu Weiyang after the other Five Good Students negotiated their terms. Gu agreed to authorize another Sequence Regiment for Qin, but warned that seven applicants were competing for the Safe Zone’s single annual Sequence Brigade.

• Meng Yu and Man Gongxue praised Rui Xi Fan’s research talent and his invention of the Lie Detector.
• The Five Good Students met Gu Weiyang one by one, with Man Gongxue and Meng Yu appearing pleased, Rui Xi looking weary, and Duan Chongfang emerging dissatisfied after a lengthy meeting.
• Qin Siyang asked Gu Weiyang to help him establish an independent military force within the Safe Zone.
• Gu Weiyang said Qin’s existing authorizations were insufficient, then offered him another Sequence Regiment so he could form a Sequence Brigade.
• Gu Weiyang explained that only one Sequence Brigade authorization was available that year and that seven groups, including the Zhao Family, were competing for it.

Qin Siyang secured a Sequence Regiment allocation and its resources from the Han Character Legion, while asking Gu Weiyang to delay announcing his new establishment so he could negotiate with Han Huizhi. After Qin left, Gu joined a secret meeting where 007 reported escalating crime in the Sigma District amid factions converging over the [Apocalypse Fragment].

• Gu Weiyang explained that the new Sequence Brigade's units had been allocated and let Qin Siyang choose whose Sequence Regiment allocation to take.
• Qin Siyang chose to take a regiment allocation and its supplies from Han Huizhi's Han Character Legion.
• Gu Weiyang warned Qin to slow down, and Qin said he feared dying without learning why Commander Yan had died.
• Qin asked Gu to delay announcing his military establishment, and Gu agreed to wait two days.
• Gu activated a projection device and joined a meeting where 007 described worsening crime in the Sigma District and factions gathering over the [Apocalypse Fragment].

Gu Weiyang and the others debated the World-Destroying Church’s changing stance on the [Apocalypse Fragment], questioned whether the Church had been falsely blamed for past assassinations, and worried that their own group was fracturing. As 007’s control over the Sigma District weakened, Gu Weiyang planned to send Yu Jianyun there and threatened force if negotiations failed.

• Gu Weiyang and the others discussed the World-Destroying Church’s campaign to reveal the [Apocalypse Fragment] and wondered whether it had really ordered the earlier assassinations of researchers.
• 007 asked 001 whether someone else might have framed the World-Destroying Church, while 001 said he cared only about humanity leaving the Safe Zones to fight the gods.
• 006 questioned why the group had withheld the first section of the [Apocalypse Fragment], and 009 argued that revealing its claim about erased memories would cause panic.
• Gu Weiyang said 000 had reported that someone among them followed a path besides the Path of the Believer, raising suspicions that someone might be hiding discoveries from the second section.
• 007 asked for help controlling the Sigma District, and Gu Weiyang proposed sending Yu Jianyun with Qi Tian and Zhu Haifeng, adding that they would kill people if necessary to prevent chaos.

Qin Siyang learned that Duan Chongfang intended to leave school and pursue his own path, then asked Chu Xiaoang to arrange a meeting with Han Huizhi so he could seek yellow-silver star ore. The chapter ended with Qin Siyang and his companions meeting Chu Xiaoang at a hotel before Han Huizhi arrived.

• Duan Chongfang told Qin Siyang that he had refused Gu Weiyang's proposal to join the United Government and planned to stop returning to school.
• Duan Chongfang asked Qin Siyang to explain his decision to Principal Zhao, saying he felt more comfortable confiding in him.
• Qin Siyang decided to ask Chu Xiaoang to arrange a meeting with Han Huizhi, whom he needed to approach about yellow-silver star ore.
• Chu Xiaoang agreed to invite Han Huizhi in his own name after Qin Siyang promised him a titan reed middle leaf.
• Qin Siyang arrived at the hotel with Li Tianming and Zhang Kuang, and Chu Xiaoang accepted his explanation that he had brought them for protection.

