How to Get the Backstreet Courtyard Key
Finding every hidden location in Phantom Blade Zero isn't always straightforward. Some areas are locked behind special items, optional bosses, and side quests that players can easily overlook. The Backstreet Courtyard Key is one such item, and getting it requires a little exploration beyond the usual main story path.
The tricky part is that the key doesn't actually appear anywhere near the locked door it opens. Instead, players must travel to the Mountain of Imprisonment, discover a hidden side quest called Ledger of Atonement, and defeat a boss known as the Ironmask Assassin.
Fortunately, the journey isn't particularly difficult once you know where to go. This guide walks through every step, from finding the right NPCs to triggering the boss fight and collecting an additional quest reward.
What Does the Backstreet Courtyard Key Unlock?
The Backstreet Courtyard Key is a special progression item in Phantom Blade Zero. Its primary purpose is to open a locked location in Pangzhen, giving players access to an area they otherwise can't enter.
However, finding the key can be confusing because its location is tied to a side quest in an entirely different region.
Players shouldn't waste time searching every corner of Pangzhen for it. The correct destination is the Mountain of Imprisonment, where a hidden encounter provides the key.
More specifically, the item is obtained by defeating the Ironmask Assassin during the Ledger of Atonement quest. This means players must first discover and activate the quest before the boss becomes available.
Where to Find the Backstreet Courtyard Key
Quest location: Mountain of Imprisonment
Required quest: Ledger of Atonement
Key reward: Ironmask Assassin boss fight
The first thing players need to do is travel to the Mountain of Imprisonment. The entire quest takes place around two bell checkpoints: Commander’s Platform and Shrine Outer Gate.
These checkpoints are important because players will travel between them several times while completing the objectives.
The key itself is dropped by the Ironmask Assassin, a hidden boss who only appears after progressing through the Ledger of Atonement quest.
The good news is that this isn't one of the toughest encounters in the game. The Ironmask Assassin is considered a relatively manageable opponent, so most players shouldn't need an elaborate combat strategy.
Still, bringing a stronger weapon can make the fight even easier, especially if your current equipment isn't particularly effective.
How to Start the Ledger of Atonement Quest
Before searching for the key, players need to activate the correct side quest.
Start by traveling to the Commander’s Platform bell in the Mountain of Imprisonment. From there, climb the hill until you reach two NPCs standing together near the top.
You'll need to speak with both characters, but the order matters:
Talk to the woman first.
Approach the Agonized Ironmask, Chen Zhu.
Speak with Chen Zhu to initiate the Ledger of Atonement quest.
Once the conversation is finished, the quest becomes available, allowing players to continue toward the next objective.
Don't skip this interaction. Without activating the quest, the Ironmask Assassin won't appear, meaning there's no way to obtain the Backstreet Courtyard Key through this route.
How to Get the Backstreet Courtyard Key Step by Step
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With the Ledger of Atonement quest active, it's time to follow the trail. The route includes another boss encounter, a short fight against wolves, and a final conversation that triggers the Ironmask Assassin battle.
Here's the complete walkthrough:
Step | What to do |
1 | Travel to the Shrine Outer Gate bell. |
2 | Walk down the stairs and jump into the lower area. |
3 | Defeat the Kui Yanyan boss. |
4 | Follow the lower path until it splits, then turn left. |
5 | Defeat the wolves along the path. |
6 | Pick up the Ledger lying on the ground beyond the wolves. |
7 | Return the Ledger to Chen Zhu near the Shrine Outer Gate bell. |
8 | Take the item he gives you and bring it back to him. |
9 | Select the dialogue option "This won't absolve you of your sins." |
10 | Defeat the Ironmask Assassin and collect the key. |
The most important part of this sequence is the final dialogue interaction. Choosing the correct response triggers the Ironmask Assassin encounter.
If you select a different dialogue option, you might not activate the battle as intended, so pay attention when speaking with Chen Zhu.
Once the boss is defeated, the Backstreet Courtyard Key is automatically added to your inventory.
How to Defeat the Ironmask Assassin
The Ironmask Assassin is the final obstacle between players and the Backstreet Courtyard Key.
Thankfully, this encounter shouldn't cause too much trouble. Compared with some of the more demanding boss fights in Phantom Blade Zero, this opponent is relatively easy to handle.
Players who want to make the battle even smoother should consider switching to a stronger weapon before triggering the encounter.
A few general tips can also help:
Upgrade your equipment: Better weapons can shorten the fight and reduce the time spent dealing with the boss.
Watch your positioning: Avoid getting trapped in unfavorable positions during combat.
Stay patient: Don't rush attacks when there's an opportunity to dodge and counter.
Prepare before the dialogue: Make sure your equipment is ready before selecting the option that starts the encounter.
After defeating the Ironmask Assassin, the main objective is complete. You can now use the Backstreet Courtyard Key to access the previously locked location in Pangzhen.
Don't Miss the Bloodstained Necklace
Although obtaining the Backstreet Courtyard Key is the main reason to complete this quest, there's another reward worth collecting.
After defeating the Ironmask Assassin, players can speak with the female puppet to finish the Ledger of Atonement quest. Doing so rewards the Bloodstained Necklace.
This item is particularly useful because it's required for the Bai Xue quest later in the game.
In other words, players who stop immediately after obtaining the key could miss an opportunity to collect an important quest item. It's much more convenient to finish everything while already exploring the Mountain of Imprisonment rather than returning later.
Here's a quick breakdown of both rewards:
Reward | How to obtain it | Purpose |
Backstreet Courtyard Key | Defeat the Ironmask Assassin | Opens a locked location in Pangzhen |
Bloodstained Necklace | Speak with the female puppet after the fight | Required for the Bai Xue quest |
The two rewards serve different purposes, but both are worth collecting if you're aiming to complete more of the game's optional content.
Final Thoughts on Getting the Backstreet Courtyard Key
The Backstreet Courtyard Key is a good example of how Phantom Blade Zero hides useful items behind optional exploration and seemingly unimportant NPC interactions.
Although the locked door in Pangzhen might initially seem like a simple key-hunting objective, the actual solution takes players to the Mountain of Imprisonment and introduces them to the Ledger of Atonement side quest.
The route is fairly straightforward once you know the correct checkpoints and dialogue choices. Defeat Kui Yanyan, collect the Ledger, return it to Chen Zhu, and choose the correct response to trigger the Ironmask Assassin fight.
Most importantly, don't leave immediately after collecting the key. Speaking with the female puppet rewards the Bloodstained Necklace, which you'll need for Bai Xue's quest later.
For players who enjoy uncovering hidden content, optional encounters, and secrets in action RPGs, this is one side quest worth completing. And if you're interested in discovering more gaming guides, updates, and insights into blockchain games, NFT Playgrounds has plenty more to explore.
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