Chapter Summaries

Gong Yuyi and the Four Swords of Greenwater entered Western Capital City, where she clashed with Feng Beiwang over his plan to challenge Xie Ciyuan and seek the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade. After Lianshan Xin discovered Gong Yuyi’s arrival, he warned Qi Shiyun, who devised a plan to win over both Tang Huansha and Gong Yuyi by sending Lianshan Xin to approach the latter in disguise.

• Gong Yuyi stopped Shen Jia from attacking Feng Beiwang, recognized him, and learned he had come to test his saber against Xie Ciyuan and contend for the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade.
• Gong Yuyi told the other Swords of Greenwater that Qi Shiyun had defeated Feng Beiwang in his first battle beyond Miao Prefecture, prompting Lianshan Xin and Tian Ji to realize she had arrived in Western Capital City.
• Lianshan Xin used his disguise and charm to greet the Four Swords of Greenwater, then told Tian Ji that Gong Yuyi closely resembled Qi Shiyun’s current disguise.
• At the Unjust Way headquarters, Tang Huansha grew intimate with Qi Shiyun, while Lianshan Xin secretly warned Qi Shiyun that the Four Swords of Greenwater were in the city.
• Qi Shiyun told Lianshan Xin to disguise himself as her and approach Gong Yuyi while she handled Tang Huansha, proposing that they win both women over.

Lianshan Xin discussed Qi Shiyun’s plan to approach Gong Yuyi, then visited Jiang Buping and traded knowledge for Dongxuanzi’s Thirty-Six Freehand Techniques. The chapter ended with Lianshan Xin transforming into Qi Shiyun when Lin Ruoshui arrived at the inn.

• Qi Shiyun pushed Lianshan Xin to use her appearance to court Gong Yuyi, arguing that she was helping fulfill Gong Yuyi’s wish to like men.
• Jiang Buping summoned Lianshan Xin, admitted he was studying a Shen Family version of Dongxuanzi’s Thirty-Six Freehand Techniques, and affirmed his plan to destroy the great clans, including the Jiang Clique.
• Lianshan Xin offered to teach Jiang Buping the stages and policies of an uprising in exchange for learning Dongxuanzi’s Thirty-Six Freehand Techniques.
• Jiang Buping transmitted the technique’s moving diagrams to Lianshan Xin and claimed he had mastered it in a day; at the Shen Clan, he used a possessed maid to practice it on Thousand Faces.
• Lianshan Xin returned to the inn and transformed into Qi Shiyun when Lin Ruoshui came to see him.

Lianshan Xin secretly practiced Dong Xuanzi’s Thirty-Six Loose Hands with Lin Ruoshui, reaching minor mastery, while Emperor Yongchang accepted Lianshan Jingcheng’s treatment despite recognizing his leverage. Xie Tianxia sensed a larger plot centered on the Shen Clan’s sixtieth-birthday gathering and decided to meet the emperor.

• Lin Ruoshui visited Lianshan Xin, confessed her feelings, and agreed to help him practice Dong Xuanzi’s Thirty-Six Loose Hands in secret.
• Tian Ji caught Lin Ruoshui leaving Lianshan Xin’s room, then learned Lianshan Xin had advanced his martial techniques and planned to cultivate with Gong Yuyi while disguised as Qi Shiyun.
• Lianshan Jingcheng told Emperor Yongchang that restoring his injuries would require more than ten treatments, and the emperor agreed to rely on him despite realizing he was being pressured for A-Xin’s sake.
• Emperor Yongchang returned to the capital eager to test whether his strength had recovered, leaving Eunuch Wang exasperated by his lust.
• Xie Tianxia reviewed the deaths and other major upheavals, suspected the Shen Clan gathering was tied to Xie Guanhai’s pursuit of the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade, and decided to see the emperor.

Xie Tianxia and the Heavenly Diviner interpreted signs of danger, and she planned to strengthen Tian Ji while preparing for a confrontation with Xie Guanhai. After meeting Emperor Yongchang, she warned him that fortune was gathering around the Shen Clan and organized a covert response in the Western Capital.

