Chapter Summaries

Wei Xun mistook Baozhu for an impostor in the temple and attacked her, but she proved to be the real Baozhu and exposed his buried desires and violent nature. He fled across Chan'guang Temple, only for a six-armed demoness wearing Baozhu's face to confront and kiss him atop the Pagoda.

• Wei Xun found a young girl's coffin but left her jewelry untouched, then confronted the Baozhu waiting in the corridor.
• Wei Xun pinned Baozhu and tested her face and birthmark, discovering that she matched the real Baozhu exactly.
• Baozhu described Wei Xun's memories of examining her body after rescuing her, leaving him terrified and confused.
• Wei Xun searched Baozhu's room and the hot spring, where Baozhu taunted him about his desire and wounded pride.
• Wei Xun fled through Chan'guang Temple and climbed the Pagoda, but Baozhu appeared behind him and revealed herself as his inner demon.
• A six-armed Heavenly Demoness wearing Baozhu's face kissed Wei Xun atop the Pagoda.

Wei Xun endured a demonic hallucination in which he believed Baozhu had died by his hand, then discovered he was in a temple meditation hall beside an unfamiliar corpse. Finding osmanthus sugar in the corpse’s mouth, he suspected the vision had been a clue about Wu Guier and prepared to make the dead speak.

• Heavenly Demon Baozhu tried to seduce Wei Xun, then vanished after telling him she was with Guier.
• Wei Xun followed a funeral procession through the temple and found Baozhu’s body in a grand tomb-like vision, killed with the Fish-Intestine Sword.
• A demonic voice made Wei Xun believe he was strangling Baozhu, so he burned his hand on an incense burner to break the hallucination.
• Wei Xun realized the vision had ended and that he was holding an unfamiliar woman’s corpse in the temple meditation hall.
• Wei Xun found osmanthus sugar in the corpse’s mouth and set out to make the dead speak on the night of the Ullambana Festival.

Wei Xun uncovered how Wu Guier and Guancheng died, then confronted Guanchuan, who admitted Chan'guang Temple intended to keep him there. Poisoned and half-blind, Wei Xun prepared to fight Guanchuan to protect the people he cared about.

• Wei Xun found poison in the temple's incense burners and identified Wu Guier among the coffined corpses, learning that her husband Guancheng had strangled her.
• Wei Xun examined Guancheng's body and concluded that poison-induced hallucinations had driven Guancheng to kill Wu Guier before he drowned himself in the Life-Release Pond.
• Wei Xun found that Guancheng had been dead for more than three days, ruling him out as the person who poisoned the incense burners.
• Guanchuan confronted Wei Xun and admitted that the temple planned to keep him there while Yang Fangxie rested in the Guest Hall.
• Guanchuan revealed his connection to Kashyapa and prepared to attack Wei Xun, who resolved to fight despite his injuries, poisoning, and impaired vision.

Wei Xun killed Tanlin after exposing his role in poisoning Wu Guancheng and causing the Ullambana Festival tragedy. Deafened and badly wounded, he burned the Hall of Returning to Impermanence and searched Chan'guang Temple for the woman he called his lost moon, knowing one enemy remained.

• Tanlin waited for Wei Xun to succumb to the incense, but Guanchuan's roars shook the Hall of Returning to Impermanence.
• Wei Xun entered with Guanchuan's severed head and limbs, accusing Tanlin of poisoning Wu Guancheng and framing him for the deaths at the festival.
• Wei Xun confronted Tanlin with his jealousy of Wu Guancheng and his deception of Chen Shigu and Qiu Jiancheng, then killed him with the Sunset Mist-Waves Palm.
• Wei Xun burned the mural and the hall, disposed of Tanlin's body, and returned Guancheng's tongue as evidence before leaving the building in flames.
• Despite his wounds, deafness, and blurred vision, Wei Xun searched Chan'guang Temple by scent for the woman he called his lost moon, while one enemy remained.

Wei Xun spent the night fighting his inner demons and kneeling beside Baozhu’s sleeping form, then waited outside her room until dawn. Baozhu woke safely and found him injured and exhausted, and he asked why she had spent the night in Thirteenth Son’s room.

• Blue Demon found Baozhu asleep beside the Fish Intestine and realized that his own desires made him a danger to her.
• Wei Xun took the Fish Intestine, knelt beside Baozhu, and resolved to purge his inner demons before dawn or kill himself.
• Baozhu woke in the morning, noticed water tracks leading to the door, and found Wei Xun injured and asleep outside.
• Baozhu woke Wei Xun and asked how he had been hurt, but he first asked why she had spent the night in Thirteenth Son’s room.

Wei Xun explained how he had killed Tanlin and set fire to the hall, while Baozhu devised a plan to turn the abbot’s death into a way to collect food and money for disaster victims. By the end, Tanlin’s body had been presented as an unburned living Buddha, prompting Luoyang’s wealthy to donate vast stores of grain and wealth.

