Chapter Summaries

At Mijie Mountain, Ning Chen uncovered the flaw in the Buddhist Vajras’ Indestructible Vajra Body and questioned them about a sealed golden short sword. He learned it was a demonic artifact called the Blood-Patterned Sword, and two monks agreed to lead him to the stone slab that recorded how to break its seal.

• Fan Lingyue reassured Qing Wuyou that Mingyue would be safe and eventually return to Northern Meng.
• Ning Chen tested a Buddhist Vajra and discovered that the Tanzhong acupoint was a weakness in the Indestructible Vajra Body.
• Ning Chen questioned the monks about the golden short sword, and one revealed that it was the Blood-Patterned Sword, a demonic artifact sealed by Buddhist teachings.
• Ning Chen had three monks buried up to their chests and waited as fear and blood loss drove two of them to offer information.
• Two Buddhist Vajras told Ning Chen that a stone slab beneath the secret chamber recorded the sword’s origins and how to undo its seal, then led him toward it.

Ning Chen used the blood of the Buddhist followers killed at Mijie Mountain to break the golden shortsword’s seal, revealing the Blood-Patterned Sword. As the Du'e Temple Abbot and three protectors arrived, Qing Ling joined Ning Chen, and they prepared to exploit the sword’s suppression of Buddhist arts and the Abbot’s weakness at the danzhong point.

• Ning Chen discovered the stone slab’s account of the golden shortsword: it was a demonic grievance weapon sealed by the first abbot of Du'e Temple.
• Ning Chen led three hundred Imperial Guards against the Buddhist followers gathering at Mijie Mountain and ordered them to kill everyone.
• Ning Chen gathered the slaughter’s blood and resentment into a Bloodfall, breaking the shortsword’s Buddhist seal and transforming it into the Blood-Patterned Sword.
• The Du'e Temple Abbot and three Buddhist kingdom protectors arrived, and Ning Chen assigned the Imperial Guard commander to hold off the protectors.
• Qing Ling arrived to aid Ning Chen, who explained that the Blood-Patterned Sword suppressed Buddhist arts and that the Abbot’s Indestructible Vajra Body had a flaw at the danzhong point.

Ning Chen and Qing Ling fought the Du'e Temple Abbot while the Imperial Guards sacrificed themselves to hold off the Buddhist Protectors. After Ning Chen was pierced in the flames and the Abbot appeared victorious, a sword of pale yellow sand struck his Tan Zhong point, leaving the battle’s outcome uncertain.

• Ning Chen and Qing Ling attacked the Du'e Temple Abbot together, wounding him but suffering severe injuries in return.
• The Imperial Guards fought the three Buddhist Protectors, and the commander killed one after soldiers gave their lives to create an opening.
• Ning Chen used the Heavenly Tome to expose the Abbot’s Tan Zhong point and stab him with the Ink Sword, but the Abbot shattered the weapon and forced the guards to retreat.
• The Abbot’s Realm of Hundred Lotuses weakened the blood light, and Qing Ling helped Ning Chen escape as the Abbot and two Protectors pursued them.
• A flaming arrow exploded on the mountain path, and Ning Chen charged into the flames, where the Abbot pierced him through the body.
• A sword formed from pale yellow sand silently stabbed into the Abbot’s Tan Zhong point.

Ning Chen and Qing Ling defeated the Du'e Temple Abbot and tried to return to Great Xia with Little Mingyue, while Fan Lingyue maneuvered over peace talks and prepared for Ning Chen’s possible defeat. Their journey was interrupted when Mu Chengxue attacked Qing Ling, and the Barbarian King appeared to shield them.

• Ning Chen and Qing Ling wounded the Du'e Temple Abbot and pinned him to the mountain wall with the Blood-Patterned Sword, then ordered the Imperial Guards to keep him burning with resentful blood and firewood.
• Ning Chen asked Qing Ling to take him to Little Mingyue, warned the girl to conceal her identity, and collapsed; Qing Ling carried them away and killed the Buddhist Nation’s guardian in Gulan City.
• Fan Lingyue sent Mu Chengxue away, ordered Great Xia’s envoys to be offered concessions in negotiations, and told her general to publicize Northern Mongol’s sincerity.
• Changsun worried over Ning Chen’s brief letter and ordered the Confucian school’s command bearers to send troops within two days.
• Qing Ling tended to Ning Chen as Little Mingyue kept watch, but Mu Chengxue attacked them as they prepared to leave; the Barbarian King arrived and offered to hold her off.

