Guardian Readalong: Vol. 3, Chapters 21 & 22

[trobadora]

Welcome aboard for this week's chapters of our Guardian readalong!

Here are last week's chapters. You can find all previous discussions on the schedule post (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5), or via the !readalong tag.

This week's chapters:

• Chapter 21: The Yanluo Kings want to use Zhao Yunlan's heart's blood as the Guardian Lantern's wick, but the yao storm the Yanluo Courts under the leadership of Fourth Uncle, and likewise the daoists and assorted other immortals who were present at Kunlun Mountain. Ghost Face and various gui break free from the Wangchuan, and Shen Wei's trap is sprung. Zhao Yunlan half learns, half figures out Shen Wei's plan, and Zhu Hong clarifies Zhao Yunlan's feelings for Shen Wei. Ghost Face blows himself up.
• Chapter 22: Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi fight various youchu (including the fake rogue cultivator) with the combined might of fear stick and zombie powers, then escape to the top of the mountain, but end up in trouble there again anyway. Meanwhile, Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan and Lin Jing run into Daqing, escape from the Netherworld, and find SID and other people waiting for them. Shen Wei plans to re-seal the Four Pillars with the Hallows, and Zhao Yunlan tells Shennong's mortar to take his place and take care of his parents. Everyone comes together to help Shen Wei.

The corresponding part in the Chinese version on JJWXC/the fan translation starts a little less than half-way through chapter 102 and goes up to a little less than half-way through chapter 105.

Excerpts:

1) Zhu Hong defends Zhao Yunlan against the Yanluo Kings' designs

With only the barest hint of a smile, Zhao Yunlan looked back at them. Zhu Hong, on the other hand, exploded. The lower half of her body transformed into a giant snake's tail, coiling around Zhao Yunlan. The delicate corners of her eyes elongated to reveal a cold-blooded animal's vertical pupils. "Don't you know he's just a mortal?" she demanded.

Unfazed, Zhao Yunlan answered for them. "They're not blind. Of course they know. Besides, would they dare try to force my hand like this if I weren't mortal?"

Zhu Hong's scales were as red as blood; when she hissed in fury, her scarlet forked tongue flickered out. "Why not just say you want to take his life?!"

Zhao Yunlan snorted. "Just think how bad that would sound."

"All mortals age and die," chorused the Ten Kings. "It is a normal part of the Reincarnation Cycle."

That's right. It's nothing but a mortal body! Can't you give it up to save the world?


2) Shen Wei is caught out

A storm cloud descended on Zhao Yunlan's face. "Shen Wei, get the fuck out here!"

In response, Shen Wei slowly slipped out from behind the chamber's massive stone door. He looked far more anxious now than he had a moment ago during all his scheming and plotting.

When Zhao Yunlan's gaze fell on the crusted blood on Shen Wei's chest, his fist clenched hard enough that veins popped out on the back of his hand. He looked like he wanted to hit Shen Wei.

Instantaneously, Lin Jing reacted, grabbing Zhu Hong and covering her mouth as soon as Shen Wei appeared. Despite her confusion, he pulled her off to the side.

Zhao Yunlan stayed silent for a long time, and Shen Wei's anxiety grew by the second. Finally, Zhao Yunlan spoke. "Shen Wei."

Shen Wei was instantly reminded of Zhao Yunlan's exhausted words after he'd seen through Shen Wei's deception in the Great Divine Tree: "If you keep doing this, I'll really be angry with you." Panicked, Shen Wei took a step toward him.

"Stay over there," Zhao Yunlan said, voice very low. "Don't come over here yet. It's not time for you to reveal yourself."


3) Zhu Hong and Shen Wei have a rapprochement

There was an awkward silence between them until, after a while, Shen Wei suddenly spoke again. "You... You care deeply for him, don't you?"

The question made Zhu Hong feel as if something had been stuffed into her heart. "Yeah," she mumbled.

"Then... Then why did you tell me all this?"

Zhu Hong rolled her eyes. "I just want you to stop upsetting him."

Confusion flickered across Shen Wei's face for just a second. He seemed somewhat distracted. His brows knit together, and the glittering water of the pool beneath the Soul-Guarding Lamp reflected in his eyes. Zhu Hong had just about concluded that his soul had drifted away when he finally looked back and nodded at her.

"You're right," he said sincerely. "Many thanks."


4) Speech time for Ghost Face

An instant later, the mask split in two. The halves fell, revealing the face that was a gloomy mirror of Shen Wei's. Ghost Face's robe billowed like a flag in the wind, despite the still air.

"Very well," Lin Jing heard him say hoarsely. "You win. I can't beat you. You don't even deign to fight me... Very well."

Shen Wei stopped.

"You and I were born exactly the same. I don't understand how I was inferior to you. You're the solitary, noble Soul-Executing Emissary, while I'm the King of the Gui everyone wants to kill. That's all fine." Ghost Face gave a guttural laugh. "I merely hate that you're too despicable and cowardly to even fight me, instead choosing to humiliate me with these...these ants. You'll regret this! You think you've won without dirtying your hands? Yes, you'll regret this, my good brother."


5) Chu Shuzhi weaponises Guo Changcheng's fear

"Are you afraid?" Chu Shuzhi asked seriously.

Ever honest, Guo Changcheng nodded so vigorously that he looked like a chicken pecking at rice.

"Scared to death?" Chu Shuzhi continued. Guo Changcheng wiped his tears and kept on pecking. "That's good." There was zero sympathy in Chu Shuzhi's voice. "Keep it up."

That left Guo Changcheng speechless. Chu Shuzhi patted him firmly on the shoulder and adopted a creepy tone, pointing past him. "Look. What's that?"

Guo Changcheng looked where he was pointing and found himself staring straight into the eyes of a few youchu. With his fear primed by Chu Shuzhi, a bloodcurdling, inhuman scream exploded out of him. "Ahhhhhhhhhh-!!!"


6) Shen Wei addresses the crowd

Then Shen Wei addressed the crowd. "All those years ago, Kunlun-jun, the Mountain God of the Great Wild, sealed the Four Pillars. I was heir to the thirty-six mountains and rivers, but I was born in filth. I am unable to establish any connection with the Four Hallowed Artifacts, so I hope you will all lend me a hand. You'll have my deepest gratitude."

Having said that, he resumed his true appearance. He stood before them clad in the Soul-Executing Emissary's midnight robes, the full length of his hair spilling down around him. His innate demonic aura was unmistakable, as was his air of gentlemanly righteousness; a man at war with himself yet possessed of an elegance beyond compare.

No one could reject him.


7) Zhao Yunlan's request for Shennong's mortar

With his back to the pagoda tree, Zhao Yunlan glanced at the ground. All seemed completely peaceful beneath the tree, not at all as though something impossibly vast was being held down. He was out of cigarettes, so he reached into his dad's pocket and claimed the packet he found there.

He lit up, then briefly stood in silence, wreathed in smoke. After a moment, he said, "Actually, I have a favor to ask of you."

"I am at Kunlun-jun's disposal," Shennong's mortar said quietly.

"No, I mean it," said Zhao Yunlan. "I'm my parents' only son. By all rights, I should take care of them in their old age and see them off. I never imagined I'd run out of time, but here we are. White-haired elders shouldn't have to see their black-haired children off. Think of a solution for me."

More moments passed before the mortar said, "I... I confess I don't understand what Kunlun-jun means to say."

Zhao Yunlan snorted. "Don't play dumb. I think you know exactly what I'm getting at."

Shennong's mortar took a long look at him. "So in the end, is the Soul-Executing Emissary only able to uphold his vow because you've agreed to accompany him into death?"

Casually blowing a smoke ring, Zhao Yunlan asked, "Do you think I'm selling my body?"


Questions:

What do you think of Shen Wei's plans? Or of the way he acts towards Zhao Yunlan? Is it satisfying seeing all the different characters coming together again? Are you following everything that's going on? How annoyed are you that we don't learn how Lin Jing made it to the Yanluo Courts in one piece? Any thoughts about Ghost Face exploding himself, and what the drama made out of that? Which of the things that has a direct parallel in the drama is your favourite bit of adaptation?

(As usual, these are just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like!)

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Comments

[facethestrange]

So much is happening in these chapters, awesome excerpt choices! :D

"with the combined might of fear stick and zombie powers"

Heee, I love how you phrased that. :D :D

"How annoyed are you that we don't learn how Lin Jing made it to the Yanluo Courts in one piece?"

Mostly very confused, lol, good for him and all, but HOW? xD

"Which of the things that has a direct parallel in the drama is your favourite bit of adaptation?"

My first thought is Zhu Hong's branch! ♡ Though there may be other things. :D And I love both versions of the branch story a lot, which is rare because I generally do have a pretty strong preference for either the drama version (about 90% of the time xD) or the novel version.

On to my ~liveblog~ (which I wrote like a week ago and needed to re-read to even remember what I said ;D). Aaaand I apparently exceeded the comment length limit, so I'll separate it by chapter. xD

"The Soul-Executing Emissary guarded it for so many years, but now we have no idea where he is, or even whether he still lives."

Yes, telling Zhao Yunlan that Shen Wei may be dead is totally the thing that will make him like them better. /s :P

"The other Yanluo Kings landed before them; the flutter of their colorful robes in the air was like a flock of parrots swooping down."

This is such a fun description, and makes me wonder what their clothes look like in more detail. :D

“Why not just say you want to take his life?!”
Zhao Yunlan snorted. “Just think how bad that would sound.”

I like how this scene somehow ended up with Zhu Hong and Zhao Yunlan snarking the Kings together. :D

"The violent ghosts that had escaped Ghost City were wreaking havoc everywhere, and some were trying to force their way into the halls of the Yanluo Courts. Ox-Head and Horse-Face, standing on either side, held the doors shut. “My lord, we can’t hold them back much longer!”"
---
"A crowd of yao rushed in."

I'm assuming they rushed in through a different door that the violent ghosts don't know about. :P

"No matter how incompetent we might be, we could never permit you to treat the reincarnation of the ancient god with such impudence!"

Hah, it's not Zhao Yunlan who gets called impudent for once. xD

"The Crow tribe elder, who had so clearly severed her tribe from the other yao but was now back in the fray for some reason, had tagged along at the back of the crowd."

The 'for some reason' is just so funny to me, lol, what happened behind the scenes? The Crows just tagged along and didn't tell anyone why, and no one bothered to ask them or stop them? :D

“We know now why you had us all gather atop Kunlun Mountain. You secretly put a mark on each of us to attract the Chaos within the Place of Great Disrespect when it spilled over. You ensured everyone would suffer together! If the Netherworld had even an ounce of conscience, wouldn’t you have kept it securely underground?” (...)
The Q in’guang King was furious. “The Great Seal splintering is a catastrophe for all Three Realms! Why should the Netherworld bear the burden alone?!”

This sounds like the Netheworld admits to having done that? But later Shen Wei also admits to it, even more openly than that. So is this just one of the times when Shen Wei and the Netherworld actually worked together (which is what they're technically supposed to do :P), or is one of the admissions not true? Zhao Yunlan doesn't seem to think that they worked together. (“And on the peak of Kunlun Mountain… When the Netherworld had gathered everyone there, you also left marks on them all, right? That way, as soon as the Chaos beneath the Seal began to leak out, everyone got a taste of it, so no one could escape unscathed—and they’d all think it was the Netherworld’s doing.”)

"By now, everyone who was anyone seemed to be there, even the Arhats of the West and unaffiliated immortals from all the land."

So when the Magistrate was complaining the the immortals don't unite anymore, he wasn't exactly right - they still do, it's just that they unite against him this time. :P

"The current uproar in the Netherworld was due entirely to the fact that Shen Wei had released the bit of Chaos he’d captured into the Yanluo Courts, feeding into Ghost Face’s neurotic paranoia. Shen Wei’s ambiguous comments under the Ancient Merit Tree had made Ghost Face immediately suspect that Shen Wei was conspiring to make use of that scrap of captured Chaos."