• Xie Tianxia discussed the divination of Mountain-Sea Calamity and Fratricidal Strife with the Heavenly Diviner, concluding that Xie Guanhai might threaten her as the Immortal Mountains and Blessed Lands emerged.
• Xie Tianxia gave the Heavenly Diviner refined imperial blood essence and arranged for Lianshan Xin to teach Tian Ji the Celestial Pole Sacred Dragon Bloodline Scripture, hoping to strengthen Tian Ji and prepare a path for Shiyun.
• Emperor Yongchang arrived at Nine Heavens, tried to embrace Xie Tianxia, and instead received a slap from Eunuch Wang at her instruction.
• Xie Tianxia told Emperor Yongchang that fortune was converging on the Shen Clan and urged him to coordinate Lianshan Xin, the Heavenly Physician, Jiang Ping'an, and Jiang Buping for the coming conflict.
• Xie Tianxia advised Emperor Yongchang to use his Innate Charming Bone to approach the Shen family's men and women and undermine the Shen Clan from within.

Xie Tianxia convinced Emperor Yongchang to travel to Western Capital City to undermine Xie Guanhai’s plans, while the Heavenly Queen learned that Xie Tianxia and Tian Ji might be nearing immortality and vowed to help them. Meanwhile, Qi Shiyun discovered that Lin Ruoshui had spent the night with Lianshan Xin, and Gong Yuyi confronted the news that the Shen Clan’s Eldest Young Master had married a courtesan before an old acquaintance appeared.

• Xie Tianxia urged Emperor Yongchang to recruit two more Shen Clan allies and travel to Western Capital City, and he agreed after she argued the danger was limited.
• The Heavenly Queen realized Xie Tianxia’s spear had hurt Emperor Yongchang’s soul and agreed with him that Xie Tianxia and Tian Ji should receive help in reaching immortality.
• Qi Shiyun returned to the Welcoming Inn, learned Lin Ruoshui had spent the night in Lianshan Xin’s room, and attacked Tian Ji, whose Golden Bell Shield failed to stop her saber.
• Qi Shiyun wondered whether Lianshan Xin knew something about Tian Ji, while Gong Yuyi reprimanded herself for dreaming of Qi Shiyun and resolved not to forgive her.
• Shen Jia told Gong Yuyi that her eldest brother had married a famous courtesan from Peach Blossom Spring, and a blue-robed traveler greeted Gong Yuyi as an old acquaintance.

Lianshan Xin, disguised as Qi Shiyun, visited Gong Yuyi and ended their romantic ties while steering her away from the Shen Clan marriage alliance. He then prepared to work with Thousand Faces and Xia Xunyang against the Shen Clan, but Emperor Yongchang’s approach put Thousand Faces in danger.

• Lianshan Xin, disguised as Qi Shiyun, apologized to Gong Yuyi and persuaded her to let go of their past relationship by claiming he had fallen for a young man.
• Gong Yuyi learned that Lianshan Xin was the man Qi Shiyun loved and threatened to win him over herself, then agreed not to pursue a marriage alliance with the Shen Clan’s Eldest Young Master.
• Tang Huansha arrived looking for Qi Shiyun, learned she had visited Gong Yuyi, and stormed off to confront Deng Xiaoxian.
• Lianshan Xin changed his appearance and planned to contact Thousand Faces and Xia Xunyang to coordinate an attack on the Shen Clan.
• Xia Xunyang visited Thousand Faces and asked whether the Dao Lord had come to see her; a maid then warned that Emperor Yongchang was heading to the Western Capital and might be targeting Thousand Faces.

Jiang Buping realized that Thousand Faces had impersonated Shen Muran and decided to cooperate with her in opposing the Shen Clan. Meanwhile, Lianshan Xin, Qi Shiyun, and Tian Ji changed inns to evade the Unjust Way, only to spot Xie Ciyuan on the street below.