Qin Siyang confronted Han Huizhi with evidence that Han Lingye had belonged to the Reincarnation Church and offered to keep the truth from spreading in exchange for authorization to establish a Sequence Brigade. Han Huizhi dismissed the demand as absurd.

• Qin Siyang met Han Huizhi with Li Tianming and Zhang Kuang while Han's guards aimed their guns at them.
• Qin Siyang hinted that he knew Han Huizhi had killed his sons over yellow-silver star ore, then revealed that Han Lingye was dead.
• Qin Siyang showed Han Huizhi muted footage of Han Lingye conspiring with Choi Chan-hoon to kill Senior Duan and Qin Siyang.
• Qin Siyang placed a Storage Box containing Han Lingye's corpse beside him and proposed a deal.
• Qin Siyang demanded authorization to establish a Sequence Brigade, and Han Huizhi laughed at the request.

Qin Siyang negotiated with Han Huizhi over keeping Han Lingye’s cultist ties secret in exchange for military authorization and supplies. He reluctantly accepted Han Huizhi’s final offer of one Sequence Regiment’s authorization, one kilogram of Vine Heart, and a hundred kilograms of yellow-silver star ore in exchange for Han Lingye’s corpse.

• Qin Siyang demanded authorization for a Sequence Brigade and warned Han Huizhi that exposing Han Lingye could damage the Han Character Legion.
• Han Huizhi offered authorization for one Sequence Battalion, but Qin Siyang rejected it and threatened to take Han Lingye’s corpse to the United Government.
• Han Huizhi raised his offer to authorization for one Sequence Regiment and proposed additional compensation.
• Qin Siyang demanded Vine Heart and yellow-silver star ore in exchange for Han Lingye’s corpse.
• Han Huizhi offered one kilogram of Vine Heart and a hundred kilograms of yellow-silver star ore, and Qin Siyang accepted reluctantly.

Qin Siyang secured Han Huizhi’s Sequence Regiment allotment and helped Li Tianming obtain the materials he needed, while learning that upheaval was coming to Zone 5. He returned to the Merchants' Association's Clubhouse, where Yu Yongyou was waiting for him.

• Han Huizhi transferred his authorized Sequence Regiment allotment to Qin Siyang, and Gu Weiyang arranged to transfer the matching supplies as well.
• Qin Siyang received the Vine Heart and yellow-silver star ore, then returned Han Lingye’s body to Han Huizhi, who denied ordering anyone to target him.
• On the way back, Qin Siyang gave Li Tianming fifty kilograms of yellow-silver star ore, and Li Tianming prepared to focus on research while Zhang Kuang continued to struggle with his exhaustion.
• Zhao Longfei told Qin Siyang that the United Government was about to make its move and urged him to prepare for upheaval in Zone 5.
• Qin Siyang returned to the Clubhouse and found Yu Yongyou waiting to speak with him.

Yu Yongyou explained that the United Government’s investigation threatened the Yu Family and asked Qin Siyang to temporarily hold some of its mining assets and shares in the Sigma District. Qin Siyang refused, leaving Yu Yongyou to argue that the assets could be separated from the family.

• Yu Yongyou thanked Qin Siyang for secretly helping the Yu Family at the warehouse, and Qin Siyang denied involvement while explaining he had wanted to help a potential business partner.
• Yu Yongyou said the United Government had taken Yu Yongkun and his family into protective custody and that Yu Yongkun had produced evidence tying the Huan Family to the World-Destroying Church.
• Yu Yongyou warned that Yu Yongkun could expose the Yu Family’s secrets and that his father was likely involved with the Reincarnation Church.
• Yu Yongyou asked Qin Siyang to hold some of the Yu Family’s mining operations and shares during Zone 5’s upheaval.
• Qin Siyang refused, calling the assets hidden land mines, and Yu Yongyou replied that they were in the Sigma District and could be detached from the Yu Family.