Hah, so the plan for the bit of Chaos was to make Ghost Face think that there's some grand plan for the bit of Chaos. Neat! :D

"The very instant he surfaced from the water and saw the scene onshore, he realized he’d been duped, but it was already too late to leave."

It's not clear to me why it's too late to leave though - the people who fight him don't seem powerful enough to stop him from leaving? Is it just pride and not wanting to retreat?

“Were you the one who yelled ‘Chaos King of the Gui’ just now?”
Lin Jing hesitated. “I tried to pitch my voice higher.”

I'm probably missing something, but why was he trying to disguise his voice? :P

"Zhao Yunlan pointed at the bloody mess on Shen Wei’s chest. “Does it hurt?”
Shen Wei began to nod, but he only made it as far as lowering his chin before pausing and quickly shaking his head."

Oh yikes, I thought it wouldn't hurt after it was healed! This is a lot worse. D:

"Lin Jing developed a sudden, keen interest in the ongoing battle. He tugged on Zhu Hong’s arm and pointed. “Look, Benefactress, they’re fighting.”"

*SNORT* I think everyone has noticed, lol, Lin Jing, ily. :D :D

"Which means you already held three of the Four Hallowed Artifacts in your hands"

As much I still don't understand the details of how this happened, at least this much is clear, right? So was the life-borrowing case that brought them to the resort related to the Dial, or just a coincidence after all? If at that point Ghost Face didn't have the Dial anymore? (Or did he?)

"Unseen hands pressed against the rocky wall on either side of his body. Then an icy hand closed around his fist. Still invisible, Shen Wei murmured in his ear."

I'd rather they use this entire invisibility thing for something more fun than having a fight - the possibility is RIGHT THERE. :P (Why did he even turn invisible specifically at this point anyway? Just to be extra dramatic? :D) (After reading the deleted scenes from the original version: This is why I liked it better when Shen Wei turned invisible earlier. :P It's more consistent with actually wanting to stay unnoticed by anyone.)

"Belatedly remembering Shen Wei’s chest wound, Zhao Yunlan immediately stopped shoving and felt for Shen Wei’s chest, touching the dried crust of blood on his clothes. “You—”
Shen Wei’s hand closed over Zhao Yunlan’s, pressing it into his chest."

I like this image a lot. :D But really tho, there is no wound under the blood anymore, why does it still hurt? D: D:

“Sure,” Zhao Yunlan said, not batting an eye. “Everyone’s getting ten kilos of monk meat.”

I love that this is immediately after he leaves Shen Wei behind, because just a moment later Zhu Hong points out to SW that ZYL always talks shit he doesn't mean, and here he is, talking shit he doesn't mean. :D :D

“Director Zhao, I have to stay. My fourth uncle is still here.”

The shift from abandoning everyone for Zhao Yunlan to abandoning Zhao Yunlan!! And not just for her uncle but also to talk to Shen Wei. :D

"Shen Wei, hiding behind the lamp, wasn’t afraid of being seen. He allowed a hazy silhouette of himself to become visible. The look he gave Zhu Hong was a little lost."

This is so weirdly adorable, omg.

"I don’t understand what you guys are plotting half the time."

You and me both, Zhu Hong. xD

“Then… Then why did you tell me all this?”
Zhu Hong rolled her eyes. “I just want you to stop upsetting him.”

Aw?? ♡

OH YAY, Zhu Hong gets a mysterious and very important branch to grow!! :D And I'm really enjoying all the unexpected Shen Wei & Zhu Hong bonding. ♡

"Zhu Hong stumbled, nearly dropping it."

Hee, her human feet betraying her again? :D

"The branch of the Great Divine Tree failed to thrive when it was planted in the Place of Great Disrespect, most likely because the existence of the gui is anathema to it."

OH SHEN WEI. I think I remember enough to know that this is not the reason at all.

"Throughout all the years I’ve stood in Kunlun’s stead, I’ve done my very best, but I’ve been unable to care for it well. Millennia have passed, and this branch’s two small buds are all I have to show for my efforts. I’ve always regretted that deeply"

*WIBBLES* So he heals random plants instead because at least that works? ♡♡♡

“If you face danger, each bud will save your life once.”
After a pause, Shen Wei continued, “If you don’t use them, then once the dust settles, please plant it somewhere with beautiful mountains and flowing water.”

So he's just totally okay with her using them, like, that's literally the first option, omgg MY FEELS? ♡

"Zhu Hong’s guess was right on the money. Zhao Yunlan hadn’t gone far at all. He’d found a hiding spot by the opening of the Huangquan Road, and there he squatted, a growing number of cigarette butts littering the ground at his feet."

Oh Zhao Yunlan, what a beautiful mess you are. And Zhu Hong knows that, lol.

"Afraid of bearing the brunt of his anger, Lin Jing kept his distance. He was observing the fury of the battlefield with a pair of binoculars he’d scrounged from somewhere."

At this point Lin Jing just goes 'oh, hey, battle!' whenever Zhao Yunlan does anything. ;D

"Shen Wei looked frankly terrible. He was covered in blood. His glasses had long since fallen off somewhere. The hair on his forehead was a little long, brushing the bridge of his nose and nearly covering his eyes. All in all, he was a pathetic sight.

I am so glad that when Shen Wei looks exactly like this in the drama (including the missing glasses), they have not been fighting at all. ♡

"Finally, Zhao Yunlan let out a resigned sigh and opened his arms. “Come here,” he said, and Shen Wei pulled him into a tight embrace."

I do appreciate the hug though. :D

"Even a dog would go blind, seeing this, Lin Jing thought to himself. He pretended to not exist."

Lol, oh Lin Jing. Also, is this is a saying? And what does it mean - that's it's embarrassing, or annoying, or ridiculous, or all of the above maybe? xD

"Nevertheless, even tiny shards of Chaos were still tremendously harmful. Immortals and gui alike had to avoid the sharp edge of its destruction. Occasionally, someone was unable to evade it and was swallowed silently, leaving behind not even a single hair. After all, wasn’t the whole point of Chaos to return everything to nothing?

Why are the gui destroyed by Chaos if they're made of Chaos? (Because they're also made of soulfire?) And then there's also going to be a line later that says the escaped Chaos is making the gui stronger, so is this happening just because these specific parts of it are shards/weapons?

"Before the sound of his voice had even begun to fade, the golden light flooded the entire Netherworld. The little lamps on the Huangquan Road, having been extinguished at some point, were lit once more. This time, their flames were far brighter, as if a dragon of fire were snaking along the Huangquan Road, waving its tail."

Another one of the gorgeous images that this book does so well. ♡♡♡ Also yay, the yao kicking ass with their secret methods. :D

"The halves fell, revealing the face that was a gloomy mirror of Shen Wei’s."

I like gloomy better than ugly, and yeah, apparently Ghost Face is not doing well at all. (Why did he split the mask anyway? Just another dramatic gesture? :P)

"You and I were born exactly the same. I don’t understand how I was inferior to you. You’re the solitary, noble Soul-Executing Emissary, while I’m the King of the Gui everyone wants to kill. That’s all fine."

Um no, THIS is not fine, and he's looking for other problems (and creating them) because of how much this specific thing is not fine.

"You think you’ve won without dirtying your hands?"

Oh, OUCH, Ghost Face knows exactly what to say, doesn't he. (Not that Shen Wei even planned this specific thing. SW says "The yao probably brought it." - it doesn't sound like he knew the net was going to be a thing.)

Aaaand it's Ghost Face who turns into a bomb. I love the illustration btw, very Ye Zun. :D (Ooooh, and Ghost Face growing this large, and people looking up at him and being all tiny at his feet, makes me think that this why Ye Zun was in the tall pillar in the drama.)

[facethestrange]

"He shoved his fanny pack into Guo Changcheng’s arms. “We went through a lot of work collecting those, so hold on tight. Don’t drop it.”
Guo Changcheng’s hands were shaking like he’d suddenly developed Parkinson’s. All he could do was hug the bag tight to his chest."

This sounds like Zhao Yunlan handing him the Hallows in the drama. :D

“Scared to death?” Chu Shuzhi continued. Guo Changcheng wiped his tears and kept on pecking. “That’s good.” There was zero sympathy in Chu Shuzhi’s voice. “Keep it up.”

This is so funny and also noooooo, don't do this to this sweet cinnamon roll. xD But also what else would you do, he does have the best weapon. xD

"He ripped his jacket open, exposing an arm that had turned a weird shade of blue. He wiggled his fingers, making his joints creak stiffly, then got out a piccolo carved from bone and began to play."

I have no idea why his arm turned blue? (And does the stiffness have something to do with Lin Jing's fingers being stiff too? Or just because he's a zombie? xD)

"“I’ve already paid for my crimes,” Chu Shuzhi said. He reflexively glanced at Guo Changcheng and saw that he was too busy trying to deal with the endless swarm of youchu to listen to the conversation. Inexplicably, Chu Shuzhi found himself sighing in relief."

And not that long ago he bragged about cannibalism to scare GCC away - that's a big change!

"As a human, Guo Changcheng’s unique status among his colleagues meant that when he’d started at the SID, he’d only signed a labor contract. Since he wasn’t bound by the Order itself, he only vaguely knew about it and had never actually seen it."

Um, so in vol 1, chapter 3 ZYL says about GCC: “Besides, as soon as he was assigned, his name was on the Soul-Guarding Order. I thought he’d have some special powers!” Contradiction, or did no one tell GCC about this? xD

"Medium well."

*SNORT* What a paragraph. :D :D

"But in the next second, the hand came to rest on his head, as though comforting him. It patted his hair gently.
If a forensic scientist or other expert had been there, they might’ve been able to tell Guo Changcheng that this skeleton had belonged to a very young man, probably just over twenty years old.
The soul of the living, the heart of the dead—perhaps every corpse on the verge of turning to dust still held a fragment of a treasured memory."

At first I thought it was CSZ patting GCC's head using his puppet skeleton, but the rest seems to imply that the skeleton did it on its own? Is it supposed to Feng Dawei?

"The weird youth who’d been troubling them suddenly ripped off his human skin, revealing the huge monster underneath: a high-level youchu."

Soooo high-level youchu are VERY high-level, intelligence-wise.

"Guo Changcheng couldn’t even dial 110."

Yay, the translation kept the emergency number China-specific. :D

"Chu Shuzhi rammed the car right through the barricade, driving desperately for the peak; escaping somewhere higher up seemed to be instinctual.
After managing to calm down slightly, he recalled that, back when Buzhou Mountain had fallen, all the races were said to have climbed a certain primordial mountain in search of protection. The fragments of legend lodged in his memory seemed to be guiding him."

I would say getting the hell out of the area sounds slightly safer than getting stuck on top of a mountain that anything and anyone else can also climb to get them, but who am I to argue with ancient legends. :D

"He peeled off his drenched shirt and took a seat, half-naked."

At least GCC has something to distract him from all the scary stuff. xD xD

"Guo Changcheng got up in the second half of the night and insisted on taking his turn. It seemed unnecessary to Chu Shuzhi, but he looked at the little baton that never left Guo Changcheng’s hand, and then he leaned against the frigid wall of the cave and closed his eyes."

Aw, he has actual faith in GCC (or at least in his baton). ♡ And he does fall asleep!

"Guo Changcheng rubbed his eyes firmly, switched the flashlight on, and dropped a few more cows’ tears into his eyes."

Hah, I was right - it was cows' tears instead of a talisman so that GCC can reapply them himself. :D

"She looked dangerously close to falling off."

What would happen if the ghost fell off of the bridge? It's not like it would kill her? :P (I know they're trying to be kind to her because she's terrified, but it just doesn't sound like she's in any physical danger, is she?)

"The bridge was only meant to hold one person at a time"

That doesn't sound safe for something that is normally a ticketed attraction. D:

"They both stood sideways so Guo Changcheng could squeeze past, albeit with great difficulty."

