Chapter Summary: "Xie Clan's Young Phoenix Tears Off the Mask"

Key Plot Points

• Xie Guan is brought before Old Madam Xie's hall for punishment (originally 300 lashes) after events at the Gathering of Beauties Banquet, where Xie Renfeng allegedly set up an ambush against him.
• Two martial artists attempt to seize Xie Guan, but he skillfully dodges their pincer attack—revealing unexpected ability.
• Xie Yuan arrives with reinforcements: Zhuge Jian (Xie Yuan's maternal uncle), Zhang Shizai, and Zhang Yunzhi.
• Zhuge Jian freezes the martial artists using "Word Follows Law," a Primordial Spirit technique of the Confucian School.
• Xie Yuan argues that both sides erred, demanding impartial judgment; Xie Renfeng denies the accusation.
• Zhang Shizai pleads for leniency based on Xie Guan's character and talent.
• Zhuge Jian shifts strategy: instead of pleading, he offers "congratulations," praising the Xie Clan's legacy (the "Twin Jades" of Marquis Dingyuan and Mr. Hong) and extolling Xie Guan as a "Young Phoenix" whose poems are now famous across the empire.
• Old Madam Xie shows some flexibility but refuses to cancel punishment: reduces the sentence from 300 to 200 lashes.
• She warns the outsiders not to meddle in the Xie Clan's internal affairs, then orders Xie Yuan dragged away.

Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Demonstrates physical skill and composure, evading trained martial artists despite being a scholar; his literary fame has spread far and wide.
• Old Madam Xie: Shows stern adherence to ancestral law while making a calculated concession to save face for the high-ranking guests; hints of hidden awareness of the deeper politics.
• Xie Yuan: Boldly defies the clan hierarchy, publicly challenges the elders' handling of justice, and risks his own standing to defend Xie Guan.
• Zhuge Jian: Masterful political operator; shifts from direct pleading to veiled flattery and cultural prestige to help Xie Guan, revealing deep cultivation and influence.
• Li Nantian: An outsider observing with interest; becomes curious about how a concubine-born son commands such support.
• Li Qinlan: Feels guilt over her role in Xie Guan's downfall; powerless as a junior.
• Xie Yu: Harbors resentment and shame at being overshadowed by Xie Guan's reputation.

Significant Themes

• Clan hierarchy and seniority: The authority of the matriarch and the suppression of junior members; the vulnerability of concubine-born children.
• Justice vs. family honor: Public accusations of wrongdoing clash with maintaining the clan's internal order.
• Power of reputation and culture: Literary fame and classical cultivation become shields; prestige can outrank raw punishment.
• The limits of outsider intervention: Even influential officials cannot overturn a clan's internal judgment entirely.
• Politics within the Nine Great Surnames: Tension between inter-clan diplomacy and domestic rule.

Character Interactions

• Xie Yuan vs. Old Madam Xie: Grandson openly defies the matriarch, arguing for fairness; she dismisses him and orders him removed.
• Zhuge Jian vs. Old Madam Xie: Uses compliment and Confucian rhetoric to pressure the matriarch into leniency; she accepts a token reduction but asserts final authority.
• Madam Zhao vs. Xie Yuan: Clash over Xie Renfeng's alleged ambush; she accuses him of slander.
• Zhang Shizai vs. Madam Zhao: Outsider intervenes, citing Xie Guan's merit; Madam Zhao dismisses external opinion in clan matters.
• Li Nantian: His shifting attitude—from preparing to leave to sitting back down—marks the rising stakes of the scene.

Summary: "A Tree That Could Bear the Wind and Rain"

Key Plot Points & Events

• Setting: The Xie Clan ancestral hall (Crane Pine Hall) during an internal clan dispute over Xie Guan's fate.
• Eldest Princess Chen Zhirong arrives unexpectedly with Mr. East Mountain's personal seal, requesting mercy for Xie Guan and implying Mr. East Mountain's favor toward him.
• The Eldest Princess reveals she was once betrothed to Xie Ling before the palace coup ten years ago; the Xie Clan betrayed the imperial family to survive.
• Academy students and courtesans from West Wing Tower gather outside the manor — not to plead for Xie Guan, but to voluntarily receive his punishment in his stead, shocking everyone.
• Among the crowd are esteemed Academy figures Mr. Jin Zitan and Mr. Xu Wei.
• Old Madam Xie is forced to truly confront Xie Guan's growing influence and worth.

Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Though condemned by his own clan, remains calm and upright throughout; his spine never bends. Old Madam Xie finally sees him as "a great tree capable of bearing wind and rain."
• Old Madam Xie: Undergoes a shift — initially resolute in judgment, she grows uncertain as powerful figures intercede; her closing observation signals a reevaluation.
• Chen Zhirong (Eldest Princess): Appears regal and composed, still bearing old wounds; she reveals compassion for Xie Guan and lingering resentment toward the Xie Clan.
• Li Nantian: Recognizes the significance of Mr. East Mountain's involvement; begins to suspect Xie Guan holds hidden worth.
• Madam Zhao / Madam Yuan / Xie Xuan: Remain hostile, frustrated by the external support Xie Guan keeps attracting; their anger intensifies.

Significant Themes

• Perception vs. reality: A "disaster child" who appears weak is revealed to have deep, quiet influence.
• The power of reputation and alliances: Mr. East Mountain's implied endorsement and the Eldest Princess's plea shift the balance of power.
• Justice vs. clan authority: Outsiders (students, courtesans, nobles) challenge the clan's right to punish one of its own.
• The weight of the past: Old debts between the Xie Clan, the imperial family, and Mr. East Mountain resurface, shaping present decisions.
• Merit vs. birth: Xie Guan's worth is measured by those who know him, not by his illegitimate status.

Character Interactions

• Chen Zhirong and Old Madam Xie: A tense meeting layered with history; the Eldest Princess is courteous but pointed.
• Chen Zhirong and Xie Guan: She treats him with genuine courtesy, inviting him to Qimo Spring House.
• Li Nantian and Chen Zhirong: He inquires about Mr. East Mountain, showing deference; his interest in Xie Guan grows.
• Madam Zhao and the servant: She threatens him for stammering, revealing her volatile temper.
• Xie Yuan and Xie Guan: Xie Yuan is visibly delighted by the turn of events, standing by Xie Guan's side.
• Li Qinlan (internal): She watches Xie Guan with growing fascination — a soldier woman moved by his unyielding composure.
• Old Madam Xie and Xie Guan: The pivotal interaction — her scrutiny meets his calm, steady gaze; she looks away first, symbolically acknowledging his strength.

Key Plot Points & Events

• Hu Yunniang’s gamble succeeds: She brings dozens of Academy students, led by Elder Jin Zitan, to surround Xie Manor in the rain, demanding justice for Xie Guan. Even courtesans from West Wing Tower come to support him.
• Jin Zitan mobilizes the scholars: Moved by Xie Guan’s talent and lowly birth, he rallies students, who risk standing against a noble household.
• Li Xiangjun and Zhou Yun’er fetch Mr. East Mountain: They discover that the true owner of Moonlight Pavilion is a mysterious elder, Mr. East Mountain, who agrees to help immediately. His carriage is so prestigious that even the Nine Great Surnames yield the road.
• Eldest Princess intervenes: At Xie Manor, she greets Mr. East Mountain as her teacher and carries his private seal inside, forcing the Old Madam to back down.
• Old Madam postpones judgment: Inside Crane Pine Hall, she declares Xie Guan’s matter will be set aside for today, but warns him the matter is unfinished.
• Xie Guan defies her openly: He replies that her words are exactly what he wanted to say to her. Madam Zhao and Xie Renfeng leave with threats.
• Gates open to the scholars: Xie Guan goes out, bows deeply to the rain-soaked crowd, and the scholars bow back in unison. Mr. East Mountain watches approvingly.

Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Shows fearless defiance against the entire Xie Clan, refusing to bow even to the Old Madam. Calm, measured, and openly proud; his support network grows.
• Hu Yunniang: Proves resourceful and loyal; her desperate plan succeeds far beyond expectations.
• Jin Zitan: Acts on principle, valuing talent over noble birth, and proves he has deep influence among scholars.
• Mr. East Mountain: Revealed as a powerful hidden patron who appreciates youthful brilliance; he stakes his reputation on Xie Guan.
• The Old Madam: Pragmatic but hostile; she retreats temporarily but vows the matter is not over.
• Madam Zhao & Xie Renfeng: Deepen their hatred and openly threaten Xie Guan with future ruin.
• Xie Yu & Xie Qiyue: Both are shocked by the scale of support for Xie Guan; Qiyue is relieved, Yu astonished.

