In the Taihang Mountains, a giant golden bird flies toward a palace, carrying a bundle.

The bird transforms into a man, Qing Xiong, a sage-king, and enters the palace.

He delivers a cloth-wrapped child to Chong Ming, another sage-king and the ruler of the palace.

The child is the orphaned son of Kong Xuan, a powerful being who recently died under mysterious circumstances.

Chong Ming initially refuses to care for the child, calling him half-human and suggesting tossing him off a cliff.

Qing Xiong lays the child down anyway, revealing a delicate boy holding a jade peacock feather.

Qing Xiong insists the child looks just like Kong Xuan and demands Chong Ming name and raise him.

Chong Ming coldly resists, but when the child instinctively clings to him in his sleep, he sheds a tear.

Qing Xiong flies off, stating he must uncover the truth about Kong Xuan’s death and that the demonic entity Mara may soon return.

The child wakes, confused but comforted, asking Chong Ming who he is.

Cut to You Prefecture Terrace: a scholarly man and a mysterious woman discuss Di Renjie’s death and the rise of the yao (supernatural beings).

They are plotting the resurrection of Mara, using a “vessel” who is cooperating.

They dismiss the threat of Chong Ming, claiming his strength has declined due to “fire venom.”

Twelve years pass: the boy, now a youth named Hongjun, is playful and mischievous, attempting to secretly treat Chong Ming’s fire venom.

Hongjun mixes medicine from snow lotus pollen and drops it onto Chong Ming’s burn while he sleeps.

It temporarily soothes Chong Ming, but also causes him to uncontrollably sneeze massive fireballs, nearly destroying the palace.

Chaos ensues: fireballs ignite the palace, birds come to douse the flames with snow, and Chong Ming protects Hongjun using his phoenix powers.

Chong Ming punishes Hongjun with a ruler and forces him to stand in the courtyard as punishment.

Hongjun, despite his mischief, clearly loves and wants to help Chong Ming.

Qing Xiong returns to the palace, surprised by the destruction.

Hongjun joyfully reunites with him, jumping on his back, clearly seeing him as a close parental figure.

Qing Xiong returns to Yaojin Palace and affectionately greets Hongjun, tickling him and laughing together over the day’s chaos.

Hongjun eagerly asks if Qing Xiong brought a gift. Initially told no, he searches Qing Xiong but finds nothing.

Qing Xiong finally presents a glowing spiritual pendant from his pocket, warning Hongjun not to break it and that he’ll explain how to use it later.

Hongjun is delighted and rushes off to examine the pendant in private.

Qing Xiong meets with Chong Ming and reminds him that Hongjun is already sixteen.

Chong Ming claims Hongjun is being punished for causing trouble again.

Qing Xiong brings up a letter from the human realm’s Department of Demonic Exorcism summoning young exorcists to prepare for Mara’s return in four years.

Chong Ming refuses to read the letter and tries to burn it; Qing Xiong saves it.

A tense philosophical argument erupts: Qing Xiong wants to fight for balance; Chong Ming is disillusioned and refuses to help humans.

Meanwhile, Hongjun tries to pry open the pendant with various tools, wanting to insert the crystal into his sword hilt.

Despite Qing Xiong’s warning, Hongjun almost damages the pendant out of curiosity.

The carp yao tells Hongjun to stop, warning it may be dangerous or valuable beyond understanding.

As Hongjun goes to find Qing Xiong, he overhears an intense argument between Qing Xiong and Chong Ming.

They argue about the black jiao, a false dragon who defeated them, and the threat of Mara’s return.

Chong Ming resents raising a halfling child and blames humans for Kong Xuan’s death.

Qing Xiong accuses Chong Ming of being dishonest and heartless, reminding him of his bond with Kong Xuan.

Chong Ming rages, saying he wants Mara to destroy humanity, revealing his deep bitterness.

Hongjun overhears it all and quietly runs away, devastated.

Qing Xiong laments that if Chong Ming had only said something to stop Kong Xuan, things might’ve been different.

Later, Qing Xiong finds Hongjun lying on a rock near a cliff, motionless and deeply hurt.

Hongjun tearfully asks if Chong Ming hates him. Qing Xiong assures him that Chong Ming’s words don’t reflect his true feelings.

Qing Xiong hands back the glowing pendant and tells Hongjun it’s time to go to the human realm.

He speaks of its wonders—food, people, music, and excitement—and encourages Hongjun to explore it without fear.

The next day, the throne room is prepared. Chong Ming sits at the center, Qing Xiong beside him, and a third throne sits empty.

Hongjun greets Chong Ming respectfully and calls him “Dad,” but Chong Ming coldly denies the relationship.

Chong Ming finally reveals that the third throne once belonged to Hongjun’s birth father, Kong Xuan, and that Hongjun was brought here after his death.

He tells Hongjun it’s time to return to where he came from.

Hongjun stubbornly insists he belongs at Yaojin Palace and refuses to go.

Qing Xiong formally orders Hongjun to descend into the human realm and complete three specific tasks as repayment for Chong Ming raising him for twelve years.

Hongjun agrees to go and receives a letter to deliver to the Great Tang Department of Demonic Exorcism, where he is to begin his first task: find out who killed his father, Kong Xuan.

Qing Xiong explains that Kong Xuan's life in Chang’an is shrouded in mystery, and only Hongjun can uncover the truth.

Chong Ming gives Hongjun a bestiary of yaoguai (monsters) that he is permitted to kill, noting that Hongjun owns a set of immortal-slaying knives.

Hongjun learns about Di Renjie, a human and friend of his father, who founded the Department of Demonic Exorcism before his death.

Qing Xiong names the second task: expel the false yao king from Chang’an, the black jiao who defeated Yaojin Palace long ago.

Chong Ming interrupts and scoffs, doubting Hongjun’s success and reaffirming his disdain for humans and the mission.

Qing Xiong reveals the third task: deliver a pendant called the heart lamp to a descendant of the Chen family, especially a man named Chen Zi’ang, by crushing the crystal before him.

The heart lamp contains a power that was lost due to a mishap 200 years ago and must now be returned to its rightful owner in the Chen bloodline.

Hongjun promises to complete all three tasks within a year and return home.

Chong Ming, conflicted, begrudgingly allows him to take one treasure from Yaojin Palace.

Hongjun chooses Chong Ming himself and asks him to accompany him down the mountain.

Chong Ming silently turns away and refuses, causing Hongjun to leave heartbroken but determined.

Qing Xiong gives Hongjun a travel pack, and Hongjun sets off down the Taihang Mountains, joined by the carp yao companion.

The carp yao lectures Hongjun on survival in the human realm, revealing that Qing Xiong sent him as a guide.

Hongjun, nervous and regretful about parting with Chong Ming, struggles with his emotions but continues on.

Back at the palace, Chong Ming watches Hongjun through a magical pond and grows frustrated at how unkempt and naïve his son appears.

He grumbles about the carp’s uselessness and nearly goes after Hongjun himself.

Qing Xiong refuses to intervene, pushing Chong Ming to let go.

Both kings watch nervously as Hongjun chooses the correct path out of the mountains.

Once Hongjun disappears from view, Qing Xiong remains; Chong Ming walks away alone.

During a violent thunderstorm outside Chang’an, Hongjun is chasing a monstrous yao despite the carp yao’s protests that they are nearly at the city.

Hongjun is bloodied and exhausted, recalling tragic scenes of devastation the monster caused in nearby villages.

A massive, black, five-eyed ao fish yao bursts from the wheat fields and attacks Hongjun.

Hongjun blocks the attack with sacred light and throws an immortal-slaying knife, blinding the monster in one eye.

The ao fish escapes underground with the knife still embedded in it, forcing Hongjun to give chase to keep it from vanishing.

Hongjun rides into Chang’an, accidentally crashing the city curfew as lightning reveals the monster breaching the city wall.

