Chapter Summaries

Ming Shuiyun faced growing hostility from classmates after the rankings made her future-empress status controversial. Her friends defended her in class, but Li Ying warned that the hostility was only beginning.

• Ming Shuiyun sensed malice in the classroom, and an anonymous student mocked her as the future empress sitting in the back.
• Li Ying recognized that the remark had been delivered through Qi Harmony Combat Arts to stir up opinion against Ming Shuiyun.
• Professor Zhang Yuan called on Ming Shuiyun to solve a problem, and her inability to answer prompted laughter and more disparaging whispers.
• Qin Yueshi confronted the students who were badmouthing Ming Shuiyun, and an anonymous classmate attacked Qin for her background and admission to the academy.
• Qian Yuya, Lin Xue, Li Ying, and Kui Nianruo stood with Qin, after which Zhang Yuan resumed class and assigned Li Ying a punishment for swearing.
• Ming Shuiyun thanked her friends, and Li Ying warned her that the hostility was probably only beginning.

Ming Shuiyun faced growing scrutiny at the Imperial Academy as students debated whether she could become a wise emperor and surrounded her with eager support. After realizing their praise and criticism both pressured her to fit their ideals, she was left uneasy when they declared that her time belonged to Radiance because she was its future emperor.

• Yan Yi silenced students gossiping about Ming Shuiyun, then exposed her lack of knowledge in Current Affairs and Policies during class.
• Ming Shuiyun and her friends entered the cafeteria, where students debated her fitness for the throne and attacked the backgrounds of Lin Xue, Li Ying, Qian Yuya, Kui Nianruo, and Qin Yueshi.
• Li Ying passed Ming Shuiyun a note explaining that the students' malice contained loyalty and that they wanted a wise ruler for Radiance.
• After Lin Xue and the others left to give Ming Shuiyun an escape from the confrontation, supporters gathered around her and escorted her to the Imperial Guard Faction's balcony garden.
• Long Xiaoyuan and other students offered to tutor Ming Shuiyun and urged her to avoid unproductive socializing, leaving her afraid of the expectations placed on Radiance's future emperor.

Ming Shuiyun was drawn into a powerful circle of classmates who organized an intense study program for her, separating her from Li Ying and her usual friends. As she followed Long Xiaoyuan toward remedial lessons, she stepped into a puddle and felt as though she had shattered the sky.

• Ming Shuiyun joined Long Xiaoyuan and other influential students in the first row, where they promised to help her study and gave her a long reading list.
• Ming Shuiyun struggled to pay attention during Zhu Yan's Radiant Stone Alchemy class, and Long Xiaoyuan kept her focused.
• Long Xiaoyuan led Ming Shuiyun toward the garden for remedial lessons after class, while Li Ying and the others left without her.
• Ming Shuiyun remembered her friends' usual reading-day routine as Long Xiaoyuan's group surrounded her on the way.
• Ming Shuiyun stepped into a puddle and felt as if she had shattered the sky.

Ming Shuiyun struggled under the Imperial Academy students’ expectations that she study and become a virtuous ruler, until Le Yu offered a plan to free her from them by borrowing money. The plan began when Le Yu brought her a young man from the Statistics Department who was skilled at lending money.

• Ming Shuangli urged Ming Shuiyun to reject the students’ pressure, while Ming Qingyun advised her to build support by earning their approval.
• Ming Shuiyun tried to play Combat Arts Cards, but Long Xiaoyuan and the other students repeatedly discouraged her from wasting time on them.
• After the students took away the cards she had bought, Ming Shuiyun broke down during class and ran toward the Combat Arts Department.
• Le Yu confronted Ming Shuiyun in the stairwell and explained why she could not refuse people’s expectations without a reputation and accomplishments of her own.
• Le Yu told Ming Shuiyun that borrowing money could give her a way out, then introduced a young man from the Statistics Department as the person best at lending money.

Ming Shuiyun reconciled with Zong Lifei and reassured Long Xiaoyuan before announcing a plan to borrow money from her classmates. The chapter ended with her publicly declaring, “I, Ming Shuiyun, borrow money!”

• Ming Shuiyun joined Zong Lifei for breakfast and behaved normally during morning classes.
• Long Xiaoyuan apologized for the demanding study plan and promised to offer Ming Shuiyun anything she needed.
• Ming Shuiyun told Long Xiaoyuan she had a better idea and declined the lunch already bought for her.
• Ming Shuiyun stood before the class, announced a fundraising effort, and declared that she was borrowing money.

Ming Shuiyun delivered a speech asking Imperial Academy students to lend her money in exchange for future returns and a chance to prove their loyalty and ability. She promoted a vision of maritime expansion and named 198 Gold Coins as the price of becoming a captain, while Qin Yueshi volunteered to be her first.

