Chapter Summaries

Huang Xiao and Liaochen considered whether Dugu Sheng and the others had survived after the Taixuan Sect’s attack, while Kaifeng filled with people awaiting the revelation of the Seven Spirit Blades’ secret. After a deadly brawl outside the city, Huang Xiao, Hong Yi, and Liaochen reflected on how the powerful would soon become spectacles themselves.

• Liaochen recounted the clues about Dugu Sheng’s disappearance, and Huang Xiao agreed the Taixuan Sect was the likely culprit and might have kept them alive to obtain Dugu Sheng’s swordsmanship.
• Huang Xiao chose not to send the Heavenly Demon Sect to investigate and instead focused on the approaching confrontation with Wu Longfeng.
• As the seventh-month appointment neared, crowds gathered in Kaifeng, while those barred from entering camped outside the city.
• Rival groups outside Kaifeng fought until the Six Gates and leaders of major sects intervened, leaving many dead and wounded before the forces claimed separate areas.
• Huang Xiao compared the people outside to monkeys watched by those in the city, then pointed out that the city’s contenders would soon be watched in turn as they fought over the Seven Spirit Blades.
• Hong Yi argued that people naturally struggled for worldly gains, and he teased Liaochen about Shaolin’s ideals, prompting Huang Xiao to laugh.

Yan Xi pressed Hong Yi for news about Dugu Sheng, while Huang Xiao and Liaochen urged Hong Yi to stop postponing his relationship with Zhao Yunya. As a carriage escorted by Heavenly Demon Sect experts approached Kaifeng, Huang Xiao hinted that its passenger could keep Yan Xi company.

• Yan Xi asked Hong Yi where Dugu Sheng was, but he said he did not know.
• After Yan Xi left, Huang Xiao, Hong Yi, and Liaochen agreed to keep Dugu Sheng's uncertain fate from her and watch over her.
• Huang Xiao and Liaochen urged Hong Yi to marry Zhao Yunya, and Hong Yi promised to hold a wedding feast after the Seven Spirit Blades matter was settled.
• Huang Xiao noticed a carriage approaching Kaifeng with Heavenly Demon Sect experts escorting it.
• Hong Yi guessed that Huang Xiao's wives were in the carriage.

Huang Xiao welcomed Zhao Xin'er, Zhao Yunhui, You Lian'er, and Xiao Yan to Kaifeng, where experts had gathered to contend for the secret of the Seven Spirit Blades. After they arrived at Willow Shade Villa, Du Ge told Huang Xiao that Old Sun and Senior Duan had entered the city and that more people from Medicine King Hall were on their way.

• Huang Xiao told Hong Yi that the four women were arriving together, and Hong Yi left after Huang Xiao teased him about being afraid to see Zhao Yunya.
• A carriage escorted by Heavenly Demon Guard and Heavenly Demon Imperial Guard experts passed through the crowd and entered Kaifeng after Huang Xiao ordered the city gate opened.
• Huang Xiao and Liaochen greeted Zhao Xin'er, Zhao Yunhui, You Lian'er, and Xiao Yan, then escorted them to Willow Shade Villa.
• Du Ge told Huang Xiao that Old Sun and Senior Duan had entered Kaifeng through the East Gate and were at the Imperial Palace.
• Du Ge added that more Medicine King Hall members would arrive in the coming days to take part in the contests.

Huang Xiao met with Old Sun and Duan Siping to discuss the Seven-Year Agreement and Wu Longfeng’s threat. Old Sun warned that Huang Xiao still faced poor odds, then revealed that Huang Xiao’s grandfather might not be able to attend, leaving the plan to gather all seven Spirit Blades in doubt.

• Huang Xiao and the others waited two hours for Old Sun and Duan Siping to arrive, then welcomed them into the main hall.
• Old Sun congratulated Huang Xiao on marrying four women and urged him to treat them well before turning to the Seven-Year Agreement.
• Huang Xiao asked about Wu Longfeng, and Old Sun said Wu Longfeng would appear in Kaifeng but warned that Huang Xiao was still unlikely to defeat him.
• Duan Siping and Old Sun discussed how the extra seven years had helped Huang Xiao and other young experts grow stronger.
• Huang Xiao vowed to stop Wu Longfeng from obtaining the final secret of the Seven Spirit Blades, but Old Sun said Huang Xiao’s grandfather might not be able to come.
• Xiao Yan objected that Ling Tianya possessed one of the Seven Spirit Blades and had to attend for them to unlock its secret.

