Chapter Summaries

Sui Jingcheng and her family were ambushed on the road, but Chen Ping'an intervened, exposed Cao Fu’s scheme, and forced him to reveal the plot against her. After Cao Fu left alive, Chen Ping'an explained his judgment of the people involved and gave Sui Jingcheng a carved Hiking Staff to take to Cui Dongshan as he continued teaching her how to cultivate her judgment and Dao heart.

• Sui Jingcheng killed the saber wielder with Golden Hairpins and tried to protect Sui Xinyu from an archer’s deadly arrow, but Chen Ping'an arrived and pursued Xiao Shuye.
• Cao Fu intercepted the Sui riders and tried to take Sui Jingcheng away; she resisted, but he subdued her and revealed his plan to deliver her to his master and the Old Ancestor of Golden Scale Palace.
• Chen Ping'an appeared, knocked Cao Fu unconscious, and returned with Xiao Shuye’s head; Sui Jingcheng begged him to accept her as a disciple, but he refused and planned for her to seek out Cui Dongshan.
• Cao Fu confessed the secrets of his sect and Golden Scale Palace, then Chen Ping'an let him go with Xiao Shuye’s head to carry a warning back to his allies.
• By the campfire, Chen Ping'an used a chessboard to explain his choices and his observations of Sui Xinyu, Hu Xinfeng, and the others, while Sui Jingcheng listened and reflected.
• Chen Ping'an carved a message into his Hiking Staff for Cui Dongshan, advised Sui Jingcheng to carry it safely, and said he would not accompany her south after they reached Immortal Ferry Crossing.

Chen Ping'an guided Sui Jingcheng toward Treasure Bottle Continent while helping her understand her cultivation and the choices surrounding her mysterious master. Near Saisao Mountain Villa, they met Wang Dun, who recognized them and welcomed them to stay.

• Chen Ping'an examined Sui Jingcheng's Golden Hairpins and booklet, identified the hairpins as Thunder Method treasures, and warned her that her wandering master's intentions remained uncertain.
• Sui Jingcheng decided that if she became Chen Ping'an's or Cui Dongshan's disciple, she would still seek to repay her wandering master by becoming his disciple if they met again.
• Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng traveled toward Wuling Kingdom's Imperial Capital Region, sharing stories and encounters that led her to think about cultivation, justice, and compassion.
• Near Saisao Mountain Villa, Chen Ping'an used a flying sword to drive off Lu Dayong and his companions when they tried to crowd Sui Jingcheng at a wine shop.
• Chen Ping'an recognized the disguised wine-shop proprietor as Wang Dun, and Wang Dun recognized Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng before inviting them to sit and talk.

Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng left Wuling Kingdom after he warned hidden enemies away from the Sui family and traveled north toward Luying Kingdom. Along the way, Sui Jingcheng witnessed a brutal border skirmish and questioned when a cultivator should intervene, while Chen Ping'an explained the consequences of acting without seeing the wider world.

• Chen Ping'an and Wang Dun exchanged fists in a staged, evenly matched bout, after which Chen Ping'an collected Wang Dun's Thin Plum Wine and obtained horses and directions to an Immortal Ferry Crossing in Luying Kingdom.
• Wang Dun returned to Saisao Mountain Villa and spoke with Wang Jingshan about the villa's burdens, telling him he could leave to roam the jianghu if he ever wished.
• Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng rode north through Jingnan and watched Jingnan Kingdom scouts slaughter Wuling Kingdom scouts; Squad Leader Gu spared one wounded enemy before ordering the dead buried.
• Chen Ping'an told Sui Jingcheng that the young soldier's third-realm cultivation was impressive and explained that fortune and effort shaped people's paths.
• Chen Ping'an explained to Sui Jingcheng that intervening in a conflict could cause wider harm, using the border skirmish and their earlier visit to Zhengrong Peak as examples.
• As they continued their journey, Sui Jingcheng asked to drink, but Chen Ping'an refused unless she paid.

Chen Ping'an avenged a massacred village, defeated the assassins who ambushed him, and continued north with Sui Jingcheng after teaching her about conscience and responsibility. Elsewhere, Pei Qian returned to Nanyuan Kingdom and became Cui Cheng's final disciple, while the chapter followed the changing lives of people connected to Chen Ping'an.

• Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng found a village slaughtered by Northern Yan cavalry, pursued the killers, and Chen Ping'an killed the cavalry unit before facing a masked group of assassins.
• The assassins trapped Chen Ping'an with a talisman array and several divine arts, but he broke free, killed their array master and other attackers, and forced their leader to retreat before killing him too.
• Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng returned to bury the villagers, and he reassured her about her choices before explaining why he had taught her and rejecting her affection.
• Wang Dun visited Fu Lou Tai and her husband, while Du Yu rescued a pursued White Dao Disciple; other brief scenes showed people across the world pursuing their own paths.
• Cui Cheng sent Zhu Lian and Pei Qian into the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, where Pei Qian met Zhong Qiu and then asked Cui Cheng to teach her boxing.
• Cui Cheng accepted Pei Qian as his final disciple and immediately began training her, while a memory showed Chen Ping'an greeting Pei Qian beneath an umbrella in Nanyuan Kingdom.

Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng reached the riverside road near Dragon Head Ferry, where they met Qi Jinglong and debated the power of rules and principles. Qi Jinglong revealed himself as Northern Juluzhou’s Land Flood Dragon, while Sui Jingcheng discovered Chen Ping'an had lied about being three hundred years old.

• Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng continued north, and he guided her cultivation while explaining the danger of her mysterious Dao impartor and his plan to place her under Cui Dongshan’s care if needed.
• After reaching Luying Kingdom, Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng sold their horses and walked toward Dragon Head Ferry, where he promised to make arrangements for her safety.
• A lecher accosted Sui Jingcheng on the riverside road, and Chen Ping'an threw him into the river before discussing cultivation and the heart with her.
• Qi Jinglong joined Chen Ping'an and Sui Jingcheng, explained how rules shaped power, and discussed the teachings of the Three Teachings and his own cultivation path.
• Chen Ping'an and Qi Jinglong shared wine in a riverside pavilion, where Qi Jinglong revealed he was Liu Jinglong, Northern Juluzhou’s Land Flood Dragon.
• Sui Jingcheng challenged Chen Ping'an’s claim that he was three hundred years old, and Qi Jinglong joined her in teasing him.

Chen Ping'an refined the Great Li five-colored soil into a Destiny Item while Qi Jinglong guarded him, and Sui Jingcheng faced a choice about joining Grand Empress Taixia's lineage. The chapter ended with Chen Ping'an emerging as Qi Jinglong restrained Gu Mo and Rong Chang from forcing Sui Jingcheng to leave.

• Chen Ping'an and Qi Jinglong discussed judgment, good and evil, and why Gao Cheng was not yet fit to rule Little Fengdu.
• Qi Jinglong agreed to guard Chen Ping'an while he refined a Destiny Item at Dragon Head Ferry, and Chen Ping'an entered seclusion at the Kingfisher Inn.
• Qi Jinglong explained that Sui Jingcheng's cultivation resembled the method of Grand Empress Taixia Li Yu, prompting Sui Jingcheng to recognize the connection to her Golden Hairpins.
• Chen Ping'an used a Buddhist teaching to discuss the restless mind with Qi Jinglong, then began his final attempt to refine the five-colored soil.
• Gu Mo and Rong Chang arrived and demanded that Sui Jingcheng return the Golden Hairpins and leave with them, while Qi Jinglong insisted they wait for Chen Ping'an.
• Qi Jinglong used his sword intent to restrain Gu Mo and Rong Chang, then Chen Ping'an emerged from his room.

Chen Ping'an and Qi Jinglong helped Sui Jingcheng face the truth about her feelings while negotiating with Gu Mo and Rong Chang over her future. After Li Cai met Sui Jingcheng and set conditions for her journey, Chen Ping'an and Qi Jinglong prepared to part ways, leaving Sui Jingcheng following them with words still unspoken.

• Qi Jinglong used his Natal Flying Sword to deter Rong Chang and Gu Mo while Chen Ping'an finished refining his Destiny Item and joined the negotiations.
• Chen Ping'an explained how he had encountered Sui Jingcheng, and Rong Chang revealed that her identity and cultivation were tied to Duckweed Sword Lake and the Taixia Lineage.
• Chen Ping'an defeated Gu Mo in a brief exchange, then agreed with Qi Jinglong to wait for Li Cai before deciding Sui Jingcheng's course.
• Li Cai met Sui Jingcheng, allowed her to continue traveling through Treasure Bottle Continent as a Registered Disciple, and assigned Rong Chang to protect her.
• Chen Ping'an told Sui Jingcheng he would not return her feelings, and she accepted his answer while admitting that she was not angry.
• Chen Ping'an and Qi Jinglong prepared to travel separately; Chen Ping'an promised to help Qi Jinglong if he ever faced an unreasonable opponent, while Sui Jingcheng followed them with parting words left unsaid.

