Chapter Summaries

Worthy Consort Dong and Dong Bingkun planned to shift blame for Princess Anping’s attack onto Huo Shengnan and make the Dong Family appear to seek justice. As Hu Xiaotian prepared Xiang Jimin for the princess’s likely death, Xue Daoming arrived to request a visit, though he privately suspected Hu was obstructing him.

• Worthy Consort Dong and Dong Bingkun agreed that she and Xue Daoming should demand justice for Princess Anping and hold Huo Shengnan responsible for the attack.
• Dong Bingkun argued that Huo Shengnan had failed in her duty to protect the princess and that Yuchi Chong should avoid intervening because his past ties to Great Kang could invite suspicion.
• Xiang Jimin visited Hu Xiaotian, who told him Princess Anping had little time left and urged him to prepare for her death and funeral.
• Xue Daoming arrived at the Great Kang mission, but Hu Xiaotian delayed letting him see Princess Anping and went to ask her first.

Xue Daoming visited the apparently dying Princess Anping, Long Xiyue, intending to perform grief but became genuinely moved by her. After she appeared to die, he left with her bloodstained handkerchief, while Hu Xiaotian stayed behind and accused Xi Yan of seducing another man.

• Hu Xiaotian let Xue Daoming enter the room where Princess Anping lay unconscious and warned him not to disturb her.
• Xi Yan woke and took Xue Daoming’s hand, drawing out his sympathy as Hu Xiaotian grew jealous.
• Xi Yan asked Xue Daoming to have her buried in Great Kang, then went still after telling him she had seen his face in her dreams.
• Xu Baichuan declared Princess Anping dead, and Hu Xiaotian stopped Xue Daoming from kissing her forehead.
• Xue Daoming took Xi Yan’s bloodstained handkerchief and left, and Hu Xiaotian privately accused her of seducing him.

After Xi Yan arranged to be returned to Great Kang under the guise of a corpse, Xue Daoming arrested Huo Shengnan and her subordinates for failing to protect Princess Anping. Hu Xiaotian asked Emperor Xue Shengkang to uphold justice and honor the princess’s wish to be buried in her homeland, while the emperor privately feared the murder investigation might implicate the imperial family.

• Xi Yan told Hu Xiaotian to request an Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl and arrange for her remains to be transported to Great Kang, hinting she had a way to escape.
• Xue Daoming ordered Huo Shengnan and her subordinates arrested, and Huo Shengnan submitted without resistance.
• Liu Changsheng sent Liu Yucheng to inform Yuchi Chong about Huo Shengnan’s arrest before the Liu family and Xu Baichuan left Qichen Palace.
• Xue Lingjun brought Hu Xiaotian to the Imperial Palace, where he said he would explain Princess Anping’s death to Emperor Xue Shengkang.
• Xue Shengkang acknowledged his failure to protect Princess Anping and privately warned Shi Kuan that uncovering the truth might reveal an imperial family member’s involvement.
• Hu Xiaotian pleaded with Xue Shengkang for justice and asked to take Princess Anping’s remains back to Great Kang; Xue Shengkang agreed to respect her final wish.

Hu Xiaotian secured Xue Shengkang’s help in preserving Princess Anping’s remains and promised investigation, while Xue Shengkang and Xue Lingjun discussed the assassination and the succession. Xue Shengkang doubted Dao Ming’s fitness to rule and emphasized that a ruler must judge candidates by their ability to govern and employ people.

• Xue Shengkang gave Hu Xiaotian a Cold-Jade Coffin and an Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl, promised an escort to Great Kang, and vowed to find Princess Anping’s assassin.
• Hu Xiaotian examined Xue Shengkang’s healed incision, removed his stitches, and left with Shi Kuan to collect the treasures.
• Xue Lingjun told Xue Shengkang that Dao Ming wanted to investigate Long Xiyue’s assassination and that Huo Shengnan had been arrested, while the Worthy Consort might intervene.
• Xue Shengkang explained that he had accepted the marriage alliance with Great Kang to prevent the Dong and Xiang families from growing more powerful through marriage.
• Xue Shengkang said Dao Ming had disappointed him by relying on a marriage alliance to strengthen his claim, while Dao Hong showed promise through his relationships with officials.
• Xue Shengkang told Xue Lingjun that a ruler and his ministers must never be friends, then confessed how lonely he felt as rain began to fall.

