Chapter Summaries

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 Liu Jing’s death and the Burning of Three Towns’ Summer Grain to Elder Master Xiao, then claimed that Fu Wanqing had survived and was living among the Barbarian Tribe. After Chen Yi healed the old patriarch and secured his agreement to respond to a future crisis in Shuzhou City, the Xiao Family planned to verify Fu Wanqing’s whereabouts without telling Jinghong.

• Chen Yi explained how he had killed Liu Jing and arranged events surrounding the Burning of Three Towns’ Summer Grain, while concealing several important connections and motives.
• Elder Master Xiao asked why Chen Yi helped the Xiao Family and wanted to deal with the Liu Family of Jingzhou, and Chen Yi cited his gratitude to the Xiao Family and a debt to Fu Wanqing.
• Chen Yi said Fu Wanqing was alive in the Black Bear Tribe, shocking Elder Master Xiao and Xiao Jing; the old patriarch became so enraged that he began coughing.
• Chen Yi used Silver Needles and the Midnight-Noon Flowing Injection Method to improve Elder Master Xiao’s injuries, impressing Xiao Jing with his Medical Dao.
• Elder Master Xiao agreed to help resolve a future crisis in Shuzhou City and warned Chen Yi not to underestimate Liu Hong.
• After Chen Yi left for Jiaxing Garden, Elder Master Xiao ordered Xiao Jing to verify whether Fu Wanqing was in the Black Bear Tribe and keep the matter from Jinghong.

Chen Yi revealed his role in Liu Jing’s death and the Three Towns grain crisis to Elder Master Xiao, then claimed Fu Wanqing was alive among the Barbarian Tribe. After treating the old master and winning his agreement to help with an undisclosed future crisis in Shuzhou City, Chen Yi left, while Elder Master Xiao ordered a discreet search for Fu Wanqing.

• Chen Yi told Elder Master Xiao and Xiao Jing how he had killed Liu Jing and helped set the Burning of Three Towns’ Summer Grain in motion, while concealing key parts of his plans.
• When Elder Master Xiao questioned why he aided the Xiao Family and opposed the Liu Family of Jingzhou, Chen Yi said the old master had once saved him and that Fu Wanqing had shown him kindness.
• Chen Yi revealed that Fu Wanqing was alive in the Black Bear Tribe, shocking Elder Master Xiao and Xiao Jing.
• Chen Yi used twelve Silver Needles and the Meridian Flow Method to improve Elder Master Xiao’s failing health.
• Chen Yi asked Elder Master Xiao to resolve a startling change in Shuzhou City in a few days, and the old master agreed while warning him not to underestimate Liu Hong.
• After Chen Yi left for Jiaxing Garden, Elder Master Xiao ordered Xiao Jing to verify whether Fu Wanqing was in the Black Bear Tribe and keep the matter from Xiao Jinghong.

Chen Yi visited the Xiao mansion, told Xiao Yuan that Fu Wanqing might still be alive, and then attended a banquet where the Xiao family hinted at matching him with Xiao Wan'er. He left before the arrangement could go further and noticed that news from Du Cang had arrived as his carriage passed the Prefectural Yamen.

• Chen Yi informed Xiao Yuan that Fu Wanqing had not died, then went to Jiaxing Garden with Wang Ji.
• Chen Yi met Xiao Wan'er and Cui Qingwu, rebuffed Cui Qingwu's probing questions, and left the banquet early.
• Xiao Shen brought Xiao Wan'er the jar of Daughter's Red that her father had buried, suggesting Xiao Yuan intended it for her and Chen Yi.
• Xiao Wan'er escorted Chen Yi out, while Cui Qingwu wondered why Xiao Yuan favored him and whether Xiao Wan'er cared for Mr. Qingzhou.
• Wang Ji speculated that Chen Yi might marry Xiao Wan'er, and Chen Yi decided to avoid appearing as Chen Yu again for a while.
• Chen Yi saw the Prefectural Yamen from his carriage and wondered whether Du Cang's news had arrived.

Chen Yi interpreted the Prefectural Yamen notice as a request from Lou Yuxue to meet, then visited Pei Guanli and told her she could return to the Xiao Family within five days. He also secured Asutai’s agreement to return to the Barbarian Tribe and help ensure Liu Hong’s death, though Chen Yi still had further conditions to explain.

