Chapter Summaries

After spending the night with Zhou Zhiruo, Song Qingshu reunited with Xia Qingqing, who gave up her revenge against Dongfang Bubai to avoid losing him. The three discussed how Song Qingshu would handle life among the imperial palace’s consorts.

• Song Qingshu woke to find Zhou Zhiruo gone, with a note saying she had returned to Emei and needed time alone.
• Song Qingshu removed his mask and reunited with Xia Qingqing, who tearfully confessed her feelings and asked him to stop pursuing revenge against Dongfang Bubai.
• Song Qingshu agreed to Xia Qingqing’s request, while Dongfang Muxue teased them and exposed that he had just been with Zhou Zhiruo.
• Xia Qingqing and Dongfang Muxue traded barbs about their relationships with Song Qingshu, and Song Qingshu introduced Dongfang Muxue as his partner, Miss Xue.
• The group discussed Song Qingshu’s conduct in the palace, including Little Empress Tong and Hui Fei, as Xia Qingqing pressed him about the consorts he might have to face.

Song Qingshu resolved to keep the Qing throne while preserving his own identity by having Dongfang Muxue impersonate Kangxi Emperor and building an independent power base through the Golden Snake Camp. He planned to reunite the camp, overthrow the Qing regime, establish a Han Chinese state, and challenge the Mongol Empire.

• Song Qingshu reconsidered remaining emperor after Xia Qingqing warned that the world would remember him only as Kangxi Emperor, and he understood the dead emperor’s scheme to erase his identity.
• Song Qingshu declared that he wanted to be both emperor and Song Qingshu, and proposed that Dongfang Muxue disguise herself as Kangxi Emperor so he could pursue his own ambitions.
• Song Qingshu asked Xia Qingqing to accompany him to Shandong and help reunite the Golden Snake Camp, and she agreed despite her grief over Yuan Chengzhi.
• Song Qingshu explained that his authority rested entirely on Kangxi Emperor’s identity, so he needed territory and troops of his own.
• Song Qingshu announced his plan to use the Golden Snake Camp to overthrow the Qing regime, establish a Han Chinese state, and contend with the Mongol Empire.

Song Qingshu taught Dongfang Muxue how to impersonate Kangxi so they could undermine the Qing court, while they discussed the harem, Zhou Zhiruo, and their private affairs. Dongfang Muxue agreed to learn the disguise, but their banter ended with her teasing Song Qingshu about inspecting her body.

• Song Qingshu explained that Dongfang Muxue could pose as Kangxi and make foolish decisions to weaken the Qing court, then promised to teach her Disguise Art.
• Song Qingshu sent Xia Qingqing back to her chamber to continue pretending to be consort Ping, and Dongfang Muxue urged him not to give up Zhou Zhiruo's support.
• Dongfang Muxue warned Song Qingshu that Madam Yuan might eventually learn the truth about Yuan Chengzhi's death and his connection to it.
• Song Qingshu began teaching Dongfang Muxue Disguise Art, then stopped her from attacking eunuchs who were spying on them.
• Dongfang Muxue described how she had pleased women as Cult Master, and Song Qingshu asked her to explain her methods.
• Dongfang Muxue said impersonating Kangxi might let her enjoy the harem, while Song Qingshu warned her not to touch Little Empress Tong; she teased him by offering to let him inspect her.

Song Qingshu confirmed Dongfang Muxue was a woman, and she explained that she wanted them to trust each other as partners in their ambitions. They discussed his dangerous Blissful Zen inner demon and her injuries, then practiced disguise so Dongfang Muxue could impersonate Kangxi and other people.

• Dongfang Muxue let Song Qingshu verify that she was a woman, then explained that she had acted to dispel his doubts and build trust between them.
• Song Qingshu told Dongfang Muxue that Blissful Zen had caused him to lose control with Little Empress Tong, and she proposed transferring some of his excess true qi to a badly injured woman through dual cultivation.
• Dongfang Muxue declined to heal her injuries immediately because Song Qingshu needed to recover from his fight with Zhou Zhiruo, and they resumed practicing the Disguise Art.
• Song Qingshu taught Dongfang Muxue to impersonate Kangxi, and she later practiced disguising herself as Zhou Zhiruo, Xia Qingqing, and Song Qingshu.
• Dongfang Muxue removed her mask and accused Song Qingshu of teaching her so carefully because he had ulterior motives.

