Chapter Summaries

Li Shimin arrived too late to save Li Jiancheng, then returned to Chang'an and faced Li Yuan’s accusation that he had deliberately delayed the reinforcements. Convinced that Qing Xiao Jade Maiden was responsible for his eldest son’s death, Li Yuan ordered her temple destroyed, while Li Shimin stopped resisting after hearing a mysterious voice.

• Li Shimin rushed to Shuozhou, learned Li Jiancheng had died, and led his cavalry through the Turkic formation before securing the region.
• Li Yuan accused Li Shimin of letting Li Jiancheng die to take the Crown Prince’s position, but reports of the harsh weather explained the delay.
• Li Yuan dismissed court and took Li Shimin to Wan Nian County, where he ordered the Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Temple surrounded and its worshippers expelled.
• Li Yuan blamed Qing Xiao Jade Maiden for Li Jiancheng’s death and ordered the Imperial Guards to destroy her statue and temple despite Li Shimin’s objections.
• Li Shimin heard a mysterious voice and stopped trying to prevent the destruction; within days the temple lay in ruins, and Li Chunfeng worried over Great Tang’s future.

Li Shimin asked Li Chunfeng to remain at the Shunde Heavenly Maiden Temple, while Verdant Green Maiden brought Li Jiancheng to Mount Tai and told him to decide what he wanted for his future. She then reunited with Yang Chan and Sun Huo Wang, who had come to Mount Tai to escape Liu Yan Chang's harassment.

• Li Shimin told Li Chunfeng that the Mount Tai Holy Mother was his master and asked him to stay at the Shunde Heavenly Maiden Temple, and Li Chunfeng agreed to obey her will.
• Verdant Green Maiden identified a nameless grave on Mount Tai as Han Xin's and told Li Jiancheng to climb to Jade Emperor Peak and decide what he wanted to do with his future.
• Verdant Green Maiden reached Jade Emperor Peak and found Sun Huo Wang and Yang Chan there; they greeted her as their master.
• Yang Chan explained that she had fled to Mount Tai because Liu Yan Chang kept bothering her, and Verdant Green Maiden offered her a safe place to stay.
• Verdant Green Maiden told Sun Huo Wang to find fresh ingredients so she could entertain Yang Chan.

Li Jiancheng stayed on Mount Tai under Verdant Green Maiden’s care while the Tang court struggled to stabilize and Li Yuan refused to name Li Shimin Crown Prince. As rumors accused Li Shimin of conspiring in Li Jiancheng’s death, Li Xiu Ning confronted him at the King of Qin’s Residence.

• Li Jiancheng met Yang Chan and Sun Huo Wang on Mount Tai, where Verdant Green Maiden told him Li Yuan had torn down her temple and asked him again what direction he wanted his life to take.
• Li Jiancheng admitted he did not know what to do, so Verdant Green Maiden let him stay on Mount Tai in exchange for cleaning the palaces.
• Li Jiancheng lived on Mount Tai for two years as Great Tang pacified much of the realm, while Li Yuan’s campaigns against the Turkic People achieved little.
• Li Yuan continued to avoid appointing Li Shimin Crown Prince, prompting rumors in Chang’an that Li Shimin had colluded with the Turkic People and caused Li Jiancheng’s death.
• At the King of Qin’s Residence, Li Xiu Ning and Changsun Wugou tested Li Chengqian’s lessons while Li Shimin read a military treatise, and Li Xiu Ning strode over to confront him.

Li Xiu Ning worried that rumors in Chang'an would endanger Li Shimin and his family, while Li Jiancheng asked Verdant Green Maiden to help him return to Great Tang and serve it again. After agreeing to find a way, Verdant Green Maiden let Yang Chan and Sun Huo Wang leave Mount Tai, then returned to Chang'an, where Hong Luan asked why she had come back.

