Chapter Summaries

Prince Ning learned that Xiang Hu had seized the throne through a coup and used the news to justify marching on the Capital City. Xiang Hu discovered Prince Ning’s advance and faced a court divided over how to stop him.

• A Hundred-Household Officer delivered Azure Dragon’s report that Prince Han had killed the Crown Prince, driven the Emperor to his death, and taken the throne.
• Prince Ning issued a proclamation accusing Xiang Hu of ten crimes and marched toward the Capital City with five hundred thousand troops.
• In the Capital City, Xiang Hu received reports of Princess Pingyang’s victory in Annam and Prince Ning’s success against the Western Shu rebels.
• Azure Dragon announced that Prince Ning had proclaimed punishment against Xiang Hu and was advancing on the Capital City.
• Gao Feng proposed arresting Prince Ning’s family to use them as hostages against him.

Xiang Hu sought allies to defend his throne against Prince Ning, ordering Yuchi Yu to seize Prince Ning’s family and summoning Ling Xiaotian to the palace. Ling Xiaotian, who knew Prince Ning was marching on the capital, pretended his injuries had not healed and left An Fu unsure whether the illness was real.

• Xiang Hu ordered Yuchi Yu to take three thousand Tiger Swift Guards and arrest Prince Ning’s family.
• Cao Kun and Liu Jiankong estimated that together they had only a twenty-to-thirty-percent chance of defeating Prince Ning, so Cao Kun suggested enlisting Ling Xiaotian.
• Xiang Hu ordered An Fu to summon Ling Xiaotian, promote him to Commander of the Imperial Guard, and grant him the title of Great General Stabilizing the Nation.
• Gao Feng proposed that Huang Shaojie could deal with Prince Ning, but Xiang Hu worried that he was far away in Japan.
• Ling Xiaotian learned that An Fu had arrived and, knowing Prince Ning was marching against Xiang Hu, decided to feign illness rather than enter the court.
• An Fu went to Ling Xiaotian’s bedchamber, where Ling coughed up blood, leaving An Fu uncertain whether his injuries were truly still severe.

Ling Xiaotian pretended his injuries still prevented him from serving Xiang Hu, while Xiang Hu’s plans to use him and Prince Ning’s family against Prince Ning fell through. When Prince Ning arrived at Chang’an with an army of five hundred thousand, Xiang Hu sent Zhuge Qingyun to negotiate.

• An Fu delivered Xiang Hu’s offer of the Commander of the Imperial Guard and Great General Stabilizing the Nation posts, but Ling Xiaotian feigned severe illness and refused to enter court.
• Yuchi Yu reported that Prince Ning had taken his family with him on campaign, depriving Xiang Hu of hostages.
• An Fu told Xiang Hu that Ling Xiaotian was bedridden and coughing blood, and Cao Kun avoided confirming whether Ling was truly injured or feigning illness.
• Prince Ning led five hundred thousand troops to Chang’an, meeting no resistance from regional officials who supported his campaign but stayed out of it.
• Gao Feng advised Xiang Hu to negotiate, and Xiang Hu ordered Zhuge Qingyun to offer Prince Ning any terms in exchange for withdrawing his army.

Prince Ning rejected Zhuge Qingyun’s peace mission unless Xiang Hu abdicated and killed himself, and Zhuge Qingyun quietly shifted his allegiance toward Prince Ning. The armies met outside Chang'an, where Prince Ning challenged the court’s legitimacy and attacked Qin Tao.

• Prince Ning told Zhuge Qingyun that peace was possible only if Xiang Hu abdicated and killed himself to atone.
• Zhuge Qingyun accepted that Xiang Hu’s rule was illegitimate, addressed him as Prince Han, and returned to report to the palace.
• The next day, Prince Ning’s army faced the court’s forces outside Chang'an, whose soldiers’ morale weakened as he denounced Xiang Hu.
• Yuchi Yu claimed that Xiang Hong had rebelled and that the Late Emperor had died of grief, but Prince Ning dismissed his explanation.
• Qin Tao accused Prince Ning of using the Late Emperor’s death to seize the throne, and Prince Ning launched a white-light palm attack at him.

