Chapter Summaries

Chen Xiaochan received lavish praise for her painting at the Discipline Inspection Court, then Xiao Yan and Lu Beiwang revealed evidence of abuse and suffering in the Star of Literary Excellence Domain. Chen Wei ordered them to report the matter to the Lunar Mansions Government Office before taking action.

• Chen Xiaochan displayed her painting of a child playing with a crane, and the Immortal Officials praised her skill.
• Chen Xiaochan asked the officials not to favor her because of her powerful relatives, leaving them uncertain how to respond.
• Xiao Yan and Lu Beiwang arrived with troubled expressions after patrolling the Mortal Realm.
• Lu Beiwang showed a Recording Stone depicting neglected temples, ruined crops, famine, and immortals causing disasters to exploit mortals.
• Xiao Yan asked to lead Heavenly Soldiers and Generals against the abusers, but Chen Wei told him to submit a written report to the Lunar Mansions Government Office first.

Chen Wei secretly investigated the Lunar Mansions Government Office’s excessive incense quotas while waiting for the Star of Literary Excellence to expose himself. Ten days later, the Star of Literary Excellence fabricated a Merit Golden Lotus and decided to present it to the Great Heavenly Venerable, leaving Li Zhenji terrified of the consequences.

• Chen Wei ordered Old Ma to request a self-examination from the Lunar Mansions Government Office and sent Xiao Yan and Lu Beiwang to gather secret evidence in the Mortal Realm.
• Chen Xiaochan correctly guessed that Chen Wei was letting the Star of Literary Excellence make a bigger mistake so he could build a stronger case against him.
• Chen Wei took Chen Xiaochan home after Yang Chan summoned them for tangyuan, and Chen Xiaochan revealed that Yang Chan’s Voice Transmission Jade Talisman had been open the whole time.
• Ten days later, Li Zhenji completed the Star of Literary Excellence’s eightfold incense quota, and the Star of Literary Excellence had Immortal Officials forge a Merit Golden Lotus from the offerings.
• The Star of Literary Excellence announced that he would present the golden lotus to the Great Heavenly Venerable and ordered Li Zhenji to accompany him to Lingxiao Palace, leaving Li Zhenji convinced disaster awaited.

The Star of Literary Excellence prepared to present a Merit Golden Lotus tainted with resentment, while Chen Wei ordered the Discipline Inspection Court to publicize it and amplify the spectacle. As the Star of Literary Excellence headed toward Lingxiao Palace, Chen Wei ate tangyuan prepared by Yang Chan and reflected on how they had saved his life.

• The Star of Literary Excellence ignored Li Zhenji’s warning about resentment inside the Merit Golden Lotus and set out to show it off to the Southern Dipper and Big Dipper Star Lords.
• The Star of Literary Excellence bowed to Doumu Yuanjun as she passed, then envied the respect she commanded among the Heavenly Court’s immortals.
• Ma Muzhi told Chen Wei that the Southern Dipper and Big Dipper Star Lords had praised the lotus and approved its presentation to Lingxiao Palace.
• Chen Wei ordered Ma Muzhi to have the Discipline Inspection Court’s informants publicize and lavish praise on the Merit Golden Lotus without leaving traces of their involvement.
• Yang Chan brought Chen Wei tangyuan, and he ate them enthusiastically while thinking that they had saved his life.

The Star of Literary Excellence presented a fabricated Merit Golden Lotus from Southern Jambudvipa, and the Great Heavenly Venerable and other emperors praised it. When Empress Houtu held it, it turned black with resentment, and the Great Heavenly Venerable ordered Chen Wei to clean up the matter.

