Recaps

Zhang Yuanqing uncovered Zheng Longtu’s plot to poison him and seize the throne, then survived with Beauty Wan’s help. Beauty Wan killed Zheng Longtu, leaving Zhang Yuanqing alive and the instance’s main storyline clearer.

• Zheng Longtu forced Zhang Yuanqing to swallow a poison pill and revealed that his family planned to take the throne with the Imperial Preceptor’s support and a deal with Tuoba Guanghe.
• Zheng Longtu began showing symptoms of the plague, and Beauty Wan appeared after secretly protecting Zhang Yuanqing from the pill with her water-controlling ability.
• Zhang Yuanqing realized Beauty Wan was the bodyguard the instance had hinted he could rely on, and admitted he had kept Zheng Longtu talking until she arrived.
• Zheng Longtu attacked Zhang Yuanqing, but Beauty Wan shielded him and used Water Deprivation to kill Zheng Longtu.

Fu Qingyang challenged Tuoba Guanghe to protect the Southern Dynasty’s morale, and his refusal to retreat culminated in a sword strike that pierced the seemingly invincible Ancient War God. Elsewhere, Zhang Yuanqing discovered that Lady Wan was a hidden bodyguard and used her to capture the three beauties before staging a rescue.

• Tuoba Guanghe appeared over the battlefield and offered to endure three of Fu Qingyang’s sword strikes in exchange for a three-day ceasefire if Fu Qingyang wounded him.
• Fu Qingyang accepted and struck Tuoba Guanghe with the Jade Dragon Sword, but Tuoba emerged unharmed; Fu’s bronze soldier puppets also failed to penetrate his defenses and were destroyed.
• Ling Jun stopped the Demon Eye Heavenly King from interrupting Fu Qingyang and explained that Fu’s refusal to retreat came from the bullying he endured as a youth.
• Fu Qingyang recalled his vow never to retreat, poured his remaining strength into the Jade Dragon Sword, and pierced Tuoba Guanghe’s chest with a final throw.
• Zhang Yuanqing learned that Lady Wan was a level-six plague god and a dead soldier trained by the Empress Dowager, then promised to make her a Noble Consort.
• Zhang Yuanqing ordered Lady Wan to capture the three beauties, staged a panicked call for help, and sent the Imperial Guards after her as Attendant Li emerged from the burning bedchamber.

Zhang Yuanqing pieced together the assassination plot in the palace and questioned Consort Wan, while Fu Qingyang recovered from his duel with Tuoba Guanghe and planned a nighttime attack on the Northern Dynasty camp. The chapter left Fu Qingyang preparing to brief the Southern Dynasty generals on a raid intended to devastate the enemy army.

• Zhang Yuanqing moved to the Summer Palace, reviewed the conflict between the Zheng Family, the Northern Dynasty, and the Imperial Preceptor, and summoned the other Beauty Wan to speak privately.
• Beauty Wan told Zhang Yuanqing that Beauty Chu had poisoned Zhao Shun and later joined the assassination attempt, prompting him to infer that his teammates had received a side quest to kill the tyrant.
• Zhang Yuanqing connected the beauties’ actions and Zheng Longtu’s remarks to the multi-poison scheme, then asked Consort Wan whether she knew the Imperial Preceptor.
• Fu Qingyang woke in the Linxia City camp and explained that his sword intent could pierce Tuoba Guanghe at the cost of his life force.
• Fu Qingyang ordered Demon Eye Heavenly King to lead five thousand men with torches to draw out Tuoba Guanghe while he led the main force in a surprise assault on the Northern Dynasty camp.
• Fu Qingyang outlined plans to burn provisions, slaughter horses, and destroy siege equipment before calling for a meeting with the Southern Dynasty’s senior generals.

Zhang Yuanqing learned how the Imperial Preceptor had enabled Zhao Shun’s excesses and gained influence, then completed two side missions and recovered Transcendent power. After using a poem to signal his identity to his teammates, he waited for them but was approached by Attendant Li, who asked if he was Yuanshi Tianzun.

