Chapter Summaries

After Wang Yanchong imprisoned Dong Zhongshu and his companions, Dong Zhongshu taught Zhang Xuezhou the Return to the Aperture Technique so he could help a friend whose Yang Corporeal Soul had left its body. Zhang Xuezhou flew toward Shang Commandery City to carry out Dong Zhongshu’s plan to provoke Li Jiao.

• Wang Yanchong refused Dong Zhongshu’s request to see General Li Guang, took the group’s money, and had them locked in a dungeon.
• Dong Zhongshu broke a hole in the dungeon wall, but he and Zhang Xuezhou discussed their options and decided they needed another way to reach Li Guang.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked Dong Zhongshu to explain how to return a Yang Corporeal Soul to its aperture and requested help with other cultivation matters.
• Dong Zhongshu explained that the Return to the Aperture Technique could help Zhang Xuezhou’s friend, but warned that learning it after the soul had left the body was difficult and dangerous.
• Dong Zhongshu taught Zhang Xuezhou the technique and the Southern Brightness Fire Technique, and instructed him to recite the former within three hundred meters of his friend’s body.
• Dong Zhongshu told Zhang Xuezhou to fly near Shang Commandery City and challenge Li Jiao; Zhang Xuezhou spread his wings and flew north.

Zhang Xuezhou entered Shanggu Commandery to provoke a public reaction on Dong Zhongshu’s behalf, carving insults aimed at Li Guang into the city walls. After passersby ignored the writing, he drew attention to it and got Wu Qingsong to rally people to report the insult to the authorities.

• Zhang Xuezhou flew to Shanggu Commandery and used the Stone Transformation Technique in reverse to carve “Li X, prepare to die” and related messages in several places.
• Zhang Xuezhou spent the night restoring his Law Power and Demon Power, then waited for people to notice the writing in the morning.
• When townspeople and patrol soldiers passed without reacting, Zhang Xuezhou called out that someone had insulted the people of Shanggu Commandery.
• Zhang Xuezhou explained the writing to butcher Wu Qingsong, who gathered a crowd and urged them to report the insult to the authorities.

Zhang Xuezhou’s curses on Shanggu Commandery City’s wall drew the attention of Ning Cheng, who used a Technique Method to mark him for tracking. Zhang fled the city and took to the sky, feeling the danger of being seen by the powerful figures inside.

• Zhang Xuezhou stirred the morning crowd into reporting the curses on the city wall, and Wu Qingsong led the group to the governor’s residence.
• Ning Cheng examined the writing, recognized the reversed Stone Transformation Technique, and suspected a formidable practitioner had entered the city.
• Ning Cheng used Law Power on the character “Li” to send a tracking mark toward Fuping County, then returned to seek help capturing the suspected spy.
• Zhang Xuezhou noticed the dark blue tracking mark on his backside and decided to put distance between himself and Ning Cheng rather than try to remove it.
• Zhang Xuezhou left the city, spread his wings, and flew away as he felt a lethal gaze following him from Shanggu Commandery City.

Zhang Xuezhou fled toward Fuping County to escape the danger posed by Ning Cheng’s Technique Method mark, then reunited with the impoverished Zhufu Yan outside the county. He invited Zhufu Yan to join him, and they continued toward Fuping County together.

• Zhang Xuezhou flew away from Shanggu Commandery City and headed toward Fuping County, hoping to find Master Dong to remove Ning Cheng’s Technique Method mark.
• After his Demon Power ran low, Zhang Xuezhou landed outside Fuping County, smeared mud on himself, and bought two ground rats to look like a local catcher.
• Zhufu Yan recognized Zhang Xuezhou and recalled meeting him years earlier, after which he had taken two swords and later regretted leaving.
• Zhang Xuezhou invited Zhufu Yan to dine with his well-off friends in Fuping County.
• Zhufu Yan eagerly took the ground rats and accompanied Zhang Xuezhou toward the county.

Zhang Xuezhou entered Fuping County with Zhufu Yan to visit Dong Zhongshu in jail, hoping Dong could remove a tracking mark. When Dong could not help, Zhang fled the county on a horse, with Zhufu Yan chasing after him, as soldiers pursued them and a military officer approached Fuping County.

