Chapter Summaries

You Lian'er explained why Huang Xiao struggled with the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar and offered to help him improve. After agreeing to make a replica of the lost Dragon Nightmare flute, she prepared to demonstrate her guidance, but Huang Xiao stopped her before she played.

• You Lian'er told Huang Xiao that she had mastered the fifth and sixth tones of the Netherworld Demon Eight Tones, and he admitted he had struggled to learn the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar.
• You Lian'er explained that Huang Xiao's musical inexperience and use of an unsuitable vertical flute limited his progress, and that the lost Dragon Nightmare was the ideal instrument.
• You Lian'er offered to make a Dragon Nightmare replica using records kept by her family, and Huang Xiao accepted after she reminded him he had agreed to look after Sister Yin.
• You Lian'er brought a zither and vertical flute to the pavilion, activated its Soundproof Formation, and asked Huang Xiao to play the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar.
• Huang Xiao played the first roar but failed when he tried the second, and You Lian'er said she had identified problems she could help him correct.
• You Lian'er took the flute and prepared to play a piece, but Huang Xiao hurriedly stopped her.

Huang Xiao learned to perform the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar more efficiently after You Lian'er guided him into the Void Sound state. You Lian'er explained the limits of his flute and lamented that she could not recover her Netherworld Demon Zither from the Fang Family.

• You Lian'er replayed the First Roar, and Huang Xiao entered the Void Sound state as he followed her breathing rhythm.
• You Lian'er explained that Huang Xiao could conserve internal power by using the correct rhythm, and he successfully completed the Second Roar and played halfway through the Third.
• You Lian'er said she could not unleash the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar's true power without Heavenly Demon True Qi, and promised to make Huang Xiao a flute modeled after Dragon Nightmare.
• Huang Xiao asked about the Netherworld Demon Zither, and You Lian'er said the Fang Family still held it and she had little hope of getting it back.

You Lian'er told Huang Xiao that the Heavenly Demon Guard knew he possessed the Heavenly Demon Skill and might have recognized him as the next Sect Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect. Huang Xiao remained cautious about the claim, while You Lian'er resolved to stop seeking the Heavenly Demon Canon from him.

• You Lian'er asked Huang Xiao whether he had noticed powerful experts around him and revealed that people, including the Third Deputy Standard-Bearer of the Golden Banner Guard, knew he possessed the Heavenly Demon Skill.
• You Lian'er explained that the Third Deputy Standard-Bearer belonged to the neutral and formidable Heavenly Demon Guard, which had not tried to take Huang Xiao's cultivation method.
• You Lian'er proposed that the Heavenly Demon Guard had acknowledged Huang Xiao as the new Sect Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect and was observing his potential.
• Huang Xiao recalled meeting a powerful young man on Lingbo Island and suspected that he might also belong to the Heavenly Demon Guard.
• Huang Xiao cautioned that their theory remained uncertain, while You Lian'er said she believed in his future and would no longer scheme to obtain the Heavenly Demon Canon.

You Lian'er set aside her pursuit of the Heavenly Demon Canon and asked Huang Xiao to protect the You Family if he became Sect Master; they then discovered their zither-and-flute duet had an unusual effect. Their music spread through the residence and beyond, drawing the attention of a jealous man who resolved to investigate who was playing with Lian'er.

• You Lian'er told Huang Xiao she wanted to be friends and asked him to care for the You Family if he became Sect Master, and Huang Xiao promised he would.
• You Lian'er played the Netherworld Demon Eight Tones while Huang Xiao played the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar, and their internal powers unexpectedly merged into the music.
• The duet carried them into a shared, entranced state as their rhythms synchronized, and the Soundproof Formation around the pavilion stopped working.
• The music spread through the residence and surrounding streets, while a young man at a nearby inn recognized You Lian'er's zither and decided to seek information from Yelü Mengdu.
• Huang Xiao and You Lian'er stopped playing, and You Lian'er dismissed the guards who had gathered at the courtyard entrance.

