Chapter Summaries

Han Shuo fled Warren City with Lisa on his back, but two Griffin Knights pursued them into the woods. He killed both knights and their Griffins, then flew away as Griffin Legion cavalry approached, while realizing his growing bloodlust could make future battles harder to control.

• Han Shuo carried Lisa through Warren City and ran toward the woods after two Griffin Knights spotted them from above.
• Han Shuo tied Lisa to his back and used Dark Mist to trap and kill the first Griffin Knight and his Griffin.
• Han Shuo flew after the second Griffin Knight and killed him and his Griffin with the Demon-Slaying Edge.
• Han Shuo recognized that his demonic cultivation was awakening a dangerous desire to slaughter, though he could still control it.
• Han Shuo spotted Griffin Legion cavalry approaching and flew away with Lisa, who was astonished to discover he could fly.

After escaping Warren City with Lisa, Han Shuo met Candice and learned she was escorting Belinda there. He warned Candice that danger might be following her party, and she asked him for details.

• Han Shuo carried Lisa beyond Warren City and reassured her that Lawrence would be safe and would look after her.
• Lisa asked how Han Shuo could fly, and he said he used a peculiar martial technique.
• Candice encountered Han Shuo and Lisa while leading six Warfire Mercenary Group members toward Warren City with Belinda.
• Han Shuo warned Candice that Warren City was dangerous after Clark's death and Bobby Aski's other son went missing.
• Han Shuo sensed a group following Candice's party and said he had heard them mention Belinda; Candice asked where they were and how strong they were.

Han Shuo brought Lisa to Warren City, arranged for Chester to escort her to Lawrence, and reunited with Emily, who explained the danger posed by the Calamity Church. When Candice’s party arrived at the inn, the White Bone Magic Staff began trembling, and Han Shuo moved toward the window to investigate.

• Han Shuo warned Candice about three people following her, then carried Lisa by another route into Warren City after nightfall.
• At the inn, Chester told Han Shuo that Lawrence had sent a message and an address for Lisa, and Han Shuo arranged for Chester to take her there safely.
• Emily emerged and discussed Lawrence’s possible cooperation with Han Shuo, then explained the Calamity Church’s history and threat.
• Han Shuo took out the White Bone Magic Staff, which began buzzing and trembling as Candice called for rooms outside.
• Candice cried out that Belinda had left the Warfire Mercenary Group’s protection, and Han Shuo hid the staff in his Spatial Ring before quietly approaching the window with Emily.

Belinda arrived at the inn and seemed to sense the White Bone Magic Staff, prompting Han Shuo and Emily to suspect she was connected to the Calamity Church. They moved rooms to watch her and learned that three other people had also requested a view of her room.

• Belinda searched the corridor, chose a room near Han Shuo and Emily, and asked about the other guests staying there.
• Han Shuo and Emily suspected Belinda was connected to Clayton and the Calamity Church because she had sensed the White Bone Magic Staff.
• Han Shuo and Emily left their room and asked Yilian, the innkeeper and a member of Dark Curtain, to arrange another room from which they could watch Belinda.
• Yilian told Han Shuo and Emily that three other people had also requested a room with a view of Belinda's room.
• Emily asked Yilian to keep watch on Belinda and the newcomers while she and Han Shuo prepared to investigate Belinda's identity.

Han Shuo returned to the Death Cemetery to check on Gilbert and the Earth Armor Zombie, then discovered that the White Bone Magic Staff carried Belinda’s imprint from the Calamity Church. He returned to the inn to decide how to deal with Belinda.

• Han Shuo left Emily watching Belinda and the three suspicious men while he teleported to the Death Cemetery.
• Han Shuo found that Gilbert’s injuries were improving and confirmed that the Earth Armor Zombie was absorbing Earth Essence and developing vitality.
• Han Shuo tried to break through the barrier to the Death Cemetery’s next underground level but failed because his Mental Power was insufficient.
• The Darkness Eye absorbed the Magic Elements inside the White Bone Magic Staff, revealing an imprint identifying it as Calamity Church Alchemist Belinda’s work number seventeen.
• Han Shuo returned to the inn to consider how to handle Belinda.

Han Shuo discovered that Belinda had drugged the inn and gathered its guests while searching for a White Bone Magic Staff. When Archdruid Caspian resisted her order to kill the captives, the insects and branches around the room began moving toward Belinda.

