Recaps

The Empress and her allies defeated Gu Yuqing’s forces, and Dongfang Cang emerged from seclusion to bind Ling Xuzi and Gu Yuqing while revealing the Void Necklace had been close at hand. After promising Zeng Anmin a reward, Dongfang Cang turned his attention toward the Demon Race, while Zeng Anmin later showed Princess Wencheng his true face.

• Gu Yuqing sent an evil corpse resembling Princess Wencheng to kill her, but the Empress arrived and destroyed it with her domain.
• The Empress’s forces defeated Gu Yuqing’s soldiers, and Bai Ziqing dragged Gu Yuqing back down when he tried to flee.
• Gu Yuqing offered the Daoist Talisman Sect’s submission in exchange for his life, but Dongfang Cang appeared and placed Soul Binding Locks on him and Ling Xuzi.
• Dongfang Cang explained that the Void Necklace had been right before Ling Xuzi and ordered the Eastern Cult disciples who had acted to be buried.
• Dongfang Cang privately praised Zeng Anmin and promised him a fortune, then declared that Jiang would honor the Confucian Path as he watched the Demon Race’s direction.
• At the imperial palace, Zeng Anmin removed his disguise for Princess Wencheng, who exclaimed that he was handsome and said she wanted to marry him too.

Zeng Anmin told the Empress how the Heavenly Dao Diagram True Intent had opened his Sea of Consciousness and enabled his Confucian-Martial Dual Cultivation, then urged her to study the Phoenix Strategy Diagram. He revealed that he had absorbed the Dragon Survey Map and that the world held five Heavenly Dao Diagrams, leaving the Empress stunned and asking who had told him.

• Princess Wencheng refused to marry and ran off, while the Empress asked when Zeng Anmin would leave and proposed that they marry the next day.
• Zeng Anmin declined to rush into marriage, explaining that marrying as Wu Yanzu would be unfair to the Empress while his true identity had to remain hidden.
• Zeng Anmin privately explained that the Heavenly Dao Diagram True Intent had opened his Sea of Consciousness, allowing him to cultivate both Confucian and martial powers.
• The Empress described how she had awakened the Phoenix Strategy Diagram, and Zeng Anmin urged her to draw its true intent into her Sea of Consciousness.
• Zeng Anmin clarified that he had absorbed the Dragon Survey Map, not the Xi Huang Diagram, and revealed that there were five Heavenly Dao Diagrams.
• When the Empress asked who had told him, Zeng Anmin said his father had learned the secret from the Confucian Sage's Manuscript.

Zeng Anmin and Empress Gu Xiangnan discussed the Demon Race’s search for the Dragon Survey Map’s true intent and Xiangliu’s possible arrival in the Great Sage Dynasty. Dongfang Cang then privately offered Zeng Anmin Guanglingzi’s Soul Binding Lock Jade Token in exchange for the necklace inside him.

• Zeng Anmin told Empress Gu Xiangnan that the Demon Race had stolen the Dragon Survey Map and might be returning to seek its true intent.
• Zeng Anmin and Gu Xiangnan feared Xiangliu might target him, but he decided to leave for the Holy Dynasty under Master Xu’s protection.
• Dongfang Cang visited the Imperial Study, praised Zeng Anmin, and warned him against becoming entangled with Master Xu.
• Dongfang Cang asked Zeng Anmin to return the necklace inside him and offered Guanglingzi’s Soul Binding Lock Jade Token in exchange.
• Dongfang Cang explained that the token could make Guanglingzi submit and give Zeng Anmin control over the Daoist Talisman Sect, and Zeng Anmin eagerly eyed it.

Zeng Anmin received Dongfang Cang’s Jade Token, but Dongfang Cang failed to enter his Divine Soul and discovered an inexplicable protection within it. Dongfang Cang revealed that a barbarian god was sealed in the South Sea and urged Zeng Anmin to help defeat it in exchange for the secret realm’s treasures, while he claimed only the Longevity Elixir.

