Chapter Summaries

Zhao Yi entered Chunyu Tower and warned Jianghu guests that they should leave Shuzhou, while Chen Yi met with General Star to arrange the circulation of news and obtain registers of visitors and wanted criminals. Zhao Yi then found Chen Yi in a quiet room and introduced himself, leaving their meeting poised to begin.

• Zhao Yi heard Jianghu guests debate whether to leave Shuzhou and claimed that Cui Meng could defeat Dragon Tiger.
• Chen Yi confronted the stubborn saber wielder, whose fear of Chen Yi’s aura convinced him that the rumors about Dragon Tiger were true, and the man decided to leave Shuzhou.
• Chen Yi asked General Star about arrangements to spread news across Shuzhou and requested registers of Unorthodox Path members and recent arrivals from aristocratic families.
• Zhao Yi appeared in Chen Yi’s quiet room, revealed his impressive cultivation, and Chen Yi asked why he had come.

Chen Yi let Zhao Yi believe he had uncovered the secrets behind the Jizhou Trading Company and pressured him to prove his loyalty by killing Zhao Wenjing. Zhao Yi accepted, while Chen Yi learned that the apparently foolish heir was actually a Grandmaster and found his name at the top of a register of confirmed identities.

• Zhao Yi guessed that Chen Yi was tied to the Jizhou Trading Company and offered two hundred thousand taels of gold to learn what he was planning in Shuzhou.
• Chen Yi told Zhao Yi that anyone who learned the secret would have to join in, and Zhao Yi agreed to prove his sincerity.
• Chen Yi demanded that Zhao Yi kill Zhao Wenjing, Deputy Commissioner of the Shu Prefecture Surveillance Department, and Zhao Yi accepted the task.
• Chen Yi returned two gold notes as a deposit and told Zhao Yi they would meet again after Zhao Wenjing was dead.
• General Star asked whether Zhao Yi had discovered his identity, and Chen Yi said he would handle Zhao Yi himself.
• General Star gave Chen Yi the register of confirmed identities, and Chen Yi found Zhao Yi listed first among the aristocratic families.

Chen Yi ordered the aristocratic family representatives in Shuzhou to leave and prepared to confront the unorthodox practitioners gathering at Chunyu Tower. As he arrived in disguise, he spotted Chu Xiudao and Liu Lang among the crowd.

• Chen Yi reviewed Zhao Yi’s secret report and suspected his family had encouraged him to conceal his abilities.
• Chen Yi asked General Star to send the listed aristocratic family representatives away, reserving Zhao Yi for himself.
• Ge Laosan reported that unorthodox practitioners were heading to Chunyu Tower and that the White Tiger Guard had found Vermilion Bird Guard members around Li Fu.
• General Star secretly ordered Ge Laosan to keep Li Fu and Li Changqing under surveillance and to spread rumors connecting court officials to the Qinghe Cui Family.
• Chen Yi disguised himself as Liu Wu, entered Chunyu Tower, and noticed Chu Xiudao and Liu Lang among the arriving unorthodox practitioners.

Chu Xiudao and Liu Lang joined a gathering of unorthodox practitioners at Chunyu Tower, where Lin Chaofeng recounted how Dragon Tiger had defeated and released him and his companions. As the group debated whether to leave Shuzhou or confront Dragon Tiger, Liu Lang stepped forward to urge them to attack, claiming he worked for the Bright Moon Tower.

• Chu Xiudao and Liu Lang followed over a hundred unorthodox practitioners into the Bright Moon Tower to learn what they intended to do.
• Ge Laosan challenged Weng Jinghe over his complaint about the Bright Moon Tower's assignment, while Lin Chaofeng redirected the gathering to discuss Dragon Tiger.
• Lin Chaofeng described how Dragon Tiger had subdued him, Weng Jinghe, and their companion almost instantly, then released them and warned practitioners to leave Shuzhou.
• Lin Chaofeng and Weng Jinghe revealed that another intruder had fought at the Xiao Family, prompting speculation that the person might have been an Earthly Immortal.
• As the practitioners asked whether the Bright Moon Tower would stay or leave, Liu Lang urged them to attack Dragon Tiger and presented his Bright Moon Tower token when Ge Laosan questioned him.

Liu Lang provoked the Unorthodox Path members in Chunyu Tower into staying in Shuzhou and proposed a plan to draw Dragon Tiger away from the Xiao Family estate. He and Chu Xiudao returned secretly to Hundred Herbs Hall, where an unseen speaker asked Liu Lang to explain his real intentions.