• Beauty Wan told Zhang Yuanqing that the Imperial Preceptor had gained the late emperor’s favor through pills and healing, and had encouraged Zhao Shun’s extravagance and cruelty.
• Zhang Yuanqing asked Beauty Wan to guard him overnight, and she stayed beside his bed while he slept.
• Zhang Yuanqing received notice that he had survived 24 hours and found the spy, unlocking Transcendent power and a new 72-hour survival mission.
• Zhang Yuanqing regained Transcendent cultivation and planned to signal his teammates without openly summoning them.
• Zhang Yuanqing recited “Spring Dawn” to Beauty Wan as a coded message for his teammates, then waited for them to visit.
• Attendant Li came to Zhang Yuanqing and quietly asked whether he was Yuanshi Tianzun.

Zhang Yuanqing reunited with Red Chicken Bro and Little Round, learning that the dungeon had placed teammates in opposing factions and that Little Round was a Northern Dynasty spy assigned to destroy the Southern Dynasty. He rescued Jiang Jingwei and the other two assassins from the lake, then demanded Jiang Jingwei explain her character information.

• Zhang Yuanqing discovered that Attendant Li was Red Chicken Bro, whose quest was to protect the tyrant emperor and identify a spy.
• Elegant Lady revealed herself as Little Round, who had a mission to assassinate the emperor and destroy the Southern Dynasty; Zhang Yuanqing realized she was likely a Northern Dynasty agent.
• Little Round gave Zhang Yuanqing a bronze yin-yang token and explained that she had saved the three assassins during their attempt on the emperor.
• Zhang Yuanqing sent Red Chicken Bro to obtain palace maid outfits, then secretly left the bedchamber and went to the lake.
• Zhang Yuanqing used the Yin-Yang Robe to free Jiang Jingwei, Songstress Wang, and Beauty Wan from their underwater restraints and carried them to the rock grove.
• Zhang Yuanqing scolded Jiang Jingwei for trying to assassinate him and asked her to share her character information.

Zhang Yuanqing reunited with his teammates in the imperial palace and learned that their conflicting assassination missions came from the instance’s faction setup. As the group weighed whether to leave the palace and how to win the people’s support, Prime Minister Zheng requested an audience, bringing the danger to their door.

• Jiang Jingwei, Xie Lingxi, and Songstress Wang revealed their missions and factions, all of which included assassinating the tyrant, and Zhang Yuanqing discovered that their target was himself.
• Red Chicken Bro helped the women disguise themselves and enter the sleeping quarters, where Zhang Yuanqing reunited with Stop-Killing Palace Lord and compared the team’s quests and information.
• Stop-Killing Palace Lord and the others analyzed the threats from the Zheng Family, Divine Sharp Army, Azure Dragon Gang, and Imperial Preceptor, and they debated leaving the palace to pursue the quest to win popular support.
• Zhang Yuanqing sent Red Chicken Bro to investigate the Divine Sharp Army and fetch a dance troupe while he planned how to leave the palace without losing his imperial identity.
• Zhang Yuanqing watched the troupe perform until an Imperial Guard announced that Prime Minister Zheng had arrived, and he ordered that Zheng be admitted.

Zhang Yuanqing deceived Zheng Wenhan about Zheng Longtu’s death, then learned how the Divine Sharp Army had been betrayed and destroyed. He summoned Consort Wan to uncover the Empress Dowager’s secrets, but an approaching force interrupted her account.

• Zheng Wenhan questioned Zhang Yuanqing about the assassinations, Zheng Longtu’s actions, and a pill, but Zhang Yuanqing’s answers convinced him to leave.
• Red Chicken Bro explained that Wu Xin’s Divine Sharp Army had defeated the Northern Dynasty before the court ordered Wu Xin back, cut off his supplies, and destroyed the army after his death.
• Zhang Yuanqing suspected the Divine Sharp Army’s story concealed a greater threat and decided to question Consort Wan before leaving the palace.
• Red Chicken Bro, Xie Lingxi, and Jiang Jingwei joked about the absent Guan Ya and Sun Miaomiao as they left the bedchamber.
• Zhang Yuanqing questioned Consort Wan about the Divine Sharp Army, and she began explaining its connection to the Empress Dowager.
• Consort Wan and the others heard heavy, orderly footsteps approaching the bedchamber as a large force drew near.