• Dongfang Cang placed the Jade Token in Zeng Anmin’s Sea of Consciousness, giving him control over Guanglingzi’s life and pain.
• Zeng Anmin let Dongfang Cang attempt to retrieve the token, but Dongfang Cang’s First Rank Divine Soul attack could not enter Zeng Anmin’s Divine Soul.
• Dongfang Cang revealed that he, Wang Qilin, Gu Lingyun, and Xu Zhilin had visited the South Sea Secret Realm and encountered Kunpeng, a First Rank Demon Emperor.
• Dongfang Cang explained that a barbarian god descended from Taotie was sealed beneath the South Sea and that the secret realm held a Longevity Elixir.
• Dongfang Cang said a shackle in Zeng Anmin’s Divine Soul might withstand the sealed god’s impact and offered him the secret realm’s benefits if he helped defeat it.

Zeng Anmin learned the origins and powers of Dongfang Cang’s Void Necklace, which he renamed the Void Sarira, and secured permission to use it for ten years. He left the Jiang Kingdom’s capital with Bai Ziqing, bound for the Holy Dynasty.

• Zeng Anmin persuaded Dongfang Cang to focus on helping him reach first rank before they confronted the Barbarian God and Kunpeng.
• Dongfang Cang revealed that the necklace held six Buddha sariras left by Bodhisattva Xuanshu and explained the three divine abilities he knew.
• Zeng Anmin named the necklace the Void Sarira, and Dongfang Cang confirmed he could use it for ten years while urging him to reach first rank.
• Dongfang Cang told Zeng Anmin to visit Fa'an Temple after returning to the capital, then departed after remarking that Xiangnan cared for him.
• The Empress welcomed Zeng Anmin from the Imperial Study, and he showed her the necklace.
• Zeng Anmin rode away from the Jiang Kingdom’s capital with Bai Ziqing, who teased him about finding prettier girls in the Holy Dynasty.

After the Holy Dynasty delegation left Capital City, a Heavenly Dao Diagram Awakener arrived too late to meet them. In Two Rivers Prefecture, Zeng Anmin was accused of spying for the Jiang Kingdom and faced arrest by the Xuanjing Division.

• Gu Xiangnan watched the Holy Dynasty delegation depart, then returned to the palace with Die'er.
• A handsome Daoist arrived in Capital City, seeking Nan and Bei, but they had already left.
• Zeng Anmin visited Drunken Immortal Residence in Two Rivers Prefecture and bought pastries for a friend, then went to a jewelry shop for a jade bracelet.
• The shopkeeper left Zeng Anmin waiting, then returned with Red-robed Guards and accused him of being a Jiang Kingdom spy.
• The Red-robed Guard captain ordered Zeng Anmin arrested based on his clothing, and Zeng Anmin challenged the rushed accusation.

Bai Ziqing stopped the Red-robed Guards from arresting Zeng Anmin and ordered the Governor to meet him. While waiting, Zeng Anmin bought gifts for Sai, Sister Qin, and the Princess, then recognized the newly arrived Governor Lou Yingqi as one of his father's former allies.

• Bai Ziqing identified himself as the Imperial City Department Northern Commander and sent the Red-robed Guards to summon Governor Lou Yingqi.
• Zeng Anmin bought a jade bracelet after the shopkeeper waived its price, then wrote a poem and packed it with red beans as a gift for the Princess.
• Zeng Anmin counted the pastries, bracelet, and poem as gifts for Miss Sai, Sister Qin, and the Princess, feeling relieved after his secret pledge to the Empress.
• Lou Yingqi arrived in Two Rivers Prefecture as Governor, and Zeng Anmin recognized him as one of his father's capable Jiangnan Faction allies.
• Zeng Anmin greeted Lou Yingqi as Uncle Lou, and Lou Yingqi recognized him as Nephew Zeng.

Zeng Anmin learned that his appointment as Governor of Fengqi Road might reflect Emperor Jianhong’s suspicions of his father and a plan to balance Grand Secretary Li Zhen. The chapter left Zeng Anmin weighing the political price of his father’s rise and wondering what Emperor Jianhong would do next.

• Lou Yingqi invited Zeng Anmin and Bai Ziqing to speak privately, while the shopkeepers realized they had nearly arrested Young Lord Zeng.
• Lou Yingqi explained that Zeng Anmin’s father may have sent him away to reduce suspicions after gaining power from Li Jian’s downfall.
• Lou Yingqi said Emperor Jianhong might be wary of Zeng Anmin’s ties to the Princess, the Crown Prince faction, Bai Ziqing, and Sai Chuxue.
• Zeng Anmin concluded that Emperor Jianhong might be forcing him and his father to distance themselves from those connections.
• Zeng Anmin considered that his father could rise by separating from him and his allies or by helping bring down Li Zhen, then decided to wait and see.

