Chapter Summaries

Bi Yao and Su Han spent a peaceful day together in the Bamboo Forest, sharing cultivation, food, and sword practice as their relationship grew closer. Before they prepared to continue their journey, Su Han asked Bi Yao to meet his master after their training ended, and she agreed.

• Bi Yao woke in Su Han's arms, and the two shared a tender morning before washing up by the stream.
• Su Han and Bi Yao ate petals from the Blood Marrow Demonic Orchid and circulated their cultivation together.
• Su Han and Bi Yao gathered wild food, prepared breakfast, and thanked each other for being part of their lives.
• Su Han and Bi Yao practiced swordsmanship together, then rested beneath the bamboo as Bi Yao hummed and Su Han shielded her from the sun.
• Su Han asked Bi Yao to meet his master after their training ended, and Bi Yao happily agreed.

Su Han and Bi Yao traveled through the forest toward a mountain area rumored to hold an ingredient for the Essence-Stabilizing Pill. Their journey turned playful as they teased each other and chased along the mountain path, ending with Su Han catching and tickling Bi Yao.

• Su Han and Bi Yao left the bamboo forest hand in hand and continued along the mountain path.
• Su Han pointed out their route toward Bipack Mountain and explained that they would pass through a misty forest and cross a gorge to reach their next target area.
• Bi Yao teased Su Han about getting lost in Misty Valley, and Su Han defended himself by recalling the rare Mist Hidden Flower they had found.
• Bi Yao ran ahead along the path, and Su Han chased her through the forest until he used his movement technique to catch her.
• Su Han tickled Bi Yao until she laughed, surrendered, and praised his sense of direction.

Su Han and Bi Yao continued toward Bipack Mountain, enjoying a playful, affectionate journey together. Their closeness was interrupted when Su Han caught a poisoned needle aimed at his throat, leaving them back-to-back and alert to an unseen attacker.

• Su Han and Bi Yao teased each other as they traveled, growing more comfortable in their relationship.
• They picked Zhu Yan Fruits together, and Bi Yao fed one to Su Han.
• They played with drifting dandelion seeds in a meadow, and Su Han tenderly removed one from Bi Yao's hair.
• Su Han sensed a hidden attack, pulled Bi Yao behind him, and caught a blue-sheened poisoned needle just short of his throat.
• Bi Yao drew her sword and stood back-to-back with Su Han as they searched the silent forest for the attacker.

Su Han and Bi Yao fought off an ambush by the Shadow Killers until Lu Xueqi arrived and drove the remaining assassins away. After confirming Su Han was safe, Lu Xueqi was overwhelmed by the memories of believing he had died.

• Su Han and Bi Yao deflected hidden weapons and identified their attackers as the Shadow Killers.
• Su Han and Bi Yao fought the assassins together, killing several and gaining the upper hand.
• A concealed assassin nearly struck Su Han from behind, but Lu Xueqi intercepted the blade with her sword.
• Lu Xueqi threatened the surviving assassins, and their leader ordered them to retreat.
• Lu Xueqi checked Su Han for injuries, then remembered the despair she had felt when he vanished into the black hole at the Sea of Ruthlessness.

Lu Xueqi found Su Han alive after the Shadow Killers’ ambush and, overcome with relief, embraced him. After Bi Yao teased them and the three introduced themselves, Lu Xueqi explained why she had come and asked who had hired the assassins, but Su Han did not know.

• Lu Xueqi rushed to Su Han and held him tightly, crying with relief over his return from Dripping Blood Cave.
• Su Han comforted Lu Xueqi and apologized for making her worry, while Bi Yao watched with envy and teased them into separating.
• Su Han introduced Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao, who greeted each other despite the awkwardness between them.
• Lu Xueqi said she had come down the mountain to investigate unusual movements and had followed signs of a battle to the ambush.
• Lu Xueqi asked who had hired the Shadow Killers, and Su Han admitted he did not know.

Su Han reunited with Lu Xueqi and invited her to travel with him and Bi Yao toward Bipack Mountain. Their journey left him caught between the two women’s quiet rivalry as they reached a town at the mountain’s foot.

