Chapter Summaries

Chen Qing Shan claimed Wang Yang was alive and pressured Le Luoluo to rescue him from the Yidu Tribe. Le Luoluo chose to lead an immediate march toward the Yidu Tribe, trusting Chen Qing Shan’s desperation as evidence that Wang Yang might still be alive.

• Chen Qing Shan told Le Luoluo that Wang Yang was being held as an honored guest by the Yidu Tribe and had ordered Wenyang to pressure them into releasing him.
• Chen Qing Shan insisted that Le Luoluo must obey Wang Yang’s order, and Le Luoluo punished a guard who disrespected her.
• Xin Yi set a fire in the woods to signal Chen Qing Shan’s allies and strengthen her position in the standoff.
• Le Luoluo offered to prepare for three days, but Chen Qing Shan demanded an immediate rescue, so he ordered his army to march toward the Yidu Tribe with her as their guide.
• Le Luoluo admitted he knew Chen Qing Shan had not seen Wang Yang, but said her urgency gave him enough reason to believe Wang Yang might be alive.

Wang Yang’s preaching captivated the assembly, and he silenced attempts by the Cheng and Xiang Stockade Junior Ritualists to challenge him. The High Shaman then entered and raised doubts about how to identify a true Divine Envoy, leaving the crowd wavering as Wang Yang remained calm.

• Wang Yang stirred the tribespeople into a fervor with his preaching and quieted the crowd with a gesture.
• The Junior Ritualist of Cheng Stockade tried to question Wang Yang, but Wang told him to sit down.
• The Junior Ritualist of Xiang Stockade attempted to speak, but Baoyue and the crowd intimidated him into retreating.
• A planted voice asked how the tribespeople could distinguish a true Divine Envoy from an impostor, and the High Shaman emerged to press the question.
• The High Shaman argued that clarifying the Divine Envoy’s identity would protect the tribe, causing the crowd to waver.
• Baoyue prepared to suppress the High Shaman, but Wang Yang calmly waved her back.

The High Shaman challenged Wang Yang’s claim to be the Divine Envoy by presenting Wu Qi’s supposedly unsolvable problems, framing the test as a way to protect King Pan’s teachings. Wang Yang solved the first problem with a pressure trick, winning the crowd’s fervor as the High Shaman prepared to present the second.

• The High Shaman invoked a dream and claimed that Wu Qi had left three problems to expose false Divine Envoys, then urged Wang Yang to solve them publicly.
• Wang Yang accepted the challenge, and the High Shaman arranged witnesses and brought out the first problem, “Fill without pouring.”
• Wang Yang placed a stone and burning grease in the dish, then covered the flame with the bronze cup to draw the water into it through a change in air pressure.
• Tian Dadao and Baoyue proclaimed Wang Yang’s demonstration a miracle, and the tribespeople erupted in support of the Divine Envoy.
• The High Shaman concealed his frustration and called for the second problem.

Wang Yang passed the second challenge by burning a salt-soaked rope without breaking it, then faced the High Shaman’s final test: holding his written name over fire. As the crowd counted to eight and the cloth remained intact, the High Shaman watched his certainty collapse.

• Wang Yang soaked the hemp rope in concentrated saltwater, dried it, and burned it without breaking it, winning the crowd’s cheers.
• The clan leaders and tribal chiefs, including Tian Dadao, grew more convinced that Wang Yang might truly be a Divine Envoy, while the Junior Ritualists from Cheng and Xiang stockades reconsidered their support for the High Shaman.
• The High Shaman announced the final challenge: Wang Yang’s name had to remain undamaged on a white cloth held over flames during a slow count from one to nine.
• Wang Yang took the cloth and wrapped it around the dry bronze cup, then held his name over the fire as the elder began counting.
• Baoyue and the crowd joined the count, and the cloth and Wang Yang’s name remained intact through eight as the High Shaman grew pale with fear.

