Sevenseas

Peach Flower House

Via Lactea

Rosmei

Monogatari

Haitang

Seven Seas

Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi

There's Something Wrong with the Chief: Du Zhu You Bing

Thrice Married to a Salted Fish

Three Hundred Years of Longing: Bu Jian Shang Xian San Bai Nian

Mistakenly Saving the Villain

The Wife Comes First: Qi Wei Shang

The White Cat’s Divine Scratching Post

The Villain's White Halo

After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine

Twin Jades of Jiangdong

Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi

There's Something Wrong with the Chief: Du Zhu You Bing

Thrice Married to a Salted Fish

Three Hundred Years of Longing: Bu Jian Shang Xian San Bai Nian, Vol. 1

Mistakenly Saving the Villain

The Wife Comes First: Qi Wei Shang

The White Cat’s Divine Scratching Post

The Villain's White Halo

After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine

Twin Jades of Jiangdong

Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi, Vol. 1

ARC 1: SEEKING

Chapter 1:
The Ghostly ScholarDuring a cold winter dawn in Ningyang County, Huizhou Prefecture, a waiter at Jiuwei House sets up a breakfast stall with steamers of buns.
A night watchman buys buns and jokes with the waiter about a mysterious customer.
The waiter has prepared a takeout box for a strange man who’s been coming for two days in a row, ordering the restaurant’s signature dishes with increasingly odd customizations.
The man doesn’t breathe in the cold air, doesn’t speak beyond ordering, and gives off an eerie presence.
The waiter and watchman both fear this customer may not be human, especially since he comes at dawn during the "witching hour."
The customer arrives again: a scholar in an ash-blue robe with a flushed face and an unremarkable but fatigued appearance.
His voice is strange—pleasant but detached from his mouth’s movement. He orders peach-braised pork belly.
The waiter nervously gives him the box, which the scholar receives with difficulty, as though it’s very heavy.
The scholar slowly leaves and disappears down the road.
The watchman and waiter discuss what they just saw, then notice a white-robed monk silently appearing nearby.
The monk has Wudi coins at his waist, which are traditionally used to ward off evil spirits. This indicates he might be a real exorcist.
The waiter, desperate and terrified after three days of the strange scholar’s visits, calls out to the monk.
The monk is cold and expressionless. He doesn’t confirm his identity or purpose but listens.
The watchman explains that the scholar looks like Jiang family’s son, but the whole family died in a fire three years ago, except for a daughter who married into another town.
The monk asks where the scholar went.
The waiter offers to lead him to the Jiang family’s old clinic and instantly regrets it as the monk's cold presence is unbearable.
They reach the alley where the ruined Jiang clinic stands. The scholar is seen talking to himself in two voices: one clear and one hoarse.
The clear voice mocks the slowness of the walk, the hoarse voice retorts about being dead for over three years.
The scholar passes through the crumbling wall like a ghost.
The waiter is terrified and flees after giving the monk a purse of money as thanks.
The monk shows mild disgust at the purse’s filth but keeps it.
The waiter returns to Jiuwei House, breathless, and recounts everything to the watchman.
He suddenly realizes the monk looked familiar.
He notices a decayed wanted poster on the wall with only the bottom half remaining, but clearly showing a neck with a small mole.
He remembers that the monk had the same mole—implying the monk is a wanted criminal with a high bounty on his head.

Chapter 2:
Paper DollJiang Shining, a ghost confined to a paper doll, delivers food to Xue Xian, a sickly man who is half-paralyzed and living in the burned remains of the Jiang family clinic.
Xue Xian mocks Jiang Shining for slouching and implies Jiang’s paper body is inferior. Jiang retorts by criticizing Xue Xian’s chopstick skills.
Xue Xian admits he was paralyzed and recently regained enough strength to sit up.
After a petty exchange involving a chicken bone and rouge on the paper doll's face, Jiang Shining collapses, hitting the time limit for his daily manifestation.
Jiang Shining warns Xue Xian that a monk followed him, describing a man with copper coins at his waist.
Alarmed, Xue Xian hides using illusion magic, disguising himself and Jiang Shining as moss.
A young monk enters the courtyard, appearing inexperienced with dulled copper coins and lacking the typical sheen of a skilled exorcist.
Despite the illusion, the monk sees through it and picks up the "moss" using cloth and copper, placing them into a pouch.
Inside the pouch, Xue Xian grumbles while enjoying the monk’s warmth during the cold winter.
He begins snooping through the monk’s pouch, finding a peach twig, flint, and a cloth bag full of needles.
Jiang Shining, also inside the pouch, scolds Xue Xian for poking him in the face.
A crowd gathers outside the clinic—officers led by Scribe Liu come to apprehend the monk based on a report from a waiter who saw a wanted poster.
Xue Xian tries to escape the pouch but is shoved back in by the monk’s finger, infuriating him. In retaliation, he jabs a needle into the monk’s back.
This inadvertently triggers a strange reaction—Jiang Shining speaks even though his time should be up. Xue Xian suspects the monk’s body holds something powerful.
The monk gives his name as Xuanmin, says he’s unaffiliated with any temple, and is accused of being the wanted criminal.
Scribe Liu compares him to the wanted poster and dismisses him as too young and unskilled.
As Xuanmin leaves, he tells Scribe Liu cryptically that he “won’t live long,” triggering outrage.
Xue Xian overhears everything and is both amused and suspicious.
Xuanmin removes Xue Xian from the pouch after he keeps stabbing with the needle.
The two argue silently while Scribe Liu grows angry and orders Xuanmin’s arrest.
Xuanmin delivers an ominous prophecy, noting a shadow between Liu’s brows and a blood mark on his left ear, indicating a short life and someone having marked him for revenge.
Xue Xian notices the blood mark and realizes it’s his own blood, meaning Scribe Liu was present at the scene where Xue Xian had his bones and tendons stripped—he is one of the culprits.
Overwhelmed by hatred and memories of the event, Xue Xian confirms Liu must die.
Suddenly, a servant arrives, reporting that Scribe Liu’s son has fallen into a well.
Terrified, Liu drops the charges and tries to drag Xuanmin with him.
Xuanmin refuses, but Xue Xian escapes the pouch and clings to the servant boy’s back to follow Liu, determined to investigate further.
Despite being paraplegic even as a paper doll, Xue Xian stubbornly latches onto the servant’s collar for the ride.

Chapter 3:
The Scribe’s ResidenceXue Xian, in his flimsy paper form, is carried by a frightened servant boy to Scribe Liu’s residence, complaining all the while and insulting the layout as a well-prepared grave.
The terrified servant boy hears Xue Xian’s whispering and panics, running into the guest hall where he trips and sends Xue Xian flying.
In the guest hall, the household is in chaos — Scribe Liu’s son, Liu Jin, lies motionless and appears dead, with people mourning around him.
Xue Xian tries to escape by pulling himself with a grass blade, but is captured again by Xuanmin, who shows up uninvited.
Xue Xian is furious and curses Xuanmin internally, clinging to the grass in protest, but is plucked up anyway.
Xuanmin subtly rolls a stone to trip Scribe Liu, causing him to fall directly onto Liu Jin’s chest, which miraculously revives Liu Jin through forced expulsion of water.
The household rejoices in shock, and Scribe Liu, overwhelmed, begins to suspect that Xuanmin may actually be a legitimate high monk.
Scribe Liu’s faith in his home's geomantic design, which follows auspicious feng shui principles like “Reclaiming the Four Waters” and “Winding Waters Grace the Hall,” makes him hesitant to accept any flaws.
Xue Xian, despite lacking deep geomantic knowledge, instinctively senses the courtyard is dangerously wrong and calls it grave-digging.
Xue Xian and Xuanmin continue to argue inside the pouch until Jiang Shining, who has been hiding inside it, finally speaks up.
Jiang Shining panics when he realizes they are at Scribe Liu’s home, mentioning there had been deadly “bad blood” between his family and Scribe Liu.
Xuanmin becomes suspicious of a narrow side door in the courtyard that leads to a hidden passage.
A thud is heard from behind the door, and a timid young man peeks out — Scribe Liu’s eldest son, Liu Chong, who appears to have a mental disability and behaves like a child.
Scribe Liu tries to wave it off, calling Liu Chong harmless and referring to him as his “disappointment of an eldest son.”
Xuanmin criticizes the flawed feng shui of the west side of the courtyard, especially the hidden side path and southwest corner brimming with yin energy.
Scribe Liu awkwardly admits the passage was added later, further validating Xuanmin’s concerns.
Liu Chong timidly retreats down the narrow path to a small shack, which Xue Xian notes is unnaturally steeped in yin energy, like a burial site.
Xue Xian internally criticizes Scribe Liu for making his son live in such a terrible place, calling it rat-like and questioning the father’s care.
Scribe Liu tries to justify it by saying Liu Chong dislikes noise and prefers quiet, which Xue Xian mentally mocks.
When Scribe Liu asks if sealing a window would fix the imbalance, Xuanmin coldly asks whether Liu Chong doesn’t need to breathe, catching Scribe Liu off guard.
Xue Xian’s opinion of Scribe Liu continues to drop as he sees how little thought is given to Liu Chong’s well-being.
The courtyard grows brighter with daylight, revealing sharp contrasts — everything looks clear except for Liu Chong’s dark, eerie shack, indicating how out of place and unnatural it is..

Chapter 4:
Gold IngotsXuanmin walks quickly to a nearby shack and stops at its entrance.
Xue Xian, peeking from Xuanmin’s pouch, sees a heap of yellow paper ingots through the door, folded to resemble gold ingots—ritual offerings for the dead.
Liu Chong, trailing behind, asks if he can play with the yellow paper, pointing directly at the paper doll—Xue Xian.
Xuanmin is confused at first, but realizes Liu Chong is referring to the doll.
Xue Xian is internally outraged that he, a dragon, is being mistaken for a toy.
Panicked, he retreats deeper into the pouch and pinches Xuanmin hard through the fabric to warn him not to hand him over.
When Liu Chong isn’t looking, Xue Xian flips over to show his painted face to Xuanmin and glares up with fury.
Xuanmin is surprised to meet the doll’s painted eyes and notes its eerie, corpse-like expression.
Unlike other spirits he's encountered, Xue Xian is unusually defiant and troublesome.
Xuanmin picks up the doll again and dangles him by two fingers, bringing it closer to Liu Chong.
Xue Xian internally vows revenge, threatening lightning strikes and humiliation.
Liu Chong reaches for the doll, but Xuanmin denies him, saying “You can’t,” with a flat expression.
Relieved, Xue Xian relaxes and goes limp in Xuanmin’s fingers.
Liu Chong looks disappointed but says nothing. His sorrow is obvious, as his disability makes every action effortful and sincere.
Xue Xian avoids looking at Liu Chong, fearing the boy’s innocence might infect him with stupidity.
Xuanmin nods at Liu Chong instead of speaking, which Xue Xian mocks internally.
Liu Chong excitedly invites Xuanmin into his room like a child greeting a playmate.
Xue Xian resigns himself to silence and limply dangles from Xuanmin’s fingers.
Liu Chong opens the door fully, revealing the shack’s cluttered and cramped interior—overrun by yellow paper ingots.
Scribe Liu, watching from outside, is clearly displeased and refuses to enter the room.
The room is sparse and poorly furnished, more like a servant’s quarters than a young master’s room.
A partition divides the tiny shack, attempting to create an inner and outer room.
Xuanmin picks up one of the paper ingots and inspects it.
Xue Xian, hanging upside down, sees the bottom of the ingot and reads the childish character for “Dad.”
Xue Xian realizes the character was poorly written, with spacing that made it look like multiple words.
Xue Xian deduces that Liu Chong has been making these ingots for his parents, innocently but ignorantly using real names—an act that is normally akin to cursing them.
Xuanmin continues examining other ingots and finds a total of seven: two say “Dad,” three say “Mom,” and two are blank.
Xue Xian notices that the ingots are neatly categorized: father’s pile by the door, mother’s by the table, blank ones on the floor.
A fourth pile next to the bed draws their attention.
Xuanmin moves toward the inner partition. As he enters, a sudden gust of yin wind blows in, and Xue Xian sneezes.
Liu Chong stares at Xuanmin’s fingers in confusion, trying to understand how fingers could sneeze.
Xuanmin and Xue Xian both become acutely aware of a heavy concentration of yin energy in the room.
Xuanmin examines the bed-side pile of ingots, noticing their undersides are smeared with ink and hard to read.
He determines the writing likely says “Liu,” but the full names are illegible.
Suddenly, Jiang Shining falls out of Xuanmin’s pouch, transforming from a paper doll into a human due to the excessive yin energy.
Jiang Shining, pale and scholarly-looking, is bewildered by his transformation.
Xue Xian explains that Jiang Shining’s ghostly state is affected by yin energy, which makes transformation easier here.
Liu Chong remains unfazed by Jiang’s sudden appearance, treating it like nothing unusual.
Jiang Shining asks why Xue Xian hasn’t transformed, and Xue Xian replies irritably that he’s not dead.
Jiang Shining questions why a living being is occupying a paper figure—suspecting something’s off about Xue Xian.
Xue Xian mocks him in return and urges him to get up and stop crushing the ingots.
Realizing he’s sitting on someone’s offerings, Jiang Shining apologizes to Liu Chong and tries to help fix them.
Liu Chong shoves Jiang Shining aside to save the ingots, using his strength without restraint.
Jiang crashes into a cabinet and injures his hand on a nail in the floor, despite being a ghost in physical form.
He complains and jokes with Xue Xian about using leather or even human skin next time.
Xuanmin, annoyed, presses his finger to Xue Xian’s mouth to shut him up.
Jiang Shining discovers there’s a piece of yellow paper attached to the nail he got hurt on.
Xuanmin investigates and finds a copper nail pinning a cinnabar-drawn yellow talisman to the floor.
Three such nails are found, forming a triangle and pointing in specific directions—northwest, southwest, northeast.
Jiang Shining asks if they are health talismans, but starts to feel warmth—an unusual sensation for a ghost.
Xuanmin confirms it’s a feng shui array and continues examining the patterns.
Outside, Scribe Liu overhears the noise and asks if Liu Chong is misbehaving, still refusing to enter.
Xuanmin asks who lives in the building to the northwest.
Scribe Liu first claims it’s his own residence but quickly corrects himself, saying his younger son Liu Jin lives there—the one who fell into the well.
Xuanmin asks if Scribe Liu has heard of a feng shui layout called “Drawing the River to the Sea.”
Scribe Liu is clearly rattled and finally admits he used the formation two years ago due to declining health.
Jiang Shining hides from view, recognizing Scribe Liu and feeling a wave of anger and resentment over past events.
Meanwhile, Liu Chong becomes distracted and crawls toward the talismans, fascinated like a child.
He touches one of the copper nails and cuts his hand, drawing blood that drips onto the talisman.
Jiang Shining tries to warn him too late—the blood soaks into the talisman.
A sudden, unnatural stillness falls over the house, as even the wind outside ceases.
Jiang Shining senses a suffocating silence, feeling ghostly alarm.
Xuanmin, frowning, looks toward the sky, silently acknowledging that something very serious has just been triggered.

Chapter 5:
GhostfenceAfter a ghostly droning sound, everyone loses consciousness simultaneously as if struck on the head.
Xue Xian wakes up alone in a strange, silent courtyard with no sign of Xuanmin, Scribe Liu, Jiang Shining, or anyone else.
He deduces he's in the northeast corner of the compound, which is significant because it's where Liu Jin (Scribe Liu’s youngest son who nearly drowned) lived—and where the droning noise came from.
Unable to walk, Xue Xian uses wind and ivy to hoist his paper body up a tree to survey the surroundings.
He realizes he’s trapped in a ghostfence, a spiritual formation that loops the environment and confuses reality, likely triggered by a disruption in the “Drawing the River to the Sea” feng shui layout.
He recalls the Eight Gates of the Qimen Dunjia formation and decides he doesn’t want to crawl around figuring them out with his paralyzed legs.
Xue Xian uses a talisman he got from a ragged Daoist to call thunder—normally ineffective, but it works because the dragon it summons is essentially himself.
The thunder strikes the courtyard, damaging the array and creating a crack through which he hears faint voices, confirming others are trapped too.
Xue Xian hears copper coin-like sounds growing closer. The narrow corridor door creaks open, and Xuanmin appears wearing white robes and fastening copper coins at his waist.
Xue Xian sarcastically throws ivy at Xuanmin, who catches it and asks what the thunderstorm was about. Xue Xian brushes it off, saying he just wanted to let people know he was there.
They banter about whether Xue Xian should summon another lightning bolt, but Xuanmin tells him there’s no need because he’s already found the Eight Gates.
Xue Xian reveals he cannot walk. Xuanmin verifies this by touching his leg and noticing there's no reaction, confirming his paralysis.
Xue Xian transforms back into his paper doll form and demands to be carried on Xuanmin’s shoulder for a better view.
He dramatically climbs Xuanmin’s face to get onto his shoulder, demonstrating both shamelessness and agility.
They discuss Xue Xian’s real body. Xue Xian admits it was lost—his tendons and bones were stripped from him in Guangdong, and his body was swept to sea and turned into a golden marble. A fisherman found it and vanished.
While moving through the compound, Xue Xian realizes they’ve circled back to where he woke up.
Xuanmin confirms that was a fake location created by the ghostfence and that they’re now at the real place.
He reveals that the building they’re approaching is the Life Gate, the exit point of the array.
Just as they’re about to step inside, unexpected voices are heard inside the supposedly empty building, prompting Xuanmin to freeze and hide with Xue Xian still on his shoulder.
The chapter ends with the question: why are there people here?

Chapter 6:
Bronze MirrorXue Xian and Xuanmin observe Liu Chong and an old lady (Old Lady Liu) performing ritual acts, including folding and burning paper ingots with names, under festive lanterns.
Xue Xian notices a specific ingot with the name “Liu Xian,” leading to questions about earlier unclear scribbles.
The old lady and Liu Chong perform a ritual with a bronze mirror, burying it beside broken porcelain under a tree, saying it’s to “change misfortune to blessing.”
Xue Xian wonders if the Life Gate of the mystical array they're trapped in is forcing them to experience past memories.
Suddenly, the atmosphere turns sinister. Liu Chong and the old lady’s demeanor becomes lifeless and eerie, indicating the Life Gate has turned into a Death Gate.
Xuanmin warns that they must avoid being seen by the figures or they’ll be pursued until death.
Xuanmin and Xue Xian evade them through multiple narrow doors, navigating what is explained as a Qimen Dunjia formation—eight mystical gates: Initiation, Repose, Life, Injury, Obstruction, Scenery, Fright, and Death.
They realize the configuration of the gates has shifted, causing danger. Previously auspicious gates now trigger haunting phenomena.
Xuanmin opens several doors, each leading to different haunting scenes, chased by strange, ghost-like people replaying parts of the Liu family’s memories.
In one scene, maids discuss the old lady’s worsening condition and fear about her health and medicine, suggesting possible malpractice by Jiang Shining’s family.
Scribe Liu is overheard blaming the Jiang family for his mother’s death. It’s revealed his mother died allegedly due to misprescription, and Jiang Shining’s family clinic later burned down.
Jiang Shining, the ghost, appears beside Xuanmin and Xue Xian but seems unaware of the conversation about his parents.
Xue Xian, realizing Jiang Shining might cause trouble, tries to get him to leave, but he ends up cooperating.
Xuanmin and the group hide from Scribe Liu and a guest while eavesdropping on their conversation about past events and misfortunes tied to the Jiang family.
Liu Chong appears again in the real world with a different outfit and mole placement, confirming he’s real and not an apparition.
Xuanmin suddenly drags the real Liu Chong through a narrow door, escaping Scribe Liu.
Jiang Shining notices that Liu Chong’s mole has moved from one cheek to the other, implying that the entire Liu residence has become a mirror-inverted version of itself.
They deduce the buried bronze mirror caused this inversion, flipping the positions of the Eight Gates—Death Gate became Life Gate, etc.
Xuanmin cleverly uses the Obstruction Gate multiple times to shake off ghostly pursuers.
Jiang Shining is pushed into the Death Gate, which acts as an exit for ghosts. He vanishes, escaping the array.
Xuanmin takes Xue Xian and Liu Chong to the newly identified Life Gate, which is Liu Chong’s own shabby room, now repositioned by the mirror’s influence.
As they prepare to leave the array, Liu Chong hears his “grandma’s” voice and turns back at the last second, refusing to exit.
Xue Xian and Xuanmin successfully leave the array, but Liu Chong is left behind, still searching for his dead grandmother.

Chapter 7:
Empty MillstoneJiang Shining is relieved to see Xue Xian and Xuanmin return safely, but panics when he realizes Liu Chong and Scribe Liu are missing.
Xuanmin investigates the talismans and copper nails that sealed the formation trapping the others.
Instead of using any magical or spiritual method, Xuanmin casually tears off the talismans and pulls out the nails to destroy the array.
Xue Xian is disappointed by the mundane method, expecting something more impressive.
Xuanmin burns the talismans, and they wait for Liu Chong and Scribe Liu to appear, but neither do.
They hear a strange, old, exhausted sigh, which none of them seem to have made.
Xue Xian guesses it might be the spirit of an old lady, and starts to suspect something worse tied to the residence.
He mentions a human rumor about burying elderly relatives under houses to bring prosperity.
Xuanmin confirms the practice, known as “Building Yang Over Yin,” where a yin spirit is bound to guard the household.
Xuanmin tracks the sound to a part of the floor beneath a wooden cabinet and detects it's hollow.
He finds a tightly sealed stone slab that none of their fingers can open.
Xue Xian volunteers to slip inside and try to open it himself.
As Xue Xian prepares to squeeze in, Xuanmin stops him and instead uses a silver needle from his toolkit to pry open the stone slab.
Upon opening it, a surge of spiritual pressure explodes, nearly knocking them all unconscious.
Inside the hole is a strange iron chain and soil, with a tiny millstone and talismans binding it.
Xuanmin finds the chain rotating as if someone is endlessly pushing the millstone.
After burning the talisman, a ghostly figure forms—a frail, sickly old woman, revealed to be the true spirit of Old Lady Liu.
Xue Xian is disgusted to learn her own family trapped her beneath the house as a protective spirit.
Old Lady Liu was refined into a spiritual millstone guardian, endlessly toiling underground for three years.
Xuanmin removes the millstone, burns the talisman binding it, and the ghost is fully released.
Liu Chong appears, having escaped the array, and is shocked to see his grandmother's spirit.
Despite her frail state, Old Lady Liu lovingly talks to Liu Chong, and he sobs for her, asking why she never came to visit after her death.
She assures him she always watched over him and was aware of everything.
Scribe Liu bursts in, covered in mud and terrified, and is shocked to see his mother’s ghost.
Old Lady Liu confronts him for his crimes: trapping her, altering her medicine, and falsely accusing the Jiang family.
Scribe Liu breaks down and grovels, blaming a sorcerer, claiming he acted for her benefit.
She slaps him twice—one for her grandson Liu Chong, and one for the Jiang family clinic.
She declares she endured pushing the millstone for three years to repay her debts to him and that Liu Chong had repaid his filial duties by living there.
She tells Scribe Liu it’s now his turn to repay his debts to the Jiang family.
Old Lady Liu fades, requesting to move on, and enters the millstone, indicating her spirit is at peace.
Xuanmin retrieves the millstone and carries both it and the unconscious Jiang Shining outside.
Scribe Liu panics and notices his face is swollen with two red handprints, signs of spiritual punishment.
Xuanmin confirms that spirits with grievances get one chance to mark the person who wronged them.
Scribe Liu begs for help, clutching Xuanmin’s robe.
Xue Xian, from the pouch, asks whether Scribe Liu had been to Huameng, Guangdong.
Scribe Liu denies it but remembers buying a “golden marble” from a fisherman from Huameng.
The sorcerer melted this “marble” into the millstone to enhance its spiritual power.
Xue Xian realizes the marble was part of his dragon body and becomes so enraged he faints.
Scribe Liu continues begging for help, prompting Xuanmin to chant a verse and tap his forehead.
Scribe Liu believes the spiritual mark has been removed, but Xuanmin warns him the debt still must be repaid.
Scribe Liu continues groveling and crying that Buddhists are merciful.
Xuanmin coldly declares he cultivates no compassion and leaves without looking back.

Chapter 8:
Medical BellXue Xian regains consciousness after being unconscious for ten hours and finds himself in a luxury suite at Guiyun Hall, an inn with an ominous-sounding name.
Xuanmin is performing a solemn handwashing ritual and preparing funeral rites for Old Lady Liu, now referred to by her maiden name Lady Xu.
Xue Xian mocks Xuanmin’s rituals and panics when he realizes Xuanmin plans to chant sutras, which he detests.
Xue Xian tries to jump off the table in protest but is caught and then pinned under a paperweight by Xuanmin.
Xuanmin completes a simple funeral rite with incense, yellow paper, and chanting a single line of sutra, then taps the millstone.
The millstone shatters, releasing Old Lady Liu’s spirit with her final thanks before vanishing.
A golden marble and a silver bell fall out of the shattered millstone.
Xue Xian realizes the golden marble is his own compressed dragon body and demands it back.
Xuanmin tests Xue Xian’s claim by holding it to a flame, revealing a coiled dragon shape inside.
Xue Xian confirms its identity and impatiently demands the marble, only to be crushed under its weight and fall off the table.
Xuanmin picks him up, places him on the table again, and returns the marble.
Xue Xian discovers the second object is a silver medical bell and asks about it.
Jiang Shining regains his ability to speak and identifies the bell as his great-grandfather Jiang Yong’s medical bell, passed down through generations.
Xuanmin reveals the souls of Jiang Shining’s parents are trapped in the bell and can only be freed using three drops of laogong blood from a living relative.
Xuanmin prepares to use another incense stick for Jiang Shining, implying a second soul-sending ritual.
Before anything happens, Xuanmin suddenly falls ill, red lines spreading from a mole on his neck as he goes silent and unresponsive.
Xue Xian confirms he’s alive but meditating or unconscious, then convinces Jiang Shining to leave him behind.
Jiang Shining hesitantly agrees and escapes with Xue Xian, who is still clutching the golden marble.
As they sneak through Ningyang County past the curfew guards, Xue Xian provides comically bad directions, leading them in circles.
Jiang Shining takes over navigation and they finally make progress.
They pass by Scribe Liu’s residence and overhear arguments inside but choose not to get involved.
Jiang Shining, ever the compassionate doctor, chooses to walk away rather than witness suffering he can't fix.

Chapter 9:
The Old ClinicJiang Shining and Xue Xian seek shelter from the snow in an abandoned temple on Mount Jiguan.
Xue Xian reverts to his human form and takes the best spot beneath the Buddha statue, frustrating Jiang Shining.
Jiang Shining lights a candle using a fire starter Xue Xian stole from Xuanmin during their escape.
Jiang Shining questions Xue Xian about his strong desire to escape from Xuanmin.
Xue Xian admits his concern stems from the golden marble, which contains his dragon body and is weakly connected to him.
Xue Xian suspects that Xuanmin might be influencing the marble or harboring hidden power.
Xue Xian sensed something strange under Xuanmin’s skin and felt Xuanmin was suppressing a hidden, dangerous power.
Xue Xian believes Xuanmin’s actions and aura are inconsistent with a normal monk’s peaceful nature.
Jiang Shining brings up the medicinal smell he noticed earlier in Xuanmin’s room and identifies it as medicine used to treat dissociation (soul loss syndrome).
Jiang Shining explains the symptoms of dissociation and suspects Xuanmin may be suffering from it, despite his composed appearance.
Xue Xian argues that someone with dissociation wouldn’t be actively meddling in others’ affairs or wandering alone.
Xue Xian points out Xuanmin’s behavior in Ningyang: he captured them, dismantled the Liu family’s feng shui array, laid Old Lady Liu’s spirit to rest, retrieved the golden marble, and tried to help deliver the bell to Jiang Shining’s sister—all highly suspicious actions.
Xue Xian sarcastically remarks on how unfriendly Xuanmin’s icy demeanor is, making his supposedly helpful actions seem suspiciously overfamiliar.
Jiang Shining questions why Xue Xian helped his family in the first place and why he stayed at the ruined Jiang clinic.
Xue Xian vaguely recalls a past visit to Ningyang County when he was not yet injured and had all his powers.
During a snowstorm, a kind middle-aged doctor pulled Xue Xian from the street to treat a wound on his hand, showing him warm hospitality.
The doctor lived at the Jiang Family Clinic with his wife and young son, Jiang Shining.
The doctor bandaged Xue Xian’s wound, gave him a small brazier to stay warm, and treated him with kindness despite being a stranger.
A year later, Xue Xian secretly returned and left the brazier and some golden pearls as a thank-you gift.
On his current return to Ningyang, Xue Xian found the clinic in ruins and Jiang Shining alone, prompting him to help.
Xue Xian admits he helped because of that past kindness—not everything in the world is motivated by selfishness.
Back at the temple, Jiang Shining asks what Xue Xian left on the table before they departed.
Xue Xian reveals he gave Xuanmin a dragon scale from his real body, as repayment for retrieving the marble.
Dragon scales are extremely rare and valuable, more potent than most healing herbs.
Meanwhile, Xuanmin sits alone in the suite at Guiyun Hall, unmoving after Xue Xian’s departure.
The scent of the dragon scale awakens him, causing the mole on his neck to shrink back.
On the table is a yellow note with messy writing: "Mystical medicine, can cure anything. Believe it or not."
Xuanmin realizes the disc is the same as the one sketched on a note in his possession labeled "Find them".
He silently compares the two, pockets the note, and continues staring at the dragon scale as snowstorms howl outside.

ARC: NAMELESS

Chapter 10:
The Blind Fortune TellerSnow falls for a full day and night, creating favorable conditions for Jiang Shining, who, as a spirit, fears yang energy.
Xue Xian rides on Jiang Shining’s shoulder but due to strong wind, he hides in Jiang Shining’s lapels to avoid being blown away.
They travel to Wolong County, where Xue Xian intends to visit two bickering brothers—one of whom may help identify the origin of his golden marble.
They take mountain routes to avoid towns and potential trouble, though Jiang Shining remains wary of rumored bandits.
Despite signs of violence and previous fights along their path, they encounter no bandits, which unsettles Jiang Shining.
They reach Wolong County safely after four days of travel.
At the city gates, Jiang Shining finds another iron tag with a wolf head engraving and a scratched-out name—similar to one he found earlier.
Inside the city, they navigate a chaotic maze of roads using Xue Xian’s food-based memory of landmarks.
Xue Xian suspects someone is following them, but they see no signs of a pursuer.
They arrive at a small, rundown courtyard home belonging to the two brothers Xue Xian seeks.
Jiang Shining knocks lightly, and Xue Xian tells him to knock harder since one brother is deaf in one ear.
A child inside yells “Thief!” and throws a basin of water at Jiang Shining, drenching both him and Xue Xian.
Jiang Shining’s paper body crumples from the water; the golden marble rolls away.
A boy tries to steal the marble but is caught by Xuanmin, who unexpectedly appears at the door.
Xue Xian is furious to see Xuanmin again and screams insults at him.
Xuanmin captures the boy, uses a talisman to silence him, and retrieves the stolen marble.
Xuanmin inspects the marble by sniffing and rubbing it, puzzling Xue Xian.
Xuanmin declares he will hold onto the marble for now; Xue Xian is unable to protest due to his soaked body.
Xuanmin asks the boy for a brazier, then starts a fire to dry Jiang Shining and Xue Xian by hanging them on a tree branch.
He produces a mysterious paper with writing and drawings, then correctly guesses the boy’s surname is Lu.
The boy’s reaction confirms his identity: Lu Nianqi, younger brother to Lu Shijiu.
Xue Xian demands to know Lu Shijiu’s whereabouts, explaining he wants him to track someone using the marble.
Lu Nianqi reveals their family all died mysteriously and the brothers were left to survive alone.
He confirms he remembers Xue Xian’s voice from his previous visits.
When asked why he tried to steal the marble, Lu Nianqi breaks into tears and confesses that Lu Shijiu disappeared half a month ago.
Lu Nianqi says his brother went to Fentou Island in the river and hasn’t returned since, leaving him searching and desperate

Chapter 11:
Fentou IslandThe chapter begins with a description of Fentou Island, an isolated and overgrown location near Wolong County, known for its eerie appearance and medicinal herbs.
Lu Shijiu disappeared after leaving a note for Lu Nianqi saying he went to Fentou Island.
Lu Nianqi waited days in the rain for Lu Shijiu to return but only found out from a boatman that Lu Shijiu had boarded a boat and never returned.
After several days of rain, Lu Nianqi tried searching the island multiple times but found no sign of Lu Shijiu except hearing his voice once, which vanished when he called back.
A whirlpool near the island capsized boats, making boatmen refuse to return; Lu Nianqi couldn’t afford the fare after someone stole his and Lu Shijiu’s saved money.
Strange knocking sounds began at night, and the money was stolen from a chest inside their home.
Xue Xian and Lu Nianqi argue, with Lu Nianqi revealing he is actually fifteen, though he looks younger due to childhood illness.
Xuanmin prepares to go to Fentou Island; Lu Nianqi begs to go with him and is allowed.
Xue Xian, still in paper doll form, discovers silver inside the pouch, suspects Xuanmin is collecting money somehow.
At the river crossing, boatmen refuse to sail to the island; Xuanmin rents a boat directly with silver.
Xuanmin uses a talisman and a reed to magically control and steer the boat to Fentou Island.
Lu Nianqi cuts his palm on a hidden piece of metal on the boat; Jiang Shining tends to the wound.
Lu Nianqi reveals Lu Shijiu could see “qi” and “form” despite being blind and often read Lu Nianqi’s palm, predicting long life despite evidence of early death in his palm lines.
Xuanmin also examines Lu Nianqi’s palm and tells him this is a calamitous year for him and to be careful.
Lu Nianqi says he thought he saw hair in the river but dismisses it as plants, despite experience seeing drowned corpses.
As they near the island, Xue Xian senses his marble reacting and lies on it in the pouch like he’s brooding an egg.
Once ashore, Xuanmin’s copper coins jingle ominously, and Xue Xian hears a strange, distant voice sounding like Xuanmin.
Jiang Shining and Lu Nianqi begin to get spooked by the atmosphere and fog, which has been unusually persistent.
Xuanmin examines the ground; Xue Xian hears mumbling that sounded like chanting or a sutra from afar, but no one else heard it.
Xuanmin burns a talisman; where the ash drifts, a trail of eerie, barely-there footprints appears—like someone hanging had brushed the ground.
They follow the trail; Xue Xian requests the pouch be cut lower so he can look out while still clutching his marble—Xuanmin refuses.
Xue Xian leans out awkwardly, spots something under a split tree, and directs Xuanmin to it.
Under the tree, they find a broken coin string that Lu Nianqi identifies as the one he tied for their money, which had been stolen.
As soon as they examine the string, Lu Nianqi is hit by something, falls, and triggers a hidden mechanism.
The ground gives way and all four fall into a trap beneath the island.
Xuanmin lands flawlessly, while others crash down painfully.
Xue Xian’s paper body suffers the worst—his neck tears, and his paper head falls off completely.
The chapter ends with Xuanmin lighting a talisman and looking down at Xue Xian’s severed paper head on the ground.

Chapter 12:
Island TombJiang Shining wakes up after a fall and sees Xuanmin frozen in shock, staring at something on the ground.
Lu Nianqi is injured, having landed on his head and reopened a wound on his hand; Jiang Shining checks on him.
They approach Xuanmin and find Xue Xian’s paper doll decapitated, his head lying face-up on the ground.
Jiang Shining and Lu Nianqi panic, wondering if Xue Xian is truly dead and where his body is.
Xuanmin presents the decapitated paper doll and decides to burn it, claiming Xue Xian is beyond saving.
Just before the talisman touches the doll, an invisible voice—Xue Xian's—tells Xuanmin to stop.
Xue Xian's soul escaped the doll and is now invisible, hiding behind Xuanmin.
Xue Xian begs to stay near Xuanmin, proposing to anchor himself in Xuanmin’s pouch near the golden marble.
Xuanmin agrees and inscribes a talisman with his blood onto the marble, allowing Xue Xian to reside within it.
Xue Xian is now trapped in the marble and unable to move freely, but content to be close to the marble and Xuanmin.
Xuanmin explores their surroundings using the talisman flame and discovers they are in a stone chamber.
They find giant stone statues of tomb guardians—proof the island might actually be a massive tomb.
The tomb guardians are newly carved, within the last three to five years, indicating the tomb is recent.
Xuanmin leads them deeper into the tomb through a half-open stone door and finds beast murals painted with cinnabar.
Cinnabar is typically used to ward off evil, but here it traps the dead, suggesting malicious intent.
Behind the door, they discover two unconscious people: Old Man Liu and Lu Shijiu, Lu Nianqi’s brother.
Lu Shijiu wakes and recognizes Lu Nianqi by touching his features; his blindness is confirmed but subtle.
The brothers' reunion is cold and distant despite their earlier desperation to find each other.
Xuanmin and Xue Xian (in marble form) confirm that Lu Shijiu is the boy they were searching for.
Xue Xian hires Lu Shijiu for divination using the golden marble, and Lu Shijiu identifies four past owners of the marble.
The fifth person is Xuanmin himself, which shocks everyone—especially Xue Xian, who realizes Xuanmin may be amnesiac.
Xuanmin asks Lu Shijiu to divine who gave him a folded paper with the words “Find them” on it.
Lu Shijiu replies that Xuanmin gave it to himself, confirming his memory loss.
The group learns the only path forward is deeper into the tomb, as the way back is blocked.
They reach a vast chamber with night pearls forming the Big Dipper constellation on the ceiling.
The path ahead is made of narrow stone platforms above deep black water; stepping wrong could be fatal.
Lu Shijiu guides the group using his ability to sense qi, but warns Lu Nianqi not to look down.
Lu Nianqi panics, looks down, and freezes; he jumps to a wrong platform, triggering a chain reaction.
The black water roars to life, and waves begin crashing down on the group.
Xuanmin grabs Jiang Shining and Lu Nianqi and sprints across the platforms.
The stone platforms begin to collapse and break, and the water level rises rapidly.
A massive wave knocks the group into the water; Xue Xian's marble falls into the pool and drags Xuanmin with it.
The water is cursed and stings; Xue Xian becomes disoriented, feeling bloated and overheated.
The marble absorbs something buried in the soil—possibly a fragment of Xue Xian’s dragon body.
A whirlpool forms, pulling everyone under and knocking them unconscious.
The tomb chamber is drained completely, revealing hundreds of broken stone statues at the bottom.
Inside each statue is a corpse; the furious ones are headless, the sad ones legless, and the joyful ones handless.
Xue Xian vomits up all the water from the marble; Xuanmin wakes up but seems to suffer from temporary memory loss.
Xuanmin doesn’t recognize Xue Xian and behaves like a different person, hinting at multiple personalities or possession.
Xue Xian spots a strange spider-like mark on Xuanmin’s neck that vanishes when touched.
The mark resembles spider legs emerging from a mole; it disappears after Xuanmin touches it and appears again.
Xue Xian regains some of his spine after absorbing something from the soil; it helps him grow part of his body back.
Xuanmin and Xue Xian examine the statues and deduce that they represent the components of a forbidden feng shui array.
Xuanmin remembers the array as the “Flow of a Hundred Soldiers,” which sacrifices three hundred people for good fortune.
The furious statues represent fierce generals, the sad ones represent suffering commonfolk, and the joyful ones wicked villains.

Chapter 13:
Life Exchange ArrayLu Yuan, a widower, moved to Wolong County 13 years ago with his biological son Lu Nianqi after his wife’s death.
On the way, he found an abandoned, sickly boy, Lu Shijiu, in an old mountain temple and adopted him.
Lu Shijiu had been abandoned by his family due to illness and blindness; Lu Yuan took pity on him and raised him alongside Lu Nianqi.
Lu Nianqi was mischievous and energetic while Lu Shijiu was quiet, withdrawn, and eerie due to his health and blindness.
Although Lu Yuan disciplined Lu Nianqi often, he never laid a hand on Lu Shijiu and cherished him deeply.
Lu Nianqi constantly followed Lu Shijiu around despite Lu Shijiu finding him annoying.
Over time, as Lu Shijiu lost his vision entirely, he began experiencing strange sounds and phenomena.
When Lu Shijiu was 9 and Lu Nianqi 7, Lu Shijiu was drawn to the river by a mysterious sound and fell in after glimpsing a dragon's shadow in the water.
Lu Nianqi jumped in to save him but nearly drowned.
Lu Yuan arrived and had to choose who to save first. He pulled Lu Nianqi ashore, but before he could return for Lu Shijiu, a water vortex pulled him under, and he drowned.
This trauma changed Lu Nianqi, who developed a fear of water and became distant from Lu Shijiu.
Lu Shijiu recounted this story calmly, with no visible emotion, unnerving the listeners.
Xuanmin examined Lu Nianqi’s palm and discovered that someone had unnaturally extended his lifeline at the age of six.
Lu Shijiu admitted he performed a life-exchange spell to lengthen Lu Nianqi’s life, which resulted in Lu Yuan’s death as a price.
Lu Shijiu asked Xuanmin to escort Lu Nianqi safely out of the tomb as one final favor.
When they prepared to leave, Xue Xian and Jiang Shining argued about how to escape the water pit.
They discovered a rusted iron door and forced it open, which woke up the unconscious Lu Nianqi.
Lu Shijiu showed no warmth toward his brother, telling him to walk on his own if he wanted to leave.
As they climbed the stairs to the tomb’s exit, Jiang Shining smelled a faint poisonous aroma and warned everyone.
The scent came from a deadly plant poison called “Seven Climb Eight Descend Nine Pass,” or antiar sap, which was smeared on the walls, floor, and ceiling.
Jiang Shining warned that since everyone was wounded, contact with the sap could be fatal.
Xuanmin realized their walking formation had changed—Lu Nianqi was now behind Lu Shijiu and Old Man Liu without Xuanmin between them.
Lu Nianqi stared intently at Lu Shijiu, suspecting something was wrong.
Lu Shijiu reached the final steps and declared that beyond a stone door was the way out but stated he wasn’t going any further.
He handed Lu Nianqi a bundle of twigs tied with red string and refused to continue.
Lu Nianqi became emotional, trying to convince Lu Shijiu to keep going, and started crying.
Lu Shijiu patted Lu Nianqi’s head and said he was going to find Lu Yuan, their father.
Lu Nianqi rubbed his eyes, but when he looked up, both Lu Shijiu and Old Man Liu had vanished.
Xuanmin found them collapsed by the wall, dead from the poison that entered through wounds on their backs and necks.
Lu Shijiu had drawn a blood array surrounded by specifically-placed copper coins used for a life-exchange ritual.
Xuanmin realized Lu Shijiu had stolen the copper coins Lu Nianqi lost earlier using spiritual energy to perform the ritual.
When Lu Nianqi stepped into the array, it activated—the blood glowed and a wisp of spirit left Lu Shijiu’s body and circled Lu Nianqi, completing the life exchange.
The spirit bowed to Xuanmin in thanks and faded.
Lu Shijiu had traded his life to fully restore Lu Nianqi’s.
His last thought was wondering if his younger brother would cry for him.

Chapter 14:
The Skeletons on the RiverbedAfter the life swap ritual is completed, a wave of yin corpses attacks the group in the tomb.
Xuanmin hesitates to use his copper coins, but eventually activates them with his blood, causing a massive explosion that collapses the tomb and destroys Fentou Island.
The tomb floods with river water, dragging corpses, debris, and the characters into a maelstrom.
Xue Xian, still in marble form, is swept into the chaos but begins to transform after absorbing power; he regains his true dragon body during the storm.
As a dragon, Xue Xian rises into the sky with thunder and lightning, is briefly witnessed by a family, then crashes back into the river due to lingering paralysis in his lower body.
Xue Xian accidentally slams into and knocks out Xuanmin underwater.
Lu Nianqi, Lu Shijiu, and Old Man Liu's bodies float to the surface; Lu Nianqi is found alive and revived by a corpse collector, who is startled.
Xue Xian finds a chained corpse under the river, slices the chain with his claw, and sends the body floating to the surface.
He also finds a massive stone lock with a craftsman's mark, suspecting it's connected to the tomb's feng shui array.
Xue Xian tries to leave the river in human form but transforms back into a dragon after realizing he’s naked.
He disguises himself as a tiny dragon and coils around Xuanmin’s wrist, waiting for him to wake up.
Xuanmin awakens, and Xue Xian helps him recover his memories by guiding him to touch the mole on his neck.
Xuanmin realizes Xue Xian is now in his true dragon form and questions why he’s still hanging around; Xue Xian insists it’s his choice and refuses to leave.
Xue Xian admits internally that being near Xuanmin benefits his recovery and healing.
Xuanmin and Xue Xian investigate the stone lock and chained corpse; they find more iron military tags, suggesting a connection to the tomb.
Lu Nianqi arrives and asks for help, revealing that he can’t see Lu Shijiu anymore, only vague outlines of other people.
Jiang Shining confirms he is a ghost inside a paper doll and explains soul lingering; Lu Nianqi is comforted by this.
Lu Nianqi struggles to walk and admits to feeling pain and bone-deep aches.
Jiang Shining and Xue Xian realize Lu Nianqi has inherited Lu Shijiu’s abilities, particularly spiritual sight, and that his physical suffering is part of the price of the life swap.
Xuanmin confirms this by identifying a mole on Lu Nianqi’s forehead as a mark of a successful life swap.
Lu Nianqi passes out from emotional and physical exhaustion; Xuanmin and Xue Xian decide to stay in the brothers’ home temporarily.
Xuanmin orders a coffin and prepares Lu Shijiu’s funeral arrangements while placing Lu Nianqi to rest.
Xue Xian complains about being naked and demands new clothes; Xuanmin mocks him using his own earlier words.
Xue Xian bites Xuanmin several times in retaliation, leaving multiple marks on his fingers.
Jiang Shining enters and leaves again, unable to bear the ridiculous scene.
Xuanmin prepares to leave to find clothes for Xue Xian, which leads to upcoming complications and developments.

Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi, Vol. 2

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There's Something Wrong with the Chief: Du Zhu You Bing (Novel) Vol. 1

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Thrice Married to a Salted Fish, Vol. 1

Chapter 1A wedding night takes place at the marquess of Nan’an’s manor, where matrons gossip that the groom Lu Wancheng is extraordinarily handsome but sickly, and that the marriage only happened because Lin Qingyu’s birth bazi was believed to bring fortune and ward off death.
Lin Qingyu is revealed to be the bride, wearing a bridal veil despite being a man, and he is now the legitimate male wife of Lu Wancheng, the heir of the marquess of Nan’an.
After the servants leave, Lin Qingyu removes his own veil and looks at Lu Wancheng, who lies unconscious on the bed in red wedding robes, handsome but pale and clearly very ill.
Lin Qingyu reflects bitterly that he had spent years preparing for the Imperial Academy of Medicine, hoping to become a medical official or physician, but all his plans were destroyed by this forced marriage.
The empress arranged the marriage after learning Lin Qingyu was born at the exact time specified by the imperial preceptor as the only way to save Lu Wancheng’s life, making refusal impossible without endangering the entire Lin family.
Lu Wancheng’s illness is explained: he was predicted to die before age twenty, has been bedridden for years, and recently fell into prolonged delirium, prompting the marquess to seek supernatural help.
Lin Qingyu accepts becoming Lu Wancheng’s wife purely to protect his parents and younger brother, feeling humiliated and resentful, especially after being taught the “ways of a male wife” and prepared like a concubine.
A maid urges Lin Qingyu to serve Lu Wancheng in bed, which fills Lin Qingyu with anger and disgust, though he suppresses it and extinguishes most of the candles.
As a physician, Lin Qingyu examines Lu Wancheng’s condition by taking his pulse and confirms that Lu Wancheng’s vitality is nearly exhausted and that he will not live more than six months.
Lin Qingyu briefly feels relief, thinking that once Lu Wancheng dies, he will finally be free from this marriage.
While Lin Qingyu is checking his pulse, Lu Wancheng unexpectedly stirs and begins to wake up, surprising Lin Qingyu.
Lu Wancheng opens his eyes in confusion and calls Lin Qingyu a beauty, showing inappropriate humor despite his condition.
Lu Wancheng does not recognize Lin Qingyu, nor does he seem to understand where he is or why he is there, suggesting memory confusion or something stranger.
Lin Qingyu realizes Lu Wancheng may have been unaware of the marriage due to his long delirium and introduces himself by name.
Lu Wancheng reacts oddly to Lin Qingyu’s name, calling him “the beautiful imperial physician who died in the Eastern Palace,” which deeply confuses Lin Qingyu.
Lu Wancheng demands a mirror, and upon seeing his own reflection, reacts with shock and curses, as if realizing something is terribly wrong with his situation or identity.
The servants are alerted, and the marquess’s household rushes in, including Physician Zhang, who examines Lu Wancheng and is astonished to find that his pulse has dramatically improved overnight.
Physician Zhang declares Lu Wancheng’s recovery miraculous, saying it is as if new life has been breathed into him, though he only promises a slim chance of survival rather than a full cure.
The marchioness of Nan’an is overjoyed and believes Lin Qingyu’s marriage has saved Lu Wancheng, calling Lin Qingyu her son’s savior and entrusting Lu Wancheng’s future care to him.
Lin Qingyu outwardly smiles and agrees to care for Lu Wancheng, though inwardly he clenches his fists, resentful of being further bound to this role.
The household jokes that Lin Qingyu should call Lu Wancheng “my husband,” deepening Lin Qingyu’s humiliation, before everyone finally leaves the bridal chamber.
Alone again, Lu Wancheng appears thoughtful and conflicted, while Lin Qingyu stands by the window feeling alienated and trapped in his new life.
Lu Wancheng casually addresses Lin Qingyu and explains that he has been thinking things through, including the unfairness of Lin Qingyu becoming a widow after caring for him.
Lu Wancheng states that if he had been conscious earlier, he would not have agreed to the marriage, but acknowledges that it is now irreversible and known throughout the capital.
Lin Qingyu coldly reveals that Lu Wancheng was unconscious during the ceremony and that he had to kneel and perform the rites with a rooster instead of his groom.
Lu Wancheng mocks the situation and tells Lin Qingyu not to take the marriage seriously, stating bluntly that he expects to die within half a year.
Lu Wancheng promises that after his death, Lin Qingyu can take whatever inheritance he gains and return to the Lin family, offering freedom and no resistance from him.
Lu Wancheng ends by describing himself as someone too weak to contend with the deep politics of the manor, saying he only wants to lie low and live like a “salted fish,” closing the chapter with an odd mix of resignation and mystery.