• Liu Lang insulted Weng Jinghe and clashed with him until the Red-clad Woman intervened.
• Liu Lang urged the Unorthodox Path members to stay and confront Dragon Tiger, persuading nearly fifty of them to remain while Lin Chaofeng and others left.
• Liu Lang proposed feigning an attack on Hundred Herbs Hall to draw Dragon Tiger away from the Xiao Family estate, then volunteered to lead the group there with Chu Xiudao.
• Ge Laosan woke and learned that the group intended to ambush Dragon Tiger, while Weng Jinghe privately planned to use the distraction to complete Bright Moon Tower's assignment.
• Liu Lang and Chu Xiudao returned to Hundred Herbs Hall by way of Black Fish Alley, where Chu Xiudao demanded an explanation and an unseen voice echoed his question.

Chen Yi learned that powerful aristocratic families might hold secrets tied to changes of dynasty, while he and Liu Lang planned to deal with the Unorthodox Path practitioners in Shuzhou. At Tingyu Pavilion, Chen Yunfan confronted Chunying about the secret orders that had brought him to Shuzhou and lamented that Chen Yi had outgrown their schemes.

• Chen Yi arrived at Hundred Herbs Hall, where Liu Lang explained that he had gathered the Unorthodox Path practitioners in one place so Chen Yi could deal with them more easily.
• Chu Xiudao told Chen Yi that only powerful, long-established aristocratic families knew secrets concerning changes in the Central Plains Imperial Court, prompting Chen Yi to suspect those families might drive dynastic upheavals.
• Chen Yi left Liu Lang to arrange a meeting with the Unorthodox Path practitioners and returned to the Xiao residence to cultivate while planning to speak with Chen Xuanji and Lord Yang.
• Chen Yunfan sang sadly at Tingyu Pavilion, then questioned Chunying and revealed that he had guessed her secret orders were meant to bring him to Shuzhou.
• Chen Yunfan said that Chen Yi had been worse off under their schemes, but lamented that Chen Yi was no longer what he once was.

Chen Yunfan learned that his father planned to explain the Chen and Cui families’ situation in Shuzhou, and he drank himself into grief over his love for Cui Qingwu. The next morning, Chen Yi suspected Xiao Jinghong’s vague letter hinted at trouble with the Barbarian Tribe, while Xiao Jinghong ordered scouts to investigate increased Barbarian activity near Mengshui Pass.

• Lin Zhong told Chunying not to fetch Lang Wine and brought wine to Chen Yunfan, who confessed he had expected the Chen and Cui families’ marriage alliance to fail and drank until he was drunk.
• Chunying covered Chen Yunfan with a quilt, and he lamented that it was hard to have both the life he had and the person he loved.
• After the storm, Shuzhou residents and the Xiao Family’s servants cleared debris, while Xiao Die cleaned Chunhe Garden and helped Xiao Wuge get ready.
• Chen Yi read Xiao Jinghong’s letter, noticed its vague timing and unusual instructions, and suspected that the Barbarian Tribe was moving; he told Shen Huatang he would visit Jishi Pharmacy.
• At Mengshui Pass, Xiao Jinghong observed that more Barbarians had gathered in the mountains and ordered Ma Kui to send elite scouts to investigate.

Xiao Jinghong tightened Mengshui Pass’s defenses as signs of barbarian activity emerged, then faced a barbarian Grandmaster who taunted the garrison and slaughtered returning scouts. The chapter ended with Ma Kui enraged as the Grandmaster killed two scouts in midair just outside the pass.

• Ma Kui sent a hundred elite scouts into the forests to count the barbarians, while Xiao Jinghong ordered stricter defenses and a curfew at Mengshui Pass.
• Xiao Jinghong warned Su Zhenyue that the barbarian upheaval could bring forces near the pass, and she resolved to challenge barbarian experts herself to advance her Sword Dao.
• After Three Drum Strikes, Xiao Jinghong revealed a barbarian Grandmaster beside five dead scouts and tried to strike him with Sword Intent, but he emerged unharmed and mocked the Wei people.
• Xiao Jinghong refused to take the barbarian Grandmaster’s bait, while Shi Junqing organized the garrison and the Retreat Horn recalled the scouts.
• Ma Kui counted only thirty-three returning scouts before the barbarian Grandmaster intercepted them and attacked, killing two by hurling them against the pass.

Xiao Jinghong fought Wula outside Mengshui Pass to give the surviving scouts time to return, but an unseen force trapped her until her master, Li Wudang, arrived. Li Wudang killed Wula despite a Hidden Immortal’s intervention and faced the frail Barbarian who had emerged from the mountain forest.

