To Embers We Return (焚情) Read Along: Chapters 31-40

[neuxue]

I know the novel has finished serialising and some of you have already finished reading it, but I've been having fun catching up in the comments of the previous chapter-by-chapter discussions so here's another read-along post. Whether you're also planning to binge-read the whole thing now that it's finished, or have already read it and want to relive the fun, or are following via douqi's translation, come and join me!

Note: I will not be writing detailed chapter summaries because I'd like to finish the novel sometime this decade, but I'll try to give at least brief notes on what happens, to help keep track of where in the story we are. I might also switch to 20 chapters at a time rather than 10 to keep the number of posts manageable but want to get to a nice multiple of 20 first.

Discussion of Chapters 1 to 10 can be found here.

Discussion of Chapters 11 to 20 can be found here.

Discussion of Chapters 21 to 30 can be found here.

The link to the novel on JJWXC is here; douqi's ongoing translation is here.

Comments

Chapter 32

[neuxue]

The child's headless body steals the head of a guard who gets too close. Dou Xuanji tries to intervene, but the 'child' blocks her strike, and asks Dou Xuanji for her body. People flee, seeking refuge in the wealthy houses nearby, all of whom (with the exception of Prince Wei, the emperor's despicable brother) offer shelter. Shen Ni, not wanting to reveal the truth of Bian Jin's repairs, helps lead the other abomination away, while Bian Jin marvels at the capabilities Ni's Heart has unlocked. They effectively drop the abomination on Prince Wei's house, about which Shen Ni is oh so very sorry. After Bian Jin defeats it, Shen Ni notices her hand is bleeding where she was wielding the lightning whip, and realises with irritation that Bian Jin hasn't felt pain normally since Ni's Heart was installed, and simply hadn't told her. Says they can't wait until tomorrow to do a full examination.

Re: Chapter 32

[neuxue]

- Shen Ni and Bian Jin throwing a monster at Prince Wei's house is so delightfully absurd.

- Love to see Bian Jin testing out the extensive range of her powers! Can't wait to see her up against something that actually challenges her (like, say, a batallion of over 200? Oh wait...)

- There's a passage about how Bian Jin's hands are scarred but beautiful: hands that have slain enemies and protedted her own, hands that raised Shen Ni... and I know we're long past the 'sure hope this doesn't awaken anything in me' point on Shen Ni's part but, well.

- The mention of Bian Jin being a poor liar is interesting. *looks veeeeery closely at those sealed memories*

Re: Chapter 32

[douqi]

Shen Ni and Bian Jin throwing a monster at Prince Wei's house is so delightfully absurd.
I loved the extreme basement-dwelling gamerbro loser vibes he had in this scene.

The mention of Bian Jin being a poor liar is interesting. *looks veeeeery closely at those sealed memories*
POINTEDLY NOT SAYING ANYTHING

Re: Chapter 32

[neuxue]

I loved the extreme basement-dwelling gamerbro loser vibes he had in this scene.

Play stupid games win stupid prizes! *drops a monster on your house*