This chapter's epigraph comes from the master's soliloquy, in which he bemoans the fact that the sects are not allowed to participate in three competitions at the same time, which means that this year's journey is over. The master explains that he has a rule that forbids one sect from competing in three contests in a row. He wants to report it back to the king, but he also wants to take Caixian with him. The king agrees to the plan, and the two of them leave for a business trip.