Recaps

Zhong Gu fought off challengers while defending Inugami, but the saber broke and was revealed to be a fake. The crowd turned on Gao Jin and Du Qiu, while a powerful man from the Heavenly Evil Sect demanded the real Inugami from the Transcendent Immortal Escort Agency.

• Zhong Gu threatened the gathered experts and fought a newcomer, but the man proved stronger than him.
• Zhong Gu poured his power into Inugami to resist the newcomer, and the saber snapped in two.
• The experts realized Inugami was fake and turned their attention to Gao Jin and Du Qiu, whom Zhong Gu accused of deceiving him.
• Liu Jinyi said the Transcendent Immortal Escort Agency would not join the struggle, but the newcomer demanded that they hand over the real Inugami.
• The newcomer killed an expert who challenged him and declared that the Heavenly Evil Sect would claim Inugami, while others debated whether to fear the sect.

A Heavenly Evil Sect expert demanded the real Inugami from the convoy after Gao Jin claimed it was there, bringing him into conflict with Chen Biao and Zhu Yang. Huang Xiao said he might know where the real Inugami was, just as the expert’s lord arrived with dozens of powerful followers.

• The Heavenly Evil Sect expert accused Gao Jin and Du Qiu of hiding the real Inugami and threatened them until Gao Jin pointed to the convoy.
• Liu Jinyi accused Gao Jin of framing the Transcendent Immortal Escort Agency, while the expert insisted on searching the Rare Treasures Pavilion’s shipment.
• Chen Biao refused to let the crowd search the convoy, and Zhu Yang stepped forward to challenge the Heavenly Evil Sect expert.
• Huang Xiao said he might know where the real Inugami was, then sensed a powerful newcomer arriving.
• The Heavenly Evil Sect expert’s lord landed beside him, and dozens of formidable followers arrived soon afterward.

Huang Xiao faced the Heavenly Evil Sect’s search for Inugami and tried to keep the confrontation from endangering his caravan. After the compass lost its signal, he pointed the sect toward a direction, and its men charged that way to search.

• The Heavenly Evil Sect’s lord recognized Huang Xiao as a Half-Step Martial Realm expert and warned that Inugami might be among the people nearby.
• Huang Xiao said he had a rough idea where Inugami was, and the lord used a compass that had detected the Evil Blade within a thousand feet.
• The compass stopped reacting, leading the lord to suspect someone was escaping with Inugami; he ordered everyone to stay put, while his men attacked those fleeing.
• The lord demanded that Huang Xiao reveal Inugami’s direction, and Huang Xiao’s Heaven and Earth Momentum made the sect’s men tremble before the lord broke it.
• Huang Xiao pointed in a direction, and the lord ordered his remaining subordinates to fight their way there and kill anyone they encountered.

Huang Xiao directed the Heavenly Evil Sect toward Inugami, which led them to Fan Zhongkun, who had faked his death and was wielding the real saber. Fan Zhongkun drove back the sect’s attackers, but Luo Bin revealed his half-step martial realm strength and confronted him over the weapon.

• Huang Xiao sensed that Inugami was moving away and directed the Heavenly Evil Sect toward it, while Luo Bin chose to trust him.
• A commotion revealed that Fan Zhongkun was alive and carrying Inugami, and Gao Jin and Du Qiu headed toward the fight.
• Chen Biao warned Gao Jin and Du Qiu that he would settle accounts with the Divine Might Escort Agency after the assignment.
• Fan Zhongkun used Inugami to send a dozen Heavenly Evil Sect experts flying, killing five and gravely wounding the rest.
• Fan Zhongkun dismissed Luo Bin as too low-ranking to negotiate with and threatened to offer Inugami to other factions.
• Luo Bin unleashed his heaven-and-earth momentum, and onlookers recognized that he had reached the half-step martial realm.

Fan Zhongkun used Inugami to break through Luo Bin’s heaven and earth momentum and turned the tables on the half-step martial realm expert. The two clashed with their weapons, and Fan Zhongkun’s growing power forced Luo Bin onto the defensive.

