Chapter Summaries

Bai Xiaowen launched the Longxi-and-Shu Quest and sent Ma Chao to seize Hanzhong while preparing to lead the main army against the two Sichuan regions. Zhang Lu debated surrendering to Bai Xiaowen, but Zhang Wei urged him to defend Yangping Pass.

• Bai Xiaowen chose to conquer Hanzhong and Yizhou before turning toward Jingzhou, triggering the Longxi-and-Shu Quest.
• Bai Xiaowen sent Ma Chao and ten thousand elite troops toward Hanzhong and prepared to lead fifty thousand soldiers three days later.
• Zhang Lu considered proclaiming himself the Hanning King, but Yan Pu advised him to focus first on annexing Liu Zhang.
• After learning that Ma Chao was advancing, Zhang Lu considered surrendering, and Yang Song supported the idea.
• Zhang Wei rejected surrender and volunteered to defend Yangping Pass with Yang Ang and Yang Ren.

Ma Chao’s vanguard suffered a costly night raid at Yangping Pass and could not break through the fortified passage. After Bai Xiaowen arrived, he announced he had a plan to take the camp, but Yang Ang and Yang Ren continued to hold their position.

• Zhang Wei sent Yang Ang and Yang Ren to fortify the narrow passage before Yangping Pass while he defended the pass.
• Ma Chao rushed his exhausted troops toward the pass, where Yang Ang and Yang Ren raided his camp at night and forced him to retreat with heavy losses.
• Ma Chao failed to draw the Hanzhong generals out of their fortified camp, and scouts found that the rugged terrain offered no easy route through.
• Bai Xiaowen arrived, reassured Ma Chao, and told the army he had a plan to break the fortified camp.
• Yang Ang and Yang Ren ambushed Bai Xiaowen’s party, but Cao Hong, Zhang Xiu, and the allied Awakeners repelled them without major losses.
• Yang Ang and Yang Ren refused to leave their defenses when Bai Xiaowen surveyed the passage again the next day.

Bai Xiaowen used a mind-confounding talisman to ignite the Zhang Lu Army’s camp and capture Yangping Pass, then marched on Nanzheng. As Jia Xu prepared to propose buying Yang Song, Bai Xiaowen independently announced the same plan, leaving Zhang Xiu embarrassed.

• Bai Xiaowen secretly controlled a Zhang Lu Army officer responsible for night patrol and sent Li Shuyi and the others to set fire to the camp at Yangping Pass.
• Zhang Xiu and Zhang He led troops into the burning camp, where Zhang Xiu killed Yang Ang and Yang Ren fled, allowing Bai Xiaowen’s army to seize Yangping Pass.
• Zhang Wei and Yang Ren returned to Nanzheng, where Zhang Lu agreed to defend the city after Zhang Wei urged resistance and warned about Bai Xiaowen’s talisman.
• Jia Xu told Zhang Xiu that he planned to use greedy official Yang Song to help take Nanzheng, intending to wait until Bai Xiaowen faced resistance before offering his plan.
• Bai Xiaowen told his generals he would buy someone inside Nanzheng, and Zhang Xiu choked in surprise at hearing Jia Xu’s scheme repeated.

Bai Xiaowen arranged to enter Nanzheng through Yang Song’s promised betrayal, but Zhang Lu discovered the plot and prepared an ambush at the east gate. As Ma Chao’s detachment set out to attack, Bai Xiaowen sensed danger and the Map of Mountains and Rivers revealed something alarming about Zhang Wei and Yang Ren.

• Li Shuyi met Yang Song, who accepted Bai Xiaowen’s offer and promised to open Nanzheng’s east gate at the fourth watch under a white flag.
• Yang Song and Yang Bai tried to recruit Li Zhi, but Zhang Lu and his generals appeared and exposed their scheme.
• After Mr. Shan advised Zhang Lu to use the plot to ambush Yuan Xi’s forces, Yang Song confessed the plan, and Zhang Wei killed both brothers while their families were taken into custody.
• Bai Xiaowen sent Ma Chao, Ma Dai, and Ma Yunlu toward Nanzheng with the main army following in support.
• Bai Xiaowen consulted Ge Xuan about his unease, searched the Map of Mountains and Rivers for Zhang Wei and Yang Ren, and sprang up in alarm.

Bai Xiaowen used the trap at Nanzheng’s east gate to draw Zhang Lu’s forces toward Ma Chao while leading his personal guards to seize the west gate. The Yuan Army breached the west gate, leaving Zhang Lu and Zhang Wei scrambling to respond.

