Recaps

After Jiang Xiaobai returned to the Duke of the State's Estate, the Elder Princess and the White-Dressed Woman helped stabilize his energy as he broke through toward the first rank. The chapter ended with the Elder Princess teasing her senior sister about touching a man for the first time.

• Jiang Xiaobai left the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop after asking Mo Li to deal with those who leaked information, and Mo Li returned to his room to hold the dress left behind.
• The Elder Princess entered Jiang Xiaobai's room after he fell asleep, knocked him unconscious, and prepared to help him cultivate.
• The White-Dressed Woman arrived and told the Elder Princess that the Hidden Edge Sect had attracted many visitors, including people from the Western Desert and the First Rank Hall.
• Jiang Xiaobai's energy turned chaotic as he began breaking through to the first rank, and the Elder Princess asked the White-Dressed Woman to help because he was cultivating the Yin-Yang Limitless Art.
• The Elder Princess and the White-Dressed Woman combined their Internal Energy to settle Jiang Xiaobai's power, while Tang Ningshuang entered the room and saw them helping him.
• The Elder Princess explained Jiang Xiaobai's cultivation foundation and teased the White-Dressed Woman about touching a man for the first time.

After discovering his body had improved, Jiang Xiaobai challenged Tang Ningshuang and was quickly defeated, then planned to ask Chen Jian to develop unusual martial techniques. He oversaw the start of perfume production at the Duke of the State's Estate, where Jiang Jingcheng received an unexpected letter.

• Jiang Xiaobai woke with a sore neck, found his muscles more defined, and noticed his strength and reactions had improved.
• Tang Ningshuang defeated Jiang Xiaobai in a spar and told him to learn basic fighting techniques before challenging her again.
• Jiang Xiaobai decided to ask Chen Jian to research martial techniques based on ideas and principles he supplied.
• Jiang Xiaobai had perfume-making equipment assembled, bought flower petals, and began producing perfume at the Duke of the State's Estate.
• After the perfume's fragrance spread through the estate, Jiang Jingcheng praised Jiang Xiaobai's success, and a military officer brought him a letter.

Jiang Xiaobai learned that Xiao Qingxiu had arrived at the First-Rank Tower with two allies and went there to confront him. He entered the silent Inner Hall and faced Xiao Qingxiu, an elderly man, and a formidable middle-aged man.

• Jiang Jingcheng received an invitation from the Dragon-Tiger Sect to visit the Hidden Edge Sect and said he would consider going.
• Zhang Xinnian reported that Helian Zhaoyue's Northern Yu Delegation had left the capital and was heading toward the Hidden Edge Sect.
• A First-Rank Tower servant told Jiang Xiaobai that Xiao Qingxiu had come with two people and seemed to be targeting him.
• Jiang Xiaobai set out for the First-Rank Tower with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess, intending to settle the dispute with Xiao Qingxiu.
• Jiang Xiaobai entered the Inner Hall and found Xiao Qingxiu standing beside an elderly man and a burly middle-aged man.

Jiang Xiaobai forced Xiao Qingxiu and the White-Haired Elder to yield the seat of honor, then clashed with their companions after the burly man attacked him. He took the seat and ordered the attendants to clear the room so he could speak privately with the four chairmen.

• Jiang Xiaobai challenged the White-Haired Elder for sitting above Xiao Qingxiu, using the imperial family's status to pressure him into yielding the seat.
• Jiang Xiaobai then accused Xiao Qingxiu of disrespecting the imperial family and stealing a commoner's seat, forcing Xiao Qingxiu to give it up.
• The burly man attacked Jiang Xiaobai with a pebble, but Tang Ningshuang deflected it and the Elder Princess struck the attacker before clashing with the White-Haired Elder.
• Jiang Xiaobai fired his Desert Eagle at the burly man, but the White-Haired Elder used internal energy to deflect the bullets.
• Jiang Xiaobai sat in the seat of honor and ordered the attendants to remove Xiao Qingxiu and the others before his confidential meeting with the four chairmen.