• Fan Zhongkun mocked Luo Bin for fearing Inugami and revealed he had planned to escape amid the chaos before the saber’s aura exposed him.
• Luo Bin attacked, but Fan Zhongkun dodged his claw and used Inugami to break through the pressure of Luo Bin’s heaven and earth momentum.
• Fan Zhongkun charged Luo Bin with Inugami, forcing Luo Bin to draw his sword, Cold Intent, to block the attacks.
• Fan Zhongkun’s saber force overwhelmed Luo Bin’s sword qi, and Luo Bin was forced back as he realized the extent of Inugami’s power.

Fan Zhongkun used Inugami to overpower Luo Bin, shatter Cold Intent, and wound him in midair. Luo Bin realized Fan Zhongkun could control Heaven and Earth Momentum, and Fan Zhongkun pressed his attack.

• Fan Zhongkun claimed Inugami had killed Skyward Staff and said Luo Bin would be its next victim.
• Fan Zhongkun unleashed Inugami’s sinister aura and shattered Luo Bin’s Cold Intent as Luo Bin retreated into the air.
• Fan Zhongkun pursued Luo Bin midair, then halted his fall and surged upward to slash Luo Bin’s chest.
• Luo Bin realized Fan Zhongkun could control Heaven and Earth Momentum, and Fan Zhongkun attacked him again.

Fan Zhongkun used Inugami’s power to overwhelm Luo Bin and destroy his subordinates, but he fled before the three other Heavenly Evil Sect envoys could reach him. Luo Bin explained that Fan Zhongkun had sensed their approach, while one envoy went after him.

• Fan Zhongkun grew stronger as he fought Luo Bin with Inugami, then wounded him by damaging his meridians with a palm strike.
• Luo Bin ordered his subordinates to block Fan Zhongkun, and Fan Zhongkun killed them as Luo Bin tried to escape.
• Fan Zhongkun pursued Luo Bin but suddenly withdrew, leaving the onlookers confused.
• Three Heavenly Evil Sect envoys appeared and mocked Luo Bin before setting off after Fan Zhongkun.
• Luo Bin warned the envoys that Inugami could make Fan Zhongkun dangerous, and Liu Jinyi realized Fan Zhongkun had fled after sensing their arrival.

Huang Xiao traveled with Liu Jinyi’s convoy toward Mist City and reflected on his saber and the techniques he had yet to practice. At camp, Zhangsun Youyue approached him about Senior Li and asked why he carried a saber despite his swordsmanship.

• Huang Xiao and Liu Jinyi set out for Mist City as Jianghu pursuers continued after Fan Zhongkun and others began dispersing.
• Liu Jinyi ordered the convoy to camp for the night and assigned Leopard a group of men to guard the area.
• Huang Xiao considered the Minghong Saber’s connection to Inugami and reviewed what he had learned about the Three-Form Demon Saber Technique.
• Zhangsun Youyue approached Huang Xiao and asked whether he had anything to say about Senior Li.
• Huang Xiao declined to reveal anything about Senior Li, and Zhangsun Youyue proposed a sword spar before asking why he carried a saber.

Huang Xiao explained why he carried a saber and agreed to address Zhangsun Youyue as his junior sister. She warned him that the Sword Pavilion would likely challenge him over his connection to Senior Li, then described the formidable practitioners of its three guardian sword arts.

• Huang Xiao said his treasured saber held special meaning because it came from the Great Song, and Zhangsun Youyue cautioned him against splitting his focus between sword and saber techniques.
• Zhangsun Youyue and Huang Xiao agreed to call each other junior sister and senior brother.
• Zhangsun Youyue warned Huang Xiao that the Sword Pavilion might challenge him because of his connection to Senior Li and the Transcendent Immortal Swordsmanship.
• Zhangsun Youyue explained that the Sword Pavilion would likely send a Peerless Upper Grade expert, since its only Half-Step Martial Realm disciple of their generation, Sword God Yi, rarely fought.
• Zhangsun Youyue named Jiang Liuli and Feng Xiaofeng as the formidable practitioners of the Separation Fire Swordsmanship and Pursuing Wind Swordsmanship, warning Huang Xiao that one of them might come after him.

Huang Xiao learned that Jiang Liuli and another Sword Pavilion expert could challenge Half-Step Martial Realm fighters, then discussed his curse and the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering with Zhangsun Youyue. After sharing Chen Biao’s roast lamb, Huang Xiao heard Chen Biao reflect on living happily, while Zhangsun Youyue’s group wondered what seemed strange about Huang Xiao.

