Chapter Summaries

Yan Tianlu killed Luo Qianfu and returned to Python Jiao Island, where he confronted Lu Qingyuan and revealed that he was alive. Lu Qingyuan denied the accusation and agreed to open the Crystal Coffin to prove which man was the real island lord.

• Yan Tianlu questioned Luo Qianfu, who died after cutting himself on Yan Tianlu’s poisoned Flexible Sword, and Yan Tianlu severed his head.
• Yan Tianlu reunited with Yan Nujiao and Hu Xiaotian, then invited Hu Xiaotian to help him settle accounts with Lu Qingyuan.
• Lu Qingyuan learned that Hu Zhongyang had led the prisoners in taking over the jail and spreading claims that he and Luo Qianfu had murdered Yan Tianlu.
• Yang Zongtong brought Luo Qianfu’s head to the Spirit Hall, and Yan Tianlu revealed himself alive after Lu Qingyuan ordered him and his companions beheaded.
• Yan Tianlu accused Lu Qingyuan of conspiring with Falling Cherry Palace, while Lu Qingyuan called him an impostor and agreed to open the Crystal Coffin.

Lu Qingyuan exposed bloodshadow golden beetles in the Spirit Hall and escaped amid the chaos, leaving Yan Tianlu to deal with the poisoned pirates and the abduction of Boguang. Hu Xiaotian freed the Flying Owl, then learned his fleet was stranded and short of supplies, so he went to speak with Yan Tianlu.

• Lu Qingyuan revealed a corpse bearing Yan Tianlu’s Jiao Dragon tattoo, then cut open its abdomen and unleashed bloodshadow golden beetles before fleeing the Spirit Hall.
• Yan Nujiao lured the beetles into a fire with medicinal powder, while dozens of pirates suffered their bites and Jiang Xingquan gouged out his eyes and killed himself.
• Yan Tianlu ordered a search for Lu Qingyuan and the burning of the poisoned pirates, then learned Boguang had been taken aboard a ship and refused to pursue because they had Boguang.
• Hu Xiaotian watched Yan Tianlu’s reaction, returned to Flying Fish Cave, and saw Xia Changming free the Flying Owl with medicinal solution.
• Xia Changming told Hu Xiaotian that six warships were missing and the remaining fourteen were stranded without enough food or fresh water, so Hu Xiaotian set out to talk with Yan Tianlu.

Yan Tianlu reclaimed Python Jiao Island and bargained with Hu Xiaotian for help rescuing his son, Yan Xuanming, in exchange for saving Hu’s stranded fleet. After receiving Hu’s request, Qiqi decided to go to the Ministry of Justice and intervene in Yan Xuanming’s case without the emperor’s permission.

• Yan Tianlu restored his rule over Python Jiao Island and met Hu Xiaotian on a watchtower overlooking the prison.
• Hu Xiaotian asked Yan Tianlu to help rescue his stranded warships, and Yan Tianlu agreed in exchange for help saving Yan Xuanming and his family from execution.
• Hu Xiaotian sent Xia Changming to the Kang Capital with a secret letter for Qiqi.
• Qiqi learned that Yan Xuanming was Yan Tianlu’s son and decided to visit the Ministry of Justice to save him.
• Qiqi told Quan Dean she would act before seeking the emperor’s consent, despite his warning.

Wen Chenghuan persuaded Long Xuan'en to exploit Yan Xuanming’s imprisonment to turn Yan Tianlu against Hu Xiaotian and then eliminate Hu’s forces in Eastern Liang Commandery. Meanwhile, Hu Xiaotian waited on Python Jiao Island for the tide to rise and learned that his men had lost their Heaven-Shaking Thunders at sea.

• Wen Chenghuan told Long Xuan'en that Hu Xiaotian was colluding with Yan Tianlu to disrupt grain shipments and build his own power.
• Wen Chenghuan proposed using Yan Xuanming’s case to make Yan Tianlu exchange Hu Xiaotian’s life for his son, then expose Hu’s supposed puppet in Eastern Liang Commandery.
• Long Xuan'en agreed to leave Yan Xuanming’s case to Princess Yongyang and let Hu Xiaotian believe she was responsible for his death.
• Yang Yuanqing returned to Python Jiao Island with five hundred soldiers while Chang Fanqi and six thousand naval troops stayed in the lagoon awaiting the tide.
• Hu Xiaotian greeted Yang Yuanqing and learned that his men had thrown all fifty Heaven-Shaking Thunders overboard during a storm.

