Chapter Summaries

Hu Xiaotian persuaded Sumeru Heaven that Quan Dean had taught him the Formless Divine Skill, then followed her through the tunnels toward the Turbid Water Gang's lair. They reached the guarded entrance, where Sumeru Heaven ordered him to kill the two sentries.

• Hu Xiaotian claimed Quan Dean had taught him the Formless Divine Skill and transferred ten years of cultivation to him, and Sumeru Heaven mostly believed his story.
• Sumeru Heaven warned Hu Xiaotian that someone was directing the Turbid Water Gang and agreed to lead him to their lair before dawn.
• Hu Xiaotian kept pace with Sumeru Heaven through the tunnels, and she privately marveled at the skill he had gained from the Formless Divine Skill.
• Sumeru Heaven estimated that three or four hundred gang members were at the lair, and Hu Xiaotian nearly collapsed in fright.
• Hu Xiaotian and Sumeru Heaven reached the lair entrance, where two Turbid Water Gang guards stood, and Sumeru Heaven told him to kill them.

Hu Xiaotian was trapped in the Turbid Water Gang's lair and fought desperately until Sumeru Heaven revealed herself and overwhelmed the bandits with her powers. The gang was incapacitated, while Hu Xiaotian realized she had used him as bait and was also affected by her attack.

• Hu Xiaotian was discovered at the lair and tried to flee as hundreds of Turbid Water Gang bandits surrounded him.
• Hu Xiaotian dodged the bandits' weapons, escaped a spear formation by using one attacker as a human shield, and shouted angrily at Sumeru Heaven.
• Sumeru Heaven appeared at the entrance, froze Zhao Shouyi with a palm strike, and unleashed blue poison sand that dissolved dozens of bandits.
• The remaining bandits and Hu Xiaotian collapsed, unable to resist the effects of Sumeru Heaven's attack.
• Hu Xiaotian realized Sumeru Heaven had hidden herself to use him to draw the entire gang out of its lair.

Sumeru Heaven rescued Hu Xiaotian from the Turbid Water Gang by draining the internal power of eighteen bandits and killing the gang members guarding their lair. She spared Hu Xiaotian, dismissed his warning about the Whale-Swallowing Art, and left him facing the surviving gang members after he refused to kill them.

• Sumeru Heaven drained the internal power of eighteen bandits, killing them and silencing the terrified survivors.
• Hu Xiaotian denied insulting Sumeru Heaven, but she froze and shattered a bandit who reported his words before carrying Hu Xiaotian into the Turbid Water Gang's lair.
• Sumeru Heaven accused Hu Xiaotian of exposing her identity, then spared him after their argument and said he would have to fend for himself.
• Hu Xiaotian warned Sumeru Heaven that absorbing foreign internal power could cause qi deviation, but she refused his concern and declined his offer to teach her the Formless Divine Skill.
• Sumeru Heaven told Hu Xiaotian that cold water would clear the stupefying mist and that the gang members would recover later, then suggested he kill them.
• Hu Xiaotian said he could not bring himself to kill the helpless survivors, and Sumeru Heaven asked when his heart had become so full of mercy.

Hu Xiaotian spared the bandits who stole Princess Anping’s dowry and secured their loyalty, then returned the recovered goods to camp with Liang Yinghao as his guide. Wen Boyuan questioned Hu Xiaotian’s actions, while Wu Jingshan defended him, leaving the escort divided over how much to trust the new arrival.

• Hu Xiaotian convinced Sumeru Heaven to let him handle the bandits, then frightened them with a story about a recurring poison and won their submission.
• Hu Xiaotian selected Liang Yinghao as the bandits’ leader and learned they had stolen the dowry after receiving advance word that a valuable party would pass through Peak Forest Gorge.
• Liang Yinghao guided Hu Xiaotian out of the tunnels with the recovered dowry and agreed to lead the escort through the gorge ahead of an expected dust storm.
• Hu Xiaotian returned to camp with Liang Yinghao and announced that he had recovered Princess Anping’s dowry.
• Wen Boyuan accused Liang Yinghao of being a Turbid Water Gang bandit and challenged Hu Xiaotian, who criticized Wen’s handling of the escort.
• Wu Jingshan urged Wen Boyuan to accept the recovered dowry and said he would report Hu Xiaotian’s success to His Majesty.