Significant Themes

• Talent vs. birth: Scholars rally behind a talented concubine-born son against an entrenched noble clan.
• Unity of the low-born and humble: The chapter celebrates mutual recognition among scholars, courtesans, and commoners.
• Defiance against power: Xie Guan stands tall against the entire clan, refusing to be crushed.
• The fleeting nature of favor: Even help from the powerful may not last; Xie Guan’s position remains precarious.
• “A touch of splendor”: Youthful brilliance and bold spirit are celebrated—even an elder like Mr. East Mountain sees his own youth reflected in Xie Guan.

Character Interactions

• Hu Yunniang & Jin Zitan: She asks for help; he immediately acts, calling together the Academy students.
• Li Xiangjun, Zhou Yun’er & Mr. East Mountain: They seek aid; he agrees at once and personally travels to Xie Manor.
• Mr. East Mountain & Eldest Princess: She performs disciple rites in the rain, showing his immense status.
• Old Madam & Xie Guan: A tense confrontation; she warns him, he rebukes her with hidden steel.
• Madam Zhao & Xie Renfeng to Xie Guan: They curse him, promising a more miserable death.
• Xie Guan & the Scholars: A silent, powerful exchange—Xie Guan bows to them, and they bow to him, sealing mutual respect.

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Liu Yuan, Helan Zhenshu, and Du Kong observe that Xie Guan has powerful protectors (Zhuge Jian, Zhang Shizai, the Eldest Princess, Mr. East Mountain), making direct action impossible.
• The three princes discuss their own precarious political situations: Great Sui is moving against the Three Truths Lineage, threatening Liu Yuan's position; Helan's brother is gaining favor; Du Kong faces his own troubles.
• Liu Yuan formulates a five-step plan to destroy Xie Guan: identify usable enemies, find his weaknesses, gather intelligence, strike with overwhelming force, and exploit his current overconfidence.
• They split up: Helan and Du Kong will provoke Prince Yan and the Second Prince; Liu Yuan secretly visits Xie Renfeng to forge an alliance.
• Meanwhile, Xie Renfeng rages over Xie Guan's escape. Madam Zhao shows him a letter from Xie Hong, urging patience and self-cultivation; Xie Renfeng is calmed and momentarily resolves to focus on studies.
• In a dark twist, Madam Zhao is confronted by a man impersonating Xie Hong (or one who resembles him). The man slaps her into submission, forcing her to kneel in a degrading manner, suggesting she is being controlled or coerced in Xie Hong's absence.
• Xie Renfeng receives news of Liu Yuan's arrival and goes to meet him.

2. Character Developments

• Liu Yuan: Emerges as a cold, calculating strategist. He is willing to manipulate allies and enemies alike, showing political desperation and ruthlessness.
• Xie Renfeng: Volatile and resentful toward Xie Guan, but easily reined in by his mother and deeply reverent of his father. He regains composure after reading the letter, showing a conflict between filial duty and vengeful impulses.
• Madam Zhao: Revealed to be under the control of a sinister man who demands subservience. Her earlier assertiveness with her son contrasts with her submissive fear, exposing her as both a manipulator and a victim in a larger scheme.

3. Significant Themes

• Political Intrigue & Alliance: The princes form secret coalitions, using enemies of enemies as tools. Scheming is rife within and between factions.
• Filial Piety vs. Ambition: Xie Renfeng's obedience to his father's letter tempers his fury, while Liu Yuan's rebellion against his imperial father drives his actions.
• Deception & Hidden Control: The fake Xie Hong figure and Madam Zhao's subjugation highlight how appearances and familial authority can be weaponized.
• Power Imbalance & Gender: Madam Zhao's physical and psychological subjugation underscores the vulnerability of women in patriarchal power structures.

4. Character Interactions

• Liu Yuan, Helan, Du Kong: A tense council of equals with shared desperation; Liu Yuan leads, assigning roles and exposing state secrets.
• Xie Renfeng & Madam Zhao: A mother-son dynamic blending affection, manipulation, and shared hatred of Xie Guan; she redirects his rage through fatherly authority.
• Madam Zhao & the Impostor: A chilling power exchange—she is slapped into compliance, revealing her role as a pawn controlled by a man posing as her husband.
• Xie Renfeng & Liu Yuan: The chapter ends with their first meeting, a pivotal alliance born of mutual enemies, signaling an escalation of the "killing game."

Chapter Summary: The Peril of Parasol Tree: Killing in Bianjing!

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• After the incident at Xie Manor, the crowd disperses. Jin Zitan warns Xie Guan that powerful lineages will seek revenge and departs; Madam Yuan leaves darkly with Xie Yu.
• Courtesans Hu Yunniang, Chenxiang, Li Xiangjun, and Zhou Yun'er tease Xie Guan about "taking responsibility" for them, making suggestive remarks.
• Returning to the manor, Xie Guan senses danger through his Primordial Spirit. Using the sword "Void Refining" (instant teleportation), he and Xie Yuan arrive at his small courtyard in an instant.
• They find the courtyard empty—Parasol Tree (his childhood maid) has been kidnapped. A note pinned with her hairpin demands Xie Guan come alone to Misty Wave Lake at West Wing Tower within half an hour, or she dies. The note burns itself afterward.
• Despite Xie Yuan's protests that it is a trap, Xie Guan chooses the option: "Go alone."
• He retrieves his treasured sword, Dragon Shadow, and shares a farewell cup of wine with Xie Yuan before departing for Misty Wave Lake.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Shows fierce loyalty, courage, and resolve. He refuses to abandon Parasol Tree, declares he has unfinished business, and is calm and philosophical in the face of danger. His cultivation (Purple Tenuity Eternal Realm, Nine Swords) and leading a one-man sword-testing mission are highlighted.
• Xie Yuan: Demonstrates deep friendship and distress—offering to die with Xie Guan, trembling at the farewell, and fearing for his life. Earlier, he is visibly shaken and jealous upon hearing the courtesans' teasing, believing Xie Guan has been intimate with all of them.
• Courtesans: Playful, bold, and flirtatious, playfully claiming ownership over Xie Guan, which stirs envy in Xie Yuan.

3. Significant Themes

• Loyalty and brotherhood: Xie Yuan's willingness to accompany Xie Guan into certain death; the ritual of the farewell wine mirrors jianghu (martial world) codes of honor.
• Imminent danger and sacrifice: The kidnapping is a deliberate trap; Xie Guan knowingly walks into it, prioritizing a loved one's life over his own.
• Resolve and identity: Xie Guan defines himself through his sword intent and duty, vowing he cannot die yet.
• The jianghu ethos: The chapter romanticizes wanderers' farewells and the confrontation of fate ("Smiling, drink a cup of wine; kill in Bianjing").

4. Character Interactions

• Jin Zitan warns Xie Guan of noble-family vengeance and leaves.
• Hu Yunniang, Chenxiang, Li Xiangjun, and Zhou Yun'er tease Xie Guan with seductive remarks; Xie Yuan overhears and becomes stunned, envious, and unsettled.
• Xie Yuan and Xie Guan discuss the kidnapping, debate the trap, and share an emotional parting—Xie Yuan pleading, Xie Guan reassuring him ("Sixth Brother, do you trust me?"). The scene ends with Xie Guan setting off alone to Misty Wave Lake.

This is not a regular story chapter—it's an author's note announcing a day off from writing. Here's the summary:

Key Events

• The author announces they are taking a day off and will not update today.
• Reason: A friend received a surprise message from his former crush ("goddess") asking to meet for a meal, and the friend spent the day pestering the author, leaving no time to write.
• Logistical complications: long commute, crowded Friday subway, no seat to write on phone, and the friend needed to go home to wash his hair and change clothes before the outing.
• Author apologizes for stopping at a climax and promises updates resume tomorrow.

Plot Context (briefly mentioned)

• After Xie Guan killed someone, the ascension immediately began, and various people entered Bianjing (capital city). This is where the story currently stands.

Character Developments

• None in this chapter (it is a meta/author's note, not narrative content).