The ao fish leaps over the wall, causing destruction and disappearing into the streets.

Hongjun uses a grappling hook to scale the wall and enters the city to continue the pursuit.

Guards mistake Hongjun for a criminal or monster and begin attacking him; he tries to avoid hurting them while protecting himself with sacred light.

He tries to corner the ao fish but loses track of it in a narrow alley, then is cornered by the guards who believe he’s the yaoguai.

Hongjun blocks a volley of arrows using sacred light, unintentionally knocking guards from their horses.

A particularly strong human guard charges him and breaks through his sacred light with a sword—an unprecedented feat.

The pendant containing the heart lamp swings up and is shattered by the guard’s strike, releasing a burst of radiant light that engulfs the alley and all of Chang’an.

The explosion knocks Hongjun back and leaves the guard unconscious. Hongjun panics, realizing the heart lamp has shattered.

Desperate, Hongjun tries to wake the guard, believing he may now be the inheritor of the heart lamp’s power.

Unable to lift the guard in armor, Hongjun strips it off and carries the unconscious man on his back using his grappling hook.

He flees over a wall and ends up in a quiet garden, escaping the soldiers who are now scouring the city.

The carp yao is unconscious from the earlier crash, offering no help.

As soldiers search nearby, Hongjun sees an open door and a woman sending off a portly man on horseback.

Seeing no better option, Hongjun decides to drag the guard inside the house to hide.

Hongjun sneaks into a beautiful residence after the night’s chaos, dragging the unconscious Li Jinglong through the rain into a scholar’s courtyard.

A young woman named Sang-er finds him and is stunned by Hongjun’s beauty and his strange appearance with a fish (carp yao) and a barely dressed man.

She recognizes the unconscious man as Commandant Jinglong of the Longwu Guard and decides to help Hongjun hide.

Hongjun carries Li Jinglong upstairs to a room, takes off his heavy boots, lays him down, and investigates his belongings.

He finds the commandant’s sword and a military token with Li’s name but doesn’t understand their meaning.

Hongjun considers the heart lamp’s burst and wonders if it entered Li Jinglong’s body after the pendant shattered.

Sang-er offers help, and Hongjun nervously tries to explain things while denying the need for a doctor.

The carp yao wakes up and starts panicking when told what happened, insisting the heart lamp must be retrieved and that Li isn’t a descendant of the Chen family.

Hongjun jokingly suggests making Li change his surname to Chen; the carp yao accuses him of being an idiot.

The carp suggests killing Li Jinglong to see if the heart lamp returns, prompting moral conflict in Hongjun, who refuses.

The carp blurts out that Mara will destroy them if the heart lamp isn’t restored, then immediately regrets saying it.

As Hongjun considers what to do, Sang-er returns with a towel and water, and then leaves again.

Hongjun wipes down Li Jinglong and mounts him to try channeling sacred light into his body to force a reaction from the heart lamp.

Just as Hongjun begins, Shenwu Guards arrive outside conducting a search.

Li Jinglong wakes up mid-process and is furious and confused to find himself half-naked under Hongjun.

Their scuffle causes noise, alerting the guards. The carp yao yells for them to flee.

Li Jinglong sees the carp yao and labels it a monster, increasing the confusion.

Hongjun grabs his bag and carp, smashes through a window, and escapes over rooftops.

Li Jinglong follows but slips on the rain-slicked roof tiles and falls dramatically into the bustling East Market.

His fall causes a public spectacle—he lands shirtless, sword in hand, amid merchants and citizens.

Everyone recognizes him as Commandant Li Jinglong and bursts into mocking laughter.

Scholars nearby start composing comedic poetry about his fall from the Spring Oriole brothel, turning the incident into street entertainment.

Li Jinglong hides in a water tank behind the market, humiliated and exhausted, as the guards continue searching.

After the rain passes, Hongjun explores Chang’an under the clear blue sky, amazed by its size and beauty while the carp yao frets over their situation.

Hongjun, hungry and low on morale, buys food in the market using copper coins converted from pearls given by Qing Xiong for the journey.

With the carp yao’s help, Hongjun learns how to navigate human society by observing and mimicking others, slowly adapting to city life.

He gets distracted by street performers and donates a pearl, causing a fight and drawing the attention of the city guard, forcing him to flee.

The carp yao keeps reminding him to report to the Department of Demonic Exorcism, but Hongjun keeps getting sidetracked.

Hongjun sees a chained monkey and frees it using a throwing knife, causing another commotion as the monkey escapes.

He wanders into a bookshop but gets judged for carrying a talking fish. Despite that, he stays to browse poetry by Li Bai, fascinated and forgetting the time.

Meanwhile, Li Jinglong is being punished by his cousin Feng Changqing, who publicly scolds and beats him in their estate’s courtyard for allegedly humiliating the family name.

Feng berates Li for ruining the opportunity given to him in the Longwu Guard and for his past of chasing illusions, wasting money, and avoiding marriage or responsibility.

Li Jinglong, now 20, remains silent and stoic, kneeling in the courtyard, bloodied and disgraced as the servants gossip and his uncle fumes.

Madam Feng intervenes and comforts Li, gently urging him to reflect and change his ways.

As night falls, Hongjun returns to the East Market carrying books. Tired and frustrated, he still hasn’t found the Department of Exorcism or recovered the heart lamp or missing knife.

He consults the carp yao, who admits he doesn’t know where the department is, having been sold in the market the last time he was in Chang’an.

They consult the letter from Qing Xiong and decide to head toward Jincheng Ward based on the address.

As curfew nears and they get lost in the maze-like city, they hurry through Chang’an, asking for directions.

Unable to find the department building, Hongjun approaches the nearest lit structure in desperation as night fully descends.

After curfew in Chang’an, Hongjun searches in the dark for the Department of Demonic Exorcism but fails to find it before the city closes down.

Exhausted, he stumbles into what seems to be an abandoned residence and falls asleep inside.

That night, at Xingqing Palace, a mysterious noblewoman in black receives a bloodied throwing knife from her agents, which had wounded a yao named Fei’ao.

She suspects an exorcist has arrived in the city and orders her men to find and kill the knife’s owner and feed them to Fei’ao.

In the morning, Hongjun is woken by a noise and meets a young hunter named Mergen, who was also summoned by a letter to the Department of Exorcism.

They realize the derelict building they’re in is actually the Department of Demonic Exorcism, based on the plaque above the entrance.

Mergen, a Shiwei tribesman, and Hongjun compare letters—both were summoned due to their heritage and potential to fight the rising yao presence in Chang’an.

Meanwhile, in the palace gardens, Emperor Xuanzong and his consort Yang Yuhuan discuss Li Jinglong's recent scandal.

Chancellor Yang Guozhong blames Li for spreading “yao rumors” to cover up his disgrace, but Yang Yuhuan and the Emperor recall their own past supernatural experiences and suggest maybe the department should be revived.

On a whim, Emperor Xuanzong appoints Li Jinglong as head of the long-defunct Department of Demonic Exorcism to deal with the situation.

Back at the department, Hongjun and Mergen explore the dusty, abandoned estate. Mergen confirms the letters are real, but no one else seems to be around.

They ponder whether the mysterious sender—signed only as “Di”—could be the long-dead Di Renjie.

A foreigner named A-Tai arrives flamboyantly, introducing himself with hugs and referring to himself as “Tyropotamia Homihok Hammurabi.”

A-Tai presents a similar referral letter and joins the others, assuming one of them is in charge.

A fourth arrival, Qiu Yongsi, a scholar from Jiangnan, shows up and is shocked to find a monster (the carp yao) already inside.

All four compare letters and realize they were summoned by unknown means to the same place, at the same time, from faraway regions.

They theorize that the letters were sent with precise timing by someone powerful and well-informed, possibly to initiate a revival of the department.

Hongjun wonders if more people will arrive or if this small group is just the beginning of something bigger.