Huang Xiao and You Lian'er discovered that their paired sound arts grew stronger in harmony, though true mastery required a bond of hearts they had not reached. After Huang Xiao returned to the Envoy Residence, he learned the Famous Painting Appreciation Gathering had been postponed, while Xiao Yan stayed in the imperial palace to practice with the Silver-Faced Marquis's wife.

• You Lian'er and Huang Xiao discussed how their zither and xiao music enhanced each other and agreed to keep practicing despite not achieving the deepest harmony.
• You Lian'er gave Huang Xiao her flute, and he accepted it before returning to the Envoy Residence.
• Zhao Yuankan told Huang Xiao that the Famous Painting Appreciation Gathering had been postponed for three days, and he urged Huang Xiao not to let his fourth younger sister down.
• Huang Xiao decided to use the extra time to practice and master the Third Verse of the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar.
• Xiao Yan told the Silver-Faced Marquis's wife that she had postponed the gathering so she could practice without distractions, while claiming she had invited guests to assess the Song Dynasty's third prince for her friend Sister Yin.

Xiao Yan discussed her betrothal to Huang Xiao with the Princess, who reassured her that she would hold the senior position despite Huang Xiao’s marriage to the Song Dynasty’s Fourth Princess. The Princess then discussed Xiao Yan’s progress studying the bronze mirrors and revealed that Zhang Lian might actually be You Lian’er, before mentioning another legendary Formation Path scripture.

• The Princess teased Xiao Yan about her feelings for Huang Xiao and reminded her that they had been betrothed in the womb.
• Xiao Yan said she wanted Huang Xiao to prove he could defeat Yelü Mengdu, while the Princess promised she would be the eldest sister among his wives.
• The Princess asked about Xiao Yan’s study of the bronze mirrors, and Xiao Yan reported comprehending about 120 of them while the Princess had comprehended 240.
• The Princess explained that Zhao Yunhui had reportedly comprehended the Fuxi Emperor Chapter, a scripture connected to divination and formations.
• The Princess suggested Zhang Lian might be You Lian’er, and Xiao Yan promised not to reveal or investigate the possibility.
• The Princess named the Scripture of Great Peace as another Formation Path scripture.

Xiao Yan trained under the Princess with the bronze mirrors, trying to break through the first stage of the Heavenly Mirror Skill. Meanwhile, Huang Xiao practiced the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar and spoke with Zhao Yuankan, who noticed his soundproof formation resembled one made by his Third Younger Sister.

• Xiao Yan asked about the lost Scripture of Great Peace and doubted she could comprehend the bronze mirrors, but the Princess encouraged her and explained the stages of the Heavenly Mirror Skill.
• The Princess guided Xiao Yan into meditation and made the bronze mirrors spin through intricate patterns, while Xiao Yan perceived their words and images transforming in her mind.
• After the Princess stopped the mirrors and rested, she remained in the chamber to watch over Xiao Yan as the mirrors continued spinning in her consciousness.
• Huang Xiao practiced the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar in his courtyard and worked to master its third roar.
• Zhao Yuankan entered Huang Xiao's soundproof formation, praised his musical skill, and remarked that the formation resembled one made by his Third Younger Sister.

Zhao Yuankan asked Huang Xiao to help strengthen Great Song’s position in negotiations with Khitan by challenging its young experts at the Famous Painting Appreciation Gathering. Huang Xiao joined Zhao Yuankan at the Xiao Residence, where Khitan’s young men noticed him and one boasted that he would defeat him.

• Zhao Yuankan admitted that he hoped Huang Xiao would delay negotiations and establish Great Song’s prestige at the gathering, and Huang Xiao assured him he would not lose to Yelü Mengdu.
• Zhao Yuankan prepared for the gathering while Huang Xiao practiced the Heavenly Demon Dragon Roar, mastering its third roar but failing to reach the fourth.
• Zhao Yuankan and Huang Xiao left the Envoy Residence with their escorts and arrived at the crowded Xiao Residence.
• Khitan’s young experts recognized Huang Xiao as the Arrest Sage, mocked his rank, and a burly young man claimed he would beat him.

