Chapter Summaries

Cui Xiao accepted Cui Hui’s choices but grew furious when he learned she had divorced her husband, threatening to kill the man and his family. After Cui Hui revealed her former husband’s ties to Qi Country’s ruling family, she settled in Fugu City, where Qi Shan pointed out a stranger who had been watching her.

• Cui Xiao agreed to respect Cui Hui’s wishes and warned Qi Shan that he would scrutinize him in the Censorate.
• Cui Xiao learned Cui Hui had divorced and threatened her former husband, then discovered the man belonged to a prominent Cui clan in the Southwest.
• Cui Hui revealed that her former husband’s ex-wife was Shen Tang, the Sovereign of Qi Country, and Cui Xiao declared he would deal with Qi Country as well.
• Cui Xiao arranged for Cui Hui to stay in Fugu City, where she rested after her journey.
• Cui Hui went to a night market for food, and Qi Shan told her that an ordinary-looking man had been watching her.

Cui Hui and Qi Shan uncovered a Mei Clan spy in Fugu City, whose trail led to Mei Jinghe, a trusted aide to Qi Country’s Sovereign. Qi Shan anticipated that the bodies would be stolen and secretly replaced them, while Mei Meng learned that her spy had been caught after recognizing Cui Hui.

• Qi Shan noticed a suspicious man watching Cui Hui, and his guards captured him after he tried to leave.
• Cui Hui suspected the man might belong to her former husband’s people, but the interrogation revealed he was a Mei Clan spy who had recognized her by chance.
• Cui Hui identified Mei Jinghe as her former husband’s first wife, now serving Qi Country’s Sovereign, and Qi Shan connected the spy’s presence to wider political maneuvers.
• The spy killed himself, and a woman who came to meet his handler was also found dead; Qi Shan ordered the bodies preserved for questioning.
• Both bodies vanished from the Prefectural Yamen overnight, but Qi Shan revealed he had substituted decoys and secretly moved the real bodies back to camp.
• Mei Meng learned that her spy had been caught after spotting Cui Hui in Fugu City, and her investigation left her face darkened.

Mei Meng ordered her compromised intelligence network dismantled after Qi Shan exposed her informant, then prepared to meet him as an old acquaintance. Lü Jue learned that his wife Mei Meng was nearby, but Qi Shan stopped him from abducting her, leaving the two old acquaintances face to face.

• Mei Meng discovered that Qi Shan had exposed her informant and ordered her subordinates to eliminate the compromised network without fleeing Fugu City.
• Mei Meng recalled how she had once rescued Qi Shan, a wounded Literary Scholar, and how he later restored her treasured painting before they parted on good terms.
• Mei Meng went to visit Cui Hui, where she encountered Qi Shan and greeted him after many years apart.
• Lü Jue learned that Mei Meng was in Heyin Commandery and insisted he wanted to bring her back, while promising Qi Shan he would not betray his lord.
• Qi Shan refused to let Lü Jue use force against Mei Meng, and Lü Jue stayed behind as Mei Meng arrived and greeted Qi Shan.

Mei Meng visited Cui Hui at night, then explained to Qi Shan that she had come to Kang Country seeking a breakthrough and had acted for her own protection. Qi Shan accepted her explanation for now, though he ordered her watched, and later discovered Lü Jue had disappeared.

• Mei Meng arrived at Cui Hui’s home late at night, and the two women drank spirit brew and talked until they fell asleep.
• Qi Shan arrived before dawn and waited until Cui Hui and Mei Meng woke, then confronted Mei Meng about her servants and her presence in Kang Country.
• Mei Meng admitted her servants were hers and said she had returned to worship her ancestors and seek an opportunity to perfect the Way of the Scholar.
• Qi Shan judged that he had no evidence to act against Mei Meng, eased his hostility, and spoke with her about Literary Scholar cultivation over wine.
• Cui Hui brought wine and dishes while Qi Shan and Mei Meng chatted, and Qi Shan later left with orders to keep Mei Meng under watch.
• Qi Shan called for Lü Jue after his carriage had gone some distance, but Lü Jue was nowhere to be found.

Lü Jue reunited with Mei Meng, and their reunion turned intimate before she sent him away. Back at camp, he suspected she had used a hidden technique on him, and the group found an encrypted Word Spirit on his Martial Gall Tiger Tally.