Old Sun revealed that Ling Tianya would not attend the seven-year appointment because Dalhe and the Esoteric Sect were keeping him occupied in Khitan. He explained that Ling Tianya had entrusted the Seven Spirit Blade Godslayer to their side, and Huang Xiao took the blade to examine it.

• Old Sun showed everyone the Seven Spirit Blade Godslayer, and Huang Xiao recognized it as the blade he had once owned and passed to Grandmaster Mu.
• Huang Xiao feared something had happened to Ling Tianya, but Old Sun assured him his grandfather was safe and unable to leave Khitan.
• Old Sun explained that Dalhe had made a deal with the Taixuan Sect, likely gaining support to replace the Thousand Demons Sect in Khitan in exchange for staying away from Kaifeng.
• Old Sun said Ling Tianya trusted their chances because Huang Xiao had reached the ninth stage, while Dalhe’s absence balanced the loss of Ling Tianya.
• Huang Xiao asked to inspect Godslayer, and Old Sun tossed the Seven Spirit Blade to him.

Huang Xiao and his companions discussed the Seven Spirit Blades and the approaching deadline before Old Sun and Duan Siping agreed to stay at Willow Shade Villa. After the elders left, the four women urged Huang Xiao not to fight Wu Longfeng, but he said the confrontation could not be avoided.

• You Lian'er and the others discussed the Seven Spirit Blades, and Old Sun explained that Wu Longfeng, Tuoba Xiongzhen, and the others would likely reach Kaifeng in three or four days.
• Huang Xiao invited Old Sun and Duan Siping to stay at Willow Shade Villa, and Liaochen and Du Ge asked the elders for guidance.
• Old Sun and Duan Siping left with the steward to arrange their accommodations, while Liaochen and Du Ge took their leave.
• You Lian'er asked Huang Xiao not to fight Wu Longfeng, but Huang Xiao said the confrontation could not be avoided.
• Huang Xiao embraced all four women and said he would spend the evening with them, catching up after their separation.

Hong Yi received guidance from Old Sun and agreed to have the Beggar Gang watch for trouble in Khitan while keeping Kaifeng secure. A messenger reported that Gui Jiu was nearing the city, and Huang Xiao prepared to inform Tong Jiuyang and the others at the palace.

• Hong Yi thanked Old Sun for resolving his martial arts questions, and Old Sun praised the potential of the Beggar Sutra.
• Huang Xiao asked Hong Yi to have the Beggar Gang monitor Khitan because the Esoteric Sect and restless Khitan forces might threaten Ling Tianya.
• Hong Yi agreed to keep watch from Kaifeng and offered to visit Ling Tianya if circumstances allowed, but Huang Xiao told him to remain in the city.
• A messenger pigeon reported that Gui Jiu was only a few dozen li from Kaifeng's North Gate, and Huang Xiao said other familiar faces would likely arrive before the deadline.
• Huang Xiao asked Hong Yi to go to the palace with him to inform Tong Jiuyang and the others, and Hong Yi agreed, joking about visiting Princess Yunya.

Huang Xiao and his allies went to Rising Dragon Slope to meet Wu Longfeng and gather the Seven Spirit Blades. Wu Longfeng dismissed Huang Xiao’s strength but waited with the others for the remaining blade holders to arrive.

