Recaps

Zhang Xiaohua learned that the Carefree Heart Sutra was an old Misty Sect method for curing insomnia and that he had also received the first three levels of the prized Misty Steps. After Ou Yan and Aunt Qin warned him to guard the manuals and obey the sect’s rules, he sought out He Tianshu to study the Misty Steps, leaving He Tianshu hesitating over whether to accept the manual.

• Qiutong brought Zhang Xiaohua to meet Ou Yan and Aunt Qin, who explained the Carefree Heart Sutra’s unusual purpose and its history.
• Aunt Qin and Ou Yan told Zhang Xiaohua that the Misty Steps were one of the Misty Sect’s Three Great Divine Skills, but warned him not to reveal or lend the manual without permission.
• Ou Yan instructed Zhang Xiaohua to learn the Misty Steps only with He Tianshu’s guidance and to keep the Carefree Heart Sutra private.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned to his room, reflected on his manuals, then practiced the Big Dipper Divine Fist and left-handed sword.
• Zhang Xiaohua visited He Tianshu and offered him the Misty Steps manual, but He Tianshu hesitated, remembering that he was only authorized to guide Zhang Xiaohua.

Zhang Xiaohua secretly began cultivating the Carefree Heart Sutra and, while asleep, unknowingly drew starlight into his body and refined it into Primordial Qi. The next morning his Big Dipper Divine Fist improved, while He Tianshu finished studying Misty Steps and eagerly confronted Zhang Xiaohua about his training.

• Zhang Xiaohua persuaded He Tianshu to study the Misty Steps pages and explain the movement technique to him later.
• Zhang Xiaohua read the Carefree Heart Sutra, decided to try its first-level cultivation method without a teacher, and fell asleep while practicing its breathing rhythm.
• As Zhang Xiaohua slept, his breathing changed, drew starlight through his pores, and refined it into Primordial Qi that circulated through his body.
• Zhang Xiaohua woke refreshed, practiced the Big Dipper Divine Fist, and confirmed that a familiar flow appeared after every eight repetitions.
• Zhang Xiaohua tried the breathing method again in the woods but could not sense Primordial Qi, then found He Tianshu with bloodshot eyes at breakfast.
• He Tianshu grabbed Zhang Xiaohua and urged him to stop practicing low-class fist techniques.

He Tianshu studied the Misty Steps for several days before teaching Zhang Xiaohua its basic techniques, while Zhang Xiaohua advanced his Big Dipper Divine Fist and continued trying to cultivate primordial qi. The chapter ended with Zhang Xiaohua claiming he understood He Tianshu’s explanation immediately, surprising the exhausted captain.

• He Tianshu praised the Misty Steps’ first levels and explained that their lightness skill relied on surroundings and inertia, making them suitable for Zhang Xiaohua despite his lack of internal energy.
• Zhang Xiaohua practiced the Big Dipper Divine Fist until he received a tenth warm current, but his attempts to find Primordial Qi in the woods still failed.
• Zhang Xiaohua’s sleeping cultivation drew starlight into his body, gradually increasing and refining the primordial qi in his middle dantian without his awareness.
• After several days of studying, He Tianshu arrived with dark circles under his eyes and took Zhang Xiaohua to the woods to teach him the Misty Steps’ basic techniques.
• Zhang Xiaohua said he understood He Tianshu’s explanation after hearing it once, astonishing He Tianshu.

Zhang Xiaohua quickly learned He Tianshu’s Misty Steps, while his Heart Sutra cultivation remained stalled. Later, Li Jinfeng visited the villa and told Zhang Xiaohua that his family was well, leaving him eager to hear more about home.

• He Tianshu demonstrated Misty Steps, and Zhang Xiaohua imitated the movements accurately despite lacking internal energy.
• Zhang Xiaohua practiced so enthusiastically that he lost control and crashed into a tree, and He Tianshu explained how to use the lightness skill safely.
• Over the following days, Zhang Xiaohua mastered Misty Steps quickly, while his footwork also gave He Tianshu new insight into the technique.
• Li Jinfeng visited Zhang Xiaohua at the villa and explained that he had been unable to visit earlier because the guards had refused him entry.
• Zhang Xiaohua told Li Jinfeng that Zhang Xiaohu had joined the Misty Sect, and Li Jinfeng congratulated him after learning the news.
• Li Jinfeng told Zhang Xiaohua that he had delivered Zhang Xiaohu’s silver to their parents and that the family was well, prompting Zhang Xiaohua to eagerly ask about home.