Significant Themes

• The humorous reality of balancing writing with real life and friendship obligations.
• The author's commitment to readers, apologizing sincerely and promising a "massive update spree."

Character Interactions

• Author–readers: direct address, apology, and reassurance.
• Author–friend: the friend's romantic situation derails the author's workday.
  Note: The text also contains a promotional mention of the site's domain (Taiwan Novel Network / TWKAN.com), which is an embedded advertisement.

Chapter Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Matron Yan, the Eldest Princess’s maid, intercepts Xie Guan outside Xie Manor to warn him: several foreign crown princes (Great Sui, Eternal Heaven, Buddhist Kingdom) and two Qi princes (Yan and Feng) have conspired against him. The Eldest Princess counsels restraint and reminds him that “a gentleman may be deceived by what is proper,” urging him to bide his time and not risk death for a maid.
• Xie Guan refuses: “My maid has a name. Her life is not cheap, either.” He continues toward the trap, despite Matron Yan’s plea.
• On the road, he encounters the mysterious Mr. East Mountain, a formidable old man in a carriage. The old man warns him that the ambush is a certain death: three foreign crown princes, many Upper Three Realms experts, and even court figures are involved. He offers Xie Guan an escape—sponsorship into the Academy or safe departure from Bianjing—if he turns back. Xie Guan remains silent and thoughtful.
• The scene shifts to Listening to Rain Tower at Misty Wave Lake, where the conspirators have gathered: Crown Prince Liu Yuan, Thirteenth Prince Chen Mu, foreign crown princes Helan Zhenshu and Du Kong, Xie Renfeng, and the powerful Grand Eunuch Xiao Yu.
• They debate whether Xie Guan will come. Xie Renfeng insists he will, citing Xie Guan’s past willingness to risk danger for the same maid. Chen Mu sneers that no one would die for a maid. Liu Yuan warns them not to underestimate Xie Guan: he may have ignited Divine Fire, killed Zhu Ziqian, and has ties to the Demon Master and Master Lotus Pond.
• The group has laid a massive trap: twelve Upper Martial Realm experts, several Divine Fire–level fighters, three crown princes, and Grand Eunuch Xiao Yu (Ninth Realm). Chen Mu declares: “A net cast over heaven and earth has already been laid inside and outside Misty Wave Tower. Even with wings, he will not escape.”

2. Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Remains resolute and loyal. Rather than bow to political pressure, he affirms the intrinsic worth of his maid. He is calm, principled, and unshakable even when faced with overwhelming odds.
• Xie Renfeng: Antagonistic and bitter. He understands Xie Guan’s character better than most and is convinced Xie Guan will walk into the trap—driven by both hatred and grudging respect.
• Liu Yuan: Cautious and strategic. He has gathered an overwhelming force and takes Xie Guan seriously as a dangerous opponent, revealing intelligence from Chancellor Su’s Manor.
• Chen Mu: Arrogant and dismissive. He embodies aristocratic contempt for common people, seeing the maid’s life as worthless and relying on brute force to solve the problem.
• Mr. East Mountain / Matron Yan: Represent the voice of pragmatic authority—they see Xie Guan’s potential and try to save him from self-destruction, but he will not be swayed.

3. Significant Themes

• Loyalty vs. Pragmatism: Xie Guan chooses honor and loyalty over political survival, rejecting the “gentleman must not act on impulse” counsel.
• The Value of Human Life: Xie Guan’s retort—“her life is not cheap”—directly challenges the aristocratic view that a servant’s life is expendable.
• Fate vs. Free Will: The conspirators believe they have sealed Xie Guan’s doom with an inescapable net; Xie Guan’s choice to walk toward it suggests defiance of fate.
• Power of the State: The combined might of crown princes, princes, and eunuchs illustrates how political institutions crush individuals.
• Legacy and Inheritance: References to Second Sir’s sword intent and Xie Guan’s “talent to govern the world” frame his decisions as tests of worthy succession.

4. Character Interactions

• Xie Guan & Matron Yan: He respects her delivery of the Eldest Princess’s message but firmly rejects the advice, prioritizing his maid’s life over political prudence.
• Xie Guan & Mr. East Mountain: A tense, respectful exchange. The old man tests Xie Guan’s resolve and offers him a way out; Xie Guan listens but does not commit, signaling he will proceed despite the warning.
• Liu Yuan & Xie Renfeng: Liu Yuan trusts Xie Renfeng’s insight into Xie Guan’s personality; they align on predicting Xie Guan’s arrival.
• Chen Mu & Everyone: His dismissal of the maid’s life clashes with Xie Renfeng’s and Liu Yuan’s more cautious assessment, revealing a rift between arrogance and strategy.
• Grand Eunuch Xiao Yu: Silent but intimidating; his presence elevates the severity of the trap, showing that even the imperial court is implicated.

Summary

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• At Misty Wave Lake, Xue Huaian and companions (courtesans Liu Zixin and Su Zhirou, swordswoman Luo Susu, and Giant Whale Gang chief Mei Qingsu) notice something unusual: Listening to Rain Tower is strangely quiet, pleasure boats have disappeared, and the lakeshore feels ominous.
• They realize the area has been sealed off by many experts from multiple factions: the Yan Prince's Manor, the Thirteenth Prince's Manor, the crown prince manors of Great Qi's neighboring nations (Great Sui, Southern Buddhist Kingdom, Eternal Heaven), and others.
• Identified threats include a Sow Dragon raised by Madam Ruan, the "Sky-Hooking Old Man" Li Kongming, a debauched lay disciple of the Eastern Victory Sect, a Daoist ritual master from the Great Sui Crown Prince's Manor, and the Wine-and-Meat Monk.
• The group senses this formation is not meant for them, but their escape routes are already blocked. They are caught in another dangerous storm despite trying to leave.
• In a separate scene, Xie Guan speaks with an old man called "Mr. East Mountain." Xie Guan asks whether a gentleman should save someone who has fallen into a well, knowing it may mean death. He declares he is neither a gentleman nor a sage: he cannot bear not to save, but also refuses to die in the well.
• Mr. East Mountain, reminded of the "second son" of the Xie Clan, decides to help Xie Guan break free from the Xie Clan's cage and rise like a kite fighting the clouds, heading to the Academy.

2. Character Developments

• Xue Huaian: Appears perceptive, cautious, and protective of his companions. He tries to leave when danger is sensed, showing he has become more wary after past disasters.
• Luo Susu: Still mentally shaken from Xie Guan's earlier sword strike; her sword heart is damaged, and she has been unable to regain her usual clarity.
• Mei Qingsu: Sharp-eyed and knowledgeable, identifying many hidden experts and warning the group to retreat.
• Xie Guan: Reveals a distinct moral code—he is neither rigidly "gentlemanly" nor saintly, but acts from personal conviction: willing to help others without needlessly sacrificing himself. He impresses Mr. East Mountain with his sharp tongue and resolve.
• Mr. East Mountain: Decides to back Xie Guan, seeing in him the spirit of the "second son" of the Xie Clan. His role shifts from observer to mentor/supporter.

3. Significant Themes

• Danger and political intrigue: The lake is a trap set by rival noble courts; ordinary people instinctively avoid it, and even powerful martial artists are tense.
• Gentlemen vs. sages / duty vs. self-preservation: The philosophical question of whether one should risk death to save others. Xie Guan rejects both extremes—he is neither a gentleman who avoids danger nor a sage who must accept righteousness at any cost.
• Breaking free from family/constraints: Mr. East Mountain's decision to help Xie Guan leave the Xie Clan's cage symbolizes the theme of escaping oppressive structures and pursuing one's own path.

4. Character Interactions

• Xue Huaian escorts the two courtesans while being guarded by Mei Qingsu and Luo Susu; the two women are nervous and rely on the men's protection.
• Mei Qingsu and Luo Susu exchange observations and warnings, showing their shared vigilance and experience.
• Xie Guan and Mr. East Mountain engage in a pointed philosophical dialogue. Xie Guan's answer moves the old man, leading him to pledge his support and order the carriage onward to the Academy.

