Chapter Summaries

A hurricane forced Yang Yuanqing and Chang Fanqi's fleet into a reef-ringed lagoon, costing them ships and Heaven-Shaking Thunder cannons and delaying the attack on Python Jiao Island. Meanwhile, Hu Xiaotian infiltrated the pirates as a captured recruit, but while carrying a corpse to Flying Fish Cave, he heard Luo Qianfu order him and Wang Sanxi to stop.

• Yang Yuanqing and Chang Fanqi ordered the fleet to discard grain and cannons to cross the reef, and only fourteen warships entered the lagoon with fifteen Heaven-Shaking Thunder cannons remaining.
• Xia Changming told Yang Yuanqing and Chang Fanqi that their lord had landed safely on Python Jiao Island, though the hurricane would delay their attack.
• Hu Xiaotian joined a group of pirate recruits and entered a warehouse, where he met Wang Sanxi while helping move cargo.
• After a falling crate killed a worker, an overseer ordered Hu Xiaotian and Wang Sanxi to carry the body to Flying Fish Cave, where Luo Qianfu lived.
• Hu Xiaotian changed his appearance before entering the cave, but as he and Wang Sanxi neared the place where bodies were dumped, Luo Qianfu called for them to stop.

Hu Xiaotian was forced to help Luo Qianfu use a captive Flying Owl to lure another one, while hiding his identity among the island’s men. After the wild bird escaped the trap, Luo Qianfu made Hu Xiaotian stay and torment the captive Flying Owl overnight.

• Luo Qianfu ordered Hu Xiaotian and Wang Sanxi to feed a corpse to a captive Flying Owl in Mastiff Cave.
• Luo Qianfu sent Wang Sanxi to act as bait, but a black mastiff killed him when he refused.
• Hu Xiaotian waved a torch to lure the wild Flying Owl down, but it circled for an hour and flew away.
• Luo Qianfu mistook Hu Xiaotian for Wang Sanxi and ordered him to stay on the island to look after the captive bird.
• Yang Yuan gave Hu Xiaotian clean clothes and a spear, then told him to keep prodding the captive Flying Owl all night to lure its relative back.

Hu Xiaotian watched the captive Flying Owl appear to die, then secretly helped it fight back against Luo Qianfu and the pirates. As it finally took flight and its companion arrived, a huge arrow struck it from the rocky heights, sending it crashing to the ground.

• Yang Yuan explained that the captive Flying Owl had refused food, and Hu Xiaotian watched it seemingly kill itself by snapping its own neck.
• Luo Qianfu ordered the Flying Owl's body dragged outside and set a net to lure its companion, while Hu Xiaotian resolved to help the creature and avenge it.
• The supposedly dead Flying Owl sprang up and attacked the pirates, and Hu Xiaotian secretly killed several men while helping free it from its chains.
• Luo Qianfu's spear pierced the Flying Owl's wing, but the wounded creature managed to take flight as its companion arrived to help.
• An enormous arrow launched from the rocky heights struck the Flying Owl in the chest, and it fell heavily to the ground.

Hu Xiaotian attacked Luo Qianfu to stop him from capturing the Flying Owls, but Luo escaped into a cave after trapping one of them. Hu freed the bird and disguised himself again as pirates arrived to investigate.

• Hu Xiaotian killed Luo Qianfu’s hidden men and fired the Giant Ballista at him, but Luo dodged the bolt and set a dying Flying Owl ablaze with phosphorus fire.
• Hu Xiaotian fought through Luo Qianfu’s bats and mastiffs while the other Flying Owl pursued Luo, then rushed to catch up when Luo trapped the bird in a net.
• Hu Xiaotian cut the net and freed the Flying Owl, which mourned its burned companion and drove off the bats before killing a mastiff.
• Hu Xiaotian swallowed a Sight-Obscuring Pill and returned to his original appearance as Qin Dongluo arrived with pirates and ordered them to search the area.

Hu Xiaotian survived Luo Qianfu’s failed attempt to capture a flying owl and learned that Yan Boguang and Yan Nujiao might be visiting Python Jiao Island. Lu Qingyuan then asked Luo Qianfu to guide the guests through the Crystal Palace if the storm continued.