• The Great Heavenly Venerable praised the Star of Literary Excellence for bringing a Merit Golden Lotus from Southern Jambudvipa and credited him with governing the region well.
• The Star of Literary Excellence attributed the lotus to the Great Heavenly Venerable's virtue, and the Great Heavenly Venerable passed it to Great Emperor Ziwei for inspection.
• Great Emperor Ziwei saw that the lotus was fabricated but praised it, and the other emperors followed suit as it passed through their hands.
• When Empress Houtu received the lotus, its golden aura turned black, revealing the resentment of Southern Jambudvipa's living beings.
• The Great Heavenly Venerable called the Star of Literary Excellence forward, then ordered Chen Wei to sweep away the sullied lotus and clean up the Heavenly Court's murky atmosphere.

After the Merit Golden Lotus emitted black fumes, the Heavenly Court turned against the Star of Literary Excellence while the Discipline Inspection Court interrogated Li Zhenji. Li Zhenji confessed that they had deceived mortals into giving up ten years of merit in advance, and Chen Wei learned they had never fulfilled their promise to protect them.

• The Heavenly Court’s immortals mocked the Star of Literary Excellence, while Southern Dipper and Big Dipper closed their Star Palaces and denied any connection to him.
• The Star of Literary Excellence remained under house arrest as Chen Wei took Li Zhenji to the Discipline Inspection Court for questioning.
• Li Zhenji refused to confess until Xiao Yan and Ma Muzhi described the brutal fate of a former prisoner who had resisted interrogation.
• Li Zhenji admitted that the Star of Literary Excellence ordered him to triple the merit and that he arranged for earth gods and City Gods to trick mortals into paying ten years of merit in advance.
• Chen Wei emerged from the shadows and confirmed that Li Zhenji and the others had taken the merit without fulfilling their duty to protect the Mortal Realm.

At the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chen Wei tried to keep Yang Chan’s dangerously potent mooncakes away from the immortals, but several of them ate the treats anyway. The story ended with the family and immortals celebrating beneath the moon while Chen Wei reassured Yang Chan that her cooking was wonderful.

• Yang Chan prepared powerful mooncakes, and Chen Wei persuaded her to share them with the Heavenly Court rather than let him eat them alone.
• Chen Xiang offered the mooncakes to Yang Jian and Sun Wukong at South Heaven Gate, and Yang Jian ate one while Chen Xiang also took a bite.
• The Great Heavenly Venerable accepted Chen Xiaochan’s flatbread, then ate one of Yang Chan’s mooncakes, which Chen Wei and Taibai Jinxing were also urged to eat.
• The immortals gathered beneath the osmanthus tree after the banquet, while Yang Jian meditated to absorb the mooncake’s potency and Sun Wukong played with Chen Xiang.
• Yang Chan worried that her mooncakes had tasted bad, and Chen Wei reassured her as they admired the full moon together.

Chen Wei questioned Li Zhenji about the Star of Literary Excellence’s scheme and uncovered how they divided the stolen merit. He refused to let Li bargain for leniency and arranged a dangerous assignment for him, while leaving the Star of Literary Excellence’s fate unresolved.

• Li Zhenji confessed that the Star of Literary Excellence took seventy percent of the surplus merit while he and the other workers split the rest.
• Chen Wei and Ma Muzhi mocked Li Zhenji’s scheme, and Chen Wei rejected Li’s offer to serve in exchange for a lighter sentence.
• Chen Wei ordered Xiao Yan to teach Li the Censorate’s rules.
• Chen Wei sentenced Li to serve the Thunder Department as a Magical Treasure Close-Range Observation Envoy.

Chen Wei brought Ma Muzhi, Xiao Yan, and Chen Xiaochan to Clear Pool to report that the Merit Golden Lotus matter was nearly settled and involved the Star of Literary Excellence. Taibai Jinxing asked what should be done, and Chen Xiaochan said they should follow the Heavenly Laws.

