Chapter Summaries

Xiaolongnü secretly woke during the night and realized Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er were together, then pretended to remain asleep. By morning, Bing Xue'er had hidden what happened from her, leaving Xiaolongnü uneasy around Song Qingshu.

• Xiaolongnü broke the acupoints sealed in her body and secretly listened as Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er were together.
• Song Qingshu realized Xiaolongnü was awake and understood she was pretending to sleep to protect Bing Xue'er's dignity.
• Song Qingshu returned to the neighboring room, and Bing Xue'er embraced Xiaolongnü until they both fell asleep.
• Bing Xue'er told Xiaolongnü that Mongol Empire experts had attacked and Song Qingshu had rescued them.
• Xiaolongnü hinted that she knew more than Bing Xue'er had admitted, but stayed quiet when Song Qingshu called them to breakfast.

Xiaolongnü decided to leave Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er after the previous night, claiming she needed to find Guo'er. After she departed, Song Qingshu revealed that he had known Xiaolongnü was awake during the incident, leaving Bing Xue'er furious and embarrassed.

• Xiaolongnü resolved to pretend she knew nothing about the previous night and avoid traveling with Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er again.
• Xiaolongnü told Bing Xue'er she had to leave to look for Guo'er, and Song Qingshu agreed to let her go.
• Xiaolongnü left after Song Qingshu wished her success, and she reconsidered her suspicion of him.
• Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er set out toward the Golden Snake Camp's territory, and Bing Xue'er admitted she feared Xiaolongnü suspected what had happened.
• Song Qingshu revealed that Xiaolongnü had broken free of her acupoints and pretended to remain unconscious, and Bing Xue'er grew furious that he had known.

Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er discovered Miao Renfeng and Miao Ruolan being threatened by a mysterious man in black over Chuang Wang's Treasure. Song Qingshu faced the man after learning he recognized him, leaving their confrontation about to begin.

• Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er heard fighting in the woods and hurried toward it.
• The man in black defeated Miao Renfeng and demanded Chuang Wang's Treasure, threatening Miao Ruolan.
• The man in black tried to persuade Miao Renfeng that he would use the treasure to resist foreign invaders, but Miao Ruolan warned her father not to trust him.
• The man in black raised his hand to strike Miao Ruolan, and Miao Renfeng refused to surrender the treasure.
• Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er arrived, and the man in black recognized Song Qingshu and challenged him.

Song Qingshu fought off a black-clad attacker he recognized as Zhang Wuji, but Zhang escaped after wounding Miao Renfeng and abducting Miao Ruolan. As Miao Renfeng lay dying, he asked Bing Xue'er to take Ruolan to her mother, while Song Qingshu hinted that Nan Lan had told him about Chuang Wang's Treasure.

• Song Qingshu and the black-clad man fought to a standstill until Song recognized the Heaven and Earth Great Shift and identified him as Zhang Wuji.
• Zhang Wuji feinted toward Bing Xue'er, struck Miao Renfeng, seized Miao Ruolan, and fled after Song Qingshu's wooden sword drew blood.
• Song Qingshu gave Miao Renfeng a Snow Ginseng Jade Toad Pill, but realized Zhang Wuji's palm strike had shattered his heart meridians beyond saving.
• Miao Renfeng asked Bing Xue'er to send Miao Ruolan to Nan Lan, and Song Qingshu privately worried that Bing Xue'er might learn how he had treated Nan Lan.
• When Miao Renfeng accused Bing Xue'er of revealing the secret of Chuang Wang's Treasure, Song Qingshu said someone else had told him and implied that person was Nan Lan.

Song Qingshu persuaded the dying Miao Renfeng to give him Nan Lan's jade hairpin, revealing that he planned to use Chuang Wang's Treasure and the Golden Snake Camp to overthrow the Qing. Miao Renfeng entrusted Miao Ruolan to Song Qingshu before dying, leaving Song to comfort her and bury her father.

