Recaps

Huang Xiao learned that Tuoba Xing had been appointed Inspector of the Six Gates and sought Zhao Yunya’s advice on his new post. Zhao Yunya revealed that she had agreed to the appointment in exchange for Huang Qitao allowing Huang Xiao to compete for the Arrest Sage position.

• Du Ge told Huang Xiao that Tuoba Xing had become Inspector, and a Heaven Gate constable confirmed that the decision had been made before Huang Xiao took office.
• Huang Xiao instructed Du Ge to warn the Yellow Gate constables not to give Tuoba Xing grounds to accuse them.
• Du Ge suggested that Huang Xiao seek Zhao Yunya’s advice, and Huang Xiao went to her residence, where he met her with Zhao Xin'er and Zhao Yunhui.
• Zhao Yunya shared her experience managing Six Gates affairs with Huang Xiao while the two princesses listened.
• Huang Xiao asked whether Zhao Yunya had approved Tuoba Xing’s appointment, and she explained that it was part of an agreement that let him compete for the Arrest Sage position.

Huang Xiao discussed the Six Gates with Zhao Yunya, then accompanied Zhao Xin'er and Zhao Yunhui until he met Liu Qin and went with her to see Liu Qiang. The princesses gave Liu Qin valuable jewelry as wedding gifts, and the chapter ended as Liu Qiang emerged and greeted Huang Xiao.

• Zhao Yunya advised Huang Xiao to consult You Yidao and Zheng Zhiyi while managing Tuoba Xing's oversight of the Six Gates.
• Huang Xiao left to visit Liu Qin and walked with Zhao Xin'er and Zhao Yunhui toward the Immortal Abode.
• Huang Xiao encountered Liu Qin, who told him Liu Qiang had returned and wanted to visit the Six Gates to find him.
• Zhao Yunhui gave Liu Qin a jade bracelet, and Zhao Xin'er gave her a jade hairpin as gifts for their first meeting and Liu Qin's wedding.
• Huang Xiao accompanied Liu Qin to her home, where Liu Qiang hurried out to greet him.

Huang Xiao reunited with Liu Qiang and taught him internal cultivation so he could eventually avenge the villagers killed by the Wang Family. After settling into his new role as Yellow Gate Arrest Sage, Huang Xiao faced complaints about Tuoba Xing arresting Yellow Gate constables and upheld the Inspector’s authority to punish those who broke the rules.

• Liu Qiang welcomed Huang Xiao back and asked him to help avenge the stockade’s villagers, but Huang Xiao taught him cultivation methods so he could take revenge himself.
• Huang Xiao opened Liu Qiang’s meridians and taught him a cultivation method and moves, predicting he could reach the second-class realm within a year.
• Master Hao identified Liu Qin’s bracelet and hairpin as items from the inner Imperial Palace and inferred that the women who gave them to her held high status.
• Huang Xiao took up his duties, ordered an investigation into his Eldest Senior Brother’s disappearance and the destruction of the Green Ox Gate, and continued guiding Liu Qiang.
• Du Ge reported that Tuoba Xing had arrested and tortured twelve Yellow Gate constables, and Huang Xiao told him to let the Inspector act.
• When Du Ge protested that other gates had fewer arrests, Huang Xiao rebuked him for defending constables who had violated the Six Gates’ Sect Rules, and Yellow Gate constables gathered outside afterward.

Huang Xiao learned that Beggar Gang Leader Zhu Zhentong had died and worried that Hong Yi might lose the succession to deputy leader Chi Si. Huang Qitao summoned the five Arrest Sages to discuss the Beggar Gang’s leadership dispute and the Six Gates’ response.

• Du Ge reassured the constables after Huang Xiao declined to intervene against Tuoba Xing, while Huang Xiao privately approved of Tuoba Xing’s crackdown on corrupt officials.
• A constable told Huang Xiao that Zhu Zhentong had been killed by an Esoteric Sect expert in Tubo and that Hong Yi had survived with grave injuries.
• Huang Xiao learned that Chi Si had rallied elders and disciples against Hong Yi’s supporters, leaving the Beggar Gang divided over who would become its next leader.
• Huang Qitao summoned the five Arrest Sages and explained that the Six Gates could not ignore the succession dispute because the Beggar Gang’s leader would influence the Jianghu.
• You Yidao asked Huang Qitao whether the Six Gates should send a representative to the Beggar Gang.