Chapter 2Lin Qingyu listens to Lu Wancheng speak casually about his impending death and realizes that Lu Wancheng truly does not seem afraid of dying.
Lu Wancheng, exhausted and ill, reclines on the bed and teasingly calls Lin Qingyu “Beautiful,” which angers Lin Qingyu due to past harassment, though he notes Lu Wancheng does not behave lewdly.
Lin Qingyu reflects on the humiliation of being forced to wear wedding makeup and vows to remember the indignities imposed by the marquess’s household and the imperial family.
Lin Qingyu decides that since Lu Wancheng is a dying man and their marriage is in name only, he will not hold a grudge against him.
With only one bed in the bridal chamber, Lin Qingyu chooses to sleep on a soft divan and takes an extra quilt from the bed despite the cold weather.
Lu Wancheng briefly wakes when Lin Qingyu takes the quilt, agrees to it, and later comments on Lin Qingyu sleeping in his clothes, prompting Lin Qingyu to undress to nightclothes.
The next morning, servants arrive to wake the couple for the traditional tea-serving ceremony, but Lu Wancheng remains deeply asleep.
Lin Qingyu refuses makeup, changes into plain men’s robes, and orders the wedding trousseau removed, showing his rejection of the marriage’s trappings.
When Lu Wancheng still does not wake, Lin Qingyu examines him and determines he is only sleeping, advising the servants not to disturb him due to his illness.
Lin Qingyu argues that tradition should not outweigh Lu Wancheng’s life and implies that neither of them needs to serve tea if Lu Wancheng is unwell.
A servant reports to Lady Liang, who decides that Lin Qingyu alone serving tea is sufficient, revealing her deep concern for Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu begrudgingly follows orders to attend the tea ceremony and observes the wealth and power of the marquess of Nan’an’s manor.
Lin Qingyu serves tea to the marquess of Nan’an and Lady Liang while imagining poisoning them, highlighting his resentment and suppressed hostility.
Lady Liang speaks kindly and encourages Lin Qingyu to treat the manor as home, while an aunt scolds him for not calling Lady Liang “Mother.”
Lin Qingyu resists changing his form of address, causing displeasure from the marquess of Nan’an, though Lady Liang smooths things over.
Lady Liang explains that Lin Qingyu’s fate matches Lu Wancheng’s and urges him to prioritize Lu Wancheng and care for him on his sickbed.
The marquess of Nan’an orders Lin Qingyu to use his medical skills to assist in Lu Wancheng’s care, reinforcing Lin Qingyu’s confinement to the manor.
Lady Liang gifts Lin Qingyu a jade bracelet originally meant for a future grandson, subtly expressing regret over Lu Wancheng’s inability to have children.
Lin Qingyu concludes that the marquess’s family is irritating and that Lu Wancheng is the only tolerable member among them.
Back at Lanfeng Pavilion, Lin Qingyu checks on Lu Wancheng, intending to examine his unusual pulse rather than out of concern.
Lin Qingyu attempts to take Lu Wancheng’s pulse but is caught when Lu Wancheng grabs his hand and teasingly questions his intentions.
Lu Wancheng openly states that he does not like men and asks Lin Qingyu about his preferences, leaving Lin Qingyu unsettled by the question.
Lin Qingyu admits he does not like men and expresses bitterness about being forced into a warding-off marriage.
Lu Wancheng offers compensation for Lin Qingyu’s grievance, including his inheritance, though Lin Qingyu points out it would still require struggle.
Lin Qingyu insists on examining Lu Wancheng’s pulse and discovers that while his vitality has improved, the root of his illness remains incurable.
Lin Qingyu determines that Lu Wancheng still has no more than half a year to live, as his body continues to consume the fleeting breath of life.
When Lu Wancheng asks if there is hope, Lin Qingyu avoids answering directly, revealing his grim conclusion through silence.
Lu Wancheng calmly remarks that Lin Qingyu should wish for his death to come sooner and states that he does not fear fate or death.
Lu Wancheng jokingly calls Lin Qingyu his future widow and accepts his imminent death as inevitable, leaving Lin Qingyu unable to respond.

Chapter 3Lin Qingyu leaves Lu Wancheng after confirming that Lu Wancheng has no will to live and thinks that the sooner Lu Wancheng dies, the sooner he can return to the Lin residence.
Lin Qingyu returns to the study and reflects on how he came alone to the marquess of Nan’an’s residence with only clothes and medical books, refusing to bring servants because he did not want to treat this marriage as a dowry arrangement.
Lin Qingyu immerses himself in medical books, revealing his eidetic memory, his lifelong devotion to medicine, and his abandoned dream of becoming a medical official in the Department of Imperial Physicians.
Auntie Liu arrives to summon Lin Qingyu to eat and insists that he must dine with Lu Wancheng because Lady Liang believes Lin Qingyu is a lucky charm whose presence will help Lu Wancheng recover.
Lin Qingyu mocks the superstition behind the warding-off marriage and verbally intimidates Auntie Liu, forcing her to retreat after asserting his authority as young lord.
Auntie Liu insists that Lin Qingyu must accompany Lu Wancheng to eat ginseng chicken soup ordered by Lady Liang, and Lin Qingyu criticizes the dish as medically inappropriate for Lu Wancheng’s condition.
Lin Qingyu sends Auntie Liu away with the soup and privately worries that Lady Liang’s repeated nourishing treatments are worsening Lu Wancheng’s chronic illness.
Lin Qingyu decides to observe Lu Wancheng’s rare condition longer, partly out of medical curiosity and partly as an act of karma.
Lin Qingyu goes to the bedroom after learning that Lu Wancheng is eating in bed and tries to warn him not to drink the ginseng chicken soup.
Lin Qingyu discovers that Lu Wancheng has not touched the ginseng chicken soup and learns that Lu Wancheng refuses anything sent by Lady Liang.
Lu Wancheng cryptically implies that his family wants him to die sooner and jokes about having exactly half a year left to live.
Lu Wancheng laughs excessively, coughs, and exposes the fragile state of his health while hinting at a strained and insincere mother-son relationship.
Lu Wancheng offers Lin Qingyu wedding gifts and insists on showing him one item despite Lin Qingyu’s initial refusal.
Hualu presents Lin Qingyu with a leather acupuncture bag, which deeply moves Lin Qingyu because of its professional significance.
Lin Qingyu realizes that among many luxurious wedding gifts, Lu Wancheng deliberately chose the acupuncture bag for him.
Lin Qingyu notices the embroidery reading “Union of Lu and Lin, always of one heart” and questions the meaning of the gift.
Lu Wancheng vaguely says the acupuncture bag is for Lin Qingyu’s future use and avoids directly saying it is meant for treating him.
Lu Wancheng teases Lin Qingyu about being upset and deflects tension with humor while clearly observing Lin Qingyu’s emotions.
Lu Wancheng warns Lin Qingyu that Lady Liang is approaching, correctly deducing that Lin Qingyu ignored her instructions to stay with him.
Lin Qingyu abruptly decides to play along and feeds Lu Wancheng porridge intimately on the bed.
Lady Liang and Auntie Liu rush in expecting to catch Lin Qingyu neglecting Lu Wancheng but instead find the couple appearing harmonious and affectionate.
Lu Wancheng calmly addresses Lady Liang and pretends to be touched by her concern, subtly controlling the situation.
Lady Liang asks whether Lu Wancheng drank the ginseng chicken soup, and Lu Wancheng shifts the blame to Lin Qingyu for stopping him.
Lin Qingyu explains the medical reasoning against ginseng soup, cornering Lady Liang with logic and exposing her ignorance or negligence.
Lu Wancheng deflects responsibility onto Auntie Liu, forcing her to kneel and accept blame for the incident.
Lin Qingyu formally punishes Auntie Liu according to manor rules by fining her salary and sentencing her to hard labor.
Lady Liang reluctantly agrees to the punishment, losing face and authority in front of both Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng.
After Lady Liang leaves, Lu Wancheng asks Lin Qingyu why he targeted Auntie Liu so harshly.
Lin Qingyu reveals that Auntie Liu forced him to address Lu Wancheng as husband, which he deeply resented.
Lu Wancheng teases Lin Qingyu for holding grudges and asks how he learned the manor rules so well.
Lin Qingyu states that Auntie Liu repeatedly recited the rules to him and that his perfect memory made him remember them effortlessly.
Lu Wancheng privately admires Lin Qingyu’s intelligence and composure, calling him impressive.

Chapter 4Lin Qingyu realizes before sleeping that he forgot to arrange a bed in the study and considers sleeping at the desk, but Lu Wancheng sends Hualu to call Lin Qingyu back to sleep in their shared room.
Lin Qingyu enters the bedroom unhappy and questions Lu Wancheng about why he is being asked to sleep there despite their agreement not to take the marriage seriously.
Lu Wancheng bluntly explains that he did not intend to sleep together and jokes crudely, which irritates Lin Qingyu and leads to a tense exchange.
Lu Wancheng reveals that he wants Lin Qingyu’s presence because he believes Lin Qingyu’s good fortune eases his physical discomfort.
Lin Qingyu mocks Lu Wancheng for believing in superstition and rejects ideas like souls, spirits, reincarnation, and the imperial preceptor’s claims.
Lu Wancheng insists he has personally experienced things that make him believe, and mentions wanting to meet the imperial preceptor one day.
Lin Qingyu notices that Lu Wancheng had a proper divan prepared with bedding for him, avoiding sharing a bed while still appearing harmonious.
Lin Qingyu decides to sleep on the divan permanently, finding it acceptable and useful for avoiding Lady Liang’s scrutiny.
That night, Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng chat awkwardly, discussing their ages, with Lu Wancheng teasing Lin Qingyu about seniority and nicknames.
Lu Wancheng privately remarks that Lin Qingyu is beautiful but ill-tempered and muses that someone like him is strangely not the story’s protagonist.
Lin Qingyu falls asleep and dreams about the Imperial Academy of Medicine, recalling his confidence and dedication before the entrance examination.
In the dream, just as Lin Qingyu is about to enter the examination hall, a eunuch stops him with an imperial edict announcing his marriage to Lu Wancheng.
The dream ends with the academy doors closing on Lin Qingyu, symbolizing the loss of his future as a physician.
Lin Qingyu wakes up distressed and reflects that in reality he was disqualified from the exam and forced into marriage before it even began.
Unable to sleep, Lin Qingyu hears Lu Wancheng groaning in pain and discovers him suffering from palpitations and chest discomfort.
Lin Qingyu treats Lu Wancheng seriously as a patient, giving him calming medicine and performing acupuncture despite Lu Wancheng’s fear of needles.
Lu Wancheng speaks casually about dying again, but Lin Qingyu firmly states that he will not let Lu Wancheng die that night.
The treatment succeeds, Lu Wancheng falls asleep peacefully, and Lin Qingyu stays awake until dawn, relieved.
Lu Wancheng sleeps for over twelve hours the next day, worrying Hualu, while Lin Qingyu notes that excessive sleep may indicate deeper illness.
Lu Wancheng wakes after noon, thanks Lin Qingyu sincerely, and jokes that he would not have known how he died without him.
Lu Wancheng claims he wants to repay Lin Qingyu’s kindness by doing something troublesome for him, which Lin Qingyu dismisses coldly.
Fengqin announces the arrival of Lu Wancheng’s second younger sister, who has come to visit him with handmade kneepads.
Lu Wancheng hesitates and ultimately refuses to see his sister, despite her concern and repeated visits.
Lin Qingyu questions why Lu Wancheng avoids his sister, but Lu Wancheng admits he does not want to put on an act in front of her.
Lu Wancheng instructs Fengqin to tell his sister to treat him as if he were dead, turning away and revealing his loneliness and stubborn resolve.

Chapter 5Lu Wancheng shows slight physical improvement after several days of care but quickly gives up trying to walk, joking that he chooses to give up rather than endure difficulty.
Lin Qingyu is irritated by Lu Wancheng’s defeatist attitude and avoids his room for an entire day.
The day arrives for Lin Qingyu, as the bride, to return to his parental home, and although he dislikes the label, he deeply misses his family.
Lady Liang sends a steward with only two chests of return gifts, explaining that the amount corresponds to Lin Qingyu’s minimal dowry.
Lin Qingyu refuses to take the gifts, stating they should be left for the marquess and marchioness instead.
Hualu worries Lin Qingyu will be gossiped about for returning home empty-handed, but Lin Qingyu does not care about public opinion.
The narrative explains that although homosexuality is accepted in Great Yu, Lin Qingyu’s marriage to Lu Wancheng is abnormal because men cannot be main wives under the law.
Lin Qingyu is infamous in the capital as the first man made a wife by imperial decree.
Lin Qingyu departs alone after being told that Lu Wancheng is too ill to accompany him, which Lin Qingyu says was never his intention anyway.
On the way, Lin Qingyu stops at Yongxing Street and personally buys wine, candied fruit, and snacks as gifts for his family.
Lin Qingyu arrives home and is warmly greeted by his mother, his servant Huantong, and his six-year-old brother Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qingyu reassures his mother that Lu Wancheng did not come and repeats Lu Wancheng’s remark about being treated as dead.
Lin Qingyu learns that his father is hosting his student Tan Qizhi, which displeases him.
Lin Qingyu reunites with his father, who is quietly happy to see him.
Tan Qizhi is surprised that Lu Wancheng did not accompany Lin Qingyu and subtly implies this is improper.
Tan Qizhi openly scrutinizes Lin Qingyu’s appearance and mocks his plain clothing despite his noble marital status.
Lin Qingyu sharply retorts by mocking Tan Qizhi’s flashy attire and likening him to a noble family’s male wife.
Tan Qizhi asks to see Lin Qingyu’s return gifts, clearly expecting something extravagant.
Lin Qingyu presents only two jars of wine and mentions candied fruit, embarrassing Tan Qizhi.
Lin Qinghe happily thanks Lin Qingyu for the candied fruit, undermining Tan Qizhi’s attempts at ridicule.
Tan Qizhi suggests Lin Qingyu is hiding better gifts, which Lin Qingyu’s father rebukes.
Tan Qizhi claims propriety forbids him from drinking with Lin Qingyu now that Lin Qingyu is married.
Lin Qingyu turns Tan Qizhi’s argument around and directly orders him to leave as an outsider.
Tan Qizhi attempts to stay by claiming he has another request to make.
A steward suddenly announces that Lin Qingyu’s son-in-law has arrived, revealing Lu Wancheng’s unexpected appearance.
Lin Qingyu is shocked and goes out to greet Lu Wancheng, accompanied by his parents and Tan Qizhi to avoid rumors.
Lu Wancheng appears in a wheelchair, dressed elegantly and visibly healthier than before.
Lu Wancheng lightly teases Lin Qingyu for not bringing him along.
Lu Wancheng stands with assistance and formally greets Lin Qingyu’s parents with perfect courtesy.
Lin Qinghe openly admires Lu Wancheng’s looks, which Lin Qingyu immediately denies.
Lu Wancheng sits back down and acknowledges Tan Qizhi, deliberately pretending not to remember the name of Tan Qizhi’s apothecary to humiliate him.
Lin Qingyu sends his family inside due to the cold and stays behind with Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu questions Lu Wancheng’s motives, sensing this behavior is unusual.
Lu Wancheng admits it took great effort to come and claims he did so to support Lin Qingyu and repay him for medical treatment.
Lin Qingyu bluntly states he is not touched and suggests Lu Wancheng should leave.
Lu Wancheng reacts with mock despair, ending the chapter on a note of dry humor.

Chapter 6Lu Wancheng arrives at the Lin residence looking dramatic despite only waking early and riding in a wheelchair, which Lin Qingyu internally mocks.
Lin Qingyu is annoyed that both Tan Qizhi and Lu Wancheng have appeared, ruining his chance to quietly eat with his family.
Lu Wancheng initially plans to leave after delivering gifts but is pulled into the house when Lin Qinghe calls them inside.
Lu Wancheng insists on following etiquette by greeting Lin Qingyu’s parents and is given a seat at the table.
Lu Wancheng claims he cannot eat and must leave due to poor health, prompting Lin Qingyu’s mother to invite him to rest instead.
Lu Wancheng deliberately hints at being ill so Lin Qingyu’s father will examine him, while Lin Qingyu pretends not to notice.
Lu Wancheng secretly stays mainly because he wants to eat the plum-blossom cake, which Lin Qingyu believes despite finding it ridiculous.
Lin Qingyu directly asks Tan Qizhi why he is still present since Lin Qingyu cannot drink with him.
Tan Qizhi argues that Lu Wancheng should be open-minded and allow drinking, and Lu Wancheng agrees on the surface.
Lu Wancheng subtly drives Tan Qizhi away by questioning whether Tan Qizhi’s wife would be offended by him drinking with a married male couple.
Tan Qizhi is forced to leave awkwardly, realizing Lu Wancheng is deliberately pushing him out.
Lu Wancheng reveals he brought five carriages of gifts Lin Qingyu forgot, further humiliating Tan Qizhi.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng whisper during the meal, appearing intimate to Lin Qingyu’s parents despite privately bickering.
Lu Wancheng suggests the gifts be sold for silver after his death, joking about Lin Qingyu enjoying his inheritance, which Lin Qingyu accepts pragmatically.
Lin Qingyu’s father examines Lu Wancheng and confirms his illness is congenital and incurable, advising rest and caution.
Lin Qingyu privately confirms Lu Wancheng has about half a year left to live.
Lin Qingyu’s father admits there is a method to extend Lu Wancheng’s life by another half year at the cost of great suffering.
Lin Qingyu internally decides he does not want Lu Wancheng to live longer, wanting the marriage to end sooner.
Lin Qingyu’s mother asks if Lu Wancheng treats him well, and Lin Qingyu dismisses the marriage as a six-month farce.
Tan Qizhi later corners Lin Qingyu under the excuse of losing a jade pendant and brings up the Imperial Academy of Medicine exam.
Tan Qizhi deliberately needles Lin Qingyu about his inability to take the exam, while Lin Qingyu mocks Tan Qizhi’s past failure.
Tan Qizhi asks to borrow Lin Qingyu’s medical books, implying Lin Qingyu no longer needs them.
Lin Qingyu coldly refuses, insults Tan Qizhi’s ability, and has him sent away.
Lin Qingyu prepares to return to the marquess’s residence with snacks packed by his mother, including plum-blossom cakes for Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu finds Lu Wancheng awake and lazing in bed, pretending to be helpless due to the cold.
Lin Qingyu yanks away Lu Wancheng’s quilt, refusing to indulge him, and Lu Wancheng cheerfully complies.
Lin Qingyu vents his frustration about Tan Qizhi being allowed to take the medical exam while he cannot.
Lu Wancheng reassures Lin Qingyu that Tan Qizhi is insignificant and jokes about dying faster so Lin Qingyu can be widowed before the exam.
Lu Wancheng gently encourages Lin Qingyu not to compare himself to others, leaving Lin Qingyu momentarily speechless.

Chapter 7Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng finish packing, bid farewell to Lin Qingyu’s parents, and return together to the marquess of Nan’an’s manor, with the entire Lin household seeing them off.
Lin Qingyu reflects that returning home is rare and difficult for him because he needs Lady Liang’s permission and can only visit a few times each year, which makes the farewell especially emotional.
Lin Qingyu’s mother is reluctant to let him go, Lin Qinghe clings to him, and Huantong cries the hardest because Lin Qingyu is the center of his life and purpose.
Huantong begs to follow Lin Qingyu back to the marquess’s manor, and Lin Qingyu’s mother supports this, worrying that Lin Qingyu has no one he can fully trust there.
Lin Qingyu agrees to take Huantong with him, which turns Huantong’s tears into joy.
Lin Qingyu informs Lu Wancheng about bringing Huantong along, and Lu Wancheng casually approves, saying it will be nice to have another boy at Lanfeng Pavilion.
Lin Qingyu worries that Huantong will be trapped in the inner chambers like himself, while Lu Wancheng cheerfully claims the inner chambers are paradise for someone like him.
Lin Qingyu dismisses Lu Wancheng’s attitude, stating that people on different paths cannot plan together.
Lin Qinghe sweetly says goodbye to both Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng, and Lu Wancheng notes with amusement that Lin Qinghe seems to like him.
Lin Qingyu bluntly says Lin Qinghe judges people by appearance and implies that Lu Wancheng is only “all right,” which still surprises Lu Wancheng.
Lu Wancheng jokingly calls Lin Qingyu the “number one beauty,” and Lin Qingyu seriously argues that such rankings are illogical and impossible to prove.
Lu Wancheng speaks nonsense about someone who has seen everything and ranked their looks, which Lin Qingyu dismisses as absurd and ignores.
Lin Qingyu worries that Lady Liang will know about the many gifts sent to the Lin family and may indirectly pressure him about them, which irritates him.
After returning to the manor, Huantong pushes Lu Wancheng’s wheelchair as they head toward Lanfeng Pavilion, but Lu Wancheng insists they should first greet Lady Liang.
Lin Qingyu questions Lu Wancheng’s sudden filial behavior, suspecting ulterior motives because Lu Wancheng usually avoids Lady Liang.
They visit Lady Liang, who feels sorry for Lu Wancheng’s illness and says he did not need to accompany Lin Qingyu home.
Lu Wancheng jokingly suggests Lin Qingyu should be punished for leaving without him, but Lady Liang sides with Lin Qingyu and dismisses the idea.
Lu Wancheng subtly brings up the return gifts, explaining he chose them from his birth mother’s dowry, and Lady Liang calmly says he may use them as he wishes.
Lin Qingyu recalls rumors about Lu Wancheng’s background, including his powerful birth mother who died in childbirth and Lady Liang raising him as her own.
After leaving Lady Liang’s courtyard, Lu Wancheng collapses into bed from exhaustion, while Lin Qingyu rests behind the screen in their room.
Lin Qingyu comments that Lu Wancheng is not stupid, and Lu Wancheng admits he can force himself to do things he hates if they are good for him.
Lin Qingyu asks about Lu Wancheng’s education despite his lifelong illness, but Lu Wancheng falls asleep before answering.
As the weather warms, Lu Wancheng’s health improves, and he no longer needs a wheelchair, spending his days enjoying leisurely amusements.
Lin Qingyu studies a prescription written by his father and debates whether to give it to Lu Wancheng because it contains harsh, toxic ingredients.
Lu Wancheng walks outside with his pet bird, Huantong, and several maids, whose laughter and chirping disrupt Lin Qingyu’s concentration.
Lin Qingyu coldly asks Lu Wancheng to quiet the bird, while Lu Wancheng invites him to take a break and enjoy the day.
Lin Qingyu refuses, claiming he will forget his ambitions if he stops working, and shuts the window firmly.
Lu Wancheng remarks that Lin Qingyu is boring, while Huantong defends Lin Qingyu by saying he was different at the Lin residence.
A loud crash comes from the study, and everyone finds Lin Qingyu injured after missing a step while putting away books.
Lin Qingyu insists he is fine but admits he sprained something and asks to be helped to the bedroom for medicine.
Lu Wancheng impulsively tries to carry Lin Qingyu despite his weak body, nearly collapsing and making the situation worse.
Huantong easily carries Lin Qingyu instead, highlighting the contrast between Lu Wancheng’s intentions and physical limits.
Lu Wancheng watches this, laughs bitterly, and curses in frustration, revealing his shaken emotions and helplessness.

Chapter 8Huantong carries Lin Qingyu back to the bedroom after he sprains his ankle and sets him on a divan.
Lin Qingyu orders Huantong to fetch the medicine chest and personally applies sprain treatment to his ankle, enduring the pain without calling a physician.
Hualu worries about Lin Qingyu’s injury, but Huantong insists Lin Qingyu himself is the best physician.
Lin Qingyu refuses help with massage and instructs Hualu to prepare a cold compress, showing his medical discipline.
Lin Qingyu notices Lu Wancheng sitting silently and asks if he is hurt, but Lu Wancheng instead worries about Lin Qingyu’s sprain.
Lin Qingyu says the sprain would have healed faster if Lu Wancheng had not thrown him earlier, embarrassing Lu Wancheng.
Lu Wancheng offers his wheelchair to Lin Qingyu, but Lin Qingyu refuses and instead relies on Huantong’s assistance.
Hualu remarks on Lin Qingyu’s appearance while injured, and Lu Wancheng calls him a “war-torn beauty” while watching him closely.
That night, Lu Wancheng cannot sleep and sighs repeatedly, disturbing Lin Qingyu while he reads.
Lu Wancheng admits he is upset because he could not lift Lin Qingyu earlier, which deeply frustrates him.
Lin Qingyu bluntly explains that Lu Wancheng’s body is weak and that he should understand his limits instead of comparing himself to others.
Lu Wancheng argues emotionally and compares himself to Huantong, only to be mocked when Lin Qingyu throws his own words back at him.
Lin Qingyu smiles playfully for the first time, surprising Lu Wancheng and making him see Lin Qingyu’s inner beauty.
Lu Wancheng gently asks if Lin Qingyu is still in pain and suggests they share the bed since Lin Qingyu is also injured.
Lin Qingyu repeatedly refuses, claiming Lu Wancheng has terrible sleeping habits and might crush his hair.
Lu Wancheng relents after Lin Qingyu threatens to medically silence him for three days.
Lady Liang sends a maid to inquire about Lin Qingyu’s injury, maintaining appearances.
A maid from Concubine Pan delivers ointment patches said to be effective for sprains.
Lin Qingyu confirms the ointment is good but hesitates to accept it because he has never met Concubine Pan and does not want to owe her.
Lu Wancheng accepts the ointment on Lin Qingyu’s behalf and claims Concubine Pan is timid and trustworthy.
Lin Qingyu reflects that among everyone in the manor, only Lu Wancheng is someone he truly trusts.
Lu Wancheng reveals that the acupuncture bag Lin Qingyu once rejected was actually made by Concubine Pan as a wedding gift.
Lu Wancheng tries to apply the ointment patch to Lin Qingyu’s ankle, but Lin Qingyu forcefully escapes and leaves the room.
Lin Qingyu’s sprain heals after three days of rest.
Lu Wancheng replaces the laughingthrush with a myna bird that loudly imitates words, driving Lin Qingyu away from Lanfeng Pavilion.
Lin Qingyu goes to dry herbs in a garden with Huantong, enjoying the peace and spring weather.
Huantong remarks that life in the marquess’s manor is happier than expected and that Lu Wancheng treats Lin Qingyu well.
Lu Niantao, Lu Wancheng’s half sister, approaches Lin Qingyu and greets him politely as Sister-in-Law.
Lin Qingyu is uncomfortable with the address but maintains courtesy in front of servants.
Lu Niantao notices the herbs and assumes Lin Qingyu is preparing medicine for Lu Wancheng.
Lu Niantao warns that only Physician Zhang should decide what medicine Lu Wancheng takes, subtly questioning Lin Qingyu’s authority.
Huantong tries to defend Lin Qingyu’s medical skill but is silenced by Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu coldly states the herbs are not for Lu Wancheng and leaves, ending the conversation.
Back at Lanfeng Pavilion, Lu Wancheng annoys Lin Qingyu by parading the myna bird while it shouts “Physician Lin.”
Lin Qingyu threatens to kill the bird and turn it into soup, forcing Lu Wancheng to back down.
The two exchange dark jokes about death, graves, and burning paper money.
Lin Qingyu tells Lu Wancheng about his encounter with Lu Niantao and questions why Lu Wancheng avoids her.
Lu Wancheng claims the stars told him Lu Niantao is not a good person and that he should stay away from her.
Lin Qingyu quietly reflects on Lu Wancheng’s words, ending the chapter with suspicion and unresolved tension.

Chapter 9Lin Qingyu goes every morning to Lady Liang’s room out of obligation as a daughter-in-law and endures polite but strained interactions to avoid giving her fault to pick at.
Lady Liang brings up that a wife’s most important duty is bearing children, indirectly pressuring Lin Qingyu despite knowing he cannot do so.
Lin Qingyu coldly suggests divorce so Lu Wancheng can marry someone capable of giving children, which Lady Liang dismisses by calling Lin Qingyu Lu Wancheng’s lucky charm.
Lady Liang shifts the topic to household management, saying Lin Qingyu should assist Lu Wancheng by taking charge of the manor’s affairs.
Lin Qingyu mocks Lu Wancheng’s lack of real worries and directly mentions Lu Wancheng’s illness, making Lady Liang uncomfortable.
Lady Liang insists Physician Zhang will handle Lu Wancheng’s illness, but Lin Qingyu reminds her that he was ordered to oversee Lu Wancheng’s health.
Lady Liang flatters Lin Qingyu’s intelligence and memory, arguing that capable people should shoulder more responsibility.
Auntie Liu appears and presents Lin Qingyu with thick account books for the manor’s finances.
Lin Qingyu notes that Auntie Liu has visibly aged from hard labor, subtly reminding her of past punishment.
Lady Liang gives Lin Qingyu three days to sort out the accounts, framing it as a sign of trust and favor.
Lin Qingyu realizes refusing would make him look ungrateful and accepts all the account books.
After Lin Qingyu leaves, Lady Liang reveals to Auntie Liu that she never intended to give up real control of the household.
Lady Liang explains she investigated Lin Qingyu and learned he has no real experience with accounts, believing he cannot balance medicine and accounting.
Lady Liang orders servants skilled in accounting not to help Lin Qingyu, ensuring his failure.
Lu Wancheng sleeps until noon and complains of a headache, which Lin Qingyu diagnoses as oversleeping.
Lin Qingyu massages Lu Wancheng’s temples but abruptly stops when reminded of his workload.
Lin Qingyu sarcastically comments that Lu Wancheng has an excellent stepmother, hinting at Lady Liang’s scheme.
Lu Wancheng learns about Lady Liang forcing the accounts on Lin Qingyu and reacts with amused indifference.
Lin Qingyu spends the afternoon grinding herbs while Lu Wancheng lounges in the sun, their contrasting temperaments on display.
Lin Qingyu mentions preparing a medicine that is effective but causes kidney deficiency, unsettling Lu Wancheng.
Late at night, Lin Qingyu begins reviewing the account books and discovers they are messy, incomplete, and deliberately difficult.
Lin Qingyu works past midnight, exhausting himself despite sore eyes and poor lighting.
Lu Wancheng visits the study and urges Lin Qingyu to rest, showing unexpected concern.
Lin Qingyu tries to rope Lu Wancheng into helping with the accounts, causing Lu Wancheng to flee while pretending his head hurts.
Lu Wancheng returns, blows out the lamp, grabs Lin Qingyu’s wrist, and tells him to leave the accounts to him.
Lin Qingyu refuses, stating that Lady Liang would accuse him of neglecting his husband if Lu Wancheng helped.
Lu Wancheng argues that Lady Liang’s schemes should be his responsibility, not Lin Qingyu’s.
Lin Qingyu insists on handling it himself and tells Lu Wancheng to focus only on his illness.
Lu Wancheng jokingly claims he cannot sleep without Lin Qingyu, but Lin Qingyu shows no sympathy.
Lin Qingyu barely sleeps and resumes working on the accounts early the next morning.
A man named Zhang Shiquan arrives, sent by Lu Wancheng through the duke of Wen.
Zhang Shiquan identifies that the account books have been tampered with and offers to finish them alone in one day.
Lin Qingyu accepts Zhang Shiquan’s help, recognizing professional expertise.
Lin Qingyu goes looking for Lu Wancheng and finds him gambling at pitch-pot with maids, acting like a carefree wastrel.
Watching Lu Wancheng laugh and waste money, Lin Qingyu suddenly feels that he truly understands Lu Wancheng for the first time.

Chapter 10Zhang Shiquan, an experienced accountant chosen by the Duke of Wen, finishes organizing a full month of account books in a single day and confidently claims he has never made a mistake.
Lin Qingyu thanks Zhang Shiquan, while Lu Wancheng rewards him with silver and asks him to remain in the Marquis of Nan’an’s residence in case further accounting issues arise.
After Zhang Shiquan leaves, Lu Wancheng immediately relaxes and complains that Lin Qingyu did not trust him to handle the accounts personally.
Lin Qingyu points out that Lu Wancheng indeed did not do the work himself, leading to playful but sharp banter about relying on others for life tasks.
Lu Wancheng jokingly twists the conversation into crude humor about having children without effort, which angers and embarrasses Lin Qingyu, who calls him hopeless.
The day arrives for Lady Liang to inspect the household accounts, and she prepares carefully while Auntie Liu complains bitterly about her prior punishment working in the garden.
Lady Liang reassures Auntie Liu that she was wronged and hints that today will be a turning point in her favor.
Lu Niantao arrives early to accompany Lady Liang, but Lin Qingyu does not appear on time, prompting Auntie Liu to mock him as an ill-mannered male wife.
Lu Niantao cautions Auntie Liu to mind her words and suggests waiting longer before judging Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng arrive together, surprising Lu Niantao and unsettling Lady Liang, who feels increasingly threatened by Lu Wancheng’s improving health.
Lady Liang reflects internally on how she arranged Lu Wancheng’s warding-off marriage expecting his death, only to see him recover under Lin Qingyu’s care, which fills her with fear and regret.
Lu Niantao reassures Lady Liang that rationality and fairness will protect her position, while Auntie Liu confidently believes Lin Qingyu will fail the accounting test.
Lin Qingyu wheels Lu Wancheng into the hall, and Lu Wancheng bluntly defends Lin Qingyu’s lateness, silencing Auntie Liu.
Lu Niantao expresses concern that Lu Wancheng cannot walk, but Lin Qingyu calmly explains that Lu Wancheng is simply lazy and sleepy.
Lin Qingyu immediately presents the organized account books to Lady Liang through Huantong, without engaging in further pleasantries.
Lady Liang grows suspicious because Lin Qingyu appeared too busy with medicine to complete the accounts, yet she is shocked by how clean, detailed, and professional the books are.
Auntie Liu nearly loses composure, while Lady Liang realizes the accounts are superior even to those prepared by the marquess’s own accountant.
Lu Niantao hints that an outside helper must have been involved, but Lu Wancheng calmly explains that his grandfather sent someone to assist, shutting down suspicion.
Lu Niantao publicly praises Lin Qingyu and suggests Lady Liang can safely hand over household authority to him, while Lu Wancheng adds that Lady Liang deserves a leisurely life.
Lu Niantao proposes testing Lin Qingyu’s memory, and Lady Liang agrees, hoping to find a flaw.
Lin Qingyu confidently answers detailed questions about businesses, farms, profits, and losses entirely from memory, even referencing Lady Liang’s ancestral home.
Lady Liang is forced to admit that Lin Qingyu’s answers are all correct, while Lu Wancheng watches him with open pride.
Lu Wancheng dismisses Lin Qingyu, claiming he has private matters to discuss with Lady Liang, and Lin Qingyu leaves without protest.
Alone with Lady Liang, Lu Wancheng asks her to help him stand, reversing their usual power dynamic and making her feel physically and emotionally smaller.
Lu Wancheng calmly claims his illness is terminal, says Lin Qingyu cannot save him, and implies he has less than half a year left to live.
He states that he only wants to eat, drink, and admire beauties in his remaining time, while advancing toward Lady Liang until she is forced to retreat.
Auntie Liu attempts to intervene but is silenced by Lu Wancheng’s cold authority, terrifying her and the other servants into submission.
Under intense pressure, Lady Liang panics and finally agrees to Lu Wancheng’s request, effectively conceding control.
Lu Wancheng thanks Lady Liang politely, sealing his dominance in the exchange.
Back at Lanfeng Pavilion, Lu Wancheng returns coughing and exhausted, and Lin Qingyu notices his condition worsening despite the warm weather.
Lu Wancheng dismisses it as the result of being too aggressive earlier, while Lin Qingyu checks his pulse with concern.
Lu Wancheng immediately reverts to childish behavior, complaining about being sleepy, which leaves Lin Qingyu exasperated and speechless.

Chapter 11Lin Qingyu realizes something is wrong when Lu Wancheng starts coughing, and by the next day Lu Wancheng develops a high fever and falls into a deep, unresponsive sleep.
The servants of Lanfeng Pavilion are accustomed to Lu Wancheng’s fluctuating health, knowing that even minor illnesses can be life-threatening due to his long-standing condition.
Lin Qingyu diagnoses Lu Wancheng with a cold but understands internally that Lu Wancheng’s weakened body makes even a cold dangerous.
Physician Zhang arrives with his new disciple Tan Qizhi, who greets Lin Qingyu with false familiarity.
Lin Qingyu deliberately humiliates Tan Qizhi by forcing him to wait outside in the sun while only allowing Physician Zhang to examine Lu Wancheng.
Tan Qizhi reveals his jealousy, mocking Lin Qingyu for being trapped in the manor as Lu Wancheng’s spouse and caretaker instead of pursuing the Imperial Academy of Medicine examination.
Lin Qingyu sees through Tan Qizhi’s hostility as jealousy and dismisses him as insignificant.
Physician Zhang confirms the diagnosis of a cold and prescribes ordinary medicine before leaving.
Lin Qingyu considers modifying the prescription for better effectiveness but ultimately lets Hualu prepare it as written.
While Lu Wancheng remains unconscious, Lin Qingyu continues his daily routines but reflects coldly on Lu Wancheng’s inevitable death.
Lin Qingyu prepares a complex pill meant to strengthen Lu Wancheng’s body, insisting on handling the process himself.
Lin Qingyu overhears maids gossiping that Lady Liang has not visited Lu Wancheng due to a quarrel involving Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu ignores the gossip and orders Huantong to retrieve Lady Liang’s monthly household account book under the pretense of helping her.
Lady Liang feels relieved upon hearing of Lu Wancheng’s illness and believes Lin Qingyu cannot save him.
Auntie Liu encourages Lady Liang to act against Lin Qingyu, warning her that Lin Qingyu may seize control of the household.
Despite hesitation and fear of Lu Wancheng, Lady Liang agrees to send the account book to Lanfeng Pavilion.
Lin Qingyu asks Zhang Shiquan to examine the accounts, who notes that more months are needed to find irregularities.
Lin Qingyu requests additional account books from previous months.
On the third day, Lu Wancheng’s fever subsides, but he remains unconscious and extremely weak.
When Lu Wancheng resists drinking medicine in his sleep, Lin Qingyu personally takes over feeding him.
Lin Qingyu is summoned by Lady Liang before he can finish, forcing him to leave Lu Wancheng.
Lady Liang accuses Lin Qingyu of losing a crucial page from the household accounts related to restaurant revenues.
Steward Wang theatrically claims he deserves death for the missing page, which Lin Qingyu mocks without sympathy.
Auntie Liu and Lady Liang imply that the page went missing after Huantong returned the account book, shifting blame onto Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu agrees calmly to return to Lanfeng Pavilion to search for the missing page.
Upon returning, Lin Qingyu discovers that Lu Wancheng has awakened and is joking with the maids.
Lu Wancheng speaks weakly but cheerfully, describing his repeated brushes with illness and recovery.
Lin Qingyu scolds Lu Wancheng for acting spoiled and then apologizes for his sharp tone, blaming accumulated frustration.
Lu Wancheng teasingly asks if Lin Qingyu is disappointed that he failed to die.
Lin Qingyu replies that he is slightly disappointed, and Lu Wancheng laughs, apologizing for surviving.

Chapter 12Lin Qingyu reflects on Lu Wancheng’s apology and realizes he no longer clearly understands his own intentions, since although he once wished for Lu Wancheng’s early death to free himself, he has recently worked seriously on medicine that could extend Lu Wancheng’s life by up to six months.
Lin Qingyu internally admits that the medicine is not true salvation and questions whether extending Lu Wancheng’s life even matters, given Lu Wancheng’s indifference toward life and death.
Lu Wancheng jokes about not committing suicide because he fears being forced into hard labor as a ghost, which slightly eases Lin Qingyu’s tension.
Lu Wancheng remains extremely weak, survives only on liquids, and spends his waking hours reading novellas and forcing Lin Qingyu to listen to him tell stories before sleeping.
Lin Qingyu explains that servants are searching Lanfeng Pavilion for a supposedly missing page from an account book, which Lu Wancheng immediately recognizes as an opportunity for Lin Qingyu to fight for inheritance power.
Lin Qingyu confirms he deliberately ordered a search for a nonexistent page, revealing that both he and Lu Wancheng are thinking strategically.
Lu Wancheng jokingly proposes becoming sworn brothers with Lin Qingyu, but Lin Qingyu bluntly refuses, reminding him that they are already married.
The servants fail to find the missing page, and Lady Liang and Auntie Liu accuse Lin Qingyu of negligence, insisting the page must have been lost in Lanfeng Pavilion.
Lin Qingyu calmly accepts blame without resistance, which unsettles Lady Liang and disrupts her expectations.
Lady Liang pretends generosity, decides not to trouble the Marquess of Nan’an, and frames the incident as a minor oversight to avoid appearing petty.
Lin Qingyu is given another stack of account books to manage, while Lady Liang positions herself as his protector to maintain moral authority.
Lin Qingyu has Zhang Shiquan guard the account books carefully, locking them away and counting pages repeatedly to prevent further accusations.
When Lin Qingyu reports back, Lady Liang deliberately claims another page is missing, this time page twenty-six, despite Lin Qingyu’s certainty that it was intact.
Auntie Liu confirms the book has only 119 pages instead of 120, escalating the accusation and making Lin Qingyu appear incompetent.
Lady Liang warns Lin Qingyu that she cannot protect him repeatedly and suggests he abandon household management to care for the sick Lu Wancheng instead.
Lin Qingyu refuses to retreat and openly asks for another chance, revealing his ambition to retain control over household affairs.
Lady Liang recognizes Lin Qingyu’s desire for inheritance power and decides to remove him from bookkeeping while assigning him the dangerous task of preparing a birthday gift for Noble Consort Chen.
Lady Liang explains the political sensitivity of gift-giving to the crown prince’s mother and sets strict rules to trap Lin Qingyu into making a mistake.
Lin Qingyu accepts the task despite knowing the risks and his lack of direct contact with the Eastern Palace.
Back in Lanfeng Pavilion, Lu Wancheng deliberately finishes his medicine quickly upon seeing Lin Qingyu to avoid being scolded.
Lin Qingyu deduces that someone loyal to Lady Liang stole the page at the last moment, and Lu Wancheng casually identifies Fengqin as a likely culprit.
Lu Wancheng explains that nearly everyone in Lanfeng Pavilion answers to Lady Liang, revealing his sharp observational skills and surprising Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu chooses not to confront Lady Liang, deciding instead to let her continue her schemes so he can respond on his own terms.
Lu Wancheng openly acknowledges Lin Qingyu’s darker thoughts and expresses amusement and admiration, calling him beautiful even when doing bad things.
Lin Qingyu realizes that Lu Wancheng understands him more deeply than anyone else, becoming an unexpected confidant despite his frail and lazy demeanor.
Late at night, Lu Wancheng wakes coughing and finds Lin Qingyu standing alone by the window, appearing cold, distant, and luminous.
Lin Qingyu questions whether Lu Wancheng would still admire him if his “bad deeds” involved poisoning or killing someone.
Lu Wancheng reacts with excitement rather than fear and affirms that he would still find Lin Qingyu beautiful, explicitly stating that he loves the way Lin Qingyu looks when he uses poison.

Chapter 13The Great Yu Empire’s crown prince, the emperor’s eldest son, has ruled the Eastern Palace for three years, and his birth mother Noble Consort Chen is preparing to receive birthday congratulations from all titled noblewomen.
Lady Liang orders Lin Qingyu to prepare a birthday gift for Noble Consort Chen that matches past gifts in value without appearing to curry favor or offend the empress.
Lin Qingyu reviews the residence storerooms and notes that valuable items like the mutton-fat jade scepters and a thousand-year-old ginseng are no longer there.
Lin Qingyu selects several items and brings them to Lanfeng Pavilion to examine them carefully.
Lu Wancheng becomes unusually concerned when he hears the gift is for Noble Consort Chen and warns Lin Qingyu to be cautious of Lady Liang’s intentions.
Lady Liang wakes early on the birthday morning, learns that the marquess stayed with Concubine Pan, and suppresses her irritation.
Lady Liang summons the marquess to breakfast and emphasizes the political importance of Noble Consort Chen’s birthday gift.
Lady Liang arranges for Lin Qingyu to present the prepared gift to the marquess for inspection.
Lin Qingyu presents a rolled ancient painting as the gift, which enrages the marquess.
The marquess recognizes the painting as a priceless family heirloom once admired by the emperor and accuses Lin Qingyu of nearly causing a political disaster.
Lady Liang pretends shock and supports the accusation that Lin Qingyu acted recklessly.
Lin Qingyu calmly claims that he chose the painting under Lady Liang’s instructions to match previous gifts in value.
Lin Qingyu mentions the mutton-fat jade scepters supposedly bestowed by the crown prince, which Lady Liang and the marquess deny ever receiving.
Lin Qingyu produces the account book Lady Liang gave him, which now lacks any record of the jade scepters.
Lady Liang claims Lin Qingyu mishandled the books and hints that missing pages are due to his negligence.
The marquess orders Lin Qingyu punished for intentionally endangering the household.
Lin Qingyu questions why account books keep losing pages after being handled in Lanfeng Pavilion.
Auntie Liu suddenly collapses, writhing in agony, followed shortly by Fengqin suffering the same symptoms.
Lin Qingyu reveals that the missing page mentioning the jade scepters was coated with a special poison to catch the culprit removing pages.
Lin Qingyu explains that the poison causes unbearable itching and pustules but is not fatal.
Lin Qingyu states that Auntie Liu and Fengqin touching the poisoned page proves their involvement.
Auntie Liu confesses that Lady Liang ordered her to burn the missing pages.
Lady Liang denies everything and accuses Lin Qingyu of framing her through cruelty.
Lin Qingyu suggests questioning Steward Wang, who was not poisoned, to uncover the truth.
The marquess orders Auntie Liu and Fengqin taken away and later personally interrogates Steward Wang.
Lady Liang is made to kneel in the ancestral hall all night and falls ill the next day.
The marquess entrusts household authority to Lin Qingyu and Concubine Pan, marking Lady Liang’s loss of power.
Lu Wancheng’s health improves slightly, and Lin Qingyu changes his daily medicine prescription.
Lu Wancheng initially reacts badly to the new medicine but quickly realizes Lin Qingyu would not poison him.
Lin Qingyu admits the new medicine can extend Lu Wancheng’s life by six months and ease his final suffering.
Lin Qingyu reflects on his duty as a physician and his regret over missing the Imperial Academy of Medicine exam.
Lu Wancheng thanks Lin Qingyu sincerely, showing emotional closeness despite his usual joking demeanor.
Lin Qingyu coldly tells Lu Wancheng that he will never be strong enough to lift him, no matter how long he lives.

Chapter 14Lin Qingyu becomes one of the two people in charge of the household’s affairs, causing servants to fear him due to rumors of poisoning and to report even trivial matters to him.
Lin Qingyu is annoyed by managing mundane affairs but accepts control over important matters and asks Lu Wancheng to appoint trustworthy stewards to help manage the residence.
Lu Wancheng teases Lin Qingyu about previously insisting on doing everything himself, and Lin Qingyu replies that circumstances have changed.
Lu Wancheng agrees to write a letter to his grandfather to arrange stewards and jokingly asks Lin Qingyu to grind ink, expecting refusal.
Lin Qingyu unexpectedly agrees to grind the ink, surprising Lu Wancheng, and the two quietly share the space while Lu Wancheng writes.
Lu Wancheng notices the scent of herbs on Lin Qingyu and is puzzled by his own heightened senses.
Lu Wancheng’s calligraphy is revealed to be elegant and skillful despite his chronic illness, contradicting his lazy demeanor.
Lu Wancheng complains of fatigue after writing briefly, while Lin Qingyu points out that his skill implies years of practice.
Lu Wancheng claims he was forced to practice calligraphy as a child by his mother, who demanded excellence in many arts, though he never explicitly names Lady Liang.
Lin Qingyu deduces that Lu Wancheng is not referring to Lady Liang as his “dear mother,” and Lu Wancheng silently admits this with a smile.
While distracted, Lu Wancheng spins the inked brush, splattering ink onto Lin Qingyu and Huantong, embarrassing everyone involved.
Lu Wancheng reaches out to wipe ink from Lin Qingyu’s face, briefly touching his eyelashes, which causes Lu Wancheng to freeze in confusion.
Lin Qingyu swats Lu Wancheng’s hand away and cleans himself, while Lu Wancheng remains unsettled by the moment.
Lin Qingyu is summoned by Concubine Pan to discuss Qingming arrangements and leaves Lu Wancheng to finish the letter.
Concubine Pan explains that Lady Liang is unable to perform ancestral rites due to illness and seclusion, and that Lin Qingyu, as main wife, must take her place.
Lin Qingyu agrees to visit Changsheng Temple, partly for formality and partly to pray for his own family.
Concubine Pan recounts how Lin Qingyu’s father once saved her and her mother when they were destitute, earning her lifelong gratitude.
Lin Qingyu responds warmly, acknowledging his father’s character and accepting Concubine Pan’s offer of future help.
Lin Qingyu returns to prepare for the Qingming trip as persistent rain creates a gloomy atmosphere in the residence.
Lu Wancheng becomes increasingly morose over several days, refusing to explain his mood despite Lin Qingyu’s questioning.
When Lu Wancheng refuses to take his medicine, Lin Qingyu intervenes directly to confront him.
Lu Wancheng finally confesses that his medicine has caused sexual dysfunction, leaving him distressed and ashamed.
Lin Qingyu calmly explains that he added potent herbs to improve Lu Wancheng’s survival chances, and that such side effects are unavoidable.
Lin Qingyu bluntly states that preserving Lu Wancheng’s life matters more than his pride or sexual function.
Lu Wancheng struggles to argue but ultimately concedes, sarcastically praising Lin Qingyu as “badass” before drinking the medicine.

