Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao used the power of his dragon body to pressure Shopkeeper Qian and Shopkeeper Chai into joining him. He demonstrated that he could overwhelm them with a single move, leaving their lives in his hands.

• Shopkeeper Qian realized Meng Zhao may have planned to recruit him, Shopkeeper Chai, and Zhu Guangxi, and he weighed the offer against the power of the Plainclothes Alliance.
• Han Pu prepared for the possibility that the two men would reject Meng Zhao and need to be silenced.
• Meng Zhao asked Shopkeeper Qian and Shopkeeper Chai to become his men, but Shopkeeper Chai challenged him to prove he deserved their allegiance.
• Meng Zhao unleashed his dragon might and used Vacuum Wheel to suppress both men, leaving them unable to resist.

Meng Zhao forced Shopkeeper Qian and Shopkeeper Chai to pledge loyalty, then bound them with poison and promised an antidote after they proved themselves. He planned to use them and Zhu Guangxi to strike at Zhao Hun, while Han Pu realized the danger of what he had witnessed and resolved to keep silent.

• Meng Zhao overwhelmed Shopkeeper Qian and Shopkeeper Chai with Dragon Might and the Vacuum Wheel until they knelt and submitted.
• Meng Zhao made the two men swallow brown pills and promised them an antidote after matters at Cloud Mist Mountain were settled and they offered a suitable token of allegiance.
• Shopkeeper Qian and Shopkeeper Chai warned Meng Zhao that Zhu Guangxi was a valued Innate Master whose loyalty to the Plainclothes Alliance would make him difficult to recruit.
• Han Pu recognized the men as wanted criminals connected to the Plainclothes Alliance and decided to keep their association with Meng Zhao secret.
• Meng Zhao resolved to use the two shopkeepers and Zhu Guangxi as pieces in his effort to uproot Zhao Hun.

Meng Zhao recruited Han Pu as a covert agent and assigned him a task involving forged Flood Dragon Scales. In a crowded tavern near Cloud Mist Mountain, the Seventh Young Master of the Earl of Chengyi Yang Family arrived with armed escorts, and one of them killed a tavern patron who challenged him.

• Meng Zhao told his new agents to gather intelligence inside the Plainclothes Alliance, especially about Zhao Hun, and warned them to remain loyal.
• Meng Zhao praised Han Pu for accepting his decisions and gave him a task after he noticed the forged Flood Dragon Scales.
• As the major factions prepared to enter Cloud Mist Mountain for the Flood Dragon Egg, a local tavern filled with martial artists and wine buyers.
• The Seventh Young Master of the Earl of Chengyi Yang Family entered the tavern with armed acquired-realm experts and searched the room.
• A burly patron challenged the young noble, and one of his escorts struck him down with a saber and a flying bench fragment.

Yang Hong captured the thief Chang Lin over a stolen jade pendant, but Chang Lin revealed that he had secret information about a Flood Dragon Egg and possessed a Flood Dragon Scale. Yang Hong tried to take Chang Lin away, but the martial artists in the tavern rose to demand that Chang Lin explain himself and show the scale.

• Yang Hong ordered his men to bring Chang Lin before him and forced the thief to kneel in the tavern.
• Yang Hong accused Chang Lin of stealing his belongings, including a jade pendant from his father, and threatened to kill him.
• Chang Lin begged for his life and offered to compensate Yang Hong, but Yang Hong dismissed his offer and pressed his sword to Chang Lin's neck.
• Chang Lin claimed to know secret information about a Flood Dragon Egg and said he had a Flood Dragon Scale as proof.
• Yang Hong withdrew his sword and tried to take Chang Lin away, but the martial artists in the tavern surrounded them and demanded that Chang Lin reveal the information and show the scale.

Yang Hong and Zhou Qing's groups nearly came to blows over Chang Lin, who produced a Flood Dragon Scale to prove his claim. He revealed that Xing Zhuo of the Nine Abyss Sect might possess a map to the Flood Dragon's egg-laying grounds in Cloud Mist Mountain, leaving the tavern's martial artists eager to investigate.