Huang Xiao accepted Huang Qitao’s assignment to represent the Six Gates at the Beggar Gang’s leadership contest, despite his colleagues’ warnings. He revealed that he wanted to help his friend Hong Yi and set off to prepare, while You Yidao and Zheng Zhiyi decided to consult the Commandery Princess about his safety.

• Huang Qitao assigned Huang Xiao to represent the Six Gates at the Beggar Gang’s leadership contest and warned him not to interfere without authorization.
• After Huang Xiao left the study, Huang Qitao, Chen Feidiao, and Jiang Ang discussed using the assignment to put Huang Xiao in danger and considered killing him through another’s hand.
• You Yidao and Zheng Zhiyi reprimanded Huang Xiao for accepting the mission, but he explained that he had agreed to help his friend Hong Yi.
• Huang Xiao refused their offer to go in his place, said he would be careful, and left to make preparations.
• You Yidao and Zheng Zhiyi decided to discuss Huang Xiao’s safety with the Commandery Princess.

Huang Xiao traveled to Luoyang to find Hong Yi at the Beggar Gang Headquarters, while Zhao Yunya secretly arranged protection and support for Hong Yi. Huang Xiao reached the crowded headquarters and asked to see Hong Yi, but a Rich Beggar Faction altar master challenged him.

• Huang Xiao insisted on traveling to the Beggar Gang despite Du Ge's concerns, and You Yidao and Zheng Zhiyi asked Zhao Yunya to help protect him.
• Zhao Yunya sent Elder Qin to safeguard Hong Yi and asked him to help Hong Yi become Beggar Gang Leader if possible.
• Huang Xiao rode from Kaifeng to Luoyang, passed several groups of martial artists heading for the Beggar Gang, and reached its dilapidated headquarters near the southern gate.
• A Five-Bag Disciple told Huang Xiao that Hong Yi was occupied with visitors from major sects, so Huang Xiao asked him to pass along a message.
• Altar Master Chi, a Six-Bag Disciple of the Rich Beggar Faction, mocked Huang Xiao for thinking he could see Hong Yi.

Huang Xiao sought to enter the Beggar Gang headquarters to see Hong Yi, but Altar Master Chi blocked him and sided with Langya Sect Leader Zhou Bushu. Huang Xiao revealed an Arrest Sage Token, which secured him entry as the chapter ended.

• Huang Xiao learned that Hong Yi was under investigation after the Beggar Gang chief's death, and Altar Master Chi refused to let him visit.
• Altar Master Chi welcomed Zhou Bushu and ordered Huang Xiao to move aside and arrange for the Langya Sect disciples.
• Huang Xiao challenged Altar Master Chi's treatment of him and rebuked Zhou Bushu when the sect leader lectured him.
• Altar Master Chi ordered disciples to escort Huang Xiao away, but Huang Xiao displayed an Arrest Sage Token to the Five-Bag Disciple.
• The Five-Bag Disciple recognized the token's authority and escorted Huang Xiao into the Beggar Gang headquarters, leaving Altar Master Chi stunned.

Huang Xiao used the Arrest Sage Token to enter the Beggar Gang Headquarters and learned that Chi Si’s son, Chi Tan, had helped restrict Hong Yi’s freedom. He found Hong Yi gravely injured and despairing over his inability to avenge Zhu Zhentong, leaving Huang Xiao to confront the depth of his friend’s hopelessness.

• Huang Xiao presented the Arrest Sage Token, forcing Zhou Bushu and Altar Master Chi to accept that he could enter the Beggar Gang Headquarters.
• A Five-Bag Disciple told Huang Xiao that Chi Tan had persuaded the gang to restrict Hong Yi while the Elder of Discipline investigated the Gang Leader’s death.
• The Five-Bag Disciple recognized Huang Xiao as Hong Yi’s friend and helped him reach Hong Yi’s room.
• Huang Xiao found Hong Yi pale and severely injured, but Hong Yi resisted his attempt to heal him.
• Hong Yi said he had no hope of avenging Zhu Zhentong because the killer had slain his master with a single palm strike.