Yang Yuanqing tried to enlist Yan Tianlu in Long Xuan'en's plot to kill Hu Xiaotian in exchange for Yan Xuanming's safety, but Yan Tianlu revealed the scheme to Hu Xiaotian and chose to cooperate with him. They planned to fake Hu Xiaotian's capture while he secretly returned to the Capital City to protect Yan Xuanming.

• Yang Yuanqing delivered Yan Tianlu a letter and a lock of red hair, offering Yan Xuanming's safety and reinstatement if Yan Tianlu killed Hu Xiaotian.
• Xia Changming brought news that Qiqi had released Yan Xuanming and placed him in King Yongyang's Residence, reassuring both Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu.
• Yan Tianlu told Hu Xiaotian that Long Xuan'en had asked him to kill him and showed him Yang Yuanqing's letter.
• Hu Xiaotian identified Yang Yuanqing as the traitor among his men, and Yan Tianlu explained that he had rejected Long Xuan'en's plot.
• Hu Xiaotian and Yan Tianlu agreed to stage Hu Xiaotian's capture while Hu secretly returned to the Capital City on Xia Changming's snow eagles to protect Yan Xuanming.

Hu Xiaotian escaped Python Jiao Island and gained the flying owl as a mount, while Visa and Qin Yutong tried to protect his disguise from Su Yuchi’s visit. Su Yuchi arrived at Hu Xiaotian’s residence bearing a verbal decree, and Liang Dazhuang claimed the sick lord’s condition had worsened to keep him from being examined.

• Yan Tianlu released Yang Yuanqing from his shackles after demanding that Hu Xiaotian’s son be sent out to sea, while threatening Yang if he received no confirmation within three days.
• Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming flew away from Python Jiao Island on snow eagles, but a flying owl caught up with them.
• Hu Xiaotian jumped onto the flying owl, which accepted him as its master, though its sudden dives and climbs frightened him.
• Liang Dazhuang told Visa that Su Yuchi was coming to visit Hu Xiaotian and deliver a verbal decree from the emperor, so Visa and Qin Yutong planned to keep the disguised shadow warrior silent.
• Su Yuchi arrived with Li Mingcheng and four attendants, and Liang Dazhuang claimed Hu Xiaotian’s mouth had gone crooked and his eyes askew, warning that he was too ill to receive visitors.

Su Yuchi used an imperial order and Imperial Physician Yang Fanxu’s authority to force his way into Hu Xiaotian’s room and investigate the sick lord, who was actually an impostor Shadow Warrior. Yang Fanxu seized the Shadow Warrior’s pulse and declared that he did not seem ill, leaving the impostor in danger of being exposed.

• Liang Dazhuang kept Su Yuchi and his companions waiting before allowing only Su Yuchi to enter, but Su Yuchi insisted that the physicians he had brought accompany him.
• Su Yuchi presented Yang Fanxu’s Coiling Dragon Gold Plaque, compelling Qin Yutong and Visa to let him and Yang Fanxu into Hu Xiaotian’s room.
• Su Yuchi visited the unconscious Shadow Warrior and said he had come on the emperor’s orders, while Yang Fanxu secretly listened to everyone’s heartbeats.
• Yang Fanxu used the Soul-Seizing Art on the Shadow Warrior, but Visa dropped a medicine bowl to startle him out of the trance.
• Yang Fanxu suddenly grabbed the Shadow Warrior’s wrist and restrained him with a powerful pulse-point hold.
• Yang Fanxu examined the Shadow Warrior and declared that Hu Xiaotian did not seem ill.

Qin Yutong and Yang Fanxu clashed while examining the man impersonating Hu Xiaotian, and Yang secretly injured her. A fire gave Yang and Su Yuchi a chance to expose the supposed impostor, but Yang’s attempt to control him backfired, leaving Yang kneeling before him as the chapter ended.

• Qin Yutong and Yang Fanxu tested each other’s inner breath while examining the Shadow Warrior, and Yang’s icy power left Qin trembling.
• Su Yuchi departed after deciding the bedridden Hu Xiaotian was an impostor, but a sudden fire broke out across the residence.
• Yang Fanxu carried the Shadow Warrior from the burning room and accused him of impersonating Hu Xiaotian; the man said Hu Xiaotian had ordered him to do it.
• Yang Fanxu tried to make the Shadow Warrior reveal his name, but the man claimed he was Hu Xiaotian, and Yang’s internal power began pouring into him.
• Su Yuchi accused the man of lying, while Yang Fanxu collapsed to his knees before him.

