In this chapter, we are introduced to a new character, Mr. wang. He is a thief who has sold out of his core collection. He tells his friends that he has bought a leopard core, which is the only core in town that is worth more than one year's worth. He asks if they would like to buy the core for a bargain price. When they do, they are stopped by an armored guard, who tells them that there are robberies all over the island. They are told to stay away from the guards because they are at the early stages of core formation. Worried that the guards are there to protect their wealth, they change their appearance. They tell the guard that they need to be alert because there are armed guards patrolling the streets. The guard tells them to stop right there. Someone has reported that they stole rocks the night before. They don't know who this person is, but they do know that he broke into the Bai family's house and stole rocks. They ask the guard to arrest the thief and give them the cores that the thief bought. They also ask the general to give the cores to the thief's master, who they believe to be the son of a family elder. The general refuses to do this, saying that the man insulted the man in public. Confused, the man asks the general if he will spare the man's life if he gets on his knees and begs him to kill him.