Hu Xiaotian challenged Wen Boyuan after Wen’s men discovered a tunnel beneath Hu’s tent, then led the group away before the approaching sandstorm. As the storm struck sooner than expected, Liang Yinghao urged everyone to dismount and prepare to stay together.

• Dong Tieshan reported finding a tunnel beneath Hu Xiaotian’s tent, and Wen Boyuan accused Hu of using it to sneak out of camp.
• Hu Xiaotian argued that Wen’s men had set up camp and failed to find the tunnel, reminded the warriors he had saved them from poisoning, and urged them to leave before the sandstorm.
• Wu Jingshan supported Hu Xiaotian’s call to depart, while Wen Boyuan decided his men would follow Princess Anping wherever she went.
• Long Xiyue warned Hu Xiaotian not to risk his life or clash with Wen Boyuan, and Hu helped her into the carriage before taking charge of the vanguard.
• Hu Xiaotian asked Zhan Peng to help him deal with Wen Boyuan, and Zhan Peng pledged his support as they rode ahead of the column.
• When dust began rising and the sandstorm arrived, Liang Yinghao told everyone to dismount, cover the animals’ eyes, and keep the column linked together.

Hu Xiaotian led the column through a violent sandstorm in Peak Forest Gorge and changed their route after Sumeru Heaven warned him of an ambush. The party reached Phoenix Eye Gorge without encountering enemies and continued toward the gorge’s exit through the night.

• Wen Boyuan ordered his warriors to dismount and walk through the sandstorm, while Hu Xiaotian led the struggling column toward shelter.
• Wen Boyuan grew suspicious of Zhou Mo and helped Wu Jingshan free his carriage from a pit.
• Sumeru Heaven warned Hu Xiaotian through Secret Voice Transmission that an ambush lay ahead, so he decided to bypass Returning Sand Bay.
• Wen Boyuan challenged Hu Xiaotian’s decision, then shot at a white streak in the sky; Zhan Peng deflected the falling arrow with a second arrow.
• Hu Xiaotian ordered the party toward Phoenix Eye Gorge, and they crossed it without meeting an ambush.
• After the storm eased beyond Phoenix Eye Gorge, Hu Xiaotian and Wu Jingshan decided to press on through the night and leave Peak Forest Gorge.

During the journey through Peak Forest Gorge, Hu Xiaotian learned that Princess Anping had collapsed and heard Sumeru Heaven warn that she had been poisoned. A white-haired man named Li Chang'an arrived on a snow eagle searching for Sumeru Heaven, and Hu Xiaotian challenged his right to search the camp.

• Hu Xiaotian stopped the procession and arranged care for the unconscious Long Xiyue after Tang Qingxuan revealed the princess was ill.
• Hu Xiaotian questioned who had entered Long Xiyue's carriage and told Zijuan to sleep there while Tang Qingxuan watched over the princess.
• Sumeru Heaven secretly told Hu Xiaotian that Long Xiyue had been poisoned, though he told Wu Jingshan she had caught a chill.
• Li Chang'an descended into camp on a snow eagle and demanded that Wen Boyuan hand over Sumeru Heaven.
• Li Chang'an defeated Dong Tieshan with one blow, then identified himself and explained that he had come only to find Sumeru Heaven.
• Hu Xiaotian objected when Wen Boyuan offered to conduct a head count, challenging Li Chang'an's authority to search the camp.

Hu Xiaotian challenged Li Chang'an to a test of speed to keep him from searching for Sumeru Heaven, then used his footwork and the Old Beggar’s teachings to evade the Feather Demon’s pursuit. As the crowd’s count neared one hundred, Li Chang'an trapped Hu Xiaotian in a tightening ring of white afterimages, leaving Hu Xiaotian ready to use the hidden Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles.

• Hu Xiaotian defied Li Chang'an and proposed a speed contest, agreeing that he would obey Li Chang'an if caught and that Li Chang'an would leave if he failed.
• Li Chang'an gave Hu Xiaotian a ten-step head start, but Hu Xiaotian used his Dog-Dodging Eighteen Steps to evade his first grab.
• The crowd joined the count and rooted for Hu Xiaotian as he continued dodging Li Chang'an's attacks.
• Hu Xiaotian recalled the Old Beggar’s advice and sensed the air currents to slip through Li Chang'an’s lightning-fast pursuit.
• Li Chang'an widened his pursuit into a shrinking ring of white afterimages as the crowd counted toward ninety, and Hu Xiaotian gripped the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles concealed in his sleeve.