Prince Ning overwhelmed the imperial forces with the Asura Myriad Forms Divine Skill after killing Qin Tao. Cao Kun and Liu Jiankong surrendered to him, while Yuchi Yu was torn apart by the demons.

• Yuchi Yu, Cao Kun, Liu Jiankong, and Qin Tao attacked Prince Ning, but his barrier repelled the three Great Grandmasters’ strikes and his white-light hand crushed Qin Tao.
• Prince Ning unleashed Asura Myriad Forms, surrounding the battlefield in black mist filled with terrifying demons and monsters.
• The imperial soldiers panicked inside the mist, while Azure Dragon reassured White Tiger and Vermilion Bird that the demons would not harm them.
• Prince Ning’s demons attacked Cao Kun, Liu Jiankong, and Yuchi Yu, tearing Yuchi Yu apart and badly wounding the other two.
• Cao Kun and Liu Jiankong begged Prince Ning to spare them and pledged their loyalty, and Prince Ning accepted their surrender.

Prince Ning defeated Xiang Hu’s forces, took the throne, and legitimized his rule by honoring Xiang Hong as Emperor Ai. As Xiang Qingyang returned from her victorious campaign, Vermilion Bird told her of the coup and Xiang Hu’s death, leaving her waiting for Huang Shaojie to return and challenge Prince Ning.

• Cao Kun, Liu Jiankong, Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and hundreds of thousands of court soldiers submitted to Prince Ning after he killed Yu Chi and Qin Tao.
• Xiang Hu learned that his commanders were dead and his troops had defected, then asked Eunuch Gao for white silk.
• Three days later, Xiang Chen ascended the throne, made his consort Empress, and posthumously honored Xiang Hong as Emperor Ai.
• Xiang Qingyang defeated the India Army, recovered Annam, and began returning to Chang'an with her troops.
• Vermilion Bird told Xiang Qingyang that Emperor Xuande had died, Prince Qi had been killed by Xiang Hu, and Xiang Hu had hanged himself after Prince Ning defeated his forces.
• Xiang Qingyang and Dongfang Bubai hoped Huang Shaojie could defeat Prince Ning, but Vermilion Bird said no one knew when he would return from his campaign against Japan.

Vermilion Bird reached Huang Shaojie at sea and told him that Prince Ning had seized the throne while Xiang Qingyang had defeated the India Army and summoned him to Luoyang. Huang Shaojie joined Xiang Qingyang there, revealed that he had destroyed Japan, and reunited with her and their companions as they prepared to confront Prince Ning.

• Xiang Qingyang sent Vermilion Bird to Japan to order Huang Shaojie to withdraw and meet her at Luoyang.
• Vermilion Bird encountered Huang Shaojie’s returning fleet and told him that Prince Han and Prince Ning had successively seized the throne, while Xiang Qingyang had defeated the India Army and recovered Annam.
• Huang Shaojie led three hundred thousand troops to Luoyang and reunited with Xiang Qingyang.
• Huang Shaojie told Xiang Qingyang that he had destroyed Japan, then embraced Dongfang Bubai and Vermilion Bird.

Huang Shaojie’s partners settled their rivalries over his affection, then discussed Xiang Qingyang’s claim to the throne after Prince Ning became emperor. Huang Shaojie proposed forcing Prince Ning to abdicate if he refused, while Vermilion Bird warned them of the terrifying power of his Myriad Manifestations Divine Skill.