• Zhang Xuezhou and Zhufu Yan entered Fuping County carrying ground squirrels and headed to the jail to see Dong Zhongshu.
• Zhang Xuezhou asked Dong Zhongshu to remove the tracking mark, but Dong said his injuries left him unable to do so and warned that Ning Cheng could track him.
• Zhang Xuezhou decided to leave the Northern Border and asked Dong Zhongshu to look after his cousin and parents if they appeared.
• Zhang Xuezhou took a merchant's sorrel horse from the guesthouse and rode toward the city gate, while Zhufu Yan ran after him asking for a meal.
• The city guards sent mounted soldiers after Zhang Xuezhou, and riders bearing a great crimson banner approached Fuping County.

Zhang Xuezhou fled the Northern Border with Zhufu Yan’s help, while Ning Cheng tracked him using a Technique Method mark. Zhufu Yan struck Ning Cheng with a gopher but was captured by the pursuing officers and tried to bargain for his freedom by offering information about Zhang Xuezhou.

• Zhang Xuezhou paid Zhufu Yan to distract the soldiers pursuing him, and Zhufu Yan knocked several riders from their horses with a gopher.
• Zhang Xuezhou told Zhufu Yan that Ning Cheng could track him and offered a string of cash if Zhufu Yan hit the scholar in a blue robe with a gopher.
• Zhufu Yan ambushed the pursuers and knocked Ning Cheng off his horse, delaying the pursuit while Zhang Xuezhou rode farther away.
• Ning Cheng tracked Zhufu Yan to his hiding place, and the officer surnamed Lu attacked him while Ning Cheng trapped his feet with a Technique Method.
• Zhufu Yan admitted that Zhang Xuezhou had ordered the attack and offered to reveal important information in exchange for being released.

Zhang Xuezhou escaped his pursuers by plunging into an icy river, then emerged downstream and continued toward Hibiscus City. Meanwhile, Zhufu Yan offered information about routes through the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, and the group renewed its pursuit of Zhang.

• Zhang Xuezhou abandoned his yellow horse and dove into the river to evade the two riders chasing him.
• The two riders searched the freezing river but failed to find Zhang and retreated to the bank to warm themselves.
• Zhang swam two li downstream, used the Golden Crow feather to warm himself, and planned to keep moving toward Hibiscus City.
• Ning Cheng and the others regrouped with Zhufu Yan, who offered information about navigating the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains in exchange for his release and the yellow horse.
• Cheng Bushi and the others agreed to mark Zhufu Yan with a Technique Method and decided they had to keep tracking Zhang wherever he went.

Zhang Xuezhou rushed south after telling Rong Tianding that he had run into trouble, leaving his cousin to wait at the Daoist temple. When Flying Feather Army officers arrived in pursuit, Rong Tianding delayed them by selling them food at inflated prices and taking their valuables as collateral, then decided he wanted to join Zhang Xuezhou on the road.

• Zhang Xuezhou borrowed Rong Tianding’s horse and rode south, saying he would return after handling a little trouble.
• Rong Tianding stayed at the temple, practiced his incantations, and wondered what techniques Zhang Xuezhou’s expert acquaintance might teach him.
• Four Flying Feather Army officers arrived and asked Rong Tianding to sell them fodder and food for their hungry horses and themselves.
• Rong Tianding charged the officers exorbitant prices for pork pies and accepted their heavy sword, Law Artifact, sword, and robe as collateral.
• After the officers rode away, Rong Tianding realized they were pursuing Zhang Xuezhou and resolved to follow his cousin into the jianghu.

Zhang Xuezhou escaped his pursuers and rode through the Yan Lands to Suiyang City, hoping Sima Xiangru would shelter him while he waited out his limited vitality. He arrived safely, while Ning Cheng and the others fell far behind, and learned that Sima Xiangru was famous throughout the city for his qin playing.

• Zhang Xuezhou rested briefly after escaping, then decided to seek shelter with Sima Xiangru in Suiyang City before his seven days of vitality ran out.
• Ning Cheng and his three companions continued their pursuit, but their horses gave out and they stopped to sleep as Zhang Xuezhou widened the gap.
• Zhang Xuezhou rode through the night, crossed from the Yan Lands into the Liang Lands, and reached Suiyang City.
• The city guards inspected Zhang Xuezhou's travel credential and praised Suiyang City as a prosperous center for jewelry and trade.
• Zhang Xuezhou entered the city and asked where Sima Xiangru lived, discovering that many residents knew him for his unmatched qin playing.

