Chapter Summaries

Ji Yuan brought Wang Li and Zhang Rui to meet Hongxiu at the Grand Show Boat, where he tested Wang Li’s feelings and waited for the famed courtesan. When Hongxiu arrived, Ji Yuan exposed her connection to Young Master Xiao and her use of the Art of Skin Painting, prompting her to demand his identity.

• The brothel madam led Ji Yuan and Wang Li through the Great Show Building to the Grand Show Boat while Zhang Rui accompanied them unseen.
• While they waited for Hongxiu, Ji Yuan told Wang Li that his interest in several courtesans showed lust rather than love.
• Ji Yuan noticed that the demonic aura near Hongxiu was rapidly fading as the brothel madam said she was touching up her makeup.
• Hongxiu entered and questioned why there were four tea cups, then reacted with surprise when Ji Yuan praised her makeup.
• Ji Yuan asked Hongxiu how Young Master Xiao knew her and why she helped him steal the beams and replace the pillars.
• Ji Yuan identified Hongxiu’s mastery of the Art of Skin Painting, and she looked at him coldly and asked who he really was.

Ji Yuan confronted the fox demon posing as Hongxiu aboard the Grand Show Boat and summoned Su River Deity Du Guangtong to expose her claim that he sheltered her. With Du Guangtong cleared of involvement, Ji Yuan pressed Hongxiu about her time in Great Zhen and whether she had harmed anyone.

• Ji Yuan recalled meeting the Xiao family on a boat after attending the Dragon Lord’s Thousand-Year Birthday Feast and questioned whether the woman before him was the real Hongxiu.
• Hongxiu admitted she had been in Great Zhen for two years, but avoided answering Ji Yuan’s questions about her purpose aboard the Grand Show Boat.
• Ji Yuan flicked a drop of tea into the river and summoned Su River Deity Du Guangtong, who recognized Ji Yuan from the Dragon Lord’s birthday feast.
• Ji Yuan accused Du Guangtong of sheltering Hongxiu, but Du Guangtong denied knowing her and realized she was the demon in the cabin.
• Ji Yuan reassured Du Guangtong that he was not involved, then asked Hongxiu how long she had been in Great Zhen and whether she had harmed people; Hongxiu asked if he would believe her denial.

Ji Yuan confronted the fox demon Hongxiu, who revealed herself as Tu Siyan and sought his Green Vine Sword. After the sword struck her mind and Ji Yuan ordered her to leave Great Zhen, he immobilized her so Du Guangtong could capture her.

• Hongxiu asked Ji Yuan whether he was the hidden sword immortal rumored to live in Great Zhen, then requested to see his Immortal Sword.
• Ji Yuan revealed the Green Vine Sword, and it struck Hongxiu with its Sword of Mind when she reached to touch it.
• Hongxiu recovered and introduced herself as Tu Siyan of Jade Fox Cave Heaven in Lanzhou, then asked Ji Yuan to lend her the sword so she could return to the Western Regions.
• Ji Yuan told Tu Siyan to leave Great Zhen, and she refused to go without borrowing his sword.
• Ji Yuan immobilized Tu Siyan with a water character, allowing Du Guangtong to seize her by the throat.

Ji Yuan discovered that the Hongxiu aboard the Grand Show Boat was a fox demon using painted skin, but the real demon escaped after he sensed her far to the east. He and his companions tried to find the real Hongxiu and arrange the captive woman’s freedom, but they lacked the silver to pay for it.

• Du Guangtong strangled the apparent Hongxiu, and Ji Yuan ordered him to peel off her painted skin, revealing a decaying corpse beneath it.
• Ji Yuan used his Dharma eyes and Intent Landscape to sense Tu Siyan fleeing east, while the fox demon glimpsed his immense illusory form and decided to abandon her pursuit of the Green Vine Sword.
• Ji Yuan identified the corpse as one from a mass grave, said the real Hongxiu had not yet died, and told the others they needed to find Young Master Xiao.
• Zhang Rui disguised herself as Hongxiu so the group could deal with the brothel madam, while Ji Yuan realized they had too little silver to redeem her freedom.
• The brothel madam returned near dawn, and Ji Yuan asked how much it would cost to redeem Miss Hongxiu's freedom.

