Chapter Summaries

Prince Wei’s Residence backed down from provoking Wang Shouye, while Wang Anyuan and Wang Ningyu stirred up a fashion scandal and helped negotiate trade between Great Qian and Great Zhou. Far away, Wang Longyan returned to the Yin Sha Sect as its Holy Maiden and introduced Azure Phoenix Demon Emperor to Qi Hongzhao, who saw her as a powerful ally for the sect.

• Wei Boyu warned Wei Donglai that Wang Shouye might be connected to the Immortal Dynasty and ordered him to deliver a gift of thanks to Phoenix-Seeking Tower.
• Wang Anyuan and Wang Ningyu earned money selling Wang Clan goods in Great Zhou, then were beaten after introducing revealing clothing; Wang Shouye later negotiated a preliminary trade cooperation plan with Commandery Princess Luojia.
• Wang Longyan killed five Wufan Tower demonic cultivators who had murdered Yin Sha Sect disciples and led her companions back to the sect.
• Qi Hongzhao questioned Yin Fengtu about Blood Child Devil Master’s naval plans and urged him to support Wang Ruobing’s inheritance of the True Demon Scripture.
• Wang Ruobing introduced Azure Phoenix Demon Emperor to Qi Hongzhao, who welcomed the powerful visitor and hoped to secure her support for the Yin Sha Sect.

Wang Longyan received Wang Shouzhe’s letter and birthday gifts, then learned that Yin Sha Sect had secured a Boundless Dao Pill and offered her a dangerous Ice Phoenix secret realm to strengthen her bloodline. Meanwhile, Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu uncovered a talking divine-power Spirit Treasure in the shape of a bellyband, which claimed it had once belonged to Sacred Might Immortal Emperor Nishuang.

• Wang Longyan welcomed the Azure Phoenix Demon Emperor to Singing Phoenix Residence and read Wang Shouzhe’s letter and the younger generation’s birthday gifts.
• Yin Fengtu delivered a Boundless Dao Pill from Qi Hongzhao and told Wang Longyan about the Ice Phoenix secret realm, which she planned to enter after cultivating with the pill.
• Wang Longyan asked the Azure Phoenix Demon Emperor to send a letter to the Wang Clan, then began closed-door cultivation with the Boundless Dao Pill while awaiting Wang Shouzhe’s advice.
• Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu barbecued in Myriad Blossoms Pavilion as Wang Baocai produced lost treasures with its Wealth-Gathering Divine Ability.
• Wang Fugui picked up a talking bellyband, which revealed that it was a divine-power Spirit Treasure connected to Sacred Might Immortal Emperor Nishuang.

Wang Longyan cleared the Ice Phoenix Mystic Realm’s deepest trial, broke through to the Innate Dao Body stage, and drew the attention of Yin Sha Devil Master and Emperor Yanqing. The chapter ended with them setting out to recruit South Qin’s Emperor Yuan You and build support for her against the Little Demon Lord.

• Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu learned that the pale green bodice could lead them to the Earth Vein Immortal Spring, and Yun Mengyu planned to visit it with Wang Fugui.
• Wang Longyan and Wang Anfeng fought their way through the Ice Phoenix Mystic Realm, defeated its powerful Ice Phoenix, and emerged amid a massive icy phenomenon.
• Yin Sha Devil Master confirmed that Wang Longyan had reached the Innate Dao Body stage, while the Azure Phoenix Demon Emperor gave Wang Anfeng an azure feather to aid his cultivation.
• Yin Sha Devil Master revealed Wang Longyan’s aptitude to Emperor Yanqing and won his agreement to provide resources and help oppose the Little Demon Lord.
• Yin Sha Devil Master and Emperor Yanqing left for South Qin to recruit Emperor Yuan You into their alliance.

Little Demon Lord Chao Qianjue emerged from seclusion and ordered plans against Zhou Kingdom’s Commandery Princess Luojia and Wang Shouye, then learned that Yin Serpent Demoness had been captured after Blood Child Devil Master’s failed mission in East Qian. Meanwhile, Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu traveled incognito through Midsummer Commandery, where Yun Mengyu confronted the Midsummer Zhou Clan over its treatment of workers.