• Zhou Qing rallied the tavern's martial artists and refused to let Yang Hong take Chang Lin away.
• Yang Hong and his men faced off against Zhou Qing's larger, armed crowd as Chang Lin feared being caught in a fight.
• Chang Lin showed Yang Hong a genuine-looking Flood Dragon Scale, drawing everyone's attention and easing the immediate standoff.
• Yang Hong took the scale and promised to let Chang Lin go if he revealed his information.
• Chang Lin said he had stolen the scale from Xing Zhuo of the Nine Abyss Sect and suspected Xing Zhuo had a map to the Flood Dragon's nesting site in Cloud Mist Mountain.
• The martial artists believed Chang Lin's claim was worth investigating, and Yang Hong's killing intent toward Xing Zhuo grew.

Chang Lin manipulated Yang Hong with information about Xing Zhuo, then seized Yang Hong as a hostage and escaped the tavern with the Flood Dragon Scales. He left Yang Hong behind and fled across the snow, while the stolen treasures were tossed into the air.

• Yang Hong believed Chang Lin's claims about Xing Zhuo and questioned him about the alleged map to the flood dragon's nest.
• Chang Lin promised Yang Hong more information about Xing Zhuo and moved close to whisper it.
• Chang Lin suddenly snatched the Flood Dragon Scales and Yang Hong's treasured sword, holding the blade to Yang Hong's throat.
• Chang Lin forced Yang Hong's guards to clear the tavern entrance and retreated toward the door with Yang Hong as his hostage.
• Chang Lin shoved Yang Hong back into the tavern, tossed the sword and Flood Dragon Scales into the air, and fled across the snow.

Chang Lin escaped the tavern by tossing the Flood Dragon Scales into the crowd, triggering a bloody scramble while Yang Hong waited for a chance to recover them. Two of Yang Hong’s guards pursued Chang Lin to Meng Zhao’s residence, where they discovered Chang Lin’s true submission to Meng Zhao and were attacked by Han Pu and Lü Yue.

• Chang Lin threw the Flood Dragon Scales into the tavern crowd and fled, starting a deadly fight among the martial artists.
• Zhou Qing tried to restore order but was ignored as the fighters fought over the scales.
• Yang Hong ordered two guards to pursue Chang Lin while he and his remaining men formed a battle array and waited for the tavern fighters to weaken.
• Chang Lin led the guards to a residence, where he bowed obediently before Meng Zhao.
• The guards realized Meng Zhao was likely Chang Lin’s master and suspected the Flood Dragon Scales affair was a trap.
• Han Pu and Lü Yue attacked the two guards.

Meng Zhao explained how Chang Lin’s theft had helped lure Yang Hong into a trap and recruited him into the Meng Family. He then described a plan to turn the rival factions against each other by ensuring Yang Hong’s death and letting the Flood Dragon Scales fall into Xing Zhuo’s hands, leaving Han Pu and Lü Yue to wonder whether Yang Hong would truly die.

• Han Pu and Lü Yue killed the two guards from the earls’ mansions before they could reveal the hidden hand behind the plot.
• Meng Zhao praised Chang Lin for abducting Yang Hong and offered him a place in the Meng Family after one more task.
• Lü Yue questioned whether hiring a petty thief would damage the Meng Family’s reputation, and Meng Zhao explained Chang Lin’s usefulness and arranged for him to receive a new name.
• Han Pu warned that Yang Hong and Xing Zhuo might not fight over the Flood Dragon Scales, but Meng Zhao said Yang Hong’s death could provoke the Earl of Sincerity’s Mansion regardless of the wider conspiracy.
• Lü Yue and Han Pu realized Meng Zhao’s plan could break the alliance against the Meng Family, but feared the danger if his involvement were exposed.

