Chapter Summaries

After receiving invitations to a Jiangling Group networking event, the narrator dreamed of Xiuzhu and the Patriarch. Xiuzhu left a mark so they could find each other in another life, while the Patriarch advised the narrator not to pursue the identity of the person who had helped him.

• Meng Yifan told the group that Lin Yin had shown no sadness at Lin Jinhua's funeral, and the narrator warned that appearances could be deceiving.
• Meng Yifan handed out invitations to a Jiangling Group networking event, but Song Xiaotian refused to attend.
• With business quiet, the group agreed to visit Song Xiaotian's grandfather the next day.
• In a dream, Xiuzhu worried about leaving the narrator, then marked her arm so they could recognize each other in a future life.
• In another dream, the Patriarch praised the narrator for passing his test and said the hint he received had come naturally.
• The Patriarch urged the narrator to stop investigating the helper's identity, explaining that doing so would violate the principle of letting nature take its course.

The narrator, Seventh Master, and Meng Yifan visited Song Xiaotian's family and discovered that he lived in an imposing siheyuan with a wealthy, influential family. While speaking privately with Seventh Master and the narrator, Old Master Song asked them to overlook Xiaotian's flaws, then warned that Xiaotian's violent nature was abnormally intense.

• The narrator woke after dreaming of Xiuzhu and the Patriarch, whose I Ching lecture still rang in his ears.
• The narrator, Meng Yifan, and Seventh Master rode with Song Xiaotian to visit his grandfather and were astonished to find his home was a grand siheyuan.
• Song Xiaotian explained that his grandfather had set aside space for a missing brother-in-arms who had once saved his life.
• Mr. and Mrs. Song welcomed the visitors, and Song Xiaotian's family showed them the lavish, traditionally styled home.
• Old Master Song spoke with Seventh Master and the narrator over tea, reminiscing about his past and asking them not to blame Xiaotian for his shortcomings.
• Old Master Song sighed and warned that Xiaotian's violence was abnormally intense.

Elder Song explained that Song Xiaotian’s violent temper came from his father Song Qing, who had been possessed by an evil spirit during a secret mission against the Evil Buddha organization. Song Qing recovered after the spirit was driven out, but his violent urges remained and were passed on to his son.

• Elder Song admitted that Song Xiaotian had been violently short-tempered since childhood and nearly beat a classmate to death.
• Elder Song recounted how Song Qing’s ten-man team fought the Evil Buddha organization abroad, where nine members died and Song Qing was captured.
• Elder Song said the organization implanted an evil spirit in Song Qing, and his friend Xiang Long helped drive it out, though it escaped.
• Elder Song explained that Song Qing retained an uncontrollable urge to kill when angered, which led to his discharge from the military and was inherited by Song Xiaotian.

Old Master Song explained that Song Qing’s lingering condition from being possessed by the Evil Buddha had passed to Song Xiaotian, whose friends agreed to keep his violence in check. After leaving the Song family home, the narrator and Seventh Master suspected Song Qing had killed his nine teammates while possessed, leaving him with an inner burden he could never resolve.

• Old Master Song explained that Daoist Master Yuanxiu had treated Song Qing at Qingyun Temple but warned that his inner demon could only be overcome by cultivating his character and resolving his own burden.
• Old Master Song said Song Xiaotian had inherited Song Qing’s condition and that the family had kept him out of the military to avoid triggering it.
• The narrator reassured Old Master Song that he and his friends would stop Song Xiaotian if he went too far, and Old Master Song invited them to his eightieth birthday celebration.
• Song Xiaotian hurried away after Old Master Song asked whether he had a girlfriend, then told the narrator and Meng Yifan not to bother bringing birthday gifts.
• Outside the house, the narrator and Seventh Master inferred that Song Qing had failed his military review because he had killed his nine teammates while possessed by the Evil Buddha, leaving him unable to forgive himself.

Song Xiaotian learned that Pan Xiaorou was pregnant with his child, but he still struggled to accept marrying someone who had been married before. At Old Master Song’s eightieth birthday celebration, Meng Yifan revealed the pregnancy to Song Xiaotian’s family, and Uncle Song set off to punish him.

• Pan Xiaorou gave Song Xiaotian a pregnancy test report, and he realized she was carrying his child.
• Song Xiaotian told the narrator and Meng Yifan that he could not accept marrying a woman who had been married before, despite knowing the baby was his.
• Song Xiaotian asked the narrator and Meng Yifan to sound out his father and grandfather at Old Master Song’s birthday celebration without mentioning the pregnancy.
• Meng Yifan revealed Pan Xiaorou’s pregnancy to Old Master Song and Uncle Song and showed them the test report.
• Uncle Song clenched his fists and went to get his Septwolves belt to beat Song Xiaotian.