Summary

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Xie Guan walks alone into the empty streets around Misty Wave Lake, knowing he is walking into an ambush.
• An alliance of princes and killers—including Great Sui’s Crown Prince Liu Yuan, Helan Zhenshu, Xie Renfeng, and the Thirteenth Prince Chen Mu—waits at Listening Rain Tower (Misty Wave Tower), having laid a trap with hidden experts and a monstrous “Sow Dragon” beneath the lake.
• Helan Zhenshu grows impatient, doubting Xie Guan will come, but Xie Renfeng insists he will, describing Xie Guan as an honor-bound idealist who cannot turn away.
• Liu Yuan secretly admires Xie Guan but coldly orders the trap to be sprung.
• From a nearby estate, Great Qi’s Eldest Princess Chen Zhirong watches and laments that Xie Guan, a potential pillar of state, will die today. She notes that even Mr. East Mountain tried to stop him, but she refuses to intervene because Chancellor Su is involved.
• At Gold Embroidery Tower, Xue Huaian, Luo Susu, Mei Qingsu, and Liu Zixin observe. Luo Susu wants to repay Xie Guan for saving her, but Mei Qingsu persuades her to wait, warning the danger is too great.
• Xie Guan rejects a boat invitation letter by burning it, then boards a small boat manned by an old fisherman and a burly, one-eared killer. The boat glides toward the lake center while the Sow Dragon coils beneath.
• The burly man threatens Xie Guan, wondering what noble blood tastes like. Xie Guan turns his back to both men, sword humming, and the burly man calls him arrogant.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Appears transformed—no longer merely scholarly, but heroic and sword-bearing. Calmly faces certain death, refuses courtesy, and displays provocative arrogance.
• Liu Yuan: Torn between admiration for Xie Guan and cold political necessity. Regrets that they cannot be friends, yet orders the deadly trap.
• Xie Renfeng: Cynical and contemptuous of Xie Guan’s idealism, yet clearly obsessed with him and eager to see him die.
• Chen Mu: Amused and bloodthirsty; disappointed Xie Guan will die too quickly and will not beg for mercy.
• Chen Zhirong: Feels genuine regret at losing Xie Guan as future “timber,” and grows curious about what makes him special enough to attract Chancellor Su’s attention.
• Luo Susu: Determined to repay her debt to Xie Guan, but is held back by Mei Qingsu.
• Mei Qingsu: Cautious and analytical; recognizes the overwhelming danger and chooses to hold back.

3. Significant Themes

• Honor vs. Pragmatism: Xie Guan’s willingness to die for righteousness is criticized by Xie Renfeng as foolish pedantry, yet admired by Liu Yuan and Chen Zhirong.
• Inevitable Trap / Doom: The chapter builds a net of killing intent—hidden assassins, a monstrous lake creature, and multiple princes—making Xie Guan’s situation appear hopeless.
• Debt and Gratitude: Luo Susu’s desire to repay Xie Guan conflicts with survival and prudence.
• Arrogance Before Death: Xie Guan’s dismissive, calm attitude in the face of overwhelming threat—symbolized by him turning his back to killers—defines the chapter’s title.

4. Character Interactions

• The allied princes discuss Xie Guan’s personality; Liu Yuan and Xie Renfeng debate his character, while Helan Zhenshu and Chen Mu anticipate bloodshed.
• Chen Zhirong and Matron Yan discuss Mr. East Mountain’s failed warning and Chancellor Su’s ominous presence, explaining why no one dare interfere.
• Luo Susu, Mei Qingsu, and Xue Huaian argue over whether to rescue Xie Guan; Luo Susu eventually sheathes her sword and waits.
• Xie Guan interacts coldly with the maid (burning her letter), the old fisherman (who speaks of bait and reeling in the rod), and the burly man (who threatens him and accuses him of arrogance).

Chapter Summary: "Sword Qi Like a Rainbow, Let It Roar Once for Me, Xie Guan!"

Key Plot Points & Events

• Xie Guan boards a skiff on the lake, deliberately walking into an ambush orchestrated by the Yan Prince's Manor.
• He is surrounded on three sides: Sky-Hooking Old Man (fisherman with soul-severing hooks and a ghostly net), a brawny Buddhist lay disciple (Lion's Roar fist art), and a giant armored crocodile ("Sow Dragon") lurking beneath the water.
• Xie Guan evades the initial assault using cinnabar talisman illusions, vanishing like "flowers in a mirror, moonlight in water."
• He incinerates Sky-Hooking Old Man with supreme-yang flames from the Yang Talisman Scripture, killing him instantly.
• A second wave of attackers closes in: a whip master (transformational python whip), a drunken fat monk (giant form), a white-browed flute player (freezing the lake), and a blindfolded zither player (transparent air blades). The brawny man re-engages.
• The chapter ends on a cliffhanger: Xie Guan draws his sword and declares, "What if I insist on making this lake roar once for me, Xie Guan?!" — Sword Qi arcs like a rainbow into the heavens.

Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Demonstrates mastery of multiple arts — the Yang Talisman Scripture (supreme-yang flames that annihilate yin souls), the Purple Tenuity Eternal Realm (a domain that cuts off surrounding auras), and formless Sword Qi from nine swords in his Heart Sea. His evasion via talisman illusions proves sophisticated. He remains calm, smiling, and defiant even when outnumbered.
• Sky-Hooking Old Man: Killed when his own net is broken, his soul-linked artifacts backlash, and Xie Guan ignites him from within with a single breath.

Significant Themes

• Defiance against certain death: Xie Guan faces a "dead end" yet chooses to fight — "A desperate situation with no life among ten deaths? So what?"
• Yang vs. Yin: Supreme-yang energy (Buddhist/Yang Talisman flame) directly counters ghostly yin arts, burning souls to ash.
• Illusion and misdirection: Cinnabar talismans create perfect decoys, deceiving even experienced masters.

Character Interactions

• Luo Susu and Mei Qingsu (observers): Anxiously analyze the battle, noting Xie Guan's "flaw" of turning his back — which proves to be a deliberate illusion.
• Helan Zhenshu, Chen Mu, Du Kong (Yan Prince's Manor, in Listening to Rain Tower): Confidently declare Xie Guan's death imminent, boasting of their killers' abilities. Xiao Yu senses a whisper of Sword Qi pass by.
• Xie Guan vs. the tower: He stands at the bow, sheathed sword in hand, silently confronting his would-be executioners — a moment of quiet challenge before the slaughter.

Chapter Summary: "A True Monster—The Splendor of This Sword!"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

• Battle at Misty Wave Lake: Xie Guan faces a coordinated assault by multiple Upper Three Realms (Martial Dao and Primordial Spirit) experts, including Sky-Hooking Old Man, a Divine Fire cultivator, who is killed instantly by Xie Guan's crimson flames and Glazed Buddha Hand technique.
• Observation from Listening to Rain Tower: Chen Mu, Xie Renfeng, Liu Yuan, Helan Zhenshu, Du Kong, and Xiao Yu watch the battle. They identify Xie Guan's cultivation as Ninth Primordial Spirit Realm (Purple Tenuity Eternal Realm), a shocking revelation for a 13-year-old. Xie Renfeng flies into a jealous rage, accusing Xie Guan of stealing talent from the Xie Clan main estate.
• The Massacre: When eight or nine Upper Three Realms experts attack Xie Guan simultaneously, he unleashes his ultimate sword technique — nine different sword intents merged as one (described as the "union of six swords," with allusions to Confucian righteousness, slaughter, extinction, and more). The strike kills nearly all attackers, including the Sow Dragon (a giant crocodile that was the Sea Gazing giant's mount), and severs the Sea Gazing giant in half.
• Aftermath: The dying experts ask what sword felled them, but receive no answer. Four powerful observers — Xiao Yu (Ninth Martial Dao Realm, Jade Pivot Core), Liu Yuan (Purple Tenuity Eternal Realm with icy demonic aura), Helan Zhenshu, and Du Kong — decide to join forces and kill the now-exhausted Xie Guan, fearing Prince of Yan's retribution if they return empty-handed.
• Final Mercy: One female Daoist priestess survives. Xie Guan spares her, saying it is for the sake of Patriarch Lu Chen of the Three Truths Lineage.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Confirmed as a monstrous genius — Purple Tenuity Eternal Realm at 13, with Sixth Martial Dao Realm (Coiling Finger Softness), half a step from condensing True Essence. His sword strike is devastating but nearly exhausts his Primordial Spirit completely. Despite his ruthlessness, he shows restraint by sparing the Daoist priestess out of respect for Patriarch Lu Chen.
• Liu Yuan (Great Sui Crown Prince): Revealed to have been concealing his cultivation — Purple Tenuity Eternal Realm with an icy demonic aura deeper than Kongdu's or Helan Zhenshu's. Rises from his wheelchair, abandoning his disguise. Coldly determined to kill Xie Guan.
• Xiao Yu (Palace Chief Ritual Eunuch): Drops all pretense, revealing Ninth Martial Dao Realm (Jade Pivot Core) cultivation with Vajra Indestructibility. One of the most formidable opponents Xie Guan faces.
• Xie Renfeng: Consumed by jealousy and madness, accusing Xie Guan of theft rather than acknowledging his talent. His credibility is utterly destroyed.
• Chen Mu: Goes from composed observer to furious avenger after losing Sky-Hooking Old Man, but regains composure by framing Xie Guan's death as a fair trade for exposing a potential World Grandmaster.
• Helan Zhenshu: Deeply humbled and horrified — his lifelong pride in his cultivation is shattered by comparison to Xie Guan's 13-year-old mastery.

