Chapter Summaries

Pei Xiangjun regretted sending Ye Jingtang away, while Dongfang Liren arrived at Dyeing Street and mistakenly thought he was being intimate with another woman. Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning continued dealing with the drug’s effects together as the night went on.

• Pei Xiangjun reflected on how Ye Jingtang had revived the Pei Family and Red Flower House, then regretted letting him leave with the cult leader’s wife.
• Dongfang Liren reprimanded the Black Bureau’s chief constables for failing to catch Xu Bailin and learned that Ye Jingtang had been injured in the fight.
• Dongfang Liren went to Dyeing Street to retrieve Niao Niao, heard sounds from Ye Jingtang’s home, and left believing he was being intimate with a woman.
• Luo Ning told Ye Jingtang to forget what had happened by dawn, but discovered that the drug’s effects had not worn off.
• Ye Jingtang explained that the drug would keep affecting them while they still had energy, and Luo Ning agreed to continue helping him.

After waking and remembering what happened with Ye Jingtang, Luo Ning tried to conceal her embarrassment while Ye Jingtang prepared to leave for the Black Bureau. Pei Xiangjun made peace with him over the previous night, and Cao Aning and Xu Bailin planned to turn Junshan Terrace against Ye Jingtang.

• Luo Ning recalled that she had stayed with Ye Jingtang after being drugged, then struggled to get out of bed and hid her shame behind an icy expression.
• Ye Jingtang asked Zhe Yunli to buy a sturdier bed and told her he would try to take her to meet Hero Qiu; Luo Ning emerged and reminded Ye Jingtang not to fight with his injured arm.
• Ye Jingtang visited Pei Xiangjun in her carriage, explained the medicine had been intended for Luo Ning, and accepted red envelopes for the newlyweds while giving Pei Xiangjun hairpins.
• Cao Aning refused Xu Bailin's suggestion to rescue Fan Yu and proposed that they inform Junshan Terrace that Ye Jingtang knew the Eight-Step Mad Blade, hoping it would target him.

Ye Jingtang followed Dongfang Liren into the Imperial Palace to study the Jade Bone Diagram, which he discovered could merge with his Dragon-Elephant Diagram. Dongfang Liren began teaching him how to practice it, leaving them meditating together in the pavilion.

• Ye Jingtang met Dongfang Liren and agreed to ask the Red Flower House to investigate the force behind Xu Bailin.
• Dongfang Liren brought Ye Jingtang to the Dragon-Mingling Pool after confirming the Empress had approved his visit.
• Dongfang Liren showed Ye Jingtang the Jade Bone Diagram, and he recognized that it shared the same source as his Dragon-Elephant Diagram.
• Ye Jingtang studied the diagram and realized its pathways could be combined with his existing method.
• Dongfang Liren demonstrated the proper posture and breathing for practicing the diagram, and Ye Jingtang followed her instructions.

Dongfang Liren gave Ye Jingtang the Dragon-Slaying Order and demonstrated how it countered the Eight-Step Mad Blade. After seeing its power firsthand, Ye Jingtang considered what he would need to do to forge his own path toward becoming the Blade Overlord.

• Ye Jingtang gave Dongfang Liren a jade hairpin, then asked to borrow her copy of Tears of the Chivalrous Woman, which she told him to fetch from her carriage.
• Dongfang Liren gave Ye Jingtang the Dragon-Slaying Order, explaining that she had learned the Tianhe Blade and was keeping her promise.
• Dongfang Liren described how Xuanyuan Chao countered Mad Fangzi’s Eight-Step Mad Blade with the backstep, arched-back saber launch.
• Dongfang Liren demonstrated the heavy saber technique against Ye Jingtang, smashing his straight saber and sending him sliding across the pavilion.
• Dongfang Liren told Ye Jingtang that he would need to break down the Dragon-Slaying Order and create something new if he wanted to become the Blade Overlord.

Ye Jingtang practiced the Dragon-Slaying Order at Dragon-Mingling Pool when the Empress Dowager arrived to show him a painting. After he mistakenly praised her portrait of him as an allegory, she gave it to him and asked Dongfang Liren to find her a painting teacher.