• Miao Renfeng asked Bing Xue'er to pass Nan Lan a cryptic message, but Song Qingshu revealed that he knew the jade hairpin concealed the Treasure Map and asked Miao Renfeng to obtain it for him.
• Song Qingshu said he controlled the Golden Snake Camp, had an agreement with the Ming dynasty's Ninth Princess, and had secretly ensured the real Kangxi Emperor was dead; Miao Renfeng became convinced his cause might succeed.
• Miao Renfeng told Miao Ruolan to give Song Qingshu the jade hairpin and entrusted her to Song, who promised to protect her.
• Bing Xue'er suspected Miao Renfeng had betrothed Miao Ruolan to Song, but Song denied it and began to explain their deal before Miao Ruolan's sobbing revealed her father had died.
• Song Qingshu buried Miao Renfeng nearby and carved an imposing epitaph into the gravestone with sword qi.

Song Qingshu comforted Miao Ruolan after Miao Renfeng’s death and agreed to teach her martial arts so she could avenge her father. He demonstrated four qinggong techniques, and Miao Ruolan chose Wudang’s Cloud Ascending Steps as the one she liked best.

• Song Qingshu promised to care for Miao Ruolan, soothed her bruised face, and carried her after learning she had sprained her ankle.
• Miao Ruolan asked to learn martial arts so she could help avenge Miao Renfeng, and Song Qingshu agreed on the condition that she not live consumed by hatred.
• Song Qingshu offered to teach Miao Ruolan qinggong and demonstrated the Wall-Crawling Gecko Skill and Wudang’s Cloud Ascending Steps.
• Miao Ruolan rejected the Wall-Crawling Gecko Skill and said she wanted to learn the Cloud Ascending Steps, while Song Qingshu also encouraged Bing Xue'er to learn the Serpentine Tumbling Art.
• Song Qingshu demonstrated the Serpentine Tumbling Art and Treading Sand Without Trace, but Miao Ruolan rejected the final technique.

Song Qingshu began teaching Miao Ruolan lightness skills and the Nine Yin Manual, while Bing Xue'er scouted ahead. After guiding True Qi through Miao Ruolan's meridians, he stopped after one cycle and promised to repeat the lesson once she knew more about acupoints.

• Miao Ruolan rejected Treading Sand Without Trace because she thought it would ruin her appearance, so Song Qingshu taught her Cloud Ascending Steps instead.
• Song Qingshu chose to teach Miao Ruolan the Nine Yin Manual and urged Bing Xue'er to learn it too, but Bing Xue'er refused and went to scout ahead.
• Miao Ruolan asked Song Qingshu whether he liked Bing Xue'er and then whether he would marry her when she grew up; Song Qingshu evaded both questions.
• Song Qingshu carried Miao Ruolan onto a tree branch and guided simulated Nine Yin True Qi through her meridians so she could memorize the route.
• Song Qingshu withdrew his True Qi after one cycle when Miao Ruolan remembered only part of the route, and told her he would teach it again after she learned about acupoints and meridians.

Song Qingshu, Bing Xue'er, and Miao Ruolan encountered two factions arguing over who should rule the Ming restoration. Song Qingshu recognized Mu Jiansheng, Fang Yi, and Mu Jianping on one side and identified the opposing young gentleman as Zheng Keshuang.

• Song Qingshu taught Miao Ruolan how to cultivate Internal Energy and carried her onward to find Bing Xue'er.
• Bing Xue'er reported that two groups were arguing about King Tang and King Gui, and Song Qingshu hurried toward them to prevent a fight.
• Song Qingshu recognized Fang Yi, Mu Jianping, and Mu Jiansheng among one group facing a faction led by an unfamiliar young gentleman.
• The young gentleman claimed the true Son of Heaven was in Taiwan, and Song Qingshu identified him as Zheng Keshuang.