Jiang Xiaobai rejected First Rank Hall’s demand that he surrender First-Rank Tower and half the perfume profits to Xiao Qingxiu. He promised to give the White-Haired Elder his answer that night and prepared to confront him at Tianfeng Restaurant.

• The White-Haired Elder demanded that Jiang Xiaobai give up the presidency of First-Rank Tower and hand over his perfume trade, then offered to let him remain Vice President and keep half the profits.
• Jiang Xiaobai refused to be intimidated by the elder’s threats and claims about First Rank Hall, and agreed to meet him the next morning—before saying he would visit Tianfeng Restaurant that night with his answer.
• After the elder and Xiao Qingxiu left, Jiang Xiaobai assured the four chairmen that he would settle the matter that night.
• Outside First-Rank Tower, Jiang Xiaobai ordered Zhang Xinnian to clear Tianfeng Restaurant’s guests, buy the restaurant, and bring ten cannons from the military camp.

Jiang Xiaobai brought a hundred soldiers and ten cannons to surround Tianfeng Restaurant after the White-Haired Elder threatened him over the perfume business. As the force arrived, the Elder and his companions waited inside, expecting to use the Shadowguard Bureau to trap Jiang Xiaobai.

• Jiang Xiaobai ordered ten cannons prepared and set out to confront the White-Haired Elder at Tianfeng Restaurant.
• Zhang Xinnian cleared the restaurant of guests and gathered a hundred soldiers and ten covered cannons at the Duke of the State's Estate.
• Jiang Xiaobai mounted a horse with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess, then led the troops toward Tianfeng Restaurant.
• The White-Haired Elder told his companions he expected Jiang Xiaobai to bring troops and revealed that Chief Commander Jin Sheng of the Shadowguard Bureau had been notified.
• A rumbling outside announced the arrival of Jiang Xiaobai's force, and the White-Haired Elder smiled as he heard it.

Jiang Xiaobai surrounded Tianfeng Restaurant with cannons and confronted the First Rank Hall leaders, laying out demands they refused. As he left, Jin Sheng arrived with a group who looked like Shadowguard Bureau men.

• Jiang Xiaobai ordered Zhang Xinnian to position ten cannons around Tianfeng Restaurant and entered with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess.
• A swordsman sent a sword past Jiang Xiaobai, then retrieved it with internal energy, while the White-Haired Elder questioned the soldiers outside.
• Jiang Xiaobai demanded that First Rank Hall submit to First-Rank Tower, that the burly man die, and that the swordsman kneel and call him Grandpa before revising the last demand to the swordsman's death.
• The White-Haired Elder rejected Jiang Xiaobai's terms, and the group left without the three First Rank Hall men attacking them.
• Zhang Xinnian reported that the cannons were ready, but Jin Sheng arrived with a group that looked like Shadowguard Bureau men.

Jiang Xiaobai used cannons to destroy Tianfeng Restaurant and defeat Elder He’s group after they rejected his conditions. He executed the wounded swordsman and threatened Elder He with an even larger attack on First Rank Hall’s headquarters.

• Jin Sheng arrived with the Shadowguard Bureau and demanded that Jiang Xiaobai withdraw his troops, but Jiang insisted Elder He accept his three conditions.
• Jiang ordered Zhang Xinnian’s soldiers to fire their cannons, killing the burly man and reducing Tianfeng Restaurant to rubble.
• Jin Sheng changed his stance and praised Jiang, claiming that Elder He was a rebel he had long intended to arrest.
• Jiang’s soldiers dragged the wounded Elder He and swordsman from the rubble, and Jiang shot the swordsman dead.
• Jiang threatened to bring ten thousand troops and a thousand cannons to First Rank Hall’s headquarters and asked Elder He what he thought.

Jiang Xiaobai spared He Chang Geng after forcing him to pledge the First Rank Hall’s loyalty and obey his orders. As Jiang Xiaobai departed, He Chang Geng asked Jin Sheng whether he had offended him.