• Zhangsun Youyue warned Huang Xiao about Jiang Liuli and another Sword Pavilion opponent, and Huang Xiao confirmed he was going to Mist City to seek a way to lift his curse.
• Zhangsun Youyue offered to help Huang Xiao acquire treasures at the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering, but he said he had no money or treasures to exchange.
• Chen Biao served Huang Xiao roast lamb and said he was content with his cultivation and wanted to live happily.
• Nanny Liu placed a sound-isolating formation around Zhangsun Youyue’s group and said Huang Xiao felt strange to her, though she could not explain why.

Zhangsun Youyue and her attendants discussed the Sword Pavilion’s plans, the threat posed by the Sword God, and the possibility that Senior Li had gone overseas. The chapter ended with Zhangsun Youyue confirming that the legends about distant lands were true, leaving Xiao Qing eager to know more.

• Nanny Liu sensed that Young Master Huang’s strength seemed weaker than expected for a Half-Step Martial Realm expert, and Zhangsun Youyue suggested he might have just broken through.
• Zhangsun Youyue and Nanny Liu discussed whether Jiang Liuli or Feng Xiaofeng could challenge Young Master Huang, and Zhangsun Youyue hoped to meet Jiang Liuli again.
• Xiao Qing criticized Feng Xiaofeng and the Sword Pavilion’s marriage scheme, while Zhangsun Youyue admitted she might accept an alliance for her master and Bishui Palace’s sake.
• Zhangsun Youyue warned that the Sword Pavilion’s power could grow if the Sword God broke through, and said Senior Li had gone far across the seas.
• Zhangsun Youyue confirmed that the legends about overseas immortal mountains were true, then teased Xiao Qing for misunderstanding her.

Zhangsun Youyue discussed the possible connection between Young Master Huang and Senior Li, who had gone overseas, and the search for Ou Jin. She left open whether Huang came from the Overseas Three Immortal Mountains and suggested that Inugami might offer a chance to counter the Zhanlu Sword.

• Xiao Qing asked whether the immortal mountains overseas were real, and Zhangsun Youyue explained that their people possessed extraordinary strength.
• Zhangsun Youyue outlined three possible links between Young Master Huang and Senior Li, favoring the idea that Huang had returned from overseas while Li remained there.
• Nanny Liu reported that Bishui Palace had been unable to find Ou Jin, and Zhangsun Youyue noted that his connection to Huang could provide useful information.
• Zhangsun Youyue explained that the Demon Hall wanted Ou Jin to forge a new Supreme Demon Saber because the original had vanished with its Hall Master.
• Zhangsun Youyue said the Zhanlu Sword surpassed Bishui Palace’s Moye Sword and suggested Inugami might be an opportunity to deal with it.

Zhangsun Youyue decided to continue to Mist City despite the danger surrounding Inugami, while Huang Xiao and the Transcendent Immortal Escort Agency arrived there for the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering. With the city’s inns full, Liu Jinyi sent the escort agency’s men back to Qinyang City and left Liu Yu to accompany Huang Xiao and Zhu Yang.

• Zhangsun Youyue said Inugami’s return could lead the Heavenly Evil Sect and Sword Pavilion to clash, but she refused Nanny Liu’s advice to leave Chaotic Province and continued toward Mist City.
• Huang Xiao arrived in Mist City with the convoy and spoke with Chen Biao about the city and the upcoming Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering.
• Liu Jinyi and Liu Yu completed the delivery at the Rare Treasures Pavilion, while Chen Biao went to report to his superiors.
• Liu Yu reported that the inns were full, so Liu Jinyi doubled the escorts’ bonuses and ordered most of the Transcendent Immortal Escort Agency’s people to return to Qinyang City.
• Liu Jinyi led the escorts home, leaving Liu Yu to accompany Huang Xiao and Zhu Yang in Mist City.

With Mist City’s inns full, Huang Xiao, Zhu Yang, and Liu Yu accepted Zhangsun Youyue’s offer to stay at her hidden Water Pavilion residence. As they headed to a banquet at Phoenix Arrival Pavilion, Huang Xiao kept thinking about finding a way to break the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse at the gathering three days away.