Chapter 15Lanfeng Pavilion becomes gloomy because Lu Wancheng has fallen into deep depression, stopped enjoying his usual hobbies, and lies listlessly in bed, which affects all the servants.
Hualu and Huantong notice that Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng are not speaking to each other and believe the two have quarreled, though they have never actually shared a bed despite being married.
Lin Qingyu knows Lu Wancheng is depressed but believes the erectile dysfunction caused by medicine is a minor price compared to the severe pain the medicine prevented, and he assumes Lu Wancheng will eventually accept it.
Continuous rain causes mold in the study, and while sorting books, Lin Qingyu discovers annotations in Lu Wancheng’s old book and realizes Lu Wancheng’s recent handwriting seems deliberately imitated rather than genuine.
Lin Qingyu overhears Lu Wancheng instructing servants sent by Duke Wen to secretly secure most of the household inheritance for Lin Qingyu after Lu Wancheng’s death, bypassing the marchioness.
Lin Qingyu is deeply moved and burdened by Lu Wancheng’s quiet preparations for his future.
Lin Qingyu confronts Lu Wancheng, and Lu Wancheng assumes Lin Qingyu is there to apologize for causing his impotence, refusing to accept an apology.
Lu Wancheng internally struggles with wounded pride, believing his masculinity is gone and thinking Lin Qingyu deserves someone stronger than him.
Lin Qingyu unexpectedly proposes that they become sworn brothers instead, shocking and angering Lu Wancheng at first.
Lin Qingyu explains the impotence is temporary and treatable with acupuncture, easing Lu Wancheng’s fear though he pretends not to care.
Lu Wancheng agrees to the sworn brother ritual after realizing Lin Qingyu calling him “elder brother” would be satisfying.
Lu Wancheng prepares an overly dramatic sworn brother ceremony inspired by novels, while servants are baffled because the two are already married.
Lu Wancheng modifies the traditional oath, focusing on mutual support and companionship rather than grand ideals.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng complete the oath, drink the wine, and officially become sworn brothers.
Lu Wancheng is pleased until he realizes Lin Qingyu intends to call him “Wancheng-xiong” instead of “Wancheng-gege,” meaning he was subtly outmaneuvered.
Lin Qingyu promises to treat Lu Wancheng with acupuncture to restore his condition, ending the tension between them.
After the rain stops, Lin Qingyu prepares to travel to Changsheng Temple, and Lu Wancheng is in an unusually good mood due to his recovery progress.
Lin Qingyu teases Lu Wancheng about inspecting his recovery, embarrassing him but confirming the treatment is working.
Lin Qingyu invites Lu Wancheng to accompany him to Changsheng Temple, and Lu Wancheng agrees because he wants to meet someone there.
At Changsheng Temple, Lin Qingyu intends to seek answers from Imperial Preceptor Xu Junyuan, who once calculated his marriage fate and indirectly ruined his life.
Lin Qingyu prays alone while Lu Wancheng inspects eternal lamps with Huantong.
Lin Qingyu wanders into a quiet orchard and unexpectedly sees Lu Wancheng meeting privately with Imperial Preceptor Xu Junyuan under blooming peach trees.
Lin Qingyu observes how composed and dazzling Lu Wancheng appears before others, contrasting sharply with his silly behavior around Lin Qingyu.
Lu Wancheng asks Imperial Preceptor Xu Junyuan whether there have ever been cases of people resurrecting after death or waking up in another person’s body, hinting at deeper secrets about his own existence.

Chapter 16Lin Qingyu secretly listens from behind peach blossoms as Lu Wancheng speaks with Xu Junyuan, the imperial preceptor, in a secluded peach orchard near Changsheng Temple.
Lin Qingyu realizes Lu Wancheng only agreed to come because he wanted to meet Xu Junyuan, since Lu Wancheng rarely leaves the manor unless something truly interests him.
Lu Wancheng asks Xu Junyuan directly whether the dead can return to life or awaken in another body, a question Lin Qingyu finds absurd and offensive to medical logic.
Xu Junyuan explains that immortality and resurrection have been pursued since ancient times without success, and that he has never seen a dead person revive or awaken in another body, though he does not deny the possibility outright.
Lu Wancheng dismisses Xu Junyuan’s answer as meaningless words, showing clear skepticism toward the imperial preceptor’s authority.
Xu Junyuan remarks that if such a reborn person existed, they would never admit it because no one would believe them and it would bring trouble.
Huantong arrives with Lu Wancheng’s wheelchair, and Lin Qingyu reveals himself and formally greets Xu Junyuan.
Lu Wancheng introduces Lin Qingyu to Xu Junyuan as his neiren, surprising Lin Qingyu and making him uncomfortable because neither of them treats the marriage seriously.
Xu Junyuan praises Lin Qingyu’s elegance and calls him Lady Lu, which Lin Qingyu accepts stiffly despite his displeasure.
Lu Wancheng openly admires Lin Qingyu without shame, treating him like a beautiful peach blossom, which embarrasses and irritates Lin Qingyu.
Xu Junyuan orders wine to be brought out, but Lin Qingyu stops him by citing Lu Wancheng’s illness, and Xu Junyuan instead toasts them with tea.
Lin Qingyu refuses to raise his cup, openly showing hostility toward Xu Junyuan.
Lin Qingyu cites his exact birth date and time and confronts Xu Junyuan with the question of why he was chosen for this marriage.
Xu Junyuan answers that it was mandated by the heavens, which Lin Qingyu mocks as superstition used to excuse helplessness and ignorance.
Xu Junyuan points out that Lu Wancheng’s health has improved since the marriage, implying the union had real effects.
Lin Qingyu insists the improvement is merely coincidence, and Xu Junyuan drops the argument.
Lu Wancheng asks how Xu Junyuan reached his conclusion, and Xu Junyuan explains that he divined Lu Wancheng would survive only if he met a benefactor.
Lu Wancheng responds that the marriage did not change his fate and criticizes Xu Junyuan for match-making so carelessly.
Xu Junyuan asks whether Lu Wancheng has another name, suggesting a new divination could be done.
Lu Wancheng hesitates before answering no, which Lin Qingyu notices and finds suspicious.
Lin Qingyu recalls rumors about Lu Wancheng’s past and realizes many things about him do not add up, including his odd behavior and ignorance about himself.
Lin Qingyu briefly considers whether rebirth into another body could be real, then decides Lu Wancheng must be hiding something.
As dusk approaches, Xu Junyuan bids them farewell without seeing them off.
Lin Qingyu coldly acknowledges Xu Junyuan and privately decides that if he ever takes revenge, he will not be overly cruel.
Lu Wancheng plucks a peach blossom as they leave, too weak to walk, and Huantong pushes his wheelchair while Lin Qingyu walks ahead.
Pilgrims stare openly at Lin Qingyu’s beauty, which annoys Huantong but does not bother Lu Wancheng.
Lu Wancheng comments casually that everyone likes to look at beautiful faces and jokes that Lin Qingyu only belongs to him.
Huantong teases Lu Wancheng about not being jealous like other husbands, and Lu Wancheng jokes that Lin Qingyu’s beauty makes him look better.
Lu Wancheng admits lightly that he can see Lin Qingyu every day, though not for long, hinting again at his impending death.
Huantong tries to comfort Lu Wancheng by saying winter is still far away and he has time.
Lu Wancheng imagines Lin Qingyu standing in the snow wearing a red cloak and looking breathtaking.
Lin Qingyu overhears this, stops, and turns back to stare at Lu Wancheng intently.
Lin Qingyu asks again whether Lu Wancheng truly has no other name.
Lu Wancheng deflects the question with humor, denying it without seriousness.
Lin Qingyu chooses not to press further and calmly says he hopes Lu Wancheng lives until the first snow.

Chapter 17Lin Qingyu reflects on how Lu Wancheng seems to see through everyone while hiding his own depths, and he feels resentment that Lu Wancheng knows him so well while remaining an enigma himself.
Lin Qingyu asks Hualu to help him sort through Lu Wancheng’s old calligraphy and artwork under the excuse of tidying the study, driven by his unease and desire for answers.
By examining the calligraphy chronologically, Lin Qingyu notices that Lu Wancheng’s handwriting stabilized at around age sixteen but changed again after Lu Wancheng’s terminal illness and coma, particularly after their wedding night.
Lin Qingyu learns from Hualu that Lu Wancheng used to be quieter, less cheerful, and longed to leave the marquess’s residence, often saying he would die happy if he could visit Lin’an.
Lin Qingyu becomes suspicious of Lu Wancheng’s drastic change in attitude toward Lady Liang and Lu Niantao and wonders whether Lu Wancheng learned something significant about them.
While flipping through a detective novel Lu Wancheng had read, Lin Qingyu finds an annotation in Lu Wancheng’s handwriting identifying the killer early in the story, revealing Lu Wancheng’s sharp insight.
Lin Qingyu writes the word “Scram” next to Lu Wancheng’s annotation as a quiet expression of irritation.
During a meal together, Lin Qingyu notices that Lu Wancheng avoids eating carp because of the bones, which leads to curt exchanges between them.
Steward Zhang Shiquan reports that Qingdai Pavilion has accused the accounts office of cutting Lu Qiaosong’s allowance and reducing his meals.
Lin Qingyu infers that Qingdai Pavilion had previously received more than the established rules allowed and orders the rules to be enforced strictly.
Lin Qingyu states that if Qingdai Pavilion continues to cause trouble, it would be better for the matter to reach the marquess.
Auntie Qiu, Lu Qiaosong’s wet nurse, causes a public disturbance in the accounts room, accusing Concubine Pan and Lin Qingyu of persecuting Lu Qiaosong while the marchioness is ill.
Auntie Qiu claims that Lu Qiaosong has fallen sick because his allowance was cut and demands silver instead of accepting a physician.
Lin Qingyu insists on inspecting Lu Qiaosong personally and leads people to Qingdai Pavilion despite Auntie Qiu’s objections.
Lin Qingyu examines Lu Qiaosong and immediately diagnoses him with kidney deficiency caused by excessive indulgence.
Lu Qiaosong reacts with shame and rage, ordering everyone out and hurling insults at Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu states plainly that he will not let Lu Qiaosong off and leaves the treatment to an outside physician.
Lin Qingyu encounters the physician and recognizes him as Chang Yang, his junior fellow student from their medical apprenticeship.
Lin Qingyu notices Lu Niantao watching them closely and tells Chang Yang to focus on treating the patient before speaking further.
After returning to Lanfeng Pavilion, Lin Qingyu learns that Lu Wancheng already knows about Lu Qiaosong’s illness.
Lu Wancheng accurately guesses that Lu Qiaosong suffers from kidney deficiency, reinforcing Lin Qingyu’s suspicion that Lu Wancheng knows far more than he should.
Lu Wancheng casually mentions the crown prince while criticizing men who overindulge, which unsettles Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu mentions Chang Yang again and notes that Chang Yang is from Lin’an, the same place Lu Wancheng once longed to visit.
Lin Qingyu suggests traveling to Lin’an after Lu Wancheng’s condition improves.
Lu Wancheng firmly refuses, stating that travel would exhaust him and worsen his health.
Lin Qingyu silently questions Lu Wancheng’s refusal and grows more wary of what Lu Wancheng is hiding.

Chapter 18Chang Yang examines Lu Qiaosong and gives the same diagnosis as Lin Qingyu, attributing the illness to overwork, excessive drinking, and resulting digestive discomfort, while downplaying the severity.
Lu Niantao deliberately brings up that Chang Yang addressed Lin Qingyu as shixiong, revealing their shared mentorship, and uses this to encourage Chang Yang to visit Lin Qingyu at Lanfeng Pavilion.
Lu Niantao personally tends to the marquess with bird’s nest soup and emotionally reports Lu Qiaosong’s illness and Lady Liang’s distress, successfully evoking the marquess’s sympathy.
The marquess allows Lady Liang to leave confinement but keeps her from resuming control of household affairs, signaling lingering distrust.
Lady Liang rushes to Qingdai Pavilion, discovers Lu Qiaosong’s illness stems from indulgence at the Bureau of Entertainment, and angrily berates him for his recklessness.
Humiliated and enraged, Lu Qiaosong blames Lin Qingyu for exaggerating his condition in front of servants and vows revenge rather than accepting shame.
Lu Niantao intervenes, notes Lady Liang’s weakened position, and warns that Lin Qingyu and Lady Pan are the true obstacles to regaining household authority.
Lu Niantao criticizes Lady Liang for acting without consulting her, pointing out that Lu Wancheng is not expected to live past next year and that patience would have been wiser.
Lady Liang realizes Auntie Liu’s instigation led her to make disastrous decisions that cost her power and trust.
Lu Qiaosong complains that their allowance is insufficient and demands concrete action rather than blame.
Lu Niantao proposes a plan to keep Chang Yang treating Lu Qiaosong, hinting at using the physician for future leverage.
In Lanfeng Pavilion, Lin Qingyu writes a prescription and jokingly tells Lu Wancheng it is an aphrodisiac, mocking Lu Qiaosong’s accusation that Lin Qingyu slandered him out of sexual frustration.
Lin Qingyu goes out to meet Chang Yang, leaving Lu Wancheng oddly alert and insecure, symbolized by his fixation on the “green” pillow implying jealousy.
Lin Qingyu and Chang Yang reunite and reflect on their shared past under the same mentor, with Chang Yang harboring unresolved affection and resentment over Lin Qingyu’s forced marriage.
Chang Yang openly suggests that Lin Qingyu was wronged by the imperial edict and hints at long-suppressed feelings, believing he understands Lin Qingyu better than anyone.
Chang Yang proposes secretly taking Lin Qingyu away from the marquess’s residence to travel together, attempting to rekindle their former bond.
Lu Wancheng unexpectedly appears, calmly asserts his presence, and forces a formal introduction, disrupting Chang Yang’s attempt to persuade Lin Qingyu.
Chang Yang claims he and Lin Qingyu are like brothers, subtly staking emotional territory, while Lu Wancheng responds with polite but pointed sarcasm.
Chang Yang shifts the conversation to medicine, mentioning a rare herb effective against consumption, which genuinely interests Lin Qingyu.
Lu Wancheng deliberately plays the role of a magnanimous and unbothered spouse, sitting beside Lin Qingyu and allowing the discussion to continue.
Lu Wancheng invites Chang Yang to stay for dinner, but Chang Yang declines, feeling out of place and unable to advance his plan.
Before leaving, Chang Yang confirms Lu Qiaosong’s kidney deficiency and mentions his prescription, while Lin Qingyu notes that Lu Niantao already knows about their connection.
After Chang Yang departs, Lu Wancheng drops his noble façade, teasingly claims he acted out of spousal benevolence, and is bluntly dismissed by Lin Qingyu.

Chapter 19Chang Yang becomes a frequent visitor at the marquess of Nan’an’s residence, coming every three days to take Lu Qiaosong’s pulse and often bringing gifts for Lin Qingyu.
Lu Wancheng is always present during Chang Yang’s visits, acting overly familiar and preventing Chang Yang from ever speaking privately with Lin Qingyu.
Chang Yang grows increasingly resentful of Lu Wancheng’s frivolous behavior and feels more determined to save Lin Qingyu from what he believes is an unhappy marriage.
On one visit, Chang Yang arrives with plum-blossom cakes only to find Lu Wancheng hosting a noisy cockfight in Lanfeng Pavilion.
A chicken feather lands on Chang Yang’s head, embarrassing him, while Lu Wancheng cheerfully explains that he is cockfighting for fun.
Lin Qingyu returns from the garden, clearly irritated by the chaos, and coldly comments on the mess Lu Wancheng has made.
Lin Qingyu recognizes the victorious rooster as the one that replaced Lu Wancheng during their wedding ceremony and bowed with him instead.
Lu Wancheng is shocked that Lin Qingyu remembers this detail and orders Huantong to confirm whether the rooster truly performed the wedding rites.
Chang Yang again fails to find time alone with Lin Qingyu and is forced to leave after brief conversation.
During the visit, Chang Yang reminisces aloud about traveling with Lin Qingyu and their shifu, recounting shared hardships and warmth from the past.
Lu Wancheng listens attentively to Chang Yang’s stories and reacts with apparent interest, which further irritates Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu asks about Lu Qiaosong’s condition, and Chang Yang explains that Lu Qiaosong is nearly recovered but will continue being monitored at Lu Niantao’s request.
After Chang Yang leaves, Lin Qingyu expresses suspicion that Lu Niantao is deliberately using Chang Yang due to his connection with Lin Qingyu.
Lu Wancheng casually eats the pastries Chang Yang brought, teasing Lin Qingyu about being stingy.
Lin Qingyu questions Lu Wancheng about his claimed past friendships, pointing out inconsistencies in his upbringing.
Lu Wancheng offers to answer Lin Qingyu’s questions truthfully, but Lin Qingyu refuses, stating he has no interest.
Lu Wancheng suggests eating the rooster that performed the wedding ceremony, claiming it annoys him.
Lin Qingyu mocks Lu Wancheng for letting a rooster stand in for him during the wedding and accuses him of discarding things once they are no longer useful.
On a later visit, Chang Yang finishes treating Lu Qiaosong and is told by Lu Niantao that his services are no longer needed.
After Chang Yang leaves, Lu Niantao secretly orders a servant to follow him and report anything unusual.
Believing this may be his last chance, Chang Yang writes a note asking Lin Qingyu to meet him privately and entrusts it to Huantong.
Huantong hesitates but agrees to deliver the message while Chang Yang warns him not to let Lu Wancheng know.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng are playing weiqi when Huantong blurts out that Chang Yang wanted to secretly pass a message without the young marquess noticing.
Lu Wancheng becomes openly angry at the secrecy and reads the note aloud, sarcastically mocking its romantic implications.
Lin Qingyu deduces that Lu Niantao already knows about Chang Yang’s feelings and is trying to exploit them.
Lu Wancheng bluntly accuses Chang Yang of being enamored with Lin Qingyu and expresses jealousy in vulgar terms.
Lin Qingyu counters by reminding Lu Wancheng that they are merely sworn brothers and good friends, leaving Lu Wancheng momentarily speechless.
Lin Qingyu orders Huantong to tell Chang Yang to leave the residence and never return.
Lu Wancheng suddenly changes his mind and insists Lin Qingyu should meet Chang Yang after all, clearly plotting something.
Chang Yang is told to wait in a deserted building until nightfall so he can meet Lin Qingyu discreetly.
Lin Qingyu leaves Lanfeng Pavilion to meet Chang Yang, while Lu Wancheng watches him go and feels an unexpected sense of possessiveness.
Lu Wancheng imagines Chang Yang confessing and forcing himself on Lin Qingyu, which unsettles him.
Lin Qingyu meets Chang Yang at night, and Chang Yang immediately begs Lin Qingyu to leave the marquess’s residence with him.
Chang Yang proposes that they flee the capital and live in seclusion with their shifu.
Lin Qingyu rejects the idea, citing the emperor-ordained marriage and the danger such an escape would pose to his family.
Chang Yang reveals a plan involving the Departure Pill, a medicine that can induce a fake death, claiming their shifu succeeded in creating it.
Chang Yang suggests Lin Qingyu fake his death to gain freedom without endangering his family.
Lin Qingyu questions the value of freedom gained through becoming legally dead.
Lin Qingyu bluntly states that Chang Yang does not understand him or his ambitions.
Lin Qingyu admits he desires power, wealth, influence, rare medical resources, and prestige, and wants to become the greatest physician possible.
Lin Qingyu declares that only the Imperial Academy of Medicine can give him what he wants and mocks Chang Yang’s naive idealism.
Chang Yang is shocked, realizing Lin Qingyu is not the virtuous, selfless man he imagined.
Chang Yang criticizes Lu Wancheng, claiming he is a dying wastrel incapable of giving Lin Qingyu what he desires.
Lin Qingyu angrily defends Lu Wancheng, describing in detail his illness, suffering, and efforts to endure quietly.
Lin Qingyu argues that Lu Wancheng deserves to live carefree during his remaining six months.
Chang Yang asks if Lin Qingyu has feelings for Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu states he is not attracted to men and defines his relationship with Lu Wancheng as that of kindred spirits bound by marriage.
Chang Yang accepts the rejection, apologizes, and hands Lin Qingyu the formula for the Departure Pill before leaving.
Chang Yang reflects bitterly that he projected his own desires onto Lin Qingyu and resolves to leave the capital.
Huantong comforts Chang Yang and brings him to a nighttime outing arranged by Lu Wancheng.
Meanwhile, Lu Qiaosong and Auntie Qiu attempt to frame Lin Qingyu and Chang Yang by accusing them of meeting secretly at night.
Their scheme fails when Lu Wancheng and the marquess arrive and are revealed to be the figures by the pond.
The marquess scolds Lu Qiaosong and becomes suspicious after learning Physician Chang treated him for kidney deficiency.
Lu Qiaosong tries to provoke Lu Wancheng by implying Lin Qingyu is admired by many men.
Lu Wancheng publicly asserts that Lin Qingyu is his wife and coldly warns everyone present not to touch him or even think of doing so.

Chapter 20Lin Qingyu returns to Lanfeng Pavilion after parting with Chang Yang and learns that the marquess interrogated Lu Qiaosong overnight about his misconduct.
Lu Qiaosong initially denies everything, but his servant boy exposes that he has been frequenting prostitutes for over a month.
Lu Qiaosong claims he only enjoyed cultured entertainment like poetry, wine, and qin music, but the marquess is enraged by his excuses.
The marquess slaps Lu Qiaosong, orders him to reflect in the ancestral hall for one day, secludes him for a month, and scolds Lady Liang for poor parenting.
Lin Qingyu dismisses the punishment as dull and ineffective.
Lu Wancheng falls ill after eating cold well-soaked grapes in summer, developing a low fever but remaining conscious.
Lin Qingyu scolds Lu Wancheng while treating him, warning him not to eat cold food again and writing him a prescription.
Lu Wancheng jokes about his frailty and sickness, and Lin Qingyu bluntly attributes it to his lack of restraint.
Lu Wancheng’s illness creates a brief period of peace at Lanfeng Pavilion.
Lady Pan visits to check on Lu Wancheng, and she and Lin Qingyu discuss household matters instead since Lu Wancheng is resting.
Lin Qingyu learns that Lu Qiaosong’s courtesans are unpaid because Qingdai Pavilion is overspending and Lu Qiaosong lacks funds.
The courtesans approach Lady Pan for allowances because they fear Lin Qingyu and find Lady Pan more approachable.
Lin Qingyu decides that the household will only keep half of the courtesans and lets them compete to stay, knowing most will fight for Lu Qiaosong’s favor.
The decision forces rivalry among the courtesans, increasing Lu Qiaosong’s indulgence and dependence on them.
Lin Qingyu prepares a special aromatic incense made from buried herbs and arranges for it to be delivered through servant channels.
Lu Wancheng notices the fragrance on Lin Qingyu and deduces that it is poisonous.
Lu Wancheng correctly guesses that Lin Qingyu intends to use the drug on Lu Qiaosong to cause his death during sexual activity.
Lin Qingyu openly admits he wants Lu Qiaosong to die humiliatingly because of past insults and attempted reputation damage.
Lin Qingyu reflects that his darker nature has emerged since marrying into the marquess’s family, encouraged by Lu Wancheng’s acceptance and indulgence.
Lu Wancheng praises Lin Qingyu and asks to participate in his future schemes, and Lin Qingyu agrees.
Lu Wancheng becomes eagerly invested in monitoring events at Qingdai Pavilion while recuperating.
Steward Zhang Shiquan reports suspicious financial gains from drought-stricken estates in Xu Prefecture.
Lin Qingyu chooses to ignore the issue despite Zhang Shiquan’s concerns about unlawful income.
After Lin Qingyu leaves, Lu Wancheng secretly orders Zhang Shiquan to investigate Xu Prefecture immediately.
Lin Qingyu later realizes Lu Wancheng sees situations clearly but avoids effort unless forced, and he acknowledges Lu Wancheng’s hidden competence.
Lin Qingyu prepares a medicinal bath for Lu Wancheng to ease his coughing and insomnia.
During the bath, Lin Qingyu analyzes Lu Wancheng’s personality and concludes that he hates losing and excels despite pretending to be lazy.
Lu Wancheng admits he no longer knows why he still tries, given his failing health and lack of ambition.
The medicinal bath improves Lu Wancheng’s condition temporarily, and he jokes about preparing for his funeral.
Lin Qingyu is unsettled by Lu Wancheng’s casual acceptance of death.
Music from Qingdai Pavilion disturbs Lu Wancheng’s nap, revealing that Lu Qiaosong is openly entertaining courtesans nearby.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng go to confront the gathering at the gazebo.
Lu Qiaosong is drinking, painting, and entertaining friends and courtesans despite his weakened health.
Lu Qiaosong’s friends openly admire Lin Qingyu and speculate crudely about his status as a concubine.
Lu Wancheng firmly declares Lin Qingyu as his legal wife and demands respect.
Lu Wancheng proposes that Huang-xiong drink ten cups of wine to atone, escalating the situation.
Lu Qiaosong insists on drinking the ten cups himself despite warnings about his health.
Lu Qiaosong finishes all ten cups, provoking Lu Wancheng before dismissing them coldly.
That night, chaos erupts at Qingdai Pavilion after a woman screams, signaling disaster.
Huantong reports that something has finally gone wrong, implying Lu Qiaosong’s scheme has taken effect.
Lin Qingyu smiles and invites Lu Wancheng to witness the outcome together.
Lu Wancheng realizes Lin Qingyu calling him by name is tied to shared wrongdoing and emotional closeness.

Chapter 21Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng arrive at Qingdai Pavilion to find it filled with servants acting as if at a funeral, while a woman sobs inside.
A courtesan who had played the pipa earlier is dragged out by servants, her clothes disheveled and her red dudou stained with Lu Qiaosong’s blood.
In the inner room, Lady Liang cries hysterically beside Lu Qiaosong’s bed, Lu Niantao tends to him with restrained grief, and Physician Zhang stands by.
Lady Pan and the marquess wait outside, both shaken and grim over Lu Qiaosong’s condition.
Lady Pan explains privately to Lu Wancheng and Lin Qingyu that Lu Qiaosong collapsed after sleeping with a courtesan.
The courtesan had secretly used a sweet-smelling herb meant to arouse men, hoping to regain Lu Qiaosong’s favor and secure her future.
Lu Qiaosong, already anxious about his health and drunk from earlier festivities, became aroused by the scent and overexerted himself.
During intercourse, Lu Qiaosong suddenly bled heavily from the nose and mouth and collapsed.
Physician Zhang declares Lu Qiaosong beyond his ability to save, causing Lady Liang to faint in despair.
Lu Wancheng performs exaggerated mourning while Lin Qingyu coldly observes the chaos.
The marquess begs Physician Zhang for alternatives, but is told nothing more can be done.
Lin Qingyu steps forward and offers to treat Lu Qiaosong.
Lin Qingyu examines Lu Qiaosong and states calmly that he can save Lu Qiaosong’s life.
Lin Qingyu warns that Lu Qiaosong will become permanently impotent and unable to father children.
Lu Niantao urgently begs for Lu Qiaosong’s life to be saved regardless of the consequences.
The marquess agrees, choosing Lu Qiaosong’s survival over his fertility.
Lin Qingyu performs acupuncture through the night and stabilizes Lu Qiaosong.
Afterward, Lin Qingyu leaves to find Lu Wancheng waiting for him despite his own poor health.
Lin Qingyu explains to Lu Wancheng that keeping Lu Qiaosong alive but ruined is more entertaining than letting him die.
In the following days, the marquess becomes visibly aged and refuses to see Lu Qiaosong again.
Lady Liang falls ill with rage and grief after learning her son is impotent.
Lu Qiaosong sinks into despair, refuses medicine, and loses the will to live.
Lu Niantao bears the burden of caring for both her mother and brother.
Lu Wancheng praises Lin Qingyu’s aphrodisiac, realizing it worked only because alcohol triggered its effects.
Lin Qingyu admits he personally created the drug.
Lu Wancheng probes Lin Qingyu about his sexual experience, assuming he must have had relations in the past.
Lin Qingyu states he has never slept with anyone and values fidelity as modeled by his parents.
Lu Wancheng jokes about dying a virgin and awkwardly asks about sex out of curiosity.
Lin Qingyu coldly shuts down Lu Wancheng’s suggestion to experiment together.
Despite the marquess’s attempts at secrecy, gossip about Lu Qiaosong’s humiliating incident spreads throughout the capital.
Other branches of the Lu family speculate that the marquess’s bloodline may end and discuss adoption.
The marquess becomes furious upon receiving letters suggesting succession plans.
The marquess orders Lady Pan to handle a solution since Lady Liang is incapacitated.
Lady Pan informs Lin Qingyu that relatives will visit during the Mid-Autumn Festival under the guise of a reunion.
Lady Pan reveals the marquess is desperate to continue the family line.
Lin Qingyu immediately realizes Lady Pan is testing whether he can provide fertility medicine.
Lady Pan awkwardly denies it, but Lin Qingyu bluntly assesses her chances of conceiving with the marquess.
Lady Pan finally admits the marquess wants Lu Wancheng to take a concubine.
Lin Qingyu responds with cold mockery, stating it would be more effective for the marquess to produce more children himself.

Chapter 22Lin Qingyu firmly rejects Lady Pan’s suggestion regarding future arrangements by invoking the marquess, causing Lady Pan to drop the topic and move on to Mid-Autumn Festival preparations.
Lin Qingyu privately realizes he failed to consider that after Lu Qiaosong lost the ability to continue the family line, the marquess would naturally place his hopes on Lu Wancheng despite Lu Wancheng’s frail health.
That night, Lu Wancheng returns after bathing and notices Lin Qingyu staring at him in a way that makes him uneasy.
Lin Qingyu bluntly asks Lu Wancheng whether he can still become aroused, focusing on his sexual function rather than his health.
Lu Wancheng reacts with resentment, pointing out that the medicine Lin Qingyu prescribed is the cause of his impotence.
It is revealed that Lu Wancheng’s sexual function is entirely controlled by Lin Qingyu through medicine or acupuncture, and Lu Wancheng has resigned himself to this state.
Lin Qingyu tells Lu Wancheng he can restore his function with acupuncture if Lu Wancheng believes it is worthwhile.
Lin Qingyu coldly explains that restoring Lu Wancheng’s function would be for producing a male heir to continue the family line.
Lu Wancheng immediately understands that someone has spoken to Lin Qingyu about taking a concubine and laughs it off.
Lin Qingyu directly asks Lu Wancheng whether he wants to take a concubine.
Lu Wancheng pretends to hesitate and admits he has never been close to a woman, expressing a half-serious desire to experience intimacy before his death.
Lin Qingyu sees through Lu Wancheng’s teasing and refuses to take his words seriously.
Lin Qingyu calmly asks what kind of woman Lu Wancheng likes so he can select a suitable concubine.
Lu Wancheng gives a vague answer, saying he likes someone pretty, gentle, and unlikely to lose her temper at him.
Lin Qingyu states he will choose a concubine the next day and tells Lu Wancheng to go to sleep.
Lu Wancheng protests that Lin Qingyu is his official husband and questions how he can so calmly help him find a concubine.
Lin Qingyu jokes that he has no husband, only a sworn brother, and that Lu Wancheng’s future child would call him uncle.
Lu Wancheng regrets ever pushing for the sworn brother relationship and tries to deny its validity.
Lin Qingyu insists that sworn brotherhood is lifelong and dismantles Lu Wancheng’s argument by pointing out they never consummated their marriage.
Lu Wancheng sulks and later meets privately with the marquess, after which the marquess spends the night in the ancestral hall and visibly ages.
The issue of Lu Wancheng taking a concubine is quietly dropped.
As Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, autumn sets in and Lin Qingyu becomes withdrawn, cold, and unwilling to eat.
Lin Qingyu recognizes his own melancholy and frustration but cannot control his emotions despite knowing they are unproductive.
Lu Wancheng brings Lin Qingyu osmanthus cakes and tries unsuccessfully to cheer him up.
Lin Qingyu dismisses Lu Wancheng and asks to be left alone.
Lu Wancheng later tells Huantong that Lin Qingyu likely wants solitude and should not be disturbed.
Lu Wancheng correctly guesses that Lin Qingyu’s mood is connected to the release of the Imperial Academy of Medicine exam results.
Lin Qingyu wanders the residence alone, reflecting on time passing, his status in the marquess’s household, and how his life changed after marrying Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu thinks about the exam he gave up and wonders where he would be if he had not extended Lu Wancheng’s life by six months.
Lin Qingyu spitefully wishes that everyone he despises, especially Tan Qizhi, will fail the exam, even promising to abstain from meat for seven days.
Huantong rushes to Lin Qingyu and announces that Tan Qizhi and several others who wronged Lin Qingyu have all failed the exam.
Lin Qingyu learns that Lu Wancheng secretly sent Huantong to check the results, knowing Lin Qingyu would care about them.
Lin Qingyu is shaken by how deeply Lu Wancheng understands his hidden bitterness and emotions.
Lin Qingyu returns to Lanfeng Pavilion and finds Lu Wancheng whistling cheerfully and inviting him to eat together.
Lin Qingyu reflects that he sacrificed his own future for Lu Wancheng’s life extension but finds some consolation in Lu Wancheng’s presence and simple happiness.
Lin Qingyu finally smiles genuinely and agrees to have dinner with Lu Wancheng.

Chapter 23During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Lu family branch led by the marquess of Nan’an’s half brother travels from Lin’an to the capital, marking the first reunion between the half brothers since the family split, and the household prepares extensively to maintain appearances.
Lu Wancheng remains secluded in Lanfeng Pavilion, claiming worsening illness and relying on a wheelchair, while Lin Qingyu is free from festival duties and accompanies formal receptions.
Lin Qingyu, Lady Pan, and the marquess of Nan’an wait outside the residence to receive the arriving Lu family branch, which enters in an extravagant procession reflecting their wealth.
The marquess of Nan’an exchanges polite but emotionally distant greetings with his elder half brother before leading the guests inside.
Lu Baishuo, the marquess’s nephew and Lu Wancheng’s elder cousin, approaches Lin Qingyu in a friendly and overly familiar manner, introducing himself as Lu Baishuo and suggesting the nickname Lu Laoliu.
Lin Qingyu initially shows disinterest, but Lady Pan explains that Lu Baishuo previously stayed in the residence for three months and is close to Lu Wancheng.
Realizing Lu Baishuo may be useful, Lin Qingyu greets him properly and invites him to visit Lu Wancheng in Lanfeng Pavilion.
Lu Baishuo expresses concern for Lu Wancheng’s health and mentions bringing nourishing foods from Lin’an.
Before entering, Lin Qingyu asks Lu Baishuo for a favor, then brings him to Lu Wancheng under the pretense of a visit.
Lu Wancheng pretends to be gravely ill and initially plays along with Lin Qingyu calling Lu Baishuo the fifth cousin, then quickly corrects him to the sixth cousin, revealing familiarity.
Lin Qingyu notices the awkward exchange and becomes suspicious of Lu Wancheng’s past relationship with Lu Baishuo.
Lu Baishuo laughs it off, claiming Lu Wancheng could not possibly forget him after their previous closeness.
Lin Qingyu internally concludes that Lu Wancheng deliberately hides his past from others and decides to wait until he can force the truth out later.
More Lu relatives arrive at Lanfeng Pavilion under the excuse of visiting the sick Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu correctly deduces that their true motive is probing the inheritance, since Lu Wancheng has no children and cannot take concubines, making adoption a lucrative possibility.
Lu Wancheng tries to escape hosting by claiming dizziness, but Lin Qingyu deliberately ignores him and orders the guests to be invited in.
The front hall fills with cousins, children, and even grandnephews, all treating Lu Wancheng as a senior family elder.
Lin Qingyu remains silent and detached, forcing Lu Wancheng to entertain everyone politely despite his reluctance.
Gossip circulates among the relatives about other family members’ scandals, increasing Lu Wancheng’s irritation while he maintains a flawless façade.
A blunt relative raises the topic of heirs and suggests Lu Wancheng should consider concubines.
Lu Baishuo attempts to stop the discussion, but his eldest brother persists, citing family interests.
Lin Qingyu challenges the rumor directly, and Lu Wancheng theatrically declares that he has no desires and has devoted all his love and affection solely to Lin Qingyu.
Lu Wancheng publicly professes exaggerated devotion to Lin Qingyu, stunning the relatives and triggering excessive praise of their marriage.
Lin Qingyu is visibly unsettled by the attention and uses Lu Wancheng’s medicine schedule as an excuse to dismiss the guests.
After the guests leave, Lu Wancheng drops his act and complains dramatically about feeling “greasy” from the forced affection.
That evening, a welcoming banquet is held for the Lu relatives, but Lu Wancheng skips it due to illness, and Lin Qingyu stays behind to care for him.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng quietly observe the moon together in the courtyard with festival foods and wine laid out, which Lu Wancheng cannot consume.
Lu Wancheng suggests fleeing to the Lin residence to avoid the remaining guests, but Lin Qingyu questions his sense of responsibility.
Lin Qingyu asks directly how Lu Wancheng recognized Lu Baishuo, and Lu Wancheng admits he relied on guesswork based on the past self he is impersonating.
Lu Wancheng remarks that this is their first and last Mid-Autumn Festival together and asks whether Lin Qingyu will remember him.
Lin Qingyu sincerely calls Lu Wancheng a kindred spirit and promises to always remember him as a close friend.
Lu Wancheng confesses that he lied before and does have another name, asking Lin Qingyu to remember it.
He immediately ruins the seriousness by jokingly claiming his other name is Zhu Dazhuang and suggesting Lin Qingyu call him Dazhuang-ge.
Lin Qingyu, exasperated by Lu Wancheng’s behavior, stands to leave, feeling foolish for expecting sincerity.
Lu Wancheng stops him and claims he was about to tell the truth, beginning to say another name.
Before Lu Wancheng can finish revealing it, Hualu rushes in to announce that someone from the palace has arrived, abruptly cutting off the confession.

Chapter 24Eunuch Feng arrives from Fengyi Palace on Empress Wen’s orders to deliver Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to the marquess of Nan’an, forcing Lu Wancheng, Lady Liang, and Lu Qiaosong to receive them in person despite illness.
Lady Liang appears mentally shattered and aged, Lu Qiaosong looks physically ruined, and Lu Wancheng maintains composure thanks to Lin Qingyu’s treatment and mindset.
Lu Wancheng receives especially lavish imperial gifts meant for him and Lin Qingyu, clearly surpassing those given to the rest of the household.
Eunuch Feng subtly reminds the household that Empress Wen has never met Lin Qingyu and expects a palace visit.
The marquess of Nan’an promises to bring Lady Liang and the family to the palace to express gratitude, as Lady Liang is too dazed to respond properly.
Back in their courtyard, Lu Wancheng declines having new clothes made, hinting at his worsening condition.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng lose interest in moon-viewing, and Lu Wancheng becomes quietly irritated after the imperial visit.
Lu Wancheng asks Lin Qingyu not to go to the palace, offering no clear reason, which creates tension between them.
Lu Wancheng even suggests Lin Qingyu abandon entering the Imperial Academy of Medicine, deeply offending Lin Qingyu and ending the conversation coldly.
The marquess of Nan’an harshly scolds Lady Liang for her failure to uphold her duties as main wife, threatening her position.
Lady Liang laments that Lu Qiaosong can no longer father children and despairs over her future status.
Lu Niantao persuades Lady Liang to regain ambition by suggesting Lu Niantao marry well and gain power through imperial connections like Empress Wen.
Lady Liang resolves to reenter social and palace circles and use Lu Niantao’s marriage to restore their standing.
Lady Liang recovers overnight, requests permission to enter the palace, and orders Lin Qingyu to accompany her.
Lin Qingyu finds the idea of entering the Inner Palace as a male wife absurd but unavoidable.
Lu Wancheng asks to accompany Lin Qingyu but cannot due to illness, revealing his desire to see Empress Wen.
Lin Qingyu dresses in formal attire, and Lu Wancheng becomes visibly unsettled by how striking Lin Qingyu looks.
Lu Wancheng begs Lin Qingyu not to go and finally admits fear that the crown prince or emperor might notice Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu reassures Lu Wancheng that the crown prince should be away at the autumn hunt.
Lin Qingyu, Lady Liang, and Lu Niantao travel together to the palace, both women carefully dressed to impress.
They are received at Fengyi Palace by Eunuch Feng and meet Empress Wen.
Empress Wen praises Lin Qingyu for improving Lu Wancheng’s health and openly takes credit for forcing the marriage.
Lin Qingyu feels humiliated but hides it, understanding the power dynamics of the palace.
Empress Wen shows little interest in Lady Liang and Lu Niantao, focusing almost entirely on Lin Qingyu.
Eunuch Feng announces that the crown prince is arriving, having returned early because the emperor fell ill.
Lin Qingyu attempts to leave to avoid meeting the crown prince, and Empress Wen allows it.
Outside, Lu Niantao deliberately delays the group to encounter the crown prince, but Lin Qingyu rebukes her sharply.
The crown prince stops them, questions Lin Qingyu’s identity, and learns he is Lu Wancheng’s male wife.
The crown prince orders Lin Qingyu to raise his head and becomes visibly shaken upon seeing the mole near Lin Qingyu’s eye.
The crown prince asks Lin Qingyu’s name, declares he will remember it, and leaves for Fengyi Palace.
Lin Qingyu realizes that Lu Wancheng’s possessive fears were justified.
Back at the manor, Lin Qingyu tells Lu Wancheng everything about meeting the crown prince.
Lu Wancheng darkens but ultimately tells Lin Qingyu to pursue his own path and let others worry about the consequences.
That night, Lin Qingyu finds Lu Wancheng awake, coughing and writing names of the princes and palace factions.
Lu Wancheng burns the paper, but Lin Qingyu realizes he is planning something dangerous involving palace politics.
Lin Qingyu suspects Lu Wancheng’s plotting is connected to protecting him from the crown prince.
Lu Wancheng jokingly admits he is worrying about Lin Qingyu even while dying and asks Lin Qingyu to be gentler with him.
Lin Qingyu is left conflicted and emotionally shaken, staring at the ink stains on his clothes as the chapter ends.

Chapter 25Autumn rain cools the manor, and Hualu discovers Lu Wancheng alone in the study, struggling to think through a problem and feeling dizzy, tired, and irritated.
Hualu forces Lu Wancheng to close the window due to the cold and encourages him to rest after he gives up on thinking further.
Lin Qingyu finishes bathing when Lu Wancheng returns, creating brief awkwardness due to Lin Qingyu’s damp, translucent clothing.
Lin Qingyu calmly dismisses the awkwardness and rejects Lu Wancheng’s teasing about bathing during the day.
Lin Qingyu examines Lu Wancheng and notes his poor sleep, advising him to let go of worries for the sake of his health.
After the rain clears, Lu Wancheng’s condition improves slightly, and Lu Baishuo comes to bid farewell before returning to Lin’an.
Lu Baishuo reminisces about previously dining at Jinxiu Pavilion and expresses regret at being unable to book a private room this time.
Lin Qingyu suggests that Lu Wancheng accompany Lu Baishuo to Jinxiu Pavilion, believing the outing may lift Lu Wancheng’s spirits.
Lu Wancheng proposes that he and Lin Qingyu dine together at Jinxiu Pavilion and bring lamb-goose back for Lu Baishuo.
Lin Qingyu pushes Lu Wancheng’s wheelchair through the capital streets, drawing attention due to their appearances.
They stop at a street vendor, where Lin Qingyu buys a dangling hairpin for Lu Wancheng to stop his habit of twirling brushes at night.
At Jinxiu Pavilion, they are escorted to a prime private room after revealing their identities.
While watching musicians perform, Lin Qingyu openly acknowledges the beauty of the female performers, unsettling Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng move closer to the railing, drawing the attention of others in the pavilion.
Lin Qingyu notices the crown prince Xiao Cheng staring at him with open interest.
Xiao Cheng sends a guard to offer Lin Qingyu a cup of wine, which Lin Qingyu refuses.
Lu Wancheng openly mocks the crown prince’s gesture and provokes him by referencing Princess Jingchun.
The guard relays Lu Wancheng’s message, causing Xiao Cheng visible anger.
After returning to their private room, Huantong worries about offending the crown prince, while Lu Wancheng dismisses the concern with dark humor.
Lin Qingyu reassures Huantong, and Lu Wancheng agrees to listen to Lin Qingyu.
The group returns to the manor with lamb-goose, and Lu Wancheng collapses into sleep due to exhaustion.
Lin Qingyu later works alone in the study experimenting with incense when rain begins again.
Lin Qingyu discovers Lu Wancheng standing outside in the rain, exhausted and coughing after walking there alone.
Lu Wancheng confesses that he cannot ignore the situation involving Xiao Cheng and refuses to allow Lin Qingyu to be demeaned or destroyed.
Lu Wancheng collapses from cold and illness, and Lin Qingyu shields him from the rain.
Lu Wancheng admits he must find a definitive solution to the problem he has been grappling with.
Lu Wancheng finally states that he wants Xiao Cheng dead.
Lin Qingyu firmly accepts this declaration and offers his help without hesitation.

Chapter 26Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng acknowledge that wanting to kill Crown Prince Xiao Cheng is treason that could wipe out their families, yet they still seriously consider it despite their weak positions and the crown prince’s heavy guard.
Lin Qingyu admits he never intended to kill Crown Prince Xiao Cheng before, but Xiao Cheng’s leering behavior toward him at Jinxiu Pavilion disgusts him enough to push him toward preemptive action.
Lin Qingyu reasons that once Lu Wancheng dies, Crown Prince Xiao Cheng will no longer restrain himself, so striking first feels safer than waiting.
Lu Wancheng is emotionally shaken but agrees to the plan, and the two silently share resolve while sheltering from the rain in the study.
Huantong discovers Lu Wancheng missing from the bedroom and panics, only to find Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng together in the study.
Lin Qingyu insists on carrying Lu Wancheng back due to the wind and his weak state, embarrassing Lu Wancheng but ultimately forcing him to concede his condition.
Lu Wancheng is returned to bed, changed out of wet clothes, and drinks ginger tea while clearly exhausted and coughing blood.
Lin Qingyu deduces that Lu Wancheng rushed out after a nightmare, which Lu Wancheng indirectly confirms without explaining the dream.
Lu Wancheng tries to joke about his appearance, wanting to seem “cool” in front of Lin Qingyu, and is flustered when Lin Qingyu sincerely reassures him.
From that night on, Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng begin secretly plotting together rather than Lin Qingyu acting alone.
Lin Qingyu asks Lu Wancheng to recount everything he knows about Crown Prince Xiao Cheng, revealing Xiao Cheng’s theatrical, manipulative, and flirtatious behavior.
Lu Wancheng explains that Crown Prince Xiao Cheng is publicly ruthless but privately obsessive and prone to using degrading nicknames for people he desires.
Lin Qingyu presses for useful intelligence, leading to the revelation of Princess Jingchun’s past relationship with Crown Prince Xiao Cheng.
Lu Wancheng explains that Princess Jingchun and Crown Prince Xiao Cheng were childhood lovers, but she was forced to marry the North King with the emperor’s approval.
Crown Prince Xiao Cheng did not oppose the marriage to protect his standing and instead sought comfort in people resembling Princess Jingchun.
Lin Qingyu learns that his resemblance to Princess Jingchun lies in the mole beneath his left eye, explaining Crown Prince Xiao Cheng’s interest in him.
Lin Qingyu coldly rejects the idea of harming himself to escape Crown Prince Xiao Cheng’s attention and instead wants to destroy Xiao Cheng without personal loss.
A servant reports that Lady Liang and Lu Niantao secretly visited the palace with expensive gifts paid from Lady Liang’s dowry.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng deduce that Lady Liang and Lu Niantao were not seeking the empress’s favor but instead approached Noble Consort Chen.
They conclude that Lady Liang is desperate for external backing because she has lost power in the manor and fears her decline.
Lin Qingyu decides to visit the Lin manor immediately, and Lu Wancheng insists on accompanying him.
Lu Wancheng explains that he wants Lin Qingyu’s father to tell him how much time he has left, forcing Lin Qingyu to accept.
Lin Qingyu secures permission from the marquess of Nan’an to take Lu Wancheng to the Lin manor under the pretense of treatment.
Lin Qingyu returns home with Lu Wancheng, Huantong, and Hualu, surprising his family.
Lin Qingyu’s younger brother Lin Qinghe innocently comments on Lu Wancheng’s frailty, while Lu Wancheng responds kindly.
Lin Qingyu learns that his father is about to leave for Yongliang to treat Great General Gu, who was poisoned in battle.
Lin Qingyu worries about his father traveling to a war-torn border region but understands the duty involved.
Lin Qingyu sends his father off with concern and respect, ending the chapter with looming danger both political and personal.

