Chapter Summaries

Song Jin Jian sent Liu Zhaoxue to Capital Prefecture with letters and a wooden sword, while Xiao Jinghong continued tracking him. In Shuzhou, Chen Yunfan received warnings about Guangyuan and prepared to leave for his new post, then visited Chen Yi, where an unexpected fishing contest revealed Chen Yi’s bad luck.

• Song Jin Jian sent Liu Zhaoxue to Falling Phoenix Manor to meet Hou Changye and told her he would join her after Shuzhou was settled.
• Xiao Jinghong arrived at the ruined temple after Song Jin Jian vanished and continued tracking him.
• Fang Hongxiu guarded the Judicial Department after Wuer Tai was rescued, while Chen Yunfan and Li Huaigu learned Official Fan would return to the Prefectural City.
• Li Huaigu received a secret letter signed Vermilion Bird and decided to meet its sender that night.
• Ge Laosan warned Chen Yunfan that the Vermilion Bird Guard had ties to Li Fu, and Chen Yunfan feigned illness to leave the Yamen.
• Chen Yunfan visited Chen Yi and repeatedly caught Golden-haired Carp, prompting Chen Yi to put away his rod and suggest a game of go.

Chen Yunfan warned Chen Yi that the White Tiger Guard wanted him to watch Commander Li Fu, and Chen Yi reasoned that Li Fu’s secret contact with the Vermilion Bird Guard might be under imperial orders. After Zhao Wenjing angered Elder Master Xiao, Song Jin Jian met him in secret and asked for his help.

• Chen Yi repeatedly beat Chen Yunfan at chess, then heard that the White Tiger Guard wanted Chen Yunfan to monitor Li Fu in Guangyuan County.
• Chen Yi suggested that Li Fu’s contact with the Vermilion Bird Guard could be authorized by the emperor, changing Chen Yunfan’s view of the situation.
• Chen Yunfan mentioned that Fan Yuanzhou would press for answers about Ma Shuhan’s family, but Chen Yi stopped him before he could reveal more.
• Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er discussed the expansion of Hundred Herbs Hall and plans for the Medical Dao Academy.
• Zhao Wenjing angered Elder Master Xiao with accusations against the Xiao Family, and Elder Master Xiao ordered Xiao Jing to watch Zhao and the new Provincial Governor closely.
• Song Jin Jian met Zhao Wenjing in his carriage, praised his ability to provoke Elder Master Xiao, and asked him for help.

Song Jin Jian enlisted Zhao Wenjing to pressure the Mountain Tribe and planned to assassinate Daoist Kongkong, while Chen Yi learned of the plot and set out to counter it. Meanwhile, Liu Zhaoxue discovered she had been used as bait and was intercepted by Xiao Jinghong.

• Song Jin Jian persuaded Zhao Wenjing to submit a memorial warning of the Mountain Tribe’s dangers, while concealing his plan to target Daoist Kongkong.
• Chen Yi discovered that Song Jin Jian would attempt to assassinate Daoist Kongkong and reasoned that he was also plotting to turn the Imperial Court against the Mountain Tribe.
• Chen Yi left the Xiao Family estate to seek Chen Yunfan’s help in getting Tang Zixin to curb Zhao Wenjing’s actions.
• Liu Zhaoxue’s sleeve was cut by a streak of sword light, revealing Song Jin Jian’s blank letters and exposing her as bait.
• Liu Zhaoxue turned north to escape, but Xiao Jinghong appeared before her and blocked her path.

Xiao Jinghong spared Liu Zhaoxue and learned that Song Jin Jian had gone to the Prefectural City, while Liu warned her that Chen Yi might be connected to Dragon Tiger. After returning to Chunhe Garden, Xiao Jinghong asked Chen Yi about his and Pei Guanli’s encounter with the Five Poisons Sect, leaving him startled.