He was afraid to even imagine the drop below the bridge, but now that there's someone to help, he's doing this. :D

"A small bow made of rainwater materialized in front of him, and he slowly pulled out a yellow talisman for summoning thunder and chasing away evil."

I like CSZ just casually making objects out of rainwater!

"A black shadow flung itself into Zhao Yunlan’s arms."

AW, worried and pissed off Da Qing is adorable?? :D And "Me-fucking-ow", lolol, which somehow sounds plausible when I try to read it as a yowl and not as words, but also I'm wondering what the Chinese version of it was, at least phonetically. :D

"Shen Wei seized both human and cat and threw them up the tree."

Lolol. (This makes it even more impressive that a while back Zhao Yunlan could make his body so floppy that it was hard for Shen Wei to pick him up. xD) Also he doesn't throw Lin Jing, lol! Who is very good at climbing trees, but ZYL and DQ are not bad at it either. xD

"By this point, he had pieced together about half of what was going on."

I love how 'no one fully understand wtf is happening' is being lampshaded so much. xD You and me both, Sangzan (and also Zhu Hong, a chapter ago). xD

"He ducked his head slightly, as if feeling a trace of shame for his sneakiness. “Extreme times call for extreme measures. My apologies.”"

Zhao Yunlan hates the hell out of the Netherworld literally xD, I don't think he needs an apology for stealing from them. :P

"“This will hurt a bit,” he murmured. “Please bear with it.”
Something pricked Zhao Yunlan’s fingertip."

This is SO SOFT omg - pricking a fingertip doesn't generally hurt. xD

"Shen Wei leaned down and sucked Zhao Yunlan’s bleeding finger into his mouth."

♡_____♡ I am nothing if not disturbingly predictable. xD :D

"Wang Zheng and Sangzan exchanged a glance, and together, they walked beneath the Mountain-River Awl."

This is honestly so brave of Sangzan, having been imprisoned in it for so long. D: Especially since they are the first ones to walk up to any of the Hallows.

"Lao-Li, who had tied a string of tiny golden fried fish to the huge bone he carried, followed Daqing."

AW. Mostly because of what happens later, and also in general. ♡

"Should Kunlun-jun no longer be in this world, I will leave your father’s body and live on as ‘Zhao Yunlan’ for you."

I like this plan a lot better when it doesn't end up actually happening. :P

[autodach]

The 'for some reason' is just so funny to me, lol, what happened behind the scenes?

Lol. Reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean, where multiple characters just quietly switch sides, and noone ever questions it.
She just snuck in along the back lines XD

they still do, it's just that they unite against him this time. :P

Ha, he can suck it!

I'm probably missing something, but why was he trying to disguise his voice? :P

I think he doesn't want to admit he was scared?
In the fan tl, this line is very different - he talks about yelling "quietly". I'll have to bust out the Chinese version again later.

I'd rather they use this entire invisibility thing for something more fun than having a fight

Me too, hehe.

Contradiction, or did no one tell GCC about this? xD

Good catch! I guess they know he would faint if he found out XD

That doesn't sound safe for something that is normally a ticketed attraction. D:

Oh, I have absolutely been on bridges that tell you to cross one at a time. If not save, at least it's realistic.

love how 'no one fully understand wtf is happening' is being lampshaded so much.

Right? At least it's not just us XD

"Shen Wei leaned down and sucked Zhao Yunlan’s bleeding finger into his mouth."

👀♥️♥️♥️

[trobadora]

I have no idea why his arm turned blue? (And does the stiffness have something to do with Lin Jing's fingers being stiff too? Or just because he's a zombie? xD)

I think it's all his zombie nature coming through when he's preparing to use his zombie powers.

Um, so in vol 1, chapter 3 ZYL says about GCC: “Besides, as soon as he was assigned, his name was on the Soul-Guarding Order. I thought he’d have some special powers!” Contradiction, or did no one tell GCC about this? xD

Good point! I'll believe that they just never bothered to tell him, though. Seems like them. *g*

Is it supposed to Feng Dawei?

I have no idea, but it does sound like we're supposed to know it, right?

Soooo high-level youchu are VERY high-level, intelligence-wise.

Yes! And even the ones that don't look human can easily impersonate a human.

Yay, the translation kept the emergency number China-specific. :D

Ha, I didn't even notice because it's the same number in Germany. (I just looked it up - apparently it's only 110 in "Iran, Germany, Estonia, China, Indonesia, and Japan. Also used to reach the fire and rescue services in Norway and Turkey." And here'a a nifty map!)

What would happen if the ghost fell off of the bridge? It's not like it would kill her? :P (I know they're trying to be kind to her because she's terrified, but it just doesn't sound like she's in any physical danger, is she?)

She might just wander around down there as a ghost for ages without finding her way to reincarnation?

He was afraid to even imagine the drop below the bridge, but now that there's someone to help, he's doing this. :D

It's so Xiao-Guo! :D

And "Me-fucking-ow", lolol, which somehow sounds plausible when I try to read it as a yowl and not as words, but also I'm wondering what the Chinese version of it was, at least phonetically. :D

It's 喵了个咪的 (meowed a mi? something like that), which is apparently established net slang for surprise or astonishment.

I love how 'no one fully understand wtf is happening' is being lampshaded so much. xD You and me both, Sangzan (and also Zhu Hong, a chapter ago). xD

I don't love it but I hope it means we will get more explanations ...

This is honestly so brave of Sangzan, having been imprisoned in it for so long. D:

Yeah, that's an excellent point!

I like this plan a lot better when it doesn't end up actually happening. :P

LOL! Can't blame you there. *g*

[china_shop]

And not that long ago he bragged about cannibalism to scare GCC away - that's a big change!

Right? *smishes him*

Soooo high-level youchu are VERY high-level, intelligence-wise.

Right? And CSZ didn't notice anything particularly weird about him, either (merits and so forth). Maybe we've already met other high-level youchu who just didn't get caught!

I would say getting the hell out of the area sounds slightly safer than getting stuck on top of a mountain that anything and anyone else can also climb to get them, but who am I to argue with ancient legends. :D

LOL!!

At least GCC has something to distract him from all the scary stuff. xD xD

LOLOLOL!!! <3 <3 <3 :DDD

He was afraid to even imagine the drop below the bridge, but now that there's someone to help, he's doing this. :D

Yessss! *pets him so much*

I don't think he needs an apology for stealing from them. :P

But maybe for being sneaky in a way that excluded ZYL? Like, they could have pulled this heist together. ;-p

This is honestly so brave of Sangzan, having been imprisoned in it for so long. D: Especially since they are the first ones to walk up to any of the Hallows.

Oh, that's a really great point. Yay Sangzan!

[trobadora]

Mostly very confused, lol, good for him and all, but HOW? xD

RIGHT????

"Which of the things that has a direct parallel in the drama is your favourite bit of adaptation?"

My first thought is Zhu Hong's branch! ♡

Yes! That is delightful. So great that they managed to get that into the drama, despite it having no real equivalent to the tree it came from!

Aaaand I apparently exceeded the comment length limit

LOL, that happens so easily! Yay for lots of things to talk about! :D

I like how this scene somehow ended up with Zhu Hong and Zhao Yunlan snarking the Kings together. :D

Yeah, they made a great team there!

I'm assuming they rushed in through a different door that the violent ghosts don't know about. :P

Haha, I was wondering about that too.

This sounds like the Netheworld admits to having done that?

I think they're just not bothering to deny it, because it's not like they'll believe them anyway.

So when the Magistrate was complaining the the immortals don't unite anymore, he wasn't exactly right - they still do, it's just that they unite against him this time. :P

Yeah, they're not all just turning their backs! They're coming to fight with the Yanluo Courts instead! :p

Hah, so the plan for the bit of Chaos was to make Ghost Face think that there's some grand plan for the bit of Chaos. Neat! :D

Yeah, I liked that a lot!

It's not clear to me why it's too late to leave though - the people who fight him don't seem powerful enough to stop him from leaving? Is it just pride and not wanting to retreat?

I'm so glad it's not just me, it really isn't clear at all why he can't just turn back!

I'm probably missing something, but why was he trying to disguise his voice? :P

*high fives again* I have no idea either.

So was the life-borrowing case that brought them to the resort related to the Dial, or just a coincidence after all? If at that point Ghost Face didn't have the Dial anymore? (Or did he?)

Yeah, this is the part I can't figure out either.

I love that this is immediately after he leaves Shen Wei behind, because just a moment later Zhu Hong points out to SW that ZYL always talks shit he doesn't mean, and here he is, talking shit he doesn't mean. :D :D

Oh, great catch, yeah, that's so well put together!

OH SHEN WEI. I think I remember enough to know that this is not the reason at all.

Oh, really? Then it's even more depressing that Shen Wei is blaming himself ... /o\

So he heals random plants instead because at least that works? ♡♡♡

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH yes, I think that must be the connection, excellent catch!

I am so glad that when Shen Wei looks exactly like this in the drama (including the missing glasses), they have not been fighting at all. ♡

YES. I'm 10,000% with you on that!

Lol, oh Lin Jing. Also, is this is a saying? And what does it mean - that's it's embarrassing, or annoying, or ridiculous, or all of the above maybe? xD

From the fan translation:

"My dog eyes are blinded.*" Lin Jing, who was treated as though he didn't exist, silently thought in his heart.

(*TN: 'blinded dog eyes' is internet slang for when you see something that shocks you or grosses you out or something similar, it's a self-mocking term where you refer to yourself as the dog. Often used when people see PDA etc.)

("Right in front of my salad??")

Why are the gui destroyed by Chaos if they're made of Chaos? (Because they're also made of soulfire?) And then there's also going to be a line later that says the escaped Chaos is making the gui stronger, so is this happening just because these specific parts of it are shards/weapons?

I think they're destroyed because they're born from Chaos through the soulfire, yeah - so touching pure Chaos undoes their creation, essentially? But then I don't understand how it's making the gui stronger, either. (Is that line in next week's chapters? I guess I'll see what I think when I get there ...)

"The halves fell, revealing the face that was a gloomy mirror of Shen Wei’s."

Why did he split the mask anyway? Just another dramatic gesture? :P

It looked like that to me!

[facethestrange]

"So great that they managed to get that into the drama, despite it having no real equivalent to the tree it came from!"

Yesss, they are so good at just creating their own context for everything. :D

"I think they're just not bothering to deny it, because it's not like they'll believe them anyway."

Ah, good theory, thanks!

("Right in front of my salad??")

Excellent equivalent, hahah, and the dog saying is so fun too, thank you for the explanation! :D

"I think they're destroyed because they're born from Chaos through the soulfire, yeah - so touching pure Chaos undoes their creation, essentially? But then I don't understand how it's making the gui stronger, either. (Is that line in next week's chapters? I guess I'll see what I think when I get there ...)"

Yep, that makes sense! It is next week, yeah. Nothing is explained so this is just my speculation and not spoilers, but I'm thinking it may be that ambient Chaos being around = good, but actually touching the Chaos = bad.

[china_shop]

> > I'm probably missing something, but why was he trying to disguise his voice? :P
>
> *high fives again* I have no idea either.

Is he drawing attention to Ghost Face as part of Shen Wei's plan/heist, and both of them don't want to draw attention to the plan (given that GF for one knows that LJ and SW have both been down at the Seal)? Perhaps the plan involves LJ pretending to be some rando pointing out GF's presence?

[china_shop]

The 'for some reason' is just so funny to me, lol, what happened behind the scenes? The Crows just tagged along and didn't tell anyone why, and no one bothered to ask them or stop them? :D

Ha, yes, it sounds like it should be from the POV of one of the characters who didn't witness this development, but it's omniscient there, I think? So weird.

Hah, so the plan for the bit of Chaos was to make Ghost Face think that there's some grand plan for the bit of Chaos. Neat! :D

LOL! :D

It's not clear to me why it's too late to leave though - the people who fight him don't seem powerful enough to stop him from leaving? Is it just pride and not wanting to retreat?

