Chapter Summaries

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.

Zhang Yuanqing entered the Heavenly Secrets Tower to protect himself from the Imperial Preceptor and began a game against him over the Southern Dynasty’s fate. While Zheng Wenhan fought Yang Zheng over whether to investigate corrupt officials, Sun Miaomiao stole grain for the hungry refugees.

• Zhang Yuanqing asked the Imperial Preceptor to protect the emperor in front of the crowd, then entered the Heavenly Secrets Tower and warned Zheng Wenhan to find the spy within three days.
• Zhang Yuanqing confronted the Imperial Preceptor, learned that he planned to use the Northern Dynasty’s invasion and the Southern Dynasty’s national fortune to advance his cultivation, and declared his first move was to kill He Shen.
• Zheng Wenhan blocked Yang Zheng’s attempt to investigate officials accused of corruption, and the Grand Secretaries argued without reaching an agreement.
• Sun Miaomiao used Little Red Riding Hood to steal grain from rice shops, merchants, and court officials’ homes for the refugees.

Zhang Yuanqing used disaster relief to win support among the refugees and countered the National Preceptor’s efforts to undermine it, while preparing to strike the Zheng Family. As the Northern Dynasty pressed its assault on Linxia and Fu Qingyang’s forces ran short of Life Source Fluid, Zhang Yuanqing turned to Guan Ya for an update on the Divine Sharp Army case.

• While studying the Great Luo Star Chart, Zhang Yuanqing heard a sound from the Imperial Preceptor’s alchemy chamber and suspected he was preparing a major move.
• Zhang Yuanqing arranged a generous porridge distribution for the refugees outside the capital, but the National Preceptor delayed it and sent disguised civilians to disrupt the relief effort.
• Zhang Yuanqing possessed a city guard commander and ordered sand mixed into the porridge, causing the civilians who only wanted free food to leave and exposing the difference between them and the desperate refugees.
• Zhang Yuanqing told the National Preceptor he planned to keep Zheng Wenhan steady before moving against the Zheng Family, whose destruction could turn the Imperial City Directorate and city guards to his side.
• At the Yang Residence, Guan Ya told Zhang Yuanqing that the Palace Lord had gone to Linxia to support Fu Qingyang’s battered forces, which urgently needed Life Source Fluid.

Guan Ya explained how Zheng Wenhan orchestrated Wu Xin’s death and the destruction of the Divine Sharp Army, leading Zhang Yuanqing to investigate Zhao Kai and recruit the Azure Dragon Gang. After his new quest tasked him with eliminating Zheng Wenhan, Zhang Yuanqing planned an assault on the Zheng Family and identified winning the Divine Sharp Army’s support as essential to confronting the Imperial Preceptor.

• Guan Ya told Zhang Yuanqing that Zhao Kai had led the crackdown on Wu Xin’s followers and urged him to investigate the old prince at the Eternal Yan Prince’s Residence.
• Zhang Yuanqing visited Duan Fire God, persuaded the Azure Dragon Gang to serve him, and completed the quest to subdue the gang, activating a quest to eliminate Zheng Wenhan.
• Zhang Yuanqing returned to Level Six and recognized that defeating the Zheng Family would leave him facing the Imperial Preceptor, a powerful eighth-level Sovereign.
• Zhang Yuanqing proposed attacking the Zheng Family to Duan Fire God and Elder Xu, asking them to risk their lives for the Southern Dynasty.
• Zhang Yuanqing assessed both sides’ goals and concluded that he needed to keep the Palace Master and Little Round’s progress apace and win the Divine Sharp Army’s support.

Sun Miaomiao helped Zhang Yuanqing win Zhao Kai’s support by uncovering Zheng Wenhan’s role in Wu Xin’s assassination, while Zhang Yuanqing worked to strengthen his popular support against the Imperial Preceptor. The dragon qi grew stronger, but the force roaring inside Heavenly Secrets Tower neared losing control as Zhang Yuanqing asked whether Palace Master and Little Round had recovered to level six.

• Sun Miaomiao infiltrated Prince's Manor and used hypnosis to learn that Zhao Kai would return to his bedroom after drinking and watching dancers.
• Zhang Yuanqing used a Yin corpse, the Imperial Seal, and Sun Miaomiao’s help to convince Zhao Kai to reveal that Zheng Wenhan had ordered Wu Xin’s assassination and that the Empress Dowager had concealed it.
• Zhao Kai agreed to support Zhang Yuanqing against Zheng Wenhan, and Zhang Yuanqing sent a level-five corpse puppet out of the capital toward Summer's Edge.
• Zhang Yuanqing reached Summer's Edge and met Zhao Chenghuang, asking to be taken to Fu Qingyang.
• Zhang Yuanqing competed with the Imperial Preceptor for the people's support by distributing seized food, targeting local tyrants, issuing a self-reproach edict, and auctioning palace treasures through Yang Zheng.
• As Zhang Yuanqing's dragon qi grew and the roaring in Heavenly Secrets Tower intensified, he asked Palace Master and Little Round whether they had recovered to level six.

Zhang Yuanqing planned a surprise attack on the Zheng Family and sought to recruit the Divine Sharp Army, but the Imperial Preceptor killed Zhao Kai with a curse and exposed the plan. Despite the setback, Zhang Yuanqing ordered the attack to proceed.

• Zhang Yuanqing and his allies agreed to attack the Zheng Family while distracting the city defense forces and Imperial City Directorate, and he said he would stay behind to occupy the Imperial Preceptor.
• Zhang Yuanqing and his teammates discussed the Imperial Preceptor’s possible transformation into an undead creature and prepared for the operation.
• Zhang Yuanqing took Jiang Jingwei to meet Zhao Kai and explained that he intended to recruit the Divine Sharp Army against Zheng Wenhan.
• Zhao Kai suddenly died in the carriage, and Zhang Yuanqing realized the Imperial Preceptor had used a curse to kill him.
• Zhang Yuanqing confronted the Imperial Preceptor, then returned to the Yang Residence as Guan Ya urged postponing the attack; he insisted the plan proceed.