Recaps

Chen Yi saved Lü Jiunan and crippled him, intending to use his life in a scheme that could change the state of Shuzhou. A White Tiger Guard officer named General Star tracked the trail to Liu Zhaoxue’s residence and began to suspect she was connected to Liu Wu.

• Chen Yi told Liu Lang that his accidental reveal about Chunyu Tower would not disrupt the plan, then ordered him to return to Hundred Herbs Hall.
• Chen Yi used acupuncture to revive Lü Jiunan, destroyed his three Qi Seas, and left him unable to practice the Martial Path.
• Lü Jiunan demanded to know why Chen Yi had spared him, and Chen Yi said his life was important enough to change Shuzhou before putting him back to sleep.
• Chen Yi concealed his aura when he sensed an Upper Three Grades expert nearby, while Liu Lang worried about their upcoming duel.
• General Star followed a faint aura trail to Liu Zhaoxue’s residence and wondered whether Liu Wu was one of her people.

Liu Zhaoxue returned to Shuzhou and began organizing Xinglin Zhai while the Five Poisons Sect’s plans remained unclear. Chen Yi kept Lü Jiunan hidden, left for the Xiao Family, and learned that Xiao Wan'er had been worried after hearing of killings in the West Market.

• The General Star suspected Liu Wu had secretly helped Liu Zhaoxue gain power by framing the Xiao Family for Liu Wen’s death, then left after watching her enter the residence.
• Liu Zhaoxue ordered her shopkeepers and accountants to meet, questioned Ling'er about the Five Poisons Sect’s intentions, and learned that its Great Elder and several altar masters had come to Shuzhou.
• Chen Yi and Liu Lang listened from the neighboring residence and discussed Liu Zhaoxue’s ambitions and the Five Poisons Sect’s interest in Xinglin Zhai.
• Chen Yi returned with Lü Jiunan to the Chuanxi Street residence, ordered Zhang Dabao to guard the hidden prisoner, and sent Liu Lang ahead to Hundred Herbs Hall.
• Chen Yi went to the Xiao Family, where Xiao Die told him that she and Xiao Wan'er had worried after hearing of murders in the West Market.

After the Blackfish Alley killings spread through Shuzhou, Chen Yi returned to the Xiao residence and discussed Xiao Wuge’s training and Xiao Wan’er’s plans for a Medical Dao Academy. Liu Hong’s advisers suspected the mysterious spearman and Liu Lang had killed Lü Jiunan to provoke King Landu, and Liu Hong ordered a search for Asutai and prepared to deploy his hidden forces.

• Rumors about the Blackfish Alley killings made the spearman famous as the “Dragon Spear,” a title Chen Yi mocked on his way back to Chunhe Garden with Xiao Die.
• Chen Yi watched Xiao Wuge practice the Little Yellow Court stake training, then heard that Second Uncle planned to teach him spear techniques.
• At dinner, Xiao Wan'er told Chen Yi that Master Jingci had agreed she could skip recuperation at Wumeng Mountain this year, and she discussed plans for the Medical Dao Academy and the danger in Shuzhou.
• Liu Hong and Zhao Shichang concluded that Liu Wu and Liu Lang might have killed Lü Jiunan to provoke King Landu, possibly in connection with Asutai’s disappearance.
• Liu Hong ordered a citywide search for Asutai and plans to have the authorities apprehend Liu Wu and Liu Lang, then directed Liu Taoyao to send Liu Tianming to Mei Zhuang and put their forces to use.

At Chunyu Tower, General Star investigated Liu Zhaoxue’s connection to Liu Wu and considered whether Liu Hong was tied to the Peacock King Banner, while Chen Yunfan brooded over the gap between his abilities and Chen Yi’s. In the Purple Bamboo Grove, Chen Yi planned to use the Xiao Family to eliminate Liu Hong and the remaining threats.