• Ye Jingtang practiced wielding the Junshan Heavy Saber and considered how the Dragon-Slaying Order differed from the Eight-Step Mad Blade.
• The Empress Dowager came to Dragon-Mingling Pool, where Dongfang Liren tried to carry her across the water and Ye Jingtang rescued them when they began to fall.
• The Empress Dowager asked Ye Jingtang to appraise her painting, and he unknowingly praised the portrait of himself as a great man bearing the sky and sun.
• Dongfang Liren pointed out that Ye Jingtang had been praising himself, so he recognized the portrait and accepted it from the Empress Dowager.
• The Empress Dowager asked Dongfang Liren to find someone to teach her painting, and Dongfang Liren agreed.

Ye Jingtang discussed ways to counter the Dragon-Slaying Order with the Empress of Great Wei, whom he knew as Miss Yu Hu, and demonstrated a stance to block its opening strike. She acknowledged that it might work but warned that drawing his saber that way would leave him vulnerable to the Eight-Step Mad Blade.

• Ye Jingtang visited the Imperial Stables, admired the famed red horse Fat Tiger, and found books about Tears of the Chivalrous Woman in Prince Jing's carriage.
• The Empress of Great Wei arrived to tend Fat Tiger, and Ye Jingtang showed her the Empress Dowager's painting and asked about the horse.
• The Empress of Great Wei rode Fat Tiger and asked Ye Jingtang to compose a poem, prompting him to complain that his last poem had led Prince Jing to punish him.
• The Empress of Great Wei asked Ye Jingtang about countering the Dragon-Slaying Order, and he explained that its opening strike had to be blocked or evaded.
• Ye Jingtang demonstrated a saber stance that could deflect the Dragon-Slaying Order's opening chop, and the Empress of Great Wei warned that it would be too slow against the Eight-Step Mad Blade.

Ye Jingtang and the Empress practiced a new saber technique designed to counter the Dragon-Slaying Order, and she pointed out its weaknesses. Before Ye Jingtang left, the Empress offered to help him spend more time at Dragon-Mingling Pool, while their conversation revealed her closeness to Her Majesty and a white strand in her hair.

• Ye Jingtang explained his defensive saber move and developed a follow-up roundhouse kick to use against the Dragon-Slaying Order.
• The Empress practiced the move against Ye Jingtang, kicked at his face, and ended up with her leg on his shoulder after he ducked beneath her skirt.
• The Empress judged Ye Jingtang's technique incomplete and advised him to preserve the Eight-Step Mad Blade's strengths while finding a defense against the Dragon-Slaying Order.
• The Empress offered to help Ye Jingtang spend more time at Dragon-Mingling Pool, and Ye Jingtang offered to help restore her freedom.
• The Empress confirmed that she slept in the imperial bed with Her Majesty, and Ye Jingtang noticed a white strand in her hair.
• The Empress spotted the illustrated book Ye Jingtang had been reading, but he covered it and left without blaming Li Ren.

Ye Jingtang returned from the palace with a painting and a rare book, then teased Luo Ning about their intimate encounter while she studied the gifts. Luo Ning became absorbed in the illustrated story, but Ye Jingtang left after giving her a red envelope from Third Madam, whose meaning troubled her.

• Ye Jingtang told Luo Ning he had learned the Dragon-Slaying Order and Jade Bone Diagram, and that Yunli had been sent to notify the Incense Master about the previous day's murder.
• Luo Ning confronted Ye Jingtang about their encounter, but he reminded her of their wager and carried her to the bed to look at the Empress Dowager's painting.
• Luo Ning recognized techniques in the painting as those of Perfected Person Xuanji, then examined a rare book Ye Jingtang had brought from the palace.
• Luo Ning compared the book's male protagonist to Ye Jingtang and continued reading its illustrated story with him.
• Luo Ning ended their reading after more than a quarter of an hour, and Ye Jingtang left her a red envelope from Third Madam before leaving.
• Luo Ning wondered whether Third Madam meant the envelope for a junior or a secondary wife, but Ye Jingtang had already fled.

Pei Xiangjun struggled with the Pei Family's cloth shop finances before teaching Ye Jingtang Song Chi's Thunder God Eight Extremes. The lesson ended with her throwing him down and demonstrating a chokehold, then releasing him so they could continue training seriously.

