Recaps

Hu Xiaotian investigated the Yuan Tianzhao Case and joined forces with Yan Tianlu and Xue Lingjun as political schemes put their allies in danger. After Yan Dongqing disappeared, Hu confronted Zou Yong at Mirrorwater Estate, where Tang Jiucheng intervened and Zou’s true identity was revealed.

• Hu Xiaotian exposed Liu Zhiyang and Gu Jiayuan’s scheme, then learned about the sealed Treasure-Gathering Studio and met Li Mingju, who opposed his father’s plans to send him away.
• Hu Xiaotian entered the Ministry of Justice prison in disguise, treated Tong Jincheng, and learned from Ling Sanniang about Huo Xiaoru, hidden account books, and Feng Laodao.
• Hu Xiaotian reunited with Yan Nujiao and Yan Tianlu, then joined Yan Tianlu in opposing Yan Dongsheng and Xue Daohong while seeking an alliance with Xue Lingjun.
• At Zou Yong’s banquet, Hu Xiaotian challenged Li Guoyuan’s proposed alliance between Great Yong and Bohai, and Xue Lingjun recognized him and left with him.
• Hu Xiaotian warned Xue Lingjun that her mission put her in danger, while conspirators used the Treasure-Gathering Studio affair to pressure Li Changxing and target Li Mingju.
• After Hu Xiaotian saved Li Mingju from an assassination attempt, Tang Jingyu killed Li Changxing, and Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu retaliated against Guo Zhenhai.
• Hu Xiaotian and Xue Lingjun staged a dispute to deceive Zou Yong, while Hu spread scandal about Zou and learned that Yan Tianlu planned to rescue Yan Boguang from execution.
• After Yan Dongqing disappeared, Hu Xiaotian led the Golden Scale Guards to Mirrorwater Estate and fought Zou Yong until Tang Jiucheng intervened, then learned Zou was Tang Jiucheng’s son, Tang Jingtian.

Hu Xiaotian rescued Yan Boguang, thwarted the plots surrounding the Bohai court, and helped Yan Dongsheng avert a conflict with Yan Tianlu. After forming an alliance between Bohai and Eastern Liang Commandery, Hu Xiaotian returned home and began treating the effects of swallowing the Five-Colored Spider King's inner core as war loomed on Great Yong’s northern frontier.

• Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu burned Heavenly Star Court, where Hu Xiaotian killed the Five-Colored Spider King and defeated Old Monster Beize by swallowing the spider's inner core.
• Xue Lingjun called off the hostage exchange after discovering Zou Yong's ambush, and Hu Xiaotian confronted Zou Yong over the attack on her and the deaths of the Golden Scale Guards.
• Hu Xiaotian fought Tang Jiucheng, then reached a truce with him as the Bohai court released Yan Boguang and Yan Dongqing and halted its investigation of the Treasure-Gathering Studio.
• Yan Tianlu promised not to contest Yan Dongsheng's rule if Ling Sanniang was released, and Hu Xiaotian delivered his letter to the king.
• Hu Xiaotian proposed an alliance between Bohai and Eastern Liang Commandery, which Yan Dongsheng accepted, while Li Chenzhou left Bohai and Ling Sanniang was freed.
• Hu Xiaotian suffered recurring itching and blood-red lines after swallowing the spider's inner core, then sought Qin Yutong's help in Eastern Liang Commandery.
• Qin Yutong found that Hu Xiaotian's meridians had strengthened and advised him to use the ice cellar when the itching returned.
• Hu Xiaotian told Zhuge Guanqi about the Bohai alliance, and Zhuge reported that the Black Hu People were gathering on Great Yong's Northern Frontier.

Hu Xiaotian subdued Blackwater Stronghold and prepared to return to the Kang Capital for his marriage to Qiqi, while court factions maneuvered around the emperor’s plans. Disguised as a eunuch in the palace, Hu uncovered the rise of Long Tingzhen and the secrets linking Hong Beimo, Liu Yuzhang, and the missing diagram.

• Hu Xiaotian and Yu Tianxing captured Blackwater Stronghold after Ma Xingkong’s ambush inflicted heavy losses, and Hu pardoned Wang Boxi and his people.
• Qiqi learned that Hong Beimo had revealed her mother’s past and wanted her to use Long Tingzhen’s rebellion to seize power, while the emperor arranged her wedding to Hu Xiaotian.
• Hu Xiaotian prepared to return to the Kang Capital, reunited with Huo Shengnan, and received Qiqi’s blank letter, which he took as a sign she wanted him away from the Divine Strategy Office.
• Hong Beimo explained his plan to use Long Tingzhen’s rebellion against Long Xuan'en, while Hu Xiaotian arranged with Li Yuncong to enter the palace disguised as a eunuch.
• Hu Xiaotian found a purple crystal bracelet in Ling Jiazi’s portrait and saw Unenlightened training Long Tingzhen, then helped the injured Xi Yan escape the palace.
• Li Yuncong told Hu Xiaotian that Liu Yuzhang had likely taken the Heart Sutra and Heavenly Man Myriad Images Diagram and conspired with Hong Beimo.
• Hu Xiaotian learned that Ren Tianqing had borrowed the diagram and suspected the anatomical drawings he received came from the modern world.
• Hu Xiaotian learned that Hong Beimo might be backing Long Tingzhen to replace the emperor, then knelt among the attendants as Princess Yongyang entered.

Hu Xiaotian returned to the Kang Capital and tried to protect Qiqi as court factions maneuvered over the succession. After Qiqi was poisoned, he secured the Dark Nether Ice Toad and saved her, while Xi Yan was taken into custody amid suspicions of a larger plot.

• Hu Xiaotian joined forces with Xi Yan, explored the hidden chambers beneath the Dragon Spirit Sanctuary, and uncovered carvings about a celestial vessel and a strange skull.
• Qiqi relinquished her residence and government offices to Long Tingzhen, but Hu Xiaotian challenged the decision and argued that she deserved to retain her position and power.
• Hu Xiaotian warned Qiqi that Long Tingzhen was unfit to rule and that the emperor might move against them, while Long Tingzhen grew hostile toward them.
• Hu Xiaotian returned to King Yongyang's Residence, recruited former guards, and suspected Hong Beimo sought secrets hidden in the Imperial Mausoleum.
• Qiqi was poisoned by a Crimson Flame Mad Bee, and Hu Xiaotian learned that the Dark Nether Ice Toad could draw out its venom.
• Hu Xiaotian discovered Xi Yan had attacked Qiqi, but realized she had come to warn him about a trap and protected her from the others.
• Xi Yan revealed where she had hidden the Dark Nether Ice Toad, and Hu Xiaotian used it to cure Qiqi, who woke and asked him to stay.
• Hong Beimo identified Xi Yan as Li Wuyou and suggested she and Hu Xiaotian had targeted Qiqi, while Long Xuan'en ordered an investigation and Murong Zhan arrived to take Xi Yan away.