• Li Xiu Ning warned Li Shimin that people in Chang'an accused him of causing Li Jiancheng's death and urged him to consider Changsun Wugou and Li Chengqian.
• Li Jiancheng asked Verdant Green Maiden if he could spread her divine name, but she refused and challenged him to face his own future.
• Li Jiancheng told Verdant Green Maiden that he wanted to help Great Tang again, and she promised to find a way for him to return.
• Yang Chan and Sun Huo Wang asked to leave Mount Tai, and Verdant Green Maiden agreed while telling Sun Huo Wang to protect Yang Chan.
• Verdant Green Maiden returned to Chang'an, where Hong Luan asked what had brought her back.

Li Yuan abdicated in favor of Li Shimin, who became Emperor of Great Tang and vowed to bring the people a prosperous age. Qing Nü then revealed that Li Jiancheng had chosen to give up the throne, and she brought a hooded companion to visit Li Yuan.

• Li Yuan invested Li Shimin as Crown Prince, handed him state affairs, and abdicated two months later.
• Li Shimin ascended the throne as Emperor of Great Tang, and the Great Tang Auspicious Fortune above Chang'an blazed with Golden Light.
• Li Shimin visited Qing Nü, who urged him to bring peace and prosperity to the realm.
• Li Shimin asked whether Qing Nü had disrupted his relief expedition, and she said Li Jiancheng had chosen to step aside because Great Tang would grow stronger under Li Shimin.
• Qing Nü arrived at Taiji Palace with a hooded companion to see Li Yuan, and a eunuch stopped her to ask who the companion was.

Verdant Green Maiden brought Li Jiancheng before Li Yuan, revealed her true identity, and explained why she had the right to shape the mortal world. The chapter ended with Li Jiancheng asking his father to stop resenting his master.

• Verdant Green Maiden forced a palace eunuch aside and led Li Jiancheng into Li Yuan’s banquet.
• Li Jiancheng removed his hood and revealed himself to Li Yuan, who had believed his son died years earlier.
• Li Jiancheng told Li Yuan that Verdant Green Maiden had saved him, and Li Yuan realized that she was the Shunde Heavenly Maiden and Qing Xiao Jade Maiden.
• Li Yuan questioned why Verdant Green Maiden had entered mortal affairs and allowed the Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Temple to be destroyed.
• Verdant Green Maiden declared that her ancient ties to the world and its people gave her the right to interfere in its affairs.
• Li Jiancheng urged Li Yuan not to resent Verdant Green Maiden, saying she had always acted for the people.

Li Jiancheng reunited with Li Shimin and agreed to help him govern the Great Tang, while Verdant Green Maiden ended her mentorship and left for Mount Tai with Hong Luan. At the palace gates, Li Chunfeng stopped them and asked whether the Goddess was unwell.

• Li Jiancheng told Li Yuan that he had returned to serve the people of the Great Tang, and Li Yuan sent him away after asking him not to visit again unless necessary.
• Li Jiancheng met Li Shimin, who welcomed him and proposed that they govern the Great Tang together.
• Verdant Green Maiden declared that Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin had graduated and that she would no longer teach them, then left the palace despite Li Shimin asking if she was going to Mount Tai.
• Hong Luan met Verdant Green Maiden outside the palace and agreed to take her to Mount Tai to recover.
• Li Chunfeng blocked Verdant Green Maiden and Hong Luan, asked about the Goddess's health, and prompted Hong Luan to seize him by the throat.

Verdant Green Maiden learned from Iron Crutch Li that the Western Expedition would bring Mahayana Buddhist Law east to stabilize the realm, a plan tied to her defiance of the Mandate of Heaven. She returned to Mount Tai and fell asleep, leaving Hong Luan to guard her.

• Li Chunfeng asked Verdant Green Maiden to meet his master, Li Xuan, but she refused and set a deadline for Iron Crutch Li to come to her.
• Iron Crutch Li arrived with Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang and warned Verdant Green Maiden that the Western Expedition was connected to her actions against the Mandate of Heaven.
• Verdant Green Maiden challenged Iron Crutch Li over the Book of Fate and the consequences of her defiance, then left with Hong Luan.
• Iron Crutch Li departed after advising Li Chunfeng to exchange insights with Yuan Tiangang, and the two began speaking together.
• Hong Luan brought Verdant Green Maiden back to Mount Tai, where Verdant Green Maiden fell asleep as Hong Luan kept watch.
• An infant drifted downstream on the river.