Song Qingshu explained his plan to reunite the fragmented Golden Snake Camp by arranging for a massive imperial army to threaten it, then presenting himself as its savior. The plan depended on Dongfang Muxue’s cooperation, and Song Qingshu hinted that he wanted to treat her injuries before leaving the capital.

• Dongfang Muxue teased Song Qingshu about using the Disguise Art to imitate beautiful women and insisted that no one else impersonate her for him.
• Xia Qingqing arrived and asked Song Qingshu how he would bring the divided Golden Snake Camp under his command.
• Song Qingshu proposed using a large imperial army to put the stronghold leaders in despair, then having Xia Qingqing recommend him as their savior.
• Dongfang Muxue praised Song Qingshu’s strategy, while Xia Qingqing worried that the plan was too risky.
• Song Qingshu identified Dongfang Muxue as a crucial player who could ruin his plan, then asked whether she still needed treatment for her injuries.

Song Qingshu and Xia Qingqing left Yanjing for Shandong after settling their plans, then encountered Zhao Min and Princess Huazheng at an inn. Zhao Min questioned the Golden Wheel Monk about Guo Jing, while Song Qingshu recognized the women and wondered why they had come south.

• Dongfang Muxue refused Song Qingshu’s hint at making their relationship transactional, and the two reached an understanding about her treatment.
• Song Qingshu and Xia Qingqing left Yanjing for Shandong after several days of discussing their plan.
• Xia Qingqing asked about Dongfang Muxue, and Song Qingshu told her she was a partner who was both friend and foe while Xia was the person he trusted most.
• Zhao Min arrived at an inn with Princess Huazheng and the Golden Wheel Monk, and Song Qingshu recognized them.
• Zhao Min asked the Golden Wheel Monk to judge Guo Jing’s character and compare his martial arts with his own.

Song Qingshu watched Zhao Min’s party clash with Li Mochou at an inn, where the Xuanming Elders attacked the Crimson Lotus Fairy together. As Li Mochou’s escape routes dwindled, a Buddhist voice sounded from the entrance.

• Golden Wheel Monk said he had fought Guo Jing to a draw and claimed his newly cultivated Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill would let him defeat him.
• Zhao Min proposed killing Guo Jing, but Hua Zheng refused and compared Zhao Min’s choice to abandon her status for Zhang Wuji.
• Song Qingshu weighed abducting Zhao Min, then dismissed the idea after considering the guards and their formidable martial arts.
• Li Mochou entered the inn, and Lu Zhangke’s lewd remark prompted her to attack him with Ice Soul Silver Needles; the two exchanged poisoned palms and fought to a standstill.
• He Biyuan joined Lu Zhangke, forcing Li Mochou into an increasingly confined space, as Song Qingshu hesitated over whether to help her.
• A deep Buddhist chant sounded from the entrance.

Master Xuan Cheng arrived at the inn and confronted Li Mochou, whom he had pursued on orders to take her back to Shaolin Temple. When Xuan Cheng’s staff nearly struck her as she tried to escape, Song Qingshu knocked it aside with a chopstick, and Li Mochou landed beside his table.

• Master Xuan Cheng entered the inn and interrupted the Xuanming Elders as they besieged Li Mochou.
• Xuan Cheng used the Formless Tribulation Finger to drive off the Xuanming Elders and revealed that he was Shaolin Temple’s Thirteen Absolute Divine Monk.
• Xuan Cheng explained that he had pursued Li Mochou to capture her and return her to Shaolin Temple for lifelong repentance.
• Xuan Cheng attacked Li Mochou with his Buddhist staff, breaking her horsetail whisk and injuring her hand.
• Li Mochou risked taking Xuan Cheng’s thrown staff so she could escape, but Song Qingshu struck it aside with a chopstick.
• Li Mochou landed beside Song Qingshu and thanked him for saving her.