• He Chang Geng begged Jiang Xiaobai to spare the First Rank Hall, offering to die in its place.
• Jiang Xiaobai agreed to leave the First Rank Hall alone if He Chang Geng followed him and accepted responsibility if anything happened to him.
• Jiang Xiaobai ordered He Chang Geng to let Xiao Qingxiu reclaim the First-Rank Tower presidency the next day.
• Jiang Xiaobai left with Tang Ningshuang, Zhang Xinnian, and the soldiers, while Jin Sheng helped the wounded He Chang Geng to his feet.
• He Chang Geng warned Jin Sheng that Jiang Xiaobai was ruthless and asked whether Jin Sheng had offended him.

Xiao Jinxuan sent Qin Zhaoye to seek the Former Emperor’s legacy at the Hidden Edge Sect, giving him three Hidden Edge Tokens. At the First-Rank Tower, Xiao Qingxiu expected to reclaim the presidency, but Jiang Xiaobai refused to concede and said he still wanted to fight for the seat.

• Xiao Jinxuan told Qin Zhaoye to compete at the Hidden Edge Sect and retrieve what the Former Emperor had left there.
• Xiao Jinxuan gave Qin Zhaoye three Hidden Edge Tokens, and Qin Zhaoye promised to spare no effort.
• Xiao Qingxiu waited outside the First-Rank Tower with three supporters, confident that the presidency would soon be his again.
• Xiao Qingxiu mocked Jiang Xiaobai when he arrived with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess, and Jiang Xiaobai pretended to be enraged.
• Xiao Qingxiu headed for the President's seat, but Jiang Xiaobai challenged his right to sit there and said he still wanted to fight for it.

Jiang Xiaobai laid out demands to keep his presidency and take over Xiao Qingxiu’s businesses, while warning He Chang Geng’s First Rank Hall to stay out of the First-Rank Tower’s affairs. The chapter ended with He Chang Geng confronting Xiao Qingxiu and asking how Jiang Xiaobai had been arrogant.

• Xiao Qingxiu waited for He Chang Geng while Jiang Xiaobai sat in the principal seat, and the managers of the Eight Great Trading Houses arrived.
• He Chang Geng arrived looking exhausted, then sat down after Jiang Xiaobai invited him to talk.
• Jiang Xiaobai declared that he would remain president, bar the Young Prince from the perfume trade, take over his scented balm and alcohol businesses, and warn the First Rank Hall away from the First-Rank Tower.
• Xiao Qingxiu called Jiang Xiaobai arrogant and pointed out that He Chang Geng was a Seat Elder of the First Rank Hall.
• He Chang Geng slammed the table, stood up, and asked Xiao Qingxiu how Heir Jiang had been arrogant.

He Chang Geng sided with Jiang Xiaobai and promised that the First Rank Hall would stop interfering in the First-Rank Tower’s affairs. He ordered Xiao Qingxiu to shut down his businesses and left, while Jiang Xiaobai mocked Xiao Qingxiu’s ruined mood.

• He Chang Geng dismissed Jiang Xiaobai’s demands as insignificant and pledged that the First Rank Hall would no longer interfere in the First-Rank Tower’s affairs.
• He Chang Geng told Xiao Qingxiu to shut down all his business operations, explaining that he had learned Jiang Xiaobai possessed cannons.
• Xiao Qingxiu protested that He Chang Geng had promised to help him reclaim the presidency and gain a share of the perfume trade.
• He Chang Geng warned Xiao Qingxiu that he would speak to his father if he continued interfering, then took his leave.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Xiao Qingxiu whether his mood was even more beautiful now.

Jiang Xiaobai finalized the Eight Great Trading Houses’ perfume allocations and left the First-Rank Tower after arranging the first shipment. Back at the Duke of the State’s Estate, he learned that his father was meeting three visitors from the Martial World and went to see them.

• Jiang Xiaobai revealed that he had won He Chang Geng’s support by treating him to tea, and Xiao Qingxiu fainted before his companions carried him away.
• Jiang Xiaobai gave the Fang Family responsibility for the first batch of perfume and granted each of the Eight Great Trading Houses a base allocation with additional shares tied to performance.
• Jiang Xiaobai arranged for the trading houses to collect the first batch from the Duke of the State’s Estate in three days, then left the First-Rank Tower with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess.
• Jiang Xiaobai learned that his father was receiving three people from the Martial World in person and hurried to the main hall to see them.