Yu Yongyou asked Qin Siyang to take the Yu Family’s Sigma District mining assets into his name until the family survived its crisis. Qin Siyang demanded compensation beyond money, and Yu Yongyou offered to share his father’s information about the apocalypse; Qin Siyang asked to hear more.

• Qin Siyang learned that the Yu and Huan Families held major shares in Sigma District’s mineral resources, with backing from the Reincarnation Church and the World-Destroying Church.
• Yu Yongyou proposed transferring the Yu Family’s Sigma District mining assets to Qin Siyang temporarily and offering him substantial payment.
• Qin Siyang questioned why he should help, then said he would claim a share of the mining holdings for taking on the risk.
• Yu Bianhou objected to Qin Siyang’s demands, but Yu Yongyou urged him to stay calm and negotiate.
• Yu Yongyou offered to share a letter from his father containing information about the arrival of the apocalypse, and Qin Siyang asked him to explain.

Qin Siyang negotiated with Yu Yongyou over the Yu Family’s mining assets in Sigma District and the information about the Apocalypse. Yu Yongyou ultimately revealed that his father’s letter named an [Apocalypse Fragment], a term Qin Siyang had heard before from the sacrificial giant vine.

• Yu Yongyou offered Qin Siyang the Yu Family’s mining assets in Sigma District in exchange for his help, saying his father’s final letter contained information about the Apocalypse.
• Qin Siyang questioned whether the offer was a trap and demanded to know whether the information would be useful before agreeing to cooperate.
• Yu Bianhou warned Yu Yongyou not to reveal the letter’s contents, but Qin Siyang refused to work with them unless they shared at least a hint.
• After privately discussing the choice, Yu Yongyou decided to trust Qin Siyang and asked him to keep the information secret.
• Yu Yongyou told Qin Siyang that his father’s letter mentioned an [Apocalypse Fragment] containing information about the Apocalypse.
• Qin Siyang recognized the term from the sacrificial giant vine but pretended not to know it.

Qin Siyang agreed to cooperate with Yu Yongyou and accepted the Yu Family’s Sigma District mining holdings in exchange for collateral and a Sharing Contract. After news confirmed that Qin Siyang had formally established the Qin Character Special Brigade, he finally felt he had gained a place among the powerful.

• Yu Yongyou revealed his father’s secret about the [Apocalypse Fragment], and Qin Siyang agreed to cooperate with the Yu Family for the chance at a major payoff.
• Qin Siyang offered one hundred grams of Crimson Crystal as collateral while arranging to hold the Yu Family’s Sigma District mining assets.
• After Yu Yongyou and Yu Bianhou left, Qin Siyang read Gu Weiyang’s message that his unit would be formally established the next day.
• The next morning, Qin Siyang and Yu Yongyou completed the mining asset transfer under official supervision and established a Sharing Contract for the Crimson Crystal.
• The United Government announced that Qin Siyang had formally established the Qin Character Special Brigade in Area No. 4444, stirring an uproar throughout the Safe Zone.

The Zhao Family and Qin Siyang both established new legions, shocking the Safe Zone and drawing attention to the government’s weakening control. Qin Siyang’s rise earned him the nickname “Young King of Qin,” while the other factions considered how he had secured his force.

• The Zhao Family formally established the Zhao Character Legion in Area No. 7, becoming known as the Seventh Legion.
• Eighteen-year-old Qin Siyang established the Qin Character Special Brigade after obtaining force allotments from the Yan Character Legion and Han Huizhi.
• Han Huizhi realized Qin Siyang had outmaneuvered him by accepting the regiment Han had provided, but chose not to protest.
• Qi Tian learned that the Yan Family and Han family had helped Qin Siyang establish his force and decided not to challenge Gu Weiyang.
• Qin Yingguang, Chu Xiaoang, and Wei Rulai discussed Qin Siyang’s new title, and Chu Xiaoang and Wei Rulai mocked Qin Yingguang’s claim to the title King of Qin.