• Jiang Buping warned Thousand Faces that Emperor Yongchang might target the Shen Clan and saw her pledge to help him for the Unjust Way's cause.
• Jiang Buping deduced that Thousand Faces had taken Shen Muran's place and chose to keep her identity secret and work with her.
• Thousand Faces told Xia Xunyang that she valued Jiang Buping's cause and Emperor Yongchang more than the Shen Clan, then mused about conceiving the emperor's child.
• Lianshan Xin told Qi Shiyun that Tang Huansha had learned of her meeting with Gong Yuyi, and the group fled the Welcoming Inn after spotting Unjust Way disciples.
• Lianshan Xin, Qi Shiyun, and Tian Ji settled at another inn, then saw Xie Ciyuan riding along the main street.

Lianshan Xin and his companions investigated the mysterious return of Xie Ciyuan, then learned that Emperor Yongchang was also targeting the Shen Clan and began plotting to help the Princess Consort take control of it. At the end, Shen Hegui mistook Thousand Faces for Shen Muran and revealed that the birthday banquet was meant to rally the great clans behind Xia Xunyang.

• Lianshan Xin, Qi Shiyun, and Tian Ji saw a seemingly genuine Xie Ciyuan in the Western Capital, despite Lianshan Xin having killed and dissolved the original.
• Lianshan Xin suspected the newcomer was another Qilin Calamity-Transcending Incarnation and asked Xia Xunyang to investigate him at the Shen Clan.
• Xia Xunyang agreed to cooperate with Lianshan Xin, who proposed helping the Princess Consort of the King of Jiujiang inherit the Shen Clan.
• Xia Xunyang told Lianshan Xin that Emperor Yongchang was coming to the Western Capital with the Shen Clan as his target, prompting them to join forces against the clan’s enemies.
• Shen Hegui told Thousand Faces, whom he mistook for Shen Muran, that the birthday banquet was secretly intended to secure the great clans’ support for Xia Xunyang.

Thousand Faces learned that Shen Muran had planned to help Xia Xunyang claim power through the Society of Light, then decided to expose the plot and destroy the Shen Clan. When Xie Ciyuan and Ao Zhao tested Xia Xunyang’s bloodline, his Dragon Blood awakened a True Dragon Dharma Form, convincing Ao Zhao that he had the bearing of an emperor.

• Shen Hegui told Thousand Faces that the Ten Great Clans planned to make Xia Xunyang the Lord of Shadows after Xie Ciyuan verified his imperial bloodline with the celestial pole sacred dragon bloodline scripture.
• Thousand Faces realized Shen Hegui did not know Xia Xunyang was Jiang Buping’s son and planned to expose the Shen Clan’s conspiracy to Emperor Yongchang.
• Xia Xunyang told Thousand Faces that Lianshan Xin had sent him and that Xie Ciyuan had returned from the dead, then agreed to help expose the plot.
• Xie Ciyuan told Shen Hegui that Emperor Yongchang had likely destroyed the Society of Light’s gathering in the Eastern Capital with Marquis Mo’s Thunderclap Bomb.
• Ao Zhao arrived at the Shen Clan and asked who had killed Shen Siwei, then said Emperor Yongchang wanted to marry his aunt without making her empress.
• Ao Zhao tested Xia Xunyang with Dragon Blood, which merged into him and called forth a True Dragon Dharma Form; Ao Zhao declared that Xia Xunyang had the bearing of an emperor.

Ao Zhao endorsed Xia Xunyang as a contender for the throne, gave him dragon blood, and began courting support from the Shen Clan. After Ao Zhao became fixated on Shen Muran, Thousand Faces agreed to let Jiang Buping stand aside when the dragon entered her room, setting up a confrontation between them.

• Ao Zhao judged Xia Xunyang worthy to contend for the Supreme Throne, gave him a drop of dragon blood, and promised the Celestial Pole Sacred Dragon Bloodline Scripture.
• Ao Zhao visited Shen Muran, mistook Thousand Faces for the Princess Consort, praised her beauty, and gave her a healing jade pendant.
• After Ao Zhao left, Xia Xunyang warned Thousand Faces about the dragon's interest, and Thousand Faces told him to inform Lianshan Xin so he could alert Emperor Yongchang.
• Ao Zhao told Xie Ciyuan he wanted Shen Muran so he could gain influence over Xia Xunyang, and Xie Ciyuan agreed with his plan.
• Ao Zhao entered Shen Muran's room after dark, and Thousand Faces stopped Jiang Buping from attacking so he could face the dragon himself.

