Recaps

As Zhang Yuanqing worried that his medication was failing to control his unexplained condition, his grandmother kept him from accompanying Jiang Yu'er to her blind date. A package from Lei Yibing delivered a mysterious black card that Lei could not control but thought Zhang Yuanqing might master.

• Zhang Yuanqing worried that his medication was losing effectiveness after another strange episode.
• At breakfast, Jiang Yu'er tried to enlist Zhang Yuanqing to disrupt her blind date, but their grandmother ordered him to stay home.
• Zhang Yuanqing told Jiang Yu'er he could not join her, despite her pleas for help.
• A courier delivered Zhang Yuanqing a package from Hangcheng containing a black card marked with a Black Moon and a letter from Lei Yibing.
• Lei Yibing wrote that he could not control the mysterious card and gave it to Zhang Yuanqing, believing he might be able to master it.

Zhang Yuanqing received a mysterious black card from Lei Yibing while worrying that his medication was losing its effect. Meanwhile, Yu Zhengxing taught Hou Niao the dangerous Sword Sacrifice of Life and Death, then sent him on a mission to kill Gu Xiqiao in the Anhe Kingdom as Hou Niao set out by boat.

• Zhang Yuanqing worried that his medication was losing effectiveness, and his grandmother stopped him from accompanying Jiang Yu'er to her blind date.
• A parcel from Hangcheng brought Zhang Yuanqing a black card and a letter from Lei Yibing, who believed Zhang Yuanqing could master it.
• Yu Zhengxing explained sword consciousness to Hou Niao and taught him the Sword Sacrifice of Life and Death.
• Yu Zhengxing warned Hou Niao that the art had once nearly destroyed the Quanzhen Sect and said he had chosen Hou Niao after testing his restraint.
• Yu Zhengxing gave Hou Niao a Jade Slip and Treasure Gourd and ordered him to settle his late friend's affairs and kill Gu Xiqiao in the Anhe Kingdom.
• Hou Niao accepted the mission, then encountered Dugu Lan, Xiao Qiang, and their companions at a Miaogao Town restaurant.
• Hou Niao boarded a passenger boat after spending the night at Longtou Source, and Dugu Lan and Xiao Qiang had upgraded his booking to a deluxe cabin.

Hou Niao returned to Linjing, killed Gu Xiqiao, and later represented the Great Wind Plains at the Quanzhen Sect’s contest and the Southwestern Dao Discussion. After the events on the voyage, he reflected on his rashness and reached the Qi Gathering Realm before arriving at Liuyang City.

• Hou Niao tracked Gu Xiqiao to a hidden auction in Linjing and killed him, then escaped after disarming Gu Weixin and warning him to leave the city or return to Jincheng.
• Hou Niao delivered Yu Zheng’s gift to Fourth Uncle Wen’s branch and explained to Lanruo and Lanting why the Wen Clan’s division could preserve its bloodline.
• Hou Niao reflected on his cultivation and combat weaknesses, then sharpened the Lone Sword’s Sword Consciousness against a meteorite in his Soul Realm.
• At the Sword Manor, Hou Niao defeated Zhou Duo and Duan Kunshan in challenges over the Great Wind Plains’ representative position.
• Daoist Wang assigned Hou Niao to watch Yan Xisheng for unusual activity during the Southwestern Dao Discussion and warned him not to harm Yan Xisheng.
• The Quanzhen Sect delegation traveled to Anhe Palace, where Zhu Jiuling set out the thirteen-banner contest and assigned the Jade Capital disciples to lead attacks on the Wu Sect’s flags.
• Rao Zongzhi approached Hou Niao and Luo Linwang about joining him to capture flags as the Wu Sect pursued a complete victory.
• During the voyage toward Liuyang City, Hou Niao focused on qi gathering, practiced rowing and saber skills, and reached the Qi Gathering Realm before Daoist Zhan praised his progress.

Hou Niao moved from the Lizhi Sea to Jade Capital, where he studied sword arts and became entangled in the Baishen Sect’s canyon purge. After confronting Duan Jian over the Red Happiness Troupe, he sought shelter by joining Li Chuping’s Minister of Justice Prefecture.

• Third Master Bai led six Bai Clan members out of Liuyang City, then scattered them through White Poplar Forest to escape the Wu Sect.
• Hou Niao settled in Jade Capital, studied at the Hidden Sword Tower, and planned to pursue flying sword, body sword, and sword-in-hand techniques.
• Hou Niao impersonated Wang Shouzhong to observe the Baishen Sect’s purge in Qiu Nan Grand Canyon, where he killed Cao Dean and let Shi Le escape.
• Li Chuping brought Hou Niao to Jade Capital and explained that the Minister of Justice Prefecture might take him into its ranks.
• Hou Niao intervened when Duan Jian threatened E Huangshi and the Red Happiness Troupe, then used the law’s penalties to punish Duan Jian for continuing to break it.
• Hou Niao urged E Huangshi to turn the confrontation into a play to draw public attention and protect the troupe.
• Hou Niao asked Li Chuping to let him join the Minister of Justice Prefecture, and Li Chuping accepted.