Chapter Summaries

After breaking the Mystic Scale Armor, Jiang Xiaobai went to claim his rewards at the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop and marveled at its mechanical Lift Room. In the Weapon Vault, he found nothing useful and persuaded Chang Ying to let him take two weapons instead; he had yet to visit the Martial Arts Vault.

• The middle-aged woman accepted that she would no longer interfere in matters between Pei Shen and Ling'er, and Pei Shen stayed behind to speak with Ling'er.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Chang Ying to confirm he could claim one reward from each vault, and she led him to the Lift Room with Tang Ningshuang and Zhang Xinnian.
• Chang Ying showed Jiang Xiaobai how the mechanically operated Lift Room reached the ninth floor, where both vaults were located.
• Chang Ying opened the Weapon Vault, and Jiang Xiaobai inspected Snake Kiss and a Mother-and-Child Smoke Bomb but found them unimpressive.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked to take two martial arts manuals instead of a weapon, then persuaded Chang Ying to let him choose two weapons to keep him happy.

Jiang Xiaobai persuaded Chang Ying to let him and his companions choose extra items from the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop’s vaults. He left with two weapons and three martial arts manuals, including the embarrassing Dragon-Phoenix Harmonizing Qi Art, which Zhang Xinnian called out as a book full of people.

• Chang Ying agreed to give Jiang Xiaobai Snake Kiss and the Mother-and-Child Smoke Bomb from the Weapon Vault.
• Jiang Xiaobai convinced Chang Ying to let him, Zhang Xinnian, and Tang Ningshuang each choose a manual from the Martial Arts Vault.
• Zhang Xinnian chose a saber technique, Tang Ningshuang chose a sword technique, and Jiang Xiaobai picked the Dragon-Phoenix Harmonizing Qi Art for its quick-looking cultivation method.
• Chang Ying asked to inspect their choices, and Jiang Xiaobai nervously dropped his manual open to an illustrated page.
• Zhang Xinnian praised the illustrations, while Jiang Xiaobai insisted he was interested only in the cultivation method.

Jiang Xiaobai selected a dual-cultivation manual at the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, then learned that its stewards wanted to obtain calculation methods he had taught Master Song. He told Chang Ying to mention his name on her next visit to the Imperial College, confident Master Song would reveal the methods’ creator.

• Jiang Xiaobai deflected questions about the dual-cultivation manual by pointing out the meridian diagrams, then tucked it away and led the group out of the martial arts library.
• A middle-aged man told Chang Ying that the head steward wanted her to return to the Imperial College and secure a set of calculation methods for the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop.
• Chang Ying explained that Master Song would not share the methods without their creator’s approval, and that he had refused to identify the creator.
• Jiang Xiaobai recognized the methods as the ones he had taught Master Song and told Chang Ying that mentioning his name would make Master Song reveal who created them.

Jiang Xiaobai studied the Heavenly Evolution Board and claimed to have calculated its next 120 steps, then left while Pei Shen stayed behind to check his work. The chapter left the board’s accuracy unverified.

• Chang Ying explained that the Heavenly Evolution Board challenged people to predict the next falling copper balls and offered rewards for reaching increasingly difficult milestones.
• Jiang Xiaobai examined the board’s mechanisms and wrote down calculations for about 120 steps.
• Jiang Xiaobai handed his calculations to a stunned Chang Ying and told her when to check whether they matched.
• Pei Shen asked Jiang Xiaobai whether he had written nonsense, and Jiang Xiaobai assured him that his calculations were genuine.
• Jiang Xiaobai departed with Tang Ningshuang and Zhang Xinnian, while Pei Shen returned to the hall with Ling'er to verify the calculations.

Jiang Xiaobai visited the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop’s Heavenly Evolution Board and went to Minister Chen’s Residence. The board confirmed more than a hundred of his predictions, while Minister Chen’s guards barred Jiang Xiaobai and his companions from entering.

• Chang Ying and Pei Shen watched the Copper Bead follow Jiang Xiaobai’s written predictions for more than a hundred steps, all correctly.
• Chang Ying hurried to report Jiang Xiaobai’s feat to the Young Workshop Master and recalled his connection to the Numerical Calculation Method.
• Jiang Xiaobai arrived at Minister Chen’s Residence with Tang Ningshuang and Zhang Xinnian, despite Zhang Xinnian’s warning that they should bring personal guards.
• The household guards drew their sabers and ordered Jiang Xiaobai and his companions to leave, threatening to shed blood.
• Jiang Xiaobai smiled and told the lead guard that they were the ones who dared draw their blades.