Wang Yang proved his legitimacy as the Divine Envoy before the Yidu Tribe, won the High Shaman’s submission, and took command as an unknown army approached. At the enemy’s front, Le Luoluo and her companions discovered that the army was led by a young nobleman who knew her.

• Wang Yang’s burning-cloth demonstration convinced the Yidu Tribe, and the High Shaman declared him King Pan’s true Divine Envoy.
• The High Shaman prostrated himself, accepted the loss of his dream-portent ability, and agreed to share his office with the Tian Stockade’s Junior Ritualist.
• After an urgent report warned that an unidentified army was approaching, Wang Yang rallied the Yidu Tribe to meet the enemy.
• Le Luoluo refused to retreat and formed up with Chen Qing Shan, Xin Yi, and their troops to face the advancing army.
• A young nobleman rode out from the enemy ranks and greeted Le Luoluo, leaving her, Chen Qing Shan, and Xin Yi stunned.

Wang Yang reunited with the exhausted Chen Qing Shan after winning the Yidu Tribe’s devotion and authority as its Divine Envoy. He carried her away for treatment, while Le Luoluo agreed to bring the captured Ang Ta into the stockade.

• Le Luoluo met Wang Yang and was stunned to see the Yidu soldiers worshipping him as the Divine Envoy.
• Wang Yang thanked Le Luoluo for coming to help, then noticed Chen Qing Shan’s injuries and asked who had hurt her.
• Chen Qing Shan realized Wang Yang was safe, broke down in relief, and leaned against him as he helped her onto his horse.
• Wang Yang ordered the cheering soldiers to be silent, took Chen Qing Shan’s Sunset Breaker spear, and set off to have her wounds treated.
• Wang Yang asked whether Ang Ta had come, and Le Luoluo confirmed that he was captured and agreed to bring him into the stockade.

At a banquet among the tribes, Wang Yang promised Ang Ta compensation for Xiao Baoyue’s role in the conflict, and Baoyue’s retainers arrived from Jingzhou. Lian San then reported that the Prince of Badong had rebelled, seized Yongning, and sealed the border roads, leaving Wang Yang and Baoyue in immediate danger.

• Xin Yi mistakenly called Baoyue “Lord Moon Slave” at the banquet, embarrassing her in front of the tribal chiefs.
• Ang Ta drunkenly blamed Xiao Baoyue for using the Yongning Tribe in her conflict with Wang Yang, and Wang Yang promised to return the prisoners and arrange a silk shop for him.
• Wang Yang received an envoy’s letter demanding the release of Great Qi’s imperial relatives in exchange for a thousand taels of gold, and Baoyue asked him to admit her arriving people.
• Lian San and more than thirty armed retainers arrived, bowed to Baoyue, and were taken to meet Wang Yang.
• Lian San reported that the Prince of Badong had seized the Changhu camp, defeated Wang Yi and Zhang Jue, taken Yongning, and sealed the border roads.
• Lian San urged Wang Yang to flee before the Prince of Badong’s forces reached them.

Wang Yang regretted knowing little about Southern Qi history and wondered whether Xiao Yan would rise during the Prince of Badong’s rebellion, but Baoyue’s suspicion made him recognize that his actions had already changed history. He set aside his search for a predetermined outcome and turned to the unfolding crisis in Jingzhou, while the Prince of Badong’s rebellion had grown far more powerful than in the original timeline.

• Wang Yang asked Baoyue about Xiao Yan’s current position and considered whether the Prince of Badong’s unrest could lead to Xiao Yan’s rise.
• Baoyue wondered whether Xiao Yan and the Prince of Jingling were involved in the Jingzhou unrest, prompting Wang Yang to reconsider relying on historical foreknowledge.
• Wang Yang resolved to adapt to events and make history through his own judgment, then questioned Lian San about the unrest in Jingzhou.
• The chapter revealed that Wang Yang’s past interventions had altered the Prince of Badong’s course, helping him gain resources, defeat Wang Yi, and expand his rebellion across Jingzhou.

