Chapter Summaries

Lin Qingyang and Cang Mo learned that Wine Rat’s spoiled fruit had caused the illnesses, then questioned him about the Nine Heavens Sword fragment. Wine Rat’s description of its seller reminded Lin Qingyang of Bi Yue, and Lin Qingyang resolved to investigate the Shadow Cavern with Cang Mo the next day.

• Lin Qingyang discovered that Wine Rat had brewed wine with moldy spirit fruit, causing food poisoning, and fined him while ordering him to answer questions.
• Wine Rat said he had bought the Nine Heavens Sword fragment at an antique stall in the Shadow Cavern from a black-robed seller with no legs.
• Lin Qingyang recognized the seller’s description as possibly pointing to Bi Yue and froze, so Cang Mo led him out of the hidden chamber.
• Cang Mo ordered Yin Yu to take Wine Rat to Gu Teng for treatment, while the shopkeeper explained that the Shadow Cavern was a lawless underground black market.
• Lin Qingyang insisted on investigating the Shadow Cavern, and Cang Mo agreed to accompany him the following day.

Lin Qingyang explored Cang Mo’s hall, was shocked by a mysterious iron box, and underwent an examination before Cang Mo brought him familiar food. He realized Cang Mo had deliberately served him those dishes earlier that day.

• Lin Qingyang found his old copy of Complete Records of a Hundred Demons on Cang Mo’s bookshelf, then tried to open a mysterious iron box and was shocked by its restriction.
• Cang Mo arrived with Gu Teng, checked Lin Qingyang’s injured hand, and returned the iron box to the shelf.
• Cang Mo had Gu Teng examine Lin Qingyang to determine whether he could go to the Shadow Cavern; Gu Teng found his spiritual root severely damaged but his condition otherwise stable.
• Gu Teng treated Lin Qingyang’s sprained ankle and left, while Cang Mo served him familiar dishes and fish soup.
• Lin Qingyang tasted the food, then accused Cang Mo of deliberately serving those dishes earlier that day.

Lin Qingyang and Cang Mo shared a meal and discussed the events in Tianshui City, including Xue Lanyuan’s disappearance. The next day, they disguised themselves to visit the Shadow Cavern, and Cang Mo’s familiar youthful appearance stirred memories in Lin Qingyang.

• Lin Qingyang told Cang Mo that Xue Lanyuan had become an aberrant demon and disappeared after the events in Tianshui City.
• Cang Mo returned to Lin Qingyang’s room to sleep, then took a pillow and slept on the couch after Lin Qingyang nervously objected.
• Lin Qingyang asked Cang Mo for demon clothing to conceal his human scent before visiting the Shadow Cavern.
• Cang Mo transformed into his youthful appearance, and Lin Qingyang was startled by the familiar sight.
• Cang Mo freed Lin Qingyang’s trapped hair and tidied it, then the two left together for the Shadow Cavern.

Cang Mo, Lin Qingyang, and Wine Rat traveled to Shadow Cavern to search for the unknown black-clad figure. They reached the underground market, where Wine Rat pointed out their destination beneath a stalagmite.

• Cang Mo took Lin Qingyang and Wine Rat from the Demon King Palace on Spirit Shadow Steeds toward Shadow Cavern.
• Wine Rat led them down a perilous rock passage into the eerie underground cavern.
• Lin Qingyang concealed his face as the three followed an underground river past stalls selling strange wares and demon cores.
• Cang Mo warned Lin Qingyang that the Charm Demons in the caves could bewitch anyone who met their eyes.
• Wine Rat pointed toward a faint green lamp beneath a stalagmite and identified the place they had come to find.

Lin Qingyang and Cang Mo encountered a house centipede demon while searching for the former antiques seller in the Shadow Cavern, then fought off the cavern itself when it attacked them. The stone demon Di Ming revealed himself and recognized Cang Mo, before asking whether Lin Qingyang was a snack.

• Lin Qingyang offered spirit stones to the old woman at the stall, but she grabbed his hand and transformed into a giant house centipede demon.
• Cang Mo shielded Lin Qingyang and struck the centipede demon, then demanded that she remember the missing antiques seller.
• An unseen voice complained about the noise, and the stone swallowed the injured centipede demon as the cavern walls closed in around Lin Qingyang, Cang Mo, and Wine Rat.
• Cang Mo drew Howling Moon and shattered the closing rock walls with a single slash, revealing a spacious stone chamber.
• Di Ming formed a gigantic face in the wall, scolded Cang Mo for returning to the Shadow Cavern, and asked whether Lin Qingyang was a snack.

Lin Qingyang and Cang Mo sought the black-cloaked figure from Di Ming, who made them play a game before sharing what he knew. After Lin Qingyang introduced mahjong and won Di Ming over, Di Ming revealed that the figure was a soul fiend, leaving Cang Mo staring at Lin Qingyang with icy hatred.