Wanyan Chixiong learned that Princess Anping’s assassination had thrown Great Yong and Great Kang into turmoil, while Hu Xiaotian returned to Qichen Palace with the Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl and the Cold-Jade Coffin. Xi Yan took the pearl and warned Hu Xiaotian that something major would happen that night as she pursued her plan to kill Wanyan Chixiong.

• Wanyan Chixiong heard that Princess Anping had been poisoned by Mottled Sect assassins working with Yang Xuan and decided to visit with condolences.
• Hu Xiaotian and Shi Kuan returned to Qichen Palace with the Cold-Jade Coffin and the Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl.
• Hu Xiaotian told Xi Yan that they could leave for Great Kang the next day, but she reminded him of her plan to kill Wanyan Chixiong.
• Xi Yan seized the Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl from Hu Xiaotian and warned him that something big would happen three quarters of an hour after the midnight watch began.
• Hu Xiaotian urged Xi Yan to reveal her plan, but she told him to stay away and make sure he survived until their journey home.

Hu Xiaotian and his companions prepared to escort Princess Anping’s coffin back to Great Kang under Dong Tianjiang’s command, while anticipating trouble from Xi Yan. A sudden swarm of scorpions and bats attacked Qichen Palace, and Hu Xiaotian joined Dong Tianjiang’s troops as they defended the courtyard and the princess’s remains.

• Dong Tianjiang arrived with orders to escort Princess Anping’s coffin to Great Kang, and Hu Xiaotian agreed on the departure plans.
• Hu Xiaotian warned Zhou Mo and Xiong Tianba that something might happen, and told Xiong Tianba to stay close to Zhou Mo.
• A swarm of black scorpions surged from the courtyard well, and Hu Xiaotian raced to free Little Gray from the stable.
• Hu Xiaotian rode Little Gray through the scorpions as Dong Tianjiang’s archers fired Firecloud Arrows at a swarm of bats overhead.
• Hu Xiaotian urged Zhou Mo to hold his position as the bats flew toward the Inner Court, while Dong Tianjiang ordered Wu Zhengfang to guard Princess Anping’s remains.

Bats attacked the Inner Court, and the Man in Blue escaped with Xi Yan while Hu Xiaotian and Dong Tianjiang pursued them across Yong Capital. Their chase ended at the Red Mountain Guildhall, where Dong Tianjiang summoned the Tiger Standard Battalion.

• Dong Tianjiang and Hu Xiaotian rushed into the burning chamber, where the Man in Blue emerged on a giant black eagle carrying Xi Yan.
• Dong Tianjiang pursued the bats and eagle through Yong Capital, with Hu Xiaotian following to keep him from catching Xi Yan.
• A white-clad body fell from the sky and smashed apart; Dong Tianjiang believed it was Princess Anping, while Hu Xiaotian recognized it as a decoy corpse.
• Dong Tianjiang shot at the black eagle, which dived into a residence and emerged without the Man in Blue.
• Dong Tianjiang fired a Cloud-Piercing Arrow to summon the Tiger Standard Battalion, and he and Hu Xiaotian found themselves outside the Red Mountain Guildhall.

Hu Xiaotian realized Xi Yan had led him and Dong Tianjiang to the Red Mountain Guildhall to confront Wanyan Chixiong. Dong Tianjiang surrounded the guildhall after defeating Lahan, while Xiong Tianba began fighting Lahan; the confrontation was still underway.

• Hu Xiaotian recognized the Red Mountain Guildhall as the Black Hu delegation’s base and suspected Xi Yan had guided them there deliberately.
• Dong Tianjiang demanded entry to search for the blue-clad suspect, but Lahan refused and insulted him and Hu Xiaotian.
• Dong Tianjiang struck Lahan with a single punch, knocking him and four other Black Hu Warriors to the ground.
• Zhou Mo and Xiong Tianba arrived with the Tiger Standard Battalion, and Dong Tianjiang ordered his men to surround the guildhall.
• Lahan charged at Xiong Tianba, who met his punch and drove him back before launching three more blows.

Dong Tianjiang confronted Wanyan Chixiong at the Red Mountain Guildhall, where a strange flute melody stirred both sides into violence. The Tiger Standard Battalion charged into the guildhall, and the chapter ended with the confrontation spiraling into battle.