Hu Xiaotian escaped Li Chang'an with Liang Yinghao’s help, while the confrontation exposed Wen Boyuan’s cowardice and weakened his standing with his men. Hu Xiaotian later learned that Sumeru Heaven had invented Long Xiyue’s poisoning to secure his help, and she said she would leave when they reached Great Yong.

• Hu Xiaotian fell through a hole Liang Yinghao had made and escaped Li Chang'an’s grasp just as the count reached one hundred.
• Li Chang'an confronted Zhan Peng over an arrow shot at his snow eagle, then left when Zhou Mo and the others made a fight too risky.
• Hu Xiaotian accused Wen Boyuan of firing the arrow and mocked him; Wu Jingshan stopped Wen Boyuan from attacking, while Dong Tieshan and other subordinates began doubting their general.
• Hu Xiaotian checked on Long Xiyue and suspected she had not been poisoned, then found Sumeru Heaven hiding among wounded soldiers.
• Sumeru Heaven admitted she had only claimed Long Xiyue was poisoned to make Hu Xiaotian help her, and said she planned to leave once they entered Great Yong.
• Sumeru Heaven slapped Little Gray twice after it tried to kick her, leaving the horse dizzy and collapsed on the ground.

Hu Xiaotian confirmed Princess Anping was recovering and discussed how Wen Boyuan’s plan to send the wounded away might weaken the princess’s protection. When Long Xiyue woke, she told Hu Xiaotian that everyone should return home after they crossed the Yong River.

• Sumeru Heaven told Hu Xiaotian that Zijuan had met Wen Boyuan privately several times, and Hu Xiaotian questioned whether she was telling the truth.
• Tang Tiehan warned Hu Xiaotian that Wen Boyuan intended to send him and his brother away with the wounded, while Hu Xiaotian discussed the wounded’s departure with Wu Jingshan.
• Hu Xiaotian assured Wu Jingshan that the wounded could be sent to recover but warned that Wen Boyuan might use the plan to remove those loyal to the princess.
• Zhou Mo told Hu Xiaotian that Princess Anping had awakened and wanted to speak with him alone.
• Long Xiyue told Hu Xiaotian that she wanted everyone to return home after crossing the Yong River, since Great Yong’s army would protect her.

Hu Xiaotian reassured Long Xiyue that he would help her escape, and the party continued toward Azure Dragon Bay. At Cangmu County, they were stopped by Xiong Tianba, whose identity and unusual strength Hu Xiaotian learned from Sumeru Heaven before claiming to know him personally.

• Hu Xiaotian promised Long Xiyue he would take her away, and she agreed she would give up being a princess to spend her life with him.
• Hu Xiaotian warned Long Xiyue that Zijuan had behaved suspiciously, though Long Xiyue doubted that her longtime companion would betray her.
• The party reached Cangmu County near dusk and found its gates shut and its underfed soldiers in poor condition.
• Xiong Tianba challenged the party at the gate and demanded proof that Princess Anping was traveling with them.
• After Sumeru Heaven identified Xiong Tianba as the county commandant's strong but dim-witted son, Hu Xiaotian pretended to know him and said he had given him his name.

Hu Xiaotian's party clashed with Xiong Tianba at Cangmu City's gate, where Wen Boyuan and Xiong Tianba fought until Zhou Mo intervened. Xiong Anmin arrived and apologized to Princess Anping, while Hu Xiaotian presented him to her as the local official who had come to welcome her.

• Xiong Tianba let Hu Xiaotian's party enter Cangmu City, but Wen Boyuan's glare provoked him into attacking with his Mountain-Cleaving Axe.
• Wen Boyuan broke Xiong Tianba's axe shaft, and Zhan Peng and Zhou Mo stopped the flying axe head from hitting Princess Anping's carriage or the crowd.
• Wen Boyuan moved to kill Xiong Tianba, but Zhou Mo intervened, and Xiong Tianba retreated to his men.
• Xiong Anmin returned to the city gate, learned his son had offended the princess's procession, and knelt to beg forgiveness.
• Hu Xiaotian called the clash a misunderstanding, introduced Xiong Anmin to Princess Anping, and Long Xiyue told him to rise.