Zhang Yuanqing and his companions fought off Zheng Wenhan’s forces as the Summer Palace came under siege, then devised a plan to scatter and escape while disguised as Zhao Shun. Zhang Yuanqing stayed behind with Consort Wan to cover their retreat as Zheng Wenhan prepared to lead an attack on the remaining decoys.

• Zheng Wenhan’s troops attacked the Summer Palace, and Red Chicken Bro was wounded by an arrow from a powerful Swordsman.
• Zhang Yuanqing stalled Zheng Wenhan while his companions set traps that killed the first wave of Imperial Guards, then helped extinguish the palace fire with water manipulation.
• After fireballs struck the palace, Zhang Yuanqing arranged for his companions to disguise themselves as Zhao Shun and flee in different directions, giving some escape tools to Red Chicken Bro and Queen.
• Red Chicken Bro and Jiang Jingwei led the first escape attempt, followed by more pairs of Zhao Shun decoys, drawing pursuing Imperial Guards away from the palace.
• Zheng Wenhan recognized the danger of the decoys and called on the Warriors of the Southern Dynasty to join him in attacking the remaining group.

Zhang Yuanqing and Consort Wan fought their way out of the imperial palace, but level-six pursuers and Plague God bacteria left Zhang Yuanqing badly weakened. He escaped through an underground river and reunited with Jiang Jingwei and the Queen, who hid him in a household while they considered how to treat his illness.

• Zhao Shun summoned water dragons to shield Zhang Yuanqing and Beauty Wan as they fled through the palace, but a Swordsman and a Fire Demon joined the pursuit.
• Beauty Wan fought the Swordsman and Fire Demon to protect Zhang Yuanqing, while Zhang Yuanqing used Howl at the Moon and dodged the flying swords before Plague God bacteria weakened him.
• Consort Wan stopped the Fire Demon from making it rain, allowing Zhang Yuanqing to escape invisibly; the guards trapped her in earthen walls filled with flames, and she revealed that Minister Zheng was responsible before dying.
• Zhang Yuanqing fled back through the ruins of the Summer Palace and escaped through an underground river, emerging in the southern part of the capital.
• Jiang Jingwei and the Queen found Zhang Yuanqing, carried him to a nearby home, and used hypnosis to persuade the residents to shelter them.
• The homeowner recommended the Immortal Medicine Workshop to treat Zhang Yuanqing, while Queen and Jiang Jingwei concealed their identities.

After escaping the palace, Zhang Yuanqing planned to rally allies and used the Imperial Seal and Twin Dragon Jade Pendant to preserve his claim to the throne. Meanwhile, Fu Qingyang won a costly night raid against the Northern Dynasty but faced a dangerous retreat decision, and he recognized Little Round approaching at dawn.

• Zhang Yuanqing, Queen, and Jiang Jingwei discussed treating his illness, building a reputation, and seeking allies against the Zheng Family.
• Zheng Wenhan failed to find the Imperial Seal or Twin Dragon Jade Pendant and learned that the deposed emperor and several companions had escaped the palace.
• Zhang Yuanqing showed Queen and Jiang Jingwei the Imperial Seal, treasure seals, and Twin Dragon Jade Pendant, explaining that the unique relics proved his imperial identity.
• Zhang Yuanqing said he would investigate Zheng Wenhan's role in destroying the Divine Sharp Army, which might relate to Jiang Jingwei's side quest.
• Fu Qingyang led a night raid that inflicted heavy losses on the Northern Dynasty, then weighed the danger of retreating to the capital as Summer's Edge City faced a siege.
• Fu Qingyang spotted the approaching Little Round.

Little Round briefed the team on her escape from the palace, while the others prepared for the dangers facing both the capital and the battlefield. Zhang Yuanqing, Queen, and Jiang Jingwei searched the capital for treatment and information before approaching the Yang Residence, where they encountered the Empress.