Qin Siyang’s influence surged as the United Government announced Crystal Coins and appointed three of his allies as ministers, prompting alarm among his rivals. He contacted his supporters to steady their confidence and learned that Lü Boming had gone out to inspect State No. 12’s agricultural operations.

• The United Government announced Crystal Coins and appointed Chu Zhongxiong, Sun Linshou, and Qian Wendao to ministerial posts, strengthening Qin Siyang’s influence.
• Xiao Zhigang raged about Gu Weiyang’s support for Qin Siyang, while Guo Jiuxiao and Jiang Hao worried about the direction events were taking.
• Qin Siyang called Wang Defa, who reported that he and three others were nearing Sequence Level Five after training with a special operations battalion.
• Qin Siyang congratulated himself on Commander Chu’s support and told Wang Defa to keep training before they established the brigade in Area No. 4444.
• Kav congratulated Qin Siyang and said he hoped to follow him, then explained that Lü Boming had taken State No. 12’s Department of Agriculture staff to inspect farms, ranches, and livestock operations.

Qin Siyang strengthened his political and business ties while preparing to establish a military formation and celebrated with his classmates. The dinner ended with Qin noticing that his new standing had changed how Zhao Sifang, Hu Chan, and Chu Baxing treated him.

• Qin Siyang agreed with Governor Kav that Area No. 4444 would buy food from State No. 12 after Lü Boming completed his agricultural survey.
• Qin Siyang called the United Government's four ministers to reinforce alliances, offer support, and discuss cooperation.
• Qin Siyang reassured Yu Yongyou that he would honor the previous day's deal at the agreed price.
• Chu Baxing asked Chu Xiaoang to make him a division commander so he could become the [Young King Chu], but Chu Xiaoang mocked the idea.
• Qin Siyang hosted a banquet to celebrate his new military formation and welcome back Gu Yunpeng, who had been released after a brief investigation.
• Qin Siyang remarked that Chu Baxing seemed distant, while Zhao Sifang grinned and Hu Chan showed Qin deference.

After the United Government moved against the Huan Family, Zhao Longfei persuaded Qin Siyang to oppose its attempt to seize the family’s assets. Qin Siyang enlisted Sun Linshou, who prepared to challenge the investigation team’s own conduct.

• At breakfast, Qin Siyang gave Zhao Sifang a vague reason for establishing his unit in Area No. 4444, and Zhao accepted his answer without question.
• Zhao Longfei told Qin Siyang that the United Government was targeting the Huan Family and urged him to help prevent it from taking all the company’s assets.
• Zhao Longfei argued that the United Government’s recent announcements had cost it nothing and that Qin Siyang needed the mining companies’ wealth to build his strength.
• Qin Siyang agreed to oppose the United Government and asked Sun Linshou to defend the Huan Family through legal means.
• Sun Linshou explained that the United Government had excluded the Department of Justice from its investigation team and hinted that the team itself might not be clean.

Sun Linshou explained how he became Minister of Justice and revealed he had gathered evidence of wrongdoing within the United Government. After the investigation team entered the Huan Family’s premises, a clash over a warehouse left casualties on both sides and the United Government sent in more personnel.

• Sun Linshou told Qin Siyang that his loyalty had shifted after Qin saved his life and that he had become Minister because he was the only candidate able to keep the Department of Justice running.
• Sun Linshou said he would gather evidence against the investigation team while the Huan Family filed complaints, and promised that valid evidence would soon reach them.
• The United Government sent an investigation team into the Huan Family’s premises to investigate the World-Destroying Church, and the team sealed off Huan Family Mining.
• Qin Siyang learned from Zhao Longfei that a dispute over access to a Huan Family warehouse turned violent, killing two investigation-team members and more than a dozen Huan Family members.
• The investigation team withdrew, the Police Bureau and Administration Bureau surrounded the Huan Family’s premises, and the United Government rushed more personnel into Zone 5.

After the Huan Family reported the United Government investigation team, Sun Linshou ordered Zone 5’s Department of Justice to investigate the envoys, turning the inquiry against the family back on the investigators. The investigation team was taken into custody, and news of the unprecedented move spread across the Safe Zone.