Huang Xiao persuaded the injured Hong Yi to reclaim his resolve and continue contesting the Beggar Gang leadership rather than let Chi Si take control. As Huang Xiao treated Hong Yi in secret, they discussed the imminent leadership decision and the danger Chi Si posed.

• Huang Xiao compared Hong Yi's despair over facing a Peerless Realm enemy with his own past determination to avenge his master, and urged Hong Yi not to give up.
• Huang Xiao reminded Hong Yi of his duty to Zhu Zhentong and the Beggar Gang, and Hong Yi agreed he would not abandon the leadership position.
• Huang Xiao treated Hong Yi's injuries with his Everlasting Spring Ageless True Qi while a five-bag disciple warned that the guards were returning.
• Huang Xiao stopped the treatment, set up a soundproofing formation, and learned Hong Yi's condition had improved but remained serious.
• Hong Yi told Huang Xiao that Chi Si wanted the leadership decision settled the next day and explained that the new leader needed approval from at least five of the eight Nine-Bag Elders.

Huang Xiao and Hong Yi planned to delay the Beggar Gang leadership contest for three days so Hong Yi could recover enough to challenge Chi Si. Hong Yi then explained how Zhu Zhentong had been killed by a Tubo Esoteric Sect expert, and the chapter ended with Hong Yi reaffirming his resolve to keep pursuing revenge.

• Huang Xiao explained that Hong Yi would need the support of the eight Nine-Bag Elders and the Beggar Gang disciples to become Gang Leader.
• Huang Xiao proposed buying three days for Hong Yi to heal before facing Chi Si, and Hong Yi agreed to propose a match while keeping his recovery concealed.
• Hong Yi told Huang Xiao that Zhu Zhentong had gone to Tubo after an Esoteric Sect expert challenged the Dragon-Capturing Divine Palm's reputation.
• Hong Yi recounted how the expert used the Mad Elephant Brahma Esoteric Palm to sever Zhu Zhentong's meridians with one strike.
• Huang Xiao urged Hong Yi not to give up hope of revenge, and Hong Yi vowed to keep striving toward that goal.

Huang Xiao told Hong Yi that he had become the Six Gates’ Yellow Gate Arrest Sage, then went to the Beggar Gang hall to observe its selection of a new leader. The Jianghu figures there recognized him as the Poison God Valley disciple associated with the Seven Spirit Blades, and some questioned whether he deserved to represent the Six Gates.

• Huang Xiao showed Hong Yi his Yellow Gate Arrest Sage Token and explained the recent changes at the Six Gates.
• Huang Xiao slipped out of Hong Yi’s room by distracting the Beggar Gang disciples with a shattered jar.
• Huang Xiao presented his token to an Eight-Bag Envoy and entered the Beggar Gang’s inner hall as the new Yellow Gate Arrest Sage.
• The Jianghu figures recognized Huang Xiao from the Seven Spirit Blades affair and speculated about his survival and the blades.
• Zhou Bushu revealed that Huang Xiao had an Arrest Sage Token, prompting some guests to praise his appointment and others to mock his age and standing.

Huang Xiao entered the Beggar Gang’s inner hall, where Master Kongming introduced him to the great sect experts and revealed that he was the new Yellow Gate Arrest Sage. As Huang Xiao spoke with the elders, Chi Tan arrived in the outer hall with a distinguished young man he wanted to introduce.

• Huang Xiao ignored the outer hall experts’ objections and went into the inner hall after the Beggar Gang disciple pointed the way.
• Huang Xiao greeted the elders, and Master Kongming invited him to sit beside him.
• Fan Lang questioned Huang Xiao about the Seven Spirit Blade and the Jade-Faced Rakshasa, but Master Kongming redirected the discussion.
• Master Kongming revealed that Huang Xiao was the new Yellow Gate Arrest Sage, and the experts accepted his presence and status.
• Chi Tan entered the outer hall with a well-dressed young man and announced that he wished to introduce him to the assembled experts.

Chi Tan tried to turn the Beggar Gang gathering against Huang Xiao by claiming the Arrest Sage’s special envoy was an impostor, while Tuoba Xing kept quiet despite knowing Huang Xiao’s identity. The chapter ended with Chi Tan accusing Huang Xiao before the assembled seniors as Huang Xiao calmly drank his tea.