• Lü Jue followed Mei Meng to her lodgings after watching her leave Cui Hui, and she welcomed him as her old friend Lili.
• Mei Meng and Lü Jue reunited passionately, and Lü Jue said he would make her a widow if her husband stood between them.
• Lü Jue told Qi Shan that Mei Meng had seen through his attempt to take her away and had thrown him out, while Qi Shan scolded him for failing to ask about her Way of the Scholar.
• Lü Jue asked Qi Shan to examine him because he suspected Mei Meng had used him, but the Xinglin Physician found nothing wrong.
• Cui Xiao told them to check Lü Jue's Martial Gall Tiger Tally, and they discovered an encrypted Word Spirit that required a trigger to activate.

Lü Jue and Qi Shan discovered that Mei Meng had hidden an explosive Word Spirit in Lü Jue’s Martial Gall Tiger Tally to destroy the corpses, but they removed it before it could harm anyone. Mei Meng then watched Fugu City welcome Shen Tang home and recognized the power of Shen Tang’s bond with the people.

• Qi Shan identified the Word Spirit in Lü Jue’s tally as a trap meant to destroy the corpses, and the group safely tested and removed it.
• Mei Meng learned her plan had failed, accepted the setback, and told her aide to prepare a gift while Kang Country spies watched her.
• Mei Meng and Cui Hui spent two days exploring Fugu City, then learned the city’s residents had left to welcome Shen Tang and traveled toward the gathering.
• Mei Meng carried Cui Hui up a tree to watch the crowd as people shouted their welcome to Shen Tang, and Mei Meng reflected on the ruler’s ability to win the people’s hearts.

Shen Tang returned to Heyin Commandery, welcomed by a vast crowd, and checked the local governor’s record while war reports warned that Gao and Tianhai were closing in on her territory. After a blind girl and her grandfather came to see her, the girl declared that Shen Tang had the Emperor’s Aura but faced danger on every side, leaving Shen Tang asking how it could be resolved.

• Mei Meng and her blind apprentice watched Shen Tang’s army approach, and the apprentice said a worthy ruler had descended into the world.
• Shen Tang questioned the Heyin Commandery Governor about the gathered crowds and the evacuation, then tested his performance and praised his work.
• Shen Tang read reports about Wu Xian’s advance toward Yiru and the Assembly of Gods’ movements, including Mei Meng’s efforts to perfect her Way of the Scholar.
• Shen Tang secretly ordered Qin Li to summon Luan Xin so he could identify Mei Meng’s Way of the Scholar.
• An old beggar and his granddaughter asked to meet Shen Tang, and the White-eyed Girl warned that Shen Tang had the Emperor’s Aura but was surrounded by danger.

Shen Tang questioned the White-eyed Girl and her master, learned why they had fled Lu Country, and recruited the girl for her talent in divination and weather prediction. After hearing a warning about an Eternal Life Cult Attendant in Gao Country, Shen Tang prepared to take the initiative in the coming war, while Gu Chi arrived at camp looking unwell and carrying a suspicious scent.

• The White-eyed Girl claimed that many people countered Shen Tang and that something complementing her was nearby, but Shen Tang dismissed the offer to identify her supposed hindrances.
• The White-eyed Girl and her master revealed that they had fled Lu Country because the Eternal Life Cult persecuted dissenters, and the girl admitted she had concealed the truth about her supposed prophecies and childhood.
• Shen Tang believed the White-eyed Girl, arranged for her to stay, and considered putting her abilities to use at the Bureau of Astronomy.
• The White-eyed Girl warned Shen Tang that she had seen an Eternal Life Cult Attendant beside Wu Xian in Gao Country and urged her to kill the person if she had the chance.
• Shen Tang decided to attack Gao Country and set the battlefield on its territory because the border had few Heroic Spirits to aid a defense.
• Gu Chi arrived at Shen Tang's tent looking frail, accepted her offer of a tiger-hide cloak, and gave an excuse for a red mark on his neck; Shen Tang then noticed the sandalwood scent usually associated with Bai Su.

Shen Tang learned that Zheng Qiao’s former general, Qi Yanqing, had helped Qi Country’s Sovereign seize the throne with a National Seal, while Qi Country and the Eternal Life Cult pursued a wary alliance. Kang Shi also revealed that Mei Meng had secretly investigated the cult, whose leader might be one of Wu Country’s five great generals.

