Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao visited the Ding Family with Ding Zhanyun and privately questioned the Ding Family Patriarch about Ding Yuqin’s relationship with Dragon City. The Patriarch explained why he had once supported their match, though Meng Zhao remained unconvinced.

• Meng Zhao and the Ding Family Patriarch exchanged pleasantries as they entered the residence, while Ding Zhanyun enjoyed her relatives’ praise and headed to the rear residence with the Meng Family’s gifts.
• Meng Zhao met privately with the Ding Family Patriarch and asked when he would arrange Ding Yuqin and Dragon City’s wedding.
• The Ding Family Patriarch said he could not stop Ding Yuqin from pursuing Dragon City and claimed she had offended the Zhuo Family for him.
• Meng Zhao questioned why the Patriarch had once praised Dragon City and wanted him appointed General Yangwu.
• The Ding Family Patriarch said Dragon City had won Ding Yuqin’s commitment and promised to marry her properly, but Meng Zhao had surpassed him; Meng Zhao only half believed the explanation.

Meng Zhao warned the Ding Family head that Dragon City might be involved in a plot against Lingwu City and revealed that rebel infiltrators had been captured. The Ding Family head agreed to keep the danger secret and support Meng Zhao, leaving the city’s defenses in his hands.

• Meng Zhao hinted that Dragon City had attracted other women, prompting the Ding Family head to suspect his concubine had feelings for him.
• Meng Zhao said Dragon City had once conspired against him but claimed he had set aside the grudge, then warned that Dragon City might have sinister motives.
• The Ding Family head distanced his family from any wrongdoing and pledged loyalty as Meng Zhao described the Jingshan Bandits’ infiltration and their connection to the Rebel Army.
• Alarmed by the threat to Lingwu City, the Ding Family head proposed gathering the city’s leaders to plan a defense.
• Meng Zhao said he had captured the Jingshan Bandits and their leader, ordered the Ding Family head to keep the matter secret, and assured him the city could withstand an attack.
• The Ding Family head promised not to tell anyone and offered the Ding Family’s full support to Meng Zhao.

Meng Zhao warned the Ding Family Head that Dragon City might be tied to Liang Prefecture rebels through Widow Xie and Lifeng Trading Company. After the Ding Family Head acknowledged him as his worthy son-in-law, Meng Zhao proposed using the threat to earn military merit, while the family head asked how they should deal with Dragon City.

• Meng Zhao told the Ding Family Head that the Jingshan Bandits' leader had linked the rebels' supplies to Lifeng Trading Company and that Widow Xie was rumored to be close to Dragon City.
• The Ding Family Head realized that Dragon City's possible rebel ties could implicate the Ding Family and Meng Zhao, though Meng Zhao stressed that the connection remained unproven.
• The Ding Family Head called Meng Zhao his worthy son-in-law and asked him to advise on their next steps.
• Meng Zhao urged them to prepare for the worst and argued that the Yangwu Army could use Lingwu City's defenses to defeat the rebels and gain military merit.
• The Ding Family Head left military decisions to Meng Zhao and asked whether they should set a trap for Dragon City.

Meng Zhao refused the Ding Family head’s plan to confront or secretly watch Dragon City, warning that rash action could expose them and endanger the family. He gave his father-in-law a jade pendant containing a technique as powerful as a Grandmaster’s strike, leaving the Ding Family head stunned.

• The Ding Family head explained why he had drawn close to Meng Zhao, fearing Dragon City’s ties could bring the family into trouble with the Imperial Court.
• Meng Zhao rejected attacking Dragon City without evidence, citing his reputation and the risk of disrupting plans against the Rebel Army in Liang Prefecture.
• Meng Zhao said Dragon City might be lured into a prepared trap but could not be subdued or coerced like Wang Xu.
• The Ding Family head agreed not to act rashly, but Meng Zhao also forbade him from secretly testing or monitoring Dragon City because Dragon City could detect them and retaliate.
• Meng Zhao gave the Ding Family head a jade pendant containing a technique powerful enough to rival a Grandmaster’s strike for protection.

Ding Zhanyun tried to build a useful alliance with her sister-in-law Qin Siqing, hoping to gain access to the Qin Family’s renowned forging knowledge and strengthen her standing with Meng Zhao. Qin Siqing welcomed her offer of a Snow Fox and complained that Ding Yuqin had been neglecting her.

• Ding Zhanyun entertained the Ding Family’s women and cultivated connections while presenting herself as generous and virtuous.
• Ding Zhanyun focused on Qin Siqing, whose powerful Qin Family was famed for its forging arts and whose dowry included secret technical essentials.
• Ding Zhanyun considered obtaining Qin Siqing’s military forging methods to offer Meng Zhao, while also seeking a child and other ways to secure her position.
• Ding Zhanyun offered to ask Meng Zhao to find Qin Siqing a Snow Fox.
• Qin Siqing accepted the offer and said she wanted a pet because Ding Yuqin had been spending her time with Brother Dragon City.