• Xiong Tianba beat Lahan until he spat blood, and Wanyan Chixiong arrived and ordered Lahan to stand down.
• Hu Xiaotian told Xiong Tianba to withdraw and realized Xi Yan had likely arranged the confrontation between Dong Tianjiang and the Black Hu delegation.
• Dong Tianjiang demanded to search the Red Mountain Guildhall for the Man in Blue, but Wanyan Chixiong refused without an imperial decree.
• A mysterious Hu Flute melody unsettled Hu Xiaotian and Zhou Mo, then surprise arrows killed soldiers on both sides and sparked a battle.
• Dong Tianjiang killed the Black Hu warriors who charged him, while the Tiger Standard Battalion soldiers rushed into the Red Mountain Guildhall.

Hujia Flute Music drove the Tiger Standard Battalion and Black Hu Warriors into a deadly clash until thunder and Dong Tianjiang’s roar broke its hold. Xue Daoming arrived, gathered Princess Anping’s remains, and left Dong Tianjiang and Wanyan Chixiong facing each other amid unresolved suspicions.

• Wanyan Chixiong fled into the Red Mountain Guildhall as Dong Tianjiang and the Tiger Standard Battalion fought the Black Hu Warriors under the influence of the Hujia Flute Music.
• Zhou Mo and Hu Xiaotian restrained Xiong Tianba, while a thunderclap awakened Dong Tianjiang and his roar freed more soldiers from the music’s influence.
• Dong Tianjiang stopped the fighting after thirty-one men had died, and Hu Xiaotian recognized Xi Yan’s voice and suspected she had orchestrated the clash.
• Wanyan Chixiong and Dong Tianjiang accused each other but held back from attacking, each suspecting that someone had set them against one another.
• Xue Daoming arrived with troops, rebuked Dong Tianjiang, and ordered everyone to focus on finding Princess Anping’s remains.
• Xue Daoming gathered the remains himself, then returned to the Red Mountain Guildhall, where Wanyan Chixiong demanded justice from him and Dong Tianjiang.

Dong Tianjiang’s search of the Red Mountain Guildhall found no trace of the Man in Blue, while Wanyan Chixiong demanded compensation for the casualties and Xue Daoming promised an investigation. At Qichen Palace, Hu Xiaotian realized Xi Yan had staged the conflict and escaped with Princess Anping’s real remains, as the Worthy Consort and Xue Lingjun arrived to face the latest disgrace.

• Dong Tianjiang searched the Red Mountain Guildhall for four hours but found neither the Man in Blue nor evidence identifying the hu flute player.
• Wanyan Chixiong demanded justice for his dead men, and Xue Daoming promised to investigate the clash and explain what had happened within three days.
• Hu Xiaotian, Zhou Mo, and Xiong Tianba placed the bundle of Princess Anping’s remains in the Cold-Jade Coffin at Qichen Palace.
• Hu Xiaotian and Zhou Mo discussed how Xi Yan had manipulated the battle, and Hu Xiaotian recognized that she had escaped with the real remains through a Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell.
• Xue Daoming returned to mourn beside the coffin, while Dong Tianjiang thanked Hu Xiaotian for helping him break free of the hu flute music’s control.
• The Worthy Consort and Xue Lingjun arrived at Qichen Palace with Sun Weiyuan as Great Yong faced the consequences of the princess’s stolen and damaged remains.

After Princess Anping's death, Great Yong asked Hu Xiaotian to remain in the capital through her Seventh Day rites, while Xue Daoming insisted on mourning her as his deceased wife. Hu Xiaotian planned to send Zhou Mo and Brat ahead to Hailing Commandery as he stayed behind.

• Xue Lingjun conveyed Xue Shengkang's apology to Hu Xiaotian and asked him to delay taking Princess Anping's remains home until after her Seventh Day rites, promising the emperor would attend.
• Hu Xiaotian agreed to stay and asked Xue Lingjun to arrange for Princess Anping's remains to be cremated in Great Yong.
• Xue Daoming told Worthy Consort Dong that he would remain at Qichen Palace to honor Long Xiyue, and he blamed himself for not seeing her sooner.
• Hu Xiaotian asked Zhou Mo and Brat to leave for Hailing Commandery ahead of him because he feared further trouble from Xi Yan.
• Hu Xiaotian reassured Zhou Mo that he could handle Xi Yan, while Zhou Mo warned him not to forget Long Xiyue.