Lian San reported that the Prince of Badong had seized Wang Yang’s friends and household while accusing Wang Yang and Wang Yi of treason. The prince threatened that Wang Yang’s old friends might not survive unless he surrendered, leaving Wang Yang to consider whether to go to Jingzhou.

• Lian San reported that Zhang Jue had been killed, Wang Yi had fled to Wenyang, and Jiangling was under the Prince of Badong’s control.
• Baoyue learned that Xie Xinghan, Le Pang, Yu Yuling, and others had been taken hostage, while Wang Yang’s house was sealed and Liu Zhao was imprisoned.
• Lian San said the Prince of Badong had accused Wang Yang and Wang Yi of plotting to seize Jingzhou and had imprisoned Liu Zhao after he demanded the hostages’ release.
• Lian San revealed that the Prince of Badong had threatened Wang Yang by saying his old friends might not all survive if he refused to surrender.
• Baoyue urged Wang Yang not to fall for the threat, and Wang Yang said he never made stupid choices.

Wang Yang weighed Xin Yi’s plan to unite the tribes with Wenyang Commandery against Baoyue’s assessment that they could not defeat the Prince of Badong. Baoyue urged him to leave Jing for Jiankang and offered a risky way to save Xie Xinghan, but said she could not save Mister Liu and the others.

• Xin Yi proposed joining forces with Wenyang Commandery to fight the Prince of Badong, and Wang Yang asked Chen Qing Shan for her view.
• Chen Qing Shan suggested using the tribes’ strength in wooded terrain for raids and ambushes, but Baoyue argued that the tribes lacked the unity and strength to withstand the Prince of Badong’s army.
• Wang Yang asked Baoyue for her strategies, and she named leaving Jing immediately as the best option.
• Baoyue offered to take Wang Yang to Jiankang and use a risky method to try to save Xie Xinghan, but admitted she could not save Mister Liu and the others.
• Wang Yang accepted Baoyue’s explanation, and Lian San watched him with increased respect.

Baoyue outlined the risks of hiding among the Barbarian Tribes or rallying them against the Prince of Badong, while Wang Yang rejected all three strategies. He wrote down three requests for Baoyue, and the third made her recoil in shock and refuse to help.

• Baoyue explained that remaining among the Barbarian Tribes could offer Wang Yang temporary safety but carried serious risks and hardships.
• Baoyue described a plan to unite six tribes against the Prince of Badong, warning that their forces might become uncontrollable and plunge Jingzhou into chaos.
• Wang Yang said he would not use Baoyue's worst strategy, and Baoyue deduced that he intended to pursue a different plan.
• Wang Yang began writing three requests for Baoyue, and she recognized a crucial part of his design while reading them.
• Baoyue staggered back and declared that she absolutely could not help Wang Yang with his third request.

Wang Yang insisted on returning to Jingzhou City despite Baoyue’s fears that the Prince of Badong would kill him. He persuaded her that returning would save his life and that he owed Jingzhou’s people for their help, then asked her to help him negotiate with the tribal chiefs.

• Baoyue tried to stop Wang Yang from writing and ordered Xin Yi and Lian San to tie him up, while Chen Qing Shan and the Holy Guards moved to protect him.
• Wang Yang admitted he was returning to Jingzhou City, and Baoyue warned that the Prince of Badong had set a trap for him.
• Wang Yang told Baoyue that he had a plan and could save his life by returning, but she urged him to come to Jiankang instead.
• Baoyue accused Wang Yang of risking his life for Xie Xinghan, and Wang Yang explained that he also felt indebted to the many people in Jingzhou who had helped him.
• Wang Yang persuaded Baoyue to help him, then proposed they discuss the tribes’ prospects and profits with their chiefs.

