Chapter Summaries

Ye Jingtang learned that Prince Jing would release Qiu Tianhe only if Ye Jingtang learned his saber techniques and served the court, while Luo Ning worried the bargain would bind them both. They devised a plan to lure the Wingless Owl with rumors of a disgraceful theft, but Ye Jingtang left to ask the Black Bureau about obtaining Prince Jing’s gold-thread bellyband.

• Ye Jingtang told Luo Ning that Qiu Tianhe was imprisoned beneath the Jade Resonance Tower and described Prince Jing’s offer to release him in exchange for Ye Jingtang learning his saber techniques and serving the court.
• Luo Ning urged Ye Jingtang to pursue a future in the martial world, but he said he wanted to learn her martial arts and help save Qiu Tianhe.
• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning discussed how to provoke the Wingless Owl into investigating rumors that someone had stolen under his name.
• Luo Ning suggested stealing Prince Jing’s gold-thread bellyband, and Ye Jingtang decided to ask the Black Bureau about it.

Dongfang Liren reviewed reports of threats in the capital while Ye Jingtang prepared bait to lure Wingless Owl into a trap. Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning set out disguised as traveling burglars, leaving their plan in motion.

• Dongfang Liren learned that the Red Flower House's leaders were gathering and that the assassin Blood Bodhi might have entered the capital with the Green Bandits, and she ordered the Black Bureau to watch newcomers from Liangzhou.
• Dongfang Liren saw Wang Chihu leave the Black Bureau and learned that Ye Jingtang had borrowed bait to catch Wingless Owl.
• Wang Chihu gave Ye Jingtang a valuable jade Horned Gentleman to use as bait, while informants spread rumors about stolen goods.
• Ye Jingtang showed the jade carving to Luo Ning and Zhe Yunli; Luo Ning sent Zhe Yunli away and scolded Ye Jingtang for using such bait.
• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning disguised themselves as a traveling couple and agreed that she would call him Huang Silang as they went to sell the stolen goods.

Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning used rumors about a stolen object to lure Wingless Owl while posing as a married couple at an inn. When Niao Niao signaled that someone was watching outside, they pretended to be intimate to keep their cover intact.

• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning heard the Black Bureau's rumors spreading through Cloud Peace City as they tried to attract Wingless Owl's attention.
• Ye Jingtang chose an inn for them to stay at, and Luo Ning reluctantly shared a bed with him while they kept up their married-couple disguise.
• Niao Niao signaled that a suspicious figure was outside the inn, and Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning realized their quarry might be listening nearby.
• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning exchanged affectionate-sounding words and gestures to maintain their cover as someone lurked outside their window.

Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning waited through the night for the person watching their inn, while their awkward closeness tested Luo Ning’s composure. Niao Niao returned soaked with a trail to follow, and the pair left the inn to pursue Wingless Owl.

• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning pretended to kiss while listening for whoever was outside, and Ye Jingtang secretly stroked her back until Luo Ning caught him and ordered him to sleep.
• The two waited for hours as noises from another room embarrassed and distracted Luo Ning, but no one approached their window.
• Niao Niao chirped at the window late in the night, and Ye Jingtang let the soaked bird inside.
• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning learned that the watcher appeared to be gone, while Niao Niao indicated she had followed someone.
• Ye Jingtang explained that Niao Niao could lead them to Wingless Owl, and he and Luo Ning climbed out the window to follow her.

Guo Yuanlong, the Wingless Owl, examined the Dragon-Elephant Diagram in his hiding place while Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning tracked him through the rain. A concealed-weapon trap exposed their approach, and Luo Ning was struck by a hidden needle as she rescued Ye Jingtang.

• Guo Yuanlong studied the Dragon-Elephant Diagram, a page of the Dragon-Mingling Diagram he had stolen from the Prince of Yan's Residence.
• After hearing rumors about the Wingless Owl, Guo Yuanlong changed hiding places and prepared to study the diagram instead of going out to steal.
• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning crept toward Guo Yuanlong's abandoned courtyard, while Niao Niao waited at the alley entrance.
• Ye Jingtang triggered a concealed trap, and silver needles shot toward the places he might dodge.
• Luo Ning cut down the visible needles and pulled Ye Jingtang away from a silent black needle, but the needle stabbed her shoulder.

Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning pursued Wingless Owl, Guo Yuanlong, after he fled with the Dragon-Mingling Diagram. Despite Guo Yuanlong’s immense strength and seemingly invulnerable armor, Ye Jingtang killed him with a final slash, while Luo Ning was left injured by a concealed needle.