Zhang Xiaohua learned from Li Jinfeng that his family was well and received a letter and message from his parents before asking He Tianshu to help him visit Zhang Xiaohu. At Misty Manor’s gate, they heard that rumors about Zhang Xiaohu’s entry into the sect had spread, leaving Zhang Xiaohua angry and He Tianshu warning that Zhang Xiaohu would have to overcome the jealousy himself.

• Li Jinfeng told Zhang Xiaohua about his family’s harvest, his parents’ gratitude for the silver, and their longing for him and Zhang Xiaohu.
• Zhang Xiaohua received a family letter and heard that his parents would welcome both brothers home if life in the city went badly.
• He Tianshu agreed to escort Zhang Xiaohua and Li Jinfeng to Misty Manor so they could visit Zhang Xiaohu.
• At the gate, a guard repeated rumors that Zhang Xiaohu had entered the sect through Manor Lord Ou’s connections and had been appointed Wen Wenhai’s disciple unfairly.
• He Tianshu told Zhang Xiaohua that Zhang Xiaohu would need to overcome the resentment and jealousy spreading through the sect.

Zhang Xiaohua and Li Jinfeng visited Zhang Xiaohu, who explained that his new status as Wen Wenhai’s direct disciple had brought him unwanted attention and gossip. Zhang Xiaohu gave Zhang Xiaohua the Mighty Ox Strength manual, and the chapter ended with Zhang Xiaohua asking about the Misty Sect’s upcoming Martial Arts Tournament.

• Li Jinfeng and He Tianshu comforted Zhang Xiaohua after he heard others gossiping about Zhang Xiaohu’s good fortune.
• He Tianshu led Zhang Xiaohua and Li Jinfeng to Zhang Xiaohu’s courtyard, where Zhang Xiaohu had been pretending to be away to avoid visitors seeking favors.
• Zhang Xiaohu explained that some disciples tried to curry favor with him while others resented his sudden rise as a direct disciple.
• Zhang Xiaohu reassured Zhang Xiaohua that he did not blame him and said he would focus on practicing martial arts despite the rumors.
• Zhang Xiaohu gave Zhang Xiaohua the basic internal cultivation manual Mighty Ox Strength and asked He Tianshu to help him with questions.
• When He Tianshu mentioned the Martial Arts Tournament, Zhang Xiaohua set down the manual and asked what the tournament was.

Zhang Xiaohua learned how Misty Sect disciples advanced through annual Martial Arts Tournaments and hoped to watch the upcoming event. After failing to sense Qi with Mighty Ox Strength, he succeeded in sensing and drawing Primordial Qi with the Carefree Heart Sutra, but could not tell where it went inside his body.

• He Tianshu explained that Commoner and Brocade disciples trained and advanced through different ranks and annual Martial Arts Tournament tests.
• Zhang Xiaohua learned the tournament was about a month away and that he could likely attend, though outsiders no longer competed.
• After returning to the medicinal fields, Zhang Xiaohua studied the Mighty Ox Strength manual Zhang Xiaohu had given him and failed to sense Qi.
• Zhang Xiaohua practiced the Carefree Heart Sutra's Nine Shallow, One Deep breathing and sensed Primordial Qi for the first time.
• Zhang Xiaohua calmed himself, sensed another wisp of Primordial Qi, and guided it into his body, but could not detect where it went.

Zhang Xiaohua struggled to reconcile his ability to absorb Primordial Qi with He Tianshu’s explanation of ordinary internal-energy training, then discovered that the medicinal field held far more qi at night. As he absorbed it, his cultivation triggered the dream and mysterious resonance with the stars again.

• Zhang Xiaohua absorbed wisps of Primordial Qi during the day, but each disappeared inside his body, so he asked He Tianshu how internal energy worked.
• He Tianshu explained that Qi Sensation created internal energy within the meridians and insisted that people could not absorb qi from outside their bodies.
• Zhang Xiaohua reread the Carefree Heart Sutra and learned that yuan stones could supply Primordial Qi, but only after reaching the ninth level.
• Zhang Xiaohua practiced at night and failed to sense qi in the woods, then returned to the medicinal field where he had first succeeded.
• Zhang Xiaohua sensed a much greater flow of Primordial Qi at the medicinal field and found that drawing in one wisp caused more to follow.
• Zhang Xiaohua lost track of time as qi entered his body, then fell into the dream while an invisible frequency from him harmonized with the stars.

