Recaps

Hu Xiaotian rescued Qiao Fangzheng and reunited with Long Xiyue while Western Sichuan forces and the Beggar Gang’s internal conflict threatened their journey to Redwood River. In Fire Tree City, Hu Xiaotian uncovered Shangguan Yunchong’s scheme around the Spirit Maiden and helped Ganuo reunite with Xiao Ou.

• Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming attacked Sword-Washing Manor, rescued the imprisoned Qiao Fangzheng, and learned that Xu Lingkong was dead.
• Hu Xiaotian found the slaughtered Beggar Gang members at Happy Woods, then reached Long Xiyue’s party as Western Sichuan forces attacked them and Zeng Xiaorou’s betrayal came to light.
• Hu Xiaotian reunited with Long Xiyue, buried the fallen brothers, and heard Qiao Fangzheng recount his imprisonment and the disappearance of Hu Xiaotian’s grandfather.
• Long Xiyue protected the orphan Xiao Ou from the expulsion of Beggar Gang members, and Hu Xiaotian brought her along as the party traveled toward Redwood River.
• At the Dragon-Locking Platform, Qiao Fangzheng discovered that Shangguan Yunchong had stolen the Dog-Beating Staff forms, then began teaching Long Xiyue the technique.
• In Fire Tree City, Qiao Fangzheng prepared to attend the Red Sea Assembly while Hu Xiaotian investigated Xiao Ou’s Wisdom Bird tattoo and entered the Red Yi Tribal Temple.
• Hu Xiaotian overheard Shangguan Yunchong and High Priest Tongyun discuss choosing a Spirit Maiden to control Fire Tree City, then warned Yan Nujiao about his plan.
• Ganuo identified Xiao Ou as her missing daughter and agreed with Hu Xiaotian to conceal her return, while Qiao Fangzheng angrily rejected Xia Changming’s attempt to comfort him.

Hu Xiaotian helped establish Jiaou as the Red Yi Spirit Maiden and exposed the Beggar Gang’s leadership conspiracy, with Long Xiyue becoming its new leader. The party then headed toward Black Cool Mountain, where signs of a hidden enemy pointed to Feather Demon Li Chang'an.

• Hu Xiaotian captured High Priest Tongyun and secured her admission that Jiaou was the true Spirit Maiden, but Baheer ordered an attack on the Butterfly Garden and a masked swordsman wounded Zhan Peng.
• Ganuo reunited with Jiaou, Tongyun publicly named Jiaou the Spirit Maiden, and Hu Xiaotian treated Zhan Peng while Ganuo agreed to lead the Red Yi Tribe in pledging allegiance to him.
• Hu Xiaotian learned that Shangguan Yunchong and Shangguan Yunfeng had plotted to seize Redwood River, then took Long Xiyue to the Red Sea Assembly to save Qiao Fangzheng.
• Long Xiyue challenged Shangguan Tianhuo’s claim to leadership with the Iron Rice Bowl and Green Bamboo Staff, while Hu Xiaotian defended her against Shangguan Yunfeng.
• Qiao Fangzheng and the elders helped expose Shangguan Tianhuo and his son, and Long Xiyue was recognized as the Beggar Gang’s leader.
• Hu Xiaotian arranged for Zhu Ba and Xie Tianqiong to remain in Redwood River, while Tongyun asked him to spare Shangguan Yunchong and recovered after he told her she controlled her own fate.
• Hu Xiaotian’s party detoured toward Black Cool Mountain and traveled through the night after signs of danger appeared nearby.
• At the mountain summit, Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming found no birds or beasts and suspected their hidden enemy was Feather Demon Li Chang'an.

Hu Xiaotian helped break the siege plans against Heavenly Wolf Mountain by killing Yang Daoyuan and supporting the burning of the Western Sichuan army’s supplies, though Zhang Ziqian died. After returning home, he weighed new military threats and hurried to see the injured Elder Xue.

• Hu Xiaotian reunited with Yan Nujiao at Orchid Creek Stockade, exposed Ma Zhongtian’s attack, and secured Yan Kui’s agreement to their marriage before setting out for Red Valley County.
• Hu Xiaotian enlisted Meng Guangxiong’s Beggar Gang intelligence to plan attacks on the Western Sichuan commanders and their supply camp, then reunited with Flying Owl and Long Xiyue.
• Zhang Ziqian refused Yan Hucheng’s attempt to change sides, while Yang Daoyuan ordered Feng Xianlin to kill Zhang Ziqian and Yan Hucheng.
• Xia Changming and the Beggar Gang set the Provisions Camp ablaze as Hu Xiaotian killed Yang Daoyuan, then helped Yan Hucheng drive off the assassins attacking Zhang Ziqian, who died after urging Hu Xiaotian to kill Hu Xiaotian.
• Hu Xiaotian returned with Long Xiyue and Xia Changming, revisited the Wan Residence, and was trapped by Sumeru Heaven, who poisoned Long Xiyue before giving Hu Xiaotian antidote pills and a jade pendant.
• Hu Xiaotian brought Long Xiyue home to Eastern Liang Commandery, where Huo Shengnan and his subordinates reported military developments across the region.
• Hu Xiaotian discussed Yunyang, military strategy, and scientific weapons with Zhuge Guanqi, then hurried to Tong Ren Tang after learning that Elder Xue was injured.

Hu Xiaotian navigated the Beggar Gang’s rebellion and the growing conflict around Yunyang as Western Sichuan attacked Su Yuchi. After Yunyang’s victory, Hu’s army entered Xingzhou with An Zhai’s help, where Hu recognized a surrendered man from the Imperial Mausoleum.

• Hu Xiaotian and Long Xiyue uncovered Qin Yangming’s rebellion against the Beggar Gang, and Hu killed him after he poisoned Tang Qingxuan and attacked Long Xiyue.
• Hu Xiaotian saved Tang Qingxuan by transferring internal power, while Xue Zhenhai purged the North of the River Branch rebels and Qiao Fangzheng recommended An Zhai as a leader.
• Hong Beimo delivered Great Yong’s weapons and supplies to Su Yuchi, while Western Sichuan and Xingzhou prepared to attack Yunyang.
• Su Yuchi’s forces defeated Li Yan’s Western Sichuan army with Heaven-Shaking Crossbows, flaming bulls, and Tortoise-Shell War Chariots, prompting Guo Guangbi to withdraw from Xingzhou.
• Hu Xiaotian ordered his army to advance on Xingzhou as Su Yuchi declined to pursue Guo Guangbi, and Xue Daohong considered seizing the city.
• An Zhai led Xingzhou’s townspeople in revolt, killed the commander, and opened the gates to Hu Xiaotian’s army.
• Hu Xiaotian distributed grain to Xingzhou’s starving residents, praised An Zhai, and recognized the surrendered Luo Shifeng as a former Imperial Mausoleum stonemason.