Chapter Summaries

Huo Shengnan brought Hu Xiaotian to Yuchi Chong’s residence, where they learned Wanyan Chixiong had been killed with Yuchi Chong’s missing Heaven-Shaking Bow. As Huo Shengnan confronted her godfather and confessed her guilt, Hu Xiaotian entered the study to explain what had happened.

• Huo Shengnan led Hu Xiaotian to Yuchi Chong’s residence, where they overheard Wang Zhixing report Wanyan Chixiong’s assassination.
• Wang Zhixing said the Black Hu people had identified Huo Shengnan and Dong Tianjiang as participants, and Yuchi Chong defended Huo Shengnan against the accusation.
• Qin Heng confirmed that Yuchi Chong’s Heaven-Shaking Bow and arrow quiver were missing, so Yuchi Chong prepared to enter the palace.
• Huo Shengnan wept, bit Hu Xiaotian in anger, then knelt before Yuchi Chong and asked him to hand her over to the Imperial Court.
• Hu Xiaotian entered the study to explain the events, and Huo Shengnan drew her saber before Yuchi Chong recognized him.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan escaped the Commander-in-Chief’s residence while Yuchi Chong went to seek an audience with Xue Shengkang. Yuchi Chong warned Huo Shengnan that the emperor might imprison her and revealed her origins, while the chapter ended with him kneeling before Xue Shengkang in Tianfu Palace.

• Hu Xiaotian gave Yuchi Chong a misleading account of the events at Wild Goose Tower, and Huo Shengnan offered to accept punishment to protect her godfather.
• Yuchi Chong told Huo Shengnan to flee Great Yong, explaining that the emperor might need someone to blame and that she could later join him at the Northern Frontier.
• Yuchi Chong revealed that Huo Shengnan’s father was from Great Kang and her mother was Khitan, and warned that the Dong Family might blame her to save Dong Tianjiang.
• Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan slipped out from beneath Yuchi Chong’s carriage, and Hu Xiaotian offered her a Human-Skin Mask.
• Xue Shengkang made Yuchi Chong wait half an hour before granting him an audience, then kept him kneeling as he asked why he had come.

Yuchi Chong defended Huo Shengnan before Xue Shengkang, but the emperor held him responsible for her alleged role in Wanyan Chixiong’s death. Meanwhile, a white-clad woman revealed to Xue Shengjing how she had arranged the killing and gave him evidence against officials who colluded with Black Hu.

• Yuchi Chong denied that Huo Shengnan had killed Wanyan Chixiong and urged Xue Shengkang to consider who was manipulating events.
• Xue Shengkang said he would seek to defuse the crisis with Black Hu by handing over the alleged murderer and paying compensation, then held Yuchi Chong responsible for failing to guide Huo Shengnan.
• A white-clad woman told Xue Shengjing that Hu Xiaotian had gone to steal the Soul-Calming Pearl while she killed Wanyan Chixiong and shifted suspicion onto Hu Xiaotian.
• The white-clad woman gave Xue Shengjing evidence that Great Yong officials were colluding with Black Hu and reminded him of his promise to her.
• Yong Capital learned that the Heaven-Shaking Bow had been stolen and used to kill Wanyan Chixiong, further implicating Huo Shengnan.

After Wanyan Chixiong’s death, Hu Xiaotian warned Xiang Jimin that the assassinations could make Great Kang look suspicious, then faced Dong Tianjiang’s anger over their escape from the Red Mountain Guildhall. Shi Kuan later told Hu that Great Yong had blamed Huo Shengnan for Princess Anping’s assassination, leaving her exposed as the court’s scapegoat.

• Hu Xiaotian told Xiang Jimin that Wanyan Chixiong’s death would not necessarily disrupt Great Yong’s alliance with Black Hu and could make others suspect Great Kang.
• Dong Tianjiang confronted Hu Xiaotian about the previous night, but Hu offered him a dagger and persuaded him to keep their involvement secret.
• Dong Tianjiang told Hu that Zong Tang was safe and that Huo Shengnan had escaped, while Hu realized Dong might try to kill her to protect himself.
• Shi Kuan informed Hu that Great Yong had concluded Huo Shengnan alone planned Princess Anping’s assassination out of jealousy over Xue Daoming.
• Hu recognized that Emperor Xue Shengkang had made Huo the scapegoat to appease Great Kang and Black Hu and bring Yuchi Chong to heel.