At the Ding Family gathering, Ding Zhanyun praised Qin Siqing and suggested bringing Dragon City into the Yangwu Army, drawing the women’s interest and prompting Qin Siqing to consider her motives. Qin Siqing questioned whether Meng Zhao would accept Dragon City’s entry, but Ding Zhanyun trusted that Meng Zhao could keep him under control.

• Ding Zhanyun praised Qin Siqing’s smile and encouraged her to let go of the past, but Qin Siqing refused to abandon her memories of her late husband.
• The women complained that Ding Yuqin had been spending little time with them because of Dragon City.
• Ding Zhanyun proposed bringing Dragon City into the Yangwu Army to help Meng Zhao, suggesting that Dragon City and Ding Yuqin might become family.
• The women considered the military opportunity’s value for their families, while Qin Siqing wondered whether Ding Zhanyun had raised it deliberately to build influence.
• Qin Siqing asked whether Meng Zhao would object because Dragon City had once competed with him for command of the Yangwu Army.
• Ding Zhanyun remained confident that Meng Zhao could keep Dragon City from gaining too much power.

Ding Yuqin entered the Ding Family gathering and questioned Ding Zhanyun’s praise of Meng Zhao, prompting Ding Zhanyun to defend him and criticize Dragon City. The two sisters’ exchange left the women present watching to see whether their feud would escalate.

• Ding Yuqin entered and challenged Ding Zhanyun’s claim that Meng Zhao was magnanimous and broad-minded.
• Ding Zhanyun defended Meng Zhao by citing his reputation and standing alongside Shen Tianci as one of the Twin Prodigies.
• Ding Zhanyun insulted Dragon City for taking another man’s fiancée, leaving the women in the room eager to hear the sisters’ next exchange.
• Ding Yuqin reacted with anger and surprise as Ding Zhanyun stood her ground rather than yielding to her.

Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin traded pointed insults over their places beside Meng Zhao and Dragon City. Ding Zhanyun defended Meng Zhao’s accomplishments and claimed he might win her an Imperial Lady title, leaving the women to judge her future prospects as superior.

• Ding Yuqin mocked Ding Zhanyun for becoming more outspoken after becoming Meng Zhao’s concubine.
• Ding Zhanyun said she had been quiet by choice and praised Meng Zhao’s military achievements, imperial access, and potential to earn noble honors.
• Ding Zhanyun contrasted Meng Zhao’s prospects with Dragon City’s, provoking a sharp verbal clash with Ding Yuqin.
• The women compared Meng Zhao and Dragon City and generally judged Meng Zhao more powerful, accomplished, and handsome.
• The prospect of an Imperial Lady title stirred envy, and the women concluded that Ding Zhanyun had surpassed Ding Yuqin in her man’s status and future prospects.

Ding Yuqin fended off her sisters’ barbed questions about marrying Dragon City, then asked Qin Siqing to teach him techniques from the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts so he could help disaster victims. Ding Zhanyun also had an interest in Qin Siqing’s inherited arts for the Yangwu Army.

• Qin Siqing stopped Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin from continuing their quarrel in the inner residence.
• A younger Ding Family woman asked Ding Yuqin whether she and Dragon City were preparing to wed, and Ding Yuqin said they were busy helping refugees after the Great Snow Disaster.
• Ding Yuqin told Qin Siqing that Dragon City was exhausting himself to aid the victims and asked her to teach him techniques from the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts.
• The chapter revealed that Ding Zhanyun also hoped to obtain Qin Siqing’s inherited techniques to strengthen the Yangwu Army and impress Meng Zhao.

Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin argued over whether Qin Siqing should give the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts to Meng Zhao or Dragon City. Their quarrel turned violent when Ding Yuqin attacked, and Qin Siqing intervened to stop Ding Zhanyun’s counterstrike.

• Ding Zhanyun urged Qin Siqing to entrust the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts to Meng Zhao, arguing that his position and influence would help Lingwu City’s disaster relief.
• Ding Yuqin accused Ding Zhanyun of seeking the secret art for her own interests and resented her reliance on Meng Zhao’s status.
• Ding Zhanyun retorted that Ding Yuqin was pursuing Dragon City without knowing whether he would stay in Lingwu City, then questioned whether she was his only confidante.
• Ding Yuqin sent a sinister palm force toward Ding Zhanyun’s face, and Ding Zhanyun countered with her Plucking the Lute technique.
• Qin Siqing appeared beside Ding Yuqin and pressed down Ding Zhanyun’s two incoming streams of Finger Force.