After finding an abandoned baby, the monks of Golden Mountain Temple entrusted him to Xuanji, who named him Jiang Liuer and raised him nearby. Eighteen years later, Jiang Liuer called to his master in their courtyard.

• Monks at Golden Mountain Temple rescued a baby from a wooden basin and found a blood-written letter beneath it.
• Xuanji arrived at the temple seeking to stay, then offered to raise the child after hearing the monks did not know how.
• Fa Ming entrusted the infant to Xuanji and named him Jiang Liuer at her request.
• Xuanji settled in a nearby village and raised Jiang Liuer for eighteen years.
• Jiang Liuer called to Xuanji beneath a great tree, and she dropped down to meet him.

Xuanji agreed to let Jiang Liuer enter Golden Mountain Temple, on the condition that he cultivate both Buddhism and the Dao. After pondering the decision for several days, Jiang Liuer chose to accept the dual path.

• Jiang Liuer told Xuanji that Abbot Fa Ming had invited him to become a monk, but he had not yet decided.
• Xuanji reassured Jiang Liuer that he could choose either Buddhism or the Dao, then visited Fa Ming the next day.
• Fa Ming praised Jiang Liuer's Buddhist affinity, and Xuanji agreed to let him join Golden Mountain Temple if he also cultivated the Dao.
• Fa Ming accepted Xuanji's condition despite worrying that studying both paths might burden Jiang Liuer's talent.
• Xuanji told Jiang Liuer about the arrangement, and he spent several days considering it before agreeing to cultivate both the Buddha Dao and the Dao.

Jiang Liuer became Fa Ming’s disciple at Golden Mountain Temple and received the dharma name Xuanzang, while Xuanji wondered at the name Fa Hai. A year later, Xuanji and Fa Ming prepared to tell Xuanzang about his origins, and Xuanji showed him a blood-written letter.

• Golden Mountain Temple held an apprenticeship ceremony, and Fa Ming named Jiang Liuer Xuanzang after taking only a lock of his hair as his tonsure.
• Xuanji questioned Fa Ming about naming Xuanzang with the same generation character as her, then asked what he thought of the dharma name Fa Hai.
• Xuanzang studied Buddhist teachings at Golden Mountain Temple for a year and gained a strong understanding of Hinayana Buddhist Law.
• Fa Ming asked Xuanji whether they should tell Xuanzang about his parents, and Xuanji agreed that the time had come.
• Xuanzang guessed they wanted to discuss his family, and Xuanji showed him a blood-written letter about the road that had brought him to them.

After reading a blood letter, Xuanzang learned that Liu Hong had stolen Chen Guangrui’s identity and set out with Xuanji and warrior monks to find his mother and confront the impostor. The court sent the King of Qi, Li Jun, to investigate, and he recognized Xuanji.

• Xuanzang learned from the blood letter that Liu Hong had been responsible for his parents’ suffering, and Xuanji urged him to seek revenge.
• Xuanzang and Xuanji left Golden Mountain Temple with fifty warrior monks and reached Jiangzhou, where Xuanji ordered Liu Hong seized.
• Xuanzang reunited with Yin Wenjiao, while Liu Hong denied being an impostor and accused Xuanzang of using sorcery.
• The Jiangzhou general refused to choose sides and sent word to the court, which dispatched the King of Qi, Li Jun.
• Li Jun arrived in Jiangzhou, saw Xuanji, and reacted with sudden recognition.

After Li Jiancheng arrived in Jiangzhou, he believed Xuanzang and Yin Wenjiao, arrested Liu Hong and Li Biao, and ordered the local officials investigated. Yin Wenjiao later tried to die by suicide, but Xuanji rescued her and challenged her to keep living; the chapter ended with Xuanji angrily stopping her from leaving.

