Recaps

During the annual examination, Chen Yi deduced that someone was trying to provoke conflict in Shuzhou to divert the court’s plans, then finished his remaining questions and learned the Judicial Department had come to the Xiao Family demanding Li Sanyuan. As the examination ended, Chen Yi was insulted over his essays, leaving the reason for the confrontation unresolved.

• Chen Yi reasoned that the person behind Ma Shuhan wanted unrest in Shuzhou and contact with Poshushuo Kingdom and the Barbarian Tribe, and planned to ask the White Tiger Guard about suspicious arrivals.
• Chen Yi completed the judicial opinion and poetry questions, while his intelligence screen revealed that the Shuzhou Judicial Department had visited the Xiao Family to demand Li Sanyuan.
• Ma Guan struggled over whether to advocate a southern campaign, while Tang Ye finished his questions and fell asleep; Ma Shuhan regretted failing to implicate Yue Ming.
• Pei Guanli continued training Yuan Liu'er, Xiao Wuge, and Xiao Die, while Xiao Wan'er told Yuan Liu'er she was now one of the Xiao Family.
• Xiao Wan'er learned that Elder Master Xiao had refused to hand Li Sanyuan over until Xiao Jinghong returned, then went to the examination grounds and heard rumors of an arrest inside.
• After the examination ended, someone called out that Chen Yi’s essays were utter dogshit.

Chen Yi challenged Ma Shuhan’s policy question about campaigning and fighting, arguing that officials should ask the people of the realm before making war. Tang Zixin arrived to take Ma Shuhan and his deputies for questioning, but Ma Shuhan was suddenly killed by an unseen attacker as they left.

• Ma Shuhan gave Chen Yi a fifth-class result and called his essay rubbish, prompting Chen Yi to ask why the policy question concerned war rather than the people’s welfare.
• Chen Yi questioned Ma Shuhan’s motives, and the other Xiucai joined him in demanding an explanation; Ma Shuhan tore up Chen Yi’s essay and threatened to punish them.
• Ma Shuhan ordered the Yamen Runners to seize the candidates, but Yang Ye arrived with Tang Zixin and stopped him.
• Tang Zixin summoned Ma Shuhan, Shao Linchuan, and Zou Qinian to the Surveillance Commissioner's Office for questioning.
• As Ma Shuhan departed with the officials, an unseen attacker struck, and Chen Yi found Ma Shuhan beheaded outside the examination grounds.

After Ma Shuhan was murdered during the annual examination, Xu Jitong died by poison and Ma Shuhan’s household was massacred, prompting officials to investigate possible schemes involving the war and the Mountain Tribe. The chapter leaves Chen Yunfan at Ma Shuhan’s blood-soaked residence, doubting that the Mountain Tribe was responsible.

• Xu Jitong admitted no explanation for killing Ma Shuhan, then bled from his seven orifices and died before he could identify who had ordered him.
• Yang Ye ordered officials to secure the examination papers, investigate both deaths, and visit the families of Xu Jitong and Ma Shuhan.
• Tang Zixin and Yang Ye suspected Ma Shuhan’s criticism of the war had been part of a larger scheme, and Tang ordered the officials to reconstruct Chen Qingzhou’s torn essay.
• Yang Ye told Tang Zixin that new deputy officials were coming from Capital Prefecture, and the two discussed seeking guidance from the Xiao Family.
• Coroners found that Xu Jitong’s poison resembled the Mountain Tribe’s methods, while Chen Yunfan and the Judicial Department investigators discovered that Ma Shuhan’s entire household had been massacred with apparent snake and insect bites.

Chen Yunfan and the Judicial Department investigated the deaths of Ma Shuhan and Xu Jitong, while Chen Yi returned to the Xiao Family and learned that Elder Master Xiao wanted him at an upcoming banquet. The chapter ended with Chen Yi asking Yuan Liu'er about her plans and advising her not to neglect martial cultivation.