• Bai Xiaowen learned that Zhang Wei and Yang Ren were stationed at the east gate and decided to attack the west gate with his personal guards.
• Ma Chao entered the east gate, where Zhang Wei and Yang Ren sprang an ambush that trapped his troops and wounded him.
• Zhang Wei requested reinforcements from Zhang Lu, who ordered more soldiers to the east gate and discussed Mr. Shan’s prediction that Sun Ce and Liu Cong would force the Yuan Army to withdraw.
• A messenger reported that Yuan Xi’s personal guards had appeared at the west gate and climbed the walls.
• The Yuan Army breached the west gate, and a commander told Zhang Lu that Yuan Xi’s demonic arts had left the defenders unable to resist.

Bai Xiaowen captured Nanzheng, defeated Zhang Lu’s forces, and secured Zhang Lu’s surrender while granting him a marquisate. Zhang Lu revealed that a mysterious strategist named Dan Fu had advised him, leaving Bai Xiaowen to suspect Dan Fu’s identity and whereabouts.

• Zhang Lu fled Nanzheng toward Bazhong after Yan Pu and Mr. Shan advised him to escape, while Bai Xiaowen’s army took the city and Ma Chao killed Yang Ren.
• Qiao Rui, Han Xu, Li Shuyi, and Camille intercepted Zhang Lu’s party, and Li Shuyi killed Zhang Wei despite Zhang Lu’s surrender.
• Qiao Rui escorted Zhang Lu and Yan Pu back to Nanzheng, where Bai Xiaowen named Zhang Lu Marquis of Langzhong and promised him a residence in Sili Province.
• Bai Xiaowen asked who had urged Zhang Lu to abandon the Three Dependencies, and Zhang Lu identified the adviser as Dan Fu, also known as Mr. Shan.
• Zhang Lu said Dan Fu had advised him to flee to Bazhong but disappeared during the escape, prompting Bai Xiaowen to wonder about the strategist’s identity.

After Xun You revealed that Dan Fu was Xu Shu and had likely framed Bai Xiaowen, Ma Chao accepted Bai Xiaowen’s offer to serve and seek revenge on Liu Bei. Bai Xiaowen consolidated control over Hanzhong and began relocating its population, then received an envoy from Liu Zhang of Yizhou.

• Xun You identified Dan Fu as Xu Shu, an Yingchuan native who had adopted an alias, and Ma Dai and Ma Yunlu argued that Xu Shu had framed Bai Xiaowen over Ma Teng’s death.
• Ma Chao knelt before Bai Xiaowen and pledged to serve him, while Bai Xiaowen resolved to use him cautiously as a frontline general rather than trust him with independent command.
• Bai Xiaowen had Zhang Lu appoint officials across Hanzhong and ordered residents willing to move to Guanzhong to receive farmland, seeds, and a two-year tax exemption.
• Bai Xiaowen spent several days managing Hanzhong’s affairs in Nanzheng and wondered why Old Master Jia had not appeared to help.
• An envoy sent by Liu Zhang of Yizhou arrived to request an audience with Bai Xiaowen.

Bai Xiaowen hosted Liu Zhang’s envoy, Zhang Song, and gradually won his trust until Zhang Song offered him maps and records that could help him conquer Western Sichuan. Zhang Song also revealed that Zhang Lu was poised against Liu Zhang, who had summoned Liu Bei for help, leaving Liu Bei stationed at Jiameng Pass.

• Bai Xiaowen received Zhang Song in Nanzheng and recognized that Liu Zhang’s letter was testing whether he planned to seize Western Sichuan.
• Bai Xiaowen stopped his officials from reacting angrily when Zhang Song refused to help, explaining that he wanted to win over the people of Shu through kindness.
• Bai Xiaowen invited Zhang Song to banquets for three days, and Zhang Song eventually admitted he had been searching for a wise ruler to serve.
• Zhang Song offered Bai Xiaowen maps and geographical records of Western Sichuan’s forty-one commanderies and prefectures.
• Zhang Song told Bai Xiaowen that Zhang Lu had stationed troops in Bazhong, while Liu Zhang had called on Liu Bei for aid; Liu Bei was now at Jiameng Pass.

Bai Xiaowen won Zhang Song’s loyalty and planned to exploit the rivalry between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang to take Western Sichuan. After Liu Bei seized Fushui Pass, Zhang Song offered Liu Zhang a plan to bring in help, leaving its details unrevealed.