• Chen Wei decided to seek Taibai Jinxing's approval before proceeding with his plan involving the Star of Literary Excellence.
• Chen Wei brought Ma Muzhi, Xiao Yan, and Chen Xiaochan to Clear Pool, where Ma Muzhi and Xiao Yan planted immortal seedlings by hand.
• Taibai Jinxing invited Ma Muzhi and Xiao Yan to sit, and they waited for Chen Wei's permission before taking their seats.
• Chen Wei reported that Li Zhenji had confessed and the Merit Golden Lotus matter was nearly settled, adding that it involved the Star of Literary Excellence.
• Taibai Jinxing asked Chen Xiaochan what they should do, and she said they should follow her Maternal Great-Uncle's Heavenly Laws.

Taibai Jinxing accompanied Chen Wei and his officers to the Star Palace, where the Star of Literary Excellence sought help from his former patrons. The South Dipper and Big Dipper Star Lords welcomed Taibai Jinxing and ignored Wenqu, leaving him isolated as Chen Wei prepared to question him.

• Taibai Jinxing agreed to accompany Chen Wei to the Star Palace while Ma Muzhi and Xiao Yan arranged three Discipline Inspection Court Flying Boats.
• The Star of Literary Excellence waited outside the closed Star Palace gates, but the Immortal Attendant refused his plea and rejected his bribe.
• Chen Wei arrived with Taibai Jinxing and told Wenqu that Li Zhenji had shared information and had been assigned to the Thunder Department as a Magical Treasure Close-Range Observer.
• The South Dipper and Big Dipper Star Lords opened the gates when Taibai Jinxing arrived and warmly welcomed him and Chen Xiaochan.
• The two Star Lords ushered Taibai Jinxing into the palace without acknowledging the Star of Literary Excellence.

Chen Wei confronted the Star of Literary Excellence over the missing merit stolen from the Mortal Realm and offered to spare him if he repaid it. The Star of Literary Excellence had no way to cover the deficit, and Chen Wei ended by warning that he might need to experience life in the Mortal Realm himself.

• Chen Wei visited the Star of Literary Excellence's mansion with Ma Muzhi and Xiao Yan and said Li Zhenji had confessed everything.
• Chen Wei offered to write an excuse protecting the Star of Literary Excellence from punishment if he returned the missing merit in full.
• The Star of Literary Excellence said he had little wealth and could not recover the lion's share given to the two senior Star Lords.
• Chen Wei explained that the Star of Literary Excellence was the only one left to repay the deficit, while Ma Muzhi warned that failure could mean death.
• The Star of Literary Excellence accused Chen Wei of forcing him toward death, and Chen Wei said the suffering of Mortal Realm beings made the matter more than a political dispute.

Chen Wei sentenced the Star of Literary Excellence to descend into the Mortal Realm and endure tribulations, while the Star Lord warned that Chen Wei’s sharp methods could bring about his downfall. Elsewhere, Doumu Yuanjun sent a blessing toward a newly arrived child, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva asked Fahai whether humans and demons could marry.

• Chen Wei questioned the Star of Literary Excellence about the meaning behind his calligraphy and presented a prepared decree sentencing him to the Mortal Realm.
• The Star of Literary Excellence accepted his punishment and warned Chen Wei that his methods had earned him many enemies.
• Doumu Yuanjun sensed that someone had come into the world and sent a ray of starlight as a blessing, deciding to grant him a fine son.
• Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva asked Fahai whether humans and demons could marry, and Fahai admitted he knew nothing about romance.
• Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva asked what Fahai would do if he met a wicked demon, and Fahai declared that he would destroy it.

The Heavenly Court sent Star of Literary Excellence to the Mortal Realm to undergo tribulations after the Merit Golden Lotus scandal. At the Netherworld, he met the muscle-bound monk Fahai, whose hostility toward monsters clashed with Star of Literary Excellence’s belief in teaching them.