Hu Xiaotian revealed himself after draining Yang Fanxu’s internal power, and Su Yuchi realized his mission had gone disastrously wrong. In the reception hall, Hu Xiaotian explained his support for Su Yuchi’s defense of Yunyang and urged him to consider the damage caused by Great Kang’s internal rivalries.

• Hu Xiaotian drained Yang Fanxu’s internal power and identified himself to Su Yuchi, while Visa and Liang Dazhuang joined him.
• Su Yuchi’s attendants were taken into custody, and Hu Xiaotian invited him to the reception hall.
• Hu Xiaotian’s recollection revealed that he and Xia Changming had rushed back to Eastern Liang Commandery, where Hu hid in a secret passage and sent the Shadow Warrior away during the fire.
• Hu Xiaotian told Su Yuchi that he had provided the hundred thousand shi of grain so Su Yuchi could defend Yunyang against Guo Guangbi’s rebels.
• Hu Xiaotian criticized Great Kang’s internal power struggles and recited a poem that struck Su Yuchi deeply.

Hu Xiaotian kept Su Yuchi in Eastern Liang Commandery while returning to find Qin Yutong injured and suspicious of his motives. In Yong Capital, Qiqi learned the Old Emperor had manipulated events around Hu Xiaotian and went to confront him, asking him to spare her.

• Hu Xiaotian asked Su Yuchi to remain in Eastern Liang Commandery for three days, and Su Yuchi recognized the request as house arrest.
• Hu Xiaotian found Qin Yutong suffering from Yang Fanxu's cold poison and warmed her hands, but she accused him of suspecting her of leaking news and told him to scram.
• Huo Shengnan delivered Hu Xiaotian's letter to Qiqi, revealing that the Old Emperor had used Yan Xuanming as bait and that Qiqi had been treated as a pawn.
• Qiqi burned Hu Xiaotian's letter and decided to follow his advice to lay her cards on the table with the Old Emperor.
• Long Xuan'en welcomed Qiqi, who asked him to spare her, leaving him startled and wondering what she knew.

Qiqi confronted Long Xuan'en over Yan Xuanming's death and used the threat to Python Jiao Island's retaliation to challenge his plans against Hu Xiaotian. She admitted that she loved Hu Xiaotian but insisted that Great Kang came first, leaving Long Xuan'en shaken by her conviction.

• Qiqi told Long Xuan'en she had killed Yan Xuanming after he tried to escape, forcing him to react to the consequences of her action.
• Qiqi warned that Python Jiao Island might retaliate against Great Kang's captured sailors and threaten Hu Xiaotian, while suggesting the rumors of his capture were false.
• Qiqi reminded Long Xuan'en that angering Python Jiao Island could endanger sea trade and destabilize the Three Yong River Garrisons and the Yong River Navy.
• Long Xuan'en asked whether Qiqi loved Hu Xiaotian, and she admitted that she did while declaring she would sacrifice everything for Great Kang.

Long Xuan'en reconsidered his plot against Hu Xiaotian after Hong Beimo warned that it could endanger Great Kang's grain route, then pardoned Yan Xuanming and restored him to office. Wen Chenghuan challenged the decision, but Long Xuan'en rejected his arguments and questioned whether he could defend the Northern Frontier if Hu Xiaotian were killed.

• Long Xuan'en summoned Hong Beimo and asked him to investigate whether Yan Xuanming was alive.
• Hong Beimo argued that Long Xuan'en had acted rashly against Hu Xiaotian and warned that harming Yan Xuanming could provoke Python Jiao Island and disrupt grain shipments.
• Long Xuan'en confronted Hong Beimo about the unfinished Reincarnation Tower and coughed up dark purple blood after insisting it be completed within a year.
• Long Xuan'en issued an edict pardoning Yan Xuanming's family and restoring Yan Xuanming to his former office after learning Hu Xiaotian was in Eastern Liang Commandery with Su Yuchi.
• Wen Chenghuan questioned the edict, but Long Xuan'en accused him of letting personal hatred guide him and warned that Python Jiao Island could attack Great Yong's grain ships.
• Long Xuan'en asked Wen Chenghuan whether he could hold the Northern Frontier if Hu Xiaotian were killed.