The Barbarian King held off Mu Chengxue long enough for Qing Ling to bring the wounded Ning Chen and Mingyue back to the imperial city, where Prince Yan and Qing Ling treated him. As Great Xia’s enemies faltered, the struggle between the Imperial Princes became the kingdom’s most urgent danger, and Changsun faced the looming choice of a new emperor.

• The Barbarian King blocked Mu Chengxue while Qing Ling escaped with Ning Chen and Mingyue, then ended the fight and departed.
• Qing Ling brought Ning Chen to Prince Yan’s residence, where Prince Yan purged the Abbot’s Buddhist power from his body.
• Changsun returned Ning Chen to Weiyang Palace, where Qing Ling gave him a Dragon Heaven Pill and Mingyue placed her protective talisman on him.
• The Confucian School captured Gulan City after the Du'e Temple Abbot’s defeat, while Great Xia’s forces pushed back the Buddhist Kingdom and the Eternal Night Divine Cult.
• Changsun learned that Northern Mongolia’s Military Advisor continued to feign peace negotiations as conflict between Great Xia’s Imperial Princes intensified and the choice of a new emperor became unavoidable.

Ning Chen recovered in Weiyang Palace while Great Xia granted him the title of Martial Marquis, drawing the attention of the princes competing for the throne. He realized Fan Lingyue’s peace negotiations were likely meant to encourage Great Xia’s internal conflict, and the chapter left him facing the danger of a succession crisis.

• Fan Lingyue told Qing Wuyou that the time for her plan had not yet come and worried that Ning Chen had returned to the Great Xia Imperial Palace.
• The Three Grand Ministers granted Ning Chen the rank of Martial Marquis, prompting the Third Prince and Tenth Prince to seek his support.
• Ning Chen revealed to Xia Ziyi that he had awakened two days earlier, asked him to repair the broken Ink Sword, and gave him the Indestructible Vajra Body technique.
• Changsun told Ning Chen to leave the palace the next day and warned him that both princes would try to win him over.
• After Qing Ling described the Northern Mongol peace talks, Ning Chen suspected Fan Lingyue was feigning weakness to let Great Xia’s internal conflict erupt.

Ning Chen realized Fan Lingyue had maneuvered Great Xia toward another crisis as the Third Prince and Tenth Prince intensified their struggle for the throne. After leaving the palace with Mingyue, he faced pressure to choose a side while hiding the blood he coughed up.

• Ning Chen concluded that Fan Lingyue had used the Buddhist Kingdom to distract Great Xia and that the Imperial Princes' rivalry could no longer be stopped; he judged one of them would have to die to limit the damage.
• Ning Chen spent the evening caring for Mingyue, helping her bathe and dry her hair, then telling her a story as she fell asleep.
• Ning Chen secretly coughed blood through the night, and the next morning he and Mingyue left Weiyang Palace for his new marquis's residence.
• The Third Prince and Tenth Prince sent nearly identical visiting cards, but Ning Chen replied that he was unwell and could not receive them.
• Yue Hanyi, master of Lingyan Pavilion, sent Ning Chen a visiting card; Ning Chen declined and suspected Yue Hanyi's true master was tied to one of the Imperial Princes.

Ning Chen rejected pressure from Yue Hanyi and the Three Grand Ministers to stay out of the imperial succession struggle, and he defied Changsun’s order to remain home by attending her birthday banquet. The gathering ended with the court watching the seventeen-year-old Marquis of Knowing Fate closely, wary of his power and reputation.

