A Zhu complains to He Zhou that although the Linglong Hall looks beautiful, she hasn’t seen Zhao Ming for many days. A Zhu questions whether Zhao Ming is truly as busy as He Zhou claims. He Zhou explains that the time of the Sacred Monarch belongs to all under heaven, naturally keeping him occupied. A Zhu asks, “Aren’t you the most important person by Zhao Ming’s side? Why are you so free?” He Zhou responds that he bears heavy responsibilities, but when A Zhu presses for details, he simply states that such burdens cannot be disclosed. He then suggests playing dice with A Zhu, instructing her to wager her most precious possessions. A Zhu reluctantly offers her last remaining pastry, explaining that it’s her favorite and she hesitates to part with it.
He Zhou, looking exasperated, advises A Zhu to wager something ordinary instead. Reluctantly, A Zhu presents the gold, silver, and jewels that Zhao Ming had bestowed upon her. He Zhou swiftly wins all her valuables, though A Zhu hasn’t yet mastered the game. Just then, Zhao Ming and his attendant, A Yan, arrive. Observing He Zhou’s prowess, Zhao Ming remarks that He Zhou should also be taught by him. He Zhao Ming then takes out his large ring as a new wager and quickly wins back all of A Zhu’s gold, silver, and jewels. A Zhou, heartbroken, collapses onto the table. Zhao Ming instructs A Yan to issue an order prohibiting dice games within the palace henceforth. He explains to A Zhu that dice games are a bad habit, to which A Zhu responds, “When Zhao Ming isn’t around, it’s just you and He Zhou keeping me company.”
Zhao Ming warns that if A Zhu continues to associate with He Zhou, she will eventually be corrupted by him. He states his intention to find a gentleman to teach her how to read and write. The “gentleman” Zhao Ming refers to is the Royal Advisor. A Zhu visits the Royal Advisor but arrives somewhat late. She asks if he is angry, to which he assures her he is not. A Zhu mentions that He Zhou told her to be respectful, but she feels an inexplicable sense of familiarity upon meeting the Royal Advisor. Hearing her say “a feeling of old friends meeting for the first time” deeply shocks and delights the Royal Advisor. This is because A Zhu is, in fact, the Chaos Pearl that has accompanied him for ten thousand years, while he embodies the Tianming Scriptures. The Royal Advisor has always been by A Zhu’s side, carrying their shared memories.
The Royal Advisor begins teaching A Zhu simple Chinese characters, explaining that the two horizontal lines in the character for “heaven” signify that heaven governs humanity. A Zhu expresses her dislike for heaven. She brings the Royal Advisor some pastries she made, saying, “These are what I made myself.” A Zhu asks if the Royal Advisor is angry because she’s struggling to learn, but he assures her he’s not and praises her intelligence. She requests that he continue teaching her to recognize characters the next day. The Royal Advisor remarks that living as a human is simple and joyful, and he gifts A Zhu a calligraphy brush. After A Zhu leaves, the Royal Advisor tastes the pastries she brought and notices they are sweet. His attendant, Zi Chen, arrives and points out that the pastries are actually savory.
The Royal Advisor reminisces about his days in the heavens, living without any emotions or experiences of the joys and sorrows of life alongside the Chaos Pearl. He then mentions to Zi Chen that he encountered a compatriot whom he should have taken back, but their families are filled with restrictions and dullness. Zi Chen responds that hometowns should be places of happiness, implying that if that were the case, there would be no need to return. Meanwhile, A Zhu is practicing writing when Zhao Ming arrives. She acknowledges that Zhao Ming follows the Mandate of Heaven’s path, but Zhao Ming clarifies that the Mandate of Heaven isn’t what he seeks. He hopes that humans can break free from heaven’s constraints. Looking at A Zhu, Zhao Ming expresses his wish for her to live a long and happy life. A Zhu replies, “I am Zhao Ming’s Pearl, so I must always be with him.”
The Divine Emperor, in his quest to find the Divine Child, orders his subordinates Yu, Chi, and Zhan from the Divine Clan to search the mortal realm. However, the three fail to locate the Divine Child. They intend to use Zhao Ming for their own purposes and compel him to assist in finding the Divine Child. The Royal Advisor receives an imperial decree from the Divine Emperor and presents it to Zhao Ming. Zhao Ming instructs him to destroy the decree, asserting that as long as he remains, the Divine Clan cannot control him. Every day, Zhao Ming worries about this matter, his brows furrowed so deeply that he cannot sleep peacefully. Observing his distress, A Zhu approaches to inquire about Zhao Ming. The Royal Advisor explains the situation to her, and A Zhu decides to stay and support Zhao Ming, who finds comfort in her presence.
