Heaven Official's Blessing
The kingdom of Xian Le was ruled by the Crown Prince Xie Lian, who cared for his people. He was commended by ascending to heaven. After being banished twice for interfering with mortals, he ascends a third time, accidentally tearing down two heavenly officials’ palaces. In their debt and at his wits’ end, Xie Lian is tasked with solving a case filled with monsters, mystery, and missing brides.
After Xie Lian’s mysterious guide disappears, he realizes he is near a Ming Guang Temple, where General Pei is worshiped by mortals. Xie Lian enters the temple to see 17 corpses. Stunned, he sees a bandaged boy fleeing the scene. In his pursuit, Xie Lian runs into Xiao Pengtou and his bandits. Fu Yao returns to the heavenly realm for reinforcements as the ghost brides attack.
Xie Lian discovers Xuan Ji is the Ghost Groom just as she appears and goes on a killing spree. Xie Lian overpowers her before learning the truth: When General Pei was in the earthly realm, he courted Xuan Ji, an enemy general. When their relationship fell apart, Xuan Ji broke her own legs in her grief and despised the many smiling brides on their way to Mt. Yujun.
Xie Lian continues to search for the bandaged boy to no avail. He returns to heaven and finds out the mysterious young man in red is Hua Cheng, who defeated 33 heavenly officials, and whose name is accompanied by fear in that realm. Xie Lian decides to descend to the mortal realm and busies himself collecting junk in town. There, he meets another young man in red and decides to test him.
Xie Lian asks the young man about Hua Cheng, and he is suspiciously forthcoming. Despite his apprehensions, Xie Lian’s kindness prevails, and he takes San Lang to the Chestnut Temple. San Lang’s sincerity and talent raise more questions, especially when it is revealed he knew what Xie Lian looked like when he was crown prince. Later, a bewitched survivor arrives at the temple after an attack.
Xie Lian finds the story of Half-Moon Pass strange and asks the heavenly officials about what transpired there. It becomes clear that a senior heavenly official is behind the disappearances, and no one dares look into it. Xie Lian decides to go investigate, and San Lang joins him. They pursue two Daoists before getting caught in a sandstorm.