• Le Yu and Qin Yueyang watched Ming Shuiyun begin her speech as Qin Yueyang explained how they had prepared publicity in advance.
• Ming Shuiyun told the students that she lacked ministers and wanted to recruit loyal young people by letting them invest in her future undertakings.
• Ming Shuiyun said she planned to pacify Radiance, develop a fleet, and expand the empire beyond its borders.
• Ming Shuiyun declared that students who lent her 198 Gold Coins would be considered captains whose advice she would favor.
• Qin Yueshi stood up and announced that she would become Ming Shuiyun's first captain.

Ming Shuiyun secured nearly a thousand Gold Coins in loans from five Captains and presented her plan to launch the multiplayer battle-card game Peerless Kill. She ended by calling on the students to contribute their time, talents, and loyalty to building the enterprise.

• Qin Yueshi and four of Ming Shuiyun’s former friends pledged 198 Gold Coins each to Shuiyun Palace, becoming its first five Captains.
• Qin Yueshi revealed that the Qin family had signed wagering contracts to cover the five students’ academy expenses and loans, requiring repayment after graduation or lifelong service.
• Ming Shuiyun explained that Shuiyun Palace was borrowing money to launch Peerless Kill, a battle-card game for five to eight players with four hidden factions.
• Ming Shuiyun proposed national hero cards based on figures from Radiance’s history, with abilities reflecting their historical images.
• Ming Shuiyun announced the coming Peerless Kill Research Association would manage the funds and develop the game, then asked the students for their money, time, wisdom, talents, and loyalty.

Ming Shuiyun promoted Peerless Kill and raised funds for her research association, winning broad support despite accusations of selling positions. Outside the classroom, Shi Wen and Lai Ya caught a student who had been secretly stirring up opposition, and Shi Wen beat him for insulting Qin Leyin’s sister.

• Ming Shuiyun explained that students could join the association through later recruitment, while early lenders would be better positioned to become cadres and guide her.
• Qin Yueshi offered loans to students who lacked money, requiring borrowers to repay 300 Gold Coins for 198 Gold Coins and sign deeds of indenture.
• After a student accused Ming Shuiyun and the Qin Clan of using money to buy loyalty and positions, dozens of students volunteered to lend her money.
• Ming Shuiyun answered questions about Peerless Kill, including whether its historical figures could be used, as most students discussed lending and the game.
• Lai Ya identified Shi Wen the student who had secretly incited unrest, and Shi Wen dragged him aside and struck him for insulting Qin Leyin’s sister.

Ming Shuiyun’s fundraising campaign for Peerless Kill won support across the Royal Academy, while Ning Xinyuan resolved to find a way to halt her rise. When Long Xiaoyuan challenged Ming Shuiyun over the campaign, Ming asked her to prove her loyalty by borrowing money from the Qin family and lending it to her.

• Ming Shuiyun’s announcement about Peerless Kill spread through the Royal Academy, prompting students to debate historical figures and sign up to join her research society.
• Ning Xinyuan reflected that Ming Shuiyun’s project had turned public pressure into a chance to attract money, talent, and allies, then decided to stop her from rising further.
• Long Xiaoyuan confronted Ming Shuiyun with members of the An'guo Tea Party, accusing her of using money to exclude former supporters.
• Ming Shuiyun said she would keep her promise to favor those who lent her money and argued that doing otherwise would be unfair to them and to Qin Yueshi.
• Ming Shuiyun asked Long Xiaoyuan whether she was willing to sell herself for a loan from the Qin family so she could prove her loyalty.

Long Xiaoyuan and the An'guo Tea Party left Ming Shuiyun after explaining their conditional support, while the Qin family arranged to manage most of the study society's funds. Qin Yueshi revealed that the Qin sibling who would handle the money was their second brother, not Qin Leyin.

• Qin Yueshi defended the Qin family's limited contribution and pledged its support for Shuiyun Palace, while Huang Zhizhen offered to lend 198 Gold Coins before other students dragged him away.
• Long Xiaoyuan warned Ming Shuiyun about Qin Leyin, gave her a study plan, and admitted that she and her companions were loyal to Radiance rather than personally loyal to Ming Shuiyun.
• After Long Xiaoyuan's group left, Li Ying, Lin Xue, and Kui Nianruo joked about their reputations and hurried to class.
• Li Ying asked to learn logistics with the study society's funds, and Qin Yueshi explained that Shuiyun would receive thirty percent of borrowed money while the Qin family managed the rest.
• Qin Yueshi said her second brother, rather than Qin Leyin, was the Qin family's most skilled asset manager.

Qian Yuya and her friends discussed Qin Yueshi’s influence on Ming Shuiyun and worried about how to tell Nai Qingni about their plans. That night, Qian Yuya secretly searched Nai Qingni’s room for information and found a note titled “Qin Leyin Action Log.”

