Chapter Summaries

Yang Qing arranged to take Dai Sheng to Yan Pass, then learned Wu Tianyong planned to have Dai Sheng killed on the way. Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou prepared to exploit the plot and discussed protecting Murong Qian as they prepared to depart for Yan Prefecture.

• Yang Qing persuaded Dai Sheng to accompany him to Yan Pass and told Wu Tianyong about the plan.
• After Yang Qing left, Wu Tianyong secretly ordered an agent to kill Dai Sheng during the journey.
• Bu Er reported Wu Tianyong’s plan to Yang Qing, who told the Dark Alliance to help the plot unfold.
• Jiang Zhizhou proposed using Wu Tianyong’s Northern Liang enemy to turn the situation against him.
• Yang Qing asked Jiang Zhizhou to protect Murong Qian as much as possible and said they would head to Yan Prefecture after tomorrow.

Yang Qing took Dai Sheng with him on the journey to Yan Pass despite warning him that they might face bloodshed. Wu Tianyong planned to kill Dai Sheng, while Yang Qing arranged Dark Alliance guards and learned that Falling Rock Slope might be the intended ambush site.

• Dai Sheng and Wu Tianyong both spent the night thinking about Dai Sheng's departure from Yan Prefecture, and Wu Tianyong decided that Dai Sheng could not be allowed to live.
• Dai Sheng arrived at Yang Qing's residence, agreed to face danger on the road, and joined Yang Qing for breakfast.
• Yang Qing, Bu Er, and Dai Sheng left Yan Prefecture in two carriages as snow and wind worsened.
• Wu Tianyong met Yang Qing at Wild Boar Forest and watched the carriages depart without attacking them there.
• Bu Er told Yang Qing that Wu Tianyong had brought many skilled men and that Dark Alliance members were guarding Dai Sheng.
• Bu Er predicted that Wu Tianyong would ambush them at Falling Rock Slope, and Yang Qing smiled at the prospect.

Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou discussed Wu Tianyong’s likely ambush as their carriages approached Falling Rock Slope, while Yang Qing used the situation to teach Bu Er to think for himself. After Bu Er left to prepare Dark Alliance men, Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou shared a quiet, affectionate moment before the carriage struck a rock.

• Bu Er worried that Wu Tianyong would ambush them at Falling Rock Slope, but Yang Qing told him to wait and Jiang Zhizhou urged him to consider Wu Tianyong’s unusual methods.
• Bu Er guessed that Wu Tianyong would attack just before Yan Pass, and Yang Qing challenged him to a wager, saying his guess was wrong.
• Yang Qing let Bu Er notify the Dark Alliance, then told Jiang Zhizhou he wanted Bu Er to learn from experience and someday be able to stand on his own.
• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou spoke about their uncertain future, and Jiang Zhizhou covered Yang Qing with a blanket and his cloak.
• As Jiang Zhizhou offered Yang Qing an oilpaper parcel during their rest, the carriage jolted after hitting a rock.

Jiang Zhizhou rescued Dai Sheng from black-clad attackers, and he and Yang Qing realized Northern Liang might be using the attack as a diversion. Yang Qing feared Bu Er was the real target, so Jiang Zhizhou hurried toward him as fighting broke out nearby.

• A black-gold arrow halted Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou’s carriage, and Jiang Zhizhou recognized that the attack was meant to delay them.
• Jiang Zhizhou rushed to Dai Sheng’s carriage and drove off the black-clad attackers while the Dark Alliance’s help kept Dai Sheng safe.
• Jiang Zhizhou examined a dead guard’s wounds and concluded that the attackers’ methods did not come from Northern Liang.
• Yang Qing reasoned that Northern Liang had exploited Wu Tianyong’s grudge against Dai Sheng to distract them and target Bu Er.
• Jiang Zhizhou put Dai Sheng in Yang Qing’s carriage, took the reins, and sped toward the battle sounds rising from a nearby valley.

Jiang Zhizhou and Bu Er fought off Northern Liang assassins while an unknown force protected Yang Qing’s carriage. After the battle ended in victory, Yang Qing turned to Dai Sheng with a question.

• Jiang Zhizhou realized the Northern Liang attackers intended to kill both Bu Er and Yang Qing, but he charged toward Bu Er while another group surrounded the carriage.
• Jiang Zhizhou reached Bu Er, and the two fought together against the black-clad men besieging him.
• An unidentified force ambushed the assassins attacking Yang Qing’s carriage, and Dai Sheng stood in front of Yang Qing, offering to shield him.
• The fighting ended in a resounding victory, and Yang Qing thanked the men who had protected him.
• Yang Qing asked Dai Sheng to explain something, leaving Dai Sheng startled.