Ji Yuan and his companions arranged Hongxiu’s release from the Great Show Building, where Zhang Rui fought off the madam’s attendants when they tried to detain her. The group then left Chengsu Prefecture by boat, while Ji Yuan planned to continue toward the capital and seek out the person responsible for Hongxiu’s predicament.

• The brothel madam tried to dissuade Hongxiu from leaving and pulled her aside to question her, but Zhang Rui rejected her pleas and claimed Ji Yuan’s influence surpassed worldly power.
• When the madam ordered attendants to escort Hongxiu back to her room, Zhang Rui struck down two women and kicked two servants aside before returning to Ji Yuan.
• Ji Yuan sent Du Guangtong to arrange a show of wealthy attendants and ransom money, and Hongxiu was released from the Great Show Building in exchange for gold and pearls.
• The next day, Ji Yuan, Du Guangtong, Zhang Rui, and Wang Li traveled by boat along the Su River, and Du Guangtong explained how he had obtained the ransom.
• Ji Yuan told the exhausted Wang Li to sleep and promised to tell him another story after he woke.

Ji Yuan took Wang Li and Zhang Rui along the Tongtian River, where Wang Li revised his story and argued that its ending should show evil being punished. After parting from Wang Li at a dock, Ji Yuan asked him to remain true to that conviction, then continued toward the capital with Ying Feng and Ying Ruoli.

• Wang Li asked Ji Yuan whether he could alter the Old Turtle story and proposed changing its ending so that wrongdoing received clear punishment; Ji Yuan applauded and told him to make the change.
• Zhang Rui and Wang Li saw Ying Feng and Ying Ruoli waiting on the riverbank, and the two joined Ji Yuan's boat.
• Ying Ruoli learned that Wang Li was a storyteller, while Zhang Rui and Wang Li greeted the Dragon Son and Dragon Daughter.
• At a dock, Ji Yuan sent Zhang Rui and Wang Li onward toward Yan Province, and Wang Li asked whether he might someday become an immortal.
• Ji Yuan called out to ask whether Wang Li would always stand by what he had said about the story; Wang Li promised he would, and Ji Yuan wished him well before rowing away with Ying Feng and Ying Ruoli.

Ji Yuan traveled to Jingji Prefecture to collect a debt from a mortal and encountered the prefectural governor and Yan Chang along the way. He found Xiao Ling with Duan Muwan, who was pretending to be surnamed Lu, and the chapter ended as Xiao Ling denied owing him anything.

• The Dragon Son told Ji Yuan that a river had been clogged with the bodies of tens of thousands of soldiers after a battle in Daqiu Kingdom.
• Ji Yuan told the Dragon Son and Dragon Daughter that he was going to Jingji Prefecture to collect a debt and observe how Great Zhen would decide its destiny as the Old Emperor neared death.
• Ying Feng teased Ji Yuan about his nominal disciple in the Underworld Bureau, and Ji Yuan ignored the Dragon siblings’ questions.
• Ji Yuan met Yan Chang supporting the drunken Jingji Prefecture governor, then continued to the restaurant where Young Master Xiao had reserved a private room.
• Ji Yuan entered the room and greeted Xiao Ling and Duan Muwan, who claimed her surname was Lu; Xiao Ling denied owing Ji Yuan a debt.

Ji Yuan confronted Xiao Ling and Duan Muwan over a debt tied to Duan Muwan’s escape from a show boat, then exposed their blood-fed talisman as an evil art. Xiao Ling claimed the River Goddess of the Tongtian River had helped them, enraging Ying Ruoli, who revealed herself as the true River Goddess.

• Ji Yuan told Xiao Ling he owed five hundred taels of gold for redeeming a woman who looked like Duan Muwan from the Grand Show Boat.
• Xiao Ling tried to escape with Duan Muwan using a Qingfu talisman, but Ying Ruoli stopped them and Ying Feng seized the talisman.
• Ji Yuan warned Xiao Ling and Duan Muwan that the talisman could inflict Ten Thousand Snakes Piercing the Heart and condemned its blood-nourishing evil art.
• Duan Muwan said a divine being had helped them, and Xiao Ling identified that being as the River Goddess of the Tongtian River.
• Ying Ruoli deduced that the talisman demanded increasingly dangerous blood offerings and angrily challenged Xiao Ling’s account.
• Ying Ruoli transformed into the River Goddess and revealed her name to Xiao Ling and Duan Muwan.