• Chen Yi reasoned that the White Tiger Guard’s notice likely concerned Du Cang and Lou Yuxue, then left his carriage in disguise and sent Wang Ji to carry out an afternoon plan near the grain shops.
• Chen Yi visited Pei Guanli, heard her and Pei Gan arguing about him, and discussed the Five Poisons Sect’s movements with Pei Gan.
• After Pei Gan left, Chen Yi told Pei Guanli she could return to the Xiao Family within five days and went to the underground quiet room.
• Chen Yi woke Asutai and offered to send him back to the Barbarian Tribe in exchange for several favors.
• Asutai agreed to return and accepted that Liu Hong would die without being killed by his own hand, and Chen Yi said he still had two more matters for him.

Chen Yi arranged for Asutai to return to the Barbarian Tribe through Liu Hong and asked him to protect Mr. Fu and deliver a message. As Chen Yi investigated the annual examination and rumors spread that Lü Jiunan was alive, Lin Zhenghong learned the news just as grain prices were enriching his family.

• Chen Yi secured Asutai’s agreement to return to the Barbarian Tribe through Liu Hong, protect Mr. Fu, and tell her that everything at home was well.
• Chen Yi spoke with Mr. Yue Ming and Mr. Zhuo Ying at Guiyun Academy about Liu Gongmo’s apparent reassurance of Aristocratic Families and the risks to the annual examination.
• Chen Yi left Pei Guanli at the residence and promised to take her to watch a show that night.
• Rumors that Lü Jiunan had survived Liu Wu’s attack spread through the East Market queues, raising hopes that grain prices would fall.
• Lin Zhenghong celebrated the Lin Family Grain Merchant’s profits until a servant told him that Lü Jiunan was reportedly still alive.

Li Sanyuan revealed that he served Pingzheng Hall and reprimanded Lin Zhenghong for ignoring the Trading Company’s interests and the risk posed by Lü Jiunan. Lin Zhenghong and the other grain merchants sold their grain to Cui Qingwu, who recognized that Liu Wu had arranged the deal as part of a larger plan and prepared to go out.

• Li Sanyuan revealed his Pingzheng Hall token and warned Lin Zhenghong that he had made three mistakes by treating the Trading Company’s grain as family property, seeking petty gain, and failing to prepare for the news about Lü Jiunan.
• Li Sanyuan judged that grain prices had nearly peaked and advised Lin Zhenghong to transfer the grain to a suitable buyer, suggesting Cui Qingwu and a lower price.
• Lin Zhenghong and the other grain merchants offered to sell their grain to Cui Qingwu, who bargained them down to ten taels per dan and signed a contract to divide the profits after the sale.
• The grain merchants left believing they had made a fortune, while Cui Qingwu said they had been cheated and prepared to go out, wondering again about Liu Wu’s plans.

Cui Qingwu saw Chen Yunfan practicing and sensed he was nearing a breakthrough, while Chen Yi prepared a scheme involving the grain merchants and Lü Jiunan. After learning the merchants had already sold their grain to Cui Qingwu, Chen Yi agreed to help the White Tiger Guard ambush Du Cang and heard that someone was seeking Asutai.

• Cui Qingwu watched Chen Yunfan practice basic sword moves in the rain and concluded that he was close to the Perfection Realm of the Sword Dao.
• Chen Yi read a history book, drank the ginseng soup Xiao Die brought him, and heard her encouragement about his annual examination.
• Chen Yi disguised himself as Liu Wu and met Cui Qingwu and Lou Yuxue, who told him the grain merchants had already sold their grain to Cui Qingwu.
• Chen Yi revealed that he had saved Lü Jiunan and guessed that the General Star had asked Lou Yuxue to give him a letter instead of pursuing the plan to kill him.
• Lou Yuxue told Chen Yi that the White Tiger Guard wanted to join forces with him to ambush Du Cang, and Chen Yi agreed to act as bait at Chishui River five days later.
• Lou Yuxue reported that a young-seeming stranger had paid a deposit to find Asutai and that his old servant looked familiar.

