Chapter Summaries

Shen Gui's Evil Corpse arranged a hundred lifetimes of fortune for a mortal king, while Nuwa, Wangshu, and others responded to the growing Destiny/Fortune. Chan Sect found both Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao and took them as disciples, setting up the rivalry that would shape their fates in the coming tribulation.

• Shen Gui's Evil Corpse ordered the judge to grant a mortal king prosperity through a hundred lifetimes.
• The turtle sensed the intertwining Destiny/Fortune around himself, while Wangshu questioned the timing and warned the shadow beside her not to target her lover.
• Nuwa tossed down a spiritual pearl and told Golden Phoenix to summon Tenth Child.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate sent Chan Sect's disciples to find the one favored by fate, and they returned with both Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao.
• Primordial Heavenly Venerate accepted Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao as disciples, favored Jiang Ziya for his diligence, and privately planned to make him lead if their roles remained unclear.

After Zi Shou received Ji Chang’s homage, he suspected the Western Marquis was quietly building ties with Great Shang’s ministers but chose not to act against him. When Ji Chang stayed at Shang Rong’s estate instead of returning to Xiqi, Zi Shou questioned Fei Zhong and You Hun, then teased them over their extravagant promises of loyalty.

• Ji Chang visited Chaoge to pay homage to Zi Shou, who remained wary of him despite his unremarkable appearance and courteous behavior.
• Zi Shou reflected that Shang Rong and Bi Gan were close to Ji Chang and reaffirmed his decision to keep Fei Zhong and You Hun near him because they had remained loyal to Great Shang in the past.
• Several days later, Zi Shou learned that Ji Chang had stayed at Shang Rong’s estate outside Chaoge rather than returning to Xiqi.
• Fei Zhong and You Hun claimed they could fulfill any command, so Zi Shou jokingly ordered them to pluck down the moon.
• Fei Zhong explained that bringing down the moon could anger the Heavenly Emperor and leave Zi Shou without servants.

Zi Shou ordered Fei Zhong and You Hun to summon Shang Qingjun into his harem, despite You Hun warning that doing so would damage the king’s reputation. Ji Chang had been arranging Shang Qingjun’s marriage to his legitimate son Ji Fa, leaving Zi Shou intent on taking the woman he believed would become Ji Fa’s queen.

• Zi Shou told Fei Zhong and You Hun that he wanted Shang Qingjun brought into the palace to fulfill an old desire.
• You Hun warned that Shang Qingjun was Shang Rong’s daughter and could not be given a low-ranking place in the harem without insulting her family.
• Zi Shou dismissed You Hun’s concerns and ordered him and Fei Zhong to deliver the decree summoning Shang Qingjun.
• Fei Zhong and You Hun accepted the order, and Zi Shou said he wanted to disgust Ji Fa by taking his future wife.
• Ji Chang had been seeking a marriage alliance between his legitimate son Ji Fa and Shang Rong’s daughter Shang Qingjun.

Zi Shou sent Fei Zhong and You Hun to deliver a decree summoning Shang Qingjun into the palace, forcing Shang Rong to accept it despite his anger. Shang Rong planned to enter the palace the next day and ask the King to rescind the order.

• Fei Zhong and You Hun arrived at Shang Rong’s estate while Shang Rong was hosting Ji Chang, and Shang Rong went out to receive the King’s decree.
• Shang Rong read the decree and angrily objected, saying he would not let Shang Qingjun enter the palace under circumstances that would disgrace his household.
• You Hun advised Shang Rong to accept the decree first and remonstrate with the King afterward, warning that refusing it would damage his reputation.
• Shang Rong accepted the decree and said he would meet Zi Shou the next day to request that he rescind it.
• Fei Zhong and You Hun declined Shang Rong’s offer of food and wine, then praised Zi Shou’s judgment as they left.

Shang Rong and Ji Chang abandoned their marriage alliance after learning that Zi Shou had ordered Shang Qingjun into the palace as a maidservant, while Shang Qingjun overheard their conversation. Zi Shou remained determined to enforce his decree, even if Shang Rong brought his daughter’s corpse to the palace.