• Chao Qianjue left seclusion, discussed sending troops to help Yan Kingdom, and reviewed the True Demon Hall’s plans for the Truth-Seeking Continent.
• Gong Litu told Chao Qianjue that Yin Serpent Demoness had sought protection from Blood Child Devil Master, whose avatar was later destroyed in East Qian while her branch was captured.
• Chao Qianjue ordered Gong Litu to enlist the Chao Clan’s Fifth Grand Ancestor and bring Yin Serpent Demoness back.
• Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu disguised themselves as ordinary cultivators while traveling through Chuannan Prefecture, where Yun Mengyu had already exposed corrupt officials and aristocratic clans.
• Yun Mengyu accused the Midsummer Zhou Clan of imprisoning workers and forcing them into the sea, then prepared to fight its cultivators while Wang Fugui stood aside.

Yun Mengyu and Wang Fugui exposed the Zhou Clan’s abuses in Chuannan Prefecture, prompting Prefectural Lord Yan Wuyou to take responsibility for correcting them. After learning of the affair, Immortal Emperor Mu Yun ordered a sweeping investigation and appointed Yun Mengyu to supervise the prefecture as the Chuannan Princess.

• Yun Mengyu defeated the Zhou Clan’s hired cultivators with Butterfly Dance and forced their Celestial Realm supervisor to surrender.
• Yun Mengyu and Wang Fugui confronted the Zhou Clan’s businesses, and Jiang Qinglian defeated Zhou Qidong when he arrived to stop them.
• Yan Wuyou arrived and recognized Yun Mengyu as the Fourth Little Princess; with Granny Rong present, he agreed to clean up Chuannan Prefecture and report his failures to the Immortal Emperor.
• Wang Fugui persuaded Yun Mengyu to help settle the abuses and comfort the laborers before they continued their journey.
• Immortal Emperor Mu Yun ordered a thorough investigation of Chuannan Prefecture and decided to appoint Yun Mengyu as Chuannan Princess, placing the prefecture under her supervision.
• The decree naming Yun Mengyu the Chuannan Princess reached Chuannan Prefecture.

Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu found an ancient immortal spring and shared its benefits, greatly improving their bloodline aptitudes. Meanwhile, Jing'an Princess Yun Shaoguang received a visit from Suiyun Grand Princess, whose purpose remained unknown.

• Immortal Emperor Mu Yun's decree led to officials across Chuannan Prefecture being removed, while Yan Wuyou was placed under house arrest.
• Nanny Rong guided Wang Fugui, Yun Mengyu, and Jiang Qinglian to the concealed ruin, where Qingdou led Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu to an immortal spring.
• Qingdou persuaded Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu to bathe together so they could safely absorb the spring's essence, and they soaked for half a month.
• Wang Fugui's bloodline aptitude rose to above average among Grade B Peerless Prodigies, while Yun Mengyu delighted in her improved complexion.
• Jing'an Princess Yun Shaoguang learned that Suiyun Grand Princess had arrived and went to greet her at the estate.

Suiyun Princess urged Jing'an Princess to abandon factional feuds and govern responsibly, while Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu discussed reforming Chuannan. After the Little Demon Lord threatened Great Qian over the Yin Serpent Demoness and the Wang Clan, Imperial Prince An expelled his envoy, and Wang Shouzhe learned that the Little Demon Lord had emerged from seclusion.

• Suiyun Princess reprimanded Jing'an Princess for neglecting her duties and seeking revenge against Yun Mengyu, and Jing'an Princess agreed to reflect on herself.
• After a month in seclusion, Jing'an Princess summoned Wāng Hanmo and listened to his proposals for diversifying Jing'an Province's industries.
• Yun Mengyu complained about her new title and assignment, while Wang Fugui proposed a five-hundred-year plan to develop Chuannan Prefecture.
• At court, Chao Guangyuan demanded that Great Qian hand over the Yin Serpent Demoness and punish the Wang Clan; Imperial Prince An ordered him expelled.
• Wang Shouzhe read reports of the court confrontation and learned that the Little Demon Lord had finally emerged from seclusion.

Wang Shouzhe learned that Little Demon Lord Chao Qianjue was preparing to support Demon Yan Kingdom, and Wang Fugui devised a plan to help Liang Kingdom without alerting the Immortal Emperor. The Northern Domain Prince agreed to secretly assemble troops, while the Wang Clan prepared to send its militia corps against the Chao Clan’s elite forces.