• Han Shuo resisted the sleeping fragrance and found Emily missing from his room.
• Han Shuo discovered sleeping insects throughout the inn and saw that Belinda had gathered the unconscious guests, including Emily, Yilian, Candice, Caspian, and Angelica.
• Belinda identified Emily as the likely holder of the White Bone Magic Staff and ordered her restrained while telling her followers to dispose of anyone without value.
• Caspian awoke, stood in front of Angelica, and challenged Belinda's actions.
• Belinda ordered the Fulika brothers to kill Caspian, and the insects and a nearby tree's branches moved toward her room.

Han Shuo watched Caspian battle Belinda and the Fulica brothers, then helped Emily awaken as Belinda summoned an ironclad Puppet Beast. As the Puppet Beast attacked and Caspian struggled to hold it back, Han Shuo charged at Belinda to stop the controller.

• Caspian used living branches to rescue the unconscious guests and pulled Emily and Candice beneath a tree as the building collapsed.
• Han Shuo revealed himself, joined Emily and Candice, and used Demonic Essence to remove the sleeping incense from Emily.
• Belinda and the three Fulica brothers emerged from the ruins, and Belinda summoned a Puppet Beast shaped like the Three-Eyed Evil God Anstis.
• Emily's darkness spells failed against the Puppet Beast, and Caspian warned her that it was immune to magic.
• Han Shuo told Emily to protect the guests and Caspian to hold off the Puppet Beast, then charged at Belinda.

Han Shuo and Emily fought Belinda and the Fulika brothers, defeating them and capturing Belinda for questioning. They left the inn with her after Caspian agreed to protect the affected bystanders.

• Han Shuo cast Dark Mist and summoned two Zombie Warriors and Little Skeleton to attack the Fulika brothers while he concealed himself.
• Little Skeleton wounded Fulika, and the Demon-Slaying Edge killed the other two brothers; Little Skeleton then drained Fulika's blood with the spikes on his back.
• Han Shuo stopped the Demon-Slaying Edge from killing Belinda, forced her to dismiss the Puppet Beast, and knocked her unconscious.
• Caspian offered to take Belinda, but Emily identified herself as part of the Dark Curtain, and Caspian let Han Shuo and Emily take her.
• Han Shuo collected the brothers' Magic Swords and belongings, told Caspian to explain the incident to Candice when she woke, and left with Emily and Belinda.

Han Shuo and Emily captured Belinda and brought her to Dark Curtain’s base, where they removed her veil and questioned her about the Calamity Church’s plans. Belinda incapacitated herself with a potion before revealing anything, leaving Emily to investigate the siege equipment while Han Shuo stayed behind to study magic and try to wake their prisoner.

• Han Shuo destroyed the insect-like Puppet Beasts following him and Emily so they would not lead anyone to Dark Curtain’s base.
• Emily bound the unconscious Belinda to a chair and removed her veil, revealing a bluish-black birthmark on her left cheek.
• After Belinda woke, Emily demanded to know the Calamity Church’s plans in Warren City, but Belinda refused to answer and threatened them.
• Han Shuo threatened to scar Belinda, but she took a potion that made her body dormant and left her unconscious again.
• Emily decided to report Belinda’s capture and investigate whether siege equipment had been secretly transported into Warren City.
• Han Shuo stayed in the Secret Chamber to study Advanced Necromancy magic and seek a way to wake Belinda.

Han Shuo advanced his magic and used his Demonic Essence to remove Belinda’s anesthetic before planting a blood-essence mark that let him track and control her. When she awoke, he revealed his opposition to Bobby Aski, and Belinda proposed an alliance against the Griffin Legion.

• Han Shuo mastered the Advanced Magic spell Acidic Swamp while studying Clayton's magical insights.
• Han Shuo extracted the anesthetic from Belinda and planted a drop of his blood essence in her neck, giving him a way to track and control her.
• Belinda woke in the secret chamber, and Han Shuo warned her not to resist before questioning her about the Calamity Church.
• Han Shuo explained that he had killed Clayton and Clark and was not a member of Bobby Aski's Griffin Legion.
• Belinda proposed that she and Han Shuo cooperate against the Griffin Legion, setting aside their past losses, and Han Shuo agreed.

Han Shuo arranged a tentative alliance with Belinda against Bobby Aski, then learned Phoebe had unknowingly delivered siege equipment to Warren City. He secretly entered Phoebe’s guarded inn to warn her, but found her dreaming about him and began touching her before she woke and saw him.