• Bi Yao warned Su Han that someone had hired Shadow Killers to kill him, and Lu Xueqi urged him to stay cautious.
• Su Han told Lu Xueqi he had survived Dripping Blood Cave’s collapse, traveled with Bi Yao, and planned to visit Heyang City before returning to Qingyun Mountain.
• Su Han invited Lu Xueqi to join them, and she agreed because her investigation led in the same direction.
• Bi Yao and Lu Xueqi competed subtly for Su Han’s attention as the three traveled toward Bipack Mountain.
• The trio reached a small town at the foot of Bipack Mountain by evening.

Su Han, Bi Yao, and Lu Xueqi were ambushed at their inn by the Shadow Killers’ elite Blood Ghost Corps. The eight attackers trapped the trio in a coordinated formation and launched a powerful assault.

• At dinner, Bi Yao tried to draw Su Han’s attention while Lu Xueqi left the table and returned to her room.
• As Su Han meditated, he sensed an ambush, and poisoned crossbow bolts struck the inn.
• Su Han, Lu Xueqi, and Bi Yao escaped into the courtyard as eight masked members of the Blood Ghost Corps surrounded them.
• The Blood Ghost Corps formed an encirclement and unleashed a combined wave of killing intent against the trio.
• Lu Xueqi attacked with Tian Ya but was forced to defend herself, while Bi Yao used the Heartbreak Flower to shield herself and Su Han from the assault.

Su Han, Lu Xueqi, and Bi Yao fought the Blood Ghost Corps, breaking their formation and defeating all eight members. Lu Xueqi was poisoned while saving Bi Yao, and after Bi Yao's medicine slowed the poison, Su Han urged them to leave before more assassins arrived.

• Su Han, Lu Xueqi, and Bi Yao struggled against the Blood Ghost Corps' formation and could not gain the advantage.
• Lu Xueqi deflected a hidden weapon aimed at Bi Yao but was wounded and poisoned by a claw strike.
• Su Han unleashed the Heaven and Earth Sword with his palms, killing two Blood Ghost Corps members and breaking their formation.
• Bi Yao, Lu Xueqi, and Su Han defeated the remaining six Blood Ghost Corps members with their combined attacks.
• Su Han treated Lu Xueqi's wound, and Bi Yao gave her a detoxifying pill that contained the spreading poison.
• Su Han warned Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao that more Shadow Killers were arriving and they had to leave.

Su Han and Bi Yao took the wounded Lu Xueqi to a hidden mountain cave, where Su Han forced most of the poison from her body. With Lu Xueqi recovering and danger still nearby, Su Han kept watch and resolved to grow stronger as the three prepared to continue their journey.

• Su Han carried Lu Xueqi from the ruined inn, and Bi Yao helped him find a concealed mountain cave.
• Bi Yao examined Lu Xueqi and determined that the poison was too sinister for ordinary antidotes to remove.
• Su Han used Tai Chi Origin Energy to force most of the poison from Lu Xueqi, though some remained in her meridians.
• Lu Xueqi woke, thanked Su Han and Bi Yao, and accepted Bi Yao's pill to aid her recovery.
• Su Han reflected on the danger posed by their pursuers and stood guard while Lu Xueqi rested and Bi Yao kept watch.

Su Han fought off four Shadow Killers while Lu Xueqi recovered from her injuries and Bi Yao watched over her. As the Shadow Kill Leader waited to strike, Bi Yao joined the battle and distracted two attackers, creating an opening for the others.

• Five Shadow Killers arrived at the cave and demanded that Su Han hand over the key.
• Su Han stepped outside and fought off the four Shadow Killers who attacked him together.
• Bi Yao asked whether Lu Xueqi could still fight, and Lu Xueqi said she could despite her lingering poison.
• Bi Yao attacked the Chain Dart wielder and the short-blade assassin with the Heartbreak Flower, briefly dazing them.
• Bi Yao shouted for the others to seize the opening.

Su Han, Bi Yao, and Lu Xueqi fought the Shadow Killers, with Lu Xueqi risking her injuries to save Su Han from their leader. The leader unleashed the Shadow Kill Technique and attacked Su Han from multiple directions, leaving Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao to warn and defend him.

