Chapter Summaries

Li Fanming warned that the Zong Family and Western Sea Dragon Palace posed serious threats to Fang Yun, while Prefect Yao forbade Qi Kingdom scholars from interfering in the conflict. As the Qing River Trading Company staged a procession against Fang Yun, Ge Yiming waited to meet him at the governor-general's headquarters.

• Li Fanming estimated Fang Yun had a fifty percent chance of winning the Yueyang Tower Literary Gathering because of the Zong Family and Western Sea Dragon Palace.
• Prefect Yao warned the Qi Kingdom scholars not to interfere in Fang Yun's conflicts, and Li Fanming threatened anyone who tried to stir up trouble.
• Prefect Yao learned that three thousand people from the Qing River Trading Company's brothels were heading to the eastern city gate with the Qing Lord's calligraphy, and the scholars went to watch.
• Fang Yun monitored the city's affairs and left Ge Yiming waiting at the governor-general's headquarters while he continued his work.
• After half an hour, a Provincial Graduate clerk invited Ge Yiming inside to see Fang Yun.

Ge Yiming tried to persuade Fang Yun to join the Qing Kingdom and warned him that Zhang Longxiang would challenge him at the Mid-Autumn Literary Gathering. Fang Yun saw through Ge Yiming’s purpose and used their meeting to present himself as open to negotiation, leaving Ge Yiming to realize he had been played.

• Ge Yiming met Fang Yun and was unsettled by his imposing presence and calm demeanor.
• Ge Yiming urged Fang Yun to leave the Jing Kingdom for the Qing Kingdom, praising Saint Zong and warning of the Jing Kingdom’s dangers.
• Fang Yun asked Ge Yiming to continue after his prepared arguments and then pointed out that Ge Yiming had known he would refuse.
• Ge Yiming warned that Zhang Longxiang would choose a literary contest suited to himself and arrive in Baling City to challenge Fang Yun.
• Fang Yun dismissed Ge Yiming, who realized the meeting had been staged to show others that Fang Yun was willing to negotiate.

Fang Yun rejected Ge Yiming’s attempt to persuade him to betray Jing, so Ge used their meeting as a pretext to rally Xiang Prefecture scholars to welcome the Qing Lord. As Ge’s procession grew and the Wu Lord arrived to watch, an angry voice publicly cursed Ge Yiming.

• Fang Yun dismissed Ge Yiming after warning him that his uncle had made a mistake.
• Ge Yiming posted a slanted account of their meeting on the Discourse Ranking and urged scholars to welcome the Qing Lord.
• Scholars gathered in Baling City debated Ge Yiming’s actions as he led more than a hundred scholars into the Qing River Trading Company’s procession.
• Observers spotted the Wu Lord entering the city with a large retinue to watch the commotion.
• Ge Yiming used Tongue Blossoms Thunder to claim his protest was meant to make Fang Yun respect scholars and promised to donate one hundred thousand taels of silver.
• An unknown speaker used Tongue Blossoms Thunder to curse Ge Yiming and threaten to cut down his followers.

The Wu Lord provoked Ge Yiming, then Ma Yuan explained how Qing Kingdom’s schemes could constrain Fang Yun during the Mid-Autumn Literary Gathering. News spread that the Qing and Gu monarchs and numerous powerful families were converging on Baling City, leaving the city’s residents gathering to watch their arrival.

• The Wu Lord insulted Ge Yiming, but Ge Yiming avoided a confrontation and continued on with his companions.
• Ma Yuan explained that the Wu Lord opposed Qing Kingdom and might make another move to help Fang Yun, while Qing Kingdom’s delegation could exploit the gathering to shield its actions.
• Scholars learned from the Discourse Ranking that the Qing and Gu monarchs were approaching Baling City with powerful guards and the heads of three major families.
• More monarchs, family heads, and Great Scholars announced that they were traveling to Baling City for the gathering.
• Crowds streamed toward the eastern city wall as the Qing Kingdom procession approached, hoping to see Fang Yun meet the monarchs and family heads.