Thousand Faces faced Ao Zhao’s attempt to seduce the Jiujiang Princess Consort and turned it into an opportunity to use the Dragon Prince’s healing cultivation art. Meanwhile, Lianshan Xin and Qi Shiyun entered the Shen Clan to pursue their assignment, and Qi Shiyun discovered He Hongye was expecting her.

• Jiang Buping let Thousand Faces handle Ao Zhao, who proposed dual cultivation and promised to become Xia Xunyang’s Dragon Father.
• Thousand Faces pretended to accept Ao Zhao’s offer, then allowed him to use the Dragon Clan’s healing secret art while Jiang Buping watched.
• Qi Shiyun told Lianshan Xin that Gong Yuyi would help them enter the Shen Clan, and the pair disguised themselves and went to the estate.
• Lianshan Xin surveyed the Shen Clan’s many powerful guests while Qi Shiyun slipped away to find He Hongye.
• Qi Shiyun overheard He Hongye wondering why the Old Mother had predicted Qi Shiyun would come to her door.

Qi Shiyun discovered that He Hongye and Shen Siyun had joined the Way-and-Society Sect and were expecting her, while Lianshan Xin dealt with the Shen Clan’s Eldest Young Master. The story then shifted to Emperor Yongchang, who headed to the Shen Clan in disguise and unexpectedly entered Thousand Faces’s room.

• Qi Shiyun overheard He Hongye and Shen Siyun discuss the Way-and-Society Sect, the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade, and their plan to use Shen Siyun’s connection to meet the Sect Master.
• Shen Siyun and He Hongye revealed that they had noticed someone outside, then mistook Shen Jia for their visitor before summoning Qi Shiyun inside and pretending their poison had weakened her.
• Lianshan Xin met Shen Sitong, challenged him over taking a concubine, and left the Shen Clan after agreeing to consider the marriage proposal until after the birthday banquet.
• Emperor Yongchang told Eunuch Wang he would visit the Shen Clan in disguise to contact Mu Ran, while Eunuch Wang went to oversee the Nine Heavens Residence.
• Emperor Yongchang entered Thousand Faces’s room at night and identified himself as the Prince of Jiujiang, prompting Thousand Faces to restrain Ao Zhao from attacking.

Thousand Faces concealed Ao Zhao from Emperor Yongchang, then persuaded the emperor that the Shen Clan and Society of Light were maneuvering to put Xunyang on the throne. After Emperor Yongchang and Thousand Faces spent the night together, Lianshan Xin investigated He Hongye’s connection to the Way-and-Society Sect and discovered Lianshan Jingcheng practicing the Autumn Frost Sword Technique.

• Thousand Faces kept Ao Zhao hidden while Emperor Yongchang visited, and Ao Zhao slipped away without being discovered.
• Thousand Faces told Emperor Yongchang that the Shen Clan and Society of Light were assessing Xunyang’s bloodline and might support his claim to the throne.
• Emperor Yongchang promised to protect Thousand Faces and Xunyang, then took Thousand Faces to bed.
• Lin Ruoshui told Lianshan Xin that He Hongye had received a package from Jiangzhou before she disappeared, prompting him to question whether Lianshan Jingcheng had ties to the Way-and-Society Sect.
• Lianshan Xin found Lianshan Jingcheng practicing swordsmanship on Kuang Mountain, and He Miaojun identified the technique as the Autumn Frost Sword Technique.

Lianshan Xin learned how Lianshan Jingcheng had acquired the Autumn Frost Sword Technique and why he had begun cultivating more seriously. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince flew into a rage after the Right Chancellor told him that the Crown Prince's Consort was carrying the Emperor's child.

• Lianshan Xin questioned He Miaojun and Lianshan Jingcheng about Lianshan Jingcheng's swordsmanship and learned that He Hongye had taught him the Autumn Frost Sword Technique in exchange for treatment.
• Lianshan Jingcheng explained that Qi Shiyun had deliberately lost to He Hongye at the Talent Recruitment Ceremony, and that He Hongye still suffered from severe old injuries requiring a Millennium Snow Lotus for a complete cure.
• He Miaojun accepted Lianshan Jingcheng's explanation, and he revealed that he had resumed cultivation to narrow the strength gap between them as a married couple.
• Lianshan Xin speculated that the Crown Prince's past poor health might relate to his marital life.
• The Right Chancellor told the furious Crown Prince that the Crown Prince's Consort was carrying His Majesty's child.