Ying Ruoli punished Xiao Ling for keeping an evil talisman, then relented after Duan Muwan begged to share his suffering. Ji Yuan revealed their connection from years earlier and explained that the demon behind the talisman came from beyond Great Zhen, leaving Xiao Ling newly aware of how vast the world was.

• Ying Ruoli drew ten years of vitality from Xiao Ling for knowingly keeping the strange talisman, leaving him collapsed and in agony.
• Duan Muwan begged to share Xiao Ling's punishment, and Ying Ruoli returned most of his vitality while taking a small portion from Duan Muwan.
• Ji Yuan reminded Xiao Ling of their encounter on the Tongtian River years earlier and urged him to act with greater integrity.
• Ji Yuan explained that a great demon from another continent had deceived the couple, while Ying Feng said the White Fox had barely escaped Ji Yuan.
• Xiao Ling worried about the demon harming Great Zhen's people, and Ji Yuan clarified that the continent lay beyond Great Zhen's Thirteen Prefectures.

Ji Yuan collected five hundred taels of gold from Xiao Ling and confirmed that Xiao Ling descended from Xiao Jing. Later, as Emperor Yuande’s health failed, he summoned Yin Zhaoxian and asked him whether Prince Jin or Prince Wu could shoulder great responsibility.

• Xiao Ling returned with five hundred taels of gold, and Ji Yuan took the payment and left with the Dragon Son and Dragon Daughter.
• Ji Yuan confirmed that Xiao Ling was a descendant of Xiao Jing; the Dragon Daughter later departed, while the Dragon Son stayed with Ji Yuan for half a month.
• Ji Yuan learned that Yin Qing had placed near the bottom of the Second Class Scholars, apparently concealing his abilities to secure a suitable official post.
• Yin Zhaoxian hurried to the capital after Emperor Yuande summoned him, arriving after traveling day and night.
• Emperor Yuande met with Yin Zhaoxian and asked whether Prince Jin or Prince Wu could shoulder great responsibility.

Emperor Yuande summoned Yin Zhaoxian and pressed him to judge whether Prince Wu or Prince Jin could inherit the throne. Yin pledged to support whichever prince was chosen, and the emperor decided to name Prince Wu as successor; at Prince Wu’s estate, a secret report wrongly claimed Yin was Prince Jin’s ally.

• Emperor Yuande praised Yin Zhaoxian’s work in Wanzhou Prefecture and asked whether he considered the emperor and the two princes enlightened or capable.
• After dismissing the eunuchs, Emperor Yuande asked Yin again which prince could shoulder great responsibility, and Yin pledged to serve whichever one inherited the throne.
• Yin’s Righteous Qi blazed, moving Emperor Yuande to trust him and promise him an Iron Scroll of Pardon.
• Emperor Yuande told Yin that he would choose Prince Wu as heir and issue the Edict of Succession in ten days, while leaving a secret decree to protect Prince Jin.
• Prince Jin worried that Emperor Yuande’s failing health left Yin little reason to oppose the succession of Prince Wu.
• Prince Wu received a secret report claiming Yin was Prince Jin’s ally and that Emperor Yuande had questioned Yin about the heir in private.

Prince Wu feared Prince Jin might secure the throne and prepared contingencies while Emperor Yuande avoided naming an heir. Ji Yuan visited Yin Zhaoxian, who said he already knew who would inherit, as the Emperor ordered Eunuch Han brought white silk and wine.

