Recaps

As the black-clad old man attacked Huanxi Mountain Villa’s fleeing party, Zhang Xiaohua charged him to protect Ou Yan and unexpectedly killed him with his little sword. Zhang Xiaohua and Ou Yan were both struck down, while the battle shifted after word spread that Misty Sect reinforcements were approaching.

• The black-clad old man defeated Changge and the female disciples who tried to protect Ou Yan, injuring Changge and leaving her unconscious.
• Ou Yan fell in the mud and injured her foot, so Zhang Xiaohua carried her toward the river with Qiutong following.
• Bandit A shouted that more than a dozen riders were approaching as likely Misty Sect reinforcements, bolstering Huanxi Mountain Villa’s fighters and unsettling the black-clad men.
• The black-clad old man caught up to Zhang Xiaohua and prepared to strike Ou Yan with his Pale Gold Palm, so Zhang Xiaohua turned to confront him with his little sword.
• Zhang Xiaohua’s sword pierced the old man’s palm and throat, killing him, but the old man’s palm strike sent Zhang Xiaohua flying unconscious and knocked Ou Yan down, gravely injured.

After Zhang Xiaohua killed the black-clad elder and saved Ou Yan, he was swept into the river and could not be found. The survivors returned toward Pingyang City with Ou Yan still recovering, while his fate and the attackers’ identities remained unknown.

• Shi Niu, Aunt Qin, and He Tianshu broke away from their opponents and reached Ou Yan after Zhang Xiaohua had struck down the black-clad elder.
• The surviving men in black fled as Lan Dong and Misty Sect reinforcements arrived, and Aunt Qin confirmed that Ou Yan’s injuries were serious but not life-threatening.
• He Tianshu reported that Zhang Xiaohua had fallen into the river, but the searchers found no trace of him in the rain and darkness.
• Shi Niu found no clues identifying the black-clad attackers, while He Tianshu explained that Zhang Xiaohua had been carrying a toy small sword that may have killed the elder.
• At dawn, Aunt Qin ordered the camp to return to Pingyang City by a safer route, and Ou Yan woke that afternoon and asked about Zhang Xiaohua.

After being struck into the river, Zhang Xiaohua drifted far downstream and was rescued by a young girl and her master, who treated his severe internal injuries. He awoke at their cottage after more than a dozen days, while the master and girl prepared to leave the mountains.

• Aunt Qin ordered a search for Zhang Xiaohua, but he had already been swept far downstream after the black-clad old man knocked him unconscious.
• A girl fishing at a river bend hooked Zhang Xiaohua, and her master discovered he was still alive and carried him into their cottage.
• The master forced stagnant blood from Zhang Xiaohua's body, gave him healing pills, and cared for him while he remained unconscious.
• The master told the girl that Zhang Xiaohua had recovered enough to survive, but his continued unconsciousness complicated their plans to return to the mountain.
• Zhang Xiaohua woke at dawn, examined the small sword still in his hand, and was greeted by the girl and her master.
• The master checked Zhang Xiaohua's pulse and found that he had recovered nearly half his injuries in more than a dozen days.

After Master Jingxuan and a little girl rescued Zhang Xiaohua, he recovered at their riverside cottage and named the amnesiac girl Meng. As Master Jingxuan prepared to leave for her sect with Xiao Meng, Zhang Xiaohua chose to stay behind and wait in case his companions came looking for him.

• Zhang Xiaohua thanked Master Jingxuan and the little girl for rescuing him, then fell asleep again from exhaustion.
• When Zhang Xiaohua asked the girl's name, she revealed that she had forgotten her past, so he suggested the name Meng, which she accepted.
• Master Jingxuan told Zhang Xiaohua that she was called Jingxuan and asked him to keep her affairs private; he agreed.
• As his strength returned, Zhang Xiaohua told Xiao Meng about his family and his grandmother, and he reassured her that she would someday find her own home.
• Master Jingxuan said she would take Xiao Meng to her sect and offered Zhang Xiaohua a place in the outer branch, but he declined and decided to remain by the river awaiting his companions.
• Before Master Jingxuan and Xiao Meng departed, Zhang Xiaohua and Xiao Meng shared a wistful conversation beside the river at sunset.

After Master Jingxuan and Xiao Meng left, Zhang Xiaohua recovered at the thatched cottage, practiced his martial arts, and grew lonely while waiting for them. When the first snow fell, he ventured into the woods hoping to hunt, and continued toward the distant mountain in search of prey.