• Chen Yunfan identified Half-step Smile Madness on the murdered household and went with Fang Hongxiu and Han Ruixuan to check on Xu Jitong's family.
• Madam Xu pleaded for her husband's case to be investigated, but Han Ruixuan dismissed her while the officers continued probing Xu Jitong's connection to Ma Shuhan.
• Chen Yunfan suggested using Pei Guanli to investigate Mountain Tribe people in the Prefectural City, but Fang Hongxiu and Han Ruixuan hesitated because of the political complications.
• Chen Yi comforted Xiao Wan'er, then learned from Xiao Xuanshuo that Elder Master Xiao wanted him to attend a banquet for influential guests.
• Chen Yi ate with Xiao Die, Xiao Wuge, Pei Guanli, and Yuan Liu'er, then asked Yuan Liu'er about her future plans and urged her to keep cultivating in the Martial Path.

Chen Yi gave Yuan Liu'er secret cultivation manuals and arranged for her to study at the future Medical Dao Academy. Later, he met Lou Yuxue at Chunyu Tower to investigate Ma Shuhan’s murder, and she revealed that Ma Shuhan had visited a painted boat on Quchi before the annual examination.

• Chen Yi taught Yuan Liu'er why she should cultivate the Martial Path, Medical Dao, and Way of Calligraphy, then gave her the Mysterious Turtle Breath Concealment Art and Collapsing Mountain Fist manuals.
• Chen Yi told Yuan Liu'er to join Ma Liangcai at the Xiao Family Medical Dao Academy when it opened and gave her a key to a residence in Pingyao Alley for cultivation.
• Chen Yi painted Ma Shuhan’s likeness and wondered who would be targeted next after Liu Hong and Ma Shuhan.
• At Chunyu Tower, Chen Yi met Lou Yuxue, who said the Judicial Department believed Ma Shuhan’s family and Xu Jitong had died from the Mountain Tribe’s gu poison.
• Lou Yuxue told Chen Yi that Xu Jitong likely followed orders from someone connected to the Surveillance Commissioner’s Office and that Ma Shuhan had secretly visited a painted boat on Quchi before the annual examination.

Chen Yi connected Ma Shuhan’s suspicious examination question to the Emperor’s plans for war and suspected Jizhou Trading Company’s involvement in his death. After refusing another invitation to join the White Tiger Guard, Chen Yi headed to the Judicial Department, where an unseen challenger called out to spar with him.

• Chen Yi told Lou Yuxue that Ma Shuhan’s question about southern and northern campaigns may have been deliberate, and urged her to find the person who met Ma Shuhan on the painted boat.
• Chen Yi suspected Jizhou Trading Company was involved and inferred that the Emperor intended to launch a campaign after discussing the matter with General Star.
• General Star offered Chen Yi another chance to join the White Tiger Guard, but Chen Yi refused and left Chunyu Tower.
• General Star ordered Lou Yuxue to escort Liu Hong and his accomplices to the Capital Prefecture, where the Pavilion Master wished to meet her.
• Chen Yi went toward the Judicial Department to ask Fang Hongxiu about its demand for Li Sanyuan, but an unseen person challenged him to exchange a few moves.

Chen Yi agreed to spar with Shui Hetong after negotiating three favors, hoping to gain Wind and Rain Tower’s support as Shuzhou’s dangers mounted. At the ruins of Puyin Temple, the two prepared to fight, while Chen Yi also learned of Song Jin Jian’s presence in Shuzhou.

• Shui Hetong approached Chen Yi and urged him to spar, but Chen Yi said he had already agreed to hold the line for Ye Guxian on the condition that Ye do one thing for him.
• Chen Yi asked what Shui Hetong would offer, and Shui Hetong promised to do three things within his power in exchange for a spar.
• Chen Yi led Shui Hetong toward Puyin Temple and questioned him about Wind and Rain Tower, whose disciples were coming to help guard the Xiao Family.
• Shui Hetong described the Jianghu’s conflicts and told Chen Yi that Song Jin Jian had arrived in Shuzhou escorting Cui Qingwu.
• Chen Yi and Shui Hetong reached the ruins of Puyin Temple, where Chen Yi invited Shui Hetong to begin their spar.

Chen Yi and Shui Hetong tested each other in a fierce duel at Puyin Temple, first matching fists and then escalating to Shui Hetong’s full Fist Dao against Chen Yi’s perfected Body Dao and Spear Dao. The chapter ended as Shui Hetong unleashed his tower-like Suppress strike and Chen Yi answered with Falling Dragon.