At Old Master Song’s birthday gathering, the Song family confronted Song Xiaotian over getting Pan Xiaorou pregnant and refusing to take responsibility. Old Master Song expelled him from the family, and Meng Yifan and Chen Mo escorted him out as the banquet approached.

• Meng Yifan returned with Song Xiaotian, who hid behind the Seventh Master before being made to face his family.
• Old Master Song rebuked Song Xiaotian for planning to leave Pan Xiaorou despite getting her pregnant, and Uncle Song joined in the scolding.
• Song Xiaotian argued that he did not like Pan Xiaorou and refused to marry her, provoking Uncle Song to threaten to beat him.
• Old Master Song disowned Song Xiaotian and told him to stop using the Song surname.
• Song Xiaotian’s mother refused to leave with him and said she and Uncle Song planned to have another child.
• Old Master Song ordered Meng Yifan and Chen Mo to see Song Xiaotian out, and they escorted him from the house while he protested.

The narrator met Daoist Xiang, a Mohist descendant, and learned about the Mohist School’s principles, history, and beliefs about spirits. Daoist Xiang began to hint that Mozi had attained a profound understanding of science, but Old Master Song interrupted him before he could explain further.

• After Song Xiaotian drove away, the narrator noticed that Old Master Song’s guests included Daoist Xiang, who had exorcised the Evil Buddha from Uncle Song and was a Mohist descendant.
• Daoist Xiang explained that the Mohist School’s ideals of Universal Love and Non-Aggression contributed to its suppression and eventual decline.
• Daoist Xiang described how Mohist teachings combined early scientific study with the principle of Exalting the Spirits.
• The narrator asked whether Mozi had truly grasped science at its highest dimension, and Daoist Xiang said there was no record before trailing off.
• Old Master Song interrupted Daoist Xiang and called everyone to take their seats for the banquet.

Chen Mo learned that Daoist Xiang knew of his Patriarch, Tang Zhui, and confirmed that Mozi had expressed the idea that metaphysics was science at its highest dimension. At Pan Xiaorou’s networking event, Chen Mo warned her that Du Yunting had apparently bought off two reporters.

• Daoist Xiang questioned Chen Mo about his interest in the Mohist School, reacted strongly to the name Tang Zhui, and examined Chen Mo’s jade pendant.
• Daoist Xiang said Mozi had never used the word “science,” but that metaphysics was what he meant by science at its highest dimension.
• Old Master Song insisted Song Xiaotian would have to marry Pan Xiaorou before he could return home.
• Chen Mo and Meng Yifan persuaded Song Xiaotian to attend Pan Xiaorou’s networking event so he could give her an answer.
• At the event, Chen Mo spotted Du Yunting speaking with two reporters and warned Pan Xiaorou that they might target her.

Pan Xiaorou faced hostile questions about her new relationship at the Exchange Conference and defended her conduct publicly. Her answer left the reporters’ attempt to damage her reputation hanging as the conference’s interview continued.

• The narrator warned Pan Xiaorou that Du Yunting was likely plotting against her, but she said she could handle the reporters.
• Pan Xiaorou asked whether Song Xiaotian had come, and the narrator told her he had gone to the bathroom to avoid her.
• Du Yunting delivered a humble, polished speech that won cheers from the Exchange Conference audience, while the narrator and Meng Yifan distrusted him.
• Two reporters Du Yunting had bribed asked Pan Xiaorou about her new relationship and whether she had been unfaithful to her late ex-husband, Xiang Kai.
• Pan Xiaorou admitted she was dating someone, said her marriage to Xiang Kai had long been over in all but name, and insisted she had never betrayed him during their marriage.

Pan Xiaorou publicly confirmed her relationship with Song Xiaotian and defended her right to choose a partner, while Song Xiaotian reacted silently. Later, Du Yunting tried to approach An Ning, who rejected him violently, and the narrator warned him to leave her alone.

• Pan Xiaorou admitted she was dating someone and said public opinion had no right to dictate her choices.
• Pan Xiaorou declined to reveal Song Xiaotian's identity and invited everyone to celebrate with them when they married.
• Song Xiaotian lowered his head as the narrator and the others left him alone and mingled at the event.
• Du Yunting poured An Ning a glass of wine and tried to persuade her to get to know him.
• An Ning splashed the wine in Du Yunting's face and insulted him, while the narrator stopped her from reaching for her knife.
• The narrator pulled Du Yunting away from An Ning and warned him not to test his patience.