Zeng Anmin returned to the capital and reunited with his family after explaining his actions to Lou Yingqi and Bai Ziqing. At dinner, he told Zeng Shilin about his southern exploits and marriage, leaving his father shocked beneath the table.

• Lou Yingqi explained that he had rounded up Jiang Kingdom spies to gain the Huang family's support, following Zeng Shilin's advice on taking control of the Fengqi Road Army.
• Zeng Anmin assured Bai Ziqing that he would not abandon his brothers for power, then returned with him to the capital.
• Zeng Anmin went straight to the Minister's Residence, where Old Zhang, Concubine Lin, and Huzi welcomed him joyfully.
• Zeng Anmin reunited with Zeng Shilin over dinner and joked with him before describing his journey south.
• Zeng Anmin told Zeng Shilin that he had killed Prince Nan, two Third Rank Martial Artists, and a Third Rank Great Demon King, reached Fourth Rank in the Confucian Path, and married Empress Gu Xiangnan.
• Zeng Shilin fell beneath the table in shock at Zeng Anmin's revelations.

Zeng Anmin told Zeng Shilin about his dangerous trip to the Jiang Kingdom and the schemes that made him notorious as Wu Yanzu. After learning of his son's connection to Empress Gu Xiangnan, Zeng Shilin demanded to know what was between them.

• Zeng Anmin explained how he had cured his Bizarre Qi, reached the Fourth Rank Realm, and traveled to the Jiang Kingdom without telling his father.
• Zeng Anmin recounted killing Prince Nan, impersonating him, bargaining with Empress Gu Xiangnan, and becoming known as Wu Yanzu; Zeng Shilin revealed that the court was debating how to deal with the Wu Clan.
• Zeng Anmin summoned Guanglingzi, and Zeng Shilin rebuked him for conspiring with Li Jian before ordering him to follow Zeng Anmin and remain loyal.
• Zeng Shilin asked what was happening between Zeng Anmin and Empress Gu Xiangnan, and Zeng Anmin joked about becoming her live-in son-in-law, provoking his father.

Zeng Anmin warned Zeng Shilin about threats to the Great Sage Dynasty and discussed their escape plans, then visited the Princess with a gift. He found Qin Wanyue with her, leaving him caught between the two women.

• Zeng Shilin rebuked Zeng Anmin for entering the Extreme Confucian Path but accepted his warning that Yangli and Xiangliu might threaten the capital.
• Zeng Anmin proposed fleeing to Jiang Kingdom if the Great Sage Dynasty fell and promised to bring back the top scholar title in the spring examination.
• The Princess and Qin Wanyue discussed their skill in the Way of Music while Qin Wanyue visited the Princess's palace.
• Zeng Anmin arrived to see the Princess with a gift, then froze when he noticed Qin Wanyue staring at him resentfully.

Zeng Anmin reunited with Qin Wanyue, then told the Princess he had reached the Fourth Rank Grand Confucian realm and revealed that he was Wu Yanzu. The Princess learned about his feats in the Jiang Kingdom and left stunned by his rapid breakthroughs.

• Zeng Anmin placated Qin Wanyue by giving her a Water Jade Bangle and secretly promising to visit her after speaking with the Princess.
• Qin Wanyue left for the Qin Residence, relieved that Zeng Anmin had come to report important matters to the Princess.
• Zeng Anmin told the Princess that he had passed the Lesser Heart Scrutiny and entered the Fourth Rank Grand Confucian realm.
• The Princess dismissed her attendants and recounted reports of Wu Yanzu killing Mr. Xin and the Bi Fang Demon King with a short axe.
• The Princess connected Zeng Anmin to Wu Yanzu through his short axe and his breakthroughs, and Zeng Anmin admitted his identity.
• Zeng Anmin described his involvement in the Jiang Kingdom while omitting his secrets, and the Princess called him a monster after hearing of his rapid advances in Confucian and martial cultivation.

