Recaps

Hou Niao traveled to Linjing to kill Gu Xiqiao and began searching for him by posing as a rogue cultivator selling family treasures. He had drawn out a few leads but had not yet found his target.

• Hou Niao traveled by boat into Anhe and continued by horse to Linjing, reflecting on his return to his homeland and studying his Purple Mansion.
• Hou Niao settled in Linjing under the identity of a wandering rogue cultivator and observed the city's bustling cultivation trade.
• Hou Niao decided against searching the Gu Family Mansion, knowing that one exposed attempt could make Gu Xiqiao disappear.
• Hou Niao used the Poison Pill Incident details to conclude that Gu Xiqiao had likely resumed business more discreetly after returning home.
• Hou Niao sold low-value items at Gu Family shops, accepted small losses, and hinted that he had ancestral treasures to sell in order to draw out information.

Hou Niao prepared to exploit a private auction organized by the Gu Household Shop as a chance to find Gu Xiqiao, while hiding his identity and planning his escape. He disguised his face with ordinary methods and made his final preparations for the gathering.

• Hou Niao posed as a cultivator who was tempted by a broker's offer to sell ten soul pearls at a private auction.
• He planned to use the auction to find Gu Xiqiao, who he believed would favor shadowy trading channels rather than conduct open business.
• Hou Niao arranged an escape route and false trails, drawing on his criminal-investigation experience and Yu Zhengxing's guidance.
• He avoided the Hou Niao market so no one would discover that he was a Quanzhen Sword Cultivator from his purchases.
• On the eighth evening, Hou Niao disguised his face with padding, deer glue, a beard, and other ordinary tricks before the auction.

Hou Niao entered a crooked underground auction in Linjing while posing as Yu Zhengxing, hoping to identify Gu Xiqiao. The hoarse-voiced host matched Gu Xiqiao’s description, but Hou Niao waited for stronger confirmation before acting.

• The broker led Hou Niao through Linjing’s western district to a hidden auction house and explained how the sellers were expected to behave.
• Hou Niao noticed that several sellers seemed to be shills and suspected the auction organizers also used shill buyers.
• The participants put on black hoods, and a hoarse-voiced cultivator began hosting the auction.
• Hou Niao recognized that the host’s voice, height, and build resembled Gu Xiqiao’s, but held back because he was only fifty-percent certain.

At an auction in Linjing, Hou Niao watched the host for signs that he was Gu Xiqiao, comparing him with a description in a Jade Slip. When the host’s manner shifted and Hou Niao became confident he had found his target, he stood, but he remained uncertain and had not yet struck.

• A Water-Repelling Pearl drew heated bidding and sold for eight hundred Spirit Stones while Hou Niao studied the host’s movements and voice.
• The host presented a Fire-Strike Stone, which sold for one hundred and forty Spirit Stones after more than ten rounds of bidding.
• Hou Niao felt the host matched the Jade Slip’s description but seemed to lack the expected presence, and he began to lose hope that the plan would succeed.
• The auction’s atmosphere abruptly changed as the host waved his arms, and Hou Niao recognized a slight difference in his voice.
• Hou Niao stood about seventy feet from the host, suspecting he was Gu Xiqiao, but repeatedly held back from attacking to get a clearer look.

Hou Niao assassinated Gu Xiqiao at an auction in Linjing and escaped after confronting Gu Weixin, who had pursued him. Gu Weixin fled the city, while the Linjing Dao Prefecture launched a search for the killer.

• Hou Niao killed Gu Xiqiao at the auction, declared that he was acting on Yu Zhengxing's orders, and scattered treasures and Spirit Stones to distract the crowd.
• Gu Weixin chased Hou Niao across the rooftops, but Hou Niao disarmed him in three sword clashes and ordered him to return to Jincheng or leave the Quanzhen Sect.
• Gu Weixin realized that his uncle Gu Xiqiao's actions had brought Hou Niao to Linjing and that he could not safely remain in the city.
• Gu Weixin left Linjing for the Shan Kingdom as the Linjing Dao Prefecture took charge and sent Daoists to search for Hou Niao.

The Linjing Dao Prefecture called off an extensive search for the assassin, balancing the Gu Family dispute against the improving relationship between the Anhe Daoist Sect and the Quanzhen Sect. Meanwhile, the escaped Quanzhen cultivator traveled upriver by grain boat and continued trying to awaken his sword consciousness, leaving his secret dependent on Gu Weixin’s silence.

