Chapter Summaries

After the battle in Zhengping Ward, Zhang Xing was praised for his courage but warned not to dwell on who was responsible for the disaster. He went to Xiūyè Ward to check on Ward Chief Liu and discovered that Gao Changye, not Liu, was among the captured prisoners.

• Heluo Huaibao died after the Grandmaster struck him, and Zhang Xing and the other survivors surveyed the devastation in Zhengping Ward.
• Bai Yousi dismissed the reinforcements to rest and cautioned Zhang Xing against pursuing questions about the Minister of Justice's death.
• Sima Zheng praised Zhang Xing's courage, and Zhang Xing later left Qin Bao to visit Xiūyè Ward and check on Ward Chief Liu.
• A patrolman told Zhang Xing that Minister Zhang had been captured at Xiūyè Ward's north gate and that Ward Chief Liu might have been implicated or forced to cooperate.
• At the crossroads, Zhang Xing heard that Gao Changye had engineered the jailbreak and ambush, then found Gao among the prisoners, where Gao greeted him with a smile.

Zhang Xing questioned Gao Changye about the revenge plot before the surviving bandits howled their defiance, while Cao Lin persuaded Cao Che to punish the conspirators selectively and rebuild the army. Back at his lodging, Zhang Xing found Fenniang feared he would send her away, and he chose to let her stay.

• Zhang Xing questioned Gao Changye about the revenge plot, the innocents harmed, and Zhang Shizhao's role; Gao Changye defended the revenge and confessed that he had arranged Zhang Shizhao's involvement.
• Gao Changye asked whether his years of pursuing revenge had been worthwhile, then struck his head against the stones; the other bandits joined his howl, and Zhang Xing later howled on the bridge over the Luo River.
• Cao Lin urged Cao Che to punish the chief offenders while sparing the foundations of other powerful clans and rebuilding the army; Cao Che agreed but ordered that no prisoners at or above the Condensing the Core Stage remain beneath the Black Tower.
• Zhang Xing returned to his lodging and sensed an opportunity to open his sixth Orthodox Meridian, though he did not complete it.
• Fenniang returned Zhang Xing's Compass and tearfully asked whether he would drive her away; Zhang Xing chose to let her stay and sat down to eat with her and Qin Bao.

Zhang Xing hid Fenniang under the name Yue Niang and returned to the Jing'an Directorate as its orders brought the city’s turmoil under control. After asking Bai Yousi how to advance his career, he learned he needed to open his Sixth Orthodox Meridian and complete an External Patrol before he could earn a White Ribbon.

• Zhang Xing warned Fenniang that she and her companions could be killed if her identity was exposed, then set rules for her to live in hiding as Yue Niang.
• Zhang Xing and Qin Bao settled their household arrangements and rode to the Jing'an Directorate, where they reunited with their colleagues but could not find Bai Yousi.
• After the Intendant returned, the Directorate ordered patrols out of the Southern City, recovery work in Zhengping Ward, and suspects in Zhang Wenda's assassination held in the Black Tower prison.
• Bai Yousi told Zhang Xing that Inspector Chai had vouched for him, and Zhang Xing asked to borrow money to thank Chai.
• Zhang Xing told Bai Yousi he wanted to advance in the Directorate, and she explained the requirements for earning a White Ribbon.
• When Bai Yousi asked whether he had opened his Sixth Orthodox Meridian, Zhang Xing admitted he had not and asked when they would go on External Patrol.

As the Eastern Capital regained its prosperity, Zhang Xing settled into a quiet routine and learned that his squad would be sent west to capture the fugitive Han Shixiong. Bai Yousi let her subordinates choose whether to join the dangerous mission, and Zhang Xing urged her to pay those who volunteered thirty taels in advance for their families.

• Zhang Xing bargained unsuccessfully for a painting, bought books and a red ribbon for Yueniang, and paid an elderly firewood seller to make regular deliveries.
• Qin Bao told Zhang Xing that Xiao Wu had returned to duty and that the squad planned to visit Du Zhi Han in Gentlemanly Ward.
• Bai Yousi asked Zhang Xing whether he had opened his sixth Orthodox Meridian, and he confirmed that he had done so two days earlier.
• Bai Yousi announced the Intendant's order to travel west that night and capture Han Shixiong, a former governor-general of Liangzhou who had fled.
• Zhang Xing explained the risks of the mission and asked Bai Yousi to give volunteers thirty taels in advance to provide for their families.