Zeng Anmin reassured the Princess that he had no ties to the Empress and gave her a poem about longing, which she kept while teasing him about his intentions. When Sai Chuxue arrived, the Princess withdrew from Zeng Anmin and went inside, left staring at the spot where he had squeezed her arm.

• Zeng Anmin denied being the Empress's male concubine and declared that his heart was devoted to the Princess.
• The Princess read Zeng Anmin's poem about red beans and longing, then accused him of teasing her.
• The Princess threatened to send the poem to Miss Qin, but Zeng Anmin persuaded her to keep it private.
• Zeng Anmin supported the Princess as she stood and squeezed her arm, and she showed no reaction.
• Sai Chuxue arrived with spirit stones, saw Zeng Anmin touching the Princess's arm, and greeted him in surprise.
• The Princess withdrew her arm, went into her room, and stared at the spot Zeng Anmin had squeezed.

While flying over the Great Sage Dynasty's capital with Sai Chuxue, Zeng Anmin gained a new insight into his Confucian divine ability and strengthened the power of his spirit-stone explosives. The chapter ended with him suddenly turning pale and wondering what had just happened.

• The Princess recalled her experiences with Zeng Anmin and felt jealous, then suppressed her feelings to focus on her martial path.
• Sai Chuxue gave Zeng Anmin pastries as they flew over the capital on her Fire Phoenix, and he accepted a Prismatic Spirit Stone from her.
• Looking down at the capital, Zeng Anmin felt a desire to possess it and entered his Sea of Consciousness Space, where the Golden Tablet revealed an insight.
• Zeng Anmin used his new understanding to enhance his Lesser Heart Scrutiny ability, doubling the power of the landmines he made with Prismatic Spirit Stones.
• As Zeng Anmin channeled Vast Righteous Qi into the spirit stone, he suddenly turned pale and asked what had happened.

Zeng Anmin discovered that contemplating the mountains had strengthened his Confucian Path, then secretly visited Qin Wanyue after returning to the capital. Their reunion was interrupted by a suspicious noise in the courtyard.

• Zeng Anmin realized that a strange energy had greatly amplified the spirit stone and said his Confucian Path had advanced after contemplating the landscape.
• Zeng Anmin sent Sai Chuxue back to the capital and walked on alone, keeping his plan to visit Qin Wanyue secret.
• Near the Qin Residence, Zeng Anmin sensed demonic energy but saw no anomaly when he used Heavenly Eye on an old man and a child leaving the gate.
• Zeng Anmin reunited with Qin Wanyue and explained that he had gone to Jiangnan to obtain the Heavenly Lotus, clear the Bizarre Qi, and become a Fourth Rank Great Scholar.
• A basket fell in the courtyard, and Zeng Anmin stepped in front of Qin Wanyue and called out, but no one answered.

Zeng Anmin shared a tender visit with Qin Wanyue, who revealed that she had reached the fifth rank in the Way of Music. Back at the Imperial City Department, he learned that Bai Ziqing had vanished after returning to the capital.

• Zeng Anmin sensed no anomaly around a fallen basket in Qin Wanyue's courtyard and prepared to leave.
• Zeng Anmin reassured Qin Wanyue of his feelings, and she asked him to visit her more often.
• Qin Wanyue told Zeng Anmin that she had comprehended the true essence of the Way of Music and entered the fifth rank.
• Zeng Anmin returned to the Imperial City Department and learned Bai Ziqing had not come back to the office.
• Bai Wanqing confronted Zeng Anmin and said Bai Ziqing had left after handing over the diplomatic mission, prompting Zeng Anmin to realize he had disappeared.

After Bai Ziqing disappeared, Zeng Anmin questioned Bai Wanqing about her brother’s last known movements and began searching for him. He ordered the Imperial City Department to mobilize, but a new rule requiring Supervision Office approval stood in his way, so he rode to the Ministry of Rites with Bai Wanqing.