• Daoist Kong and another Linjing Dao Prefecture cultivator found that the trails led to decoy clothes and a Water-Repelling Pearl on a cargo boat, then decided to limit the search to Linjing City.
• The two Daoists weighed the sects’ rules and the Gu Family dispute, concluding they could not pursue the assassin aggressively or send cultivators above his realm after him.
• The assassin traveled upstream on a government grain boat while meditating on the Sword Sacrifice of Life and Death, which he had learned from Yu Zhengxing.
• He recalled that Gu Weixin had recognized his Quanzhen swordsmanship and that he had warned him not to reveal his identity.
• The assassin trusted Gu Weixin to keep silent for the sake of the larger situation, though he accepted that their relationship might not recover.

Zhang Yuanqing spent the morning at his grandparents’ home, where his grandmother prevented him from accompanying Jiang Yu'er on her blind date. The day took a strange turn when he received a mysterious black card and a letter from Lei Yibing, who believed Zhang Yuanqing could master it.

• Zhang Yuanqing woke from a disturbing episode and worried that his medication was losing its effectiveness.
• At breakfast, Zhang Yuanqing and Jiang Yu'er discussed her blind date, but their grandmother forbade him from going along.
• Jiang Yu'er left for her date alone after Zhang Yuanqing failed to sneak out and join her.
• A courier delivered Zhang Yuanqing a parcel from Hangcheng with no sender listed.
• Zhang Yuanqing opened the parcel and found a black card and a letter from Lei Yibing, who said the card might change his life and entrusted it to Zhang Yuanqing.

Zhang Yuanqing woke after a worsening episode of his mysterious condition and spent the morning at his grandparents’ home, where his aunt tried to recruit him to help disrupt her blind date. After his grandmother stopped him from leaving, he received an unexplained parcel from Lei Yibing containing a strange black card and a letter.

• Zhang Yuanqing worried that his medication was losing effectiveness, then got up when his grandmother threatened to splash him awake.
• Zhang Yuanqing ate breakfast with his grandmother and aunt Jiang Yu'er, who planned to take him along to interfere with her blind date.
• Zhang Yuanqing volunteered for a blind date, but his grandmother threatened to break his legs if he left the apartment.
• Jiang Yu'er tried to coax Zhang Yuanqing into joining her, but he refused to risk angering their grandmother.
• Zhang Yuanqing accepted a parcel addressed from Hangcheng and found a black card and a letter from Lei Yibing saying he believed Zhang Yuanqing could master it.

After delivering Yu Zheng’s gift to Wen Jinglai’s distant relatives, Hou Niao explained to Lanruo and Lanting that the Wen Clan’s collapse could preserve its bloodline from greater threats. He urged them to settle the clan’s affairs quickly and return to Liuyang, leaving them to face the remaining decisions.

• Hou Niao delivered Yu Zheng’s gift to the Wen Clan’s expelled branch, whose members had raised two cultivators.
• Lanruo and Lanting caught up with Hou Niao and accused him of causing the Wen Clan’s deaths and internal collapse.
• Hou Niao argued that the Wen Clan had no strong future, allies, or reputation, and faced enemies who would take revenge after Wen Jinglai’s death.
• Hou Niao explained that he had chosen Fourth Uncle Wen’s branch because its members were restrained and willing to endure, making the clan’s division a way to preserve its bloodline.
• Hou Niao urged Lanruo and Lanting to sell the clan’s ill-gotten holdings, resolve the remaining disputes, and return to Liuyang away from Fairy Xi.

Hou Du explained why he had deceived the Wen Household: Yu Zhengxing had given him only five hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, so he used his own savings to stage a show of wealth and provoke the clan’s internal strife. He returned to Fufeng City, where familiar locals welcomed him as Constable Hou and he saw Xizai riding with the sword he had once given him.

• Lanting grieved over the deaths and questioned Hou Du’s conduct, while Lanruo urged her to stop blaming him and return to help the Wen Lineage.
• Hou Du recalled that Zhengxing’s Treasure Gourd held only five hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, far too little to support the display he had planned for the Wen Household.
• Hou Du admitted to himself that he had added his own savings to the gourd and provoked the Wen clan’s strife because he could not bear to present such a meager gift.
• Hou Du stopped near Fufeng City at Weiqiao Bridge and shared wine and food with Lame Six, who welcomed him without asking about his absence.
• Hou Du watched Xizai and the other youths ride past and recognized the sword he had given Xizai before leaving.

Zhang Yuanqing spent a spring morning at his grandparents’ home, teasing his aunt and failing to join her blind date. A mysterious parcel from Lei Yibing arrived, leaving Zhang Yuanqing with a strange black card and an ominous-sounding gift.

