Chapter Summaries

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.

Chen Yi and Liu Lang fought at the Chishui River, where Chen Yi defeated Liu Lang’s Ghost Saber with his Falling Dragon Spear, Blazing Sun. After Chen Yi fled with the injured Liu Lang, the chapter revealed that Liu Hong was secretly meeting an envoy from King Landu, who demanded to know where Asutai was.

• Chen Yi and Liu Lang began a saber duel, and Liu Lang severed Chen Yi’s steel saber with his treasured blade.
• Liu Lang unleashed his inherited Ghost Saber · Thousand Slays, while Chen Yi answered with Falling Dragon Spear, Blazing Sun and defeated him.
• Chen Yi carried the injured Liu Lang away from the river after the spear strike drew nearby soldiers and martial artists.
• A wrinkled old man, a ragged beggar, and a handsome saber wielder examined the huge pit and recognized the traces of Liu Lang’s Ghost Saber.
• At Liu Hong’s mansion, an envoy sent by King Landu demanded to know where Asutai was.

Liu Hong promised Du Cang that he would find Asutai within ten days, while Chen Yi learned of their confrontation and continued preparing a scheme to profit from Shuzhou’s rising grain prices. After grain prices climbed again, Chen Yi recruited Cui Qingwu and Lou Yuxue to help pressure the grain shops, leaving them wary of his plan.

• Du Cang confronted Liu Hong over the missing Asutai and gave him ten days to deliver the prince, warning that Yuan Jingxuan had arrived and the Tea Horse Road faced slaughter if Asutai was not returned.
• Chen Yi saw a fortune notice about Du Cang forcing Liu Hong to back down and suspected Liu Hong was vulnerable because of the Asutai affair.
• Chen Yi treated Liu Lang’s injuries, then learned that the Wan Family and Sun Family had sold grain, including ten thousand shi from the Sun Family.
• Chen Yi had Liu Lang guard more than fifty thousand shi of grain and said he planned to make the grain sellers suffer for their own actions.
• Four days later, as grain prices reached twelve taels per dan, Chen Yi met Cui Qingwu and Lou Yuxue at Chunyu Tower and told Cui Qingwu to sell her grain to the shops at a high price when they came to her.
• Lou Yuxue accused Chen Yi of arranging for people to impersonate bandits and Barbarians and attack merchants, and Chen Yi said he needed the two women to help with another matter.

Chen Yi sought Du Cang while Lou Yuxue and Cui Qingwu weighed the risks of his schemes and discussed how to use Du Cang against King Landu. After receiving Lin Huai'an's letter, General Star agreed to lure Du Cang toward Chen Yi, who advanced to Fifth Grade Upper Stage and learned of an upcoming meeting with Xiao Yuan.

• Chen Yi asked Lou Yuxue and Cui Qingwu to locate Du Cang, and they warned him that the feared Upper Three Grades Sorcerer commanded the loyal Jackal Army.
• After Chen Yi left, Cui Qingwu questioned Lou Yuxue's trust in Liu Wu, but Lou Yuxue ordered the White Tiger Guard to search for Du Cang.
• General Star told Lou Yuxue that King Landu demanded Liu Wu's whereabouts in exchange for evidence, and Lou Yuxue presented Lin Huai'an's letter about trading ironware.
• Lou Yuxue proposed using Du Cang's whereabouts to lure him into a trap, and General Star accepted her plan.
• Chen Yi cultivated his techniques, advanced to Fifth Grade Upper Stage, and received intelligence that Xiao Yuan would invite Hundred Herbs Hall owner Chen Yi to meet.

Chen Yi prepared for the annual examination while secretly arranging a major operation in Shu Prefecture. At Xiao Manor, Xiao Jing recognized him as the man who had rescued him, and Elder Master Xiao invited Chen Yi to explain the important matter he had come to discuss.

• Chen Yi studied classics and past examination questions, then left the manor to visit the academy while avoiding Xiao Wan'er's planned banquet for the owner of Hundred Herbs Hall.
• Chen Yi met Wang Ji, learned that Zhang Dabao's two groups were ready to act, and instructed Wang Ji to describe his visit as a discussion about expanding Hundred Herbs Hall.
• Chen Yi arrived at Xiao Manor disguised as Chen Yu, while Liu Hong headed to Chunyu Tower to seek outside help finding Asutai.
• Elder Master Xiao and Xiao Jing met Chen Yi in Qingjing Residence, where Xiao Jing recognized him as the man who had rescued him from the Judicial Department.
• Elder Master Xiao praised Chen Yi, alluded to his involvement in the Burning of Three Towns' Summer Grain, and asked him to explain the important matter he had come to discuss.

Chen Yi revealed his role in the Xiao Family’s recent crises and asked Elder Master Xiao to help resolve a future upheaval in Shuzhou City. After Chen Yi claimed Fu Wanqing was alive among the Barbarian Tribe and healed the Old Master’s injuries, the Old Master agreed to help, while ordering Xiao Jing to quietly verify Fu Wanqing’s whereabouts.

• Chen Yi told Elder Master Xiao how he had killed Liu Jing and helped bring about the deaths and flight of the Xiao Family’s enemies, while concealing several parts of his plans.
• Chen Yi explained that he had helped the Xiao Family out of gratitude to Elder Master Xiao and revealed that Fu Wanqing had been alive three years earlier and was staying with the Black Bear Tribe.
• Elder Master Xiao angrily challenged Chen Yi’s claim about Fu Wanqing, then allowed him to examine and treat his failing health.
• Chen Yi used twelve silver needles and the Ziwu Liuzhu Method to repair Elder Master Xiao’s injuries and improve his condition.
• Chen Yi asked Elder Master Xiao to intervene if a major upheaval struck Shuzhou City, and the Old Master agreed while warning him not to underestimate Liu Hong.
• Elder Master Xiao told Xiao Jing to confirm whether Fu Wanqing was in the Black Bear Tribe and to keep the matter from Xiao Jinghong.