Fang Yun and the Qing Lord arrived in Baling amid large crowds and competing displays of power, while Xiang Prefecture’s Qing Officials openly welcomed the Qing delegation. The chapter ended with Fang Yun and the Qing Lord facing each other after Hua Qingniang and Ge Yiming appealed to the Qing Lord for justice.

• Li Fanming and Prefect Yao discussed the divided officials of Xiang Prefecture and the threats facing the Jing Kingdom.
• Fang Yun’s imposing procession entered Baling, drawing cheers from the people and admiration from visiting scholars.
• The Qing Lord’s procession reached the Three-Li Pavilion first and waited there as Fang Yun approached.
• Hua Qingniang and Ge Yiming begged the Qing Lord to uphold justice for the Yingfang Pavilion and the people of Xiang Prefecture.
• Dong Wencong left the Qing Lord’s party and moved toward Fang Yun’s procession as Fang Yun stepped down from his carriage and met the Qing Lord’s gaze.

Fang Yun met the Qing Lord at Xiang Prefecture’s eastern city gate, where the Qing ruler’s deliberately low-ranking ceremonial crown prompted a tense exchange. Fang Yun turned an official’s demand for a greeting into a sharp public rebuke, leaving the Qing Lord’s attempted slight aimed back at himself.

• Fang Yun and the Qing Lord studied each other, and the Qing Lord instinctively touched the pouch holding his Imperial Jade Seal when he sensed Fang Yun’s unusual power.
• Fang Yun noticed that the Qing Lord wore a Three-Tassel Heaven-Level Crown, signaling that he treated the meeting as a low-status occasion despite arriving officially.
• Onlookers criticized the Qing Lord’s attire and the Qing officials who supported him, while Fang Yun remained silent.
• Nie Changju demanded that Fang Yun greet the ruler of a friendly kingdom first, drawing anger from scholars who saw the Jing Kingdom official pressuring his own governor-general.
• Fang Yun replied, “How could a three-tassel ruler expect this sage to speak first?” and the crowd laughed as the Qing officials flew into a rage.

Fang Yun’s public confrontation with the Qing Lord escalated when Nie Changju tried to defend the monarch and impeach Fang Yun. A huge crowd denounced Nie Changju, leaving him isolated as Fang Yun invoked the Qing Lord’s own calligraphy.

• The Qing Lord chose to remain silent rather than defuse the dispute or challenge Fang Yun, and Nie Changju apologized to him before threatening to impeach Fang Yun.
• The Wu Lord, Li Fanming, Hua Yuqing, and other scholars rallied the crowd to shout for Nie Changju to leave Xiang Prefecture.
• Hundreds of thousands joined the spontaneous denunciation, and Nie Changju realized he faced the force of Thousand Fingers Pointing.
• Nie Changju sought help from the Qing Lord and Gu Lord, but neither intervened, leaving him to endure the denunciation alone.
• Fang Yun looked at the Qing Lord’s calligraphy and quoted, “A household that accumulates evil will surely leave calamity to spare.”

Fang Yun publicly condemned the Qing Lord and caused Nie Changju’s resolve to collapse, shattering his literary guts and crippling the Qing Kingdom’s position in Xiang Prefecture. The Qing River Trading Company withdrew, while Fang Yun refused to receive the Qing Lord and left the Jing Kingdom free to replace Nie Changju with a Jing official.

• Fang Yun invoked Sage Kong’s punishment of a bloodline that had amassed evil, and Nie Changju collapsed after the crowd abandoned him.
• Nie Changju’s literary guts cracked, leaving him unconscious and without hope of advancement.
• Ge Yiming received orders to hold back, then withdrew the Qing River Trading Company’s people with Hua Qingniang.
• Fang Yun declared the gathering inauspicious, ordered attendants to take Nie Changju for treatment, and left in his carriage without welcoming the Qing Lord.
• Ning Zhiyuan, Du Shudai, and other Jing scholars joked that the Qing Lord’s attempt to humiliate Fang Yun had backfired and left the Jing Kingdom able to appoint a new Rites Office director.