Chapter 27Lin Qingyu brings Lu Wancheng home to the Lin residence and is taken by Lin Qingyu’s father into the study because his father knows this visit has a serious purpose.
Lin Qingyu gives Lin Qingyu’s father a porcelain bottle of incense and asks if he recognizes it.
Lin Qingyu’s father identifies the scent as nearly identical to Pursuing Phoenix, the incense uniquely used in Fengyi Palace, and notes it is about nine-tenths similar.
Lin Qingyu is dissatisfied with the imperfection of the recreation, showing his high standards.
Lu Wancheng comments on how impressive it is that Lin Qingyu recreated the incense so closely with limited exposure, and lightly teases him.
Lin Qingyu insists the incense is still not good enough and rebukes Lu Wancheng for being flippant.
Lin Qingyu’s father observes the couple’s banter and understands why Lu Wancheng has survived so long, implying Lin Qingyu’s care keeps him alive.
Lin Qingyu asks his father to help obtain samples of incense from Fengyi Palace, Changle Palace, and the Eastern Palace.
Lin Qingyu’s father considers using his connections and former students among imperial physicians and palace attendants to get the incense samples.
Lin Qingyu refuses to explain his true purpose and reassures his father while hiding that his real goal is to kill Xiao Cheng.
Lin Qingyu’s father warns him about the dangers of palace politics, and Lin Qingyu claims he knows his limits.
Lin Qingyu’s father asks to check Lu Wancheng’s pulse, and Lu Wancheng agrees politely.
Lin Qingyu feels nervous despite already knowing Lu Wancheng’s condition, realizing the result will only confirm how little time remains.
Lin Qingyu’s father realizes Lin Qingyu modified the original prescription by replacing harsh ingredients with gentler ones.
Lin Qingyu’s father explains that the gentler medicine is insufficient for Lu Wancheng’s severe condition and that stronger medicine would be needed to prolong his life.
Lu Wancheng asks what would happen if he took the stronger medicine, and the silence from Lin Qingyu and his father implies severe consequences.
Lu Wancheng refuses the stronger medicine, joking that he is afraid of pain.
Lin Qinghe calls everyone to dinner, and Lin Qingyu asks him to push Lu Wancheng’s wheelchair.
After Lu Wancheng leaves, Lin Qingyu privately asks his father if there is truly no other way to save him.
Lin Qingyu’s father tells him to prepare Lu Wancheng’s last rites and reveals that Lu Wancheng has at most two months left to live.
Lin Qingyu silently accepts this and wonders if two months will be enough to kill Xiao Cheng.
Lu Wancheng eats dinner with the Lin family, appearing cheerful while actually forcing himself to eat to avoid worrying them.
Lin Qingyu notices Lu Wancheng’s lack of appetite and feels the quiet cruelty of reality.
Lin Qingyu’s father informs Lin Qingyu that his former student will visit tomorrow to help obtain incense samples.
During dinner, Lu Wancheng falls asleep at the table from exhaustion, worrying the family.
Lin Qingyu confirms Lu Wancheng is only sleeping and arranges for him to be taken to rest.
Lin Qingyu decides Lu Wancheng will sleep in a guest room rather than with him, breaking their long-standing habit of sharing a room.
Lin Qingyu returns to his childhood bedroom and feels unsettled by the absence of Lu Wancheng’s presence before sleeping alone.
The next morning, Lin Qingyu’s father departs for Yongliang after Lu Wancheng wakes early to see him off.
Lin Qingyu tells Lu Wancheng he can sleep as much as he wants now, revealing his knowledge of Lu Wancheng’s limited time.
Lu Wancheng responds calmly, saying there will be plenty of time to sleep later.
Lin Qingyu spends the morning supervising Lin Qinghe’s studies while Lu Wancheng idly draws and plays with a brush and hairpin.
Lin Qinghe admires Lu Wancheng’s tricks and wants to learn, but Lin Qingyu forbids it while Lu Wancheng promises to teach him secretly.
Lin Qingyu’s mother sends desserts, allowing Lin Qinghe a break, but Lin Qingyu declines to eat.
Lu Wancheng asks if he must sleep in the guest room again, and Lin Qingyu is startled but avoids answering directly.
Imperial Physician Hu arrives, interrupting their conversation, and Lin Qingyu prioritizes sending Lu Wancheng away to take his medicine.
As Huantong pushes him away, Lu Wancheng quietly admits he feels sad because he seems to be the only one who has not adjusted to the emotional distance.

Chapter 28Lin Qingyu meets Hu Ji, his late father Lin Qingyu’s father’s former student and current imperial physician, in the Lin manor, and recalls how Lin Qingyu’s father once saved Hu Ji from poverty and enabled his career, ensuring Hu Ji will never refuse a request from the Lin family.
Hu Ji secretly brings Lin Qingyu two incense samples stolen from the palace at great risk, explaining that the red incense is Pursuing Phoenix used by the empress and the beige incense is Plum and Willow used by Noble Consort Chen, while Xiao Cheng never burns incense.
Hu Ji explains the medicinal effects of both incense blends and emphasizes they are palace secrets that cannot be used without imperial permission, showing fear over the danger Miss Yunxiu and Xiaokuanzi faced to obtain them.
Lin Qingyu asks why Xiao Cheng does not burn incense, and Hu Ji explains that Xiao Cheng is extremely cautious due to witnessing the third prince die from poisoning and strictly controls all food and supplies entering the Eastern Palace.
Lin Qingyu reflects bitterly on how his kind parents produced someone like himself, then shows the incense to Lu Wancheng and proposes the idea that harmless substances can combine into deadly poison.
Lin Qingyu explains his theory that a poison could be formed through reactions with commonly encountered items rather than direct delivery, but notes that Xiao Cheng’s security makes this extremely difficult.
Lu Wancheng suggests that while objects cannot be sent into the Eastern Palace, a person might be, and the two agree to divide tasks, with Lu Wancheng creating the opportunity and Lin Qingyu finding the catalyst.
Lin Qingyu orders Huantong to replace the divan in his room with a bed, insisting that Lu Wancheng must stay close to him at all times due to his fragile health.
Lu Wancheng happily escalates the idea into sharing beds everywhere and jokingly proposes a bunk bed arrangement, while Huantong silently notes how infatuated Lu Wancheng is.
Lin Qingyu immerses himself in studying incense for days, struggling with its complexity despite his medical background, until news arrives that the emperor plans to select concubines for Xiao Cheng.
The emperor approves Duke Wen’s proposal to select concubines since Xiao Cheng has reached marriageable age, delegating the task to the empress while delaying the choice of a crown princess.
The empress submits a list of noblewomen, including Lu Niantao, and the emperor decides Xiao Cheng should personally choose among them.
Lu Niantao feels both hope and anxiety, remembering that Xiao Cheng once ignored her and focused on Lin Qingyu instead, but takes comfort in the secret gifts she and Lady Liang have sent to Changle Palace.
News spreads that Xiao Cheng plans to burn copied Buddhist prayers at Changsheng Temple to pray for the emperor’s health, and Xiaokuanzi relays this information through Hu Ji to Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng travel to Changsheng Temple, where a young monk greets them under orders from Imperial Preceptor Xu Junyuan and subtly reveals that Lady Liang and Lu Niantao are also present.
Lin Qingyu separates from Lu Wancheng to avoid interference with their plan to bring Xiao Cheng and Lu Niantao together, allowing Lu Wancheng to meet Xu Junyuan alone.
Xu Junyuan tells Lu Wancheng that his fate still ends in the final month of the year, while Lu Wancheng coldly rejects fatalism and asks Xu Junyuan to divine another person’s fate using written information.
After the divination, Xu Junyuan cryptically claims certainty unless the universe itself changes, and Lu Wancheng dismisses him as unreliable and leaves.
Reuniting with Lin Qingyu, Lu Wancheng dodges questions about the meeting and instead teases Lin Qingyu by asking whether he would rather be kissed by Xiao Cheng or Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu resists, then reluctantly admits he would choose Lu Wancheng, prompting Lu Wancheng to stand, pull him close, and stage a fake kiss to mislead an unseen observer.
The fake kiss only brushes Lin Qingyu’s cheek, but the closeness causes Lu Wancheng’s heart to race, and he suddenly collapses from excitement and weakness.
Lu Wancheng faints in Lin Qingyu’s arms after begging him not to carry him in a princess carry, leaving Lin Qingyu flustered and speechless.
Huantong arrives in panic, but Lin Qingyu determines that Lu Wancheng merely fainted from overexcitement and orders Huantong to carry him to rest.
After Lu Wancheng is taken away, Lin Qingyu coldly addresses Xiao Cheng, revealing that he has noticed Xiao Cheng observing them from hiding.

Chapter 29Lin Qingyu encounters Crown Prince Xiao Cheng, who openly mocks and enjoys the scene between Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng, revealing his arrogant and predatory nature.
Xiao Cheng fixates on Lin Qingyu’s eyes, admitting nostalgia and revealing that Lin Qingyu resembles Princess Jingchun, whom Xiao Cheng still loves.
Lin Qingyu bluntly points out that Xiao Cheng’s interest is rooted in that resemblance rather than genuine affection.
Xiao Cheng belittles Lu Wancheng as a weak, dying man and implies Lin Qingyu deserves someone of higher status.
Lin Qingyu challenges Xiao Cheng by questioning whether he would still be considered beautiful without his eyes or facial mole.
Xiao Cheng aggressively flirts with Lin Qingyu, invading his personal space and making explicit remarks despite knowing Lin Qingyu is married.
Lin Qingyu invokes the authority of the emperor and empress to warn Xiao Cheng to behave, forcing Xiao Cheng to temporarily restrain himself.
Xiao Cheng ominously states that Lu Wancheng will not live long and implies he will wait to claim Lin Qingyu afterward.
Lin Qingyu leaves and internally curses Xiao Cheng, wishing for his death instead of submission.
Lin Qingyu returns to Lu Wancheng, who has regained consciousness after receiving acupuncture from a Changsheng Temple monk.
Lu Wancheng awkwardly explains that his fainting was due to his weak body and exaggerated reaction, trying to preserve his pride.
Lin Qingyu reassures Lu Wancheng half-heartedly, which visibly cheers Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu tells Lu Wancheng that Xiao Cheng called him “Xiao-Qingyu,” deeply unsettling Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu thanks the monk who treated Lu Wancheng and discusses his condition, showing professional respect for Buddhist medicine.
At the temple, Huantong urges Lu Wancheng to pray to the Buddha on his behalf.
Lu Wancheng wishes not for himself, but for Lin Qingyu to be happy forever.
Upon returning to the manor, Lady Liang and Lu Niantao encounter Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng, sensing tension between them.
Lu Wancheng behaves coldly toward Lin Qingyu for the first time, refusing his help and ordering Huantong to push his wheelchair instead.
Lu Niantao deduces that Lu Wancheng’s anger stems from jealousy and wounded pride over Xiao Cheng’s desire for Lin Qingyu.
That night, Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng have a fierce argument, trashing Lanfeng Pavilion.
Lu Wancheng accuses Lin Qingyu of secretly planning to meet Xiao Cheng and deliberately wearing a scented sachet to attract him.
Lin Qingyu denies the accusations but remains emotionally detached, which only worsens Lu Wancheng’s insecurity.
Lu Wancheng bitterly claims Lin Qingyu wants him to die early so he can remarry someone of higher rank.
The argument ends with both men breaking objects, though Lu Wancheng stops himself from smashing an antique meant for Lin Qingyu’s inheritance.
Servants clean up the wreckage the next day, including the scented sachet that Xiao Cheng had noticed.
Lin Qingyu reads letters from Zhang Shiquan regarding an ongoing investigation and coldly instructs him to continue searching.
Lu Wancheng surprises Lin Qingyu by installing a custom bunk bed so they can sleep closer together.
Lin Qingyu reluctantly accepts the arrangement after noticing Lu Wancheng’s frail condition.
Late at night, Lu Wancheng wakes Lin Qingyu, not due to illness but to speak with him.
Lu Wancheng reveals that it is his eighteenth birthday, ending the chapter on a quiet, intimate note.

Chapter 30Lin Qingyu is awakened at midnight by Lu Wancheng, who announces that someone has just turned eighteen, and Lin Qingyu realizes that Lu Wancheng is referring to himself rather than Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu reflects that he normally would not care about birthdays, but Lu Wancheng’s clear and excited expression makes him get out of bed to listen.
Lin Qingyu climbs down from the bunk bed in the dark, briefly holding Lu Wancheng’s cold hand for balance before pulling away once he reaches the ground.
Lu Wancheng internally wonders if that brief contact counts as holding hands and is left flustered by it.
Lu Wancheng explains that turning eighteen is extremely important in his homeland because it marks the age when one gains many freedoms.
Lu Wancheng hints at freedoms such as staying out overnight and gazes shyly at Lin Qingyu’s lips, revealing romantic tension.
Lin Qingyu mentally imagines the person Lu Wancheng might have been in his original world, picturing him as a lazy but brilliant and attractive youth who never dated.
Lu Wancheng admits he never thought he would live to see his eighteenth birthday and credits Lin Qingyu for extending his life.
Lu Wancheng praises Lin Qingyu as the “protagonist” who gave him half a year of life instead of poisoning him as fate once dictated.
Lin Qingyu asks what a protagonist is, and Lu Wancheng defines it as someone who shines brightly despite hardship and bloodshed.
Lin Qingyu smiles softly, sits close to Lu Wancheng, and the two share a quiet, intimate moment with their shoulders touching.
Lin Qingyu asks about birthday customs, and Lu Wancheng mentions longevity noodles.
Lin Qingyu offers to have someone prepare the noodles, but Lu Wancheng asks Lin Qingyu to personally do something for him instead.
Lin Qingyu decides to perform acupuncture to help Lu Wancheng sleep, telling him to undress and unintentionally shocking him.
Lu Wancheng awkwardly accepts, and Lin Qingyu’s birthday gift to him becomes a peaceful night of sleep.
As winter approaches, Hualu sorts clothes and discovers Lin Qingyu’s ornate red wedding robes from his marriage to Lu Wancheng.
Hualu and Huantong tease Lu Wancheng about the wedding night, but Lu Wancheng admits he cannot remember what Lin Qingyu looked like in the robes.
Lin Qingyu reveals he also does not remember Lu Wancheng’s wedding appearance because he had been focused on poisoning him at the time.
Lu Wancheng asks Lin Qingyu how much it would cost for him to wear the wedding robes again, expressing a strong desire to see it.
Lin Qingyu mocks him and suggests Lu Wancheng wear the robes himself, but Lu Wancheng insists they could wear them together and even begs.
Before Lin Qingyu can respond, a servant announces that Lady Pan wishes to speak with Lin Qingyu.
The next morning, Lu Niantao goes to the palace alone to attend a flower-viewing event meant to select concubines for the crown prince.
Lady Pan reports that Lu Niantao dressed modestly in white and even copied Lin Qingyu’s beauty mark beneath her eye.
Lin Qingyu coldly states that Lu Niantao chose this path herself and must bear the consequences alone.
Lady Pan reminds Lin Qingyu that he once predicted Lu Wancheng would not survive until the end of the year.
With the year nearing its end, Lady Pan asks if preparations for Lu Wancheng’s funeral rites should begin.
Lin Qingyu falls silent and finally states that he will personally handle Lu Wancheng’s final arrangements.

Chapter 31Three days after the flower-viewing party, a palace eunuch announces that the emperor and empress have chosen Lu Niantao, daughter of the marquess of Nan’an, to become Xiao Cheng’s concubine, along with another general’s daughter.
The eunuch explains that Xiao Cheng and Lu Niantao supposedly met earlier in the gardens when Lu Niantao lost a perfumed sachet and charmed Xiao Cheng, causing him to become smitten with her.
Lin Qingyu finds the story ridiculous and reflects bitterly that becoming a crown prince’s concubine is not true good fortune, since Lu Niantao will never be a main wife and will enter the Eastern Palace without a formal wedding.
The empress orders the Bureau of Astronomy to choose an auspicious date, and Lu Niantao is scheduled to enter the Eastern Palace in one month, leaving little time for preparation.
Lady Liang becomes busy preparing Lu Niantao’s dowry, regains confidence, and gains favor in the manor as everyone anticipates Lu Niantao’s future rise in status.
Lady Liang removes large amounts of valuable goods from the storehouses, including imperial-bestowed Jiangnan silk, which Huantong laments could have gone to Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu does not care about the loss and privately harbors vicious thoughts, hoping Xiao Cheng will exhaust himself indulging in Lu Niantao before dying.
On the day Lu Niantao departs, the Lu family gathers in the main hall, with Lu Wancheng attending in his wheelchair while others stand.
Lu Niantao appears in extravagant red wedding robes and gold accessories provided by the palace, which are more luxurious than the robes Lin Qingyu once wore.
Lu Wancheng jokingly regrets that he slept through Lin Qingyu’s wedding night and missed seeing Lin Qingyu in makeup, revealing lingering intimacy and regret.
Lu Niantao kneels and performs three prostrations to thank the marquess of Nan’an and Lady Liang for raising her, and Lady Liang tearfully helps her up.
A steward announces that Xiao Cheng has personally arrived to pick up Lu Niantao, shocking the household because etiquette does not require him to do so for a concubine.
The Lu family elders praise the honor, while the marquess of Nan’an cautiously reminds everyone that a concubine is still not equal to a wife.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng decide to go greet Xiao Cheng despite their resentment, since Xiao Cheng is Lu Wancheng’s cousin.
Xiao Cheng arrives arrogantly in the crown prince’s sedan chair and initially does not stand, clearly displaying his status rather than respect.
Xiao Cheng notices Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng in the crowd and finally exits the sedan chair, showing particular interest in them.
When the matron of honor prepares to place Lu Niantao’s hand into Xiao Cheng’s, Xiao Cheng refuses and orders her to escort Lu Niantao directly into the nuptial litter instead.
Xiao Cheng approaches Lu Wancheng, pretends concern for his illness, and ominously hints that he will take care of Lin Qingyu after Lu Wancheng’s death.
Lu Wancheng mocks Xiao Cheng by asking whether he will call Lu Niantao “Xiao-Taotao,” provoking Xiao Cheng’s irritation.
Xiao Cheng coldly tells Lu Wancheng that everything ends with death, but Lu Wancheng calmly replies that nothing ends until he says so.
Xiao Cheng leaves after giving Lin Qingyu a lingering look, and the marriage procession departs for the palace.
Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng avoid the remaining celebrations and return to Lanfeng Pavilion, disturbed by Xiao Cheng’s continued interest in Lin Qingyu.
Lu Wancheng explains that Xiao Cheng desires what he cannot have, and Lin Qingyu’s rejection only makes Xiao Cheng more obsessed.
Lu Wancheng begins coughing violently again, underscoring the seriousness of his condition.
After Lu Wancheng falls asleep, Hualu informs Lin Qingyu that a representative from a funeral parlor has arrived.
Lin Qingyu meets the funeral-parlor employee outside the gate due to the wedding taboos and quietly begins arranging Lu Wancheng’s funeral.
Lin Qingyu instructs the funeral arrangements to be done according to Lu Wancheng’s personal tastes rather than strict ritual.
Lu Wancheng’s condition worsens as he alternates between frequent sleep and painful wakefulness, coughing every few hours.
In the evening, Lu Wancheng wakes to see Lin Qingyu watching over him in the sunset light and calls out to him weakly.
Lu Wancheng asks about news from the Eastern Palace, but Lin Qingyu avoids answering, knowing their long-term plan involving incense will not show results soon.
Lin Qingyu gently changes the subject and asks Lu Wancheng what colors he likes.
Lu Wancheng reveals he prefers red in Great Yu and subtly realizes Lin Qingyu is preparing his funeral rites.
Lu Wancheng calmly asks to choose his own coffin, joking that he wants one that is comfortable, ending the chapter with quiet acceptance of his approaching death.

Chapter 32Lin Qingyu realizes that Lu Wancheng is serious about planning his own funeral, including choosing his burial clothes, requesting colorful attire for attendees, and arguing to carve a humorous epitaph about being a salted fish onto his gravestone.
Lin Qingyu refuses the epitaph idea and mocks Lu Wancheng’s delusions of future fame, while Lu Wancheng reacts with exaggerated disappointment and sulks in his wheelchair.
Hualu feels pity for Lu Wancheng and urges Lin Qingyu to indulge him since he only has a month left, but Lin Qingyu explains that Lu Wancheng is deliberately acting cheerful to put others at ease and should not be contradicted.
Lin Qingyu instructs everyone in Lanfeng Pavilion to behave as usual during Lu Wancheng’s remaining time, revealing his quiet understanding and care, which Hualu interprets as a deep mutual understanding between the two.
Lin Qingyu takes Lu Wancheng to Wuwang Parlor to personally choose a coffin, pushing his wheelchair through a street filled with funeral shops, which frightens Huantong.
The funeral parlor employee is shocked that Lu Wancheng himself has come to choose his coffin, but politely introduces various coffins made from catalpa wood and nanmu.
The employee mentions that since Lin Qingyu and Lu Wancheng are married, two coffins should be chosen for eventual co-burial, which leaves both men silent and forces Lin Qingyu to confront the real weight of the term “husband and wife.”
Lu Wancheng gently refuses the idea of co-burial, saying he sleeps alone and does not want Lin Qingyu to feel like an outsider in the Lu family grave, and Lin Qingyu calmly supports his decision.
The group encounters Mistress Huo, a mourning woman choosing a coffin for her recently deceased husband, and the employee explains her tragic past as a former dancer who eloped with a scholar and lost him to illness.
Mistress Huo softly mourns her husband while touching a nanmu coffin, shedding a silent tear, which deeply unsettles the atmosphere and causes Lin Qingyu to leave.
Lu Wancheng chooses a nanmu coffin, and within days Wuwang Parlor completes all funeral preparations, prompting Lu Wancheng to joke that he could die at any moment.
When the funeral parlor employee later visits to collect payment, he reveals that Mistress Huo committed suicide by drowning herself after completing her husband’s funeral, unable to endure her grief.
Hualu and Huantong are devastated by the news, while Lu Wancheng becomes unusually quiet, clearly affected by Mistress Huo’s fate.
After taking his medicine, Lu Wancheng anxiously asks Lin Qingyu whether he truly considers him a husband, and Lin Qingyu answers that he only considers him a close friend.
Lu Wancheng insists that Lin Qingyu should not even see him as a close friend but instead as a disposable tool, hoping Lin Qingyu will not grieve.

Chapter 33Winter begins, the scenery around Lanfeng Pavilion turns barren and cold, mirroring the quiet atmosphere of the estate.
Lady Liang regains favor in the marquess’s household because Lu Niantao has married into the palace as a concubine, and she is given household authority again.
Lu Qiaosong becomes active in seeking doctors to cure his illness, though Lin Qingyu confidently states that Lu Qiaosong cannot be healed.
Lu Wancheng and Lin Qingyu jokingly acknowledge their shared schadenfreude and accept being “villains” together.
Hualu appears upset, and it is revealed that Huantong mocked her for poorly drawing a huadian on her forehead.
Lu Wancheng promises to scold Huantong, while Lin Qingyu offers to draw a proper huadian for Hualu.
Lin Qingyu skillfully draws a flame-shaped huadian on Hualu, leaving her delighted and embarrassed.
Lu Wancheng suggests Lin Qingyu draw a huadian for him as well, but the moment is interrupted by the arrival of Imperial Physician Hu Ji.
Hu Ji reports palace news, explaining that Crown Prince Xiao Cheng has taken two concubines and initially favored Lu Niantao but has since grown cold toward both women.
Lu Wancheng remarks that Xiao Cheng only desires what he cannot have, while Lin Qingyu worries that Lu Niantao is failing to maintain Xiao Cheng’s interest.
Hu Ji reports severe troubles in the empire, including a deadly southern epidemic, an ongoing western war, and the emperor’s worsening health.
Lin Qingyu learns that his father, Head Imperial Physician Lin, is in Yongliang attempting unsuccessfully to treat Great General Gu’s poisoning.
It is revealed that Great General Gu is critically ill and may not survive until the new year, despite his legendary military achievements.
Lin Qingyu laments the injustice of fate, noting that good people suffer while evil people endure.
After Hu Ji leaves, the mood darkens, and Lu Wancheng wonders aloud whether he will die before Xiao Cheng, admitting that he does not want to die.
Lin Qingyu reassures Lu Wancheng that there must be other ways, though both know their power is limited.
Lin Qingyu spends a restless night thinking about how to extend Lu Wancheng’s life, eventually preparing medicine to combat his own insomnia.
Lu Wancheng later instructs Hualu to change his prescription and reveals it came from Head Imperial Physician Lin without informing Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu notices the altered medicine immediately but chooses to respect Lu Wancheng’s decision after learning he requested it the day Lin Qingyu’s father departed.
Lu Wancheng admits he is willing to endure pain for the chance to see snow one last time before dying.
Lin Qingyu feeds Lu Wancheng the medicine and stays with him as the severe side effects cause intense pain and cold sweats.
Lu Wancheng jokingly asks to “take advantage” of Lin Qingyu by having him call him “laogong,” despite knowing the term’s mocking meaning.
Lin Qingyu, realizing Lu Wancheng is delirious from pain, nevertheless complies and softly calls him “laogong.”
Lu Wancheng smiles in satisfaction and calls Lin Qingyu “laopo,” ending the chapter on a bittersweet, intimate note amid suffering.

Chapter 34Lin Qingyu follows Lin Qingyu’s father’s prescription that fights poison with poison, using extremely toxic medicine to force out Lu Wancheng’s remaining life force, which causes unbearable pain and side effects, including Lu Wancheng losing feeling in his legs after three days.
The medicine can only extend Lu Wancheng’s life briefly, and every day after winter begins might be Lu Wancheng’s last.
As long as Lu Wancheng is alive, Xiao Cheng does not dare move against the marquess of Nan’an’s manor, but Xiao Cheng is clearly waiting for Lu Wancheng to die.
In mid-tenth month, Zhang Shiquan returns to the manor after months away and immediately reports to Lin Qingyu because Lu Wancheng is mostly unconscious.
Zhang Shiquan reveals that extra income from a store in Xu Prefecture actually comes from an illegal private salt business.
Lin Qingyu realizes Lady Liang is secretly running the private salt trade, an offense punishable by death, and notes her boldness despite her inability to protect her own children.
Zhang Shiquan explains that the storefront was only a front and most profits were sent to Lady Liang’s parents.
Lin Qingyu deduces that Lady Liang’s family relied on the marquess’s name to avoid scrutiny, assuming the emperor was far away and local officials would not dare offend the marquess.
Lin Qingyu concludes the marquess himself is likely unaware, but if the secret is exposed, the marquess would lose his title and face investigation.
Zhang Shiquan asks whether to inform Lu Wancheng, and Lin Qingyu refuses, stating that once Lu Wancheng dies, he will deal with everyone involved.
Lin Qingyu and Zhang Shiquan discuss the evidence further, then Lin Qingyu asks about an epidemic spreading from the south.
Zhang Shiquan reports a deadly outbreak causing fever, stomach pain, and boils, killing weak victims within days and spreading north as refugees flee.
Zhang Shiquan says physicians from across the empire have gathered at the Imperial Academy of Medicine to seek a cure.
The chapter notes a violent winter setting in, possibly the coldest in a decade.
Lu Wancheng awakens, and Zhang Shiquan is allowed to visit him briefly.
Zhang Shiquan sees that Lu Wancheng is near death, barely able to sit up, and is deeply distressed.
Lu Wancheng asks Zhang Shiquan if Lin Qingyu’s instructions were followed, and Zhang Shiquan confirms everything is under control.
Lu Wancheng asks about a personal request, and Zhang Shiquan presents a token wrapped in a handkerchief.
Lu Wancheng tells Zhang Shiquan not to inform Lin Qingyu yet and orders him to summon the manor’s carpenter.
Lin Qingyu goes to the apothecary and overhears an argument involving Huantong and servants from Qingdai Pavilion over thousand-year fleeceflower root.
The servants argue that Third Young Master Lu Qiaosong also needs the rare herb, while Huantong insists it is reserved for Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu learns Lu Qiaosong has been desperately seeking cures for his impotence and wants the herb based on a wandering physician’s prescription.
Thousand-year fleeceflower root is extremely rare, and the manor has only a small supply that Lin Qingyu obtained specifically for Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu orders that Lanfeng Pavilion will no longer store medicine at the apothecary and will prepare Lu Wancheng’s medicine themselves.
A servant from Qingdai Pavilion pressures Lin Qingyu to compromise for Lu Qiaosong’s sake, but Lin Qingyu coldly refuses.
Lin Qingyu declares that Lu Qiaosong’s condition will be incurable for life and that he will remain useless.
The servant threatens to report Lin Qingyu’s words to Lady Liang and Concubine Lu, and Lin Qingyu tells her to repeat his words exactly.
Back in Lanfeng Pavilion, Lin Qingyu finds Lu Wancheng sitting up in bed, using a custom table to draw despite severe trembling.
Lu Wancheng cheerfully calls Lin Qingyu “laopo,” a term Lin Qingyu does not fully understand but tolerates.
Lin Qingyu asks about Zhang Shiquan’s visit, and Lu Wancheng downplays it.
Lin Qingyu notices Lu Wancheng has drawn a strange eye-like symbol and asks about it.
Lu Wancheng explains that people who try to replace someone often fall in love with one of their replacements and become obsessed.
Lu Wancheng lists surnames like Shen, Chu, Bai, and Xie, and Lin Qingyu realizes he means Shen Huaishi.
Lu Wancheng confirms Shen Huaishi is a man and one of Xiao Cheng’s shadow guards who may already have noticed them.
Lin Qingyu stops the conversation when Lu Wancheng shows signs of the poison acting up and urges him to rest.
Lu Qiaosong forcibly barges into Lanfeng Pavilion, demanding the fleeceflower root.
Lin Qingyu blocks Lu Qiaosong from seeing Lu Wancheng and orders him to leave.
Lu Qiaosong cruelly claims Lu Wancheng is beyond saving, mocks his inability to produce an heir, and insults Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu orders servants to drag Lu Qiaosong out.
Lu Qiaosong threatens that once Lu Wancheng dies, he will sell Lin Qingyu to the Bureau of Entertainment.
Lu Wancheng suddenly calls out to Lin Qingyu, collapses, and vomits blood.
Lin Qingyu’s rage explodes, and he slams Lu Qiaosong against a pillar, declaring that Lu Qiaosong is dead.

Chapter 35Lu Wancheng suddenly vomits large amounts of blood due to the toxic medicine in his body, shocking everyone in Lanfeng Pavilion, and he loses consciousness while Lin Qingyu focuses on preserving his dignity rather than saving his life.
Lu Qiaosong witnesses the scene, becomes hysterical, mocks Lin Qingyu for failing to save Lu Wancheng, and is forcibly dragged out by servants after causing chaos.
Lin Qingyu works until midnight and successfully stabilizes Lu Wancheng so he survives, cleans him, changes his clothes and bedding, and watches over him as he sleeps peacefully.
The incident reaches the marquess of Nan’an, who is furious with Lu Qiaosong for provoking his gravely ill elder brother and initially intends to punish him.
Lady Liang defends Lu Qiaosong by claiming he is also ill, recently found a cure for his shameful condition, and should not be punished while sick, which causes the marquess to hesitate.
The marquess ultimately decides to let both sons rest and postpones punishment, effectively letting Lu Qiaosong off without consequences.
Lin Qingyu leaves the marchioness’s courtyard coldly, showing no expectation that the marquess will act justly, and orders Huantong to summon Zhang Shiquan.
Lu Wancheng remains unconscious for three days before waking up.
Lu Qiaosong is forbidden from approaching Lanfeng Pavilion again, but the marquess spends large sums to buy thousand-year fleeceflower root for Lu Qiaosong’s treatment.
Lu Qiaosong wastes money on medicine without improving, realizes the wandering physician likely deceived him, and imprisons the physician while threatening mutilation.
Under pressure, the wandering physician produces a new prescription that actually works, restoring Lu Qiaosong’s vitality and convincing him that his condition will soon be cured.
Lady Liang becomes overjoyed, believing her son will outlive Lu Wancheng, produce an heir, and secure her perfect future.
Lady Liang grows anxious when Lu Niantao fails to respond to messages from the Eastern Palace, and a eunuch coldly rebukes her by saying the marquess of Nan’an raised a good daughter.
Lin Qingyu already knows the truth because Hu Ji confirms that Lin Qingyu’s poison scheme has taken effect.
Xiao Cheng begins suffering unbearable migraines, hearing issues, and eye pain, and all imperial physicians fail to diagnose the cause.
Noble Consort Chen orders a thorough investigation of food, water, clothing, and palaces, but nothing suspicious is found at first.
Lu Niantao’s incense is discovered but deemed harmless until further analysis.
Xiao Cheng, suspicious by nature, bans incense in the Eastern Palace even without proof.
Lin Qingyu realizes Lu Niantao is no longer useful long-term and decides to extract her remaining value.
Hu Ji identifies the true cause as the interaction between Lu Niantao’s incense and the Pursuing Phoenix and Plum and Willow blends used by the empress and Noble Consort Chen.
Xiao Cheng’s frequent visits to Fengyi Palace, Changle Palace, and the concubines worsen the inflammation and migraines over time.
Noble Consort Chen explodes in rage, believes the empress manipulated Lu Niantao, publicly slaps Lu Niantao, and nearly reports the matter to the emperor.
Lu Niantao collapses in tears, insisting she used the incense only because Xiao Cheng liked it, and Xiao Cheng believes her innocence.
Xiao Cheng suppresses the scandal to avoid offending the marquess of Nan’an, quietly orders Lu Niantao to move out, and effectively abandons her.
Lady Liang never hears from Lu Niantao again, and Lu Niantao permanently loses Xiao Cheng’s favor, facing a future as either a palace widow or a discarded concubine.
Hu Ji gains immense recognition, becoming a rising star in the Department of Imperial Physicians.
Lin Qingyu tells Lu Wancheng only part of the truth, mentioning Xiao Cheng’s migraines but not Lu Niantao’s downfall.
Lu Wancheng asks to stop taking the painful poison medicine, and Lin Qingyu agrees if that is his wish.
Lu Wancheng rewards Lin Qingyu with a custom-made physician’s medicine chest designed for his future career.
Lu Wancheng jokingly asks Lin Qingyu to repay the gift by wearing wedding robes again, then reveals he is teasing after seeing Lin Qingyu’s discomfort.
Despite his complaints, Lu Wancheng continues taking his medicine obediently.
That night, Hualu reports that Lu Qiaosong is dead.
Lin Qingyu calmly acknowledges Lu Qiaosong’s death and softly admits to Lu Wancheng that he has done another bad thing.

Chapter 36Lu Qiaosong overdoses on medicine and dies suddenly in Qingdai Pavilion, bleeding from all seven orifices and losing control of his body before dying violently.
Lady Liang faints upon hearing of Lu Qiaosong’s death, and the marquess of Nan’an is so shocked that his hair turns completely gray overnight and he does not attend court the next morning.
Lady Pan takes charge of Lu Qiaosong’s funeral arrangements, even though the funerary items had originally been prepared for Lu Wancheng and must now be hastily replaced.
Lu Qiaosong’s coffin is placed in the hall, mourners arrive in large numbers, and Lady Liang kneels before the coffin in white mourning clothes, appearing emotionally hollow and exhausted.
An unfamiliar man claims to be a eunuch from the Eastern Palace sent to mourn on behalf of Concubine Lu, prompting Lady Liang to ask anxiously about Lu Niantao’s condition.
The eunuch reveals that Lu Niantao has been banished to the Cold Palace, causing Lady Liang to fall into shock and emotional collapse.
When Lady Liang sees Lin Qingyu, she screams that he is a demon who married into the marquess’s manor and completely loses her sanity.
Lin Qingyu coldly reminds Lady Liang that she once called him the manor’s lucky charm, which further unravels her mental state.
A physician diagnoses Lady Liang as having gone mad with little hope of recovery, and the marquess of Nan’an falls seriously ill from consecutive shocks.
The marquess withdraws from managing household affairs and places Lady Pan fully in charge while ordering servants to keep Lady Liang confined.
During Lu Qiaosong’s funeral period, Lu Wancheng’s condition slightly improves, allowing him to remain awake longer and converse.
Lu Wancheng reacts calmly to the news of Lu Qiaosong’s death, Lady Liang’s madness, and the marquess’s illness, and instead comments appreciatively on Lin Qingyu’s changed appearance.
Lin Qingyu remarks that Lu Wancheng is the one who turned him into what he is now, and Lu Wancheng responds that it was his honor.
As Lu Qiaosong’s funeral procession proceeds outside, Lu Wancheng asks Lin Qingyu where he thinks Lu Qiaosong will go after death.
Lu Wancheng reveals that he himself has died once before in another life after being run over by a truck while saving a pregnant woman.
Lu Wancheng explains that Xu Junyuan calculated his fate and suggested that he might not be destined to die permanently.
Lu Wancheng admits that if he dies again, he may truly die or awaken in another world or body, and even he is uncertain of the outcome.
Lin Qingyu becomes emotionally distraught, angry that Lu Wancheng would tell him something so uncertain and force him to cling to false hope.
Lu Wancheng asks Lin Qingyu to wait for him for one hundred days, promising that if he does not return by then, Lin Qingyu should assume he is completely dead.
Lu Wancheng proposes creating a secret code so they can recognize each other if his soul transmigrates into another body.
Lin Qingyu insults Lu Wancheng, but ultimately agrees to hear and memorize the secret code.
Lu Wancheng gives a cryptic mathematical phrase as the secret code, insisting it is easy to remember and unique to them.
When the poison takes effect and Lu Wancheng suffers intense pain, he refuses acupuncture and only asks Lin Qingyu to stay with him.
Lin Qingyu holds Lu Wancheng as he endures the pain, and Lu Wancheng makes Lin Qingyu promise again that he has memorized the secret code.
As winter approaches, Lu Wancheng’s condition steadily worsens, and he is awake less often and no longer able to leave his bed.
Lin Qingyu visits his family alone for his mother Lady Lin’s fortieth birthday, indirectly confirming that Lu Wancheng’s situation is dire.
After returning to Lanfeng Pavilion, Lin Qingyu learns from Hualu that Lu Wancheng has unexpectedly woken up, eaten porridge, and asked to wear a lucky red outfit.
Lin Qingyu freezes in shock and fear, realizing the sudden improvement may signal something ominous rather than true recovery.

Chapter 37Lin Qingyu returns to the Lin family manor alone and overhears Huantong caring for Lu Wancheng, noticing that Lu Wancheng seems unusually energetic and insistent on waiting for Lin Qingyu to return for dinner.
Lu Wancheng asks for plum-blossom cake and keeps glancing toward the wardrobe, clearly anxious for Lin Qingyu to come back soon.
Lin Qingyu realizes something is wrong and withdraws without entering the room, then borrows Hualu’s makeup box.
Lin Qingyu applies a huadian and dresses himself in his wedding robes, recreating his appearance from the day he married Lu Wancheng, even though he understands this is a farewell rather than a second wedding.
Huantong accidentally sees Lin Qingyu dressed in wedding robes and is shocked by his beauty and composure, sensing the gravity of the situation.
Lin Qingyu calmly instructs Huantong to prepare dinner and dismiss all servants for the night, indicating he wants to be alone with Lu Wancheng.
Lin Qingyu hurries through the manor in the heavy wedding robes to find Lu Wancheng waiting in the garden in a wheelchair, dressed in red and appearing briefly radiant and healthy.
Lin Qingyu is struck by how alive Lu Wancheng looks and momentarily wishes this improvement were real, despite knowing the truth about Lu Wancheng’s condition.
Lu Wancheng greets Lin Qingyu normally and shows no strong reaction to the wedding robes, revealing that his poisoned body can no longer respond as expected.
Lin Qingyu remembers that Lu Wancheng’s body is failing from poison and forces himself to accept that this abnormal calm is part of the illness.
Lu Wancheng asks to eat plum-blossom cake together again, and Lin Qingyu agrees and pushes him back inside to the main hall.
Despite Lin Qingyu’s usual medical strictness, Lu Wancheng asks for wine to celebrate having reached eighteen years old, and Lin Qingyu ultimately allows him one cup.
Huantong struggles to keep his composure while serving wine and food, clearly aware that Lu Wancheng is nearing death.
Lin Qingyu personally feeds Lu Wancheng soup and stays by his side, shocking Lu Wancheng with his tenderness and care.
Lu Wancheng enjoys the wine even though he can no longer taste medicine, emphasizing how close he is to the end.
Lu Wancheng jokes about their nuptial wine and assumes Lin Qingyu drank it with him rather than the ceremonial rooster, deepening the emotional weight of the scene.
Snow begins to fall, and Lin Qingyu remembers Lu Wancheng once saying he wanted to see Lin Qingyu standing in the snow in red robes.
Lin Qingyu takes Lu Wancheng outside under an umbrella, wearing his wedding robes in the snow with no servants present to witness the moment.
As Lu Wancheng watches the snow, his color fades rapidly, his body weakening even as his eyes remain bright.
Lin Qingyu holds Lu Wancheng’s freezing hand, powerless to stop his decline, and asks if he is cold.
Lu Wancheng asks Lin Qingyu whether he still likes girls, and Lin Qingyu answers yes, which seems to comfort Lu Wancheng.
Lu Wancheng admits he is tired and apologizes for not being able to hold on any longer, asking Lin Qingyu not to be angry with him.
Lin Qingyu kneels in the snow, gently touching Lu Wancheng’s face and assuring him that he is not angry at all.
Lu Wancheng reveals that he understands how events have gone wrong behind the scenes and makes a final dark joke about Xiao Cheng’s eventual tragic death.
Lu Wancheng asks Lin Qingyu to wake him after he sleeps, closes his eyes, and quietly dies beneath the falling snow.
Lin Qingyu holds Lu Wancheng as his body grows cold and stiff, standing in the snow wearing wedding robes and a huadian, mirroring the day they first met.

Thrice Married to a Salted Fish, Vol. 1

Lorem Ipsum

Three Hundred Years of Longing: Bu Jian Shang Xian San Bai Nian, Vol. 1

Chapter 1:
ArchfiendDuring the Cataclysm Era, Mian Province and the Boundless Sea are frozen, and Wu Xingxue stands barefoot on a withered tree in a stagnant pool, calmly washing blood from his hands while surrounded by fearful subordinates.Wu Xingxue asks what year it is and learns it is the twenty-fifth year of the Cataclysm Era, a name changed by the coalition of cultivation clans, which confuses and unsettles him.The faint sound of chains clinking from Wu Xingxue’s movements terrifies those on shore, even though no visible chains can be seen on his body.The setting is revealed to be the Northern Domain of Tealspire, a legendary prison for archfiends where invisible heavenly chains inevitably destroy all imprisoned beings.Wu Xingxue is identified as the only known survivor of Tealspire, having endured imprisonment there for twenty-five years, making him a figure of extreme terror.His subordinates are paralyzed by fear, believing any word or silence from him could mean death, due to his reputation for killing even powerful immortals.Internally, Wu Xingxue is in chaos, realizing he is not the original archfiend but someone who has suddenly possessed this body.Wu Xingxue recalls his previous life as a noble in Magpie Haven, peacefully returning from the Banquet of Winding Wine, reading a novel, and falling asleep in a warm bed during a snowfall.He awakens in Tealspire, standing over water filled with severed human arms, barefoot on a dead tree, with blood on his hands, realizing he has possessed a demon rather than merely dreaming.By listening rather than speaking, Wu Xingxue deduces that he is the imprisoned archfiend and that the people on shore are his ruthless underlings.He decides to maintain the façade of the archfiend to avoid being killed by his own subordinates.A massive disturbance begins outside Tealspire as the coalition of cultivation clans arrives, causing earthquakes and cracking the prison’s cliffs.The underlings panic, believing Tealspire is collapsing and fearing both the clans and possible traps left behind in the prison.Wu Xingxue learns that Tealspire was once guarded by the Tianxiu Immortal, who perished with Urbs Caelestia, and senses there is hidden history between that immortal and the archfiend.Though pressured to flee, Wu Xingxue secretly worries about a practical issue: he does not know how to get off the tree without exposing himself.He orders one underling to come to him, pretending authority while intending to use the underling as assistance.As the underling leaps across the water, invisible sword auras strike, blowing the underling’s arm apart and hurling him back.The arcane formation of Tealspire activates violently, sending killing intent toward Wu Xingxue.At the critical moment, a massive golden Victoria water lily blooms beneath Wu Xingxue, shielding him from the attack.An ethereal swordsman appears before Wu Xingxue amid snow and sword light, radiating cold authority and power.Wu Xingxue recognizes the golden mark on the man’s neck as the courtesy name Mian, revealing him to be the Tianxiu Immortal, Xiao Fuxuan, whose title signifies absolution of sins.

Chapter 2:
SarcophagusOutside the Northern Domain of Tealspire, the blooming golden Victoria water lily releases a crushing aura that blasts the cultivation clan disciples backward, shattering nearby swords and magical weapons.Feng Juyan withstands the pressure by drawing her sword but is injured, bleeding through her fingers, which frightens her disciples because they have never seen her hurt before.Feng Juyan identifies the golden light as Fate’s Victoria, a legendary vital move once used by Tianxiu Immortal Xiao Fuxuan.Fate’s Victoria is explained as a technique that consumes the user’s vitality and spiritual core, making it something even Tianxiu Immortal Xiao Fuxuan would only use under extreme circumstances.The last recorded use of Fate’s Victoria occurred twenty-five years earlier, when Mount Taiyin collapsed, Urbs Caelestia was destroyed, and Wu Xingxue was chained into the Northern Domain of Tealspire.The destruction of Urbs Caelestia led to chaos in the mortal world, and cultivation clans later named the era Cataclysm.Feng Juyan speculates that lingering fragments of Tianxiu Immortal Xiao Fuxuan’s spirit within Tealspire may have triggered Fate’s Victoria, but she fears it could mean Wu Xingxue is still alive and resisting imprisonment.The coalition realizes they underestimated the situation by bringing mostly younger disciples, prompting discussion about calling for reinforcements.Meanwhile, Wu Xingxue is dragged away by the golden Victoria water lily after the ethereal swordsman disappears, and he believes he is about to embarrassingly fall into the pool and expose himself.Instead of landing in water, Wu Xingxue falls endlessly through empty space while hearing voices describe Tealspire as having thirty-three levels, with something hidden at the bottom.Wu Xingxue finally lands violently at the lowest level, suffering extreme pain where the invisible heavenly chains pierce his body.Despite the agony, Wu Xingxue maintains his composure in front of his underlings, surprising even himself with his endurance.The underlings arrive soon after and see Wu Xingxue calmly open his eyes and laugh grimly, which frightens them into silence.Wu Xingxue jokes about the noise of the invisible chains binding him and orders his underlings to lead the way.The underlings panic because they have no idea where to go, but are too afraid of Wu Xingxue to ask for clarification.The group finds themselves in a vast gray wasteland with a towering, scorched dead tree whose crown likely formed the upper levels of Tealspire.Ning Huaishan recalls rumors that Tealspire has thirty-three levels and that treasure may be hidden on the lowest floor.The underlings decide to head toward the massive dead tree, suspecting it is the only possible location of whatever lies hidden.As they approach, they discover countless swords embedded in the ground, forming an enormous sword graveyard around the tree.The sword graves are revealed to be an arcane formation, and the underlings admit they are incapable of breaking it.The underlings hint that Wu Xingxue was originally skilled at breaking formations, pressuring him to act.Wu Xingxue internally panics because he lacks the original archfiend’s abilities and knows he cannot actually dismantle the formation.Wu Xingxue notices a warm white glow distinct from snow and walks toward it, ignoring the formation.He discovers a massive white-jade sarcophagus beneath the dead tree, surrounded by swords and sealed with studs carved with the same word he saw on the nape of Tianxiu Immortal Xiao Fuxuan.The chapter ends with the realization that the object before him is Xiao Fuxuan’s sarcophagus.

Chapter 3:
PuppetWu Xingxue fixates on the name Xiao Fuxuan after realizing the sarcophagus belongs to the Tianxiu Immortal and silently repeats it while his underlings hesitate to approach.Ning Huaishan voices confusion about why Xiao Fuxuan’s sarcophagus would be placed inside the Northern Domain of Tealspire, a prison meant only for archfiends.Wu Xingxue internally finds it illogical that an immortal would place his own resting place inside a fiend prison and suspects there must be another explanation.Wu Xingxue touches the white-jade sarcophagus out of habit, drawn to white jade since his past life in Magpie Haven.The underlings speculate that the sarcophagus might only be a cenotaph or contain clothing rather than Xiao Fuxuan’s real body, though they still find the situation unsettling.The underlings are shocked to see Wu Xingxue casually touching the sarcophagus of the very immortal who imprisoned him.As Wu Xingxue’s fingers brush the sarcophagus, massive black studs violently eject themselves one by one, shaking the sarcophagus, the sword graves, the dead tree, and the entire wasteland.The underlings retreat in fear, believing Wu Xingxue is deliberately opening the sarcophagus, while Wu Xingxue internally panics because he has done nothing intentionally.Wu Xingxue finds himself unable to move as the sarcophagus lid slides open, feeling restrained by invisible forces while unable to flee.The sarcophagus opens fully without the stench of decay, releasing only the scent of snow and dust.Wu Xingxue steps forward and sees Xiao Fuxuan lying inside, identical to the earlier apparition but completely lifeless and encased in frost.The underlings panic upon seeing Xiao Fuxuan’s face but then realize the body is not the true immortal, only a shell.They explain that immortals often leave behind physical shells and identify a black Victoria-shaped mark on Xiao Fuxuan’s wrist as proof.Wu Xingxue realizes the body is an empty vessel and wonders who truly opened the sarcophagus, briefly suspecting lingering power from the original archfiend.Wu Xingxue discovers a faceless white-jade idol hidden beneath Xiao Fuxuan’s palm, carved with a sword and flowers like a deity idol.When Wu Xingxue touches a specific carving on the idol, he hears a mysterious voice mention the City of Spring Pennant and Yi Wusheng.The voice asks Wu Xingxue whether he wants to go back, directly echoing his desire to return to Magpie Haven.Wu Xingxue dismisses the voice as residual spiritual consciousness and attempts to return the idol to the sarcophagus.The voice explains how immortal shells can be turned into obedient puppets by activating the wrist mark.Wu Xingxue throws the idol back into the sarcophagus and instinctively rubs the black mark on Xiao Fuxuan’s wrist despite insisting to himself that he does not know how to make a puppet.Wu Xingxue feels a faint pulse beneath his thumb, shocking him.Xiao Fuxuan’s body suddenly opens its eyes, causing the underlings to scream in terror and proclaim that Wu Xingxue has successfully created a puppet.Wu Xingxue is horrified because he knows he did nothing intentional to cause this awakening.A violent force erupts as Xiao Fuxuan’s shell rises, summoning swords from the graveyard and pinning Wu Xingxue to the ground.Xiao Fuxuan seizes a sword and drives it into the ground inches from Wu Xingxue’s neck, stopping just short of killing him.Xiao Fuxuan looks down at Wu Xingxue, frost still clinging to his lashes, and calmly calls out Wu Xingxue’s name.