Song Qingshu saved Li Mochou from Xuan Cheng and traded barbs with Zhao Min and the Shaolin monk over his identity and motives. After he called Zhao Min a demoness, she ordered the Eight Divine Archers to kill him, and a rain of arrows descended on him.

• Song Qingshu knocked Xuan Cheng's Buddhist staff aside with a chopstick and rescued Li Mochou.
• Zhao Min recognized Song Qingshu, and he caught the arrow she threw at him while teasing her about being his sweetheart.
• Xuan Cheng insulted Zhang Sanfeng, and Song Qingshu defended the Wudang patriarch before denying he had saved Li Mochou out of lust.
• Song Qingshu told the story of the old monk who carried a woman across a river, prompting Zhao Min to accuse him of lechery.
• Song Qingshu called Zhao Min a demoness, and she ordered the Eight Divine Archers to fire on him.

Song Qingshu protected Zhao Min and Hua Zheng from an arrow attack, then fought off the Xuanming Elders and helped Xia Qingqing and Li Mochou escape. Zhao Min maneuvered Xuan Cheng into challenging him, and Xuan Cheng began attacking with Shaolin’s Prajna Palm.

• Song Qingshu blocked the Eight Divine Archers’ arrows with a flipped table and sent a chopstick toward Zhao Min, shattering the hairpin she had exchanged with Zhang Wuji.
• The Xuanming Elders attacked Song Qingshu, who held them off while urging Xia Qingqing and Li Mochou to flee.
• Song Qingshu drove the Xuanming Elders back and stopped Xuan Cheng from striking Li Mochou as she escaped through a window.
• Xuan Cheng recognized Song Qingshu’s Great Demon Subduing Fist and Nine Yin Manual techniques, then abandoned his complaint about Wudang after Song explained he had been expelled.
• Zhao Min steered Xuan Cheng into confronting Song Qingshu over Li Mochou, and Xuan Cheng attacked with Shaolin’s Prajna Palm.
• Princess Huazheng asked Zhao Min why Song Qingshu seemed so wary of Xuan Cheng’s apparently gentle, slow palm strikes.

Song Qingshu challenged Xuan Cheng’s attack on Li Mochou and condemned Zhao Min’s role in the Mongol invasion, prompting Xuan Cheng to turn on the Mongol party. Xuan Cheng overwhelmed their guards with his Lion’s Roar and killed A San, leaving Zhao Min’s group badly injured and under threat.

• Song Qingshu and Xuan Cheng traded palm strikes, and Song argued that Zhao Min’s invasion caused far greater harm than Li Mochou’s crimes.
• Zhao Min revealed that the Mongols had come south to negotiate peace, and Song worried they would redirect their forces against another nation.
• After Song identified Zhao Min as the woman behind Shaolin’s humiliation, Xuan Cheng attacked her, but the Eight Divine Archers fired arrows that bounced off his Indestructible Vajra Body.
• Xuan Cheng used his Lion’s Roar to incapacitate the Mongol guards and injure the warriors protecting Zhao Min and Hua Zheng.
• Xuan Cheng challenged A San’s Great Vajra Finger with the Dragon Claw Hand, broke A San’s fingers, and snapped his neck.

Xuan Cheng defeated A San, A Da, and A Er before fighting the Xuanming Elders and the Golden Wheel Monk. As the Golden Wheel Monk revealed his tenth-level Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, Song Qingshu considered kidnapping Zhao Min.