• Prince Wu concluded that Yin Zhaoxian had long been recruited by Prince Jin and warned his confidants that Prince Jin might use the Emperor to claim the throne.
• Emperor Yuande handled affairs of state, arranged Yin Zhaoxian's evaluation and promotion, and continued to avoid discussing the heir apparent.
• Yin Zhaoxian rejected attempts by both princes to contact him and stayed in the post house while attending court and conducting official duties.
• Ji Yuan visited Yin Zhaoxian, praised his draft article On Learning, and asked whether Prince Jin or Prince Wu would win the succession struggle.
• Yin Zhaoxian told Ji Yuan that he already knew who would become heir, and Ji Yuan proposed a bet.
• After reading Commander Qian's letter, Emperor Yuande sent Eunuch Li to deliver white silk and wine to Eunuch Han.

Eunuch Han was executed after Emperor Yuande uncovered his treachery, leaving Prince Wu and Prince Jin to reassess their chances. Prince Wu chose to wait, while Prince Jin decided to provoke his elder brother into rising up, seeing it as his only chance.

• Eunuch Li delivered Emperor Yuande’s sentence, and guards forced poisoned wine down Han Baishan’s throat until he died.
• Emperor Yuande ordered secret edicts sent to Qian Junke and Yu Han, telling them to do their duty without undue worry.
• After hearing Han Baishan had died, Prince Wu considered rising up, but his advisers warned that the Emperor might already know about his other spies, so he agreed to wait.
• Prince Jin and his advisers inferred that Han Baishan had been killed and discussed the risk of Prince Wu rebelling.
• Prince Jin worried that Emperor Yuande might still name Prince Wu heir, then told Li Mushu he would help his elder brother decide to rise up.

Prince Jin Yang Hao made a risky effort to convince Emperor Yuande and Prince Wu that he was preparing for the danger of Prince Wu taking the throne. After arranging Li Mushu’s escape to Yan Province, Yang Hao stayed behind in Jingji Prefecture to await the outcome.

• Prince Jin ordered covert preparations to make Prince Wu believe he was taking desperate steps, while keeping himself out of sight.
• Prince Jin visited Emperor Yuande at night, shared memories of his childhood, and hinted that he might not have much time left; the Emperor promised Consort Ren he would protect him.
• Prince Wu learned that Prince Jin had entered the palace repeatedly and visited Yin Zhaoxian, and grew increasingly suspicious and alarmed.
• Prince Jin met Li Mushu and his family outside Jingji Prefecture on September 17 and sent them toward Yan Province for safety.
• Prince Jin watched Li Mushu’s carriage depart, then returned to the city alone to await the result.

Prince Jin returned to the palace with Li Mushu and received an imperial decree that Emperor Yuande ordered others to spread as the Edict of Succession. Believing Prince Jin had gained the succession, Prince Wu ordered an attack on him and prepared a palace coup.

• Prince Wu questioned a captured former subordinate of Prince Jin, then learned Li Mushu had returned and entered the palace with Prince Jin.
• Emperor Yuande gave Prince Jin an imperial decree and instructed Li Sizhe to spread word that it contained the Edict of Succession.
• Prince Wu received reports that the decree concerned the succession and that Prince Jin had left the palace smiling.
• Prince Wu asked Du Changsheng to read his aura; Du Changsheng said Prince Wu's Imperial Star Fate was stronger than Prince Jin's.
• Prince Wu ordered his Death Warriors to kill Prince Jin and told the Zhangjian Camp, the Southern Army, and the Northern Xuan Camp to prepare for a palace coup.

Du Changsheng tried to escape Prince Wu's Estate but was drawn into conversation with Ji Yuan as Prince Wu prepared to force his way into the palace. Fighting erupted across the capital, and Emperor Yuande prepared to meet Prince Wu with Prince Jin's succession edict in hand.

• Du Changsheng escaped Prince Wu's Estate using a Yellow Paper Strongman, then followed Ji Yuan to a teahouse after the paper crane returned his talisman.
• Qian Junke obeyed Prince Wu's order to raise troops, and Prince Wu led his forces in an assault on the Imperial Palace.
• Prince Jin was ambushed outside his estate, wounded by a Yellow Crossbow, and fled toward the Jingji Prefecture Prefectural Office while his guards fought off attackers.
• Prince Wu's bloodied troops reached the Imperial Study, where Emperor Yuande told his eunuch to bring Prince Jin's Edict of Succession.
• The old eunuch found two succession edicts, one for Prince Wu and one for Prince Jin, both dated the day Yin Zhaoxian arrived in the capital.

