This chapter opens with a description of the brain worms that have been found in the brains of the soldiers. The worms are called "gu worms" because they are said to be the "secret weapon" of the people of the Nanjiang province. The narrator tells us that the worms are the first time he's seen one raised inside the brain. He wants to know who put the worms in the soldiers' brains. He suggests that the commanders of the zhenge troops should summon their subordinates and prevent the deaths of more soldiers. He says that it's difficult to summon subordinates because people will suspect him of rebellion for his sudden deployment. So how exactly were the soldiers poisoned? These wounds are indifferent sizes. He tells us the worms entered their bodies and hatched inside brains. As they grew bigger they ate brain crazily, and completely destroyed human brains. This explains why the worms drove the soldiers insane. He adds that other people in the Protectorate camp may also have been infected with the worms. The next morning, he'll bring some people over to inspect the situation. He'll also summon the troops to gather there.