• Emily questioned Han Shuo about Belinda, and he explained their proposed cooperation against Bobby Aski before blindfolding her and letting her go.
• Han Shuo told Emily he expected Belinda to contact the Calamity Church and argued that the alliance could help them gather information.
• Emily revealed that Bobby Aski had hired Phoebe to transport siege equipment to Warren City, where it might be handed to the Griffin Legion the next day.
• Han Shuo learned Phoebe was staying at a guarded inn and hurried there to find out whether she knew what she had transported.
• Han Shuo slipped into Phoebe’s room, found her dreaming about him, and began touching and kissing her while she slept.
• Phoebe rolled toward Han Shuo, opened her eyes, and saw him beside her.

Han Shuo entered Phoebe’s room at night, and after a confused encounter she awakened and confronted him. They reconciled through passionate kisses, and Han Shuo declared that Phoebe was his woman, which she shyly accepted.

• Phoebe mistook Han Shuo’s presence for a dream and kissed him until his apology made her realize he was really there.
• Phoebe hid Han Shuo from the Griffin Legion guards and accused him of taking advantage of her.
• After Phoebe sobbed and struck him, Han Shuo realized she liked him and forcibly kissed her, while she struggled and then kissed him back.
• Phoebe stopped Han Shuo as dawn approached, and he wrapped her in the quilt and held her.
• Han Shuo told Phoebe that she was his woman from then on, and Phoebe quietly agreed.

Han Shuo warned Phoebe about the rebellion plot and gave her instructions to help protect the Buster Trading Company. After returning to the Death Cemetery, he began refining three Yin Demons using the materials Phoebe had gathered.

• Han Shuo told Phoebe that the Griffin Legion commander intended to rebel and asked her to mark the siege equipment with his blood essence and follow the shipment.
• Phoebe agreed and gave Han Shuo the materials she had collected for refining Yin Demons.
• Han Shuo returned to Dark Curtain's stronghold and learned from Chester that Lisa was safe with Lawrence, while Candice and the others remained at Yilian's inn.
• Han Shuo entered the Death Cemetery and began changing the Primordial Demon Cave into a Yin Demon Cave, using thirty-six wraiths and three drops of natal blood essence.
• Han Shuo confirmed the Yin Demon Cave was operating and left the wraiths to fight for the blood essence, despite Gilbert's protests.

After returning from the Death Cemetery, Han Shuo and Emily met Belinda and Johnny, a Lightning Magic Swordsman of the Calamity Church, who tested Han Shuo before discussing an alliance against Bobby Aski. They agreed to cooperate on an assassination plan, with Dark Curtain offering intelligence and help distracting Bobby’s followers.

• Han Shuo told Emily that Phoebe had known nothing about Bobby Aski’s siege equipment request and would cooperate with their work.
• Emily told Han Shuo that Belinda had contacted him, so they went together to meet her in the remote woods.
• Han Shuo sensed a hidden presence, and Johnny attacked him with a lightning-charged sword to test his strength.
• Johnny introduced himself as a Lightning Magic Swordsman of the Calamity Church, and Belinda said she had already told him Han Shuo and Emily were strong enough to cooperate.
• Emily described Bobby Aski’s powerful followers and offered Dark Curtain’s intelligence and assistance in drawing them away.
• Han Shuo and Johnny agreed to cooperate on a plan to assassinate Bobby Aski, with Johnny seeking more help and Dark Curtain arranging an opportunity within two days.

Han Shuo met Lawrence, who revealed that he knew Han Shuo worked for Dark Curtain and proposed they cooperate against Griffin Legion commander Bobby Aski. Back at Yilian's inn, Han Shuo checked on its guests and headed to speak with Candice, but Angelica caught up with him.

• Han Shuo told Lawrence that Phoebe was in Warren City and described her dealings with the Griffin Legion.
• Lawrence revealed that he had uncovered Han Shuo's Dark Curtain identity and offered to work together against Bobby Aski, citing an ally high up in the Griffin Legion.
• Han Shuo agreed to consider their plans and promised to notify Lawrence when he was ready to coordinate.
• Han Shuo returned to Yilian's inn, where Yilian reported that Candice had stayed in her room while the other mercenaries went out, and that Griffin Legion soldiers had inspected the inn.
• Han Shuo decided to warn Candice that Phoebe might seek her out, but Angelica chased after him and asked why he was there.