Sui Jingcheng traveled south with Rong Chang and Gu Mo, received her cultivation manuals, and bought two golden crowns at Spring Dew Garden. Meanwhile, Qi Jinglong realized Chen Ping'an’s northern journey might concern his lost Natal Ceramic and began investigating cautiously, as Chen Ping'an continued upstream along the Grand River.

• Gu Mo grieved for her master aboard the southbound ferry, while Rong Chang briefed Sui Jingcheng on cultivation-world customs and agreed to take her to the Golden Scale Palace.
• Sui Jingcheng warned Rong Chang that his conspicuous attention to other passengers could invite escalating danger, then received the Upper Upper Profound Profound Collection and a Duckweed Sword Lake jade token.
• At Spring Dew Garden, Qi Jinglong teased Gu Mo, while Sui Jingcheng visited the Ant Shop and bought two golden crowns for thirty-three Valley Rain Coins.
• Sui Jingcheng studied her manuals aboard the ferry as Gu Mo joked about Qi Jinglong flirting with her; Qi Jinglong then connected Chen Ping'an’s remarks to the possibility that a Northern Juluzhou sect held his Natal Ceramic and planned discreet inquiries.
• Chen Ping'an traveled upstream along the Grand River, stopped at a riverside restaurant, and ordered another pot of wine after hearing a drunk man compare the weak’s suffering to hotpot for the strong.

Fire Dragon True Person took Zhang Shanfeng to meet the Shenze Water God, obtained water pills for Chen Ping'an and a White Cloud lineage senior brother, and reflected on Zhang Shanfeng's future and the dangers facing Chen Ping'an. Elsewhere, Luopo Mountain's household planned how to raise the Lotus Root Blessed Land, Pei Qian struggled through her training, and Chen Ping'an gained a Hero's Gall while meditating by a mountain stream.

• Fire Dragon True Person visited the Shenze Water God with Zhang Shanfeng, received three bottles of water pills, and left a fire Flood Dragon to help temper the Water God's golden body.
• Fire Dragon True Person explained that Dragon Tiger Mountain had rejected his proposal for Zhang Shanfeng to become External Great Celestial Master, then discussed the bonds and dangers connecting Zhang Shanfeng and Chen Ping'an.
• Wei Bo, Zhu Lian, and Zheng Dafeng planned to raise the Lotus Root Blessed Land to middle grade, estimated the cost at two to three thousand Valley Rain Coins, and arranged to seek loans and hold another Night Roaming Feast.
• Pei Qian nearly abandoned her training, but Zhu Lian reassured her that Chen Ping'an would not blame her for struggling; she returned to the Bamboo Building and continued practicing.
• Zhu Lian welcomed Sun Jiashu from Old Dragon City while Pei Qian and Zhou Mili shared a meal and left a place set for Chen Ping'an.
• Chen Ping'an helped Lu Dun and his attendant catch and dry fish, then recalled an old woman he had met in Book Scroll Lake; his boxing intent surged during meditation, and he gained a Hero's Gall.

Ruan Qiong eased Dong Gu’s burdens, discussed the Longquan Sword Sect’s future with Ruan Xiu, and secured a ready-made Blessed Land through Old Man Yang. In Old Dragon City, Cui Dongshan advised Song Mu to oversee Great Li’s reconstruction in the south, then reflected on the young figures shaping Treasure Bottle Continent’s future.

• Ruan Qiong told Dong Gu to leave routine sect duties behind, gain experience abroad, and maintain ties with the Wind and Snow Temple as he assessed the twelve disciples.
• Ruan Qiong warned Ruan Xiu not to interfere with the Dragon Slaying Platform and explained that the Wind and Snow Temple’s portion had vanished; at Ruan Xiu’s urging, he asked Old Man Yang about buying a Blessed Land and returned with an agreement.
• Song Mu visited Cui Dongshan at the apothecary, where Cui Dongshan revealed what Qi Jingchun had left him and challenged his resentment over Song Yuzhang’s death.
• Cui Dongshan instructed Song Mu to go to the Zhu Ying Dynasty and oversee construction of Great Li’s Secondary Capital, explaining that the next battle concerned rebuilding and enforcing laws.
• After Song Mu left, Cui Dongshan considered the hidden schemes and rising young figures across Treasure Bottle Continent, then encouraged the child Gao Cheng to grow up.

