Recaps

Zhang Xing dismantled the Longwhale Gang, exposed Zuo Youxian as the Midnight Sun Sword, and helped establish the Huaiyou Alliance before joining Bai Yousi in the Crouching Dragon Guard. The arc left Zhang Xing weighing his principles against power as the court divided over the Great Golden Pillar.

• Zhang Xing persuaded Mount Mangdang’s leaders to cross the Huan River and seize Mount Ji, then helped intercept the convoy and warned Sima Zheng that Chen Ling might kill witnesses.
• After returning to the Eastern Capital, Zhang Xing accepted Bai Yousi’s invitation to join the Crouching Dragon Guard and traveled with her to the Huai Region.
• Zhang Xing confronted the Zuo family, took control of the Longwhale Gang’s organization, and oversaw the creation of a new gang under court supervision.
• Zhang Xing helped Du Pozhen win all nine votes at the Jianghuai Assembly, then exposed Zuo Youxian as the Midnight Sun Sword and defeated him with Zuo Caihou, who died from his injuries.
• Bai Yousi led Zhang Xing and their companions back to the Eastern Capital, where Cao Lin offered to adopt Zhang Xing as his son, and Zhang refused because he disagreed with Cao Lin’s priorities.
• Cao Lin granted Zhang Xing a Black Sash, and Zhang Xing told Bai Yousi, Qin Bao, and Zhou Xingfan that he would not bend before another person.
• Bai Yousi investigated Duke Ma’s poisoning, and Qin Bao traced the Dongyi woman through a carriage agency until she confessed, and the emperor ordered the suspects executed without renewing hostilities with Dongyi.
• As the Southern Office debated the Great Golden Pillar, Zhang Xing and Bai Yousi watched Intendant Cao become its lone opponent and discussed the dangers of opposing the emperor.

Zhang Xing navigated the Great Golden Pillar’s ruinous collection, the imperial tour’s bloody crises, and a sudden siege by the Wu Clan. After escaping Yunnei with Qin Bao to seek reinforcements, he reached Huairong and began gathering local support for the relief effort.

• Zhang Xing and Bai Yousi warned that the Great Golden Pillar and gold collection would impoverish the people, but the court pressed ahead as officials extorted merchants and prices rose.
• Zhang Xing and Qin Bao killed two corrupt officials and gave their stolen wealth to residents, while Qin Bao opened his final Orthodox Meridian.
• Zhang Xing helped Wang Daiji redirect the rumor investigation toward Duke Mu, whose confession ended the killings and led to his exile.
• During the western tour, Zhang Xing witnessed the Grand Princess’s death and Ma Rui’s execution, then met Zhang Bofeng and discussed the histories and differences of Humans, Witches, and Demons.
• The emperor’s tour was battered by executions, illness, and desertions, then the Wu Clan invasion and Dulan Khagan’s advance forced him to flee to Yunnei.
• Dulan’s forces besieged Yunnei and pierced Duke Niu’s defenses, while Bai Yousi deflected an arrow aimed at the sovereign.
• Zhang Xing joined Qin Bao on a mission to reach the Youzhou army, crossed an ice bridge, freed two women, and held a pass against Wu Clan warriors.
• At Huairong, Zhang Xing advised Luo Shu on how to approach the besiegers, enlisted Daoist Gao and the magistrate, and let Xiong Bonan leave after recognizing him as his former rescuer.

Zhang Xing witnessed the court abandon its soldiers and launch another disastrous Dongyi campaign before killing Zhang Han and leaving the imperial procession. He organized the Exorcising the Dragon Gang and recruited allies, then joined Li Ding in preparing a decisive attack on Zhang Jincheng.

• Zhang Xing protected exhausted laborers during the pursuit of the Wu Clan army and gave abandoned Taiyuan volunteers appointments to maintain order in their villages.
• Zhang Xing sought a Hebei governorship while the sage announced another Dongyi campaign and mobilized troops and civilian laborers.
• Li Ziqi defeated the invading army and killed Sima Changying, while Zhang Xing secured the governorship of Wuan Commandery by claiming that immortal cranes had appeared before the emperor.
• Zhang Xing refused to abandon his comrades, accompanied the imperial procession south, and beheaded Zhang Han after he threatened the discontented guards.
• Zhang Xing left with Zhou Xingfan and Wang Zhen, told Ma Sheng that he intended to unite factions before rebelling, and assigned Wang Zhen to establish a base at Mount Mangdang.
• Zhang Xing established the Exorcising the Dragon Gang with Li Shu and Daoist Wei among its leaders and sent its members to recruit allies.
• Zhang Xing persuaded Li Ding to help defeat Zhang Jincheng and absorb his troops, proposing Cheng Dalang’s organization as cover.
• Cheng Mingqi and Cheng Zhili struck Zhang Jincheng’s forces, and Zhang Xing led about four thousand men toward Zhang Jincheng’s camp for a night attack.

Zhang Xing organized the Exorcising the Dragon Gang, expanded its control through uprisings and negotiations, and prepared to seize towns along the Empress’s route. The arc ended with Zhang Xing’s forces attacking the imperial villa and taking Zhang Shizhao, Cao Wang, and other defenders captive.

• Ma Sheng and Ma Ping'er met Zhang Xing in an abandoned temple, where Zhang explained his plans for a hidden base and asked Ma Sheng to convey his message to Du Pozhen.
• Zhang Xing gathered rebel leaders into the Exorcising the Dragon Gang, recruited Cheng Dalang, and led efforts to expand the organization and win support among Niu Da’s soldiers.
• Cao Lin secured sole authority over Eastern Capital affairs, while Bai Yousi forced the transfer of Li Ding in exchange for the Crouching Dragon Seal.
• Xu Shiying seized the military compound, killed Dou Bing, rallied the commandery soldiers, and called on Liu Yezhong to surrender.
• Zhang Xing burned debt notes, punished gang leaders who had taken predatory loans, and established local leadership as the gang spread through Eastern Commandery.
• Zhang Xing negotiated with Wang Huaidu to keep the gang within Chanyuan for a year, then had Li Tingwen seized and beheaded.
• Zhang Xing and his leaders planned to capture Yucheng, Gushu, and Xiayi as the Empress’s procession passed, while the court arranged to request reinforcements from the Xuzhou Garrison.
• Zhang Xing’s forces stormed the imperial villa, defeated Li Qingchen’s patrol, killed a female official, and broke the legs of Shen Ding, Cao Wang, and Zhang Shizhao before gagging Zhang Shizhao.