• Xiao Jinghong questioned Liu Zhaoxue about Song Jin Jian’s Sword Intent, then let her go after hearing that Song Jin Jian was likely headed to the Prefectural City to rescue an envoy from the Poshushuo Kingdom.
• Liu Zhaoxue told Xiao Jinghong that Pei Yonglin had killed Ma Shuhan’s family and Hua Huiyang, and suggested that Chen Yi might be connected to Dragon Tiger.
• Xiao Jinghong flew toward the Prefectural City while Liu Zhaoxue resumed her journey, vowing to make Xiao Jinghong see her differently next time.
• Chen Yi played go with Pei Guanli and Xiao Wuge, then considered Song Jin Jian’s planned meeting with Daoist Kongkong and the measures he had arranged to protect Pei Yonglin and the Mountain Tribe.
• Xiao Jinghong watched Chen Yi with Xiao Wan’er and Xiao Wuge, found no sign that he practiced the martial arts she associated with Dragon Tiger, and descended into Chunhe Garden.
• Xiao Jinghong greeted her family and asked Chen Yi whether he and Pei Guanli had encountered the Five Poisons Sect, leaving Chen Yi startled that Liu Zhaoxue had told her.

Chen Yi allayed Xiao Jinghong’s suspicions by explaining that Chen Yu had rescued him, while Pei Guanli recounted the Five Poisons Sect’s Mid-Autumn attack. When Xiao Jinghong later detected Song Jin Jian and flew west to confront him, Chen Yi realized she had given him a chance to pursue his own plans.

• Chen Yi told Xiao Jinghong that Chen Yu, also known as “Dragon Tiger” Liu Wu, had saved him, and Xiao Wan'er and Pei Guanli helped support his account.
• Pei Guanli described how the Five Poisons Sect had ambushed her and Chen Yi, and how Chen Yi composed “Prelude to Water Melody” under threat.
• Xiao Jinghong thanked Chen Yi for his honesty, offered to arrange protection, and greeted Tang Wansha when she arrived.
• Xiao Jinghong stayed in Chunhe Garden through the evening, leaving Chen Yi worried that he could not go after Song Jin Jian unnoticed.
• As a storm broke, Xiao Jinghong discovered Song Jin Jian’s whereabouts and flew west to confront him.

Chen Yi went to investigate Song Jin Jian’s confrontation with Daoist Kongkong, while Xiao Jinghong defeated Song Jin Jian and captured him alive. After crippling his qi sea, Xiao Jinghong learned that Song Jin Jian believed Liu Zhaoxue was dead and prepared to leave with him.

• Chen Yi disguised himself, left the Xiao Family estate, and headed toward West City to investigate Song Jin Jian.
• Song Jin Jian attacked Daoist Kongkong beside the Chishui River, admitted that Pei Yonglin had killed Hua Huiyang, and severed Kongkong’s arm.
• Xiao Jinghong arrived and used her Sword Dao Extreme Realm to stop Song Jin Jian as he fled.
• Song Jin Jian surrendered after Xiao Jinghong overpowered him, and she ruptured his qi sea before taking him into custody.
• Song Jin Jian asked about Liu Zhaoxue, and Xiao Jinghong told him she was dead.
• Xiao Jinghong thanked Daoist Kongkong and prepared to return to the Prefectural City, but a voice called for her to wait.

Chen Yi captured Song Jin Jian, revealed his identity to Daoist Kongkong, and explained that Pei Yonglin belonged to the White Tiger Guard, easing suspicions against the Mountain Tribe. After taking the Uncontested Sword, Chen Yi explained to Xiao Jinghong that Cui Mao had prepared for the emperor’s campaign against the aristocratic families, which would target more than just the Cui Family.