• Xiao Meng gave Zhang Xiaohua a pair of pearl hairpins as a keepsake, and he returned one to her after admitting he valued them for their silver; she stormed back into the cottage.
• Master Jingxuan and Xiao Meng left before dawn, leaving Zhang Xiaohua a bundle of silver wrapped in Xiao Meng’s handkerchief.
• Zhang Xiaohua explored the woods behind the cottage, returned empty-handed, and spent the following days fishing and gradually recovering through fist and sword practice.
• Zhang Xiaohua discovered that the currents produced by the Big Dipper Divine Fist stopped appearing after nine repetitions in a day.
• After the first snow fell, Zhang Xiaohua went into the woods to hunt, found no animal tracks, and pressed on toward the distant mountain.

Zhang Xiaohua chased a wild rabbit to a hidden cave behind an invisible opening in the mountain and explored its small, ordinary interior. He left with an empty money pouch and a strange stone, then found a rabbit frozen to death on his way back to the thatched cottage.

• Zhang Xiaohua spotted a wild rabbit and chased it out of the forest to the foot of a small peak.
• The rabbit vanished into a section of rock, and Zhang Xiaohua discovered an invisible opening that led into the mountain.
• After seeing the rabbit come back out, Zhang Xiaohua crawled through the opening and explored a cave containing a stone table, an empty money pouch, and a small square stone.
• Zhang Xiaohua put his silver into the pouch, took the pouch and stone, and crawled back out of the cave.
• Zhang Xiaohua followed his footprints through the snow toward the thatched cottage and found a wild rabbit frozen to death near the high slope.

Zhang Xiaohua ate a boiled rabbit while, at Misty Sect, Ou Peng and the others investigated the attack on Ou Yan and discussed Zhang Xiaohua’s role in saving her. The inquiry ended with the attackers still unidentified, Zhang Xiaohua presumed dead, and Ou Peng turning to preparations for the approaching Lantern Festival.

• Zhang Xiaohua ate the rabbit he had caught and threw its bones onto the frozen river.
• Hu the Eldest reported that Ou Yan was recovering, and Liu Yuzhou said the men in black had left few clues to identify them.
• Shi Niu recounted the journey and attack, prompting Liu Yuzhou to suspect Zhang Xiaohua until Aunt Qin and Shi Niu explained that he had saved Ou Yan and killed the old man in black.
• Hu the Eldest said Zhang Xiaohua had not been found after a search downstream, and Ou Peng ordered generous compensation for his family.
• Hu the Eldest and Ou Peng analyzed the attackers’ plan, praised Lan Dong for alerting the sect, and agreed that Liu Yuzhou would pursue the investigation.
• Ou Peng ordered Aunt Qin and Shi Niu to receive punishment for their failures, then discussed Lantern Festival preparations with Hu the Eldest.

Misty Sect’s senior brothers agreed to prepare another Secret Realm expedition while keeping it hidden from Shui Yupeng. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohua gave up waiting for rescuers, set out through the snow, got lost, and found shelter in an abandoned Mountain God Temple.

• Hu the Eldest reminded the brothers that the Misty Sect had no Longevity Pills, and Ou Peng reported that Fourth Brother was helping Shui Yupeng and would soon return.
• Ou Peng proposed sending a discreet disciple under Hermit Yanming’s lead to explore the Secret Realm, and Hu the Eldest approved while warning them not to tell Shui Yupeng.
• After snow stopped falling, Zhang Xiaohua realized no one had come looking for him and decided to leave the thatched cottage and head home.
• Zhang Xiaohua followed the riverbank into a snowy forest, lost his way, and continued across an open plain toward distant mountains as evening approached.
• Zhang Xiaohua found an abandoned Mountain God Temple, lit a fire, practiced Big Dipper Divine Fist and his sword art, and settled down to sleep.

Mei Laomo and Shopkeeper Liu met in the Mountain God Temple, where they discussed their investigation of the Tan Family while Zhang Xiaohua slept nearby. After they left him trapped by a sealed sleep acupoint, Zhang Xiaohua woke safely at dawn and found footprints that could lead him toward a town.