Yang Qing questioned Dai Sheng about Wu Tianyong’s origins and learned he might be Wu Wangdao, a Longzhong man who once resented Dai Sheng’s teacher. Yang Qing concluded Wu had allied with Northern Liang to seize Dai Sheng’s post and left with Jiang Zhizhou considering a plan to turn the allies against each other.

• After Suotu and the Valiant Cavalry returned to Yan Pass, Yang Qing asked Dai Sheng to reconsider whether he knew Wu Tianyong.
• Dai Sheng recalled Wu Wangdao, a Longzhong native who had blamed Dai Sheng’s teacher for his blocked official career and later vanished while traveling to the capital.
• Dai Sheng explained that Wu Wangdao had gathered evidence against their teacher, and Yang Qing suspected Wu Tianyong was the same man seeking revenge on Dai Sheng.
• Yang Qing reasoned that Wu Tianyong had struck a deal with Northern Liang to take Dai Sheng’s position in exchange for helping them in Yan Prefecture.
• Bu Er offered to kill Wu Tianyong, but Yang Qing proposed exploiting the lack of trust between him and Northern Liang; Jiang Zhizhou suggested sowing discord between them.

Yang Qing planned to foil Wu Tianyong’s bargain with Northern Liang by using a disguised double of Dai Sheng as bait. Wu Tianyong heard what he believed was the agreed signal that Northern Liang had succeeded, leaving the trap’s outcome uncertain.

• Yang Qing told Dai Sheng he would use Wu Tianyong’s life to bargain with Northern Liang and keep Yan Prefecture City out of their hands.
• Yang Qing revealed a disguise expert who looked like Dai Sheng and ordered Jiang Zhizhou to proceed with the plan to lure Wu Tianyong.
• Wu Tianyong’s men worried that Northern Liang might betray them, but Wu said he had no other way to obtain what he wanted.
• Wu Tianyong heard the agreed rendezvous signal and concluded that Northern Liang had succeeded.
• Someone called from above the slope, asking for Wu Tianyong and announcing that the Eagle Catcher had come calling.

Wu Tianyong offered to help Lord Eagle and Northern Liang in exchange for power, but Dai Sheng countered by offering his own knowledge of Yan Prefecture. Lord Eagle ordered Wu Tianyong seized, and Wu escaped into the snow as Dai Sheng and Lord Eagle watched with relief.

• Wu Tianyong welcomed Lord Eagle's men, who brought Dai Sheng to him, and revealed his plan to trade Dai Sheng's life for Northern Liang's support.
• Wu Tianyong promised to aid Northern Liang and said he had no ties left in Western Chu.
• Dai Sheng offered to serve Northern Liang instead, arguing that his long experience as Yan Prefecture's magistrate made him more useful than Wu Tianyong.
• Lord Eagle agreed that Dai Sheng's offer sounded reasonable and ordered his men to seize Wu Tianyong.
• Wu Tianyong ordered his subordinates to resist, then escaped into the snow; Dai Sheng and Lord Eagle watched him go and said it was time to return.

Jiang Zhizhou and his men disguised themselves as Wu Tianyong and his subordinates to ambush the Northern Liang Eagle Nest agents, turning their dispute over Dai Sheng into a fight. One Northern Liang agent escaped, while Jiang Zhizhou led his men away toward Yang Qing.

• Jiang Zhizhou realized Wu Tianyong might have been waiting for a Northern Liang Eagle Catcher and ordered his men to disguise themselves as Wu Tianyong’s group.
• A Northern Liang agent arrived and demanded what he wanted, while the disguised Wu Tianyong demanded Dai Sheng in return.
• The disguised Wu Tianyong exposed the bodies of Northern Liang agents buried in the snow and declared that he would hunt the newcomer until he brought Dai Sheng’s life.
• The Northern Liang agents attacked, but Jiang Zhizhou and Wu Tianyong’s men fought them; one escaped after his companion urged him to avenge him.
• Jiang Zhizhou buried the borrowed clothes in Snow Pool and led his surviving men toward Yang Qing.

Yang Qing traveled toward Yan Pass with Dai Sheng, while Jiang Zhizhou returned after completing the plan against Wu Tianyong. Jiang warned Yang Qing that he would stay by his side for protection and revealed that Northern Liang had sent Xiao Qian, a former guard at the Marquis of An's Residence, to Yan Pass.

• Dai Sheng spotted Jiang Zhizhou and his companions approaching through the snow, and Yang Qing welcomed their return.
• Jiang Zhizhou ushered Yang Qing back into the carriage, told Dai Sheng the trouble had passed, and asked why Bu Er had gone ahead to Yan Pass.
• Jiang Zhizhou rebuked Yang Qing for risking his safety and vowed to remain beside him once they reached Yan Pass.
• Jiang Zhizhou told Yang Qing that Northern Liang had sent Xiao Qian, the Left Cavalry General, to Yan Pass.
• Yang Qing noted that Xiao Qian had once served at the Marquis of An's Residence and suggested he might be targeting Jiang Zhizhou.

Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou discussed Xiao Qian’s ties to the Marquis of An’s Residence and his long service as Duan Hongzhuo’s weapon, then arrived at Yan Pass. Yang Qing met with Suotu to plan how to counter Xiao Qian, proposing to attack from within.

• Yang Qing explained that Xiao Qian had served as Left Cavalry General for more than a decade and that Duan Hongzhuo had used him to control the Marquis of An’s Residence.
• Jiang Zhizhou said he welcomed the chance to eliminate Xiao Qian, and Yang Qing planned to discuss a strategy with Suotu at Yan Pass.
• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou entered Yan Pass, where Bu Er greeted them and reported that Xiao Qian’s forces had repeatedly challenged the defenders.
• Bu Er led Yang Qing, Jiang Zhizhou, and Dai Sheng to Suotu’s tent, where Yang Qing asked to discuss Xiao Qian.
• Yang Qing told Suotu that they needed to work from the inside out to defeat Xiao Qian.

Yang Qing identified a division of authority between Xiao Qian and Zhong Sun De as the weakness in Northern Liang’s encirclement of Yan Pass. He planned to exploit their conflict by sending an infiltrator who could speak Xiao Qian’s native dialect to deal with Zhong Sun De.

• Yang Qing explained that Northern Liang’s Iron Bucket Tactic trapped its own army as well as the Western Chu forces, making supplies and the approaching cold potential weaknesses.
• Suotu recounted how Northern Liang commanders sometimes challenged Western Chu but withdrew when different command drums sounded, leading Yang Qing to infer that someone was countermanding Xiao Qian’s orders.
• Yang Qing revealed that Zhong Sun De, Zhong Sun Yanluo’s younger brother, held influence over the Northern Liang army and was accompanying Xiao Qian to keep him in check.
• Yang Qing proposed exploiting the tension between Xiao Qian and Zhong Sun De by infiltrating the Northern Liang camp and adding fuel to their conflict.
• Yang Qing said the infiltrator needed to speak Xiao Qian’s native dialect, but clarified that the mission was to deal with Zhong Sun De.

Yang Qing used the threat of a language-based ruse against Zhong Sun De to reassure Dai Sheng and demonstrate his strategy through a game. After Dai Sheng conceded without a fight, Yang Qing suggested that an operation elsewhere had likely just concluded.

• Yang Qing told Suotu to have the soldiers cook meals while Northern Liang waited, and said Dai Sheng could help find a way to counter Zhong Sun De.
• Yang Qing explained to Dai Sheng that old county annals recorded a Northern Liang envoy who spoke the same language as Xiao Qian, and clarified that he meant to use this knowledge against Zhong Sun De rather than assassinate Xiao Qian.
• Yang Qing asked Dai Sheng to play a game on a makeshift board marked in the ground, using ice chips as pieces.
• Dai Sheng conceded after Yang Qing positioned his pieces, recognizing that Yang Qing had won without a battle.
• Yang Qing looked toward a corner beyond the tent and remarked that events there should have reached a conclusion.

Jiang Zhizhou entered Northern Liang’s camp and confronted Zhong Sun De over his complaints about Xiao Qian’s command. Zhong Sun De died in the tent, while his adviser blamed Xiao Qian and called for the assassin to be caught.

• Jiang Zhizhou slipped into Northern Liang’s camp while Yang Qing and Bu Er followed Suotu into the Central Army Tent.
• Zhong Sun De complained that Xiao Qian’s siege of Yan Pass was dragging on, despite his adviser urging him to be patient.
• Jiang Zhizhou entered Zhong Sun De’s tent, identified himself as Xiao Qian’s emissary, and warned Zhong Sun De against defying the general.
• Jiang Zhizhou told Zhong Sun De that there could be only one general commanding the armies, then left the tent.
• Zhong Sun De collapsed and died, and his adviser vowed to seek justice from the Regent King before shouting for guards to catch the assassin.

Jiang Zhizhou returned safely after killing Zhong Sun De and sowing confusion in Xiao Qian’s camp. Xiao Qian began to retreat from Yan Pass, and Yang Qing expected the siege to be lifted, though he believed he could not return to Capital City yet.

• Yang Qing waited anxiously for Jiang Zhizhou, who returned to the tent and explained that he had killed Zhong Sun De while disguising himself as someone close to Xiao Qian.
• Jiang Zhizhou said he had misled Zhong Sun De’s adviser and Xiao Qian by making the killing look like an assassin’s attack, then deliberately appearing near the adviser before slipping into Xiao Qian’s tent.
• Yang Qing, Jiang Zhizhou, and Bu Er shared a quiet meal and passed the night safely.
• Suotu told Yang Qing that Xiao Qian’s army appeared to be retreating, and Yang Qing said Xiao Qian was likely distracted by trouble in his own camp.
• Suotu praised Yang Qing’s plan and anticipated that the siege of Yan Pass would end, while Yang Qing said he could not yet return to Capital City.