• Chen Yi fought Shui Hetong with his fists, but Shui Hetong deflected his attacks and declared that Chen Yi’s Fist Dao could not threaten him.
• Chen Yi revealed the Five-Fold Spear and unleashed his Perfection Realm Body Dao, expanding his control of Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi and astonishing Shui Hetong.
• Shui Hetong recognized Chen Yi’s Body Dao and resumed the battle with his full, domineering Fist Dao, while Chen Yi used his spear and footwork to gain a slight advantage.
• Their fight devastated Puyin Temple and the surrounding mountaintop, leaving Shui Hetong with minor wounds while Chen Yi remained unhurt.
• Chen Yi called down lightning onto his spear and announced that the sparring match should end, but Shui Hetong launched Suppress and Chen Yi countered with Falling Dragon.

Chen Yi defeated Shui Hetong in a spar, and the Little Daoist Lord Hua Huiyang identified Chen Yi as a fighter who had cultivated four Martial Path disciplines. Over drinks with Shui Hetong, Chen Yi explained why he had secretly protected the Xiao Family and asked about the three things Shui had promised him.

• Chen Yi struck Shui Hetong with the Thunder Dragon Spear, winning their spar; Shui recognized Chen Yi's extraordinary Martial Path talent and admitted defeat.
• Hua Huiyang examined the crater and told the gathered martial artists that Liu Wu had won by using four paths of the Martial Path, then left without pursuing him.
• The Old Beggar and other martial artists discussed the coming October fifteenth spar between White Immortal and Ye Guxian, which only invited rising talents could watch.
• News spread through Shuzhou that Liu Wu had defeated Shui Hetong in a spar.
• Chen Yi told Shui Hetong he had hidden his strength and protected the Xiao Family to avoid arousing suspicion, then asked about the three things Shui had promised him.

After defeating Shui Hetong in their spar, Chen Yi collected his promise of three favors and recruited the Wind and Rain Tower to help expand Hundred Herbs Hall. He returned to Chunhe Garden after learning that White Tiger Guard agents would gather in Shu Prefecture City, where he found Yuan Liu’er practicing and was mistaken for a runaway by someone in the Wooden Tower.

• Shui Hetong admitted defeat, praised Chen Yi’s martial skill, and agreed to fulfill three favors.
• Chen Yi explained his plans for Hundred Herbs Hall, and Shui Hetong agreed to support its expansion and guide the Tianshan Sect disciples guarding its shops.
• Chen Yi received intelligence that General Star, Female Tiger, Harrier Eagle, and others would gather at a tailor shop in West Market, then postponed asking Shui Hetong for his third favor.
• The tavern youth wondered about the two guests, and his grandfather identified the Wind and Rain Tower and told him about the White Immortal.
• Chen Yi returned to Chunhe Garden and watched Yuan Liu’er practice the Collapsing Mountain Fist before someone in the Wooden Tower called him a runaway.

Chen Yi returned from a secret nighttime outing and resumed cultivating after arranging a cover story for Xiao Die and Yuan Liu'er. Meanwhile, Song Jin Jian hired the Demonic Cloud Twin Monsters to deliver a letter to a woman in Barbarian Tribe territory and prepared to meet a newly arrived acquaintance.

• Chen Yi disguised his late-night visit to Yuan Liu'er as a calligraphy lesson, then returned to his room and considered his leads involving Shui Hetong, Li Sanyuan, and Ma Shuhan.
• Song Jin Jian met the Demonic Cloud Twin Monsters, Meng Wen and Meng Wu, and hired them to deliver a letter to Mr. Fu, a Wei woman held by Left King Muhage of the Black Bear Tribe.
• A scarred subordinate told Song Jin Jian that he had visited Guangyuan County and contacted the Fu Family on the master's orders, and Song Jin Jian warned him not to do so again.
• Song Jin Jian read a letter reporting changes to Shuzhou appointments and ordered his subordinate to travel with the Demonic Cloud Twin Monsters to ensure Mr. Fu received the message.
• Liu Zhaoxue reported that the Judicial Department was investigating Ma Shuhan and Xu Jitong's deaths, and Song Jin Jian set out with her to meet an old friend who had recently arrived in Shuzhou.

After Ma Shuhan’s death, rumors about the annual examination and Chen Yi’s essay spread through Shu Prefecture, while Shui Hetong visited Hundred Herbs Hall to carry out Chen Yi’s request and train Liu Lang and the Tianshan Sect disciples. Chen Yi finally caught a Golden-haired Carp in Xiao Manor, then wondered whether Xiao Wuge’s presence had caused it to bite.

