Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao studied the caged beasts while Meng Chuan and Meng Rong faced a Daoist and his jealous junior sister, who wanted the Red-tailed Spirit Fox. Huang Jing arrived to mediate, but after learning Meng Zhao was involved, she turned pale and hesitated to approach him.

• The Daoist decided he would use force to take the Red-tailed Spirit Fox if the Hundred Beasts Garden sided with the Meng siblings, while his junior sister insisted on claiming the fox.
• Meng Zhao fed the caged beasts and studied their movements, gaining insight into techniques for his cultivation.
• Huang Jing arrived at the inner garden and greeted Meng Chuan and Meng Rong, then learned they had come to collect the fox promised by Huang Ning'er.
• Meng Chuan pointed out Meng Zhao as the one in charge, and Huang Jing stepped back in alarm instead of approaching him.

Meng Zhao confronted a Daoist who had accused the Meng Family of persecuting the Hu Family, and turned the accusation back on him by suggesting he might be connected to the Demonic Path. After the Daoist revealed he was from Fire Dragon Cave, the dispute remained tense as he asked Huang Jing to sell his junior sister the Red-tailed Spirit Fox.

• The Daoist asked Huang Jing to identify Meng Zhao's group, but Meng Chuan declared that they were from the Meng Clan of Earl Nan'an.
• The Daoist and his junior sister accused the Meng Family of oppressing the Hu Family, and Meng Rong insisted she had asked for the Red-tailed Spirit Fox first.
• Meng Zhao said the Hu Family had colluded with the Hell Path and suggested that Huang Jing have the Daoist and his junior sister seized for questioning.
• The Daoist revealed that he was a direct disciple of Fire Dragon Cave and denied any ties to the Demonic Path.
• The Daoist lost his temper at Meng Zhao, then calmed himself and asked Huang Jing to sell the Red-tailed Spirit Fox to his junior sister.

Meng Zhao proposed letting the Red-tailed Spirit Fox choose between Meng Rong and the Fire Dragon Cave disciple to resolve the dispute without forcing Huang Jing to take sides. The fox was released, and both young women prepared to see whom it would approach.

• Meng Rong insisted she wanted the Red-tailed Spirit Fox, while Meng Chuan backed her claim against the Fire Dragon Cave siblings.
• Meng Zhao suggested that the fox choose between Meng Rong and the pink-clad junior sister, and Huang Jing and the Daoist, Elder Brother Zheng, agreed.
• Huang Jing's servants released the fox after covering its claws and fangs and giving it medicine to calm its ferocity.
• Meng Zhao secretly reassured Meng Rong that the fox would choose her, while Elder Brother Zheng warned his junior sister not to be discouraged if it did not choose her.

Meng Zhao used Pine Resin to guide the Red-tailed Spirit Fox into choosing Meng Rong, securing it for their group and ending the dispute with the Fire Dragon Cave siblings. Huang Jing recognized his trick, while Meng Zhao began considering the threat implied by the Daoist’s warning.

• The Red-tailed Spirit Fox followed the Pine Resin scent in Meng Rong’s hair and settled on her, disappointing the woman in the pink gauze dress and her Daoist companion.
• Huang Jing declared the fox’s choice settled, and the Daoist accepted the outcome before warning Meng Zhao that the Meng Family might face trouble ahead.
• After the Daoist siblings departed, Huang Jing took Meng Zhao, Meng Rong, and the fox to a quiet room and asked how he had influenced the fox.
• Meng Zhao explained that he had rubbed Pine Resin on his hands and transferred its scent to Meng Rong’s hair because the fox loved the resin and had an exceptional sense of smell.
• Huang Jing recognized the calculation behind Meng Zhao’s plan, while Meng Rong learned why he had messed up her hair.

Meng Zhao secured the Red-tailed Spirit Fox for Meng Rong through a scheme, then questioned Huang Jing about the Fire Dragon Cave siblings and their purpose in Nan'an. He learned their connection to True Man Mingxia and worried that Mingxia might retaliate against him for crossing his disciples.

• Huang Jing inferred that Meng Zhao had secretly rigged the contest so Meng Rong would win the Red-tailed Spirit Fox.
• Meng Rong named the fox Little Red and praised Meng Zhao for arranging her victory.
• Meng Zhao set aside the fox matter and asked Huang Jing about the Daoist siblings from Fire Dragon Cave.
• Huang Jing explained that the siblings served True Man Mingxia and that her father had received a letter requesting the Huang Family's assistance.
• Meng Zhao recalled Mingxia's reputation for protecting his disciples and feared he might seek revenge because Meng Zhao had defeated Shi Siming and provoked Mingxia's other disciples.