• Wang Mei’s intelligence network uncovered Chao Qianjue’s emergence from seclusion and the Chao Clan’s unusual redeployment of elite battle regiments, leading Wang Shouzhe to suspect an intervention in the war between Liang Kingdom and Demon Yan Kingdom.
• Wang Shouzhe sent instructions to Wang Fugui, and Wang Anxin arrived in Chuannan to support him in carrying out the family’s plan.
• Yun Mengyu staged a princess’s tantrum and returned with Wang Fugui to the Northern Domain Prince’s Estate, cooling the aristocratic clans’ interest in her after the Immortal Emperor’s attendant relayed a warning about her immaturity.
• Wang Fugui persuaded the Northern Domain Prince and the others to exploit Chao Qianjue’s private intervention and help Liang Kingdom win without informing the Immortal Emperor.
• The Northern Domain Prince agreed to secretly assemble one elite battle regiment, and Wang Fugui arranged additional forces from several clans, including a Changning Wang Clan Militia Corps regiment.

Trade between Northern Zhou and East Qian enriched coastal clans and lowered prices, while also disrupting Northern Zhou’s industries. Aboard a Cloud Ray Flying Ship, Wang Lixian’s matchmaking suggestion alarmed the Nine-Tails Demon Emperor, and her arrival in Immortal-Seeking City set off a tense misunderstanding with Commandery Princess Luojia.

• Trade with East Qian raised coastal clans’ seafood earnings while lowering prices for necessities and pills, though Northern Zhou producers suffered under cheaper imports.
• Yao Chengchao attended the Nine-Tails Demon Emperor, Wang Lixian, and Yuwen Chiwei aboard the Cloud Ray Flying Ship, then fled after they mocked him.
• Yuwen Chiwei argued with the Nine-Tails Demon Emperor over her devotion to Wang Shouzhe, and Wang Lixian suggested that both women marry her father.
• Wang Shouzhe sneezed at his old residence and worried that something had gone wrong with his plan, unaware of Wang Lixian’s suggestion.
• Commandery Princess Luojia learned Wang Shouye was still refining Soul-Shaping Sacred Pills and prepared to receive his family at her estate.
• The Nine-Tails Demon Emperor arrived with Wang Lixian and Yuwen Chiwei, and she and Commandery Princess Luojia each mistook the other for a romantic rival.

Nine-Tails Demon Emperor brought Wang Shouzhe’s warning to Commandery Princess Luojia, who agreed to help investigate the Wei Clan and prepare for Little Demon Lord’s next move. Wei Donglai was ordered to kill Wang Shouye and Luojia, but Shouye’s relentless pill refining kept him safely indoors as the plot against him took shape.

• Nine-Tails Demon Emperor met Commandery Princess Luojia, clarified her relationship with Wang Shouzhe, and explained that she had come to protect Wang Shouye and convey Wang Shouzhe’s message.
• Wang Shouzhe told Luojia that the Wei Clan might be linked to Little Demon Lord through the Blood Embryo Devil Pill and worked with her to plan an investigation that could expose their enemies.
• A hooded Demon Dynasty Envoy reprimanded Wei Donglai for jeopardizing the plan to control Northern Zhou and ordered him to kill Wang Shouye and Luojia within a year.
• Wei Donglai secretly resolved to serve his own ambitions rather than defect to the Demon Dynasty, while agreeing to arrange opportunities for the assassinations.
• Wei Donglai’s spies waited for Wang Shouye to leave Luojia’s estate, but Shouye remained indoors refining pills and continued producing profitable batches of Wuji Treasure Pills.

Wei Donglai lured Wang Shouye and Commandery Princess Luojia to a remote mine, intending to kill them and frame them for colluding with the Demon Dynasty. Prince Wei Wei Boyu joined the ambush, but Emperor Yuanping appeared to protect them, revealing that the Wei Clan had fallen into a trap.