Huang Xiao and Zhao Yuankan arrived at Xiao Yan’s gathering, where Khitan youths greeted the Song envoys with hostility. After a tense exchange and Young Master Sang’s attempt to challenge Huang Xiao, Xiao Yan shifted the gathering toward viewing paintings, while Yelü Mengdu had still not appeared.

• Huang Xiao and Zhao Yuankan entered the Xiao Residence after hearing Khitan youths discuss Huang Xiao and anticipate Yelü Mengdu’s arrival.
• Huang Xiao insulted the Khitan talents’ abilities, and Zhao Yuankan introduced himself and offered to discuss poetry, calligraphy, and painting.
• Xiao Yan arrived with You Lian'er, and Young Master Yan voiced his eagerness to compete with the Song envoys in literary pursuits.
• Young Master Sang challenged Huang Xiao to a fight, but Huang Xiao dismissed him as unqualified and Xiao Yan urged everyone to view paintings first.
• Young Master Sang apologized and asked about Yelü Mengdu; Xiao Yan said they would not wait longer and ordered the paintings brought out.

Xiao Yan welcomed Zhao Yuankan and Huang Xiao to her gathering of famous paintings, where she showed unusual interest in Huang Xiao. While examining one of her bamboo-forest paintings, Huang Xiao discovered a sword technique hidden within it and faced a storm of attacking bamboo leaves.

• Xiao Yan greeted Zhao Yuankan and Huang Xiao, while Huang Xiao waited for Yelü Mengdu, his intended target in the gathering.
• You Lian'er invited Zhao Yuankan and Huang Xiao to view the paintings, and Huang Xiao browsed the works without much interest in art.
• You Lian'er urged Huang Xiao to examine a bamboo-forest painting by Xiao Yan, and he began to feel dizzy as he stared at it.
• Huang Xiao saw a swordsman concealed in the painted bamboo and recognized the figure's movements as an unusually fierce sword technique.
• The painting's bamboo leaves swept toward Huang Xiao in a dense, suffocating wave.

Huang Xiao discovered that Xiao Yan’s painting contained a deadly rain of sword intent added by an unknown expert, and Xiao Yan explained that her granny had added a few strokes. Yelü Mengdu arrived with another Khitan expert, and Huang Xiao challenged his familiarity with Xiao Yan as tensions rose in the garden.

• Huang Xiao told You Lian'er that he had seen a sky-filling rain of swords in the painting, though he could not comprehend the sword art hidden within it.
• Xiao Yan confirmed that someone had added a few strokes to her painting, and recalled that her granny had transformed its bamboo leaves into a deadly rain of swords.
• Several young men fell injured after viewing the paintings, and Xiao Yan told attendants to take them for treatment.
• Yelü Mengdu entered the garden with another formidable young man, while You Lian'er reacted uneasily at the sight of him.
• Yelü Mengdu called Xiao Yan by her personal name and criticized the injured guests, prompting Huang Xiao to question his right to address her that way.

At Xiao Yan’s Famous Painting Appreciation Gathering, Tuoba Ge recognized You Lian'er and startled her, while Huang Xiao stepped in to protect her. After Tuoba Ge insulted Huang Xiao and Yelü Mengdu challenged him, Huang Xiao accepted a match to defend Great Song’s reputation.

• Xiao Yan welcomed Yelü Mengdu and his companion Tuoba Ge, who questioned You Lian'er and recognized her as the woman he had been seeking.
• Tuoba Ge strode toward You Lian'er, but Huang Xiao blocked him, and Xiao Yan arranged for You Lian'er to rest in a pavilion.
• Tuoba Ge mocked Huang Xiao’s appointment as the Six Gates' Arrest Sage, and Huang Xiao insulted both Tuoba Ge and Yelü Mengdu in return.
• Yelü Mengdu challenged Huang Xiao to a match, and Huang Xiao accepted to uphold Great Song’s reputation.