Chen Yi identified Liu Hong as the disguised man who had commissioned Bright Moon Tower to find Asutai, then discussed plans to lure Du Cang and sabotage the Jizhou Trading Company’s grain scheme. At the General Star’s meeting with Cui Qingwu, he revealed that the White Tiger Guard knew her purpose in Shuzhou and asked her to help target Commander-in-Chief Zhu Hao.

• Chen Yi identified Liu Hong as the disguised client seeking Asutai and suspected Du Cang had pressured him to find the Barbarian Tribe heir apparent.
• Chen Yi and Cui Qingwu agreed to tip off the grain merchants and use Cui Qingwu’s subordinates to ensure the Jizhou Trading Company suffered a major loss.
• Lou Yuxue worried about Chen Yi confronting Du Cang, while Chen Yi left to send Asutai away before the planned meeting five days later.
• Cui Qingwu reported Liu Hong’s visit and Chen Yi’s plan to lure Du Cang to the Chishui River to the General Star.
• The General Star revealed that he knew Cui Qingwu had come to Shuzhou to help Chen Yunfan and said the White Tiger Guard wanted evidence against Zhu Hao.
• Cui Qingwu asked the General Star to give her the evidence against Zhu Hao so she could help Chen Yunfan advance.

Cui Qingwu told Chen Yunfan that she was a White Tiger Guard Silver Banner Officer, while Chen Yi brought Asutai to the Liu residence to see how Liu Hong would handle the captive. Liu Hong chose to keep Asutai under guard and report the matter to the Imperial Court, and Chen Yi left with Pei Guanli after judging him a treacherous hero; a new daily intelligence revealed that Yuan Liu'er would sell herself to bury her father.

• Cui Qingwu told Chen Yunfan she was the White Tiger Guard Silver Banner Officer Luanfeng and had refused the White Tiger Guard's arrangements.
• Chen Yunfan learned that Lü Jiunan might still be alive and ordered Chunying to investigate suspicious creatures in the city, keep Ning Yu following Cui Qingwu, and prepare a letter to his father.
• Chen Yi carried the unconscious Asutai and Pei Guanli to the Liu residence, knocked out the guards, and woke Asutai outside Liu Hong's study.
• Liu Hong recognized Asutai and ordered Liu Taoyao to guard him while he reported the matter to the Imperial Court.
• Chen Yi watched Liu Hong's response, then left with Pei Guanli as a daily intelligence announced that Yuan Liu'er would sell herself to bury her father.

Chen Yi returned to Chunhe Garden after delivering Asutai to the Liu residence, while Du Cang identified the mysterious visitor as Liu Wu and learned that Liu Hong suspected Liu Wu belonged to the Xiao Family. Du Cang vowed to kill Liu Wu and promised to leave the Xiao Family a grand gift.

• Chen Yi sent Pei Guanli to the residence on Chuanxi Street, returned to Chunhe Garden, and resumed cultivating the Four Symbols Technique.
• Chen Yunfan reviewed governmental affairs as Cui Qingwu considered seeking help to interpret Lin Huai'an's letter.
• Zhao Liuan questioned the Liu Family guards about the intruder, then discovered that the remaining guard was Du Cang in disguise.
• Du Cang used his treasure to identify the intruder as Liu Wu, and Zhao Liuan led him to meet Liu Hong.
• Liu Hong told Du Cang what he knew about Liu Wu and said he suspected Liu Wu was a member of the Xiao Family.
• Du Cang declared that he would kill Liu Wu and leave the Xiao Family a grand gift before departing.

Liu Hong persuaded Du Cang to target Chen Yi instead of Xiao Yuan, while Du Cang took Asutai away and Liu Hong ordered a search for Liu Wu. At the Xiao residence, Xiao Wuge continued her training, Xiao Wan'er went to meet Cui Qingwu, and Chen Yi decided to go out and investigate a business involving selling oneself to bury one’s father.