• Ning Chen threatened to destroy Lingyan Pavilion if Yue Hanyi continued trying to recruit him, and Yue Hanyi reported his refusal to a man hidden behind a screen.
• The Grand Tutor, Duke Jingwu, and Duke Xiyu each sent Ning Chen letters telling him not to attend Changsun’s birthday banquet, but he discarded them and decided to go.
• A court historian questioned whether Ning Chen was truly seventeen when he was made Martial Marquis, and Changsun confirmed there was no error.
• Ning Chen arrived at Changsun’s birthday banquet with Little Mingyue despite having been told to stay home, and presented Changsun with a luminous pearl.
• Ning Chen ignored the approaches of Xia Mingri and Xia Yanwu while greeting Xia Ziyi and Xia Xinyu, as officials watched him with envy and wariness over his destruction of Mijie Mountain.

At the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, Marquis Anqing mocked Ning Chen’s origins, prompting Ning Chen to ask for his daughter’s hand and Changsun to strip the marquis of his office. As rival factions fought over the vacant position, Ning Chen was appointed director of the Ministry of Justice, while Changsun hinted that she had plans for his marriage.

• Marquis Anqing asked whether Ning Chen was betrothed, and Ning Chen retaliated by formally asking to marry the marquis’s daughter before Changsun.
• Changsun granted Ning Chen’s request, then rejected Marquis Anqing’s plea to withdraw the order and told him to retire; Duke Xiyu supported replacing him as director of the Ministry of Justice.
• The Tenth Prince tried to defend Marquis Anqing, but withdrew once Changsun’s decision was final; Changsun then said she had her own plans for Ning Chen’s marriage.
• Officials from the Tenth Prince’s and Third Prince’s factions argued over who should replace Marquis Anqing, until Xia Ziyi proposed Ning Chen for the post.
• The princes and officials accepted the proposal, and Changsun formally appointed Ning Chen director of the Ministry of Justice, in charge of criminal law and prisons.

At the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, Ning Chen refused her order to marry the Ninth Princess, provoking her anger and leaving his standing at court uncertain. After the guests departed, Ning Chen and Xia Ziyi fought to a draw, and Ning Chen realized how deeply the First Prince had concealed his abilities.

• Changsun ordered Xia Xinyu to pour wine for Ning Chen, then announced she intended to betroth them; Xia Xinyu indicated she did not agree.
• Xia Mingri, Xia Ziyi, and Xia Yanwu each opposed the marriage, but Ning Chen also refused, saying he already had someone in his heart.
• Changsun angrily left the banquet, while Xia Mingri and Xia Yanwu invited Ning Chen to visit their residences and seek his support.
• After the others departed, Xia Ziyi asked Ning Chen to fight, and the two exchanged techniques beneath the moon.
• Xia Ziyi unleashed Boundless Ocean of Learning and Ning Chen answered with the Milky Way of the Nine Heavens; their clash ended without either gaining the advantage.
• Ning Chen carried the sleeping Mingyue away and reflected that Xia Ziyi had secretly suppressed his formidable abilities for more than twenty years.

Ning Chen argued with Changsun over her demand that he marry the Ninth Princess, then learned the Du'e Temple Abbot had been rescued and worried that Fan Lingyue would soon act. After witnessing his Red-Clad Guards trample a little girl’s Tanghulu, he headed to the Ministry of Justice to confront his subordinates.

• Changsun tried to force Ning Chen to marry the Ninth Princess, but he refused, and she agreed to think further about his troublesome background.
• Ning Chen and Mingyue returned to the marquis's estate, where he received word that the Du'e Temple Abbot had been rescued and the Blood-Patterned Sword was nearly ruined.
• Ning Chen left Mingyue at the estate and walked through the imperial city, reflecting on his life in this world.
• Red-Clad Guards of the Ministry of Justice charged through the street and trampled the Tanghulu bought by a little boy for his sister.
• Ning Chen apologized to the children and bought them two new sticks of Tanghulu, then went to the Ministry of Justice to confront his subordinates.

Ning Chen took control of the Ministry of Justice by overpowering its six leaders and learned that Marquis Anqing had ordered the execution of the Lord of Ying City. After summoning Yin Wugou and testing his swordsmanship, Ning Chen suddenly struck him down, leaving their confrontation unresolved.