After Princess Anping’s assassination, Hu Xiaotian prepared to leave the Yong Capital with Huo Shengnan while Prince of Yan Xue Shengjing pressed him for the Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl and Invincible Vajra Sheaths. The chapter left Hu Xiaotian bargaining with Xue Shengjing over Huo Xiaoru’s release as Xue Shengjing explained the pearl’s supposed powers.

• Yuchi Chong resigned as supreme commander and went to guard the Northern Frontier, while Xue Shengkang sent Sun Weiyuan and Xue Daohong to escort Wanyan Chixiong’s funeral casket to Black Hu.
• Xue Shengjing visited Qichen Palace to assess Hu Xiaotian’s involvement in the Red Mountain Guildhall assassination, while Huo Shengnan remained disguised as Hu Xiaotian’s groom.
• Hu Xiaotian told Huo Shengnan that Dong Tianjiang had been restored to his post and was searching for her, and they planned to leave the Yong Capital the next day.
• Xue Shengjing brought Hu Xiaotian a farewell meal, and Hu Xiaotian handed over the Ice-Spirit Soul-Calming Pearl and a packet of Invincible Vajra Sheaths as part of his effort to secure Huo Xiaoru’s release.
• Xue Shengjing said the emperor’s order would not force him to release Huo Xiaoru, then described the Soul-Calming Pearl as a relic said to preserve corpses and guard its owner’s mind.

Hu Xiaotian met with Emperor Xue Shengkang, who offered him a post in Great Yong and granted him a gold plaque to seek Huo Xiaoru’s release. After Hu Xiaotian obtained the plaque, he reminded Xue Shengjing that he had fulfilled all three conditions and asked him to keep his promise.

• Xue Shengkang summoned Hu Xiaotian and said he would cede Eastern Liang Commandery to Great Kang as compensation for Princess Anping’s death.
• Hu Xiaotian declined Xue Shengkang’s offer of a position in the Imperial Medical Academy and asked to use his favor to secure Huo Xiaoru’s release.
• Xue Shengkang gave Hu Xiaotian a Coiling Dragon Gold Plaque to present to the Prince of Yan.
• Hu Xiaotian took the plaque to Xue Shengjing, then reminded him that he had fulfilled all three conditions and expected him to honor his promise.
• Xue Shengjing said he had almost forgotten his promise, making Hu Xiaotian worry that he would go back on his word.

Xue Shengjing released Huo Xiaoru and her troupe, but arranged for her to travel separately to the Bohai Kingdom while Hu Xiaotian prepared to leave the Yong Capital. After parting with Huo Xiaoru, Hu Xiaotian returned to the Spirit Hall, where Wan'er unexpectedly approached him.

• Xue Shengjing told Huo Xiaoru that he would release her and her sisters, giving her instructions to sail to the Bohai Kingdom and warning her not to travel with Hu Xiaotian.
• Xue Shengjing arranged a staged pursuit to conceal Huo Xiaoru's release and promised that she would be safe on the journey.
• Hu Xiaotian offered to escort Huo Xiaoru, but she refused and said she would leave the Yong Capital that night for the Bohai Kingdom.
• Huo Xiaoru thanked Hu Xiaotian and parted from him beneath a cherry tree, saying she believed they would meet again.
• Hu Xiaotian went to the Spirit Hall and reflected on Xue Daoming's grief for Princess Anping and Xi Yan's influence over him.
• Wan'er called out to Hu Xiaotian at the Spirit Hall, though she had already returned to meet Huo Xiaoru.

Hu Xiaotian received Huo Xiaoru’s portrait and confirmed their new meeting date before preparing to escort Princess Anping’s ashes back to Great Kang. He and Huo Shengnan secretly left the Yong Capital that night, beginning their journey south.