While practicing in the woods, Zhang Xiaohua unexpectedly learned a difficult section of Misty Steps after watching He Tianshu struggle with it. He Tianshu realized Zhang Xiaohua’s lack of inner strength was why the movement came naturally to him, then offered to let him study the secret manual.

• Zhang Xiaohua woke refreshed after unconsciously cultivating through the night, though he did not notice the pure vital energy stored in his middle dantian.
• Zhang Xiaohua went to the woods and found He Tianshu struggling to understand the Misty Steps manual.
• He Tianshu demonstrated the footwork and invited Zhang Xiaohua to follow along, hoping to see him stumble at its difficult point.
• Zhang Xiaohua completed the difficult movement naturally, surprising He Tianshu, who had repeatedly failed to perform it himself.
• He Tianshu learned that Zhang Xiaohua’s lack of inner strength let him move naturally through the step, then offered him the secret manual to study.

Zhang Xiaohua asked Ou Yan for permission to build a hut beside the medicinal fields and to enter the Martial Arts Tournament. After Old Yu learned that Zhang Xiaohua had not sensed Qi while practicing Mighty Ox Strength, he mistook the hut plan for an effort to cultivate at night and urged him not to force what was not fated.

• He Tianshu praised Zhang Xiaohua's aptitude for the Misty Steps and suggested he might be better suited to literary studies, but Zhang Xiaohua said he preferred martial arts.
• Zhang Xiaohua offered to handle the medicinal fields while the others prepared for the Martial Arts Tournament and proposed building a hut there for the night.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked Ou Yan for leave to visit home, then accepted permission to build the hut when she agreed.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked to represent Huanxi Mountain Villa in the Martial Arts Tournament, and Ou Yan agreed to find out how he could enter.
• Old Yu examined Zhang Xiaohua's Mighty Ox Strength manual and, after hearing that he had not sensed Qi, assumed he planned to meditate at night in the fields and advised him not to force his cultivation.

Zhang Xiaohua built a grass shelter, experimented with Qi cultivation, and discovered that his Big Dipper Divine Fist seemed to temper his bones. After Ma Jing mistook the shelter for a calculated attempt to curry favor with Ou Yan, Zhang Xiaohua continued to the forest to practice his lightness skills and Misty Steps.

• Old Yu warned Zhang Xiaohua about the dangers of internal cultivation, while Ou Yan approved his grass shelter and told him to practice carefully.
• Zhang Xiaohua finished the shelter, noticed his strength and right-hand dexterity had improved, and used visualization to circulate primordial Qi for thirty-six cycles.
• While practicing his fist and sword techniques, Zhang Xiaohua realized the Big Dipper Divine Fist guided a current through 108 bones rather than his meridians.
• Zhang Xiaohua continued his cultivation and reading, then discovered Ma Jing and Liu Er believed his shelter was a shrewd bid to curry favor with Ou Yan.
• Ma Jing said the servants were discussing Zhang Xiaohua and hurried toward the warehouse, while Zhang Xiaohua decided not to worry about their misunderstanding.
• Zhang Xiaohua entered the forest and practiced the lightness skills and Misty Steps He Tianshu had taught him.

Zhang Xiaohua studied the next levels of Misty Steps and discovered that their qinggong techniques required internal energy, though Floating Technique appeared clearly in his mind. He wondered whether he could practice the techniques through visualization, then learned that Miss had registered him for the Misty Sect's Martial Arts Tournament.

• Zhang Xiaohua practiced basic qinggong in the grove and accidentally evaded He Tianshu's punch with Misty Steps.
• He Tianshu gave Zhang Xiaohua pages describing the second- and third-level methods of Misty Steps to study.
• Zhang Xiaohua comprehended the third-level vertical ascent and Floating Technique methods, but realized both depended on internal energy.
• Zhang Xiaohua considered using visualization to practice qinggong while working and sleeping in the thatched shed.
• Qiutong visited Zhang Xiaohua and told him that Miss had registered him for the Misty Sect's Martial Arts Tournament.

Zhang Xiaohua discovered that two steps in the second level of the Misty Steps manual had been reversed, allowing him to understand the entire sequence. During a storm, he practiced Qi Introduction in his grass shack and drew in unusually lively Primordial Qi, but a thunderclap struck directly above him.

