Recaps

Fang Yuan was released from prison and drew attention by wagering on himself and entering the Qinghe Arena. After passing the strength test, he received a temporary identity token as the arena began exposing dishonest entrants.

• Fang Yuan learned that Foolish Egg and Third Brother had been imprisoned over their connection to Captain Wang, while Han Bao and Eunuch Cao discussed Fang Yuan's case and the coming Qinghe Arena.
• Eunuch Cao met townspeople who accused County Magistrate Liu of abuses, ordered Liu to prevent unrest, and later released Fang Yuan after Fang Yuan refused to call him Foster Father.
• Huining and a veiled woman from Sù Nǚ Palace separately confronted Eunuch Cao about prisoners, while Fang Yuan left the county office and found Qinghe County crowded with visiting martial artists.
• Fang Yuan bet three thousand taels on himself to win the Qinghe Arena, and Qin Wan, Green Vine, Wang Yushuang, Bai Susu, the waiter, and Wang Fugui also placed wagers on him.
• Fang Yuan returned to Zhengyang Martial Arts School, reunited with Liu Wanwan and Little Bean Sprout, and trained while Huangfu Song confronted the disdain shown to his family by powerful visitors.
• At Drunken Moon Restaurant, Manager Li noticed the growing bets on Fang Yuan and sent someone to investigate him, while Chen Bo Zhao threatened to cripple him if they met in the arena.
• Fang Yuan arrived at the Qinghe Arena with Wang Fugui, passed the stone-lock trial one-handed, and received a participant token as Chen Bo Zhao threatened his family.
• The old man at the arena exposed a burly man's use of a Collarbone Pill to disguise his age, expelled him, and warned that Great Yin's arenas, sects, and government offices would reject him.

Fang Yuan entered the Qinghe Arena carrying a concealed Copper Token and faced Chen Bo Zhao’s threats as the competition’s rules turned every match into a dangerous test. He killed Chen Bo Zhao after defeating him, reached the Top 4, and defeated Zhao Lingyun to advance toward the finals.

• Fang Yuan observed the arena contestants and learned from Huangfu Ying that Chen Bo Zhao had threatened his family after Fang Yuan refused to become his Rod Servant.
• The organizers announced an elimination format in which fighters could challenge whoever held the stage, and Chen Bo Zhao killed an opponent who had surrendered.
• Fang Yuan defeated Li Qing with a kick, advanced through the first round, and received no sect recruitment offers before learning that only the group winners would reach the Top 4.
• In Group B, Zhao Song challenged Chen Bo Zhao and died refusing to surrender, so Fang Yuan took the stage and confronted Chen Bo Zhao.
• Fang Yuan defeated Chen Bo Zhao, then killed him after he began to admit defeat, citing the arena rules and Chen Bo Zhao’s earlier killing of Zhao Song.
• Eunuch Cao stopped a sect elder from attacking Fang Yuan and ruled that Chen Bo Zhao had violated the arena rules, while Liu Ruyan and the other Group B fighters conceded and sent Fang Yuan to the Top 4.
• Fang Yuan drew Zhao Lingyun in the Top 4 and defeated him with a fast saber assault, advancing toward the finals without injuring him.

Fang Yuan won the Qinghe Arena championship after exposing Myriad Treasures Pavilion's threats, then traveled south under Eunuch Cao's protection. He reached Wushui Commandery City with several caravans following, where Imperial City Security Department Captains welcomed him.

• Fang Yuan ignored threats against his family, defeated Xie Yun, and presented the threatening letter to Eunuch Cao, prompting Zhao Fengxian to investigate Myriad Treasures Pavilion and rescue the captives.
• Eunuch Cao declared Fang Yuan the champion and offered him a place in the Imperial City Security Department, while Fang Yuan chose to visit Wushui Commandery first and claim his rewards.
• Fang Yuan left Qinghe County with his family and companions, and Eunuch Cao promised to arrange his identity in the Imperial City Security Department.
• On the road south, Fang Yuan's convoy encountered Su Lingyue's caravan and the suspicious Shunchang Trading Firm, whose Zhao Xin tried to recruit Su Lingyue and studied Fang Yuan's guards.
• Fang Yuan refused to confront Zhao Xin directly and set out with his convoy, while Su Lingyue's caravan followed and the Shunchang Trading Firm waited for a chance to act.
• County Lieutenant Zhou concealed Liu Wenhe's murder by declaring that Liu had died of illness, while Fang Yuan's convoy continued toward Wushui Commandery City.
• Fang Yuan reached Wushui Commandery City, where four Imperial City Security Department Captains greeted Eunuch Cao and flattered Fang Yuan after Han Bao introduced him.

Fang Yuan entered the Imperial City Security Department’s contest for the Superior Essence Condensing Resource and chose the Wave-Breaking Saber Art to prepare for Gu Changqing. As he trained and planned to visit the Mysterious Zone, Eunuch Cao’s letter revealed that Eldest wished to return to Eight Thousand Years Old’s side.

• Eunuch Cao brought Fang Yuan to the Imperial City Security Department, where Fang Yuan used his rewards to choose the Wave-Breaking Saber Art and the Six Harmonies Defense Saber Manual.
• Han Bao explained that Eunuch Cao and Chief Inspector Shen Qianshan backed Fang Yuan and Gu Changqing respectively in the struggle for Wushui Commandery’s sole Superior Essence Condensing Resource.
• Shen Qianshan proposed a duel between Fang Yuan and Gu Changqing in seven days, and Fang Yuan accepted with each man responsible for his own life and death.
• Fang Yuan began secluded training and learned the Wave-Breaking Saber Art’s rhythm and momentum from a jade viewing, then practiced its first stance, Undercurrent.
• Eunuch Cao offered Fang Yuan a choice of essence-force resources and agreed to take him to the Mysterious Zone, which Qinghe Arena champions could visit under new Imperial Court regulations.
• Fang Yuan studied the available forces and concluded that Cold and Heat Force best matched his hard-and-soft methods, dual Qi induction, physique, and techniques.
• Eight Thousand Years Old read Eunuch Cao’s letter and told the senior eunuchs that Eldest wished to return and serve beside him, while Third Brother concealed his resentment.