Prince Wu’s rebellion failed, and Prince Jin was named Heir Apparent, though he mourned the death of his teacher, Li Mushu. After learning the outcome from the Underworld Runners, Li Mushu departed for the Underworld, while Ji Yuan gave Du Changsheng a cultivation text in exchange for his Yellow Paper Figurine method.

• Zhangjian Camp and Northern Xuan Camp turned against Prince Wu, whose forces surrendered and who was captured alive.
• Prince Jin grieved beside Li Mushu’s body and vowed to face the outcome rather than flee.
• The Underworld Runners told Li Mushu that Prince Wu had failed and the succession edict named Prince Jin; Li Mushu bowed toward Mister Yin at the Post House before entering Ghost Gate Pass.
• Ji Yuan offered Du Changsheng a Qi Cultivation Art in exchange for his Yellow Paper Figurine method, and Du Changsheng tried unsuccessfully to become his disciple.
• Ji Yuan left Du Changsheng a copy of Lesser Cultivation, and Du Changsheng began studying it.
• At morning court, Li Sizhe proclaimed Prince Jin’s succession before the officials, while Prince Wu knelt in a cangue.

Ji Yuan visited the dying Emperor Yuande and offered to bring Old Mister Lu to see him again. He found Lu Niansheng in Jingji Prefecture and brought him to the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor was being kept alive with ginseng soup.

• Three days after the Heir Apparent was established, Emperor Yuande’s health deteriorated, and Ji Yuan appeared beside his bed.
• Ji Yuan told Emperor Yuande he could bring Old Mister Lu to see him, and the Emperor asked him to do so.
• Ji Yuan left the palace and asked the Jingji Prefecture Earth God to locate the Old Beggar, whom they found dozing beneath a bridge with the Little Beggar.
• The Old Beggar agreed to accompany Ji Yuan to the Imperial Palace, while the Little Beggar stayed at the Land God Temple.
• Ji Yuan and the Old Beggar entered the Emperor’s sleeping quarters unseen by the gathered court, and Consort Ren fed Emperor Yuande ginseng soup to sustain him.

The Old Beggar and Ji Yuan visited the dying Emperor Yuande, who accepted his fate and asked about the afterlife before giving Prince Jin his final instructions. Emperor Yuande died and was escorted away by the Yin Cha, while Ji Yuan and the Old Beggar left together.

• Ji Yuan brought the Old Beggar to Emperor Yuande, who recognized him and asked how long his underworld lifespan would be.
• The Old Beggar explained that the emperor would face judgment after death and that his earthly glory would ultimately end; Emperor Yuande accepted the truth.
• The Yin Cha entered the bedchamber and saluted Ji Yuan, the Old Beggar, and Yin Zhaoxian, whose Righteous Qi had taken form.
• Emperor Yuande told Prince Jin to protect Yin Zhaoxian and trust capable ministers, then died before he could finish speaking.
• The Yin Cha led Emperor Yuande's soul away, and Ji Yuan and the Old Beggar departed.

After the Old Emperor died, Ji Yuan learned that the Old Beggar planned to use an Emerald Jade Lotus to restore Yang Zong’s body and soul. The chapter ended on New Year’s Eve, when Wei Yuansheng returned home and reunited with his mother, Madam Mu, after five years apart.

• The Old Beggar secretly tied a Red Rope around the Old Emperor’s soul as it departed with the Yin Cha.
• Ji Yuan and the Old Beggar discussed Yang Zong, and the Old Beggar revealed his plan to claim him from the underworld and reshape his body with Emerald Jade Lotus roots.
• Ji Yuan gave the Old Beggar a written edict but left before he could witness the process of restoring Yang Zong’s body.
• The Old Emperor’s death had little effect on ordinary people, and New Year’s Eve arrived in Ji Prefecture.
• Wei Wuwei and Wei Yuansheng arrived at Wei Manor, and Wei Yuansheng reunited with his mother, Madam Mu, who wept after waiting five years for him.