The narrator confronted Du Yunting, who claimed his pursuit of immortality and study of Buddhist teachings had changed him, but denied ordering reporters to expose private information. Meanwhile, Song Xiaotian apologized to Pan Xiaorou for his prejudice toward her previous marriage and said he was ready to take responsibility, leaving their relationship poised for reconciliation.

• Du Yunting boasted that he had achieved immortality and said philosophy and Buddhist teachings had transformed his way of thinking.
• The narrator challenged Du Yunting over his alleged role in exposing someone's private life and warned him about karmic retribution.
• The narrator and the shop staff followed Song Xiaotian and Pan Xiaorou to a garden to overhear their conversation.
• Pan Xiaorou told Song Xiaotian she had admitted to her previous marriage because she saw no reason to deny it and would accept whatever he decided.
• Song Xiaotian apologized for letting his pride and prejudice make him avoid Pan Xiaorou and said he wanted to shoulder his responsibilities as a man and father.
• Meng Yifan began recording Song Xiaotian's apology, while the narrator prepared to video-call Seventh Master to watch with them.

Song Xiaotian confessed his love to Pan Xiaorou, who revealed her pregnancy report was fake, and he proposed to her. They left together, while Chen Mo and Meng Yifan joked about being abandoned in their empty home.

• Song Xiaotian told Pan Xiaorou that he loved her and wanted to be with her, insisting his feelings came from affection rather than guilt or responsibility.
• Pan Xiaorou revealed that she had forged her pregnancy report, and Song Xiaotian said he still wanted her and proposed.
• Song Xiaotian carried Pan Xiaorou to his car and drove away as Chen Mo, Meng Yifan, Lin Qiao, An Ning, and Seventh Master teased them about kissing.
• Chen Mo and Meng Yifan took An Ning home, then joked that Song Xiaotian would no longer return to their now-empty home.

After Song Xiaotian moved in with Rou'er, the narrator and An Ning struggled to find customers for the shop. Brother Liu offered them a high-paying job investigating supernatural events on a film set, and told them an actress had died during a hanging scene filmed at a suspected haunted location.

• Song Xiaotian said he would keep working and move in with Rou'er after work, while asking the narrator and Meng Yifan to tell his family he still lived with them.
• The narrator and An Ning handed out flyers on Guanyin Street after two prospective customers blocked the narrator's number.
• Brother Liu offered the narrator a share of a 200,000 payment to investigate a supernatural problem in the entertainment industry.
• The narrator got Meng Yifan's permission to take the job, then rode with An Ning to meet Brother Liu.
• Brother Liu explained that one actress had broken her leg and the second female lead had died while filming a hanging scene at the Film and Television Base.
• Brother Liu said the producer suspected the location was haunted and had offered 200,000 for someone to investigate.

Chen Mo and An Ning went to investigate a horror film production where an actress had died during a hanging scene, despite the crew’s claims that the rig had been tested. The chapter ended with Sun Yuan confirming that the crew had performed its usual ritual to honor the gods, leaving the cause of the incidents unexplained.

• Brother Liu told Chen Mo and An Ning that the second female lead had been hanged during filming even though the rig had passed its safety test, and that the police had taken the prop master into custody.
• Chen Mo and An Ning arrived at the film studio complex, where Brother Liu introduced them to his cousin Sun Yuan, a stagehand on the production.
• Sun Yuan said the crew’s director, Hong Gang, made horror films and that the production had suffered two incidents, including the actress’s death.
• Chen Mo asked whether the crew had held a ritual to honor the gods before filming, explaining why crews used such rituals, especially for horror productions.
• Sun Yuan confirmed that the crew had held its customary ritual, but said nothing strange had happened on previous films and the current production’s incidents had left everyone on edge.

Sun Yuan brought Chen and An Ning to the film set, where the crew faced pressure from an angry investor and a tight filming schedule. Chen cast a hexagram and determined that the courtyard was haunted by a female ghost.

• Sun Yuan led Chen, An Ning, and Brother Liu to the courtyard and was berated by investor Mr. Wang over the death connected to the film.
• Chen and An Ning met Director Hong, who warned them that filming could not be delayed and stressed the consequences of further accidents.
• The assistant director explained that filming would continue that night, so Chen and An Ning had to investigate while protecting the cast and crew.
• Chen cast a hexagram to find out whether the courtyard was haunted and saw two official ghost lines, one of them moving.
• Chen examined the moving line and concluded that a female ghost haunted the courtyard.

Chen used a hexagram to link the crew’s accidents to a female ghost and led everyone to a restroom where a candle flame changed color. A frightening apparition turned out to be Wu Yiyi in costume, but the assistant director believed Chen and asked how to deal with the haunting.

