Chapter Summaries

Dong Zhuo considered Yuan Shu’s invitation to march on the capital, prepared Shannan’s forces while awaiting a secret order, and ordered an inquiry into Wu Shuangren’s strength. Meanwhile, Wu Shuangren recovered in Yi Province as his victory over Lu Yulin made him famous and drew martial artists to the region.

• Dong Zhuo’s commanders discussed Yuan Shu’s letter urging him to lead troops to the capital, but Li Ru advised him not to mobilize without a secret order from the Yuan Clan.
• Dong Zhuo agreed to reply to Yuan Shu and redeployed Shannan’s troops into a defensive posture while preparing to withdraw elite soldiers.
• Dong Zhuo ordered Niu Fu to have Wang Yan investigate the returning soldiers’ account of Lu Yulin and Wu Shuangren.
• The court stripped Zhang Da of his posts and punished those implicated, while Xu Cheng was promoted and Su Jinfan received a commendation.
• Wu Shuangren continued recovering from his injuries as martial artists flocked to Yi Prefecture City after hearing of his victory over Lu Yulin; Xu Jing’s troops suppressed those who tried to cause trouble.

Wu Shuangren strengthened his forces in Bo County and prepared to expand them through the reopened Forged Edge Workshop in Shu Province. He left for Shu Province with Lin Qian as the workshop began recruiting thousands of workers and guards.

• Wu Shuangren ordered Luo Heng to accept five applicants with clean records for militia training and use others in Flying Feather Hall, while approving the expansion of its Shu Province branch and placement of agents at the Forged Edge Workshop.
• Wu Shuangren and Lin Qian sparred with the Escaping One Saber, and Lin Qian recognized how the technique found tiny flaws in otherwise complete moves.
• Wu Shuangren told Lin Qian he planned to travel to Shu Province despite his unhealed internal injuries, and Lin Qian agreed to accompany him.
• Pu Yuan and his son reopened the expanded Forged Edge Workshop outside Shu Province's capital and began recruiting workers and household guards.
• Wu Shuangren told Pu Yuan that the workshop needed more guards after its past massacre and said the more guards they recruited, the better.