Jiang Xiaobai forced his way into the Minister's Residence to investigate the Ministry of Rites, while Minister Chen Zhanqiu and Young Master Zhao plotted to discredit him by claiming Lin Qinrou wrote his essays. Jiang Xiaobai headed toward Pavilion Lake, where the conspirators expected their scheme to ruin his reputation and end his appointment as Imperial Inspector.

• Jiang Xiaobai challenged the residence guards to draw their sabers, then kicked open the gates and entered with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang.
• The lead guard explained that the guards had let Jiang Xiaobai pass because he was the son of the Marquis Who Guards the North and carried an Imperial Silver Tally.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked a maid where Minister Chen Zhanqiu was and followed her gesture toward Pavilion Lake.
• At Pavilion Lake, Chen Zhanqiu met with Zhou Chaomian and Young Master Zhao, who claimed Lin Qinrou had written “On the Teacher” and “On the Horse.”
• Young Master Zhao and Chen Zhanqiu planned to expose Jiang Xiaobai as a plagiarist so Lin Qinrou would publicly denounce him and his reputation and Imperial Inspector appointment would be destroyed.

Jiang Xiaobai confronted Chen Zhanqiu over An Zhiyuan’s poisoning and challenged Zhao Sheng, his newly revealed senior fellow disciple, about his ties to Chen. Zhao Sheng disclosed that he served as an adviser to the Elder Princess.

• Chen Zhanqiu laughed with Zhao Sheng about the scandal they hoped would ruin Jiang Xiaobai, until a servant announced Jiang’s arrival.
• Jiang Xiaobai asked Chen whether he had poisoned An Zhiyuan and forced him to turn himself in, and Chen denied it while accusing Jiang of buying his Top Graduate title.
• Jiang Xiaobai learned that Zhao Sheng was also Elder Lin’s disciple and mocked him for chatting with Chen amid the Ministry of Rites scandal.
• Zhao Sheng calmly invited Jiang to investigate him and said he served as an adviser to the Elder Princess.

Jiang Xiaobai used the Silver Tally to compel Chen Zhanqiu to let him inspect the Minister's Residence, despite Zhao Sheng's warning. While walking through the grounds, Jiang Xiaobai found a locked, deserted courtyard, and the servant tried to stop him from approaching it.

• Jiang Xiaobai challenged Zhao Sheng over his ties to the Elder Princess and mocked the tea at Chen Zhanqiu's residence.
• Chen Zhanqiu refused Jiang Xiaobai's request to inspect the residence until Jiang Xiaobai produced the Silver Tally, which represented the Emperor's authority.
• Zhao Sheng warned Jiang Xiaobai to stop stirring up trouble and said he would not call him Junior Brother again; Jiang Xiaobai replied that he would no longer call Zhao Sheng Senior Brother.
• Jiang Xiaobai toured the Minister's Residence with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang and learned that Steward Qian had been away on business for several days.
• Jiang Xiaobai approached a locked courtyard that the servant called abandoned, but the servant blocked him and insisted he could not go there.

Jiang Xiaobai entered the courtyard where Chen Zhanqiu’s supposedly mad son was confined and fought off Chen Jian when he rushed at him. After they introduced themselves, Chen Jian became eager to learn about Jiang Xiaobai’s martial arts.

• Jiang Xiaobai had Zhang Xinnian cut the chain on the courtyard gate and entered with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang.
• Chen Jian burst from his room and grabbed Jiang Xiaobai by the neck after Jiang Xiaobai shot him in the arm.
• Jiang Xiaobai stopped Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang from attacking, and Chen Jian released him after asking about the technique that wounded him.
• Jiang Xiaobai introduced himself and claimed to have studied numerous extraordinary martial arts.
• Chen Jian praised Jiang Xiaobai’s attainments and asked him for guidance.

Jiang Xiaobai befriended Chen Jian by promising to discuss supreme martial arts with him and persuaded him to leave his quarters and exercise. Chen Zhanqiu arrived too late to stop his son, who rejected his father and walked away, leaving Chen Zhanqiu furious at Jiang Xiaobai.

• Jiang Xiaobai invited Chen Jian to visit the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate to discuss martial arts, and Chen Jian declared him his closest friend.
• Jiang Xiaobai advised Chen Jian to leave his quarters and walk around, then departed with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang.
• A servant reported to Chen Zhanqiu that Jiang Xiaobai had entered Chen Jian's quarters after Zhang Xinnian cut through the lock.
• Chen Zhanqiu reached the courtyard and found Chen Jian walking out, but Chen Jian praised Jiang Xiaobai and dismissed his father's concerns.
• Chen Jian called his father a worldly hindrance and walked away, while Chen Zhanqiu vowed revenge against Jiang Xiaobai.

