Summary

In Chapter 21, Zhu and Ma sleep together as Zhu realizes her unfaltering love for Ma. In the morning, Zhu visits Jiao to tell him that she will overcome everything and rule. She summons white fire to her hand with just faith and Jiao says that is not a known color of the Mandate of Heaven. Zhu, however, calls it a radiance.

Two days later, Zhu’s forces leave for Bianliang where they set up camp four days after Ouyang. Zhu wonders why Ouyang continues to be haunted by ghosts before remembering the rules that a traitor’s family should be killed to the ninth degree. Zhu decides to meet Ouyang again, but Xu Da says they have other options. Zhu promises her plan will work.

Zhu heads to Ouyang’s tent as she hears the ghosts outside. He enters and immediately pins...