• Huang Shaojie stopped hiding his relationship with Vermilion Bird, and Xiang Qingyang confronted her and Dongfang Bubai about sharing him.
• Xiang Qingyang accepted Vermilion Bird as a concubine and asserted her status as Huang Shaojie’s principal wife.
• Xiang Qingyang and Dongfang Bubai argued over age and rank before Huang Shaojie told the women to address one another as sisters according to age.
• Xiang Qingyang asked what they should do now that Prince Ning had become emperor, and Huang Shaojie said they would campaign against him unless he willingly abdicated.
• Huang Shaojie claimed he was certain to defeat Prince Ning, while Vermilion Bird described how Prince Ning’s divine skill had summoned demons that killed Yuchi Yu and nearly killed Cao Kun and Liu Jiankong.

Huang Shaojie and Xiang Qingyang brought six hundred thousand troops to Chang'an to challenge Xiang Chen's rule, and Xiang Chen sent Zhuge Qingyun to negotiate. Xiang Qingyang demanded answers about her family's deaths, but Zhuge defended Xiang Chen's claim to the throne, leaving the two sides' dispute unresolved.

• Huang Shaojie and Xiang Qingyang encamped six hundred thousand troops outside Chang'an, prompting Xiang Chen to summon Zhuge Qingyun.
• Xiang Chen asked Zhuge Qingyun to meet Xiang Qingyang and Huang Shaojie to prevent civil war.
• Huang Shaojie predicted that Zhuge Qingyun had come to negotiate peace and allowed him into their hall.
• Xiang Qingyang said she needed to settle the unclear deaths of her father and two brothers with Xiang Chen.
• Zhuge Qingyun defended Xiang Chen's rise to power, and Xiang Qingyang and Huang Shaojie recognized how strongly the court supported him.

Huang Shaojie rejected Prince Ning’s peace overture and demanded that he abdicate, setting the stage for a final confrontation. Xiang Chen refused to use Huang Shaojie’s parents as hostages and visited Xiao Qiuyue, who demanded that he unseal her acupoints.

• Huang Shaojie accused Zhuge Qingyun and the court of switching loyalties and told Zhuge Qingyun to demand that Prince Ning abdicate to prove his innocence.
• Tang Feng warned Huang Shaojie that Prince Ning might seize his parents, and Huang Shaojie decided to return home to visit them.
• Zhuge Qingyun reported Huang Shaojie’s demand to Xiang Chen, who recognized that Huang Shaojie was directly challenging his rule.
• Azure Dragon proposed taking Huang Shaojie’s parents hostage, but Xiang Chen refused and ordered everyone to withdraw.
• Xiang Chen visited Xiao Qiuyue at Xiangning Palace, where she demanded that he unseal her acupoints after he called the palace her proper home.

Xiao Qiuyue accepted Xiang Chen’s permission to leave the imperial palace, while Huang Shaojie returned to Huang Manor after a victorious campaign and reunited with his family. He revealed that he had wiped out the Japanese pirates and Japan, and he worried about Xiao Qiuyue’s fate.

• Xiang Chen agreed to let Xiao Qiuyue leave the palace and offered to arrange a meeting with Huang Shaojie, but Xiao Qiuyue believed Shaojie had moved on after marrying Xiang Qingyang.
• Huang Baiwan and Madam Huang worried about Huang Shaojie’s long campaign as they endured Chang’an’s summer heat.
• Xiao He brought Huang Shaojie home, and his parents welcomed him with chilled jelly, watermelon, and firecrackers.
• Huang Shaojie considered sharing his Lifespan Fruits among his family and friends, then thought anxiously about Xiao Qiuyue.
• Huang Shaojie told Wu Zhen and his parents that he had killed the three hundred thousand Japanese pirates and wiped out Japan.

Huang Shaojie learned that Xiao Qiuyue was in the palace and visited Xiang Chen to ask about her. Xiang Chen said Qiuyue was heartbroken over Huang Shaojie's marriage to Xiang Qingyang and would not let him see her that night.