• Huang Xiao learned that Gui Jiu, Wan Qingteng, Fang Chongyi, and Mu Jingfei had arrived in Kaifeng, while Wu Longfeng and Tuoba Xiongzhen had not yet appeared.
• Duan Siping showed Huang Xiao Wu Longfeng’s letter inviting them to meet at Rising Dragon Slope, and Old Sun chose Huang Xiao, Duan Siping, and Tong Jiuyang to accompany him.
• Ran Chou took command of the experts staying behind, while Xiao Yan, You Lian'er, Zhao Yunhui, Zhao Xin'er, Hong Yi, Liaochen, and Du Ge prepared to protect the Great Song Imperial Court.
• Huang Xiao, Old Sun, Duan Siping, and Tong Jiuyang met Wu Longfeng at Rising Dragon Slope, where he waited beside the Seven-Spirit Disc and offered them wine.
• Wu Longfeng recognized Huang Xiao’s ninth-stage strength but said he was no threat, and Huang Xiao kept his temper under Old Sun’s reminder.
• Old Sun and Tong Jiuyang revealed their Seven Spirit Blades, and Wu Longfeng counted four blades among them, noting that Wan Qingteng and Tuoba Xiongzhen each held one as they waited for the final blade holder.

Wu Longfeng and the others gathered as the final owner of the Seven Spirit Blades arrived, revealing that Huang Xiao held Demon Slayer. With all seven blades present, they prepared to open the Seven-Spirit Disc after agreeing not to attack one another until its secret was revealed.

• Wan Qingteng, Fang Chongyi, and Mu Jingfei arrived and joined the gathering, where Wan Qingteng and Huang Xiao exchanged hostile looks.
• Gui Jiu arrived with Tuoba Xiongzhen, whose presence made Mu Jingfei, Fang Chongyi, and Huang Xiao wary.
• Old Sun told Huang Xiao to reveal the last blade, and Huang Xiao produced Demon Slayer, completing the Seven Spirit Blades.
• Wu Longfeng placed the Seven-Spirit Disc at the center and proposed that they uncover its secret.
• Fang Chongyi and Wan Qingteng asked the others not to attack before the secret was revealed, and Wu Longfeng, Old Sun, and Tuoba Xiongzhen agreed.

The Seven Spirit Blades were placed on the Seven-Spirit Disc, but nothing happened, and the group realized the blades might need to be arranged in the correct slots. As they searched for a way to discover the arrangement, Tuoba Xiongzhen revealed enough strength to alarm Huang Xiao and the others.

• Wan Qingteng agreed to cooperate and placed Heaven Burner on the Seven-Spirit Disc after Wu Longfeng, Tuoba Xiongzhen, Old Sun, and Tong Jiuyang added their blades.
• Huang Xiao placed Demon Slayer in the final slot, but the Seven-Spirit Disc showed no response even after an hour.
• Old Sun suggested the blades might be in the wrong slots, while Wan Qingteng warned that testing every combination would take too long.
• Tuoba Xiongzhen reached toward the disc, and everyone moved to stop him, but he withdrew his hand before anyone could touch it.
• Tuoba Xiongzhen urged everyone to inspect the disc for a hidden clue, while Huang Xiao recognized that his strength was formidable.

Wu Longfeng, Tuoba Xiongzhen, and the others tried countless arrangements of the Seven Spirit Blades on the Seven-Spirit Disc without success, while Huang Xiao privately hoped to delay their progress. Wan Qingteng then noticed a fleeting change, and after the blades were returned to their positions, he examined the disc closely and announced that he had found something.

• Tuoba Xiongzhen persuaded the group to test the blade positions immediately, but they spent the night trying arrangements without finding the right one.
• Huang Xiao worried that three days might not be enough, though he knew the date could be used again in a later year and wanted to exploit the others' ignorance.
• Wan Qingteng spotted a slight change on the Seven-Spirit Disc just as Wu Longfeng removed Immortal Slayer, and the change disappeared when the blades were moved.
• Wu Longfeng and the others returned the blades to their previous positions, but Wan Qingteng could not see the change again at first.
• Wan Qingteng moved closer without touching the disc, examined it from several angles, and excitedly said he could see it.

Wan Qingteng discovered faint blade names hidden on the Seven-Spirit Disc, revealing the correct slots for the Seven Spirit Blades. After the group arranged them accordingly, the disc opened and began transforming, leaving everyone waiting to see what secret it would reveal.