• After Fei Zhong and You Hun departed, Shang Rong told Ji Chang that the king’s decree meant Shang Qingjun’s marriage to Ji Fa had to be put on hold.
• Ji Chang and Shang Rong agreed to abandon their marriage alliance, and Shang Rong said he would ask Zi Shou to rescind the decree or kill Shang Qingjun rather than let her suffer humiliation.
• Shang Qingjun overheard their conversation and wondered whether Zi Shou was the one who wanted her brought to the palace.
• You Hun told Zi Shou that Shang Rong had accepted the decree but planned to seek an audience and had threatened to kill his daughter instead.
• Zi Shou said he would enforce the decree regardless, and told Fei Zhong and You Hun that Shang Rong could send Shang Qingjun’s corpse to the palace if he refused to comply.

Zi Shou secretly arranged for Yunxiao to protect Shang Qingjun after ordering her to enter the palace, while Shang Rong prepared to force the issue if Zi Shou refused to withdraw the decree. The chapter left Shang Qingjun in danger as Shang Rong considered what to do next.

• Zi Shou asked Yunxiao to protect Shang Qingjun and keep her alive until she entered the palace, and Yunxiao agreed.
• Yunxiao secretly returned to watch Zi Shou, saw him heading happily toward Xinqing Palace, and then truly departed.
• Ji Chang left Shang Rong's estate after their marriage alliance for Shang Qingjun and Ji Fa nearly fell through.
• Shang Rong resolved to ask Zi Shou to withdraw the decree and considered making Shang Qingjun suffer if he failed.

Shang Qingjun escaped Shang Rong’s confinement and headed for Chaoge, where Yunxiao found her and offered to protect her. Shang Qingjun accepted Yunxiao’s help to reach the royal palace, and Yunxiao whisked them away.

• Shang Rong ordered Shang Qingjun confined, but she knocked out a maid and escaped over the courtyard wall.
• Shang Qingjun made her way toward Chaoge by taking back paths through the countryside.
• Yunxiao learned Shang Qingjun had escaped and recognized her as the unusual girl she had passed on the road.
• Yunxiao found Shang Qingjun more than ten li from Chaoge and offered to protect her and take her where she wanted.
• Shang Qingjun asked to go to the royal palace, and Yunxiao carried them away in a gust of wind.

Yunxiao brought Shang Qingjun back to the royal palace in Chaoge and kept her waiting while Zi Shou attended to other business. After Zi Shou learned Yunxiao had found Shang Qingjun, he agreed to meet her, while realizing Yunxiao’s favorability toward him had fallen sharply.

• Yunxiao brought Shang Qingjun into the royal palace secretly and led her to the hall where she usually rested.
• Shang Qingjun guessed Zi Shou was indulging in debauchery, and Yunxiao denied it before telling her to bathe and change clothes.
• After leaving Xinqing Palace, Zi Shou encountered Yunxiao, who told him she had brought Shang Qingjun to the palace.
• Zi Shou tried to explain himself, but Yunxiao cut him off and offered to bring Shang Qingjun to him if he wished to meet her.
• Zi Shou asked to see Shang Qingjun and recalled that she was Ji Fa’s wife, a fact he had forgotten until Ji Chang’s visit reminded him.

Zi Shou received Shang Qingjun in the palace and learned that she had fled home after her father tried to stop her from entering the palace. Shang Qingjun openly asked Zi Shou to take her in, leaving him flustered by her boldness and worried that Yunxiao was watching.

• Yunxiao brought Shang Qingjun to Zi Shou in a side hall and then left.
• Shang Qingjun explained that she fled after Shang Rong tried to strangle her rather than let her go to the palace.
• Zi Shou asked what Shang Qingjun planned to do, and she said he should take her in because she could not return home.
• Shang Qingjun reminded Zi Shou that she had once threatened to use itching powder on him when he flirted with her.
• Shang Qingjun teased Zi Shou by offering to let him inspect her for hidden powders, but he refused while thinking of Yunxiao nearby.

Zi Shou questioned Shang Rong about his decree ordering Shang Qingjun into the palace, while Shang Rong claimed she had run away and promised to comply if she returned. Zi Shou sent Shang Rong away and said he would search for Qingjun, leaving their intentions unresolved.

• Zi Shou sent Shang Qingjun away to rest and decided to wait for Shang Rong's audience before arranging her situation.
• Shang Rong entered the palace, believing Shang Qingjun's disappearance gave him a way to evade the decree.
• Zi Shou deliberately made Shang Rong wait while he ate breakfast, but Shang Rong remained patient.
• Shang Rong claimed Shang Qingjun had run away and that he would let her enter the palace if she returned.
• Zi Shou said he would send people to search for Qingjun and warned Shang Rong not to regret his promise.