• Wei Donglai learned that Wang Shouye and Ji Lingxiao had left the city and arranged for a Spirit Platform elder to lure them to South Mountain Prefecture with a false offer of Earth-Vein Mysterious Ginseng.
• Wang Shouye noticed suspicious signs at the mine and confronted the elder, who collapsed in fear before Wei Donglai arrived with five Divine Ability Realm cultivators.
• Wei Donglai accused Wang Shouye of ruining his plans and declared that he would kill him and frame him for colluding with the Demon Dynasty; Ji Lingxiao openly defied him.
• Prince Wei Wei Boyu emerged and admitted that the Wei Clan sought to take the throne, then attacked Ji Lingxiao with a fiery claw.
• Wang Shouye tried to defend Ji Lingxiao, but another immense palm intercepted Wei Boyu's attack, and Emperor Yuanping appeared to shield the group.
• Wei Boyu realized that the Wei Clan had fallen into a trap, while Wei Donglai turned deathly pale.

Ji Lingxiao and her allies exposed Wei Boyu and Wei Donglai’s conspiracy, prompting the Wei Clan to move against them and defect to the Red Moon Demon Dynasty. As the two sides clashed, Ji Lingxiao revealed her Peerless bloodline and fought the Blood Prison Prince with the Ji Clan’s inherited Dao Artifact, while Wang Shouye and Wang Lixian joined the battle; the fighting continued with no victor yet.

• Wang Lixian revealed that she had sent a recording of the Wei Clan’s confession to Great Qian, and Emperor Yuanping urged Wei Boyu to surrender.
• Wei Boyu ordered Wei Donglai to capture Wang Shouye and Ji Lingxiao and lead the Wei Clan to defect, while the Black Wing Prince attacked Nanny Ling and the Blood Prison Prince confronted Commandery Princess Luojia.
• Ji Lingxiao revealed that she possessed a Peerless bloodline and used the Endless Sea Bowl to battle the Blood Prison Prince, while Emperor Yuanping and Wei Boyu fought above the clouds.
• Jiang Qingxue engaged Zhao Yiming, and Wang Shouye used the Blueflame Gourd and Nine Netherworld Netherflame to drive back the Jade Bone Demon Emissary.
• Wang Lixian attacked the remaining female demonic cultivator with explosive Fire Dragon Fruits as the Nine-Tails Demon Emperor watched in alarm.

Wang Lixian and her allies helped defeat Wei Boyu’s rebellion, capturing him and the Demon Dynasty fighters after the Nine-Tails Demon Emperor and the Golden Light Holy Lord turned the battle against him. With the victory secured, Wang Lixian began negotiating with Emperor Yuanping over the spoils, demanding eighty percent for the Wang Clan.

• Wang Lixian overwhelmed the Nine-Yin Demon Envoy with her Fire Dragon Fruit Trees while Emperor Yuanping and Wei Boyu fought above the battlefield.
• The Nine-Tails Demon Emperor ambushed Wei Boyu, and the Golden Light Holy Lord destroyed his escape route with the Primordial Chaos Gold Brick.
• Emperor Yuanping, the Nine-Tails Demon Emperor, and the Golden Light Holy Lord defeated Wei Boyu and sealed his soul; the Eastern Martial Holy Lord then joined them.
• Ji Lingxiao’s hidden reinforcements joined the battle, and Wei Boyu, Wei Donglai, Zhao Yiming, and the other Demon Dynasty cultivators were captured.
• Wang Lixian reclaimed the Nine-Yin Demon Envoy from a Northern Zhou prince who had tried to share the capture.
• Wang Lixian demanded eighty percent of the spoils for the Wang Clan, and she and Emperor Yuanping began haggling over the share.

Wang Lixian negotiated a vast share of Prince Wei's confiscated wealth for the Wang Clan, then revealed she had secured Emperor Yuanping's agreement by promising to restore his health and lifespan. The chapter then shifted to the Spirit Canal Continent, where Prince Zhenyang faced a sudden enemy breakthrough and the fall of Luping City, with a secret letter from Liang's Emperor leaving him stunned.