The tavern massacre left Crane Hand Zhou Qing weakened and surrounded by Yang Hong’s forces. Zhou Qing seized the Flood Dragon Scales and fled through the rear courtyard, but Yang Hong wounded him and continued the pursuit.

• Yang Hong ordered his warriors to attack the surviving martial artists after the tavern fighters had worn one another down.
• Yang Hong attacked Zhou Qing, who countered his sword strike and used its rebounding force to reach the Flood Dragon Scales.
• Zhou Qing tore the Flood Dragon Scales from the wall and hurled debris at Yang Hong to cover his escape.
• Zhou Qing fled into the rear courtyard, where he sent a wave of snow toward Yang Hong.
• Yang Hong shattered the snow and struck Zhou Qing across the back, leaving him bleeding as the pursuit continued.

Zhou Qing escaped Yang Hong by throwing the Flood Dragon Scales away, but Yang Hong pursued the treasure and was ambushed by Zhu Guangxi. Zhu Guangxi took the scales and left Yang Hong mortally wounded, and Yang Hong used his last breath to write Xing Zhuo’s name in the snow.

• Zhou Qing blocked Yang Hong’s sword strikes with the Flood Dragon Scales, then hurled them west and fled east over the wall.
• Yang Hong chose to pursue the Flood Dragon Scales instead of Zhou Qing and found them in the snowy garden.
• Zhu Guangxi ambushed Yang Hong with a powerful palm strike, then claimed the Flood Dragon Scales belonged to the Nine Abyss Sect.
• Yang Hong refused to hand over the treasure and demanded that the Nine Abyss Sect explain its origins.
• Zhu Guangxi struck Yang Hong with True Qi, shattered his organs, took the scales, and departed.
• Yang Hong used his last strength to write Xing Zhuo’s name in the snow before dying.

Meng Zhao’s scheme used Yang Hong’s death and forged evidence to provoke a war between the Earl of Sincerity’s Mansion and the Nine Abyss Sect, then draw other major powers into the fighting. Within days, the market town was devastated, and Meng Zhao’s task of weakening the anti-Meng alliance was more than accomplished.

• The Earl of Sincerity’s Mansion guards found Yang Hong’s corpse and reported his death to their expedition’s leader.
• The Earl of Sincerity’s Mansion accused the Nine Abyss Sect of killing Yang Hong and demanded the Flood Dragon Scales, the map, and Xing Zhuo.
• Meng Zhao’s plan led the Earl of Sincerity’s Mansion and the Nine Abyss Sect to fight, with each side suffering heavy losses in successive clashes.
• The Nine Abyss Sect joined forces with the Twelve Linked Forts and attacked the Earl of Sincerity’s Mansion, deepening the feud between the factions.
• The Lei Family and Yang Family fought the Nine Abyss Sect and the Twelve Linked Forts, while the Gongsun and Cao Families and other martial artists joined opposing sides.
• Within three days, the fighting had emptied much of the market town and left it crowded with corpses, as Meng Zhao’s scheme drew in the major powers.

While dining, Meng Zhao explained to Lü Yue and Han Pu why the bloodshed around the market town would soon end and how the major forces had turned the conflict into a purge. He said their enemies had been divided by lasting blood feuds, but warned that they needed to make their next move before Eldest Uncle arrived.

• Lü Yue worried that Steward Mao would soon be overwhelmed by the fighting and asked Meng Zhao to devise a plan.
• Han Pu suggested joining one side and relying on Meng Zhao and Shi Jie to protect them.
• Meng Zhao asked whether the fighting would keep intensifying, leading Han Pu to realize the major forces were guiding the chaos to purge unruly forces and martial artists.
• Lü Yue concluded that Xing Zhuo's innocence and the secret instigation had likely been uncovered, but that sending Chang Lin and the master craftsman away had kept the Meng Family's role concealed.
• Meng Zhao said the blood feuds would prevent the forces from uniting against the Meng Family and declared that they needed to act again before Eldest Uncle arrived.