• Baozhu explained that she had slept in Thirteenth Son’s room because Wei Xun had frightened her away from the pagoda tree, and she discovered his burned hands.
• Yang Xingjian warned Baozhu that the Hall of Returning to Impermanence was on fire, and Wei Xun revealed that he had killed Guanchuan and Tanlin and started the blaze.
• Wei Xun recounted Tanlin’s crimes, and Baozhu realized Tanlin’s corpse could be used to obtain donations for the starving.
• Baozhu ordered Yang Xingjian to write a false testament and went with Thirteenth Son and Wei Xun to retrieve Tanlin’s body.
• Tanlin’s remains were presented as an unburned living Buddha, and wealthy donors gave grain and riches to relieve disaster victims.

After Tanlin’s death, Guanchao became abbot and organized relief while Baozhu and her companions uncovered more of Chen Shigu’s mysteries and prepared to leave Chan'guang Temple. On the road to Luoyang, Wei Xun gave Baozhu the first blooming sprig of osmanthus, leaving her delighted and the group close to their destination.

• The monks preserved Tanlin’s body, accepted Guanchao as abbot, and watched him organize temple affairs and aid the starving.
• Baozhu learned that Thirteenth Son had been taught to read and write by Chen Shigu so he could recite and copy sutras for an unnamed friend of Chen Shigu.
• Baozhu confronted Wei Xun about his distance, inspected his healing burns, and warned him to call her for help in future fights.
• Wei Xun gave Baozhu the Seven-Treasure Glazed Glass Box and later revealed that it held the first sprig of osmanthus to bloom that year.
• Baozhu joyfully let Wei Xun pin the osmanthus in her hair as the group traveled toward Luoyang, while Wei Xun reflected on their connection.

Huo Qilang reached Youzhou after a grueling journey and carried Yang Xingjian’s letter into Prince Shao’s Residence. She finally found the ailing Prince Shao, who identified himself as Ying, and prepared to deliver the letter directly to him.

• Huo Qilang crossed the guarded territories of Weibo, Chengde, and Youzhou, reaching Youzhou City within twenty days.
• Huo Qilang went to Prince Shao’s Residence and learned that a resident was gravely ill and funeral preparations were underway.
• Li Chengyin recognized the letter as being from Registrar Yang and brought Huo Qilang to Lady Li, who allowed her to enter the prince’s chamber.
• Huo Qilang surrendered her weapons and passed a search before approaching the bed behind a screen.
• Prince Shao answered Huo Qilang and identified himself as Ying.

Huo Qilang delivered a letter to Prince Shao, Li Yuanying, and discovered that its writer, believed dead Princess Wanshou, was alive and traveling to Youzhou. The revelation restored Li Yuanying’s will to live, while Huo Qilang received a reward and was kept at the residence to await the princess.

• Household Steward Li Chengyin revealed that Wang Ying was Prince Shao’s alias, and Huo Qilang handed Li Yuanying the Carp Letter.
• Li Yuanying and Madam Li recognized Princess Wanshou’s handwriting in the letter, and Li Chengyin learned from Huo Qilang that its writer was alive and headed to Youzhou.
• Li Chengyin told Huo Qilang that the woman was Princess Wanshou, and Huo Qilang deduced that her senior brother Wei Xun had rescued her from her tomb.
• Li Yuanying concluded that Baozhu had been buried alive, then asked Madam Li for rice porridge after his hope of seeing her returned.
• Li Chengyin paid Huo Qilang two hundred taels of gold and arranged for her to stay in the residence, where Steward Zhou struggled to find clothes that fit her.

Huo Qilang settled into Prince Shao’s residence, obtained clothes and food, and showed her remarkable strength while adapting to the household’s customs. Madam Li assigned her to stay in Prince Shao’s room and take night duty alongside the guards, saying his health had improved since Huo Qilang arrived.

• Steward Zhou issued Huo Qilang black guard robes and arranged for her to be registered as a maid, while she secretly took a set of moon-white inner garments.
• Huo Qilang ate a lavish meal, bathed, and carried a water-filled bathtub with ease, impressing Steward Zhou with her natural strength.
• Steward Zhou explained that Madam Li, Prince Shao’s wet nurse, held great influence, while the household’s principal wife and Madam Li were at odds.
• Steward Zhou struggled to find Huo Qilang suitable lodging and considered placing her in the Eunuch Quarters, but she refused.
• Cai Fang arrived with Madam Li’s order for Huo Qilang to stay in Prince Shao’s room and take turns on night duty with the household guards.

Huo Qilang learned about the divisions within Prince Shao’s household and witnessed the elaborate poison checks surrounding his meal. After hearing that his younger sister had survived and ensuring Lady Jing was cared for, Li Yuanying remained gravely ill but said he could hold on for a few more days.