• Pei Xiangjun watched Ye Jingtang arrive at the escort agency and later met him in the cloth shop's accounts office.
• Ye Jingtang offered to help with the shop's accounts, and Pei Xiangjun explained that the Zhou Family business was settled but the shop still had losses and few customers.
• Ye Jingtang asked Pei Xiangjun about short women's undergarments, and she described the daring garments made by imperial tailors.
• Pei Xiangjun changed into a martial outfit and introduced Ye Jingtang to Song Chi's Thunder God Eight Extremes.
• Pei Xiangjun blocked Ye Jingtang's punch, threw him to the floor, and restrained him in a chokehold while explaining the danger of being caught that way.
• Ye Jingtang apologized for his carelessness, and Pei Xiangjun released him so they could continue practicing.

Ye Jingtang returned to Twin Osmanthus Alley and discovered Luo Ning had hidden the novel he thought she had burned. In the palace, Dongfang Liren saw the Empress of Great Wei suffer a brief breathing difficulty, while Luo Ning later went to Ye Jingtang's bed to regulate his body and stayed with him through the night.

• Ye Jingtang examined the new furniture with Zhe Yunli, then found ashes by the stove and feared Luo Ning had burned his treasured book.
• Luo Ning revealed that she had hidden Tears of the Chivalrous Woman after finding its erotic illustrations, then pulled Zhe Yunli away before she could see it.
• Dongfang Liren watched the Empress Dowager paint and reflected on her sister's rise to the throne and Cao Gonggong's role in the palace's history.
• Dongfang Liren hurried to the Waterside Pavilion when the Empress of Great Wei furrowed her brow, but her sister dismissed the episode as a minor breathing stitch.
• Unable to sleep, Luo Ning entered Ye Jingtang's bed to regulate his body, insisting she was acting on Madam Wang's advice rather than out of affection.

Xuanyuan Hongzhi gave Zhou Ying information about Ye Jingtang and agreed to introduce him to hired experts, while Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning searched for a new home in Capital City. Their outing was interrupted when Iron Buddha Ridge kidnapped Yang Guan to lure Ye Jingtang to Green Lotus Manor before dark.

• Xuanyuan Hongzhi told Zhou Ying that Ye Jingtang had killed Zhou Huaili and warned that he was a Black Bureau chief constable valued by Prince Jing.
• Zhou Ying offered Xuanyuan Hongzhi the famed sword Spirit Mechanism in exchange for help recruiting experts to take revenge on Ye Jingtang, and Xuanyuan Hongzhi agreed to introduce him to Wang Chengjing and his brother.
• Ye Jingtang tried to make peace with Luo Ning after offending her the previous night, and she threatened to make him take medicine if he failed to behave.
• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning searched for a larger residence along the Southern Fragrant River, where Chen Biao told them that Cheng Shilu had kidnapped Yang Guan.
• Cheng Shilu demanded that Ye Jingtang reach Green Lotus Manor before dark or Yang Guan would lose his remaining two legs, but Ye Jingtang decided to continue looking at houses for the time being.

Ye Jingtang confronted Cheng Shilu at Green Lotus Manor to stop him from harming Yang Guan, and the two fought until Cheng Shilu conceded and left. Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning suspected Cheng Shilu’s unusual toughness might be connected to the Golden Scale Diagram, and they planned to investigate Iron Buddha Ridge after arranging their other obligations.

• Cheng Shilu prepared to punish Yang Guan, believing Ye Jingtang would come to defend a man under his protection.
• Ye Jingtang arrived with Luo Ning and immediately attacked Cheng Shilu, stabbing him in the chest and discovering his body was exceptionally tough.
• Ye Jingtang used his speed to cut Cheng Shilu several times while trying to identify his Weak Point, but Cheng Shilu conceded and left.
• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning discussed whether Cheng Shilu had recognized Ye Jingtang’s interest in the Golden Scale Diagram and agreed to investigate Iron Buddha Ridge.
• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning decided to return and arrange their itinerary, including informing Prince Jing and investigating the killer’s identity.