After Fang Yun’s confrontation with the Qing Lord, Jing Kingdom’s people mocked the Qing Lord with chants as his convoy traveled toward Yueyang Tower. Fang Yun anticipated further developments, and Zhang Longxiang announced that he had reached Dongting Lake, while scholars gathered at Seeking Friends Lodge to await the literary assembly.

• The Qing and Gu Kingdom officials agreed on a response, and both sovereigns headed toward Yueyang Tower instead of the Qing Lord’s arranged lodging.
• The Qing Lord brooded over his humiliation, then nearly fainted when Jing Kingdom’s people chanted praise that mocked him; he angrily blamed Fang Yun.
• Fang Yun rode toward Yueyang Tower, privately grinning as he considered what had happened.
• Zhang Longxiang announced on the Discourse Ranking that he had reached Dongting Lake, stirring Baling City.
• Seeking Friends Lodge filled with scholars drawn by its connection to Fang Yun’s voice of the sacred way and the Void Sage Blood-Poem Wall, while Zhang Zongshi sat beside the wall.

At Seeking Friends Lodge, Zhang Zongshi explained why he had not gone searching for Zhang Longxiang and revealed that he had received a section D invitation and would join the prefectural office after the gathering. The restaurant learned that Zhang Longxiang had composed a poem on the Discourse Ranking.

• Zhang Zongshi joked that searching Dongting Lake for Zhang Longxiang would be fruitless and said Fang Yun would win the literary contest.
• The scholars discussed the gathering's seating sections and whether Zhang Zongshi had received an invitation.
• Zhang Zongshi revealed that the Governor-General's Office had invited him to section D.
• The proprietor announced that Zhang Zongshi would join the prefectural office after the Mid-Autumn Literary Gathering, and the guests congratulated him.
• Someone outside shouted that Zhang Longxiang had composed a poem on the Discourse Ranking.

After Zhang Longxiang’s poem about Dongting Lake spread across the Saint Origin Continent, scholars praised its vivid opening lines but avoided discussing its ending. Zhang Zongshi finally accused Longxiang of using false poetry to seek office in the Qing Kingdom and oppose Fang Yun.

• Provincial Graduates announced that Zhang Longxiang had composed a poem titled “Viewing Dongting Lake, Presented to Qing Lord.”
• An elderly Academy Student praised the poem’s first four lines, explaining how their precise imagery made Dongting Lake seem vast and powerful.
• A middle-aged Licentiate suggested that “waves shook Yueyang City” reflected either Zhang Longxiang’s heroic ambition or his surging literary qi, and he received a pot of aged wine.
• Scholars pressed Zhang Zongshi to explain why the poem’s final four lines were controversial.
• Zhang Zongshi declared the ending false poetry, claiming Zhang Longxiang wanted an important Qing Kingdom post and intended to serve as its vanguard against Fang Yun and the Jing Kingdom.

Scholars debated whether Zhang Longxiang’s poem praised the Qing Lord or expressed his desire to leave the Literary World and compete with geniuses such as Fang Yun. The Qing Lord appointed Zhang Longxiang Grand Tutor, and Zhang accepted the post, strengthening suspicions that the poem reflected a political alliance.

• At Seeking Friends Lodge, Zhang Zongshi argued that Zhang Longxiang’s poem flattered the Qing Lord and suggested he sought help from the Qing Kingdom.
• A Provincial Graduate shared an alternative reading from the Discourse Ranking, saying Zhang Longxiang wanted to escape the Literary World and test himself against Fang Yun and other Saint Origin Continent geniuses.
• Zhang Zongshi maintained that the poem’s dedication meant it had much to do with the Qing Lord, while the tavern guests waited for news from Yueyang Tower.
• A Provincial Graduate announced that the Qing Lord had appointed Zhang Longxiang Grand Tutor, prompting the tavern guests to conclude the two were connected.
• Zhang Longxiang accepted the appointment on the Discourse Ranking and said he would receive the Qing Lord’s decree at Yueyang Tower.