• Yin Wugou returned to the Ministry of Justice with the severed head of the Lord of Ying City, while its leaders argued about the new Minister and the Empress Dowager’s influence.
• Ning Chen arrived, introduced himself to Elder Yuan, Old Woman Ding, Zhao Ji, Lu Suan, Jin Tu, and Yan Zishu, then forced them to their knees with his aura and demanded their cooperation.
• Ning Chen questioned the leaders about the execution and learned from Old Woman Ding that Marquis Anqing had ordered it.
• Yin Wugou wondered whether he had killed another good man, then went to meet Ning Chen after receiving the Minister’s summons.
• Ning Chen and Yin Wugou fought to a standstill with Frost Bloom and the Sword of Bloodlight; Yin Wugou acknowledged Ning Chen as the first swordsman he could not defeat and knelt to greet him as Minister.
• Ning Chen suddenly struck Yin Wugou with Frost Bloom and sent him flying, scattering blood across the ground.

Ning Chen asserted his authority as Director of the Ministry of Justice, investigated the Lord of Yingcheng’s records, and learned Duke Xiyu had examined them. He then visited the Third Prince, Xia Yanwu, at the Divine Wind Camp, where their smiling conversation continued as another training-ground duel ended.

• Ning Chen struck Kong Yu for criticizing him, and Yin Wugou stopped Kong Yu from provoking him further.
• Ning Chen ordered Yan Zishu to bring the records on the Lord of Yingcheng and learned that Duke Xiyu had handled the volume three days earlier.
• Ning Chen took Yin Wugou to visit the Third Prince at the Divine Wind Camp and promised Yin Wugou a chance to change his life.
• Ning Chen and Yin Wugou watched Xia Yanwu defeat Ming Chuan and rout the Divine Wind Camp troops in a battle exercise.
• Ning Chen and Xia Yanwu exchanged flattering remarks and walked together to the Training Ground, where a halberd wielder defeated a spear fighter.

Ning Chen watched Yin Wugou and Yan Yun fight to a draw before stopping their deadly final attacks, then visited Prince Yan to thank him and test his own improved strength. The chapter ended as Ning Chen and Prince Yan crossed swords.

• Xia Yanwu praised Yan Yun’s martial skill and urged Ning Chen to send someone to challenge him, so Ning Chen ordered Yin Wugou to fight in his place.
• Yin Wugou and Yan Yun fought fiercely, each revealing formidable power and ultimately unleashing a deadly technique.
• Ning Chen intervened and stopped their sword and halberd, ending the match as the shattered platform collapsed and Xia Yanwu protected nearby soldiers.
• Ning Chen and Xia Yanwu shared tea in the command tent before Ning Chen returned to the Ministry of Justice with Yin Wugou.
• Ning Chen visited Prince Yan, who handed him the Azure Sword and invited him to demonstrate his improved strength.
• Ning Chen attacked Prince Yan, who blocked his Azure Sword with the Crimson Sword.

Ning Chen lost a sword match with Prince Yan, who criticized his weak foundation and ordered him to leave the imperial city with him in one month. Later, Ning Chen visited Lingyan Pavilion to find someone and watched an attendant pressure Su Feiyan to receive a guest.

• Ning Chen used two volumes of the Heavenly Book and several powerful techniques against Prince Yan, but Prince Yan defeated him with precise swordplay.
• Prince Yan explained that Ning Chen had neglected basic techniques, warned him against distraction, and ordered him to settle his affairs within a month before leaving with him.
• Ning Chen worried about the imperial city's political tensions as he walked to Lingyan Pavilion and pretended to be an ordinary, bashful guest while searching for someone.
• Su Feiyan's zither music silenced the pavilion, and her attendant refused a visitor on her behalf, prompting another attendant to press her to receive the guest.
• Ning Chen quietly watched the dispute from below, making no move to intervene.

Ning Chen entered Lingyan Pavilion amid a confrontation over Su Feiyan and learned that she needed the legendary Man Sha Flower. Su Feiyan gave him a half Great Sigh Pill from the Tenth Prince, while Ning Chen suspected Lingyan Pavilion had changed owners and wondered about her hidden identity.