• Huang Shaojie told his parents that Xiang Qingyang had returned safely to the Capital City after her campaign in Annam.
• Huang Shaojie remembered Xiao Qiuyue and decided to ask Xiang Chen where she was.
• Huang Shaojie flew to the imperial palace and appeared before Xiang Chen, who dismissed the guards.
• Xiang Chen confirmed that Xiao Qiuyue was in the palace and said she was heartbroken because Huang Shaojie had married Xiang Qingyang.
• Huang Shaojie asked to see Xiao Qiuyue, but Xiang Chen said she was asleep and should not be disturbed.

Huang Shaojie urged Xiang Chen to abdicate in favor of Xiang Qingyang, but Xiang Chen refused and challenged him to a duel. Their armies gathered outside Chang'an, where the first exchange between Huang Shaojie and Xiang Chen ended in an apparent draw, though Xiang Chen realized Huang Shaojie's strength was formidable.

• Huang Shaojie told Xiang Chen to abdicate, warning that resisting would end badly, but Xiang Chen refused to yield.
• Xiang Qingyang and Huang Shaojie led their army outside Chang'an to face Xiang Chen's forces.
• Xiang Chen proposed that he and Huang Shaojie duel, with the winner deciding who would rule, and Huang Shaojie accepted.
• Huang Shaojie struck with the Heavenly Frost Fist, and Xiang Chen countered with a blazing boulder; the attacks collided and vanished without harming the soldiers.
• Xiang Chen asked Huang Shaojie what fist technique he had used, and Huang Shaojie identified it as the Heavenly Frost Fist.

Huang Shaojie weathered Prince Ning’s Asura Myriad Forms without his protective barrier faltering, then unleashed Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Origin against the demons. The battle continued as his sword light swept toward Prince Ning’s summoned monsters.

• Huang Shaojie shattered Prince Ning’s Cloud Dispelling Palm with two punches, while the soldiers watched and debated their strength.
• Prince Ning invoked Asura Myriad Forms, darkening the sky and summoning demons and monsters that frightened the soldiers and horses.
• Huang Shaojie protected himself with a golden halo that the demons’ weapons could not penetrate.
• Huang Shaojie mocked Prince Ning’s technique and unleashed Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Origin, sending sword light raining down on the demons and monsters.

After Huang Shaojie defeated Prince Ning, Prince Ning announced that he would abdicate the throne to Xiang Qingyang. Huang Shaojie and Xiang Qingyang reassured his parents that she would remain their respectful daughter-in-law, then received word that Eunuch An had arrived.

• Huang Shaojie defeated Prince Ning's Asura Myriad Forms with Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Origin, and Prince Ning conceded defeat.
• Three days later, Prince Ning issued an imperial decree announcing he would yield the throne to Princess Pingyang.
• Huang Shaojie told Huang Baiwan and Madam Huang that Xiang Qingyang would soon hold her enthronement ceremony and claimed Prince Ning wished to avoid the burdens of ruling.
• Xiang Qingyang arrived at Huang Manor and stopped Huang Baiwan from bowing to her, reassuring her parents-in-law that she remained their daughter-in-law.
• A guard announced Eunuch An's arrival, and An Fu entered the hall to pay his respects to Xiang Qingyang, Huang Shaojie, and the Huang family.

Xiang Qingyang received the Imperial Seal from Prince Ning and prepared to become Empress. Huang Shaojie reunited with Xiao Qiuyue, invited her to return to Huang Manor, and left Qingxiao Palace with her.

• An Fu summoned Xiang Qingyang and Huang Shaojie to Qingxiao Palace to receive the Imperial Seal.
• Prince Ning handed the Imperial Seal to Xiang Qingyang and urged her to govern Great Chu well.
• Prince Ning revealed Xiao Qiuyue, who reunited with Huang Shaojie and said she planned to live in seclusion.
• Huang Shaojie asked Xiao Qiuyue to return to Huang Manor, while Xiang Qingyang reacted with jealousy and left.
• Huang Shaojie promised Prince Ning he would bring betrothal gifts and flew away with Xiao Qiuyue.