• Scholars and townspeople speculated about Ma Shuhan’s death, and Chen Yi’s essay praising care for the people circulated widely.
• Shui Hetong visited Hundred Herbs Hall, confirmed that Chen Yi had defeated him, and discussed the tea drinks and arrangements with Wang Ji.
• Shui Hetong challenged Liu Lang to make him move one step if Liu Lang wanted to watch White Immortal spar with Snow Sword Lord, then trained him and the Tianshan Sect disciples.
• Chen Yi caught a Golden-haired Carp after nearly half a year without catching a fish, and Xiao Die, Pei Guanli, Xiao Wuge, and Yuan Liu'er came to see.
• Chen Yi released the carp back into the pond and suspected that Xiao Wuge’s presence had made it take the bait.

Chen Yi considered how the Xiao Family’s improved fortunes had affected Xiao Wuge, then learned that the Mountain Tribe’s Half-step Smile Madness had killed Ma Shuhan and Xu Jitong’s households. As the investigation turned toward the annual examination and new officials prepared to arrive in Shuzhou, Chen Yi worried that one might be connected to the Jizhou Trading Company.

• Chen Yi caught and released a Golden-haired Carp, then concluded that helping the Xiao Family had reduced some of Xiao Wuge’s hardships and fortune.
• After lunch, Chen Yi asked Pei Guanli to alert her grandmother that Half-step Smile Madness had been used in an assassination, and warned her not to alert the culprit.
• Li Huaigu told Chen Yi that Lord Yang had permitted him to keep his damaged examination essay, but Chen Yi refused to revise it.
• Chen Yunfan and Li Huaigu told Chen Yi that Mr. Yue Ming would oversee the annual examination grading and invite him to discuss the Dao.
• Chen Yunfan revealed that Half-step Smile Madness had killed the households of Ma Shuhan and Xu Jitong; Chen Yi suggested the case might relate to the annual examination, prompting Chen Yunfan to return to the Judicial Department.
• Li Huaigu said new officials from the Ministry of Rites and Jizhou would soon arrive in Shuzhou, leaving Chen Yi concerned about a possible connection to the Jizhou Trading Company.

Chen Yi visited Elder Master Xiao with Xiao Wuge, where Zhang Xuan asked for advice on dealing with Japanese pirates in Guangyue Prefecture. Chen Yi proposed interfering in Japan’s internal affairs and finding Japanese experts, while Elder Master Xiao continued to suspect that Chen Yi was Dragon Tiger; the chapter ended with Lu Guan bringing a letter from Second Miss.

• Chen Yi went with Xiao Wuge to Qingjing Residence, where Elder Master Xiao and Zhang Xuan were disputing over a battlefield game.
• Zhang Xuan praised Chen Yi’s bearing and his Birthday Ode, then asked Elder Master Xiao about the mysterious Dragon Tiger.
• Elder Master Xiao discreetly questioned Chen Yi about Liu Wu Qingzhou and remained uncertain whether Chen Yi was Dragon Tiger.
• Zhang Xuan described the Japanese pirates plundering Guangyue Prefecture, and Chen Yi advised him to investigate Japan and make distant alliances to attack nearby foes.
• Zhang Xuan accepted Chen Yi’s advice and wrote down his cautions before Lu Guan arrived with a letter from Second Miss.

Chen Yi learned that Xiao Jinghong had sent the Dingyuan Army's new troops on dangerous missions to temper them, and he read her letter saying she would return in early October. That night, while Chen Yi secretly operated outside the residence, he heard that Wudang Mountain's Hua Huiyang had been found dead from suspected Mountain Tribe gu poison, threatening to throw Shuzhou into turmoil.