Chapter 4:
FreedWu Xingxue wakes to Xiao Fuxuan’s sword pressed against his throat and calmly asks whether Xiao Fuxuan intends to kill him.Wu Xingxue insists Xiao Fuxuan must not kill him because Xiao Fuxuan has the wrong person and he is not the archfiend Wu Xingxue who committed those crimes.Xiao Fuxuan listens without visible reaction, making Wu Xingxue realize the original archfiend’s reputation is so terrible that denial alone means nothing.Wu Xingxue openly claims he is a roaming soul from Magpie Haven who possessed this body by accident and asks Xiao Fuxuan to examine him to confirm the truth.Xiao Fuxuan reveals that he has isolated the area so the underlings cannot hear their conversation.Xiao Fuxuan finally questions Wu Xingxue about his name and origin, signaling partial belief.Wu Xingxue explains Magpie Haven and asks if Xiao Fuxuan knows a way to help him return home.Xiao Fuxuan responds that he is a numen of penance whose role is only to capture and punish, not to save people.Xiao Fuxuan withdraws his sword and releases Wu Xingxue, ending the blizzard and restoring movement to the frozen underlings.Ning Huaishan misunderstands the situation and believes Xiao Fuxuan’s body has become a loyal puppet under Wu Xingxue’s control.Before Wu Xingxue can explain, the Northern Domain of Tealspire begins to collapse violently from the inside.The white-jade sarcophagus disintegrates, the massive dead tree shakes, and the underlings are separated amid falling debris.Wu Xingxue is stranded on a single stone as a massive shard of collapsing cliff falls directly toward him.Xiao Fuxuan unconsciously summons countless golden swords marked with Mian to shield Wu Xingxue, saving his life as Tealspire collapses completely.The destruction of the Northern Domain of Tealspire sends shockwaves through the Boundless Sea as cultivation clans scramble outside.Wu Xingxue escapes Tealspire on a small boat with Xiao Fuxuan, Ning Huaishan, and the one-armed underling, while most other subordinates are lost.Ning Huaishan loudly celebrates their survival and believes Xiao Fuxuan the puppet deliberately guided them out of Tealspire.Xiao Fuxuan silently endures being called a puppet despite clearly retaining his will and awareness.Xiao Fuxuan privately asks Wu Xingxue why he did not evade the falling cliff, and Wu Xingxue replies that he had no way to escape and is only a mortal.Wu Xingxue directly questions why Xiao Fuxuan saved an archfiend if he truly does not believe Wu Xingxue’s claim of innocence.During the night, Xiao Fuxuan secretly alters the boat’s direction without informing the others.Ning Huaishan later realizes the boat is no longer headed toward Nightgleam and panics.Wu Xingxue learns they are now heading near the City of Spring Pennant, the place mentioned by the mysterious voice linked to Yi Wusheng.Wu Xingxue suspects Xiao Fuxuan redirected the boat to seek Yi Wusheng’s help in returning Wu Xingxue to Magpie Haven.They disembark at Swallow’s Landing, where the area is saturated with idols used to repel fiends, making Ning Huaishan and the one-armed underling physically uncomfortable.Wu Xingxue remains unaffected by the idols, further highlighting his difference from true fiends.Wu Xingxue overhears cultivators discussing rumors that the archfiend Wu Xingxue may have survived the fall of Tealspire.Wu Xingxue also overhears that the City of Spring Pennant is filled with people who hate the archfiend, including Yi Wusheng, whose entire family was killed by the archfiend.Xiao Fuxuan confirms that this Yi Wusheng is the same person Wu Xingxue hoped would help him return home.Realizing Yi Wusheng has every reason to hate him, Wu Xingxue abandons hope of receiving help and decides he may be forced to live in the archfiend’s body indefinitely.

Chapter 5:
Hua ClanWu Xingxue decides not to leave Spring Pennant because he has nowhere else to go and has already reached the city gates.Wu Xingxue observes two armed disciples guarding the pier and identifies them as members of the Hua Clan by their peach-blossom jade ornaments and identification tablets.The Hua Clan disciples question Wu Xingxue’s group due to recent disasters and increased security at the city gates.The Hua Clan disciples grow suspicious of Ning Huaishan and One-Arm because they react badly to the idols and appear unwell.Wu Xingxue lies smoothly and claims Ning Huaishan and One-Arm are seasick, preventing a confrontation.Ning Huaishan introduces Xiao Fuxuan as a puppet belonging to their young master, using the alias Cheng.The Hua Clan disciples feel that both Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan look strangely familiar but do not pursue the thought further.Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan enter the city while Ning Huaishan and One-Arm are repelled by a massive stone idol near the gate and flee the area.Wu Xingxue is relieved to be separated from Ning Huaishan and One-Arm and drags Xiao Fuxuan into an alley to ask for help.Wu Xingxue asks Xiao Fuxuan to alter his appearance because visiting Yi Wusheng while wearing the archfiend Wu Xingxue’s face would invite violence.Xiao Fuxuan silently agrees and performs a glamour on Wu Xingxue, physically touching his face to reshape his features.Xiao Fuxuan specifically alters Wu Xingxue’s eyes, stating they are too recognizable.Wu Xingxue realizes Xiao Fuxuan has also disguised his own appearance, despite his fame as the Tianxiu Immortal.Wu Xingxue learns that Spring Pennant houses six cultivation clans, with the Hua Clan being the largest and most powerful.The Hua Clan resides on Peach Blossom Isle, an isolated and dangerous location used to guard the western side of Spring Pennant.Wu Xingxue learns about the worsening state of Spring Pennant, where fiends such as huskreavers have drastically reduced the population.Wu Xingxue observes that most of the city is abandoned, with only areas near cultivation clans still inhabited.Despite earlier resolving to avoid Peach Blossom Isle, Wu Xingxue finds himself led there by Xiao Fuxuan.Wu Xingxue realizes too late that Peach Blossom Isle belongs to the Hua Clan and confronts Xiao Fuxuan about it.Xiao Fuxuan explains that Yi Wusheng is one of the four elders of the Hua Clan and is married into the Hua family.Xiao Fuxuan reveals that Yi Wusheng’s wife was the younger sister of the Hua Clan patriarch, Hua Zhaoting.Wu Xingxue realizes that Yi Wusheng’s hatred toward the archfiend Wu Xingxue extends to the entire Hua Clan.Hua Clan disciples formally receive Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan and escort them into the Hua estate.Wu Xingxue is informed that Yi Wusheng is in seclusion and that they will be taken to the Hall of Contemplation to wait.Wu Xingxue realizes that the body he inhabits was responsible for the deaths of Yi Wusheng’s father, brother, wife, and daughter.Wu Xingxue concludes that by entering the Hua Clan, he has walked straight into the stronghold of his body’s greatest enemies.

Chapter 6:
MadmanWu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan are brought into a formal reception room in the Hua Clan estate, where disciples serve tea and offer incense to a jade idol.Wu Xingxue notices the idol and painting depict Hua Xin, the ancestral celestial of the Hua Clan, whose title is Mingwu.Xiao Fuxuan reveals that Hua Xin was the Chief of the Spirit Terrace’s Twelve Immortals.Wu Xingxue realizes that the original archfiend Wu Xingxue had killed the Twelve Immortals of the Spirit Terrace, including Hua Xin.Hua Zhaoting, the patriarch of the Hua Clan, arrives after scolding disciples over an injured person and apologizes for the delay.Hua Zhaoting greets Wu Xingxue politely under the alias Mr. Cheng and asks about his arrival via the Boundless Sea and the collapse of the Northern Domain of Tealspire.Wu Xingxue lies smoothly about being frightened by the sea journey and Tealspire’s collapse, maintaining his false identity.Hua Zhaoting explains that many Hua Clan elders and disciples witnessed the Tealspire disaster and returned badly shaken.Hua Zhaoting confirms that Wu Xingxue is seeking Dr. Yi Wusheng, who is famed for somniamancy.Hua Zhaoting explains that Yi Wusheng must examine patients in person and asks who the patient is.Wu Xingxue openly states that he himself is the patient, claiming his soul has possessed another person’s body and displaced the rightful owner.Hua Zhaoting questions Wu Xingxue because he does not appear mad or soul-damaged like typical patients.Wu Xingxue answers further questions honestly, explaining his possession and desire to return to his original body and world.Hua Zhaoting concludes Wu Xingxue is not lying and agrees to let him stay on Peach Blossom Isle until Yi Wusheng ends his seclusion the next day.Wu Xingxue feels hopeful for the first time that he may be able to return to Magpie Haven and silently thanks Xiao Fuxuan.Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan are housed in a quiet area near the library and the Hall of Purification.A disheveled and violent madman named Ayao suddenly bursts into the guest quarters, injuring furniture and frightening the disciples.Ayao attempts to grab Wu Xingxue but is easily restrained by Xiao Fuxuan and dragged away by other disciples.Wu Xingxue learns that Ayao was once Yi Wusheng’s most talented alchemy disciple.The Hua Clan disciple explains that Ayao’s madness was caused by trauma inflicted by the greater archfiend Wu Xingxue.The disciple recounts that a refined noble guest once stayed on Peach Blossom Isle and secretly slaughtered Yi Wusheng’s family and staff over two weeks.Ayao discovered the crime scene covered in blood and infernal energy, but his mind was sealed by a hex that even Yi Wusheng could not undo.The Hua Clan sought help from the Feng Clan, who used the Soul’s Reflection technique to reveal the truth.The vision showed the guest revealing himself as the archfiend Wu Xingxue, killing Yi Wuqi with his own sword and smiling coldly at Ayao.The archfiend Wu Xingxue wiped his hands, struck Ayao on the head to seal his mind, and left Peach Blossom Isle calmly via the Boundless Sea.It is confirmed that the archfiend Wu Xingxue habitually killed people using their own swords, cementing his identity as the murderer.

Chapter 7:
A Restless StirringA Hua Clan disciple finishes recounting how Peach Blossom Isle closed itself off after the massacre, as the event traumatized the clan and became part of its oral history.The disciple explains that Yi Wusheng was the most devastated, nearly suffering an energy deviation, and has since relied on periodic seclusion to preserve his sanity and cultivation.Hua Zhaoting also became deeply paranoid after the incident and once suspected everyone on Peach Blossom Isle of being a disguised fiend.Hua Zhaoting cleared out his own residence, the Hall of Pruning, and has lived alone ever since, managing everything himself.In response to the massacre, the Hua Clan established a fourth hall, the Hall of Punishments, dedicated solely to detecting fiends and possessions.Wu Xingxue learns that Hua Clan disciples must undergo soul inspections twice daily using soul-integrity talismans.Wu Xingxue remarks that such constant scrutiny could drive a person mad, and learns that the elder in charge also inspects his own soul.The disciple requests to examine Wu Xingxue with a soul-integrity talisman, having led him gently to accept the inspection as reasonable.Wu Xingxue raises concerns that his possession case might be mistaken for fiend control, but the disciple reassures him the talisman can distinguish between souls.Wu Xingxue deliberately interrupts the inspection at the last second, startling the disciple and subtly radiating the archfiend’s terrifying presence.Wu Xingxue switches to his left wrist for the inspection, claiming it is more accurate, and allows the talisman to be applied.The soul-integrity talisman shows no discoloration on Wu Xingxue, confirming he is not possessed by a fiend.The disciple notices Xiao Fuxuan watching closely during the inspection, behaving unlike a normal puppet.The disciple tests Xiao Fuxuan with a soul-integrity talisman and finds it not only unchanged but faintly faded, an unprecedented result.Unable to interpret the result, the disciple removes the talisman and hurriedly leaves.Before leaving, the disciple warns Wu Xingxue not to approach the peach forest, where all captured fiends and their victims are buried.The disciple explains that dead fiends still respond instinctively to stronger infernal presences and can be used as a warning system.Wu Xingxue understands that this method relies on the natural hierarchy among fiends and infernal cultivators.Wu Xingxue remains in his quarters out of courtesy and because he is waiting to see Yi Wusheng the next day.Hua Zhaoting sends dinner, but Wu Xingxue shows little interest in the austere cultivator food and barely eats.Xiao Fuxuan comments that ordinary mortals get hungry, implying something unusual about Wu Xingxue’s current condition.Wu Xingxue observes that Xiao Fuxuan insists on standing like a puppet and remarks that he himself does not feel hunger in this body.Wu Xingxue asks Xiao Fuxuan what kind of person the original archfiend Wu Xingxue truly was.Xiao Fuxuan avoids answering directly and suggests the question is meaningless if Wu Xingxue intends to leave this world.After a long silence, Xiao Fuxuan states that regardless of form, the archfiend Wu Xingxue is someone he would never mistake for another.Wu Xingxue is unsettled by this response and the two fall into silence.Late at night, thunder rolls over Peach Blossom Isle as infernal energy thickens.Alarm bells ring from the peach forest, signaling a disturbance among the buried fiends.The buried fiends stir violently beneath the ground and surge in one direction.The restless movement of the peach forest converges directly toward the guest quarters where Wu Xingxue is staying.

Chapter 8:
PilgrimageWu Xingxue wakes abruptly in the guest room, surprised that he managed to fall asleep despite silence and danger, unlike his usual habits in Magpie Haven.Wu Xingxue discovers a silver bell tied to his wrist with fine silver thread, the other end tied to Xiao Fuxuan’s finger, resembling the flower-guarding bells from his former estate.Wu Xingxue realizes Xiao Fuxuan has left his body using astral projection while leaving the bell-thread as a tether to return quickly if needed.Xiao Fuxuan’s spiritual consciousness moves freely across Peach Blossom Isle, unseen by patrolling Hua Clan disciples.Xiao Fuxuan confirms that Yi Wusheng remains in strict seclusion and has ordered disciples not to disturb him under any circumstances.Xiao Fuxuan searches several locations on Peach Blossom Isle, including near Hua Zhaoting’s library and residence, guided by familiarity with the island.A mysterious, indistinct voice speaks to Xiao Fuxuan during his search, questioning what he seeks and mocking the purpose of the search.Xiao Fuxuan checks the Hall of Pruning and confirms that what he is searching for is not there.Xiao Fuxuan briefly reveals the white-jade idol taken from his sarcophagus, stored in a small embroidered pouch at his waist, causing the mysterious voice to fall silent.Xiao Fuxuan enters the forbidden peach forest, passing through guards effortlessly in spiritual form, but finds nothing he is seeking.Xiao Fuxuan feels repeated tugs on the silver thread from Wu Xingxue, signaling restlessness rather than immediate danger.The buried fiends beneath the peach forest suddenly erupt into violent motion, all surging in a single direction, followed by Hua Clan disciples.Xiao Fuxuan immediately returns his spiritual consciousness to his body.Wu Xingxue is awake, barefoot by the window, pulling on the bell-thread and asking Xiao Fuxuan about the terrifying noise outside.Xiao Fuxuan describes the phenomenon as a pilgrimage, implying instinctive convergence toward a powerful presence.As the disturbance intensifies near the guest quarters, Xiao Fuxuan grabs Wu Xingxue’s wrist and tells him to close his eyes.Xiao Fuxuan uses his power to relocate Wu Xingxue to the Hall of Disciples, which is completely deserted.Wu Xingxue deduces that Xiao Fuxuan had been searching for something and presses him for answers.Xiao Fuxuan admits he is searching for a relic that was once taken from Peach Blossom Isle by Wu Xingxue and later returned.Xiao Fuxuan recalls rumors that Wu Xingxue infiltrated Peach Blossom Isle under disguise to steal a celestial relic, which vanished and reappeared shortly before the destruction of Urbs Caelestia.Wu Xingxue realizes Xiao Fuxuan’s constant vigilance is tied to this unresolved mystery.The buried fiends redirect their movement toward the Hall of Disciples, forcing Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan to keep moving.At Wu Xingxue’s suggestion, Xiao Fuxuan leads the search toward places he has not yet checked.Wu Xingxue inadvertently leads Xiao Fuxuan and the pursuing fiends across the island, dragging nearly all Hua Clan disciples along in chaos.They arrive at the Phoenix Court and discover that Yi Wusheng has vanished despite being required to remain in seclusion.Xiao Fuxuan suddenly senses Yi Wusheng’s presence elsewhere on the island.Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan look down from a second-floor window and see Yi Wusheng stumbling forward, following the surging fiends.Xiao Fuxuan explains that Yi Wusheng is being drawn by the same instinctive force as the buried fiends.It is revealed that the fiends’ pilgrimage is triggered by the presence of a powerful infernal existence, causing all fiends to converge toward it uncontrollably.

Chapter 9:
MurderYi Wusheng’s restrictive wards around the Phoenix Court prevent the buried fiends from entering, causing them to halt abruptly at the building’s edge.The Hua Clan disciples arrive and are horrified to see Yi Wusheng still moving among the fiends, realizing he is being drawn like them by a powerful infernal presence.It becomes clear that Yi Wusheng is no longer merely surrounded by fiends but has become one himself.Ayao stumbles out of the crowd, panics, and falls into the churned mud, drawing everyone’s attention.Yi Wusheng snaps his head around unnaturally and calls out to Ayao, then drags him toward the Phoenix Court using invisible force.The Hua Clan disciples hesitate to attack because Yi Wusheng is their healer, teacher, and benefactor, despite realizing Ayao is in mortal danger.Yi Wusheng drags Ayao inside, restrains him by the neck, and ignores the sword aura wounds Ayao inflicts in his struggle.Yi Wusheng inhales Ayao’s vital energy hungrily, revealing his ravenous fiendish state after long isolation.Yi Wusheng begins to consume Ayao’s spirit by pressing a hand to his head, causing Ayao to tremble in terror.Ayao regains a flicker of clarity and calls Yi Wusheng “Master,” briefly triggering resistance in Yi Wusheng’s remaining consciousness.Yi Wusheng fails to overcome his fiendish instincts and tightens his grip, resuming the act of killing.A brilliant sword manifestation crashes down, forcing Yi Wusheng to release Ayao as Xiao Fuxuan intervenes.Xiao Fuxuan and Wu Xingxue appear, with Yi Wusheng badly injured and thrown aside by icy sword intent.Wu Xingxue checks Ayao’s breathing while Xiao Fuxuan confirms Ayao will survive.Xiao Fuxuan restrains Yi Wusheng and confirms that his soul is saturated with infernal energy, reacting violently to celestial power.Wu Xingxue notices a strange scar-like marking on the back of Yi Wusheng’s neck that resembles but is not a puppet rune.Xiao Fuxuan realizes the mark suggests manipulation of Yi Wusheng’s soul rather than voluntary infernal cultivation.Yi Wusheng briefly regains lucidity and silently begs Wu Xingxue to help him and kill him.Wu Xingxue recalls a similar scene from the archfiend Wu Xingxue’s past, hinting at a repeating pattern of manipulated victims.Wu Xingxue asks Xiao Fuxuan whether Yi Wusheng’s older brother Yi Wuqi was also buried in the peach forest.Xiao Fuxuan seals off the area from the Hua Clan disciples with snow and wind before uncovering the buried remains in the courtyard.Xiao Fuxuan exhumes the husks of fiends and victims, including Yi Wuqi, whose body has not decayed.Xiao Fuxuan finds the same scratched-out mark on the back of Yi Wuqi’s neck, confirming both brothers were manipulated.Before Xiao Fuxuan can reveal the truth, the sound of a sword leaving its scabbard rings out behind him.Xiao Fuxuan rushes back to find Yi Wusheng dead, stabbed through by his own sword.Ayao is standing over Yi Wusheng holding the sword, clearly confused and not fully aware of his actions.Wu Xingxue stands nearby with empty hands, silently watching as the scene settles into blood-soaked stillness.

Chapter 10:
RebirthXiao Fuxuan questions Wu Xingxue about what happened while he was gone, noticing the blood, Yi Wusheng’s corpse, and Ayao’s condition.Wu Xingxue calmly recounts that Ayao suddenly rose, seized Yi Wusheng’s sword, and killed him with a single precise thrust.Wu Xingxue points out that Ayao’s movements were too steady and accurate for a madman, suggesting someone temporarily borrowed Ayao’s body.Xiao Fuxuan reacts coldly and dismissively, refusing to speculate and implying that even he himself could have been responsible.Xiao Fuxuan examines Yi Wusheng’s corpse and discovers a hollow resonance, indicating incomplete spiritual annihilation.Xiao Fuxuan activates a technique using celestial breath, causing a remnant of Yi Wusheng’s soul to surface and briefly restore awareness.Yi Wusheng revives as a soul remnant rather than a living person, regaining clarity but remaining on the brink of dissolution.Xiao Fuxuan seals Yi Wusheng’s mouth and nose with black cloth to prevent the soul remnant from dissipating.Wu Xingxue confirms that Yi Wusheng is not truly alive but only barely sustained by celestial breath.Wu Xingxue’s earlier pallor disappears as Yi Wusheng stabilizes, suggesting emotional relief.Xiao Fuxuan unexpectedly asks Wu Xingxue whether he wants to learn the technique that preserved Yi Wusheng’s soul remnant.Wu Xingxue refuses, insisting he has no talent for thaumaturgy and citing the heavenly law separating gods and mortals.Xiao Fuxuan argues that heavenly laws no longer bind him because Urbs Caelestia is destroyed and he exists only as a spiritual consciousness inhabiting a puppet body.Xiao Fuxuan provides Yi Wusheng with a talisman that allows him to speak despite the cloth sealing his mouth.Yi Wusheng asks why Xiao Fuxuan saved him, and Xiao Fuxuan replies that he needs Yi Wusheng’s help.Xiao Fuxuan requests that Yi Wusheng use somniamancy to examine Wu Xingxue’s soul and determine his true origin and possible return.Yi Wusheng agrees to attempt the examination despite his fragile condition.Wu Xingxue reacts with stunned silence, momentarily freezing before regaining composure.Xiao Fuxuan states that before anything else, they must explain the truth of past events and long-standing rumors to the Hua Clan.Yi Wusheng panics and says he cannot do so because Hua Zhaoting has already arrived outside.

Chapter 11:
The Whole StoryYi Wusheng stops Xiao Fuxuan from removing the blizzard barrier, explaining that Hua Zhaoting must not hear the truth because he is also possessed.Yi Wusheng reveals that both he and Hua Zhaoting have been possessed for over twenty years, with the infestation deeply rooted.Yi Wusheng begins recounting the full origin of the possessions, starting with the strange affliction in the Valley of Laments.People exiting the Valley of Laments developed puppet-like marks on their necks, phantom itching, madness, and sleepwalking that led some to consume human flesh.The condition resembled fiend possession and spread rapidly, causing major cultivation clans to dispatch investigators who were mostly afflicted themselves.The Feng Clan suffered heavy losses and sought Yi Wusheng’s help due to his mastery of somniamancy.Yi Wusheng refined the Dreamsbane elixir, which could seal the soul of the afflicted for forty-nine days if taken within one month of being marked.Yi Wusheng worked relentlessly for a year and saved many people, though treatment failed completely if the mark was older than one month.After the outbreak subsided, Yi Wusheng felt an itch on the back of his own neck while instructing Ayao on burying Dreamsbane.The itch worsened into bleeding scratches resembling claw marks, and vestiges of an ink rune were visible beneath the wounds.Yi Wusheng swallowed Dreamsbane pills in increasing quantities but realized it was already too late to save himself.Yi Wusheng explains that a parasitic fiend awakened inside him, slowly consuming his spirit-flesh and taking control of his body.Yi Wusheng occasionally regained brief lucidity and discovered other victims had already been hollowed out, including a custodial disciple.On a winter night twenty-five years earlier, Yi Wusheng regained awareness and saw his family and disciples dead, including Yi Wuqi smiling in blood.Yi Wusheng forced himself to the Hall of Pruning to beg Hua Zhaoting to kill him before losing control again.While grabbing Hua Zhaoting, Yi Wusheng discovered identical scratches and rune remnants on the back of Hua Zhaoting’s neck.Yi Wusheng realized Hua Zhaoting was also possessed and immediately stopped himself from revealing the truth.Yi Wusheng claimed he needed seclusion instead and sealed Ayao’s mind twice to prevent him from revealing the truth.Yi Wusheng explains that Ayao’s madness was intentional, meant to protect him and everyone else by silencing him.Yi Wusheng remained possessed and unaware for twenty-five years until the present incident.Yi Wusheng warns that if Hua Zhaoting’s fiend is disturbed, no one on Peach Blossom Isle could stop him.Xiao Fuxuan draws his phantom sword anyway, ignoring Yi Wusheng’s pleas.Wu Xingxue restrains Yi Wusheng and calmly questions how strong Hua Zhaoting truly is.Yi Wusheng answers that Hua Zhaoting is nearing apotheosis.Xiao Fuxuan repeats the word “nearing” and releases a devastating sword strike toward Hua Zhaoting amid thunder and celestial light.

Chapter 12:
DreambellThe Hua Clan disciples witness Hua Zhaoting draw his sword for the first time in ages as golden swords descend from the sky, signaling an unprecedented clash.Hua Zhaoting’s sword is revealed to be entangled with red, blood-soaked silk-like infernal energy instead of pure sword aura, alarming the disciples.The disciples realize that Hua Zhaoting, like Yi Wusheng and the buried fiends, may also have been drawn by a powerful infernal presence.Nearly one thousand Hua Clan disciples attempt to assist Hua Zhaoting by summoning flying swords.Xiao Fuxuan’s descending greatsword of golden light annihilates all the disciples’ flying swords instantly, leaving them weaponless.Hua Zhaoting’s blood-tainted sword collides with Xiao Fuxuan’s golden greatsword but is completely overpowered.Hua Zhaoting’s sword shatters, his cultivation is crushed, and he is blasted backward, vomiting black blood.The word “Mian” becomes clearly visible on the golden sword, revealing the identity of the Sword of Absolution.The Hua Clan disciples realize the terrifying implication that the guests Mr. Cheng and his puppet may be linked to the greater archfiend Wu Xingxue.Hua Zhaoting flees as a black shadow to the Hall of Pruning to escape the overwhelming sword intent.Xiao Fuxuan pursues Hua Zhaoting and pins him to the floor with another golden phantom sword.Yi Wusheng rushes to Hua Zhaoting’s side and attempts to examine his soul.Xiao Fuxuan states that Hua Zhaoting is not dead but forcibly restrained along with the fiend inside him.Yi Wusheng recognizes the name Xiao and confirms Xiao Fuxuan’s identity as the Tianxiu Immortal.Yi Wusheng reflects on his century-long friendship with Hua Zhaoting and the shared tragedy of their possession.Yi Wusheng examines Hua Zhaoting and finds his condition worse than his own, with almost no soul remnant remaining.Wu Xingxue notices Hua Zhaoting staring fixatedly at the planters he tended daily.Wu Xingxue digs into the planters and uncovers buried personal items belonging to many Hua Clan disciples.Yi Wusheng confirms the buried objects belonged to disciples who had gone missing over the years.Wu Xingxue realizes Hua Zhaoting secretly killed and buried disciples to feed the fiend inside him.Yi Wusheng uncovers jars of preserved Dreamsbane pills buried beneath the planters.It is revealed that Hua Zhaoting subconsciously tended the planters to protect the Dreamsbane he could never use to save himself.Yi Wusheng uncovers a small box hidden beneath the final planter.Inside the box is a white-jade bell inlaid with silver filigree, identified as a Dreambell capable of inducing prolonged dreams.

Chapter 13:
Soul ExaminationWu Xingxue recognizes the object in the box as a Dreambell and listens as Yi Wusheng explains its origins and how ordinary Dreambells were once common charms that later became associated with dream weaving.Yi Wusheng explains that the Hua Clan’s Dreambell is a true celestial relic capable of forcing a person into dreams and burning away memories, unlike mundane bazaar trinkets.Yi Wusheng recalls that Hua Zhaoting was never able to ring the Dreambell despite pouring power into it, which was why it had been hidden away.Yi Wusheng shakes the Dreambell found in the box and is shocked when it rings easily, proving it is a fake.Yi Wusheng panics and realizes the real Dreambell must have been swapped at some point without Hua Zhaoting’s knowledge.Yi Wusheng initially suspects Wu Xingxue, remembering that the Dreambell was once lost when Wu Xingxue visited Peach Blossom Isle and later returned.Yi Wusheng reconsiders and reasons that Wu Xingxue would not have returned the relic if he had truly wanted it, concluding the swap must have happened later.Yi Wusheng deduces that the fiend who possessed Hua Zhaoting must have swapped the Dreambell to claim the real relic.Yi Wusheng notes that neither he, Yi Wuqi, nor Hua Zhaoting ever went to the Valley of Laments, yet all bore the same puppet-like marks, deepening the mystery.Yi Wusheng bows to Xiao Fuxuan and asks how long his soul remnant will last, learning he has only a few days left.Yi Wusheng declares his wish to travel to the Valley of Laments to uncover the origin of the Hua Clan’s curse and locate the real Dreambell before he dies.Xiao Fuxuan and Wu Xingxue silently agree to accompany Yi Wusheng.Yi Wusheng settles clan affairs, entrusts Hua Zhaoting to the other elders, and departs Peach Blossom Isle by carriage with elixirs and his sword.During the journey, Yi Wusheng notices the tense atmosphere in the carriage between Xiao Fuxuan and Mr. Cheng.Yi Wusheng begins examining Mr. Cheng using somniamancy to determine the origin of his soul.Mr. Cheng claims to come from Magpie Haven and describes it as a lively, peaceful place with festivals and hunts.Yi Wusheng finds that Mr. Cheng’s soul and body are perfectly matched, showing no sign of possession or displacement.Yi Wusheng realizes this is not a case of a soul occupying the wrong body and prepares to explain the truth.Xiao Fuxuan secretly stops Yi Wusheng from speaking by ordering him to swallow the truth and change the subject.Yi Wusheng complies and falsely reassures Mr. Cheng that his condition is easy to resolve and he can be sent back.Wu Xingxue thanks Yi Wusheng calmly for his help.Wu Xingxue asks Xiao Fuxuan to remove the glamour disguising his face now that they have left Spring Pennant.Xiao Fuxuan dispels the glamour, revealing Mr. Cheng’s true identity as Wu Xingxue.Yi Wusheng is left shaken and horrified, realizing he nearly exposed the truth that Wu Xingxue is the rightful owner of his body.Yi Wusheng silently panics over why the Tianxiu Immortal Xiao Fuxuan would deliberately conceal Wu Xingxue’s identity and continue the deception.

Chapter 14:
Clear as a MirrorWu Xingxue rides in the Hua Clan carriage toward the Valley of Laments while snow falls outside and Xiao Fuxuan closes the curtain to darken the cabin.Wu Xingxue pretends to rest while secretly observing Xiao Fuxuan and reflecting on when he first suspected his identity on Peach Blossom Isle.Wu Xingxue recalls Ayao’s terrified eyes and realizes they triggered a buried memory connected to the greater archfiend Wu Xingxue.Wu Xingxue remembers hearing that Ayao’s madness was caused by the greater archfiend Wu Xingxue and instinctively looking to Xiao Fuxuan for confirmation or denial.Wu Xingxue reflects that his strange reactions, instincts, and habits during soul inspections felt automatic rather than borrowed from another soul.Wu Xingxue admits to himself that he already knew the truth before Yi Wusheng’s examination, especially after seeing Yi Wusheng beg him for death.Wu Xingxue fully accepts that Magpie Haven is not a real place in this world but a fabricated dream he lived in for twenty-five years.Wu Xingxue recalls using his own power to move Ayao, draw Yi Wusheng’s sword, and stab Yi Wusheng, confirming he is the real Wu Xingxue.Wu Xingxue realizes he awakened after twenty-five years without memories except for the sound of a bell ringing.Wu Xingxue concludes that finding the real Dreambell is the key to understanding why he slept for so long and what happened before the dream.Wu Xingxue wonders why Xiao Fuxuan chose to accompany him despite knowing or suspecting his true identity.Wu Xingxue reasons that Xiao Fuxuan may have doubted him earlier but now likely knows the truth and is deliberately keeping silent.Wu Xingxue hears the faint sound of chains and asks Xiao Fuxuan whether the heavenly chains binding him can be undone.Yi Wusheng realizes Wu Xingxue is referring to the invisible heavenly chains used to punish archfiends in Tealspire.Xiao Fuxuan answers that the heavenly chains cannot be undone.Wu Xingxue accepts this calmly and admits the chains do not hurt, despite shifting restlessly.Xiao Fuxuan reveals he can still hear the chains even when others cannot.Wu Xingxue asks how long it will take to reach the Valley of Laments.Yi Wusheng explains that ordinary travel would take a month but the Hua Clan’s enchanted carriage can reach it in three days.Yi Wusheng lights a spirit-warding lamp out of habit, which makes Wu Xingxue uncomfortable due to its anti-fiend properties.Xiao Fuxuan extinguishes the lamp without comment, returning the cabin to darkness.Wu Xingxue asks Yi Wusheng to stop near the city outskirts to pick up two people he was traveling with earlier.The scene cuts to Ning Huaishan and One-Arm hiding near the outskirts of Spring Pennant, watching Hua Clan disciples post notices.The notice proclaims Wu Xingxue, Xiao Fuxuan, and Yi Wusheng as heroes of justice permitted to travel freely to the Valley of Laments.Ning Huaishan and One-Arm recognize the portraits as Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan and are shocked by the Hua Clan’s praise.Ning Huaishan and One-Arm begin doubting Wu Xingxue’s identity and speculate that something about him feels wrong.Ning Huaishan and One-Arm decide to confront Wu Xingxue once he leaves the city and threaten him if he turns out to be an imposter.

Chapter 15:
InvocationNing Huaishan and One-Arm wait at the outskirts of Spring Pennant as agreed and are picked up by the Hua Clan carriage through heavy snowfall.Yi Wusheng initially mistakes Ning Huaishan for a young boy and silently laments how many youths walk the infernal path.Ning Huaishan boards the carriage, recognizes Yi Wusheng, and reacts with open hostility and anger.Ning Huaishan reveals a sword scar on his neck and accuses Yi Wusheng of inflicting it decades earlier.Yi Wusheng finally recognizes Ning Huaishan as the fourteen-year-old survivor from Twilight Fen.Ning Huaishan explains that the Hua Clan sword poison caused his wound to fester for forty years, stunting his growth and forcing him to practice poison-sealing to survive.Ning Huaishan angrily recounts how Yi Wusheng once lectured him about the infernal path and family while leaving him with a lifelong wound.Yi Wusheng remains silent and visibly shaken by the confrontation.Xiao Fuxuan strikes Ning Huaishan’s legs with his sword hilt, forcing him to kneel and silencing the confrontation.Ning Huaishan assumes the blow was Wu Xingxue’s command and begrudgingly obeys.One-Arm boards the carriage and forces Ning Huaishan to move aside so he can enter.Ning Huaishan tries to sit beside Wu Xingxue but panics at Xiao Fuxuan’s presence and instead sits beside Yi Wusheng.One-Arm uses etheric whispering to point out that Wu Xingxue has been acting strangely, clinging to a hand-warming stove and barely moving.Ning Huaishan realizes that Wu Xingxue, who once embodied extreme cold and fear, now behaving like an ordinary person afraid of the cold feels wrong.Ning Huaishan recalls that Wu Xingxue personally watched his poisoned wound heal and fester repeatedly, making his current lack of recognition suspicious.Ning Huaishan and One-Arm silently conclude that something about Wu Xingxue is deeply off.After three days of travel, the carriage reaches the outskirts of the Valley of Laments.Wu Xingxue observes the valley’s ravine, suspension bridge, and the unexpected presence of a crude inn near the sealed entrance.Ning Huaishan and One-Arm volunteer to scout ahead and clear obstacles near the valley.Wu Xingxue, Xiao Fuxuan, and Yi Wusheng approach the huts near the bridge and encounter a group of clan initiates and commoners sheltering there.Yi Wusheng conceals the black cloth on his mouth with a scarf before speaking to the group.A commoner woman admits she came to the Valley of Laments searching for her missing daughters.A clan initiate warns that not everyone encountered near the valley can be trusted as human.Wu Xingxue approaches calmly and asks why they are not entering the valley if they are searching for someone.The initiates explain that the Valley of Laments can only be entered at night once the shrine lamps at the bridge are lit.They warn that crossing the bridge before the lamps light means certain death due to creatures clinging beneath it.Yi Wusheng questions how people could still go missing in such a sealed place.The woman answers that the missing were not lost by accident but were summoned deliberately.Xiao Fuxuan reacts sharply to the word “invoked” and explains that invocation is a ritual once used for heaven to confer names and elevate celestials.Xiao Fuxuan states that only two beings in Urbs Caelestia were ever invoked in this way, one of them being Xiao Fuxuan himself.The chapter ends with the unsettling realization that a heavenly invocation ritual may be occurring within the Valley of Laments.

Chapter 16:
Digging One’s Own GraveWu Xingxue touches the skin beneath Xiao Fuxuan’s ear where the heaven-conferred name Mian once appeared, instinctively checking whether it still exists.Xiao Fuxuan reacts instantly with killing intent but suppresses it just as quickly, startling Wu Xingxue with how completely the aggression disappears.Wu Xingxue casually asks why Xiao Fuxuan’s heaven-conferred name never appears anymore.Xiao Fuxuan answers that the name is gone and adds that it was never always visible in the first place.Wu Xingxue presses him about what causes a heaven-conferred name to fade or reappear, but Xiao Fuxuan refuses to answer.Xiao Fuxuan avoids the topic and questions the commoner woman about why she believes the disappearances are caused by invocation.The woman explains that the missing people all had names appear on their necks, identical to heaven-conferred courtesy names.A clan initiate recounts the first case involving a woodcutter who woke with a permanent name on his neck and vanished the same night along with his axe and shrine censer.Seven days later, the woodcutter appeared in a shared dream to his family, claiming he had been invoked as a god at the Valley of Laments and demanding incense offerings.Clan disciples investigated using Dreamsbane from the Hua Clan and found only the bloodstained axe, not the body.The initiate explains the pattern repeated, with victims disappearing overnight despite being restrained, leaving only blood behind.Each missing person later sent dreams claiming celestial invocation and demanding worship at the valley.The woman confirms both her daughters vanished this way, prompting the initiates to help her investigate.Yi Wusheng is shocked that only three initiates were sent, and they explain most manpower was lost at Tealspire.Wu Xingxue withdraws to the carriage, uneasy with the attention and memories of being feared by the world.Wu Xingxue sleeps but dreams only of fragmented images and the golden shape of the name Mian hovering close to his face.Wu Xingxue wakes to find Xiao Fuxuan bending over him and instinctively grabs his wrist.Wu Xingxue notices the silver flower-guarding bells tied to Xiao Fuxuan’s finger and realizes Xiao Fuxuan is fastening them to him again.Xiao Fuxuan quietly tells Wu Xingxue that the heavenly chains cannot be undone and that the bells are all he can offer.Night falls and the group prepares to cross the suspension bridge into the Valley of Laments.Wu Xingxue hears the clinking of invisible heavenly chains as he walks, alarming the initiates nearby.The initiates mistake the sound for the bells at Wu Xingxue’s waist and relax their guard.Xiao Fuxuan presses the scabbard of his sword into Wu Xingxue’s back and orders him onto the bridge.Ning Huaishan and One-Arm reassure Wu Xingxue that they have cleared nearby threats and urge him to stay close.The crossing is unnaturally smooth, with none of the bridge-dwelling creatures appearing.The group reaches a shrine plateau where a lamp has already lit itself, marking the valley entrance.An initiate warns about trap doors leading to a tomb beneath the valley.Wu Xingxue is suddenly pushed through a trap door by Ning Huaishan and One-Arm.Wu Xingxue falls into an underground tomb containing a moss-covered idol and walls lined with lamp-lit niches.Ning Huaishan and One-Arm hide in wall cavities, intending to watch Wu Xingxue die to confirm he is an imposter.Dozens of ghouls emerge, bone-white and soul-eating, surrounding Wu Xingxue.Wu Xingxue calmly sighs, discards his hand-warming stove, and confronts the ghouls barehanded.Wu Xingxue tears off a ghoul’s head with his hands, confirming beyond doubt his identity as the true Wu Xingxue.Ning Huaishan and One-Arm panic as Wu Xingxue slaughters every ghoul effortlessly.Wu Xingxue freezes the last ghoul halfway to death and tracks Ning Huaishan and One-Arm by the trail of blood and frost.Wu Xingxue confronts them directly, terrifying them into believing they will be killed.Wu Xingxue spares their lives but ties them together using belts reinforced by his oppressive aura.Wu Xingxue confiscates their spirit-binding pouch and ties the surviving ghoul between them as punishment.The ghoul awakens, gleefully pressing its face against both Ning Huaishan and One-Arm.

Chapter 17:
Sworn EnemiesWu Xingxue looks down at his hands covered in blood and realizes his body reacts instinctively in battle without conscious thought.Wu Xingxue reflects that years of killing as an archfiend must have engraved these movements into his bones.Wu Xingxue wonders what kind of relationship he truly had with Xiao Fuxuan and concludes it could never have been good.Wu Xingxue turns to Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu, who are bound and being tormented by a ghoul.Ning Huaishan breaks down crying and apologizes, insisting they only suspected impersonation and never meant to betray Wu Xingxue.Wu Xingxue calmly says he knows they believed he was an imposter.Wu Xingxue grabs the ghoul by the neck and questions Fang Chu about his real name.Fang Chu reveals his full name and explains that Wu Xingxue personally gave it to him when he joined Nightgleam.Wu Xingxue admits he remembers nothing from before his imprisonment in the Northern Domain of Tealspire.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu finally understand why Wu Xingxue has seemed different and realize he truly lost his memories.Wu Xingxue orders them to answer all his future questions truthfully and never lie to him.Wu Xingxue states that any past loyalty no longer protects them because he does not remember it.Wu Xingxue asks whether he used to be cruel, then says he is worse now.Wu Xingxue releases the ghoul and then frees Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu kill the ghoul themselves and clean themselves in disgust.Wu Xingxue walks to a cold pool and silently washes the blood from his hands.Wu Xingxue reflects that he speaks honestly with his underlings but hides the truth from Xiao Fuxuan.Wu Xingxue questions why he feels compelled to conceal himself when Xiao Fuxuan likely already knows the truth.Ning Huaishan explains that the underground tomb can only be accessed once per day and is sealed by thaumaturgy.Wu Xingxue curtly tells Ning Huaishan to stop talking when it is unnecessary.Wu Xingxue asks Ning Huaishan what kind of relationship he once had with Xiao Fuxuan.Ning Huaishan admits he genuinely does not know because Wu Xingxue was impossible to read.Ning Huaishan explains that Wu Xingxue often used glamours, appeared charming, and lied convincingly.Ning Huaishan recounts that Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan repeatedly crossed paths and visibly loathed each other.Ning Huaishan explains that every encounter with Xiao Fuxuan left Wu Xingxue in a worse mood afterward.Ning Huaishan concludes that Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan must be sworn enemies.Wu Xingxue silently repeats the words sworn enemies to himself.A sudden explosion shatters the tomb’s seals as golden sword light crashes through the ceiling.Xiao Fuxuan forcibly breaks into the underground tomb, destroying the shrine above.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu are kicked forward into the pile of ghoul corpses.Yi Wusheng and the others arrive and see the mountain of decapitated ghouls.Yi Wusheng mistakenly believes Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu slaughtered all the ghouls.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu realize Wu Xingxue deliberately framed them and reluctantly accept the blame.Wu Xingxue stands calmly in the distance with clean hands, holding a hand-warming stove.Xiao Fuxuan’s gaze locks directly onto Wu Xingxue instead of the supposed culprits.Clan initiates speculate that the underground tomb may be where the invoked victims were hidden.Wu Xingxue examines the idol in the tomb and realizes it does not resemble any familiar celestial.Xiao Fuxuan asks Wu Xingxue what the ghouls were doing there.Wu Xingxue lies and claims they were already sealed inside the tomb.Xiao Fuxuan asks if Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu killed the ghouls on Wu Xingxue’s behalf.Wu Xingxue casually confirms this lie while pretending to warm himself.Xiao Fuxuan notices that the hand-warming stove is ice-cold.Xiao Fuxuan takes Wu Xingxue’s hand and remarks that it is cold as ice.Wu Xingxue realizes that whatever sworn enemies are supposed to be, they do not behave like this.

Chapter 18:
Celestial TombWu Xingxue asks Xiao Fuxuan whether he has been testing him after noticing Xiao Fuxuan’s reactions and restraint.Xiao Fuxuan denies testing Wu Xingxue but avoids direct eye contact and gives no further explanation.Wu Xingxue realizes the hand-warming stove has become hot again and understands Xiao Fuxuan discreetly warmed it for him.A frightened commoner woman collides with Wu Xingxue in the underground tomb after panicking at the sight of slaughtered ghouls.Wu Xingxue notices the commoners smell strongly of incense and joss sticks hidden beneath their winter clothes.Clan initiates scold the commoners for secretly bringing offerings into the Valley of Laments despite repeated warnings.Wu Xingxue asks why bringing incense is dangerous, prompting the initiates to explain the nature of the invoked victims.The initiates explain that the invoked are vengeful abominations rather than true gods and do not accept incense or food offerings.The initiates state that what the invoked truly want is living people rather than symbolic offerings.The commoners are warned that families who previously brought offerings themselves all disappeared and were later found as bloodied remains.Wu Xingxue instructs the commoners to reveal what they are carrying, alarming the initiates who fear provoking the abominations.Wu Xingxue privately finds it amusing that young initiates dare to glare at him because they do not recognize his identity.The initiates advise the commoners to keep their offerings hidden and remain with the group to avoid being hunted.An initiate produces a soul-detecting compass and presses it against the tomb idol to identify the enshrined being.None of the initiates recognize the idol, despite studying the Book of Gods.Yi Wusheng also fails to identify the idol and grows deeply troubled by his inability to name it.Wu Xingxue examines the idol’s features, noting the funeral banner, flowering branch, and one eye hidden by petals.Wu Xingxue asks Xiao Fuxuan to identify the idol, expecting even him to hesitate.Xiao Fuxuan identifies the idol as Yunhai, a former disciple of Mingwu Hua Xin who once ascended as a celestial.Wu Xingxue questions why Yi Wusheng and the Hua Clan have no record of Yunhai if he was tied to Hua Xin.Xiao Fuxuan explains that Yunhai ceased to be a celestial and was erased from mortal and immortal memory alike.Xiao Fuxuan clarifies that this erasure is mandated by the Heavenly Principles rather than Urbs Caelestia.Xiao Fuxuan recounts that Yunhai violated a heavenly edict and was reassigned to the Valley of Laments as punishment.Yunhai originally oversaw rites of joy and sorrow and relied heavily on offerings to sustain his existence.Because the Valley of Laments was once peaceful and received no worship, Yunhai lost his divinity and fell back to mortality within a century.Years later, war and disaster drove travelers to pray at the valley shrine, but by then Yunhai had already fallen.Xiao Fuxuan states that Yunhai ultimately died in the Valley of Laments after being devoured by fiends.Wu Xingxue notes the irony that worship returned only after Yunhai’s death, rendering the offerings meaningless.Wu Xingxue questions why an idol of Yunhai still exists if no one remembers him.Xiao Fuxuan explains that Mingwu Hua Xin personally defied heavenly law to slaughter the valley’s fiends and carve this sealed tomb after learning of Yunhai’s death.Wu Xingxue realizes this explains why the tomb was hidden and protected by powerful thaumaturgy.Wu Xingxue asks whether Xiao Fuxuan has been to this tomb before.Xiao Fuxuan confirms he has visited the tomb in the past.Wu Xingxue asks if Xiao Fuxuan came to see Yunhai specifically.Xiao Fuxuan reveals that Yunhai was not the only fallen celestial buried in the tomb.

Chapter 19:
Altar GirlWu Xingxue notices Xiao Fuxuan staring at the idol tomb with an expression that looks like remembrance rather than vigilance.Wu Xingxue feels an inexplicable discomfort and chooses to stop pressing Xiao Fuxuan for further answers.Ning Huaishan approaches Wu Xingxue, senses his displeasure, and quickly retreats to avoid provoking him.Ning Huaishan complains to Fang Chu that Wu Xingxue talks more with Xiao Fuxuan than with his own subordinates.Fang Chu bluntly reminds Ning Huaishan that Wu Xingxue never talked much with them even before losing his memories.Ning Huaishan voices renewed suspicion toward Xiao Fuxuan, but Fang Chu firmly refuses to entertain it after the previous disaster.Fang Chu explains that his regeneration stalled earlier because Xiao Fuxuan’s celestial presence suppressed his infernal energy.Fang Chu notes that his arm has begun regenerating again now that they are inside the Valley of Laments.Ning Huaishan realizes this confirms Xiao Fuxuan’s identity as a true celestial-level being.Ning Huaishan considers warning Wu Xingxue but concludes Wu Xingxue must already know.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu decide to stay silent and obedient.Clan initiates fail to identify the tomb idol and become flustered as their soul-detecting compass spins uselessly.Wu Xingxue asks how the compass works and learns it searches for the soul linked to blood placed on its needle.The initiates explain the blood belongs to one of the woman’s missing daughters, taken despite being tied down overnight.Wu Xingxue instructs the initiates to try again, but the compass still spins and resets without pointing anywhere.Wu Xingxue admits privately that he remembers nothing useful despite his instincts in combat.Wu Xingxue recalls Fang Chu reacting to something earlier and retraces his steps to a wall niche near the lamps.Wu Xingxue feels damp air inside the cavity and suspects something hidden.A nervous clan initiate crawls inside the cavity to investigate and is terrified by a pale, staring figure.Xiao Fuxuan violently enlarges the cavity with a single kick, exposing the contents completely.Wu Xingxue recognizes the pale figure as a glazed pottery statue rather than a living being.Wu Xingxue identifies it as an altar girl statue commonly used in shrine formations.A paper talisman written in blood is affixed to the statue, naming Celestial Emissary Zhao Qinglai as the offering party.The initiates recognize Zhao Qinglai as one of the recently invoked missing people.The group realizes the statue is too small to hold a whole body unless the person was dismembered.Xiao Fuxuan removes the talisman despite the initiates’ alarm.Xiao Fuxuan identifies it as an animate talisman.Yi Wusheng explains that animate rituals were originally meant to invite gods into idols using altar attendants.Yi Wusheng explains the ritual was later corrupted to forcibly animate idols instead.A clan initiate smashes the statue, revealing blood-soaked residue and a foul stench inside.The group realizes a person was once placed inside the statue but is now gone.Everyone understands that the invoked victims were likely dismembered and used as living components of the animate ritual.