• The Heavenly Court approved Star of Literary Excellence’s reassignment to the Mortal Realm as a tribulation, and Great Emperor Ziwei endorsed the decision.
• South Dipper Star Lord and Big Dipper Star Lord completed the handover documents, and Star of Literary Excellence rebuffed South Dipper Star Lord’s false show of sympathy.
• Chen Wei escorted Star of Literary Excellence to the Netherworld, where Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, King Yama, Judge Lu, and Fahai awaited them.
• Star of Literary Excellence and Fahai felt an inexplicable connection when they met eyes.
• Fahai declared that evil monsters should be killed without discussion, while Ksitigarbha criticized his hostility and Star of Literary Excellence was left speechless.
• Chen Wei grew interested in Fahai’s reckless manner.

After Chen Wei returned to Heaven, Fahai escorted the sleeping Star of Literary Excellence to the Reincarnation Pool and visited the Nether Hound he had brought back. An Underworld Official accidentally fed the Star Lord wild dog milk instead of the Reincarnation Elixir, then sent him into the pool.

• Chen Wei hurried back to Heaven after Yang Chan summoned him to deal with Chen Xiang's mischief.
• King Yama and Judge Lu avoided escorting the Star of Literary Excellence, leaving Fahai to carry him to the Reincarnation Pool.
• Fahai discovered that the Nether Hound was female and nursing a litter of puppies.
• An Underworld Official collected the Nether Hound's milk and later mistook it for the Star Lord's Reincarnation Elixir.
• The Underworld Official poured the remaining wild dog milk into the Star of Literary Excellence and threw him into the Reincarnation Pool.

Chen Wei returned home to discipline Chen Xiang, but he and his son secretly staged a fake punishment to appease Yang Chan. Yang Chan saw through their act and confronted Chen Wei with jealous complaints, leaving him frozen in place.

• Chen Wei hurried home after Yang Chan summoned him and caught Chen Xiang trying to sneak out of the courtyard.
• Chen Wei secretly promised Chen Xiang a trip to Yaochi, and they agreed to put on their usual show for Yang Chan.
• Chen Wei pretended to beat Chen Xiang while praising Yang Chan, and Chen Xiaochan helped her brother escape the scolding.
• Yang Chan sent Chen Xiaochan after Chen Xiang, then accused Chen Wei of repeatedly conspiring with their son to fool her.
• Yang Chan complained that Chen Wei no longer found her pleasing and compared herself unfavorably to Dragon Maidens and fairies.

Chen Wei placated Yang Chan after she questioned him about tea served by Ao Rui, then the two were alone together. In the Netherworld, Ksitigarbha sent Fahai to the Heavenly Court to find Chen Wei and deal with troublesome demons.

• Chen Wei sweet-talked Yang Chan, who tested him about the tea Ao Rui had served him at the Censorate.
• Chen Wei realized Ao Rui was reporting to Yang Chan, then teased Yang Chan until she invited him to join her while their children studied.
• Fahai argued with Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva that killing vicious ghosts was a form of compassion.
• Ksitigarbha told Fahai to leave the Netherworld and gave him a bodhi leaf to take to Chen Wei in the Heavenly Court.
• Fahai grew excited when Ksitigarbha said Chen Wei had the Three Realms' most troublesome great demons.

Fahai joined the Discipline Inspection Court as a temporary worker and accompanied Chen Wei and Chen Xiang to Pure Heart Temple. On the way, Chen Xiang learned Fahai had no official rank and asked to see his golden dragon, prompting Fahai to prepare to release it as they arrived.

• Chen Wei accepted Fahai as a temporary worker at the Discipline Inspection Court and took him on an errand to Pure Heart Temple.
• Chen Wei brought Chen Xiang along, and the boy questioned Fahai about his strength and Heavenly Court rank.
• Fahai admitted that he held no office, and Chen Xiang promised to ask his master to grant him a military post.
• As Pure Heart Temple came into view, Chen Xiang asked to see the golden dragon tattoo on Fahai's shoulder.
• Fahai awakened the golden dragon with a roar, but Chen Xiang wondered why he had struck a pose.