• Wang Lixian criticized Emperor Yuanping and Prince Wei, then argued that the Wang Clan deserved a large share of the spoils for helping save Northern Zhou.
• Wang Lixian presented a detailed inventory of Prince Wei's assets, and she and Emperor Yuanping argued over whether the Wang Clan could claim a Void Ascension Scripture.
• Wang Lixian and Emperor Yuanping returned to Immortal-Seeking City on friendly terms after she promised to nourish his health and replenish his depleted lifespan.
• Wang Lixian revealed that the Wang Clan had secured one Dao Artifact, seven Divine Ability inheritance sites, eighteen Divine Ability spirit treasures, and fifty percent of Prince Wei's remaining assets and ransoms.
• Wang Lixian said the Wei Clan's guilty members would face punishment and revealed she had also requested the Nine-Yin Demon Envoy for her father, Wang Shouzhe.
• Prince Zhenyang learned that a powerful Southern Yan battle group had broken through Liang's defenses and captured Luping City in one day, then read a secret letter from Liang's Emperor.

The Huaiyin Prince prepared Yan Kingdom’s army for a decisive battle while the Demon Falcon Battle Regiment advanced on Jinyang Guard. Wang Anye arrived at the city and used the Saint-Slaying Bow to shoot down the regiment’s commanders, leaving the battle underway.

• The Huaiyin Prince told his commanders that the Demon Falcon Battle Regiment had captured several cities and planned to attack the Liang Kingdom forces while they were divided.
• The Huaiyin Prince ordered Prince Anhai and Prince Heiyang to join Chao Clan battle regiments in crushing the enemy’s Qingfeng and Anping Legions.
• Wei Boqiu and Jinyang Guard’s defenders prepared for an assault as Chao Wenguang’s scouts approached and taunted them.
• Murong Qianqian shot at Chao Wenguang, but he effortlessly destroyed her arrow with Celestial finger force.
• The Demon Falcon Battle Regiment launched its assault, and Wang Anye appeared and shot Chao Wenguang through the chest with the Saint-Slaying Bow.
• Wang Anye argued with the bow before firing again and striking Tu Ping'an, the vanguard battalion commander.

Wang Anye and the Changning Wang Clan Militia Corps destroyed Chao Yingrui’s Demon Falcon Battle Regiment outside Jinyang Guard, winning their first major battle and capturing thousands of soldiers. After counting their casualties and spoils, Wang Anye’s commanders prepared to continue the campaign against Little Demon Lord’s plans on the Spirit Canal Continent.

• Wang Anye used the Saint-Slaying Bow to kill Demon Falcon soldiers, but Chao Yingrui ordered a full assault on Jinyang City and the attackers began overwhelming its defenders.
• Wang Anye launched a signal firework, revealing the Changning Wang Clan Militia Corps waiting in ambush around the Demon Falcon Battle Regiment.
• Wang Anye and his troops surrounded the enemy, while the Legion Banner strengthened their forces and the Saint-Slaying Bow and Sword Array Canon helped him confront Chao Yingrui.
• Wang Anye offered surrender, and most of the routed Demon Falcon soldiers, including Chao Yingrui, laid down their weapons.
• The Changning Wang Clan Militia Corps counted 1,394 enemy dead, more than 4,100 prisoners, and forty-eight of their own dead, then prepared to advance against Little Demon Lord’s plans.

As Yan and Liang Kingdoms began their decisive war, the Demon Corpse Battle Regiment secretly crossed the Huai River to seize Eagle-Ning Fort. Wang Fugui led a coalition regiment defending the fort, unaware that the enemy had already approached under cover of night.

• Marshal Prince Zhenyang Jiang Chengyang launched Liang Kingdom's full offensive, and the Haode and Zhenyang Legions broke through the aerial defenses at Huai Ferry Citadel.
• Marshal Prince Huaiyin ordered Yan Kingdom's forces to follow their prepared defensive plan, while Prince Anhai assigned Nine-Yin Profound Corpse True Person's Demon Corpse Battle Regiment to seize Eagle-Ning Fort and attack the Qingfeng Legion from behind.
• The Demon Corpse Battle Regiment crossed beneath the Huai River and advanced through the night toward Eagle-Ning Fort, concealed by black mist as Wabake's insects secretly followed them.
• Wabake watched the corpses advance and hoped the coming battle would earn him a chance to enter the Barbarian Gu Tribe's Divine Ability inheritance site.
• At Eagle-Ning Fort, Wang Fugui rejected Wu Zhide's suggestion to attack first and chose to let the fort's defenses reduce casualties while his United Volunteer Battle Regiment prepared to hold the position.