3. Significant Themes

• True Monstrous Talent: The chapter emphasizes Xie Guan's status as an unprecedented prodigy, whose cultivation at 13 rivals or exceeds cultivators decades his senior. His name itself ("A True Monster") frames his nature.
• The Price of Power: Xie Guan's supreme sword strike leaves his vital energy and Primordial Spirit nearly burned to nothing, making him vulnerable — power has a cost.
• Escalating Conflict / Political Intrigue: The battle is framed within court politics — Prince of Yan's faction (Xiao Yu) and Great Sui Crown Prince's faction (Liu Yuan) are forced to cooperate, setting up future power struggles.
• Mercy Within Slaughter: Amid the carnage, Xie Guan's choice to spare the Daoist priestess reveals a code beneath his violence — a connection to the Three Truths Lineage.
• The Romantic Ideal of the Sword: The chapter celebrates swordsmanship as an art form — witnesses are stunned speechless, and Xue Huaian recites the verse: "A lifetime's intent in book and sword. Bearing a mad name for fifteen years."

4. Character Interactions

• The Tower Observers: Chen Mu, Liu Yuan, Xiao Yu, Helan Zhenshu, and Du Kong exchange analyses of Xie Guan's techniques, forming a united front against him while privately calculating their own interests. Their alliance is pragmatic, not loyal.
• Xie Renfeng vs. Everyone: His hysterical outbursts are ignored by the others; he is increasingly a figure of pity and contempt.
• Xiao Yu & Liu Yuan: A tactical partnership — Xiao Yu takes the lead in proposing joint action; Liu Yuan is revealed to have invited him deliberately, congratulating himself on that choice.
• Xie Guan & The Dying: The severed giant and wine-and-meat monk demand to know his sword's name before dying. Xie Guan grants no answer, leaving an air of mystery around his ultimate technique.
• Xie Guan & The Daoist Priestess: His sparing her life, citing Patriarch Lu Chen, plants a seed for future connections to the Three Truths Lineage and hints at hidden history between Xie Guan and that sect.
• Luo Susu & Mei Qingsu: Both are shaken to their core — Luo Susu, a lifelong sword practitioner, is overwhelmed by witnessing a higher realm of swordsmanship; Mei Qingsu's flying dagger falls unnoticed as he is cut by the Sword Qi's spillover.

Summary: Chapter — "Maha Immeasurable, Heaven and Earth Change Color!"

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• The female Daoist observes the arrival of four attackers: the three Crown Princes (Liu Yuan, Du Kong, Helan Zhenshu) accompanied by a Ninth Realm Martial God (Xuan Core Realm) with baleful yin qi.
• The female Daoist is pushed safely away by an unseen force, deepening her suspicion that Xie Guan has ties to the Three Truths Lineage.
• The four unleash devastating attacks, with the Ninth Realm expert manifesting a Profound Yin Treasure Mirror (Extreme Yin True Essence) and Liu Yuan wielding a demonic blood art.
• Xie Guan uses the Bird of Prey Corpse-Devouring Art to absorb the Primordial Spirits of the eleven fallen experts, reigniting his Divine Fire.
• Preparing his ultimate move, Maha Immeasurable (the Heaven-and-Earth Borrowing Technique), Xie Guan merges all seven sword intents into one. The six swords had already shattered; he uses his bare hand as a sword.
• The strike erupts: heaven and earth lose color, a black storm of sword intent blasts open the clouds, and the massive Sow Dragon carcass is reduced to complete ashes.
• The backlash leaves Xie Guan critically exhausted—meridians shattered in his right index finger, Divine Fire dimmed to embers, unable to lift a finger in defense.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Demonstrates unprecedented mastery by using the Maha Immeasurable technique without needing to stack swords, showing vastly improved comprehension since his battle with Long Yi. He is left in a severely weakened state, having sacrificed all his strength.
• The Female Daoist: Undergoes a shift from skepticism to awe, recognizing Xie Guan's pure Daoist cultivation (supremely firm, supremely yang) as genuine and prodigious. Her suspicion of his connection to the Three Truths Lineage strengthens.
• Liu Yuan: Implied to practice wicked demonic arts that plunder living beings' lives, contrasting sharply with Xie Guan's pure cultivation.

3. Significant Themes

• The Cost of Ultimate Power: Maha Immeasurable's overwhelming destructive force comes at an enormous price—complete exhaustion, shattered meridians, and near-total vulnerability.
• Purity of Cultivation vs. Corrupted Power: The contrast between Xie Guan's genuine, bitter cultivation of Daoist arts and Liu Yuan's demonic methods with karmic blood qi.
• Overwhelming Adversity: Facing four powerful enemies including a Ninth Realm Martial God, Xie Guan's absolute last-resort technique becomes the turning point.

4. Character Interactions

• Xie Guan vs. the Four Attackers: He unleashes the Maha Immeasurable directly against them, resulting in the apocalyptic shockwave that annihilates the Sow Dragon and seals the space.
• The Female Daoist (observer): Watches in horror, initially expecting Xie Guan's death, then witnesses the heavens themselves lose color—her reaction conveyed through the exclamation "Blessings of the Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable!"

Key Plot Points & Events

• Xie Guan unleashes Maha Immeasurable (one of the Second Master's Nine Swords) at Misty Wave Lake, devastating the four attackers.
• Liu Yuan, Xiao Yu, Kongdu, and Helan Zhenshu survive but are gravely wounded. Xiao Yu's body is nearly destroyed; Kongdu and Helan rely on life-saving artifacts.
• Liu Yuan reveals a demonic forbidden art—Death-Substitute Body—using blood relatives as sacrifices, and regenerates a demonic arm, preparing to kill a drained Xie Guan.
• Xie Guan, exhausted, appears doomed; spectators (Luo Susu, Mei Qingsu, Xue Huaian) realize he is the Second Master's true successor.
• Off-stage, Chen Zhirong (Eldest Princess) initially writes Xie Guan off, but upon witnessing his sword intent and learning he has the Second Master's legacy, she reverses course, ordering guards to save him at all costs, and decides to visit the emperor in the palace.

Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Revealed as inheritor of the Second Master's sword Dao; his cultivation and legacy are now public knowledge.
• Liu Yuan: Exposes hidden demonic cultivation (forbidden arts) and ruthlessness, becoming the primary threat.
• Chen Zhirong: Shifts from cold pragmatist to strategic opportunist; recognizes Xie Guan's value as a political weapon, prompting her to actively re-enter court politics after 12 years of estrangement.
• Xiao Yu, Kongdu, Helan Zhenshu: Reduced to crippled states, their hopes now rest entirely on Liu Yuan or external rescue.

Significant Themes

• Legacy & Reputation: The Second Master's name and sword Dao overshadow the present, granting Xie Guan immense symbolic power.
• Desperation & Hidden Trump Cards: Each side holds reserves—Liu Yuan's demonic arts, Xie Guan's sword legacy—forcing confrontations to spiral.
• Political Calculus: Chen Zhirong's shifting allegiance shows how martial might and legacy reshape political alignments.
• Survival vs. Pride: Crown princes choose to flee or use foul means rather than face death, highlighting the instinct of self-preservation.