• Di Ming told Lin Qingyang and Cang Mo that the person they sought was nearby, but demanded they play a game for the information.
• When Cang Mo threatened to tear apart the chamber, Lin Qingyang stopped him and offered to teach Di Ming a new game instead.
• Lin Qingyang, Cang Mo, Wine Rat, and Di Ming played mahjong, and Di Ming became thrilled with the game.
• Di Ming said the black-cloaked figure was a soul fiend, a powerful spirit formed from a cultivator or great demon consumed by resentment after death.
• Cang Mo turned his cold, hateful gaze toward Lin Qingyang as Di Ming explained that soul fiends were difficult to harm because they had no physical bodies.

Lin Qingyang and Cang Mo entered Netherworld Ravine to confront the Soul Fiend, where they discovered it was Chimei, returned as a spirit driven by resentment. Chimei revealed that he had given Wine Rat the Nine Heavens Sword fragments to turn them against each other, and the encounter ended with him attacking them in a frenzy.

• Di Ming explained that the Soul Fiend was cultivating in Netherworld Ravine, and a passage opened to the cavern.
• Lin Qingyang and Cang Mo entered the ravine together while Wine Rat stayed behind.
• Cang Mo attacked the black pool, provoking a water python that he destroyed with his saber.
• A black-robed figure appeared and accused Lin Qingyang of causing its death.
• Lin Qingyang recognized the Soul Fiend as Chimei, who admitted giving Wine Rat the Nine Heavens Sword fragments to make them fight.

Cang Mo used his ice powers to destroy Chimei, but the freezing battle left Lin Qingyang dangerously cold. As Lin Qingyang began to lose consciousness, Cang Mo kissed him.

• Chimei attacked Lin Qingyang and Cang Mo with water pythons, and Cang Mo carried Lin Qingyang to safety before fighting back.
• Chimei claimed he could not be killed and taunted Lin Qingyang about Cang Mo framing him for poisoning.
• Lin Qingyang told Cang Mo that a Soul Fiend’s weakness was the method used to kill it, and that Xue Lanyuan had killed Chimei with ice arrows.
• Cang Mo transformed into a white wolf and froze the Cold Pool, the water pythons, and Chimei, then shattered Chimei with ice spikes.
• Cang Mo returned to human form and held Lin Qingyang, who was suffering from the cold and fading from consciousness.
• Cang Mo pressed a warm hand to Lin Qingyang’s cheek, then gripped his chin and kissed him.

Cang Mo rescued Lin Qingyang from the freezing cave and brought him back to Azure Wind Hall, where Gu Teng treated his fever and explained that only the legendary Nirvana Lotus could restore his damaged spiritual root. As Lin Qingyang suffered through a nightmare and called out to A-Qi, Cang Mo held him and tried to comfort him.

• Cang Mo drew the deadly cold from Lin Qingyang through a kiss, but Lin Qingyang lost consciousness before they left the cave.
• Cang Mo carried Lin Qingyang back to Azure Wind Hall, and the cave entrance closed behind them as the frozen pool thawed.
• Gu Teng examined Lin Qingyang, diagnosed a fever from the cold, and told Cang Mo that restoring his spiritual power would require remaking his damaged spiritual root.
• Gu Teng said the legendary Nirvana Lotus could reshape a spiritual root, though he had never heard of anyone finding it.
• As Cang Mo tended Lin Qingyang, Lin Qingyang gripped his hand in a nightmare and repeatedly called out to A-Qi in pain.
• Cang Mo realized Lin Qingyang was asking whether A-Qi was hurting, then gathered him close and soothed him.

Lin Qingyang woke from his fever in Cang Mo’s bed, where Cang Mo had cared for him through the night. Though Lin Qingyang wanted to return to the Hidden Market, Cang Mo insisted he recover first, leaving Lin Qingyang confused about his feelings over the kiss that had saved him.

• Lin Qingyang woke beside Cang Mo, learned his fever had broken, and remembered clinging to Cang Mo during a nightmare.
• Cang Mo brought Lin Qingyang fish congee and explained that Wine Rat would work at Gu Teng as punishment while the uninformed Half-Demons had been released.
• Lin Qingyang said he wanted to return to the Hidden Market, but Cang Mo told him to rest until he was well enough to travel.
• Cang Mo said Lin Qingyang would stay in his room because the palace had no spare rooms during preparations for the Sea Tribe Delegation.
• Cang Mo explained that he had kissed Lin Qingyang in Netherworld Ravine only to draw out the cold energy, and Lin Qingyang agreed before drifting back to sleep.

