Contents
Chapter Thirty-Five: Special Level of Hell
Overview
Zetian’s return home becomes a hostile confrontation that exposes her family’s abuse and her own conflicting loyalties. Guided by Xiuying’s plea for compassion, Zetian arranges safe refuge for her mother and grandmother. Back in Chang’an, Qieluo condemns her choice as appeasement, shares her own exploitation by relatives, and forges a wary truce with Zetian.
Summary
During a media visit to Zetian’s village, her family drags her inside and erupts over the public backlash from Yang Guang’s death. When Zetian explains her earnings fund the counterattack, her father accuses her of abandoning them. Zetian unleashes qi, denounces their treatment, and storms out.
Outside, Xiuying delivers a baby-blessing doll from Zetian’s mother and urges moving the family to safety in Chang’an. Weighing cycles of appeasement against systemic hardship, Zetian decides her mother and grandmother would be punished if left behind. She resolves to place them in Gao Qiu’s estate, leveraging his desire for control.
Back in Chang’an, Qieluo confronts Zetian, calling her “pathetic” for giving unearned help. They acknowledge a pragmatic tolerance between them. Qieluo recounts being exploited by relatives she subsidized, arguing that appeasement breeds entitlement and warning Zetian her choice will return to hurt her.
Zetian maintains her aid is a targeted rescue for the innocent half of her family, while Qieluo insists consequences matter. They part with a fragile compromise: no forgiveness implied, just mutual restraint—and a looming risk that Zetian’s compassion may be used against her.
Who Appears
- Wu ZetianProtagonist; confronts abusive family, asserts power, decides to relocate her mother and grandmother to Gao Qiu’s estate.
- Zhao XiuyingPilot who brings a baby-blessing doll, urges compassion, and persuades Zetian to secure refuge for her family.
- QieluoRival pilot; condemns Zetian’s aid as appeasement, shares her exploitation by relatives, and agrees to a wary truce.
- Zetian’s fatherVerbally abuses Zetian, blaming her for village backlash and demanding money; retreats when she manifests qi.
- Zetian’s motherFrightened and tearful; sends a baby-blessing doll and becomes a focus of Zetian’s rescue plan.
- Zetian’s grandmotherSilent presence implicated in family dynamics; included in Zetian’s plan to relocate to safety.