• Qiutong visited Zhang Xiaohua, advised him not to tear down his grass shack, and cautioned him against overtraining before the Martial Arts Tournament.
• He Tianshu returned the Misty Steps manual pages to Zhang Xiaohua, then took him to the woods to teach him more footwork, which Zhang Xiaohua struggled to perform.
• After He Tianshu left, Zhang Xiaohua realized two steps in the footwork were reversed and corrected them, then comprehended the rest of the second level.
• Rain drove Zhang Xiaohua into his grass shack, where he read before beginning his nightly Qi Introduction practice.
• Zhang Xiaohua drew in lively Primordial Qi and circulated it through his meridians until thunder struck directly above the shack.

Zhang Xiaohua survived a night of violent Qi and thunder, waking with Qi Sensation and enlarged, repaired meridians without understanding what had happened. He discovered that the surge of Primordial Qi was gone, then returned He Tianshu’s Misty Steps pages and asked him to arrange lessons in sword or saber techniques.

• Thunder struck while Zhang Xiaohua cultivated, disrupting his perception and sending violent Primordial Qi flooding into his meridians until he lost consciousness at midnight.
• As Zhang Xiaohua slept, starlight shielded him, repaired and expanded his damaged meridians, and helped him absorb the Qi and mysterious vitality until dawn.
• Zhang Xiaohua woke covered in black residue and blood, washed himself, and then discovered a fine thread of internal energy moving through his meridians.
• Zhang Xiaohua circulated the Carefree Heart Sutra for thirty-six cycles, but found that the Primordial Qi he had sensed the night before had disappeared.
• He Tianshu visited to retrieve the Misty Steps pages, warned Zhang Xiaohua about cultivating during thunderstorms, and offered to have the returning companions teach him martial arts.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked for sword or saber lessons instead of fist techniques, and He Tianshu agreed on the companions’ behalf.

Zhang Xiaohua reflected on trusting his own martial arts insights, then failed to master the Misty Steps’ lightness skill and sought He Tianshu’s guidance. He Tianshu discovered that the manual contained an exceptionally powerful lightness skill and thanked Zhang Xiaohua for sharing it.

• Zhang Xiaohua advanced the Big Dipper Divine Fist to its third level and later mastered the second-level footwork of the Misty Steps through his own practice.
• After realizing he had been waiting for He Tianshu’s approval unnecessarily, Zhang Xiaohua decided to follow his own understanding and began studying the Misty Steps’ third-level lightness skill.
• Zhang Xiaohua failed to make the lightness skill work and, unable to find He Tianshu, returned to his shed to cultivate.
• He Tianshu told Zhang Xiaohua that a portion of the Misty Steps had helped him defeat a previously superior opponent at the Medicine Hall.
• He Tianshu read the third-level method, recognized its lightness skill as the finest in the Misty Sect, and thanked Zhang Xiaohua for letting him learn it.

He Tianshu explained the two methods in Misty Steps and Zhang Xiaohua prepared for the Martial Arts Tournament. As the tournament began, a Misty Sect man sent Zhang Xiaohua galloping away on a horse he could not control, and the chapter ended with the horse charging past the Villa guard.

• He Tianshu said the first method in Misty Steps was a practical vertical-leaping technique, while the second required releasing true qi outside the body and was likely impossible to use for lightness skill.
• He Tianshu asked whether Zhang Xiaohua would enter the Martial Arts Tournament and advised him to practice Misty Steps; Zhang Xiaohua said Manor Lord Ou had registered him.
• Qiuju told Zhang Xiaohua the tournament was starting that day and escorted him to the Inner Courtyard, where a coldly dismissive Misty Sect man was waiting.
• The man mocked Zhang Xiaohua, then lifted him onto a horse and sent it galloping off, despite knowing Zhang Xiaohua could not ride.
• Zhang Xiaohua steadied himself on the horse but could not make it stop, so he shouted that he was a beginner as he charged through the Villa side gate.
• The guard dodged Zhang Xiaohua's horse, then threw himself aside again when the Misty Sect man galloped up behind him.

Zhang Xiaohua reached the Misty Sect for its Martial Arts Tournament after a chaotic ride and a humiliating fall. He discovered the tournament was for the young disciples of Fledgling Eagle Hall, reunited with Shangguan Yun and Yu Deyi, and listened as Ou Peng officially opened the event.

• A Misty Sect disciple chased Zhang Xiaohua from Huanxi Mountain Villa, and Zhang Xiaohua’s horse stopped abruptly at the Misty Sect gate, throwing him to the ground.
• Zhang Xiaohua argued with Jiang about being tricked, then followed him through Misty Mountain Villa, mistaking its many fighting rings for opera stages.
• Jiang delivered Zhang Xiaohua to Steward Xu at the Fledgling Eagle Hall compound, where Zhang Xiaohua saw a crowd of young disciples and a central ring.
• Zhang Xiaohua spotted Shangguan Yun and Yu Deyi among the spectators and hurried over to ask what was happening.
• Ou Peng announced the start of the Martial Arts Tournament and delivered a long speech to the Fledgling Eagle Hall disciples.