Lin Qingyang wandered through the Demon King Palace and learned that Hong Ling had lost his memories, while the palace was being decorated for a wedding. After Cang Mo left to receive the Sea Tribe delegation, Lin Qingyang realized that Cang Mo might be marrying the Merfolk Tribe princess.

• Lin Qingyang left his room for a stroll, accompanied by Yin Yu and Eagle Tribe guards who were ordered to treat him like the Demon King.
• Lin Qingyang encountered Hong Ling, who did not recognize him or remember Mo Yan and had become bold and outgoing.
• Cang Mo explained that Hong Ling had lost his memories after falling into a river five years earlier and had been living with Cang Mo's elder sister.
• Ba Shan announced that the Sea Tribe delegation had arrived, and Cang Mo left with the others while promising to return for dinner.
• Lin Qingyang recalled that Cang Mo was supposed to marry the Merfolk Tribe princess and realized the wedding decorations might be for that marriage.

Lin Qingyang spotted Fusheng Pavilion’s emergency kite signal while the Sea Tribe delegation arrived in Demon Emperor City. Cang Mo returned to Azure Wind Hall and found Lin Qingyang asleep in the bathing pool.

• Lin Qingyang recognized Langya leading the Sea Tribe procession and saw the Merfolk Princess arrive in a seashell carriage.
• Lin Qingyang noticed a black-and-red kite signaling an emergency from Fusheng Pavilion, then concealed his reaction from Yin Yu.
• Cang Mo warned Hong Ling not to discuss his feelings for Lin Qingyang, then admitted Lin Qingyang was the only good-looking human.
• Cang Mo returned to Azure Wind Hall at night and found Lin Qingyang missing from the outer rooms and bedroom.
• Cang Mo sensed Lin Qingyang’s demonic energy behind a screen and discovered him asleep in the bathing pool.

After rescuing Lin Qingyang from the bath, Cang Mo saw the old scar on his abdomen and cared for him, while Lin Qingyang misread Cang Mo’s intentions and assumed he was only being polite. Lin Qingyang planned to visit Baoyue Pavilion the next day, and Cang Mo arranged for Yin Yu and the others to accompany him.

• Cang Mo pulled the sleeping Lin Qingyang from the pool after he slipped under the water.
• Cang Mo carried Lin Qingyang to the bedroom, where Lin Qingyang mistook his attention for sexual interest before Cang Mo revealed he was looking at Lin Qingyang’s scar.
• Cang Mo left Lin Qingyang clean clothes, then served him dinner and warned him not to bathe alone after drinking.
• Cang Mo told Lin Qingyang he could stay forever, but Lin Qingyang assumed he was speaking politely and said he needed to return to Fusheng Pavilion.
• Lin Qingyang said he wanted to visit Baoyue Pavilion, and Cang Mo arranged for Yin Yu and the others to accompany him.

Lin Qingyang reviewed Baoyue Pavilion’s accounts while secretly meeting Mo Yan, who had come to rescue him. After Lin Qingyang explained his investigation into the Nine Heavens Sword, he decided to leave the next day and say goodbye to Cang Mo first.

• Lin Qingyang arrived at Baoyue Pavilion in clothes made for him by Cang Mo and began reviewing the shop’s accounts.
• After Yin Yu and the guards went outside, Shopkeeper Yang revealed that Fusheng Pavilion had sent someone to rescue Lin Qingyang.
• Mo Yan entered disguised as a panther-headed Half-Demon, then revealed himself with a Mirage Pearl and angrily mistook Lin Qingyang’s clothes and bite marks for signs of mistreatment.
• Mo Yan prepared to attack Yin Yu and the guards, but Lin Qingyang stopped him and explained that Cang Mo had not harmed him.
• Lin Qingyang told Mo Yan about investigating Chimei and the Nine Heavens Sword, and they wondered whether Bi Yue was involved.
• Lin Qingyang told Mo Yan he would leave the next day and planned to say goodbye to Cang Mo.

Lin Qingyang learned that Cang Mo was preparing to marry the Sea Tribe’s princess and decided to choose him a wedding gift. After Mo Yan left Demon Emperor City, Lin Qingyang found an unusual erotic album among the shop’s treasures and wondered whether Cang Mo was still a virgin.

• Lin Qingyang told Mo Yan that Cang Mo was getting married to the Sea Tribe’s princess, and Mo Yan urged him not to become entangled with Cang Mo.
• Lin Qingyang accepted Mo Yan’s message talisman and said Hong Ling was alive but had lost his memories; Mo Yan refused to see him and left.
• Lin Qingyang instructed Shopkeeper Yang to arrange for Mo Yan to leave Demon Emperor City soon.
• Lin Qingyang searched for a wedding gift for Cang Mo, rejecting mandarin-duck jade pendants and a Merfolk Pearl as unsuitable.
• Shopkeeper Yang showed Lin Qingyang an erotic album whose pictures were illusion realms, and Lin Qingyang wondered whether Cang Mo was still a virgin.

