Chapter Summaries

Beitang He considered Meng Zhao’s offer of reconciliation and went to consult his father, Beitang Ang, about whether to accept it. Beitang Ang dismissed his concern for his health and demanded that he get to the point.

• Beitang He realized that Meng Zhao had offered goodwill despite their past conflict, but hesitated because an alliance would deceive the royal clan in the Imperial Capital City.
• Beitang He carried the Hesheng Pastry to Beitang Ang’s pavilion, where he waited while his father indulged in wine and women.
• Beitang Ang came downstairs, grabbed Beitang He by the collar, and scolded him for interrupting his pleasures.
• Beitang He urged Beitang Ang to restrain his indulgence for the sake of his health.
• Beitang Ang brushed off the advice and told Beitang He to state why he had come.

Beitang He explained that Meng Zhao's Hesheng Pastries might signal a chance for their families to reconcile and secretly cooperate to gain command of the Yangwu Army. Beitang Ang accepted the danger and let his son decide, leaving Beitang He determined to proceed carefully.

• Beitang He showed Beitang Ang the Hesheng Pastries Meng Zhao had sent and suggested they were a gesture of reconciliation.
• Beitang He warned his father not to eat the pastries until they knew they were safe, and Beitang Ang agreed to wait.
• Beitang He explained that he and Meng Zhao could ally against Zhu Xie Chiri and divide control of the Yangwu Army.
• Beitang Ang realized his son was risking the family's position by pursuing military authority, but chose to support him.
• Beitang He promised to handle the plan carefully and not disappoint his father.

Meng Zhao sent Dou Xi to hint to the Xun, Ding, and Zhuo families that he wanted to form marriage alliances with all three, following Dou Xi’s advice to preserve the balance among them. The three patriarchs secretly met to discuss Meng Zhao’s motives, wary of both his insult and the possibility that he was testing their hidden ties.

• Meng Zhao sent Night Cat to investigate the female relatives of Lingwu City’s powerholders and selected daughters from the Xun, Ding, and Zhuo families as potential concubines.
• Dou Xi advised Meng Zhao to hint at marriage alliances with all three families rather than favoring one, and Meng Zhao let him handle the approach.
• After receiving Meng Zhao’s hints, the three family patriarchs secretly gathered to discuss how to respond.
• The Ding Family Patriarch complained that Meng Zhao wanted their daughters as concubines, while the Zhuo Family Patriarch argued that Meng Zhao’s move must have a deeper purpose.
• The Zhuo Family Patriarch questioned why Meng Zhao would risk uniting the three families against him, and the patriarchs continued their discussion cautiously because of his strength and background.

Old Master Xun, the Ding Family Head, and the Zhuo Family Head debated Meng Zhao’s request to take daughters from all three families as concubines. They concluded that accepting would preserve their ties to Meng Zhao amid growing uncertainty, though the Ding Family Head remained concerned about their reputation.

• Old Master Xun stopped the Ding Family Head and Zhuo Family Head from bickering and asked them to weigh the consequences of accepting Meng Zhao’s request.
• The Zhuo Family Head and Old Master Xun reasoned that Meng Zhao had asked all three families to keep them balanced and test their alliance.
• The Zhuo Family Head urged the families to agree, arguing that marriage ties could protect their interests if Meng Zhao gained control of the Yangwu Army.
• The Ding Family Head objected that sending three daughters to one man would damage the families’ reputations and weaken the Aristocratic Family Alliance.
• Old Master Xun argued that survival mattered more than reputation, dismissed the Wushui Alliance as effectively defunct, and identified Meng Zhao as their best prospect for protection.

Meng Zhao took the three prominent families’ daughters as concubines while unrest spread across the provinces after the snow disaster. He and Beitang He secretly agreed to cooperate in seizing the Yangwu Army’s military authority, first by finding a way to remove Zhu Xie Chiri.

• The Xun, Ding, and Zhuo Sanshang Families quietly sent their daughters to Meng Family Village, where Meng Zhao later consummated the marriages after reassuring Liang Muqiu, Han Lu, and Zhu'er.
• Disaster victims and bandits caused widespread chaos in Liang Prefecture, the Pudu Cult gained strength in Yanzhou, and Lingwu City received refugees supported by supplies from Yanping Commandery Prince's Mansion.
• Beitang He agreed to reconcile and ally with Meng Zhao to seize the Yangwu Army’s military authority.
• Meng Zhao and Beitang He identified the royal grandmaster and Zhu Xie Chiri as obstacles, and decided they needed to remove or drive out Zhu Xie Chiri before dividing military authority.