Huang Xiao and Yelü Mengdu agreed to settle their rivalry in a sparring match at the Xiao Residence, with Xiao Yingda overseeing them. The chapter left them facing each other in the arena, ready to begin.

• Yelü Mengdu challenged Huang Xiao, and Huang Xiao accepted despite Xiao Yan's concerns.
• Xiao Yingda arrived, introduced himself as the Imperial Guards Commander, and allowed the match to proceed at the training grounds.
• Zhao Yuankan warned Huang Xiao that Yelü Mengdu's abilities were uncertain and urged him to be careful.
• Huang Xiao and Yelü Mengdu entered the arena and agreed to fight until one fell out or admitted defeat.
• Xiao Yingda accepted their terms, and the two fighters prepared to begin while Xiao Yan and You Lian'er watched.

Huang Xiao and Yelü Mengdu began their arena contest, testing each other with powerful palm and fist techniques. After Yelü Mengdu announced he would use the sixth layer of the Mad Elephant Brahma Esoteric Palm, Huang Xiao prepared to reveal the Heavenly Demon Skill, and his sudden change in aura shocked Yelü Mengdu.

• Huang Xiao and Yelü Mengdu exchanged opening palm strikes, and their clash shattered the bluestone arena beneath them.
• Yelü Mengdu revealed that he practiced the Mad Elephant Brahma Esoteric Palm and claimed his sixth layer rivaled other practitioners’ seventh.
• Yelü Mengdu used the fifth layer against Huang Xiao, who switched from the Blazing Yang Palm to the Heavenly Demon Subduing Tiger Fist and advanced to its fourth stage to withstand the blows.
• Yelü Mengdu judged Huang Xiao near his limit and announced he would use the sixth layer, while Xiao Yingda and Xiao Yan watched with concern and You Lian'er remained confident.
• Huang Xiao said he would now go all out, and Yelü Mengdu’s expression changed when Huang Xiao’s aura transformed.

Huang Xiao and Yelü Mengdu fought on nearly even terms, each suffering injuries as Yelü Mengdu unleashed the sixth layer of the Mad Elephant Brahma Esoteric Palm. When Yelü tried to overwhelm Huang Xiao with a relentless final assault, Huang Xiao stopped meeting him head-on and dodged his attack.

• Yelü Mengdu underestimated how Huang Xiao's demonic art strengthened the Heavenly Demon Subduing Tiger Fist and charged at him with the sixth layer of the Mad Elephant Brahma Esoteric Palm.
• Huang Xiao and Yelü Mengdu exchanged blows, then became locked in a contest of internal power until both were forced apart, injured.
• Huang Xiao used his everlasting spring ageless true qi to ease his injuries while Yelü suppressed his own and attacked again.
• Xiao Yingda urged them to stop, but Yelü and Huang Xiao both refused to end the contest.
• Yelü continued trading injuries for a chance to defeat Huang Xiao, but Huang Xiao dodged his next palm strike, which smashed a crater into the bluestone.

Huang Xiao defeated Yelü Mengdu by exploiting his worsening injuries, then spared his life to avoid damaging Great Song’s relations with Khitan. After the victory strengthened Great Song’s position ahead of negotiations, Zhao Yuankan, Xiao Yan, and You Lian’er urged Huang Xiao to rest and treat his injuries.

• Huang Xiao evaded Yelü Mengdu’s attacks while his own injuries eased, then agreed to fight him head-on to make his victory more memorable.
• Yelü Mengdu unleashed successive bursts of palm force, but Huang Xiao dissipated them and struck him off the fighting platform with a punch.
• Tuoba Ge caught Yelü Mengdu as his suppressed injuries erupted, and Xiao Yingda began treating him.
• Huang Xiao decided not to kill Yelü Mengdu because doing so could obstruct reconciliation between Great Song and Khitan.
• Zhao Yuankan, Xiao Yan, and You Lian’er congratulated Huang Xiao and urged him to go rest and receive treatment.