Ye Jingtang prepared to leave the Capital with Luo Ning to handle the Red Flower House’s dispute with Embrace Origin Gate, while Pei Xiangjun followed them secretly. Elsewhere, the Wang brothers discussed a contract to kill Ye Silang and planned to lie in wait at Embrace Origin Gate.

• In a rainstorm, Ye Jingtang met Dongfang Liren, who told him the Empress had granted him access to Dragon-Mingling Pool and urged him to return to the palace after his trip.
• Ye Jingtang asked Dongfang Liren about Yu Hu, provoking her jealousy before she warned him not to entertain improper ideas about the palace maid.
• Ye Jingtang practiced the Jade-Bone Dragon-Elephant Diagram overnight, then prepared to travel with Luo Ning to settle the Red Flower House’s conflict with Embrace Origin Gate.
• Pei Xiangjun decided to follow Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning in secret, and the pair left the Capital with Niao Niao.
• In a border-town tavern, Wang Chengjing and Wang Er discussed Zhou Ying’s contract and chose to ambush Ye Silang at Embrace Origin Gate.

Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning stopped for the night in Sanhe Town while traveling toward Embrace Origin Gate and Iron Buddha Ridge, unaware that Pei Xiangjun had secretly followed them. After Ye Jingtang tried to remain composed beside Luo Ning, the two began privately conditioning his body, while Pei Xiangjun overheard them from the next room.

• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning reached Sanhe Town, checked into an inn, and prepared to spend the night in a room with one bed.
• Niao Niao alerted Ye Jingtang to someone approaching, and he recognized Pei Xiangjun entering the inn in disguise.
• Luo Ning bathed and went to bed while Ye Jingtang stayed dressed and kept watch, trying not to disturb her.
• Luo Ning struggled to get Ye Jingtang to stop acting so proper and let her help condition his body.
• Pei Xiangjun overheard Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning in the next room and thumped the wall until their sounds stopped.

Ye Jingtang went to Iron Buddha Ridge to confront Cheng Shilu while Luo Ning guarded him, and Cheng Shilu secretly prepared to use the White Pearl. The chapter ended with Luo Ning noticing Cheng Shilu’s son moving barrels at a secluded building as Ye Jingtang met the ridge’s disciples.

• Cheng Shilu returned to his manor after a failed meeting with Second Uncle, and his son asked about selling Stone-Dissolving Oil to a supposed tomb robber.
• Cheng Shilu agreed to the sale of thirty barrels after warning his son to keep the transaction discreet.
• Cheng Shilu entered a hidden chamber, removed the White Pearl from its bowl, and bathed in the water it had steeped in.
• Ye Jingtang and Luo Ning approached Iron Buddha Ridge, where Ye Jingtang set out to meet Cheng Shilu while Luo Ning watched for danger.
• Luo Ning spotted Cheng Shilu’s son directing laborers to load barrels onto a cart near a guarded building, then hurried to rejoin Ye Jingtang.

Ye Jingtang challenged Cheng Shilu at Iron Buddha Ridge, defeated him, and questioned him about the Dragon-Mingling Diagram. Cheng Shilu revealed that his toughness came from a Heavenly Lang Pearl and led Ye Jingtang toward it, leaving Ye suspicious of his intentions.

• Cheng Shilu objected to Ye Jingtang taking the master's seat and fought him in the hall.
• Ye Jingtang overpowered Cheng Shilu with Black Qilin and forced him to yield in the courtyard.
• Ye Jingtang noticed that Cheng Shilu's wounds briefly showed cracks in his skin and questioned him about the Dragon-Mingling Diagram.
• Cheng Shilu said his father had stolen the diagram and a precious pearl from Northern Liang, and that bathing with the Heavenly Lang Pearl had toughened his body.
• Cheng Shilu offered to show Ye Jingtang the pearl, and Ye Jingtang signaled Niao Niao before following him toward the rear cliff.

Cheng Shilu tried to trick Ye Jingtang into touching the Heavenly Lang Pearl, but Ye Jingtang avoided the trap and destroyed it during their fight. The medicine caused unbearable pain for Cheng Shilu while leaving Ye Jingtang unharmed, and Cheng Shilu fled toward the cliff as Luo Ning tried to restrain Ye Jingtang.