• Huo Qilang heard from Cai Fang about the west courtyard, Princess Consort Cui, the deceased Yang Fangxie, and Li Yuanying’s mistress, Lady Jing.
• Cai Fang and Huo Qilang caught a maid from the west courtyard eavesdropping, and Cai Fang explained the conflict between the household’s east and west courtyards.
• Madam Li and the attendants inspected and tasted Li Yuanying’s food for poison before Madam Li served him a small meal.
• Li Yuanying told Madam Li not to supervise the kitchen anymore and learned that officials had asked about the letter Huo Qilang delivered.
• Li Yuanying asked after Lady Jing, then told the household steward to have her wait patiently while he tried to hold on for a few more days.

Huo Qilang recounted Princess Baozhu’s condition to the ailing Li Yuanying, then met Princess Consort Cui and learned of the strained marriage between them. After Huo revealed her skill at disguises, Li Yuanying showed himself, leaving her stunned by his beauty.

• Huo Qilang told Madam Li and the others that Princess Baozhu was healthy, lively, and traveling with only a few companions.
• Princess Consort Cui brought Li Yuanying clothes she had sewn, refused his suggestion that she return to Chang'an, and asked him to bring Lady Jing back.
• Cui Lingrong glared at Huo Qilang and accused her of arriving just as Li Yuanying’s illness began to improve.
• Li Yuanying questioned Huo Qilang about her abilities, and she explained that she could disguise herself and would need time to imitate someone’s movements and voice.
• Madam Li and Li Chengyin realized Huo might be able to impersonate Li Yuanying, so Li Yuanying ordered the screen removed.
• Huo Qilang saw Li Yuanying’s face and, stunned, blurted out, "Fuck me."

Huo Qilang became Li Yuanying’s body double and stayed beside him as he lay gravely ill. She told him stories of his sister Baozhu’s journey and victories, and he finally fell asleep.

• Huo Qilang agreed to imitate Li Yuanying, gathered cosmetics, and painted a convincing version of his face.
• Li Yuanying asked Huo Qilang to remove the disguise, and Madam Li explained his insomnia, headaches, and dislike of comments about his appearance.
• Huo Qilang began keeping watch in Li Yuanying’s room and learned that he could not sleep and often coughed at night.
• Li Yuanying asked where his sister had reached, and Huo Qilang told him Baozhu was likely in Luoyang and recounted her exploits at the Battle of Jade City.
• Li Yuanying reflected on Huo Qilang’s words about rising after reaching rock bottom, then gradually fell asleep.

Huo Qilang settled into her role as Prince Shao’s overnight guard as Li Yuanying received an imperial provincial-posting allowance that stirred speculation about his standing and future. The chapter left Huo listening to the guards gossip about crows and Li Yuanying’s household before Yuan Shaobo silenced them.

• Huo Qilang guarded Li Yuanying, whose health stabilized enough for the residence to put away its funeral preparations.
• An imperial eunuch delivered silk and raw silk to Li Yuanying, along with news that Li Yuanyi had been made Prince Huai and Xue Wenyao had been made a duke.
• Li Yuanying sent silk to Liu Kun and Ruan Ziming, who visited with gifts and greater respect, and Liu Kun later presented him with a seal for the Regional Governor of Youzhou.
• Huo Qilang asked the guards why crows were allowed to remain in the residence, and Yuwen Rang suggested they might be an auspicious sign while Xu Lai warned that they held grudges.
• The guards gossiped about Cui Lingrong’s unhappiness and Li Yuanying’s favored woman, Lady Jing, until Yuan Shaobo burst in and threatened them with military staves.

Huo Qilang observed Li Yuanying’s failing health and discovered he was using Lü Qingguang’s medicine to investigate the medicinal scent in a pouch of soil, which was connected to an old internal bleeding injury. As Li Yuanying struggled to sleep and endure his confinement, he reflected on his enemies’ surveillance and the family love and hatred that kept him fighting.

• Huo Qilang watched Lü Qingguang repeatedly brew and discard medicines after Li Yuanying smelled them, while the physicians failed to improve his condition.
• Li Yuanying asked Huo Qilang to compare the medicine dregs with the soil in his treasured pouch, and she identified notoginseng and agrimony in both.
• Li Yuanying revealed that the pouch’s contents were not his medicine and hinted that his bleeding had been internal.
• Li Yuanying struggled to undo his jade belt, startled when Huo Qilang readied her saber to help, and managed to dismiss her before she entered.
• Li Yuanying and Huo Qilang discussed the crows guarding the residence, and Li Yuanying drew strength from thoughts of hatred and family love.

Huo Qilang continued serving as Prince Shao’s guard and learned that he and Princess Consort Cui had agreed to live separately. After a quiet night exposed his vulnerability, she made a bold move toward him, leaving their encounter poised to turn dangerous.