Hu Xiaotian's party arrived in impoverished Cangmu, where Zhou Mo accepted the powerful but hot-tempered Xiong Tianba as his disciple. Hu Xiaotian arranged for a naval escort to cross the river from Azure Dragon Bay after two days.

• Xiong Anmin welcomed Princess Anping's party into Cangmu and explained that floods, famine, and unpaid soldiers had left the county destitute.
• Xiong Tianba demanded compensation from Zhou Mo for breaking his family's treasured axe, then challenged him to fight.
• Zhou Mo defeated Xiong Tianba in a brief exchange of blows, and Xiong Tianba knelt and asked him to become his master.
• At Hu Xiaotian's urging, Zhou Mo accepted Xiong Tianba as his disciple and instructed him to honor his parents, act honorably, and respect Hu Xiaotian.
• Hu Xiaotian asked Xiong Anmin to arrange naval vessels to escort the party across the river from Azure Dragon Bay, and Xiong Anmin agreed.

Hu Xiaotian tried to protect Long Xiyue and the Tang siblings from Wen Boyuan’s schemes while sharing a bittersweet farewell with the princess. When Wen Boyuan seized Liang Yinghao, Hu Xiaotian hurried to confront him and learned that the general claimed Liang had a hidden identity.

• Hu Xiaotian considered bringing Xiong Anmin to Great Yong and went to visit Long Xiyue, keeping watch on Zijuan through Tang Qingxuan.
• Hu Xiaotian warned Tang Qingxuan that Wen Boyuan might use her brothers for revenge, but she insisted on accompanying Long Xiyue to the Yong Capital.
• Long Xiyue told Hu Xiaotian she had accepted the need to consider others, and he said that some people and things could never be replaced.
• Zhan Peng told Hu Xiaotian that Wen Boyuan had seized Liang Yinghao, so Hu Xiaotian brought Wu Jingshan and guards to the eastern drill ground.
• Wen Boyuan said Liang Yinghao had a hidden identity, and Wu Jingshan asked who he was.

Wen Boyuan accused Hu Xiaotian of colluding with the Turbid Water Gang, but Hu killed the witness and protected Liang Yinghao, turning the dispute into a tense standoff. Wu Jingshan intervened to keep the two sides from fighting, though Wen had little choice but to back down.

• Wen Boyuan presented Yu Zhishan as a former Turbid Water Gang bandit who identified Liang Yinghao and claimed Hu Xiaotian had visited the gang's headquarters.
• Hu Xiaotian killed Yu Zhishan in front of the gathered witnesses and denied Wen Boyuan's accusation.
• Liang Yinghao denied belonging to the Turbid Water Gang and said he had only helped guide the party through Peak Forest Gorge.
• When Wen Boyuan ordered his warriors to seize Liang Yinghao, Zhou Mo freed him and intimidated the warriors with a display of strength.
• Wu Jingshan urged both sides to stand down, defended their loyalty to the Imperial Court, and said Yu Zhishan's testimony would not have proved Hu Xiaotian's guilt.
• With the witness dead and Wu Jingshan backing Hu Xiaotian, Wen Boyuan said he could do nothing more.

Hu Xiaotian rescued Liang Yinghao from Wen Boyuan’s attempt to detain him, while Xiong Tianba and the Tang Family Three Siblings arrived with reinforcements. Liang Yinghao left for the Turbid Water Gang, and Hu Xiaotian agreed to Wen Boyuan’s plan to leave the wounded behind in Cangmu as the escort prepared to cross into Great Yong.

• Wen Boyuan tried to detain Liang Yinghao, but Hu Xiaotian refused to hand him over.
• Xiong Tianba and the Tang Family Three Siblings brought more than two hundred people to the East Drill Ground, forcing Wen Boyuan to back down.
• Hu Xiaotian escorted Liang Yinghao away, while Wen Boyuan resolved to find another chance to eliminate Hu Xiaotian and recalled his father’s order that Princess Anping must not reach Yong Capital alive.
• Liang Yinghao thanked Hu Xiaotian, then chose to return to the Turbid Water Gang after Hu Xiaotian promised to help the gang find a place to settle.
• Wu Jingshan asked Hu Xiaotian about leaving the wounded in Cangmu, and Hu Xiaotian agreed to Wen Boyuan’s arrangement.