• Chen Yi arrived as Xiao Jinghong handed the crippled Song Jin Jian over to him, then treated Daoist Kongkong’s severed arm.
• Chen Yi revealed that he was Chen Yu, explained Pei Yonglin’s White Tiger Guard identity, and persuaded Daoist Kongkong not to blame the Mountain Tribe.
• Daoist Kongkong said he would refer Pei Yonglin’s fate to Senior Uncle Zhongwu, while still holding him accountable for his crimes.
• Chen Yi took the Uncontested Sword from Xiao Jinghong and let her question Song Jin Jian about her parents’ capture and Cui Mao’s plans.
• Chen Yi outlined the different factions among the aristocratic families and said the emperor intended to bring all of them, including frontier families like the Xiao Family, under his control.

Chen Yi explained to Xiao Jinghong how His Majesty intended to weaken the aristocratic clans by exploiting their rival plans for a Northern or Southern Expedition. After taking Song Jin Jian to a safe house, Chen Yi prepared for his journey into Barbarian Tribe territory by deciding to have One Finger disguise him as the Uncontested Sword.

• Chen Yi explained how powerful clans such as the Cui Family had amassed farmland and wealth through disasters, and why His Majesty viewed the clans and Xiao Family’s military authority as threats.
• Chen Yi told Xiao Jinghong that His Majesty had divided the aristocratic families through the dispute over the Northern and Southern Expeditions, and Xiao Jinghong resolved to inform her grandfather.
• Xiao Jinghong agreed to take command at Mengshui Pass, while Chen Yi took the captive Song Jin Jian to a residence south of the Prefectural City.
• Chen Yi left Song Jin Jian with Shui Hetong and learned that Zhang Dabao would not return for another half month.
• Chen Yi decided to ask One Finger to disguise him as the Uncontested Sword.

Chen Yi learned from Song Jin Jian that the Cui Family had dealings with the Barbarian Tribe and planned to use Song’s identity to enter its territory and rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing. He also uncovered the Poshushuo Kingdom’s plans involving the Jizhou Trading Company, while Xiao Jinghong prepared to leave for Mengshui Pass.

• Chen Yi told Song Jin Jian he would disguise himself as him and travel to the Barbarian Tribe to rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing, then demonstrated that he had learned Song’s Killing Sword.
• Chen Yi questioned Wuer Tai and learned that King Landu was preparing to rebel against the Poshushuo Kingdom with weapons and armor sold by the Jizhou Trading Company.
• Chen Yi explained that the Poshushuo Kingdom had offered the Jizhou Trading Company passage into the Western Buddhist Kingdom and a fief in exchange for its support.
• Chen Yi arranged for Shui Hetong to impersonate him in Tonglin while he pursued his dangerous journey.
• At Qingjing Residence, Elder Master Xiao discussed the political danger with Xiao Jinghong, who decided to leave for Mengshui Pass the next morning.

Xiao Jinghong told Elder Master Xiao that Chen Yu planned to rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing, while the Old Master weighed the political threats facing the Xiao Family. After Xiao Jinghong returned to Chunhe Garden, she reunited with Chen Yi and prepared to leave again after breakfast, asking him to write her a letter.

• Xiao Jinghong told Elder Master Xiao that Chen Yu would set out to rescue her parents within days or, at the latest, half a month, and Elder Master Xiao trusted Chen Yu despite his mysterious origins.
• Xiao Jinghong warned Elder Master Xiao that the new Surveillance Commissioner had accused the Mountain Tribe and criticized the Wushan Mutual Market, prompting the Old Master to order a watch on Fan Yuanzhou and prepare a memorial to Capital Prefecture.
• Xiao Jinghong returned to Chunhe Garden while Chen Yi hurried back to his room to avoid being discovered, then checked his fortune reward for Xiao Jinghong stopping Song Jin Jian's assassination attempt against Daoist Kongkong.
• Merchants flocked to the Wushan Mutual Market for profitable trade, while some people criticized the Xiao Family for dealing with the Mountain Tribe.
• Chen Yi joined Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wuge, and Pei Guanli for breakfast at Jiaxing Garden, where Xiao Jinghong said she would leave after the meal and asked Chen Yi to write her a letter.