Zhang Xing and the Second Patrol Team traveled west to investigate Han Shixiong’s escape, learning that several powerful members of the Han Clan might have helped him. Bai Yousi ordered the team to proceed cautiously, and they reached Taolin Post Station near Tong Pass.

• Bai Sanniang promised each recruit fifty taels, and twenty-seven members of the Second Patrol Team left the Eastern Capital for the west.
• Hu Yan explained how Han Shixiong had escaped while being escorted back to the Eastern Capital after his arrest.
• Zhang Xing outlined the family ties linking Han Shixiong to Han Changmei, Han Yingong, and Li Ding, along with the Han Clan’s history of resentment toward the court.
• Qin Bao asked whether the Han Clan had arranged the escape, and Zhang Xing said several possibilities remained open.
• Bai Yousi warned the patrol cavalry not to provoke Han Yingong or leave the group without permission, and they reached Taolin Post Station the next day.

Bai Yousi’s patrol investigated Han Shixiong’s escape at Taolin Post Station, while Zhang Xing offered to use his dangerous Compass to locate him. Bai Yousi refused to risk a subordinate’s life and sent Zhang Xing to question Li Ding.

• The three escort leaders described how Han Shixiong escaped after a drinking session, and Qian Tang suspected an accomplice among them.
• Bai Yousi ordered the three leaders stripped and flogged, and the assistant director and Jinwu Guard commandant accused Eunuch Han of taking gold from General Han Yingong.
• Qian Tang questioned the three leaders while Hu Yan and Qin Bao investigated the wine, station, and escape route.
• Zhang Xing showed Bai Yousi the Compass and offered to use it to find Han Shixiong, warning that its use carried a deadly price.
• Bai Yousi refused to trade Zhang Xing’s life for the case and ordered him to question Li Ding.

Zhang Xing questioned Li Ding about Han Shixiong’s escape and warned him that powerful officials might demand a scapegoat. Li Ding refused to accuse his uncles and resolved to flee with Shiniang if necessary, while Bai Yousi pursued him after he slipped away from the post station.

• Zhang Xing visited Li Ding and found him with Shiniang, a highly cultivated woman disguised in purple robes.
• Li Ding said he had volunteered to oversee road repairs to see his cousin before the execution, but learned that Han Shixiong had escaped.
• Zhang Xing suggested that Li Ding could blame one of his uncles if investigators failed to find Han Shixiong, and Li Ding recognized that the pressure came from His Majesty and Imperial Uncle Cao.
• Li Ding asked Shiniang whether she would follow him if he had to flee, and she promised to stay with him.
• Zhang Xing returned to the post station and described Shiniang’s beauty and cultivation to Bai Yousi and the others.
• Bai Yousi learned that Li Ding had left and vanished from the hall to pursue him.

Bai Yousi captured Li Ding and Zhang Shiniang after a difficult pursuit, and Zhang Xing questioned Li Ding about Han Shixiong. Zhang Xing explained that the case served the ruler’s effort to weaken the great clans, but his loyalty to Bai Yousi left him reluctant to frame the Han family; the chapter ended with him asking Li Ding to explain why Zhang Shiniang had trusted him.

• Bai Yousi returned to the hall muddy, with Li Ding and the bound Zhang Shiniang as prisoners, and said Zhang Shiniang had used ambushes and terrain against her.
• Zhang Shiniang condemned the Brocade-Clad officers for framing loyal men, while Li Ding accused them of abusing their authority and threatening an imperial official.
• Bai Yousi assigned Zhang Xing to interrogate Li Ding and said she would question Zhang Shiniang.
• Zhang Xing told Li Qingchen and Qin Bao that the case could be resolved by naming Han Changmei as the instigator, which would serve the ruler’s effort to weaken the great clans.
• Li Ding admitted he suspected his third uncle at Tong Pass but said he had not helped Han Shixiong escape, then pleaded for Zhang Shiniang, his confidante and a former concubine of Yang Shen.
• Zhang Xing asked Li Ding to explain what abilities and qualities had led Zhang Shiniang to trust him.