Character Interactions

• Xie Guan vs. Liu Yuan's group: Brutal, high-stakes battle; Liu Yuan’s taunt ("what other trump cards?") vs. Xie Guan’s silent resolve.
• Spectators (Luo Susu, Mei Qingsu, Xue Huaian): Shock and awe; Mei Qingsu’s address shifts from “Xie Guan” to “Young Master Guan,” showing newfound reverence.
• Chen Zhirong & Matron Yan: Emotional reunion tone (Matron Yan’s “Your Highness”); Chen’s cold strategy gives way to genuine excitement, signaling a return to power plays.

Summary: The chapter is a violent turning point where Xie Guan’s hidden identity as the Second Master’s heir is exposed, crippling three crown princes, while Liu Yuan unleashes forbidden demonic arts to counter. Chen Zhirong, realizing Xie Guan’s newfound value, pivots from writing him off to mobilizing her forces to save him—reshaping the political landscape.

Summary of the Chapter: "Who Is the Oriole? News from the Master!"

1. Key Plot Points & Events

Liu Yuan launches a deadly attack on Xie Guan, believing he has killed him. In reality, Xie Guan traps Liu Yuan in a lifelike illusion using the "Mirage Butterfly Method" (an advanced Illusion Art). Xie Guan reveals he had two Radiant Luans—divine birds that share his vision and bolster his power—allowing him to anticipate and manipulate Liu Yuan's actions. Meanwhile, Master Dong’s adopted son (a corpse-filled man) rescues the maid Parasol Tree and carries her to Xie Guan. Xie Guan then unleashes three fused sword intents, instantly slaughtering Liu Yuan’s retainers (Du Kong, Helan Zhenshu, and Xiao Yu). The adopted son kills Liu Yuan with a single punch, then dies from his accumulated corpse Qi. Before dying, he reports that he killed one person upstairs (a prince escaped) and reveals his adoptive father Master Dong has departed to join the Red-Eyed Army. Xie Guan absorbs the four dead cultivators' Primordial Spirits, takes Parasol Tree, and leaves.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Displays extraordinary foresight, cunning, and hidden power. He orchestrates the entire confrontation, ensuring Parasol Tree’s safety and neutralizing all threats without risking himself. He also remains calm and pitying toward Liu Yuan’s folly.
• Liu Yuan: His arrogance and desperation lead to his downfall. He dies unaware that he was never in control, realizing too late that Xie Guan was always the true “oriole.”
• The Daoist Nun: Serves as a detached observer. She recognizes Xie Guan’s rare connection with the Radiant Luan (a sign of innate goodness) and the caliber of his Illusion Art. She is not a loyal protector; if Liu Yuan died, she would simply return to Mount Zhongnan.
• Master Dong’s Adopted Son: Fulfills hisvengeance (killing an enemy) and aids Xie Guan, accepting his own death with relief. He also delivers crucial intelligence about Master Dong.

3. Significant Themes

• The “Oriole” / Hunter-Becomes-Hunted: The chapter’s title explores the idea of hidden manipulators behind every confrontation; Xie Guan outmaneuvers his foes by being aware of the overarching scheme.
• Illusion vs. Reality: The entire battle is fundamentally shaped by illusions—perception is shown as malleable, and control lies with those who understand it.
• Sacrifice & Vengeance: The adopted son’s death underscores the cost of revenge, while resilience and dedication are portrayed through his final act.
• Detachment and Fate: The Daoist nun embodies the Daoist ideal of non-attachment, accepting outcomes without excessive intervention.

4. Character Interactions

• Xie Guan & Liu Yuan: A psychological and physical duel. Xie Guan lets Liu Yuan believe he has won, then dismantles his confidence and kills him without touching him directly.
• Xie Guan & the Daoist Nun: She observes his power and virtue, noting the Radiant Luan’s respect toward him, but remains neutral.
• Xie Guan & the Adopted Son: The son executes Xie Guan’s plan to rescue Parasol Tree, reports intel, and dies with gratitude.
• The Retainers: Du Kong (struggles, but determined), Helan Zhenshu (panic), and Xiao Yu (calm acceptance) all face death together, with Xiao Yu finding peace in dying to Xie Guan’s successor.

Summary of the Chapter

The youth has just emerged victorious from a massive ambush on Misty Wave Lake, having slaughtered nearly twenty Upper Three Realms experts and a Ninth Realm martial artist, feeding their corpses to the fish.

Key Plot Points

• Xie Guan reveals this was a trap he orchestrated months in advance. He used Master Dong's adopted son—a man driven mad by grief after Liu Yuan caused his lover's death—as bait, manipulating him through silver gifts and messages sent via his Radiant Luans.
• Liu Yuan's impatience led him to rush the killing trap, which fell apart.
• Xie Guan cultivates using the Bird of Prey Corpse-Devouring Art, absorbing the Primordial Spirits of his dead enemies. This advances his cultivation greatly, bringing him closer to the Yang Spirit realm.
• Hidden beneath the lake, Madam Ruan of Yan Prince's Manor reveals herself. Xie Guan forces her to swallow a sword pellet, enslaving her—she is now bound to obey him or die.
• The Dragon Guard Cavalry arrive, but instead of arresting him, they part ways and let him go, signaling the forces of Bianjing have "reached an understanding" regarding Xie Guan.
• Luo Susu, having witnessed the fight, purges her heart of despair and achieves a breakthrough, advancing from the seventh martial realm (Snow Mountain) toward the eighth.

Character Developments

• Xie Guan: Shows himself to be a master strategist, having planned the trap for months. He is ruthless yet merciful (controlling Madam Ruan instead of killing her). His cultivation has grown significantly.* He is recognized as a rising "peak" in the swordsmanship world.
• Madam Ruan: Survives by hiding underwater. Her theatrical oath-swearing reveals she is survival-minded. She is now enslaved but feels fortunate to have lived.
• Luo Susu: Her Sword Heart was almost destroyed a previous chapter. Now, witnessing Xie Guan's swordsmanship from a closer, calmer perspective lets her achieve a breakthrough.
• Mei Qingsu: Notices a contradiction—Xie Guan's features show both immeasurable nobility and the aspect of an early death—two opposite fates intertwined. The outcome of today's battle has made Xie Guan's "noble" aura stronger.
• Liu Zixin: Appears to be developing romantic feelings for Xie Guan, which alarms Xue Huaian.

Significant Themes

• Fate vs. Will: The title—"Heaven's Will Was Like Blade and Sword; in the End, the Young Man Won!"—frames the conflict between fate (heaven's will) and the protagonist's determination to defy it.
• Blood as a fertilizing force: The quote "Heaven's will is like blade and sword—within reason, beyond expectation, yet also ordained in the unseen" suggests a world where fate allows both rational explanation and mysterious causality.
• Ruthless pragmatism: The youth's moral code is complex. He slaughters his enemies, bends an old woman to his will, and ruthlessly uses a grieving man's obsession for his own ends.
• The sword as pinnacle: The ending dialogue suggests that with the "Second Mister" gone, Xie Guan has become the new supreme peak of the sword path—the "verdant mountain."

Character Interactions

• Xie Guan treats the hidden Madam Ruan with cold, terrifying authority (silence as intimidation, forcing her to accept the sword pellet).
• The Dragon Guard Cavalry's quiet deference shows political power willingly aligning with the youth.
• Xue Huaian, Mei Qingsu, and Luo Susu reflect on the battle from a distance, providing context on how his actions are perceived by the martial world.
• Luo Susu's observation of Xie Guan's swordsmanship breaks through her mental blockage, turning destructive despair into ambition.