• Li Jiancheng accepted Xuanzang and Yin Wenjiao's account and ordered Liu Hong, Li Biao, and Jiangzhou's officials arrested or dismissed for investigation.
• Li Jiancheng questioned Xuanji about her origins and Dao, and she said she followed her heart and wished to see every kind of Dao.
• Li Jiancheng told Xuanzang and Yin Wenjiao they could live together as mother and son, then left while wondering whether Xuanji resembled someone he knew.
• A day and a night later, Yin Wenjiao threw herself into a well, but Xuanji pulled her out and gave her clean clothes.
• Yin Wenjiao said she felt unworthy of living after eighteen years with bandits, but Xuanji urged her to disregard others' judgment and asked whether Chen Guangrui would want her to live.
• Yin Wenjiao prepared to leave, saying she hoped to reunite with Chen Guangrui in death, but Xuanji angrily called her back.

Xuanji met Hong Luan, who promised to resurrect Chen Guangrui and reunited him with Yin Wenjiao and Xuanzang. After granting Xuanzang a year to stay with his family, Xuanji left Jiangzhou, and Hong Luan revealed that she wanted Xuanji’s life.

• Xuanji persuaded Yin Wenjiao to wait five more days for Chen Guangrui before giving up on life.
• Hong Luan approached Xuanji and promised she could bring Chen Guangrui back from the dead without asking for a reward.
• Four days later, Hong Luan returned Chen Guangrui, and he reunited with Yin Wenjiao and Xuanzang.
• Xuanzang refused to return to lay life, and Xuanji granted him a year in Jiangzhou with his parents before she left with the warrior monks.
• Hong Luan followed Xuanji beyond Jiangzhou and admitted that she wanted Xuanji’s life.

Hong Luan told Xuanji that she was the Spirit Wisdom Soul of the Heavenly Jade Maiden, Savior Great Emperor Qingxiao Hongyun, and tried to bring her back to Mount Tai. Xuanji refused, choosing to keep her own life in Dantu County, while Yang Chan and Sun Huo Wang appeared and asked Hong Luan why she was there.

• Hong Luan attacked Xuanji to save someone, but Xuanji held her off and questioned why she was holding back.
• Hong Luan revealed that Xuanji was the Spirit Wisdom Soul of the Heavenly Jade Maiden, Savior Great Emperor Qingxiao Hongyun of Mount Tai of the East.
• Xuanji refused to return to Mount Tai, arguing that rejoining the immortal would erase the life and identity she had made for herself.
• Xuanji told Hong Luan she could visit her in Dantu County, then left after forcing Hong Luan back with her fly-whisk.
• Yang Chan and Sun Huo Wang arrived and told Hong Luan they had come to investigate auspicious fortune stirring around Jiangzhou.

Hong Luan told Yang Chan that one of Verdant Green Maiden’s souls and three spirits had left her body, and that she had come to retrieve them. Sun Huo Wang caught up with Xuanji, but after recognizing her resemblance to Verdant Green Maiden, he agreed to consider her offer of martial arts lessons.

• Hong Luan told Yang Chan and Sun Huo Wang that Verdant Green Maiden’s true form was sleeping on Mount Tai and that she suspected the Book of Fate had caused her soul and spirits to leave.
• Sun Huo Wang rushed after Xuanji intending to subdue her, but stopped when he saw her eyes and sheepishly tried to talk instead.
• Xuanji guessed that Sun Huo Wang was a demon working with Yang Chan, and mocked him for being a coward and for relying on brute strength and his staff.
• Xuanji revealed that she could shake Sun Huo Wang’s staff with a finger and recognized that she was a soul fragment of the Great Immortal.
• Xuanji offered to teach Sun Huo Wang martial arts if he went undercover and reported Hong Luan’s situation to her, then produced her Dao Scripture, The True Marvelous Formula of Perfect Fusion of Exoteric and Esoteric Teachings.