Lin Qingyang found the old Demon-Locking Ring he had once given Cang Mo and wondered why Cang Mo had kept it. He gave Cang Mo wedding rings as a gift, unaware that Cang Mo’s anger suggested he had misunderstood the situation, and agreed to stay for the Sea Tribe’s welcome banquet.

• Lin Qingyang returned to Azure Wind Hall and discovered that the black box containing the Demon-Locking Ring he had given Cang Mo was unlocked.
• Lin Qingyang opened the box, recognized the carefully preserved ring, and put it away before Cang Mo returned with dinner.
• Lin Qingyang and Cang Mo recalled their first meal together as they shared spirit-bird soup and shrimp.
• Lin Qingyang gave Cang Mo a pair of silver rings as a wedding gift, saying he understood Cang Mo was marrying the Sea Tribe princess.
• Cang Mo grew angry at Lin Qingyang’s assumption and insisted he attend the Sea Tribe’s welcome banquet before leaving.
• Lin Qingyang agreed to stay another day but remained uneasy about why Cang Mo had kept the old ring.

Lin Qingyang attended a banquet with Cang Mo and learned the Sea Tribe delegation had arrived. He was stunned when its High Priest turned out to be Jin Buhuan, whom he believed had died five years earlier.

• Cang Mo had the silkworm demons dress Lin Qingyang in ceremonial robes and asked when the wedding robes would be ready.
• Lin Qingyang entered the palace hall with Cang Mo, greeted Langya, and was seated beside Cang Mo on the throne.
• Lin Qingyang mistook the empty seat beside the throne for his place and learned it was reserved for the Sea Tribe ambassador.
• Lin Qingyang advised Cang Mo that feelings could grow between him and the Sea Tribe princess, but Cang Mo told him to drink his wine.
• Jin Lin, the Sea Tribe High Priest, entered the hall, and Lin Qingyang recognized him as Jin Buhuan, whom he thought had died five years earlier.

Lin Qingyang reunited with Jin Buhuan, who revealed that he had faked his death and was now the Sea Tribe’s high priest. Realizing the supposed marriage alliance might not exist and that Cang Mo could be marrying someone else, Lin Qingyang fled to Azure Wind Hall, where Cang Mo confronted him with Mo Yan’s message talisman.

• Lin Qingyang recognized Jin Buhuan at the banquet, and Jin Buhuan greeted him as an old acquaintance.
• Lin Qingyang pulled Jin Buhuan aside, learned that he had faked his death, and heard that he had become the Sea Tribe’s high priest.
• Jin Buhuan corrected Lin Qingyang’s assumption about a marriage alliance, prompting Lin Qingyang to question who Cang Mo was going to marry.
• Cang Mo approached them, but Lin Qingyang claimed he was dizzy and hurried back to Azure Wind Hall alone.
• Lin Qingyang searched frantically for Mo Yan’s message talisman, and Cang Mo appeared with it in his hand.

Cang Mo confronted Lin Qingyang and revealed that the wedding had been prepared for him, then refused to accept his rejection. He left Lin Qingyang trapped behind a barrier with the wedding set for the day after tomorrow.

• Cang Mo burned Lin Qingyang's talisman and accused him of hoping someone would come save him.
• Cang Mo treated Lin Qingyang's scraped hand, then told him the wedding was for him and that they would become a couple after marrying.
• Lin Qingyang rejected Cang Mo and asked why he was forcing the marriage, and Cang Mo revealed his hurt and resentment over their five years apart.
• Cang Mo restrained Lin Qingyang and kissed him, but Lin Qingyang slapped him and said he would never marry him.
• Cang Mo said Lin Qingyang had no choice, announced the wedding would be the day after tomorrow, and sealed the hall with a barrier before leaving.

Cang Mo prepared for his wedding to Lin Qingyang while Lin remained angry at being captured and forced into the marriage. When the wedding robes arrived, Lin challenged Cang Mo with a provocative offer, leaving his response uncertain.

• Langya confronted Cang Mo after he wrecked her courtyard, and he admitted he could not sleep because he feared Lin Qingyang would hate him.
• Cang Mo brought breakfast to Lin Qingyang, who refused to forgive him but eventually sat up and ate while Cang Mo cared for him.
• Lin Qingyang challenged Cang Mo about deceiving him, and Cang Mo said he had hidden the truth because Lin would have rejected him.
• The Silkworm Demon brought the wedding robes, and Lin Qingyang mocked Cang Mo before suggesting they could sleep together without all the wedding preparations.