Chapter 20:
Putting on an ActWu Xingxue observes the clan initiates and commoners growing pale and shaken after learning the invoked victims were dismembered and used in animate rituals.A commoner nearly collapses when the scent of joss sticks leaks from his clothing, prompting initiates to restrain him to prevent attracting danger.The initiates attempt to comfort the commoners but fail, then look to Wu Xingxue for help, which he pointedly avoids.Wu Xingxue prods Xiao Fuxuan to speak, only belatedly realizing he may be overfamiliar.Xiao Fuxuan asks the grieving woman for her daughters’ names to search for their statues, delivering the information with brutal directness.The woman gives the nicknames Ayuan and Atai and repeatedly whispers them as if calling to her missing children.With names spoken aloud, the group begins searching wall cavities for more acolyte statues.They discover the tomb is an extensive underground catacomb with twisting corridors rather than a single chamber.The geomantic compasses stop functioning, and the group gradually realizes they are unconsciously following Xiao Fuxuan instead.Wu Xingxue questions Xiao Fuxuan about having visited the tomb before, and Xiao Fuxuan admits he has but never entered.Xiao Fuxuan explains he did not enter because he did not want to.Wu Xingxue experiences a vague memory of a snowy night and a figure standing on the bridge outside the valley, then loses the thread.The initiates find additional acolyte statues bearing talismans with names of missing people, including Liu Zhi and Liu Mei, all empty except for dried blood.A fourth statue is shattered, revealing a folded corpse with its head severed and resting in its lap.Yi Wusheng confirms the corpse is not an abomination and identifies it as the first invoked woodcutter.The initiates seal the corpse with a talisman and mark the location to retrieve it later.The group theorizes that earlier victims lost too much of their souls to escape the statues, while later victims retained enough to break free.Another statue is destroyed, revealing claw marks and signs of escape, with a talisman naming Gao E.The initiates struggle to recall who Gao E is, remembering only that they have encountered many bereaved families.Yi Wusheng explains that true animate idol rituals are folkloric and require thirty-three acolytes, not something orthodox cultivation uses.The initiates realize there are exactly thirty-three households involved in the disappearances.Wu Xingxue points out the inconsistency that one household lost two daughters, meaning there should be thirty-four people.The initiates begin to panic over the extra count and turn to question the commoners.The woman who lost her daughters reveals herself as Gao E, the extra invoked person.Gao E’s disguise fails, revealing blackened eyes, a severed neck barely holding her head, and the heaven-invoked name carved there.The other three commoners also reveal themselves as abominations and attack the initiates.Wu Xingxue senses an attack behind him and initially prepares to respond.Wu Xingxue hesitates when he meets Xiao Fuxuan’s gaze.Wu Xingxue deliberately drops his guard, hides behind Xiao Fuxuan, and pushes him forward.Wu Xingxue theatrically pleads for protection, claiming fear.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu stare in disbelief at Wu Xingxue’s sudden performance.

Chapter 21:
TombZhao Qinglai, one of the first invoked celestial emissaries, attacks Wu Xingxue after judging him to be a defenseless, pampered noble based on his appearance and exposed neck.Zhao Qinglai strikes for Wu Xingxue’s throat but loses his entire arm in an instant when Xiao Fuxuan draws his sword.Xiao Fuxuan steps between Wu Xingxue and Zhao Qinglai, resting his sword against the ground and coldly commanding Zhao Qinglai to come forward.Zhao Qinglai collapses screaming as sword energy shreds his body, his resentment echoing through the tomb.The other three disguised commoners who attacked the clan initiates are also torn apart by stray sword energy and collapse into heaps of mutilated bodies.The initiates realize the invoked commoners arrived at the Valley of Laments already dismembered, sustained only by resentment and grudge.Despite their monstrous state, the initiates feel pity and are shaken by the sight of the commoners’ suffering.Yi Wusheng and the initiates instinctively look to Xiao Fuxuan for guidance.Xiao Fuxuan shows no emotion, surveys the scene, and sheathes his sword without hesitation.A chilling pressure lingers from Xiao Fuxuan’s blade, making everyone uneasy except Wu Xingxue.Wu Xingxue realizes Xiao Fuxuan subtly shifted to block his view of the dismembered bodies.Wu Xingxue feels disturbed by the carnage and recognizes that his long dream of Magpie Haven has altered him.Wu Xingxue thanks Xiao Fuxuan quietly, standing uncomfortably close to him.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu feel intense secondhand embarrassment at Wu Xingxue thanking Xiao Fuxuan.The severed limbs of the invoked commoners continue writhing, clawing at the floor and refusing to rest.An initiate tries to gather the remains into a storage pouch but is grabbed by a severed hand.The severed hand begs desperately, revealing itself as Gao E.Gao E cries that she must find someone to take her place so she can return home to her daughters.Gao E grabs Ning Huaishan’s ankle, smearing blood as her nails break his skin.Ning Huaishan taunts Gao E cruelly, mocking her hope and revealing his own traumatic past.Yi Wusheng recognizes Ning Huaishan as the same feral youth he once encountered decades ago.Wu Xingxue interrupts Ning Huaishan, telling him to move aside and stop talking.Wu Xingxue calmly asks Gao E to explain this “way” she believes will save her.Gao E insists that replacing her will allow her to go home and claims a god told her so.The other severed commoners confirm they were also instructed by the same god.Gao E explains the god appeared only in dreams and commanded them to bring replacements.The commoners describe being sleepwalked to the Valley of Laments, tearing themselves apart and sealing themselves into acolyte statues.The god told them they could not yet serve as emissaries because of lingering attachments and must bring replacements.The commoners cannot describe the god’s appearance, as if silenced by wards.Yi Wusheng asks what kind of replacements were needed.The commoners explain the shrine lacked celestial energy at its four cardinal corners.They targeted newly initiated cultivators because they believed they carried celestial energy.Zhao Qinglai admits he chose Wu Xingxue because he seemed the easiest to handle among those with celestial energy.Yi Wusheng realizes the formation remains incomplete and therefore dormant.The initiates question whether the animate talisman could truly revive a god.Xiao Fuxuan states flatly that the animate talisman cannot work and is worthless junk from Urbs Caelestia.Xiao Fuxuan notices something wrong with the shattered acolyte statues.Wu Xingxue observes that the statues are far older than the recent victims and were not broken from the outside.Xiao Fuxuan finds a worn, hidden offering rune beneath the bloodstains inside a statue shard.Xiao Fuxuan explains that offering runes once allowed gods to collect incense from mortal worship.Wu Xingxue learns that offerings function like sustenance for gods.Xiao Fuxuan confirms that he himself is an exception and does not rely on offerings.Wu Xingxue realizes the offering runes were not meant to revive gods but to accompany them.Wu Xingxue lights joss sticks and observes the smoke being drawn in a single direction.The group follows the smoke through winding corridors lined with more acolyte statues.They discover nearly twenty additional statues, each containing mutilated remains and hidden offering runes.The group reaches a massive circular vault filled with towering idols.Neither Yi Wusheng nor the initiates recognize any of the idols.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu become violently nauseous under the pressure of the idols.Xiao Fuxuan confirms that all the idols belong to fallen gods.Wu Xingxue reads the names and titles carved into the pedestals and feels uncanny familiarity.Wu Xingxue discovers identical offering runes carved behind each idol.Wu Xingxue counts exactly thirty-three idols matching the number of acolyte statues.Wu Xingxue senses a deeper structure beyond the vault and glimpses a shadowed pavilion.Xiao Fuxuan stops Wu Xingxue and warns him of an arcane formation.The severed commoners are drawn screaming toward the darkness.Xiao Fuxuan shields Wu Xingxue from flying blood and ignites the darkness with blue-white flames.The flames reveal a granite pavilion resembling a residence rather than a shrine.The plaque above the pavilion is shattered, leaving only the word Breeze.Wu Xingxue and Xiao Fuxuan simultaneously identify it as the Seat of Spring Breeze.Xiao Fuxuan names the place the Altar of Deposed Gods.Wu Xingxue realizes the altar serves as a warning rather than a place of worship.The thirty-three idols retain residual power sustained by offerings, while Yunhai’s idol does not.Wu Xingxue concludes Yunhai alone was fully severed from the Book of Gods.The idols appear to shift subtly as the arcane formation activates.Wu Xingxue asks what the formation does.Xiao Fuxuan answers that the formation suppresses fiends and soul remnants and ensures they never see daylight again.

Chapter 22:
Offering RuneYi Wusheng explains that the structure beneath the valley is a grand suppression formation and that such formations always have a visible eye that serves as the keystone or spiritual talisman.Yi Wusheng identifies the eye of the formation as the Altar of Deposed Gods, which shocks the clan initiates because it is far too obvious to be normal.The initiates speculate that the formation’s architect must have been forced to place the eye there due to extreme circumstances rather than choice.The Altar of Deposed Gods suddenly begins to shake violently as if something sealed inside has awakened.Repeated heavy impacts come from within the altar, confirming that a suppressed existence is trying to break free.The grand formation activates in response, unleashing overwhelming pressure that indiscriminately targets everyone inside the vault.The crushing force pulverizes the severed bodies of the invoked commoners and nearly kills the clan initiates.Yi Wusheng’s soul remnant destabilizes under the pressure, nearly tearing the black cloth sealing his soul from his face.Xiao Fuxuan draws his sword and deploys an immense barrier of phantom swords that blocks the formation’s killing force.Thousands of phantom swords form a protective cage around everyone, completely halting the formation’s attack.The initiates recognize the phantom swords as bearing the mark Mian and realize Xiao Fuxuan is wielding the Sword of Absolution.The initiates finally understand that Xiao Fuxuan is the Tianxiu Immortal, despite his appearance not matching portraits in the Book of Gods.Wu Xingxue feels that Xiao Fuxuan’s sword should have a true name and is momentarily distracted by the thought.The altar shakes more violently as the formation intensifies its suppression of whatever lies beneath.Thirty-three fallen-god idols rotate to face the altar as if reinforcing the seal.A powerful voice echoes through the vault, calling Yunhai by name and commanding him to be quiet.Yi Wusheng immediately recognizes the voice as Mingwu Hua Xin, the ancestral celestial of the Hua Clan.The voice subdues the altar completely, confirming that Yunhai is the being sealed beneath the formation.It is revealed that Yunhai did not merely die but became a fiend, which Mingwu Hua Xin could neither destroy nor release.Mingwu Hua Xin instead sealed Yunhai forever beneath the Valley of Laments to prevent him from ever returning to the world.Xiao Fuxuan warns Wu Xingxue not to move as he senses something wrong.Xiao Fuxuan checks the back of Wu Xingxue’s neck and discovers a newly formed marking.Wu Xingxue realizes the marking is in the same location as those borne by Yi Wusheng, Hua Zhaoting, and other victims.Yi Wusheng identifies the marking as an offering rune.Wu Xingxue understands that the rune matches the ones carved into the acolyte statues used in the animate rituals.Xiao Fuxuan confirms that no one else present has developed the rune, meaning only Wu Xingxue is marked.Wu Xingxue deduces that lighting the incense earlier counted as an offering and caused the rune to appear.Yi Wusheng realizes that the offering rune redirects everything consumed by the marked person to the fiend sealed beneath the valley.Yi Wusheng understands that he and Hua Zhaoting unknowingly acted as offering vessels for over twenty years.A clan initiate offers Wu Xingxue a Dreamsbane pill to dispel the marking and prevent possession.Wu Xingxue calmly refuses the Dreamsbane and says it would be wasted on him.The initiates panic and warn that refusing Dreamsbane will turn him into an archfiend.Wu Xingxue smiles and reveals that possession is impossible for him because he was already an archfiend from the beginning.Chapter 23:
The ReckoningXiao Fuxuan grabs Wu Xingxue by the shoulder and urgently warns him after Wu Xingxue openly admits he is an archfiend.Wu Xingxue calmly argues that Dreamsbane should not be wasted on him because this body was an archfiend’s from the start and is difficult to possess.Xiao Fuxuan is momentarily rendered speechless by Wu Xingxue’s reasoning and looks away in restrained frustration.The nearby clan initiate is nearly driven to collapse upon hearing Xiao Fuxuan say the name Wu Xingxue aloud.Yi Wusheng intervenes and repeats his prepared lie that the true greater archfiend Wu Xingxue died under torture in the Northern Domain of Tealspire, allowing an innocent soul to mistakenly possess the body.Before the initiate can question the plausibility of this explanation, a violent explosion shakes the Valley of Laments.The Altar of Deposed Gods fractures as a massive infernal presence gathers beneath it.Fiendish black aura floods the vault, freezing the air and causing the initiates to shiver uncontrollably.Hua Xin’s chanting voice abruptly vanishes, signaling that the grand suppression formation has exhausted its celestial power.The thirty-three fallen-god idols begin cracking from the offering runes on their pedestals upward.One idol collapses, followed by many others in rapid succession, shaking the vault violently.Xiao Fuxuan shields everyone with phantom swords as the idols crumble, preventing them from being crushed.When the dust clears, only four idols remain standing, all heavily fissured.The initiates identify the four remaining idols as two male and two female celestials.Wu Xingxue deduces that each acolyte statue corresponded to one idol and that the murdered commoners’ grudge energy was being used to erode the formation.Wu Xingxue realizes Yunhai orchestrated the murders so the offerings would corrupt the fallen gods and collapse the seal.Wu Xingxue concludes that Hua Xin’s repeated chanting of Yunhai’s name was a final attempt to restrain his disciple.The Altar of Deposed Gods finally explodes, opening a vast chasm filled with writhing infernal aura.The infernal aura surges outward and drags several clan initiates toward the abyss despite their resistance.Xiao Fuxuan unleashes the Sword of Absolution with overwhelming force, cleaving the infernal aura apart and freeing the initiates.The infernal aura regroups into towering waves that fill the tomb, threatening to consume everything.Xiao Fuxuan steps directly into the darkness and strikes again, golden sword light tearing through the black mist.After the infernal aura dissipates, Wu Xingxue approaches the chasm and sees Yunhai lying within.Yunhai’s appearance matches his idol, but half his face is grotesquely scarred and withered beneath a dead flower growing from a vine.Wu Xingxue attempts to move the flower aside, but Xiao Fuxuan stops him, revealing the ruined half of Yunhai’s face only briefly.Wu Xingxue wonders how Hua Xin felt when he first saw his fallen disciple in this state.Xiao Fuxuan drives his sword into the stone, causing the blade to ring like a bell across the valley.The sound overwhelms the initiates, forcing them to crouch and cover their heads.Yi Wusheng identifies the ringing as the reckoning, the judgment the Tianxiu Immortal summons to force a fiend to face the truth of its corruption.As the sword sings and the black mist disperses, everyone is drawn into witnessing the events that occurred centuries ago.

Chapter 24:
YunhaiCenturies ago, the Imperial Capital stood at the foot of Mount Taiyin, and the Divination Commission governed communication with heaven through the Twelve Immortals of the Spirit Terrace.Yunhai was born as the son of one of the two commissioners of the Divination Commission and grew up wealthy, protected, and admired.As a small child, Yunhai first encountered Mingwu Hua Xin in the Divination Commission guest house when Hua Xin stopped him from colliding into him.Yunhai was fascinated by Mingwu Hua Xin’s presence and later learned he was his father’s celestial friend.Six years later, Yunhai’s father was falsely accused, executed, and their entire household was destroyed, plunging the Imperial Capital into chaos.Yunhai became a refugee, traveling south under a false identity with other displaced people.Brightwater closed its gates, forcing refugees to shelter in abandoned mountain shrines during a brutal winter.Hunger, cold, resentment, and corpses filled the shrines, attracting ghouls and fiends, and only a few people survived the winter.Yunhai survived but was gravely injured after fighting a ghoul, breaking his leg and losing sight in one eye.While hiding in a cave with stolen meat, Yunhai encountered Mingwu Hua Xin again, who appeared carrying a lantern.Mingwu Hua Xin told Yunhai he had been entrusted to come get him.Yunhai recognized Mingwu Hua Xin instantly and felt overwhelming resentment over his family’s destruction.Yunhai bit Mingwu Hua Xin’s hand in rage, silently demanding why he had not saved his father or family.Mingwu Hua Xin explained that heavenly laws forbade him from interfering in mortal affairs.Yunhai realized Mingwu Hua Xin had allowed himself to be bitten and released his hand.Mingwu Hua Xin examined Yunhai’s injuries and decided to take him away to be treated.Mingwu Hua Xin carried Yunhai down the mountain on a white deer, immobilizing him so he could not resist.Mingwu Hua Xin asked Yunhai’s age and renamed him Yunhai, severing him from his former identity.Yunhai was brought to the Hua Clan estate rather than Urbs Caelestia, which Yunhai perceived as abandonment.Yunhai healed but was not taught cultivation because Hua Clan elders claimed only Mingwu Hua Xin could teach him.Yunhai spent years idle, watching others train, wandering the estate, and growing increasingly resentful.Yunhai often stayed in the library where Mingwu Hua Xin’s portrait was enshrined, stewing in bitterness.After years of neglect, Yunhai confronted Mingwu Hua Xin about being left unused and ignored.Mingwu Hua Xin told Yunhai he had exceptional talent but was not yet suited to wield a sword.Mingwu Hua Xin explained Yunhai was consumed by thoughts of revenge and annihilation.Yunhai challenged Mingwu Hua Xin, questioning whether cultivation required abandoning hatred and becoming indifferent.Mingwu Hua Xin warned that revenge was a short path that left nothing behind once killing was done.Yunhai outwardly agreed to restrain himself and claimed he would try.Over the following years, Yunhai suppressed his hatred completely and behaved calm, gentle, and unambitious.Mingwu Hua Xin tested Yunhai across several visits and eventually deemed him ready.At seventeen, Mingwu Hua Xin finally gave Yunhai a sword.Yunhai advanced at an astonishing pace, cultivating for eight years before reaching apotheosis.Yunhai ascended to Urbs Caelestia as one of the youngest celestials in history.Yunhai and Mingwu Hua Xin became known as an exemplary master and disciple pair.Yunhai remembered that the most unforgettable part of his ascension was not the journey itself, but the two people he saw in Urbs Caelestia that day.

Chapter 25:
Rex SpiritusYunhai arrives in Urbs Caelestia on the day of his apotheosis and is greeted by a Spirit Terrace celestial emissary holding a jade scepter.The emissary addresses Yunhai as “Squire,” explaining that this is the title used for any celestial who has not yet received a formal name.Yunhai asks whether even the Chief Immortal will call him Squire, surprising the emissary, and then dismisses the question lightly.The emissary leads Yunhai to the endless stairs of Spirit Terrace and explains the required rites of praying to heaven, accepting edicts, and greeting the Twelve Immortals.Yunhai learns that the Twelve Immortals oversee nearly all celestials, with Chief Immortal Mingwu Hua Xin at their head.The emissary explains there are two exceptions who do not fall under the Twelve Immortals’ authority because they were directly invoked by the Heavenly Principles.Yunhai is astonished to learn these two receive heavenly edicts directly, without mediation by Spirit Terrace.Yunhai realizes this places the two invoked immortals beyond even Mingwu Hua Xin in hierarchy, though the emissary avoids confirming it directly.The emissary explains that these two immortals do not accept offerings, do not follow Spirit Terrace proclamations, and maintain mutual noninterference with Mingwu Hua Xin.Yunhai asks for details so he can avoid offending them accidentally.The emissary identifies the first as Tianxiu, given the name Mian, god of penance, recognizable by three mourning studs on his ear.The emissary explains Tianxiu was invoked extremely early, predating even the Twelve Immortals, and is widely deferred to.Yunhai privately resolves to avoid Tianxiu if possible.The emissary introduces the second invoked immortal as Rex Spiritus, who was given the name Zhao at invocation and predates even Tianxiu.The emissary abruptly stops speaking and bows deeply as Tianxiu himself appears on the stairs.Yunhai sees Tianxiu approaching and notes his youthful appearance, cold presence, and the oppressive malevolence radiating from the mourning studs.Tianxiu speaks evenly and informs the emissary he has business at Spirit Terrace.Yunhai politely offers to let Tianxiu go first, but Tianxiu declines and says Yunhai should proceed with his prayers.Tianxiu states he is not there to see Mingwu Hua Xin.Another disturbance at the stairway entrance draws attention as a tall, slender immortal emerges from the fog wearing pale robes with silver trim.Two celestial pageboys follow, one struggling to carry an unusually heavy sword with silver filigree.The tall immortal takes the sword effortlessly, twirls it, and ascends the stairs with aristocratic ease.Yunhai notices the immortal wears a distinctive silver-filigrree mask that matches the sword’s hilt.The emissary quietly identifies the masked immortal as Rex Spiritus.Yunhai asks why Rex Spiritus wears a mask and learns he dons it whenever he receives a heavenly edict.The emissary admits that only the Heavenly Principles know what business Rex Spiritus conducts while masked.Rex Spiritus pauses midway up the stairs, acknowledges Tianxiu with a silent incline of his head, and allows his pageboys to apologize for a past prank.Tianxiu curtly dismisses the apology, and Rex Spiritus briefly lifts his mask to smile before moving on.Yunhai reflects that meeting Tianxiu and Rex Spiritus on his first day lessened the weight of their later legends.Over the next century, Yunhai becomes one of the few celestials to have rapport with both Tianxiu and Rex Spiritus.Yunhai’s relationship with Tianxiu remains distant due to Tianxiu’s nature as a god of penance.Yunhai grows much closer to Rex Spiritus because of his approachable personality despite his authority.Yunhai notices Rex Spiritus lives far from other celestials, next to the Altar of Deposed Gods, a place widely considered taboo.When asked why he lives there, Rex Spiritus simply says it suits him.Mingwu Hua Xin dismisses Yunhai’s curiosity about Rex Spiritus’s residence, saying he must have his reasons.Yunhai becomes increasingly fixated on eliciting genuine emotion from Mingwu Hua Xin rather than the serene expressions seen in portraits.Yunhai feels conflicted pleasure and self-disgust when he succeeds in making Mingwu Hua Xin laugh or react.Yunhai reflects that he devoted his mortal life to reaching Urbs Caelestia, only to spend his celestial life trying to pull the Chief Immortal closer to humanity.Spirit Terrace emissaries begin to notice subtle changes in Mingwu Hua Xin’s demeanor over time.Yunhai briefly imagines that living like this for thousands of years might be acceptable and wishes his former wounded mortal self had been left to die.As a god overseeing mortal rites, Yunhai inevitably encounters the people who destroyed his family.Yunhai avoids killing them three times but fails to escape the fourth encounter.Yunhai murders all thirty-one of them, far fewer than the number of people his family lost.After the slaughter, Yunhai accepts a heavenly edict and goes to Spirit Terrace to receive punishment.This becomes the first time Yunhai ever sees Mingwu Hua Xin truly angry.

Chapter 26:
Fallen GodYunhai arrives at the Spirit Terrace to receive punishment for murdering the thirty-one people who framed his family.The Spirit Terrace consists of twelve suspended spires, each ruled by one of the Twelve Immortals, with Mingwu Hua Xin’s spire standing above the rest.Yunhai discards his talismans and undergoes punishment at each spire in turn, suffering extreme physical and spiritual torment.By the time Yunhai reaches Mingwu Hua Xin, his celestial garments are soaked with blood and burned by flame.Yunhai stands before Mingwu Hua Xin despite barely being able to remain upright.Mingwu Hua Xin looks at Yunhai with visible fury, mixed with a trace of tenderness that Yunhai notices immediately.Yunhai laughs upon seeing Mingwu Hua Xin truly enraged for the first time.Mingwu Hua Xin reprimands Yunhai for violating the heavenly edict he swore to uphold upon entering Urbs Caelestia.Yunhai admits he understood the rules and the consequences but insists that his revenge was worth it.Yunhai declares that letting those people live peacefully would have been unjust.Mingwu Hua Xin is left speechless by Yunhai’s reasoning.Yunhai steps onto the final punishment platform without hesitation.Mingwu Hua Xin turns away and leaves, warning that meddling in one injustice inevitably leads to meddling in another.Yunhai kneels alone as the stone door of the punishment platform closes.After enduring all twelve punishments, Yunhai loses consciousness.Yunhai awakens in Mingwu Hua Xin’s residence with his wounds treated and his damaged celestial core partially repaired.Yunhai realizes Mingwu Hua Xin personally healed him despite his anger.Mingwu Hua Xin does not appear and leaves instructions through his pageboys that Yunhai may leave or stay.Yunhai decides not to stay and prepares to leave Urbs Caelestia.Yunhai asks the pageboys to thank Mingwu Hua Xin for the medicine and the repair of his celestial core.Yunhai departs without seeing Mingwu Hua Xin again.After this event, Yunhai gradually strays further from the righteous path.Yunhai continues intervening in mortal affairs, finding it impossible to stop once he has started.Yunhai witnesses countless injustices as the god of rites of passage, watching deaths, separations, and tragedies daily.Yunhai encounters a thirteen-year-old revenant bride praying for vengeance after being murdered and mutilated.Yunhai traces her fate and realizes her parents were among the people he killed in his revenge.Yunhai understands that minimal interference is no longer enough and intervenes directly.Yunhai becomes trapped in an endless cycle of meddling, where every act of justice creates further injustice.Yunhai realizes that excessive intervention will eventually make his own existence the greatest injustice of all.Each violation of heavenly law forces Mingwu Hua Xin to accept edicts that demote Yunhai again and again.Yunhai is eventually reduced to the numen of the neglected Valley of Laments.As mortal offerings decline, Yunhai’s presence in Urbs Caelestia fades, and other celestials increasingly forget him.Yunhai realizes the Heavenly Principles themselves are erasing him from memory when he is not seen.Rex Spiritus remains the only celestial who consistently remembers Yunhai.Yunhai grows fearful that even Mingwu Hua Xin will one day forget him.Yunhai hears legends of a mysterious bell that rings whenever a god falls to the mortal realm.During a fog-shrouded night, Yunhai encounters Rex Spiritus in his residence, masked and solemn.Rex Spiritus confirms he has accepted a heavenly edict concerning Yunhai.Yunhai realizes he is about to be cast down to the mortal realm.Rex Spiritus destroys Yunhai’s celestial core in an instant, inflicting overwhelming pain.Yunhai sees Rex Spiritus holding a white jade bell and hears it chime.Rex Spiritus reveals the bell is called a Dreambell, not a heavenly bell.Rex Spiritus explains that nine rings of the Dreambell will weave a dream that erases Yunhai’s memories of the past century.Yunhai refuses to forget and sacrifices half of his soul to resist the Dreambell.Yunhai falls to the mortal world with fragmented memories.Yunhai forgets nearly everything from his century as a god, retaining only a vague recurring dream.In the dream, a god rescues him from a winter mountain cave and carries him away on a deer.Yunhai fails to cultivate in the mortal realm because his body cannot form a cultivator’s core.Chaos erupts in the world, forcing Yunhai to live as a vagrant.Yunhai is attacked by a fiend and becomes its vessel.On the brink of death, Yunhai recalls the Dreambell and his lost century.Yunhai absorbs the fiend instead of being consumed, surviving through sheer refusal to die.Yunhai realizes he cannot form a celestial core but can form a fiend’s core instead.Yunhai remembers Hua Xin rescuing him long ago and understands no one will come to save him again.Yunhai survives but resolves never to face Mingwu Hua Xin again.

Chapter 27:
The End of the ReckoningYunhai lives as a fiend in a haze, finding infernal life simpler than cultivation because fiends answer only to themselves.Yunhai advances rapidly on the infernal path and becomes strong enough that even clan leaders fear him.Yunhai deliberately avoids cultivation clans to prevent any trace of him reaching Urbs Caelestia or Mingwu Hua Xin.Unable to project avatars anymore, Yunhai travels to the southwestern hinterlands to learn forbidden hexes and bush sorcery.Yunhai painstakingly crafts a lifelike puppet shaped exactly like himself.Yunhai leaves the puppet in Spring Pennant so it can live an ordinary life among the masses near the Hua Clan.Yunhai leaves Spring Pennant and settles in Gui Province, where fiends gather in large numbers.Yunhai cultivates the Athymia Hex, a forbidden hex that seals away all emotions.After sealing his emotions, Yunhai feels no joy, sorrow, fear, or attachment and views all life as equal and meaningless.Yunhai realizes he has achieved as a fiend what he could not achieve as a celestial, emotional detachment.The Athymia Hex periodically backfires, leaving Yunhai incapacitated in freezing agony for days.During these episodes, Yunhai mutilates himself unknowingly, leaving half his face scarred and ghostlike.Yunhai finds his disfigured appearance fitting and feels no distress over it.Even other fiends avoid Yunhai due to his disturbing presence.Yunhai believes he can live like this forever, surviving as long as the gods in Urbs Caelestia.Yunhai hears that fiends he drove from Gui Province have taken refuge in the Valley of Laments.Yunhai hears that a merchant caravan from Spring Pennant was slaughtered in the Valley of Laments.Yunhai learns one of the dead commoners looked exactly like him and realizes it was the puppet he created.Yunhai feels only brief surprise at the puppet’s death and dismisses it as inconsequential.Yunhai hears the incident has been reported to the Hua Clan, who sent people to investigate.Despite the Athymia Hex still holding, Yunhai feels compelled to go to the Valley of Laments.Yunhai arrives at the Valley of Laments, a place he once protected as its numen.Yunhai finds his old shrine still standing but his idol gone.Yunhai notices joss sticks burning on the long-neglected altar.Yunhai follows the scent of fiends into the gorge, torn between indifference and obligation.Yunhai decides to clear out the fiends and create another puppet to replace the dead one.Yunhai questions why he still bothers maintaining the illusion of an ordinary life.Yunhai slaughters all the fiends in the valley in a violent frenzy.Yunhai’s infernal aura destroys not only the fiends but also shreds the caravan corpses.Yunhai begins to regain awareness only when falling rocks shake the valley.Yunhai senses an approaching sword and immediately recognizes Hua Xin’s sword aura.Yunhai freezes instinctively, knowing Mingwu Hua Xin has arrived.Yunhai hides half his human face and confronts Mingwu Hua Xin within his infernal aura.Yunhai taunts Mingwu Hua Xin, claiming the valley and the dead are insignificant.Mingwu Hua Xin’s killing intent intensifies as they clash.Yunhai deliberately provokes Mingwu Hua Xin to strike with full force.Mingwu Hua Xin unleashes a decisive sword strike aimed at Yunhai’s core.Yunhai makes no attempt to resist and allows the sword to pierce his heart.Celestial energy and infernal energy collide violently inside Yunhai’s body.Mingwu Hua Xin follows with a palm strike meant to completely destroy Yunhai.The infernal aura parts, revealing Yunhai’s unscarred human face.Mingwu Hua Xin freezes upon recognizing Yunhai.Yunhai feels his soul fragmenting and his infernal aura dispersing into the valley.Yunhai senses Mingwu Hua Xin’s hand turning ice-cold as he calls Yunhai’s name.Yunhai feels satisfaction knowing Mingwu Hua Xin will never forget him.Yunhai dies with a smile as the reckoning concludes.The memories witnessed during the reckoning fragment and fade for those present.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu are pulled back into the vault as the reckoning ends.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu are deeply shaken by the vision of Rex Spiritus catching his sword.After the reckoning ends, Yunhai’s sealed body stirs within the hollow beneath the altar.Yunhai opens his eyes for the first time in centuries.Yunhai focuses on Wu Xingxue as the first person he sees.Yunhai weakly calls out the name Rex Spiritus.Fang Chu and Ning Huaishan are left utterly stunned and unable to speak.

Chapter 28:
Self-PunishmentNing Huaishan panics after hearing Yunhai call Wu Xingxue “Rex Spiritus” and whispers urgently to Fang Chu about the impossibility of mistaking their archon for anyone else.Fang Chu acknowledges the strangeness but tells Ning Huaishan to force himself to accept an explanation and stop thinking further.Ning Huaishan recalls Wu Xingxue’s habitual sword-catching movements and realizes Yunhai’s recognition may not have been a mistake.Wu Xingxue himself is confused and asks Yunhai directly what name he called him.Yunhai studies Wu Xingxue closely, then looks at Xiao Fuxuan and recognizes the mark on his wrist.Yunhai laughs soundlessly and remarks that only a deposed god who lost everything would ask such a question.Yunhai speaks the names Rex Spiritus and Tianxiu and recalls envying them as heaven-invoked beings who needed no offerings.Wu Xingxue experiences a flash of memory tied to Yunhai’s voice and senses a past familiarity from Urbs Caelestia.Yunhai recalls wandering Urbs Caelestia in shame after being demoted to numen of the Valley of Laments.Yunhai remembers visiting the Seat of Spring Breeze and encountering Rex Spiritus drinking alone.Yunhai teases Rex Spiritus about wine and admits he had suffered a setback that day.Yunhai drinks heavily but avoids speaking directly about his pain.Yunhai confesses envy that Rex Spiritus would outlive the Spirit Terrace without relying on incense.Yunhai flatters Rex Spiritus’s pageboys and mocks the Spirit Terrace attendants.The Tianxiu Immortal arrives after Yunhai deliberately summoned him with mischief.Yunhai drunkenly jokes about Rex Spiritus and the Tianxiu Immortal being paired together.The Tianxiu Immortal stays out of curiosity and drinks with them despite himself.Yunhai reflects bitterly that all three of them are now ruined or gone.Yunhai mocks fate, noting that Urbs Caelestia itself has fallen and no celestials remain.Wu Xingxue questions how Yunhai could know Urbs Caelestia is gone.Wu Xingxue notices layered runes carved into the tomb walls and realizes someone altered the formation after Yunhai was sealed.Yunhai calmly reveals that he has left the tomb before.The clan initiates panic at the revelation that Yunhai escaped confinement.Yi Wusheng asks if Yunhai left around twenty-five years ago and visited the Hua estate.Yunhai confirms he went to the Hua estate more than once.The vines restraining Yunhai erupt violently, attacking everyone in the vault.Xiao Fuxuan counters instantly, unleashing the Sword of Absolution and severing every vine.Xiao Fuxuan halts his blade at Yunhai’s heart and demands to know why he returned if he had escaped.Yunhai addresses Xiao Fuxuan as Lord Tianxiu and mocks sentiment at the moment of victory.Yunhai forces Xiao Fuxuan’s sword into his own heart using the vines.Yunhai recalls being sealed after Mingwu Hua Xin struck him down and hearing Hua Xin’s voice in the darkness.Yunhai describes his soul splitting between the desire to escape and the desire to remain bound.Yunhai explains how he sent fragments of consciousness out whenever the formation weakened.Yunhai fed on offerings and marked mortals while jeering at them from the shrine.Yunhai admits he deliberately committed evils to lure Mingwu Hua Xin to punish or kill him again.Yunhai recounts returning repeatedly to the tomb to replenish strength after exhausting himself.Yunhai remembers standing before Hua Xin’s portrait in the Hua estate and learning that Urbs Caelestia had already fallen.Yunhai realizes the world had become meaningless without Mingwu Hua Xin.Yunhai explains that part of him wanted freedom while another part reinforced the formation to preserve Hua Xin’s voice.Yunhai admits he alternated between trying to escape and strengthening his own prison for more than twenty years.Yunhai concludes that now the formation is broken and Hua Xin’s voice is gone, there is nothing left worth enduring.Yunhai accepts death by Xiao Fuxuan’s sword as his final release.

Chapter 29:
FragmentsYunhai’s vital energy dissipates completely, causing the massive infernal aura to collapse back into the earth as his death becomes irreversible.The vines entwining Yunhai’s body wither rapidly, revealing they grew directly from his heart and were symbiotic with him.The vines restraining Xiao Fuxuan’s sword loosen and fall away, while the flowering branch around Yunhai’s neck remains intact, concealing the ruined half of his face.Everyone present is shocked that Yunhai chose suicide rather than being killed outright by Xiao Fuxuan.Wu Xingxue asks whether any fragment of Yunhai’s soul remains.Xiao Fuxuan confirms that Yunhai’s soul and consciousness have been completely annihilated by the sword strike to his heart.As Yunhai’s robes fall open, Yi Wusheng notices a Hua Clan identification tablet hanging from his belt.Yi Wusheng recognizes the tablet as genuine Hua Clan craftsmanship made of purple jadeite engraved with peach blossoms.Wu Xingxue flips the tablet over and finds the name Hai engraved in slender handwriting.Yi Wusheng explains that disciple tablets are engraved in the disciple’s own hand, confirming the writing belongs to Yunhai.Wu Xingxue realizes the handwriting matches the runes he previously noticed layered inside the hollow beneath the altar.The group uncovers the eye of the suppression formation beneath Yunhai’s left hand.The eye consists of two keystones, one shattered long ago and one intact, the intact one bearing the name Hai in Yunhai’s handwriting.It becomes clear that Yunhai himself reinforced the formation after being sealed, ensuring his own imprisonment.Yi Wusheng holds the keystone and expresses quiet pity for Yunhai despite the suffering Yunhai caused him.Wu Xingxue reflects that Yi Wusheng would have been a friend worth keeping in another life.Yi Wusheng reburies the keystone beneath Yunhai’s palm, restoring the formation’s remains.Xiao Fuxuan suddenly senses something hidden deeper in the earth and stops Yi Wusheng from covering the ground.Xiao Fuxuan taps the ground, causing the soil to tremble and push a buried object to the surface.A white jade bell emerges from the dirt, warm and lustrous against the blood-dark soil.Xiao Fuxuan retrieves the bell, and Yi Wusheng immediately recognizes it as the real Dreambell.The bell’s intricate silver filigree matches the style of Rex Spiritus’s sword and mask, confirming its origin.It becomes clear that the Dreambell kept at the Hua estate was a fake and that Yunhai swapped it long ago.Yi Wusheng cannot understand why Yunhai took the Dreambell when it could only be used to weave dreams or false realities.Wu Xingxue wonders whether Yunhai once considered using the Dreambell to escape his endless imprisonment through a dream.Xiao Fuxuan places the Dreambell into Wu Xingxue’s palm without explanation.Wu Xingxue feels unexpected nostalgia despite having no conscious memory of the Dreambell.Wu Xingxue notices fissures inside the Dreambell and senses instinctively that it is damaged but still responsive to him.Fragmented memories surface in Wu Xingxue’s mind as he holds the bell.Wu Xingxue recalls a winter night, a vast courtyard, heavy snow on a towering tree, and Xiao Fuxuan standing at a doorway.In the memory, Wu Xingxue holds something cold and sharp in his hand while facing Xiao Fuxuan.Wu Xingxue remembers asking Xiao Fuxuan whether he knew that fiends are driven by carnal desires.Xiao Fuxuan answers that he knew.Wu Xingxue remembers asking whether Xiao Fuxuan intended to become a guest behind an archfiend’s bed curtains.The vividness of the memory makes Wu Xingxue’s fingers tremble in the present.Wu Xingxue looks up and sees Xiao Fuxuan’s face overlap perfectly with the face from his memory.Wu Xingxue returns the Dreambell to Xiao Fuxuan without explanation, leaving the recovered memory unresolved.

Chapter 30:
Shattered BellWu Xingxue tells Xiao Fuxuan to take back the Dreambell and questions why it was given to him in the first place.Xiao Fuxuan does not answer and silently observes Wu Xingxue.The cultivation clan initiates recognize the Dreambell from Yunhai’s reckoning and believe it is a celestial relic belonging to Rex Spiritus.The initiates quietly praise Wu Xingxue for returning such a powerful relic without hesitation, believing he is an ordinary mortal soul.One initiate explains that most cultivators would be unable to resist the temptation of a celestial relic, but Wu Xingxue lacks the cultivation to carry it anyway.Wu Xingxue politely accepts the praise while internally amused.Xiao Fuxuan listens in silence while rolling the Dreambell between his fingers.Wu Xingxue becomes unsettled watching Xiao Fuxuan handle the Dreambell and recalls intimate fragments of past memory tied to it.Wu Xingxue abruptly snatches the Dreambell back from Xiao Fuxuan and announces he has changed his mind.Wu Xingxue decides he should not give the Dreambell to Xiao Fuxuan and instead offers it to Yi Wusheng.Yi Wusheng panics internally and refuses to accept the Dreambell, believing it rightfully belongs to Rex Spiritus.Yi Wusheng recalls accusing Wu Xingxue of stealing the Dreambell in the past and is deeply embarrassed.Yi Wusheng reasons that Xiao Fuxuan already returned the Dreambell to its rightful owner and he has no right to take it.Wu Xingxue realizes he is tormenting everyone unintentionally and considers passing the burden to his underlings.Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu refuse, explaining that fiends react violently to idols and celestial relics.Wu Xingxue accepts that he must carry the Dreambell himself.The group concludes their investigation of the Valley of Laments, having uncovered the cause of the invocations, the source of Yi Wusheng’s marking, and the true Dreambell.Wu Xingxue remains troubled by unanswered questions about how Hua Xin preserved Yunhai.They search Yunhai’s tomb further but find no additional clues.At dawn, the initiates collect the remains of the invoked commoners into a bottomless bag.Yi Wusheng urges the initiates to use illusions and proper rites before returning the bodies to their families.The initiates promise to ensure the dead find peace and depart for Brightwater.The initiates invite Wu Xingxue, Xiao Fuxuan, and Yi Wusheng to return with them, but Xiao Fuxuan bluntly refuses.Wu Xingxue explains his presence would frighten the Hua Clan leadership, and the invitation is dropped.Yi Wusheng explains that as a soul remnant, he has only a few days left and will not impose further.Xiao Fuxuan confirms Yi Wusheng has four days remaining.Yi Wusheng decides to travel to Twilight Fen and then attempt to return to Peach Blossom Isle before his soul dissipates.Yi Wusheng admits that resolving his unfinished business only made him want more time.Yi Wusheng bids farewell but hesitates, wanting to ask about the Dreambell’s use.Yi Wusheng notices the Dreambell is cracked and reacts with alarm.Wu Xingxue reveals the Dreambell was already damaged internally and wonders whether it can still be used.Yi Wusheng urgently warns that using a damaged celestial relic could cause catastrophic consequences.Xiao Fuxuan confirms that misuse could be extremely dangerous.Wu Xingxue asks whether the Dreambell can be repaired.Xiao Fuxuan hesitates, nearly saying no, then answers that it can be restored.Yi Wusheng is shocked that restoration is even possible.One hour later, Wu Xingxue, Xiao Fuxuan, and Yi Wusheng depart together in a carriage toward the ruins of the Mount Blossomfell Bazaar.

Three Hundred Years of Longing: Bu Jian Shang Xian San Bai Nian, Vol. 2

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Three Hundred Years of Longing: Bu Jian Shang Xian San Bai Nian, Vol. 3

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Three Hundred Years of Longing: Bu Jian Shang Xian San Bai Nian, Vol. 4

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Mistakenly Saving the Villain, Vol. 1

Chapter 1Song Qingshi died and after death found himself in a strange space with a flashing red orb that identified itself as a transmigration system from an extra-dimensional world.The system explained that readers of the xianxia novel Suffering of the Seas, Hatred for the Skies were angry about the male lead’s suffering, which had destabilized the book’s world, so Song Qingshi was chosen to fix it.The mission required Song Qingshi to comfort the male lead, reverse his misfortunes, love and dote on him, and give him the happiest life possible, though parts of the system’s instructions were corrupted and unreadable.In his previous life, Song Qingshi suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and devoted himself to medical research instead of novels or romance, leaving him with no romantic experience and social anxiety.Despite being completely unqualified, Song Qingshi realized accepting the mission would grant him a healthy body and a second life, so he lied to the system and claimed vast romantic and psychological experience.The system transmitted fragmented and painful data into Song Qingshi’s mind before malfunctioning, and his consciousness fell into darkness.Song Qingshi awakened in a forest filled with medicinal fragrance and realized he had entered the world of the novel in the body of another Song Qingshi.This new Song Qingshi was the master of Medicine King’s Valley, the most talented doctor in the immortal realm, capable of resurrecting the dead and creating powerful elixirs.The original Song Qingshi had an eccentric and cruel personality, treating patients based on mood, experimenting on them, and sometimes turning them into fertilizer, yet was feared due to yuanying-level cultivation and poison mastery.Song Qingshi realized he was currently on Golden Phoenix Mountain, home of Jin Feiren, a powerful yuanying cultivator known for wealth, flirtation, and hosting lavish banquets where beautiful “vessels” were given away.The original Song Qingshi attended the banquet only to exchange elixirs for a thousand-year-old snow ginseng, ignoring the social implications of Jin Feiren’s gift of “vessels.”Because the system’s data was corrupted, Song Qingshi only found fragmented clues describing the male lead as having a superb body, extraordinary beauty, a history of slavery, and appearing at a banquet.Treating the mission like scientific research, Song Qingshi concluded the male lead would appear at the banquet and decided he must rescue and cherish him.Song Qingshi tested his new healthy body, walking barefoot, feeling grass and river water, and crying with joy upon seeing his youthful reflection restored.While washing his face, Song Qingshi was startled by a beautiful young man in red who had silently observed him crying and assumed he was attempting suicide.The red-robed beauty was extraordinarily attractive, barefoot, dressed in tight red silk, wearing golden ankle cuffs connected by a chain, and bore rope marks and hidden injuries.Mistaking Song Qingshi for a fellow mortal slave, the red-robed beauty warned him that death was impossible because slaves were branded with life seals that bound even their souls.Song Qingshi, unaware of spiritual senses and social context, failed to realize the red-robed beauty’s bitterness and hostility, responding politely and offering medical help instead.The red-robed beauty, hardened by suffering, pitied Song Qingshi’s innocence and warned that after tonight he would understand that death was a luxury.The red-robed beauty revealed he had tried to kill himself many times after arriving on Golden Phoenix Mountain but failed due to the life seal binding him to his master.The red-robed beauty touched Song Qingshi’s hair and cheek briefly, then withdrew, expressing regret that someone as beautiful as Song Qingshi would take longer to gain “freedom.”When Song Qingshi asked what freedom meant, the red-robed beauty said he would soon understand and cryptically declared that he himself would be free tonight.As the red-robed beauty walked away, blood dripped from beneath his chained ankle cuffs onto the grass, symbolizing his captivity and suffering.Song Qingshi offered once more to treat his injuries, but the red-robed beauty smiled sincerely for a moment, wished him better luck, and left with fading light in his eyes.The chapter ends with the red-robed beauty returning to his cage-like existence, having long since learned not to trust kindness after enduring years of torment on Golden Phoenix Mountain.

Chapter 2Song Qingshi sat nervously at Golden Phoenix Mountain’s Langgan Stage, comparing the banquet to a terrifying examination and trying to calm himself by reciting medical knowledge.To protect himself from unwanted interaction, Song Qingshi summoned the flames of the underworld, one of his two divine fires, and deliberately acted cold and aloof so the other cultivators would avoid him.Because Song Qingshi was a yuanying-level cultivator and the Medicine King, none of the guests dared offend him, and even the servants kept their distance.Song Qingshi extended his spiritual senses to examine every beautiful man and woman at the banquet, trying to identify the male lead based on the system’s fragmented clues.Overwhelmed by the sheer number of stunning beauties, Song Qingshi logically eliminated candidates, first excluding women and then ruling out men whose circumstances did not match a tragic backstory.Song Qingshi dismissed the twin brothers brought by the Blood Demon Sect leader because there could only be one main character.Song Qingshi eliminated the pampered young man doted on by the Dragon Tiger Sect leader because the main character’s life was supposed to be tragic.Song Qingshi ruled out the chained captive brought by the monk because the captive was too strong-willed and did not match his assumption that the main character would be a beautiful, tragic figure.Song Qingshi witnessed the immoral trading of slaves, including the monk exchanging his chained captive for a fox yao offered by the young master of the Hidden Moon Sect.The young master of the Hidden Moon Sect used a steel whip to drag the former general away, while similar cruel transactions occurred throughout the banquet.Through inherited memories, Song Qingshi understood that mortals were treated as insignificant, and that although the sword master Mo Yuan once tried to protect mortals by declaring those with spiritual foundations free, demon sects ignored this rule.Song Qingshi realized that Golden Phoenix Mountain legally purchased mortal slaves and justified their exploitation under the rules of this world, leaving him powerless to interfere.The chained former general committed suicide by piercing his own throat with a silver chopstick, shocking the guests and angering the young master of the Hidden Moon Sect.The young master of the Hidden Moon Sect revealed that slaves were usually branded with a life seal created by Huanxi-xianzun, which prevented them from dying without their master’s permission.To demonstrate the life seal’s power, the young master of the Hidden Moon Sect manipulated a red bead to force the fox yao to kneel and bark like a dog in humiliation.The monk, identified as Black Eagle Dharma King, expressed interest in the life seal and accepted the bead as compensation for the dead slave, effectively claiming the fox yao as his own.The fox yao, though visibly devastated, followed Black Eagle Dharma King silently, understanding he had been traded again.The banquet reached its climax when the lights dimmed and a phoenix made of spiritual fireworks danced in the sky, signaling the main spectacle.Jin Feiren appeared with a white-robed youth at his side, a pure yin water elemental who was clean, elegant, and indifferent to Jin Feiren’s teasing and gifts.Jin Feiren forcibly made the white-robed youth obey by twisting his wrists and threatening to teach him the rules, after which the youth submitted and sat obediently.Lingbao-xianzun asked Jin Feiren to give him the white-robed youth, but Jin Feiren refused and instead offered newly branded slaves suitable for dual cultivation.Song Qingshi suspected the white-robed youth might be the main character due to his beauty and visible suffering, yet hesitated because Jin Feiren seemed fond of him.The phoenix spectacle concluded and revealed the red-robed beauty seated on a golden bird perch, shackled with jewel-encrusted cuffs and thin chains, dressed in revealing gauze and phoenix-feather garments.The red-robed beauty held a jade xiao and greeted the audience with a captivating smile, his dark-golden eyes and red mole enchanting everyone present.Song Qingshi recognized the red-robed beauty from their earlier encounter by the river, but the red-robed beauty gave no sign of recognition.Song Qingshi panicked because he could not determine whether the white-robed youth or the red-robed beauty was the true main character he was meant to save, realizing he might fail the system’s mission before it had properly begun.

Chapter 3Yue Wuhuan began playing the xiao at Golden Phoenix Mountain’s banquet, and Song Qingshi, because of his musical upbringing and refined ear, immediately sensed despair and resistance hidden beneath the seductive melody.Jin Feiren noticed Song Qingshi’s focused gaze and introduced the red-robed beauty as Yue Wuhuan, a rare pure wood elemental, and openly offered Yue Wuhuan to Song Qingshi.Song Qingshi refused awkwardly, and Lingbao-xianzun mocked that Song Qingshi had always abstained from indulgence in such pleasures.Lingbao-xianzun identified Yue Wuhuan as top-grade merchandise from Xie Que, while Jin Feiren joked that Xie Que’s only true attachment was to three hundred gallons of mermaid tears.Lingbao-xianzun recalled that Yue Wuhuan had once resisted even under the life seal but had since been trained into submission, though Jin Feiren complained that Yue Wuhuan never cried no matter how much he was tormented.Song Qingshi involuntarily suggested that Yue Wuhuan’s inability to cry might be due to a defect in his lacrimal apparatus, revealing his instinctive medical thinking and confusing Jin Feiren.Jin Feiren revealed that Yue Wuhuan had once been an honored mortal prince discovered by Xie Que at the age of eight, and that Xie Que bribed the emperor with a life-extending elixir in order to take Yue Wuhuan away as a disciple.Jin Feiren explained that life-extending elixirs were cheap and commonly used to entice mortals, and that Xie Que exploited a loophole by nurturing mortal disciples, gaining their trust, tricking them into signing slave contracts, branding them with life seals, and then selling them as high-quality slaves.Song Qingshi remembered that the original Song Qingshi had once treated a young mortal brought by Xie Que who had been bitten by a ghost snake and suffered disfiguring blotches from venom.Although Song Qingshi typically refused to treat mortals, he relented after Xie Que begged tearfully and provided antidote pills that cured the child.During recovery at Medicine King’s Valley, Song Qingshi observed the child practicing swordsmanship tirelessly beneath peach blossoms while Xie Que anxiously hovered nearby and frequently argued with him.The child declared his ambition to become like Mo Yuan-xianzun through hard work with the sword despite being a mortal, believing diligence could overcome weakness.Xie Que tried to steer the child toward music cultivation, since Yan Mountain specialized in music, but the child insisted he loved the sword while promising not to neglect music.Xie Que gave the child ice silk gloves to prevent calluses and instructed him to soak his hands in medicinal liquid, showing excessive concern for preserving the beauty of his disciple’s hands.The child expressed determination to cultivate a golden core successfully to prove that Xie Que was right to accept mortal disciples and to stop others from looking down on him.The child revealed himself as Yue Wuhuan by declaring that Wuhuan loved Shifu the most, exposing the deep trust and affection he held for Xie Que.Xie Que examined the fading venom marks on Yue Wuhuan’s face, lingered on the small red mole at the corner of his eye, recognized its striking beauty, and smiled kindly while telling Yue Wuhuan that he loved him the most too, foreshadowing the betrayal that would later turn Yue Wuhuan into a branded slave sold for profit.