• Wan'er delivered Huo Xiaoru’s portrait and arranged for her and Hu Xiaotian to meet at the Misty Waters Pavilion on the seventh day of the seventh month next year.
• Xue Lingjun told Hu Xiaotian that Great Yong would send twenty chests of burial gifts to Great Kang under special escort, and she decided not to have the promised surgery.
• Xue Daoming gave Hu Xiaotian a lock of his hair to bury with Princess Anping’s ashes, and Hu Xiaotian gave him a sketch of Zijuan.
• Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan slipped out of Qichen Palace that evening with the ashes, and Huo Shengnan rode south toward Great Kang.

Ji Feihua confronted Lin Wan over her secret ties to Hong Beimo and had Baobao seized, while Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan continued their journey away from Yong Capital. The chapter ended with Huo Shengnan bathing by the river as Hu Xiaotian waited and grilled their dinner.

• Ji Feihua arrived at Lingyu Hall, ordered Baobao seized, and accused Lin Wan of betraying him by secretly colluding with Hong Beimo.
• Ji Feihua tortured Lin Wan for information, and she revealed that Hong Beimo had reached Kang Capital and suggested Hu Xiaotian might know more.
• Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan stopped by a river, where Huo Shengnan shot a large fish for their meal.
• Hu Xiaotian pitched camp and grilled the fish while Huo Shengnan went to bathe in the river.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan shared a campfire and teased each other before Hu Xiaotian’s Formless Divine Skill practice triggered a powerful breakthrough. After he cooled himself in the river, a black mastiff watched him and reported to a group of five waiting in a pine forest.

• Hu Xiaotian teased Huo Shengnan about her appearance, and she took his roast fish before they ate beside the campfire.
• Hu Xiaotian sang “The Moon Represents My Heart” while Huo Shengnan went to sleep in the tent.
• Hu Xiaotian practiced the Formless Divine Skill and felt his inner power surge as his dantian and meridians underwent a dramatic transformation.
• Huo Shengnan woke to the strange sounds, watched Hu Xiaotian run naked into the river, and went to check on him when he did not surface.
• Hu Xiaotian emerged from the shallow water and asked Huo Shengnan to bring his clothes after she saw him naked and fled.
• A black mastiff watched Hu Xiaotian dress, then ran to a pine forest and approached four men and a woman gathered around a campfire.

The Five Extremes Hunters tracked Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan and planned an ambush in Gray Bear Valley rather than attack them directly. As the pair continued toward the valley, Huo Shengnan struggled with her embarrassment over the previous night and found herself growing more comfortable with Hu Xiaotian.

• Xie Juehou learned from Black Wolf that Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan were five li ahead, and Yang Juedi identified the White Sand River as their likely campsite.
• Cao Juexin's divination offered no clear prediction, while Zhao Jueding dismissed her warnings and Zhou Juetian told the group to hear Yang Juedi's plan.
• Yang Juedi proposed ambushing Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan in Gray Bear Valley, where the rocky terrain would slow their horses.
• Hu Xiaotian pointed out Mangqiu Mountain and suggested taking the route through Gray Bear Valley, while Huo Shengnan remained embarrassed about what she had seen the night before.
• Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan rode into the White Sand River, where their horses sank into the water and soaked them both, prompting laughter and teasing.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan crossed into Gray Bear Valley, where a rainy rest stop left Huo Shengnan embarrassed after she witnessed Little Gray and Little Black mating. As they continued through the valley, they heard a child crying and found the child grieving over two bloodied adults beside an old tomb.

• Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan took shelter from a downpour, then entered Gray Bear Valley and stopped to rest beside Silver Whip Creek.
• Huo Shengnan saw Little Gray mount Little Black and tried to hide her embarrassment, while Hu Xiaotian watched unseen and later teased her about the horses.
• Hu Xiaotian gathered wild fruit and caught a rabbit, then he and Huo Shengnan resumed their journey as evening rain began.
• Hu Xiaotian heard a child crying in the valley, and Huo Shengnan soon heard it too.
• Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan crept toward the cries and found a child mourning two bloodied adults beside a broken tombstone.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan rescued a child from a blue wolf pack, only to discover that the child was Xie Juehou and the attack was an ambush. Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan fought off the killers’ traps, and the chapter ended as Hu Xiaotian faced Zhao Jueding while Xie Juehou and another accomplice watched.

• Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan killed blue wolves and tried to rescue a child near the ancient tomb, but the child stabbed Hu Xiaotian and revealed himself as Xie Juehou.
• Zhao Jueding rose from his feigned death and struck Hu Xiaotian, while Yang Juedi trapped Huo Shengnan in a net and threatened her.
• Hu Xiaotian used sword qi to cut Huo Shengnan free, and she shot Yang Juedi in the ear, driving him to flee.
• Hu Xiaotian dodged Zhao Jueding and fought through the wolf pack as Xie Juehou announced that his poison would kill him.
• Hu Xiaotian mocked the poison and swung Hidden Edge at Zhao Jueding.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan fought off the Five Extremes Hunters’ ambush, but both were wounded and Huo Shengnan was poisoned. After Hu Xiaotian survived Bald Eagle Zhou Juetian’s surprise attack, he carried the unconscious Huo Shengnan into Gray Bear Valley, where Little Gray returned.

• Hu Xiaotian killed Zhao Jueding and escaped the blue wolves while Huo Shengnan wounded Yang Juedi, then struck his eye with an arrow as his hump released poisoned needles and black water.
• A hair cord dragged Huo Shengnan toward the woods, but Hu Xiaotian cut it and carried her away; Xie Juehou and Cao Juexin emerged and discussed how formidable their targets were.
• Hu Xiaotian found Little Black dead and heard breathing from its belly, but after he exposed a blue wolf hiding there, Zhou Juetian attacked him from a camouflaged tree.
• Huo Shengnan distracted Zhou Juetian with her empty bowstring, allowing Hu Xiaotian to evade the spear, seize it, and drive the assassin off.
• Huo Shengnan collapsed unconscious, and Hu Xiaotian carried her into an open area as Little Gray swam back toward him.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan escaped their pursuers and took shelter atop a boulder, where they treated their injuries. As Huo Shengnan reluctantly allowed Hu Xiaotian to remove poisoned needles from her chest, he saw her exposed breasts and coughed up blood.

• Hu Xiaotian found Little Gray safe with their medicine and luggage, and he and Huo Shengnan mourned Little Black before moving to a boulder in the stream.
• Huo Shengnan aggravated her chest wounds trying to climb, so Hu Xiaotian carried her up the boulder with Golden Spider Eight Steps.
• Hu Xiaotian treated his shoulder wound with Huo Shengnan's help, then learned that poisoned needles had lodged in her chest.
• Hu Xiaotian warned that the needles could spread through Huo Shengnan's body, and she reluctantly agreed to let him remove them after making him promise to keep it secret.
• Huo Xiaotian undid Huo Shengnan's chest bindings, saw her exposed breasts, and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Hu Xiaotian removed the poisoned needles from Huo Shengnan and treated her wounds, while their teasing brought them closer. Suspecting the surviving assassins were waiting for poison to kill them, Hu Xiaotian proposed playing dead to lure them out and capture them.

• Hu Xiaotian extracted the seven poisoned needles from Huo Shengnan and dressed her wounds, despite her refusing anesthetic.
• Hu Xiaotian warned that poison might remain in Huo Shengnan's wounds and suggested sucking out the poisoned blood, prompting her to threaten him.
• Huo Shengnan recognized Hu Xiaotian's skill and began to feel affection for him as they discussed whether the assassins would return.
• Hu Xiaotian reasoned that the surviving assassins were hiding nearby and waiting for the poison to kill them.
• Hu Xiaotian proposed playing dead to lure out the assassins, and Huo Shengnan agreed to help catch them.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan baited the surviving Five Extremes Hunters into revealing themselves, using a staged death and an attack by blue wolves. The ambush turned into a fight at the ancient tomb, where Hu Xiaotian killed Xie Juehou, while Huo Shengnan faced Zhou Juetian and Cao Juexin.