After learning that Ming Xia of Fire Dragon Cave might target Meng Zhao, Huang Jing reassured him that her family had no secret ties to the sect. On their way back to the Meng Mansion, Meng Zhao received a challenge from Zheng Xie and decided to meet him at Yuzhu Xuan Tea House.

• Huang Jing explained that Ming Xia had sought her family's help for their beast-commanding arts, and Meng Zhao apologized for suspecting the Huang Family.
• Huang Jing sent Meng Zhao and the others off, then hurried home to report the encounter to her father.
• A beggar child delivered Meng Zhao a note inviting him to Yuzhu Xuan Tea House for a martial arts discussion, signed Zheng Xie.
• Meng Zhao recognized Zheng Xie as the Daoist they had met at the Beast Garden, while Meng Chuan and Meng Rong warned him it could be a trap.
• Meng Zhao decided to go to Yuzhu Xuan Tea House and told Meng Chuan to escort Meng Rong home.

Meng Zhao went alone to meet Zheng Xie and Tang Ling'er at Yuzhu Xuan Tea House, intending to learn why Fire Dragon Cave had sent people to Nan'an. After he apologized for their earlier conflict, the meeting grew unexpectedly cordial, and Tang Ling'er found herself struck by his appearance.

• Meng Zhao refused Meng Chuan's offer to accompany him, sent him and Meng Rong back to inform the family elders, and went to the appointment with Lü Zhong's people secretly following.
• Meng Zhao entered Yuzhu Xuan alone and met Zheng Xie and Tang Ling'er in a private room.
• Zheng Xie introduced himself and Tang Ling'er, revealing that she was the niece of Fire Dragon Cave's sect master, True Lord Tang.
• Meng Zhao apologized for the conflict at the Beast Garden, and Zheng Xie accepted, wondering why their meeting had turned so friendly.
• Tang Ling'er blushed and grew shy as she looked more closely at Meng Zhao.

Meng Zhao met Zheng Xie for a friendly martial exchange and tested his Soft Cloud Sun-Sweeping Sword Scripture against the Red Flag Order. Their first clash left Zheng Xie’s inner breath temporarily trapped, while Meng Zhao suffered only a tiny wound.

• Zheng Xie invited Meng Zhao to exchange martial arts, and Meng Zhao agreed after hearing about Zheng Xie’s sword art.
• Zheng Xie demonstrated the Soft Cloud Sun-Sweeping Sword Scripture, and Meng Zhao praised its supple, razor-sharp sword qi.
• Meng Zhao proposed that they compete with their fingers around the tea table, and Zheng Xie accepted.
• Zheng Xie thrust his sword fingers at Meng Zhao’s chest, and Meng Zhao met the attack with a Finger Force formed from the Red Flag Order.
• Meng Zhao’s Dragon Capturing Finger briefly imprisoned Zheng Xie’s inner breath, while Zheng Xie’s sword qi left a pinprick wound on Meng Zhao’s finger.

Meng Zhao defeated Zheng Xie in a martial exchange, then used praise and humility to turn Zheng Xie's hostility into friendship. Zheng Xie and Tang Ling'er trusted him, unaware that he only intended to use them to obtain information and improve his standing with Ming Xia.

• Meng Zhao showed Tang Ling'er and Zheng Xie how he had sealed his blood and healed his fingertip, impressing them with his control of qi.
• Meng Zhao changed his fist into a palm to redirect Zheng Xie's sword qi and disperse his force, and Zheng Xie admitted he had lost the exchange.
• Meng Zhao praised Zheng Xie's skill and framed their encounter as a discussion of martial arts, helping Zheng Xie save face.
• Zheng Xie warmed to Meng Zhao, and Tang Ling'er believed her senior brother's martial arts were exceptionally profound.
• Meng Zhao continued socializing with Zheng Xie and Tang Ling'er to gather information and ease his relationship with Ming Xia, despite having no intention of genuinely befriending Zheng Xie.

Meng Zhao learned that Fire Dragon Cave supported the Sun Family because the family had given the sect a secret, then returned to the mansion and faced a reprimand for risking himself at the tea gathering. Meng Jizu demonstrated how helpless Meng Zhao was against his palm strike and warned him against taking such dangers lightly.

• Meng Zhao coaxed Zheng Xie and Tang Ling'er into explaining that the Sun Family had shared a secret with Fire Dragon Cave and that the sect also favored them because of its feud with White Head Mountain.
• Meng Zhao failed to learn the secret or the purpose of the visitors' journey to Nan'an before returning to the mansion.
• Meng Jizu tested Meng Zhao with a harmless palm strike, and Meng Zhao admitted he could neither evade nor withstand it.
• Meng Jizu scolded Meng Zhao for accepting the Fire Dragon Cave heirs' invitation and risking his life, while Meng Hongdao and the others shared his concern.

