Recaps

Shen Tang secured an uneasy trade deal with the Northern Desert, established Kang’s government and military systems, and oversaw Qi Shan’s adoption of Qi Miao. The arc ended with Qin Li preparing to strike Wu Xian and Qian Yong returning to tunnel work after receiving a noble title.

• Shen Tang attended the Assembly of Gods, learned about its far-reaching membership and mysterious meeting system, and demanded DingTalk for Kang’s officials.
• Qi Shan killed the former Assembly president, while Shen Tang chose Yuan Huang as Kang’s Reign Title and welcomed Elder Physician Dong as a newly awakened medical scholar.
• Shen Tang rejected Wu Yuan’s proposed alliance but negotiated a restricted trade deal, selling one-generation grain seeds while limiting tea, salt, and other goods.
• Kang Nian arranged for Qi Shan to adopt Kang Miao, who became Qi Miao and began training in medicine so she could treat women.
• Shen Tang and her officials settled Kang’s government appointments, appointed Qi Shan Grand Preceptor, and established a new system of regional guards and military service.
• Shen Tang authorized Qin Li to strike Wu Xian and planned to use the attack as grounds to intervene in his affairs.
• Shen Tang honored Gu Ziyi posthumously and granted Qian Yong a Commandery Duke title, after which Qian Yong returned with his men to digging a tunnel.

Jimò Qiu’s Wisdom Aperture opened after Jimò Yu gave his life, and he reunited with Gongxi Chou while traveling toward Fengluo. Meanwhile, Shen Tang uncovered a grain theft tied to a corrupt loan scheme and Northern Desert agents, then crushed the network and turned to the threats surrounding Gongxi Lai’s wedding.

• Chao Lian returned to Qi, and five years later Jimò Yu led Jimò Qiu and his companions to the hidden underground palace, where he sacrificed himself to unseal Jimò Qiu’s Wisdom Aperture.
• Jimò Qiu cremated Jimò Yu and fled Qi with Lin Si Shu’s group, while Gongxi Chou searched for his nephew and challenged warriors under the name Strange Hero Chou.
• Shen Tang uncovered a corrupt official loan scheme in Jinli Commandery while investigating the missing granary grain and the disappearance of Zheng Yu.
• Shen Tang captured Chancellor Liu and learned the Courtesan had helped Zheng Yu escape, while evidence pointed to Northern Desert agents and rebel involvement in the case.
• Gongxi Chou fought Gong Cheng, and Jimò Qiu interrupted the battle before the two discovered they were uncle and nephew.
• Gongxi Chou joined Jimò Qiu’s companions and agreed to seek out Gongxi Lai’s wedding in Fengluo, despite the danger surrounding Xun Ding.
• Shen Tang ordered the execution of captured rebels and Northern Desert agents, while Jiang Sheng warned that Xun Ding would face a blood calamity.
• In Fengluo, Gongxi Chou reunited with Lin Feng, who welcomed Lin Si Shu and the others into her home, and he asked whether she knew where his former subordinates were.

Gongxi Lai and Xun Ding married as Shen Tang prepared Kang Country for war, while Qi Shan and Jimò Qiu’s family ties and the Gongxi Clan’s secrets came to light. As Kang and the Northern Desert moved toward battle, Shen Tang’s forces confronted Yun Da and Gong Cheng at the border.

• Gongxi Chou accepted Xun Ding’s marriage to Gongxi Lai after warning him to treat her well, and learned that Jimò Qiu might be his elder brother.
• Jimò Qiu recognized Shen Tang from his childhood, and his Hundred Flowers Blooming formation filled the capital with flowers for Gongxi Lai and Xun Ding’s wedding.
• Luan Xin reported divisions in Gao Country, and Shen Tang mobilized Kang Country as war with the Northern Desert approached.
• Qi Shan faced criticism over his household and cats while supporting abandoned infants, and Fang Yan and Chao Lian began planning to join the campaign.
• Jimò Qiu agreed to accompany Gongxi Chou to the Northern Desert, and Shen Tang learned that the enemy’s divided court was buying Kang Country time to prepare.
• Gong Cheng met the silver-haired Yun Da, while Qi Shan and Tan Qu were sheltered by the hidden Gongxi Clan before becoming lost in wolf territory.
• Shen Tang reached the border pass as the Northern Desert advanced, and Jimò Qiu raised a tree wall to shield the army from Yun Da’s blizzard.
• Shen Tang, Gongxi Chou, and Qi Shan fought Yun Da until Shen Tang trapped him among the trees, while Gongxi Chou faced Gong Cheng and Gong Cheng revealed his Eighteenth Rank form.

Shen Tang’s forces struck the Northern Desert’s supply lines and camp while Gongshu Wu faced Gong Cheng and survived as a crystal skeleton. As the campaign continued, Jimò Qiu uncovered the old Clan Land’s hidden history, and Gao Country’s attack on Heyin ended diplomatic talks.

• Shen Tang and Qi Shan reconciled after Three-Year-Old Goodness severed their connection, while the Xinglin Physician told Shen Tang about Northern Desert killings of Kang women and their children.
• Lin Feng and Su Shi Yilu infiltrated a Northern Desert granary, exposed corrupt supply deals, and burned the stores before escaping with their troops.
• Shen Tang advanced north as Gongshu Wu and Lu Ji intercepted a grain convoy, where Gong Cheng confronted Gongshu Wu and learned he was his uncle, Gong Yili.
• Gongshu Wu fought Gong Cheng alongside the spirits of Gong Clan ancestors, then survived the battle with Shao Chong’s help and returned to Shen Tang’s army as a skeletal figure.
• Shen Tang’s army burned the Northern Desert camp while Gongxi Chou held Yun Da back, and Gongshu Wu joined the advance after learning of the attack.
• Jimò Qiu reached the old Clan Land, met Zhai Le and Yu Hai, and learned from Wuming that an apocalypse had driven survivors into Peach Blossom Spring and that the Gongxi Clan had been among the last to leave.
• Shen Tang protected Gongshu Wu’s reputation and rewarded his troops, while Gong Cheng told Yun Da that Gongshu Wu had destroyed the Northern Desert’s main camp.
• Shen Tang and Qi Shan learned that Qin Li had stirred turmoil in Gao Country, whose troops attacked Heyin and then sent Zhao Feng’s envoy back with his head, ending negotiations.