After Chen Zhanqiu and Zhao Sheng plotted to ruin Jiang Xiaobai’s reputation, Jiang explained that he had befriended Chen Jian to keep the powerful martial artist from becoming a threat. The carriage then turned toward the Chancellor’s Residence so Jiang could visit Miss Li.

• Zhao Sheng told Chen Zhanqiu that the Elder Princess planned to invite Jiang Xiaobai to a literary gathering, and Chen agreed to spread damaging rumors about him.
• On the ride back, Jiang Xiaobai told Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang that he had won Chen Jian over because he feared Chen Jian might be sent to kill him.
• Jiang explained that Chen Jian’s martial arts obsession made him easier to approach by offering guidance rather than trying to control him.
• Jiang Xiaobai told Zhang Xinnian to stop at the Chancellor’s Residence so he could visit Miss Li.

Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the Chancellor's Residence with Tang Ningshuang and confronted Lu Feng, an arrogant eunuch delivering a decree from the Elder Princess. After Jiang Xiaobai struck Lu Feng and challenged his behavior, Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei arrived, and Jiang Xiaobai urged the eunuch to deliver the decree.

• Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Ningshuang arrived at the Chancellor's Residence, where Lu Feng barged in with two guards to deliver the Elder Princess's decree.
• When a guard tried to shove Jiang Xiaobai, Jiang Xiaobai ordered Zhang Xinnian to act, and Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang quickly knocked both guards down.
• Lu Feng identified himself as a personal attendant of the Elder Princess, but Jiang Xiaobai slapped him and demanded that he behave politely at the Chancellor's Residence.
• Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei arrived, and Li Zhiwei reacted shyly when Jiang Xiaobai teased her about missing him.
• Jiang Xiaobai turned to Lu Feng and told him to deliver the decree now that everyone had gathered.

Lu Feng delivered the Elder Princess’s invitation for Jiang Xiaobai to attend the Orchid Pavilion’s reopening, where an unknown person had matched his four couplets and left a new opening line. Li Bingzhang explained the Azure Robe Society’s influence and the Orchid Pavilion’s role, leaving Jiang Xiaobai wondering whether the mysterious poet belonged to the Society.

• Lu Feng announced that the Elder Princess would reopen the Orchid Pavilion Tower in seven days and invited Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei to attend.
• Lu Feng told Jiang Xiaobai that someone had matched all four of his Clear Pavilion couplets and left a new opening line, then invited him to the gathering.
• After Lu Feng left, Jiang Xiaobai asked Li Bingzhang about the Orchid Pavilion Tower and learned that only a Brush Holder of the Azure Robe Society could reopen it.
• Li Bingzhang explained that the Azure Robe Society assessed Senior Scholars, sent Brush Holders to judge literary disputes, and held authority among scholars despite remaining outside the Imperial Court.
• Li Bingzhang recounted the Society’s role in founding Great Hua, and Jiang Xiaobai wondered whether the person who answered his couplets belonged to it.

Jiang Xiaobai visited Li Zhiwei’s courtyard and drew her portrait with charcoal. Pleased with the result, Li Zhiwei rewarded him with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

• Li Bingzhang told Jiang Xiaobai that Li Zhiwei had once turned down an invitation to join the Azure Robe Society, and Jiang Xiaobai remained undecided about visiting the Orchid Pavilion.
• Li Bingzhang left Jiang Xiaobai and Li Zhiwei alone, and Li Zhiwei invited Jiang Xiaobai to her courtyard.
• Li Zhiwei hurriedly hid the drawings on her table when Jiang Xiaobai spotted them, and he offered to draw her portrait with charcoal.
• Jiang Xiaobai spent nearly an hour sketching Li Zhiwei, capturing her pose and shy expression.
• Li Zhiwei called the portrait beautiful and kissed Jiang Xiaobai’s cheek through her veil as his reward.

Jiang Xiaobai teased Li Zhiwei, who kissed him and accepted his offer to teach her drawing before he tricked her into sketching a pig's head. On their return to the Marquis's Residence, Tang Ningshuang said the Emperor had ordered her to protect Jiang Xiaobai and announced she would stay at his place that night.

• Li Zhiwei kissed Jiang Xiaobai, leaving Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang stunned by her affection for him.
• Jiang Xiaobai offered to teach Li Zhiwei to draw, then guided her hand to make a pig's-head sketch and ran off laughing.
• Li Zhiwei scolded Jiang Xiaobai, then smiled as she kept the pig drawing with his portrait.
• Tang Ningshuang told Jiang Xiaobai that the Emperor had ordered her to stay close and protect him.
• Tang Ningshuang followed Jiang Xiaobai into the Marquis's Residence and said she would stay at his place that night.