Song Qingshu watched Prince Mu's Mansion and Prince of Yanping's Mansion clash over the rival Ming imperial claims, while learning that A'ke remained a political hostage. Their dispute turned deadly when Feng Xifan killed Bai Hansong, and Song Qingshu arrived with Bing Xue'er and Miao Ruolan as the factions prepared to face them.

• Song Qingshu considered the political dilemma of whether to release A'ke, whom Kangxi had kept as a hostage against Wu Sangui.
• Mu Jiansheng and Zheng Keshuang argued over whether King Tang's or King Gui's descendants held the rightful claim to the Ming throne.
• Feng Xifan answered Prince Mu's Mansion's criticism by bringing up its defeat at Sanshui, and Bai Hansong attacked him.
• Feng Xifan killed Bai Hansong with a precise strike to a fatal acupoint, prompting Prince Mu's Mansion to draw its weapons.
• Song Qingshu explained Feng Xifan's technique to Miao Ruolan as he approached with Bing Xue'er, while Fang Yi's joy at seeing him faded when she noticed Bing Xue'er.

Song Qingshu calmly evaded Feng Xifan’s sword attacks after Zheng Keshuang ordered him seized. As Feng Xifan’s attacks failed, Song Qingshu reconsidered his judgment of Fang Yi, whose concern for him was plain.

• Zheng Keshuang ordered Feng Xifan to capture Song Qingshu, while Mu Jianping worried that Song Qingshu would suffer.
• Fang Yi reassured Mu Jianping that Feng Xifan would be humiliated, and Mu Jianping teased her about knowing Song Qingshu.
• Feng Xifan attacked Song Qingshu, but Song Qingshu dodged each thrust with slight movements while holding a little girl.
• The onlookers realized Song Qingshu was a hidden master, and Fang Yi anxiously watched him evade Feng Xifan’s sword.
• Song Qingshu noticed Fang Yi’s concern and wondered whether he had judged her too harshly.

Song Qingshu killed Feng Xifan after Feng tried to stab Miao Ruolan, then used the killing to settle Feng’s debt for Bai Hansong’s death. Zheng Keshuang left in disgrace, while Prince Mu’s Mansion thanked Song and Mu Jiansheng praised his reputation for resisting the Qing.

• Feng Xifan attacked Miao Ruolan to force Song Qingshu to expose an opening, but Song caught his sword and killed him with a touch to the Tanzhong Acupoint.
• Zheng Keshuang learned Feng Xifan was dead and challenged Song, who said Feng had paid for killing Bai Hansong and ordered Zheng to leave.
• Prince Mu’s Mansion thanked Song for avenging Bai Hansong, and Fang Yi believed Song had acted for her sake.
• Song revealed his name and let Zheng Keshuang go, prompting Zheng to flee with his men in fear.
• Mu Jiansheng bowed to Song and praised him as the man who had attempted to assassinate the False Emperor Kangxi.

Song Qingshu won Mu Jiansheng and Prince Mu's Mansion over by presenting himself as an ally of the Ming restoration cause. Mu Jiansheng agreed to support Song's bid to lead the Golden Snake Camp, and Song departed for the Golden Snake Assembly after privately assuring Fang Yi he would not abandon her.

• Song Qingshu let Mu Jiansheng believe he was connected to Princess Changping and urged him to unite against the Qing, winning the Prince Mu heir's trust.
• Mu Jiansheng introduced Song Qingshu to Prince Mu's Mansion, including Mu Jianping, Liu Dahong, Wu Lishen, Bai Hanfeng, Su Gang, and Fang Yi.
• Mu Jiansheng proposed that Song Qingshu become the Newly Appointed Golden Snake King and promised Prince Mu's Mansion's support.
• Song Qingshu and Mu Jiansheng agreed to meet again at the Golden Snake Assembly, while the Prince Mu party stayed behind to arrange Bai's funeral.
• Song Qingshu departed with Bing Xue'er and Miao Ruolan, then secretly assured Fang Yi he would not let her down, leaving her in tears.