• Huang Xiao noticed that many people had come to Mist City because of Inugami, while Liu Yu regretted selling the Escort Agency’s former residence there.
• Xiao Qing invited Huang Xiao, Zhu Yang, and Liu Yu to stay at Zhangsun Youyue’s Water Pavilion residence after they failed to find an inn.
• The three men discovered that a formation concealed Water Pavilion’s vast lake and island courtyards, and each chose a secluded place to stay.
• Huang Xiao thought about the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering and the pills or herbs that might help break the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse.
• A maidservant summoned the three men to Zhangsun Youyue’s banquet, and Xiao Qing led them on foot to Phoenix Arrival Pavilion.

Huang Xiao and his companions waited outside Phoenix Arrival Pavilion, where they encountered a City Lord's Residence party led by a white-robed young gentleman. Before they could enter, a mounted group killed a man in the street, and their leader addressed the young gentleman as a prince.

• Huang Xiao, Zhu Yang, Liu Yu, and Xiao Qing arrived at the crowded Phoenix Arrival Pavilion and discussed its wealth and high prices.
• A middle-aged man tried to force Zhu Yang aside, but the white-robed young gentleman intervened, apologized, and insisted that his group wait their turn.
• Huang Xiao sensed that the gentleman's elderly attendant was in the Half-Step Martial Realm and guessed that the attendant was a eunuch and the gentleman a member of the Imperial Family.
• A dozen riders arrived, and one of them struck a Jianghu man dead with a whip.
• The mounted group's leader rode forward and addressed the white-robed gentleman as the Prince, offering a mocking apology.

Huang Xiao witnessed a confrontation at Phoenix Arrival Pavilion between the Eighth Prince and Young Master Lin, who was backed by the Five Fists Sect. The argument exposed the sect’s hostility toward the Imperial Court and the Heavenly Sword Sect’s growing power, leaving Huang Xiao curious about the conflict.

• Young Master Lin refused to kneel to the Eighth Prince, and Deputy Hall Master He ordered the crowd to clear the way into Phoenix Arrival Pavilion.
• City Lord Liang refused to move aside, and Deputy Hall Master He insulted him while Young Master Lin mocked the Eighth Prince.
• The Eighth Prince challenged Deputy Hall Master He, who claimed the Heavenly Sword Sect should rule both Jianghu and the Imperial Court.
• The old eunuch rebuked Young Master Lin, but Deputy Hall Master He insulted him and declared the Imperial Court had no right to assert its authority.
• Huang Xiao inferred that the Heavenly Sword Sect was seeking to usurp the throne, and Liu Yu offered to explain the situation later.

Huang Xiao's group tried to enter the Phoenix Arrival Pavilion, but Lin Chusheng ordered his men to attack them and seize Xiao Qing. The Eighth Prince and Liang Butong intervened, leaving He Jingui caught between Lin Chusheng's demands and the City Lord's Residence.

• Xiao Qing urged Huang Xiao's group to enter the pavilion, drawing Lin Chusheng's attention and prompting him to order them stopped.
• Liu Yu explained that the group had only come to eat, while the Eighth Prince apologized for the trouble they faced because of him.
• Lin Chusheng ordered his men to beat Huang Xiao's group and bring Xiao Qing to him unharmed.
• The Eighth Prince ordered the group protected, and Liang Butong's soldiers blocked the Five Fists Sect's men.
• Lin Chusheng urged He Jingui to confront the Eighth Prince's party, but Liang Butong warned He Jingui that attacking them meant going to war with the City Lord's Residence.
• He Jingui hesitated because he lacked the authority to start a conflict and feared the consequences of provoking the City Lord's Residence.

Lin Chusheng pressured He Jingui to bar the Eighth Prince and the City Lord’s people from the Phoenix Arrival Pavilion, but Shopkeeper Hu invoked the Five Fists Sect’s rules and refused. Xiao Qing then ordered Hu to show them to Jiazi Room No. 1 and declared that her miss’s surname was Changsun.