• Shi Junqing stopped Ma Kui from leaving the walls and ordered archers and ballistae to prepare against Wula.
• Xiao Jinghong attacked Wula and held him off while the thirty-one surviving scouts fled toward Mengshui Pass.
• Wula tried to pursue the scouts, but Xiao Jinghong wounded his wolf spirit and kept him occupied until the scouts reached the walls.
• An unseen attacker restrained Xiao Jinghong as she tried to withdraw, but Li Wudang arrived and freed her.
• Li Wudang ignored Wula’s appeal to the rules and destroyed him with Sword Intent, despite a pool of blood appearing to shield him.
• A frail Barbarian emerged from the mountain forest, and Li Wudang recognized him and challenged him for remaining alive.

Li Wudang confronted Great Asa over the Barbarian Tribe’s attacks on Central Plains warriors and threatened to demand an answer himself. After killing Tu Meng and forcing the Barbarians to retreat, he reunited with Xiao Jinghong at Mengshui Pass and asked for food and wine.

• Tu Meng admitted he had tried to take a Central Plains soldier, and Li Wudang called Great Asa to account for the attack and earlier assaults on Central Plains Heavenly Prides.
• Great Asa insisted the Hidden Immortal rules still stood, while Li Wudang demanded punishment for Tu Meng, Wenkela, and the others who had attacked Central Plains juniors.
• Li Wudang spread Sword Intent across the land south of Mengshui Pass, wounding the hidden Barbarians and making clear he would challenge Great Asa if he refused to answer.
• Tu Meng accepted responsibility, asked Li Wudang to let the matter end, and died beneath the Sword Intent; Great Asa then declared he would wait for Li Wudang at the Eastern Sea in two years and ordered the Barbarians to retreat a hundred li.
• Li Wudang returned to Mengshui Pass, reassured Xiao Jinghong that she was not to blame, and asked her to prepare wine and food.

After saving Xiao Jinghong at Mengshui Pass, Li Wudang urged her to curb her impatience and explained the divination that had prompted him to come. He agreed to stay in Shuzhou and guide her before the Hidden Immortal Competition, while Chu Xiudao and Liu Lang waited at the Hundred Herbs Hall for an unknown arrival.

• Xiao Jinghong joined Li Wudang after reassuring the soldiers at Mengshui Pass, and he asked about her parents and White Immortal.
• Li Wudang told Xiao Jinghong that White Immortal had persuaded several Central Plains Earthly Immortals to consider joining the Hidden Immortal Competition, though Daoist Zhongwu had reconsidered.
• Xiao Jinghong recounted her recent choices, and Li Wudang warned that her eagerness to protect her family and grow stronger had made her reckless.
• Li Wudang revealed White Immortal's reading that Xiao Jinghong's future depended on whether her thoughts could flow freely, and said the reading had prompted him to hurry to her.
• Li Wudang confirmed he would enter the Hidden Immortal Competition and agreed to remain in Shuzhou to guide Xiao Jinghong's Sword Dao.
• At the Hundred Herbs Hall, Chu Xiudao and Liu Lang waited together, and Chu Xiudao said that some people would die whether or not the expected visitors came.

Liu Lang and Chu Xiudao met with the Unorthodox Path members who had gathered in Shuzhou to lure “Dragon Tiger” away and investigate the Xiao Family. Liu Lang was left to face Madam Sun and Weng Jinghe at Hundred Herbs Hall, where he revealed his intent to kill them and attacked Madam Sun.

• Liu Lang and Chu Xiudao counted thirty-two Unorthodox Path members and agreed that Liu Lang would stay at Hundred Herbs Hall while Chu Xiudao led the others toward the Xiao Family.
• Madam Sun and Weng Jinghe both chose to stay with Liu Lang, leaving him to face the two powerful Unorthodox Path figures.
• Liu Lang suggested burning the valuable Hundred Herbs Hall signboard, and Weng Jinghe went inside to start the fire.
• After Madam Sun moved toward Yunqing Tower, Liu Lang drew his saber and told her he had wanted to kill them all.
• Liu Lang struck Madam Sun with Sacrificial Blade, and she counterattacked with her whip while shouting that Weng Jinghe had been fooled.

Liu Lang fought Madam Sun in the West Market while Chen Yi kept Weng Jinghe under guard inside Hundred Herbs Hall. After Liu Lang defeated Madam Sun and returned, Chen Yi handed Weng Jinghe over to him for punishment.