• Pirates found Hu Xiaotian and Yang Yuan alive, and Luo Qianfu explained that a hunchbacked assassin with External Sword Qi had ruined his hunt for the flying owl.
• Luo Qianfu ordered Hu Xiaotian and Yang Yuan thrown into the sea, but Qin Dongluo persuaded him to spare them and put them to work.
• Lu Qingyuan arrived and reminded Luo Qianfu that Yan Tianlu’s nephew and niece were honored guests on Python Jiao Island; the men discussed the Seven-Colored Blood Crystal.
• Hu Xiaotian suspected the guests were Yan Boguang and Yan Nujiao, while the pirates searched unsuccessfully for the hunchbacked assassin hiding nearby.
• Lu Qingyuan said he would take the guests to the Crystal Palace if the storm lasted, and asked Luo Qianfu to guide them with Yan Tianlu’s permission.

Hu Xiaotian continued his infiltration of Flying Fish Cave and was assigned to guide guests to the Crystal Palace, where he discovered Yan Nujiao among them. The chapter ended with Yan Nujiao recognizing his voice and turning toward him in shock.

• Hu Xiaotian postponed killing Luo Qianfu after hearing about the Yan siblings and decided to wait until he saw them.
• Yang Yuan gave Hu Xiaotian dry clothes, showed him a freshwater pool, and told him that Luo Qianfu had ordered him to guide guests.
• After a nightmare about his fleet battling a hurricane, Hu Xiaotian learned that Yang Yuan had arranged for him to join the Crystal Palace escort.
• Hu Xiaotian questioned Yang Yuan about the island and memorized the prison's location as they waited outside the Listening to the Waves Courtyard.
• Lu Qingyuan emerged with Yan Boguang and Yan Nujiao, and Yan Nujiao recognized Hu Xiaotian's familiar voice.

Yan Boguang led Yan Nujiao and their guides through the Crystal Palace while seeking the Seven-Colored Blood Crystal, and Hu Xiaotian quietly watched over Yan Nujiao. When Yan Boguang pushed into a forbidden section after hearing zither music, they found a white-clad stranger playing before two White-Clad Women.

• Lu Qingyuan left the group after learning that Fourth Master had fallen gravely ill, and Yang Yuan and Hu Xiaotian continued escorting the Yan siblings.
• Yan Boguang asked about the Seven-Colored Blood Crystal, and Yang Yuan explained that the island master had moved it from the crystal cave into his collection.
• Hu Xiaotian caught Yan Nujiao when she slipped on Flying Dragon Peak, and she grew flustered at his touch and familiar-sounding voice.
• Yang Yuan guided the group through the Crystal Palace and its Crystal Garden, but told Yan Boguang that the area beyond was forbidden.
• After hearing a zither from deeper inside, Yan Boguang pushed past Yang Yuan and entered the restricted cave, where they found a white-clad man playing before two White-Clad Women.

Hu Xiaotian confronted Tang Jingyu after Tang trapped the Yan siblings in the Crystal Palace and tried to abduct Yan Nujiao. Hu Xiaotian revealed his skill and charged at Tang, who unleashed seven curving arrows at him.

• Tang Jingyu sealed the cave entrance and killed Yang Yuan with Yan Boguang's deflected sleeve arrow.
• Tang Jingyu disarmed Yan Boguang and demanded that Yan Nujiao become his concubine, while Hu Xiaotian stepped forward to protect the siblings.
• Hu Xiaotian blocked Tang Jingyu's crystal pellet and three arrows, then identified him as the young master of the Falling Cherry Palace.
• Tang Jingyu's white-clad maids moved to attack, and Yan Nujiao suspected that the disguised Hu Xiaotian was the man she knew.
• Hu Xiaotian returned Yan Boguang's sword and leaped toward Tang Jingyu, who fired seven curving arrows at him.