Meng Zhao learned that Zhu Xie Chiri had died near Lingwu City, turning their unresolved plans to deal with him into a much greater crisis. He left the manor with Liang Muqiu and Lü Yue to respond to the news.

• Meng Zhao guided his women in martial arts and urged Xun Wenjun, Ding Zhanyun, and Zhuo Muling to strengthen their cultivation.
• Lü Yue brought Meng Zhao a report, prompting him to leave and tell the women to stay inside the manor.
• Meng Zhao asked Liang Muqiu to accompany him, and she entrusted her travelogue to Zhu'er before leaving.
• After Meng Zhao and Liang Muqiu departed, Xun Wenjun asked Han Lu and Zhu'er for martial arts guidance to ease the awkward atmosphere.
• Meng Zhao told Liang Muqiu that Zhu Xie Chiri had died near Lingwu City, and she recognized the news as a disaster.

After Zhu Xie Chiri was murdered, Meng Zhao headed to the crime scene as suspicions fell on him and Beitang He considered other possible culprits. The chapter left the killer unidentified, with Meng Zhao on his way to answer questions.

• Liang Muqiu worried that Zhu Xie Chiri’s death would be blamed on Meng Zhao, but Meng Zhao trusted that the Meng Family could protect him.
• Meng Zhao, Liang Muqiu, Han Pu, Cao Zhan, and Zhou Hu rode to the murder site near Ji Prefecture.
• The gathered officials found Zhu Xie Chiri and his companions dead, with a tiny wound between Zhu Xie Chiri’s brows indicating he had been killed instantly.
• Gu Ziling accused Meng Zhao of murdering Zhu Xie Chiri to take command of the Yangwu Army.
• Beitang Ang wondered whether Beitang He and Meng Zhao had conspired, while Beitang He denied it and suspected a Grandmaster, possibly the Pudu Cult’s Cult Master or the missing Grandmaster from the Zhou Family.

After Zhu Xie Chiri’s murder, Beitang He and the Imperial Clan Grandmaster discussed the likely killer as Meng Zhao arrived and presented himself as shocked and eager to help. The Grandmaster’s assessment pointed toward a Grandmaster-level attacker, while Meng Zhao’s outwardly solemn reaction left the gathered crowd stunned.

• Beitang He proposed investigating multiple suspects, and the Imperial Clan Grandmaster judged that Zhu Xie Chiri had likely been killed by a Grandmaster or Half-step Grandmaster.
• Meng Zhao arrived with Liang Muqiu, Lü Yue, and other powerful Innate martial artists, drawing the attention of the assembled people.
• Meng Zhao dismounted and asked Beitang Ang whether Zhu Xie Chiri had truly been assassinated.
• Beitang Ang confirmed the death and hinted that the killer was likely a Grandmaster, reassuring Meng Zhao about the investigation’s direction.
• Meng Zhao praised Zhu Xie Chiri, claimed he had hoped to become his friend, and called for the murderer to be brought to justice, stunning the crowd.

Meng Zhao deflected suspicion over Zhu Xie Chiri’s death by arguing that the Pudu Cult Master had the strongest motive to kill him. Beitang Ang accepted Meng Zhao’s explanation, while Gu Ziling remained hostile and uncertain.

• Gu Ziling accused Meng Zhao of welcoming Zhu Xie Chiri’s death and suggested Meng Zhao might be powerful enough to kill a Grandmaster.
• Meng Zhao told Beitang Ang he was willing to be investigated and said everyone in Meng Family Village could account for their whereabouts.
• Beitang Ang said he believed Meng Zhao and trusted the assessment that a Grandmaster had killed Zhu Xie Chiri.
• Meng Zhao argued that the Pudu Cult Master had both the motive and opportunity to eliminate Zhu Xie Chiri before he could command the Yangwu Army.
• Meng Zhao portrayed himself as an inexperienced military leader who had hoped to learn from Zhu Xie Chiri, leaving Gu Ziling doubtful and Liang Muqiu and the others astonished.

After Zhu Xie Chiri’s assassination, Meng Zhao urged Beitang Ang to appoint a General Yangwu quickly so the army could prepare for the Pudu Cult. Beitang He backed Meng Zhao’s push, and Gu Ziling finally withdrew his objections.

• Beitang Ang agreed to investigate Zhu Xie Chiri’s assassination with the city’s elders, while Gu Ziling stayed silent out of fear.
• Meng Zhao pledged the Meng Family’s support and urged Beitang Ang to select a General Yangwu to command the army.
• Gu Ziling angrily accused Meng Zhao of being impatient, but Meng Zhao defended his proposal as necessary for the country and the army.
• Meng Zhao signaled Beitang He to support him, and Beitang He understood that Meng Zhao still intended to cooperate.
• Beitang He argued that Lingwu City needed a capable army to guard against the Pudu Cult and urged Gu Ziling to recognize the urgency.
• Gu Ziling accepted Beitang He’s reasoning and said he would not interfere with Beitang Ang’s decision.

