Chapter 17 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens with Ying and Ye-kan caught red-handed in Master Gerel's workshop at night. Gerel accuses them of trying to steal the second test question. Ye-kan quickly improvises an excuse, claiming they were checking for intruders, but Gerel is not convinced. Ye-kan then produces his white jade pendant, reminding Gerel of his Bayara clan heritage and the fourth beile's nomination for Ying. He argues that cheating would ruin their reputations and that they have far too much to lose. Gerel, swayed by the clan's wealth and sponsorship, spares them from expulsion but sentences them to twenty strokes of the rod in front of all the other candidates.
After the punishment, Ye-kan confronts Ying, demanding to know why she was in the workshop. Ying, unwilling to reveal her true motives, lies and says she wanted to cheat because she lacked confidence. Ye-kan is hurt and accuses her of not treating him as a friend, then storms off. Ying feels guilty but believes she must protect him from her dangerous secrets.
Three days later, the forty-one remaining candidates gather at the airship repair yard for the second test. The weather is unseasonably cold, with snow falling—an omen some interpret as inauspicious. Gerel announces a team challenge: each group must repair an unknown fault on an assigned airship, with only three sticks of incense worth of time. Ying is grouped with An-xi and two others; Chang-en joins Ye-kan's team.
As soon as the test begins, the airships are released and ascend into the sky. Ying's team discovers their engine is smoking—a kaen gas explosion has damaged it. With the ship losing altitude, they must find replacement parts. Ying recalls her father's teachings about engine repair and, with An-xi's knowledge of airship construction, they scavenge pistons from the boiler room and gears from the kitchen. Ying takes charge, disassembling the engine and rebuilding it piece by piece, guided by her father's memory of how gears work together. The engine roars back to life, and the ship stabilizes.
Looking around, Ying spots Ye-kan's airship in trouble: one of its sails is broken, leaving it tilted dangerously. Despite An-xi's objections, Ying steers their ship alongside, retracts a sail, and lashes the two ships together, saving Ye-kan and Chang-en. Chang-en, exhausted but grinning, calls her a genius or plain reckless, but is glad she is on their side.
Key Events
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Ying and Ye-kan are discovered in Master Gerel's workshop at night.
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Ye-kan uses his jade pendant and clan reputation to argue against the accusation of cheating.
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Gerel spares them but sentences them to twenty strokes of the rod before the other candidates.
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Ye-kan confronts Ying about her presence; she lies about wanting to cheat, and he leaves hurt.
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The second test begins at the airship repair yard; teams are assigned and airships are released.
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Ying's team discovers a smoking engine and scavenges parts from the boiler and kitchen.
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Ying rebuilds the engine using her father's memory and An-xi's technical knowledge.
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Ying spots Ye-kan's ship with a broken sail and steers her ship alongside to lash them together, saving the crew.
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Chang-en remarks on Ying's recklessness and brilliance.
Character Development
Ying shows remarkable growth in this chapter. Her guilt over Ye-kan's punishment reveals her conscience, but she remains resolute in keeping her true mission secret. Her engineering skills come to the forefront as she takes charge of the engine repair, demonstrating both knowledge and leadership. Her decision to risk her own ship to save Ye-kan's shows her altruism and loyalty, even when others refuse to help.
Ye-kan displays integrity and resilience. He endures the public beating without revealing Ying's secret or using his princely status to escape punishment. His hurt at Ying's lie shows his genuine desire for friendship and trust, making his later reconciliation with Ying more meaningful.
An-xi initially appears arrogant and dismissive, but when faced with the crisis, he freezes. Ying's forceful encouragement and her willingness to act push him to contribute his knowledge. By the end, he cooperates and even helps with the rescue, showing a shift from self-interest to teamwork.
Chang-en remains a supportive and observant figure, offering a lighthearted comment that underscores Ying's daring nature.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Honor and reputation: Ye-kan's argument to Gerel hinges on the importance of clan honor and the consequences of shame. The public punishment reinforces the theme of reputation in the guild.
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Secrecy and deception: Ying's lie to Ye-kan and her hidden motives drive the emotional conflict. She chooses to protect him by withholding the truth, highlighting the cost of her secret mission.
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Teamwork and collaboration: The second test explicitly requires teamwork, and Ying's success depends on combining her practical skills with An-xi's theoretical knowledge. The rescue of Ye-kan's ship further emphasizes the value of working together.
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Life-or-death stakes: The airship test is not just a competition; failure means death. This raises the tension and makes Ying's risk-taking more significant.
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Altruism and sacrifice: Ying risks her own ship and her team's safety to save Ye-kan, even when An-xi argues it is not their responsibility.
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Paternal guidance: Ying's father's voice guides her through the engine repair, showing how his teachings continue to influence her.
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Social class and privilege: Ye-kan's jade pendant and clan wealth protect him from expulsion, while Ying's lack of formal training forces her to work harder.
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Public punishment and shame: The rod strokes are meant to humiliate and deter, and Ying's fear of disrobing (which would reveal her identity) adds another layer of danger.
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Engine as heart: The engine is described as the heart of the airship; when it fails, the ship dies. This metaphor underscores the importance of Ying's repair.
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Jade pendant: The pendant symbolizes Ye-kan's identity and privilege, and also serves as a reminder of Ying's own hidden burden.
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Omen of snow: The unseasonable snow is interpreted as an inauspicious sign, foreshadowing the perilous test.
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Cobra insignia: The cobra on the airship represents the guild's power and danger, and Ying's initial awe turns to uncertainty.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal for several reasons. It deepens Ying's internal conflict between her secret mission and her growing friendships, particularly with Ye-kan. The second test showcases her engineering abilities and resourcefulness, proving she belongs among the candidates despite her lack of formal training. The rescue of Ye-kan's ship strengthens their bond and sets up future alliances. Additionally, the chapter introduces the theme of teamwork and the high stakes of the guild trials, raising the narrative tension and preparing readers for the challenges ahead.
Study Questions and Answers
- Why does Ying lie to Ye-kan about her reason for being in Gerel's workshop?
Ying lies because she cannot reveal her true mission—she is investigating the guild for reasons she believes are too dangerous for Ye-kan to know. She also feels that Ye-kan is too innocent and naive to be involved, and she wants to protect him from the consequences of her actions. Her lie causes a rift between them, but she believes it is necessary.
- How does Ying's father's memory influence her performance in the second test?
Ying recalls her father's teachings about engine repair, specifically the principle of working from the inside out and alternating large and small gears. This memory gives her the confidence to take charge when her teammates freeze, and it ultimately leads to the successful repair of the engine. Her father's guidance, even in memory, proves crucial to her survival.
- What does Ying's decision to rescue Ye-kan's ship reveal about her character?
Ying's decision shows her altruism, courage, and loyalty. Despite An-xi's objections and the risk to her own ship, she refuses to let her friends die. It also demonstrates her quick thinking and ability to improvise under pressure, as she devises a plan to lash the two ships together. This act solidifies her role as a leader and a protector, and it earns the respect of her peers.
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