• Little Round told the team how she had escaped the palace, and Fu Qingyang explained how Demon Eye could rejoin the team by swearing loyalty before credible witnesses.
• Ling Jun asked Little Round to supply fast-reproducing poisonous insects for the battlefield, while All Under Heaven Returns to Fire gave her four Mohist consumables to bolster the capital team.
• Zhang Yuanqing woke exhausted after Jiang Jingwei had kept him up, then set out with Queen and Jiang Jingwei to seek treatment, learn the emperor’s public reputation, and scout the Yang Residence.
• At Healing Hands Hall, an old physician told Zhang Yuanqing that his whole body was already buried, while Queen learned that the Imperial Preceptor’s Immortal Medicine Workshop was holding free consultations.
• The group learned that commoners despised Zhao Shun, recognized Little Round’s emblem at the Immortal Medicine Workshop, and spotted planted agents watching the Yang Residence.
• The Empress arrived at the Yang Residence, noticed the watchers outside, and ordered her steward to arrest them and investigate.

Guan Ya learned that the Zheng Family might be plotting to seize the throne, while Zhang Yuanqing and his companions discovered a scheme to turn the people against Emperor Zhao Shun. The chapter ended when they learned their cousin belonged to the Azure Dragon Gang, putting them in danger of crossing paths with Songstress Wang.

• Guan Ya told Yang Zheng that the palace gates were sealed after an assassination attempt, and he suspected the Zheng Family was rebelling.
• Yang Zheng guessed that the emperor had escaped the palace and planned to find him, while Guan Ya stayed at the residence.
• Zhang Yuanqing, Queen, and Jiang Jingwei decided to seek their scattered teammates and saw a notice ordering three hundred children to be sacrificed in a rite to Heaven.
• Queen explained that Zheng Wenhan could use the sacrifice to turn officials and commoners against Zhao Shun and justify deposing him.
• At their aunt's home, Zhang Yuanqing learned that his cousin was in the Azure Dragon Gang, the same gang as Songstress Wang.

Zhang Yuanqing and his companions escaped the palace and took shelter with the Wang family, where he hypnotized Wang Beiwang into believing they were cousins. After a tense but seemingly peaceful evening, Zhang Yuanqing woke bound and weakened, with Wang Beiwang confronting the three of them.

• Wang Beiwang returned home and grew suspicious when Aunt's memories conflicted, but Zhang Yuanqing used his pocket watch to make him accept the strangers as cousins.
• Zhang Yuanqing learned that Wang Beiwang was an Azure Dragon Gang enforcer and persuaded Uncle Wang to let the group stay for the night.
• Wang Beiwang said he planned to leave the city for several days, while Zhang Yuanqing and Queen agreed to depart at daybreak and remain alert.
• Zhang Yuanqing woke after someone dumped cold water on him and found himself, Jiang Jingwei, and Queen bound and weakened as Wang Beiwang demanded to know what they were.

Wang Beiwang captured Zhang Yuanqing, Queen, and Jiang Jingwei and brought them to Elder Xu of the Azure Dragon Gang. Elder Xu recognized Queen as Zhu Fu and Zhang Yuanqing as the tyrant, leaving their identities and connection to the Yellow Dragon Robe exposed.

• Wang Beiwang revealed that he had broken free of Zhang Yuanqing's mind control and questioned the bound trio about their Yellow Dragon Robes.
• Zhang Yuanqing claimed they worked for the Yang Family and had stolen the robes from the Zheng Family, while secretly influencing Wang Beiwang to keep him alive.
• Wang Beiwang knocked out Zhang Yuanqing, Queen, and Jiang Jingwei, then transported them in a carriage while avoiding busy streets.
• Zhang Yuanqing hypnotized Queen and Jiang Jingwei before Wang Beiwang brought them to meet Elder Xu of the Azure Dragon Gang.
• Elder Xu recognized Queen as Zhu Fu and identified Zhang Yuanqing as the tyrant.

After Elder Xu discovered that Zhang Yuanqing was Zhao Shun, Queen persuaded him that the Zheng Family and the Imperial Preceptor were the real threats, but Elder Xu still took her to report to the Azure Dragon Gang leader. Zhang Yuanqing and Jiang Jingwei remained imprisoned, and a new crisis arose when A Niu reported that Wang Beiwang’s younger sister had been selected for a child sacrifice.