• At the Announcement Pavilion, Li Ying and the others joked about a wanted notice that students had altered to resemble Grand Secretary Ling Jiangli.
• On the shuttle, Li Ying warned Qian Yuya and Lin Xue that Qin Yueshi’s influence over Ming Shuiyun could conflict with their plans, and asked how they would tell Nai Qingni.
• Nai Qingni left home late at night, saying she might not return, while Lin Xue tried to raise a matter with her.
• After the house fell silent, Qian Yuya used a spare key to enter Nai Qingni’s room and search her study for intelligence.
• A white crow delivered a note to the window, and Qian Yuya opened it to find the heading “Qin Leyin Action Log.”

Qian Yuya discovered a White Night report outlining plans to assassinate Qin Leyin and saw a chance to advance her own ambitions. Meanwhile, Nai Qingni considered the forces gathering in Yanjing over the Holy Sword Huiyao as she returned home.

• Qian Yuya read a report detailing Qin Leyin’s routines, weaknesses, combat ability, and the plan to discuss action against him at Golden Touch Pavilion.
• Qian Yuya realized that outside forces were preparing to target Qin Leyin and became eager to seize the opportunity.
• Nai Qingni returned home after a meeting and reflected on the outsiders infiltrating Yanjing during the Sword Quest for Succession.
• Nai Qingni considered how the factions sought the secret of the Holy Sword Huiyao, which remained central to Radiant People’s faith and power.

Nai Qingni explained White Night’s willingness to let the Sword Quest for Succession continue, while Qian Yuya sought permission to help investigate Shuiyun Palace and plans to assassinate Le Yu. After Nai Qingni refused to involve students in White Night’s work, Qian Yuya proposed infiltrating the assassins, but Le Yu chose to investigate himself using a disguise.

• Nai Qingni reflected that White Night and the court’s other factions were willing to risk everything for a chance to claim the Holy Sword Huiyao.
• Qian Yuya told Nai Qingni that she and her companions had become officials of Shuiyun Palace’s Peerless Kill Research Association and asked whether they should withdraw or continue helping.
• Nai Qingni assured Qian Yuya that White Night would protect her but refused to give students any work or involve them in White Night operations.
• Qian Yuya told Le Yu that assassins planned to kill him and proposed investigating their plans at Golden Touch Pavilion so he could ambush them.
• Le Yu rejected Qian Yuya’s plan and decided to investigate the assassins himself, explaining that a disguise could make someone else look like Qin Leyin.

Le Yu learned that the Imperial Academy would be more vulnerable while Cha Huan guarded the Imperial Court, then disguised himself as Yin Yinyin and headed to a meeting about the Qin Leyin assassination. Meanwhile, Ning Xinyuan mistook Le Yu’s cryptic words for a confession, and Yan Yi realized Ning Xinyuan was hiding something about the Heart-Linked Seal.

• Le Yu’s nightly conversation with 'Yin' revealed that teachers were being drawn away by banquets and Cha Huan would guard the Imperial Court after an intruder escaped.
• Le Yu dressed as Yin Yinyin and left the academy for the Golden Touch Pavilion to join the discussion of the Qin Leyin Assassination Battle.
• Ning Xinyuan interpreted Le Yu’s words about loving people who had loved someone else as a confession intended for her.
• Yan Yi confronted Ning Xinyuan about being cold to her, then noticed the iron box containing the Heart-Linked Seal vibrate.
• When the seal rang, Ning Xinyuan looked nervously at Yan Yi instead of the box, leading Yan Yi to suspect that Ning Xinyuan was hiding a lover or secret from her.

Le Yu hid in Golden Touch Pavilion and overheard a gathering of secret organizations planning to target Qin Leyin, while discussing why Shuiyun Palace and its Sword Bearer could not be attacked. The Lake Heart Person revealed that Golden Touch Pavilion’s lake held the remaining power of the destroyed Divine Weapon Midas Touch, leaving the meeting’s participants bound by its influence.

• Le Yu arrived at Golden Touch Pavilion and hid as numerous armed representatives infiltrated the grounds to plan Qin Leyin’s assassination.
• At midnight, the Lake Heart Person appeared over Mirror Heart Lake and announced that the gathering concerned Shuiyun Palace and Qin Leyin.
• A Curse Hunter described how the Sword Bearer had defeated the Azure District hunters’ curses, prompting the Lake Heart Person to direct the group toward Qin Leyin instead.
• The Lake Heart Person identified the various secret organizations represented and acknowledged the Hidden Sword Assassin, while Le Yu realized White Night was absent and that the host could observe everyone.
• The Lake Heart Person demanded an oath of secrecy and explained that Golden Touch Pavilion’s lake contained the surviving power of the destroyed Divine Weapon Midas Touch.