Cao Yan’s family discussed Lei Bing’s demand that the Cao Family leave the conflict or join the Lei and Yang families. Cao Yan recognized that the visitors meant to pressure the family, then asked his grandson Cao Zhan what he thought.

• Cao’s eldest son asked Cao Yan how the family should respond to Lei Bing, who waited in the reception hall.
• Cao Yan turned to his five grandsons and asked Cao Zhan for his opinion.
• Cao Zhan recommended refusing Lei Bing because the Lei Family seemed insincere and intent on sowing discord.
• Cao Yan said the Lei Family had not come with good intentions and appeared to be targeting the Cao Family.
• Cao Yan wondered whether the Nine Abyss Sect and Twelve Linked Forts would help the Cao Family, and one of his descendants asked what he meant.

Cao Yan refused Lei Bing's demand that the Cao Family serve the Lei Family, despite learning that the Lei Family had mediated peace between the Nine Abyss Sect and the Twelve Linked Forts. He left the Cao Family preparing to face the powerful families' schemes, while Cao Yan trusted that they could retreat into Cloud Mist Mountain if necessary.

• Cao Yan ordered Cao Zhan to bring Lei Bing before him after the Cao Family discussed how to respond to the Lei Family's threats.
• Cao Da worried that the Gongsun Family had turned the Nine Abyss Sect and the Twelve Linked Forts against them, but Cao Yan said the family could hide in Cloud Mist Mountain with help from his Elder Brother.
• Cao Yan berated the Cao Family men for fearing his Elder Brother and believed that fear kept them from reaching the Innate Martial Dao.
• Lei Bing asked Cao Yan to make the Cao Family serve the Lei Family, and Cao Yan refused, calling the family small but not easy to bully.
• Lei Bing revealed that his master had mediated peace between the Nine Abyss Sect and the Twelve Linked Forts, and Cao Yan suspected powerful families had manipulated the fighting to weaken potential rivals.

Cao Yan rejected Lei Bing’s ultimatum from the Marquis of Beining’s Estate and used the Mountain Shaking Bow to blast apart most of Lei Bing’s right arm. Lei Bing survived and cursed him, while Cao Yan’s men prepared to respond.

• Lei Bing warned Cao Yan to join the Marquis of Beining’s Estate or become its enemy, and threatened the Cao Family’s future.
• Cao Yan drew the Mountain Shaking Bow and revealed his powerful Real Form Giant Ape Dharma Form, terrifying Lei Bing.
• Cao Yan declared he would spare Lei Bing’s life but take an arm and accept the Marquis of Beining’s Estate as an enemy.
• Cao Yan released an invisible arrow aura that destroyed Lei Bing’s right arm without damaging the house.
• Lei Bing realized his arm was gone, broke down in pain, and cursed Cao Yan as the Cao Family’s men considered killing him.

Cao Yan spared Lei Bing to deter the Lei Family while the Cao Family prepared to flee into Cloud Mist Mountain. A visitor’s calling card raised hopes of avoiding the move, and Cao Yan revealed that Meng Zhao from Earl of Nan'an's side had come.

• Cao Yan let the wounded Lei Bing leave with a warning, then explained that sparing him would make the Lei Family cautious and buy the Cao Family time.
• Cao Zhan understood Cao Yan’s strategy, and Cao Yan assigned him to prepare the clansmen’s relocation into Cloud Mist Mountain.
• A gate attendant announced that a visitor had sent a calling card, and Cao Zhan said the news might spare the family from fleeing into the mountains.
• Cao Yan read the card and told the family that Meng Zhao from Earl of Nan'an's side had come.

The Cao Family learned that Meng Zhao, a young member of the Meng Family of the Earl of Nan'an, had come to visit and considered whether his family might help them against the Lei Family and Yang Family. Cao Yan ordered Cao Zhan to receive Meng Zhao politely while the rest of the clan prepared to relocate, leaving him uncertain whether the Meng Family would offer support.