• Elder Xu recognized Zhang Yuanqing as the emperor and imprisoned him and Jiang Jingwei while Queen explained what had happened at the palace.
• Queen told Elder Xu that Zheng Wenhan and the Imperial Preceptor were behind the coup and had colluded with Tuoba Guanghe; Elder Xu believed her but insisted Zhao Shun remained a tyrant.
• Elder Xu decided to take Queen to the Azure Dragon Gang leader and left Wang Beiwang guarding the prisoners.
• Zhang Yuanqing feared the gang leader would kill him, while Jiang Jingwei suggested self-destructing to make a hole in the wall.
• A Niu arrived despite Wang Beiwang’s orders and announced that the court had selected Wang Beiwang’s younger sister for a child sacrifice.

Wang Beiwang freed Zhang Yuanqing after learning Wang Xiu had been taken for the heaven-worship ceremony, and Zhang promised to rescue her by revealing himself publicly at the ceremony. While Zhang hid in Wang Beiwang’s western-city safehouse, Guan Ya reunited with Xie Lingxi, and Zhang completed his 72-hour survival mission the next morning.

• Wang Beiwang nearly killed Zhang Yuanqing after learning Wang Xiu had been taken, but Zhang persuaded him that he could save her and was freed from the dungeon.
• Wang Beiwang learned Zhang Yuanqing was a fugitive emperor and agreed to trust his plan to appear at the heaven-worship ceremony and rescue Wang Xiu and the other children.
• Wang Beiwang took Zhang Yuanqing and Jiang Jingwei to his hidden courtyard in the western district, where they stayed out of sight and ate.
• Guan Ya learned that Xie Lingxi had escaped the palace, and Xie Lingxi told her about the assassination attempt, her mission, and the group’s plan to meet at the Heavenly Secrets Tower.
• Zhang Yuanqing received the dungeon notification that he had completed the side mission to survive for 72 hours.

Zhang Yuanqing recovered his Level 4 strength and began planning to rescue Wang Xiu and oppose the Zheng Family’s coup. He sent Wang Beiwang to seek someone near Heavenly Secrets Tower, where a passerby recognized the name Yuanshi Tianzun.

• Zheng Wenhan visited Heavenly Secrets Tower, where the Imperial Preceptor sent him a message directing him to watch both cities and kill anyone involved in a conflict before the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony.
• Zhang Yuanqing completed the survival quest, regained his Level 4 strength, and received quests to rescue Wang Xiu and subdue the Azure Dragon Gang.
• Zhang Yuanqing rejected Wang Beiwang’s plan to approach the Yang Family and revealed his recovered strength, persuading Wang Beiwang to help him oppose the rebels.
• Zhang Yuanqing took Wang Beiwang and Jiang Jingwei to Red Sleeve Hall, then ordered Wang Beiwang to pose as a beggar near Heavenly Secrets Tower and call for ten taels of silver as Yuanshi Tianzun’s reincarnation.
• After repeating the slogan for an hour, Wang Beiwang heard someone tentatively say, “Yuanshi Tianzun?”

Wang Beiwang brought Red Chicken Bro to Zhang Yuanqing at Red Sleeve Hall, where Zhang learned the others were missing and heard how Red Chicken Bro had escaped the Red Dancing Shoes. Three powerful attackers from the Divine Sharp Army ambushed them, and the city defense army joined the assault; Zhang Yuanqing fled with Red Chicken Bro and decided to head to the Ministry of Justice.

• Wang Beiwang recognized a disguised man as the foolish ruler's contact and led him to Red Sleeve Hall, where he reunited with Zhang Yuanqing as Red Chicken Bro.
• Red Chicken Bro said he had missed the planned meeting because the Red Dancing Shoes had forced him to dance for two days, and Zhang Yuanqing reclaimed the artifact.
• Three powerful martial artists attacked Zhang Yuanqing and Red Chicken Bro at Red Sleeve Hall, while Wang Beiwang carried the injured Jiang Jingwei away.
• The city defense army arrived, trapped Red Chicken Bro in a silver net, and attacked the hall; Zhang Yuanqing broke away with Red Chicken Bro as the attackers pursued them.
• Zhang Yuanqing suspected the Divine Sharp Army and city defense army had set a trap, then told Red Chicken Bro to go with him to the Ministry of Justice.