• General Star told Lou Yuxue that Liu Wu was likely Liu Zhaoxue’s man, then said he would wait for King Landu’s people to investigate Lü Jiunan’s death and seek evidence of Shuzhou officials’ dealings with the Peacock King Banner.
• An Iron Banner Officer reported that Liu Taoyao and Zhao Shichang had met with Liu Hong, prompting General Star to suspect Liu Zhaoxue had used Liu Wu’s killing of Lü Jiunan to warn Liu Hong.
• Chen Yunfan practiced swordsmanship restlessly and lamented that Chen Yi’s martial ability had widened the distance between them.
• Cui Qingwu visited Chen Yunfan and left for Yunqing Tower; afterward, Chunying sent Ning Yu to investigate what had happened near the Provincial Administration Yamen.
• Chen Yi reviewed Liu Hong’s likely next moves and decided to use the Xiao Family to eliminate Liu Hong and the remaining ox demons and snake spirits.

Chen Yi prepared to intensify the turmoil in Shuzhou while cultivating, and the Xiao Family received promised aid from Zhang Xuan. In the capital, Chen Xuanji learned of Chen Yi’s strength and ordered General Star to meet King Landu, leaving his plans in motion.

• Chen Yi reviewed his plan to use the search for Asutai and unrest over grain prices to distract Liu Hong, then cultivated the Four Symbols Technique.
• Xiao Yuan received Zhang Xuan’s promise of grain and silver, while Xiao Jing reported that Lü Jiunan was King Landu’s brother and that Liu Wu had vanished again.
• Xiao Yuan ordered Xiao Jing to investigate Lü Jiunan’s movements in Shuzhou and to keep watch on Liu Wu without alarming him.
• Xiao Yuan read a letter from Chen Xuanji and realized that Chen Xuanji would soon return from the Western Regions to question him.
• Chen Xuanji read Chen Yunfan’s letter and deduced that Chen Yi was Liu Wu, had reached the Middle Three Grades, and had been acting for the Xiao Family.
• Chen Xuanji ordered his White Tiger Guards to tell General Star to meet King Landu as soon as possible, using the Tea Horse Road if necessary.

As grain prices soared and unrest spread through Shuzhou, Chen Yi continued his hidden preparations while appearing unconcerned. He met the captive Asutai and offered him a chance to avenge his people, leaving Asutai to consider Chen Yi’s conditions.

• Shuzhou residents blamed the Xiao Family and grain merchants for rising prices, while Chen Yi told Xiao Die that people might be stirring up anger behind the scenes.
• Chen Yi gave Xiao Die a portrait, then left the manor after learning that new information about Guangyuan might have arrived.
• Chen Yi learned that Liu Hong’s armed men were hiding in Shuzhou and that officials were searching the city for Asutai.
• Chen Yi disguised himself, visited the Chuanxi Street residence, and woke Asutai in the hidden room beneath the bed.
• Asutai recognized Zeng Zhifeng as the man connected to his clansmen’s deaths and beat him until Chen Yi stopped him.
• Chen Yi offered Asutai a chance to take revenge if he agreed to Chen Yi’s conditions.

Chen Yi learned that Asutai’s Wei teacher was likely his mother-in-law, Fu Wanqing, who had been captured by the Barbarian Tribe and was still alive. After arranging to tell the Xiao Family, Chen Yi let Asutai kill Zeng Zhifeng in exchange for future help, then sensed someone approaching the residence.

• Chen Yi questioned Asutai and suspected that Zhu Lingchuan had helped arrange the grain burning and was connected to Liu Hong.
• Asutai told Chen Yi that Fu Wanqing was a Wei woman captured five years earlier and now served as a teacher to the Barbarian Tribe; he recognized Chen Yi’s portrait of her, though he said her hair had turned white.
• Chen Yi decided to tell the Xiao Family about Fu Wanqing, then woke Zeng Zhifeng and tried to question him about Liu Hong.
• Zeng Zhifeng refused to answer, so Chen Yi let Asutai beat him to death in exchange for Asutai’s help with a future dangerous task.
• Chen Yi rendered Asutai and Lü Jiunan unconscious with Immortal’s Draught, returned to the hall, and sensed someone approaching the residence.