• Liu Hong warned Du Cang that killing Xiao Yuan could provoke the Dingyuan Army and court, then suggested taking Chen Yi as a more suitable target, and Du Cang agreed.
• Du Cang greeted Asutai, knocked him unconscious with black mist, and carried him away; Liu Hong then ordered Zhao Liuan to find Liu Wu and told Yao'er to stay out of sight.
• Xiao Wuge left Chunhe Garden with Wang Lixing for her morning training, while Xiao Die checked the almanac and prepared to go out on a favorable travel day.
• Shen Huatang told Xie Tingyun she would test the younger disciples’ Martial Path the next morning, and Xiao Wan'er left to meet Cui Qingwu about the Medical Dao Academy.
• Chen Yi shared Xiao Wan'er's chicken soup with Xiao Die, let her go out to prepare clothes, and then left Chunhe Garden to investigate the business of selling oneself to bury one's father.

Chen Yi arranged for Ma Liangcai to join Xiao Wan'er’s planned Medical Dao Academy and take Yuan Liu'er as an apprentice after her father died in poverty. As Chen Yi considered the consequences of his schemes across Shuzhou, his Chess Dao reached the Perfection Realm, expanding the scope of the board he could oversee.

• Chen Yi met with Ma Liangcai at Jishi Pharmacy and asked him to join the Medical Dao Academy as his eyes and ears, while also compiling Medical Dao texts.
• Chen Yi saw Yuan Liu'er selling herself to pay for her father's burial and ordered Liu Quan to provide silver for the funeral.
• Chen Yi instructed Ma Liangcai to accept Yuan Liu'er as an apprentice, and she remained at Jishi Pharmacy instead of becoming a servant.
• Chen Yi reflected on the people affected by his schemes and assessed the positions of Elder Master Xiao, Liu Hong, Liu Zhaoxue, the White Tiger Guard, and the Jizhou Trading Company.
• Chen Yi's Thousand Hands Chess Manual reached the perfect grade, and his Chess Dao advanced to the Perfection Realm, extending his mental chessboard across Shuzhou and into other prefectures.

Chen Yi advanced his Chess Dao after helping Yuan Liu'er, then set plans in motion against the Jizhou Trading Company while an enemy possessed Uncle Gui and discovered Liu Wu’s scent in Chunhe Garden. When Chen Yi returned to the garden, he found it transformed by a sinister art and faced the gaunt old man, who recognized him as “Dragon Spear” and Mr. Qingzhou.

• Chen Yi’s insight into the Chess Dao reached the Perfection Realm after he helped Yuan Liu'er, and Ma Liangcai agreed to bring her to the Medicine Hall after her father’s funeral.
• A scarlet-eyed intruder took over Uncle Gui, entered the Xiao Family, and traced Liu Wu’s scent to Chunhe Garden, where he found Chen Yi’s calligraphy.
• Chen Yi ordered Wang Ji to prepare an attack on the Lin Family Grain Merchant, then heard that King Landu’s invasion had prompted a Jizhou Trading Company agent to demand the return of grain transferred to Cui Qingwu.
• Chen Yi returned to Chunhe Garden and found it transformed into a thorn-filled forest by the old man’s secret art, Kut.
• The old man confronted Chen Yi and addressed him as “Dragon Spear” and Mr. Qingzhou.

Chen Yi confronted Du Cang, who mistook him for a hidden Xiao Family substitute named Liu Wu, inside a small world created by Kut. After Du Cang’s wooden puppet proved difficult to damage, Chen Yi unleashed a golden attack that began melting the illusion, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Chen Yi identified the figure wearing Uncle Gui’s appearance as Du Cang and realized that his own identity was in danger.
• Chen Yi concealed his identity by claiming to be Liu Wu, and Du Cang concluded that the Xiao Family had arranged for him to replace Chen Yi.
• Du Cang unleashed his Kut Secret Art, filling the small world with deadly black snow, thorny vines, and bladed branches.
• Chen Yi attacked Du Cang with his Soaring Dragon Form, but the strike passed through him, and Du Cang summoned an apparently indestructible wooden puppet to fight Chen Yi.
• Chen Yi linked his spear to Heaven and Earth Spirit Qi and unleashed golden radiance, melting the black snow, trees, vines, and the small world around him.

After Du Cang abducted Xiao Wan'er, Chen Yi prepared to pursue him while alerting the Xiao Family to Du Cang’s identity and revealing Liu Hong’s collusion with the enemy. The Xiao Family mobilized to find Wan'er and deal with Liu Hong as Chen Yi headed west toward Puyin Temple, carrying the supposedly dead Lü Jiunan.