• Zhang Yuanqing worried that his medication was losing its effectiveness, then got up when his grandmother threatened to splash him awake.
• At breakfast, Jiang Yu'er tried to recruit Zhang Yuanqing to help derail her blind date, but his grandmother stopped him from leaving.
• Zhang Yuanqing messaged Jiang Yu'er that she would have to handle the blind date herself, despite her pleading.
• A courier delivered Zhang Yuanqing an unexpected parcel from Hangcheng containing a black metal card and a letter from Lei Yibing.
• Lei Yibing wrote that he had found something interesting he could not control and was giving it to Zhang Yuanqing as a gift.

After reflecting on his recent fight with Daoist A-Meng, Hou Niao assessed his cultivation, sword consciousness, and the limits of his combat skills. He settled on a training order and prepared to visit another place before continuing his cultivation.

• Hou Niao recognized that his close-combat skills were insufficient against versatile opponents and that he needed to improve his long-range abilities.
• Hou Niao reviewed his advance to bridge linking, the orchid in his purple mansion, and the first faint mutual awareness he had formed with the Lone Sword.
• Hou Niao considered the costs and risks of developing sword consciousness and refining his sword alongside pursuing profound connection.
• Hou Niao recalled how Jincheng's restrictions had deprived him of guidance, while Daoist Chongling and Yu Zhengxing had helped him.
• After several days of reflection, Hou Niao decided to prioritize cultivation, then sword consciousness, then combat skills, and identified another place he needed to go.

Zhang Yuanqing spent the morning at his grandparents’ home, where his grandmother kept him from accompanying Jiang Yu'er on her blind date. A mysterious parcel from Lei Yibing arrived, containing a strange black card and a letter saying Yuanqing should be able to control it.

• Zhang Yuanqing worried that his medicine was losing effectiveness, then got up when his grandmother threatened to splash him awake.
• At breakfast, Jiang Yu'er tried to enlist Zhang Yuanqing to disrupt her blind date, but their grandmother forbade them from going together.
• Jiang Yu'er left for her blind date, while Zhang Yuanqing obeyed his grandmother and stayed home.
• Zhang Yuanqing received an unmarked parcel from Hangcheng containing a metal-like black card marked with a Black Moon and a letter from Lei Yibing.
• Lei Yibing wrote that the card was something interesting he could not control and gave it to Zhang Yuanqing as a gift.

Zhang Yuanqing woke after a worsening episode and spent the morning at home with his family, while his younger maternal aunt Jiang Yu'er went on a blind date without him. A mysterious package from Lei Yibing arrived, containing a strange Black Card and a letter that said Yuanqing should be able to master it.

• Zhang Yuanqing worried that his medication was losing its effectiveness after another episode and got up when Maternal Grandmother threatened to throw water on him.
• At breakfast, Zhang Yuanqing learned that Jiang Yu'er planned to bring him along to sabotage her blind date, but Maternal Grandmother stopped him from leaving.
• Jiang Yu'er went out alone on her blind date, while Zhang Yuanqing messaged her that Maternal Grandmother had barred him from joining her.
• Zhang Yuanqing received an unexpected package addressed from Hangcheng and opened it in his room.
• Zhang Yuanqing found a metal Black Card marked with a Black Moon and a letter from Lei Yibing, who called it a gift and said Yuanqing should be able to master it.

Zhang Yuanqing spent the morning at his grandparents’ home, where his grandmother kept him from accompanying Jiang Yu'er on her blind date. A mysterious parcel from Lei Yibing arrived, leaving Zhang Yuanqing with a black card and a letter hinting that he could master something life-changing.

• Zhang Yuanqing worried that his medication was losing its effectiveness, then got up after his grandmother threatened to splash him awake.
• At breakfast, Zhang Yuanqing learned that Jiang Yu'er planned to take him along to disrupt her blind date, but his grandmother ordered her to go alone.
• Zhang Yuanqing tried to leave for the blind date too, but his grandmother stopped him, and Jiang Yu'er pleaded with him to come help.
• A courier delivered Zhang Yuanqing an unexpected parcel from Hangcheng containing a metal black card and a letter from Lei Yibing.
• Lei Yibing wrote that he had found something potentially life-changing but believed Zhang Yuanqing could master it.

Zhang Yuanqing woke after a disturbing episode and spent the morning at home with his family, where his aunt tried to enlist him in her blind date and his grandmother kept him from going. A mysterious parcel from Lei Yibing arrived, leaving Zhang Yuanqing with a strange black card and a letter calling it a gift between brothers.

