Time has passed since the banquet. Xingyin left the Jade Palace and joined the Celestial Army in order to attain the Crimson Lion Talisman. However, rather than follow typical military hierarchy, she requests the freedom to choose her missions. General Jianyun reluctantly agrees. She joins Captain Wenzhi’s troops, as he is more likely to receive dangerous and important campaigns. She quickly learns to rely on both magic and weapons when fighting.

Her current mission is to defeat Xiangliu, a serpent with nine heads that has been terrorizing mortal villages. Its only weakness is the open eyes of its fifth—central—head, and it only briefly opens those eyes when it spits acid. In addition, the mountain in which it dwells dampens magic.

After the briefing, Wenzhi heads into the mountain despite the late hour, ostensibly to inspect the terrain for the upcoming battle. Xingyin heads to bed and distracts herself from lingering heartbreak by remembering her mother’s tale about meeting Houyi. He had also been a career soldier, and despite long periods of separation, he and Chang’e remained devoted to each other until Chang’e ascended to the moon. Xingyin envies her mother’s romance and seeks the moon’s comfort for her homesickness.