Summary of the Chapter

1. Key Plot Points

• The chapter is a dialogue scene between Third Master (of the Academy) and Xie Hong (Chongshan) on the fifth floor of the Academy's Self-Cultivation Hall.
• Third Master reveals he has long known that the sword intent used by Xie Guan at the Gathering of Beauties Banquet belonged to Second Master — and that Xie Hong knew this as well.
• It is revealed that Xie Hong deliberately arranged for Xie Guan to fight the Flood Dragon, and had already restrained its cultivation, so Xie Guan could successfully slay it. The Flood Dragon's corpse was later used by Sima Ting to forge a sword.
• The question of whether that sword is intended for Xie Guan is raised.
• Su Jing (Wuxin) is in a difficult position: he cannot bear to let Xie Guan die, but must also make him die. If Xie Guan cannot prove himself within six months, no one can save him.
• The Master (of the Academy) has left Bianjing and gone to the Red-Eyed Army, raising doubts about who will control whom in that encounter.
• Third Master reveals his Natal Essence: "Lamp-Lit Yellow Millet Dream" (a name suggesting illusion, dream, or the transience of life).
• Xie Hong tacitly admits he condensed his Natal Essence twelve years ago at Clear-Cool Temple, long before anyone suspected it — this was previously unknown even to the Nine Great Surnames.
• The chapter closes on ominous predictions: Bianjing will soon be breached, Great Sui is toppling, the Eternal Heaven's divine oracle and Buddhist Kingdom's Golden Body are cracking, and the world's calamity is only beginning.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Hong: Depicted as a man of deep mystery. His motivations remain unclear throughout the chapter, though Third Master has clearly observed him for decades. He is desolate but resolute. He admits he knows the only road left to walk — implying a shared, inevitable path with Third Master, though he insists they are not on the same road.
• Third Master: Shown as perceptive, philosophical, and the most talkative of the Academy's masters. He is the only one who has long questioned Xie Hong's true intentions. His Natal Essence is revealed — "Lamp-Lit Yellow Millet Dream" — which suggests a Buddhist-inspired view of life as illusion or a dream within a lamp-lit world.
• Xie Guan: Though absent, he is the focal point of the conversation — a condemned young man given a small window to prove himself.

3. Significant Themes

• Path and Fate: The recurring question — "what do you truly seek?" — frames the chapter. Both characters speak of "one road" left to walk, hinting that the world's crises force people onto a singular, unavoidable path.
• Dream vs. Reality: Third Master's Natal Essence and the closing verses ("In dreams, one knows not that one is a guest... ten years of traces, ten years of heart") evoke the Buddhist theme of life as a fleeting dream. Xie Hong quotes a similarly dreamlike, mournful line.
• Hidden Truths: The gap between appearance and reality is central — hidden Natal Essences, hidden motives, hidden manipulations (Xie Hong's arrangement of the Flood Dragon fight).
• Impending Catastrophe: The mood is apocalyptic — the fall of the dynasty, the cracking of divine oracles, and the coming calamity loom over the quiet conversation.

4. Character Interactions

• The chapter is almost entirely dialogue between Third Master and Xie Hong, marked by mutual wariness, philosophical probing, and moments of guarded openness.
• Third Master presses Xie Hong with questions; Xie Hong answers sparingly, yet reveals more than he ever has before.
• Third Master admits he has never been able to see through Xie Hong, but offers him his Natal Essence as a sign of trust — suggesting a fragile alliance or respect between two men who know their roads are not the same, yet understand each other in a way others cannot.
• The relationship is cool, respectful, and coated with a shared gravity — both men are moving through a fading world toward something inevitable.

Chapter Summary: Madam Ruan Enters the Upper Three Realms, Sea Gazing

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• After the massacre at Misty Wave Lake, the protagonist meets Xie Yuan, who had rushed to his aid but finds him unscathed. They ride back to Xie Manor together.
• The protagonist reveals he killed Crown Prince Liu Yuan and his group (including Prince of Yan and the thirteenth prince) to rescue Parasol Tree. Xie Yuan is incredulous but eventually accepts it.
• The Suspended Mirror Bureau officially rules the deaths as the work of jianghu assassins, stifling any uproar; the hostage residences are furious but can only gnash their teeth since the Bureau's seal bears the Grand Chancellor's private seal.
• Madam Zhao (of the Second Estate) blames the protagonist for Xie Renfeng's death and leads dozens of experts to his courtyard, but she is stopped by the Old Matriarch's steward.
• The next morning, Parasol Tree discovers an old woman in the courtyard's water vat — it is Madam Ruan from yesterday, who had broken her Sword Pill restriction and nearly been destroyed by Sword Qi before the protagonist resealed it.
• Background on Madam Ruan is revealed: she is only 14-15 years old, from the Zhi River aquatic tribe (a priestess who raised great fish), swept to Bianjing by flood, saved by an old Academy man who introduced her to Prince of Yan's Manor. "Madam" was a title she copied without understanding.
• The protagonist then undertakes his breakthrough to the Upper Three Realms — condensing True Qi into True Essence. He endures extreme agony, pushing through to achieve ten drops (perfection) before guiding it through the eight extraordinary meridians.
• He successfully breaks through into the Martial Upper Three Realms — the Snow Mountain Realm.

2. Character Developments

• Protagonist: Demonstrates extreme willpower and ruthlessness toward himself, enduring what would normally require elders and pain-relieving pills. Breaks into the Snow Mountain Realm with a perfect ten-drop True Essence foundation. Shows quiet kindness by taking Madam Ruan in and treating her gently.
• Madam Ruan: Revealed to be a timid, simple-minded young girl, not a fearsome old crone. Her "grandmotherly" title and demeanor are exposed as misunderstood copying. She is docile, easily read, somewhat fond of beauty, and shows concern watching the protagonist's breakthrough.
• Parasol Tree: Notices strange sight (two divine birds circling her while asleep, though she dismisses it), recovers her cheerful, playful nature, and quickly befriends Madam Ruan despite initial fright.
• Xie Yuan: Shows genuine brotherly loyalty and worry; carries the fatalistic jianghu sentiment ("When one is in the jianghu, one's body is not one's own"). Warns the protagonist to be careful of Madam Zhao's revenge.

3. Significant Themes

• Breakthrough and cultivation: The grueling, painful process of entering the Upper Three Realms — True Qi compressing into True Essence, the body being reforged. Ten drops is perfection; continuing further damages one's foundation.
• Appearance vs. reality: Madam Ruan is young, not old; harmless, not dangerous; the official cover-up of the crown princes' deaths; the Xie Clan's inner corruption beneath its "united" facade.
• Political intrigue and cover-up: The Suspended Mirror Bureau buries a major international incident with the Grand Chancellor's private seal, showing how power controls truth.
• Compassion in the jianghu: The protagonist takes in misfits (the bird pair, now Madam Ruan), quietly building an unconventional household.
• Ruthlessness as necessity: Both toward enemies and oneself — the protagonist's endurance of excruciating pain alone is framed as part of the same steel resolve that killed Liu Yuan's party.

4. Character Interactions

• Protagonist & Xie Yuan: Xavier-style brotherly banter; Xie Yuan's disbelief at the protagonist's claims ("If you truly could wipe out the Crown Prince's Residence, I'd rather believe you invited friends from the Three Truths Lineage"), his torn skepticism, and his parting warning about Madam Zhao.
• Parasol Tree & Madam Ruan: Comedy. Parasol Tree shrieks "bald lotus spirit," Madam Ruan protests from under the water; once they meet eye-to-eye, Parasol Tree laughs at her bumps and teases her, while Madam Ruan alternately shrinks, splashes, and makes hollow threats.
• Protagonist & Madam Ruan: He gathers her Sword Qi to save her, accepts her into his household ("This is our family's... newly raised one"), and draws out her background with just a few words through her simple-mindedness.
• Protagonist & Parasol Tree: He gently dismisses her worries; she trusts him completely and follows his lead in accepting Madam Ruan. She also shows quiet concern during his breakthrough.