Zhang Xing questioned Li Ding about his past service under Yang Shen and the rebellion, then secretly released him from Taolin Post Station. The Compass pointed toward Mount Funiu, and Bai Yousi returned after letting Zhang Shiniang go, prompting Zhang Xing to suggest searching the mountain.

• Li Ding explained that he had submitted a seven-box military reform plan to Yang Shen, who offered him a future seat in power before Li Ding fled upon realizing Yang intended to rebel.
• Zhang Xing and Li Ding debated why Yang Shen’s rebellion seemed doomed and why Great Wei felt unstable despite its apparent strength.
• Zhang Xing decided to release Li Ding, led him out of Taolin Post Station, and Li Ding ran south into the mountains instead of heading east or west.
• Zhang Xing used the Compass, which pointed toward Mount Funiu rather than Tong Pass or the great river.
• Bai Yousi returned after escorting Zhang Shiniang away and asked Zhang Xing to release her brother-in-law and lend her the Compass; Zhang Xing told her it pointed into Mount Funiu.

Zhang Xing used the Compass to guide Bai Yousi’s search for Han Shixiong to a bandit stronghold near Mount Funiu, where they uncovered signs that local villagers had joined or supported the bandits. As Qian Tang arrived with the main force, Zhang Xing and Qin Bao considered how labor levies might have driven villagers from their homes.

• Bai Yousi agreed to accompany Zhang Xing into the mountains after the Compass pointed south toward Mount Funiu.
• Bai Yousi divided the search party, leading a small group while Hu Yan stayed at Taolin Post Station and Qian Tang followed with the main force.
• After three days of searching, Bai Yousi found a bandit stronghold whose location matched the Compass and decided to investigate it alone.
• Zhang Xing joined Qin Bao at an abandoned village, where Qin Bao pointed out clean houses and well-tended crops nearby.
• Zhang Xing and Qin Bao reasoned that the villagers might have joined the bandits and discussed how corvée labor could have forced them from their homes.
• Qian Tang arrived with the main force as Zhang Xing and Qin Bao waited near the village.

Bai Yousi’s force captured the mountain stronghold, but Han Shixiong and Li Ding had already left, so she pursued Han alone. Zhang Xing persuaded the remaining officials not to report the captured bandits until Bai returned, leaving their fate undecided.

• The Brocade-Clad guards and Bai Yousi’s force quickly captured the stronghold, where Li Qingchen learned that Han Shixiong and Li Ding had left for Nanyang Commandery.
• Bai Yousi vowed to capture Han Shixiong and flew off in pursuit, leaving the others to manage the stronghold.
• Qian Tang and the officials agreed to disarm and guard the able-bodied captives, feed the women and children, treat the wounded, and prevent the Jinwu Guards from looting or assaulting anyone.
• Zhang Xing argued that reporting the stronghold to local authorities could harm its desperate inhabitants and distress Bai Yousi, who had sought to avoid implicating the innocent.
• Qian Tang and Li Qingchen agreed to wait for Bai Yousi before deciding whether to report the captives, and the officials began arranging their care and guard.

Zhang Xing and the Brocade-clad Patrol Cavalry were captured by Wu Changzai, but Zhang Xing pressed Li Ding to help prevent a fight between Wu Changzai and Bai Yousi. The chapter ended with Zhang Xing dragging Li Ding outside to make him confront his junior brother and take responsibility.

• Wu Changzai captured Zhang Xing and the other patrol officers, and Li Ding explained that his junior brother had misunderstood his intentions.
• Zhang Xing refused to accept Li Ding's claim of brotherhood and demanded that the wounded patrol officers be allowed to leave together.
• Wu Changzai threatened the patrol officers, while Li Ding urged him to consider the stronghold's people and avoid a clash with the authorities.
• Bai Yousi returned and confronted Li Ding, prompting Wu Changzai to leave the hall and seek a fight with her.
• Zhang Xing challenged Li Ding to control Wu Changzai while he handled Bai Yousi, then dragged Li Ding outside.