Maybe it's having all those high-level gui right there? He can't back down without losing face/support? /hazarding a guess/

> > "Zhao Yunlan pointed at the bloody mess on Shen Wei’s chest. “Does it hurt?” Shen Wei began to nod, but he only made it as far as lowering his chin before pausing and quickly shaking his head."
>
> Oh yikes, I thought it wouldn't hurt after it was healed! This is a lot worse. D:

See, I honestly don't know whether to believe him, or whether he's just being manipulative again. Given the lengths he's been prepared to go to before now... ;-p Maybe he can't decide whether admitting he got himself hurt will make ZYL cold-furious or all Teeth gritted, Zhao Yunlan snarled, “I want to fucking drag you home and handcuff you so that you’ll stay put.” again.

Why did he even turn invisible specifically at this point anyway? Just to be extra dramatic? :D

I think he wants ZYL to see he was hurt (for sympathy), so he had to show himself to start with, but he's also trying to be all stealth.

But really tho, there is no wound under the blood anymore, why does it still hurt? D: D:

I don't think it does. ;-p (Aside: the dried crust of blood suggests he didn't have to swim to get to the Netherworld, right?)

*WIBBLES* So he heals random plants instead because at least that works? ♡♡♡

Oh, great point. Yeah!

I am so glad that when Shen Wei looks exactly like this in the drama (including the missing glasses), they have not been fighting at all. ♡

Yessssssss!

[facethestrange]

"Maybe it's having all those high-level gui right there? He can't back down without losing face/support? /hazarding a guess/"

I was thinking something along these lines too, but trobadora said elsewhere that the blockade made of Chaos that is behind Ghost Face and his army could be physically stopping them from leaving, and I think that's the case.

"See, I honestly don't know whether to believe him, or whether he's just being manipulative again. Given the lengths he's been prepared to go to before now... ;-p Maybe he can't decide whether admitting he got himself hurt will make ZYL cold-furious or all Teeth gritted, Zhao Yunlan snarled, “I want to fucking drag you home and handcuff you so that you’ll stay put.” again."

Lol, that is not something I've considered before, and I would buy it as a possibility (he REALLY liked being threatened with getting handcuffed after all xD) if it weren't for the fact that he can't climb the tree. ("Shen Wei stumbled back a few steps, exhausted. He slumped heavily against the pagoda tree, fighting for breath. Icy sweat dampened his temples." - it sounds very real to me.) But otoh this is right after he just placed the three new seals, so maybe the exhaustion doesn't have much to do with the injury.

"Aside: the dried crust of blood suggests he didn't have to swim to get to the Netherworld, right?"

Oh, very good point! I have no idea? I thought maybe he always just teleports and he only swam when he was carrying Zhao Yunlan, but that doesn't seem to be the case - in the first description of how he descended to the Seal (back in volume 2) he does go through the water. So maybe the water is not ~real water~ and/or SW has some self-drying power. xD

[trobadora]

Ha, yes, it sounds like it should be from the POV of one of the characters who didn't witness this development, but it's omniscient there, I think? So weird.

It is! Might as well have said, "for reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture." :p

See, I honestly don't know whether to believe him, or whether he's just being manipulative again.

I see no reason to think his pain isn't real. He's basically the poster child for saying he's fine when he isn't, and the bit where it first comes up is just him making a sound of pain when being shoved. And he's healed the hole in his chest, but I don't think that has to mean he's 100% back to normal; it makes sense that something strong enough to pin him could also leave some damage behind.

(Which reminds me - he needed Lin Jing to remove the icicle; what was his plan if Lin Jing hadn't been there? Or had he already figured that out?)

I think he wants ZYL to see he was hurt (for sympathy), so he had to show himself to start with, but he's also trying to be all stealth.

I really don't think he's deliberately drawing attention to his injury. Zhao Yunlan tells him to come out, so he comes out.

[autodach]

Zhao Yunlan tells Shennong's mortar to take his place and take care of his parents

Another scene that made it into the drama 1:1! It makes a bit more sense in the novel, where Zhao Yunlan's parents would presumably have no idea their son has died, and Shennong-bo could actually take his place for them as well as everyone else. Whether that's a bad idea, infeasable long-term, and/or morally questionable is a different story.

Zhu Hong defends Zhao Yunlan against the Yanluo Kings' designs

Zhu Hong is so cool ♥️
Love when she snakes out!

he resumed his true appearance

Very interesting how blatantly the novel states that Zhanhunshi is who Shen Wei truly is, while Professor Shen is a disguise.
The drama blurred the lines a lot more, putting the Professor persona on equal footing with Heipaoshi.

[facethestrange]

"It makes a bit more sense in the novel, where Zhao Yunlan's parents would presumably have no idea their son has died, and Shennong-bo could actually take his place for them as well as everyone else.

Oh yep, that's a very good point!

Badass giant snake Zhu Hong ftw! ♡

"The drama blurred the lines a lot more, putting the Professor persona on equal footing with Heipaoshi."

Yeah, in the drama he's both, but he's also neither - these are his jobs/functions/duties, but underneath everything he's just a normal Dixingren with a slightly cooler power. Zhao Yunlan as Kunlun going 'you're not just Heipaoshi, you're also a person' is one of the things that changed his life after all.

In the novel he was born the King of the Gui and made into the hybrid, and he can only ever pretend to be something else. (And I literally only just realized that this was also Kunlun going 'you're not just a gui'! But instead of reminding SW who he's always been, he made him into something else, which then became SW's true identity.)

[trobadora]

Zhao Yunlan as Kunlun going 'you're not just Heipaoshi, you're also a person' is one of the things that changed his life after all.

♥ ♥ ♥

And I literally only just realized that this was also Kunlun going 'you're not just a gui'! But instead of reminding SW who he's always been, he made him into something else, which then became SW's true identity.

Oh wow, that's fascinating, I hadn't looked at it that way but that makes sense!

[autodach]

But instead of reminding SW who he's always been, he made him into something else

Ooh, that's so well put!
I'm always feral over the fact they both turned the other into something else(something unnatural).

[trobadora]

Another scene that made it into the drama 1:1!

Yeah, it's seriously impressive!

I agree that it makes a little more sense in the novel, but also it'd be worse in the novel to have Shennong's mortar impersonate the dead ZYL to his parents! Whereas at least in the drama, the people close to ZYL know the truth and aren't being deceived.

Very interesting how blatantly the novel states that Zhanhunshi is who Shen Wei truly is, while Professor Shen is a disguise.
The drama blurred the lines a lot more, putting the Professor persona on equal footing with Heipaoshi.

Excellent point! In the drama, he's Shen Wei the person, and both the Envoy and Professor Shen are part of who he is but not the whole picture, and neither is more "real" than the other. But in the novel, he really just is the Emissary, whether in disguise or not. Which I guess is also why the university just falls away as the truth about him comes out.

[china_shop]

Very interesting how blatantly the novel states that Zhanhunshi is who Shen Wei truly is, while Professor Shen is a disguise.

Yes, that's such a good point! So different from the drama.

[trobadora]

I assure you, I'd never test you in this manner under less extraordinary circumstances.

So, uh, does that mean them being rude to him was "testing" him? Or is that meant more figuratively? I fail to see what they get out of it either way, or why they bother since they end up trying to just seize him anyway.

They're offering the carrot after the stick, Zhao Yunlan thought.

What's the carrot? What's the stick? Just the flattery vs. the rudeness? I'm not sure I'm following.

the ethereal Soul-Guarding Lamp, glowing with unearthly energy

So the drama version isn't exactly ethereal, but they kept this - it too can glow without a wick!

I want to find the Reincarnation Cycle that he left behind and awaken Kunlun's divine spirit. If I do, I might even be able to help you deal with that overbearing Ghost Face outside. So why stop me?

That's a good question! Why did they stop him, when that might have worked? Are they so sure killing him to get a wick for the Soul-Guarding Lamp is a better bet? I know ZYL says next that Kunlun if reawakened probably wouldn't have much power after all this time, but surely being a primordial god would count for something, if even his mortal reincarnation's blood is enough to provide a wick? /probably overthinking

The other Yanluo Kings landed before them; the flutter of their colorful robes in the air was like a flock of parrots swooping down.

What an image! :D

Zhu Hong, on the other hand, exploded. The lower half of her body transformed into a giant snake's tail, coiling around Zhao Yunlan. The delicate corners of her eyes elongated to reveal a cold-blooded animal's vertical pupils. "Don't you know he's just a mortal?" she demanded.

Go, Zhu Hong! :D

(I love how fearless she is, later even attacking the Yanluo Kings!)

Zhao Yunlan snorted. "Just think how bad that would sound."

Zhu Hong furiously scathing and Zhao Yunlan snarking, I love them both here. :D

A crowd of yao rushed in.

Through the doors being held closed against the invading ghosts? I mean, maybe the yao brushed the ghosts and the door guards away, but I feel like that would merit a mention?

The Crow tribe elder, who had so clearly severed her tribe from the other yao but was now back in the fray for some reason, had tagged along at the back of the crowd.

LOL! Idk if we learn more about what's going on with the Crows here, but I figure this has to be the source for the drama's Ya Qing changing sides at the end.

It was the Three Pure Ones of Daoism speaking.

My version of the fan translation helpfully links Wikipedia.

We know now why you had us all gather atop Kunlun Mountain. You secretly put a mark on each of us to attract the Chaos within the Place of Great Disrespect when it spilled over. You ensured everyone would suffer together!

This is what Shen Wei later confesses to having done, knowing the Netherworld would be blamed. And the Yanluo Kings don't even bother denying it! (I wonder if they're so used to getting blamed for all kinds of things, they just shrug it off ...)

By now, everyone who was anyone seemed to be there, even the Arhats of the West and unaffiliated immortals from all the land.

LOL! It's a regular convention there. *g*

In reality, the Great Seal was on the verge of collapse but had yet to truly break.

It's so fascinating to me that not even the Yanluo Kings can apparently tell the difference?!

Ghost Face had tracked his own trail of Chaos there. The very instant he surfaced from the water and saw the scene onshore, he realized he'd been duped, but it was already too late to leave.

So basically Shen Wei has lured Ghost Face there by making him think there's a plan he needs to figure out. What's stopping Ghost Face from turning around on the spot? It says a few paragraphs down that The Chaos that could swallow everything formed a huge blockade behind them. The Yanluo Courts had become a battlefield, inside and out. - so was the released Chaos not just a lure, but also a trap? Is it stopping Ghost Face from leaving again?

He shot several meters higher above the river and whistled. Countless gui answered his summons, bursting forth from the Wangchuan waters.

Is he controlling them, or are they actually on his side?

"Take a good look at the class of fighters out there. Don't get underfoot, little girl."

Ugh, she just attacked the Yanluo Kings for you, don't be so condescending! :(

"I tried to pitch my voice higher."

I'm not sure why he's disguising his voice?

A storm cloud descended on Zhao Yunlan's face. "Shen Wei, get the fuck out here!" - And a few paragraphs later: "Stay over there," Zhao Yunlan said, voice very low. "Don't come over here yet. It's not time for you to reveal yourself."

That made me laugh. Get out here, but don't!

Other than that, though, I really don't like the vibe of this scene, Shen Wei apparently anxious and afraid of facing Zhao Yunlan, to the point where he'll genuinely believe later that Zhao Yunlan doesn't want him to follow, and Zhao Yunlan so aggressive towards Shen Wei, looking like like he wanted to hit Shen Wei ...

Shen Wei began to nod, but he only made it as far as lowering his chin before pausing and quickly shaking his head. In the end, not knowing how to answer, he could only give Zhao Yunlan a pitiful look.

So he's still in pain, but doesn't want to admit it? And I really don't like this helpless vibe about him. I'm so glad drama!Shen Wei isn't like that.