• Cheng Shilu explained that he had used Bone-Burning Paralysis from the Heavenly Lang Pearl to harden his body and planned to make Ye Jingtang touch it.
• Ye Jingtang caught the pearl on his wristguard, recognized Cheng Shilu's suspicious movements, and fought him when Cheng Shilu lunged for it.
• Ye Jingtang struck Cheng Shilu with a cannon punch and accidentally crushed the pearl, absorbing its medicinal liquid without pain.
• Cheng Shilu suffered the Bone-Burning Paralysis while Ye Jingtang remained unharmed, and Luo Ning identified the substance and tried to keep Ye Jingtang away from it.
• Cheng Shilu plunged into a pool, screamed, then burst through a wall and charged toward the cliff.

After Cheng Shilu died by leaping from a cliff, Ye Jingtang was struck by bone-burning paralysis, and Pei Xiangjun and Luo Ning restrained him and hid in an abandoned temple. They endured the drug’s effects for two hours, but Ye Jingtang remained hot and appeared to fall asleep, leaving them unsure whether the danger had passed.

• Cheng Shilu ran to the cliff and jumped to his death, while Luo Ning and Pei Xiangjun restrained Ye Jingtang as the drug made his body surge with force.
• Pei Xiangjun and Luo Ning tied Ye Jingtang to a stretcher and carried him away from Iron Buddha Ridge as its disciples drew their blades.
• Cao Aning and Xu Bailin watched the commotion at Iron Buddha Ridge, discussed Cheng Shilu’s death, and set off toward Yun'an with their covered carriage.
• Pei Xiangjun and Luo Ning bound Ye Jingtang in an abandoned temple and tried to keep him calm as the bone-burning paralysis intensified.
• Luo Ning tried to distract Ye Jingtang, and Pei Xiangjun also attempted to help, but Ye Jingtang signaled that he was managing to endure the drug.
• After about two hours, Ye Jingtang’s muscles stopped twitching and he seemed to fall asleep, but his body remained hot, so Pei Xiangjun and Luo Ning kept watch.

Ye Jingtang woke after surviving the drug’s effects, still restrained between Luo Ning and Pei Xiangjun, and discovered that he felt unusually energetic. After an awkward escape and a private conversation between the women about their feelings for him, he feigned illness to interrupt them and led everyone out to find food.

• Ye Jingtang woke between Luo Ning and Pei Xiangjun, who checked his condition and confirmed that he seemed clearheaded and healthy.
• Pei Xiangjun lit a fire striker, and Ye Jingtang accidentally launched himself into the roof beam before snapping his bonds and landing on Pei Xiangjun.
• Luo Ning and Pei Xiangjun dressed and exchanged apologies, then discussed whether Pei Xiangjun liked Ye Jingtang and his relationship with Luo Ning.
• Ye Jingtang overheard their conversation and coughed outside to summon them before they could confront each other.
• Ye Jingtang inspected his refreshed condition in the courtyard, then said he was thirsty and hungry and set off with Luo Ning, Pei Xiangjun, and Niao Niao to find food.

Ye Jingtang arrived at Embrace Origin Gate to settle Red Flower House’s dispute with Li Hunyuan, but his unstable strength overwhelmed the sect master in a single punch. After Li Hunyuan conceded, Ye Jingtang heard a pigeon’s coo and realized someone else might be in danger.

• Wang Chengjing and Wang Er decided to watch Li Hunyuan’s residence, expecting Ye Silang to challenge him after killing Cheng Shilu.
• Ye Jingtang rode into Guangji with Pei Xiangjun and Luo Ning, learned Li Hunyuan had gathered martial artists for a public duel, and headed to Embrace Origin Mountain Manor.
• Ye Jingtang arrived at the banquet and climbed onto the roof ridge, where he agreed to face Li Hunyuan unarmed.
• Li Hunyuan attacked with Embrace Origin Force, but Ye Jingtang struck him with Cannon Fist and blasted him through the manor into the eastern study.
• Li Hunyuan conceded, and Ye Jingtang prepared to leave before hearing a pigeon coo outside.