A-Tai agrees and proposes they wait to see what happens next.

Hongjun and his new companions—Mergen, A-Tai, and Qiu Yongsi—sit in the abandoned Department of Demonic Exorcism, trying to make the best of the situation while waiting for answers.

Qiu Yongsi shares that he was sent by his grandfather to stop the yao in Chang’an, though he admits he lacks skills and asks the others for help in hunting yao.

Hongjun admits that he’s struggling with his own issues and feels frustrated over the loss of the heart lamp and one of his throwing knives.

A-Tai, with his usual flamboyant nature, shares that his magical weapon is a barbat, a lute that he uses to smash enemies, but Hongjun is more focused on his own problems than A-Tai’s theatrics.

The group discusses their shared purpose, with Mergen urging Hongjun to sort out his difficulties and not rely on others too much.

As the rain stops, they decide to stay in the dilapidated residence for the night rather than at an inn, and they begin clearing the place out.

Feng Changqing, Li Jinglong’s cousin, is shown dragging Li Jinglong around the streets of Chang’an, humiliated by the common folk’s mocking stares after Li’s previous scandal.

Feng Changqing berates Li Jinglong, who is being sent to the Department of Demonic Exorcism despite his disgrace, and refuses to carry the bedroll himself, forcing Li Jinglong to carry it.

Li Jinglong, though angry, grits his teeth and endures the humiliation, reflecting on how the truth will eventually come to light despite the rumors.

Li Jinglong, tired of his cousin’s taunts, ignores him and goes off on his own, heading toward the Department of Exorcism.

As he walks through an alley, he hears music and follows the sound to the Department of Exorcism, where he bursts into the courtyard and is stunned by the sight of Hongjun and his companions engaging in strange activities with a dancing carp yao in the center.

Li Jinglong, thinking they are all monsters, charges at Hongjun, but the group quickly reacts, and Hongjun defends himself using his throwing knives, disarming Li Jinglong and sending him flying into a window.

Li Jinglong passes out, and the group realizes they have unintentionally injured him.

Hongjun explains that the attack was a misunderstanding, and everyone is left confused by the incident.

As they deal with the unconscious Li Jinglong, the carp yao finds a rolled-up document that turns out to be an imperial edict.

The edict states that Li Jinglong has been appointed as the Chief of the re-established Department of Demonic Exorcism, much to the surprise of everyone.

The group looks at the still-unconscious Li Jinglong, realizing that his new appointment might change everything for them.

The carp yao panics upon realizing that Li Jinglong, the man they just fought, is actually the newly appointed Chief of the Department of Exorcism.

Hongjun bravely decides to take responsibility and wake Li Jinglong to apologize, but A-Tai accidentally knocks him out again with his barbat.

Qiu Yongsi devises a cover story: pretend nothing happened, say Li and Feng fainted from heatstroke, and act innocent when they wake up.

Before they can leave, Li Jinglong regains consciousness and reveals he heard everything.

Li Jinglong sits with Feng Changqing while the four exorcists kneel apologetically. Mergen insists Li acted rashly by attacking first, while A-Tai tries to lighten the mood with music and flattery.

Li Jinglong is furious, blaming Hongjun for his public humiliation and career collapse. Hongjun meekly admits responsibility and answers three of Li’s questions honestly.

Feng Changqing realizes Li’s side of the story was true all along and privately apologizes for doubting him.

The others eavesdrop on Li’s emotional outburst about being ridiculed and abandoned. Though Feng suggests clearing things up with Chancellor Yang, Li refuses.

Feng leaves, acknowledging his mistake, and tells them to hide the carp yao if Yang Guozhong ever visits. Li insists he won’t let the carp be treated as entertainment.

The group regathers and participates in a symbolic ritual to honor Di Renjie, burning incense before his portrait. Li solemnly restarts the Department of Demonic Exorcism.

The group is left pondering Li Jinglong’s appointment. Although he carries a divine sword, he lacks supernatural powers and doesn’t appear particularly capable.

A-Tai finds him dull, Qiu Yongsi thinks he’s too weak to lead, and Mergen is disillusioned. Hongjun keeps silent about the heart lamp’s power that may be within Li.

Despite their doubts, the team agrees to wait for Li’s next orders.

After everyone leaves to their rooms, Hongjun quietly goes to check on Li Jinglong, concerned about the man who now bears the weight of leading them.

Late at night, Hongjun watches Li Jinglong settle into his room and hesitantly offers help, which Li declines curtly, warning Hongjun to keep his yao in check.

Hongjun pleads not to be sent away, saying he can’t return home, surprising Li, who silently lets him go.

The next morning, Li Jinglong is busy directing porters delivering supplies—bedding, utensils, and furniture—all purchased to renovate the dilapidated Department of Exorcism.

Li deducts the costs from their future salaries and orders the four exorcists to move the goods and begin cleaning.

For three days, Li Jinglong works tirelessly while the others loaf around, playing music and chatting while contractors wait for the chief to finish prep work.

Once completed, the Department is transformed into an elegant space with fresh paint, new furniture, garden features, a statue of Acalanatha, and rooms decorated to match each exorcist’s personality.

Even the carp yao, Zhao Zilong, receives a pond of his own with a personalized name sign.

Li Jinglong decorates the plain room Hongjun occupies with three famous artworks, unknowingly giving him valuable pieces that remind Hongjun of home.

The others begin to see Li Jinglong in a new light, impressed by his effort, dedication, and refusal to slack off despite their initial disrespect.

At a tea gathering in the main hall, Li Jinglong remarks on their talents and implies they are far superior to him, pointing out the awkward truth that they don’t see him as a competent leader.

He asks for their recruitment letters but says he wasn’t the one who summoned them. They discuss how none of them know who truly sent the letters.

Hongjun gives a vague, rehearsed backstory about being raised by a Daoist cultivator, while the others offer simple explanations of their origins and reasons for coming.

After the registration, Li Jinglong suggests Di Renjie’s spirit may be behind their summoning, which most of the group finds absurd, though they hesitate to disagree openly.

Li gives them one more day to decide whether to stay and warns them that once registered with the court, they’ll be official government officials.

All four agree to stay, but Qiu Yongsi asks what their actual work will be. Li explains that any unresolved supernatural cases from the other departments will be passed to them.

Hongjun asks for help tracking down the monster from the other night, but Li refuses, saying they’re not ready and might cause more harm than good.

As the meeting ends, Li privately celebrates that he managed to keep the team together, then is caught in the act by Hongjun.

Hongjun asks for help locating Chen Zi’ang’s family, but Li again initially refuses, mistaking the request as mission-related.

When Hongjun clarifies it’s a personal matter, Li suddenly shifts the topic and asks Hongjun if a spiritual technique exists to make someone forget things.

Hongjun says there’s no such technique but recalls a flower from the Western Regions in Yaojin Palace with that effect, hinting at a new layer to Li Jinglong’s past.

Li Jinglong gathers the team and assigns their first mission: go to the West Market to search for “oblivion pollen,” a memory-erasing substance from the Western Regions.

The team is skeptical and reluctant, especially since the flower is rare and probably fictional, but Li insists, revealing it’s an order.

The real reason behind the task is that Hongjun requested it earlier, and Li is trying to help him discreetly.

Meanwhile, Li takes Hongjun through Chang’an to find the Chen family. Hongjun clings to Li’s sleeve out of habit, but Li scolds him for doing so in public.

They visit the Chen residence and meet Mistress Duan, widow of the last living male Chen descendant, who died after years of poverty and failed exams.

She introduces her infant son as the only surviving heir of Chen Zi’ang, to whom Hongjun is supposed to return the heart lamp.

Devastated, Hongjun realizes the child is too young to help with his mission. He gives Duan a generous handful of pearls to support the family.

Li Jinglong is surprised by Hongjun’s generosity and tries to explain to Duan that Hongjun is just a poetry fan paying respects to the Chen lineage.

