In this chapter, we learn that Cai Ming-ling is still alive, but he's not happy about it. He wants to go back to the "bai family," but he can't bear the thought of going back to his old self. He's also worried that if the demon core is returned to him, he'll have to die. He doesn't know how to get it back, he tells us, because it's forbidden by the treaty with the holy congregation. He also tells us that he heard a strange sound coming from inside, and that he feels a chill down his back.