• Luo Ning pulled Ye Jingtang aside as Guo Yuanlong escaped through a window, and Ye Jingtang smashed through the courtyard wall to stop him.
• Luo Ning attacked Guo Yuanlong with the Peacock-Opening Sword while Ye Jingtang struck him with a palm, badly injuring his right arm but suffering a powerful counterblow himself.
• Luo Ning tossed Ye Jingtang his saber, and the pair chased Guo Yuanlong across the rooftops as his injuries slowed him.
• Guo Yuanlong ambushed his pursuers with flying needles, but Ye Jingtang charged through a courtyard wall and knocked him into the street.
• Guo Yuanlong’s breastplate resisted Ye Jingtang’s first saber slash, but Ye Jingtang’s second slash cut off his head and killed him.

Ye Jingtang defeated Wingless Owl and discovered the Dragon-Mingling Diagram and Lu Jieyun’s Martial Arts Insights among the burglar’s possessions. After the Black Bureau took away the corpse and the Dragon Pool Tourmaline, Ye Jingtang carried the poisoned Luo Ning toward an inn, while she insisted on returning to Twin Osmanthus Alley.

• Ye Jingtang defeated Wingless Owl, who had poisoned Luo Ning, and searched his corpse for an antidote.
• Ye Jingtang found a gold sheet that Luo Ning identified as the dangerous Dragon-Mingling Diagram, along with Lu Jieyun’s Martial Arts Insights and the Zhou Family’s Dragon Pool Tourmaline.
• When Ye Jingtang found no antidote, Luo Ning said she could expel the poison after returning to Twin Osmanthus Alley.
• Black Bureau constables arrived, and Ye Jingtang showed them his credentials, handed over the Dragon Pool Tourmaline, and let them take Wingless Owl’s body.
• Ye Jingtang reunited with Luo Ning in a dark alley and carried her toward an imperial physician, then changed course for an inn when she warned him the physician might recognize her.
• Luo Ning objected to going to the inn and demanded that Ye Jingtang put her down so she could return to Twin Osmanthus Alley.

Ye Jingtang brought the injured Luo Ning to an inn and insisted on treating her poisoned shoulder, despite her protests and suspicion that he meant to take advantage of her. He drew out the poison, leaving Luo Ning embarrassed and furious but relieved that he had not been poisoned.

• Ye Jingtang carried Luo Ning through the rain to an inn and put her on a bed so he could examine her shoulder.
• Luo Ning discovered the poison had bruised her shoulder and realized she could not draw it out herself.
• Ye Jingtang pulled back the bed curtains and restrained Luo Ning so he could treat the injury, while she accused him of having wicked intentions.
• Ye Jingtang sucked the poison from Luo Ning's shoulder and spat the black blood into a teacup.
• Luo Ning worried that Ye Jingtang had been poisoned, then learned he was only reacting to the bitter taste.
• Ye Jingtang threatened to make Luo Ning taste the poison, and she hurriedly covered his mouth to stop him.

After treating Luo Ning’s wound, Ye Jingtang stole her first kiss, then turned their attention to the martial arts they had acquired. Luo Ning began teaching him lightness skills, but his first attempt sent him crashing through the inn’s roof.

• Ye Jingtang finished treating Luo Ning’s wound and secretly kissed her, prompting her to draw her sword and accuse him.
• Ye Jingtang pinned Luo Ning down when she tried to attack, then they argued over his treatment of her before discussing Lu Jieyun’s lightness-skills booklet and the Dragon-Mingling Diagram.
• Luo Ning agreed to teach Ye Jingtang basic lightness skills, explaining how to make the body light or heavy by guiding qi.
• Ye Jingtang copied Luo Ning’s horse stance and tried the technique, launching through the inn’s roof as Niao Niao followed him outside.
• The inn’s guests and staff shouted about the noise and demanded payment for the damaged roof while Ye Jingtang dangled from the hole.

Ye Jingtang examined the mysterious Dragon-Mingling Diagram, collected a reward for catching Wingless Owl, and went to meet Prince Jing. At Jade Resonance Tower, the Empress Dowager discovered that Dongfang Liren’s portrait of a handsome man appeared to depict Ye Jingtang, and he noticed her watching him.

• Ye Jingtang studied the blank gold sheet bearing a tortoise and three mountains, while Luo Ning brooded over her past and her feelings for him.
• Ye Jingtang told Luo Ning he was going to report to the Black Bureau, then collected three hundred taels and a commendation for capturing Wingless Owl.
• Ye Jingtang asked Shang Jianli to notify Prince Jing and waited at the Black Bureau with the Purple Sandalwood Box containing the Horned Gentleman.
• Dongfang Liren finished painting a portrait while keeping the Empress Dowager company at Jade Resonance Tower, then left to meet Ye Jingtang.
• The Empress Dowager found Dongfang Liren’s portrait of a handsome man and saw Ye Jingtang below; she compared him to the portrait, and he looked up at her.