Wang Fugui explained that Wang Shouzhe’s confrontation with the Little Demon Lord served the human race’s long-term interests, then led the United Volunteer Battle Regiment into an ambush against the Demon Corpse Battle Regiment at Eagle-Ning Fort. The Demon Corpse Battle Regiment’s attack faltered under the counterattack, and Nine-Yin Profound Corpse True Person was surrounded by three Divine Ability Realm cultivators as Wang Fugui prepared to move on to the next stage of his plan.

• Wang Fugui told Ji Yue'er that Wang Shouzhe had opposed the Little Demon Lord to prevent renewed war between immortals and demons and protect humanity from extraterrestrial fiends.
• Nine-Yin Profound Corpse True Person led the Demon Corpse Battle Regiment in a dawn assault on Eagle-Ning Fort, where Luo Clan, Wang Clan, Wu Clan, Jiang Clan, and Ying Clan battalions sprang an ambush.
• Nine-Yin Profound Corpse True Person released a powerful Divine Ability Realm corpse puppet and charged into the battlefield to stabilize his regiment.
• Wang Fugui received word that Mengyu's forces had defeated the Black Eagle Battle Regiment and ordered his Divine Ability Realm allies to take down Nine-Yin Profound Corpse True Person.
• Wang Yuxuan, Wu Zhide, and Jiang Qinglian appeared with other Divine Ability Realm cultivators and surrounded Nine-Yin Profound Corpse True Person, leaving him stunned.

Wang Fugui’s United Volunteer Battle Regiment crushed the Demon Corpse Battle Regiment and helped trap the Anhai Legion, while Emperor Qing Yu staged a dramatic march to the front lines to conceal his coordination with Liang’s hidden forces. Emperor Yuanjing blocked his advance, but news of Yan’s defeats arrived, and Wang Anye confirmed that the Demon Falcon Battle Regiment had also surrendered, leaving Yuanjing reeling.

• Wu Zhide, Wang Yuxuan, and Jiang Qinglian joined forces to defeat and capture Nine-Yin Profound Corpse True Person, causing the Demon Corpse Battle Regiment to collapse and surrender.
• Wang Fugui punished Wang Yuxuan and Wu Zhide for fighting over battlefield merits, then led the allied force across the river toward the Anhai Legion.
• Prince Anhai ordered a retreat and sent Pu Wenshan’s Wenshan Battle Regiment to delay Wang Fugui, but the allied force destroyed it in two hours and joined the Qingfeng Legion in encircling the Anhai Legion.
• Emperor Qing Yu prepared a staged recording of his supposed alarm and personally led the Crimson Fire Heavy Cavalry toward the front, but Emperor Yuanjing blocked their route with the Profound Mountain Iron Cavalry.
• An aerial cavalryman reported that Yan’s Anhai Legion and Black Sun Legion were trapped and that the Demon Corpse and Black Eagle Battle Regiments had been defeated and captured.
• Wang Anye confirmed that the Demon Falcon Battle Regiment had surrendered, and Emperor Yuanjing spat blood as he realized the scale of Yan’s losses.

Emperor Qing Yu and Wang Anye defeated Emperor Yuanjing’s forces at Boulder Shoal, while Wang Fugui’s allied armies crushed the Yan Kingdom’s other fronts. Wang Fugui then planned a surprise march on Demon Yan’s capital, Shangjing, as Immortal Emperor Mu Yun confronted the Northern Domain Prince for intervening in the war.

• Emperor Qing Yu stopped Emperor Yuanjing from attacking Wang Anye, and Wang Anye deployed the Changning Wang Clan Militia Corps from a Troop Storage Tower to help rout the Profound Mountain Iron Cavalry.
• Wang Fugui and Yun Mengyu’s forces defeated the Anhai Legion and Black Sun Legion, helping Prince Zhenyang’s army seize Huaiyin Commandery and advance into Yan territory.
• Wang Fugui told the allied commanders to bypass the fighting over Fengyao Commandery City and force-march through Fengyao and Panze toward Demon Yan’s capital, Shangjing, to raid its treasures.
• Immortal Emperor Mu Yun scolded the Northern Domain Prince, Yun Hongxun, for sending troops into the war and threatened to dispatch him to the Outer Realm Battlefield.
• Yun Hongxun claimed he had acted alone and blamed the Demon Dynasty, while secretly hoping Wang Fugui would find a way to rescue him from punishment.