Su Yuchi learned that the emperor had pardoned Yan Xuanming and restored him to his former post, allowing Su to leave Eastern Liang Commandery after making a wary pact with Hu Xiaotian. On Python Jiao Island, Yan Tianlu confirmed the pardon to Yang Yuanqing, who demanded that he keep his promise and help kill Hu Xiaotian.

• Hu Xiaotian told Su Yuchi that Yan Xuanming had been pardoned and restored, then toasted a pact to support one another against outside enemies.
• Su Yuchi asked to take Yang Fanxu back, but Hu Xiaotian revealed that Yang was an assassin and said he would demand an explanation from the emperor.
• Yan Tianlu received news that Yan Xuanming had been pardoned and restored to his post, and learned that he would soon leave for Haizhou.
• Yang Yuanqing met Yan Tianlu, confirmed Yan Xuanming's release, and demanded that Yan Tianlu fulfill his promise to help him kill Hu Xiaotian.
• Yan Tianlu accused Yang Yuanqing of betraying Hu Xiaotian, who had treated him well.

Yan Tianlu turned Yang Yuanqing over to Chang Fanqi and reassured Yan Nujiao about Hu Xiaotian and her missing brother, while news of a crackdown in the Bohai Kingdom alarmed him and Xue Shengjing. The chapter ended with Xue Shengjing suspecting that someone who knew the truth was targeting his Treasure-Gathering Studio.

• Yan Tianlu revealed Chang Fanqi and Hu Zhongyang, who captured Yang Yuanqing and took him away, while Yan Tianlu arranged supplies for Chang Fanqi's return voyage.
• Yan Tianlu told Hu Zhongyang that he trusted Hu Xiaotian as a partner and agreed to return Hu Zhongyang's ships and cargo and send him to the Bohai Kingdom.
• Yan Nujiao questioned Yan Tianlu about Hu Xiaotian and her missing brother Boguang, and Yan Tianlu told her Hu Xiaotian had returned to Eastern Liang Commandery and promised to rescue Boguang.
• Yang Zongtong reported that Yan Dongsheng had arrested the second chief and Chancellor Yuan Tianzhao, while the Bohai Kingdom investigated officials and merchants and sealed Xue Shengjing's Treasure-Gathering Studio.
• Ma Qingyun informed Xue Shengjing that the Bohai Kingdom had sealed every Treasure-Gathering Studio branch and arrested its managers, and Xue Shengjing suspected an insider was targeting his assets.

Xue Shengjing suspected Emperor Xue Daohong was behind Yan Dongsheng’s move against his holdings in the Bohai Kingdom and decided to seek outside help. In Python Jiao Island, Hu Xiaotian wrestled with his feelings about Qiqi, then received a visit from Xue Shengjing’s adviser, Ma Qingyun.

• Xue Shengjing told Ma Qingyun that an enemy within might be targeting him and feared the trouble could spread from Yanxi Hall to his holdings in Great Yong.
• Xue Shengjing decided to bring in an outside force to resolve the crisis and said he already had a candidate in mind.
• Hu Xiaotian struggled to write Qiqi a letter and reflected on their engagement, their cooperation, and his growing sense of obligation to her.
• Visa brought Hu Xiaotian Ginseng Soup, and he flirted with her until Liang Dazhuang interrupted to announce that the Prince of Yan had sent an urgent message.
• Ma Qingyun met Hu Xiaotian and explained that Xue Shengjing was occupied with state affairs because Emperor Xue Daohong’s rule was not yet secure.

Hu Xiaotian learned that Huo Xiaoru was in trouble in the Bohai Kingdom and inferred that she might be Xue Shengjing’s daughter, while Xue Shengjing’s letter appeared to promise her to him. He then heard that Yan Tianlu was heading to Bohai and learned from Hu Zhongyang that Yan Tianlu and Yan Kui had escaped a royal purge.