While under house arrest in the Prince of Badong’s residence, Xie Xinghan endured sleepless nights and Steward Jia’s petty humiliations. Jia brought her a maid’s uniform instead of clothes from the Xie Residence, and Xie Xinghan accepted it while quietly continuing to assess his motives.

• Xie Xinghan remained confined to her room, frightened by the guards outside and unable to sleep soundly.
• Steward Jia arrived with clothes and took an earring from Xiao Ning before handing over the tray.
• Xiao Ning discovered that Jia had brought a maid’s uniform and angrily challenged him for humiliating Xie Xinghan.
• Jia mocked Xiao Ning and left after she shut the door, while Xie Xinghan comforted her and said the uniform would do.
• Xie Xinghan reflected that Jia might be acting out of personal resentment or following someone else’s instructions, and chose to keep watching him.

Madam Le visited her imprisoned husband, Le Zhan, and explained the Prince of Badong’s victories before advising him to avoid taking sides until Jingzhou’s leading gentry chose their course. Le Zhan accepted her strategy, while Le Pang remained bored in detention with Yu Yuling.

• Madam Le brought Le Zhan food and wine, and he panicked when he learned she had met the Prince of Badong.
• Madam Le told Le Zhan that Wang Yi had been defeated, Zhang Jue had been killed, and the Prince of Badong had taken control of Jingzhou.
• Madam Le advised Le Zhan to defer declaring allegiance until Yu Yi chose, and to avoid persuading others to surrender, supplying troops, or offering strategies.
• Le Zhan praised Madam Le’s advice and asked her to send food to their son, but she concealed that she had failed to do so.
• Le Pang asked Yu Yuling whether he had lost weight, and Yu Yuling teased him that he seemed to have gained some.

Wang Yang organized the Three Barbarian Tribes and left Chen Qing Shan with them while he and Baoyue departed. At their farewell, Baoyue danced for Wang Yang and urged him to stay alive until they met again as he rode toward Jingzhou.

• Wang Yang persuaded the tribal leaders that the Prince of Badong faced opposition across the realm and established new religious rites and leadership roles for the tribes.
• Baoyue convinced Chen Qing Shan to remain with the tribes, and Chen Qing Shan accepted the Saint General role despite wanting to accompany Wang Yang.
• Wang Yang left the tribes with Baoyue and reassured Xin Yi and her companions that he would travel with them another time.
• Baoyue offered Wang Yang help through her covert agent Cheng Er, and Wang Yang revealed that he had guessed Cheng Er's identity from the names of her guards.
• Baoyue asked her subordinates to turn away and danced for Wang Yang in the autumn grove.
• Baoyue urged Wang Yang to stay alive until they met again, and Wang Yang rode toward Jingzhou, confident no one there could kill him yet.

The Prince of Badong punished Xue Shao for abandoning the bridal procession by extracting a huge payment and then publicly reassuring him of his value. An urgent report about Yingzhou arrived, and the Prince’s reaction left the cause of the news unclear.

• Xue Shao begged forgiveness for abandoning the princess consort when Yingzhou’s defenses and patrols made him fear their plans had been exposed.
• The Prince of Badong announced that a maid would stand in as his princess consort for one night, then charged Xue Shao five hundred thousand coins as her reward.
• The Prince of Badong offered Xue Shao a maid for free and told him that he valued Xue Shao more than the missing princess consort, prompting Xue Shao to swear his gratitude.
• Kong Changyu questioned why Yingzhou seemed alerted despite Jingying Road being sealed, and the Prince of Badong suggested his fighting in Yongning Commandery might have drawn attention.
• The Prince of Badong overturned a tray holding his ceremonial robe and cursed the Langya Wang before an urgent messenger delivered news that made him seize the man’s wrist and demand that he repeat it.

The Prince of Badong’s advisers debated whether to execute Wang Yang after he surrendered, with Li Jingxuan and most of the council demanding his death and Kong Changyu urging restraint. The Prince revealed that he had intended to lure Wang Yang in, confirmed that Wang Yang must die, but ordered that he would meet him before the execution.