• Shen Tang noticed the scent of Yaohe’s incense on Gu Chi, who claimed it helped him sleep.
• Qi Shan returned and told Shen Tang that Lady Cui had let the matter involving him go; he and Gu Chi then exchanged private accusations over the marks on Gu Chi’s neck.
• Kang Shi reported that Qi Yanqing had taken Zheng Qiao’s National Seal and used it to help Qi Country’s Sovereign ascend to the throne.
• Kang Shi explained that Qi Country was cooperating warily with the Eternal Life Cult, while Wu Zhaode had promised to let the cult preach in Gao Country in exchange for its help.
• Kang Shi revealed that Mei Meng was a deputy head of the Assembly of Gods’ Southwest Branch and had secretly investigated the Eternal Life Cult; its leader might be one of Wu Country’s five great generals.

Shen Tang learned that the Eternal Life Cult’s leader was a skeletal 20th Rank Che Hou and that an ancient Literary Scholar was with Wu Xian of Gao Country. As her allies gathered to discuss the threat, Gongxi Chou arrived with records identifying the warrior’s weakness and warning that the scholar was the greater danger.

• Kang Shi told Shen Tang that the Eternal Life Cult’s leader was a skeletal 20th Rank Che Hou and that his uncle-nephew companion, an ancient Literary Scholar, was likely still alive.
• Qi Shan found Assembly of Gods records describing the scholar as “cunning and valiant” and the skeletal general as a commander of both living troops and the dead.
• Kang Shi revealed that the Literary Scholar was with Wu Xian of Gao Country and would likely join the coming battle, prompting Shen Tang to summon the master and disciple for information.
• Kang Shi briefed Shen Tang’s gathered allies, and Qian Yong suggested recruiting a retired 20th Rank Che Hou before Shen Tang dismissed the idea as unreliable.
• Gongxi Chou arrived with a reply from his brother, saying the skeletal Che Hou had an exploitable weakness but the scholar was the real threat, and that they had to use their forces in reverse to defeat them.

Shen Tang’s commanders learned that the Eternal Life Cult uncle and nephew could reverse civil and military forces, turning scholars into Martial Gall Warriors and soldiers into Literary Scholars. The chapter ended with Gongxi Chou warning that their enemies would be prepared for the effect, despite both sides being affected.

• Qian Yong questioned Gongxi Chou and Xun Ding about their knowledge of the Eternal Life Cult pair, and Shen Tang redirected the meeting before their argument escalated.
• Jimò Qiu asked Lin Feng to consider becoming the next High Priest because the god approved of her appearance, and she said she would think about it.
• Jimò Qiu and Lin Feng returned to camp late after nearly encountering Gao Country’s scouts, while Kang’s leaders discussed how Gao Country might attack Heyin.
• Jimò Qiu joined Shen Tang’s meeting and explained that the uncle-and-nephew pair’s Literary Scholar could reverse civil and military forces on the battlefield.
• Qian Yong and the other commanders worried about losing their martial abilities, but Gongxi Chou warned that the enemy would prepare for the reversal too.

Shen Tang’s forces prepared for a battle that could reverse the literary and martial paths, studying each other’s Word Spirits while learning Wu Zhaode had gathered several unusual talents. When Luan Xin arrived, Shen Tang gave him an urgent mission, but he said he could bring back no more than two Ways of the Scholar.

• Gongxi Chou traded insults with Qian Yong, while Xun Zhen revealed that Gongxi Chou’s salary had been collected by his sister, Gongxi Lai.
• Jimò Qiu explained that the enemy’s Way of the Scholar would overturn each person’s stronger path, leaving Shen Tang unable to fight as a Martial Gall Warrior on the battlefield.
• Shen Tang ordered Lin Feng’s introductory Word Spirit notes copied for the camp, and Jimò Qiu silenced Gongxi Chou when he questioned whether the civil officials should study the Six Arts of the Gentleman.
• The White-eyed Girl told Shen Tang that Wu Zhaode had an Eternal Life Cult Attendant and that she had sensed four other unusual auras among his people.
• Luan Xin arrived after receiving repeated messages from Shen Tang, who privately assigned him an urgent mission; he said he could bring back no more than two Ways of the Scholar.