Zhang Yuanqing rescued Wang Xiu from the Ministry of Justice prison, completing his side quest and returning to Level 5. With his powers restored, he came back to fight off the pursuing Saints and soldiers, ending the chapter as he summoned his Yin Corpses and Spirit Servants.

• A female Night Wanderer stabbed Red Chicken Bro, but Zhang Yuanqing healed him and flew toward the Ministry of Justice while the city defense troops pursued them.
• Zhang Yuanqing seized an official for directions, then sent Red Chicken Bro to distract the Ministry of Justice staff while he ran for the western prison.
• Zhang Yuanqing killed the prison guards, found Wang Xiu among the captive children, and healed the children with the Mountain God Scepter.
• After Zhang Yuanqing escaped the Ministry of Justice with Wang Xiu, he completed the side quest and returned to Level 5, restoring access to Little Red Riding Hood and his Spirit Servants.
• Zhang Yuanqing returned to help Red Chicken Bro, killed the Dream Master, and wounded Fire Demon as more soldiers and Saints arrived.
• Zhang Yuanqing sent Red Chicken Bro away with the Red Dancing Shoes and summoned four Yin Corpses and two Spirit Servants to face the remaining enemies.

Zhang Yuanqing fought his way out of the Ministry of Justice, learned that the Imperial Preceptor was tracking his companions, and sent Red Chicken Bro toward the Yang Residence while he regrouped with Jiang Jingwei. At the Yang Residence, Guan Ya shared news of the battle and called for the team to find Zhang Yuanqing, just as someone arrived to see her.

• Zhang Yuanqing used Mental Strike and his yin corpses and Spirit Servants to battle Saints at the Ministry of Justice, then escaped after killing four Saints.
• Zhang Yuanqing met Red Chicken Bro, reunited with Jiang Jingwei and Wang Beiwang, and warned Wang Beiwang to flee the capital with Wang Xiu and his parents.
• Zhang Yuanqing used Spirit Devour to learn that the Imperial Preceptor had divined Red Chicken Bro's movements, then sent him toward the Yang Residence with a corpse puppet to reunite with the others.
• Zhang Yuanqing burned the hideout's belongings and left with Jiang Jingwei, while a Star Official arrived later and inspected the burned remains.
• Guan Ya told Little Round, Stop-Killing Palace Lord, and Xie Lingxi that Yuanshi had fought the city defense army and the Ministry of Justice, then proposed finding him; her maid announced a visitor.

Zhang Yuanqing met with his teammates to discuss their quests and a plan to secure the capital before the Northern Dynasty arrived. Their meeting was interrupted by an attack from the Imperial Preceptor’s disciple, and the fight ended with her seemingly regaining awareness and summoning a sword pellet.

• Zhang Yuanqing reunited with Guan Ya, Stop-Killing Palace Lord, Xie Lingxi, and Little Round, then compared their quests and learned that changing factions required publicly declaring loyalty to the Southern Dynasty.
• The group discussed how to win support, deal with the Zheng Family, and protect Zhang Yuanqing before the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony, which Guan Ya said would likely take place in two days.
• A Daoist-robed woman appeared, darkened the side hall, and attacked the group; Red Chicken Bro, Stop-Killing Palace Lord, and Guan Ya were wounded as they fought back.
• Xie Lingxi restricted escape techniques, and Little Round trapped the attacker with a stone stele, allowing the others to attack her.
• The Daoist-robed woman regained awareness, resisted their weapons, and produced a glowing white sword pellet from an Inventory.

Zhang Yuanqing's group rescued Sun Miaomiao from the Imperial Preceptor's Spirit Servant and learned that the Imperial Preceptor was occupied in the Heavenly Secrets Tower and focused on the heaven-sacrifice ceremony. With only two days until the ceremony, Zhang Yuanqing planned to observe the stars, while Zhao Shun sent Wang Beiwang to recruit the Azure Dragon Gang.