Jiang Jingcheng hesitated to help the Dragon-Tiger Sect maintain order at Hidden Edge Mountain, worried his status as Duke of the State would entangle the sect with the authorities. Jiang Xiaobai offered to go in his place, then stunned his father by revealing he had twenty-four Hidden Edge Tokens.

• Zhongli Chen asked Jiang Jingcheng to visit Hidden Edge Mountain and help prevent trouble when it opened.
• Jiang Jingcheng worried his involvement as Duke of the State would make the Dragon-Tiger Sect seem to rely on the authorities.
• Jiang Xiaobai arrived with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess and offered to keep order at Hidden Edge Mountain in his father's place.
• Jiang Xiaobai said he planned to go to Hidden Edge Mountain because he had Hidden Edge Tokens and wanted to watch the Northern Yu Delegation and Helian Zhaoyue.
• Jiang Xiaobai revealed he had obtained twenty-four Hidden Edge Tokens, leaving Jiang Jingcheng astonished.

Jiang Xiaobai proved he had twenty-four Hidden Edge Tokens and persuaded Zhongli Chen to let him go to Dragon-Tiger Mountain in Jiang Jingcheng's place. After arranging to leave in two days, Jiang Xiaobai headed out to pick up his brother Chen Jian.

• Jiang Xiaobai showed Jiang Jingcheng and Zhongli Chen all twenty-four Hidden Edge Tokens, then argued that he could go in his father's place.
• Shen Yun worried about Jiang Xiaobai's safety, but he reassured her that Tang Ningshuang, the Elder Princess, soldiers, and cannons would protect him.
• Jiang Jingcheng urged Zhongli Chen to trust Jiang Xiaobai, praising his role in the estate's rise, and Zhongli Chen agreed to take him along.
• Jiang Xiaobai and Zhongli Chen agreed to set off for Dragon-Tiger Mountain in two days, while Zhongli Chen and his two companions stayed in Capital City.
• Jiang Xiaobai left the main hall with Tang Ningshuang and the Elder Princess and headed for the estate gates to pick up his brother Chen Jian.

Jiang Xiaobai went to the Minister of Rites' Residence to see Chen Jian, only to find Chen Zhanqiu trying to keep him out. Chen Jian escaped his chains and left with Jiang Xiaobai despite his father's protests, while Chen Zhanqiu vowed revenge.

• Jiang Xiaobai, Tang Ningshuang, and the Elder Princess found the Minister's Residence gates shut and its entrance deserted.
• Chen Zhanqiu came out and angrily ordered Jiang Xiaobai to leave, accusing him of leading Chen Jian astray.
• A servant reported that Chen Jian had broken free of his iron chains, and Chen Jian appeared on the wall before leaping down.
• Jiang Xiaobai admitted he was investigating Chen Zhanqiu over possible examination fraud, but Chen Jian urged his father to hand over evidence and called Jiang Xiaobai his dearest friend.
• Chen Jian left in the carriage with Jiang Xiaobai and the others, while Chen Zhanqiu chased after them and shouted that he would get revenge.

Jiang Xiaobai invited Chen Jian to Dragon-Tiger Mountain after learning Chen Jian had developed the Star-Absorbing Great Technique from his brief description. The next morning, Chen Jian nearly used it on Jiang Xiaobai’s father, Jiang Jingcheng, before Jiang Xiaobai stopped him and revealed who he was.

• Jiang Xiaobai welcomed Chen Jian to the Duke of the State's Estate and invited him to join the trip to Dragon-Tiger Mountain.
• At a banquet, Chen Jian explained how he had devised a technique that drew opponents and their internal energy toward his palm.
• Tang Ningshuang offered to let Chen Jian test the technique on her, but Jiang Xiaobai refused and said Chen Jian could try it on someone at Dragon-Tiger Mountain.
• The next morning, a servant told Jiang Xiaobai that Chen Jian had fought with Jiang Jingcheng, and Jiang Xiaobai rushed to the courtyard.
• Chen Jian stopped his technique when Jiang Xiaobai called out, and Jiang Xiaobai revealed that Jiang Jingcheng was his father.
• Jiang Jingcheng asked how Jiang Xiaobai knew the Star-Absorbing Great Technique, and Chen Jian said Jiang Xiaobai had given him pointers.