Hu Xiaotian defeated Tang Jingyu’s two disciples and forced Tang Jingyu to flee into a crystal forest, where a bewildering formation trapped them. Tang Jingyu ambushed the Yan siblings as Hu Xiaotian struggled to reach them.

• Hu Xiaotian blocked Tang Jingyu’s arrows, then released sword energy that broke Tang Jingyu’s bow and forced him to retreat into the crystal forest.
• Yan Nujiao killed one of Tang Jingyu’s disciples with a sleeve arrow, and Yan Boguang killed the other with his sword.
• Hu Xiaotian chased Tang Jingyu into the crystal forest and became lost in its formation, while Yan Nujiao and Yan Boguang entered to find him.
• Hu Xiaotian called out to distract Tang Jingyu, but Tang Jingyu approached the Yan siblings from behind after Yan Boguang struck a crystal shoot.
• Yan Nujiao spotted Tang Jingyu’s reflection and pulled Yan Boguang away as Hu Xiaotian shouted that he would kill Tang Jingyu, unable to reach them.

Tang Jingyu abducted Yan Boguang after shooting Yan Nujiao, who survived thanks to her protective armor and reunited with Hu Xiaotian. As Hu Xiaotian carried her through the formation, Tang Jingyu emerged with Yan Boguang and confronted Yan Tianlu and the island chiefs, holding Yan Boguang at arrowpoint.

• Tang Jingyu shot Yan Nujiao and abducted Yan Boguang, while Hu Xiaotian searched for them among the crystal pillars.
• Yan Nujiao survived the arrow because of her armor, identified Hu Xiaotian, and urged him to help rescue her brother.
• Hu Xiaotian carried Yan Nujiao through the crystal formation as she guided him and questioned his purpose on Python Jiao Island.
• Tang Jingyu sealed an exit with an explosive arrow and carried Yan Boguang out through another opening.
• Yan Tianlu arrived with Lu Qingyuan, Qin Dongluo, Jiang Xingquan, and Luo Qianfu, and Tang Jingyu held Yan Boguang at arrowpoint to keep them back.

Tang Jingyu attacked Python Jiao Island and fought Yan Tianlu while demanding the Sun-Shooting Scripture and Lin Jinyu. Yan Tianlu disappeared after leaping from a cliff, while Tang Jingyu killed Qin Dongluo and wounded Lu Qingyuan, leaving the island's pirates searching Flying Dragon Peak.

• Yan Tianlu refused Tang Jingyu's demands, ordered the pirates to withdraw, and charged at him while Qin Dongluo and Lu Qingyuan moved to rescue Yan Boguang.
• Tang Jingyu retreated and shot at Yan Tianlu, who knocked aside his arrows with his iron fist before a gray-clad archer on a great eagle joined the fight.
• The hidden archer's powerful shots drove Yan Tianlu to leap from a cliff, as Qin Dongluo rescued Yan Boguang amid Luo Qianfu's flock of gulls.
• Tang Jingyu shot Qin Dongluo dead and wounded Lu Qingyuan in the shoulder before Luo Qianfu dispersed the birds.
• The pirates mourned Qin Dongluo, vowed revenge, and searched Flying Dragon Peak for Yan Tianlu.

Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao escaped the collapsed maze through a shaft leading to a flooded cave beneath Flying Dragon Peak, but sharks attacked them as they swam toward the exit. Hu Xiaotian fought to keep them above the water as hundreds of sharks surrounded them.

• Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao found another route through the maze after Tang Jingyu sealed its entrance with fallen rocks.
• They discovered a shaft leading toward the seabed, and Hu Xiaotian bound Yan Nujiao to his back before climbing down with her.
• Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao entered the sea and followed the wind's direction while swimming through the flooded cave.
• Hu Xiaotian spotted firelight ahead, then saw a shark fin approaching and realized sharks were gathering around them.
• Hu Xiaotian leapt above the water to escape the sharks and struck one in the snout as hundreds churned the sea below.

Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao escaped the sharks and found Yan Tianlu wounded in an underground cavern, where the three discovered they had been betrayed by allies and enemies alike. Hu Xiaotian revealed he had come to rescue the Great Kang Navy’s captive sailors and proposed a deal with Yan Tianlu.