Chen Yi concealed his identity while Pei Gan visited Pei Guanli, and he learned more about the Five Poisons Sect and White Immortal. After reaching Fifth Grade Middle Rank, Chen Yi received intelligence that Hidden Guard members would gather at the Tailor Shop, where he planned to question Lou Yuxue about his grain.

• Pei Guanli's brother Pei Gan found her and met Chen Yi, who disguised himself as Senior Liu Wu.
• Pei Gan warned Chen Yi that the Five Poisons Sect had returned under Yan Xuechen and that White Immortal was heading toward Shuzhou.
• Chen Yi learned that Yan Hai had found the Fu Family Medicine Hall in Guangyuan County open to cooperating with Hundred Herbs Hall.
• Chen Yi sent Zhang Dabao to stay away from the residence and left Pei Guanli to keep watch before heading to the Xiao Family.
• Chen Yi reached Fifth Grade Middle Rank, then received intelligence that the Hidden Guard General Star, Female Tiger, Luanfeng, and others would gather at the Tailor Shop.

Chen Yi secretly listened as General Star briefed Lou Yuxue and Cui Qingwu on Liu Hong’s suspected private army and ordered them to recruit Liu Wu into the White Tiger Guard. After the meeting, Chen Yi left to meet Lou Yuxue, curious about how she would try to persuade him.

• Chen Yi went to Zhang Dabao’s residence in disguise and overheard General Star, Lou Yuxue, and Cui Qingwu meeting in the Tailor Shop.
• Lou Yuxue reported that Liu Taofang had been seen near the East Market grain depot fire and that suspicious people were visiting Liu Taoyao.
• General Star concluded that Liu Hong was secretly raising a private army and ordered Lou Yuxue to inform the Pavilion Master.
• General Star revealed that the Pavilion Master had ordered Lou Yuxue and Cui Qingwu to recruit Liu Wu into the White Tiger Guard, but Chen Yi doubted he would accept.
• General Star asked Cui Qingwu to help watch over the Xiao Family and told his subordinate to monitor Cui Qingwu at Yunqing Tower.
• Chen Yi received a reward of Flying Flower Sword Art and Fortune for witnessing the meeting, then headed to Chunyu Tower to find Lou Yuxue.

Lou Yuxue secured Cui Qingwu’s help to buy grain for Chen Yi, while Chen Yunfan prepared to challenge the annual examination rules. Chen Yi refused to join the White Tiger Guard and asked Lou Yuxue to spread rumors, leaving their purpose unrevealed.

• Lou Yuxue asked Cui Qingwu to arrange two hundred thousand shi of grain, and Cui agreed to deliver it within ten days while demanding a share of the profit.
• Cui Qingwu ordered Huan'er to monitor Bright Moon Tower, then visited Chen Yunfan as he trained and brought him ginger tea.
• Chen Yunfan learned that Lord Yang wanted to discuss the annual examination rules and agreed to help; he also learned the White Robe Prime Minister had sent a letter to the Western Regions Buddhist Kingdom.
• Chen Yi appeared at Chunyu Tower, confirmed he knew the White Tiger Guard wanted to recruit him, and refused to join.
• Chen Yi promised to explain why he killed Lü Jiunan and Ge Muxiao after the grain arrived, then asked Lou Yuxue to spread rumors that King Landu planned to attack Shuzhou and that Muhage’s son was there.

Chen Yi enlisted Lou Yuxue in a plan to spread rumors of a Barbarian invasion and Asutai’s presence in Shuzhou, driving up grain prices so he could thwart the Jizhou Trading Company. After giving Lou Yuxue evidence implicating Zhu Hao in an ironware deal with King Landu, Chen Yi prepared to enter the scheme under his Chen Yu identity and used his painting Dao to bring a spirit-qi phantom of Xiao Wan'er to life.