Jiang Xiaobai's martial arts guidance impressed Chen Jian, while Jiang Jingcheng learned that his son had advised Chen Jian and hurriedly left to avoid explaining himself. At the Chancellor's Residence, Jiang Xiaobai met Li Zhiwei's mother, Xu Yuehua, and tried to charm her after learning who she was.

• Chen Jian praised Jiang Xiaobai's martial arts knowledge and warned Jiang Jingcheng not to disrespect him, leaving Jiang Jingcheng stunned.
• Jiang Xiaobai fled the courtyard with Chen Jian, Tang Ningshuang, and the Elder Princess after Jiang Jingcheng demanded an explanation.
• Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the Chancellor's Residence to tell Li Zhiwei he planned to leave for Dragon-Tiger Mountain in two days.
• Li Zhixing urged Jiang Xiaobai to leave before he encountered Xu Yuehua, but Jiang Xiaobai stayed and introduced himself.
• Jiang Xiaobai learned Xu Yuehua was Li Zhiwei's mother and called her a fairy maiden and then an older sister, asking whether she would be angry.

Jiang Xiaobai won over Xu Yuehua by flattering her, explaining his past behavior, and presenting her with perfume, easing her doubts about his engagement to Li Zhiwei. Xu Yuehua accepted him as family and asked him to call her Mother-in-Law, leaving Li Zhiwei delighted.

• Jiang Xiaobai praised Xu Yuehua and explained that his engagement to Li Zhiwei had been approved by both families and His Majesty.
• Xu Yuehua recalled her initial anger over Jiang Xiaobai’s reputation but softened after meeting him and hearing his explanation.
• Jiang Xiaobai gave Xu Yuehua three bottles of perfume he had developed, and she praised the fragrance.
• Xu Yuehua asked Jiang Xiaobai not to bully Li Zhiwei, and he promised that any disagreement would be his fault.
• Xu Yuehua told Jiang Xiaobai to call her Mother-in-Law, and he immediately agreed as Li Zhiwei looked on happily.

Jiang Xiaobai won Xu Yuehua’s approval and spent time with Li Zhiwei before announcing his plan to visit Dragon-Tiger Mountain. He left the Chancellor’s Residence with her family discussing their marriage and whether Xu Yuehua should travel with him to Hidden Edge Mountain.

• Xu Yuehua left with Li Zhixing, and Jiang Xiaobai teased Li Zhiwei by calling her his wife.
• Jiang Xiaobai told Li Zhiwei he planned to visit Dragon-Tiger Mountain, and she warned him that many Martial World figures had gathered there because of the Hidden Edge Sect.
• Jiang Xiaobai kissed Li Zhiwei, but Chen Jian interrupted to ask about his surging blood and qi, embarrassing Li Zhiwei, Tang Ningshuang, and the Elder Princess.
• Jiang Xiaobai and Li Zhiwei found Li Bingzhang and Xu Yuehua together in the Main Hall, and Xu Yuehua asked when they would marry.
• Jiang Xiaobai said he and Li Zhiwei would marry after he saw off the Two-Nation Envoy Delegation, then invited Xu Yuehua to travel with him to Hidden Edge Mountain.

Jiang Xiaobai finished preparing for the journey to Dragon-Tiger Mountain and set out with Zhongli Chen, Tang Ningshuang, and an armed escort carrying cannons. As the procession left Capital City, he looked ahead to the coming trip with anticipation.

• Jiang Xiaobai spent the day at the Chancellor's Residence, where Xu Yuehua agreed to look after him and Li Zhiwei asked her mother to keep him safe.
• Jiang Xiaobai prepared his personnel, carriages, cannons, and Desert Eagle for the journey to Dragon-Tiger Mountain.
• Jiang Xiaobai, Tang Ningshuang, and Chen Jian joined Zhongli Chen and the Dragon-Tiger Sect members at the Main Hall before departing.
• Jiang Xiaobai reminded Jiang Jingcheng to oversee a perfume delivery, then left the estate with Zhongli Chen, a hundred armored soldiers, and several cannons.
• Jiang Xiaobai watched Capital City recede from the carriage and looked forward to reaching Dragon-Tiger Mountain.