• Hu Xiaotian brought Yan Nujiao to a rock above the shark-filled water, where Yan Tianlu helped them and reunited with his niece.
• Yan Tianlu distrusted Hu Xiaotian, but accepted his Origin-Returning Pill and began healing while Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao rested by the fire.
• Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu argued over the betrayal involving Luo Qianfu, Lu Qingyuan, and Tang Jingyu, and learned Yan Boguang had been captured.
• Yan Tianlu explained that Tang Jiucheng had joined the ambush and that he had lost control of Python Jiao Island.
• Hu Xiaotian revealed he had come to rescue the more than a thousand Great Kang Navy sailors held captive on the island, and Yan Tianlu admitted Lu Qingyuan had manipulated him into attacking Zhongyang’s merchant fleet.
• Hu Xiaotian proposed a deal with Yan Tianlu.

Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu escaped the Crystal Palace through shark-infested waters and reached Python Jiao Island, where they learned that Qin Dongluo had been killed and Yan Tianlu was believed dead. After killing two pirates to keep their escape secret, they discovered that Luo Qianfu was in the Loyalty Hall, supposedly keeping vigil for Yan Tianlu.

• Hu Xiaotian agreed to help Yan Tianlu reclaim Python Jiao Island in exchange for help rescuing Hu Zhongyang and the others from the Great Kang Navy.
• Yan Tianlu used Seven-Star Sea Snake venom to poison sharks, and the three crossed the water to Flying Fish Cave on the carcasses.
• Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu climbed the cliff with Yan Nujiao and changed into clothes in a nearby stone chamber.
• Two pirates entered and said that Yan Tianlu had been murdered, Qin Dongluo was dead, and Luo Qianfu was keeping vigil in the Loyalty Hall.
• Yan Tianlu killed one pirate and Hu Xiaotian killed the other, then Hu Xiaotian suggested their enemies were using a corpse to make Yan Tianlu’s followers give up hope.

Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu watched Lu Qingyuan secure support to become Python Jiao Island’s new lord while concealing Yan Tianlu’s survival. After seeing a near-identical man in Yan Tianlu’s coffin, Yan Tianlu accepted that he needed Hu Xiaotian’s help to reclaim his position.

• Hu Xiaotian disguised Yan Tianlu and Yan Nujiao with Human-Skin Masks, and they followed mourners to the Loyalty Hall.
• From a tree, Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu saw Luo Qianfu blame the Falling Cherry Palace for Yan Tianlu’s murder and urge the pirates to avenge him.
• Luo Qianfu proposed Lu Qingyuan as the new island lord, and Lu Qingyuan accepted while claiming he would return the position to the second chief when he came back.
• Hu Xiaotian warned Yan Tianlu not to reveal himself, and Yan Tianlu held back as the pirates entered the hall to pay their respects.
• Yan Tianlu saw a dead man who looked almost exactly like him inside a Crystal Coffin, while Hu Xiaotian suspected Lu Qingyuan and Luo Qianfu had plotted against him for a long time.
• In a thatched cottage, Hu Xiaotian revealed his identity as the city lord of Eastern Liang Commandery, and Yan Tianlu regretted trusting Lu Qingyuan and agreed to their alliance.

Hu Xiaotian, Yan Tianlu, and Yan Nujiao used the Jiao Dragon Token to enter the prison and question Hu Zhongyang. Hu Zhongyang denied betraying Yan Tianlu, but said he had worked with Hu Xiaotian because their interests aligned.

• Hu Xiaotian persuaded Yan Tianlu to seek support from his imprisoned men, and Yan Tianlu revealed the Jiao Dragon Token that granted access across Python Jiao Island.
• The three entered the prison by presenting the token, and Hu Xiaotian convinced the guards they had come on the new island lord’s orders to interrogate Hu Zhongyang.
• Hu Xiaotian arranged to question Hu Zhongyang alone and told him that Yan Tianlu and the third chief had been murdered.
• Hu Zhongyang grieved over Yan Tianlu’s supposed death and insisted that he had never betrayed the island lord.
• Hu Zhongyang explained that he had cooperated with Hu Xiaotian because their interests aligned, and Hu Xiaotian challenged him over the warships and naval forces he had borrowed.

Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu planned to retake Python Jiao Island after Lu Qingyuan and Luo Qianfu’s rebellion, enlisting Hu Zhongyang to free the prisoners. After Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao weakened the island’s forces with Bone-Softening Powder, Yan Tianlu left them a note saying he would handle the rebellion himself, and they decided to go after him.

• Hu Xiaotian revealed himself to Hu Zhongyang, explained that Yan Tianlu had survived the rebellion, and freed Hu Zhongyang so he could rescue the other prisoners.
• Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu agreed to capture Lu Qingyuan before revealing Yan Tianlu’s identity, then entered Yan Tianlu’s secret passage with Yan Nujiao.
• Yan Tianlu sent Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao to put Bone-Softening Powder in the island’s water supply while he returned to assess the situation.
• Hu Xiaotian poured the powder into the well, then carried the injured Yan Nujiao back through the passage.
• When Yan Tianlu failed to return, Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao found his note telling them to stay behind while he dealt with Python Jiao Island, but Yan Nujiao urged Hu Xiaotian to go after him.

Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao escaped a bat-filled cave with the Flying Owl’s help and realized it had brought them near Flying Fish Cave to seek his assistance. The chapter leaves Hu Xiaotian asking whether the bird wants him to find its dead companion.

• Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao opened a hidden arms repository, chose weapons and armor, and entered one of two passages together.
• Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao were attacked by thousands of bats and plunged from a cliff into the sea.
• The Flying Owl caught Hu Xiaotian and Yan Nujiao, drove off the bats, and carried them safely to the cliff top.
• The Flying Owl held Hu Xiaotian’s sleeve and refused to let him go, and Yan Nujiao urged him to guess what it wanted.
• Hu Xiaotian realized they were near Flying Fish Cave and asked whether the Flying Owl wanted him to find its dead companion.

Hu Xiaotian freed the Flying Owl’s dead companion, but Luo Qianfu arrived with a force of armed men and trapped the living bird. Hu Xiaotian attacked Luo Qianfu, and the birds turned against him, leaving the fight unresolved as he tried to escape.

• Hu Xiaotian cut open the iron cage at Flying Fish Cave and pulled out the dead Flying Owl, while the living bird mourned its companion.
• Hu Xiaotian spotted Luo Qianfu approaching with more than a hundred men and told Yan Nujiao to cover him.
• Luo Qianfu’s men blinded the Flying Owl with a Flash Bomb and bound it in hardened white liquid fired from their Iron Tubes.
• Hu Xiaotian attacked with his saber, killed nine men with one stroke, and charged into Luo Qianfu’s ranks while Yan Nujiao shot attackers with her crossbow.
• Luo Qianfu used a swarm of bats to block Hu Xiaotian and fled toward Flying Fish Cave, but the bats and seabirds turned on him and sealed the entrance.

Hu Xiaotian, Xia Changming, and Yan Tianlu cornered Luo Qianfu after his forces were defeated, but Yan Tianlu struck him before Hu Xiaotian could learn how to free the Flying Owl. Luo Qianfu survived the blow, and Hu Xiaotian demanded that he explain what he had used on the bird.

• Luo Qianfu escaped into the sky on his Gray Eagle, but Xia Changming took control of the seabirds and forced him back down.
• Hu Xiaotian deflected Luo Qianfu's crossbow bolts and split the Gray Eagle in two with projected blade energy.
• Yan Tianlu arrived with two allies and surrounded Luo Qianfu alongside Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming.
• Luo Qianfu begged Yan Tianlu for mercy, then attacked him with hidden arrows and poison sand.
• Yan Tianlu resisted the attack and punched Luo Qianfu, who crashed at Hu Xiaotian's feet still alive.
• Hu Xiaotian held his Flexible Sword to Luo Qianfu's throat and demanded to know what he had used on the Flying Owl.