• Chi Tan introduced Tuoba Xing as a Six Gates Inspector, but the Jianghu figures reacted angrily to another young Six Gates official.
• Chi Tan explained the Inspector’s authority and suggested Tuoba Xing could overrule an Arrest Sage’s special envoy, but Tuoba Xing noted that his authority was mainly internal.
• After learning Huang Xiao carried an Arrest Sage Token, Chi Tan concluded that he was an impostor and led people toward the inner hall.
• Tuoba Xing recognized Huang Xiao but let Chi Tan proceed, hoping Huang Xiao would be humiliated because Tuoba resented losing the Arrest Sage position.
• Lin You and the other seniors welcomed Huang Xiao, while Chi Tan entered alone and nervously announced that someone had impersonated an Arrest Sage’s special envoy.
• Chi Tan accused Huang Xiao before the seniors, but Huang Xiao remained composed and took a sip of tea.

Chi Tan tried to expose Huang Xiao as an impostor, but the elders revealed that Huang Xiao was the genuine Yellow Gate Arrest Sage. After Chi Tan was thrown out, he confronted Tuoba Xing, who refused to accept blame for Chi Tan’s humiliation.

• Lin You and Fan Lang dismissed Chi Tan’s accusation, while Huang Xiao observed that many of the assembled Jianghu figures did not support Chi Si.
• Chi Tan went looking for Tuoba Xing to verify his claim, but returned without him and continued insisting that Huang Xiao was a fake.
• Fan Lang revealed that Huang Xiao was the Yellow Gate Arrest Sage and sent Chi Tan flying from the inner hall.
• The assembled Jianghu figures discussed Huang Xiao’s appointment as Chi Tan recovered and left the hall in disgrace.
• Chi Tan found Tuoba Xing in a courtyard and accused him of lying, but Tuoba Xing reminded him that he had only said no Arrest Sage Special Envoy had been sent.
• Tuoba Xing watched Chi Tan leave and reflected that Huang Qitao had asked him to monitor Huang Xiao, while someone else was expected to deal with him.

Huang Xiao attended the Beggar Gang’s assembly to witness the election of a new leader and encountered Tuoba Xing, whose presence he suspected had been arranged by Huang Qitao. The assembly began with Hong Yi and Chi Si named as candidates, but a Beggar Gang elder immediately challenged the announcement.

• Huang Xiao met Reverend Deshan and Elder Yi Heng, then learned the Beggar Gang would ask visiting Jianghu experts to witness its new leader election.
• After paying respects to Zhu Zhentong, Huang Xiao wondered why Tuoba Xing had come to Luoyang and suspected Huang Qitao had sent him.
• At the assembly, Huang Xiao was seated beside Tuoba Xing, made him salute as an Arrest Sage, and questioned his reason for attending.
• Yi Heng announced Hong Yi and Chi Si as the two candidates for gang leader, prompting an elder to object.
• Huang Xiao asked Tuoba Xing to identify the Beggar Gang elders, and Tuoba Xing named Tu He, Wu Jin, Xu Chou, Yuan Bi, Zhang Che, Bi Bo, and Jiang Sheng.

The Beggar Gang debated who should succeed the murdered Zhu Zhentong, with Chi Si and Hong Yi making their cases before the assembled disciples and Jianghu figures. Despite his grave injuries, Hong Yi insisted that the leadership be decided by the generations-old rule of martial contest, leaving the elders awaiting his final confirmation.

• Tu He challenged Yi Heng over introducing Hong Yi before Deputy Gang Leader Chi, and Xu Chou and Wu Jin ended their argument.
• Chi Si urged the Beggar Gang disciples to elect him and promised to restore the gang's former glory.
• Hong Yi said he would honor his master's final wish and proposed that the superior martial artist become the next gang leader.
• Chi Si hesitated to accept the contest, suspecting Hong Yi might have a hidden plan, while Yi Heng objected to Hong Yi fighting while gravely injured.
• Tu He asked Hong Yi whether he was certain he wanted to decide the leadership through a contest with Chi Si, as Yi Heng urged him to reconsider.

The Beggar Gang elders agreed that Hong Yi and Chi Si would compete for the leader’s position in four days, giving Hong Yi time to recover. Huang Xiao then secured the lifting of Hong Yi’s confinement order so he could help treat his injuries, though a trace of coldness showed in Huang Xiao’s eyes afterward.