Chen Yi wrote a poem for Xiao Jinghong and reached the Extreme Realm in the Way of Calligraphy, causing a vision that shook the city. The chapter ended with scholars recognizing a new Sage of Calligraphy as Mr. Yue Ming rushed to find Qingzhou.

• Xiao Jinghong told Xiao Wuge to learn the Xiao Family's Seven Kill Spear from Xiao Xuanshuo and planned to return to Mengshui Pass after breakfast.
• Xiao Wan'er discussed rumors about the Xiao Family and the Mountain Tribe, the Wushan Mutual Market, and plans to travel to Tonglin Town after Commander Chen's farewell dinner.
• Chen Yi went to his study and composed “Jiangchengzi: To Lady Jinghong,” depicting Xiao Jinghong in graceful and martial forms.
• While writing, Chen Yi broke through to the Extreme Realm in the Way of Calligraphy and attained “Technique Approaching Dao” in Running Script.
• The poem's golden light filled the sky, where an apparition of Xiao Jinghong danced with her sword and stood armored above a frontier pass.
• Mr. Yue Ming recognized the phenomenon as the work of a new Sage of Calligraphy and hurried to find Qingzhou.

Chen Yi broke through to the Extreme Realm of the Way of Calligraphy, earning acclaim as a Sage of Calligraphy across Shuzhou and beyond. As his family celebrated his achievement, Chen Yunfan prepared to leave for his post in Guangyuan, and Chen Yi emerged to tell Xiao Jinghong he had fulfilled his charge.

• People outside Hundred Herbs Hall celebrated Chen Yi as a Sage of Calligraphy, while Wang Ji and One Finger welcomed the prestige his achievement could bring their hall.
• General Star recalled the Pavilion Master's instructions about Chen Yi, sent a white-headed hawk north, and marveled at the accomplishments of Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan.
• Cui Qingwu urged Chen Yunfan to congratulate Chen Yi, and Chen Yunfan agreed to send him a fishing tackle gift before leaving for Guangyuan early the day after tomorrow.
• Elder Master Xiao and the family gathered outside Chunhe Garden, praised Chen Yi's calligraphy, and agreed to protect him from too many visitors.
• Xiao Wan'er admired the lyric Chen Yi had written for Xiao Jinghong, while Xiao Jinghong blushed at its romantic verses.
• Chen Yi came out to greet the family, accepted their congratulations, and told Xiao Jinghong that he had fulfilled his charge.

Chen Yi’s breakthrough made him the Great Wei Dynasty’s third Sage of Calligraphy, drawing visitors and celebrations across Shuzhou while disrupting his plans to travel north. He prepared a farewell poem for Chen Yunfan and went with Xiao Wan'er to Tingyu Pavilion for a gathering before Chen Yunfan’s departure.

• Xiao Jinghong blushed at Chen Yi’s lyric, took his Calligraphy Copybook, and left, while Elder Master Xiao offered to hold a celebration that Chen Yi declined.
• News of Chen Yi’s breakthrough spread, bringing visitors and gifts to the Xiao Family; the Provincial Administration and Prefectural Yamen declared three days of celebration in Shuzhou.
• Ma Liangcai told Yuan Liu'er that they would soon travel with Chen Yi to Tonglin Town, and she said her family had agreed to the plan.
• Chen Yi wrote a farewell poem for Chen Yunfan and had Xiao Die prepare it as a gift, while considering how the public attention would delay his plans to travel to the Barbarian Tribe.
• Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er left the Xiao Family estate for Tingyu Pavilion, where Chen Yunfan had arranged a gathering before setting out for Guangyuan.

As the Xiao Family traveled to Tingyu Pavilion to see Chen Yunfan off to Guangyuan, Chen Yi told Xiao Wan'er he would soon leave Shuzhou and asked her to cover for him. After sharing his plans with her in the Chess Dao Illusion Realm, he arrived at the farewell banquet, where Li Huaigu offered to recite a poem he had prepared for Chen Yunfan.