• Chen Yi told Lou Yuxue that King Landu’s invasion was only a rumor but that Asutai, Muhage’s son, was genuinely in Shuzhou, and explained that the news would panic residents and raise grain prices.
• Lou Yuxue agreed to help Chen Yi target the Jizhou Trading Company, and they discussed buying up its grain before the rumors spread.
• Chen Yi gave Lou Yuxue Lin Huai'an’s letter, which identified Zhu Hao as the supplier in an ironware trade with King Landu, and told her that someone else had killed Lin Huai'an.
• Lou Yuxue stored the letter and sent her subordinates to carry out her instructions while Chen Yi returned to the Tailor Shop residence and decided he needed to enter the scheme as Chen Yu.
• Chen Yi went back to Chunhe Garden, painted Xiao Wan'er and others, and used his Dao of painting and True Essence to manifest a spirit-qi phantom of Xiao Wan'er.
• The next morning, Chen Yi told Xiao Die that he needed to attend to business at Hundred Herbs Hall.

Chen Yi prepared to meet Hundred Herbs Hall’s people as Chen Yu while keeping an eye on threats to the Xiao Family and his own plans. After hearing that White Immortal was coming to Shuzhou, he learned that suspicious people had been watching a residence tied to Xiao Dongchen and summoned his allies to meet him.

• Chen Yi asked Xiao Die about the manor’s Double Ninth Festival plans, then went to Jiaxing Garden with the revised Medical Dao Academy plans.
• Xiao Wan'er received Chen Yi’s family portrait and discussed the academy and Hundred Herbs Hall’s expansion plans with him.
• On his way through Shuzhou, Chen Yi overheard that White Immortal was coming to the city, drawing Jianghu guests from outside the region.
• At the residence behind the West Market tailor shop, Zhang Dabao told Chen Yi that suspicious people had been seen near the East Market residence linked to Xiao Dongchen.
• Chen Yi ordered Zhang Dabao to arrange surveillance and summon Wang Ji, Liu Lang, and Tianshan Sect disciples so he could meet them as Chen Yu.

Chen Yi directed Hundred Herbs Hall’s expansion and countermeasures against Xinglin Zhai, while secretly arranging for Liu Lang and the Tianshan Sect disciples to buy grain. As White Immortal’s impending arrival stirred the martial world, news came that King Landu planned to retaliate for Lü Jiunan’s death.

• Chen Yi welcomed Xue Duanyun, Zhang Sanhu, and Zhang Sihu, then ordered preparations to open a Hundred Herbs Hall branch in Guangyuan County.
• Wang Ji reported that Xinglin Zhai had bought up medicinal herbs, so Chen Yi ordered tea drinks rationed and told him to seek new herb suppliers and prepare the shop’s silver.
• Chen Yi secretly instructed Liu Lang and the three Tianshan Sect disciples to disguise themselves and buy as much Shuzhou grain as possible.
• Liu Lang grew excited upon learning White Immortal was coming to Shuzhou, but Chen Yi told him to focus on the grain-buying task and his upcoming match.
• Over the next three days, Chen Yi investigated Shuzhou under the identity of Chen Yu and learned that Liu Zhaoxue was tightening Xinglin Zhai’s hold on the herb market.
• News arrived that King Landu had slaughtered caravans on the Tea Horse Road and might lead horse bandits to Shuzhou to demand an explanation for Lü Jiunan’s death.

Chen Yi responded to the reports of bandit attacks and rising prices by gathering funds, arranging to meet Old Marquis Xiao, and preparing to spread rumors that King Landu would attack Shuzhou. At Liu Lang’s grain storehouse, scouts arrived, and Liu Lang struggled to remember which instructions Chen Yi had given him.

• Wang Ji reported that mounted bandits had slaughtered Wei Dynasty merchants and that grain and other goods were becoming more expensive in Shuzhou.
• Chen Yi ordered Wang Ji to gather silver for Liu Lang and requested a meeting with Old Marquis Xiao.
• Chen Yi instructed Zhang Dabao’s people to spread the rumor that King Landu intended to attack Shuzhou, hoping to drive grain prices higher.
• Chen Yi removed his disguise and left to disguise himself again while Zhang Dabao handled preparations.
• Liu Lang and Xue Duanyun guarded the storehouse containing thirty thousand sacks of grain as Liu Lang discussed the rising prices and Chen Yi’s plans.
• Liu Lang detected three approaching scouts, then became confused by two identical sheets of instructions.