Zhang Xiaohua entered the Misty Sect’s Commoner First Rank tournament and discovered that the young disciples were far more skilled than he had expected. When it was his turn to fight, he revealed that he had never learned lightness skill and tried to climb onto the platform, leaving Captain Chang speechless.

• Ou Peng opened the Martial Arts Tournament, and Zhang Xiaohua realized the Commoner First Rank matches were meant for children under ten.
• Steward Xu gave Zhang Xiaohua plaque Number 250 and assigned him to a group of younger, shorter children, while Shangguan Yun and Yu Deyi joined other groups.
• Team Leader Ma and Team Leader Li explained the round-robin rules, and Zhang Xiaohua watched the children demonstrate impressive martial arts and lightness skill.
• A child surnamed Chang won his match and gave Zhang Xiaohua a provocative look, while Zhang Xiaohua assessed the other contestants.
• When his turn came, Zhang Xiaohua tried to climb onto the platform because he had never learned lightness skill, prompting Captain Chang to consider changing the tournament rules.

Zhang Xiaohua competed in the Martial Arts Tournament, drew all nine of his matches, and unexpectedly used the Misty Steps and Floating Technique. The chapter ended with the exhausted group collapsing after he asked Team Leader Ma where they would eat.

• Captain Chang tried to send Zhang Xiaohua onto the arena, accidentally throwing him over it, then helped him up more carefully.
• Zhang Xiaohua fought Mu Tangchun, used the Misty Steps to dodge his attacks, and drew the match when time ran out.
• Team Leader Ma recognized the Misty Steps and wondered why Zhang Xiaohua from Huanxi Mountain Villa knew the sect's secret movement art.
• Zhang Xiaohua reflected on his brief attempt at the Floating Technique, then fought the rest of his group to draws by combining his strength with the Misty Steps.
• After Zhang Xiaohua finished all nine matches, he asked Team Leader Ma where they would eat, and everyone collapsed in exasperation.

Shangguan Yun and Yu Deyi suffered humiliating results in the first day of the Martial Arts Tournament, while Zhang Xiaohua focused on finding food and then went looking for Zhang Xiaohu. With Changge's help, he reached Zhang Xiaohu's courtyard, where the brothers reunited and Zhang Xiaohu asked who had come with him.

• Shangguan Yun lost all three of his matches and wondered how Yu Deyi had fared.
• Yu Deyi drew two matches and lost one, then secretly hoped his rivals would get diarrhea before the next day’s bouts.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked Captain Chang whether he could move freely around the Misty Sect and learned he could visit Zhang Xiaohu’s residence.
• After getting lost, Zhang Xiaohua met Aunt Qin, who asked Changge to guide him to Zhang Xiaohu’s courtyard.
• Changge questioned Zhang Xiaohua about killing the old man in black, and he said the man had simply been careless.
• Zhang Xiaohua sang through the gate to summon Zhang Xiaohu, who came out delighted and asked whether Young Master Li Jinfeng had accompanied him.

Zhang Xiaohua visited Zhang Xiaohu, met Changge, and discussed the Martial Arts Tournament and their wish to return home together. After the brothers sparred and went to sleep, Zhang Xiaohua’s Carefree Heart Sutra drew in starlight and Primordial Qi, quietly strengthening his true qi.

• Changge greeted Zhang Xiaohu, recognized Zhang Xiaohua, and left to prepare for her competition while promising to cheer him on if she finished early.
• Zhang Xiaohu warned Zhang Xiaohua about the tournament’s skilled disciples, and Zhang Xiaohua urged him not to let fear of losing face prevent him from learning.
• The brothers agreed to wait until Zhang Xiaohu could get leave before returning home together, and Zhang Xiaohua stayed at his courtyard for the night.
• Zhang Xiaohua explained that repeating his fist routine brought a cool current through his bones, then sparred with Zhang Xiaohu without using Misty Steps.
• After the brothers went to sleep, Zhang Xiaohua’s Carefree Heart Sutra absorbed starlight and Primordial Qi, which merged into and slightly strengthened his true qi.