The Right Chancellor told the Crown Prince that Emperor Yongchang had fathered his consort’s child and used the revelation to push the Crown Prince toward a deadly confrontation with his father. Meanwhile, Lianshan Xin investigated the Shen Clan, received a letter from Xie Tianxia, and prepared to teach Tian Ji a cultivation method before news of Ao Zhao’s death interrupted Emperor Yongchang.

• The Right Chancellor showed the Crown Prince evidence of his consort’s pregnancy and revealed that Emperor Yongchang was in the Western Capital, urging the Crown Prince to consider striking first.
• The Crown Prince confronted his pregnant consort, then wrote to Lianshan Xin seeking his opinion about his conflict with Emperor Yongchang.
• Lin Ruoshui confronted Lianshan Xin about what had happened between them, and Tian Ji interrupted them with findings linking Shen Sitong’s favored courtesan to the Jiaofang Department.
• Lianshan Xin read Xie Tianxia’s letter and agreed to teach Tian Ji the Celestial Pole Sacred Dragon Bloodline Scripture after learning that Emperor Yongchang had arrived in the Western Capital.
• Emperor Yongchang lingered with Thousand Faces at the Shen Clan until Xia Xunyang rushed in and announced that Ao Zhao had suddenly died.

After Ao Zhao was found dead in the Shen Clan, Xia Xunyang and Thousand Faces investigated as suspicion fell on He Hongye and the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade. Qi Shiyun’s old friend Yi Anle arrived, and Emperor Yongchang recruited him to help destroy the Shen Clan before sending him to the Eastern Capital as prefect.

• Xia Xunyang found Thousand Faces with Emperor Yongchang, warned them that Ao Zhao had died, and urged the emperor to leave before the Shen Clan discovered him.
• Thousand Faces and Xia Xunyang examined Ao Zhao’s dragon hide with Shen Hegui and Xie Ciyuan, who suspected an Immortal Artifact and ordered the search for He Hongye and the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade.
• Lianshan Xin told Xia Xunyang that he had not found He Hongye, then located Qi Shiyun arguing with He Hongye and Shen Siyun over the stolen blade.
• Yi Anle arrived after receiving a letter written in Qi Shiyun’s hand, admitted he had killed Ao Zhao, and learned that the emperor had summoned him to the Western Capital.
• Emperor Yongchang revealed himself, ordered Qi Shiyun to deal with Shen Siyun, and offered He Hongye a role in his plans for the He Gate.
• Emperor Yongchang appointed Yi Anle to help destroy the Shen Clan and promised to make him prefect of the Eastern Capital; Lianshan Xin noticed Yi Anle’s Peace Charm matched one in his own hand.

Lianshan Xin learned the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade’s history and accepted the He Gate’s vengeance, while Emperor Yongchang investigated Ao Zhao’s death and revealed Yi Anle’s ancient lineage. The chapter left the Shen Clan’s conflict poised to escalate as the blade recognized Lianshan Xin and he discovered its vast store of blood essence.

• Emperor Yongchang questioned Yi Anle about his Peace Charm, then left the Shen Clan with Yi Anle and Qi Shiyun while He Hongye stayed behind.
• Lianshan Xin revealed his identity to He Hongye, learned that his mother had served as a decoy during the He Gate’s escape, and asked for the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade.
• Lianshan Xin used the Myriad Forms True Scripture to imitate Qi Shiyun and briefly draw the blade, then earned its acknowledgment by accepting the He Gate’s vengeance against the Imperial Family, the Shen Clan, and the Xie Clan.
• Emperor Yongchang entered the Governor’s Residence, where Old Wang had massacred officials, and defended his decision to blame the Shen Clan and Dragon Palace.
• Jiang Buping admitted that he had poisoned Ao Zhao with Incense Poison to uphold his idea of fairness, while Yi Anle explained that he killed Ao Zhao to stop a conspiracy against Emperor Yongchang.
• Emperor Yongchang told Yi Anle that he descended from the Yiqi Clan and that the Yiqi and Lianshan Clans were reclaiming Flame Emperor lineage fortune from the Jiang Clique.