As they prepare to leave, Hongjun impulsively tries to draw the heart lamp out of Li Jinglong’s body using his sacred light, illuminating Li’s meridians in front of Duan, who panics.

The spiritual scan fails to detect the heart lamp, and Li accidentally sprays water from his mouth, soaking the baby, who starts crying.

Back at the Department, Li Jinglong furiously reprimands Hongjun, docking half his salary. Hongjun offers a full month in apology.

Eventually, Li gives Hongjun a chance to explain, and Hongjun confesses everything about the heart lamp, its transfer, and his failed mission.

Li calms down and offers his cooperation to verify whether the heart lamp is inside him.

They sit under the eaves as Hongjun sends sacred light into Li’s chest, and just as he begins to sense the faint presence of the heart lamp, two government officials arrive.

The officials misinterpret the scene, seeing shirtless Li Jinglong with Hongjun’s hand on his chest, causing extreme embarrassment.

Despite the awkward situation, Li Jinglong composes himself and receives Deputy Chief Justice Huang Yong and Registrar Lian Hao.

The Court of Judicial Review formally assigns the first supernatural case to the Department of Exorcism, with Lian Hao as the liaison.

After the officials leave, they can be heard laughing about “Li Jinglong milking himself,” while Li silently seethes in humiliation.

Hongjun confirms the heart lamp is indeed inside Li Jinglong, relieving his anxiety after days of worry and guilt.

Li Jinglong asks if the heart lamp will change him; Hongjun explains it won’t harm him but won’t grant him spiritual powers either.

Li expresses his disappointment at being “just an ordinary human” and admits his envy toward the others, who all have spiritual abilities.

The carp yao explains that spiritual power is usually innate and runs in families of exorcists.

Hongjun tries to comfort Li, pointing out his sword’s power and suggesting he may still be able to learn spiritual techniques.

Li Jinglong shares that his sword once belonged to Duke Di and that he was inspired by a book Duke Di wrote, which predicted a great calamity for the Tang dynasty.

Li reveals he bought the sword from a foreign merchant using family heirlooms, as no one else believed in Duke Di’s visions.

Moved by his honesty, Hongjun realizes Li truly wants to protect the nation, even if he’s not naturally gifted.

Mergen, A-Tai, and Qiu Yongsi return, proudly presenting the oblivion pollen they spent all day searching for.

They explain the pollen cost 3,200 taels of silver, shocking Li, but everyone offers to chip in, though A-Tai had already paid.

The group fumbles trying to smooth things over from their previous fight with Li Jinglong, accidentally offending him again.

Li stores the pollen and reveals they’ve received their first case from the Court of Judicial Review: a noblewoman’s missing cat.

Everyone is horrified that their first official assignment is to find a cat, and Li Jinglong is humiliated by the triviality of it.

Despite wanting to reject it, he grudgingly leads the team into the city the next day to begin the investigation.

The group splits up to search, though the others are disinterested and try to convince Hongjun to slack off with them.

Hongjun refuses, explaining that he respects Li Jinglong’s sincere desire to help the nation despite lacking power.

The others realize they've treated Li as an outsider and feel guilty. For Hongjun’s sake, they agree to help him look for the cat.

They split up with a plan to reconvene later in the East Market and actually begin the search in earnest.

Hongjun starts his morning putting up missing cat posters with terrible doodles, to the carp yao's dismay, and climbs Goose Pagoda to search from above.

He reflects on human society, Li Jinglong’s treatment, and wonders if finding the cat might redeem Li in others’ eyes.

Li Jinglong joins him at the top of the pagoda, and they agree the cat probably fled in fear after witnessing something supernatural.

Li reveals the cat is likely still in the city, near the Duchess of Qin’s estate, since it wouldn’t willingly leave such comfort.

They leap across rooftops searching for the cat and discuss how Chang’an is full of monsters that only reveal themselves at night.

A monkey Hongjun had previously freed appears and offers him a moldy bun in gratitude, then leads them to Pingkang Ward.

There, they spot the missing cat basking on a roof between two brothels, Spring Oriole and the Poetess’s Pavilion.

Hongjun and Li Jinglong try to capture it stealthily to avoid alerting the public, planning a pincer movement with Hongjun holding a net.

The cat cleverly escapes through Li’s legs, causing Hongjun to nearly fall into a boiling soup pot, only to be saved at the last second by Li.

The cat runs into the Poetess’s Pavilion, prompting them to sneak in through a window to avoid scandal.

Inside, the two split up with the carp yao and the monkey to track the cat, searching rooms named after poems.

The carp yao finds the cat in a room but is terrified and chased around by it, while Hongjun and Li rush to trap it.

While trying to grab the cat from under a heavy rosewood bed, Hongjun sees a bundled cloth get snagged, revealing a dried human corpse hidden under the bed.

At the same moment, a man and woman enter the room and lay on the bed above them, unaware of their presence below.

The man is revealed to be Hu Sheng, Li Jinglong’s former superior, the very one who dismissed Li’s warnings and ruined his reputation.

Li, filled with rage but unable to act, restrains himself and keeps Hongjun quiet while they both hide under the bed with the cat and corpse.

The intimacy of the hiding place and the couple’s scandalous activities above cause extreme discomfort for Hongjun, especially when he becomes aware of Li’s involuntary physical reaction.

Amid the awkwardness, Hongjun accidentally reveals the corpse to Li Jinglong, confirming a murder has taken place.

After Hu Sheng finishes and leaves, the pair crawl out from under the bed in shock, realizing they now have a real case.

Li declares they must leave quietly without alerting the killer, setting the stage for a more serious investigation.

Hongjun rushes into the Dragon’s Gate restaurant and tells Mergen, A-Tai, and Qiu Yongsi something huge has happened.

He explains Li Jinglong found the missing cat and discovered a corpse hidden under a bed at the Poetess’s Pavilion, prompting a potential criminal investigation.

The others are stunned that the cat case became something serious; they begin eating while waiting for Li Jinglong.

The carp yao orders a luxurious banquet from behind Hongjun, startling the waiter, and shares that he once lived in a restaurant—first as a menu item, then rescued by a monk.

The group drinks and eats joyfully; Hongjun, unaccustomed to alcohol, becomes drunk and passes out mid-meal.

Li Jinglong arrives, scolds them for drinking during work, then explains the body hasn’t matched any missing persons’ reports.

The others guess the corpse may have been drained by a yao and hidden under the bed because the killer didn’t know what else to do.

They suspect the courtesan Jinyun isn’t a suspect but rather a front for a bloodsucking yao hiding in Pingkang Ward.

A-Tai and Qiu Yongsi hint they were already investigating the ward on suspicion of hidden yaoguai.

Li Jinglong is surprised by how in-sync and knowledgeable his subordinates are despite their short time together.

They agree to investigate Pingkang Ward that night, with Hongjun taking the lead in tracking the yao.

As they walk through the city, their striking appearance attracts a crowd of admiring women.

At headquarters, the cat is leashed; the carp yao lies in the rain; Hongjun sleeps off his drunkenness; and the others examine old case files from Di Renjie.

They deduce the body was likely drained on the spot and speculate various types of yao that feed on blood—animal, flower, or object spirits.

Li Jinglong grows suspicious of how well the trio knows each other, but they remain evasive.

The atmosphere is disrupted when the cat escapes its leash and chases the carp yao, triggering chaos in the main hall.

The chase leads to the accidental fall of the oblivion pollen box, which hits Hongjun on the head and bursts open.

Everyone, including the cat, inhales the pollen and starts sneezing violently, losing all short-term memory.

The carp yao, largely unaffected, herds them outside and recovers the pollen into a pouch.

The group gradually regains most of their memories except for what they were doing just before the incident, now completely forgotten.

They piece together fragments—such as the corpse under the bed and the research they were doing—but Hongjun briefly enters a trance.