• Mei Laomo entered the Mountain God Temple and found Zhang Xiaohua asleep beside the dying bonfire.
• Shopkeeper Liu arrived, sealed Zhang Xiaohua's sleep acupoint, and joined Mei Laomo in discussing the Tan Family.
• Shopkeeper Liu reported that Tan Family disciples had been sent on unusual missions and that Tan Yefeng's two sons had suddenly grown much stronger.
• Mei Laomo revealed that Tan Yefeng had killed an old friend of the organization's master, explaining why Shopkeeper Liu had been assigned to investigate the family.
• Mei Laomo and Shopkeeper Liu left Zhang Xiaohua in the freezing temple, expecting the sealed acupoint and cold to kill him.
• Zhang Xiaohua woke at dawn, practiced his martial arts, and followed larger footprints from the temple in hopes of finding a town.

After escaping the mountains, Zhang Xiaohua reached a small town and went to Shi Wei Tian Tavern for food. There, he overheard five escorts discussing their New Year assignment and Captain Zhang as he waited for his meal.

• Zhang Xiaohua followed deep footprints down the mountain, then abandoned them when he spotted cooking smoke and hurried toward it.
• Zhang Xiaohua reached a town, learned it was the sixth day of the first month in the twenty-third year of Jinfeng, and got directions to Shi Wei Tian Tavern from a young man.
• Zhang Xiaohua entered the crowded tavern and ordered the cheapest dish so he could receive five bowls of complimentary rice.
• Zhang Xiaohua drank several pots of tea while listening to five escorts complain about their holiday assignment, pay, and Captain Zhang.
• Zhang Xiaohua blushed as the escorts discussed bawdy subjects, then called the waiter to refill his empty teapot.

Zhang Xiaohua left Shi Wei Tian after paying for his meal and learned that he was in an unfamiliar town, so he headed for Galloping Carriage and Horse Service to find a way home. On the way, Brother Fan and his gang tried to rob him; Zhang Xiaohua defeated three attackers but was cut while fighting the men who drew daggers.

• Zhang Xiaohua ate spicy chicken giblets at Shi Wei Tian, argued over the five-copper tea charge, paid with silver, and tipped the waiter two copper coins.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked the waiter about Pingyang City and Swift Carriage and Horse Service, then learned the local service was called Galloping and set off toward it.
• Brother Fan pretended Zhang Xiaohua had knocked him down while reaching for his money pouch, then surrounded him with six youths and demanded his money.
• Zhang Xiaohua refused Brother Fan's extortion and knocked down three men with the Big Dipper Divine Fist.
• Brother Fan and four others drew daggers and attacked Zhang Xiaohua; he dodged several strikes but was cut on the arm.
• Zhang Xiaohua switched from defense to offense and kicked one attacker's wrist, sending his dagger flying.

Zhang Xiaohua defeated Brother Fan and his thugs, then met Yuan Changqing and learned they were escort runners from the Lotus Escort Agency in Pingyang City. He discovered they knew his brother Zhang Xiaohu and followed them to their courtyard, where Chief Luo questioned his presence.

• Zhang Xiaohua knocked down Brother Fan’s four men and faced Brother Fan as Yuan Changqing and the other escort runners applauded.
• Yuan Changqing explained that he and his companions had followed Zhang Xiaohua because they were fellow townsmen from Pingyang City, then advised him to let Brother Fan go after teaching him a lesson.
• Zhang Xiaohua collected the thugs’ money pouches and an imitation jade pendant before leaving with Yuan Changqing and his companions.
• Yuan Changqing told Zhang Xiaohua that they worked for the Lotus Escort Agency and that Zhang Xiaohu was their captain; Zhang Xiaohua revealed he was Zhang Xiaohu’s younger brother.
• Yuan Changqing brought Zhang Xiaohua to the escort runners’ courtyard, where Chief Luo returned, warned the men not to cause trouble, and asked who Zhang Xiaohua was.

Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Zhang Xiaohu after arriving at the escort agency, where he slept until his brother returned. Zhang Xiaohu learned of Xiaohua’s fight and injury, celebrated their reunion with the runners, and checked that the wound had healed by morning.

• Yuan Changqing brought Zhang Xiaohua to Zhang Xiaohu’s room and helped him keep his arrival a surprise.
• Zhang Xiaohua fell asleep on Zhang Xiaohu’s heated bed, and Zhang Xiaohu discovered him when he returned that evening.
• Yuan Changqing told Zhang Xiaohu about Xiaohua’s fight and arm wound, and Zhang Xiaohu checked the injury before joining the runners for drinks.
• Zhang Xiaohu returned sober and slept beside Xiaohua, then greeted him happily when he woke the next morning.
• Zhang Xiaohu examined Xiaohua’s arm in the daylight and saw that the wound had scabbed over.

Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Zhang Xiaohu and secretly told him how he had reached the town after the convoy attack, while the brothers sorted through the spoils from the previous day. After Zhang Xiaohu reported the merchants’ agreement to Chief Luo, the chief raised the issue of paying for Zhang Xiaohua’s food and lodging.

• Zhang Xiaohua promised Zhang Xiaohu to keep his account of the convoy attack secret, then described escaping into the river and being rescued without mentioning the black-clad old man.
• Zhang Xiaohu realized the river could have carried Zhang Xiaohua out to sea, and the brothers agreed he would return with the escort convoy under a simple cover story.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu counted the money taken from the local ruffians, and Zhang Xiaohua gave the silver to his brother to take home to their parents.
• The brothers met Chief Luo, and Zhang Xiaohu later reported his negotiations with the merchants before preparing the convoy for its return journey.
• Chief Luo told Zhang Xiaohu that Zhang Xiaohua’s food and lodging expenses would be difficult to calculate, and Zhang Xiaohu’s expression changed drastically.

Zhang Xiaohu prepared the escort party to return to Pingyang City while keeping Zhang Xiaohua’s expenses separate from the agency’s accounts. The convoy set out with Zhang Xiaohua riding in a carriage, and he spent the journey talking with Mister Mo and reading travel journals.

• Zhang Xiaohu told the accompanying clerk to record Zhang Xiaohua’s expenses and promised to repay the Lotus Escort Agency, prompting the escort party to criticize Chief Luo’s fussiness.
• Zhang Xiaohua stayed in the courtyard, practiced martial arts, and borrowed travel journals while Zhang Xiaohu handled the preparations for departure.
• Zhang Xiaohu led the escort party and the merchants’ convoy out of town toward Pingyang City, assigning Zhang Xiaohua to a carriage instead of a horse.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked Mister Mo why the local winter was milder than Pingyang City’s, and Mister Mo explained the influence of the sea and described distant regions.
• The convoy continued traveling after a midday meal of dry rations, while Zhang Xiaohua read a travel journal in the carriage.

Zhang Xiaohua traveled north with Zhang Xiaohu and the Lotus Escort Agency, where he watched the convoy negotiate safe passage with a large bandit group. Zhang Xiaohu explained how escort agencies and bandits maintained uneasy arrangements through payments and the power of supporting sects, while warning that escort work could still turn dangerous.

• Zhang Xiaohu reassured Zhang Xiaohua that the convoy’s first campsite was safe and checked that his wounds were healing.
• Zhang Xiaohua’s right hand had nearly recovered, easing Zhang Xiaohu’s guilt, and the convoy traveled for more than ten days without being robbed.
• On a mountain road, Zhang Xiaohua persuaded Zhang Xiaohu to take him toward the front, where they saw Yang Shuo and his men block the convoy.
• Luo Ruihe showed Yang Shuo the Lotus Escort Agency’s flag, and Yang Shuo granted the convoy safe passage for five hundred li in exchange for a token payment.
• Zhang Xiaohu explained to Zhang Xiaohua that bandits often collected tolls instead of fighting, and that the Misty Sect’s backing protected the Lotus Escort Agency.
• Zhang Xiaohu warned that escort work could still involve deadly fights, leaving Zhang Xiaohua silent.

Zhang Xiaohu returned to Pingyang City with Zhang Xiaohua and was summoned to see Fourth Master Wen, who mistakenly believed Zhang Xiaohua had died saving Manor Lord Ou. The chapter ended with Fourth Master Wen learning that Zhang Xiaohua was alive and rushing to see him.

• Zhang Xiaohua watched the convoy face several robberies, and one escort suffered an irreparable hand injury despite receiving treatment.
• The Lotus Escort Agency convoy reached Pingyang City late at night, and a gate guard told Zhang Xiaohu that Fourth Master Wen had been looking for him.
• Zhang Xiaohu settled the sleeping Zhang Xiaohua in their room, then went to Fourth Master Wen, who questioned him about the escort journey and its return.
• Fourth Master Wen told Zhang Xiaohu that Zhang Xiaohua had died protecting his master and gave him ten thousand taels in compensation.
• Zhang Xiaohu explained that Zhang Xiaohua was asleep in his room, and Fourth Master Wen hurriedly dragged him off to see his supposedly deceased hero.

