While investigating beneath the kiln, Xu Qi’an and Caiwei discovered saltpeter used for explosives, as well as a powerful demon beast. Caiwei identified it as a “charming beast,” a fearsome creature with impenetrable scales. The group, composed entirely of Silver Gong-level Nightwatchmen, worked together to restrain it. Just as they thought they had defeated the beast, it played dead and escaped while they were distracted.
Fearing the beast might return with reinforcements, Xu Qi’an and his companions gave chase. Fortunately, the beast had not gone far before it suddenly collapsed and died. Their first mission as a team ended in success, lifting everyone’s spirits. Noticing Xu Qi’an was injured, Caiwei gifted him a healing pill she had crafted herself. True to his nature, Xu Qi’an shared the pill with his comrades.
The mysterious voice Xu Qi’an had heard in the kiln turned out to originate from the jade mirror he carried. Unsure of the mirror’s true nature, he entrusted it to Caiwei for safekeeping.
The group brought the demon beast’s corpse back for evaluation. Wei Gong (Wei Yuan) sought opinions from Yang Yan and Li Yuchun. After reporting on the mission, Li Yuchun added Xu Qi’an’s earlier comments about the local situation. Xu Qi’an had pointed out that while the demon clan’s tyranny disrupted the villagers, sealing the area would also cut off their livelihoods. He suggested petitioning the emperor to reduce taxes to alleviate their burden.
Though Li Yuchun was initially critical of Xu Qi’an’s “meddling,” Wei Yuan praised him for his broad perspective and compassion for the people, advising Li Yuchun to set aside his prejudice.
Li Yuchun, still irked, punished Xu Qi’an for his outspokenness by assigning him and his team to clean the latrines. After completing the task, Xu Qi’an proposed taking his comrades out for relaxation. They decided to visit the Jiaofang Division to enjoy some music, and Xu Qi’an generously accompanied them.
Since Xu Qi’an’s earlier poetic display at the Jiaofang Division, rumors about a mysterious “Yang Ling” had spread among its patrons. Few knew his true identity. When Miss Fu Xiang’s maid recognized Xu Qi’an, she immediately informed her mistress. After days of refusing to meet guests, Fu Xiang appeared, elegantly dressed, and walked straight to Xu Qi’an. Calling him by name, she drew a crowd of admirers who surrounded Xu Qi’an with awe.
Pleased with the attention, Xu Qi’an “reluctantly” took to the stage to compose an impromptu poem. While performing, he noticed a maid in the audience staring intently at him. Believing her to be a servant of the Crown Princess, who had recommended him to the Nightwatchmen, Xu Qi’an recited “Ode to the Lotus” to express his gratitude.
However, Xu Qi’an had mistaken the maid’s identity—she was actually serving Princess Huai’an, not the Crown Princess. Misunderstanding his intent, the maid was infuriated, spitting at him before storming off. Confused, Xu Qi’an returned home, pondering what he had done wrong.
Later, Princess Huai’an summoned Xu Qi’an and asked if he would become one of her protégés. Unaware of her identity behind the screen, Xu Qi’an, eager to meet the Crown Princess, pretended to be indifferent, even refusing Huai’an’s offer of gold. Frustrated, the princess stepped out from behind the screen, leaving Xu Qi’an startled.