Huang Shaojie brought Xiao Qiuyue back to Huang Manor, where his parents welcomed her as their future daughter-in-law. After spending several nights with Xiao Qiuyue, he went to comfort Xiang Qingyang, who was jealous of his first love but softened when she learned Xiao Qiuyue had sent him to her.

• Huang Shaojie introduced Xiao Qiuyue to Huang Baiwan and Madam Huang, who rejoiced that she was alive and welcomed her to Huang Manor.
• Huang Shaojie told his parents that Xiao Qiuyue would live at the manor as his future wife, and they arranged a pavilion and maids for her.
• Xiao Qiuyue reunited with the manor's household, and Huang Shaojie spent three nights with her in her pavilion.
• Xiao Qiuyue urged Huang Shaojie to visit Xiang Qingyang, so he went to her courtyard and comforted her despite her jealous complaints.
• Xiang Qingyang asked whether she or Xiao Qiuyue mattered more to Huang Shaojie, and her jealousy eased when he said Xiao Qiuyue had sent him to keep her company.

Xiang Qingyang completed her enthronement as Empress and rewarded Huang Shaojie and her other supporters. Meanwhile, a million-strong Persian army advanced on Jiayu Pass, leaving its outnumbered defenders preparing for battle.

• Xiang Qingyang held her enthronement ceremony, issued new laws and rewards, and named Huang Shaojie Heavenly Strategist General and Pillar of the State Duke.
• Xiang Qingyang promoted trusted officials and summoned Ling Xiaotian to resume command of the Imperial Guard.
• Xiang Qingyang and Huang Shaojie moved into the palace, while Huang Baiwan, Madam Huang, Xiao Qiuyue, Dongfang Bubai, Vermilion Bird, and Xiao He remained at Huang Manor.
• At Jiayu Pass, Li Tongyong learned that Xerxes was approaching with a million Persian cavalrymen and one hundred magicians, and he sent General He to request reinforcements from Chang'an.
• Li Tongyong ordered the defenders to beat the war drums, sound the horns, and prepare for battle as the Persian cavalry charged toward Jiayu Pass.

Persian commander Xerxes rejected Great Chu’s explanation for Prince William’s death and attacked Jiayu Pass. His magic and cavalry overwhelmed the defenders, leaving the pass fallen and all 150,000 Chu soldiers dead.

• Li Tongyong told Xerxes that Japanese spies had killed Prince William’s envoy group, but Xerxes refused to believe him.
• Xerxes shattered part of Jiayu Pass’s wall with a palm strike, killing thousands of Chu soldiers.
• Li Tongyong ordered the Chu Army to charge and attacked an Advanced Great Magician, but the magician blocked his sword aura.
• A Persian magician cast Hellfire while the other magicians attacked with spells, killing tens of thousands of Chu soldiers.
• Xerxes killed Li Tongyong with a single punch, and his cavalry charged and slaughtered the remaining Chu forces.
• Jiayu Pass fell, and all 150,000 Chu soldiers perished.

Huang Shaojie left Chang'an alone to stop Persia’s million-strong invasion after learning that Jiayu Pass had fallen and its defenders had been killed. He arrived above Xining City as the Persian cavalry advanced and announced that he had come to destroy them.

• Xiang Qingyang reviewed memorials while Huang Shaojie lounged across her thighs, until Minister Jiang reported Persia’s invasion and the fall of Jiayu Pass.
• Xiang Qingyang ordered officials to gather for deliberations, but Huang Shaojie insisted on going alone to defeat the Persian army.
• Huang Shaojie promised Xiang Qingyang he would return for dinner, then vanished and flew west on his blade.
• Zhao Shijie and eighty thousand soldiers prepared to defend Xining City as hundreds of thousands of Persian cavalry approached.
• Huang Shaojie appeared above Xining City and identified himself as the Heavenly Strategist General who had come to destroy the invading army.