Meng Zhao accepted the appointment as General Yangwu and Commander of Lingwu City's Defense, taking command of the Yangwu Army amid the crisis following Zhu Xie Chiri's assassination. After the imperial decree was proclaimed, Meng Zhao briefly revealed an overwhelming aura that astonished those present.

• Beitang Ang asked Meng Zhao to take command of the Yangwu Army and protect Lingwu City.
• Meng Zhao pledged loyalty to Great Yong and accepted the appointment in the face of danger.
• The imperial clan grandmaster praised Meng Zhao and backed his appointment, citing both his abilities and the Meng Family's influence.
• Beitang Ang issued the Great Emperor's decree appointing Meng Zhao General Yangwu and Commander of Lingwu City's Defense.
• Meng Zhao accepted the decree, and his immense aura briefly awed everyone present.
• Beitang He began considering how to divide the Yangwu Army's military authority with Meng Zhao.

After Meng Zhao became General Yangwu, Beitang Ang recruited the disgraced Gu Ziling to serve the Prince's Mansion. Gu Ziling proposed blaming Zhu Xie Chiri's assassination on the Pudu Cult, and Beitang Ang entrusted him with reporting the matter to the Imperial Court.

• Meng Zhao left with Beitang He to take command of the Yangwu Army while Beitang Ang stayed behind to prepare his appointment and military credentials.
• Beitang Ang ordered his men to gather and reconstruct the dead riders' bodies, then asked Gu Ziling whether he would return to Jade Capital.
• Gu Ziling lamented that his efforts to build a career had failed, and Beitang Ang invited him to serve the Prince's Mansion and assist Beitang He.
• Gu Ziling accepted Beitang Ang's offer and advised him to report Zhu Xie Chiri's assassination to the Imperial Court while identifying the Pudu Cult's Cult Master as the culprit.
• Beitang Ang approved the plan and assigned Gu Ziling to handle the report and inform Beitang He.

Meng Zhao took command of the Yangwu Army after Zhu Xie Chiri was assassinated, but the camp’s leaders doubted that Meng Zhao was innocent. Meng Zhao promised a martial assembly and invited anyone who questioned him to challenge him.

• Meng Zhao and Beitang He entered the Yangwu Army camp and summoned its leaders to the central command tent.
• Beitang He announced Zhu Xie Chiri’s assassination and Meng Zhao’s appointment as General Yangwu, prompting suspicion and whispers among the assembled leaders.
• Beitang He ordered the leaders to obey Meng Zhao under threat of military law, but their response remained unenthusiastic.
• Meng Zhao acknowledged their suspicions, denied assassinating Zhu Xie Chiri, and promised to select officers by martial ability at an upcoming assembly.
• Meng Zhao invited anyone dissatisfied with his appointment to challenge him, leading some in the crowd to reconsider him.

Beitang He privately questioned Meng Zhao about Zhu Xie Chiri’s death, and Meng Zhao denied killing him while naming the Cult Master of the Pudu Cult and Zhu Xie Chiri’s enemies as suspects. They reaffirmed their military arrangement, with Meng Zhao proposing ten thousand auxiliary soldiers and insisting that all troops obey the general’s command.

• Beitang He warned the gathered officials not to spread rumors that Meng Zhao had killed Zhu Xie Chiri, then sent them away to question Meng Zhao privately.
• Beitang He asked whether Meng Zhao had killed Zhu Xie Chiri, and Meng Zhao denied it, arguing that he would have planned the killing more carefully and involved Beitang He.
• Meng Zhao named the Cult Master of the Pudu Cult and Zhu Xie Chiri’s enemies as possible killers, and Beitang He asked what they should do about military authority.
• Meng Zhao confirmed their previous division of military authority and proposed recruiting ten thousand auxiliary soldiers for Lingwu City.
• Meng Zhao required Beitang He to submit a deputy general and ensure that Beitang He’s troops obeyed orders in wartime, and Beitang He accepted the arrangement.

Meng Zhao and Beitang He discussed the Yangwu Army’s development and the need for Lingwu City’s factions to fund its growth. Beitang He probed Meng Zhao’s ties to the Ding, Xun, and Zhuo Families, and Meng Zhao reassured him that their partnership would endure.