• Hong Yi insisted that the Beggar Gang choose its leader through a contest, and the elders accepted his proposal.
• Xu Chou proposed allowing Hong Yi time to heal, and after debate the elders set the contest for four days later.
• Chi Si welcomed the decision, believing Hong Yi’s injuries would leave him at a disadvantage in the contest.
• Huang Xiao asked Wu Jin whether Hong Yi’s confinement order remained in force, and Wu Jin said it would be lifted because Hong Yi had done nothing wrong.
• Huang Xiao said he would help Hong Yi recover, then showed a trace of coldness after Wu Jin left.

Huang Xiao helped Hong Yi recover in time for the contest to choose the Beggar Gang Leader, while Chi Si and Tu He remained confident that Hong Yi would be too injured to win. Hong Yi concealed his recovery and revealed that the eighteenth palm of the Dragon-Capturing Divine Palm was secured in a chest that required both the Elder of Martial Instruction and the gang leader’s keys to open.

• Chi Si told Tu He that he feared Hong Yi’s challenge was suspicious, but Tu He and Wu Jin believed Hong Yi could not recover from his injuries in four days.
• Tu He reminded Chi Si that Hong Yi was dangerous despite his injuries and told him to focus on cultivating before the contest.
• Three days later, Hong Yi finished recovering with Huang Xiao’s help and discovered that Huang Xiao had become stronger.
• Hong Yi said he had mastered the first sixteen palms of the Dragon-Capturing Divine Palm and planned to keep pretending to heal until the contest.
• Hong Yi explained that Elder Xu safeguarded the Dragon-Capturing Divine Palm and Demon-Slaying Staff Technique manuals, and that opening their chest required separate keys held by the Elder of Martial Instruction and the gang leader.

Hong Yi entrusted the Beggar Gang’s key to Huang Xiao and asked him to protect it if anything happened. Huang Xiao then followed Chi Tan and Tuoba Xing to a wine shop, where he recognized a familiar voice from a private room.

• Hong Yi gave Huang Xiao the Beggar Gang’s key and asked him not to let Chi Si’s faction obtain it, even if Hong Yi died.
• Huang Xiao left Hong Yi to investigate Chi Si’s activities while Hong Yi disguised himself as still injured.
• Huang Xiao spotted Chi Tan and secretly followed him to meet Tuoba Xing.
• Chi Tan and Tuoba Xing went to a wine shop in Luoyang’s Inner City, and Huang Xiao followed them inside.
• Huang Xiao heard a familiar voice from the room where Chi Tan and Tuoba Xing had gone and realized who it was.

Huang Xiao recognized Xu Wuyu meeting with Tuoba Xing and Chi Tan and tried to gauge Xu Wuyu’s strength by attacking their room from concealment. Xu Wuyu identified Huang Xiao’s seat but not his identity, and Tuoba Xing began to suspect Hong Yi’s companion from Poison God Valley.

• Huang Xiao recognized Xu Wuyu’s voice and worried that the Taixuan Sect disciple might interfere in the Beggar Gang Leader election.
• Huang Xiao threw chopsticks through Tuoba Xing’s door to provoke Xu Wuyu and assess his abilities.
• Xu Wuyu and Tuoba Xing searched the wine shop while Chi Tan questioned the waiters about the attacker.
• Xu Wuyu deduced that the attacker had sat at Huang Xiao’s table, and Tuoba Xing learned that the silent young gentleman had left.
• Chi Tan suggested Hong Yi might have followed them, but Tuoba Xing dismissed the idea and raised the possibility of Hong Yi’s Poison God Valley companion.

Huang Xiao discovered that Xu Wuyu had joined Chi Tan and Tuoba Xing, potentially threatening Hong Yi's bid to become Beggar Gang Leader. He warned Hong Yi, and the two prepared to watch for Xu Wuyu's next move.