He relives fragmented memories of Chong Ming, the night he arrived at Yaojin Palace, and a voice declaring Hongjun was the only child he had.

The chapter ends with Hongjun lost in thought, overwhelmed by resurfacing visions from his past.

Hongjun has a vivid flashback triggered by the oblivion pollen, reliving a traumatic childhood memory of his parents’ deaths and being restrained by Qing Xiong.

In the vision, Qing Xiong tries to calm him and says something important, but Hongjun cannot recall the words.

He snaps out of the trance with Li Jinglong calling his name and doesn’t explain the vision, brushing it off as nothing.

That night, Hongjun lies awake until Li Jinglong visits him, offering comfort and telling him he can always talk if something is wrong.

Meanwhile, at Daming Palace, a mysterious woman senses someone important is in Chang’an. She sends a monster named Fei’ao to investigate.

When a maid discovers her true monstrous form, the woman kills her, and foxes drag away the corpse.

Hongjun wakes from uneasy dreams with no memory of them and joins the others preparing to return to the Poetess’s Pavilion.

They split into teams: A-Tai and Qiu Yongsi act as a distraction while Li Jinglong, Mergen, and Hongjun re-enter through a rear courtyard.

Hongjun is dazzled by the night beauty and revelry of Pingkang Ward and asks innocent questions about brothels, leaving Li Jinglong flustered and embarrassed.

A-Tai entrances the entire Pavilion with his magical barbat performance, casting a spell over all inside except the prepared exorcists.

Hongjun and Li Jinglong re-enter the brothel, find the hidden corpse again, and examine it while Mergen keeps watch.

Li concludes the victim is a scholar drained of blood and essence, and suspects the killer is still in the building but not occupying that room.

The plan is to expose the yao by using the corpse as bait in front of the crowd.

Hongjun and Mergen watch from above, while Li Jinglong drops the body into the parlor mid-performance, breaking A-Tai’s spell and causing chaos.

As patrons scream and flee, Hongjun spots three women whose unnatural reactions reveal their true identities.

He throws his enchanted knives, wounding each fox yao just before they can escape.

The fox yao retaliate with magic; one burns the body to destroy evidence.

Mergen shoots and kills one of the fleeing foxes with precise arrows, revealing its true three-tailed form before it dies.

The others escape, and Li Jinglong orders his team to pursue. Amid the panic, he yells at everyone to improve their coordination.

The chapter ends with the team in full pursuit of the remaining fox yao, marking their first true battle as a unified exorcist group.

The two remaining fox yao flee in different directions; one into the East Market, the other across rooftops into the south.

Li Jinglong splits the team: A-Tai and Qiu Yongsi chase the rooftop fox, while he, Hongjun, and Mergen pursue the one on the ground.

The carp yao distracts and disorients fleeing patrons of the Poetess’s Pavilion using the last of the oblivion pollen, then escapes.

In the dark East Market, Li’s sword begins glowing, helping them track the fox’s route by its reaction to yao energy or Hongjun’s knife.

They deduce the fox is circling to confuse them and surround it from three sides.

A-Tai and Qiu Yongsi pursue the other fox across the rooftops, with A-Tai complaining about their leader’s improvised tactics.

Qiu defends Li’s flexibility, saying his spontaneous plan flushed out the foxes when other methods failed.

The East Market fox tries to ambush the team. Li attacks, but is overpowered. Mergen’s arrows and Hongjun’s sacred light protect Li from being burned alive.

The fox yao grows massive and attacks again. Li distracts it while Mergen and Hongjun prepare to strike.

Hongjun’s throwing knife, combined with sacred light and a jade peacock feather, helps drive it back. Mergen ultimately finishes it off in wolf form by biting its throat.

The group realizes Mergen is a shapeshifter, possibly a yao himself. Hongjun rides on Mergen’s back as they head to regroup.

Mergen reveals he’s not sure what he is—his tribe hasn't seen such a transformation in generations—and asks Hongjun to keep it secret.

Hongjun admits he’s half-yao too. They bond quietly during the run through the rooftops.

Mergen says he came to Chang’an looking for a glowing white deer, and asks Hongjun to inform him if he finds any leads.

They rejoin the others outside the palace. A-Tai and Qiu Yongsi explain the other fox escaped into the imperial grounds.

Li Jinglong, though frustrated, realizes this likely leads them to more hidden enemies.

He hears the sound of Hongjun’s knife clinking against tiles and deduces the fox is still trying to remove it.

Borrowing Mergen’s enchanted arrow, Li Jinglong makes an incredible shot in the dark based on sound alone, hitting the fox in the belly.

The fox falls dead into a pond inside the palace. Hongjun retrieves the body and his knife, fulfilling Li’s promise to return them all.

Li smiles genuinely for the first time, stunning the group. Hongjun tells him he should smile more often.

Li Jinglong immediately drops his smile and resumes his stern demeanor, telling them all to return to headquarters.

Li Jinglong wakes Hongjun early and shows him the three fox yao in the courtyard—two dead and one wounded and imprisoned.

The living fox, Jinyun, is the weakest and least experienced, badly injured but kept alive using Hongjun’s medicine.

Li questions Jinyun about the murdered scholar under the bed but gets only silence in return.

He reveals they found the three women’s contracts and identities; they were friends from Xinyang who came to Chang’an together.

Jinyun refuses to speak, and Li decides to submit a report to Chancellor Yang, hand over the fox to Captain Hu Sheng, and consider the case closed—at least publicly.

In truth, Li is setting a trap, hoping the fox’s allies will either come to rescue or silence her, revealing more enemies.

He explains this strategy to the team, and Hongjun is impressed by the cleverness, though overwhelmed by the political complexity.

A-Tai wonders what if no one comes; Li says someone definitely will—either to help or eliminate the fox.

The team’s opinion of Li Jinglong has shifted significantly after witnessing his bravery and leadership; they begin to respect him.

The carp yao catches them praising Li and promises not to repeat their words—but also urges them to unite better to fight the real enemy.

The carp yao offers philosophical wisdom: humans and yao alike have things they want to protect.

Li and Hongjun return the missing cat to the Duchess of Qin's estate, where they are showered with exaggerated gratitude and luxury treatment.

Hongjun enjoys the lavish food while Li tries to observe the household for suspicious behavior.

They learn that Chancellor Yang, the Duchess of Guo, and the noble consort were all present the night the cat disappeared, raising suspicions.

Hongjun theorizes that the yao they’re hunting might be someone close to the emperor—perhaps even one of those three powerful figures.

The idea shocks Li Jinglong and challenges his assumptions about the imperial court.

Hongjun’s appetite causes them to stop for noodles. They talk over the implications of his theory as Li quietly stews about money, having spent all his savings on the department.

They visit the Court of Judicial Review to browse old cases. Hongjun finds a record about three scholars who vanished after skipping out on a restaurant bill—Li takes the case, suspecting it’s connected.

They deliver the fox to Hu Sheng, who’s stunned to realize Jinyun, the courtesan he frequented, was a fox yao.

Li manipulates Hu into accepting responsibility for the fox, knowing Hu will protect her to cover his own guilt.

Outside, soldiers mock Li and his oddball team, calling them freaks.

To restore some dignity, Mergen challenges a Longwu Guard commander to an archery contest with Hongjun and A-Tai assisting.

Hongjun and A-Tai pull off an impressive trick shot routine with throwing knives and a flying coin.

Just as Mergen is about to shoot, Li Jinglong fires from afar and threads an arrow through the coin’s center, astonishing the crowd.

He scolds the group afterward, reminding them their skills shouldn’t be used to impress others but to fulfill their duty as exorcists.

That night, the team prepares for a stakeout at the Longwu Guard garrison, hoping their “bait” will draw out whoever’s behind the fox yao.

The exorcists adopt a reversed schedule, sleeping during the day and working at night, as they continue their stakeout at the Longwu Guard Garrison.