After learning that Shang Rong planned to kill Shang Qingjun and blame her death on her, Yunxiao returned to the palace, where Zi Shou kept the search for her going to unsettle the powerful factions. The searches confirmed that Shang Qingjun was likely in the palace, and Zi Shou used the turmoil to watch for hidden agents.

• Zi Shou warned Yunxiao that Shang Rong might claim Shang Qingjun had killed herself if she were sent home, and Yunxiao accused Zi Shou of having a wicked mind.
• Yunxiao secretly followed Shang Rong, who ordered his men to find Shang Qingjun and instructed them to say she had been violated and killed herself if they found her.
• Zi Shou ordered Fei Zhong and You Hun to join the search, while Shang Rong, Bi Gan, and Ji Chang's agents also mobilized; after days of searching, they concluded Shang Qingjun was probably in the palace.
• Zi Shou and Yunxiao played chess as Shang Qingjun watched, and Zi Shou said he was letting the search continue to see which hidden agents would surface.

Shang Rong and Bi Gan discussed Zi Shou, Ji Chang, and Bi Gan’s support for Zi Qi, while Zhunti sought permission from Jieyin to act in the great tribulation. In the Heavenly Realm, mysterious forces began merging beneath the Spirit Pool, and Hongjun learned of Pangu’s hidden arrangements and decided to stop interfering.

• Shang Rong and Bi Gan agreed to let Zi Shou and Ji Chang contend while they waited to see how events unfolded.
• Shang Rong asked whether Bi Gan would support Zi Qi, and Bi Gan reaffirmed his oath not to contend for the throne.
• Zhunti urged Jieyin to seize an opportunity in the great tribulation, and Jieyin told him to act as he wished.
• Two currents of Mysterious Yellow Qi intertwined and slowly merged beneath the Spirit Pool at Moon-Gazing Palace.
• Hongjun learned more about Pangu’s arrangements and decided to leave the matter alone.

After years of peace, Yuan Futong and seventy-two northern lords rebelled, defeating Chong Houhu and forcing him to seek aid in Chaoge. Zi Shou arranged for Wen Zhong to lead the campaign, but Huang Feihu unexpectedly volunteered to take command instead.

• Shang Rong sent Shang Qingjun into Zi Shou’s palace after concluding that challenging Zi Shou was too dangerous.
• Zi Shou’s realm remained peaceful until the seventh year of his reign, when Yuan Futong and seventy-two northern lords rebelled and defeated Chong Houhu.
• Chong Houhu told Zi Shou that strange, powerful figures and spells had overwhelmed his army, confirming Zi Shou’s suspicions about hidden support for the rebels.
• Zi Shou asked Wen Zhong to suppress Yuan Futong, and Wen Zhong agreed to lead the campaign.
• Huang Feihu interrupted and offered to defeat Yuan Futong himself, leaving Zi Shou wondering how to respond.

Zi Shou sent Grand Tutor Wen Zhong north with two hundred thousand troops to suppress Yuan Futong’s rebellion, deliberately removing him from Chaoge. With Wen Zhong gone, Zi Shou visited Qingping Hall to speak with his mysterious nominal teacher, while Yunxiao watched from outside, unable to penetrate the hall’s restrictions.

• Wen Zhong stopped Huang Feihu from joining the northern campaign, reminding him that he was responsible for defending Chaoge.
• Zi Shou ordered Wen Zhong to lead two hundred thousand troops north and warned Chong Houhu to cooperate or lose his title as Marquis of the North.
• Wen Zhong’s army departed, and Zi Shou revealed that he had sent him away to draw out those waiting to make a move against Great Shang.
• Zi Shou went to Qingping Hall to meet Daoist Qingping, suspecting that his nominal teacher was an exceptionally powerful master.
• Yunxiao appeared outside Qingping Hall and found that its restrictions were beyond her ability to understand or penetrate.

Zi Shou questioned Tongtian about his motives, and Tongtian assured him that he stood on Zi Shou’s side. As unrest spread after Wen Zhong’s prolonged campaign against Yuan Futong, Shang Rong raised a matter at court, leaving Zi Shou wondering whether the anticipated event had finally arrived.