• Bai Xiaowen accepted Zhang Song’s Western Sichuan Geographic Atlas and urged him to persuade Liu Zhang to expel Liu Bei while Fa Zheng and Meng Da supported Yuan Xi.
• Zhang Song told Liu Bei that Yuan Xi had no intention of invading Western Sichuan, then gave Liu Bei the atlas and encouraged him to claim Yizhou.
• Liu Zhang believed Yuan Xi would leave Western Sichuan alone, but followed Wang Lei’s advice to wait for scouts before deciding whether to send Liu Bei away.
• After scouts reported Yuan Xi had returned to Chang’an, Liu Zhang sent Liu Bei only a small force and limited grain, then ordered Yang Huai and Gao Pei to guard Fushui Pass.
• Liu Bei killed Yang Huai and Gao Pei and seized Fushui Pass, prompting Liu Zhang to send four generals and fifty thousand troops to defend Luo Castle.
• Zhang Song offered Liu Zhang a plan to make Liu Bei fear Western Sichuan, but the chapter ended before he revealed it.

Liu Zhang sought Yuan Xi’s help against Liu Bei, while Bai Xiaowen and Fa Zheng discussed when to intervene in Western Sichuan. A sudden report that Sun Ce had attacked toward Hefei forced Bai Xiaowen to confront a new crisis in Huainan.

• Zhang Song persuaded Liu Zhang to request Yuan Xi’s help cutting off Liu Bei’s retreat at Jiameng Pass, and Liu Zhang sent Fa Zheng north with a letter.
• Bai Xiaowen welcomed Fa Zheng and admitted that he intended to bring Western Sichuan under his control.
• Fa Zheng advised waiting until Liu Bei captured Luo Castle, and Bai Xiaowen noted that the delay could also let him seize Jingzhou.
• During the banquet, Bai Xiaowen received a letter reporting that Sun Ce had sent troops to attack Wan City and threaten Hefei.
• Xun You stressed Hefei’s strategic importance, and Zhang He urged Bai Xiaowen to return to Ye Capital and march south to relieve it.

Bai Xiaowen prepared for Sun Ce’s attack on Hefei while continuing his cautious campaign against Liu Bei in Western Sichuan. He sent Jia Xu to command the defense with his personal sword, and Jia Xu resolved to repay Bai Xiaowen’s trust with all his wisdom.

• Fa Zheng warned that Sun Ce’s attack on Hefei could be helping Liu Bei seize Western Sichuan, and Bai Xiaowen agreed that Sun Ce and Liu Bei might have formed an alliance.
• Bai Xiaowen said Zhang Liao and Xu Huang were already stationed in Yuzhou, then ordered Zhang Xiu and Qiao Rui to reinforce Hefei with a sealed case for Zhang Xiu.
• Bai Xiaowen ordered Zhang He to send Liu Zhang a reply promising that Duke Yan would be urged to come south, and Fa Zheng departed with the letter.
• On the march to Hefei, Jia Xu opened the case and found Bai Xiaowen’s sword and a letter appointing him Military Adviser General with authority to command the defense.
• Jia Xu realized Bai Xiaowen trusted him despite his past schemes and vowed to repay that trust with all his wisdom.

Jia Xu accepted Bai Xiaowen as his lord and gained the Unmatched Stratagem ability, while Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi traveled to observe Liu Bei's campaign in Western Sichuan. Liu Bei captured two enemy camps and advanced toward Luo Castle after releasing Ling Bao.

• Jia Xu explained that Bai Xiaowen's Heaven-Reliant Sword would establish his authority over the Hefei army, and Zhang Xiu agreed that Qiao's presence served as a precaution.
• Bai Xiaowen told Li Shuyi that he trusted Jia Xu's self-preservation and revealed that Qiao had an edict to counter him if necessary.
• The Spirit Realm Rules announced that Jia Xu had chosen Bai Xiaowen as his lord and activated Unmatched Stratagem, which improved schemes and increased the chance of capturing or killing an enemy Boss Tier.
• Bai Xiaowen realized Jia Xu had opened the long case early, then decided to travel with Li Shuyi to watch Liu Bei's campaign while Cecilia and Han Xu covered his absence.
• Liu Bei sent Huang Zhong and Wei Yan against the enemy camps; they captured both, killed Deng Xian, and took Ling Bao prisoner.
• Liu Bei released Ling Bao and advanced toward Luo Castle as Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi watched.

Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi watched Zhang Ren ambush Pang Tong at Phoenix-Falling Slope, but Zhao Yun arrived with Pang Tong and shielded him from the arrows. Pang Tong was wounded and fell from his horse as his soldiers rushed to carry him away.

• Liu Bei split his army, sending Pang Tong and Wei Yan along the narrow path toward Luo Castle while Zhao Yun accompanied them to protect Pang Tong.
• Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi hid near Phoenix-Falling Slope and identified Zhang Ren's ambush and his powerful Volley Shot skill.
• Zhang Ren let Wei Yan pass, then prepared to attack Pang Tong's column as it approached.
• Bai Xiaowen discovered that Pang Tong was suffering backlash, likely from cursing Ma Teng, and that the affliction had disabled his lord skill.
• Pang Tong recognized the danger of Phoenix-Falling Slope and ordered a retreat, but Zhang Ren's archers opened fire.
• Zhao Yun deflected arrows with his spear, but Pang Tong was struck several times and fell from his horse as soldiers carried him away.

Bai Xiaowen watched Zhang Ren’s ambush devastate the Jingzhou Army and saw Zhao Yun protect the mortally wounded Pang Tong while breaking through the archers. Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun joined Wei Yan’s surviving forces, and they escorted Pang Tong toward Luo Castle.

• Bai Xiaowen used Insight to assess Pang Tong’s dwindling health and Zhao Yun’s Dragon Courage skill, including its Lone Rider Rescue state.
• Zhao Yun shielded Pang Tong from the arrows, then carried him on his saddle and charged through Zhang Ren’s scouts and archers.
• Wei Yan’s advance toward Luo Castle was blocked by Wu Lan and Lei Tong, and more than half his troops fell in the desperate fighting.
• Huang Zhong arrived with reinforcements, and Wu Lan and Lei Tong were defeated and driven back.
• Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun, and Wei Yan gathered their surviving troops and escorted Pang Tong toward Luo Castle.

Pang Tong died after confessing that he had caused Ma Teng’s death to delay Yuan Xi, but he left Liu Bei a plan to capture Luo Castle and urged him to continue the campaign in Yizhou. Liu Bei took Luo Castle, and Bai Xiaowen marched from Nanzheng to Jiameng Pass to join the war for Western Sichuan.

• After a disastrous battle, Pang Tong confessed to Liu Bei that he had used the Prayer and Exorcism Art to cause Ma Teng’s death and buy Liu Bei time against Yuan Xi.
• Pang Tong absolved Zhao Yun of blame, gave Liu Bei instructions for the campaign, and died after whispering a plan to capture Luo Castle.
• Liu Bei followed Pang Tong’s plan and spread word that his army would withdraw, prompting Luo Castle’s generals to raid his camp.
• Liu Bei lured the defenders away from Luo Castle, sent Guan Yu to capture it, and killed Liu Gui; Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan ambushed the other generals, killing Ling Bao and capturing Zhang Ren and Wu Yi.
• Wu Yi surrendered, while Zhang Ren refused to yield and was executed; Liu Bei’s Army secured Luo Castle.
• Bai Xiaowen returned to Nanzheng, then marched through Bazhong to Jiameng Pass and entered the war for Western Sichuan.

Bai Xiaowen’s army struggled to take Jiameng Pass from Huo Jun, while Liu Bei sent Guan Yu to reinforce its defense. After Xu Shu warned that Liu Bei’s army needed support in Sichuan, Liu Bei summoned Zhuge Liang and Zhang Yide from Jingzhou, leaving Zhuge Liang to decide whether to come based on events at Hefei.

• Bai Xiaowen disguised his attack on Jiameng Pass as Ma Chao’s campaign, but Huo Jun’s defenses repelled the Yuan Army’s first assault.
• Bai Xiaowen used large-scale Intimidation during the next assault, allowing Li Shuyi to reach the pass, but Huo Jun rallied his guards and the Yuan Army suffered heavy losses.
• Bai Xiaowen urged the White Phoenix Team to keep up the pressure, expecting Huo Jun’s limited troops and weakening colonels to provide an opening.
• After Huo Jun reported the attack, Liu Bei sent Guan Yu and three thousand troops to guard Jiameng Pass, instructing him to hold the terrain and avoid a field battle.
• Xu Shu persuaded Liu Bei to summon Zhuge Liang and Zhang Yide from Jingzhou, and Liu Bei wrote to Zhuge Liang to judge whether to enter Sichuan based on the situation at Hefei.