Hu Xiaotian waited at Qichen Palace while Great Yong staged an elaborate funeral for Princess Anping, and Xiang Jimin discussed the unresolved murder and Huo Shengnan’s arrest with him. The Prince of Yan, Xue Shengjing, arrived to offer condolences and privately spoke with Hu Xiaotian, leaving their conversation about to begin.

• Hu Xiaotian told Zhou Mo to return to Great Kang by sea with Brat while he planned to carry the princess’s ashes overland in seven days.
• Xue Daoming kept vigil at Qichen Palace as officials and visitors gathered for Princess Anping’s lavish funeral, while Hu Xiaotian found himself largely ignored.
• Xiang Jimin told Hu Xiaotian that Huo Shengnan had lost command of the Women’s Army and was imprisoned, and Hu Xiaotian worried she might be punished for the incident.
• Xue Shengjing offered condolences at the Spirit Hall, then asked Hu Xiaotian to speak privately with him in the courtyard pavilion.

Hu Xiaotian traded twelve Chan Fish bladders to Xue Shengjing for the Jade Pixiu and secured a visit to Huo Shengnan. At the Court of Judicial Review, Yuchi Chong revealed his growing distrust of the emperor and urged Huo Shengnan to leave the Yong Capital with him, as a voice called for her outside.

• Hu Xiaotian persuaded Xue Shengjing to give him the Jade Pixiu in exchange for twelve Chan Fish bladders and a favor involving Huo Shengnan.
• Xue Shengjing took Hu Xiaotian to visit Huo Shengnan at the Court of Judicial Review.
• Yuchi Chong visited Huo Shengnan and assured her that he did not blame her for the events at Qichen Palace.
• Yuchi Chong told Huo Shengnan that the emperor distrusted him because he was from Great Kang and wanted to limit his military power.
• Yuchi Chong said the Yong Capital was no place for them, while Huo Shengnan urged him not to compromise his principles for her sake.
• A voice outside asked whether General Huo was there.

Hu Xiaotian visited Huo Shengnan in confinement, shared his suspicions about Princess Anping’s assassination, and promised to tell the truth about that night. After leaving, he recognized Xi Yan disguised as a carriage driver, and they headed to True Flavor House instead of Qichen Palace.

• Hu Xiaotian visited Huo Shengnan and met her godfather, Yuchi Chong, who soon left them alone.
• Hu Xiaotian told Huo Shengnan about the events at Qichen Palace and suggested that the assassination was likely planned by someone within Great Yong.
• Hu Xiaotian questioned whether the Empress Dowager’s summons had been a coincidence and urged Huo Shengnan to stop investigating.
• Huo Shengnan asked Hu Xiaotian to offer incense to Princess Anping and convey her apology.
• Hu Xiaotian left the Court of Judicial Review and recognized Xi Yan in disguise; they rode toward True Flavor House.

Hu Xiaotian met Xi Yan for a meal, where they traded teasing remarks and discussed how he had risked his life to save her. Xi Yan asked him to help steal the Dark Nether Ice Toad, and Hu Xiaotian realized it belonged to Xue Shengjing, Prince of Yan.

• Hu Xiaotian joined Xi Yan at True Flavor House, where she changed into her own appearance and served him food and poisoned wine.
• Hu Xiaotian and Xi Yan teased each other, then spoke seriously about his rescue of her and whether she would have grieved if he had died.
• Xi Yan revealed she had thousands of hidden accomplices in Yong Capital, including bats, snakes, and insects.
• Xi Yan warned Hu Xiaotian she could expose Long Xiyue's whereabouts to Great Yong's Imperial Court, then asked him to fetch the Dark Nether Ice Toad.
• Hu Xiaotian refused to borrow the Dark Nether Ice Toad from Xue Shengjing, and Xi Yan clarified that she wanted him to steal it with her.

Xi Yan persuaded Hu Xiaotian to help her infiltrate a banquet at the Prince of Yan's Residence, revealing that she had influenced Xue Daoming and explaining how her allies had controlled Dong Tianjiang. They prepared disguises as wealthy merchant Hai Dasheng and his daughter Hai Xiaohong, ready to enter the residence that night.