• Lin Chusheng urged He Jingui to confront Liang Butong, while He Jingui shouted insults but hesitated to risk an outright conflict.
• He Jingui ordered Shopkeeper Hu to refuse service to anyone connected to the City Lord’s residence, and Lin Chusheng mocked the Eighth Prince by pointing him toward street stalls.
• Shopkeeper Hu cited the Five Fists Sect’s rules guaranteeing service to customers with sufficient status and silver, and He Jingui admitted he could not challenge him.
• Xiao Qing ordered He Jingui’s subordinates away from the entrance, and they retreated rather than risk punishment for breaking the sect’s rules.
• Xiao Qing asked Shopkeeper Hu to lead them to Jiazi Room No. 1, then said her miss’s surname was Changsun.

Huang Xiao and his companions entered the Phoenix Arrival Pavilion after the Eighth Prince’s party humiliated Lin Chusheng over their room reservations. They met Zhangsun Youyue in Grade A Room One, where she warned that many Jianghu figures had gathered in Mist City and trouble might follow.

• Shopkeeper Hu revealed that the Eighth Prince’s party had booked Grade A Room Five, while Lin Chusheng had only secured Room Six, and Lin gave up arguing after learning the guests in Room One might have powerful backing.
• The Eighth Prince and Liang Butong teased He Jingui and Lin Chusheng before entering the pavilion, while Huang Xiao and his companions headed upstairs.
• An old Daoist forced his way into the pavilion by displaying gold notes, praised Huang Xiao for letting him pass, and settled at a window table on the second floor.
• Shopkeeper Hu explained that the Five Fists Sect approved reservations for Grade A rooms and escorted Huang Xiao’s party to Grade A Room One.
• Huang Xiao, Zhu Yang, Liu Yu, and Xiao Qing joined Zhangsun Youyue for a meal, and Zhangsun warned Huang Xiao that the influx of Jianghu visitors to Mist City could cause trouble.

Zhangsun Youyue told Huang Xiao that the Rare Treasures Pavilion would offer Phoenix Blood, which might cure his curse, and promised to help him obtain it. After they left the dining room, an old Daoist blocked the stairs and provoked the Five Fists Sect and Heavenly Sword Sect, drawing Lin Chusheng’s attention.

• Zhangsun Youyue revealed that the Saint Thief had threatened the Rare Treasures Pavilion, whose gathering would feature clues to the phoenix’s whereabouts and Phoenix Blood.
• Zhangsun Youyue explained that Phoenix Blood could break curses, and Huang Xiao realized it might cure his own affliction.
• Zhangsun Youyue promised to do her best to help Huang Xiao obtain the Phoenix Blood, though she could not guarantee success.
• After the meal, an old Daoist demanded access to the private rooms and insulted the Five Fists Sect and Heavenly Sword Sect.
• The old Daoist blocked the stairs with a stool, and Lin Chusheng appeared with He Jingui to challenge him.

Zhangsun Youyue and Huang Xiao encountered the old Daoist again at Phoenix Arrival Pavilion, where he defied Lin Chusheng and He Jingui before accepting her invitation to stay at the Water Pavilion. Zhangsun Youyue identified him as Senior Daoxuanzi, the Unkempt Daoist of Shangqing Temple, and discussed the temple’s formidable standing with Huang Xiao.

• Lin Chusheng tried to approach Zhangsun Youyue, but she dismissed him and waited while the old Daoist blocked the stairs and rebuffed Shopkeeper Hu’s offers of another room.
• Lin Chusheng threatened the Eighth Prince Liu Zhi, who mocked him and offered to help the old Daoist; Zhangsun Youyue then invited the Daoist to stay at her residence.
• The old Daoist accompanied Zhangsun Youyue and Huang Xiao to the Water Pavilion, chose a courtyard near Huang Xiao’s lodgings, and asked for food to be sent to him.
• Zhangsun Youyue told Xiao Qing and Huang Xiao that the old Daoist was Senior Daoxuanzi of Shangqing Temple, and explained that the temple might have ties to the Overseas Three Immortal Mountains.

Huang Xiao discussed the hidden strength of Shangqing Temple and other sects with Zhangsun Youyue, then practiced the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques in his courtyard. Daoxuanzi discovered him and questioned him about his demonic cultivation and saber manual, leaving Huang Xiao to explain how he had obtained them.