• Huan'er evacuated Yunqing Tower after Liu Lang’s saber strike damaged its eaves and hurried to tell the young lady at Tingyu Pavilion.
• Liu Lang revealed himself as Blade Ghost’s disciple and used Ghost Saber techniques to drive Madam Sun into retreat.
• Weng Jinghe stayed inside Hundred Herbs Hall because Chen Yi, wearing a Black Iron Mask, had caught him trying to steal the plaque.
• Chen Yi watched the battle and studied Liu Lang’s Ghost Blade Technique while keeping Weng Jinghe from leaving.
• Liu Lang narrowly defeated Madam Sun, carried her back, and confronted Weng Jinghe after Chen Yi told him to handle the punishment.

Liu Lang killed Weng Jinghe after defeating Madam Sun, while Chen Yi and Chu Xiudao dealt with the remaining Unorthodox Path followers. Cui Qingwu investigated the damage to Yunqing Tower, and Chen Yi explained his plan to Chu Xiudao, who asked whether he intended to kill Zhao Martial Marquis’s legitimate son.

• Liu Lang overwhelmed Weng Jinghe with Ghost Saber techniques and killed him, while leaving the stronger Madam Sun alive.
• Liu Lang reported his success to Chen Yi and tried to negotiate restrictions for a future spar; Chu Xiudao confirmed that his own task was complete.
• Chen Yi, Chu Xiudao, and Liu Lang left the West Market, with Chu Xiudao saying he had handed the unconscious Unorthodox Path followers to the Judicial Department.
• Cui Qingwu inspected the damage to Yunqing Tower, chose not to confront Hundred Herbs Hall, and instructed Huan'er to take Uncle Jia to report the incident to the Yamen.
• Chen Yi dismissed a Fortune notice and described his plan to Chu Xiudao, who asked if he meant to kill Zhao Martial Marquis’s legitimate son.

Chen Yi arranged for Liu Lang to watch Zhao Wenjing while he visited the imprisoned Song Jin Jian and learned about the Jizhou Trading Company's network in Shuzhou. Song Jin Jian revealed Jia Xingzhi's role in the company, and Chen Yi then asked what Song Jin Jian knew about Marquis Zhaowu.

• Chen Yi explained that he avoided acting openly to limit trouble for the Xiao Family and Shuzhou, then asked Liu Lang to watch Zhao Wenjing for two days.
• Chen Yi visited Song Jin Jian, told him how he had rescued Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing from the Barbarian Tribe, and returned the Uncontested Sword to him.
• Song Jin Jian agreed to identify his contacts in Shuzhou in exchange for Chen Yi arranging delivery of a letter to someone in Capital Prefecture.
• Song Jin Jian gave Chen Yi a list of nearly a hundred agents, including spies from the Poshushuo Kingdom and the Barbarian Tribe, and confirmed that Jia Xingzhi was a Jizhou Trading Company Hall Director who handled personnel in Shuzhou.
• Chen Yi asked Song Jin Jian what he knew about Marquis Zhaowu, and Song Jin Jian wondered whether Chen Yi had crossed paths with the Zhao Family of Guangyue Prefecture.

Chen Yi learned more about the Zhao Family’s hidden connections, identified a Jizhou Trading Company agent on Song Jin Jian’s register, and planned how to strengthen the Xiao Family’s position in Shuzhou. The chapter left him anticipating a banquet hosted by Jia Xingzhi the next day.

• Song Jin Jian told Chen Yi that the Zhao Family had ties to the Blood River Group, border bandits, and powerful figures in Capital Prefecture, while Chen Yi said he would not go to Guangyue Prefecture unless they caused trouble in Shuzhou.
• Song Jin Jian surrendered the Uncontested Sword to Chen Yi and began writing the letter Chen Yi had requested.
• Chen Yi compared Song Jin Jian’s register with General Star’s and discovered that Cai Yutian, a member of the Youzhou Cai Family, also worked for the Jizhou Trading Company.
• Chen Yi planned to remove one of three threats to the Xiao Family and considered using Zhao Wenjing to turn powerful families and officials against one another.
• Elder Master Xiao discussed the attack on the Hundred Herbs Hall with his family and planned to seek help from the Wan Family, Liu Si, and Yang Ye.
• Chen Yi received intelligence that Jia Xingzhi would host a banquet at Yunqing Tower the next day and wondered whom he planned to entertain.

Chen Yi weighed the risks of Jia Xingzhi’s arrival in Shuzhou and cultivated while Hundred Herbs Hall dealt with the aftermath of the attack. Jia Xingzhi met Wang Ji to propose expanding their tea business and invited him to lunch, hoping to speak with Chen Yi later.