Jiang Xiaobai's party arrived at Dragon-Tiger Sect for the opening of Hidden Edge Mountain, bringing a hundred soldiers and cannons covered in Black Cloth. After entering the sect, Jiang Xiaobai learned that his father, Jing Cheng, had not come and that he would represent him.

• Jiang Xiaobai's party traveled along the imperial highway, and Zhang Xinnian distributed provisions to them.
• The party reached the mountain inns near Dragon-Tiger Sect, where martial artists eyed the soldiers and cannons with contempt.
• At the sect's mountain gate, Zhongli Chen sent Xuan Ce and the soldiers along a back path to haul the cannons uphill.
• The Elder Princess carried Jiang Xiaobai up the mountain with her lightness skill, while Tang Ningshuang and Chen Jian followed.
• Two middle-aged men welcomed Zhongli Chen and asked where Jing Cheng was, and Zhongli Chen introduced Jiang Xiaobai as Jing Cheng's youngest son, come to represent him.

Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the Dragon-Tiger Sect, where Zhongli Chen’s companions warned that the unruly Martial World visitors could endanger him, but Chen Jian promised to protect him. After settling into their guest courtyard, the group discovered a huge toad that terrified the Elder Princess.

• Two middle-aged men warned Jiang Xiaobai that dangerous Martial World figures had gathered at Dragon-Tiger Mountain and urged him to return to the capital, but he refused.
• Chen Jian threatened to kill anyone who harmed Jiang Xiaobai, and the men recognized that Chen Jian was an expert.
• Zhongli Chen asked Hu Yue to escort Jiang Xiaobai and his companions to guest lodgings and arrange rooms for a general’s party when it arrived.
• Hu Yue led Jiang Xiaobai, Chen Jian, Tang Ningshuang, and the Elder Princess to a quiet courtyard, where Jiang Xiaobai suggested they each take a room.
• As Jiang Xiaobai headed out of the room, the Elder Princess leaped onto his shoulders and pointed out a huge toad beside the door.

Jiang Xiaobai pretended not to notice when the Elder Princess accidentally spoke while disguised as his deaf-mute maid. After deciding he had known her identity since Guanlan Tower, the Elder Princess abandoned her plan to confront him immediately and vowed to keep pretending until she could deal with him later.

• A toad startled the Elder Princess into speaking, and Jiang Xiaobai pretended he had not heard her.
• The Elder Princess, Tang Ningshuang, and Chen Jian went to their rooms, while Jiang Xiaobai was relieved that he had avoided an awkward conversation.
• The Elder Princess asked Tang Ningshuang whether Jiang Xiaobai knew her identity, and Tang Ningshuang's reactions convinced her that he had figured it out long ago.
• The Elder Princess traced Jiang Xiaobai's suspicions back to Guanlan Tower and grew furious as she recalled making him massages and helping him dress.
• The Elder Princess decided not to confront Jiang Xiaobai yet and vowed to keep up the act until she could deal with him later.

The Elder Princess stewed over Jiang Xiaobai recognizing her identity, then tried to take revenge the next morning. After she tore his robe and admitted she had never been deaf or mute, Jiang Xiaobai pretended not to understand, but reluctantly sat down for the massage she threatened to give him.

• The Elder Princess lay awake, fuming over how Jiang Xiaobai had made her wait on him and vowing revenge.
• The next morning, Jiang Xiaobai watched Chen Jian practice while Tang Ningshuang nervously insisted she knew nothing.
• The Elder Princess reached to straighten Jiang Xiaobai’s clothes, then ripped his robe when she remembered her vow to get back at him.
• The Elder Princess apologized aloud and admitted she had been pretending to be deaf and mute, while Jiang Xiaobai feigned surprise and Tang Ningshuang watched in embarrassment.
• The Elder Princess threatened to massage Jiang Xiaobai’s shoulders, and he reluctantly sat down after claiming they were a little sore.