• A San died at Xuan Cheng's hands, and Xuan Cheng shattered A Da's sword with One Finger Zen.
• Xuan Cheng used Prajna Palm to neutralize A Er's strike and wound him, prompting Zhao Min to send the Xuanming Elders into the fight.
• The Xuanming Elders battled Xuan Cheng together, but Zhao Min called on the Golden Wheel Monk when they began to lose ground.
• The Golden Wheel Monk attacked with his five wheels and briefly gained the advantage, while the Xuanming Elders refused Zhao Min's order to help him.
• Xuan Cheng activated his Indestructible Vajra Body, repelled the wheels, and took up a Buddhist staff as the Golden Wheel Monk revealed his tenth-level Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.
• Song Qingshu watched Zhao Min and thought that kidnapping her would be easy.

Song Qingshu seized Zhao Min during the clash between the Golden Wheel Monk and Xuan Cheng, then escaped with her despite her being injured by Xuan Cheng's palm. While discussing their past and Zhao Min's estrangement from Zhang Wuji, Song Qingshu proposed that he and Zhao Min pair up to infuriate Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo.

• Song Qingshu watched the Golden Wheel Monk fight Xuan Cheng and considered how to delay Mongol peace negotiations to protect his plans for Manchu Qing.
• Zhao Min appealed to Xuan Cheng to let the peace mission proceed, giving the Golden Wheel Monk a chance to recover.
• Song Qingshu swept aside the Xuanming Elders, seized Zhao Min, and escaped through a window as the Golden Wheel Monk and Xuan Cheng attacked.
• Xuan Cheng's palm strike transmitted through a bronze flask and severely injured Zhao Min, but Song Qingshu carried her away from their pursuers.
• Song Qingshu apologized for Zhao Min's injury and questioned her about Zhang Wuji; she refused to explain why she had returned to the Mongol Empire.
• Song Qingshu joked that he and Zhao Min should pair up to infuriate Zhang Wuji and Zhou Zhiruo.

Song Qingshu kept Zhao Min alive after Xuan Cheng’s attack and tried to persuade her to accept further treatment, but she refused his proposed method. He named Master Yideng and the Four Great Divine Doctors as alternatives, though Zhao Min rejected Zhang Wuji as a healer.

• Zhao Min insulted Song Qingshu and refused to let him save her if it required her to undress.
• When Zhao Min nearly collapsed from her injuries, Song Qingshu caught her and sent true qi into her to stabilize her.
• Zhao Min recovered enough to sit against a tree, then blamed Song Qingshu’s abduction for her injuries and complained about Shaolin Temple.
• Song Qingshu threatened to expose Zhao Min’s death in a humiliating way until she promised not to kill herself.
• Song Qingshu said Master Yideng and the Four Great Divine Doctors could treat her, but Zhao Min rejected Zhang Wuji as an option.

Song Qingshu weighed whether to take the injured Zhao Min to Kaifeng for treatment, then bargained for her agreement to one future condition and took her earring as a token. He left her wondering how he would carry her the hundreds of li to Kaifeng.

• Song Qingshu explained that Ping Yizhi in Kaifeng was the nearest suitable physician, but traveling there would delay his own plans.
• Zhao Min argued that Song Qingshu would not truly abandon her, and he insisted he would help only if she accepted three conditions he had yet to choose.
• Song Qingshu persuaded Zhao Min to agree to one condition, provided it would not involve the sort of act she feared.
• Song Qingshu took Zhao Min's earring as a token of her promise to honor the future condition.
• Zhao Min asked how Song Qingshu would get her to Kaifeng, and he said he would carry her there.

Song Qingshu carried the injured Zhao Min to a forest near Kaifeng, where they discussed his past, his resolve not to kill casually, and his wooden sword. The chapter ended when Song Qingshu sensed a group approaching them.

• Song Qingshu carried Zhao Min through the night, using his lightness skill and true qi to protect her from the cold.
• At a campfire near Kaifeng, Zhao Min woke and learned they would wait until dawn to enter the city because of her injuries and disguise.
• Zhao Min questioned Song Qingshu about killing Mo Shenggu and his hostility toward Zhang Wuji, while Song Qingshu said he had changed after enduring despair and hardship.
• Zhao Min asked to inspect Song Qingshu's wooden sword, and he showed it to her after teasing her about revealing her bodice.
• Song Qingshu noticed several people approaching along the road.