• Ma Qingyun delivered Huo Xiaoru’s portrait and a letter from Xue Shengjing, telling Hu Xiaotian that Huo Xiaoru was in trouble in the Bohai Kingdom.
• Hu Xiaotian interpreted the letter’s names—Li Tianheng, Li Wuyou, and himself—as Xue Shengjing hinting that he and Huo Xiaoru could become father-in-law and son-in-law.
• Yang Zongtong told Hu Xiaotian that Yan Tianlu was going to the Bohai Kingdom on urgent business, and Hu Zhongyang apologized for profiting from Python Jiao Island’s plunder.
• Hu Zhongyang revealed that Yan Tianzheng had ordered his brothers killed before his death, but Yan Tianlu and Yan Kui had escaped.

Hu Xiaotian considered how the Bohai Kingdom’s turmoil might expose Xue Shengjing’s dealings with Python Jiao Island and lead him to seek help. He then tried to persuade Yan Xuanming to return to the island, but Yan Xuanming remained uncertain about facing his newly discovered family and future.

• Hu Zhongyang told Hu Xiaotian that Yan Dongsheng had arrested Yuan Tianzhao and that Ling Sanniang was implicated in the case.
• Hu Zhongyang explained the Treasure-Gathering Studio’s influence in Bohai and speculated that Xue Shengjing had connections with Python Jiao Island and stood to profit from both sides.
• Hu Xiaotian concluded that Xue Shengjing had sought his help because he feared the Bohai upheaval and needed an ally, while Hu Zhongyang prepared to travel to Bohai.
• Yan Xuanming refused to leave with Yang Zongtong, so Hu Xiaotian visited him and asked why he would not go to Python Jiao Island.
• Yan Xuanming described losing his former ambitions and struggling to face Yan Tianlu, and Hu Xiaotian comforted him as he remained unsure what to do.

Hu Xiaotian agreed to help Xue Shengjing and resolved to travel to the Bohai Kingdom after discussing the political crisis with Zhuge Guanqi. Meanwhile, Xue Daohong sent Li Chenzhou to Bohai to assist Yan Dongsheng and investigate Xue Shengjing’s wealth.

• Hu Xiaotian invited Yan Xuanming to stay in Wuxing Commandery and serve as his government aide, and Yan Xuanming accepted.
• Hu Xiaotian visited Qin Yutong with Visa, then discussed the Heaven-Shaking Thunder cannons and Xue Shengjing’s plea for help with Zhuge Guanqi.
• Zhuge Guanqi warned Hu Xiaotian that Great Yong and Bohai might be joining forces against Python Jiao Island, and advised him to use the conflict to his advantage.
• Hu Xiaotian decided to go to Bohai and suspected Li Chenzhou was behind the plot against Xue Shengjing.
• Xue Daohong entrusted Li Chenzhou with assisting Yan Dongsheng and investigating the Prince of Yan’s wealth and dealings with Bohai and Python Jiao Island.

Hu Xiaotian left Eastern Liang Commandery with Xia Changming and traveled by Flying Owl to the Bohai Kingdom to investigate its affairs and meet up with allies. They arrived near Sea-Viewing City, where Hu Xiaotian began their plan to pose as jewel merchants.

• Xue Daohong and Li Chenzhou discussed the Eldest Princess's mission to the Bohai Kingdom and whether she had allied with the Prince of Yan.
• Hu Xiaotian prepared to leave with Xia Changming, while Visa packed his belongings and said she would miss him.
• Hu Xiaotian embraced Visa, promised to teach her the Sun-Shooting Scripture, and departed on the Flying Owl with Xia Changming and two Snow Eagles.
• Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming planned to gather information in Sea-Viewing City while posing as merchants who bought jewels.
• Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming landed outside Sea-Viewing City and felt the Bohai Kingdom's warmer weather.

Hu Xiaotian entered Sea-Viewing City with Xia Changming and used an extravagant purchase to draw attention while gathering information about Chancellor Yuan Tianzhao’s arrest. He bought Liu Zhiyang’s cheap ring for fifty taels and then paid Gu Jiayuan five hundred taels for a pendant, leaving the young men stunned.

• Hu Xiaotian and Xia Changming entered Sea-Viewing City, checked into the Welcome Immortal, and split up to buy supplies and gather information.
• Hu Xiaotian overheard Li Mingju and his friends discussing Chancellor Yuan Tianzhao’s imprisonment, then approached them as the jewelry merchant Hu Dafu.
• Hu Xiaotian bought Liu Zhiyang’s five-tael jade ring for fifty taels.
• Gu Jiayuan offered Hu Xiaotian his pendant, and Hu Xiaotian paid the five hundred taels Gu Jiayuan asked for.