Qin Siqing stopped Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin from fighting and urged them to put aside their feud. Ding Yuqin then asked Qin Siqing for help on Dragon City's behalf, but Ding Zhanyun immediately challenged her motives.

• Qin Siqing suppressed Ding Zhanyun's Finger Force and prevented Ding Yuqin from being seriously injured.
• Ding Zhanyun accused Ding Yuqin of attacking first, and the sisters traded blame until Qin Siqing ordered the other women to leave and keep the fight secret.
• Qin Siqing acknowledged that Ding Yuqin had provoked the conflict but urged both sisters to end the quarrel.
• Ding Yuqin admitted she was wrong and asked Qin Siqing to help her do something for Dragon City.
• Ding Zhanyun objected, asking why Dragon City had not come to seek Qin Siqing's help himself.

Qin Siqing refused to hand over the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts until she had met both Meng Zhao and Dragon City and judged them for herself. Meanwhile, the Ding Family head learned that Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin had fought, and his anger left him facing the awkward need to seek Meng Zhao’s consent before disciplining Ding Zhanyun.

• Ding Zhanyun objected when Ding Yuqin asked Qin Siqing for the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts, and the sisters began arguing over whether it should go to Meng Zhao or Dragon City.
• Qin Siqing stopped the quarrel and said the two men could meet with her before she decided who would receive the classic.
• Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin left to tell their respective men about Qin Siqing’s decision, each confident her man would prevail.
• Meng Zhao beat the Ding Family head at chess for a third time, then listened as a messenger reported news from the inner residence.
• The Ding Family head learned that Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin had exchanged barbs and fought, and he ordered them brought to him before realizing he needed Meng Zhao’s consent to discipline Ding Zhanyun.

After Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin fought, the Ding Family Head hesitated to punish either daughter because of their powerful connections. Ding Zhanyun arrived first and shaped the story in her favor, leaving her father increasingly suspicious of Ding Yuqin and Dragon City.

• The Ding Family Head considered punishing Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin but held back because Ding Zhanyun was Meng Zhao's concubine and Ding Yuqin was connected to Dragon City.
• Meng Zhao urged the Ding Family Head not to act rashly and suggested that Ding Zhanyun had suffered some grievance.
• Ding Zhanyun entered in tears, and Meng Zhao invited her to explain what had happened.
• Ding Zhanyun claimed she had tried to recruit Dragon City to help Meng Zhao, but Ding Yuqin had opposed her, insulted Meng Zhao, and fought her after they sought Qin Siqing's secret technique.
• Ding Zhanyun told the Ding Family Head that Ding Yuqin had gone to Dragon City to seek a secret technique and warned that Dragon City might take advantage of her and leave.
• The Ding Family Head grew troubled as he considered Dragon City's many confidantes and the risk of Ding Yuqin being deceived.

Meng Zhao considered the possibility of taking Ding Yuqin from Dragon City, while Ding Zhanyun secretly encouraged the idea. Ding Yuqin returned to confront her father, but he blamed her for attacking Ding Zhanyun and dismissed her claims of being bullied.

• Meng Zhao concluded that the Ding Family Head's influence and his own strength would make him the likely recipient of Qin Siqing's inheritance.
• Ding Zhanyun recalled urging Meng Zhao to find a chance to bring Ding Yuqin into his household, and Meng Zhao considered the appeal of taking Dragon City's woman as revenge.
• Ding Yuqin entered the room in anger and pleaded with the Ding Family Head to help her because she had been bullied.
• The Ding Family Head rebuked Ding Yuqin for mocking an offer to help Dragon City and attacking Ding Zhanyun, leaving Ding Yuqin hurt and somewhat guilty.

Meng Zhao and Ding Zhanyun confronted Ding Yuqin over her starting a fight, and the Ding Family Head ordered both sisters to copy the family precepts as punishment. Dragon City arrived but accepted the decision and made Ding Yuqin apologize, leaving the dispute settled for now.

• Meng Zhao signaled Ding Zhanyun to plead that she share Ding Yuqin's punishment, and the Ding Family Head ordered both sisters to copy the Ding Family precepts one hundred times.
• Dragon City arrived at the Ding residence, greeted the Ding Family Head and Meng Zhao, and sat with Ding Yuqin.
• Dragon City asked the Ding Family Head to hear both sisters out, but Meng Zhao said Ding Yuqin had started the conflict and warned her not to repeat it.
• Dragon City accepted the Ding Family Head's decision, explained Ding Yuqin's recent strain from helping disaster victims, and told her to apologize to Ding Zhanyun.
• Ding Yuqin apologized, and Ding Zhanyun accepted and let the matter go.