Song Qingshu explained his past with Princess Changping and revealed to Bing Xue'er that he had replaced Kangxi as Qing Emperor. The pair reached the inn to wait for Xia Qingqing, where Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er began an intimate encounter before her arrival.

• Bing Xue'er questioned Song Qingshu about Princess Changping, and he explained that he had saved her with Blissful Zen before she left.
• Song Qingshu privately planned to use Zhu Meichuo's name to influence Ajiu and sow suspicion between her and Zhang Wuji.
• Song Qingshu revealed to Bing Xue'er that he had assassinated Kangxi in Shengjing, taken his place, and continued ruling as the Qing Emperor.
• Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er reached the inn where they expected Xia Qingqing to meet him after nightfall.
• Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er began making love, but Bing Xue'er urged him to stop before Xia Qingqing arrived and found them together.

Song Qingshu reunited Xia Qingqing and Bing Xue'er, and Xia Qingqing explained how the Golden Snake Camp had splintered after Yuan Chengzhi's death. She identified twelve influential factions, leaving Song Qingshu with a clearer picture of the camp's divided forces.

• Song Qingshu and Bing Xue'er were interrupted by Xia Qingqing, and Miao Ruolan's arrival eased the tension between the two women.
• Song Qingshu introduced Xia Qingqing, Bing Xue'er, and Miao Ruolan to one another, and Xia Qingqing described the Golden Snake Camp's infighting after Yuan Chengzhi's death.
• Xia Qingqing explained that Hu Guinan, Iron Arhat, and other former subordinates of Yuan Chengzhi formed one faction, while Gai Mengchang and Meng Baifei led another powerful group.
• Xia Qingqing outlined the factions led by Zheng Qiyun, Chu Hongliu, Sha Tongtian, Cheng Qingzhu, Jiao Wan'er and Luo Liru, and Master Shili.
• Xia Qingqing described Shui Jian, Nie Tianfeng, Rong Cai, and Situ Bolei's factions, and Song Qingshu recognized that Situ Bolei had followed his earlier advice to join the Golden Snake Camp.

Song Qingshu and Xia Qingqing discussed how to secure support in the Golden Snake Camp’s election for a new leader, while Bing Xue’er helped Xia Qingqing plan her next move. Song Qingshu then met Situ Bolei at the Wangwu Sect camp, where Zeng Rou welcomed him with long-held affection.

• Xia Qingqing explained that candidates for Golden Snake King needed nominations from their factions and approval from at least half the other factions, while she knew little about whom to persuade.
• Song Qingshu learned that the Golden Dragon Gang planned to nominate Murong Fu and that the Wangwu Sect had nominated him.
• Bing Xue’er proposed that Xia Qingqing visit the factions for support, but Situ He arrived and invited Song Qingshu to meet Situ Bolei.
• Song Qingshu brought Xia Qingqing to the Wangwu Sect camp, where Situ Bolei and Zeng Rou came out to greet him.
• Zeng Rou remembered Song Qingshu’s earlier visit to Mount Wangwu and felt delighted that he still remembered her.

Song Qingshu sought the Golden Snake King title and received Situ Bolei’s offer to nominate him, conditional on marrying Zeng Rou. Song Qingshu refused, saying he was already married.

• Situ Bolei praised Song Qingshu for attempting to assassinate Kangxi Emperor, while Zeng Rou watched him with affection.
• Song Qingshu told Situ Bolei that he had come to contend for the Golden Snake King title.
• Situ Bolei offered to nominate Song Qingshu, explaining that candidates needed a stronghold’s recommendation.
• Situ Bolei asked Song Qingshu to marry Zeng Rou to secure an alliance with the Wangwu Sect.
• Song Qingshu considered the condition and refused, telling Situ Bolei that he was already married.