• Xu Wuyu told Tuoba Xing and Chi Tan that Huang Xiao might be able to heal Hong Yi, and argued that Poison God Valley had healing arts beyond the Everlasting Spring Art.
• Xu Wuyu revealed that he intended to kill Huang Xiao in a supposedly fair contest at the Beggar Gang, while Tuoba Xing doubted his plan would be simple.
• Chi Tan welcomed Xu Wuyu's visit, explaining that his father had asked him to invite the Taixuan Sect disciple.
• Huang Xiao left the wine shop, assessed Xu Wuyu's cultivation, and hurried back to the Beggar Gang Headquarters.
• Huang Xiao told Hong Yi about Xu Wuyu's presence with Chi Tan and Tuoba Xing, and they agreed to stay alert while Hong Yi focused on defeating Chi Si.

At the Beggar Gang tournament, Xu Wuyu provoked Huang Xiao and revealed that he had defeated Master Kongming months earlier. Huang Xiao refused to fight him before the leadership selection, and Xu Wuyu announced that he wanted to challenge Hong Yi and other young Central Plains experts.

• Huang Xiao noticed Xu Wuyu had moved to a seat opposite him, and Xu Wuyu approached and mocked his rise to the rank of Arrest Sage.
• Huang Xiao said he had grown stronger since their last encounter, while Xu Wuyu boasted that Huang Xiao had once been unfit to face him.
• Master Kongming confirmed that Xu Wuyu had defeated him months earlier, and Tu He identified Xu Wuyu as a disciple of the Taixuan Sect.
• Huang Xiao argued that Xu Wuyu had made no progress, but declined his challenge because the Beggar Gang was choosing its leader.
• Xu Wuyu said he had come to challenge Hong Yi over the Dragon-Capturing Divine Palm and then fight other young Central Plains experts.

Hong Yi’s injuries had healed, but the Beggar Gang elders changed the leadership contest rules to include endorsements and a possible substitute match. Chi Si chose Xu Wuyu, and Hong Yi chose Huang Xiao, leaving the first contest about to begin.

• Xu Wuyu challenged Huang Xiao and threatened to target Hong Yi if Huang Xiao refused to fight him.
• Hong Yi appeared fully recovered when he faced Chi Si on the platform.
• Elder Xu Chou announced that candidates needed elder endorsements and that a tie could be settled by same-generation substitutes.
• Huang Xiao suspected Xu Wuyu had influenced the rule change, while Tu He defended the substitutes round as a test of candidates’ connections.
• Chi Si chose Xu Wuyu as his representative, and Hong Yi chose Huang Xiao.
• Tu He confirmed both substitutes met the requirements and ordered the first contest to begin.

Hong Yi and Chi Si fought to a standstill, and Chi Si revealed strength and a palm technique that seemed connected to the Taixuan Sect. Hong Yi began preparing the sixteenth palm of the Dragon-Capturing Divine Palm as Xu Wuyu declared that Chi Si would become Beggar Gang Leader and that his own goal was to deal with Huang Xiao.

• Hong Yi and Chi Si exchanged more than a hundred moves without either gaining an advantage, surprising the Beggar Gang elders with Chi Si’s strength.
• Hong Yi used the fifteenth palm of the Dragon-Capturing Divine Palm, but Chi Si met it head-on with an unfamiliar technique, and both men were injured.
• Tuoba Xing questioned Xu Wuyu about Chi Si’s sudden strength, and Xu Wuyu said Chi Si’s cultivation method was not from the Beggar Gang.
• Hong Yi announced that he would use the sixteenth palm, while Huang Xiao expected it to defeat Chi Si.
• Xu Wuyu told Tuoba Xing that Chi Si would become Beggar Gang Leader regardless of the fight’s outcome and that Xu Wuyu’s goal was to deal with Huang Xiao.

Chi Si used a forbidden art to overwhelm Hong Yi during their contest for Beggar Gang Leader, while Hong Yi tried to counter him with the seventeenth palm. After Chi Si severely injured and knocked Hong Yi to the edge of the arena, he moved in to strike again as Huang Xiao rushed to stop him.

• Chi Si met Hong Yi's palm head-on, then used a forbidden art that made his strength surge and began damaging Hong Yi's meridians.
• Hong Yi unleashed his imperfectly mastered seventeenth palm, but Chi Si increased his power further to avoid losing when his forbidden art ended.
• Chi Si's overwhelming palm force crushed Hong Yi's internal power, sent him flying, and left him barely standing at the edge of the arena.
• Chi Si flashed in front of the injured Hong Yi and struck toward his chest, while Huang Xiao charged forward and shouted for him to stop.