• Zi Shou asked Tongtian why he served as Great Shang’s Imperial Tutor and took him as a disciple, and Tongtian said he would explain when the time came and assured him he was on Zi Shou’s side.
• Zi Shou left Qingping Hall after teasing Tongtian about finding him maidservants, then saw Yunxiao watching nearby and took her eye roll as a sign she cared about him.
• After Yuan Futong rebelled, Wen Zhong led two hundred thousand troops north with Chong Houhu’s assistance, but the campaign dragged on for years and fueled unrest across the land.
• Zi Shou remained silent about the growing unrest until Shang Rong stepped forward at court to present a matter, prompting Zi Shou to wonder whether the expected event had arrived.

Zi Shou learned that Shang Rong had arranged for him to offer incense at Nuwa Palace and questioned Yunxiao about Nuwa before the visit. When Zi Shou arrived with the court officials, Nuwa was already there, intending to tease him.

• Zi Shou recalled that Shang Rong had proposed the incense offering and approved his arrangements for Nuwa’s birthday.
• Zi Shou asked Yunxiao about Nuwa, and Yunxiao said she knew little about the Sage and advised him to offer sincere worship.
• Zi Shou decided to prepare abundant offerings, while Shang Rong arranged the ceremony and Huang Feihu led the imperial guards.
• Zi Shou traveled to Nuwa Palace with the officials as people across the human race worshipped Nuwa.
• Nuwa sent her consciousness to Nuwa Palace and waited to tease Zi Shou when he arrived.

Zi Shou was left alone in Nuwa Palace when Nuwa concealed herself behind the drapes, but he mistook her for a demon and challenged her. Nuwa revealed herself, leaving Zi Shou stunned by her beauty.

• Zi Shou and his officials completed their worship at Nuwa Palace, but a strange force expelled everyone except Zi Shou and shut the doors.
• The officials and Yunxiao recognized that Nuwa's sacred presence had descended, while Zi Shou suspected a demon had come to bewitch him.
• Zi Shou resisted the figure's allure and threatened to drive the supposed demon out in Empress Nuwa's name.
• Nuwa threw open the drapes and challenged Zi Shou to eliminate her, and he was captivated by her beauty.

Zi Shou mistook Empress Nuwa for a demoness and realized his mistake only after she revealed her identity. Believing she might punish Great Shang for his offense, he apologized, then refused to plead further and walked toward the exit of Nuwa Palace.

• Zi Shou called for Yunxiao’s help, but Nuwa explained that she had kept Yunxiao from entering the hall.
• Zi Shou recognized Nuwa as the Saint Mother of the human race and apologized for calling her a demoness and threatening her.
• Nuwa questioned whether Zi Shou’s apology was enough, though she did not truly intend to punish him.
• Zi Shou assumed Nuwa might take her anger out on Great Shang, said she could punish him as she wished, and headed for the exit.
• Nuwa watched Zi Shou leave and narrowed her eyes in anger.

Zi Shou challenged Empress Nuwa with a lewd poem and left Nuwa Palace alive, convinced that she would still seek to destroy the Cheng Tang realm. He urged Yunxiao to leave for her own safety, but she refused to abandon her duty to protect him.

• Empress Nuwa threatened Zi Shou with the consequences of a Sage's wrath, but he wrote her a provocative poem and left Nuwa Palace.
• Empress Nuwa kept the poem as evidence and vowed to settle accounts with Zi Shou after the great tribulation.
• Zi Shou returned to court and told Yunxiao that Nuwa would find a way to destroy the Cheng Tang realm.
• Zi Shou recited the poem to Yunxiao and urged her to return to Golden Ao Island rather than be caught up in his tribulation.
• Yunxiao refused to leave, saying she would protect Zi Shou until the great tribulation ended.

Zi Shou tried to make Yunxiao leave to protect her from Nuwa, but she insisted on staying. Back in Chaoge, he asked Tongtian to warn the Exalted One of Numinous Treasure that San Xiao would perish if they remained near him, leaving Tongtian bewildered by Nuwa’s involvement.

• Zi Shou decided he had to find a way to send Yunxiao away, while Yunxiao followed his carriage through the clouds, confused by her own feelings.
• After returning to the royal palace, Zi Shou visited Tongtian in Qingping Hall and asked whether his teacher was powerful.
• Zi Shou asked Tongtian to pass a message to the Exalted One of Numinous Treasure, urging him to make his disciples leave before they perished in the great tribulation.
• Tongtian grew angry at Zi Shou’s request, then asked why he wanted San Xiao gone.
• Zi Shou explained that he feared Saints would kill them and specifically named Nuwa, leaving Tongtian stunned.