Chen Ping'an reflected on his martial progress and the principles shaping his life while Sui Jingcheng arrived at Luopo Mountain with Rong Chang and a secret message for Cui Dongshan. As the mountain’s stewards prepared for her visit, Pei Qian confided her fear of losing Chen Ping’an’s affection, then left Zhu Lian’s courtyard looking more settled.

• Chen Ping'an tested his control over the stream, considered his path toward the Golden Body Realm, and wondered how Pei Qian was doing at school.
• Wei Bo welcomed Sui Jingcheng and Rong Chang at Niujiao Mountain, escorted them to Luopo Mountain, and introduced them to Zheng Dafeng and Zhu Lian.
• Rong Chang accepted lodging from Zheng Dafeng and gave Chen Ruchu a spirit-artifact incense burner; Zheng Dafeng praised her care for Luopo Mountain and discussed Chen Lingjun and Pei Qian.
• Sui Jingcheng gave Wei Bo Chen Ping'an’s Hiking Staff and a secret letter for Cui Dongshan, then settled in to visit Luopo Mountain and Longquan County.
• Wei Bo and Zhu Lian discussed plans to buy Golden Body Fragments, financing for Lotus Root Blessed Land, and the Sun and Fan families’ proposed loans.
• Pei Qian told Zhu Lian she feared Chen Ping'an might reject her or prefer Cao Qinglang, and Zhu Lian reassured her that she could count on being second in her master's heart while aiming for first.

Li Liu met Old Man Yang and Ruan Xiu to discuss the old grudges, Chen Ping'an's broken Natal Ceramic, and the Cave Heaven and Paradise entrusted to Ruan Xiu. Jiang Shangzhen negotiated with Luopo Mountain over the Lotus Root Blessed Land and tested Ya'er with a Half-Immortal Weapon, while the chapter also followed Pei Qian, Cao Qinglang, and other figures before ending mid-account of Wu Shuowen's travels.

• Li Liu visited the Yang Family Shop, where Old Man Yang gave her the keys to Water Field Cave Heaven and Misty Cloud Blessed Land and warned her against settling old scores with Ruan Xiu.
• Li Liu met Ruan Xiu on Shenxiu Mountain and handed her the two keys, then explained the realms and discussed their past rivalry and the Longquan Sword Sect's disciples.
• Jiang Shangzhen arrived at Luopo Mountain with Ya'er, offered gifts to Wei Bo and the mountain, and negotiated with Zhu Lian for a permanent share of the Lotus Root Blessed Land's returns.
• Li Liu examined the Lotus Root Blessed Land with Zhu Lian and explained how the lands beyond Nanyuan Kingdom had become paper-like, while Zhu Lian declared his loyalty to acting as a human being.
• Pei Qian finished copying books, met Jiang Shangzhen, and later sat with Chen Ruchu and Zhou Mili as Cen Yuanyi practiced on the mountain steps.
• Jiang Shangzhen gave Ya'er a Half-Immortal Weapon and used her to test Old Man Liu Cheng and Liu Zhimao, while Cao Qinglang received a visit from Zhong Qiu and affirmed his faith in Mr. Lu.

Chen Ping'an learned from Fuqu Kingdom’s Mountain and Water Deities that good deeds could carry uncertain consequences, then helped a thousand-year-old cypress Sprite seize a chance on the Great Dao. Elsewhere, Gu You broke Lu Zhuo’s Bridge of Longevity to force him onto a cultivation path, before confronting Chen Ping'an and leaving him near death in a crater.