Yang Qing and Suotu devised an ambush at Leaving Slope to strike Northern Liang as Xiao Qian withdrew, and Jiang Zhizhou identified a skilled unit to carry it out. After arranging the plan, Yang Qing asked Suotu for a permit to leave Yan Pass, leaving Suotu startled by his intention to depart.

• Yang Qing proposed ambushing Xiao Qian's withdrawing army at Leaving Slope, where Northern Liang would have to transport its supplies.
• Jiang Zhizhou told Suotu that Western Chu had a unit skilled at climbing and scouting dangerous terrain, and Suotu summoned its members to carry out the ambush plan.
• Yang Qing congratulated Suotu on his likely promotion, then said he had business to settle and prepared to leave.
• Yang Qing privately asked Suotu to sign a permit for him to leave Yan Pass, surprising Suotu.

Yang Qing prepared to leave Yan Pass and enter Northern Liang on a dangerous mission, despite Suotu and Dai Sheng urging caution. He planned to depart the next day during the battle at Li Slope, leaving his allies behind as he went beyond the pass.

• Suotu warned Yang Qing about the dangers beyond Yan Pass, then issued him a sealed Border-Passage Writ after learning that Yang Qing would leave the next day.
• Yang Qing explained that the battle at Li Slope would draw attention away from his departure and refused Suotu’s offer of an escort.
• After Yang Qing left, Suotu recalled Chu Jinghui’s order to watch him but concluded that Yang Qing had shown no suspicious intent.
• Yang Qing told Dai Sheng that Western Chu would fight Northern Liang the next day and reassured him that Wu Tianyong was no longer a threat.
• Yang Qing revealed that he was going beyond the pass, asked Dai Sheng to keep his plans secret, and departed through the wind and snow.

At Yan Pass, Yang Qing prepared to travel secretly to the Northern Lands and ordered most of the Dark Alliance in Western Chu to stand down. He learned that Wu Tianyong had imprisoned and tortured members of the Murong Family, and ordered the Alliance to protect them.

• Yang Qing told Bu Er to have the Dark Alliance lay down its arms after the next day, leaving only the Northern Hawk branch in service.
• Jiang Zhizhou questioned Yang Qing’s dangerous plan, promised to accompany him, and urged him to return alive; they checked that Yang Qing had enough medicine.
• Bu Er reported that the Dark Alliance would remain inactive until Yang Qing returned, but would act if bad news came from the Northern Lands.
• Bu Er told Yang Qing that Wu Tianyong had accused the Murong Family of fomenting unrest, imprisoned its members, and that the family head and Miss Murong had suffered serious injuries.
• Yang Qing bowed toward Yan Prefecture and ordered the Dark Alliance brothers there to protect the Murong Residence whenever they could.

Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou discussed Yang Qing’s lingering sorrow over Murong Qian and their difficult futures as they prepared to travel to Northern Liang. Jiang Zhizhou gave Yang Qing a warm jade flask for the journey, and they agreed to set out during the third watch because the storm might leave dangerous ice.

• Yang Qing refused Jiang Zhizhou’s offer to take him back to Yan Prefecture and explained that he could not ask Murong Qian to share the consequences of his deception.
• Jiang Zhizhou gave Yang Qing a Lantian Warm Jade flask, hinting that they should avoid implicating anyone beyond those responsible when they reached Northern Liang.
• Yang Qing reassured Jiang Zhizhou that he understood his predicament, and Jiang Zhizhou proposed traveling the world together after their business was finished.
• Bu Er brought Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou steaming buns, and they laughed together over the meal.
• Jiang Zhizhou warned Yang Qing that ice might form after the storm and said they needed to depart during the third watch; Yang Qing agreed to follow his lead.

Yang Qing left Yan Pass with Bu Er and Jiang Zhizhou, determined to continue his journey to Northern Liang despite Bu Er’s fears for his health. At a Northern Liang checkpoint, Jiang Zhizhou tried to persuade the soldiers to let their carriage pass.

• Yang Qing stopped the carriage to bow toward Yan Prefecture and bid farewell to his deceased parents.
• Bu Er urged Yang Qing to choose a safer path and start a new life, but Yang Qing refused to abandon his purpose.
• Jiang Zhizhou calmed Bu Er and asked about Yang Qing’s health, but Bu Er gave only a vague answer.
• Jiang Zhizhou took the narrow road at the fork and drove the carriage toward the Northern Liang checkpoint.
• Jiang Zhizhou told the checkpoint soldiers they were hurrying home for New Year and warned them that Yang Qing was frail.