• Zhou Juetian, Cao Juexin, and Xie Juehou watched Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan from the woods and decided to keep pursuing them despite their losses.
• Hu Xiaotian pretended to be dead while Huo Shengnan carried him toward the ancient tomb, then staged her own collapse to lure out their enemies.
• Blue wolves attacked Huo Shengnan, who killed most of them with her bow while Hu Xiaotian stayed motionless on the ground.
• A rope hoisted Hu Xiaotian into the air, Zhou Juetian emerged from the tomb stele to attack Huo Shengnan, and Cao Juexin ensnared her with her hair.
• Xie Juehou approached Hu Xiaotian to confirm his death, but Hu Xiaotian struck him down, took his dagger, and cut himself free.
• Huo Shengnan and Zhou Juetian clashed as Cao Juexin attacked, and the chapter ended with Zhou Juetian swinging his saber at Huo Shengnan in midair.

Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan defeated the Five Extremes Hunters, then forced Zhou Juetian to reveal that Dong Tianjiang had hired them to kill the pair. Hu Xiaotian killed Zhou Juetian despite promising to spare him, while Dong Tianjiang remained the threat behind the attack.

• Huo Shengnan and Cao Juexin wrestled off the Ancient Tomb, and Huo Shengnan broke Cao Juexin’s leg before strangling her to death.
• Hu Xiaotian wounded Zhou Juetian with his Flexible Sword, while Huo Shengnan supported him with arrows and helped bring Zhou Juetian down.
• Hu Xiaotian questioned Zhou Juetian and promised to spare him if he named the person behind the attack.
• Zhou Juetian said one of Dong Tianjiang’s men had offered ten thousand taels of gold for Huo Shengnan’s head and five thousand for Hu Xiaotian’s, and identified the five attackers as the Five Extremes Hunters.
• After Zhou Juetian revealed what he knew, Hu Xiaotian drove his sword into Zhou Juetian’s throat.

Hu Xiaotian explained why he killed Zhou Juetian and deduced that someone had manipulated the bounty prices to disguise the real target. Meanwhile, Xue Shengjing’s assassination plot and Ji Feihua’s confrontation with the Retired Emperor revealed growing dangers and tensions within the court.

• Hu Xiaotian told Huo Shengnan that Zhou Juetian had lied and that the unequal bounties exposed an attempt to hide the assassination’s true purpose.
• Xue Shengjing learned that Hu Xiaotian and Huo Shengnan had passed Yuyang City, then angrily rebuked Tie Zheng for setting different bounty prices that could reveal their scheme.
• Ji Feihua warned Murong Zhan that Murong Feiyan’s safety depended on his loyalty and learned that Ding Wanqing had been sent to attend Long Xuan'en without his permission.
• Ji Feihua ordered Ding Wanqing to report to the Directorate of Internal Affairs, then confronted Long Xuan'en, who accused the current emperor of usurping the throne.
• Ji Feihua told Long Xuan'en that the emperor had already received retribution as thunder shook the Spirit Firmament Palace.

Ji Feihua confronted Long Xuan'en over his schemes and threatened his descendants, but Long Xuan'en revealed hidden strength and attacked. Ji Feihua realized the Retired Emperor before him might be an impostor as the transformed giant prepared to face him.

• Ji Feihua accused Long Xuan'en of using the Imperial Seal and a secret treasure to incite the First Prince, while Long Xuan'en condemned Ji Feihua’s seizure of power.
• Ji Feihua threatened to make Long Xuan'en watch his descendants die, and Long Xuan'en slashed his wrists and unleashed bloody mist.
• Wang Qian attacked Ji Feihua from above, but Ji Feihua pierced his palm force and sent him crashing through the roof.
• Long Xuan'en used the Blood-Transforming Prajnaparamita Art to grow into a towering giant, and Ji Feihua suspected the Retired Emperor had escaped using Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell.
• Long Xuan'en hurled the dragon throne at Ji Feihua’s palm blade, then expanded his black vapor and bloody mist to repel the attack and reveal the characters Serve the nation with utmost loyalty on his back.