• Li Jingxuan, Guo Wenyuan, Chen Qiming, Tao Rui, and Xue Shao argued that Wang Yang should be killed, citing his alleged Eastern Palace ties, his past deception, and the need to uphold the Prince’s authority.
• Kong Changyu argued that killing Wang Yang would discourage future surrenders, anger the gentry, and undermine the Prince’s broader ambitions.
• Li Jingxuan and Kong Changyu exchanged accusations as the Prince of Badong silently toyed with a copper coin, then burst into laughter and said Wang Yang had failed to see through his plan to lure him in and kill him.
• The Prince of Badong declared that Wang Yang must die because he had betrayed him, and most advisers agreed that Wang Yang should be executed without an audience.
• When the advisers urged a swift execution, the Prince of Badong drove his saber into the floor and insisted that he would meet Wang Yang before killing him.

Wang Yang returned to the Prince of Badong’s residence and was confronted with evidence that he had written testimony against the prince. After the prince condemned him to die by his own hand, Wang Yang secured permission to speak freely and demanded wine and dishes so he could address the assembled court sitting down.

• Wang Yang entered the hall and greeted the Prince of Badong with familiar, irreverent warmth, but the prince answered with threats.
• Kong Changyu showed Wang Yang the testimony written in his hand, and the Prince of Badong accused him of serving the Eastern Palace and framing him.
• Wang Yang admitted cooperating with the Eastern Palace for influence, while insisting that the Langya Wang did not serve anyone as a dog.
• The Prince of Badong declared that he had lured Wang Yang back to kill him, promised to spare Liu Zhao, Xie, and the others connected to him, and ordered him to kill himself with the saber in the hall.
• Wang Yang asked to speak freely before dying, received the prince’s permission, and called for wine and dishes so he could speak sitting down.

Wang Yang dined before the Prince of Badong and used praise, provocation, and a confession of betrayal to confront him over the plot to kill him. The chapter ended with Wang Yang accusing the prince of truly trying to take his life, while the prince and his advisers were left facing his account.

• Wang Yang praised Kong Changyu’s literary work, recalled their earlier meeting, and shared a toast with him.
• Wang Yang invited Tao Rui to drink, but Tao Rui declined because he had taken medicine.
• Wang Yang refused to toast the Prince of Badong and insisted that the prince should toast him instead.
• Wang Yang called the Prince of Badong “Old Xiao” and argued that he had helped the crown prince only to protect himself from the prince’s plan to kill him.
• After the Prince of Badong exposed a flaw in Wang Yang’s timeline, Wang Yang admitted he had doubted the accusation and claimed his testimony had deliberately avoided verifiable charges.
• Wang Yang concluded that he had never intended to act against the Prince of Badong, but had learned that the prince really would try to kill him.

Wang Yang defended his actions to the Prince of Badong and used irreverent humor to turn their tense exchange into laughter. As the prince’s advisers argued over Wang Yang’s worth and urged his death, Wang Yang insulted them all, leaving the prince laughing and his fate unresolved.

• Wang Yang recounted how he and the Prince of Badong had wronged each other, then called the prince “Old Xiao,” prompting the prince to laugh.
• Li Jingxuan objected to Wang Yang’s insolence, but the Prince of Badong waved him aside and asked Wang Yang what he thought of the adviser.
• Li Jingxuan and several advisers disparaged Wang Yang’s talents, while Kong Changyu defended his scholarship and potential as a statesman.
• Li Jingxuan questioned Kong Changyu’s loyalty and argued that Wang Yang’s death would cost the prince nothing, while the Prince of Badong asked Wang Yang why he remained calm.
• Wang Yang called Li Jingxuan and the other advisers “clay chickens and tile dogs,” and the Prince of Badong laughed as the room erupted.