Xuanji persuaded Sun Huo Wang to become her informant, gave him the Great Heavenly Immortal Formula, and renamed him Sun Wukong. The group split up, with Hong Luan searching for Verdant Green Maiden’s remaining fragments while Yang Chan took Sun Huo Wang to Dantu County; Li Jiancheng returned to Chang’an and reported Xuanji’s situation to Li Shimin.

• Xuanji convinced Sun Huo Wang to report on the others and gave him the Dao Scripture, which he renamed the Great Heavenly Immortal Formula.
• Xuanji made Sun Huo Wang her disciple and gave him the name Sun Wukong.
• Sun Huo Wang returned to Jiangzhou and told Hong Luan and Yang Chan that he had failed to stop Xuanji.
• Hong Luan decided to search for Verdant Green Maiden’s remaining soul and spirit fragments, while Yang Chan agreed to handle the matter with Xuanji.
• The next day, Hong Luan left to search while Yang Chan took Sun Huo Wang toward Dantu County.
• Li Jiancheng returned to Chang’an with his men and informed Li Shimin about Xuanji.

Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng discussed whether Verdant Green Maiden was their Master and whether Li Shimin should travel to Golden Mountain Temple in Dantu County. Their conversation turned to the succession, and Li Jiancheng warned Li Shimin to stop favoring Little Fourth over Li Chengqian; Li Shimin then summoned the Crown Prince.

• Li Jiancheng told Li Shimin that the daoist priest in Dantu County might be their Master, and Li Shimin insisted his suspicions were correct.
• Li Shimin described his dream about Buddha and Golden Mountain Temple, while Li Jiancheng warned him against seeking immortals and suggested consulting Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng.
• Li Jiancheng realized Li Shimin wanted to visit Master and agreed to go to Dantu County with him, but Li Shimin asked him to remain in Chang'an and oversee the government.
• Li Jiancheng confronted Li Shimin about favoring Little Fourth over Li Chengqian and warned him to make clear who would inherit the throne.
• Li Shimin called for the guards and ordered them to summon the Crown Prince.

Li Shimin's forces crushed Hou Junji's rebellion and surrounded the Eastern Palace, where Li Xiu Ning kept Li Chengqian company until Li Shimin arrived to speak with his son alone. Li Shimin refused to depose or execute Li Chengqian, leaving the two to face the consequences of his failed treason.

• Li Xiu Ning brought the Black Armor Army to protect Li Chengqian while Li Jiancheng led troops to arrest Hou Junji and the other officials involved in the rebellion.
• Hou Junji was captured and brought before Li Shimin, who promised to hold him solely responsible and spare his family.
• Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng went to the surrounded Eastern Palace, where Li Shimin dismissed Li Xiu Ning and Li Jiancheng to speak privately with Li Chengqian.
• Li Chengqian asked whether Li Shimin would depose or execute him for treason, and urged him not to consider his aunt or eldest uncle.
• Li Shimin said he would do neither, praised Li Chengqian's courage, and compared his son's rebellion to his own past revolt against Li Yuan.
• Li Chengqian laughed bitterly and told Li Shimin there was no need to indulge him.

Li Shimin assured Li Chengqian that he would remain Crown Prince and would one day become emperor. Li Shimin then set out with him for Dantu County to visit their Master, leaving Li Jiancheng and Li Xiu Ning to manage affairs in Chang'an.

• Li Chengqian demanded to know whether Li Shimin would depose him, and Li Shimin promised that he would remain Crown Prince and inherit the throne.
• Li Jiancheng and Li Xiu Ning revealed that they had bet on how quickly Li Shimin and Li Chengqian would reconcile.
• Li Shimin announced that he would take Li Chengqian to Dantu County to visit their Master and leave Chang'an in Li Jiancheng and Li Xiu Ning's hands.
• Li Jiancheng persuaded Li Xiu Ning to keep helping with Great Tang's affairs by reminding her of their Master.
• Li Shimin and Li Chengqian traveled toward Dantu County, and Li Chengqian asked whether their Master was still alive, making Li Shimin cough.