Ye Jingtang offered Dongfang Liren the lightness skill insights and received the Dragon Pool Tourmaline before visiting Qiu Tianhe to ask for his saber technique. After Ye Jingtang hinted at his connection to Zhe Yunli, Qiu Tianhe mistakenly concluded that he was a Sky-Pacifying Sect spy working undercover in the Black Bureau.

• Dongfang Liren discovered the Horned Gentleman in Ye Jingtang's box, then accepted his explanation and let him keep Lu Jieyun's lightness skill insights.
• Dongfang Liren gave Ye Jingtang the Dragon Pool Tourmaline and arranged to discuss his progress with the lightness skill in three days.
• Ye Jingtang went to the dungeon and asked Qiu Tianhe to teach him the Tianhe Blade in exchange for helping secure Qiu Tianhe's release.
• Qiu Tianhe refused at first, fearing his release would put Ye Jingtang under Prince Jing's control.
• Ye Jingtang traced Zhe Yunli's name on his scabbard, leading Qiu Tianhe to mistake him for a Sky-Pacifying Sect agent infiltrating the Black Bureau.

Qiu Tianhe demonstrated the Tianhe Blade to Ye Jingtang, who quickly grasped its intent and countered Qiu’s sudden attack. Astonished by Ye’s understanding, Qiu sent him away to practice on his own.

• Qiu Tianhe accepted Ye Jingtang’s request for instruction and demonstrated the Tianhe Blade after Shang Jianli left the chamber.
• Ye Jingtang ignored Qiu’s explanation and began copying the movements, sensing that the described qi pathways were wrong and following his own judgment.
• Ye Jingtang grasped the blade’s intent and used it to intercept Qiu Tianhe’s chain before it could strike him.
• Qiu Tianhe asked how Ye Jingtang knew the Tianhe Blade, then explained that it was an internal art with countless variations and dismissed him to practice alone.
• Ye Jingtang thanked Qiu Tianhe and left, while Qiu leaned against the wall and shut himself away.

Ye Jingtang learned the basics of the Tianhe Blade from Qiu Tianhe and returned to Dyeing Street to share news over dinner with Luo Ning and Zhe Yunli. The meal ended in comic misery when Luo Ning discovered her distracted cooking had made the pork unbearably salty.

• Ye Jingtang left the Black Bureau after learning the Tianhe Blade, and Meng Jiao startled him as he eavesdropped near Jade Resonance Tower.
• Ye Jingtang told Zhe Yunli that Qiu Tianhe had agreed to teach him the blade technique so he could teach Prince Jing and help secure Qiu Tianhe's release.
• Ye Jingtang gave Luo Ning the Dragon Pool Tourmaline as her share of their capture, and she warned him not to push his luck.
• Luo Ning cooked dinner while distracted, and Ye Jingtang and Zhe Yunli hid how salty the pork was by forcing themselves to eat it.
• Luo Ning tasted the pork, realized how bad it was, and went outside to scold Niao Niao for watching the meal.

Pei Xiangjun summoned the Azure Dragon Hall’s incense masters to introduce Ye Jingtang as her intended young master, while also discussing the hall’s business disputes. She later led Ye Jingtang through a secret passage beneath her bedroom, where a brightly lit underground hall awaited them.

• Pei Xiangjun told Li Sanwen, Wang Ren, and Madam Yellow Candle that Ye Jingtang was a capable first-rate expert and that she intended to name him young master.
• The incense masters questioned Ye Jingtang’s youth and Pei Xiangjun’s decision, while Wang Ren raised the Azure Dragon Hall’s worsening dispute with the Zhou Family over Clear River Wharf.
• Pei Xiangjun said she would visit the Zhou Family’s old master for his birthday and discuss the business dispute in person.
• Ye Jingtang returned to the Pei residence after working with the Black Bureau, and Pei Xiangjun brought him into her bedroom for a private conversation.
• Pei Xiangjun triggered a hidden trap beneath the bed, dropping herself and Ye Jingtang into a secret underground passage.
• Pei Xiangjun lit the passage and opened a door that revealed a brightly lit underground hall.

Ye Jingtang attended a Red Flower House meeting where Pei Xiangjun nominated him as Young House Master, and he proved his strength by defeating Li Sanwen with a single saber strike. The Incense Masters accepted him, and as the House prepared for upcoming challenges, Ye Jingtang volunteered to learn spear techniques and visit the Watercloud Sword Pool.

• Pei Xiangjun introduced Ye Jingtang to the eight Incense Masters and proposed appointing him Young House Master.
• Ye Jingtang answered Li Sanwen's doubts about his loyalty, then challenged the Incense Masters to test him.
• Ye Jingtang's saber strike drove Li Sanwen to the floor despite another Incense Master's spear intervention, and the Incense Masters accepted Ye Jingtang as Young House Master.
• Pei Xiangjun said she would formally announce Ye Jingtang's appointment at a meeting with the hall masters in West King Town.
• The Incense Masters discussed upcoming disputes with the White Tiger Hall and the Zhou Family, while Ye Jingtang volunteered to learn spear techniques and visit the Watercloud Sword Pool.