• Chen Ping'an observed a prefectural City God's night trial, heard the City God explain how intention and consequences shaped merit and karma, and reflected on the roots of good and evil.
• Chen Ping'an copied an inscription at a riverside shrine, then gave the ancient cypress Sprite a golden talisman bearing poetry to help it cultivate; he left the shrine and continued his journey.
• Chen Ping'an fished beside Sea-Filling True Person, then struck Gao Ling with a single palm when the general attacked the old angler.
• At Saisao Mountain Villa, Qiu Fengjia revealed his identity as Gu You, injured Lu Zhuo to break his Bridge of Longevity, and ordered him to seek Qi Jinglong and cultivate.
• Gu You found Chen Ping'an on a plain and attacked him with overwhelming fist intent; Chen Ping'an was beaten into a crater but repeatedly tried to rise and strike back.
• Gu You knocked Chen Ping'an back into the crater and declared that he still had to die, but smiled when Chen Ping'an's finger twitched again.

Chen Ping'an recovered from Gu You’s three punches and learned why the Ten Realms martial man had tested him: Gu You wanted to refine his fist intent before leaving to face Ji Yue. After Gu You killed the Gelu Mountain assassins pursuing Chen Ping'an, he demonstrated the true Mountain Shaking Fist and left Chen Ping'an with a deeper understanding of its legacy.

• Gu You revealed his identity to Chen Ping'an, praised his stance practice, and warned him about dangerous martial artists in the north.
• Gu You explained that he was heading to face his mortal enemy, Sword Immortal Ji Yue, and urged Chen Ping'an to learn from rivals like Cao Ci.
• Gu You confronted six Gelu Mountain assassins who had followed Chen Ping'an, killed several, and threatened the survivors for disregarding his rules.
• Chen Ping'an arrived despite his injuries and asked Gu You to teach him the orthodox Mountain Shaking Fist.
• Gu You demonstrated the fist’s grand intent while striking down the fleeing assassins, then exchanged farewells with Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an recovered on a hill in Northern Juluzhou after surviving an attack, while Qi Jinglong helped secure the area and promised to negotiate with Gelu Mountain. Meanwhile, Zhengyang Mountain celebrated Tao Zi’s advancement and discussed its hostility toward Chen Ping'an, who continued making preparations for his travels before falling asleep.

• Qi Jinglong found Chen Ping'an, recognized that Gu You had intervened against the assassins, and promised to negotiate with Gelu Mountain while warning him about whoever had hired them.
• Qi Jinglong protected Chen Ping'an's hill with talismans, returned with two jugs of Immortal Brew, and then departed again.
• Zhengyang Mountain celebrated Tao Zi entering the Cave Mansion Realm and gave her a relocated sacred mountain as a private garden.
• Tao Zi spoke with the Qingfeng City Xu family youth about Chen Ping'an, while the Old Ape and the youth's mother discussed their concerns and the Old Ape insisted Chen Ping'an would die if he came to Zhengyang Mountain.
• Chen Ping'an recovered, drew hundreds of talismans for future battles, reflected on home and Inverted Mountain, and fell asleep.

Gu Can faced the possibility of inheriting Qingxia Island and its vassal islands, while Liu Zhimao tested his judgment and passed him the Jiejiang True Scripture. After Liu Zhimao left, Gu Can reflected on his past and his distance from Chen Ping'an, then began the day by speaking with a neighborhood boy.

• Gu Can returned from the ceremonies and reviewed the ghosts in his King Yama's Hall and imitation Glazed Pavilion, while Zeng Ye told Ma Duyi he feared Gu Can and wanted to leave Book Scroll Lake.
• Guan Yiran proposed that Yu Shanfang help Dong Shuijing with a new ferry-office venture, but Yu Shanfang refused and Guan Yiran warned of deadly dangers for Military Cultivators posted beyond Great Li.
• Liu Zhimao offered Gu Can Qingxia Island, Sulin Island, and their vassal islands if he Ascended, and gave him the Jiejiang True Scripture as the two spoke frankly over wine.
• Gu Can told Liu Zhimao he planned to build a Ghost Cultivator stronghold, seek a powerful Great Li backer, and eventually become the emperor's counterweight to the True Realm Sect at Book Scroll Lake.
• After Liu Zhimao departed, Gu Can considered his old relationship with Chen Ping'an and spoke with a neighborhood boy about school, teachers, and the boy's prospects.
• Gu Can hid his face behind Liu Xianyang's bamboo fan, then returned inside to read when Zeng Ye came out.

Jiang Shangzhen strengthened the True Realm Sect’s position while warning Liu Cheng about its dangers and urging him to change. Meanwhile, Cui Dongshan traveled through Qingluan Kingdom, where he met Liu Qingfeng and revealed that Chen Ping'an was his teacher.