Qiu Yongsi and Hongjun observe from a rooftop, while Mergen and A-Tai take positions closer to Hu Sheng’s room, where the fox yao Jinyun is caged.

Hu Sheng is visibly uneasy, staying awake and conflicted over the wounded fox, unsure if it’s truly Jinyun.

Jinyun speaks, begging for freedom and recounting her tragic past with her sisters and how they ended up in Pingkang Ward.

Hu Sheng is torn between fear and pity, remembering their first meeting and the story she once told about a fox and a human lover.

Li Jinglong arrives silently, observing from the rooftop while Hu Sheng hesitates over what to do.

Jinyun manipulates his emotions, convincing him to consider freeing her, playing on their emotional history.

Underground, Fei’ao approaches stealthily, revealing his presence in human form and stating he was ordered to extract Jinyun.

The exorcists detect something strange underground. Li Jinglong hears it first, realizing a yao is coming from below rather than rooftops or walls.

Fei’ao appears and finds Jinyun inside, comforting her and healing her wounds. He expresses a desire to protect her and avenge her sisters.

Listening in, Li Jinglong and the others realize Fei’ao intends to kill Li eventually and that a greater conspiracy is underway.

Mergen looses an arrow prematurely when Jinyun pushes Fei’ao to protect him, taking the hit herself.

A chaotic battle breaks out. Fei’ao erupts in fury and unleashes a devastating yao blast, injuring Li Jinglong and forcing everyone into action.

Hongjun shields A-Tai and himself with sacred light, then joins the fight, while Li recovers and charges Fei’ao again.

A-Tai uses wind magic to destabilize Fei’ao’s mist form; Mergen follows up with multiple arrows, and Hongjun lands a hit with a sacred knife.

Fei’ao escapes by transforming into a massive ao fish and burrowing away, again with one of Hongjun’s throwing knives stuck in his body.

The exorcists pursue immediately, refusing to lose track of him again. Li orders them to follow the knife’s glow, which his sword can sense.

They leap across the rooftops and scale the walls to follow Fei’ao, with Hongjun launching A-Tai and Mergen into strategic positions using his grappling hook.

They confront mocking guards at the gate before Fei’ao bursts from the ground, causing panic.

A-Tai smashes his barbat instrument into the fish’s face, stunning it midair; Mergen shoots out its eyes with arrows.

The fish crashes down outside the city wall. The team mounts horses Li had prearranged at each city gate for just such a chase.

The group rides out of the city under cover of night, guided by the glow of Hongjun’s knife and Li’s sword, which resonate.

The trail leads them to Daming Palace in the northern outskirts—an imperial palace seldom used, now seemingly the fish’s hideout.

They scale the walls and infiltrate the palace quietly, finding Fei’ao inside mourning Jinyun’s death with intense grief and fury.

Li orders the group to prepare for a final confrontation and urges caution, but also says to use full force if necessary.

Li walks out alone to confront Fei’ao. The yao threatens to torture Li’s lover in the future, showing twisted hatred.

Qiu Yongsi abruptly gives the attack signal to avoid risking Li’s life, and the battle erupts.

Hongjun intercepts Fei’ao’s attack with a flying knife while Li retreats. The yao flees into the palace.

The team gives chase as Fei’ao wrecks multiple palace halls. A-Tai uses earth magic to levitate the floor and trap the fish.

Hongjun blocks a full-speed charge with sacred light, sending the fish flying again.

Li Jinglong yells to take the battle outside to minimize palace damage, but the fight has already caused massive destruction.

Mergen unleashes a combined arrow attack, Qiu conjures elemental cyclones, and Hongjun rains down throwing knives and sacred light.

The chapter ends with Fei’ao being blasted through yet another palace wall, crashing into the open plaza beyond, as the exorcists close in for the final blow.

Fei’ao, gravely wounded and holding Jinyun’s body, stumbles out of the palace as servants and guards awaken to the commotion.

A black mist begins pouring into the plaza around Fei’ao. Li Jinglong asks if he can be sealed; Hongjun says no, only defeated.

Fei’ao starts chanting a spell and explodes into black fire, transforming the mist into a swarm of undead black ao fish, which begin attacking the onlookers.

The corrupted guards and servants become yao, throwing the plaza into chaos. Hongjun hesitates to kill them, fearing it might harm their human selves.

Li charges through the horde with his sword, aiming for Fei’ao. The team backs him up with sacred light, whirlwinds, and arrows, but the tide seems endless.

Qiu Yongsi panics and fumbles to help, finally pulling out a marble ink brush and unleashing his spiritual power in desperation.

With an explosive scream, Qiu Yongsi’s brush transforms the entire plaza into a living ink painting. All the ao fish dissolve into artistic ink, trapped inside the artwork.

The others stare in shock at Qiu’s hidden power. He yells he can’t hold it, and when Fei’ao retaliates with a final blast of scales, the painting shreds.

Qiu is hurt by the backlash. Li Jinglong and Hongjun descend together. Li, holding Hongjun, stabs Fei’ao through the chest with his sword.

Fei’ao’s body dissolves into ash, and all the transformed guards return to human form as the dark energy disperses.

Hongjun lands on top of Li, accidentally kneeing him in the ribs, leaving Li groaning and winded beneath him.

The dawn rises over Daming Palace, illuminating the damage and devastation from the battle—walls collapsed, pottery shattered, structures in ruins.

The exorcists return to headquarters, exhausted. Li tells them to rest while he writes the incident report and assumes full responsibility for the damage.

The carp yao quietly reflects on his role, feeling useless and unneeded but still caring for Hongjun, even scenting his clothes to help him fit in.

Later that day, a grand procession arrives unexpectedly at the Department of Exorcism, bringing Emperor Li Longji, Consort Yang Yuhuan, Chancellor Yang, and two duchesses.

The entire team is still asleep, and Li Jinglong rushes out disheveled and half-dressed to greet them.

The nobles laugh at the informal chaos and thank the exorcists for recovering the Duchess of Qin’s beloved cat.

Yang Yuhuan, mistaking Hongjun for Li’s lover based on gossip and his fondness for pastries, personally presents him with a massive box of treats as a “reward.”

Li Jinglong is mortified as the joke sinks in, while the women nudge each other knowingly.

Yang Yuhuan still gives Li a formal reward of silver and silk, and the emperor expresses support for the department’s work.

As the nobles leave, the team, still in their undergarments and stunned, watches the imperial procession disappear.

The carp yao, who had hidden in the bamboo to avoid being paraded as a curiosity, finally splashes back into his pond once they’re gone.

During dinner, Li Jinglong scolds his team for not kneeling to the emperor during the recent imperial visit.

Each member reveals noble or unusual backgrounds exempting them from such formality. Hongjun casually adds that even kneeling to the Jade Emperor might reduce someone’s lifespan, shocking the others.

Li Jinglong grows exasperated but lets it go, focusing on the remaining unsolved issues: the lost throwing knife, Daming Palace’s damages, and Fei’ao’s last words hinting at a greater threat.

A-Tai reveals his true identity: he is Tigra Yazdegerd, last prince of the fallen Sasanian Persian Empire, descendant of Yazdegerd III and Peroz.

A-Tai recounts his lineage’s history—exiled royalty who attempted to restore Persia with aid from the Tang dynasty but failed repeatedly.

His father urged him to give up the dream of restoration, but A-Tai still hopes to reclaim his homeland one day.

Li Jinglong shares his own connection: his grandfather, Pei Xingjian, was the Tang general who once escorted A-Tai’s ancestors.

A-Tai was trained by the last Zoroastrian priest and inherited powerful spiritual techniques through four sacred rings.

Li Jinglong promises to support A-Tai however he can, though regaining Persia will require defeating the yao king threatening Chang’an first.

Qiu Yongsi explains that a yao king always arises where many yao gather. Chang’an has two rulers: the emperor in the light, and a hidden yao king in the shadows.