Chapter 4Song Qingshi finally connected the innocent child from his memories with the devastatingly beautiful Yue Wuhuan displayed atop the golden perch at Langgan Stage.A guest mocked Xie Que’s cruelty, prompting Jin Feiren to recount in detail how he first acquired Yue Wuhuan during his eight hundredth birthday banquet.Jin Feiren explained that Xie Que brought Yue Wuhuan to Golden Phoenix Mountain under the pretense that Yue Wuhuan would study the sword there, and Yue Wuhuan arrived full of excitement, having reached mid-stage foundation establishment and eager to prove himself like Mo Yuan-xianzun.Jin Feiren publicly examined Yue Wuhuan’s hands and mocked that such beautiful palms were not suited for the sword but for pleasing others, humiliating Yue Wuhuan before the assembled cultivators.At Jin Feiren’s prompting and the crowd’s urging, Xie Que activated the life bead, stripping Yue Wuhuan of bodily control so that Yue Wuhuan was forced to discard his sword and remove his clothing layer by layer in front of everyone.Yue Wuhuan realized he had been sold as merchandise, and when Xie Que removed the white jade ornament from Yue Wuhuan’s hair, it shattered on the ground as Yue Wuhuan’s long hair fell and revealed the red slave brand on his back.Xie Que grabbed Yue Wuhuan’s hair and forced him to look up so the crowd could admire his beauty, smirking and boasting of his impeccable taste while Yue Wuhuan’s dignity and dreams collapsed completely.Listening to Yue Wuhuan’s sorrowful music in the present, Song Qingshi understood the despair behind Yue Wuhuan’s earlier words by the river and empathized with him due to his own past experience of being trapped in a failing body.Song Qingshi decided definitively that he would save Yue Wuhuan and began urgently searching for a way to remove Yue Wuhuan from Golden Phoenix Mountain.After the performance, Jin Feiren announced that Yue Wuhuan was the gift Golden Phoenix Mountain was presenting to the guests that night, effectively offering Yue Wuhuan up for public use.Yue Wuhuan acted as though accustomed to humiliation, casting seductive glances and jingling his golden shackles to entice the crowd despite his inner despair.The young master of the Hidden Moon Sect attempted to seize Yue Wuhuan, intending to drag him away and violate him immediately.A spirit tiger suddenly broke into Langgan Stage as part of Jin Feiren’s arranged entertainment, and under the influence of drugs Yue Wuhuan walked toward the beast in a daze.The white-robed youth tried to intervene and protest Jin Feiren’s cruelty, but Jin Feiren threatened him into silence and allowed the spectacle to proceed to preserve the banquet’s atmosphere.The spirit tiger attacked Yue Wuhuan, tearing a bloody gash across his shoulder and mauling him viciously while the guests watched in drunken excitement.Song Qingshi recalled how to use his underworld fire and condensed it into a fine needle that pierced the spirit tiger’s leg, spreading lethal poison that dissolved the beast into rotting liquid.Song Qingshi rushed to Yue Wuhuan’s side, sealed the wound, pressed key points to stop the bleeding, and administered an elixir to stabilize Yue Wuhuan’s heart and vitals.Yue Wuhuan, covered in blood and barely conscious, whispered in resentment that he had been blind before losing consciousness.When Jin Feiren questioned the killing of his valuable spirit tiger, Song Qingshi coldly stated that he wanted Yue Wuhuan for experimentation, using this excuse to claim him.Song Qingshi offered Jin Feiren a full bottle of priceless cultivation pills as compensation, which more than covered the loss of the spirit tiger and the slave.Jin Feiren accepted the trade, erased his control from Yue Wuhuan’s life bead, handed it to Song Qingshi, and publicly thanked Song Qingshi for preventing further danger.Song Qingshi refused additional gifts of other beauties, carried the unconscious Yue Wuhuan out of Golden Phoenix Mountain, and left behind the ongoing depravity of Langgan Stage.As Song Qingshi held the fragile yet beautiful Yue Wuhuan in his arms, he strengthened his resolve to save him, recalling a childhood story about saving one dying fish because even if he could not save them all, it still mattered to that one.

Chapter 5The narration explains that readers familiar with transmigration stories would know that fate should be changed before tragedy occurs, but Song Qingshi mistakenly believes his mission is to save someone whose tragic past has already happened, putting him completely on the wrong track.Yue Wuhuan only appeared three times in the original novel, first when the true main character was sold to Golden Phoenix Mountain and witnessed Yue Wuhuan’s humiliation and torture, which shattered the main character’s innocence.Yue Wuhuan’s second appearance was when Yue Wuhuan mocked and humiliated the main character’s naive dreams, forcing the main character to confront cruel reality.Yue Wuhuan’s third appearance was during the spirit tiger incident at Langgan Stage, where Jin Feiren lied that the attack had been intentional in order to terrify and psychologically break the main character, leading the main character to completely submit and become Jin Feiren’s toy.Yue Wuhuan was merely a supporting character designed to contrast with the main character’s untouched purity, meaning Song Qingshi has chosen the wrong person to save without realizing it.Song Qingshi remains confident he will achieve a perfect score on the system’s task, unaware of his misunderstanding.On the journey back to Medicine King’s Valley, Song Qingshi fully absorbs the original Song Qingshi’s medical knowledge and becomes excited about combining immortal herbs with modern medical research methods.Song Qingshi plans to have the Pavilion of Heavenly Crafts create scientific instruments so he can analyze active ingredients in magical herbs, refine them, and potentially synthesize improved medicines.Song Qingshi feels overwhelming joy at gaining access to unlimited resources, books, ingredients, and funding in Medicine King’s Valley, resolving never to leave this research paradise.Song Qingshi looks at Yue Wuhuan and develops deep affection, deciding to treat Yue Wuhuan like a cherished child and give Yue Wuhuan a fairy-tale life filled with love and protection.Song Qingshi places Yue Wuhuan in a side hall near his own quarters and begins personally treating Yue Wuhuan as his patient.Song Qingshi feeds Yue Wuhuan medicine, changes into clean white robes, wears a mask and gloves, disinfects scissors, removes Yue Wuhuan’s damaged clothing, cleans and stitches the wounds with divine-silk thread, and treats all injuries with careful precision.Song Qingshi draws Yue Wuhuan’s blood for later study and scans Yue Wuhuan’s damaged dantian and meridians, silently cursing those who ruined Yue Wuhuan’s cultivation foundation.Song Qingshi worries about speaking to Yue Wuhuan once he wakes, recalling his social awkwardness and past difficulty communicating with patients.Following advice from a former hospital senior, Song Qingshi decides to suppress his emotions, act like a medical robot, and recite diagnoses and treatment plans calmly with a reassuring smile.Song Qingshi transforms the room into a hospital-like setting with white linens, hospital gowns, a red bracelet marking critical condition, and a special care sign to stabilize his mindset.Song Qingshi personally bathes Yue Wuhuan multiple times daily, feeds him, changes bedding, and handles all bodily care without relying on servants.Yue Wuhuan awakens after three days, initially believing he is still trapped in a nightmare and recognizing the medicinal scent from his earlier stay at Medicine King’s Valley.Yue Wuhuan sees Song Qingshi and his own life bead nearby and assumes he has simply been transferred to a new master for further exploitation.When Yue Wuhuan attempts to get out of bed, Song Qingshi sternly orders Yue Wuhuan to remain in bed for ten days to prevent reopening his wounds.Yue Wuhuan misunderstands Song Qingshi’s actions as unusual foreplay and wraps his arms around Song Qingshi’s neck, asking for mercy in a practiced, seductive tone.Song Qingshi innocently promises mercy in the context of medical care and carefully tucks Yue Wuhuan back into bed, warning him not to catch a cold because he is mortal.Song Qingshi formally addresses Yue Wuhuan as “Patient Yue Wuhuan” and recites a detailed list of injuries including deep avulsions, fractures, artery rupture, abrasions, lacerations, drug exposure, and possible drug dependence.Yue Wuhuan barely understands the medical terminology but pretends to comprehend while growing increasingly confused by Song Qingshi’s clinical demeanor.Song Qingshi outlines an extensive treatment plan, including mortal medicines, a meridian-repair bath, a rising-dragon elixir, and a nine-rotation blood-lotus pill, both of which are extremely rare and priceless treasures in the immortal realm.Yue Wuhuan interprets these promises as mockery and manipulation because such treasures are beyond imagination for a disgraced slave, assuming Song Qingshi is deceiving him like previous masters.Song Qingshi reassures Yue Wuhuan sincerely that if he follows the treatment plan, he will recover.Yue Wuhuan responds with seductive obedience while internally cold and distrustful, believing Song Qingshi to be another hypocritical gentleman.Song Qingshi then prepares to examine Yue Wuhuan’s eyes for lacrimal gland issues, placing gloves back on and shining a bright light into Yue Wuhuan’s eyes while muttering about conducting a dye test, leaving Yue Wuhuan utterly bewildered.

Chapter 6Yue Wuhuan fears Song Qingshi will gouge out his eyes during the examination, but Song Qingshi only checks his condition and asks if he is cold.Song Qingshi reveals he discovered white powder under Yue Wuhuan’s nails containing spring-deer grass and flower of bewitchment, along with traces of catnip on Yue Wuhuan’s skirt, concluding that these aphrodisiacs caused the spirit tiger to go mad and attack.Yue Wuhuan realizes Song Qingshi has uncovered his suicide plan, which involved concentrating powerful aphrodisiacs, coating them in wax for delayed effect, scenting himself to attract the spirit tiger, and deliberately walking toward it so the beast would kill him during the banquet spectacle.Yue Wuhuan reflects that slaves cannot kill themselves due to the life seal, so he exploited his master’s love of cruelty to engineer a fatal accident, fully intending to die before his plot was exposed.Yue Wuhuan recalls the extensive humiliation and bodily modifications he endured after being enslaved, including forced confessions of depravity and drugs that heightened his physical sensitivity until even fabric caused discomfort.Yue Wuhuan remembers that his despair once delighted his captors, so he eventually stopped resisting and began longing only for the destruction of his ruined body.When confronted, Yue Wuhuan coldly asks Song Qingshi what punishment he intends to impose.Song Qingshi misunderstands completely and concludes someone at Golden Phoenix Mountain must have tried to harm Yue Wuhuan out of jealousy, promising to investigate and deliver justice.Yue Wuhuan is stunned by Song Qingshi’s naive reasoning and suspects it is an act meant to lower his guard.Song Qingshi returns Yue Wuhuan’s life bead to him, explaining that he has studied the life seal, identified it as a curse, and sent servants to Night Rain Pavilion to obtain rare information on how to break it.Yue Wuhuan asks what price Song Qingshi demands for such help, but Song Qingshi simply tells Yue Wuhuan to focus on recovery and healing.Yue Wuhuan, unable to believe in kindness without cost, decides he will gamble everything for freedom, even if it means selling his soul.Yue Wuhuan begins acting like a meek and obedient patient, drinking foul medicine without complaint, enduring painful needles silently, and thanking Song Qingshi after treatments.Song Qingshi feels proud of Yue Wuhuan’s compliance and appreciates having such a cooperative patient.Yue Wuhuan’s pure wood elemental constitution accelerates healing, and within five days his shoulder wound scabs over.Song Qingshi allows Yue Wuhuan to leave bed for light exercise and prepares the next stage of treatment.The ordinary cotton hospital gowns irritate Yue Wuhuan’s hypersensitive skin, causing discomfort with every movement.One night, when Song Qingshi lightly brushes Yue Wuhuan’s collarbone, Yue Wuhuan’s body reacts involuntarily due to the drugs and conditioning inflicted on him in the past.Ashamed and overwhelmed by the contrast between Song Qingshi’s purity and his own perceived filth, Yue Wuhuan retreats into darkness and reminds himself he cannot return to who he once was.Yue Wuhuan kneels and offers himself in a practiced, humiliating tone, asking how he can serve Song Qingshi rather than be forced into degradation.Song Qingshi calmly drops the bed curtains and states that patients need rest, refusing Yue Wuhuan’s implied offer.Song Qingshi dims the luminous pearl, lights soothing incense, and leaves Yue Wuhuan alone to sleep without torment for the first time in years.Yue Wuhuan realizes he will not be abused that night, relaxes under the clean scent of medicine and agarwood, and falls into peaceful dreams of his childhood instead of nightmares.After Yue Wuhuan sleeps, Song Qingshi reenters the room, examines Yue Wuhuan’s body carefully with his spiritual senses, and observes Yue Wuhuan’s unguarded, proud expression in sleep.Song Qingshi concludes that Yue Wuhuan’s life should never have turned out this way, gently tucks him in, smooths his hair, and quietly vows that he will fix Yue Wuhuan.

Chapter 7Song Qingshi stayed up all night searching for an ice silk robe, dismantled its decorative spells, had it remade into an inner robe for Yue Wuhuan, and placed it with a cotton outer robe by Yue Wuhuan’s bedside so his hypersensitive skin would feel more comfortable.Yue Wuhuan dressed in the modified robes and followed Song Qingshi to the elixir room, which had once been a forbidden experimental chamber where the original Song Qingshi conducted cruel tests but had since been converted by Song Qingshi into an ethical treatment room.Song Qingshi prepared a large medicinal bath using purging red grass and controlled the temperature with spiritual fire before ordering Yue Wuhuan to disrobe and enter the vat.Yue Wuhuan hesitated but obeyed, and Song Qingshi deliberately turned his back to preserve Yue Wuhuan’s modesty while he entered the bath.The bath initially stung but soon felt soothing, yet when the water splashed over and drenched Song Qingshi’s robes, Song Qingshi showed no anger and refused to turn around even when Yue Wuhuan offered to dry him.Yue Wuhuan attempted to seduce Song Qingshi, claiming he no longer cared about being seen and that his body existed to be looked at and used, but Song Qingshi firmly insisted that Yue Wuhuan did not like being watched and refused to objectify him.Yue Wuhuan reflected on years of public humiliation where his dislikes were weaponized against him, recalling how resistance only increased his torment until he stopped fighting and considered himself irreparably filthy.As the medicinal bath overheated due to Song Qingshi’s distraction, Yue Wuhuan submerged himself and nearly drowned without resistance, passively accepting death.Song Qingshi realized the danger, pulled Yue Wuhuan from the vat, and instinctively performed CPR to revive him despite cultivation methods being available.Yue Wuhuan regained consciousness in Song Qingshi’s arms, overwhelmed by confusion and shame, while Song Qingshi apologized for failing to control the bath’s temperature.Yue Wuhuan spiraled into self-blame, repeating that everything was his fault, echoing years of abuse where he had been told his beauty and suffering were his own responsibility.Seeing Yue Wuhuan fall into a trance, Song Qingshi shocked him back to clarity by dumping freezing water over him and feeding him a calming pill.Song Qingshi wrapped Yue Wuhuan securely in layers of clothing and towels, instructing him to wear more as the weather turned cold, reinforcing care rather than exploitation.After adjusting the bath again, Song Qingshi explained that purging red grass was meant to eliminate residual drugs from Yue Wuhuan’s system and that multiple baths would gradually clear the substances that had damaged his body.Song Qingshi further explained that later treatments would include muscle-regrowth flower and snow-toad butter to repair unhealed injuries, though the process would be painful and itchy without sedatives.Yue Wuhuan realized the drugs forced upon him had nearly destroyed his body and shortened his lifespan, and he confessed that without those drugs he would not react during torture and therefore would be useless for others’ pleasure.Song Qingshi interrupted and told Yue Wuhuan not to do things he was not suited for, refusing to view him as a tool for gratification.When Yue Wuhuan insisted he had nothing to offer but his body, Song Qingshi replied that he did have more to give, seeing in him the proud, hardworking child who once dreamed of becoming a sword master.Song Qingshi knelt before Yue Wuhuan, looked him in the eye, and promised to restore everything Yue Wuhuan once had and give him everything he had longed for.When Yue Wuhuan asked what he must do in return, Song Qingshi requested only that Yue Wuhuan not attempt suicide again, and after a long silence Yue Wuhuan nodded in agreement.

Chapter 8Song Qingshi recognizes that Yue Wuhuan’s recent suicide attempt stemmed from years of trauma and concludes that relying on the life seal to forcibly prevent future attempts would destroy the fragile trust between them.Song Qingshi rejects coercive methods such as activating the life bead, using torture spells, hypnosis, or erasing memories, reasoning that these would either worsen Yue Wuhuan’s mental state or cause irreversible harm.Song Qingshi determines that modern psychology is the only viable path, even though psychology is his weakest subject and he lacks confidence in handling such a severe trauma case.Song Qingshi begins by removing all potentially dangerous objects from Yue Wuhuan’s room and repeatedly monitors Yue Wuhuan’s vital signs with spiritual senses to prevent another suicide attempt.After discovering Yue Wuhuan staring into the koi pond, Song Qingshi realizes he cannot rely solely on vigilance and decides to actively attempt psychological treatment.Song Qingshi adds calming medicine to Yue Wuhuan’s daily prescriptions and burns sleep-inducing incense at night, successfully reducing the frequency of Yue Wuhuan’s nightmares.Song Qingshi chooses rational emotive behavior therapy as his approach, intending to correct Yue Wuhuan’s distorted beliefs about himself and help him build self-confidence.Inspired by a past experience where encouraging a classmate to study improved her life, Song Qingshi decides to share the joy of learning with Yue Wuhuan as a way to rebuild his sense of worth.Song Qingshi selects a neglected travelogue titled Travels of Yutai as a discussion starter, unaware that it contains heavy sexual allegory.Yue Wuhuan, now dressed modestly in simple green robes and behaving with cold restraint instead of seduction, continues to address Song Qingshi deferentially despite being told not to call himself a slave.Song Qingshi awkwardly approaches Yue Wuhuan and asks him to explain a confusing passage from Travels of Yutai.Yue Wuhuan calmly explains that the text describes risqué encounters involving Yutai-xianjun and that the poetic imagery is filled with sexual innuendo, unintentionally forcing Song Qingshi into embarrassment.Mortified by his mistake, Song Qingshi burns the book and stands in awkward silence with Yue Wuhuan, nearly in tears from frustration at having triggered painful themes.Yue Wuhuan attempts to ease the tension by recommending other travelogues and then recites one in full from memory when asked.Song Qingshi discovers that Yue Wuhuan possesses extraordinary memory and has read and memorized thousands of books, including those from Phoenix Mountain’s vast library.Yue Wuhuan explains that he was allowed access to Phoenix Mountain’s library only when he pleased his master and that he avoided cultivation texts, believing himself unworthy.Song Qingshi tests Yue Wuhuan with recreated intelligence questions from modern IQ assessments and is astonished when Yue Wuhuan scores approximately 162, placing him in the range of a super genius.Realizing that Yue Wuhuan’s intellect rivals or surpasses his own and could have changed history under different circumstances, Song Qingshi becomes furious at the injustice of Yue Wuhuan’s abuse and wasted potential.Song Qingshi sincerely tells Yue Wuhuan that he is very smart, expressing genuine admiration rather than desire.Yue Wuhuan dismisses the praise, believing intelligence has no value in a world where the strong devour the weak, and concludes that brilliance cannot protect him from exploitation in the immortal realm.

Chapter 9Yue Wuhuan enters the Medicine King’s Valley library and is overwhelmed by the vast collection of precious cultivation texts and secret manuals, feeling as though he has stepped into a treasure trove.Song Qingshi leaves Yue Wuhuan to tidy the chaotic desk while he searches for books, since the off-limits library has no servants and only Song Qingshi understands its disorder.While organizing a stack of books, Yue Wuhuan discovers a damaged copy of Nie’s Book of Poison, the infamous manual of poison master Nie Jue, containing deadly recipes such as powder of contortion, soul-devouring incense, and pill of puppetry.Yue Wuhuan memorizes the poison formulas and feels his suppressed murderous intent surge, fantasizing about using these weapons to destroy the corrupt world that tormented him instead of dying alone.Song Qingshi notices the book and tells Yue Wuhuan it is too advanced, but not because of danger, rather because Yue Wuhuan lacks foundational knowledge in medicine and herb identification.Song Qingshi explains that medicine and poison share the same principles and encourages Yue Wuhuan to first master medicinal basics before studying poisons properly.Yue Wuhuan is stunned when Song Qingshi not only permits him to study Nie’s Book of Poison but also offers guidance, laboratory access, and advice on hidden weapons and arrays to better apply poisons for self-defense.When Yue Wuhuan questions whether Song Qingshi has considered what he might do with such knowledge, Song Qingshi openly states that Yue Wuhuan should arm himself so no one can harm or humiliate him again.Song Qingshi firmly asserts that beauty is not a sin and that refusing abuse is not wrong, declaring that no one will humiliate Yue Wuhuan ever again.Song Qingshi happily arranges a study session, cleaning the daybed, preparing tea and snacks, lighting incense for alertness, and sitting opposite Yue Wuhuan to read together like equal study partners.Yue Wuhuan cautiously observes Song Qingshi for signs of ulterior motives but gradually relaxes when he realizes Song Qingshi is completely absorbed in reading and does nothing inappropriate.As rain falls and the weather cools, Yue Wuhuan closes the curtains and fetches a luminous pearl for light, noticing that Song Qingshi remains oblivious to the world around him due to his intense focus on books.Yue Wuhuan studies Song Qingshi’s appearance closely for the first time and concludes that beneath his eccentric reputation, Song Qingshi possesses pure, untainted eyes free from lust or corruption.Yue Wuhuan privately reflects that if he had known this peaceful future awaited him, he would have tried harder to present himself better when they first met by the river.The two spend the entire day reading in silence, creating a tranquil atmosphere unlike the violence of the outside world, and Yue Wuhuan experiences genuine peace for the first time in years.Yue Wuhuan wipes ink from Song Qingshi’s cheek when he accidentally smears himself while writing, an intimate yet gentle gesture that Song Qingshi receives with embarrassment rather than suspicion.Song Qingshi reveals he has been researching the upcoming meridian repair bath, attempting to modify it to reduce its extreme pain before Yue Wuhuan undergoes the procedure.Song Qingshi explains that reopening Yue Wuhuan’s meridians will allow him to cultivate again but worries about the possibility of shock due to pain and seeks a safer method.When Yue Wuhuan insists he is not afraid of pain, Song Qingshi calmly replies that everyone fears pain and that a good doctor’s duty is to lessen it, stating plainly that he does not want Yue Wuhuan to suffer.Overwhelmed, Yue Wuhuan asks why Song Qingshi treats him so well, unable to understand such kindness.Song Qingshi avoids revealing the system’s truth and instead shyly explains that since Yue Wuhuan once wished him good luck, he now wants both of them to have a lifetime of good luck.

Chapter 10Song Qingshi observes that studying and structured activity have visibly improved Yue Wuhuan’s mood, as Yue Wuhuan becomes more lively, waits outside Song Qingshi’s door each morning, and walks with him to the library willingly.Song Qingshi gradually lowers his guard around Yue Wuhuan and begins revealing his true, absentminded self, including oversleeping at his desk and forgetting basic self-care.Yue Wuhuan notices that Song Qingshi is disorganized, neglects meals and rest, cannot manage servants properly, and lacks practical life skills, contradicting his fearsome reputation.Song Qingshi reflects that in both his past life and the original Song Qingshi’s life, he focused solely on study and relied on others for management, making him unprepared to govern Medicine King’s Valley.Song Qingshi recalls incidents where the original Song Qingshi killed servants for mishandling precious poisons or disrespecting medical inventions, explaining why the servants fear him.Determined to reform the valley, Song Qingshi drafts a reorganization plan and appoints Yue Wuhuan as his assistant in charge of communication and internal affairs.Song Qingshi restructures servant duties, clarifies responsibilities, and even allows some willing servants to learn basic medicine to serve as emergency doctors.Yue Wuhuan receives unrestricted access within Medicine King’s Valley, including entry to the treasury, and questions how Song Qingshi can trust him so easily.Song Qingshi replies that he trusts only Yue Wuhuan, believing him to be inherently good and benefiting from keeping him busy to prevent dark thoughts.Yue Wuhuan applies himself diligently to his assistant duties, drawing on his royal upbringing and experience at Phoenix Mountain to manage affairs efficiently.Yue Wuhuan takes responsibility for caring for Song Qingshi’s daily life, cleaning his room, managing clothes, preparing meals, waking him, and maintaining order, finding comfort in ordinary routines.Song Qingshi observes that Yue Wuhuan smiles more, appears less hopeless, and devotes himself to repairing his meridians and restoring cultivation.Fascinated by the concept of spiritual roots and meridians, Song Qingshi decides to investigate them scientifically through dissection, selecting cadavers with wood-element spiritual roots and shattered roots for comparison.Song Qingshi enthusiastically performs autopsies in the basement morgue, thrilled to fulfill his past-life dream of conducting dissections with a healthy body.Song Qingshi becomes so absorbed in dissecting multiple cadavers and taking notes that he loses track of time and fails to warn Yue Wuhuan not to enter the dissection room.Yue Wuhuan arrives with dinner and is shocked by the grisly scene of numerous dissected corpses and exposed viscera filling the room like a crime scene.Realizing too late that Yue Wuhuan has witnessed the disturbing sight, Song Qingshi panics, grabs a bucket in anticipation that Yue Wuhuan might vomit, and hurriedly insists that the situation is not what it appears to be.

Chapter 11Yue Wuhuan calmly tells Song Qingshi he is not panicking upon seeing the dissection room filled with blood and corpses, sets down the dinner he brought, and even brushes crumbs from Song Qingshi’s mouth as if the grisly scene is ordinary.Song Qingshi observes Yue Wuhuan’s composure and concludes that Yue Wuhuan is well suited to medicine due to his intelligence, steadiness, dexterity, and lack of fear toward blood, imagining that medical schools would compete for him in another world.Song Qingshi enthusiastically begins explaining the significance of anatomical dissection in medical study and the contribution of cadaver donors, while Yue Wuhuan listens attentively and inspects the bodies without discomfort.Yue Wuhuan reflects that he has long feared only the living, not corpses, because at Golden Phoenix Mountain he witnessed slaves beaten to death and endured brutal torture himself, surviving only due to his wood element spiritual roots.Yue Wuhuan pauses before a large male cadaver, suppresses rising malice tied to painful memories, and politely asks Song Qingshi for permission to dissect it himself.Song Qingshi agrees, provides Yue Wuhuan with protective robes, mask, gloves, and disinfecting instructions, and emphasizes preventing pathogen spread since preservation relies on spiritual arrays rather than reliable sterilization.Song Qingshi explains that the cadaver was sent by An Long, also known as Xilin Poison King, an insect expert and old friend of the original Song Qingshi, who challenged him to determine the unusual cause of death.Song Qingshi recalls resuming correspondence with An Long by sharing modern insights about entomopathogenic fungi, which delighted An Long and prompted him to send rare corpses and promise a visit.Yue Wuhuan begins the dissection roughly and violently, prompting Song Qingshi to hurriedly correct his technique and teach proper anatomical procedure layer by layer.Yue Wuhuan reveals the corpse’s identity as Yu Qing, once a celebrated righteous disciple of Qinghong Sect, and sneers subtly at the irony of such a “hero” ending up unburied in a morgue.As Yue Wuhuan cuts into Yu Qing’s body, he recalls how he once believed Yu Qing to be virtuous and had desperately begged him for rescue from Golden Phoenix Mountain.Yue Wuhuan remembers that Yu Qing, despite his righteous reputation, secretly restrained and violated him, exploiting Yue Wuhuan’s lack of power and golden core cultivation to resist.Yue Wuhuan recalls being dragged before Jin Feiren and Qinghong Sect after the incident, injured and humiliated, while Qinghong Sect apologized to preserve Yu Qing’s reputation.Jin Feiren manipulated the situation by forcing Yue Wuhuan to take the blame through activation of the life seal, compelling Yue Wuhuan to claim he seduced Yu Qing and beg for punishment.As a result, Yu Qing suffered no consequences and was even loaned Yue Wuhuan’s life bead for several days, during which he further abused Yue Wuhuan.Through this experience, Yue Wuhuan abandoned any remaining hope of rescue and fully accepted his identity as a slave, resolving never to cry or beg again.Returning to the present, Yue Wuhuan opens Yu Qing’s skull with a saw, discovers half his brain consumed by an insect, and calmly concludes that this was the painful cause of death.Song Qingshi agrees with the medical assessment and remarks that it is a tragic way to die, unaware of Yue Wuhuan’s personal connection and simmering hatred.Yue Wuhuan feels fleeting satisfaction dissecting Yu Qing’s corpse but ultimately regrets that he could not have taken revenge while Yu Qing was still alive.

Chapter 12Yue Wuhuan’s excellent memory becomes a curse as he relives every humiliation in vivid nightmares, dreaming again of Golden Phoenix Mountain where the life seal burns and forces him to witness cruel spectacles.In the nightmare, Yue Wuhuan is trapped in a gilded cage, overwhelmed by filth and despair, wishing to tear off the skin that had been touched and begging to be killed rather than saved.The cage is suddenly destroyed by red lotus flames, and a white-robed youth with a clean medicinal scent, clearly Song Qingshi, reaches out to Yue Wuhuan without lust or corruption.In the dream, Song Qingshi removes his own robe to cover Yue Wuhuan, unlocks his shackles, wipes away his stains, and embraces him like a fragile treasure, offering pure salvation.Yue Wuhuan feels both desperate longing and possessive, destructive desire toward Song Qingshi’s purity, fearing he will defile him, and pushes him away in terror.Yue Wuhuan awakens to find Song Qingshi actually beside his bed before dawn, holding a luminous pearl and eagerly waiting for him to wake.Song Qingshi excitedly announces that he has found a way to reduce the pain of the meridian repair bath and urges Yue Wuhuan to begin treatment immediately.Yue Wuhuan asks Song Qingshi to wait outside while he changes, and Song Qingshi belatedly realizes the potential impropriety of rushing into Yue Wuhuan’s room, correcting his behavior to avoid triggering trauma.Song Qingshi explains that he discovered acupuncture combined with spiritual power can produce powerful localized anesthesia in this world, reducing the meridian repair bath’s pain by about half.Song Qingshi plans to insert two hundred gold needles into Yue Wuhuan to numb him before immersing him in the medicinal bath, then reopen his meridians and reconstruct his dantian.Song Qingshi awkwardly reassures Yue Wuhuan that as a doctor he will see only a patient, not a sexual object, and promises he will not have inappropriate thoughts.Yue Wuhuan, struggling with lingering desire from his dream, allows Song Qingshi to touch him and undresses, revealing his nearly healed body and the life seal across his back.Song Qingshi prudently wraps a towel around Yue Wuhuan and begins inserting the gold needles with careful monitoring of sensations such as soreness and swelling.Song Qingshi notices a small phoenix-shaped red birthmark on Yue Wuhuan’s shoulder blade and compliments it, learning that Yue Wuhuan inherited it from his foreign-born dancer mother.Yue Wuhuan reveals that his mother was a beautiful overseas dancer who became a concubine, and that his royal family and country were destroyed, with his father and brother dying in battle and his mother and the empress committing suicide.Yue Wuhuan admits he agreed to humiliating conditions in hopes of protecting his mother, only to learn later that she had already died, leaving him the sole survivor.Song Qingshi is heartbroken by Yue Wuhuan’s story and instinctively moves to comfort him but restrains himself, remembering Yue Wuhuan’s aversion to touch.Yue Wuhuan suddenly notices dark red marks beneath Song Qingshi’s collar and, overwhelmed by alarm and jealousy, tears open Song Qingshi’s collar to reveal them.Yue Wuhuan demands to know what the marks are, his fury rising uncontrollably as he confronts Song Qingshi.

Chapter 13Song Qingshi hurriedly explains that the red marks on his neck are simply bruises from testing acupuncture on himself, caused by capillaries breaking under the skin, and insists they are harmless and will fade soon.Yue Wuhuan realizes Song Qingshi injured himself while experimenting to reduce the pain of the meridian repair bath for his sake and lowers his head in guilt for overreacting.Song Qingshi casually states that medical professionals often test procedures on themselves first and even offers to let Yue Wuhuan practice acupuncture on him in the future.Song Qingshi proceeds with the treatment, inserting gold needles into Yue Wuhuan’s pressure points and channeling spiritual power through them to create focused anesthesia before starting the meridian repair bath.Yue Wuhuan enters the medicinal bath and experiences intense pain as the medicine forces open his blocked meridians, gripping the vat and sweating heavily despite the reduced pain from acupuncture.Song Qingshi explains that the pain is necessary to confirm each meridian has opened and tells Yue Wuhuan he may scream if needed, assuring him it will last about an hour.As each meridian opens and the medicine flows, Song Qingshi removes the corresponding needles, gradually decreasing the overall pain.After clearing the meridians, Song Qingshi feeds Yue Wuhuan the nine-rotation blood-lotus pill to reconstruct his damaged dantian without warning him in advance to avoid added stress.The pill triggers an explosion of agony in Yue Wuhuan’s dantian that spreads through his organs, causing him to scream and collapse into Song Qingshi’s arms.Overwhelmed by pain, Yue Wuhuan bites into Song Qingshi’s neck where the acupuncture bruises are, clamping down hard enough to draw blood while Song Qingshi endures silently.Song Qingshi deliberately drops his spiritual protection so Yue Wuhuan will not break his teeth and bears the sharp pain without crying out, determined to complete the treatment.After about ten minutes, Yue Wuhuan’s pain fades as a spark of renewed spiritual power emerges from his rebuilt dantian, stronger than before, signaling successful restoration.Exhausted, Yue Wuhuan relaxes his bite, instinctively licks the bloody wound on Song Qingshi’s neck, and falls into deep sleep.Yue Wuhuan awakens later in darkness and realizes his spiritual power is flowing freely again, even stronger than when he first cultivated.Yue Wuhuan notices he has been gripping Song Qingshi’s sleeve while Song Qingshi fell asleep waiting beside him, worn out from neglecting his own rest.Watching Song Qingshi’s unguarded sleeping face, Yue Wuhuan feels intense longing and possessiveness, touching a lock of his hair and inhaling his medicinal scent.The bite mark on Song Qingshi’s neck fills Yue Wuhuan with dark satisfaction, as though he has branded him, even though no drugs remain in his system.Yue Wuhuan acknowledges that Song Qingshi is a good man while he himself harbors monstrous, possessive desires for Song Qingshi’s love and soul, which he considers shameful.Yue Wuhuan resolves to hide his beastly thoughts and keep some distance from Song Qingshi to avoid tainting him, reluctantly releasing the strand of hair from his hand.

Chapter 14Song Qingshi records Yue Wuhuan’s full medical history in detail, including early wound treatment, poison purging, meridian reopening, and dantian reconstruction from three months earlier, intending to bind it into a reference book, but struggles to describe Yue Wuhuan’s mental state beyond noting improvement.Yue Wuhuan establishes an intense daily routine, waking before dawn to practice swordsmanship for four hours, studying medicine with Song Qingshi for four hours, conducting dissections or refining elixirs in the afternoon, handling valley affairs in the evening, and meditating at night while sleeping only two to four hours.Yue Wuhuan advances rapidly to the sixth level of qi-gathering stage due to restored foundations and enhanced talent, determined to reclaim lost time through relentless discipline.Song Qingshi discovers the comfort of ice silk in summer and has servants tailor loose modern-style pajamas, which he happily wears, though Yue Wuhuan declines the recommendation and instead increases his sword training.Song Qingshi attempts to cut his long hair out of inconvenience, but Yue Wuhuan angrily stops him, declaring that cutting a man’s hair symbolizes monkhood, punishment, or arrogance, and refuses to allow it.Yue Wuhuan carefully combs Song Qingshi’s hair, oils it, braids it, and secures it in a bun with a white jade hairpiece, insisting on personally tending to him as repayment for kindness.Yue Wuhuan recalls childhood memories of his brother combing his wife’s hair with affection and realizes that handling Song Qingshi’s hair stirs deep emotional attachment within him.Song Qingshi invites Yue Wuhuan to travel to Yue City to oversee custom instruments ordered from Pavilion of Heavenly Crafts and to experience food, wine, and entertainment he never enjoyed in his previous sickly life.Yue Wuhuan agrees to accompany Song Qingshi, recognizing the trip as both practical and meaningful.On departure day, Yue Wuhuan wears a veiled hat to conceal his face, while Song Qingshi mistakenly assumes it is to avoid sunburn before realizing it is to prevent unwanted attention due to Yue Wuhuan’s beauty.Song Qingshi arms himself with poisons and weapons and gives Yue Wuhuan a specially crafted pepper spray that can blind targets for half a month, taking protective precautions.Upon arriving in Yue City, Song Qingshi is dazzled by the lively marketplace, exotic drinks, fruits, singing paper men, and flying apsara performers advertising brothels, reacting with wide-eyed curiosity.Yue Wuhuan grows jealous and impatient as Song Qingshi stares at the floating courtesans, finally grabbing his chin and demanding whether they are truly so beautiful.Song Qingshi responds seriously that one of the women has a yellow patch in her eye suggesting gallbladder problems, revealing he was medically analyzing her rather than admiring her beauty.Yue Wuhuan is left speechless and bewildered by Song Qingshi’s obsession with diagnosing eyes even in such circumstances.

Chapter 15Song Qingshi and Yue Wuhuan sit at a riverside tea stall in Yue City eating ice cream and drinking lotus beverages, and Song Qingshi brings up the unresolved question of why Yue Wuhuan cannot cry despite having a normal lacrimal apparatus.Yue Wuhuan explains that he cried as a child but stopped at Phoenix Mountain because crying only excited his abusers, and after suppressing tears for so long he lost the ability entirely.Song Qingshi becomes upset and insists that smiling when happy and crying when sad are natural human reactions, awkwardly declaring that he will one day bring Yue Wuhuan to tears in a healthy way.Yue Wuhuan responds with teasing innuendo, leaning close under his veil and telling Song Qingshi he looks forward to being made to cry out, while Song Qingshi interprets it innocently as motivation to study psychology.Song Qingshi overhears two rogue cultivators gossiping about Golden Phoenix Mountain and learns that the Crazy Daoist assaulted Jin Feiren after discovering that the Heartguard Tablet linked to Lieyun-zhenren’s disappearance thirty years ago had been in Jin Feiren’s possession.The cultivators speculate that Jin Feiren murdered Lieyun-zhenren to steal the Heartguard Tablet, which helps survive tribulations, though Jin Feiren denies responsibility.Song Qingshi angrily condemns Jin Feiren and tells Yue Wuhuan to refuse any requests for help from Golden Phoenix Mountain in the future.Yue Wuhuan claims ignorance about the Heartguard Tablet due to being a controlled slave, but internally recalls that he secretly uncovered Jin Feiren’s connection to the artifact and manipulated Tonggua-xianren into selling the evidence to the Crazy Daoist.Yue Wuhuan reveals internally that he endured two additional years of abuse after ensuring the Crazy Daoist would move against Jin Feiren, taking satisfaction in stabbing Jin Feiren from the shadows even as a powerless slave.The rogue cultivators shift their gossip to Medicine King’s Valley, insulting Song Qingshi as foolish and implying that Yue Wuhuan seduced and manipulated him with beauty and cunning words.They further degrade Yue Wuhuan by calling him a used and discarded slut from Golden Phoenix Mountain and insinuate that Song Qingshi cannot resist him.Song Qingshi turns pale with anger but decides not to flee, instead marching over to confront them despite obvious nervousness.The two cultivators initially mistake Song Qingshi for a timid beauty and flirt with him, unaware of his identity.Song Qingshi identifies himself as Song Qingshi of Medicine King’s Valley and crushes one cultivator’s wrist while poisoning both men with needles that cause agonizing itching rashes.Song Qingshi forces them to swallow a pill that silences their voices for ten years and declares seven days of pain for slandering Medicine King’s Valley and ten years of silence for insolence.Song Qingshi returns to Yue Wuhuan proud of having defended their honor, expecting praise.Yue Wuhuan, having barely restrained murderous intent during the confrontation, drags Song Qingshi to a well and obsessively scrubs the hand that touched the cultivator, calling them filthy.Yue Wuhuan quickly covers his possessive reaction by claiming it is for hygiene before eating lamb with their hands later, while Song Qingshi happily interprets it as Yue Wuhuan developing proper medical cleanliness habits.

Chapter 16Song Qingshi does not like lamb or spicy food, but he orders them anyway because Yue Wuhuan wants to eat them, and they enjoy a leisurely lunch before heading to the Pavilion of Heavenly Crafts.At the Pavilion of Heavenly Crafts, the master greets Song Qingshi and Yue Wuhuan politely but looks distressed because the craftsmen do not understand the modern instruments Song Qingshi wants made.Song Qingshi asks for a microscope, test tubes, lab flasks, a distiller, a pressure gauge, and an infrared spectrometer, thinking they are basic tools, but the craftsmen have no idea what magnifying glasses or germs are and feel completely baffled.Communication fails until Yue Wuhuan steps in to explain in terms immortals can understand, describing the microscope as a device to see tiny poison particles, the glassware as decorative vessels, and the distiller as a water-purifying kettle, which technically satisfies the master.The master of the Pavilion of Heavenly Crafts promises to make the items, and Yue Wuhuan skillfully haggles for over an hour, lowering the price and securing a long-term partnership by adding common medicines from Medicine King’s Valley.Song Qingshi trusts Yue Wuhuan completely and signs the final contract without even reading it.After leaving at night, Song Qingshi feels uncomfortable walking through the red-light district as sex workers flirt with him and others throw themselves at Yue Wuhuan, so he quickly enters Night Rain Pavilion while Yue Wuhuan’s expression relaxes under his veil.Night Rain Pavilion requires information seekers to enter alone, so Song Qingshi leaves Yue Wuhuan outside and meets Ye Lin, the pavilion master, who is friendly because Song Qingshi once treated his injuries.Ye Lin reveals that Huanxi-xianzun originally created the life seal without a reversal method, but later two solutions were developed: either a fenshen-level cultivator removes it directly or one uses a spirit essence array combined with the original sealing spell to cancel it out.Ye Lin explains that asking a fenshen-level master to remove a mortal’s life seal would be considered an insult, making the second method more practical.The second method requires extremely rare and expensive spirit essences costing at least ten to thirty thousand high-quality spirit crystals, and the specific sealing spell used by Xie Que must be written into the array, meaning Xie Que would demand a high price.Medicine King’s Valley is not wealthy because it prioritizes research over profit, and Ye Lin questions whether Yue Wuhuan, who has a terrible reputation as an escort, is worth such an expense.Song Qingshi firmly states he will buy spirit essence and refuses to leave the seal intact because the seal itself represents humiliation and prevents Yue Wuhuan’s mental recovery.Ye Lin suggests Mistress Lingmiao might have spirit essence for sale, and Song Qingshi offers to make her a youth-restoring elixir plus twenty thousand spirit crystals to persuade her, even though the original Medicine King had refused such a request before. to seek revenge while Xie Que has disappeared.Song Qingshi offers to pay double for information on Xie Que’s location, showing he intends to pursue him directly.After finishing at Night Rain Pavilion, Song Qingshi happily shops through the streets, buying red brocade clothes, dragon grass for medicine, milk cakes from Honor Pastry House, wine called Worry Not, books, medicine, and many daily necessities, indulging freely.Yue Wuhuan silently packs everything into an interspatial bag, planning to sort it later.Song Qingshi enters Immortal Love Books and buys nearly the entire medical section and an almanac, then notices a popular illustrated book titled Beauties of the Golden Age that most male customers are purchasing.When Song Qingshi flips through Beauties of the Golden Age, he discovers it is explicit pornography featuring Yue Wuhuan, including titles such as Sensual Blossoms at the Night Banquet, Splendor of the Golden Feathers, and Favoring Wuhuan-gongzi.The illustrations depict Yue Wuhuan in explicit scenes, emphasizing his phoenix eyes and beauty mark, exposing the humiliating past he endured at Golden Phoenix Mountain.Overwhelmed and horrified, Song Qingshi burns the book to ashes with underworld flames but realizes he cannot stop the prints from circulating everywhere.Yue Wuhuan drags the devastated Song Qingshi away to the river, where Song Qingshi finally understands that Golden Phoenix Mountain destroyed Yue Wuhuan’s body and the illustrated books destroyed his reputation permanently.Song Qingshi realizes that no matter how talented Yue Wuhuan becomes, people will only see him as a disgraced slave and object of debauchery, not as a cultivator with real ability.Song Qingshi breaks down crying by the river, feeling powerless to erase Yue Wuhuan’s suffering or restore his honor.Yue Wuhuan explains that the famous illustrator was brought to Golden Phoenix Mountain years ago, and Jin Feiren used the life seal to drug and force Yue Wuhuan to model for the pornographic prints to ensure he could never escape his fate.Jin Feiren deliberately spread the prints so that even if Yue Wuhuan fled, his identity and shame would follow him everywhere, causing Yue Wuhuan to give up resisting and become the shameless persona Jin Feiren wanted.Yue Wuhuan tells Song Qingshi that Song Qingshi gave him a new chance at life, that he has mentally prepared himself to adopt a new identity in the future, and that he is supposedly fine.Despite Yue Wuhuan’s calm words, he is visibly trembling and terrified as he removes his veil and finally begs Song Qingshi not to hate him for being “dirty,” revealing the depth of his trauma and fear of rejection.

Chapter 17That night, Song Qingshi tightly hugs Yue Wuhuan and rambles endlessly to comfort him, jumping between philosophy, medicine, sociology, and even English, German, and Latin, barely making sense but showing sincere concern.Yue Wuhuan regains his composure quickly and enjoys Song Qingshi’s comforting presence, though he feels bitterness because he knows their emotional desires are completely different.Yue Wuhuan reflects that he had always expected his past to be exposed and had even planned to orchestrate the discovery himself to secure Song Qingshi’s sympathy before others could use it to drive a wedge between them.When Song Qingshi actually discovered the pornographic book, Yue Wuhuan was genuinely embarrassed and shaken, especially because Song Qingshi’s eyes showed only anger and pity rather than desire.Song Qingshi’s feelings toward Yue Wuhuan are protective, admiring, and caring, while Yue Wuhuan’s feelings toward Song Qingshi are possessive, obsessive, and controlling.Yue Wuhuan resents Xie Que, Jin Feiren, and the corrupt world that ruined him, and he fantasizes about erasing everything outside Medicine King’s Valley so that only one clean place and one person, Song Qingshi, remain.The next morning, Song Qingshi and Yue Wuhuan abandon further exploration of Yue City and return to Medicine King’s Valley.On the journey back, Song Qingshi considers altering Yue Wuhuan’s appearance to protect his identity, even briefly thinking of plastic surgery, but he cannot bear to damage Yue Wuhuan’s beautiful face.They witness a fierce battle between two golden core cultivators, and after a prolonged fight, the black-robed cultivator is defeated and robbed by the victor, who flees, leaving the wounded man behind.Song Qingshi initially intends not to interfere, since murder and plunder are common in the immortal realm, but Yue Wuhuan persuades him to check if the injured man is still alive.The black-robed cultivator is severely wounded but still breathing, and Yue Wuhuan asks to bring him back to Medicine King’s Valley so he can practice suturing and trauma treatment under Song Qingshi’s guidance.Song Qingshi is touched by Yue Wuhuan’s apparent kindness and agrees, helping stabilize the injured man before transporting him back.In Medicine King’s Valley, Yue Wuhuan carefully sutures the wounds, boils medicine, feeds the patient, monitors his vitals, and keeps meticulous medical records, impressing Song Qingshi with his natural talent and precision.Three days later, the patient awakens and reveals his name is She Yun, a minor demonic cultivator who once visited Golden Phoenix Mountain.She Yun recognizes Yue Wuhuan as the enslaved beauty he once violated when Jin Feiren punished Yue Wuhuan by drugging him and offering him to guests.She Yun assumes Yue Wuhuan is still controlled by the life seal and grows aroused and greedy upon seeing him again.Yue Wuhuan feeds She Yun medicine along with a strange candy that is actually a puppet pill, rendering She Yun conscious but unable to move.Yue Wuhuan sets up a silencing array, lays out surgical tools including a scalpel, scissors, bone shears, forceps, and other instruments, and calmly explains them while She Yun begins to realize the danger.Yue Wuhuan reveals that the puppet pill prevents She Yun from moving but allows him to feel everything, ensuring full awareness of what is about to happen.She Yun begs for mercy, but Yue Wuhuan shows no sympathy and methodically tortures him, repeating the degrading phrases once used against him and reversing the roles of predator and victim.Yue Wuhuan takes twisted satisfaction in the revenge, acknowledging internally that he has gone mad.Later that night, after bathing and changing into clean red robes, Yue Wuhuan approaches Song Qingshi in the library as if nothing happened, appearing calm and in a good mood.Song Qingshi invites Yue Wuhuan to sit with him and gently warns him not to catch a cold from bathing late.Yue Wuhuan casually tells Song Qingshi that She Yun woke up and insisted on leaving, and that he let him go.Song Qingshi is slightly concerned about She Yun’s incomplete recovery but accepts that patients cannot be forced to stay.Yue Wuhuan assures Song Qingshi that She Yun paid him back so they owe each other nothing, concealing the fact that he murdered him.Yue Wuhuan leans into Song Qingshi, breathing in his scent, feeling his murderous urges subside as he convinces himself that Medicine King’s Valley and Song Qingshi are his clean and pure territory.