• Elder Master Xiao read Xiao Jinghong's letter and told Zhang Xuan and Chen Yi that she had deployed the Three Towns' forces to fight bandits, Japanese pirates, and horse bandits with only fifteen days of rations.
• Zhang Xuan warned that Xiao Jinghong's deployments could provoke the Barbarian Tribe, Poshushuo Kingdom, and His Majesty, but Elder Master Xiao said he would not interfere with her command of the Dingyuan Army.
• Xiao Wuge told Xiao Wan'er that Chen Yi had impressed the elders and shared the lessons he had learned from him; Xiao Wan'er agreed to ask Chen Yi to teach him more.
• Xiao Wan'er received Xiao Jinghong's letters and learned that her second sister would return in early October; Chen Yi read a letter addressed to him and realized Xiao Jinghong might be home before White Immortal's duel on October fifteenth.
• At midnight, Chen Yi pretended to sleep in his room while his hidden self went to the house behind the Tailor Shop, where he overheard that Hua Huiyang had been found dead outside the city from suspected Half-step Smile Madness gu poison.

Chen Yi learned that Hua Huiyang had died from Half-step Smile Madness, deepening suspicions that someone was framing the Mountain Tribe. He overheard General Star receive orders to investigate Shuzhou’s military movements and the Qinghe Cui Family, while Lou Yuxue prepared to leave and Ge Laosan took over her duties.

• Chen Yi connected Hua Huiyang’s death to the earlier killings and suspected a Mountain Tribe member or associate was behind them.
• General Star received the Pavilion Master’s orders to monitor Chen Xuanji, the Three Towns, the Vermilion Bird Guard, and the Qinghe Cui Family.
• General Star ordered Lou Yuxue to escort Ye Jingxiao and the others north, and she left to report to the Judicial Department before departing the next morning.
• General Star questioned Cui Qingwu about grain from the Qinghe Cui Family and warned her to investigate whether the Xiao Family was buying provisions.
• General Star assigned Ge Laosan to watch the Three Towns and investigate the Cui Family visitor, but told him to avoid Song Jin Jian for now.
• After Ge Laosan left, General Star wrote a report about Ma Shuhan’s assassination and Liu Wu’s refusal, and Chen Yi received a Fortune reward.

Chen Yi concluded that the Qinghe Cui Family might be behind the Jizhou Trading Company and the growing threats to Shuzhou, then asked Shui Hetong to impersonate him at Elder Master Xiao’s banquet. The chapter left Chen Yi approaching Lou Yuxue in an alley after overhearing her complain that he had not come to see her before she left Shuzhou.

• Chen Yi connected the Qinghe Cui Family to the Jizhou Trading Company and suspected that forces were provoking unrest in Shuzhou to disrupt the Emperor’s plans.
• Chen Yi visited Liu Lang and the Tianshan Sect disciples, then asked Shui Hetong to attend Elder Master Xiao’s banquet in his place and agreed to use his final favor.
• Chen Yi asked Shui Hetong about Hua Huiyang and learned that the Little Daoist Lord had been a formidable martial artist before dying to the Mountain Tribe’s Half-step Smile Madness.
• Chen Yi and Shui Hetong went to the Judicial Department to examine Hua Huiyang’s corpse, while Chen Yi told Liu Lang to prepare the Tianshan Sect disciples for work at Hundred Herbs Hall branches.
• Chen Yi heard Lou Yuxue grumbling that he had failed to visit before she left Shuzhou, entered the alley, and asked who she was calling a bastard.

Chen Yi parted with Lou Yuxue, who said she would wait for him in Jiangnan Prefecture, then investigated Hua Huiyang’s death and learned Song Jin Jian had demanded Li Sanyuan for the Qinghe Cui Family. He returned to the Xiao Family wary of Song Jin Jian’s allies, unaware that someone had watched him leave the Judicial Department.

• Lou Yuxue told Chen Yi she was being sent to Jiangnan Prefecture, and he said he might visit before she left, saying she would wait for him there.
• Shui Hetong told Chen Yi that Hua Huiyang had died from a hidden sword wound rather than Half-step Smile Madness and warned that Wudang Mountain might send a powerful, protective senior to Shuzhou.
• Chen Yi agreed to wait for Shui Hetong’s Wind and Rain Tower reinforcements before continuing their investigation into Hua Huiyang’s death.
• Chen Yi visited Fang Hongxiu, who revealed that Song Jin Jian had acted for the Qinghe Cui Family to demand Li Sanyuan, but the Marquis had refused to hand him over.
• Chen Yi questioned Fang Hongxiu about the education minister’s murder, then returned to the Xiao Family while an unseen figure watched him and wondered whether Fang Hongxiu was his lover.