Lin Jing developed a sudden, keen interest in the ongoing battle. He tugged on Zhu Hong's arm and pointed. "Look, Benefactress, they're fighting."

LOL! Lin Jing all LA LA LA ignore us we're not paying attention. :D

Even the Merit Brush I got then was a dupe, wasn't it?

AAARGH! Look, I love the drama's things-aren't-as-they-seem theme, but the novel does this in vastly less effective ways, IMO, where things just turn out to be lies all the time until you can't believe anything any more. /o\

Which means you already held three of the Four Hallowed Artifacts in your hands

Wait, so Ghost Face didn't have the Dial any more? Or was SW only remote-controlling it? *confused*

When the Netherworld had gathered everyone there, you also left marks on them all, right? That way, as soon as the Chaos beneath the Seal began to leak out, everyone got a taste of it, so no one could escape unscathed-and they'd all think it was the Netherworld's doing.

I must have missed something - what does "everyone got a taste of it" mean?

I should've realized when you split the ground open at the resort. You are the keeper of the Great Seal. If even I could tell that it was only a Ghost Army Summons, and not the Great Seal actually shattering, how could you not know?

Ha! So that was deliberate after all. I take back my complaints about the narrative judging Shen Wei. *g*

All your little redirects sure worked out well for you, huh?

I really hate how contemptuous Zhao Yunlan is about Shen Wei's plans. He can't even admire the cleverness, or the skill? Even if he does dislike being lied to/not being let in on the plan. (I'm not sure whether that's his issue, or if there's something else he disagrees with, other than Shen Wei getting himself icicled. He's just being extremely abrasive towards someone he knows can't shrug it off the way his team does.)

Suddenly, Zhu Hong spoke up. "Director Zhao, I have to stay. My fourth uncle is still here."

I'm glad that for once she's not putting ZYL over everyone else!

"Lord Emissary?" she called out. "Shen-laoshi? Hello? Hello, hello? Can you hear me? Are you still there?"

Zhu Hong! ♥ ♥ ♥

This entire passage between Zhu Hong and Shen Wei is so nice, after how stupid they've been about each other until now! But it's pretty depressing to me that Zhu Hong has to explain to Shen Wei that Zhao Yunlan doesn't mean all the things he says ... This whole conflict between them makes me feel like they understand each other so little, it makes it hard to buy into their relationship as something real. (Especially when contrasted with the drama, where they understand each other so well!)

"You've lied to him?" she exclaimed, eyes wide and mouth agape.

I'm not sure what she's so shocked about here?

but I mean, if you ran away from home and worried your mother sick, and she slapped you a couple of times after you were found, wouldn't you deserve that?

In fact, NO. You wouldn't. No one does!

The branch of the Great Divine Tree failed to thrive when it was planted in the Place of Great Disrespect, most likely because the existence of the gui is anathema to it. Throughout all the years I've stood in Kunlun's stead, I've done my very best, but I've been unable to care for it well. Millennia have passed, and this branch's two small buds are all I have to show for my efforts. I've always regretted that deeply," Shen Wei said.

Oh no, more depressing worldbuilding that Shen Wei blames himself for!

He fidgeted with the cigarette he'd grabbed from Zhao Yunlan like a kid who was in trouble and was afraid to go home.

I HATE THIS VIBE OMG.

Nevertheless, even tiny shards of Chaos were still tremendously harmful. Immortals and gui alike had to avoid the sharp edge of its destruction.

That does sound like maybe the Chaos is what's keeping Ghost Face from retreating ...

An instant later, the mask split in two. The halves fell, revealing the face that was a gloomy mirror of Shen Wei's.

It's so fascinating to me that not only does Ghost Face blow himself up (unlike the drama, where Ye Zun is blown up by Shen Wei), he also splits his mask himself, while Ye Zun's mask in YOHE is split in a fight.

"You and I were born exactly the same. I don't understand how I was inferior to you. You're the solitary, noble Soul-Executing Emissary, while I'm the King of the Gui everyone wants to kill. That's all fine."

None of this is fine! Ghost Face and all the gui have a very legitimate grievance here, and I really dislike that Shen Wei hates himself so much that he's basically throwing his entire species under the bus.

You think you've won without dirtying your hands?

Oh, ouch!

(The illustration with giant Ghost Face in the sky reminds me of the drama's livestream from Dixing, btw - that image hanging in the sky!)

"Scared to death?" Chu Shuzhi continued. Guo Changcheng wiped his tears and kept on pecking. "That's good." There was zero sympathy in Chu Shuzhi's voice. "Keep it up."

LOL! I mean, he's right, if Xiao-Guo stopped being so afraid his weapon would stop working! But still, LOL.

The calm earth underfoot started to ripple and buckle, and the "dust" that had coated the ground of the resort drifted up into the air. The dust motes were quickly drawn to each other, and one by one, intact human skeletons took shape.

Zombie powers! Very cool! :D

"Me? We gui are part of the natural order."

That's what Shennong said!

Medium well.

LOL!

If a forensic scientist or other expert had been there, they might've been able to tell Guo Changcheng that this skeleton had belonged to a very young man, probably just over twenty years old.
The soul of the living, the heart of the dead-perhaps every corpse on the verge of turning to dust still held a fragment of a treasured memory.

This sounds like I should know whose skeleton this is, but I don't ... Anyone?

He was a decisive fighter, and equally decisive when he fled.

Hee! That is a very cool sequence.

The weird youth who'd been troubling them suddenly ripped off his human skin, revealing the huge monster underneath: a high-level youchu.

So we have youchu who are even capable of passing themselves off as humans!

Chu Shuzhi rammed the car right through the barricade, driving desperately for the peak; escaping somewhere higher up seemed to be instinctual.
After managing to calm down slightly, he recalled that, back when Buzhou Mountain had fallen, all the races were said to have climbed a certain primordial mountain in search of protection. The fragments of legend lodged in his memory seemed to be guiding him.

That is so fascinating! But somehow I feel like they'd have been better off not trapping themselves on top of a mountain ...

It seemed unnecessary to Chu Shuzhi, but he looked at the little baton that never left Guo Changcheng's hand, and then he leaned against the frigid wall of the cave and closed his eyes.

Awww! I love this.

Chu Shuzhi curled his fingers as though drawing a bowstring back. A small bow made of rainwater materialized in front of him, and he slowly pulled out a yellow talisman for summoning thunder and chasing away evil. Rolling it into the shape of an arrow, he nocked it on the water bow.

I love all these abilities and techniques on display here!

Shortly thereafter, the entire Huangquan Road, the Naihe Bridge, and the Yanluo Courts themselves all shattered at once

Wow! All the Netherworld infrastructure!

Was there a gas explosion at the Yanluo Courts?!

OH DAQING! :D :D :D

Wang Zheng, Sangzan, and many of the SID's night shift were all there, with both lao-Wu and lao-Li, the nighttime and daytime guards.

After the Netherworld convention, we have another one here! :D

Besides that, the Soul-Executing Blade opened a substantial crevice at the resort.

Huh, "the resort", is Shennong's mortar expected to just know about that?!

At that point, Wang Zheng quietly spoke up. "What is the Great Seal?"

Yes, I'd like an answer for that too, Wang Zheng! So much going on, and I don't understand half of it ...

Long ago, Kunlun sealed the Four Pillars with the Four Hallowed Artifacts.

Where does that fit into the backstory again? I'm doing so badly with all of this. /o\

Something pricked Zhao Yunlan's fingertip. A bead of blood formed, then flew straight into the Soul-Guarding Lamp, where it became a slender thread. And then Shen Wei took off the pendant he'd worn around his neck for so long, the one that he never removed for any reason. He opened it and carefully poured some of its precious contents out. A minuscule flame flew from his fingertip, landing precisely on the tip of the delicate wick formed of blood. A firefly-faint glow began to shine within the Lamp.

So Zhao Yunlan's blood forms the wick, but what ignites it is his soulfire? What were the Yanluo Kings expecting to use?

I was heir to the thirty-six mountains and rivers, but I was born in filth. I am unable to establish any connection with the Four Hallowed Artifacts, so I hope you will all lend me a hand.

I'm unsure what "establishing a connection" with the Hallows means here, or why Shen Wei should be unable to do it. (But I believe it, because Evil Worldbuilding™ hates gui.)

He stood before them clad in the Soul-Executing Emissary's midnight robes, the full length of his hair spilling down around him. His innate demonic aura was unmistakable, as was his air of gentlemanly righteousness; a man at war with himself yet possessed of an elegance beyond compare.

♥ ♥ ♥

Shennong's mortar took a long look at him. "So in the end, is the Soul-Executing Emissary only able to uphold his vow because you've agreed to accompany him into death?"
Casually blowing a smoke ring, Zhao Yunlan asked, "Do you think I'm selling my body?"

LOL!

[trobadora]

Version comparison: so many! I'm not even listing everything, and look at this!

• From the fan translation:

  King Qinguang lifted his hand and erased the image reflected on the yin yang mirror. With a heavy expression, he spoke to Zhao Yunlan, the bandit who had abducted the magistrate with a gun:

  Only the heavy expression made it into the official translation.


• A descriptive paragraph that's also not in the official translation:

  Outside was in complete disorder. Even now that it's right at their doorsteps, this King Qinguang still stood still like a mountain. If a "heavy butt" could go into the Guinness World Record, he would probably be the only one in the three worlds. (t/n someone who sits and does nothing)

• Official translation:

  You knew Kunlun's divine spirit hadn't awakened because the Soul-Guarding Lamp remained unlit, right?"
  
  The Qin'guang King looked everywhere but at him. "This... This..."
  
  "Even if it did awaken, a divine spirit that's been sealed in a mortal body for hundreds of lifetimes has probably lost most of its power. I'd guess it's pretty much useless, huh?"

  Fan translation:

  "Actually you knew that that year when Shennong sealed me, for whatever reason my memory and powers could never be recovered, right?"
  
  King Qinguang's eyes moved rapidly: "This...This is true. At this juncture, we didn't want the Mountain God to waste his time..."
  
  "You haven't said what you wanted to find out from me yet." Zhao Yunlan once again interrupted his sentence.
  
  Zhu Hong seemed to sense something from his attitude, and stood behind Zhao Yunlan in silence, glaring at King Qinguang opposite them.
  
  Not waiting for the other to reply, Zhao Yunlan donned a fake, malicious smile: "Since you're not able to say it, let me say it for you. You wanted to find out if 'Kunlun Jun can never recover his powers' is true or not, right? 'Disrespect' is much less than the offense you wanted to commit, isn't it?"

• Official translation:

  I think you brought me here planning to extract a vial of it from my heart. Well?

  Fan translation:

  "You brought me here because you wanted to draw a tube of blood from my heart?" Zhao Yunlan squinted and gave King Qinguang a once-over, "My whole life I've behaved like a hoodlum towards others. I thought that I have already cultivated into an invincible old hooligan. I never would have thought that there were actually people who would play me instead."

• The line That's right. It's nothing but a mortal body! Can't you give it up to save the world? isn't in the JJWXC/fan translation version.


• Official translation:

  Now Zhao Yunlan sighed. Softly, he said, "I'd just like to remind you all it's not wise to burn all your bridges at once."

  Fan translation:

  "The Soul Slayer and Shennong Shi agreed to guard over the Great Seal, replacing Kunlun. They wouldn't kill for no reason. Is it that you guys were certain he could bear it and so were similarly emboldened in front of him?" Zhao Yunlan sighed and quietly said: "Sirs, I really want to speak out of turn and offer a piece of advice. 'Conduct yourself modestly and you will have room to beg favors in the future.'"

• The Crow Tribe elder is a "she" in the official translation, but a "he" in the fan translation. The Chinese version has no pronoun.


• Official translation:

  All the great immortals started to argue within the Yanluo Courts, yelling over each other.