• Chen inferred from the hexagram that a female ghost from outside the Siheyuan was behind the crew’s accidents, which had happened on the tenth and thirteenth.
• Chen used his phone’s compass to lead the group to a restroom and showed them a candle flame turning green.
• The assistant director doubted Chen’s demonstration, but Chen explained that the ghost had possessed the second female lead in the restroom, and the assistant director began to believe him.
• A door creaked open and a disheveled female figure appeared, frightening the group before the assistant director identified her as Wu Yiyi, the director’s assistant in ghost makeup.
• The assistant director begged Chen for protection, and Chen said he needed to learn who the ghost was, where she came from, and why she was hurting people before making contact with her.

Chen Mo and An Ning joined the film crew to investigate trouble surrounding a production, then discovered a supernatural presence during a night shoot. The chapter ended with Lu Yihao apparently being strangled by Wu Yiyi as a Seven-Holed, Blood-Crying Infant appeared on her shoulder.

• The assistant director arranged to film the ghost scene after dark and asked Sun Yuan to look after Chen Mo.
• Chen Mo negotiated Brother Liu's share of the payment down to thirty percent before Brother Liu left the Film and Television Base.
• Sun Yuan told Chen Mo and An Ning that Lu Yihao was a scandal-plagued internet celebrity backed by the film's investor, and Lu Yihao reluctantly agreed to shoot.
• Wu Yiyi played the female ghost and gripped Lu Yihao's throat for a scene, making him appear to suffocate for real.
• Chen Mo used the Soul-Illuminating Mirror technique, revealing a Seven-Holed, Blood-Crying Infant clinging to Wu Yiyi's shoulder as the crew panicked.
• Chen Mo and An Ning rushed to help Lu Yihao after the director shouted for someone to save him.

Chen and An Ning saved Lu Yihao from an Infant Spirit possessing Wu Yiyi, but Lu Yihao insulted them and An Ning and Chen fought back. The commotion ended when Zhao Xingyun was possessed by another female ghost and stood on a platform’s edge, apparently about to jump.

• Chen played a rooster crowing beside Wu Yiyi, causing the Infant Spirit to release Lu Yihao and flee.
• Chen confirmed Wu Yiyi was unconscious but alive, while Lu Yihao berated the director and cursed Chen and An Ning for not saving him sooner.
• An Ning slapped Lu Yihao twice, and Chen kicked him after Lu Yihao insulted her; the crew rushed to restrain them.
• The photographer alerted the director that Zhao Xingyun had climbed onto a raised platform, and the director urged her to come down.
• Chen used the Soul-Illuminating Mirror and saw a female ghost clinging to Zhao Xingyun’s back, apparently trying to make her jump.

Chen used a recording of a crying baby to lure the female ghost away from Zhao Xingyun, then struggled to stop her when a crew member provoked the ghost. He drove the ghost out by slapping and threatening her, leaving Zhao Xingyun unconscious with normal pupils.

• Chen realized Zhao Xingyun was being controlled by a female ghost and noticed Lu Yihao looked terrified of her strange dance.
• Chen suspected the female ghost and the Infant Spirit that had attacked Lu Yihao were connected, then played a recording of a crying baby.
• The ghost led Zhao Xingyun down from the platform toward the sound, allowing Chen to approach and ask whether she was looking for her child.
• As Chen tried to learn the ghost's name, someone rushed out and provoked her, so An Ning pulled Zhao Xingyun down with yellow cloth.
• Unable to find chopsticks to exorcise the ghost safely, Chen slapped Zhao Xingyun and threatened the ghost until she convulsed and fell unconscious.

Master Chen drove the female ghost away and learned that Lu Yihao had brought her to the film set after provoking her. He suspected screenwriter Su Yi had a personal connection to Lu Yihao and pressed him about his sister, leaving Su Yi silent.

• Master Chen drove the female ghost out of Zhao Xingyun and learned a crew member had been pushed by Lu Yihao to keep him from identifying her.
• Master Chen told Director Hong that Lu Yihao had provoked the ghost, and explained that she and the infant spirit were a mother and son seeking revenge over Lu Yihao’s past.
• Sun Yuan revealed that Lu Yihao had previously been accused of sleeping with fans and causing one to miscarry.
• Master Chen pointed out that the film’s plot closely resembled Lu Yihao’s history and asked who had written the script.
• Director Hong summoned screenwriter Su Yi, and Master Chen questioned him about his sister and her relationship with Lu Yihao.
• Su Yi lowered his head instead of answering when Master Chen asked whether something had happened to his sister.