• Zhang Yuanqing remembered that medication had controlled his unexplained condition, but it was becoming less effective.
• Zhang Yuanqing ate breakfast with Jiang Yu'er and his grandmother, who stopped Jiang Yu'er from taking him along to her blind date.
• After Jiang Yu'er left, Zhang Yuanqing tried to follow but returned to his room when his grandmother threatened him.
• Zhang Yuanqing received a parcel from Hangcheng containing a black card marked with a Black Moon and a letter from Lei Yibing.

Zhang Yuanqing woke after a disturbing episode and worried that his medicine was losing effectiveness, then spent the morning at home with his grandmother and younger aunt, Jiang Yu'er. After his grandmother stopped him from joining Jiang Yu'er's blind date, a mysterious parcel arrived containing a black card and a letter from Lei Yibing.

• Zhang Yuanqing remembered that his unexplained condition had been controlled by special medicine from abroad, but he suspected it was becoming less effective.
• Zhang Yuanqing got up at his grandmother's insistence and ate breakfast with her and Jiang Yu'er, who planned to go on a blind date.
• Zhang Yuanqing offered to join Jiang Yu'er on the date, but his grandmother threatened to stop him, so he stayed home.
• Jiang Yu'er asked Zhang Yuanqing to come help her by message, but he told her his grandmother had forbidden him to leave.
• Zhang Yuanqing accepted a parcel from Hangcheng and found a black card and a letter from Lei Yibing saying he believed Zhang Yuanqing could master it.

Hou Niao discovered that sharpening the Lone Sword with his Sword Consciousness in the Soul Realm changed its material, allowing him to pursue the meteorite without suffering the fate of a legendary cultivator. After half a month of practice, he continued to outclass Luo Linwang in swordplay, and Luo Linwang warned him about the dangers of real combat against spell users.

• Hou Niao tested several materials as whetstones, but the Lone Sword reacted only to the meteorite.
• Hou Niao brought the Lone Sword's Sword Consciousness into his Soul Realm and sharpened it there against the meteorite, sensing a faint change in the sword.
• Luo Linwang recalled that a Quanzhen Sect genius had ruined his cultivation by spending fifty years trying to sharpen a sword on the meteorite.
• Hou Niao realized the senior's sword might have been the Lone Sword and thanked Luo Linwang's advice for helping him find another approach.
• After half a month, Hou Niao kept practicing and repeatedly defeated Luo Linwang in swordplay.
• Luo Linwang warned Hou Niao that real combat involved tactics, traps, and spell users who would keep their distance.

As the provincial disciples gathered for the contest of Dao, Hou Niao learned that three Jincheng disciples were challenging his assigned place on the Great Wind Plains team. The Commandant Prefecture arranged an arbitration match, leaving Hou Niao ready to fight without holding back.

• Disciples from across the provinces gathered at the Sword Manor, where the contest would help assess the strength of the Quanzhen Sect and Wu Sect.
• The Jade Capital disciples arrived, bringing the region regarded as the strongest source of Quanzhen's low-ranking disciples.
• Hou Niao kept to himself while he and Luo Linwang represented the Great Wind Plains.
• Daoist Wang told Hou Niao that three Jincheng disciples had questioned his assigned place after the Jade Capital group arrived.
• Daoist Wang explained that the Commandant Prefecture would arbitrate the challenge with Rao Zongzhi observing, and relayed Commandant Li's instruction that Hou Niao should not hold back.
• Hou Niao accepted the challenge and recognized that the dispute reflected political struggles among Jincheng's prefectures.

Hou Niao defeated Zhou Duo with a precise sword technique, then overcame Duan Kunshan’s lightning sword by using a body-cultivation grappling move. The visiting disciples saw that Hou Niao was more skilled than his plain methods suggested, though his next challenge remained unresolved.

• Hou Niao faced Zhou Duo and cut off his topknot after forcing his strength into empty space with a push and sudden release.
• Daoist Wang stopped Zhou Duo from continuing, and Rao Zongzhi recognized the skill behind Hou Niao’s unremarkable-looking swordsmanship.
• Duan Kunshan attacked Hou Niao with the Thunder-Crushing Sword Art and drove his longsword out of Hou Niao’s hands.
• Hou Niao dropped to his knees and slid into Duan Kunshan, then caught and flung him aside before he could bring his sword back.

After defeating two senior cultivators, Hou Niao learned that his trip to the Anhe Divine Capital also involved secretly watching Yan Xisheng. Daoist Wang clarified that the task was limited to observing Yan Xisheng for signs of unusual activity or collusion with the Wu Sect.