• Wan Qingteng pointed out faint shadows on the Seven-Spirit Disc, and the group recognized them as fourteen characters naming the Seven Spirit Blades and their corresponding slots.
• Wan Qingteng explained that the markings appeared only when all seven blades were placed on the disc, and the group removed and rearranged the blades according to the characters.
• Wu Longfeng watched as the last blade settled into its correct slot, and the Seven Spirit Blades began glowing with golden light.
• The Seven-Spirit Disc split apart, sliding its upper layer aside and revealing a smooth central section as golden light spread across it.
• Huang Xiao noticed the disc changing again as its golden glow fully permeated the surface.

The Seven-Spirit Disc revealed the secret’s opening date and a location in Gaozhou, then transformed into a more detailed map after Wu Longfeng pressed the marked spot. Huang Xiao recognized the newly revealed location and was shocked.

• The Seven-Spirit Disc formed a map of the Central Plains and displayed the words “Seventh day, seventh month; the time of opening.”
• Tuoba Xiongzhen and Mu Jingfei identified the marked region as Gaozhou, though the location remained too broad to pinpoint.
• Wu Longfeng pressed the bright dot on the disc, triggering its golden lines to rearrange into an enlarged map of Gaozhou.
• Huang Xiao recognized the location on the enlarged map and was suddenly shocked.

After the Seven-Spirit Disc revealed the secret’s location, Wu Longfeng confronted Old Sun over delaying the search for seven years and insisted that all seven Seven Spirit Blades remain together. Huang Xiao recognized the location as Yama Ridge, and the group planned to search there the following morning.

• Huang Xiao and the others retrieved their Seven Spirit Blades after seeing the location on the map.
• Tuoba Xiongzhen realized the secret could open every Seventh Day of the Seventh Month, and Wu Longfeng accused Old Sun of using his seven-year delay to give Huang Xiao time to grow stronger.
• Wu Longfeng demanded that everyone stay with their Seven Spirit Blades, and the group agreed to set out at daybreak.
• Wu Longfeng left with the Seven-Spirit Disc, followed by Tuoba Xiongzhen and Gui Jiu and Wan Qingteng with his companions.
• Huang Xiao told Old Sun, Duan Siping, and Tong Jiuyang that he knew the location and identified it as Yama Ridge.

Huang Xiao told Old Sun and the others that the Seven-Spirit Disc’s secret was likely in the Golden-Winged Roc’s cave at Yama Ridge. As Old Sun prepared to leave Kaifeng to investigate, he privately warned Huang Xiao about their coming confrontation with Wu Longfeng and Tuoba Xiongzhen.

• Huang Xiao explained that he had found Godslayer at the foot of Yama Ridge and that Old Sun suspected the secret lay in the cliffside cave.
• Old Sun said the group would return to Kaifeng, make arrangements, and set out the next morning.
• Old Sun warned Ran Chou and the others that Wu Longfeng and Tuoba Xiongzhen might attack Kaifeng after they left, and told them to retreat rather than risk the emperor’s life.
• Old Sun privately told Huang Xiao that he hoped Huang Xiao would face Wu Longfeng while he dealt with Tuoba Xiongzhen.
• Huang Xiao said he would hold off Wu Longfeng, while Old Sun voiced concern that Tuoba Xiongzhen might be more dangerous than he appeared.

Huang Xiao prepared to face Wu Longfeng in a battle tied to the Heavenly Demon Sect and Taixuan Sect’s old grudge. At the East City Gate, a crowd demanded the secret of the Seven Spirit Blades, but Wu Longfeng’s cold snort killed hundreds and left the survivors terrified.

• Old Sun warned Huang Xiao that Wan Qingteng and his companions could complicate the coming fight, then worried privately that Huang Xiao was not yet at his peak to face Wu Longfeng.
• Huang Xiao reflected on the thousand-year grudge between the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Taixuan Sect, while the Four Women stayed away so they would not distract him.
• The next morning, Huang Xiao, Old Sun, Tong Jiuyang, and Duan Siping went to the East City Gate, where Wu Longfeng, Zhuge Zheng, Tuoba Xiongzhen, Gui Jiu, and Wan Qingteng’s group had gathered.
• A crowd of Jianghu fighters demanded that the assembled experts reveal the secret of the Seven Spirit Blades, and Huang Xiao warned them to leave before they were killed.
• When the crowd charged, Wu Longfeng snorted, killing hundreds at the front and leaving the survivors terrified.