• Jiang Shangzhen told Liu Cheng to keep the True Realm Sect’s disciples from provoking the Shengao Sect and explained the political dangers surrounding their sect.
• Jiang Shangzhen threatened Liu Cheng with the Mountain Suppressing Treasure and persuaded him to commit himself to the True Realm Sect.
• Cui Dongshan toured Qingluan Kingdom with Glass Immortal and a child, acquired Wenjing Kingdom’s Jade Seals, and left a store of books at White Cloud Temple.
• Cui Dongshan traveled toward the Liu family's Lion Garden while Liu Qingfeng worked on the canal project, instructed Liu Suo, and assessed Li Baozhen’s plans.
• Cui Dongshan approached Liu Qingfeng, offered to bring him to his teacher, and struck him after Liu Qingfeng guessed that Chen Ping'an was the teacher.

Zhang Shanfeng and Fire Dragon True Person met Chen Chunan and Liu Xianyang beside the river, while Chen Ping'an uncovered a Gelu Mountain assassin and joined him with Qi Jinglong. The chapter ended with Northern Juluzhou’s sword cultivators honoring a fallen Sword Immortal by sending their swords into the night sky, and Chen Ping'an joining the tribute with three swords.

• Fire Dragon True Person and Zhang Shanfeng met Chen Chunan, who explained how Confucian scholars cultivated and discussed the dangers facing the continents.
• Zhang Shanfeng befriended Liu Xianyang, who spoke of Chen Ping'an’s past kindness and his wish that Chen Ping'an would live more for himself.
• Chen Ping'an discovered Bai Shou, a Gelu Mountain assassin who had agreed to follow Qi Jinglong after his failed assassination, and walked with him until Qi Jinglong arrived.
• Qi Jinglong told Chen Ping'an that Gu You and Ji Yue would soon duel by the Jade Seal River, then led Chen Ping'an and Bai Shou to a mountaintop.
• Sword cultivators across Northern Juluzhou sent their swords skyward in tribute to a fallen Fellow Daoist, and Chen Ping'an joined them with Sword Immortal and two more flying swords.
• Qi Jinglong and Bai Shou departed, with Bai Shou becoming Qi Jinglong’s disciple, while Chen Ping'an descended the mountain alone.

Chen Ping'an traveled through Lu Jiu Prefecture, read about its customs, and cultivated within his Small World while reflecting on his Dao heart and his limitations. He left the city for a neighboring kingdom, continuing his journey without meeting the scholar Lu Dun.

• Chen Ping'an wore the Hundred-Eyed Tāotiè Daoist Robe and toured Lu Jiu Prefecture, where he bought books and studied the kingdom’s Agricultural Encouragement Edicts.
• At an inn, Chen Ping'an visited his Water Mansion and mountain shrine, saw the Green-clothed little people refining water flows and maintaining the mural, and tempered his accumulated Spiritual Energy.
• Chen Ping'an surveyed his sword-qi pass and the sword tombs where Chu Yi and Fifteen were being refined, then practiced his walking stances at dawn.
• Chen Ping'an considered the dangers of judging himself and others, recalled his fears of becoming like people he despised, and reaffirmed the importance of understanding the world clearly.
• Chen Ping'an left Lu Jiu Prefecture for a neighboring kingdom, chose not to visit the Dragon Palace Cave Heaven, and never met the local scholar Lu Dun.

Chen Ping'an visited Peach Blossom Ferry, where Wu Qun recognized his connection to Liu Jinglong and discussed Sparrow Mansion’s Daoist Robes with him. He arranged for two robes to be reserved while waiting for the midnight ferry, then sat beneath the moon thinking of those far away.

• Chen Ping'an toured Sparrow Mansion’s Heavenly Robe Workshop and wondered whether to buy a Daoist Robe.
• Wu Qun approached Chen Ping'an, asked whether he knew Liu Jinglong, and learned that they were close friends.
• Chen Ping'an asked about Sparrow Mansion’s Daoist Robes, and Wu Qun quoted prices for its top-grade and middle-grade robes.
• Chen Ping'an asked Wu Qun to reserve two robes while he decided whether to buy them within the next few years.
• Chen Ping'an stayed at the lakeside teahouse until the midnight ferry and, alone beneath the moon, thought of Miss Ning, Liu Xianyang, and the child from Mud Bottle Alley.