After Meng Zhao described his encounter with Zheng Xie and Tang Ling'er, Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao revealed that the Sun Family’s secret involved a Pure-blooded Flood Dragon preparing to lay eggs in Cloud Mist Mountain before winter. Meng Zhao was stunned by the news and questioned whether it was reliable.

• Meng Zhao humbly admitted his rashness, and Meng Jizu dropped the matter and asked him to explain his encounter with Zheng Xie and Tang Ling'er.
• Meng Zhao recounted the meeting and sparring exchange, and Meng Hongdao praised his progress while warning him not to become complacent.
• Meng Zhao explained that his inherited Red Flag Order had helped him withstand Tang Ling'er's sword qi, and Meng Hongdao sent Meng Chuan and Meng Rong away.
• Meng Hongdao asked Meng Zhao about Cloud Mist Mountain and revealed that the Sun Family's secret concerned a Pure-blooded Flood Dragon laying eggs there before winter.
• Meng Zhao questioned the claim's reliability as he considered the immense value and power of a Flood Dragon Egg.

Meng Zhao learned how the Sun Family discovered the flood dragons’ eggs and why it had told Fire Dragon Cave instead of seeking them itself. He asked what the Meng Family should do about the opportunity.

• Meng Zhao questioned the Sun Family’s account and wondered why it had revealed the secret to Fire Dragon Cave.
• Meng Hongdao explained that a Sun Family member had witnessed two Pure-blooded Flood Dragons at a Black Water Pool and that Old Ghost Sun had used the scales he brought back as proof.
• Meng Zhao asked why the Sun Family would give up the chance to obtain the Flood Dragon Eggs.
• Meng Jizu explained that the Sun Family was too weak to keep the eggs, so Old Ghost Sun hoped to gain Fire Dragon Cave’s patronage and secure cultivation opportunities for his descendants.
• Meng Zhao asked Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao what the Meng Family should do.

Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao told Meng Zhao that the Meng Family had nearly arranged the downfall of the Sun Family’s powerful backer in Imperial Capital City and planned to strike once the time was right. Meng Zhao carried out a secret mission against the Sun Family, then returned home exhausted.

• Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao explained that the Meng Family had endured more than a year while working to bring down the Sun Family’s backer in Imperial Capital City.
• Meng Jizu told Meng Zhao that after the Sun Family fell, he would lure Fire Dragon Cave into a joint search for the Flood Dragon Egg in Cloud Mist Mountain.
• Meng Jizu ordered Meng Zhao to plant weapons and prepared account books in the Sun Family’s secret hideouts so the family could be accused of treason.
• Meng Zhao met Liu Qiankun and disappeared on the mission, leaving Lü Zhong and the others worried for three days.
• Meng Zhao returned to the Western Residence on the fourth day, ate Han Lu’s cooking, and slept until dawn after she tended to him.

Meng Zhao advanced his cultivation and reviewed the second branch’s growing businesses and martial forces, while assuring Lü Yue and Han Pu that the Sun Family was nearing ruin. He received an invitation from Xu Duo to attend a banquet at Minghua Tower, where prominent young people and a guest from the capital would gather.

• Meng Zhao cultivated with the essence qi from his three treasures and practiced the Iron Refining Hand, bringing his ninth crimson banner close to completion.
• Lü Yue and Han Pu reported the second branch’s new fields, Medicine Fields, shops, and recruited martial artists, along with the Sun Family’s interference and provocations.
• Meng Zhao told them to avoid clashes with the Sun Family, confident that the military equipment secretly planted in its storehouses would eventually destroy it.
• Lü Yue gave Meng Zhao an invitation from Xu Duo to a banquet that evening at Minghua Tower, attended by young members of prominent families and an honored guest from the capital.

Meng Zhao wondered why Xu Duo had invited him to a banquet and suspected the invitation was connected to an important person from Jade Capital. He agreed to attend with Lü Yue, and Xu Duo prepared a lavish feast at Minghua Tower.

• Meng Zhao recalled Xu Duo's reputation for currying favor with family heirs and asked whether Meng Xi had also received an invitation.
• Lü Yue confirmed that Xu Duo had invited Meng Xi, leading Meng Zhao to suspect that a visitor from Jade Capital was behind his own invitation.
• Meng Zhao decided to attend Xu Duo's banquet with Lü Yue and told him to prepare a generous gift.
• Xu Duo reserved Minghua Tower's top floor and laid out its renowned Minghua Feast.

Meng Zhao attended Xu Duo’s feast at Minghua Tower and cultivated ties with Yu Tianye and Huang Baoying. He learned that the absent noble guest was Young Marquis Fang, who had come to Nan'an seeking support before taking a military post.