After Wu Longfeng and the others departed for Gaozhou, Zhao Yuankan learned that a Khitan army had marched south and that the border pass was in peril. Hong Yi and Liaochen led reinforcements to the pass, where they learned that Xiao Dalin commanded the invading forces with backing from the Esoteric Sect.

• Wu Longfeng ordered the Jianghu survivors to head for Gaozhou, while most abandoned the pursuit of the Seven Spirit Blades’ secret.
• Zhao Yuankan told Min Yijiang, Ran Chou, and the others that two hundred thousand Khitan troops had marched south toward the border pass.
• Hong Yi and Liaochen volunteered to reinforce the border, gathered Beggar Gang, Shaolin, and other sect disciples, and set out from Kaifeng.
• Hong Yi and Liaochen reached the pass that night and asked General Yang about the Khitan army encamped twenty li away.
• General Yang identified Xiao Dalin as the Khitan commander and said he had broken from the Xiao Clan and likely had the Esoteric Sect’s backing.

Hong Yi and Liaochen prepared to defend the border pass against the Khitan army and welcomed Meng Jiu and his experts. In the Khitan camp, Dalhe revealed that Ling Tianya had left Khitan, pursuing the secret of the Seven Spirit Blades after deceiving them with a soul-stealing formation.

• Hong Yi and Liaochen told General Yang they would guard against enemy experts and left the pass's defense to his officers and soldiers.
• Meng Jiu arrived with experts from Recluse Lake, and Hong Yi and Liaochen welcomed their support.
• Xiao Dalin discussed his plans to capture Great Song's border pass with Dalha, while worrying about Ling Tianya.
• Dalhe unexpectedly entered the command tent and took the seat of honor.
• Dalhe told Dalha and Xiao Dalin that Ling Tianya was neither in Linhuang Prefecture nor Thousand Demon Gorge, but had left Khitan to pursue the secret of the Seven Spirit Blades.

Dalhe abandoned the struggle for the Seven Spirit Blades and ordered Xiao Dalin to launch a surprise attack on Great Song’s frontier pass that very night, hoping to strengthen the Esoteric Sect’s influence in Khitan. As the Khitan army assembled, Hong Yi, Meng Jiu, and Liaochen set out to walk along the frontier pass walls.

• Dalhe rejected Xiao Dalin’s proposal to wait and ordered an attack on Great Song’s frontier pass in the latter half of the night.
• Xiao Dalin agreed to mobilize the army and planned to use his longtime agent inside the pass to help open its gates.
• Dalhe sent Esoteric Sect experts to kill Great Song’s experts and assassinate its commanders, while Dalha was told to have Habibullah and the Black Fire Sect experts go first.
• Dalhe and Dalha discussed their long wait to restore the Esoteric Sect’s influence in Khitan and speculated that Ling Tianya might not survive his pursuit of the Seven Spirit Blades.
• As the Khitan camp filled with troops preparing for battle, Hong Yi, Meng Jiu, and Liaochen went out together to walk along the frontier pass walls.

Hong Yi, Liaochen, and Meng Jiu noticed that the Khitan camp’s firelight had suddenly grown brighter and warned the wall commander, who suspected the enemy was preparing to act. As Hong Yi went to alert the Jianghu fighters, he spotted the guards sent to inform General Yang heading toward Commander Liu instead.

• Hong Yi, Liaochen, and Meng Jiu watched the Khitan camp from the city wall and noticed its firelight had grown much brighter.
• Hong Yi asked the wall commander to assess the change, and the commander feared the Khitan were making a move.
• The commander sent two guards to report the matter to General Yang while remaining at his post.
• Hong Yi decided to alert the Jianghu fighters, and Liaochen and Meng Jiu stayed on the wall.
• As Hong Yi descended, he saw the two guards turn toward Commander Liu and his personal guards rather than toward General Yang’s residence.