Chapter Summaries

Zhang Xiaohua received a small black sword as a toy and discovered it could pierce hard bamboo when he practiced with it. As the Huanxi Mountain Villa group continued its journey, a brocade-clad man followed their trail after paying the innkeeper for information.

• He Tianshu bought a steel sword for seven taels and let Zhang Xiaohua keep the small sword the blacksmith had included as a free gift.
• Zhang Xiaohua fell asleep in the street while walking back with He Tianshu, who found him and eventually brought him to the inn.
• At dawn, Zhang Xiaohua practiced the Big Dipper Divine Fist and his sword moves in a bamboo grove, where the small sword pierced a thick bamboo stalk.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned to the inn, apologized to He Tianshu, and joined the group as the Huanxi Mountain Villa party set out again.
• The blacksmith told the butcher that He Tianshu had paid seven taels for the steel sword and that the small sword had cost him only fifteen copper coins.
• He Tianshu told Zhang Xiaohua that his habit of falling asleep late at night might complicate future internal energy cultivation, but said they could address it later.

Zhang Xiaohua and the Huanxi Mountain Villa party encountered road robbers who proposed settling the robbery with three challenges instead of a fight. After Ou Yan accepted the challenge, Aunt Qin objected to holding all three bouts at once, and the brigands had yet to respond.

• Zhang Xiaohua practiced his sword techniques during the journey and discovered that his thrust could punch a bowl-wide hole through a tree.
• Ou Yan agreed to detour around a mountain, unknowingly avoiding an ambush by men dressed in black.
• Shi Niu stopped the carriages when a Signal Arrow landed on the road, and a robber demanded toll money while insulting his singing.
• Shi Niu confronted the robbers, and their strategist proposed three challenges to decide whether the travelers could pass.
• Ou Yan accepted the challenge, but Aunt Qin insisted the bouts be held one after another to protect the carriages.

Huanxi Mountain Villa’s group faced a band of supposed bandits in a staged martial contest, where Shi Niu sent the Great Leader flying with one palm and the bandits fled. The bandits later revealed that the encounter had been a test arranged by their master, and Xiucai Qi sent a message to report their findings.

• Xiucai Qi sent the Second Boss to fight He Tianshu, and the two fought to a draw before calling the round off.
• Shi Niu fought the Great Leader barehanded and knocked him flying with a single palm, prompting the bandits to retreat.
• Huanxi Mountain Villa’s group checked the woods for an ambush, found no one, and continued their journey.
• The bandits regrouped in a nearby valley, where Old Zhao revealed that he had faked his injury by biting his tongue.
• Xiucai Qi discussed their intelligence about Shi Niu, Aunt Qin, and He Tianshu, then wrote a note and sent a brocade-clad man away on horseback.

Ou Yan’s party continued toward Hui Chun Valley after Lan Dong warned the Misty Sect that the roadside robbers might signal a threat, but the warning arrived too late to protect them. As Zhang Xiaohua returned from practicing during a sudden storm, a hidden watcher disappeared, and hoofbeats approached the camp.

• Lan Dong reported the suspicious bandits to his superiors, then learned that Misty Manor had ordered him to protect Ou Yan and rode after her party with the town’s disciples.
• Ou Yan’s group camped beside a river, where Ou Yan praised Zhang Xiaohua’s diligence and promised to speak to her brother about giving him a chance to study martial arts.
• Ou Yan allowed Zhang Xiaohua to let He Tianshu read her books, and Aunt Qin warned Zhang Xiaohua to take care of his healing hand.
• Zhang Xiaohua practiced on a nearby hill as rain began, while a hooded figure watched him and then vanished using lightness skill.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned to camp and told He Tianshu about Ou Yan’s promise, but their conversation ended when they heard dense hoofbeats outside the tent.

He Tianshu and the Huanxi Mountain Villa disciples fought a group of black-clad attackers who had surrounded their camp, while Zhang Xiaohua watched from hiding, torn between fleeing and helping Ou Yan. When several people escaped through a cut in Ou Yan’s tent, the black-clad elder flew toward them.

• He Tianshu warned Zhang Xiaohua to hide and ran to Ou Yan’s tent to join the others preparing for an attack.
• Aunt Qin ordered disciples to prepare horses to protect Ou Yan and told the remaining disciples to ready themselves for battle.
• The black-clad attackers surrounded the camp, rejected He Tianshu’s attempt to negotiate, and charged when Aunt Qin and Shi Niu attacked.
• He Tianshu recognized his opponent as the Second Boss from the earlier road ambush and was wounded before fighting back with Misty Sect sword techniques.
• Zhang Xiaohua watched the battle from his tent, unsure whether to flee or stay to help Ou Yan and Qiutong.
• Several people crawled through a slash in Ou Yan’s tent, and the black-clad elder leaped from his horse and flew toward them.

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.