Summary: Purple Xiao Pavilion's Apology

Key Plot Points & Events

1. After the events at Misty Wave Lake, the protagonist bathes after being soaked (Madam Ruan had claimed the large vat for herself)
2. The protagonist binds two Radiant Luans (divine birds) to the parasol tree with sword intent that will dissipate in three years or upon his death
3. Madam Ruan asks to stay, offering pearls and gold sand as payment, and can raise aquatic beasts
4. Steward Gao of Purple Xiao Pavilion arrives with Madam Gongsun to formally apologize for the previous day's offense
5. He presents Soul-Returning Incense (valuable for Primordial Spirit cultivators, helps break through to Yang Spirit realm) and a Jade-Nourishing Pill for Parasol Tree
6. The protagonist accepts the apology; Steward Gao leaves relieved
7. Madam Gongsun requests a calligraphy piece before her departure from Bianjing
8. After completing the calligraphy, Madam Gongsun teasingly offers to spend the night if asked

Character Developments

• Protagonist (Xie Guan): Shows mercy in letting Madam Ruan stay, demonstrates his reputation growing in Bianjing (Purple Xiao Pavilion now fears him), shows appreciation for Madam Gongsun's free-spirited nature
• Madam Ruan: Vulnerable and homeless after Sow Dragon's death; reveals scars from feeding beasts with her own blood; wishes to stay despite her fears
• Madam Gongsun: Preparing to leave Bianjing after redeeming herself; admires the Second Gentleman's legacy; bold enough to make a direct romantic offer
• Parasol Tree: Practical and loyal; calculates expenses and advocates for Madam Ruan's stay

Significant Themes

• Redemption and second chances: Enemies become dependents; former adversaries offer sincere apologies
• True power vs. false power: Purple Xiao Pavilion, a major power, humbles itself before the protagonist due to his connection to the Academy's Second Gentleman
• Freedom vs. entrapment: Madam Gongsun chooses to leave fame behind; the protagonist frees the Radiant Luans after three years; Madam Ruan seeks refuge
• Romance and restraint: The chapter ends with an offer of romance that the protagonist leaves unanswered

Character Interactions

• Protagonist & Madam Ruan: A pragmatic arrangement; he's indifferent but not unkind, she's grateful and eager to prove her worth
• Protagonist & Steward Gao: A negotiation of equals where the protagonist holds the superior position; symbolic apology and gift-giving
• Protagonist & Madam Gongsun: Mutual respect and admiration; she reveals the origin of her visit and makes a bold romantic advance
• Parasol Tree & Madam Ruan: A gentle, affectionate dynamic with physical comfort (rubbing her head)

Summary of the Chapter

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Madam Gongsun takes her leave, warning the protagonist that Prince of Yan is dangerous. She departs Bianjing, likely severing ties for a long time.
• A month passes: Bianjing’s surface peace hides rising grain prices and shortages. The Nine Great Surnames open their grain markets amid suspicion they are hoarding grain.
• Xue Huaian, Mei Qingsu, Luo Susu, Liu Zixin, and others visit the protagonist’s small courtyard, bearing gifts. Conversation turns to the realm’s crises.
• It is revealed that most grain shipments from Jiangnan to Bianjing are disappearing; the Price Stabilization Bureau’s reserves may run out within a month.
• Mei Qingsu discloses major geopolitical upheavals:
  • Great Sui has fallen into civil war after Emperor Sheng tried to suppress Mount Zhongnan’s Daoist sect, but the Daoists were prepared and countered; war now rages across all sixteen provinces.
  • Eternal Heaven’s Great Khan Alumu has died; succession chaos erupted, and Helan Zhenshu returned north. The Li Clan’s Mobei Army is reportedly heading south, leaving the northern border unguarded.
• The protagonist hints that Bianjing will not remain safe, and that “strongest walls are not shattered from without” — implying internal betrayal or decay.
• After the guests leave, the protagonist continues cultivation, improving his Sword Intent and reaching a state near Sword-and-Self Forgetting.
• He gives Parasol Tree a Jade-Nourishing Pill; at dawn, she successfully forms her Primordial Spirit. He warns her never to leave her body carelessly.
• Another half month later, Xie Yuan bursts in with terrible news: his father’s 100,000-strong army was completely annihilated at Yunyue Marsh. The Red-Eyed Army feigned defeat, lured them deep into the marsh, then a flood/tide drowned the entire force — a heaven-shaking upheaval.

2. Character Developments

• Protagonist (Xie Guan / Young Master Guan): Remains calm, perceptive, and enigmatic. He shows foresight about the realm’s collapse, deepens his cultivation, and takes on a mentor role toward Parasol Tree. His status as “Second Master’s heir in the sword path” is further validated.
• Madam Gongsun: Reconciled to parting; gives a heartfelt warning, showing she genuinely cares for the protagonist.
• Parasol Tree: Grows more loyal and obedient; achieves a major cultivation milestone (Primordial Spirit).
• Xue Huaian: Drinks heavily and bitterly laments the state of the world — a passionate, idealistic noble disgusted with the corruption of the Nine Great Surnames and the failure of scholars.
• Mei Qingsu: Sharp, well-informed, and probing; subtly tests the protagonist while revealing sensitive intelligence about Great Sui and Eternal Heaven.
• Luo Susu: Wanted to ask about sword techniques but holds back, fearing she isn’t ready; shows respect and growing admiration.

3. Significant Themes

• Decay from within: The protagonist’s key warning — internal corruption and betrayal matter more than external walls or armies.
• Collapse of order: The realm is sliding toward chaos: famine, hoarding, rebellion, foreign wars, and hidden betrayals.
• The impotence of scholar-officials: Xue Huaian’s drunken rant embodies the anguish of educated men who see injustice but cannot change it.
• Cultivation and fragility: Progress requires discipline; even a newly formed Primordial Spirit is vulnerable to wind, noise, and sunlight.
• Political maneuvering: Lords, clans, and factions all play their own games while the common people suffer.

4. Character Interactions

• Protagonist ↔ Madam Gongsun: Playful yet meaningful farewell; she warns him about Prince of Yan, then leaves.
• Protagonist ↔ Guests: Polite but guarded conversation. He deflects serious questions with cryptic remarks, yet impresses Mei Qingsu with sharp insight.
• Xue Huaian ↔ Guests: His drunken outburst creates awkwardness but sparks discussion; Mei Qingsu quietly reels him back.
• Mei Qingsu ↔ Protagonist: Back-and-forth exchange reveals deeper political truths; Mei tries to read the protagonist’s true thoughts.
• Protagonist ↔ Parasol Tree: Protective and instructional; he helps her form her Primordial Spirit and warns her of its dangers.
• Xie Yuan ↔ Protagonist: Rushes in with the catastrophic news of the army’s annihilation, ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.

1. Key Plot Points and Events

• Xie Ling, Marquis Dingyuan, has besieged the Red-Eyed Army in Yunyue Marsh for half a month; the rebels are trapped, starving, and losing morale.
• Xie Ling and his son Xie Mu, along with a scholar-adviser, debate when to launch the final assault. They plan a dawn attack: Xie Mu will feint from the west, while Xie Ling strikes the enemy heart from the east.
• Inside the valley, Ban Sheng (the Red-Eyed Heavenly King) calmly predicts Xie Ling’s exact plan, having studied Prince of Yan’s military treatise. Adviser Wuwan hints at an imminent storm.
• During the attack, a sudden torrential rain floods the valley, bogging down Xie Ling’s army. The Red-Eyed Army, having prepared ambushes, destroys the invading force with rolling logs, boulders, and terrain advantage.
• The entire hundred-thousand-strong government army is annihilated; blood fills the ravines for days.
• The chapter ends with a court dispatch (brought by Xie Yuan) confirming the disaster, with a note that it happened earlier than expected.

2. Character Developments

• Xie Ling: Confident and methodical, but overestimates his control of the battlefield. His rigid interpretation of military classics leads to his downfall.
• Xie Mu: Ambitious, eager to prove himself, but lacks his father’s caution and is blind to deception.
• Ban Sheng: Revealed as a brilliant strategist, deeply versed in military history, humble yet pragmatic. He foresees his own defeat if facing Prince of Yan, showing self-awareness.
• Wuwan: Mysterious and calculating, hints at a larger agenda. His ability to "borrow" heaven’s storm suggests supernatural or deeply planned influence.

3. Significant Themes

• Hubris vs. Preparedness: Xie Ling’s belief in overwhelming force is undone by Ban Sheng’s deeper understanding of strategy and terrain.
• The Futility of Predictable Warfare: Ban Sheng wins by anticipating the enemy’s moves—old tactics, repurposed to tragic effect.
• The Cost of Rebellion: Even a just cause leads to massive death, and the "great rain" is both blessing and slaughter.
• Class and Suffering: The Red-Eyed Army’s ranks are commoners forced into rebellion, while the elite court suppresses them—highlighting a broken system.

4. Character Interactions

• Xie Ling ↔ Xie Mu & Adviser: Formal military discussion; father corrects son's address, adviser supports the attack, showing trust and hierarchy.
• Ban Sheng ↔ Messengers: Tender, paternal moment—he reassures the starving soldiers, calling them "good men."
• Ban Sheng ↔ Wuwan: Tense, probing dialogue; Ban Sheng questions Wuwan’s motives, Wuwan deflects with cryptic praise, leaving their alliance fragile.
• Xie Mu’s burning ambition contrasts with Ban Sheng’s weary wisdom, framing the war as generational arrogance vs. experienced survival.