  Fan translation:

  In the Yan King Hall, the big Gods from all walks argued into a ball and nobody was left to pay attention to Zhao Yunlan. He turned to Zhu Hong, who had obediently transformed to stand at the side after seeing Snake Fourth Uncle, and lowly said: "Why didn't I bring popcorn and Coke in here?"

• The explanation about the Great Seal not actually breaking, and about Shen Wei's plan to lure Ghost Face, isn't in the fan translation.


• A paragraph of exposition from the fan translation, after Ghost Face emerges and finds himself unable to retreat:

  Inwardly, Gui Mian resented Shen Wei for calculating against him. However, no matter what, he thought that the things between him and Shen Wei should stay between them from beginning to end, and didn't have anything to say to this insignificant and disorderly ant-like crowd.

• Official translation:

  Zhao Yunlan studied him, expression inscrutable. "Were you the one who yelled 'Chaos King of the Gui' just now?"
  
  Lin Jing hesitated. "I tried to pitch my voice higher."
  
  "Pitch your voice higher? I'd know your voice even if it were breaking." A storm cloud descended on Zhao Yunlan's face. "Shen Wei, get the fuck out here!"
  
  In response, Shen Wei slowly slipped out from behind the chamber's massive stone door. He looked far more anxious now than he had a moment ago during all his scheming and plotting.

  Fan translation:

  Zhao Yunlan sized Lin Jing up with an unpredictable expression: "Earlier, the two screams were from you?"
  
  "..." Lin Jing, "I was already yelling quietly."
  
  "Quietly? I could even hear your voice breaking when you yelled." Zhao Yunlan's face was dark like an oncoming rain storm, "Shen Wei, you better get your ass out here right now!"
  
  Behind the huge stone door of the secret room, Shen Wei finally slowly showed himself. He certainly did not have this conflicted expression on his face when he instructed Lin Jing to perform those disorderly acts.

  (So both shouts were from Lin Jing, which doesn't seem to be the case in the official translation? But also, what is the point of "yelling quietly"? And I don't think it being on Shen Wei's instruction explains anything either ...


• Zhao Yunlan's anger in the official translation:

  He looked like he wanted to hit Shen Wei.

  In the fan translation:

  It looked as though he was just about to jump into action and give Shen Wei a beating.
  
  However, in the end, Zhao Yunlan didn't even lift a single finger and only continued to remain silent. His tongue pressed up against his upper gums, forcing himself to keep his mouth shut. Then, he silently started counting, losing his place twice. This person who always mocked himself as having "low IQ" finally jinxed it just as he foretold-he fully used up nearly 2 minutes of time, before eventually stutteringly counting to 30.

• Lin Jing interfering in the official translation:

  Sizing up the situation at once, Lin Jing asked, "How could it not hurt? He passed out twice from the pain."

  In the fan translation:

  Lin Jing couldn't do anything properly, but he was exceptionally good at saying useless things like a salesman promoting products and was thus well-liked by a range of middle-aged housewives. As soon as he saw this situation, he was immediately like a dog licking at the door, revealing his sharp tongue as he said: "How could it not hurt, he fainted from the pain twice."

• Shen Wei explaining his plot is much shorter in the fan translation:

  "I lured him to use the Stone of Three Lives as the hearthstone at Kunlun Mountain Peak. Through the Soul Refining Furnace and the Merit Brush connecting with the Reincarnation Dial, the Mountain-River Awl was used to lock in the Reincarnation Dial."

• Not in the official translation:

  Shen Wei: "Gui Mian is not at the peak of his powers. A part of his power was sealed in the Houtu Great Seal, so he doesn't know that my senses are somewhat keener than his. I felt it at the time, that the broken pieces of the chaos were just under our feet."

• Somewhat different plotting on Shen Wei's part:

  "At the time I..." Shen Wei's voice gave out for a moment, he rapidly cleared his throat, "This was indeed not my initial plan. I wasn't initially that impatient, even though the string was already buried, but...there was still time after all. I didn't plan on acting this quickly. It was Gui Mian who was pushed to the edge of desperation, he used the broken shards of the chaos to set up an ambush to lure me in. I actually also was suddenly inspired to want to use the opportunity and push all the consequences onto him. Afterwards, when I was collecting the shards of chaos, I didn't want to get to the end with no achievements, so..."
  
  Zhao Yunlan leaned his head against the rock wall, and smiled sourly: "That's right, how quick-witted are you, after hearing me say two sentences on Kunlun Mountain, you made up a half-real half-false world of flood and famine - so you used 'cut off my arm' to test me, realizing that indeed you couldn't afford to mess with me...so you resolutely included me into your lies too?"
  
  Shen Wei's voice lowered: "You wouldn't have agreed..."

  (I'm not following this very well, admittedly.)


• Not in the official translation:

  After a while, Zhao Yunlan retracted his hand, saying with a neutral, even tone: "What do you plan on doing next?"
  
  Shen Wei fell silent for a while, opened his mouth and said somewhat desolately: "Nothing, just sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight*--I... I guess I have been this despicable since I was born. I don't want to indulge these people, shamelessly acting like a pitiful dog every day, hiding away waiting for someone to protect me."
  
  (*TN: a proverb describing someone who watches in the safety of the sidelines while two opposing sides fight, then reap the rewards in the aftermath)
  
  Shen Wei felt Zhao Yunlan's rejection, so he eventually still let go of him, backing away a few steps to the side: "Even though Gui Mian always saw me as his enemy, my enemy is not him. I only promised Shennong to guard the Great Seal."
  
  Shen Wei's words were veiled, but it wasn't difficult to pick up on the unspoken meaning-he didn't even care at all for Gui Mian who always chased behind him.

• Only the first half of this made it into the official translation:

  Zhu Hong propped one hand up on the rock wall, completely discourteous, and heavily released a sigh: "In Chief Zhao's words, my IQ is pretty low to begin with, and don't understand what you are all bustling about doing. Either way those conspiracies and schemes all seem to be very impressive-but you, the kind of person who treats a hammer like a needle, are you really able to deceive him? Then what he has for you is really true love."

• Official translation:

  The black shadow was now held back underground, but it was like a rapid river restrained by mud and sand. It smashed relentlessly against the invisible seal, and with every blow, the sound that rang out was enough to make the earth tremble.
  
  Zhao Yunlan grabbed Shen Wei's hand, all but dragging him up the tree.

  Fan translation:

  Someone from above called him: "Shen Wei!"
  
  Only then did Shen Wei turn around with great difficulty and climb up.
  
  The blocked black shadow on the ground was like turbulent river water obstructed by silt-it continuously scoured the invisible seal, every time bringing with it a loud, earth shattering noise.
  
  Just as Shen Wei's head emerged, Zhao Yunlan had already grabbed his hand and practically lifted him up.

• Official translation:

  Shennong's mortar took a long look at him. "So in the end, is the Soul-Executing Emissary only able to uphold his vow because you've agreed to accompany him into death?"
  
  Casually blowing a smoke ring, Zhao Yunlan asked, "Do you think I'm selling my body?"

  Fan translation:

  Shennong Bowl gave him a deep look: "So, in the end, the Soul Slayer would only honor his agreement without a second word because you agreed to die with him?"
  
  "Bullshit," Zhao Yunlan glanced at him lightly and carelessly breathed out a smoke ring, "These two things are unrelated. Do you think this master would sell his body?"

[trepkos]

"but I mean, if you ran away from home and worried your mother sick, and she slapped you a couple of times after you were found, wouldn't you deserve that?

In fact, NO. You wouldn't. No one does!"

Yes, fortunately, times are changing ... maybe not in China, though?

[facethestrange]

"So, uh, does that mean them being rude to him was "testing" him? Or is that meant more figuratively? I fail to see what they get out of it either way, or why they bother since they end up trying to just seize him anyway."

That's a very good question, but I think in the end this may all be happening simply because the Kings fail at logic. xD At least Zhao Yunlan thinks so? ("Years of experience working with the Netherworld told Zhao Yunlan that the dumbasses were obviously planning to ask something of him, but they were unwilling to swallow their pride to do so.", in chapter 20 when they're actively being rude.) But ITA that they fail at logic really spectacularly, and they don't seem to have any actual reason to do any of that.

"What's the carrot? What's the stick? Just the flattery vs. the rudeness?"

I think so, yeah.

"So the drama version isn't exactly ethereal, but they kept this - it too can glow without a wick!"

Oh, true, neat! :D

"That's a good question! Why did they stop him, when that might have worked? Are they so sure killing him to get a wick for the Soul-Guarding Lamp is a better bet? I know ZYL says next that Kunlun if reawakened probably wouldn't have much power after all this time, but surely being a primordial god would count for something, if even his mortal reincarnation's blood is enough to provide a wick? /probably overthinking"

Sounds like maybe if Zhao Yunlan dies trying and doesn't end up reawakening Kunlun's spirit (or if the spirit is not strong enough), there is no chance to ever get a wick for the Lamp again? So if they let him go, everything may be lost.

"I love how fearless she is, later even attacking the Yanluo Kings!"

Yesss! ♡ She used to be terrified of the Emissary, and now she's facing all kinds of powerful supernatural beings like it's no big deal, YAY ZHU HONG. :D

"Through the doors being held closed against the invading ghosts? I mean, maybe the yao brushed the ghosts and the door guards away, but I feel like that would merit a mention?"

Lol yeah, I'm just assuming everyone else knows about other doors, and the ghosts are attacking the first door they found. :D

"My version of the fan translation helpfully links Wikipedia."

Oh, thanks, I didn't think to look this one up!

"It's so fascinating to me that not even the Yanluo Kings can apparently tell the difference?!"

Yeah, I think only Shen Wei can. This makes me think - is it considered filthy to go down to the Seal and to know how it works? Like, Shen Wei is both the divine chosen one for this duty, and also he's the one who conveniently deals with the things no one else wants to be involved with?

"What's stopping Ghost Face from turning around on the spot? It says a few paragraphs down that The Chaos that could swallow everything formed a huge blockade behind them. The Yanluo Courts had become a battlefield, inside and out. - so was the released Chaos not just a lure, but also a trap? Is it stopping Ghost Face from leaving again?"

Oh, fantastic point, this must be it! I had no idea what was stopping him either, and I was also wondering what the blockade even did - I didn't get to any conclusion and didn't put the two things together, lol. This makes sense and explains everything!

"Is he controlling them, or are they actually on his side?"

I think he's controlling them, or at least he's scary enough that they have no choice but to follow. Maybe controlling the non-sentient gui and terrifying the sentient ones, like the one who guarded Lin Jing.

"Ugh, she just attacked the Yanluo Kings for you, don't be so condescending! :("

Aw. :( He's technically right - she is brave, but she's not strong. But his tone could be slightly more supportive indeed!

"I'm not sure why he's disguising his voice?"

I didn't get it either, but autodach's explanation makes so much sense - Lin Jing is all 'noooo, my voice didn't sound high-pitched because I was scared, it was totally on purpose'. :D

"That made me laugh. Get out here, but don't!"

Lol, I didn't catch that. :D

"Wait, so Ghost Face didn't have the Dial any more? Or was SW only remote-controlling it? *confused*"

*high-five on the confusion!*

"I must have missed something - what does "everyone got a taste of it" mean?"

I don't think it's explained, and I would love to know more too. I think we only know that they felt the Chaos somehow, and that's why they all gathered there. But what exactly that entails, and how it makes them suffer - no idea!

"I really hate how contemptuous Zhao Yunlan is about Shen Wei's plans. He can't even admire the cleverness, or the skill? Even if he does dislike being lied to/not being let in on the plan. (I'm not sure whether that's his issue, or if there's something else he disagrees with, other than Shen Wei getting himself icicled. He's just being extremely abrasive towards someone he knows can't shrug it off the way his team does.)"

I think his main problem is Shen Wei making him worry that he's actually in danger. I'm quite sure he will admire the cleverness and skill once he cools off - he always does. :D But his tone is unpleasant here, I agree.

"But it's pretty depressing to me that Zhu Hong has to explain to Shen Wei that Zhao Yunlan doesn't mean all the things he says ..."