• Xie Tingyun teased Shen Huatang about Chen Yi and the Xiao sisters as their carriages traveled through the busy street.
• Shen Huatang sped up the carriage, causing Xiao Wan'er to stumble into Chen Yi, who drew her into the Chess Dao Illusion Realm.
• Chen Yi told Xiao Wan'er he would leave Shuzhou and asked her to conceal his absence; she agreed and memorized his arrangements.
• Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er reached Tingyu Pavilion, where Lin Zhong reported that the banquet was ready and that Lord Yang and Li Huaigu had arrived.
• Chen Yunfan appeared in his official robe, and Chen Yi praised how it suited him.
• Li Huaigu greeted Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan, then offered to recite a poem he had prepared for Chen Yunfan's new post.

At Chen Yunfan’s farewell banquet, Li Huaigu covertly warned him that the Vermilion Bird Guard wanted him to fill Chen Yunfan’s vacancy and was watching Shuzhou’s troops. The gathering ended with Chen Yunfan accepting Chen Yi’s calligraphy and the guests laughing over Chen Yi’s old role in bringing Li Huaigu and his wife together.

• Li Huaigu recited a poem whose imagery secretly warned Chen Yunfan to beware of the Vermilion Bird Guard, and Chen Yi recognized the message.
• Chen Yunfan and Li Huaigu exchanged hidden messages revealing that the Vermilion Bird Guard wanted Li Huaigu to replace Chen Yunfan and was monitoring him for information about the Dingyuan Army.
• Chen Yi gave Chen Yunfan an extreme-realm calligraphy copybook, and Chen Yunfan snatched it back after pretending to dislike the poem.
• Xiao Wan'er and Cui Qingwu discussed the Medical Dao Academy and rumors about Chen Yi, prompting Chen Yi to recount how he had once arranged for Li Huaigu and his wife to meet.
• The guests laughed and drank until the hour of the Pig, when Chen Yunfan said he would set off north the next morning.

Chen Yunfan left Shuzhou for Guangyuan after warning Cui Qingwu to remain behind, while Chen Yi considered the dangers surrounding the Dingyuan Army and prepared for his journey to the Barbarian Tribe. Two days later, Feng Erbao arrived with an Imperial Edict ennobling Chen Yi as Earl Wenhan and requesting one of his calligraphic works for the capital.

• Chen Yunfan decided to travel to Guangyuan at once and asked Cui Qingwu to stay in the Prefectural City until he returned for her.
• Chen Yunfan departed Tingyu Pavilion, leaving Cui Qingwu watching his carriage disappear.
• Chen Yi considered the Vermilion Bird Guard's influence over the Dingyuan Army and worried that Li Changqing might be connected to Li Fu.
• Chen Yi reassured Xiao Wan'er that Ma Liangcai and Yuan Liu'er could help with the Medical Dao Academy in Tonglin Town.
• Feng Erbao delivered an Imperial Edict ennobling Chen Yi as Earl Wenhan and said the emperor wanted him to bring a calligraphic masterpiece back to the capital.

Chen Yi received the title Earl Wenhan and considered the emperor’s warning to Elder Master Xiao while plotting to send Pei Yonglin to Capital Prefecture. After writing a calligraphy copybook for the emperor, Chen Yi met Granny Shan when she arrived at the Xiao Family estate.

• Feng Erbao conveyed the emperor’s oral decree warning Elder Master Xiao to handle Shuzhou’s affairs cautiously and telling him to ease the emperor’s burdens.
• Chen Yi’s mental chessboard shifted as he considered the growing conflict among the court, aristocratic families, and other powers, then placed Pei Yonglin as a black piece in Capital Prefecture.
• Elder Master Xiao congratulated Chen Yi on becoming Earl Wenhan and asked him not to blame Xiao Jinghong for her absence; Chen Yi reassured him.
• Chen Yi wrote a calligraphy copybook for the emperor, shut Chunhe Garden to visitors, and Feng Erbao left for Capital Prefecture the next morning.
• Granny Shan arrived at the Xiao Family estate, and Chen Yi went to meet her after Pei Guanli announced her arrival.
• Granny Shan recognized Chen Yi as Xiao Jinghong’s husband and Dragon Tiger, then told him she had heard about Yonglin’s situation.