Zhang Xiaohua returned safely to Huanxi Mountain Villa after recovering from his injuries, and reunited with Ou Yan and the others. He recounted how he had made his way home while keeping Master Jingxuan and the cave secret, and Old Yu asked to see his little sword.

• Fourth Master Wen confirmed Zhang Xiaohua was alive, told Zhang Xiaohu to keep him at the escort agency until someone came from the villa, and sent a message to Huanxi Mountain Villa.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu practiced in the training square, where Zhang Xiaohu watched Zhang Xiaohua perform the Big Dipper Divine Fist.
• He Tianshu arrived to take Zhang Xiaohua back to Huanxi Mountain Villa, and Zhang Xiaohu stayed behind to handle the returned convoy's affairs.
• Qiutong and He Tianshu told Zhang Xiaohua that Ou Yan was safe and explained that his sword strike had frightened the attackers after he fell into the water.
• Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Ou Yan and told her and Old Yu how he had recovered and returned, omitting Master Jingxuan, Xiao Meng, and the cave.
• Old Yu asked Zhang Xiaohua to show him his little sword.

Zhang Xiaohua and the others tested the mysterious little sword, then Ou Yan offered him compensation for his supposed death and welcomed him as family. The chapter ended with Zhang Xiaohua returning to his work and training under He Tianshu, while eagerly asking for breakfast.

• Old Yu examined Zhang Xiaohua's little sword and asked to test its attack, but Zhang Xiaohua used his right hand and Old Yu easily caught each move.
• Zhang Xiaohua drove the little sword several inches into a tree with his full strength, while Old Yu's thrust made only a shallow mark, so everyone concluded the black-clad elder had been killed because he was careless.
• Zhang Xiaohua told Ou Yan that Head Luo had asked Zhang Xiaohu to pay his living expenses, and Qiutong promised to clarify the matter with Fourth Master Wen.
• Ou Yan gave Zhang Xiaohua a box containing ten thousand taels as compensation, but he accepted only one hundred taels as a gift and agreed to regard Ou Yan as his elder sister.
• Ou Yan agreed to raise Zhang Xiaohua's monthly pay to three taels and let him continue learning from He Tianshu, and Zhang Xiaohua asked whether breakfast was still available.

Ou Yan asked Ou Peng to repay Zhang Xiaohua for saving her by admitting him to the Misty Sect, and Ou Peng agreed. The chapter left Zhang Xiaohua set to meet Ou Peng and begin training under He Tianshu, while Ou Yan also pursued a solution to the sect’s medicinal-herb problem.

• Ou Peng reflected on the Misty Sect’s plans, its new batch of strength-enhancing pills, and his worry over the unresolved attempt on Ou Yan’s life.
• Ou Yan visited Ou Peng, assured him she had recovered, and said Zhang Xiaohua had returned to Pingyang City after surviving his injuries.
• Ou Yan told Ou Peng that Zhang Xiaohua had refused the ten-thousand-tael compensation and accepted only one hundred taels.
• Ou Yan asked Ou Peng to admit Zhang Xiaohua to the Misty Sect so he could learn martial arts, and Ou Peng agreed to make him a disciple.
• Ou Peng arranged for Ou Yan to bring Zhang Xiaohua and He Tianshu to the Council Hall the next day, while Ou Yan said she would investigate growing medicinal herbs herself.

Zhang Xiaohua returned to his routine at Huanxi Mountain Villa, while Zhang Xiaohu faced accusations from Chief Luo at the Lotus Escort Agency. After the accounts clerk confirmed Zhang Xiaohu had paid his younger brother’s expenses, Qiutong arrived and stopped everyone from leaving.

• Ma Jing and the other disciples questioned Zhang Xiaohua about his long absence until he told them the prepared story he had made up.
• Ou Yan summoned Zhang Xiaohua and He Tianshu from the herb fields to discuss an undisclosed matter.
• Chief Luo complained to Fourth Master Wen that Zhang Xiaohu had encouraged the escort party to demand higher wages and had failed to pay his younger brother’s travel expenses.
• Zhang Xiaohu explained that the escort party had requested extra wages and said he had paid the accounts clerk for his younger brother’s food and lodging.
• The accounts clerk confirmed Zhang Xiaohu had paid and explained that the fee had only just been entered into the records, undermining Chief Luo’s accusation.
• Qiutong arrived, spotted Zhang Xiaohu, and told Fourth Master Wen and the others to stay.