I see your point about the conflict, but with this specific thing I see a parallel to Wei taking everything Kunlun says at face value. I think he puts a lot of value in words (there was this paragraph about books helping people understand their feelings better; and even if his university job is just a disguise, he still chose literature on purpose), and Zhao Yunlan really doesn't, and this may be the first time this even occurred to Shen Wei as a possibilty. Which does mean he doesn't know Zhao Yunlan very well! But it could be because he's never considered that people could have a different relationship with words than he does.

> >"You've lied to him?" she exclaimed, eyes wide and mouth agape.

"I'm not sure what she's so shocked about here?"

She doesn't know about the fake visions and everything, does she? I guess she doesn't expect Shen Wei/the Emissary to lie to anyone, let alone to Zhao Yunlan.

"It's so fascinating to me that not only does Ghost Face blow himself up (unlike the drama, where Ye Zun is blown up by Shen Wei), he also splits his mask himself, while Ye Zun's mask in YOHE is split in a fight."

Ahhh, now that you pointed it out, it kinda goes with how he causes all the problems himself because he doesn't want to (can't?) face the actual problem.

"None of this is fine! Ghost Face and all the gui have a very legitimate grievance here, and I really dislike that Shen Wei hates himself so much that he's basically throwing his entire species under the bus."

^ The actual problem. ITA!

"(The illustration with giant Ghost Face in the sky reminds me of the drama's livestream from Dixing, btw - that image hanging in the sky!)"

I can see that! :D When they don't have characters who can change their size, but they still want this imagery, lol.

> >"Me? We gui are part of the natural order."

"That's what Shennong said!"

Indeed! Makes me wonder if the gui kept this as some kind of traditional/culturally significant/holy saying.

"This sounds like I should know whose skeleton this is, but I don't ... Anyone?"

The only young man we know there is Feng Dawei, so I'm just assuming it's him, because otherwise I also have no idea. *shrugs* :D

"That is so fascinating! But somehow I feel like they'd have been better off not trapping themselves on top of a mountain ..."

Right?? My thoughts exactly. xD

"After the Netherworld convention, we have another one here! :D"

Lol! :D :D It's really sweet. :D

"Huh, "the resort", is Shennong's mortar expected to just know about that?!"

Hah, good question! If he knew where to come, he was probably in contact with the SID? And they knew where everyone went.

> >Long ago, Kunlun sealed the Four Pillars with the Four Hallowed Artifacts.

"Where does that fit into the backstory again? I'm doing so badly with all of this. /o\"

It's after his body was turned into the Lamp and before they go to guard the the Seal. I don't think we ever see it on-page, but Zhao Yunlan summarizes it twice: "After Nüwa repaired the sky, I used the Four Hallowed Artifacts to seal the Four Pillars. Was that when I abandoned you…and died?" (after the fake reveal) and "Kunlun gave the blood of his heart to seal the Four Pillars and then finally gave up his divine form and sent his primordial spirit to keep watch over the Great Houtu Seal." (after the full reveal).

"So Zhao Yunlan's blood forms the wick, but what ignites it is his soulfire? What were the Yanluo Kings expecting to use?"

Fantastic question, I have no idea? At first I thought maybe the soulfire is only needed for resealing the Pillars, and at this point the Kings just wanted the Lamp to have a wick, but the resealing was going to have to happen sooner or later (and very soon indeed!), and idk what they planned to use then.

...Wait no, Kunlun's other soulfire is intact on his other shoulder. So I guess that's what they were going to use. D: I'm not deleting the rest of my thought process, lol, but I'm pretty sure that's the answer!

"I'm unsure what "establishing a connection" with the Hallows means here, or why Shen Wei should be unable to do it. (But I believe it, because Evil Worldbuilding™ hates gui.)"

There will be a bit more about establishing a connection, but it does sound to me like Shen Wei is only unable to do it for Evil Worldbuilding reasons.

[china_shop]

So, uh, does that mean them being rude to him was "testing" him? Or is that meant more figuratively? I fail to see what they get out of it either way, or why they bother since they end up trying to just seize him anyway.

I don't think it's just rudeness. I think they tried to intimidate him by displaying the Hells and being all ~Yanluo Court~ at him, to try and get the upper hand. Since that didn't work, this king is confronting him with the Guardian Lamp and basically daring him to give his life to save the world? The kings are the ones who went to all this trouble to awaken Kunlun, right? So they're underhanded and manipulative, and they don't trust the Emissary, but at least they're trying to stop Chaos from destroying everything?

Why did they stop him, when that might have worked? Are they so sure killing him to get a wick for the Soul-Guarding Lamp is a better bet? I know ZYL says next that Kunlun if reawakened probably wouldn't have much power after all this time, but surely being a primordial god would count for something, if even his mortal reincarnation's blood is enough to provide a wick? /probably overthinking

Maybe that's the problem. Maybe, now the opportunity has arisen, they'd rather save the world without having a powerful god who outranks them swanning around. ;-p I don't know how much credit to give ZYL's assertions about Kunlun -- how would he (or anyone) know??

Through the doors being held closed against the invading ghosts? I mean, maybe the yao brushed the ghosts and the door guards away, but I feel like that would merit a mention?

Yeah, I've got nothing for that.

so was the released Chaos not just a lure, but also a trap? Is it stopping Ghost Face from leaving again?

Oh! The bit you quote says that GF "tracked his own trail of Chaos there" -- so he can't go back because of the Chaos he brought with him. And presumably none of his gui can go back either.

Shen Wei apparently anxious and afraid of facing Zhao Yunlan, to the point where he'll genuinely believe later that Zhao Yunlan doesn't want him to follow

Okay, so I just went back and read Shen Wei's confession about all his manipulating in ch 13. He tells ZYL to choose ("you're not allowed to think about it"), and ZYL's answer is, "“How long will the Great Seal hold out? Will there be enough time for me to live out my tiny mortal life? Will I be able to care for my parents in their old age and send them off?” And then they go to bed, and Shen Wei says, "Yunlan, with only a few decades left, let’s spend our lives together like mortals, all right?" And here Shen Wei is manipulating and orchestrating events again, everything is coming to a head much earlier than he planned, and he's freaked ZYL out. I think it's reasonable for him to be nervous at this point that ZYL might decide the deal is off. (I don't enjoy it, particularly, but I think it's fair.)

And like I said elsewhere, ZYL's anger is just like SW's at the hospital, after the ghost army summoning, and I don't think we had a problem with that?

*AAARGH! Look, I love the drama's things-aren't-as-they-seem theme, but the novel does this in vastly less effective ways, IMO, where things just turn out to be lies all the time until you can't believe anything any more. /o*

Riiiiiiiiiiiight?? *cries*

I HATE THIS VIBE OMG.

Me too. I hate it for both of them. It's all icky and messed up. Maybe SW should have, like, taken ZYL into his confidence beforehand, and then he wouldn't feel like he was facing the music here? ;-p

I really dislike that Shen Wei hates himself so much that he's basically throwing his entire species under the bus.

Yes, this! Even if it turned out that sealing away the gui was the right thing to do (for whatever reason, like if their presence destabilises the entire world), I don't feel like any of SW's judgements are made fairly or objectively because of his guiphobia. It's really frustrating.

(The illustration with giant Ghost Face in the sky reminds me of the drama's livestream from Dixing, btw - that image hanging in the sky!)

Ooh, yes! That's awesome.

After the Netherworld convention, we have another one here! :D

Oh, true. That's a great parallel!

[china_shop]

Great post! Great excerpt choices! \o/

Sorry if I sound a bit grumpy about these chapters. I'm so done with Shen Wei's lies, manipulating, secret plots and insecurities that I've kind of switched off. (I really really miss the drama's battle couple vibe.) GCC and CSZ were very cute, though.

What do you think of Shen Wei's plans? Or of the way he acts towards Zhao Yunlan?

I feel very eyeroll-y about it all (as much at a meta level as at SW himself). Did he actually need to manipulate everyone, or does priest just enjoy being confusing? ;-p

Are you following everything that's going on?

Not in the slightest. Which would normally be fine -- I don't need things to fit hard logic or anything. But I'm not enjoying the character/relationship stuff, so that pretty much just leaves me with setting (which I am enjoying; priest is so good at it), the ensemble and the humour (ditto and ditto).

How annoyed are you that we don't learn how Lin Jing made it to the Yanluo Courts in one piece?

Eh, I'm always willing to handwave stuff like that.

Any thoughts about Ghost Face exploding himself, and what the drama made out of that?

What has Ghost Face actually done other than annoy and fight Shen Wei? There's the terrible destruction at the resort -- was he responsible for that, or was it just the Seal weakening and he hung around waiting for Shen Wei to show up? Was there anything before that? Is he responsible for the Seal weakening, or is it just out of warranty and naturally falling apart? (I have no braaaain. Sorry!)

Which of the things that has a direct parallel in the drama is your favourite bit of adaptation?

Zhu Hong and Shen Wei talking about love. I like that they switched it around to make SW the one giving advice, and also that he apparently draws on his scientific knowledge to do it. Heh. Also, Chu Shuzhi giving GCC a thumbs up for zapping someone.

My notes. See caveat above.

They’re offering the carrot after the stick, Zhao Yunlan thought.

The stick is the implicit threat of hell and all the power of the Court, right? And the carrot is "here is a way you can achieve what you want (and what we all want: for you to save the three realms)"? Later on, they say, “It is our hope that the Mountain God’s noble character will have you consider the bigger picture.” So I'm pretty sure they're expecting ZYL to want to guard the world, and the carrot is a method for achieving that.

Zhu Hong turns into her snake form and sheds all her fear and inhibitions!

I'm so glad the drama let us see the Crow Elder changing sides instead of making it a non-event. They did such great things with that storyline.

So, wait, Shen Wei has deliberately orchestrated this whole uproar by releasing the Chaos into the Yanluo Courts in what -- a fit of petty vengeance? Is there more to it than that? *sighs* I really don't get what he's thinking.

Zhao Yunlan held her back. “Take a good look at the class of fighters out there. Don’t get underfoot, little girl.”

Is this payback for her patronising him in chapter 18? (Steam was practically coming out of Zhu Hong’s ears. “‘Little snake’? I’m a little snake?! What are you, then? In my tribe, someone your age would still be nibbling their eggshells, you mortal brat!”) They each keep trying to pull seniority over the other, lol.

ZYL tries to shoot a gui, but the gui dodges. I wonder if his bullets would be effective even if he hit.

A storm cloud descended on Zhao Yunlan’s face. “Shen Wei, get the fuck out here!”

LOL! He has a much better grip on what's happening than I do. But I don't like this -- they're working at odds. I want my battle couple! :-(

“And on the peak of Kunlun Mountain… When the Netherworld had gathered everyone there, you also left marks on them all, right? That way, as soon as the Chaos beneath the Seal began to leak out, everyone got a taste of it, so no one could escape unscathed—and they’d all think it was the Netherworld’s doing.”

Whaaaaaat? (Wait, is Shen Wei the big bad? Because this seems like such a dick move. It's not like the Netherworld needs slandering -- they're already pretty awful. And if SW wants to change the system, surely he could have used his influence as Emissary.)

You knew from the very beginning that Ghost Face was up to no good, but you still let him skewer you with an icicle. What is wrong with you?”

Great question!!! ;-p

Okay, so Shen Wei deliberately lets himself get stabbed (in front of ZYL) and stirs up all this lower-case-c chaos in the Netherworld, and when ZYL gets mad about it, SW pins him against a wall, won't let go, and tries to use sympathy about the (deliberately acquired and now healed) wound to make him stop being mad? Sorry, I just don't like manipulative!SW. I'm checking out.

Zhu Hong heaved a sigh. “Look, I’m not the brightest. I don’t understand what you guys are plotting half the time.

LOL, everyone is so confused, and priest is completely unrepentant about it. I think everyone saying this all the time is supposed to be a sign to the reader to just roll with it all.

