Chapter 35 Summary: Special Level of Hell
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
A month after leaving, Zetian returns to her remote village with the production crew and other pilots. Her father immediately berates her for abandoning the family to face harassment after her "murder" of Yang Guang. Demanding money and rescue, he escalates until Zetian uses her qi-charged armor to intimidate him. She reveals that Yang Guang truly killed Big Sister, and that the family's willingness to sell her as a concubine made this mess. Her mother sobs silently. Zetian flees to the backyard.
Xiuying brings her a baby-blessing doll from Zetian's mother, a traditional gift wishing for children. Xiuying argues that poverty on the frontier shapes people and that moving the family to Chang'an could change them. Zetian reflects on her own fear of leaving home and her sister's sacrifice, eventually deciding to relocate her mother and grandmother. Later, Qieluo confronts Zetian, sharing her own painful history of relatives who exploited her generosity after she became famous. She warns Zetian that forgiving her family so easily teaches them there are no consequences, and that "the entitled assholes of the world are sustained by girls who forgive too easily." Zetian insists this situation is different, focusing on protecting the innocent half of her family, but Qieluo dismisses her optimism.
Key Events
- Zetian's father confronts her about the village's harassment; she retaliates with qi powers and reveals Yang Guang's murder of Big Sister.
- Her mother gives a baby-blessing doll via Xiuying, hoping Zetian will have children.
- Xiuying advocates for moving the family to Chang'an, arguing that environment shapes behavior.
- Zetian decides to relocate her mother and grandmother despite her anger, motivated by her sister's memory.
- Qieluo shares her own story of being exploited by relatives and warns Zetian that her forgiveness is naive.
Character Development
- Zetian: Demonstrates newfound power by confronting her father openly. Shows vulnerability and empathy toward her mother but also internal conflict between self-protection and family duty. Her decision reflects growth in understanding her own past fear of change.
- Xiuying: Acts as a compassionate mediator, offering a nuanced view that poverty can warp people but that change is possible. Her emotional intelligence contrasts with Zetian's anger.
- Qieluo: Reveals a bitter backstory of family exploitation, hardening her into a cynical realist. Her speech about predators disguised as prey deepens her character and establishes a commonality with Zetian as someone who also refuses to break under harshness but falters under gentleness.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Family Obligation vs. Self-Preservation: Zetian must choose between cutting ties or helping the family that mistreated her.
- Appeasement and Respect: Qieluo argues that appeasement never earns respect, while Xiuying believes compassion can lead to change—a tension central to the chapter.
- Environment Shapes Character: The saying "Poor mountains and vile waters make foul people" is invoked. Both Xiuying and Zetian's internal monologue question whether people can change if removed from poverty.
- Baby-Blessing Doll: Represents societal expectation for women to bear children and the mother's love, but also the gulf between mother and daughter—Zetian rejects that path yet clutches the doll with emotion.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens Zetian's internal conflict between vengeance and mercy, and between family loyalty and self-respect. It introduces a philosophical debate about forgiveness and change that will likely influence her decisions going forward. The relocation of her family raises the stakes—she now has more to protect and lose. Qieluo's backstory adds complexity to her character and hints at a possible understanding between two powerful but wounded women.
Study Questions and Answers
Q1: Why does Zetian eventually decide to help her family despite her anger?
A1: She reflects on her own earlier fear of change and realizes her mother and grandmother have never known any other life. She also remembers that Big Sister died for the family and would not want Zetian to abandon them out of pettiness.
Q2: How does Qieluo's personal experience shape her advice to Zetian?
A2: Qieluo supported many relatives financially only to be disrespected when she cut them off. She learned that "the entitled assholes of the world are sustained by girls who forgive too easily," and warns Zetian that her family will continue to take advantage.
Q3: What does the baby-blessing doll symbolize for Zetian?
A3: It represents her mother's desire for Zetian to have children within a traditional marriage—something Zetian rejects. Yet the doll also carries the weight of maternal love and the impossibility of true understanding between them.