Emperor Yongchang discussed the divided inheritances of the Flame Emperor while Lianshan Xin discovered how to access the blood sealed inside the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade. Emperor Yongchang then used an assassination attempt against the Retired Emperor to justify a purge of the Shen Clan.

• Emperor Yongchang explained that the Jiang Clique monopolized the Flame Emperor's inheritance, while Mr. Gongsun confirmed that Yi Anle and Qi Shiyun carried the Intent of the Extraordinary Way.
• Lianshan Xin discovered a sea of blood inside the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade and temporarily bypassed its bloodline seal by transforming into He Hongye.
• He Hongye warned Lianshan Xin that absorbing the blade's mixed blood essence could cause qi deviation, but he retained the blade and committed to joining the action against the Shen Clan.
• Emperor Yongchang declared his intention to crush the Shen Clan openly, and Lianshan Xin supplied evidence that Dowager Consort Shen had served as the Demon Cult's Right Envoy.
• Emperor Yongchang announced that Dowager Consort Shen's plot to assassinate the Retired Emperor would justify destroying the Shen Clan.
• Dowager Consort Shen appeared in Daming Palace and attacked the Retired Emperor, but the Empress Dowager killed her and confronted Mingwang.

The Empress Dowager and the Left Chancellor used the supposed assassination of the Retired Emperor to move against the Shen Clan, while Emperor Yongchang prepared to strike in the Western Capital. Shen Hegui received the news and suspected the Bone-Scraping Blade had drawn his clan into a Demon Cult plot.

• The Left Chancellor warned the Right Chancellor to keep his faction from interfering with the plan to destroy the Shen Clan, and he agreed.
• The Empress Dowager framed Dowager Consort Shen and the Demon Cult for attacking the Retired Emperor, then ordered an investigation of the Shen Clan.
• The Left Chancellor and Right Chancellor both called for a thorough investigation, while the Shen Clan sent messengers seeking help and the Heavenly Queen watched to see who would respond.
• Emperor Yongchang learned that Old Man Heavenly Bird had sent a Golden Eagle to the Shen Clan and ordered his allies to watch the estate before arresting the culprits the next day.
• Shen Hegui collapsed after learning the Shen Clan had been accused of rebellion and asked the Bone-Scraping Blade whether the Demon Cult had tricked him.

Emperor Yongchang explained the Flame and Yellow Emperors’ lost inheritances and urged Yi Anle to oppose the Jiang Clique, while Lianshan Xin discovered how to temporarily draw blood from the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade. Lianshan Xin brought evidence against Dowager Consort Shen to Emperor Yongchang, who revealed that she was about to attempt an assassination; the chapter ended with the attack erupting at Daming Palace.

• Emperor Yongchang told Qi Shiyun and Yi Anle that the Jiang Clique held the Flame Emperor’s inheritance, while the Di Hong Clan held the Yellow Emperor’s, and Mr. Gongsun identified the intent of the Extraordinary Way in Yi Anle and Qi Shiyun.
• Lianshan Xin found dragon and Imperial Family blood inside the Blood-Severing Dust-Cleansing Blade, then used He Hongye’s appearance and Maitreya’s transformation art to bypass its seal temporarily.
• He Hongye warned Lianshan Xin about the blade’s risks and its blood essence’s tendency to drive cultivators mad, but Lianshan Xin decided to keep using it and they agreed to act separately.
• Lianshan Xin brought Emperor Yongchang conclusive evidence that Dowager Consort Shen had joined the Demon Cult and plotted against the Retired Emperor, giving the emperor grounds to destroy the Shen Clan.
• Emperor Yongchang revealed that Dowager Consort Shen was about to assassinate the Retired Emperor, and turmoil broke out at Daming Palace as the Empress Dowager killed her and a mysterious expert named Mingwang appeared.