At a secret meeting about Qin Leyin and the Holy Sword Huiyao, Le Yu learned the Midas Touch’s limits and discovered the gathering’s plan to target Qin Leyin, the Platinum Tower, and Cha Huan. When Junzuo withdrew the Huiyao Four Guards’ forces and ordered Le Yu to infiltrate the group, Le Yu swore that he was Qin Leyin’s mortal enemy to protect himself.

• The Lake Heart Person explained that the Midas Touch could grant wishes for a price in gold and outlined the meeting’s goals: cut off Qin Leyin’s right hand, search the Platinum Tower, and kill Cha Huan.
• The Lake Heart Person introduced himself as Yan Shang, a representative of the National Salvation and Relief Society, and asked the attendees to swear a confidentiality oath.
• Le Yu learned from Junzuo that Yantong had surrounded Golden Touch Pavilion, but Junzuo ordered the forces to withdraw after learning Yan Shang’s identity and told Le Yu to join the group and investigate.
• When the attendees challenged Le Yu for refusing to take the oath, he swore that he would seize everything Qin Leyin possessed and declared that they were mortal enemies.

At Golden Touch Pavilion, Le Yu joined a coalition planning to attack Cha Huan, Platinum Tower, and Qin Leyin. As the group assigned roles, Le Yu warned that Qin Leyin might hide in the student dormitories or Shuiyun Palace.

• Lake Heart Person Yan Shang accepted Le Yu as an ally after sensing his hostility toward Qin Leyin.
• Yan Shang explained the three-part plan: intercept Cha Huan, search Platinum Tower, and seize Qin Leyin's marked right hand.
• The Corpse Hunter, Immortal Eater, Grass Cutter Emissary, Armor Breaker, and Yan Fenqiu volunteered for the interception group.
• Yan Shang said the National Salvation and Relief Society would restrain the other Martial Pillars and supply explosives for the search group.
• Le Yu warned that Qin Leyin might evade the attack by hiding in the student dormitories or Shuiyun Palace.

Le Yu persuaded the Golden Touch Pavilion conspirators that Qin Leyin might evade their plans and proposed making him Acting Principal to lure him into the Platinum Tower. He disguised his own ambition to become principal as a plan for revenge, and Yan Shang agreed to try it.

• Le Yu argued that Qin Leyin was too clever to be caught through ordinary methods and might seek protection in the girls' dormitory.
• Le Yu suggested that the conspirators make Qin Leyin Acting Principal, drawing him to the Platinum Tower where they could capture him.
• Le Yu claimed that he wanted Qin Leyin to experience the same rise and downfall he had suffered, presenting the scheme as revenge.
• The Curse Hunter found Le Yu's proposal interesting, and Lake Heart Person Yan Shang agreed it was worth trying.

Le Yu overheard Lake Heart Person Yan Shang’s factions finalize a plan to assassinate Cha Huan and destroy the Platinum Tower, then fled the meeting and was attacked by two Grass Cutter Emissaries who mistook him for a Hidden Sword Assassin. He escaped when the Statistics Department’s arrival forced them to retreat, only to be confronted by Xianchan Chenchen, who recognized his identity.

• Yan Shang set the assassination operation for midnight three days later and urged the conspirators to pursue the Holy Sword Huiyao despite the likelihood that most would die.
• After Yan Shang left, Le Yu slipped away from Golden Touch Pavilion, but a Grass Cutter Emissary chased him over the old general’s death.
• Le Yu fought back and used the Veil of Discord to evade the Grass Cutter Emissary’s attacks, then found a second one blocking the alley’s exit.
• Le Yu fired a flare and shouted for help, taking a light injury as he forced the two Grass Cutter Emissaries back and escaped over a wall.
• The Grass Cutter Emissaries fled when the Statistics Department announced its arrival, and Xianchan Chenchen appeared above Le Yu and teased him about being the Hidden Sword Assassin.

Le Yu escaped the Statistics Department agents and used candy and playful humiliation to make Xianchan Chenchen owe him a favor. Xianchan Chenchen offered the Qin family a larger share of the Peerless Ranking profits, and Le Yu agreed to discuss their deal after securing two additional percentage points.

• Le Yu bandaged his wounds and fed Xianchan Chenchen a high-grade Dongyang candy while explaining that he had acted alone and used a flare to draw Yantong agents away.
• Xianchan Chenchen revealed that he had recognized Le Yu by his gait and body, then said he had been waiting to ask for help advancing his prospects within Yantong.
• Xianchan Chenchen offered to help Le Yu with his plans and increase the Qin family's Peerless Ranking profits in exchange for assistance.
• Le Yu asked Xianchan Chenchen to remove his hat and rubbed his head, threatening to tie his hair into twin ponytails.
• Xianchan Chenchen agreed to give the Qin family two additional percentage points of the Peerless Ranking profits, and Le Yu said they could now discuss their deal.