Song Qingshu and the injured Zhao Min accepted a ride into Kaifeng in the carriage of a mysterious Jin noblewoman. After searching them and hearing their aliases, Madam Tang took a liking to Zhao Min, unaware that he was a woman in disguise.

• Zhao Min hoped her pursuers had caught up, but a Jin-dressed carriage party appeared instead, making her fear that her Mongol identity might be discovered.
• Song Qingshu politely explained their situation, and the woman in the carriage offered to take them into Kaifeng to find a physician for his injured younger brother.
• The guards searched Song Qingshu and let him search Zhao Min, who angrily endured his hands roaming over her before they were allowed into the carriage.
• Song Qingshu introduced them as the brothers Song Xiyang and Song Qiucao, and the carriage's occupant introduced herself as Madam Tang.
• Madam Tang mistook Zhao Min for a handsome young man, invited him to sit beside her, and asked who had injured him.

Song Qingshu and Zhao Min rode with Madam Tang, whose flirtation and strange influence puzzled them, until a surprise attack revealed her identity as the wife of the Jiedushi of Chongyi Army. They faced a force led by a woman in green who accused Song Qingshu of humiliating and violating her, and threatened them with tubes of poisonous water.

• Madam Tang invited Song Qingshu to massage her while Zhao Min rested, and Song Qingshu realized the carriage’s incense had affected Zhao Min.
• Song Qingshu pulled Zhao Min into his arms and blocked dozens of Armor-piercing Arrows as attackers ambushed the carriage.
• The attackers identified Madam Tang as the wife of the Jiedushi of Chongyi Army, and she pleaded with Song Qingshu to save her in exchange for any condition within the Jin Dynasty.
• A woman in green recognized Song Qingshu, accused him of humiliating and violating her, and ordered her black-robed men to aim bamboo tubes containing deadly Poisonous Water at the group.
• The woman in green demanded that Song Qingshu sever both arms and gouge out his eyes, while he asked her to explain what he had done.

Yang Miaozhen arrived as Ren Yingying confronted Song Qingshu and Madam Tang's party, then recognized Song as the famed hero and offered him safe passage. When Song refused to abandon Madam Tang, he entrusted the injured Zhao Min to Yang Miaozhen and prepared to face the danger himself.

• Yang Miaozhen intervened when Ren Yingying hesitated over using Poisonous Water, and offered to capture Song Qingshu for her.
• Yang Miaozhen killed Madam Tang's guard captain with a precise Pear Blossom Spear thrust after he insulted her.
• Song Qingshu recognized Yang Miaozhen as Fourth Mistress, and she recognized him as the supposedly dead former Number One Master of the Manchu Qing.
• Song Qingshu explained that he had brought Zhao Min to Kaifeng for treatment and that Madam Tang had helped them enter the city.
• Yang Miaozhen's followers praised Song Qingshu, while Ren Yingying abandoned her plan to use Poisonous Water.
• Song Qingshu refused to leave Madam Tang behind, entrusted Zhao Min to Yang Miaozhen, and Zhao Min angrily reproached him.

Zhao Min proposed a one-on-one duel between Song Qingshu and Yang Miaozhen to settle whether Madam Tang would be handed over. The duel began with Yang Miaozhen unleashing a spear attack that Song Qingshu realized consisted of 108 real strikes, leaving him with no safe path to retreat.

• Zhao Min urged Song Qingshu to leave, but he insisted on protecting Madam Tang because she had shown him kindness.
• Yang Miaozhen said she had accepted a commission to kill Madam Tang, and Zhao Min proposed that a duel decide her fate.
• Song Qingshu accepted Yang Miaozhen's terms, agreeing that a draw would count as his loss.
• Zhao Min tried to persuade Ren Yingying to lend Song Qingshu her sword, but Ren Yingying refused.
• Yang Miaozhen opened the duel with her Pear Blossom Spear, and Song Qingshu recognized that all 108 apparent spearheads were real strikes.