Shen Tang sent Luan Xin, Qi Shan, and Cui Xiao to infiltrate Wu Xian’s territory and investigate the enemy’s perfected Way of the Scholar. Disguised as a refugee family, they got close to a newly recruited Literary Scholar, while Luan Xin continued analyzing his ability.

• Shen Tang abandoned her idea of having Luan Xin copy and reverse Luan Yi’s Way of the Scholar after Luan Xin explained that his own ability was imperfect.
• Shen Tang arranged for Qi Shan and Cui Xiao to accompany Luan Xin, and a Tenth Rank Left Shu Chang secretly followed them.
• The three disguised themselves as a refugee girl, her elderly grandfather, and her mentally disabled younger brother, then joined villagers heading toward Yiru Commandery.
• Luan Xin listened to enemy scouts’ thoughts and learned that Wu Zhaode’s main camp was nearby, so the group planned to capture the identities of isolated soldiers.
• A guarded carriage party interrupted their plan, but its master let the disguised refugees follow overnight and provided them with food, firewood, and clothes.
• Luan Xin identified the man in the carriage as a newly recruited Literary Scholar with a perfected Way of the Scholar, and the trio decided to wait until midnight before acting.

Qi Yuanliang and his companions infiltrated He Shu’s convoy by posing as refugees, then entered Gao Country’s military camp. Luan Xin secretly used his Way of the Scholar on a new target, but the effort left him unconscious and He Shu examined him.

• The young woman learned that the convoy’s master was surnamed He, and she and the old man wondered whether he was connected to Qi Zhongshu.
• The young woman staged an assault to attract He Shu’s attention, and He Shu took the three disguised refugees into his convoy after a guard killed the culprit.
• The young woman recognized the master as He Shu, and the convoy passed into Gao Country’s military camp after a routine inspection.
• Luan Xin acted strangely near He Shu’s tent, then suddenly vomited blood and collapsed.
• He Shu examined Luan Xin while the young woman claimed that bandits had left him mentally impaired, and he said the condition was not serious.

He Shu treated the disguised Luan Xin and his companions as refugees while trying to understand the young woman's familiar manner. After the National Teacher's aide searched He Shu's tent for a supposed intruder, Luan Xin woke and said his Way of the Scholar might reach perfection, though the chance was slim.

• He Shu treated the unconscious Luan Xin, heard the young woman describe his fever and talk of fire, and prescribed medicine for him.
• After He Shu left, the young woman dropped her tearful act and asked whether Gongyi's backlash meant he had been discovered; the old man warned that a search of the tents could follow.
• The young woman explained that her face was modeled after He Shu's frail younger brother, He Haogu, and insisted that she and He Shu were friends.
• He Shu dismissed his guard's suspicions about the young woman but wondered why her mannerisms felt familiar.
• The National Teacher's aide questioned He Shu about a suspicious intruder, searched his unopened trunks, and left without finding anyone; He Shu learned there was no sign of a thief in the camp.
• Luan Xin woke up and told the young woman that his Way of the Scholar had a slim chance of reaching perfection.

Luan Xin explained the two demanding paths to completing his Way of the Scholar, while Qi Shan and the young woman considered how to help him. As Gao Country prepared for a decisive battle, Luan Xin copied the Eternal Life Cult member’s Way and overheard military intelligence; the chapter ended as a bluebird blocked Shen Tang’s path.

• Luan Xin told Qi Shan that he could complete his Way of the Scholar by using ninety-nine completed Ways or gathering nine perfected ones, and Qi Shan promised to help find candidates.
• Luan Xin revealed that he had already copied the Eternal Life Cult member’s Way of the Scholar despite the risk of backlash.
• He Shu ordered the military physician to treat the three exhausted refugees, then defended himself when an official accused him of killing He Xin and taking his wife.
• Wu Xian ended the argument and assigned He Shu to oversee a route as Gao Country prepared for a battle that could decide its survival.
• Luan Xin used Gu Chi’s Way of the Scholar to overhear and record Gao Country’s military intelligence, then discussed the rumors about He Shu with the young woman.
• Cui Xiao announced that the message had been sent, and a bluebird landed in front of Shen Tang and blocked her path.