Zhang Xiaohu accompanied Zhang Xiaohua to Fledgling Eagle Hall for the second day of the tournament, where he watched the young disciples’ impressive matches and reflected on his place in Misty Sect. When Zhang Xiaohua’s turn came, he climbed onto the arena with his brother’s help and showed off his graceful movement, leaving Zhang Xiaohu embarrassed and Captain Chang intrigued.

• Zhang Xiaohu teased Zhang Xiaohua about calling out Junior Sister Changge in his sleep, then asked whether his younger brother knew her or Hall Master Qin of Mingcui Hall.
• Zhang Xiaohu accompanied Zhang Xiaohua to Fledgling Eagle Hall, where they met Shangguan Yun and Yu Deyi, who said they had lost all three of their matches the previous day.
• The guards admitted Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Xiaohu, and the two guest competitors, and the captains explained that Zhang Xiaohua could stay elsewhere as long as he arrived for his matches on time.
• Zhang Xiaohu watched the children’s bouts and felt humbled by their skill, then found pride in his connection to Zhang Xiaohua and resolved to work toward Misty Sect’s future.
• When Captain Chang called Zhang Xiaohua’s number, Zhang Xiaohua asked Zhang Xiaohu to boost him onto the arena, then flipped gracefully onto the platform using movements he had learned from Misty Steps.
• Captain Chang became interested in Misty Steps and quietly sent a disciple to carry out his instructions, while Zhang Xiaohu walked away embarrassed and someone asked what he had been doing.

Zhang Xiaohu reunited with Changge and Chen Chen at the tournament and watched Zhang Xiaohua fight to a draw using his strength and Misty Steps. Zhang Xiaohu resolved to catch up with Changge, and Zhang Xiaohua prepared for his next match using a ladder instead of being thrown onto the platform.

• Zhang Xiaohu explained to Changge and Chen Chen that Zhang Xiaohua did not know lightness skill, and Changge stopped Chen Chen from embarrassing him with more questions.
• Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen watched Zhang Xiaohua fight an opponent to a draw by meeting attacks with his strength and dodging techniques with Misty Steps.
• Zhang Xiaohua greeted Changge and Chen Chen, then told them that Great Gang Leader Ou had forbidden him from revealing the source of his footwork.
• Zhang Xiaohu admitted that he felt ashamed of his weak martial arts, and Changge encouraged him to focus on training; they agreed to address each other by name.
• Changge and Chen Chen watched and evaluated the tournament matches with Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua.
• Captain Chang brought a ladder for Zhang Xiaohua to use, and Zhang Xiaohua climbed onto the platform for his next match.

Zhang Xiaohua drew his matches through brute force and spent the day at Fledgling Eagle Hall with Zhang Xiaohu, Changge, and Chen Chen. He later went with Zhang Xiaohu to visit He Tianshu at Medicine Hall, but the guards refused him entry without special authorization.

• Zhang Xiaohua fought another draw while Changge and Chen Chen watched, and Yu Deyi and Shangguan Yun withdrew from the tournament after suffering defeats.
• Chen Chen questioned Zhang Xiaohua about his Big Dipper Divine Fist, while Changge explained the contestants’ moves to Zhang Xiaohu.
• Zhang Xiaohua drew his next match, and Changge and Chen Chen declined Zhang Xiaohu’s dinner invitation before parting from the brothers.
• Zhang Xiaohua told Zhang Xiaohu he had not lost his earlier matches and promised to win the following day, then asked to visit He Tianshu at Medicine Hall.
• Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua reached Medicine Hall, but the guard allowed Zhang Xiaohua’s identity plaque only as proof of identity and barred him from entering without special authorization.

Zhang Xiaohua was barred from entering Medicine Hall and was humiliated by Steward Chang when he tried to greet him. Zhang Xiaohu and He Tianshu sought permission for him to visit, but Steward Chang accused him of suspicious intentions, and He Tianshu challenged the accusation before Hall Master Bai.

• Zhang Xiaohu entered Medicine Hall to find He Tianshu while Zhang Xiaohua waited outside its gate.
• Steward Chang berated Zhang Xiaohua and insulted him when he recognized him from Huanxi Mountain Villa.
• Zhang Xiaohu found He Tianshu sparring in the Training Room, where others praised He Tianshu's newly learned Misty Steps.
• He Tianshu decided to ask Hall Master Bai for a token so Zhang Xiaohua could enter Medicine Hall.
• Steward Chang accused Zhang Xiaohua of lurking and possibly stealing, and He Tianshu asked what evidence supported the accusation.