• Meng Zhao and Lü Yue arrived at Minghua Tower, where Xu Duo, Meng Xi, and the noble guest were absent.
• Meng Zhao received respectful greetings from the young guests and formed a circle with Yu Tianye and Huang Baoying.
• Meng Zhao asked Yu Tianye and Huang Baoying about the noble guest from the Imperial Capital City.
• Yu Tianye told Meng Zhao that the guest was Young Marquis Fang, heir to the Marquis of Qingning, who was heading to a battalion command post in Ji Prefecture’s Southern Three Camps and had sought Xu Duo’s support.

Meng Zhao reunited with Young Marquis Fang at a gathering in Ji Prefecture, surprising Meng Xi with their apparent closeness. Young Marquis Fang singled Meng Zhao out and invited him to catch up, leaving Xu Duo envious of the connection.

• Meng Zhao explained that Young Marquis Fang had served as an Imperial Inner Court guard before taking command in the Southern Three Camps of Ji Prefecture.
• Young Marquis Fang arrived at the gathering with Meng Xi, Zheng Xie, Tang Ling'er, and Xu Duo among his companions.
• Young Marquis Fang recognized Meng Zhao, greeted him warmly, and embraced him in front of the assembled guests.
• Meng Zhao told Young Marquis Fang that he had returned to the Meng Family after his ten-year term and asked whether Meng Xi had mentioned him.
• Meng Xi concealed his uncertainty while wondering whether Meng Zhao had made other influential connections during his years in Imperial Capital City.
• Young Marquis Fang put his arm around Meng Zhao and invited him to sit with him, while Xu Duo watched enviously.

At a gathering in Nan'an, Young Marquis Fang asked Meng Zhao about life after returning to the Meng Family, but the guests answered with exaggerated tales of his achievements. Zheng Xie praised Meng Zhao and revealed they had already tested each other in a fight, leaving the gathering wary of Meng Zhao and Young Marquis Fang asking him for future support.

• Young Marquis Fang complained to Meng Zhao about his hardships in Imperial Capital City and asked whether Meng Zhao had faced trouble after returning to the Meng Family.
• Meng Xi and other guests interrupted to praise Meng Zhao, wildly exaggerating his victories over Shi Siming and Hu Baiwan and the regard Shen Tianci had shown him.
• Young Marquis Fang admired the stories, while Meng Zhao protested that the guests had exaggerated his accomplishments.
• Zheng Xie recalled testing Meng Zhao's Red Flag Order and finger technique at Yuzhu Xuan Tea House and said he would not be certain of victory against him.
• The guests reconsidered Meng Zhao's strength, and Meng Xi wondered why Meng Zhao received such respect from Fire Dragon Cave disciples.
• Young Marquis Fang asked Meng Zhao to look after him while he was in Nan'an.

At a banquet, Meng Xi asked about the origins of the Meng Family’s Red Flag Order, and Young Marquis Fang explained its connection to the ancient Five Directions Banner Order. The conversation turned to the Fang Family’s inherited art, whose incomplete origins Zheng Xie bluntly revealed, leaving Young Marquis Fang displeased.

• Meng Zhao directed Young Marquis Fang to build ties with Meng Xi, and the two exchanged polite assurances of friendship.
• As the guests discussed martial arts, Young Marquis Fang and Zheng Xie demonstrated their knowledge of various families’ techniques.
• Meng Xi asked about the Red Flag Order, and Young Marquis Fang traced it to fragments of the Five Directions Banner Order, an ancient divine skill linked to Emperor Shaohao.
• A guest asked about the Marquis of Qingning’s ultimate art, prompting Meng Zhao to explain how the first Marquis received the Eight Divisions Heavenly Dragon Divine Skill from the imperial martial treasury.
• Zheng Xie explained the skill’s Buddhist origins and revealed that Heavenly Dragon Temple’s abbot had destroyed its devas and dragons divisions, angering Young Marquis Fang.

At the Minghua Banquet, a disguised intruder mocked Marquis of Qingning's Estate and the noble clans before revealing himself and killing host Xu Duo with a concealed weapon launched from his mouth. The stunned guests realized the assassin had infiltrated the gathering and that his attack was powerful enough to defeat even prepared opponents.

• An unknown voice accused Marquis of Qingning's Estate of taking the Eight Divisions Heavenly Dragon Divine Skill through imperial plunder and insulting its descendants.
• Meng Zhao suspected an outsider had infiltrated Minghua Tower, checked that the food and wine were safe, and prepared for trouble.
• Meng Xi defended the noble houses and challenged the hidden speaker to reveal himself.
• A tall man in an indigo robe removed his disguise and claimed he had killed the real Brother Wang for abusing a woman and trying to seize her property.
• The disguised man killed Xu Duo with a concealed weapon spat from his mouth, leaving the banquet guests shocked and unable to stop him.