After Huang Xiao defeated Yelü Mengdu, Xiao Yan brought him to a quiet chamber to treat his injuries while Zhao Yuankan stayed behind to view the paintings. Xiao Yan gave Huang Xiao a rare Xiao Clan healing pill, and he examined it with surprise at its quality.

• Xiao Yingda escorted the injured Yelü Mengdu away, while Xiao Yan asked Huang Xiao to come with her for treatment.
• Xiao Yan reopened the gathering for the guests to view paintings, and Zhao Yuankan chose to remain while You Lian'er went to notify Yelü Yin.
• As Xiao Yan led Huang Xiao to the quiet chamber, his Heavenly Demon Skill stirred his desires; he suppressed his true qi, and Xiao Yan noticed his embarrassment but did not reproach him.
• Xiao Yan brought Huang Xiao into a chamber filled with sandalwood incense and explained that the Xiao Clan's medicine could heal his injuries in half a day.
• A maid delivered a jade vial, and Xiao Yan offered Huang Xiao a precious healing pill; he accepted it and questioned its value.

Huang Xiao used Xiao Yan’s healing pill to repair his meridians and discovered that its cold energy eased the demonic nature of his Heavenly Demon True Qi. After Xiao Yan suffered cultivation deviation while studying the Heavenly Mirror Skill, Huang Xiao suppressed her rampaging true qi and caught her when she collapsed.

• Huang Xiao trusted Xiao Yan, took her pill, and used its cold energy to rapidly heal his damaged meridians.
• Huang Xiao realized the cold energy had made his Heavenly Demon True Qi gentler and considered whether abundant yin-cold herbs could suppress its demonic nature.
• Xiao Yan studied the second realm of the Heavenly Mirror Skill while Huang Xiao continued healing beside her.
• Xiao Yan’s true qi suddenly ran wild, and Huang Xiao struck her acupoints and channeled his true qi through her meridians to stabilize her.
• Xiao Yan regained consciousness and thanked Huang Xiao, then collapsed when she tried to stand, and he caught her.

Huang Xiao examined the bronze mirrors containing fragments of a mysterious cultivation method at Xiao Yan’s invitation, but could not decipher their secrets. He suggested the mirrors might be linked through formations, and Xiao Yan was astonished that he had noticed the connection.

• After Xiao Yan recovered from her cultivation deviation, she noticed Huang Xiao’s injuries had healed and invited him to examine the bronze mirrors in her meditation chamber.
• Xiao Yan explained that studying the mirrors had caused her cultivation deviation and asked Huang Xiao to share any insights he gained.
• Huang Xiao carefully studied all one hundred and twenty mirrors and pondered their formulas and martial drawings, but could not understand the cultivation method.
• Huang Xiao said the mirrors seemed disordered yet connected, and suggested formations might reveal the links between them.
• Xiao Yan confirmed that Huang Xiao had correctly sensed the mirrors’ connection to formations.

Huang Xiao and Xiao Yan returned to the garden after discussing her cultivation, where they found Zhao Yuankan enjoying a game with Yelü Yin. As the group left, Xiao Yan’s feelings for Huang Xiao came under notice, and Huang Xiao spotted someone catching up with their procession.

• Xiao Yan explained that her cultivation had gone awry because she had been impatient, while Huang Xiao suggested Zhao Yunhui might help her understand the formation-related mystery.
• Huang Xiao and Xiao Yan found Zhao Yuankan playing a board game with Yelü Yin, and they called him away after two hours.
• Zhao Yuankan reluctantly left Yelü Yin, and Xiao Yan, You Lian'er, and Yelü Yin teased him about how engrossed he had been.
• Yelü Yin privately suggested that Xiao Yan had feelings for Huang Xiao, but warned that a marriage between them was unlikely because he was from Song.
• During the carriage ride, Zhao Yuankan wondered who his Khitan marriage-alliance bride would be and wished it were Yelü Yin; Huang Xiao kept her identity secret and noticed someone catching up with the procession.