• Meng Zhao explained that the Yangwu Army needed sustained investment and proposed recruiting ten thousand more combat soldiers to encourage Lingwu City’s factions to keep supporting it.
• Beitang He raised the women from the Ding, Xun, and Zhuo Families who had entered Meng Zhao’s household, seeking reassurance about Meng Zhao’s loyalty.
• Meng Zhao promised that the three women would have no influence over his decisions and would be separated from their original families.
• Meng Zhao urged Beitang He to trust their partnership and seize the opportunities that coming upheaval could bring.
• Beitang He accepted Meng Zhao’s assurances and agreed with his vision of rising through troubled times.

Meng Zhao built up the Yangwu Army while the Pudu Cult investigated Zhu Xie Chiri’s assassination and delayed its plans for revolt. The Pudu Cult Master revealed that he was seriously injured, leaving the cult waiting for him to recover.

• Meng Zhao mobilized the Meng Family, recruited allies into the Yangwu Army, and held a five-day martial exercise to select officers and strengthen his command.
• A Heavenly Maiden visited the Pudu Cult Master and reported Zhu Xie Chiri’s assassination and rumors that the Master had killed him.
• The Heavenly Maiden suggested Meng Zhao might have killed Zhu Xie Chiri to advance his position, and the Pudu Cult Master ordered an investigation and preparations to sow discord if the accusation proved true.
• The Pudu Cult Master told the Heavenly Maiden to keep the cult from provoking the authorities while he recovered from injuries sustained in a fight with his junior brother.
• After the Heavenly Maiden left, the Pudu Cult Master slumped, revealing that his injuries were much worse than he had claimed.

The Jingshan Bandits, hiding among refugees in Lingwu City, struggled with hunger while waiting to help rebels seize the city. Their leader reminded them that they were to stay concealed until the rebels made contact, leaving their planned attack dependent on the right moment.

• Beitang He confined the refugees in a temporary camp and rationed them strictly to protect Lingwu City's stability.
• The hungry Jingshan Bandits gathered secretly in a shack and complained about their meager porridge.
• Several bandits urged their leader, Brother Wang, to sneak into the city, rob households, and flee with their spoils.
• Brother Wang warned the bandits that they could not simply take what they wanted in Lingwu City.
• The chapter revealed that the Jingshan Bandits had been coerced into joining a rebel plan to attack Lingwu City from within and without, with promises of riches and military rank.

The Jingshan Bandits struggled with hunger and dwindling strength in Lingwu City’s refugee camp, while their leader Wang weighed the risks of acting in a city full of powerful forces. A fellow bandit proposed seeking help from local river bandits through their old Heavenly Wolf Alliance ties, and Wang saw the Wu River waterway as a possible opening.

• The Jingshan Bandits entered Lingwu City disguised as refugees and were confined to a camp where they received only thin porridge twice a day.
• The burly man surnamed Wang warned his leaders that Lingwu City’s powerful forces and fifty-thousand-strong army made open action dangerous.
• A fellow bandit argued that the group needed to investigate the city and act before hunger and internal discord weakened them further.
• Another bandit proposed contacting Lingwu City’s river bandits because the Jingshan Bandits had once sworn allegiance to the Heavenly Wolf Alliance.
• The burly man surnamed Wang recalled that the Wu River waterway belonged to the alliance and recognized its river bandits as a potential source of information and support.

The Jingshan Bandits planned to contact their old allies in the Wu River waterways by bribing a refugee-camp patrolman with a valuable Jade Horse. They sent the secret message, though whether the river pirates would help remained unknown.

• The burly man surnamed Wang worried that the Jingshan Bandits could not contact the Wu River waterways while confined in the refugee camp.
• A member of the Jingshan Bandits proposed bribing a guard, and the plump man produced a Jade Horse he had secretly brought with him.
• The man who proposed the plan said he knew a minor leader from the Wu River waterways and remembered their stronghold and code signals.
• The Jingshan Bandits chose a greedy but reliable patrolman after observing him for two days.
• On a moonless night, the patrolman accepted the Jade Horse and agreed to deliver their secret letter.

A fish shop owner delivered a secret letter to Leader Li after receiving it from a Jingshan Bandits intermediary, and the message left both men alarmed. The chapter ended with Leader Li reading the letter and learning of the trouble involving Wang Xu.

• A man bribed by the Jingshan Bandits delivered a coded message and secret letter to the fish shop owner.
• The fish shop owner read the letter at home and angrily condemned Wang Xu and the Jingshan Bandits.
• The fish shop owner went to a safe residence and reported trouble to Leader Li.
• Leader Li offered the fish shop owner a fierce liquor made by the Meng Family, and they discussed Meng Zhao’s wine business.
• The fish shop owner handed Leader Li the secret letter, and Leader Li’s expression changed as he read it.