• Bi Yao distracted a Shadow Killer with the Heartbreak Flower as Su Han struck the group with the Qing Ming Sword, wounding one and weakening another.
• The Shadow Kill Leader attacked Su Han from behind, but Lu Xueqi intercepted him with Tian Ya and was injured by his counterattack.
• Su Han turned to clash with the leader, who praised his Tai Chi Xuan Qing Dao before revealing the Shadow Killers' true technique.
• The leader blurred into the shadows and attacked Su Han from all directions, while Bi Yao sensed one strike and Lu Xueqi raised an ice wall behind him.

Su Han risked everything to pierce the Shadow Kill Leader and end the ambush, though he was badly wounded in the process. With the remaining Shadow Killers fleeing and Lu Xueqi also injured, Su Han urged Bi Yao and Lu Xueqi to leave and find a safer place to recover.

• Su Han sensed the Shadow Kill Leader’s true body and unleashed One Sword Breaks All Laws, piercing his left chest.
• The Shadow Kill Leader’s afterimages vanished as Su Han was struck by a claw attack and a short blade, while Bi Yao and Lu Xueqi drove off their attackers.
• The grievously wounded leader fell, and the surviving Shadow Killers carried off an injured companion and fled, leaving his corpse behind.
• Bi Yao hurried to treat Su Han’s wounds, and Lu Xueqi showed that her injuries had worsened.
• Su Han began driving the freezing claw energy from his arm and told Bi Yao and Lu Xueqi they had to leave at once to find somewhere safer.

Su Han, Lu Xueqi, and Bi Yao recovered from their injuries after defeating the Shadow Kill Leader. With their pursuers possibly able to track them, they prepared to leave, and Su Han supported the weakened Lu Xueqi.

• Bi Yao gave Su Han wound medicine and offered Lu Xueqi a pill to suppress her internal injuries, which Lu Xueqi accepted.
• Su Han and Lu Xueqi meditated to treat their wounds while Bi Yao guarded the cave entrance.
• After about an incense stick's time, Su Han suppressed much of the cold poison in his arm and urged them to leave before more Shadow Killers arrived.
• Lu Xueqi said she could walk, but she swayed as she stood, so Su Han supported her arm.

Su Han, Bi Yao, and the injured Lu Xueqi hid in a mountain cave after escaping the Shadow Killers and learned that the attackers sought the Qingyun Sect’s Heavenly Dao Relic. Suspecting a traitor among the sect’s upper ranks, they decided to head for Heyang City and seek help from someone trustworthy.

• Su Han and Bi Yao supported Lu Xueqi through the dark forest and found a concealed cave where she could rest and heal.
• Bi Yao treated Su Han’s poisoned, badly wounded arm and showed her fear for his safety, while Lu Xueqi overheard their exchange.
• Lu Xueqi explained that the Heavenly Dao Relic was an ancient secret known to only a few Qingyun Sect elders, and suspected the Shadow Killers’ mastermind might be among the sect’s upper ranks.
• Su Han decided they should avoid Qingyun Mountain and hide in Heyang City, where they might contact Martial Uncle Tian of Great Bamboo Peak.
• After resting until dawn, Su Han, Bi Yao, and Lu Xueqi set out carefully for Heyang City.

Su Han, Bi Yao, and the badly injured Lu Xueqi traveled through the mountains toward Heyang City while avoiding pursuit. They reached the city outskirts, disguised themselves, and prepared to enter as siblings seeking refuge.

• Su Han decided to carry Lu Xueqi while Bi Yao scouted ahead.
• The three traveled for over an hour and spotted Heyang City through the thinning mist.
• Su Han and Bi Yao cleaned up their appearance and gathered disguises outside the city.
• Bi Yao disguised herself and Su Han, then helped transform Lu Xueqi into a sickly-looking woman.
• Su Han assigned them identities as siblings displaced by disaster and instructed Bi Yao and Lu Xueqi to keep a low profile.