Scholars worried that Zhang Longxiang’s appointment by the Qing Kingdom could put Fang Yun in greater danger, while Zhang Longxiang continued his poetic rivalry with Fang Yun by composing a powerful poem at Yueyang Tower. The new poem drew high praise, though the scholars debated how it compared with Fang Yun’s poem and whether its political context would weaken it.

• Zhang Zongshi warned that Zhang Longxiang might challenge Fang Yun to fight the Demon Barbarians, putting Fang Yun at greater risk, and left for Yueyang Tower.
• Li Fanming’s companions discussed Zhang Longxiang’s habit of composing a series of poems, and Li Fanming sent Fang Yun a warning.
• Fang Yun read Li Fanming’s message, took out Zhang Longxiang’s Official Seal, and began composing a poem.
• Prefect Yao announced that Zhang Longxiang had published a new poem, Ascending Yueyang Tower, which surpassed his earlier poem in the Discourse Ranking.
• The scholars praised Zhang Longxiang’s poem and compared it with Fang Yun’s similarly titled work, while debating its literary rank and political implications.

Li Fanming assessed Zhang Longxiang’s poem about Yueyang Tower, praising its grandeur while arguing that Zhang’s prison-born sorrow narrowed his poetic scope and that the final lines carried pointed criticism of Fang Yun. The scholars prepared to continue to Yueyang Tower for the Literary Assembly, where the Jing Kingdom’s great houses and possibly Liu Shan awaited.

• Prefect Yao and the assembled scholars pressed Li Fanming to assess Zhang Longxiang’s poem, and Li praised the opening couplet and the vast imagery of its second couplet.
• Li Fanming said Zhang Longxiang’s poetry was powerful but often let personal emotion overwhelm scenery, leaving him short of Fang Yun in scope and breadth of heart.
• Li Fanming interpreted the poem’s final lines as Zhang Longxiang lamenting his isolation and mocking Fang Yun for serving as governor-general while war raged in the north.
• Li Fanming acknowledged Zhang Longxiang’s talent and said his two poems had seized the initiative before the Literary Assembly.
• A Qing Kingdom Metropolitan Graduate said Yueyang Tower had claimed the crown of the world’s foremost famous tower, and Prefect Yao urged the Tower Contest Society to proceed there without diminishing Yellow Crane Tower’s prestige.
• The scholars anticipated the arrival of the Jing Kingdom’s great houses and wondered whether Liu Shan would attend the Literary Assembly.

Fang Yun arrived at Yueyang Tower, where Jing Kingdom’s Great Scholars urged him to compose a poem before ascending, but he said he would write only when Zhang Longxiang set a topic. The Qing Lord and Gu Lord arrived, and Jiang Hechuan pointedly apologized for the Qing Lord’s treatment in Baling City, prompting a tense exchange.

• Fang Yun left his carriage thirty zhang from Yueyang Tower and greeted the cheering crowd before heading for the stairs.
• Jiang Hechuan and the Great Scholars challenged Fang Yun to write a poem before ascending, while Fang Yun said he would wait for Zhang Longxiang to set a topic.
• Fang Yun noticed that the Qing Lord had replaced his Heaven-Level Crown with an ordinary hair crown as the Qing and Gu rulers arrived with Zong Ganyu and other Great Scholars.
• Jiang Hechuan apologized to the Qing Lord for the inconvenience in Baling City, and the Qing Lord replied that Jing Kingdom had done well hosting its first grand gathering.

Fang Yun attended the Mid-Autumn Literary Assembly at Yueyang Tower, where Jiang Hechuan warned him that Zong Ganyu might pose a greater threat than the Qing Lord. As crowds of refugees and visitors cheered Fang Yun, he gained the protection of popular will, while the Qing Lord watched with hatred and jealousy.

• Jiang Hechuan welcomed the Qing Kingdom delegation with a pointed response, and the Qing Lord led only a few companions up to Yueyang Tower.
• Jiang Hechuan warned Fang Yun that Zong Ganyu might be a greater threat than the Qing Lord, and Fang Yun agreed to stay cautious.
• Fang Yun greeted the assembly’s prominent guests and observed the refugees and visitors gathered around Yueyang Tower.
• The crowds cheered Fang Yun, and the powerful figures present recognized that he had gained the protection of popular will.
• The Qing Lord watched Fang Yun with hatred and jealousy as popular will shielded him.