• Du Cang abducted Xiao Wan'er and challenged Liu Wu to meet him at Puyin Temple by the Chishui River.
• Elder Master Xiao ordered an investigation, sent Wang Lixing to block western routes, and dispatched Shen Huatang to pursue Du Cang with Xie Tingyun.
• Chen Yi, disguised as Chen Yu, told Elder Master Xiao that Du Cang had taken Wan'er and warned him about staged attacks and Liu Hong’s ties to King Landu and the Barbarian Tribe.
• Elder Master Xiao received Chen Yi’s evidence against Liu Hong and began planning a response while the Xiao Family awaited news of Wan'er.
• Chen Yi sent Pei Guanli to safety, took the unconscious Lü Jiunan from the underground Quiet Room, and left through the north city gate in pursuit of Du Cang.
• Jianghu guests recognized Liu Wu and were shocked to see the man he carried looked like the supposedly dead Lü Jiunan.

Chen Yi rescued Xiao Wan'er from Du Cang and fought through the puppets and wooden men while protecting her. After Du Cang impaled him and forced him to abandon his spear, Chen Yi revealed his formidable fist technique and killed him with a single punch.

• Chen Yi shattered Du Cang's Phantom Bone illusion, freed Xiao Wan'er, and faced Du Cang in the abandoned Buddhist hall.
• Chen Yi killed Uncle Gui and the young guard and destroyed Du Cang's wooden puppets while keeping Xiao Wan'er behind him.
• Du Cang attacked Chen Yi with his blades and wooden men, but Chen Yi protected Xiao Wan'er and continued fighting.
• Du Cang transformed a wooden man into himself, stabbed Chen Yi with his own spear, and forced him to release it.
• Chen Yi revealed his mastery of the Fist Dao and killed Du Cang with Collapsing Mountain Fist · Tremor.

Chen Yi rescued Xiao Wan'er from Du Cang, revealed that his Liu Wu identity was a disguise, and brought her safely back to the Xiao residence. A mysterious swordsman announced a coming duel with Gongye Bai, while Xiao Wan'er’s grandfather began discussing a possible marriage between her and Chen Yu.

• Chen Yi killed the injured Lü Jiunan, explained his disguise to Xiao Wan'er, and asked her to keep his identity secret.
• A powerful swordsman appeared in the sky and invited Chen Yi to watch his duel with Gongye Bai at the upper Chishui River on the fifteenth day of the tenth month.
• Asutai declared that Liu Hong should die because Chen Yi was still alive, and Yuan Jingxuan ordered their boat to return immediately.
• Chen Yunfan and others found the aftermath of the battle and learned that Chen Yi had killed Du Cang; Chen Yunfan resolved to train harder.
• Chen Yi returned Xiao Wan'er safely to the Xiao residence, where Elder Master Xiao praised Chen Yu and said he would arrange a marriage between them.

Xiao Wan'er learned that Old Master Xiao planned to match her with Chen Yu, unaware that Chen Yu was Chen Yi, while Liu Hong's plans for Shuzhou unraveled after Liu Wu killed Du Cang. The chapter ended with Chen Yi avoiding a meeting with Xiao Jinghong until he dealt with Liu Hong.

• Xiao Jing reported that Liu Wu had killed Du Cang and earned the name “Dragon Tiger,” prompting Old Master Xiao to consider him a suitable husband for Xiao Wan'er and plan for Xiao Jinghong to meet him.
• Liu Hong learned that Du Cang was dead, Asutai had left the prefectural city, and Xiao Wan'er had returned safely; he ordered Zhao Liuan to investigate the Tea Horse Road and sent Shadow Guards if necessary.
• Liu Hong concluded that his northern ally had stopped responding and resolved to turn against him, then met Yan Jingchen, who reported that Liu Zhaoxue had helped Xinglin Zhai thrive and that preparations could begin the next day.
• Xiao Wuge reunited with Xiao Wan'er and returned with her to Chunhe Garden, where Chen Yi, Xiao Die, and the others celebrated Xiao Wan'er’s safe return.
• Xiao Wan'er slipped Chen Yi a note revealing that Old Master Xiao wanted to marry her to Chen Yu; Chen Yi realized the arrangement could expose his identities and decided to avoid Xiao Jinghong until Liu Hong was dealt with.