Mergen, Qiu, and A-Tai all confirm they are also in Chang’an to find and defeat the yao king.

Hongjun admits he is too and confirms the yao king is a black jiao.

The others are surprised but relieved to hear Hongjun's goal aligns with theirs; this solidifies their unity.

They share a moment of bonding and celebration, ending with A-Tai playing a spirited song while the group sings together in joy.

Meanwhile, Li Jinglong is summoned to an emergency hearing at the Court of Judicial Review, facing intense scrutiny over the destruction of Daming Palace.

High-ranking officials—including ministers, Hu Sheng, and Gao Lishi—grill him, and though he explains everything truthfully, they are unconvinced or unwilling to accept his account of yao.

Hu Sheng reluctantly corroborates that he saw a fox yao, but no one wants to tell the emperor monsters exist in the capital.

To cover it up, the officials agree to blame the damage on a “windstorm” and restore the palace quietly.

They decide to dissolve the Department of Demonic Exorcism before further damage can occur and begin preparing Li Jinglong’s reassignment papers.

Li, unaware of this betrayal, waits alone in the darkened court as the decision to abolish the department is sealed behind closed doors.

Li Jinglong waits anxiously outside the courtroom after the interrogation. Hu Sheng and Huang Yong inform him the Department of Demonic Exorcism will be shut down within ten days.

Only Li and Hongjun will be transferred to the Longwu Guard; the rest of the team will be dismissed.

Huang Yong privately expresses his belief in Li’s integrity and the existence of yao but warns him that life doesn’t always reward the righteous.

Li is devastated and walks back to the department in a daze, overwhelmed by hopelessness and guilt.

That night, Hongjun dreams of a ruined, blood-soaked Chang’an full of corpses and black mist, crying out for Li Jinglong.

Li hears Hongjun calling and bursts into his room just as Hongjun falls from bed, catching him in time.

Later, Hongjun prepares a calming draught and brings it to Li. They sit together, and Hongjun shares that he misses home but loves the Department and its people.

Li confesses he feels a strange connection to Hongjun and appreciates how he sees the world without guile or status.

They discuss demons, yao, and the meaning of their work—exorcising not only monsters but also the sorrow of the world.

Hongjun suggests Li go directly to the emperor to explain what’s happening and gain his support, sparking a new idea in Li.

Both drink the calming draught, unaware that Hongjun added too much medicine. They promptly pass out on top of each other in Li’s bed.

The next morning, A-Tai and Qiu Yongsi discover them tangled together in underclothes, assume something scandalous happened, and gossip eagerly.

Li wakes first, panics when Hongjun won’t stir, and eventually places him in bed before joining the others for breakfast.

Hongjun later stumbles out in confusion, asking loudly why he was in Li’s bed, completely unaware of the misunderstanding he’s causing.

The carp yao flips out, and everyone jumps to conclusions, teasing Li Jinglong relentlessly.

Trying to shift focus, Li earnestly asks to be taught spiritual techniques. Though he lacks spiritual energy, he’s determined to contribute more.

Hongjun inspects Li’s sword again and infuses his throwing knives with sacred light. The sword responds, revealing glowing ancient characters.

Qiu Yongsi identifies it as the legendary "Sword of Wisdom," a powerful spiritual device of ancient origin.

The group is amazed by the sword's potential, and even the usually comedic carp yao is momentarily impressed—before admitting he has no idea what it is but felt the need to set the mood.

The chapter ends on a humorous yet uplifting note as the group bonds over Li’s resolve and the new revelations about his sword.

Li Jinglong studies the Sword of Wisdom and realizes it matches the blade held by the statue of Acalanatha, protector of all beings.

Qiu Yongsi explains the sword can destroy demonic energy and, if mastered, can make even a non-spiritual human into a true exorcist.

Li Jinglong regains some confidence and sends the team to investigate the corpse case further, while downplaying the Daming Palace incident.

He pairs Qiu Yongsi with Hongjun to inspect scholar lodging houses; Mergen and A-Tai are sent to Pingkang Ward; Li goes alone on an unknown errand.

Hongjun feels hurt by Li’s cold behavior but accepts the mission and leaves with Qiu Yongsi, who tries to bond during their walk.

Hongjun reveals to Qiu that the heart lamp entered Li Jinglong's body, which shocks him but helps explain Hongjun's loyalty.

They infiltrate the Imperial Academy during preparations for the upcoming metropolitan examination, dodging guards and sneaking past the entrance using a clever distraction and feigned identity.

Inside, Qiu and Hongjun search for three missing scholars and spot a strange young man who feels familiar to Hongjun.

The youth is Du Hanqing, a fox yao posing as a scholar. He charms Hongjun with flirtation, poetic conversation, and a magically alluring smile.

Hongjun, unsure how to respond, converses with Du, and the two genuinely bond over their favorite poets—Hongjun favoring Li Bai, Du favoring Wang Changling.

Qiu discreetly confirms that multiple fox yao have replaced scholars, with the missing three likely among the victims.

Hongjun gives Du Hanqing a jade Buddha charm as a gift, furthering their connection. Du promises to meet him again the next day.

Meanwhile, Li Jinglong visits Feng Changqing, seeking advice. Feng warns him that success in court requires deception and patience, but Li worries it may soon be too late.

At twilight, Qiu confirms to Hongjun that the three scholars were replaced by fox yao and are likely dead—matching the unidentified corpse they found earlier.

Hongjun and Qiu leave the academy shaken by the grim truth: the fox yao are infiltrating the very heart of Chang’an society, starting with the imperial examination system.

Qiu Yongsi and Hongjun return to the Department of Exorcism and report that over a hundred fox yao have infiltrated the Imperial Academy disguised as scholars.

Li Jinglong deduces that the foxes’ plan is to pass the imperial examinations, enter the court, and take over Chang’an from within, with a mole leaking exam questions to them.

The team confirms the foxes kill real scholars and take their place, explaining the dried corpse found under Jinyun’s bed.

Li suspects the foxes are backed by the yao king or a powerful subordinate in the imperial court, who is aiding their infiltration.

Li sends Mergen, A-Tai, and Qiu Yongsi back into the academy to mark all the fox yao discreetly using medicine that will later force their true forms to appear.

That night, the team infiltrates dormitories and marks over 266 foxes without alerting them.

Hongjun prepares the medicine with Li Jinglong’s help, increasing its potency at Li’s request; Li plans to trigger the transformation during the examination.

They discuss the morality of killing the foxes. Hongjun wants to spare those who haven’t killed, but Li argues all involved must be held accountable.

Li warns Hongjun about being too soft-hearted and that Du Hanqing, the fox he’s befriended, is manipulating him emotionally.

The next day, the court suddenly announces the imperial examination has been moved up by three days—clearly a move by the enemy to avoid detection.

Li adjusts the plan accordingly. He sends Hongjun to meet Du Hanqing as previously arranged, hoping to gather intelligence.

Hongjun meets Du Hanqing at Lishui Bridge. Du seems genuinely happy to see him and unaware of any threat.

Li Jinglong, Mergen, and the carp yao secretly tail the two through the market. Li tries to remain unnoticed while carrying the carp.

Hongjun takes Du to a bookstore and later to Dragon’s Gate restaurant, unknowingly shadowed by Li Jinglong the entire time.

Hongjun tries to extract information but fails. Du instead asks many questions about Hongjun’s family and background.

Li silently eavesdrops, growing increasingly irritated as Hongjun spills details and Du appears to fall for him.

At the end of the day, Du gives Hongjun a bracelet made of white stone and straw rope—symbolizing a pledge of affection or even devotion.

Hongjun feels guilty but accepts the gift, promising to go on an outing after the exam. He walks away conflicted, worried about Du’s fate.

Li catches up to him on the road and confirms they’ll all wear uniforms for their first official operation the next day.

Hongjun questions whether all yao are truly evil, but Li insists Du is manipulating him and will turn on him if his kin are killed.