Han Shuo met with Candice and Phoebe in Warren City, where both questioned him about Belinda and his recent actions. Just as he prepared to explain, Emily arrived, leaving him to face an awkward meeting among the three women.

• Han Shuo greeted Archdruid Caspian and Angelica before entering Candice's room.
• Candice confirmed Han Shuo had rescued her and said she had sent mercenaries to search for Belinda.
• Han Shuo persuaded Candice to stop pursuing Belinda and promised to recover the fee she was owed.
• Phoebe arrived, reunited with Candice, and questioned Han Shuo about why he was in Warren City and why he had captured Belinda.
• Emily knocked at the door, and Han Shuo told Phoebe and Candice that she was the woman they had asked about.

Han Shuo, Emily, and Phoebe discussed how to expose Griffin Legion commander Bobby Aski, while Emily concealed her relationship with Han Shuo to protect them both. Emily accepted that Han Shuo was with Phoebe for now, and Han Shuo promised that one day he would make their relationship public without fear.

• Emily told Phoebe and Candice that she and Han Shuo were Dark Curtain superior and subordinate, interrupting Han Shuo as he tried to confess their relationship.
• Han Shuo explained that Lawrence would help bring down Bobby Aski, and Phoebe revealed that she had marked siege equipment with a drop of blood and traced it to the Griffin Legion's western armory.
• Han Shuo and Emily left together, while Candice guessed that Phoebe and Han Shuo had made their pretend relationship real, and Phoebe admitted they had made it official the night before.
• In Emily's room, Emily explained that revealing their relationship could harm her family and the Betridge Family, and said she understood Han Shuo's relationship with Phoebe.
• Han Shuo promised Emily that he would one day be powerful enough to make their relationship public, and they embraced passionately.

Han Shuo and Emily planned to infiltrate Bobby Aski’s residence during Clark’s funeral and search his secret chamber for evidence. Before the operation, Han Shuo agreed to look after Angelica while Caspian went to face a dangerous duel.

• Han Shuo located the guarded weapons warehouse and sensed that his drop of natal blood essence lay beneath a sealed building, but he withdrew without alerting the guards.
• Han Shuo and Emily planned to search Bobby Aski’s secret chamber during Clark’s funeral while the Calamity Church attempted to assassinate him and Lawrence’s ally drew away his supporters.
• Emily recruited Phoebe and Candice, while Han Shuo separately discussed the operation with Belinda and Lawrence.
• Caspian asked Han Shuo to look after Angelica while he left Warren City, and Han Shuo agreed.
• Angelica urged Caspian to let her accompany him or take Han Shuo along, but Caspian refused and departed after asking Han Shuo to keep her safe.

Han Shuo tried to keep Angelica safe while Caspian was away, but she resisted being taken to Candice's room. When Davis tried to rescue her, Angelica insisted she wanted Han Shuo to stay with her.

• Angelica worried about Caspian after he left, and Han Shuo reassured her that her grandfather would be safe.
• Han Shuo decided to take Angelica to Candice's room, then carried her there despite her protests.
• Davis confronted Han Shuo, believing he had taken Angelica hostage, but Angelica confirmed that Han Shuo was holding her against her will.
• Han Shuo set Angelica down and told Davis to take her, prompting Angelica to reject Davis and plead with Han Shuo not to leave her.
• Candice scolded Davis for trying to play the hero, and he returned to his room in embarrassment.

Han Shuo prepared Gilbert and Emily for an operation at Aski Manor, where they planned to exploit a disruption during Clark's funeral to investigate Aski's Secret Chamber. The three infiltrated the manor and joined the guests as Phoebe, Candice, Lawrence, and the Calamity Church prepared to weaken its defenses and create chaos.

• Han Shuo mastered Abomination Warrior Summoning, then retrieved Gilbert from the Death Cemetery and brought him back to Yilian's inn.
• Han Shuo learned Corpse Explosion and warned Gilbert to follow his orders during the operation; Emily arrived and said Angelica was safe with the Warfire Mercenary Group.
• Emily told Han Shuo that Archdruid Caspian had not returned, and she confirmed that Phoebe and Candice would help create distractions at Aski Manor.
• Han Shuo, Emily, and Gilbert entered Aski Manor over a secluded wall and blended in with the guests attending Clark's funeral.
• Han Shuo spotted Belinda and Johnny of the Calamity Church in the crowd, while Lawrence signaled to him; they prepared to exploit the planned chaos and weakened defenses to reach Aski's Secret Chamber.