Liu Lang and the Tianshan Sect disciples killed intruders who had tracked the grain, then Liu Lang revealed that Boss Chen Yu was the famed 'Dragon Spear' Liu Wu and explained his secret support for the Xiao Family. Meanwhile, Chen Yi disguised himself as Liu Wu and went to meet Lou Yuxue, only to find Cui Qingwu there as well.

• Liu Lang, Zhang Sanhu, Zhang Sihu, and Xue Duanyun killed the attackers near the grain residence, and one died after using Bone Dissolving Powder hidden in his teeth.
• Xue Duanyun and the others read Chen Yu's instructions to burn the grain merchants' warehouses and kill anyone who came investigating, then Liu Lang identified Boss Chen Yu as 'Dragon Spear' Liu Wu and revealed his own identity as Mobei's 'Blade Maniac.'
• Liu Lang told the Tianshan Sect disciples that Chen Yu had concealed his identity to help the Xiao Family, and the group agreed to keep the secret while moving the grain elsewhere.
• Chen Yi disguised himself as Liu Wu and went to Chunyu Tower to meet Lou Yuxue about the grain.
• Cui Qingwu entered the quiet room where Chen Yi and Lou Yuxue were meeting, and Chen Yi greeted her as though they had not met before.

Chen Yi, Lou Yuxue, and Cui Qingwu agreed to exploit news of Asutai, Son of the Left King, to disrupt the Jizhou Trading Company's grain scheme. Cui Qingwu accepted Chen Yi's plan to purchase grain from the merchants, and Chen Yi left Chunyu Tower intending to spend his remaining silver.

• Cui Qingwu recognized Chen Yi as Liu Wu and agreed to the grain deal after Lou Yuxue offered her thirty percent of the profits.
• Lou Yuxue told Cui Qingwu that they planned to announce Asutai, Son of the Left King, was in Shuzhou, prompting Cui Qingwu to join the operation.
• Chen Yi proposed spreading further rumors to delay the merchants' sell-off and using Cui Qingwu to buy grain directly from them.
• Cui Qingwu accepted Chen Yi's terms after he explained his second plan, and the three finalized their arrangements without discussing the grain money.
• Chen Yi left Chunyu Tower to find Liu Lang and the others so he could spend his remaining nearly three hundred thousand taels.

Chen Yi investigated the grain stores, discovered that Liu Lang and the others had moved their stock, and ordered them to buy more grain before prices rose. As Chen Yi returned to the Xiao Family, Gongye Bai watched him from East Market and decided to stay in Shuzhou.

• Chen Yi learned that Gongye Bai had set up a fortune-telling stall at East Market and decided to go observe him from afar.
• Chen Yi found the first grain-storage residence empty and realized Liu Lang had moved the grain after the trail was discovered.
• Chen Yi met Liu Lang, Xue Duanyun, Zhang Sanhu, and Zhang Sihu at the second storage site, where he heard that investigators had used Bone Dissolving Powder.
• Chen Yi suspected the investigators were connected to Liu Hong and gave Liu Lang banknotes to buy more grain by the next day, warning him not to use his own identity or Hundred Herbs Hall's.
• Chen Yi returned to the Xiao Family while Gongye Bai watched him from an eave and decided to remain in Shuzhou for a few days.

Chen Yi reflected on his campaign against the Jizhou Trading Company while the Xiao Family weighed reports of the Peacock King Banner near the border and delayed mobilizing the Dingyuan Army. The next morning, Wang Ji presented Chen Yu’s visit card to the Xiao Family, and Bao Tong rushed to report an urgent matter as Chen Yi learned Cui Qingwu planned to visit Xiao Wan’er.