• Bai Wanqing told Zeng Anmin that she last saw Bai Ziqing on the first day of the third month, after he returned from his diplomatic mission and boasted of killing a Third Rank Great Demon King.
• Bai Wanqing explained that Bai Ziqing left the Ministry of Rites on the third day of the third month after handing over his official duties, and had not returned home since.
• Zeng Anmin concluded that Bai Ziqing’s disappearance might be serious and ordered the Imperial City Department to search the streets.
• Huang Shi told Zeng Anmin that Emperor Jianhong had required all Imperial City Department deployment orders to come from the Supervision Office, but Zeng Anmin ordered the men to search anyway.
• Zeng Anmin and Bai Wanqing rode to the Ministry of Rites, where Zeng Anmin presented his token and announced he was there to find someone.

Zeng Anmin investigated Bai Ziqing’s disappearance at the Ministry of Rites, where officials confirmed Bai had left after completing his assignment. With no signs of a fight or other leads, Zeng Anmin continued searching and sensed a sinister presence on a nearby street.

• Zeng Anmin learned that the Imperial City Department needed Eunuch Si’s order to handle cases, then entered the Minister’s Province by identifying himself as the son of a Ministry of War official.
• Zeng Anmin questioned the Ministry of Rites and was told that Bai Ziqing had left after finishing his assignment on the second day of the third month.
• Huang Shi reported that his investigators had found no leads or traces of a battle around the Minister’s Province.
• Zeng Anmin reassured Bai Wanqing and continued searching, but sensed a strange presence and used his Vast Righteous Qi to examine the street.

Zeng Anmin suspected Si Zhongxiao of abducting Bai Ziqing after hearing Bai’s voice through the Pure White Jade Pendant. He rescued Huang Shi’s squad from Eunuch Liu’s arrest and then asked Niu Qianli where the Minister’s Province’s former guard had gone.

• Eunuch Liu ordered Huang Shi and his Investigators arrested for disobeying the sacred command, while privately explaining that the Supervision Office needed to make an example of them.
• Zeng Anmin suspected Si Zhongxiao had arranged Bai Ziqing’s disappearance because he stood to gain control of the Imperial City Department.
• Bai Ziqing’s voice came through the Pure White Jade Pendant before a muffled impact cut off the sound, leading Zeng Anmin to conclude he was alive but captive.
• Zeng Anmin intervened, claimed responsibility for ordering Huang Shi’s patrol, and forced Eunuch Liu to release the squad.
• When Eunuch Liu invited Zeng Anmin to accompany him, Zeng Anmin slapped him and rode away, then asked Niu Qianli where the Minister’s Province’s former guard had gone.

Zeng Anmin learned that former garrison commander Xu Zilin had gone to Two Rivers Prefecture and suspected Si Zhongxiao was taking Bai Ziqing there, so he fled to pursue them. Meanwhile, the Demon Emperor Sacred Ancestor questioned a sheep about the missing essence of the Ancestral Dragon Diagram and learned it had searched Great Scholar Qin Shouchang’s home for clues.

• Zeng Anmin used Heart Inquiry on Niu Qianli and learned Xu Zilin had gone to Two Rivers Prefecture.
• Zeng Anmin suspected Xu Zilin was connected to Si Zhongxiao and raced away to find Bai Ziqing.
• Eunuch Liu chose not to pursue Zeng Anmin and hurried off to report to Eunuch Si, while Bai Wanqing followed Zeng Anmin.
• The Demon Emperor Sacred Ancestor confronted the sheep about its failed search for the missing essence of the Ancestral Dragon Diagram.
• The sheep said the Confucian Sage had stolen the Demon Race’s diagram and that it had searched Qin Shouchang’s home for clues.

Demon King Yangli revealed that the Confucian Sage's Manuscript was with Minister of War Zeng Shilin, and the Demon Emperor Sacred Ancestor transformed into a monster to investigate. Meanwhile, Zeng Anmin followed signs of Bai Ziqing's trail toward Two Rivers Prefecture, then realized someone had planted false Imperial City Department insignias to mislead him.

• Demon King Yangli told the Demon Emperor Sacred Ancestor that Qin Shouchang's daughter had named Zeng Shilin as the holder of the Confucian Sage's Manuscript.
• The Demon Emperor Sacred Ancestor transformed into an eight-armed, two-headed monster and set out, while Yangli headed toward the Minister's Residence.
• Zeng Anmin raced toward Two Rivers Prefecture with Bai Wanqing and found a freshly carved Imperial City Department insignia on a tree.
• Zeng Anmin followed more insignias to a fork in the mountain paths and chose the left route.
• Zeng Anmin realized the insignia could not have been carved by Bai Ziqing and concluded that someone was deliberately misleading him.