• Nangong Qing tried to visit Su Feiyan, but Ji Yu intervened and Su Feiyan told them her illness could only be cured by the Man Sha Flower.
• Ning Chen recognized the Man Sha Flower as the Flower of the Other Shore, prompting Su Feiyan to invite him into her room; Yancui realized he had only been comforting her.
• Nangong Qing returned to his room after his attempt to test Su Feiyan failed, while Ning Chen went upstairs to meet her.
• Su Feiyan gave Ning Chen half of a Great Sigh Pill sent by the Tenth Prince to help with his injuries and said the prince had expected him to visit.
• Ning Chen told Su Feiyan he had come to find Yue Hanyi, and she said she was managing Lingyan Pavilion in Hanyi's absence.
• Ning Chen suspected Lingyan Pavilion had changed owners and noticed Su Feiyan concealed a faint martial aura; he told her he had never seen the Man Sha Flower.

Ning Chen declined to help Su Feiyan find the Flower of the Other Shore and returned home to celebrate Mingyue’s eighth birthday. As they began making a cake together, he refused a summons from the Empress Dowager.

• Ning Chen told Su Feiyan he would keep an eye out for the Flower of the Other Shore, though he suspected she had ulterior motives, and then left Lingyan Pavilion.
• Ning Chen found Mingyue waiting with dinner, learned that the next day was her birthday, and promised to stay home and make her a cake.
• Ning Chen and Mingyue bought ingredients, improvised a pan, and began preparing the cake in the kitchen.
• A young eunuch arrived with the Empress Dowager’s summons, but Ning Chen refused to go and told him to report that he was sick.

Ning Chen and Mingyue made a cake for Mingyue’s birthday, then Changsun arrived in person after Ning Chen ignored her summons. After scolding him and giving Mingyue a phoenix hairpin, Changsun asked about the Third Prince’s Divine Wind Camp, and Ning Chen warned that it would be difficult to deal with.

• Ning Chen and Mingyue baked a cake, shared it with the servants, and left the chefs to try making their own.
• Changsun arrived at Ning Chen’s residence, and Ning Chen pretended to be sick until an imperial physician confirmed his injuries were still healing.
• Changsun caught Ning Chen’s deception, scolded him for ignoring her summons, and learned that the servants were making cake.
• Changsun tasted the cake and gave Mingyue a phoenix hairpin for her birthday.
• Changsun asked Ning Chen about the Third Prince’s Divine Wind Camp, and Ning Chen said its strict discipline and many experts would make it troublesome.

Changsun entrusted Ning Chen with the Dragon Guard Camp’s command token as Great Xia faced growing political threats. After Fan Lingyue arranged to contact the Third Prince, Ning Chen took Mingyue to the Yin River’s Courtesan Queen Competition, where they discovered they had forgotten their invitation and would have to pass the qualifying tests.

• Ning Chen told Changsun that the Lord of Yingcheng’s death might involve the Tenth Prince or the Three Grand Ministers, and Changsun warned him against pledging himself to either prince.
• Changsun gave Ning Chen the Dragon Guard Camp’s command token and told him to consult Ziyi, trusting him with authority she could no longer hold forever.
• Fan Lingyue ordered Qing Wuyou to keep seeking a meeting with Great Xia’s Third Prince, then coughed blood as Mu Chengxue warned her that Ning Chen was formidable.
• Ning Chen accepted Su Feiyan’s invitation to the Courtesan Queen Competition and agreed to take Mingyue after she expressed curiosity about Lingyan Pavilion.
• Ning Chen and Mingyue arrived at the Yin River without their invitation, so Ning Chen decided they would pass the tests on the smaller flower boats.

Ning Chen and Little Mingyue passed the first three trials aboard the flower boats and reached the final banquet, where Su Feiyan waited in vain for the Marquis of Knowing Fate. As the flower queen selection began, five dazzling women descended onto the stage.

• Ning Chen answered the first trial’s couplet and the second trial’s poetry prompt, passing both with Little Mingyue.
• Ning Chen admitted he could not write an essay for the third trial, so Little Mingyue composed one and earned them a pass.
• Ning Chen and Little Mingyue boarded the final flower boat, where Su Feiyan learned that the Marquis of Knowing Fate had not arrived.
• While Su Feiyan played the zither, Ning Chen and Little Mingyue ignored the performance and ate; Su Feiyan then ordered the selection to begin without waiting.
• Five beautiful women in red descended onto the stage, eclipsing the ten dancers in green.