Chen Yi met Granny Shan to discuss Pei Yonglin’s crimes and learned that Pei Yonglin had once worked for Bright Moon Tower, including in an attempt to kill Hou Zhengchu over a Shuzhou deputy commissioner appointment. Granny Shan thanked Chen Yi for intervening and said Yonglin would still be punished, then revealed that Daoist Kongkong of Wudang Mountain had visited the tribe.

• Pei Guanli asked Chen Yi to paint her portrait as a gift for Granny Shan, and Granny Shan let her remain in the Prefectural City for a while longer.
• Granny Shan arranged to meet Chen Yi at the Mountain Tribe’s residence that night, where she and Pei Qian thanked him for helping Pei Yonglin.
• Granny Shan explained that Pei Yonglin had fought the Five Poisons Sect and later turned to Bright Moon Tower to earn silver for the tribe.
• Granny Shan recounted that Pei Yonglin had accepted a job to kill Hou Zhengchu, who was being considered for deputy commissioner, and she had sent Yonglin and his family away from Shuzhou.
• Granny Shan acknowledged that Pei Yonglin deserved punishment despite Chen Yi’s help, then told him Daoist Kongkong of Wudang Mountain had visited the tribe.

Chen Yi persuaded Granny Shan to let Pei Yonglin return to the Jizhou Trading Company as his eyes, despite the danger, and went with her to meet him. At Chunyu Tower, Chen Yi discussed support for the plan with General Star, whose secret letter revealed unrest on the Tea Horse Road as a new intelligence prompt appeared.

• Granny Shan agreed to Chen Yi's plan for Pei Yonglin to return to the Jizhou Trading Company and investigate its secrets.
• Chen Yi and Granny Shan left Pei Qian behind and traveled to Chunyu Tower, where Granny Shan hinted that she hoped Chen Yi would consider Pei Guanli as a wife.
• Granny Shan confirmed Pei Yonglin was inside Chunyu Tower, and Chen Yi went to speak with General Star while she went to see her son.
• General Star said the White Tiger Guard could not readily support Pei Yonglin because its only agent close to the Jizhou Trading Company, Female Tiger, was in Jiangnan Prefecture.
• A masked messenger delivered a Secret Letter, and General Star learned that unrest had broken out on the Tea Horse Road as Chen Yi received a Daily Intelligence prompt about the Peacock King.

Chen Yi learned that King Landu’s Peacock King Banner had rebelled in the Poshushuo Kingdom and suspected a wider conspiracy involving the Imperial Dragon Master, Song Jin Jian, and Li Changqing. As the rebellion advanced toward the royal capital, Chen Yi prepared to travel to the Barbarian Tribe to rescue Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing.

• Chen Yi and General Star discussed the Peacock King Banner’s planned raid on Jiangyuan Fort, the Elephant King’s alliance with King Landu, and the possibility that the Imperial Dragon Master supported the rebellion.
• Chen Yi questioned whether Li Changqing’s withdrawal to Hanxu Pass had been coordinated with King Landu, then told General Star to inform Elder Master Xiao of the danger.
• Granny Shan gave Pei Yonglin Two-Faced Gu and left with Chen Yi; Pei Yonglin recalled Chen Yi’s instruction to claim Song Jin Jian had rebelled for Liu Zhaoxue.
• Granny Shan warned Chen Yi that the Jizhou Trading Company had moved much of its wealth east and expected major turmoil across the Nine Provinces and Three Prefectures.
• Elder Master Xiao ordered Hanxu Pass to remain on alert and recalled troops as news spread that King Landu had captured Jiangyuan Fort and advanced to Jade Dragon Fort.
• After three days of rising tension and military preparations in Shuzhou, someone asked Chen Yi whether they were going to Tonglin Town the next day.