• Zhao Longfei and Qin Siyang suspected Gu Weiyang intended to use the Huan Family’s clash with the investigation team to brand them accomplices of the World-Destroying Church, and Qin said Sun Linshou had been contacted.
• Two hours after the clash, Liang Youtao arrived at the investigators’ lodgings and ordered them to come to the Department of Justice for questioning over reports from the Huan Family.
• Liang showed Zhang Yuanyi detailed evidence that he had resold Ministry of Armaments supplies, then named other investigation team members accused of crimes.
• When the envoys challenged Liang’s authority, he revealed that Minister Sun Linshou had personally signed the investigation order, which also covered the two dead team members.
• The accused investigators left with Liang for the Judicial Bureau, while the remaining team members made calls to learn what had happened.
• People spread news that the investigation team itself was under investigation, attracting attention across the Safe Zone.

Gu Weiyang arranged to act against the Yu Family and the Reincarnation Church while seeking help from Qi Tian and Zhu Haifeng. Qi Tian agreed to travel to Zone 1 with him, driven in part by his determination to avenge Qi Jiangnan.

• The Second Investigation Team slowed its advance to Zone 5 because it could not tell whether Gu Weiyang had authorized Sun Linshou to investigate the team.
• Gu Weiyang called an ally, ordered people sent to Zone 5 for a move that night, and demanded reinforcements for the Sigma District against the World-Destroying Church.
• Gu Weiyang asked District Chief Guo to join him in investigating the Yu Family and the Reincarnation Church.
• Gu Weiyang asked Qi Tian to accompany him to Zone 1, and Qi Tian agreed after asking him to bring Zhu Haifeng as well.
• Qi Tian warned that he would avenge Qi Jiangnan and told Gu Weiyang not to interfere when he found the person responsible.
• Gu Weiyang said he would travel to Zone 1 after finishing matters in Zone 5, and Qi Tian acknowledged that he was under pressure to secure resources.

The Four Major Mining Companies gathered the Safe Zone’s remaining factions to coordinate against the United Government’s investigation of the Yu Family. Yu Yongyou offered half the Yu Family’s mines for help, but Huan Liang refused to make a similar sacrifice, leaving the alliance divided.

• The Four Major Mining Companies summoned faction leaders after Gu Weiyang began investigating the Yu Family, and nearly everyone accepted the invitation.
• Kyle Warren explained why several major groups were absent and argued that those who attended still represented a united front.
• Qin Yingguang questioned Han Shuo’s loyalties, while Chu Xiaoang urged the gathering to focus on resisting the United Government.
• Wei Rulai demanded benefits in exchange for help, and Yu Yongyou offered half the Yu Family’s mines if they survived the investigation.
• Huan Liang rejected the idea of surrendering the Huan Family’s assets, and Yu Family members objected to Yu Yongyou’s offer.

At a meeting about protecting the Yu and Huan families, Han Huizhi exposed Yu Yongyou’s strategy and antagonized Qin Siyang. The families agreed to surrender mining assets, but Huan Liang’s ignorance and arrogance ended with him being burned to ash.

• Han Huizhi revealed that Yu Yongyou could use the mining deal to weaken rival factions in the Yu Family, then insisted the family honor its promise.
• Han Huizhi challenged Qin Siyang, who answered with a taunt about growing taller than him.
• Xie Nanyun and Wang Jixin each offered twenty percent of their families’ mines, and Huan Liang agreed to offer the same for the Huan Family.
• Wei Rulai warned Huan Liang that the United Government had already established the Huan Family’s collusion with the World-Destroying Church, while Zhao Longfei explained Qin Siyang’s role in helping the family.
• Huan Liang denied that Qin Siyang had helped the Huan Family, and Qin Yingguang condemned him as its leader.
• Blue flames erupted from Huan Liang’s head, and crimson flames burned him until his body crumbled to ash.