• Chen Yi returned to Chunhe Garden, considered the progress of his scheme against the Jizhou Trading Company, and hoped Shuzhou would become more stable.
• Old Master Xiao decided to wait for clearer intelligence before requesting the tiger tally or mobilizing the Dingyuan Army, and ordered Xiao Jing to gather information for Xiao Jinghong.
• Xiao Jing reported that Wan Hui’s account of King Landu’s plans was uncertain, though Beacon Fort had confirmed traces of the Peacock King Banner near the border.
• Wang Ji delivered Chen Yu’s visit card to the Xiao Family, asking the Marquis to decide whether and when to meet his master.
• Bao Tong hurried Lu Tong toward the central courtyard, while a hunched old man followed them after wondering what had caused the commotion.
• Chen Yi noticed Xiao Wan’er’s festive appearance, and she explained that Cui Qingwu planned to visit her that day.

Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er discussed Cui Qingwu joining the Medical Dao Academy, then learned that rumors of a Barbarian invasion had unsettled the Xiao household. After Cui Qingwu revealed that Chen Yunfan would inspect grain shops in the East Market, Chen Yi hurried toward Jishi Pharmacy, where he spotted Liu Hong again.

• Chen Yi advised Xiao Wan'er to welcome Cui Qingwu into the Medical Dao Academy if she was genuinely interested, and Xiao Wan'er agreed to ask her directly.
• Xiao Wan'er said Lu Chunle, a Medical Saint Hand from the Fuyang School, would come to Shuzhou to examine her grandfather and discussed whether he might support the academy.
• Xiao Die reported rumors that the Barbarian Tribe might attack Mengshui Pass because Muhage's son had been branded with a slave mark, and Chen Yi urged Xiao Wan'er to wait for confirmation.
• Cui Qingwu told Xiao Wan'er that Chen Yunfan would go to the East Market at noon to monitor grain shops, prompting Chen Yi to leave Jiaxing Garden in a hurry.
• Chen Yi took a carriage with Liu Si'er toward Jishi Pharmacy and noticed Liu Hong again along the way.

Chen Yi watched Shuzhou panic over the threat of Muhage and guided crowds from Jishi Pharmacy toward Xinglin Zhai, where medicine remained available. After the East Market crowd dispersed, White Immortal appeared beside him disguised as a young Daoist and offered to tell his fortune.

• Liu Hong met Chen Yi outside Xiao Manor, then told Zhao Liuan to pay closer attention to him and questioned why his conduct seemed at odds with the Chen Family's interests.
• As grain prices surged and crowds gathered at East Market, Chen Yi left his carriage and squeezed through the press to reach Jishi Pharmacy.
• Chen Yi spotted Liu Zhaoxue, Ling'er, and a powerful swordsman at Xinglin Zhai, then persuaded medicine buyers to go there despite its higher prices.
• After the crowd dispersed, Chen Yi assessed East Market and prepared to continue his plans amid the shortages and rising prices.
• White Immortal appeared beside Chen Yi disguised as a young Daoist and asked whether he wanted his fortune told; Chen Yi turned and walked back into Jishi Pharmacy.

Chen Yi encountered the White Immortal, whose fortune-telling and power confirmed his fear that the Daoist could endanger Chen Yunfan, so he hurried his elder brother into the Jishi Pharmacy. After the White Immortal read Liu Zhaoxue and Ling'er, Chen Yunfan delivered a letter from their father to Chen Yi.

• Chen Yi used the Qi Gazing Technique on the White Immortal, whose radiant phantom injured his eyes and revealed that the Daoist had noticed his probing.
• The White Immortal tried to tell Chen Yunfan's fortune, but Chen Yi interrupted, praised his brother's prospects, and took him into the Jishi Pharmacy.
• The White Immortal told Liu Zhaoxue that her noble fate was troubled by loneliness and advised her to dissolve the fixation in her heart, then gave Ling'er a falsely cheerful reading.
• Liu Zhaoxue left without speaking to Chen Yi, while Chen Yunfan noticed Ling'er scattering powder and denied seeing anything when Chen Yi asked.
• Chen Yunfan gave Chen Yi a letter from their father, prompting Chen Yi to ask about it.

Chen Yi received Chen Xuanji’s letters and rejected his father’s plans for his future, while he and Chen Yunfan discussed Shuzhou’s grain crisis and the arrival of White Immortal. White Immortal departed with his disciple Shui Hetong for Wumeng Mountain, and Chen Yi received a reward for witnessing him tell fortunes.