Zhang Xing and Li Ding helped persuade Bai Yousi to spare the stronghold and release the Jinwu Guard after Wu Erlang stormed off. As the party traveled toward the Eastern Capital, Bai Yousi went looking for Zhang Xing and Li Ding, only to discover they had gone missing in the mountain mist.

• Li Ding and Zhang Xing called out to Wu Erlang and urged him and Bai Yousi to stop fighting, and Wu Erlang finally fled after striking the ground near them.
• Bai Yousi questioned whether Han Shixiong should be released, but accepted Li Ding's proposal to let the Jinwu Guard leave and spare the stronghold after Qin Bao and Qian Tang supported it.
• Han Shixiong explained to Zhang Xing that he had escaped by getting everyone drunk, stealing the key, and fleeing into Mount Funiu to find an old acquaintance.
• Bai Yousi let the Jinwu Guard return to Taolin Post Station, then left with Han Shixiong and her Brocade-Clad subordinates for the Eastern Capital.
• Bai Yousi went to find Zhang Xing after hearing he was sulking, but returned to report that he and Li Ding were missing along the route.
• Zhang Xing and Li Ding got lost in the mountain mist, and Zhang Xing complained to Li Ding after they passed the same strange rock for the third time.

Zhang Xing and Li Ding camped on Mount Funiu, where Li Ding shared a dragon’s prophecy and Zhang Xing recited a poem from his dreams. They discovered a ruined temple and a book for conditioning the body, then settled in for the night, unaware of what the find might mean.

• Zhang Xing and Li Ding climbed to Mount Funiu’s summit to avoid the strange wind and wait for Bai Yousi.
• Li Ding told Zhang Xing about Lord Cloud-Calling, who had once predicted that Li Ding would decline upon meeting a dragon, be ruined upon meeting a pig, grow rich upon meeting a guest, prosper upon meeting a mountain, and stop upon meeting a tide.
• Zhang Xing shared a dream about Han Qinbao and recited a poem about the moon, leaving Li Ding stunned by its unfamiliar verses.
• Li Ding spotted a ruined temple behind Zhang Xing, and Zhang Xing found a thread-bound copy of the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic beneath a cushion marked with a yin-yang symbol.
• Zhang Xing told Li Ding to keep and study the book, then realized they were on Mount Laojun and reassured him that the summit was safe.

After returning to the Eastern Capital, Zhang Xing used his reward money to buy Inspector Chai a painting and asked about Gao Changye’s family. He learned they had likely fled to Hebei, then returned home after hearing that executions had begun and told Yue Niang that her father was dead.

• Zhang Xing and Li Ding returned to the Eastern Capital, where Li Ding went to report to the Ministry of War and attend to his condemned cousin’s affairs.
• Zhang Xing and Qin Bao collected fifty taels each from the Bai family for helping capture Han Shixiong.
• When the price of a dragon painting had risen to 140 taels, Zhang Xing bought a painting called Seven Steeds for 100 taels instead.
• Zhang Xing presented Seven Steeds to Inspector Chai, explained how he had earned the money, and asked about Gao Changye’s wife and children.
• Inspector Chai said Gao Changye’s family had probably fled to Hebei and offered to look into their whereabouts.
• After learning that executions of the Gao clan remnants had begun, Zhang Xing went home and told Yue Niang that her father was dead.

As the Eastern Capital’s executions reached their peak, Zhang Xing learned that he had been promoted to White Ribbon and went to collect his new rank. After completing the paperwork at the Black Tower, he visited Bai Yousi’s courtyard, where she angrily demanded that he stop commenting on the grass growing on her roof.

• Great Wei executed hundreds of people connected to Yang Shen’s rebellion, and Yang Shen was shot to death with headless arrows before his corpse was circulated among government offices.
• Zhang Xing learned that Bai Yousi had secured his promotion to White Ribbon for his service in searching for Heluo Huaibao and pursuing Han Shixiong.
• Zhang Xing signed his promotion documents at the Black Tower and gave paper packets to the officials and clerks on duty.
• Zhang Xing went to Bai Yousi’s courtyard to collect his White Ribbon and remarked that grass was growing on her roof.
• Bai Yousi angrily told Zhang Xing to come inside and collect his ribbon instead of shouting about her roof.