Their serious conversation is disrupted by Li’s loud stomach growl, causing Hongjun to laugh and ending their argument.

At dinner, Hongjun tosses the bracelet on the table and quietly retreats to bed. A-Tai sees it and comments the fox is clearly offering himself to Hongjun.

Li tries to chase after him but gives up, sulking through dinner as the others wisely avoid teasing him further.

Hongjun has another nightmare of Du Hanqing turning into a fox and burning alive, symbolizing Hongjun’s inner turmoil about the upcoming purge of fox yao.

Mergen comforts him with a legend from his homeland about nightmares following the disappearance of the white deer, which protects the night.

Hongjun admits he’s homesick. Mergen gently reassures him that growing up means everyone has to leave home eventually.

The carp yao questions why Hongjun sympathizes so much with Du Hanqing, prompting Hongjun to reflect on his own nature as half-yao and his fear of rejection.

Li Jinglong, unaware of the deeper conversation, reassures Hongjun after overhearing a piece of it and urges everyone to prepare for their operation.

The team dons their new Department of Exorcism uniforms, made from silk gifted by the emperor. Everyone looks dashing, especially Hongjun.

Hongjun is surprised the uniform fits perfectly, realizing Li Jinglong had it custom made without ever taking his measurements.

Li had even ordered a matching robe for the carp yao, who is delighted to finally wear clothes and be treated as part of the team.

The group prepares for their final mission, knowing the fate of the department—and possibly Chang’an—rests on it.

Meanwhile, General Feng Changqing climbs Mount Li alone in the rain to deliver an urgent report to Emperor Li Longji at Huaqing Palace.

Feng insists on seeing the emperor despite being offered a carriage. His determination and reputation command respect.

The emperor and Consort Yang are initially confused by his appearance, but eventually grant him an audience.

Feng recalls Li Longji’s heroic youth, then solemnly swears that if he lies, the emperor can take his head—preparing to reveal the truth about the yao in Chang’an.

At the Imperial Academy, the imperial exam begins early—an unexpected change orchestrated by the enemy to avoid disruption.

Li Jinglong and his team infiltrate the exam grounds disguised as servants, using oblivion pollen and stealth to mark all 266 fox yao.

Each marked room is confirmed by multiple team members, including Du Hanqing’s, despite Hongjun’s hesitations and emotional conflict.

Li Jinglong reveals he had Mergen increase the salt in the scholars’ meals to ensure they would be thirsty and drink the spiked water.

The exorcists retreat to observe the results, waiting for the drugs to take effect as Ministry officials arrive to oversee the exam.

As the chapter ends, Li Jinglong gives the order to move out. The team sheds their disguises and steps forward in their official uniforms, ready to confront the foxes and reveal the truth.

Li Jinglong and his team arrive at the Imperial Academy during the examination, forcing entry past guards using sacred light.

Officials including Gao Lishi and the Minister of Rites protest their intrusion, revealing the Department of Exorcism has officially been disbanded.

Unshaken, Li Jinglong declares they are operating under imperial orders to expose a hidden threat—yao disguised as scholars.

Despite ridicule and disbelief, Li begins kicking in doors, startling examinees and officials alike.

The first room contains a sleeping gray fox, proving his claim and stunning the watching ministers.

As more rooms are opened, dozens of foxes are revealed sleeping in scholar disguises. Proctors and officials become increasingly alarmed.

Hongjun joins in, gleefully kicking doors as foxes are exposed and captured.

The number of fox yao grows, totaling 266, all revealed to have been impersonating scholars.

Just as tensions peak, Emperor Li Longji arrives with Feng Changqing. The exorcists bow formally as the emperor surveys the scene.

Li Jinglong reports the roundup and asks the emperor to witness the truth. Li Longji confirms the evidence and begins inspecting rooms himself.

In the palace study, Du Hanqing—the fox Hongjun had befriended—is caged and protected. Hongjun reveals his true identity and pleads for the fox’s cooperation.

Du sobs, claiming innocence and fear, but offers no useful information. Hongjun reluctantly sedates him again.

Emperor Li Longji and Li Jinglong, both secretly watching the exchange, hear everything. Li Jinglong asks mercy for Du; the emperor agrees.

Back at the palace, the emperor, nobles, and court officials gather. The exorcists stand guard over the captured foxes.

Li Jinglong recounts the entire series of events: the murders, infiltration, Fei’ao’s plot, and the conspiracy behind the exams.

The emperor believes him, thanks to corroboration from other witnesses, and supports the team's actions.

A-Tai steps forward and is officially acknowledged as a Persian prince and Zoroastrian disciple; Li Longji grants him favor.

When asked to eliminate the foxes, A-Tai uses his sacred ring and wind magic to incinerate the entire horde in one fiery cyclone.

As the foxes burn, their collective resentment releases a massive wave of black demonic energy into the sky, terrifying everyone.

Li Jinglong protects Hongjun from the spiritual backlash. Mergen explains the burst is the evil essence purged from the foxes' consumption of human life force.

The chapter ends with silence and unease as the black flame fades and the palace ground remains covered in ash, marking a decisive but ominous victory.

After the fox yao roundup, Emperor Li Longji orders Li Jinglong and the exorcists to remain at the palace while dismissing everyone else.

Li Jinglong inspects the charred remains of the foxes with his sword, prompting jokes from Qiu Yongsi and Mergen.

The team celebrates that they no longer owe damages for Daming Palace, but Hongjun is still troubled about Du Hanqing.

Li reassures him that ignorance may be bliss and promises to release Du with oblivion pollen so he forgets everything.

The team is invited to a formal imperial banquet. Hongjun enthusiastically enjoys the food, while Li Jinglong remains thoughtful.

They’re later summoned to the elegant Gold Blossom’s Fall, where each member is called in separately by the emperor.

While waiting, Li Jinglong dozes and leans on Hongjun. Hongjun supports him with an arm around his waist.

Finally, Li Jinglong and Hongjun are called in together to meet Emperor Li Longji and Consort Yang Yuhuan.

Li declines any reward, humbly accepting forgiveness for the palace damage. The emperor laughs, approving his modesty.

Hongjun requests payment for the oblivion pollen debt, amusing the emperor and consort. They philosophize on its effects and the nature of forgetting.

Yang Yuhuan asks Hongjun what in the world is eternal. He answers that nothing is truly eternal except heaven and earth, quoting Daoist philosophy.

He expands on the idea that immortality may lie in reincarnation or nirvana, rather than physical longevity.

Hongjun impresses everyone with his spiritual wisdom, though he humbly admits he doesn’t belong to any one sect.

They joke about each exorcist following a different belief system—Daoism, Buddhism, Shamanism, Zoroastrianism.

Hongjun expresses his father's teaching: that honorable intentions matter more than spiritual labels.

Yang Yuhuan says Hongjun reminds her of someone she can’t quite recall, suggesting a mysterious past connection.

After the audience, Li Jinglong and Hongjun leave the palace with Du Hanqing (now in fox form) in a cage.

Li brings Hongjun to a hillside under the stars, frees the fox with a burst of oblivion pollen, and warns him never to return to Chang’an.

The fox runs off; Hongjun bids it farewell with quiet sadness.

As dawn breaks, Hongjun jumps on Li’s back, laughing and confessing he likes him.

Li grumbles but lets it slide. Hongjun teases him about liking cute things, implying both the fox and himself.

They ride back to Chang’an together, with Hongjun dozing off on horseback.

Li carries him to bed and tucks him in. Rewards arrive the next day: silver, a note to cover the debt, and pastries.

In the shadows of Xingqing Palace, a furious noblewoman blames a man in black for the foxes’ deaths.

She demands revenge. He warns her not to interfere further, reminding her that the reincarnation of Mara cannot be stopped.

The chapter ends with rising tension as the enemy’s plans move forward, foreshadowing a greater threat beyond the foxes.

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