• Cailu and Cailian brought Prince Shao clothes from Lady Yu, while Madam Li asked after her and discussed hand cream.
• Princess Consort Cui visited Li Yuanying, but left after realizing that he and Lady Jing’s household still exchanged handmade clothes and gifts.
• Huo Qilang questioned Li Yuanying about his marriage, and he explained that he and Princess Consort Cui had agreed not to interfere in each other’s affairs.
• Huo Qilang told Li Yuanying that Baozhu had spoken of becoming a Daoist nun and keeping young lovers, prompting him to reflect on his sister after a year apart.
• After an incense burner toppled during the night, Huo Qilang brushed ash from Li Yuanying and, despite his rebuff, drew her saber and moved closer to him.

Huo Qilang captured a spy sent to Prince Shao’s residence and carried out a scheme to turn Liu Kun and Ruan Ziming against each other. After the others left, she helped the exhausted Li Yuanying find relief and fall toward sleep.

• Huo Qilang heard suspicious movement on the roof, protected Li Yuanying, and captured one of two intruders while the other escaped.
• Yuan Shaobo identified the captured spy as likely Hu, and Li Yuanying suspected Liu Kun had sent him to watch the residence.
• Huo Qilang proposed leaving the spy at the Military Commissioner's residence to make Ruan Ziming and Liu Kun suspect each other, then carried out the plan unnoticed.
• Li Yuanying decided not to search the residence for the other hidden traitor yet, and Huo Qilang returned after completing her mission.
• Huo Qilang offered to help Li Yuanying sleep, and he ordered her to wash her hands before she drew him into an intimate encounter.

After Prince Shao's health improved, he learned that Ruan Ziming had turned against Liu Kun, easing the pressure on his household while leaving him confined to Youzhou. Huo Qilang asked for leave rather than a military reward, and after the prince drove out the replacement night guard, she went back to attend him herself.

• Yuan Shaobo concealed the scout's visit, while Madam Li realized Li Yuanying's nightclothes had been torn and quietly prepared fresh clothes for him.
• Huo Qilang asked Steward Zhou where she could gamble, then ate the late-night meal Madam Li had prepared without understanding her hints.
• Ruan Ziming visited Li Yuanying, who told his confidants that Ruan and Liu Kun had fallen out and that he could act freely so long as he stayed in Youzhou.
• Huo Qilang learned that Li Yuanying was forbidden to leave Youzhou and declined a military commendation, asking instead for days off; Li Yuanying granted her ten-day leave.
• After Li Yuanying drove Huo Qilang from the hall, Huang Xiaoning took her night shift but was soon sent away, and Huo Qilang returned to attend the prince.

Prince Shao’s health continued to improve, and he decided to attend the banquet after Youzhou’s Military Tournament rather than risk sitting through the competition. On her day off, Huo Qilang went drinking and exploring with Yuwen Rang, whose covert duty was to keep watch on her, and she noticed a suspicious-looking merchant in the tavern.

• Li Yuanying’s condition improved enough for him to read, write, and briefly stand outside, while those around him credited the change to the Carp Letter and Huo Qilang’s arrival.
• Liu Kun invited Li Yuanying to the Military Tournament, but Li Yuanying declined to attend the competition and agreed to come to the banquet afterward; he also rejected Huo Qilang’s plan to impersonate him.
• Huo Qilang visited the Jade-Bridle Steed and reflected that it was Li Yuanying’s most treasured possession.
• Yuwen Rang joined Huo Qilang on her day off, explaining that her leave was tied to his and offering to pay their expenses with residence funds.
• Huo Qilang and Yuwen Rang walked through Youzhou, then went to a tavern where she ordered food and wine and drank freely.
• Huo Qilang noticed a familiar-looking merchant whose full beard was false, but she soon turned her attention to the Silla dancers.

Huo Qilang spent her day off gambling and drinking with Yuwen Rang, who was assigned to keep watch over her. After staying out all night at an underground gambling den, she returned to Prince Shao's Residence at dawn with her winnings and Yuwen Rang slung over her shoulder.

• Huo Qilang led Yuwen Rang from cockfighting to dog racing, drinking and betting as he struggled to keep up with her.
• Huo Qilang insisted they spend the night out and brought Yuwen Rang to an underground gambling den, where she renamed him Yu Liulang to keep his identity secret.
• Huo Qilang won several rounds of Five Woods, drank her opponents' wine, and mocked a gambler who insulted her.
• Huo Qilang recognized a group of gamblers as soldiers likely heading to war, and Yuwen Rang observed that she acted as if she might die soon.
• Huo Qilang gambled through the night, won more than twenty catties' worth of tokens, and carried the hungover Yuwen Rang back to Prince Shao's Residence at dawn.