• Xi Yan convinced Hu Xiaotian to join her plan by telling him Xue Daoming was not behind the attempt on Princess Anping's life and that she had used a Love Gu-like trick on him.
• Xi Yan explained that Dong Tianjiang had inhaled drugged smoke during the explosion, while an unseen member of her sect had played the Hu Flute; Hu Xiaotian's abilities had protected him from their methods.
• Xi Yan revealed that they would enter that night's banquet at the Prince of Yan's Residence using an invitation, and Hu Xiaotian gave her his Jade Pixiu, which she identified as a rare Rain-Avoiding Pixiu.
• Xi Yan disguised Hu Xiaotian with a Human-Skin Mask and a heavy belly, and they assumed the identities of Hai Dasheng and his daughter, Hai Xiaohong.
• Xi Yan reminded Hu Xiaotian to play Hai Dasheng, and he asked her to call him Father.

Xi Yan and Hu Xiaotian disguised themselves as wealthy merchant Hai Dasheng and his daughter to attend Xue Shengjing’s treasure banquet and create a distraction while the Dark Nether Ice Toad was targeted. At the banquet, Xue Shengjing arrived in high spirits after trying Hu Xiaotian’s Invincible Vajra Sheaths, and greeted the First Prince, Xue Daohong.

• Xi Yan gave Hu Xiaotian a Voice-Changing Pill and dressed them in jade treasures for their Hai Dasheng and Hai Xiaohong disguises.
• Hu Xiaotian and Xi Yan entered the Prince of Yan’s Residence after passing the guards’ searches, carrying a Night-Luminescent Pearl intended to draw attention and cause a stir.
• Hu Xiaotian spotted Xue Daohong and Zan Buliu among the banquet guests, but neither recognized him.
• Xue Shengjing entered the Treasure-Gathering Palace accompanied by two beauties and headed straight for Xue Daohong.
• Xue Daohong greeted Xue Shengjing and said he had come early to escape feeling stifled and broaden his horizons.

Prince of Yan Xue Shengjing hosted a treasure-appreciation banquet, welcoming Eldest Princess Xue Lingjun and announcing three surprises. After revealing a book of illustrated treasures and Huo Xiaoru’s promised performance, he displayed two rare artifacts and invited the guests to present treasures of their own.

• Xue Shengjing and Xue Daohong discussed Li Chenzhou’s absence, and Xue Lingjun arrived unexpectedly at the banquet.
• Hu Xiaotian admired Xue Lingjun, prompting Xi Yan to pinch him and privately demand that he look only at her.
• Xue Shengjing announced that every guest would receive a copy of his three-volume Treasures Illustrated and that Huo Xiaoru’s troupe would perform the Nine Heavens Lingbo Dance.
• Xue Shengjing displayed an incense burner once used by Xue Jiurang and a five-foot red coral tree, while Xue Daohong praised the collection.
• After Xue Lingjun dismissed the treasures, Xue Shengjing challenged the guests to bring out their own artifacts and offered to exchange either treasure for one she liked.

At the Prince of Yan Xue Shengjing’s treasure banquet, Zan Buliu presented a White Jade Guanyin and sought to trade it for the prince’s incense burner. Hu Xiaotian, disguised as Hai Dasheng, challenged its value and unveiled an enormous Night-Luminescent Pearl, leaving Xue Shengjing captivated by it.

• Guests displayed their treasures at Xue Shengjing’s banquet, but none caught his interest until Zan Buliu presented a White Jade Guanyin carved by Master Jizheng of the Heavenly Dragon Temple.
• Zan Buliu offered the statue in exchange for Xue Shengjing’s incense burner, while Hu Xiaotian recognized its connection to the lost treasures of the Heavenly Dragon Temple.
• Hu Xiaotian, disguised as Hai Dasheng, declared that the Guanyin was not especially valuable and said he had a superior treasure.
• Hu Xiaotian asked Xue Shengjing to extinguish the lamps, then opened a wooden box to reveal a goose-egg-sized Night-Luminescent Pearl.
• Xue Shengjing stared at the pearl with undisguised longing as its light filled the darkened hall.