• Cao Zhan explained Meng Zhao’s difficult childhood, rise to prominence, and official titles to the Cao Family.
• Cao Eldest Brother envied Meng Zhao’s rank, prompting Cao Yan to scold his descendants for complaining about their lack of official standing.
• Cao Zhan praised his grandfather’s martial ambitions and calmed Cao Yan.
• Cao Yan sent Cao Zhan to bring Meng Zhao in politely and ordered the other nine men to prepare the clansmen to relocate.
• Cao Yan remained alone, worrying that the Meng Family might not have the connections or willingness to protect the Cao Family from the Lei Family.

Meng Zhao visited Cao Yan’s estate and impressed the elder with his bearing and composure. After recognizing the fresh bloodstains from Lei Bing’s encounter with the Cao Family, Meng Zhao explained how he had inferred what happened, and Cao Yan questioned how much he knew about the Lei Family.

• Cao Zhan brought Meng Zhao and Zhu Guangxi into the room, where Cao Yan sized up the visitors.
• Meng Zhao greeted Cao Yan, accepted a seat, and observed the signs of a recent fight in the room.
• Cao Yan watched Meng Zhao and judged him exceptionally impressive, while Zhu Guangxi sensed that Cao Yan was far stronger than himself.
• Meng Zhao asked whether the bloodstains had been left by Lei Bing, startling Cao Zhan.
• Meng Zhao explained that he had seen Lei Bing leave the Cao estate with an injured arm, and Cao Yan asked how he had identified him as a member of the Marquis of Beining’s Estate.

Meng Zhao told Cao Yan and Cao Zhan that the Meng Family had allied with Fire Dragon Cave and the Spear King Zhao Family to seek the Flood Dragon Egg, and asked the Cao Family to guide them to a secret path up Cloud Mist Mountain. Cao Yan questioned the alliance and its chances of success, leaving the Meng Family’s request undecided as he weighed whether helping them would benefit his clan.

• Cao Zhan realized Meng Zhao had investigated Lei Bing and wondered what role the Meng Family played in the conflict.
• Meng Zhao revealed that his eldest uncle had formed an alliance with Fire Dragon Cave and the Spear King Zhao Family to search for the Flood Dragon Egg.
• Meng Zhao asked Cao Yan to help the alliance find a secret path up Cloud Mist Mountain.
• Cao Yan questioned how the Meng Family could ally with Fire Dragon Cave despite its ties to White Head Mountain, and Meng Zhao said his family pursued its own chance to revive its fortunes.
• Cao Yan asked how the Meng Family could ensure success amid so many rival forces, while Meng Zhao recognized that Cao Yan was still assessing whether to help.

Meng Zhao revealed to Cao Yan and Cao Zhan how the Sun Family discovered the Flood Dragon’s nesting site and how the Meng Family engineered the Sun Family’s downfall. He explained that the rescued Sun Family son could guide them to the nest, while the leaked news had drawn Fire Dragon Cave and others into a dangerous conflict.

• Cao Yan explained that the Sun Family had possessed a Flood Dragon token and a mountain map, though he did not know how the news began.
• Meng Zhao said a Sun Family son had witnessed two Pure-blooded Flood Dragons mating, found two scales, and returned with the route to their nest.
• Meng Zhao revealed that the Sun Family head had traded a Flood Dragon Scale and the secret to Fire Dragon Cave for its backing against the Meng Family.
• Cao Zhan recounted rumors that the Sun Family’s capital backer fell from power and the family was exposed for hoarding weapons and raising deathsworn warriors.
• Meng Zhao admitted that the Meng Family and Kong Family had brought down the Sun Family’s backer and orchestrated the Sun Family’s prosecution and destruction.
• Meng Zhao said the Meng Family had secretly rescued the man who found the nest, and that the dying Sun Family head had spread the news to take revenge on Fire Dragon Cave and burden the Meng Family.