Fang Yun gathered seventy-six Great Scholars atop Yueyang Tower for a literary assembly as Dong Wencong reported that threats were in place and Zhang Longxiang’s movements were known. After noon, Fang Yun opened the gathering with jokes that mocked the visiting rulers, especially the Qing Lord, while keeping the crowd amused.

• Fang Yun surveyed the Yangtze River and considered using its unusually intelligent water demons as troops in the Bloodmang Realm.
• Dong Wencong told Fang Yun that he and Fang Shouye had prepared to catch the looming threat, while Fang Yun said he would handle the outside villains himself.
• Great Scholars arrived from several kingdoms until seventy-six had gathered atop Yueyang Tower.
• Fang Yun waited until one in the afternoon, then welcomed the guests with a joke attributed to Jiang Hechuan.
• Fang Yun teased the Wu, Gu, and Qing rulers about their armies and mocked the Qing Lord’s suspected affairs with courtesans.

Fang Yun hosted a Dongting Feast before the literary assembly, but Zong Wuyuan tried to disrupt it by insisting that Zhang Longxiang must arrive before anyone could drink. Fang Yun turned the demand against him and threatened to arrest him, leaving Zong Wuyuan exposed before the assembled scholars.

• Fang Yun welcomed the guests to the Dongting Feast and raised his cup to begin the gathering.
• Zong Wuyuan interrupted Fang Yun and demanded that everyone wait for Zhang Mingzhou before drinking.
• Fang Yun declared that Zhang Longxiang was late and ordered Zong Wuyuan to drink three penalty cups on his behalf.
• Zong Wuyuan argued that Zhang Longxiang might still be nearby, but Fang Yun challenged him to produce a letter and threatened to arrest him for disrupting the assembly.
• Fang Yun accused Zong Wuyuan of provoking him and then trying to frame him as narrow-minded, while the scholars recognized Zong Wuyuan's failed tactics.

At the Dongting Feast, Fang Yun rebuked Zong Wuyuan for interrupting his welcome and blaming him for taking offense. Zong Wuyuan admitted fault and sat down, and Fang Yun raised a toast as the gathering moved on under his warning to discuss only pleasant matters.

• Fang Yun invoked his duties as governor-general and host to explain why Zong Wuyuan’s interruption had insulted Jing Kingdom and its guests.
• Fang Yun criticized Zong Wuyuan for provoking him and shifting blame, while Chen Mingding and Zhou Qingtian praised Fang Yun’s instruction.
• Zong Wuyuan realized he had been outmatched, bowed to Fang Yun, and formally admitted his fault.
• Zong Ganyu thanked Fang Yun for instructing his son, and Zong Wuyuan struggled to suppress his resentment.
• Fang Yun toasted the guests and said they should speak only of wind and moon at the feast, warning Zong Wuyuan with a cold look.

At the Dongting Feast, Fang Yun set strict rules and left the Qing Lord and Zong Wuyuan unwilling to challenge him. As the Yueyang Tower Literary Gathering drew millions, the guests discussed Xiang Prefecture and compared Fang Yun’s poetry with Zhang Longxiang’s while waiting for Zhang to arrive.

• Fang Yun declared that the Dongting Feast would discuss only the wind and moon, and the Qing Lord decided to abandon his plans rather than provoke him.
• Attendants reported Zong Wuyuan’s defeat on the Discourse Ranking, where scholars criticized his challenge and the Qing Kingdom’s poor showing.
• Fang Yun reassured Chen Mingding and Jiang Hechuan that Xiang Prefecture’s troubles were manageable and said the People’s Gazette was only his first step.
• Jiang Hechuan praised Zhang Longxiang’s poetry, and Fang Yun agreed that Zhang’s famous verse could not be dismissed as coincidence.
• The Wu Kingdom’s ruler and other guests compared Fang Yun’s poems with Zhang Longxiang’s as the Literary Gathering continued.