Qiutong confronted the Lotus Escort Agency over its attempt to charge Zhang Xiaohua for his ride, while Ou Yan brought Zhang Xiaohua and He Tianshu into the Misty Sect Council Hall. Ou Peng offered to grant Zhang Xiaohua a request in gratitude for saving Ou Yan, and Zhang Xiaohua eagerly asked whether he meant it.

• Qiutong told Zhang Xiaohu that Zhang Xiaohua was safe, then offered ten taels to settle the escort agency’s charges; Fourth Master Wen and Head Luo were left scrambling to appease her.
• A Misty Sect disciple arrived looking for Zhang Xiaohu, leaving him and the others bewildered.
• Ou Yan led Zhang Xiaohua and He Tianshu through a hidden passage into the Misty Sect and brought them to the Council Hall.
• Wen Wenhai recognized Zhang Xiaohua from the past, and Zhang Xiaohua amused the Council Hall by accidentally shoving He Tianshu and praising Ou Peng’s appearance.
• Ou Peng thanked Zhang Xiaohua for saving Ou Yan and offered to fulfill a request he could grant; Zhang Xiaohua asked if the offer was genuine.

Zhang Xiaohua gave his chance to join the Misty Sect to his second brother, Zhang Xiaohu, and received permission to learn a Misty Sect internal energy method himself. While exploring the Library Pavilion, he struck an unusual box with his little sword after a warm current surged through his arm.

• Zhang Xiaohua asked Ou Peng to admit Zhang Xiaohu to the Misty Sect, and Ou Peng agreed to send for him.
• Ou Yan reminded Ou Peng of her promise to let Zhang Xiaohua practice internal energy, and Ou Peng allowed him to choose a method from the Library Pavilion.
• Zhang Chengyue explained the Library Pavilion's three floors, and Zhang Xiaohua passed the first and second floors to inspect the top-level manuals.
• Zhang Xiaohua found an ordinary-looking box on the third floor and tried unsuccessfully to open it.
• A Misty Sect disciple summoned Zhang Xiaohu from the Lotus Escort Agency to meet Ou Peng, while Fourth Master Wen ordered Chief Luo to apologize to him.
• Zhang Xiaohua struck the box with his little sword, and a warm current surged through his arm into the blade as it hit.

Zhang Xiaohua chose the Carefree Heart Sutra from the Library Pavilion, while Zhang Xiaohu accepted an offer to join the Misty Sect as Wen Wenhai’s disciple. The chapter ended with Ou Peng warning that nobody in the sect had cultivated Zhang Xiaohua’s chosen method and that he might not practice it at all.

• Zhang Xiaohua opened the mysterious box on the third floor, found a second copy of the Carefree Heart Sutra, and took it before leaving the Library Pavilion.
• The elderly disciple registered Zhang Xiaohua’s choice and reacted strangely to the Carefree Heart Sutra, while Zhang Chengyue hurried him back to the Council Hall.
• Zhang Xiaohu arrived, and Ou Peng offered him a place in the Misty Sect because Zhang Xiaohua had requested it; the brothers argued over who should receive the opportunity.
• Wen Wenhai volunteered to take Zhang Xiaohu as his disciple, and Zhang Xiaohu accepted by bowing to him three times.
• Zhang Xiaohua showed Ou Peng the Carefree Heart Sutra, and Ou Peng explained that no Misty Sect disciple had ever cultivated it, making guidance difficult.

Zhang Xiaohua received the first three levels of Misty Steps alongside the Carefree Heart Sutra, while Zhang Xiaohu left the Lotus Escort Agency after being accepted into the Misty Sect. Zhang Xiaohua began examining his new cultivation methods, still puzzled by the Carefree Heart Sutra, when someone knocked on his door.

• Ou Peng arranged for Zhang Xiaohua to receive the first three levels of Misty Steps and instructed him and He Tianshu to cultivate it together.
• He Tianshu learned that he could study Misty Steps and thanked Ou Peng for the opportunity.
• Head Luo waited for Zhang Xiaohu, but Zhang Xiaohu returned, resigned from the Lotus Escort Agency, and refused to take back the ten taels of silver.
• Zhang Xiaohu told Head Luo he would return if things did not go well in the Misty Sect, then left with Misty Sect disciples.
• Head Luo learned that Zhang Xiaohu had been accepted as a Misty Sect disciple and rushed after him, but Zhang Xiaohu had already departed.
• Zhang Xiaohua examined the Carefree Heart Sutra and Misty Steps instructions, wondered why Ou Peng had warned him about the sutra, and heard a knock at his door.