Tang Ningshuang moved into Jiang Xiaobai’s quarters to protect him while he investigated the Ministry of Rites case. The next morning, Jiang Xiaobai received an invitation from the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop’s Young Workshop Master and decided to visit.

• Tang Ningshuang agreed to stay in Jiang Xiaobai’s quarters under the imperial decree and asked him to resolve the Ministry of Rites case quickly.
• Jiang Jingcheng welcomed Tang Ningshuang at dinner, and servants set up a bed for her in Jiang Xiaobai’s outer room.
• Jiang Xiaobai wondered whether Zhao Sheng and Ministry of Justice director Zhao Bintian were related and whether their connection pointed to a deeper plot.
• Jiang Xiaobai secretly read the Dragon-Phoenix Harmonizing Qi Art, then lay awake thinking about Li Zhiwei’s kiss.
• Zhang Xinnian delivered an invitation from the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop’s Young Workshop Master, and Jiang Xiaobai prepared to visit.

Jiang Xiaobai visited the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, where Chang Ying learned that his numerical calculation methods went far beyond what she had seen. He was welcomed to the tenth floor and met the Young Workshop Master.

• Jiang Xiaobai arrived at the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang, drawing attention from the crowd.
• Chang Ying greeted Jiang Xiaobai with new reverence after Master Song confirmed that Jiang Xiaobai had taught him the Numerical Calculation Method.
• Jiang Xiaobai offered to teach Chang Ying and revealed that he knew calculation techniques far more advanced than the ones she had seen.
• Chang Ying led Jiang Xiaobai, Zhang Xinnian, and Tang Ningshuang to the quiet tenth floor of the workshop.
• The Young Workshop Master opened the door and courteously invited Jiang Xiaobai inside.

Jiang Xiaobai negotiated with Mo Li over the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, offering advanced Numerical Calculation Methods in exchange for half ownership. He demonstrated the value of his knowledge by introducing the Triangulation Method, leaving Mo Li to consider the offer.

• Jiang Xiaobai learned that the handsome young man was Mo Li, the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop's Young Workshop Master, and joined him for a meal.
• Mo Li said the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop wanted Jiang Xiaobai's Numerical Calculation Method and asked him to name his terms.
• Jiang Xiaobai offered the basic method for free but demanded half ownership of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop in exchange for his advanced methods.
• Mo Li questioned Jiang Xiaobai's demand, so Jiang Xiaobai asked how the workshop would measure a tower's height when its shadow crossed water.
• Jiang Xiaobai drew a diagram and explained that the Triangulation Method could calculate the tower's height from a wooden pole, a reflection, and an angle.

Jiang Xiaobai demonstrated how his Numerical Calculation Method could improve the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop’s designs and negotiated a partnership. The Workshop agreed to make him its joint master.

• Jiang Xiaobai challenged Mo Li and Chang Ying with gear calculations, then explained that his methods could help craftsmen predict designs instead of relying on trial and error.
• Jiang Xiaobai offered to share his methods in exchange for half the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop and warned that he could build a rival workshop and recruit its craftsmen.
• Mo Li left to consult the senior stewards and the Workshop Master while Jiang Xiaobai waited with Zhang Xinnian.
• Mo Li returned about an hour later and confirmed that the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop had agreed to the partnership.
• Mo Li named Jiang Xiaobai a joint master of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop.

Jiang Xiaobai signed a contract to become Co-Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop and began teaching Mo Li the Triangulation Method. Mo Li saw how it could improve the workshop’s measurements and mechanisms, then asked in surprise whether Jiang Xiaobai had more to teach.

• Mo Li presented Jiang Xiaobai with a contract making him Co-Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, granting him half its earnings while preserving the workshop’s internal control and restricting use of his methods.
• Jiang Xiaobai and Mo Li signed the contract, and Mo Li stamped it with the Seal of the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop.
• Jiang Xiaobai celebrated the agreement with Mo Li over Green Bamboo Brew, and Mo Li blushed after drinking a cup.
• Jiang Xiaobai explained how the Triangulation Method could calculate heights and distances, and Mo Li quickly connected it to measuring sites and planning city-defense ballista platforms.
• Mo Li praised the method’s potential for the Heavenly Mechanism Workshop, and Jiang Xiaobai hinted he could teach something even more interesting, prompting Mo Li to ask, “There’s more?”