Shen Tang received intelligence revealing Gao Country’s planned attack on Shang Nan and chose Chao Lian to lead reinforcements there with Fang Yan. As Chao Lian and Fang Yan departed, they identified the enemy commander as He Shu, whose completed Way of the Scholar could make him a dangerous threat.

• Shen Tang read Cui Shanxiao’s letter and learned that Gao Country planned a three-pronged attack, including a surprise strike on Shang Nan.
• Chao Lian volunteered to lead the reinforcements, and Shen Tang assigned Fang Yan to accompany him instead of Shao Chong.
• Chao Lian and Fang Yan persuaded Shao Chong to remain behind, reminding him that Shao Bai might be in danger.
• Chao Lian and Fang Yan set out overnight and discussed the enemy Literary Scholar, He Shu, whom Fang Yan knew from before.
• Fang Yan warned that He Shu’s completed Way of the Scholar could beguile people with lies and urged Chao Lian to clear out civilians and be ready to kill him.

Fang Yan warned Chao Lian that He Shu’s perfected Way of the Scholar might let him borrow the power of heavenly lightning, while Shen Tang sent Yun Ce and a small force to reinforce the army with orders to distrust potentially compromised intelligence. As Shen Tang monitored Mei Meng and worried about her absent allies, Qi Shan’s group faced an unexpected crisis: Qi Yuanliang was suffering severe menstrual bleeding, and the girl suddenly cursed Shen Tang.

• Fang Yan explained the Great Worthy Teacher’s forbidden Word Spirit legacy and warned Chao Lian that He Shu’s unusual Way of the Scholar could make him a dangerous opponent.
• Shen Tang warned Yun Ce that the battle report might have been tampered with and ordered him to lead three thousand troops, accompanied by Bei Jiu and Mohist craftsmen, toward the enemy’s rear.
• Yun Ce worried about Bei Jiu’s anger toward him, while his Martial Gall Warrior advised him to ask her directly and focus on earning military merit.
• Shen Tang ordered her people to keep watching Mei Meng and kill her if she tried to flee, while worrying that her intelligence network and allies might have been exposed.
• A military physician said Qi Yuanliang’s severe illness and heavy menstrual bleeding were beyond his ability to treat, and the girl cursed Shen Tang after he left.

Qi Shan and his companions deciphered Shen Tang’s blood-written warning that they had been exposed, then stayed with He Shu as his army marched toward Shang Nan. At Kang Country’s wounded soldiers’ camp, Shen Tang rushed to see a severely injured person whose identity was not revealed.

• Qi Shan’s colleagues misread Shen Tang’s message carved into his thighs as news about her monthly flow before they deciphered her warning that they had been exposed and should wait calmly for rescue.
• Qi Shan decided the three would act as though they knew nothing and let Wu Zhaode keep them as valuable captives.
• Qi Shan disguised himself as a frail young woman and visited He Shu, who later offered to send him and the other two to safety.
• Qi Shan and the others declined He Shu’s offer and accompanied his army toward Shang Nan, while the brainless younger brother worried about the Tenth Rank Left Shu Chang guarding him.
• Two Martial Gall Warriors rushed a gravely injured person into Kang Country’s wounded soldiers’ camp, and Shen Tang hurried to the treatment tent with a murderous expression.

Shen Tang learned that the gravely wounded Tenth Rank Left Shu Chang had survived, though he remained unconscious with severe injuries. Jimò Qiu entered the warrior’s dream to guide him out, where the man believed he had been reborn and began planning whom he could still save.

• Wu soldiers found the wounded warrior transformed into a four-legged fish, recognized him as a retainer of Minister of Personnel Luan Gongyi, and brought him to the wounded soldiers’ camp.
• Three Xinglin Physicians stabilized the warrior, but warned Shen Tang that his neck and brain injuries left only a three-in-ten chance he would wake on his own.
• Jimò Qiu appeared and explained that the warrior’s consciousness was trapped in a land of chaos, then agreed to guide him out.
• In the dream, the warrior believed he had been reborn after the Battle of Xiaocheng and considered saving Lady Miao, advising Lord Luan, and helping the people he cared about.
• The warrior realized he had many tasks ahead, abandoned thoughts of confronting the stronger enemy who had injured him, and began making a plan.