Meng Zhao offered Dragon City a command in the Yangwu Army, but Dragon City refused, wary of Meng Zhao and their unresolved history. He then turned the discussion to Lingwu City’s disaster victims and the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts, leaving the Ding Family Head suspicious of his interest in its battlefield weapons.

• Meng Zhao offered Dragon City a chance to join the Yangwu Army and eventually command five thousand elite troops, while Ding Yuqin urged him to accept.
• Dragon City declined Meng Zhao’s offer, citing his lack of military experience and dislike of military discipline, while remembering his past ambush of Meng Zhao with the Lei Family.
• Meng Zhao concealed his regret and considered how to gain control of Dragon City’s Lifeng Trading Company and Rebel Army.
• Dragon City steered the conversation toward Lingwu City’s disaster victims and next year’s spring plowing, then raised Qin Siqing’s Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts.
• The Ding Family Head suspected Dragon City wanted the secret classic’s battlefield weapons, and Dragon City noticed his reaction and briefly grew wary.

Meng Zhao and Dragon City competed for Qin Siqing’s Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts, and Meng Zhao insisted on pursuing it despite Dragon City’s objections. Qin Siqing received them and stated that the family inheritance could be passed to only one person.

• Meng Zhao told Dragon City that he could use the Meng Family and Yangwu Army to put the Secret Classic’s techniques to practical use, while offering to share selected arts with him.
• Dragon City objected that Qin Siqing should decide whether to pass on her family’s secret, and Ding Yuqin suggested the two men ask her directly.
• Meng Zhao and Dragon City went with Ding Zhanyun and Ding Yuqin to meet Qin Siqing, who was curious to see Meng Zhao for the first time.
• Qin Siqing told Meng Zhao and Dragon City that the Secret Classic was her family’s inheritance and could be given to only one person.

Qin Siqing proposed a martial arts contest between Meng Zhao and Dragon City as part of deciding whom to befriend and trust with the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts. Meng Zhao declined a confined spar and challenged Dragon City to a public duel instead, leaving Dragon City unwilling to risk his reputation and the contest unresolved.

• Qin Siqing explained that she would choose one of the two men to befriend and asked which had superior martial arts.
• Meng Zhao felt confident in his profound cultivation, while Dragon City sensed that Meng Zhao's aura was beyond his grasp.
• Dragon City proposed a limited spar in the room, but Meng Zhao rejected it and said he would consider a public duel like the one at Mingxiu Lake.
• Ding Zhanyun understood Meng Zhao's refusal as confidence, while Ding Yuqin was unsettled when he brought up Zhuo Mufeng and Mingxiu Lake.
• Dragon City recognized that he lacked the confidence to risk a public duel and ended the matter, while Qin Siqing saw Meng Zhao as superior in bearing and will.

Meng Zhao outmatched Dragon City during Qin Siqing’s test and received the copied portion of the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts. As Meng Zhao left with Ding Zhanyun, he judged Dragon City’s retreat as a calculated effort to preserve his reputation and future influence.

• Dragon City’s weakened momentum convinced Qin Siqing that he could not compare to Meng Zhao, and she ended the test early.
• Qin Siqing gave the copied portion of the Secret Classic of Heavenly Crafts to Ding Zhanyun, while Ding Yuqin remained silent.
• Ding Zhanyun handed the book to Meng Zhao and asked him to spend more time with her and help improve her martial arts.
• Meng Zhao promised to help his household raise their cultivation and explained that Dragon City had withdrawn to protect his reputation and ambitions.
• Meng Zhao concluded that Dragon City was a deeply calculating man who might one day seek power amid the coming chaos.

Ding Zhanyun told Meng Zhao that Ding Yuqin was drawn to strength rather than love, and suggested that Meng Zhao’s victory over Dragon City might make her reconsider her choice. Meng Zhao saw an opportunity to win Ding Yuqin away, while recognizing that Dragon City’s true strength remained uncertain.

• Ding Zhanyun asked Meng Zhao what he thought of Ding Yuqin, and he praised Ding Zhanyun as cleverer and more appealing.
• Ding Zhanyun offered to help Meng Zhao win Ding Yuqin, and he questioned whether she would betray her sister and Dragon City.
• Ding Zhanyun explained that Ding Yuqin had once been close to Zhuo Mufeng but chose Dragon City because he was far stronger.
• Ding Zhanyun argued that Ding Yuqin admired powerful men and might now doubt her choice after Meng Zhao humiliated Dragon City.
• Meng Zhao considered using Ding Yuqin’s attraction to strength to draw her away from Dragon City, while noting that Dragon City might be more formidable than he seemed.