Zeng Anmin realized that the conspicuous Imperial City Department mark was meant to steer him toward Two Rivers Prefecture, and concluded that his father, Zeng Shilin, had taken Bai Ziqing and arranged for Lou Yingqi to protect him. He began to suspect his father had been preparing him for a crisis involving Demon Emperor Xiangliu.

• Zeng Anmin recognized that the Imperial City Department mark had been left conspicuously and could not have been carved by Bai Ziqing.
• Zeng Anmin reasoned that Si Zhongxiao would have killed Bai Ziqing rather than hold him hostage, and concluded that Zeng Shilin was the only person able to arrange the abduction.
• Bai Wanqing realized that if Zeng Shilin held Bai Ziqing, her brother was likely not in mortal danger, and urged Zeng Anmin to find him.
• Zeng Anmin agreed to head for Two Rivers Prefecture, then connected the destination to Lou Yingqi's appointment as Governor of Fengqi Road.
• Zeng Anmin concluded that Zeng Shilin had arranged Lou Yingqi's post to look after him and wondered whether his father had been preparing him for Demon Emperor Xiangliu.

Zeng Anmin deduced that Zeng Shilin and Master Xu had lured Demon Emperor Xiangliu toward the capital using Dean Qin and the stolen Dragon Survey Map, and rushed back to warn his father. At the Minister’s Residence, Concubine Lin sent Huzi away before returning to face Zeng Shilin, hoping he would wait for her.

• Zeng Anmin told Bai Wanqing that her brother would reach Two Rivers Prefecture, then hurried back to the capital alone.
• Zeng Anmin realized Dean Qin was Demon King Yangli and had faked his death to infiltrate the Demon Race and awaken Xiangliu.
• Zeng Anmin deduced that his father and Master Xu had deliberately let the Demon Race steal the Dragon Survey Map so it could serve as a medium for his Golden Tablet-derived Confucian attack against Xiangliu.
• Zeng Shilin sent Concubine Lin and Huzi away from the Minister’s Residence, then ordered the gates closed.
• Concubine Lin told Huzi to go to the Profound Formation Division and watched the carriage leave before returning to the Minister’s Residence for Zeng Shilin.

Concubine Lin returned to Zeng Shilin’s residence and chose to stay by his side as he prepared to face Xiangliu. Master Xu arrived to support him and revealed that he could bring Zeng Shilin back to life after the battle.

• Concubine Lin returned to Zeng Shilin and insisted on remaining with him, recalling how she had discovered his portrait of Eldest Lang’s birth mother.
• Master Xu appeared and said he had come to support Zeng Shilin and protect the capital’s citizens from the fight with Xiangliu.
• Zeng Shilin told Concubine Lin to stay inside, and Master Xu put her to sleep and carried her into the room.
• Zeng Shilin asked Master Xu to care for his wife and child, expecting to die after the battle.
• Master Xu revealed a seven-colored lotus root and said he would use it to reshape Zeng Shilin’s body and bring him back to life.

Zeng Shilin refused Master Xu’s offer to restore his body, insisting the lotus root be saved for Qin Shouchang, then confronted the Xiangliu Demon Emperor. After revealing that he had deliberately lured Xiangliu into awakening and that the Ancestral Dragon Diagram contained no true intent, Zeng Shilin unleashed a force that the diagram absorbed, leaving Xiangliu terrified that it was about to die.

• Zeng Shilin told Master Xu to reserve the lotus root for Qin Shouchang and gave him a letter to deliver to Quanfu after his death.
• Xiangliu broke into the Minister’s Residence, demanded the Confucian Sage’s Manuscript, and threatened to kill everyone there.
• Zeng Shilin revealed that he had deliberately given Xiangliu the Ancestral Dragon Diagram and awakened it, and that he had disguised all its true intent with Vast Righteous Qi.
• Zeng Shilin began rapidly aging as a mysterious force poured from him and was absorbed by the Ancestral Dragon Diagram.
• Qin Shouchang appeared as Zeng Shilin fell to the ground, while Xiangliu realized it might be about to die.