Lou Yuxue escorted Shuzhou’s prisoners to the Capital Prefecture, where the Pavilion Master ordered her to investigate Bright Moon Tower and Jizhou Trading Company in Jiangnan Prefecture and questioned her about Liu Wu. After she left, Chen Xuanji revealed that the Pavilion Master was Mo Baiyi and said the Emperor had ordered him to head south the next day.

• Lou Yuxue and Fang Hongxiu led the prisoners north through eight days of travel, while Lou hoped in vain to see Liu Wu and later asked Fang to tell him she would wait in Jiangnan Prefecture.
• Lou Yuxue reached the Capital Prefecture and instructed Fang Hongxiu to deliver the prisoners to the Judicial Department Yamen.
• The Pavilion Master warned Lou Yuxue to investigate Jizhou Trading Company and Bright Moon Tower cautiously in Jiangnan Prefecture, then asked what she thought of Liu Wu.
• Lou Yuxue left the White Tiger Guard pavilion, resolved to pass a warning to Liu Wu, and did not know that Chen Xuanji had watched her depart.
• Chen Xuanji summoned Mo Baiyi, who removed his mask and complained about his assignment, before Chen said the Emperor had ordered him to set out south the next day.

Chen Xuanji and Mo Baiyi discussed the threats facing Great Wei and the investigation linking Cui Li and the Qinghe Cui Family to the Jizhou Trading Company. As Chen Xuanji prepared to travel south and inspect Shuzhou, an intercepted letter revealed a massive weapons purchase by the Peacock King Banner.

• Mo Baiyi told Chen Xuanji that Cui Li had visited Jiangnan Prefecture when overseas shipments arrived for the Jizhou Trading Company.
• Chen Xuanji warned that Northern Mang, the Barbarian Tribe, the Kingdom of Wa, and the Buddhist Kingdom could threaten Great Wei, while explaining that the Chen Family kept its roots in Jinling and followed its ancestral precepts.
• Chen Xuanji and Mo Baiyi discussed how Chen Xuanji had maneuvered Chen Yunfan and Chen Yi into their current positions, and Chen Xuanji said he would travel to Shuzhou and have Female Tiger watch the Qiming Guard in Jiangnan Prefecture.
• Chen Xuanji said His Majesty had criticized Qingzhou's annual examination essay and considered bringing him back from the Xiao Family.
• A goshawk delivered a secret letter reporting that the Peacock King Banner had bought ten thousand sets each of armor, blades and swords, bows, and arrows from West Prefecture.

As Shuzhou braced for unrest, Chen Yi watched the city’s growing influx of martial artists while tending to his work and helping Xiao Wan’er manage the Xiao family’s guests. After treating Xiao Wan’er’s cold illness, he learned that Xiao Jinghong’s return had been delayed by a clash with Barbarian Tribe scouts.

• Chen Yi sent Granny Shan details and suspicions about Ma Shuhan’s murder and Hua Huiyang’s death, while Shuzhou received growing numbers of Jianghu guests drawn by the coming duel between Snow Sword Lord and White Immortal.
• Yuan Liu’er advanced to Ninth Rank, Upper Stage in less than half a month, while Hundred Herbs Hall secured most of the Mountain Tribe’s medicinal herbs and construction began on the Medical Dao Academy.
• Xiao Wan’er grew chilled and unwell after helping receive guests, so she went to Chen Yi for treatment; he examined her Extreme Yin Severed Meridians and used Silver Needles to draw out some of the cold qi.
• Xiao Wan’er told Chen Yi that Old Master Xiao had gone to welcome newly appointed Right Provincial Administrator Fan Yuanzhou, whom he seemed to dislike.
• Xiao Die brought a letter from Xiao Jinghong saying that Barbarian Tribe scouts had confronted the Black Armored Army beyond the pass, delaying her return while she went to calm the situation.

Chen Yi reached the Fourth Rank, Upper Stage, while helping Xiao Wan'er receive guests at the Xiao mansion and preparing for Elder Master Xiao’s banquet. The chapter ended with Xiao Jinghong guarding Mengshui Pass and ordering troops to watch for bandits heading toward the Black Bear Tribe.