Bai Xiaowen prepared to exploit Guan Yu’s arrival at Jiameng Pass, while learning that Guan Yu had grown far stronger and carried a dangerous revenge-triggering skill. After Ma Chao provoked him, Guan Yu decided to leave the pass and fight despite Huo Jun and Guan Ping’s warnings, saying he had a plan.

• Bai Xiaowen secretly instructed Ma Chao to follow his plan, urging him to prioritize avenging Ma Teng over his reputation.
• Guan Yu appeared at Jiameng Pass, and Bai Xiaowen used Insight to discover Guan Yu’s evolved combat skills and the consequences of killing him.
• Bai Xiaowen told his companions to capture Guan Yu alive if possible but not hesitate to kill him if necessary.
• Guan Yu urged Ma Chao to abandon the Yuan Army and join Liu Bei, but Ma Chao blamed Liu Bei’s faction for Ma Teng’s death and challenged him.
• Huo Jun and Guan Ping warned Guan Yu not to leave Jiameng Pass, but Ma Chao’s insults prompted Guan Yu to open the gates and go out to fight.

Guan Yu challenged Ma Chao to a duel outside Jiameng Pass, while Bai Xiaowen watched for an opening to capture the pass. After the two generals fought for hundreds of exchanges and their armies briefly clashed, they agreed to resume the duel the next day.

• Guan Yu led five hundred Blade Guards out of Jiameng Pass to challenge Ma Chao, while Huo Jun and Guan Ping prepared the city's defenses.
• Bai Xiaowen observed Guan Yu's Flying General status and expected Ma Chao, empowered by Vengeance State, to withstand him.
• Guan Yu's powerful opening strike missed when Ma Chao evaded, and the two generals fought for more than a hundred exchanges without a victor.
• Ma Chao's exhausted horse threw him, so Cecilia lent him Bai Yujing; Ma Chao returned to the duel and fought Guan Yu until sunset.
• Cecilia ordered the Yuan Army to attack, Guan Yu and Guan Ping's forces clashed with them, and Ma Chao halted the fighting while Guan Yu accused him of trickery.
• Huo Jun sounded the withdrawal signal, and Guan Yu and Ma Chao agreed to continue their duel the next day.

Bai Xiaowen and Li Shuyi infiltrated Jiameng Pass and killed Huo Jun while Guan Yu fought Ma Chao outside. The drawbridge was raised, trapping Guan Ping inside and leaving Guan Yu surrounded by Yuan Army forces.

• Guan Yu ignored Huo Jun’s warning and rode out with five hundred Blade Guards to fight Ma Chao again.
• Bai Xiaowen struck Huo Jun with a Taiping Talisman, and he and Li Shuyi killed the pass’s defending general.
• Bai Xiaowen’s summoned creatures raised the drawbridge, trapping Guan Ping inside while Zhang He and Ma Dai surrounded Guan Yu outside.
• Gao Lan and Han Meng attacked Guan Yu’s Blade Guards as Yuan Shao’s banner rose and the Yuan Army called for Liu Bei’s forces to surrender.
• Guan Ping charged Bai Xiaowen’s summoned creatures, but Baleful Maiden drained his spiritual power and Rageclaw parried his saber strike.

Bai Xiaowen’s forces seized Jiameng Pass after killing Guan Ping and defeating Liu Bei’s troops there. He then ordered Han Meng to disguise his soldiers and launch a surprise attack on Fushui Pass.

• Jia Xu’s ambush succeeded, and the Yuan Army gained morale while Liu Bei’s Army lost it.
• Bai Xiaowen struck Guan Ping’s guards with two Super Orochi Nagi attacks, then Li Shuyi and his summoned creatures cut down the wounded soldiers.
• Rageclaw and Bai Xiaowen’s summoned creatures killed Guan Ping, earning Rageclaw a point of strength and Bai Xiaowen a Golden Treasure Chest.
• Han Meng and Gao Lan’s forces wiped out Guan Yu’s Blade Guards, while Zhang He, Ma Chao, and Ma Dai kept Guan Yu occupied.
• Bai Xiaowen ordered his forces to open Jiameng Pass, and Han Meng’s troops entered and seized it.
• Bai Xiaowen told Han Meng to disguise his soldiers, fly Huo Jun’s banner, and surprise Fushui Pass.