Aww, ZH and SW talking about love. (I feel like SW could take a moment to realise that ZYL is furious in exactly the same way that SW was furious (and nearly slapped ZYL) after ZYL summoned the ghost army. I mean, it's exactly the same thing, flipped! ;-p)

Sacred Wood!

Lin Jing has randomly acquired binoculars, lol. I really have no sense of what the Netherworld is like. And ZYL has lit his twelfth cigarette?! (I wonder if SW can reverse the effects of smoking. ;-p)

Poor Ghost Face. :-(

Yay, ChuGuo!! And ha, CSZ gives GCC a thumbs up when his baton goes off -- they kept that in the drama. :D

I have noooooo idea why the fake rogue cultivator youchu went to all the trouble of befriending ChuGuo or what the other youchu were waiting for. But when he quotes the Soul-Guarding Order, I love the effect it has on GCC. The baton in his hand even calms down. <3 <3 <3

I love Guo Changcheng determinedly standing guard, too, and Chu Shuzhi trusting him to. *hearts them both* And ahhh, the bow made of rainwater is very cool!

DQ's screaming outrage!! <3 <3 <3

All four are now in my hands, and I must once again seal the Four Pillars that hold the earth and sky in place. I hope everyone here can help me stabilize the foundation of the sealing ritual.

So he is taking his responsibilities seriously after all, despite the convoluted plots, manipulations and lies. Was his earlier unconcern feigned? Was the massive destruction he provoked in the Netherworld necessary (rather than confronting Ghost Face somewhere where there'd be less collateral damage)? Ugh.

I am unable to establish any connection with the Four Hallowed Artifacts, so I hope you will all lend me a hand.

But earlier he says, "in truth, the Mountain-River Awl was always under my control". The rules around the Hallows feel very *handwave* whatever the plot requires. (Tbf, this is completely true in the drama, too.)

“Live well. Live like ‘Zhao Yunlan.’” Zhao Yunlan gave his father’s shoulder a disrespectful pat. “Enjoy the things you should enjoy, and whatever you need to do, do it well. Thank you.”

Aww! This is such a filial act -- he's figured out how to fulfil his Urgent to-do list item posthumously. (“Figure out how to evict that stupid bowl from Dad’s body.”)

Then Shen Wei brought his fingers together and struck the words forcefully with his palm.

I do like when he does that.

[facethestrange]

"Did he actually need to manipulate everyone, or does priest just enjoy being confusing? ;-p"

Definitely the latter. ;D :D

"What has Ghost Face actually done other than annoy and fight Shen Wei? There's the terrible destruction at the resort -- was he responsible for that, or was it just the Seal weakening and he hung around waiting for Shen Wei to show up?"

I think he has to be responsible for that, considering that the Seal keeps weakening further but this kind of thing didn't happen again. (Unless the very first escape of the gui will always do that, no matter how small it is? But there were gui in the mortal realm as early as volume 1, so I assume not.) He also kidnapped Lin Jing and stuck him underwater with the youchu.

"Is he responsible for the Seal weakening, or is it just out of warranty and naturally falling apart?"

I think it's both, but he's speeding it up. (He says “If I consume you, do you think I could break through the whole Seal?”, so he's been doing something to it.)

"Also, Chu Shuzhi giving GCC a thumbs up for zapping someone."

Hee, I was thinking of the drama scene too. :D

"So, wait, Shen Wei has deliberately orchestrated this whole uproar by releasing the Chaos into the Yanluo Courts in what -- a fit of petty vengeance? Is there more to it than that? *sighs* I really don't get what he's thinking."

He baited Ghost Face to come there, and also gathered every powerful immortal there (by putting the marks on them and making them aware of the Chaos) so that they can all fight Ghost Face. Which was successful until GF exploded himself.

"Is this payback for her patronising him in chapter 18? (Steam was practically coming out of Zhu Hong’s ears. “‘Little snake’? I’m a little snake?! What are you, then? In my tribe, someone your age would still be nibbling their eggshells, you mortal brat!”) They each keep trying to pull seniority over the other, lol."

Hah, good catch! And considering that her reply was already a payback, they really keep doing this to each other over and over. xD

"ZYL tries to shoot a gui, but the gui dodges. I wonder if his bullets would be effective even if he hit."

I didn't even think of that, but if they can casually impersonate humans, who knows what else they can do!

"And if SW wants to change the system, surely he could have used his influence as Emissary."

I don't think he has any influence with the Netherworld officials - it was said somewhere early on that they don't trust him and just wait for him to join Ghost Face. They're afraid of him, but that's about it, as far as I understand.

"LOL, everyone is so confused, and priest is completely unrepentant about it. I think everyone saying this all the time is supposed to be a sign to the reader to just roll with it all."

I think so too. xD

"I have noooooo idea why the fake rogue cultivator youchu went to all the trouble of befriending ChuGuo"

He wanted to trick them into revealing something about the Soul-Guarding Order (before CSZ told him it's none of his business), but idk what it was supposed to be or why.

> >I am unable to establish any connection with the Four Hallowed Artifacts, so I hope you will all lend me a hand.

"But earlier he says, "in truth, the Mountain-River Awl was always under my control". The rules around the Hallows feel very *handwave* whatever the plot requires. (Tbf, this is completely true in the drama, too.)"

Having control over them and establishing a connection with them seem to be different things. But it is very true that the Hallows to whatever the hell they want. :D

"he's figured out how to fulfil his Urgent to-do list item posthumously. (“Figure out how to evict that stupid bowl from Dad’s body.”)"

Ahhh, excellent catch, I love this!! ♡

[trobadora]

I really really miss the drama's battle couple vibe.

Yeah, same!

Did he actually need to manipulate everyone, or does priest just enjoy being confusing? ;-p

Six of one, half a dozen of the other? I think the part about tricking Ghost Face into a trap makes sense at least.

But I'm not enjoying the character/relationship stuff

Yeah. It's different things for me than for you (I'm so tired of Shen Wei being emotionally naive and helpless while simultaneously being manipulative, and of Zhao Yunlan on and off treating him like a naughty child, nothing about this dynamic works for me), but I'm 100% with you on the lack of enjoyment.

Eh, I'm always willing to handwave stuff like that.

You saying that made me wonder why it bothers me so much, since I'd normally be happy to take it as read that they took care of it somehow. I think it's because there's so much larger-scale stuff I'm not sure of, I want at least the details to be clear, LOL.

What has Ghost Face actually done other than annoy and fight Shen Wei? There's the terrible destruction at the resort -- was he responsible for that, or was it just the Seal weakening and he hung around waiting for Shen Wei to show up? Was there anything before that? Is he responsible for the Seal weakening, or is it just out of warranty and naturally falling apart?

My understanding is that Ghost Face has been actively weakening and trying to break the Seal for some time - it would naturally fail with time, but he's actively working towards that and hastening it - and what happened at the resort was part of his work.

Zhu Hong and Shen Wei talking about love. I like that they switched it around to make SW the one giving advice, and also that he apparently draws on his scientific knowledge to do it. Heh. Also, Chu Shuzhi giving GCC a thumbs up for zapping someone.

Aw! I love that conversation in the drama, so much. And while I don't enjoy the Shen Wei characterisation in the novel scene much, I do like that they got that moment together there as well.

The stick is the implicit threat of hell and all the power of the Court, right? And the carrot is "here is a way you can achieve what you want (and what we all want: for you to save the three realms)"? Later on, they say, “It is our hope that the Mountain God’s noble character will have you consider the bigger picture.” So I'm pretty sure they're expecting ZYL to want to guard the world, and the carrot is a method for achieving that.

Ooh, this is a great point, thank you, that makes so much sense!

I'm so glad the drama let us see the Crow Elder changing sides instead of making it a non-event. They did such great things with that storyline.

Ya Qing is such a fantastic character, and her arc is so good! And she's built out of almost nothing, it's amazing. :D

So, wait, Shen Wei has deliberately orchestrated this whole uproar by releasing the Chaos into the Yanluo Courts in what -- a fit of petty vengeance? Is there more to it than that? *sighs* I really don't get what he's thinking.

What? He's deliberately orchestrated this to trap and defeat Ghost Face. Because Ghost Face is trying to break the Seal and destroy the world, and he doesn't want that to happen. And I'm pretty sure restoring the Seal when it breaks is a one-time deal; Shen Wei doesn't expect to still be around after that, so Ghost Face has to be defeated first, or he'll just break it again after.

And involving the Yanluo Courts and all the cultivators and everyone is because he can't defeat Ghost Face on his own, and they wouldn't listen to him if he tried to form an alliance - they all fear him, but no one trusts him. So he had to trick everyone into it.

Is this payback for her patronising him in chapter 18?

Oh, good catch! It's a little better when it's not one-sided, but the "little girl" stuff comes across as so sexist, it still makes me twitch even if it isn't meant that way.

But I don't like this -- they're working at odds. I want my battle couple! :-(

You and me both!

Wait, is Shen Wei the big bad? Because this seems like such a dick move. It's not like the Netherworld needs slandering -- they're already pretty awful. And if SW wants to change the system, surely he could have used his influence as Emissary.

It's not a nice thing to do, but I don't think he had that many options when it came to gathering everyone in order to fight Ghost Face. What influence? I'm pretty sure the Emissary has power (he can do what he wants and no one can stop him) but no influence (he can't make other people do what he wants except through force; they all distrust him in part because he's a gui just like Ghost Face, and in part because he's so powerful). He's isolated in every way.

I mean, drama!Shen Wei can't manage to effect change in Dixing on his own, and he has a lot more standing and influence in Dixing than novel!Shen Wei has in the Netherworld.

Okay, so Shen Wei deliberately lets himself get stabbed (in front of ZYL) and stirs up all this lower-case-c chaos in the Netherworld, and when ZYL gets mad about it, SW pins him against a wall, won't let go, and tries to use sympathy about the (deliberately acquired and now healed) wound to make him stop being mad?

He lets himself get stabbed because he needs to be off the board to make the trap for Ghost Face work, and he stirs up all this chaos to trap Ghost Face, and when Zhao Yunlan gets mad about it, he's afraid Zhao Yunlan will break up with him. He doesn't draw Zhao Yunlan's attention to his wound, either - he lets out an involuntary sound of pain when Zhao Yunlan shoves him.

LOL, everyone is so confused, and priest is completely unrepentant about it. I think everyone saying this all the time is supposed to be a sign to the reader to just roll with it all.

Yeah, agreed - but as a reader, I feel this constant lampshade-hanging is just drawing more attention to all the frustrating confusingness.

I feel like SW could take a moment to realise that ZYL is furious in exactly the same way that SW was furious (and nearly slapped ZYL) after ZYL summoned the ghost army.

LOL, that's a good point!

I have noooooo idea why the fake rogue cultivator youchu went to all the trouble of befriending ChuGuo or what the other youchu were waiting for.

Yeah, I wasn't clear on that either.

So he is taking his responsibilities seriously after all, despite the convoluted plots, manipulations and lies. Was his earlier unconcern feigned?

I have no idea; I found his unconcern unsettling, and I'm very glad he's taking things seriously now!

Was the massive destruction he provoked in the Netherworld necessary (rather than confronting Ghost Face somewhere where there'd be less collateral damage)?

The way I understood it, everyone facing Ghost Face en masse was necessary as the only way to defeat Ghost Face. And even then he still managed to break the Seal!

But earlier he says, "in truth, the Mountain-River Awl was always under my control". The rules around the Hallows feel very *handwave* whatever the plot requires. (Tbf, this is completely true in the drama, too.)

LOL! I hope future chapters will explain more, but apparently connecting with the Hallows is something different from controlling them? Idk.

Aww! This is such a filial act -- he's figured out how to fulfil his Urgent to-do list item posthumously. (“Figure out how to evict that stupid bowl from Dad’s body.”)

Ooh, great catch! :D