Chen Xiang visited Pure Heart Temple with Chen Wei and Fahai, where Sun Wukong welcomed them. Fahai hoped to learn demon-subduing techniques from the Great Sage, but Xuanzang instead made him scrub his muddy shoes according to the temple’s rules.

• Fahai released a golden dragon to impress Chen Xiang, but Chen Xiang climbed onto its back and gleefully directed it to fly.
• Sun Wukong plucked Chen Xiang from the dragon, embraced him, and welcomed Chen Wei and Fahai into Pure Heart Temple.
• Fahai respectfully greeted Sun Wukong, who teased him about his fierce, warrior-like appearance before inviting the visitors inside.
• Xuanzang stopped Fahai at the temple entrance and ordered him to clean the mud from his shoes.
• Fahai obediently scrubbed his shoes under Xuanzang’s instructions while Chen Wei watched and noted that Ksitigarbha had sent Fahai with the Bodhi Leaf.

After Xuanzang’s lecture, Sun Wukong sent Fahai to Golden Mountain Temple in the Mortal Realm to learn how to be a good monk. Meanwhile, a mysterious immortal seized Green Snake and White Snake with lightning, leaving their fate uncertain.

• Xuanzang lectured Fahai for six hours before Fahai asked Sun Wukong to teach him demon-subduing arts.
• Sun Wukong questioned Fahai’s skills, and Fahai said Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had taught him how to be a good monk.
• Chen Wei explained that Fahai needed to learn the rules of the Heavenly Court, but Fahai insisted he could not change.
• Sun Wukong told Fahai to cultivate at Golden Mountain Temple and learn from mortal life, and Fahai agreed.
• A mysterious man and woman arrived at the lake where Green Snake and White Snake lived, and the man briefly captured Little White Snake before releasing her.
• A bolt of lightning enveloped Green Snake and White Snake as they tried to flee.

Chen Xiang pestered Chen Wei for a Heavenly Court assignment and decided he wanted to become a heavenly general. When Yang Jian arrived at the Chen Residence with Ao Cunxin, Chen Xiaochan’s innocent question about whether she was his auntie exposed their unusually close relationship.

• Chen Xiang clung to Chen Wei and demanded an assignment that would let him fight demons in the Mortal Realm.
• After Chen Wei agreed to hear him out, Chen Xiang chose to become a little heavenly general, unaware of how demanding the position was.
• Yang Chan teased Chen Xiang about his ambitious choice and recalled that Chen Wei had started as a lowly immortal official.
• Yang Jian entered the Main Hall with Ao Cunxin, whose close manner with him surprised Chen Wei and Yang Chan.
• Chen Xiaochan called Ao Cunxin her uncle’s auntie, prompting Yang Jian to explain that she was his immortal friend.

Yang Jian visited Chen Wei’s household and was embarrassed when Ao Cunxin’s handkerchief fell from his Storage Bag, while Chen Xiang declared he wanted to join the Heavenly Court. The teasing shifted to Chen Wei when Yang Chan made him empty his Storage Bag, and the chapter ended with her own belongings falling out.

• Yang Jian brought Chen Xiang and Chen Xiaochan a pile of gifts, including Ao Cunxin’s handkerchief, which fell from his Storage Bag.
• Yang Jian changed the subject by asking Chen Xiang about joining the Heavenly Court, and Chen Xiang and Chen Xiaochan argued over whether he should be a Heavenly Soldier or Heavenly General.
• Yang Jian enthusiastically agreed to take Chen Xiang to collect a Heavenly Soldier number tag the next day and revealed that Yang Chan had once wanted to be his vanguard.
• Chen Wei claimed Ao Cunxin’s handkerchief was evidence in an investigation, but Yang Chan challenged him to empty his own Storage Bag.
• Chen Wei shook out his Storage Bag, and Yang Chan’s personal belongings fell out, prompting her to snatch them up and redirect the conversation to Chen Xiang’s post.