Song Qingshu reluctantly accepted Zeng Rou as a wife after Xia Qingqing agreed on his behalf, while Situ Bolei pressed him to marry soon and have an heir. The chapter ended with Situ Bolei revealing that a mysterious visitor wanted to meet Song Qingshu alone.

• Song Qingshu tried to decline Situ Bolei's offer of Zeng Rou, but Situ Bolei insisted she could become his concubine and Zeng Rou agreed to follow her master's arrangements.
• Xia Qingqing accepted the proposal for Song Qingshu, and he promised Situ Bolei that he would treat Zeng Rou well.
• Situ Bolei asked Song Qingshu to call him Uncle and discussed holding the wedding, while Situ He urged them to marry soon and have children.
• Song Qingshu postponed the wedding until after the Golden Snake Assembly, and Situ Bolei said the Wangwu Sect would follow him even if he failed to become Golden Snake King.
• Situ Bolei told Song Qingshu that someone in the camp wished to meet him, but the visitor had requested to see him alone, leaving Xia Qingqing unable to accompany him.

Song Qingshu followed Situ Bolei to meet a mysterious person, then fought a masked woman who blamed him for destroying what she treasured most. He left the encounter without learning her identity, though he decided to capture her and demand answers.

• Song Qingshu warned Xia Qingqing to stay alert and followed Situ Bolei through the stronghold to meet an unnamed visitor.
• Situ Bolei explained that he had agreed to Zeng Rou becoming Song Qingshu’s concubine because of another honored woman’s status, leaving Song Qingshu wondering if Zhou Zhiruo was involved.
• Situ Bolei left Song Qingshu at a dark, secluded courtyard, where Song sensed a lone master waiting inside.
• A woman launched a sword attack from the darkness, but Song Qingshu dodged it with his spiritual senses and countered with a finger strike.
• The woman accused Song Qingshu of destroying the most precious thing she had, but he could not identify her and began attacking to capture her.

Song Qingshu captured the masked attacker and discovered she was Zhu Meichuo, the former Ming Cult Saintess. After learning she had left the cult, he told her that Zhang Wuji had ambushed him and explained how the encounter led him to learn an embarrassing Buddhist technique.

• Song Qingshu baited the masked woman into a sword thrust, then struck her acupoint and caught her.
• Song Qingshu lit the oil lamp and recognized the attacker as Zhu Meichuo, the Ninth Princess.
• Song Qingshu released Zhu Meichuo's acupoints after she claimed she had only wanted to test his martial arts.
• Zhu Meichuo told Song Qingshu that she had resigned as the Ming Cult's Saintess and would not return.
• Song Qingshu told Zhu Meichuo that he had fought Zhang Wuji and explained how Zhang's ambush led him to seek treatment in Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism and learn the technique.

Song Qingshu told Zhu Meichuo about Zhang Wuji’s search for Chuang Wang’s Treasure, and she revealed that she trusted Song Qingshu over Zhang Wuji. Zhu Meichuo accepted Song Qingshu as her beloved and asked him to call her Ah Jiu.

• Song Qingshu explained that Zhang Wuji had questioned Miao Renfeng about Chuang Wang’s Treasure, and Zhu Meichuo recalled her father’s sacrifice and her hatred of Li Zicheng.
• Song Qingshu comforted Zhu Meichuo as she mourned her father, then explained what he knew about the treasure and Miao Renfeng’s daughter, Miao Ruolan.
• Zhu Meichuo assured Song Qingshu that she would not blame Miao Ruolan for her ancestor’s service to Li Zicheng.
• Zhu Meichuo said she trusted Song Qingshu and asked him to call her Ah Jiu, then shyly accepted his embrace.
• The chapter revealed that Zhu Meichuo had resigned as the Ming Cult’s Saintess, returned to the Central Plains, and helped arrange Zeng Rou’s marriage to Song Qingshu.