Chapter 18Song Qingshi excitedly welcomes six white mice sent by Ye Lin from Night Rain Pavilion, calling them his “babies” and explaining that they were specially sourced from the mortal realm.Yue Wuhuan is confused by Song Qingshi’s enthusiasm until Song Qingshi explains that mice share 98 percent of their DNA with humans and are ideal for medical testing.Song Qingshi plans to breed the mice into various controlled populations, including pathogen-free and germ-free groups, and possibly lines prone to specific diseases, expecting the process to take decades but seeing it as worthwhile due to cultivators’ long lifespans.Song Qingshi declares that he will live in the laboratory to personally ensure the mice adapt and reproduce, calling them his entire life.Yue Wuhuan suggests that instead of raising mice, Song Qingshi could experiment directly on humans like other apothecaries, but Song Qingshi firmly insists on testing medicines on animals first to confirm safety before human trials.Song Qingshi recounts that his teacher tested medicines on himself before asking for volunteers and that he admires his teacher’s strict ethics and dedication to advancing medicine for the public good.Yue Wuhuan becomes pale and asks if Song Qingshi’s teacher is still alive, and Song Qingshi truthfully says his teacher is in another world, alarming Yue Wuhuan.Yue Wuhuan begs to test medicines on himself in the future so that Song Qingshi does not have to risk harm, offering to spend his life like the mice and claiming he is not afraid of dying.Song Qingshi is alarmed by the mention of death and swears that both the mice and Yue Wuhuan are equally important to him and that he will personally ensure safety before anyone else tests anything.Yue Wuhuan is satisfied by this reassurance and solemnly accepts responsibility for caring for the mice and studying a thick manual on breeding.A servant delivers the invoice from Night Rain Pavilion showing that each ordinary mouse cost one hundred high-grade spirit crystals due to the difficulty of sourcing them from an uninhabited overseas island, and Song Qingshi pays without hesitation.Yue Wuhuan brings up the valley’s ledger, revealing that Medicine King’s Valley is operating at a deficit due to custom instruments from Pavilion of Heavenly Crafts, bulk herb purchases, and an unexplained expense of twenty thousand top-quality spirit crystals.Song Qingshi is horrified to discover the negative balance and realizes he has been spending recklessly without understanding finances, having been sheltered by wealthy parents in his previous life.Song Qingshi deliberately avoids explaining the twenty thousand spirit crystals because they are meant to fund the spirit essence to remove Yue Wuhuan’s life seal as a surprise.Yue Wuhuan chooses not to press the issue and instead promises to find ways to increase profits and stabilize their finances.Song Qingshi feels deeply guilty for neglecting the valley’s management and relying entirely on Yue Wuhuan to handle finances, daily affairs, and income generation while he immersed himself in research.Song Qingshi tearfully apologizes and vows to stop unnecessary spending, take on wealthy patients again, and live frugally so Yue Wuhuan does not have to work so hard.Yue Wuhuan gently reassures Song Qingshi that supporting his research is worthwhile and that he likes being busy because it distracts him from his past.Yue Wuhuan proposes a financial plan to buy land for herbs, stock ingredients, train apothecaries, and find an intermediary to sell low-level medicines since Medicine King’s Valley lacks commercial connections.Song Qingshi recognizes that conducting business requires power and status, which he lacks socially due to his anxiety, so he suggests asking An Long, master of Thousand Poison Sect and owner of a spirit crystal mine, to act as their angel investor.Yue Wuhuan notices that An Long writes frequently and sends expensive gifts, becoming suspicious of the relationship between Song Qingshi and An Long.Song Qingshi openly explains that he met An Long five hundred years ago in a secret realm when An Long was a rebellious youth who had just established his foundation, and they bonded over discussions of medicine and poison.Song Qingshi recalls that after he reached yuanying, he and An Long had a major argument for unknown reasons, after which An Long left in anger.Two hundred years later, An Long also reached yuanying, apologized by letter, and resumed correspondence, and since then they have maintained a good relationship.Yue Wuhuan cautiously asks whether An Long likes men, revealing jealousy and concern.Song Qingshi confidently assures Yue Wuhuan that An Long is promiscuous but completely straight and has never shown interest in men.Song Qingshi promises that if An Long ever lays a finger on Yue Wuhuan, he will break An Long’s legs, showing protective affection.

Chapter 19The entire Medicine King’s Valley prepares nervously for An Long’s arrival, and Song Qingshi carefully adjusts his robes while noticing that Yue Wuhuan is dressed plainly like a servant, which makes Song Qingshi feel guilty and determined to secure investment from Thousand Poison Sect.The poison mists part as An Long arrives, but chaos spreads among the servants when a massive white snake with silver scales and bloodred eyes slithers into the valley, terrifying them.The giant white snake affectionately rubs against Song Qingshi, and Song Qingshi happily recognizes it as Haolong, the small snake he once rescued five hundred years ago and later forced An Long to take away.An Long appears as a tall, muscular man with cropped hair, sharp features, and tattoos of the Five Poisons covering his arm, radiating danger until he smiles and reveals his familiar playful fang, showing he is still the same troublemaker.An Long jokes that Haolong preferred Song Qingshi and only settled for him, and Song Qingshi laughs while noting that Thousand Poison Sect is a better habitat for the snake.An Long comments on the rumors about Yue Wuhuan and casually calls him a “buddy,” then remarks that Yue Wuhuan is beautiful but too bad he is a man, offending Song Qingshi.Song Qingshi drags An Long into the main hall and lays down strict rules forbidding An Long from teasing, insulting, touching, drinking with, or even describing Yue Wuhuan in weird ways, listing twenty-six separate prohibitions.When An Long asks what Yue Wuhuan’s official position is, Song Qingshi realizes Yue Wuhuan lacks a proper title and feels the need to formalize his status.Song Qingshi finds Yue Wuhuan and suddenly asks if he wants to become his disciple so he can have an official position in Medicine King’s Valley.Yue Wuhuan eagerly agrees, revealing he secretly made a life plaque long ago with his heartblood and even added an array that would reveal his body’s location if he died, asking only to be cremated and remain in the valley.Song Qingshi is deeply moved and promises to protect Yue Wuhuan, then requests that Yue Wuhuan not call him “Shifu” to avoid painful associations with Yue Wuhuan’s former teacher.Yue Wuhuan accepts the condition and formally becomes Song Qingshi’s head disciple, and Song Qingshi proudly announces this to An Long.An Long is shocked by how quickly Song Qingshi took a disciple but says nothing further.Remembering his sister’s advice on attracting investors, Song Qingshi decides to entertain An Long by bringing him to the laboratory and enthusiastically demonstrating his bacterial cultivation methods.An Long watches Song Qingshi with intense emotion and carefully asks if Song Qingshi truly forgives him for their past argument.Song Qingshi laughs and admits he does not even remember most of what they fought about and that he forgave An Long long ago.An Long is overwhelmed with relief and emotion, confirming that Song Qingshi never lies, then hugs him tightly and cries into his shoulder, confessing how much he regretted the past and how happy he is to see him again.

Chapter 20Song Qingshi feels uneasy after settling An Long in Tranquil Mind Courtyard and carefully arranges mature servants, fine wine, and security arrays to prevent An Long from drunkenly causing trouble, yet senses he has forgotten something important.Late at night, Song Qingshi suddenly remembers that Haolong likes to eat mice and panics that the white snake might devour his precious research subjects.Song Qingshi rushes in disheveled sleepwear to An Long’s courtyard and knocks hesitantly, only for the drunken An Long to drag him into the room and onto the bed, mistaking him for someone else.An Long embraces Song Qingshi and pleads for him not to leave, but Song Qingshi’s protective spiritual fire activates and burns An Long’s hand, forcing him to release him.After lighting a candle, Song Qingshi angrily confronts An Long, who claims he thought Song Qingshi was Huang Ling, a young servant who had been flirting with him.Song Qingshi realizes his loose hair and white robe made him look ghostlike in the dark but decides not to pursue the embarrassment since they are both men and nothing serious happened.An Long casually admits Huang Ling flirted first and appears half-dressed and shameless, displaying his muscular physique while speaking provocatively.Song Qingshi ignores the provocation and focuses on finding Haolong, sternly warning the white snake not to eat any mice in Medicine King’s Valley and promising treats in exchange for obedience.An Long notices that Yue Wuhuan has been quietly observing from outside the courtyard and realizes Yue Wuhuan witnessed everything but pretended not to care.Yue Wuhuan bows respectfully when noticed, acting like a proper, restrained servant, though An Long internally suspects he is far more dangerous than he appears.Song Qingshi drags Yue Wuhuan away and angrily compares An Long to an uncontrollable Alaskan malamute, trying to reassure Yue Wuhuan not to take An Long seriously.Yue Wuhuan reports that Huang Ling has indeed been trying to seduce An Long and asks whether she should be sent away to the village for breaking rules.Song Qingshi agrees to send Huang Ling away, reasoning that Medicine King’s Valley cannot keep servants with ulterior motives and that An Long’s notorious playboy reputation would only cause trouble.Yue Wuhuan subtly reacts to the smell of alcohol on Song Qingshi, and Song Qingshi immediately becomes uncomfortable and rushes to bathe to wash away the scent.While bathing in the hot spring, Song Qingshi becomes self-conscious about his soft body after comparing himself to An Long’s muscular build and Yue Wuhuan’s toned physique, briefly considering exercising to appear more manly.Outside the bath, Yue Wuhuan calmly reads and idly plays with his scalpel under candlelight, suppressing his anger toward An Long and masking his disgust beneath a composed exterior.Yue Wuhuan reflects that years of suffering taught him to hide his rage behind smiles and patience, waiting quietly for the right moment to strike like a venomous predator.

Chapter 21Song Qingshi brings Yue Wuhuan to the neglected ancestral hall of Medicine King’s Valley to formally bow to Song Qingshi’s teacher and complete the disciple ceremony.The ancestral hall is shabby and dusty, containing only simple furniture and a scroll depicting clouds pierced by light, which is the only physical item left behind by Song Qingshi’s teacher.Song Qingshi explains that he inherited the knowledge of his teacher, who only left the surname Song, and he adopted that surname out of respect after gaining the inheritance in a secret realm.Song Qingshi admits he does not fully understand the meaning of the scroll but continues to worship it, and tells Yue Wuhuan that all the sect’s copied knowledge is stored in the library for study.When Yue Wuhuan attempts to kneel and light incense, the incense repeatedly goes out, making Yue Wuhuan worry that Shizu does not accept him.Song Qingshi concludes that his teacher likely dislikes blind reverence and prefers questioning, since the inherited motto was “Question,” encouraging students to challenge authority and correct mistakes.Yue Wuhuan lights the incense without kneeling and performs a respectful bow instead, and the incense continues burning, completing the ceremony.Song Qingshi states that if he dies, he does not want worship or portraits, but hopes future disciples will question him, correct him, and continue advancing knowledge.Yue Wuhuan reacts fiercely to Song Qingshi casually speaking of death and angrily forbids him from inviting bad luck, revealing his deep fear of losing him.Yue Wuhuan continues preparing sweets daily for Song Qingshi, having learned recipes to personally spoil him, while An Long repeatedly pesters Yue Wuhuan to make sweets for him as well.Song Qingshi becomes angry at An Long for treating Yue Wuhuan like a servant and decides to cook sticky rice cakes himself to prevent An Long from troubling Yue Wuhuan.Song Qingshi struggles disastrously in the kitchen and produces blackened rice cakes that look like charcoal briquettes.An Long deliberately eats the terrible rice cakes and pretends they taste fine, only for Song Qingshi to try one himself and discover they are disgustingly inedible, causing him to nearly cry.An Long laughs uproariously but promises not to ask Yue Wuhuan for food again, successfully appeasing Song Qingshi.An Long invites Song Qingshi to see a new bug creation, and on the way teases him about being overly protective of Yue Wuhuan and suspects something is unusual.Later, An Long throws a paper-wrapped double-headed centipede at Yue Wuhuan as a prank, but Yue Wuhuan calmly grabs it without fear and calls out An Long’s childish behavior.An Long provocatively compares Yue Wuhuan’s beauty to Lady Wan of Bright Moon Pavilion and mocks his past, mentioning Yu Qing, who once obsessed over him before being killed by An Long for slandering Song Qingshi.Yue Wuhuan responds coolly and sarcastically, accepting insults about being a prostitute and opera performer while subtly challenging An Long’s interest.An Long corners Yue Wuhuan against a wall, grips his chin, and openly declares curiosity about what lies beneath Yue Wuhuan’s beautiful façade, revealing suspicion of hidden motives.Yue Wuhuan tricks An Long by claiming Song Qingshi has arrived, causing An Long to release him in panic before realizing he had blocked spiritual detection.At that moment, Song Qingshi actually appears, having noticed An Long concealed his spiritual presence, and ignites spirit fire to drive An Long back, believing he is bullying Yue Wuhuan.Song Qingshi immediately sides with Yue Wuhuan without question, convinced that An Long, as a powerful body cultivator, would easily overpower his fragile disciple.Yue Wuhuan sweetly claims they were only joking, and An Long plays along, hiding his fury while promising future retaliation.After dragging Song Qingshi away, An Long reflects that as Xilin Poison King he normally uses brute force, but now suspects Yue Wuhuan has hidden ambitions or feelings for Song Qingshi and decides to investigate discreetly before crushing him if necessary.Yue Wuhuan realizes An Long suspects him but calmly resolves that if An Long wants to see what lies beneath his façade, he will show him and let An Long deal with the consequences.

Chapter 22An Long spends the entire night clinging to Song Qingshi, pestering him about venomous insects and medical theory, deliberately angering him five times and soothing him five times while enjoying being scolded.Song Qingshi can only mutter weak insults like “shameless,” “annoying,” and “asshole,” puffing up in frustration, which only delights An Long further.An Long knows Song Qingshi has a good temper as long as boundaries are not crossed, and he even carries antidotes in case of poison, viewing any injury as an excuse to receive Song Qingshi’s personal care.Exhausted from dealing with An Long, Song Qingshi goes to bed early, while An Long returns to Tranquil Mind Courtyard intending to drink more wine.An Long senses that all servants are gone and detects Yue Wuhuan’s presence waiting alone in his courtyard, and he confidently assumes Yue Wuhuan has come to throw himself at him.Yue Wuhuan lounges in moonlight on a daybed in an inviting pose, deliberately presenting himself with alluring beauty and seductive movements to confront An Long.Yue Wuhuan openly declares he has come to show An Long his “true self,” removing his outer robe and revealing a red ice-silk inner robe that accentuates his body, intentionally escalating the seduction.Yue Wuhuan approaches An Long provocatively, suggesting that men understand how to please men best and offering to demonstrate countless tricks to satisfy him.An Long blushes and retreats despite his reputation, nearly succumbing to Yue Wuhuan’s calculated temptation, realizing that Yue Wuhuan’s seductive skills far exceed mere rumors.Yue Wuhuan guides An Long’s hand toward the thin golden rope at his waist, inviting him to inspect every inch of his “true self,” pushing the situation to its limit.An Long finally regains control, shakes off Yue Wuhuan, releases venomous insects in anger, and threatens him, accusing him of courting death.When Yue Wuhuan hears the word “death,” he responds with disturbing desire and urges An Long to kill him, revealing reckless indifference toward his own life.Unable to tolerate the situation, An Long wraps Yue Wuhuan in his discarded robe and throws him out of the room to stop himself from crossing a line.Outside, Yue Wuhuan calmly rearranges his clothes and mockingly apologizes through the door, only for An Long to shout at him to act like a real man.Yue Wuhuan bitterly reflects that he once dreamed of becoming a powerful swordsman like Mo Yuan and protecting a gentle companion, but his life seal and past abuse froze him in a youthful body and stripped him of masculine dignity.Yue Wuhuan accepts that he can never reclaim that future and resolves that his only remaining value is to be useful to Song Qingshi while keeping anything filthy from touching him.Inside, An Long drinks heavily and realizes killing Yue Wuhuan would destroy his relationship with Song Qingshi, and exposing Yue Wuhuan’s behavior would only backfire because of Yue Wuhuan’s notorious past and An Long’s own flirtatious reputation.An Long concludes that Song Qingshi views Yue Wuhuan as a patient and, given Song Qingshi’s disinterest in desire and obsession with medicine, will never fall for Yue Wuhuan’s seduction.An Long decides the safest course is to distance himself from Yue Wuhuan to avoid further complications, fearing Yue Wuhuan might latch onto him instead.Meanwhile, Yue Wuhuan walks through the dark garden, restoring his cold and restrained demeanor and reflecting that An Long suspects him and seeks to investigate his intentions.Yue Wuhuan reveals that tonight’s seduction was intentional, designed to appear harmless and lewd so An Long would lower his guard and stop suspecting deeper schemes.Yue Wuhuan calculates that if An Long had killed or taken him, it would have turned Song Qingshi against An Long permanently, which would have been an acceptable outcome to him.Yue Wuhuan concludes that he has learned two crucial things: An Long harbors ulterior motives toward Song Qingshi, and An Long is likely still a virgin despite his reputation, prompting Yue Wuhuan to reconsider many rumors about the Xilin Poison King.

Chapter 23An Long spends a sleepless night tormented by thoughts of Yue Wuhuan’s seduction, feeling shaken for the first time in his life and swearing revenge to restore his pride.The next morning, An Long tries to avoid Yue Wuhuan after spotting him reporting to Song Qingshi in the lab, fleeing over the wall to prevent himself from reacting impulsively.Determined to retaliate without crossing Song Qingshi’s boundaries, An Long decides to use an illusion bug that manifests a person’s deepest desires, usually erotic fantasies, intending to expose Yue Wuhuan’s hidden cravings and humiliate him in front of Song Qingshi.The illusion bug reaches Yue Wuhuan while he is alone in the library, causing dizziness and pulling him into a vivid dream world shaped by his innermost longing.In the illusion, Yue Wuhuan lives an alternate life where he escapes Xie Que early, avoids enslavement, becomes a talented swordsman under a righteous master, forms a golden core, kills Xie Que, and rises to yuanying level as a renowned, elegant sword master admired by all.In this imagined life, Yue Wuhuan wears bright red and gold brocade, gathers rare gems as tokens for someone special, and rejects countless admirers while waiting for the one person he truly desires.Yue Wuhuan practices swordsmanship beneath peach blossoms and eventually notices a quiet youth watching him daily from another mountain without crossing boundaries.Yue Wuhuan secretly visits the youth’s mountain and discovers Song Qingshi, a pale, gentle, bookish figure absorbed in medical research, whose pure and dustless eyes captivate him completely.Yue Wuhuan begins courting Song Qingshi through elaborate gestures, leaving gems and rare herbs, performing dazzling sword displays, releasing lanterns filled with pearls, and orchestrating birds to sing “A Phoenix Seeks His Mate,” though Song Qingshi remains adorably slow to understand.Eventually, Song Qingshi timidly visits Yue Wuhuan after noticing his absence, revealing he had long been aware of the gestures and secretly reciprocated with elixirs and concern.In the illusion, Yue Wuhuan and Song Qingshi become companions who travel the world, heal others, admire beautiful landscapes, drink wine, and finally confess mutual love, with Song Qingshi repeatedly saying, “Wuhuan, I like you.”Yue Wuhuan gives Song Qingshi his hoarded gems and treasures, and they build a shared life together in freedom and equality.The dream begins to unravel when Yue Wuhuan looks into a mirror for the first time and sees his ideal adult self: tall, strong, handsome, and untainted.The reflection distorts, revealing the red mole beneath his eye, the life seal brand on his back, and his weakened, youthful body, shattering the illusion of strength and purity.Yue Wuhuan smashes the mirror, and the illusion collapses, returning him to reality where he remains trapped in his compromised body and disgraced identity.Awakening from the illusion, Yue Wuhuan is overwhelmed by despair, seeing himself as filthy and powerless, trembling and unable to breathe as he spirals toward collapse.Yue Wuhuan’s self-loathing intensifies as he recognizes that even before Medicine King’s Valley, he had already begun caring for Song Qingshi since their first meeting by the river.As Yue Wuhuan physically convulses and suffocates from emotional shock, Song Qingshi senses something wrong, rushes into the library, and gathers him in his arms.Yue Wuhuan tries to call out but can only produce a hoarse cry before collapsing unconscious, with the last echo in his mind being Song Qingshi’s imagined confession, “Wuhuan, I like you.”

Chapter 24Yue Wuhuan’s mental state collapses suddenly, forcing Song Qingshi to knock him unconscious with acupuncture to prevent further harm and stabilize his condition.Song Qingshi is devastated that months of psychological treatment seem erased in an instant, but he forces himself to remain rational and approach the setback like a failed medical experiment.Upon examination, Song Qingshi discovers the satiated illusion bug on Yue Wuhuan and realizes it is the cause of the breakdown.Song Qingshi reflects on his prior knowledge of illusion bugs from An Long, understanding that they create idealized fantasies based on desire and are addictive but not normally harmful or nightmarish.Song Qingshi recalls using an illusion bug once himself and experiencing a paradise where Medicine King’s Valley had endless herbs and resources, though the illusion shattered when flaws appeared.Song Qingshi cannot comprehend what kind of desire or flaw in Yue Wuhuan’s illusion could have triggered such catastrophic emotional collapse.Song Qingshi administers calming incense, soothing medicine, acupuncture, and spiritual massage to ease Yue Wuhuan’s tension, watching him finally fall into deep sleep.While tending to him, Song Qingshi briefly touches the red mole under Yue Wuhuan’s eye, then withdraws when Yue Wuhuan trembles in discomfort.Alone, Song Qingshi reflects on his failures as a psychologist, realizing Yue Wuhuan had been masking symptoms and living only to please him, showing no personal preferences or boundaries.Song Qingshi recognizes that he treated Yue Wuhuan’s physical injuries but avoided confronting his deeper trauma, allowing the emotional wound to fester unseen.Furious at the immediate cause, Song Qingshi unleashes both of his spiritual fires across Medicine King’s Valley to hunt down An Long.An Long flees through the valley as buildings catch fire, eventually realizing Song Qingshi is trying to kill him because of the illusion bug incident.An Long protests that the illusion bug only reflects desire and cannot create nightmares, insisting he had meant it as a harmless prank.Song Qingshi angrily reminds An Long that pranking Yue Wuhuan was explicitly forbidden and threatens to end their partnership entirely.After burning and humiliating An Long into submission, Song Qingshi forces him to reveal all details about the illusion bug’s residual traces.An Long explains that the bug retains faint remnants of the strongest emotional scenes from the illusion, which can be accessed to see what the victim experienced.An Long originally intended to expose Yue Wuhuan’s private desires to Song Qingshi as a form of humiliation but now fears further consequences and begs to avoid being banned from the valley.Song Qingshi refuses to access the illusion remnants without Yue Wuhuan’s consent, citing respect for privacy and challenging An Long with a parallel about exposing his own secrets.Song Qingshi begins questioning whether his own sheltered life prevents him from understanding Yue Wuhuan’s suffering, wondering if he must personally experience pain to comprehend it.Seeking professional clarity, Song Qingshi asks An Long about the treatment and suffering of slaves, preparing to confront the reality of Yue Wuhuan’s past trauma directly.An Long, now subdued and cautious, acknowledges some familiarity with such matters while maintaining a reformed and restrained demeanor under Song Qingshi’s scrutiny.

Chapter 25Song Qingshi and An Long engage in a heated professional debate about anatomy, internal injuries, and the physical and psychological effects of slavery, attempting to deduce the roots of Yue Wuhuan’s trauma despite neither having firsthand experience.An Long internally reflects that Song Qingshi’s dual spiritual fires make him impossible to restrain or capture, which is the only reason An Long has never abducted him to Thousand Poison Sect.An Long argues that theoretical discussion is insufficient and suggests that real experience is needed to understand the suffering of slaves.An Long refuses to volunteer himself as a test subject, boasting that no one is capable of overpowering him, then half-jokingly offers to “bully” Song Qingshi for scientific purposes.Song Qingshi seriously considers the idea for fifteen minutes but ultimately rejects it after suspecting An Long’s ulterior motives and remembering his history of pranks.Song Qingshi realizes that being pushed around physically is not the core of Yue Wuhuan’s trauma and abandons the discussion, deciding it is unhelpful.Haolong coils around Song Qingshi affectionately, but Song Qingshi senses Yue Wuhuan awakening and immediately rushes to him, leaving An Long and Haolong behind.Yue Wuhuan wakes in confusion, torn between the unbearable reality of his life and the joy of the illusion, unable to reconcile the two and spiraling toward instability.Staring at himself in the mirror, Yue Wuhuan fixates on the red mole beneath his eye and begins to believe that removing it might allow him to become the stronger, ideal self from the illusion.Finding all sharp tools removed, Yue Wuhuan breaks a ceramic box, picks up a shard, and cuts beneath his left eye, repeatedly slicing until he carves out the mole from his own flesh without feeling pain.When Song Qingshi enters the room, he finds Yue Wuhuan smiling gently while holding the bloody ceramic shard and the removed piece of flesh, his face streaked with blood.Song Qingshi panics, seizes the shard, and immediately begins treating the wound, horrified that Yue Wuhuan nearly destroyed half his face.Yue Wuhuan reassures Song Qingshi softly that he is fine, while Song Qingshi trembles and insists the wood elemental spiritual roots will prevent scarring, though he knows the physical scar is not the true problem.Song Qingshi realizes that Yue Wuhuan’s mental condition has deteriorated to a terrifying level and fears he himself may collapse under the strain of trying to save him.An Long and Haolong peer into the doorway in shock, and An Long regrets provoking someone as psychologically fragile as Yue Wuhuan, recognizing that he underestimated the severity of Yue Wuhuan’s illness.

Chapter 26An Long produces a rare lock bug, a harmless white grub that absorbs overwhelming emotions and stabilizes mood by siphoning excess desire, explaining it was cultivated specifically for mental health treatment.Song Qingshi tests the lock bug on himself and confirms it truly only regulates emotions without harmful side effects, marveling that An Long would raise such a meticulous creature despite preferring violent insects.When Song Qingshi asks why An Long created something so unsuited to his personality, An Long admits he did it because he wanted to be friends with Song Qingshi, framing it as a gift.Song Qingshi accepts the explanation and brings the lock bug to Yue Wuhuan, who wakes with bandages on his face after cutting out his mole and apologizes repeatedly for causing trouble while trembling and avoiding eye contact.Song Qingshi recalls advice that a man’s mouth is the source of lies and chooses to trust the lock bug’s objective effect rather than Yue Wuhuan’s reassurances.Yue Wuhuan allows the lock bug to enter his body, and within half an hour his tremors cease, his heartbeat steadies, and he can look at Song Qingshi without forcing a façade, as the bug siphons off his suppressed desires.Song Qingshi explains that An Long used an illusion bug on him and gently asks what Yue Wuhuan saw in the illusion, offering to respect his privacy if he prefers silence.Yue Wuhuan firmly refuses to share the contents of the illusion and instead asks Song Qingshi to keep the illusion bug, requesting that after Yue Wuhuan dies someday, Song Qingshi open the box and look inside to understand his feelings.Song Qingshi calmly agrees and stores the illusion bug away, then announces he will reject Thousand Poison Sect’s investment to avoid further entanglement with An Long and instead rely on Ye Lin and Night Rain Pavilion for distribution despite reduced profits.Song Qingshi prioritizes Yue Wuhuan’s treatment above all research and finances, deciding to endure temporary hardship and sell unused artifacts rather than risk further chaos.To repay An Long for the lock bug, Song Qingshi reluctantly gifts him a priceless bottle of purple flower dew from the treasury, even though the ingredients are extinct and it pains him to part with it.An Long immediately understands that the gift signals dismissal and realizes Song Qingshi is driving him away in order to focus entirely on Yue Wuhuan.Before leaving, An Long suddenly drags Song Qingshi into his arms and bites into his neck hard enough to draw blood, tasting it deliberately before releasing him when spiritual fire flares in defense.Song Qingshi angrily kicks An Long away and expels both An Long and Haolong from Medicine King’s Valley, slamming the gates shut behind them.Haolong refuses to leave at first, grieving because Song Qingshi once saved and nurtured it from a weak worm, only to later hand it over to An Long despite its attempts to prove its worth.An Long coldly tells Haolong that Song Qingshi treats everyone kindly at first but becomes equally ruthless afterward, insisting no one remains by his side forever.An Long reflects bitterly that five hundred years ago Song Qingshi taught him despair and darkness, revealing lingering unresolved history between them.Despite his resentment, An Long admits Song Qingshi only grows more endearing, ominously anticipating the expression on Song Qingshi’s face when he eventually realizes something important.With a hardened expression, An Long leaves with Haolong and hints that he plans to deal with someone else next, suggesting future conflict.

Chapter 27Yue Wuhuan’s swordsmanship improves rapidly, and he realizes that the techniques he practiced inside the illusion have become instinctive, allowing him to execute deadly strokes capable of destroying protective artifacts and piercing a heart despite never having killed before.Yue Wuhuan is disturbed that the illusion bug should not grant real combat experience, yet the sword skills feel genuine, and he suppresses the unsettling thought by convincing himself that miracles happen in the immortal realm.Song Qingshi watches Yue Wuhuan train, then summons him to a stone bench with a notebook labeled “Hobbies,” determined to systematically record Yue Wuhuan’s preferences to avoid further misunderstandings.Song Qingshi insists Yue Wuhuan answer honestly and not tailor responses to please him, beginning with questions about favorite food.Yue Wuhuan admits he damaged his stomach during periods of starvation in the past and now prefers fasting elixirs for convenience rather than enjoyment.When asked what he likes, Yue Wuhuan deflects by saying he likes Song Qingshi, causing Song Qingshi to blush and clarify he meant material preferences.Yue Wuhuan claims he has no particular desires because Song Qingshi has already given him everything, hiding his former wish for treasured gems to avoid burdening him.Yue Wuhuan lists white as his favorite color and names sword practice, making medicine, reading, and studying as preferred activities.Yue Wuhuan reveals his birthday is February fourteenth, and Song Qingshi privately reacts to the coincidence with Valentine’s Day from his previous world while Yue Wuhuan remains confused.Song Qingshi closes his notebook, satisfied with the data and secretly planning to use Yue Wuhuan’s upcoming birthday to present a surprise involving spirit essence and information about Xie Que to improve his mood.Although Yue Wuhuan carved out his mole completely, it mysteriously regrows twice, brighter than before, and Song Qingshi cannot explain it scientifically despite examination.Song Qingshi suspects Yue Wuhuan might relapse and decides to monitor him constantly, even sleeping on the floor beside his bed like a vigilant family member.Yue Wuhuan is shocked to find Song Qingshi asleep on the floor and awkwardly attempts to persuade him to sleep on the bed instead.Song Qingshi eagerly accepts and climbs into the large bed while assuring Yue Wuhuan that he is a deep sleeper who never moves or behaves improperly.Song Qingshi quickly falls asleep in a defenseless posture, exposing pale skin and messy hair, completely unaware of the effect he has.Yue Wuhuan struggles with possessive and obsessive impulses, yearning to conquer and monopolize someone entirely, yet restrains himself because Song Qingshi trusts him and must remain untouched by filth.Due to his Icy Jade cultivation lowering his body temperature, Song Qingshi unconsciously seeks warmth in his sleep and wraps himself around Yue Wuhuan, trapping him in an intimate embrace with limbs entwined.Yue Wuhuan endures the entire night in torment, unable to move freely or use force, quietly begging Song Qingshi to release him while repeatedly activating the lock bug to suppress overwhelming thoughts.By morning, Song Qingshi rolls back to his original position exactly as he had fallen asleep, unaware of his nocturnal behavior and proudly claiming he is well-behaved in sleep.Yue Wuhuan suppresses his frustration and confirms Song Qingshi’s self-assessment despite knowing the opposite is true.Song Qingshi happily asks to continue sleeping there nightly, believing his presence will help Yue Wuhuan overcome fear of touch through pure companionship.Yue Wuhuan agrees through gritted teeth, resolving to treat it as a cultivation trial of willpower while preparing to take a cold bath to calm himself.

Chapter 28Yue Wuhuan’s sword skills advance rapidly, and he realizes the techniques from the illusion have fused with his body, allowing him to instinctively execute lethal moves capable of breaking protective artifacts and piercing a heart, even though he has never killed before.Yue Wuhuan is troubled that the illusion bug should not grant real combat experience, yet he cannot deny the authenticity of the swordsmanship, and he suppresses the doubt by convincing himself miracles occur in the immortal realm.Song Qingshi pretends calm but secretly plans a surprise for Yue Wuhuan’s upcoming birthday, having already obtained spirit essence and information about Xie Que’s whereabouts from Night Rain Pavilion.Song Qingshi leaves Medicine King’s Valley under the excuse of collecting goods, entrusting Yue Wuhuan with the mice and reinforcing the valley’s defenses with arrays and servants before flying alone toward Yanyun Mountains in Nanchuan.Song Qingshi arrives at Ruoxu Peak, a remote mortal region devoid of spiritual energy and cultivator activity, and his expression turns cold after recalling Ye Lin’s letter confirming Xie Que has returned to Yan Mountain Sect.Yan Mountain Sect is revealed as a secluded compound where Xie Que lures mortal children with promises of paradise, isolates them from the outside world, teaches them superficial cultivation, and brainwashes them into obedience under the guise of benevolence.Song Qingshi feels crushing guilt over the original Song Qingshi’s failure to see through Xie Que years ago and regrets not arriving earlier to prevent Yue Wuhuan’s suffering.Using dragonflies and butterflies as extensions of his senses, a technique learned from An Long, Song Qingshi stealthily surveys Yan Mountain Sect and confirms there are around twenty unusually beautiful children ranging from six to eighteen years old.The children appear happy and harmonious, studying, practicing archery, reciting texts, cooking, and caring for animals, creating a deceptive image of paradise.Spirit dogs disguised as ordinary pets guard the sect to prevent slaves from escaping, exposing the darker purpose beneath the idyllic setting.Xie Que appears and disciplines a mischievous boy named Minghong, comparing him to Yue Wuhuan and praising Yue Wuhuan’s former perfection while subtly reshaping Minghong into the next prized disciple.Minghong, bearing slight resemblance to Yue Wuhuan, declares devotion to Xie Que and promises not to disappoint him, echoing the same loyalty Yue Wuhuan once expressed.Unable to endure the façade, Song Qingshi unleashes his red lotus spiritual fire to seal the study and enters wielding hellfire, confronting Xie Que directly.Xie Que attempts to feign gratitude and innocence, claiming Golden Phoenix Mountain forced him to give up Yue Wuhuan and portraying himself as a victim of circumstance.Song Qingshi burns Xie Que’s face with underworld fire, declaring he does not need that face, and the flames consume flesh down to bone as Xie Que screams.Xie Que internally calculates that Yue Wuhuan must have influenced Song Qingshi and reflects dismissively that Yue Wuhuan was his most profitable sale and no longer worth concern.Minghong throws himself at Song Qingshi in desperate defense of Xie Que, biting and kicking despite his weakness, shouting for his teacher to escape.Song Qingshi watches Minghong’s fierce loyalty and recognizes the same blind devotion and innocence Yue Wuhuan once displayed toward Xie Que.Looking between Minghong and the disfigured Xie Que, Song Qingshi quietly realizes that Minghong is just like Yue Wuhuan once was, standing at the edge of the same abyss.

Chapter 29Xie Que desperately lies and tries to bargain for his life, but Song Qingshi unleashes black lotus poisonous fire that destroys Xie Que’s protective jade pendant and burns through his legs, leaving him crippled on the floor.Xie Que offers Minghong as a replacement for Yue Wuhuan and attempts to distract Song Qingshi by mentioning Yue Wuhuan’s past while secretly inching toward a hidden escape array.Qingluan tears down the scroll concealing the teleportation array, preventing Xie Que’s escape and exposing his plan to flee.Song Qingshi immobilizes Xie Que completely with underworld fire and invades his mind to retrieve the secret spell used to carve the life seal.In Xie Que’s memories, Song Qingshi witnesses Qingluan being captured by spirit dogs, locked in an array, branded with a life seal through torture, and reduced to livestock while Xie Que smiles coldly at her suffering.After extracting the necessary spell, Song Qingshi destroys Xie Que’s mind and seals his soul in a prepared container so death will not free him.Minghong continues to defend Xie Que blindly, believing him a benevolent savior, until Qingluan slaps him and reveals the life seal on her back as proof of betrayal.Qingluan explains that Xie Que sold her to Bright Moon Pavilion, the largest brothel in the immortal realm, where she would become a prostitute, and that Minghong was chosen to replace Yue Wuhuan at Golden Phoenix Mountain.Qingluan reveals that Yue Wuhuan was not ungrateful but was sent to Golden Phoenix Mountain where he was broken, and that Minghong’s resemblance to Yue Wuhuan sealed his fate.Minghong collapses in horror as Qingluan describes in detail what would have been done to him, finally understanding the truth.Song Qingshi retrieves Xie Que’s interspatial pouch containing tens of thousands of spiritual crystals, account books, contracts, and life beads, including Qingluan’s.Song Qingshi finds Yue Wuhuan’s name in the ledger and learns that one thousand five hundred mermaid pearls was the price paid to sell him, and the words feel like blades piercing his eyes.Song Qingshi gives Qingluan her contract and life bead, freeing her from Bright Moon Pavilion’s claim.Unable to abandon the children, Song Qingshi offers them a choice: return to mortal life with a longevity elixir or come to Medicine King’s Valley as servants and apprentices in medical work.Qingluan gathers the children and exposes Xie Que’s crimes using the contracts and life seals as evidence, causing chaos, tears, and vomiting as the truth shatters their paradise.Song Qingshi writes to Ye Lin requesting Immortal Beast Sect transport to ferry the children safely to Medicine King’s Valley, intending to fund it with Xie Que’s stolen wealth.Song Qingshi also writes briefly to Yue Wuhuan, promising he is safe and will return soon, struggling over how much to say.In a quiet conversation, Qingluan recounts her memories of Yue Wuhuan as kind, gentle, dazzlingly beautiful, fond of red clothing, and admired by all the children.Qingluan reveals that Yue Wuhuan was obsessively clean even as a child, refusing to eat food others touched or let others sit on his bed, silently enduring discomfort rather than complaining.Qingluan leads Song Qingshi to a hidden wooden box Yue Wuhuan once kept, filled with beautiful but worthless stones he carefully collected by the river and treasured beside his pillow.Qingluan explains that Xie Que emptied the box after Yue Wuhuan was sold, and she hid the remaining stones in case Yue Wuhuan ever returned.Holding the box, Song Qingshi feels crushing guilt and tenderness, realizing how small and innocent Yue Wuhuan’s private treasures once were.Qingluan observes that Song Qingshi must like Yue Wuhuan deeply to go so far for him, forcing Song Qingshi to confront the difference between professional care and romantic feeling.Song Qingshi analyzes love in clinical terms, questioning whether he is affected by phenethylamine and insisting that as a doctor he must remain professional and unbiased.Standing by the river, Song Qingshi begins sifting through thousands of stones, searching for the most beautiful ones worthy of Yue Wuhuan, determined to fill the box again no matter how long it takes.

Chapter 30Song Qingshi arranges for Immortal Beast Sect to transport Qingluan and the rescued children by airborne boat, signs the shipping contract, and watches Yan Mountain Sect burn under his red lotus spiritual fire before departing.Unable to wait to see Yue Wuhuan, Song Qingshi parts from the convoy midway and detours through several cities, hurrying back to Medicine King’s Valley and arriving close to eleven at night.Yue Wuhuan has been waiting awake for Song Qingshi’s return and greets him with a smile, saying he could not sleep because Song Qingshi promised to come back that day.Song Qingshi immediately takes Yue Wuhuan on his spirit beast to Xinyi Mountain, the highest and quietest peak in Medicine King’s Valley, where Duruo Pavilion offers a clear view of the night sky untouched by mist.Sitting close together beneath the stars and lantern light, Song Qingshi announces he has prepared three gifts for Yue Wuhuan.Song Qingshi places a piece of dark spirit essence into Yue Wuhuan’s palm and weaves complex spiritual runes through it, pushing the power into Yue Wuhuan’s soul to dissolve the life seal and destroy the life bead that bound him.Yue Wuhuan feels burning heat along his hands and back as the shackles crumble, then experiences a surge of spiritual power flooding his meridians before settling, realizing the brand that marked him as livestock is completely gone.Yue Wuhuan reveals his back, showing that the humiliating seal has vanished and only a small red phoenix-shaped birthmark remains on his shoulder blade, which Song Qingshi pokes and calls cute.Overwhelmed with gratitude too deep for words, Yue Wuhuan bows, silently vowing to repay Song Qingshi for the rest of his life.Song Qingshi presents the second gift, a soul lantern containing Xie Que’s writhing soul, explaining that he killed Xie Que and imprisoned his spirit so he can never find peace.Song Qingshi tells Yue Wuhuan to vent his anger on Xie Que whenever he wishes and to shatter the lantern only if he one day frees himself from hatred, promising he will understand.Song Qingshi admits he wanted to kill Jin Feiren as well but refrained because Golden Phoenix Mountain has three fenshen cultivators and Jin Feiren is heavily protected with poison antidotes and defensive artifacts.Yue Wuhuan urgently stops Song Qingshi from targeting Jin Feiren, revealing firsthand knowledge of Golden Phoenix Mountain’s strength and insisting it is enough that Xie Que is dead.Song Qingshi jokingly calls the soul lantern a good stress toy, while Yue Wuhuan resolves privately to treasure it and never let it break.Song Qingshi then presents the third gift, an old wooden box carved with a bird, which once belonged to Yue Wuhuan in his childhood.Yue Wuhuan opens the box and finds it filled with pearls, sapphires, rubies, diamonds, and the river stones he once treasured, realizing Song Qingshi recovered and refilled it.Among the stones, Yue Wuhuan recognizes a smooth white pebble from Ruoxu Peak, still faintly wet, understanding that Song Qingshi personally stood in the river to search for it.Song Qingshi shyly apologizes that he could only afford mortal gems due to Medicine King’s Valley’s finances, promising to obtain better immortal treasures in the future.Yue Wuhuan declares he already has the best gift and pulls Song Qingshi into a tight embrace, overwhelmed as the lock bug struggles to contain his surging emotions.Yue Wuhuan silently dedicates his body, soul, and heart to Song Qingshi forever, though he cannot voice the words aloud.Song Qingshi ignites red lotus spiritual fire into brilliant fireworks above the valley and, standing beneath the sparkling light, sincerely wishes Yue Wuhuan a happy birthday.

Chapter 31Song Qingshi feels deep embarrassment that Yue Wuhuan’s first birthday celebration was rushed and simple compared to the extravagant birthdays he once had in his previous life, complete with cakes, concerts, luxury gifts, and charity donations in his name.Song Qingshi worries that removing the life seal was a long-overdue promise rather than a true gift, that Xie Que’s tormented soul is too cruel to count as a present, and that the wooden box originally belonged to Yue Wuhuan, making his additions feel insignificant.To improve the atmosphere, Song Qingshi sets off more red lotus flames like fireworks and produces a giant longevity peach, explaining awkwardly that it serves the same purpose as a birthday cake in the immortal realm.Song Qingshi crowns the peach with a tiny red lotus flame as a substitute for a candle and instructs Yue Wuhuan to make a wish and blow it out so the wish will come true.Yue Wuhuan innocently speaks his wish aloud to spend his next birthday with Song Qingshi, only for Song Qingshi to hurriedly correct him that wishes must be kept secret and made silently.Yue Wuhuan then makes an unspoken wish and blows out the flame, while Song Qingshi deliberately snuffs it at the perfect moment, determined to fulfill whatever Yue Wuhuan desires.Song Qingshi promises that next year’s birthday will be grander, with a homemade white-frosted cake, Yue Wuhuan’s name written in jam, better gems, and real fireworks, vowing they will celebrate together every year.When Yue Wuhuan confirms that Song Qingshi will remain by his side every year, Song Qingshi answers without hesitation, strengthening Yue Wuhuan’s resolve to anchor himself permanently in Medicine King’s Valley.Yue Wuhuan’s radiant smile overwhelms Song Qingshi, causing his heart to pound, his face to heat, and his spiritual power to tremble as he clinically wonders if phenethylamine is affecting him inappropriately toward his own patient.While Song Qingshi struggles to steady his emotions and vital signs, Yue Wuhuan’s spiritual energy surges violently as he reaches the threshold of foundation establishment.Song Qingshi immediately feeds Yue Wuhuan a pill and guides him through stabilizing his breakthrough, remaining at his side for over an hour while secretly examining his own strange physiological reactions.Upon completing foundation establishment, Yue Wuhuan senses black clouds gathering and draws his sword warily as terrifying tribulation clouds form overhead.Song Qingshi is shocked because such intense lightning tribulation should not occur at foundation stage, especially not at the strength of golden core or yuanying level.The first lightning strike crashes down with golden-core strength, and Yue Wuhuan withstands it despite coughing blood, recognizing the heavens’ malice.As subsequent strikes grow stronger, Song Qingshi throws every artifact, elixir, protective array, and medicine he possesses at Yue Wuhuan without regard for cost, desperately reinforcing his defenses.The tribulation reveals itself as a nine-strike ordeal, each bolt more devastating than the last, shattering Yue Wuhuan’s sword, destroying magical items, and burning his body until he is charred and barely standing.Laughing defiantly at the sky, Yue Wuhuan accuses the heavens of breaking their own laws out of fear of him and declares he is not afraid to die, only regretful that he cannot spend another birthday with Song Qingshi.The final strike gathers with strength surpassing even a normal yuanying tribulation, proving the heavens intend to kill Yue Wuhuan at foundation stage.At the last moment, Song Qingshi leaps into the air and blocks the fatal lightning with his red and black lotus fated weapons, though he knows interfering will nullify Yue Wuhuan’s tribulation benefits.The lightning obliterates Song Qingshi’s lotuses, burns through his silk spiritual robes, paralyzes half his body, and hurls him from the sky into Yue Wuhuan’s arms.The tribulation clouds disperse once heavenly law is satisfied, leaving Yue Wuhuan holding Song Qingshi’s limp, severely injured body in horror.With his consciousness fading, Song Qingshi struggles to whisper for Yue Wuhuan not to be sad before slipping toward unconsciousness in Yue Wuhuan’s embrace.

Chapter 32Yue Wuhuan forces himself to remain calm after the tribulation clouds disperse, remembering that doctors must stay composed in urgent situations, and carries the unconscious Song Qingshi back to Medicine King’s Valley without wasting a second on grief.Yue Wuhuan immediately feeds Song Qingshi a protective golden-lotus elixir to stabilize his vitals and secretly moves him into a hidden underground cultivation chamber beneath Song Qingshi’s quarters to conceal the severity of his injuries.The hidden chamber contains ancient medical tomes and a small medicinal hot spring that Song Qingshi once abandoned for being cramped, and Yue Wuhuan reactivates the pool to use its healing properties.Yue Wuhuan strips Song Qingshi’s burnt robes and lowers his charred, fragile body into the medicinal water, discovering that the lightning destroyed half his body, shredded his meridians, and severely damaged his yuanying through the destruction of his two fated lotuses.Yue Wuhuan realizes that before losing consciousness, Song Qingshi locked the underworld flames inside himself to prevent them from spreading, which stopped his body’s natural self-healing ability and worsened his condition.Yue Wuhuan mixes soul-gathering powder and bone-regenerating medicine into the hot spring, successfully stabilizing Song Qingshi’s life but failing to wake him.Once the immediate crisis passes, Yue Wuhuan allows himself to feel despair and rage, hating the unjust heavens for punishing the kindest person he has ever known and hating himself for being too weak to protect Song Qingshi.Yue Wuhuan’s thoughts spiral toward destroying everything, but he forces himself to breathe, uses the calming techniques Song Qingshi taught him, and activates the lock bug to suppress his fury and suicidal impulses.Remembering Song Qingshi’s promise to return everything Yue Wuhuan once lost, Yue Wuhuan finally understands that the promise included Song Qingshi’s own life, and the realization makes his devotion deepen painfully.Overwhelmed by self-loathing, Yue Wuhuan calls himself filthy and unworthy for daring to desire Song Qingshi, yet kneels by the pool and vows repeatedly that he will not give up on life and will protect Medicine King’s Valley and the white mice.Blood from Yue Wuhuan’s reopened wound drips onto Song Qingshi’s hand, and in a mixture of reverence and restrained longing, Yue Wuhuan kisses Song Qingshi’s fingers one by one before sealing his desire inside himself.Yue Wuhuan swears solemnly that he will cure Song Qingshi no matter the cost.In Beichuan at Zhenhe City’s Cantong Sect, Guiyuan-xianzun, a yuanying cultivator who runs brothels and gambling houses under Religion of Joy, is suddenly attacked by a swarm of terrifying insects.An Long sits calmly in Guiyuan-xianzun’s chamber while insects engulf the sect, paralyze Guiyuan-xianzun, and ultimately sever his head, annihilating the entire Cantong Sect.An Long casually reveals he killed Guiyuan-xianzun simply because Guiyuan-xianzun witnessed his embarrassing behavior on the mountain, proving An Long’s ruthless and irrational nature.A male prostitute named Siyao from South Wind Pavilion survives briefly and attempts to flatter An Long, explaining he sells his body to whoever pays him and holds no real affection for Guiyuan-xianzun.An Long questions Siyao about fake people in the world and concludes that as long as someone desires money, power, strength, or beauty, they can be controlled, revealing his twisted understanding of attachment.An Long bitterly reflects that the person he truly wants cultivates emptiness and has emptied himself of emotions and desire, making love impossible and hopeless from the start.Using a lock bug, An Long erases Siyao’s memories before leaving, showing calculated cruelty even in mercy.Haolong, the white snake, slithers over corpses and coils around An Long, who strokes it and contemplates writing to Song Qingshi to beg forgiveness and perhaps gather rare herbs from Yunling secret realm as a peace offering.

Mistakenly Saving the Villain, Vol. 2

(Chapter Summary)

The Wife Comes First: Qi Wei Shang, Vol. 1

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The Villain's White Halo, Vol. 1

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Twin Jades of Jiangdong, Vol. 1

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