• Chen Yi painted Chunhe Garden, then cultivated the Four Symbols Technique and broke through to the Fourth Rank, Upper Stage.
• Xiao Die told Chen Yi that guests from Jizhou had arrived, and he went to Jiaxing Garden to help Xiao Wan'er receive them while Elder Master Xiao was away.
• A guest teased Xiao Wan'er about marrying Chen Yi, but Chen Yi deflected the remark and Xiao Wan'er redirected the conversation to the next day's banquet.
• Chen Yi considered his plans to visit the academy and wondered how Xiao Jinghong was doing, while keeping her whereabouts secret from the guests.
• At Mengshui Pass, Xiao Jinghong heard that bandits were heading toward the Black Bear Tribe and ordered Ma Kui to accompany the Black Armored Army and capture them if encountered.

At Mengshui Pass, Xiao Jinghong learned from a mysterious swordsman that her mother Fu Wanqing might still be alive and that she should meet them at Quchi on the sixteenth day of the tenth month. Meanwhile, Asutai met Meng Wen and Meng Wu at the Black Bear Tribe and confirmed that Liu Hong was dead, while still wondering who had helped him.

• Xiao Jinghong comforted Ma Kui over the Black Armored Army’s losses, ordered honors and compensation for the fallen, and told him to patrol against the bandits while protecting his soldiers.
• Su Zhenyue gave Xiao Jinghong news of Shuzhou’s new officials, and Xiao Jinghong ordered Commander Li to recover the money, grain, and armor withheld from the Dingyuan Army.
• Xiao Jinghong flew north and heard a hidden swordsman deliver a message from his master: she could rescue Fu Wanqing by meeting them at Quchi on the sixteenth day of the tenth month.
• Xiao Jinghong fought the swordsman’s Sword Intent, found and destroyed his sword vessel, then returned to Mengshui Pass questioning whether her mother was held by the Barbarian Tribe.
• Asutai let Meng Wen and Meng Wu speak with him at the Black Bear Tribe and learned that Marquis Dingyuan had executed Liu Hong.
• Asutai asked whether the Wei Dynasty had a person famed for unmatched skill in several arts, and Meng Wen said no such person existed, leaving Asutai wondering who had helped him.

Meng Wen and Meng Wu delivered a letter to Left King Muhage, who planned to use Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing’s captivity to provoke Xiao Jinghong into pushing the Wei Dynasty to send troops south. The chapter ended with Fu Wanqing realizing that the plan was underway as she watched over the ill Xiao Fengchun.

• Meng Wen and Meng Wu presented Muhage with a letter from an unnamed Wei man, and Muhage sent them to rest after reading it.
• Muhage told Yuan Jingxuan that the letter promised to persuade the Wei emperor to send troops south, giving Muhage a chance to seize the Barbarian throne by repelling them and counterattacking.
• Muhage explained that the plan depended on Xiao Jinghong learning that her parents, Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing, were alive and then urging the Wei to march south.
• Muhage ordered Yuan Jingxuan to send Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing’s personal belongings to Xiao Jinghong, then have the two messengers killed after they completed the delivery.
• Yuan Jingxuan left with Asutai and warned him to keep the secret; Asutai questioned whether exploiting Fu Wanqing contradicted their people’s disdain for schemes.
• Fu Wanqing watched Yuan Jingxuan and Asutai leave, then turned back to the sick Xiao Fengchun, worried that the anticipated events had begun.

Chen Yi investigated Ma Shuhan’s death and warned Chen Yunfan that the annual examination might implicate powerful figures. After arranging for Shui Hetong to impersonate him at the next day’s banquet, Chen Yi received intelligence that the thief “One Finger” planned to abduct Li Sanyuan.

• Chen Yi weighed the forces involved in Shuzhou’s crisis and used his painting Dao to leave a convincing double in bed before secretly leaving the Xiao Family.
• At Zhennan Street, Chen Yi heard jianghu guests discuss Hua Huiyang’s death and the reputations of Daoist Zhongwu, White Immortal, and Li Wudang.
• Chen Yi met Chen Yunfan, suggested that Ma Shuhan’s death might be tied to the annual examination, and urged him to consider that someone powerful had ordered Ma to tamper with it.
• Chen Yi met Shui Hetong, gave him his disguise mask, and explained what Marquis Xiao knew so Shui Hetong could act in his place at the banquet.
• Chen Yi received intelligence that the famed martial-world thief “One Finger” intended to abduct Li Sanyuan at Marquis Dingyuan’s Estate in Shuzhou.