• Sun Miaomiao explained that she had been sealed and unconscious while an Imperial Preceptor's Spirit Servant used her body to attack the group; after the spirit was driven out, she devoured it and learned the Imperial Preceptor's plans.
• Retainer Zhou rescued Guan Ya from the Spirit Servant's attack, and Sun Miaomiao shared that the Imperial Preceptor could not yet leave the Heavenly Secrets Tower and insisted that the heaven-sacrifice ceremony go smoothly.
• Zhang Yuanqing decided to stay at the Yang Residence and observe the stars that night, knowing the ceremony was two days away and that he needed a strategy to seize the capital.
• Wang Beiwang secretly returned to the capital and hid in an abandoned residence after being cut off from his home, hideout, and gang allies.
• Zhao Shun contacted Wang Beiwang through a branch and ordered him to recruit the Azure Dragon Gang; despite warnings that Elder Xu and the gang leader wanted him punished, Wang Beiwang went to Xu Residence.

Wang Beiwang reported the Foolish Emperor’s plans to Gang Leader Duan and Elder Xu, but the Azure Dragon Gang neither accepted nor rejected his appeal. Zhang Yuanqing then set out to recruit the Divine Sharp Army’s survivors and discussed the coming Heaven Worship Ceremony with Guan Ya, ending with a plan of his own.

• Wang Beiwang entered Elder Xu’s hall, survived Gang Leader Duan’s fiery attack, and explained that he had freed the tyrant to save his sister, Wang Xiu.
• Wang Beiwang told Elder Xu and Gang Leader Duan that the Foolish Emperor would stop the Heaven Worship Ceremony and asked the Azure Dragon Gang to remain ready; Gang Leader Duan dismissed him without agreeing or refusing.
• Wang Beiwang returned to the abandoned residence and told the Foolish Emperor that Gang Leader Duan had not agreed to help.
• Zhang Yuanqing took Jiang Jingwei’s Divine Sharp Army banner and decided to investigate the remnants and recruit them, while asking Guan Ya to find evidence that Zheng Wenhan destroyed the army.
• Zhang Yuanqing rejected the proposal to use a yin corpse as Guan Ya’s double at the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony and told her he already had another idea.

At the heaven-sacrificing ceremony, the Imperial Preceptor defended the emperor’s order to burn three hundred children, while the crowd protested and Guan Ya searched for hidden assassins. As the sacrifice began, Yang Zheng rushed to stop it, leaving Zheng Wenhan stunned and furious.

• Wang Beiwang joined the crowds heading to the Heavenly Secrets Tower and overheard citizens condemning the emperor and considering defecting to the Northern Dynasty.
• Zheng Wenhan and Yang Zheng exchanged barbs as Zheng Wenhan prepared his plans to kill Zhao Shun or purge the emperor’s court.
• Guan Ya and her allies watched for assassins while waiting for Yuanshi; Sun Miaomiao identified the Imperial Preceptor as a Level 8 Day Wanderer.
• The Imperial Preceptor defended Zhao Shun’s authority, dismissed the crowd’s pleas to spare the children, and ignited the firewood beneath the platform.
• Guan Ya spotted a hidden assassin as the crowd surged, and Yang Zheng rushed in to shatter the burning firewood.
• Zheng Wenhan ordered his men to seize Yang Zheng for defying the imperial decree.

Zhang Yuanqing revealed himself as Zhao Shun, stopped the Heaven Sacrifice ceremony, and rallied the people by rescuing the selected children. He gained Dragon Aura Protection and ended by declaring he would govern from Heavenly Secrets Tower, forcing the Imperial Preceptor to react.

• Guan Ya directed Red Chicken Bro and the others to watch the assassins while Sun Miaomiao sent Yin Chuanmei to draw them into an illusion.
• Zhang Yuanqing revealed the Imperial Seal and Twin Dragon Jade Pendant, proving he was Zhao Shun and causing the officials to kneel.
• Zhao Shun blamed Northern Dynasty spies for the child-burning plot, halted the ceremony, and urged the parents to reclaim their children.
• Parents rescued the children and the crowd acclaimed Zhao Shun, completing his side quest and granting him Dragon Aura Protection.
• Zhao Shun denounced corruption, announced three years without labor service and a general amnesty, and declared he would govern from Heavenly Secrets Tower; the Imperial Preceptor's expression changed.