• Rao Zongzhi stopped another cultivator from challenging Hou Niao and accepted that the Great Wind Plains had chosen him.
• Daoist Wang praised Hou Niao for winning while preserving ties between fellow disciples, and Hou Niao answered respectfully.
• Daoist Wang told Hou Niao that Yan Xisheng was under suspicion because of his ancestor’s alleged connections with the Wu Sect.
• Daoist Wang explained that the Minister of Justice Prefecture had assigned the Great Wind Plains Commandant Prefecture to surveil Yan Xisheng through Hou Niao.
• Hou Niao objected that he had not been told what the assignment required and joked that killing Yan Xisheng would be simpler.
• Daoist Wang told Hou Niao not to harm Yan Xisheng and instructed him to watch for unusual activity or collusion during the Southwestern Dao Discussion.

Hou Niao worried that the Commandant Prefecture intended to draw him into intelligence work, then traveled with the Quanzhen Sect party toward Anhe. During the flight, Luo Linwang discussed Hou Niao’s ruthless fighting style and warned him against losing patience against Daoist Sect opponents.

• Daoist Wang reassured Hou Niao that the assignment to monitor Yan Xisheng carried no concrete demands, but Hou Niao suspected the Commandant Prefecture wanted to make him an operative.
• Zhu Jiuling led thirty-five disciples and three Upper Cultivators aboard a Flying Ship from the Sword Manor toward Anhe.
• Hou Niao and Luo Linwang stayed at the stern rather than compete for places at the bow, and they admired the scenery as the ship flew.
• Luo Linwang explained that Zhou Duo and Duan Kunshan had been upset about the selection process, not hostile toward Hou Niao.
• Hou Niao said he fought dangerously because he wanted to end battles quickly, and Luo Linwang warned that Daoist Sect opponents could exploit his impatience.

The Quanzhen Sect learned that the Southwest Dao Discussion would pit the Wu Sect against an alliance of the other southwestern traditions in a contest for thirteen banners. Zhu Jiuling set Quanzhen’s strategy: the five Jade Capital disciples would each lead a group against the Wu Sect’s banners, while the remaining disciples defended Quanzhen’s own.

• The Quanzhen Sect and Wu Sect arrived at Anhe Palace, where the delegations learned more about the political divisions among the southwestern kingdoms.
• Zhu Jiuling explained that the Dao Discussion would use thirteen banners, with victory decided by how many each side held after the participants were exhausted.
• Senior-Master Wang warned that the Wu Sect had prepared to challenge the other kingdoms despite being outnumbered, and Senior-Master Jia questioned Quanzhen’s selection of disciples.
• Uncle-Master Li argued that the Jade Capital disciples were not necessarily stronger than the provincial elites, and urged the elders to focus on their strategy.
• Zhu Jiuling ordered the five Jade Capital disciples to lead groups against the Wu Sect’s four banners while the other twenty-five disciples defended Quanzhen’s banner.

Hou Niao and Luo Linwang discussed the coming Dao Discussion and learned that the Wu Sect had recruited southeastern True Disciples and intended to capture all thirteen flags. The chapter ended when Rao Zongzhi invited them to join him in capturing flags.

• Hou Niao and Luo Linwang relaxed in a pavilion and discussed the importance of defending their flag against the Wu Sect.
• Luo Linwang explained that the five Jade Capital disciples would each choose a follower to help capture the Wu Sect's flags.
• Luo Linwang revealed that the Wu Sect sought a complete victory and had gained support from southeastern Daoist sects.
• Hou Niao and Luo Linwang considered whether their leaders would change their strategy in response to the Wu Sect's reinforcements.
• Rao Zongzhi found Hou Niao and Luo Linwang and asked whether they would join him in capturing flags.

Hou Niao reflected on his mistakes, cultivated while traveling, and adapted his strength and saber skills to life on the boat. After a month and a half, he reached the Qi Gathering Realm, and Daoist Zhan praised him and said they might meet in Liuyang City.

• Hou Niao concluded that he had acted rashly against the water demon and resolved to cultivate with greater awareness.
• He focused on qi gathering during the voyage, learning to absorb spiritual energy without forcing it and gradually having fewer dreams.
• Hou Niao began working the scull to exercise and practice his saber skills, soon rowing so efficiently that Old Qi and his son could rest.
• On the final night before Liuyang City, Hou Niao entered embryonic breathing and attained the Qi Gathering Realm.
• Daoist Zhan praised Hou Niao from the passenger ship and said they might meet in Liuyang City.