• Chen Yi read Chen Xuanji’s letter offering him an imperial examination or official post, then told Chen Yunfan he intended to remain in Shuzhou and put the Xiao Family first.
• Chen Yunfan described the rising grain prices and Liu Hong’s refusal to approve measures to stabilize them, while Chen Yi advised him to wait.
• White Immortal met Shui Hetong, received a letter from Li Wudang, and agreed to travel with his disciple toward Wumeng Mountain.
• White Immortal and Shui Hetong noticed Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan, but White Immortal declined Shui Hetong’s request to meet them before they vanished into the crowd.
• Chen Yi identified the fortune-telling Daoist as White Immortal, and a golden notice rewarded him with a Heaven Rank upgrade to his Collapsing Mountain Fist and 253 Fortune.

Chen Yi reunited with Chen Yunfan, learned that he liked Xiao Jinghong and that Cui Qingwu had joined the effort to lower grain prices, then advanced his plans amid rumors of a Barbarian Tribe attack. A letter revealed that Xiao Jinghong would soon pass through Shuzhou while inspecting the Three Towns.

• Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan shared lunch and reminisced about their family, then discussed their feelings for Xiao Jinghong and Cui Qingwu before Cui Qingwu joined them.
• Cui Qingwu lowered grain prices by bringing grain into the market, while Chen Yi watched the East Market’s shifting prices and told Liu Quan to buy grain if he wished.
• Chen Yi visited Wang Ji, learned that the Marquis had postponed their meeting and that Guard Liu had failed to obtain grain from nearby estates, then assigned Wang Ji a discreet task.
• Chen Yi returned to the Xiao Family, encouraged Xiao Wuge’s Stake Training, and went with Xiao Wuge and Xiao Die to Jiaxing Garden for dinner.
• Xiao Wan'er gave Chen Yi a letter from Xiao Jinghong saying the Wushan Mutual Market was nearly complete and that she would inspect the Three Towns, passing through the Prefectural City soon.

Chen Yi advanced Martial Dao · Body to Perfection, wrote Xiao Jinghong a letter describing events in Shuzhou, and arranged to meet Liu Lang. At the Wushan Mutual Market, Xiao Jinghong worried over the crises facing Shuzhou before two visitors approached her from the north.

• Chen Yi reassured Xiao Wan'er and Xiao Wuge about the annual examination and border threats, then watched Xiao Wuge break down after seeing a painting of his parents.
• Xiao Wan'er told Chen Yi she planned to ask Cui Qingwu to help oversee the Medical Dao Academy and become its head.
• Chen Yi spent Fortune to raise Martial Dao · Body from Mastery to Perfection, strengthening the effects of his cultivation methods and training.
• Chen Yi wrote Xiao Jinghong a family letter with the Way of Calligraphy and planned to ask Liu Lang about his side's progress during their midnight meeting.
• Xiao Jinghong surveyed the nearly completed Wushan Mutual Market and worried about the crises in Shuzhou before she sensed someone approaching and heard an older man address her.

Xiao Jinghong received White Immortal and Shui Hetong at Wushan Mutual Market, where they discussed Shuzhou’s possible upheaval and gave her a Wind and Rain Tower token. White Immortal recognized that Chen Yi was no ordinary scholar, and the chapter ended with Chen Yi and Liu Lang preparing to begin something by the Chishui River.

• White Immortal and Shui Hetong visited Xiao Jinghong, and White Immortal explained that he had come to investigate signs of change in Shuzhou.
• White Immortal gave Xiao Jinghong a Wind and Rain Tower token and tried to divine her fortune, but Su Zhenyue interrupted him.
• Xiao Jinghong described Chen Yi as a scholar who had never cultivated the Martial Path, while White Immortal and Shui Hetong hinted that they knew he was unusually capable.
• Xiao Jinghong arranged lodging for White Immortal and Shui Hetong, then wondered why they seemed so interested in Chen Yi.
• Liu Lang joined Chen Yi by the Chishui River and waited while Chen Yi fished; when Liu Lang questioned his patience, Chen Yi reeled in the line and said they should begin.