Luo Ning learned that the Zhou Family’s birthday banquet might spark a conflict with the Red Flower House, and she prepared to return to Southern Skies Mountain to discuss it with the sect master. Meanwhile, Ye Jingtang helped Pei Xiangjun manage the Red Flower House’s incense masters, then declined her offer of money and lodging.

• Zhe Yunli told Luo Ning that Guardian Zhang had arrived in the Capital City and wanted her to return to Southern Skies Mountain because the Zhou Family’s banquet could lead to a clash with the Red Flower House.
• Luo Ning refused to leave Zhe Yunli behind with Ye Jingtang and decided to speak with Ye Jingtang before traveling back with her.
• Ye Jingtang attended the Red Flower House’s meeting and listened as its eight incense masters described the organization’s businesses.
• Pei Xiangjun praised Ye Jingtang for helping her bring the incense masters into line and invited him to live in the Pei household.
• Ye Jingtang declined Pei Xiangjun’s banknotes and offer of lodging, then left with Niao Niao.

Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning discussed her impending departure and the terms of their arrangement while sharing a meal and wine. Luo Ning agreed to return after about twenty days, while Ye Jingtang said he would be away on business too, and he pressed her to reveal her background.

• Ye Jingtang returned to the courtyard with Niao Niao and noticed Luo Ning had made the home tidier.
• Luo Ning told Ye Jingtang she needed to leave for an important matter at home, prompting him to ask whether she planned never to return.
• Luo Ning said she would come back and teach him the Cloud-Touching Fourteen Hands if he helped Qiu Tianhe regain his full freedom.
• Luo Ning explained that she was leaving to deliver a gift and expected to return in about twenty days.
• Ye Jingtang said he would be away on work, then questioned Luo Ning about her identity and joked about his feelings for her.
• Luo Ning refused to reveal her background until Qiu Tianhe was out of danger, and Ye Jingtang began hinting that Prince Jing's support had a reason.

Luo Ning tried to keep Ye Jingtang from seeking the lady prince’s protection by threatening him with her supposed husband, then revealed that her marriage to the Sky-Pacifying Sect Master was only a partnership. After noticing Ye Jingtang seemed unhappy, she worried he had misunderstood her and promised to explain after they rescued Qiu Tianhe.

• Luo Ning warned Ye Jingtang to wait until she decided how he should repay her before pursuing the lady prince, and Ye Jingtang pointed out that she was already married.
• Luo Ning claimed her husband liked men and threatened that the husband would punish Ye Jingtang for taking liberties with her.
• Luo Ning explained that her marriage to the Sky-Pacifying Sect Master was a sham partnership and insisted she controlled their household.
• Luo Ning noticed Ye Jingtang seemed unhappy and clarified that nothing improper was happening between her and the Sky-Pacifying Sect Master.
• Ye Jingtang asked whether Luo Ning was afraid he would get the wrong idea.

Ye Jingtang carried a drunken Luo Ning to bed, but she woke and mistook his attempt to remove her hairpin for an assault. She chased him around the room with her sword, while he insisted he had done nothing.

• Luo Ning said she could not hold her liquor, but Ye Jingtang drank her wine and she poured him another cup.
• Luo Ning fell asleep against Ye Jingtang, and he carried her to bed and removed her shoes.
• Luo Ning woke as Ye Jingtang reached toward her face and sealed his acupoints with a finger strike.
• Luo Ning accused Ye Jingtang of taking liberties and threatened him with her sword, while he and Niao Niao tried to explain.
• Luo Ning chased Ye Jingtang around the room with her sword aimed below his belt, and he dodged behind the furniture.

Pei Xiangjun’s sister-in-law urged her to secure Ye Jingtang’s loyalty by finding him a wife, and Pei Xiangjun went to sound him out. She arrived at his home and found him with an armed, barefoot woman, leaving her unsure whether she had interrupted a lovers’ quarrel.

• Pei Xiangjun praised Ye Jingtang’s conduct to Zhang Yulian, who warned that the Red Flower House needed to give him a reason to stay loyal.
• Zhang Yulian suggested Pei Xiangjun or another woman from the Red Flower House marry Ye Jingtang, and Pei Xiangjun decided to ask whether he wanted to start a family.
• Pei Xiangjun and Xiuhe traveled by carriage to Ye Jingtang’s home on Dyeing Street.
• Pei Xiangjun heard a woman chasing Ye Jingtang and rushed into his courtyard, where she found him facing a beautiful, sword-wielding woman beside a meal and Niao Niao.
• Pei Xiangjun noticed the woman was barefoot and flushed, then asked Ye Jingtang who she was.