Zhang Xing received his White Sash and asked Bai Yousi how to advance through the Jing'an Directorate’s ranks. After learning the cultivation requirements, he requested a desk assignment in Bai Yousi’s courtyard, claiming he wanted to avoid friction with Qian Tang and spare her trouble.

• Bai Yousi handed Zhang Xing a White Sash, and he immediately asked what it would take to become a Black Sash.
• Bai Yousi explained the different Black Sash roles and the cultivation required for promotion to Black Sash and Vermilion Sash.
• Zhang Xing said he would rather seek clerical work than risk his life on patrol while opening his meridians.
• Bai Yousi guessed that Zhang Xing was giving way to Qian Tang to prevent conflict, and he agreed with her explanation.
• Zhang Xing asked to handle internal affairs in Bai Yousi’s courtyard, and she was moved by his apparent consideration.

Zhang Xing used his clerical work to study Black Tower records and proposed ranking criminals and martial artists to Bai Yousi. Bai Yousi approved his ideas, while Intendant Cao decided to wait until Zhang Xing became a Black Sash before recruiting him for the Tower.

• Zhang Xing settled into clerical work, requested hundreds of records and books, and submitted corrections and a summary of historical materials to the Black Tower.
• Intendant Cao learned that the Black Sashes wanted to recruit Zhang Xing, but refused to poach him from Bai Yousi and said they could ask again if he became a Black Sash.
• Zhang Xing showed Bai Yousi a revised wanted notice that rated a criminal’s abilities and encouraged fugitives to compete for notoriety.
• Zhang Xing proposed Black Rankings for wanted criminals and White Rankings for martial artists, including regional lists and an Outstanding Talent Ranking.
• Bai Yousi approved the ranking proposals, and Zhang Xing placed himself at number 299 on the Human Ranking, with Qin Bao at number 300.

Zhang Xing and Qin Bao discussed the rankings and the court’s motives before discovering a decree to rebuild a powerful army in the Eastern Capital. The new recruitment drive promised to draw heroes and political conflict to the city, though Zhang Xing hoped to remain uninvolved.

• Zhang Xing explained to Qin Bao why the court supported the Black, White, and Outstanding Talent Rankings, then drafted recommendations for the Heroine Ranking.
• Zhang Xing sent his notes and documents to Black Sash Chen and walked home with Qin Bao, who observed that Zhang Xing seemed to care little about immediate fame or fortune.
• Zhang Xing and Qin Bao found a recruitment notice ordering the creation of a 180,000-strong elite army, including 120,000 soldiers under direct central command in the Eastern Capital.
• Zhang Xing and Qin Bao realized that recruiting 40,000 imperial guards from across the realm would attract ambitious fighters and intensify political tensions.
• Zhang Xing reached home pleased that the coming conflicts would involve field operatives rather than an office-bound clerk like him.

As the newly published rankings stirred up the Eastern Capital, Zhang Xing talked Hong Changya out of challenging him and explained how reputation shaped the lists. The next day, after hearing Hong had been beaten and jailed for challenging Commandant Zhao, Zhang Xing watched martial artists fly toward the Black Tower.

• Zhang Xing warned Yue Niang and Qin Bao to avoid the unrest caused by the rankings, then explained the ranked experts and their reputations.
• Hong Changya entered Zhang Xing’s courtyard and challenged Qin Bao, but Zhang Xing explained that defeating him would not earn Hong a place on the rankings.
• Hong Changya accepted Zhang Xing’s advice and left to challenge a ranked expert publicly on Heaven Street.
• Zhang Xing meditated on opening his eighth Orthodox Meridian, then heard that Commandant Zhao had defeated Hong Changya and sent him to the Black Tower.
• Several martial artists flew toward the Black Tower, shocking Zhang Xing and the patrol cavalry gathered at the Jing'an Directorate.