Su Han, Bi Yao, and the wounded Lu Xueqi slipped into Heyang City and took refuge at a small inn, where Lu Xueqi began healing while the others kept watch and recovered. Su Han remained troubled by the Shadow Killers’ methods and the possibility of another spy in Qingyun Sect as he finally tried to rest.

• Su Han led the disguised group through Heyang City's guarded gates and found them rooms at Yuelai Inn.
• Su Han checked the rooms and secured one while Bi Yao helped Lu Xueqi settle in.
• Lu Xueqi swallowed a Healing Pill and began meditating to repair her injuries, while Bi Yao and Su Han arranged watches.
• Su Han guarded the room and pondered the Shadow Killers, the Heavenly Dao Relic, and the possibility of another Qingyun Sect spy.
• Bi Yao recovered enough to take over watch, and Su Han lay down to rest while circulating his cultivation to address the frigid poison in his arm.

Lu Xueqi recovered enough to be out of danger while Su Han and Bi Yao rested with her at an inn in Heyang City. The three settled in for the night, with Su Han keeping watch as the others slept.

• Bi Yao guarded Su Han and Lu Xueqi while Su Han cultivated and Lu Xueqi recovered through the day.
• Lu Xueqi woke and said her injuries were no longer life-threatening, though she still needed time to recuperate.
• Su Han ordered food for the hungry group and said they should remain at the inn for several days to recover and avoid trouble.
• Su Han checked Lu Xueqi's wound and confirmed the poison was gone and the injury was healing.
• Su Han assigned Lu Xueqi the large bed and Bi Yao the couch, then sat by the door with the Qing Ming Sword and kept watch as they slept.

Su Han, Bi Yao, and Lu Xueqi spent the night recovering in a small inn room while each wrestled with private feelings and unease. By dawn, Su Han had regained most of his strength and Lu Xueqi was feeling better, while Bi Yao woke complaining about the hard couch.

• Bi Yao lay awake thinking about Su Han's devotion to Lu Xueqi and felt insecure about her own feelings for him.
• Lu Xueqi struggled to sleep in the same room as Su Han and Bi Yao, then used the Ice Heart Art to calm herself and tend to her injuries.
• Su Han kept watch and meditated through the night, replenishing his depleted Origin Energy as his arm wound healed.
• At dawn, Su Han woke with most of his spiritual energy restored and asked Lu Xueqi how she felt.
• Lu Xueqi said she felt much better, and Bi Yao woke and complained that the couch had left her back aching.

Su Han, Bi Yao, and Lu Xueqi stayed in Heyang City for three days while Su Han recovered and Lu Xueqi healed her injuries. As they prepared to leave, Lu Xueqi reflected on the unusual closeness between Su Han and Bi Yao and the brief time they had spent together.

• Su Han arranged for the three to remain indoors, take turns keeping watch, and recover, warning Bi Yao not to go looking for trouble.
• Bi Yao grew restless in the inn, while Lu Xueqi focused on healing her injuries and Su Han consolidated his cultivation.
• Su Han and Bi Yao played Go; Su Han narrowly won, and Lu Xueqi began to suspect that he and Bi Yao had a history together.
• Over the next two days, Lu Xueqi's injuries stabilized and Su Han fully recovered as the three continued their quiet routine.
• Su Han decided they would leave Heyang City at dawn, and Lu Xueqi listened as Su Han and Bi Yao watched the moonlight together, thinking their days in the inn might remain a special memory.

Su Han, Bi Yao, and Lu Xueqi were confronted at their inn by constables investigating murders, but Lu Xueqi used the Qingyun Sect’s reputation to make them withdraw. Suspecting their cover had been exposed, Su Han led the group out of Heyang City that night.

• Su Han sensed concealed figures approaching the inn and warned Bi Yao and Lu Xueqi that they might have been discovered.
• A Captain and several yamen runners demanded that the three come to the yamen over a string of murders.
• Lu Xueqi revealed a Qingyun Sect mark on her wrist, prompting the Captain to apologize and leave with his men.
• Bi Yao made a bitter remark about the Qingyun Sect’s influence, and Su Han decided they could not remain at the inn.
• Su Han, Bi Yao, and Lu Xueqi slipped out through a rear window and hurried toward the East Gate.