Hu Xiaotian agreed to leave the Tang Family Brothers behind, partly to protect them from the danger surrounding his plan to eliminate Wen Boyuan and escape with Princess Anping. After arranging for them to stay, he recognized Sumeru Heaven in disguise and followed her to meet near the City God Temple.

• Hu Xiaotian and Wu Jingshan discussed the marriage alliance, Great Kang’s decline, and the decision to leave the Tang Family Brothers behind.
• Hu Xiaotian told Tang Tiehan and Tang Tiexin they would remain with the wounded, warning that Tang Qingxuan could endanger herself and the Tang Family in Great Yong.
• Hu Xiaotian whispered a plan to Tang Tiexin for stopping Tang Qingxuan from accompanying Princess Anping.
• Hu Xiaotian recognized Sumeru Heaven disguised as a wounded soldier, and she told him to meet her at the City God Temple.
• Hu Xiaotian headed toward the City God Temple and stopped when Sumeru Heaven followed him, where she chided him for not waiting as instructed.

Hu Xiaotian and Sumeru Heaven met at the City God Temple, where their teasing and confrontation were interrupted by Li Chang'an’s arrival. When Hu Xiaotian tried to leave rather than face Li Chang'an, Sumeru Heaven seized him and threatened to kill him if Li came closer.

• Hu Xiaotian and Sumeru Heaven argued about her desire to cultivate, and she restored her alluring appearance before he kissed her.
• Sumeru Heaven beat Hu Xiaotian and reminded him that she had killed Le Yao, while he challenged her to consider what she was living for.
• Rats flooded the temple courtyard, frightening Sumeru Heaven and driving her and Hu Xiaotian onto the roof.
• Li Chang'an arrived on a Snow Eagle and confronted Sumeru Heaven, declaring that he had come for her.
• Hu Xiaotian tried to withdraw from the confrontation, but Sumeru Heaven grabbed him by the throat and threatened to kill him if Li Chang'an advanced.

Sumeru Heaven and Li Chang'an fought to the death at the City God Temple, using beasts, poisons, and hidden tricks against each other. Sumeru Heaven wounded Li Chang'an and forced him to sever his right arm, but he retreated toward Hu Xiaotian, who was still caught in the battle.

• Sumeru Heaven sent Hu Xiaotian flying at Li Chang'an and planted Bloodshadow Golden Beetles on him, but Li Chang'an stripped off his robe to avoid them.
• Sumeru Heaven escaped across the temple roof, used poisoned needles and green flames against Li Chang'an's birds and beasts, and fired a signal rocket.
• Li Chang'an trapped Sumeru Heaven with rats and birds, then wounded her shoulder with the Lone Moon Slash and cut off her topknot.
• The Bloodshadow Beetle King crawled from the Lone Moon Slash onto Li Chang'an's hand, and he severed his right arm at the shoulder to stop it.
• Sumeru Heaven broke free of the birds and pursued the retreating Li Chang'an, while Hu Xiaotian extinguished the flames and dodged a stray dog.
• Li Chang'an lunged toward Hu Xiaotian as the battle continued.

Li Chang'an escaped Cangmu City with Hu Xiaotian on the Snow Eagle, but collapsed after landing on a frozen lake. Hu Xiaotian's inner energy melted the ice beneath them, and both men plunged into the water, where Li Chang'an sank after his true qi went astray.

• Li Chang'an seized Hu Xiaotian and escaped Sumeru Heaven on the Snow Eagle as warriors arrived at the City God Temple.
• Wen Boyuan shot at Hu Xiaotian, but Zhan Peng intercepted the arrow and openly challenged Wen Boyuan.
• Wen Boyuan returned to protect the princess while Dong Tieshan led men to pursue the Snow Eagle.
• The Snow Eagle carried Li Chang'an and Hu Xiaotian beyond Cangmu City, then left Li Chang'an and flew away.
• Hu Xiaotian's inner energy freed him from his sealed acupoints and melted the ice beneath him, causing both men to fall into the water.
• Li Chang'an's true qi went astray in the cold water, leaving him unable to move as he sank.