• Zhangsun Youyue told Huang Xiao that Shangqing Temple’s strength was difficult to judge and described Daoxuanzi as at least a martial-realm expert.
• Zhangsun Youyue arranged to inform Chen Biao that Huang Xiao was staying at her residence, then Huang Xiao returned to his quarters and added formations to the courtyard.
• Huang Xiao practiced the Three Forms Demon Saber with the Minghong Saber, using heavenly demon true qi and completing all three forms.
• Daoxuanzi appeared on the courtyard wall, recognized the Demon Hall’s Heavenly Demon Demon Saber, and asked whether Huang Xiao belonged to the Demon Hall.
• Huang Xiao denied being a member and said he had obtained the Demonic Art Manual by chance and received the Saber Manual from a masked old man.

Huang Xiao questioned Daoxuanzi about the masked old man who taught him the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber and learned that Daoxuanzi could not lift his Demon-Ghost Blood Curse. After Daoxuanzi departed, Huang Xiao pondered their mutual sense of familiarity and suddenly fixated on the name Shangqing Temple.

• Daoxuanzi questioned Huang Xiao about the old man who taught him the demon saber technique, then learned that the man had appeared outside Qinyang City.
• Daoxuanzi recognized the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse within Huang Xiao, warned that his life was in danger, and concluded that the curse had been cast at the cost of its caster's life.
• Daoxuanzi discussed the Demon Hall's thousand-year cycle, warned Huang Xiao not to commit evil with his demonic arts, and asked him to invite the Transcendent Immortal Sword Lord to Shangqing Temple.
• Daoxuanzi left, and Huang Xiao reflected on their mutual sense of familiarity and considered whether it came from their connections to Daoists.
• Huang Xiao murmured “Shangqing Temple” and suddenly showed a change in expression.

Huang Xiao learned that Shangqing Temple’s Upper Clarity Heart Scripture was connected to the Upper Clarity Scripture he had studied, and decided to examine it more seriously. Meanwhile, Lin Chusheng learned that the mysterious woman was staying at the Water Pavilion and that the old Daoist was Daoxuanzi, but he remained unaware of her identity.

• Xiao Qing brought Huang Xiao a booklet listing treasures at the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering, sent privately by Chen Biao.
• Xiao Qing named Shangqing Temple’s Upper Clarity Heart Scripture, prompting Huang Xiao to connect it to the Upper Clarity Scripture and reconsider its value for calming his mind.
• Huang Xiao decided to study the Upper Clarity Scripture properly and opened the treasure booklet to look for useful items.
• He Jingui told Lin Chusheng that the woman was staying at the Water Pavilion, where the Five Fists Sect warned its disciples not to provoke anyone.
• He Jingui identified the old Daoist as Daoxuanzi of Shangqing Temple and said Zhu Yang, the Left-Hand Saber, was the only one among the other companions with a notable background.

Lin Chusheng agreed to help He Jingui seize the Transcendent Immortal Escort Agency’s incomplete swordsmanship after the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering. Meanwhile, Huang Xiao and his companions remained in the Water Pavilion, unaware of the plot, as Huang Xiao reflected on his secrets and his uneasy relationships with Zhangsun Youyue and Daoxuanzi.

• He Jingui told Lin Chusheng that Zhu Yang was close to the Transcendent Immortal Escort Agency’s people, but Lin dismissed Zhu Yang and the agency as threats.
• He Jingui explained that rivals coveted the agency’s Transcendent Immortal Swordsmanship, and Lin revealed his interest despite claiming the incomplete art did not matter to him.
• He Jingui asked Lin to help obtain the swordsmanship and promised him a chance to inspect and study it; Lin agreed and told him to wait until after the Rare Treasures Appreciation Gathering.
• Huang Xiao and his companions stayed in the Water Pavilion during the gathering’s three-day lead-up, while Chen Biao sent word that he was too busy to visit.
• Huang Xiao reviewed Chen Biao’s treasure booklet and found Phoenix Blood was the only item likely to help break his Demon-Ghost Blood Curse.
• Huang Xiao reflected that he felt guilty about misleading Zhangsun Youyue and wary of Daoxuanzi, but believed he could not reveal the truth to Zhangsun Youyue.