Recaps

Meng Zhao left the Meng Family to establish himself in Lingwu City, bringing a powerful force and several gifted companions. After Yu Huashen failed to recruit those companions for the Imperial Guard, Meng Zhao negotiated with Qian Jiao for the Emperor Yu Battle Armor and his help, unaware that Qian Jiao planned to betray him.

• Meng Zhao declined to join the Ninth Prince but agreed with Kuang Tianyou to cooperate on an undertaking and hire Jianan Pass fighters.
• Meng Zhao admitted recruiting the Seven Freaks of Minshan and told Meng Jizu he planned to establish his own branch in Lingwu City.
• Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao equipped Meng Zhao with assets, guards, treasures, and an honorary military appointment before he departed for Lingwu City.
• Yu Huashen confronted Meng Zhao and discovered the unusual physiques of his companions, then offered them places in the Imperial Guard.
• Lü Yue, Zhou Hu, and Cao Zhan chose to remain with Meng Zhao instead of following Yu Huashen to Jade Capital.
• Meng Zhao investigated a Thunderclap Bomb signal, killed one of Qian Jiao’s disciples, and found Qian Jiao torturing Yao Shun, whom Qian Jiao then killed.
• Meng Zhao offered Qian Jiao Flood Dragon Blood in exchange for the Emperor Yu Battle Armor and Qian Jiao’s help killing someone in Lingwu City.
• After Meng Zhao left, Qian Jiao transformed into a scaled demon and told Mu Ge he planned to recover his strength, kill Meng Zhao, and take back the armor.

Meng Zhao strengthened his position in Lingwu City after Han Pu was injured, then uncovered an assassination plot tied to the Iron Hand Society. He rallied local allies and sent his forces to attack the society while keeping its holdings and members in mind for his own plans.

• Meng Zhao arrived in Lingwu City and learned that Wu Kaijing had gravely injured Han Pu, who later recovered, entered the Innate Realm, and became leader of the Great Banner Gang.
• Meng Zhao protected Lu Chengqi and Xiao Feng after learning that Wu Kaijing was pursuing Xiao Feng to silence her over a secret about Wu Zunyuan’s illegitimate son, then used the dispute to build relationships with Lingwu City’s major powers.
• Meng Zhao expanded his influence by taking over seven gangs and reorganizing the Great Banner Gang, while Wu Zunyuan warned Wu Kaijing to apologize and seek cooperation with him.
• Wu Kaijing and You Shuren brought Meng Zhao gifts to settle the dispute, and Meng Zhao required Wu Kaijing to apologize privately to Han Pu.
• A hidden young master ordered a middle-aged man to poison Meng Zhao, and the plot led to the Iron Hand Society after Little Nine detected poison in Meng Zhao’s breakfast.
• Meng Zhao captured an infiltrator, learned that Tie Xiongfei and others had organized the poisoning attempt, and spared the traitor’s life while preparing to use the attack as grounds to destroy the Iron Hand Society.
• Meng Zhao gathered allies and spread accusations against the Iron Hand Society, while Lü Yue led a thousand warriors in a public vow to break the society and behead Tie Xiongfei.
• Meng Zhao sent his forces toward the Iron Hand Society’s holdings, and Han Pu’s group encountered fifty iron-armored riders while advancing toward Taigu Warehouse Dock.

Meng Zhao’s forces challenged the Iron Hand Society, while an assassin’s attack revealed a hidden threat and pushed him to build a secret intelligence network. The arc ended with Tie Xiongfei escaping after wounding several of Meng Zhao’s allies, leaving Liang Muqiu in pursuit and the source of the Society’s deadly blade art unknown.

• Chi Nianwen warned Lou Guanlan that a hidden patron might abandon the Iron Hand Society, but Lou stayed to face the Meng Family’s forces at Taigu Warehouse Dock.
• Han Pu accused Tie Xiongfei and the Society of plotting to poison Meng Zhao, then proposed settling the conflict through three martial bouts, and Cao Zhan defeated Zhao Daizong, and Lou Guanlan defeated Xue Huaiyong.
• Han Pu fought Lou Guanlan with the Changyang Divine Saber, and their final attacks shattered in a sweeping clash.
• Ring-Tailed Snake attacked Meng Zhao in the garden, but Meng Zhao broke through a barrier in his power before Bai Shicheng and Night Cat arrived and Night Cat pinned the assassin’s shadow.
• Meng Zhao learned that Dark Sun had placed a bounty on him and suspected the Lei Family might be involved, then had Night Cat kill Ring-Tailed Snake after questioning her.
• Meng Zhao appointed Night Cat to lead a secret organization that would gather intelligence, plant spies, and investigate personnel within his estate.
• Meng Zhao’s forces took Iron Hand Society strongholds and recruited members while Tie Xiongfei escaped a clash with Liang Muqiu’s group after using a treasure to injure several fighters.
• Lü Yue told Meng Zhao that Tie Xiongfei’s dead warriors used a mysterious blade art that grew more powerful with each move until its wielder exploded, and Liang Muqiu remained in pursuit of Tie Xiongfei.

Meng Zhao seized the Iron Hand Society’s territory and uncovered a hidden scheme surrounding Eternal Mausoleum, while he prepared for a looming threat in Lingwu City. When Meng Rong was abducted, he abandoned caution and confronted the Wu Family, ending in a tense standoff with Wu Zunyuan.

• Meng Zhao installed Lou Guanlan as the Iron Hand Society’s leader and assigned Cao Zhan and Zhou Hu to support and oversee him.
• Meng Zhao investigated Eternal Mausoleum, uncovered Tie Xiongfei’s connection to the site, captured one of his guards, and ordered the graveyard secured.
• Tie Xiongfei’s young master confirmed that Meng Zhao had disrupted their plans and decided to wait for the Ancient Battlefield to open before approaching him.
• Meng Chuan arrived injured and told Meng Zhao that Meng Rong had been abducted by unknown attackers, prompting Meng Zhao to lead a search through Lingwu City.
• Meng Zhao confronted Master Hong, who admitted that Wu Kaijing’s subordinates and Xun Tao had taken Meng Rong.
• Meng Zhao left Master Hong’s residence and chose to question the Wu Family first, telling Meng Chuan that rescuing Meng Rong mattered more than seeking revenge.
• Meng Zhao entered Wu Manor with his followers, overwhelmed Wu Zunyuan’s imposing aura with his bloodline power, and faced him in a tense silence.