• Chen Yi considered the political consequences if Jia Xingzhi or the others were harmed in Shuzhou, then cultivated the Four Symbols Technique and assessed his path toward the Grandmaster Realm.
• Crowds gathered outside Hundred Herbs Hall after the previous night’s attack, and Wang Ji repeatedly explained that he did not know the details or Chen Yi’s whereabouts.
• Jia Xingzhi visited Hundred Herbs Hall, examined its operations, and told Wang Ji that he wanted to discuss business.
• Jia Xingzhi proposed distributing Hundred Herbs Hall’s distinctive tea drinks throughout the Nine Provinces and Three Prefectures, but Wang Ji said Chen Yi had to decide.
• Jia Xingzhi asked Wang Ji to relay his request to meet Chen Yi and invited him to lunch, declaring the meal settled before Wang Ji could refuse.

Wang Ji reported that Jia Xingzhi wanted Hundred Herbs Hall to join the Qinghe Cui Family and invited him to a banquet, while Jia Xingzhi plotted against the Xiao Family and the mysterious “Dragon Tiger.” Chen Yi agreed to meet Jia Xingzhi in a few days, sent Wang Ji to the banquet with a protective painting, and began planning a gift in return.

• Wang Ji agreed to visit Xiao Manor and decided to report Jia Xingzhi’s proposal to Chen Yi rather than make any decision himself.
• At Yunqing Tower, Jia Xingzhi learned Wang Ji was heading toward the Xiao Family and ordered his men to investigate the estate and keep watch on Hundred Herbs Hall.
• Jia Xingzhi discussed the missing Song Jin Jian and preparations to stop the incoming Minister of War from disrupting the master’s plans.
• Wang Ji told Chen Yi that Jia Xingzhi wanted Hundred Herbs Hall under the Cui Family and had invited him to lunch with two distinguished guests.
• Chen Yi agreed to meet Jia Xingzhi in a few days, told Wang Ji to attend the banquet with gifts, and gave him a painting that would summon Chen Yi if he faced danger.
• After Wang Ji left, Chen Yi moved chess pieces and began planning a grand gift for Jia Xingzhi.

Chen Yi took Xiao Wuge, Pei Guanli, and Xiao Die on an outing to Yunqing Tower, where he overheard a banquet hosted by Jia Xingzhi for Zhao Wenjing, Li Huaigu, and other officials. Jia revealed that Cui Qingwu wanted their help erecting a stele honoring Shuzhou’s defenders and intended to include the name of the late Marquis Xiao Fengchun.

• Chen Yi praised Xiao Wuge and Pei Guanli’s training, then agreed to take them and Xiao Die into town with guards accompanying them.
• Chen Yi observed that Shuzhou’s streets held fewer Jianghu guests than the previous day and took the group to Yunqing Tower.
• Chen Yi listened in on Jia Xingzhi’s banquet and heard Zhao Yi leave after learning Cui Qingwu was absent.
• Jia Xingzhi told Zhao Wenjing, Li Huaigu, and the other guests that Cui Qingwu wanted to erect a stele honoring those who had guarded Shuzhou.
• Jia Xingzhi said Cui Qingwu wanted the stele to bear the names of fallen defenders, including Marquis Xiao Fengchun.

Jia Xingzhi used a proposal to build a monument honoring Shuzhou’s forebears to test the officials and draw out Chen Yi, while Zhao Wenjing humiliated Wang Ji at the banquet. Chen Yi recognized that the scheme targeted him but chose not to meet Jia Xingzhi, who began preparing for someone’s arrival in Shuzhou.

• Jia Xingzhi proposed building a monument for Shuzhou’s forebears, and the officials agreed while Li Huaigu insisted that Old Marquis Xiao be consulted.
• Zhao Wenjing questioned Wang Ji about Hundred Herbs Hall and mocked him for not knowing where his employer, “Dragon Tiger,” was; Wang Ji left the banquet in anger.
• Chen Yi deduced that Jia Xingzhi had invited and insulted Wang Ji to provoke him, but decided to avoid meeting Jia Xingzhi and continue his own plans.
• After Chen Yi left with Xiao Wuge, Pei Guanli, and Xiao Die, a waiter told Jia Xingzhi that Chen Qingzhou had been at the restaurant with the Young Marquis.
• Jia Xingzhi learned that Wang Ji had visited the Xiao Family and gone to see Xiao Wan'er, then asked Zhao Wenjing about preparations at the Post Station for an expected arrival.