Zhang Xuezhou went to Liang Garden in Suiyang to find Sima Xiangru and seek free lodging, but the guard directed him to interview at the Prince of Liang's Residence. After his ordinary skills failed to impress the interviewers, Zhang used a Technique to carve a flattering message into the marble, leaving them surprised by his control and audacity.

• Zhang Xuezhou reached Liang Garden and asked guard Lai Xiao'er to call Sima Xiangru, but Lai Xiao'er explained that Sima rarely came out and suggested submitting a letter of introduction at the Prince of Liang's Residence.
• Zhang Xuezhou entered the interview line as Dongfang Shuo, a manager of the Ping'an Merchant Company from Shu Commandery, and waited to be called.
• The interviewers showed little interest when Zhang claimed he could hold his breath, go three days without food or drink, and refine grain-avoidance powders and Origin-Nurturing Pills.
• Zhang announced that he could use a Technique and carved four characters into the marble with controlled strokes.
• The interviewers read the carved message, “I love the Prince of Liang,” and were impressed by Zhang's skill and audacity.

After winning admission to Liang Garden by demonstrating his shameless writing talent, Zhang Xuezhou settled into his new quarters and learned about the estate. He approached Sima Xiangru, who appeared not to recognize him.

• The interviewers debated whether Zhang Xuezhou's ability was enough to admit him, then accepted him as a Liang Garden guest.
• Zhang Xuezhou received the Liang Garden Token and returned to the garden, where Lai Xiao'er showed him to room two hundred and seventy-three.
• After resting, Zhang Xuezhou learned from Lai Xiao'er about Liang Garden's vast grounds and abundant medicinal herbs.
• Lai Xiao'er pointed out Sima Xiangru and his wife Wenjun as they came out, and the guests teased Sima Xiangru about having an admirer.
• Sima Xiangru greeted Zhang Xuezhou as though they had never met, and Zhang Xuezhou recalled that Dong Zhongshu had said Sima Xiangru was blind.

Zhang Xuezhou amused Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun, drawing the King of Liang’s attention and earning a summons to the palace. The ailing king brooded over his brother’s kindness and the succession, then questioned Zhang and had a sudden insight about the performative loyalty surrounding him.

• Zhang Xuezhou joked that he admired both Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun, and Zhuo Wenjun’s reply left Sima Xiangru speechless.
• The King of Liang saw the trace of Zhang’s Stone Transformation Technique and considered how its user could be useful.
• The King of Liang reflected on Emperor Jing’s assurances, his own failing health, and the possibility of taking the throne to extend his life.
• The King of Liang ordered his attendants to bring Zhang Xuezhou to him, hoping the guest retainer would entertain him and offer something novel.
• Zhang Xuezhou addressed the King of Liang as a sagacious ruler and questioned an attendant about loving him, prompting the king’s sons and officials to declare their loyalty.
• The King of Liang dismissed their declarations as insincere, said he would not drag them down when he died, and suddenly seemed to understand something.

The King of Liang reflected on how Emperor Jing’s promise of the throne had trapped him and left him near death, then traveled toward Fengxi Marsh with Zhang Xuezhou. Zhang’s jokes made him laugh at first, but their wordplay reminded him that Emperor Jing had misled him with ambiguous promises.

• The King of Liang concluded that Emperor Jing had promised him the throne but had instead kept Liu Che as crown prince, leaving the King’s plans and lifespan in ruins.
• The King of Liang ordered a journey to Fengxi Marsh and insisted that Zhang Xuezhou accompany him in a cloud sedan.
• The King of Liang asked Zhang Xuezhou to tell cheerful stories, and Zhang made him laugh with jokes about Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun.
• As they neared Fengxi Marsh, the King of Liang lost his smile and realized that Emperor Jing’s ambiguous words had led him to misunderstand the promise of succession.

Zhang Xuezhou accompanied the Prince of Liang to a tomb at Fengxi Marsh, where the prince used Scarlet Bird Flags to confront Emperor Jing over the life and throne he had been promised. The encounter ended with the prince’s attendants and soldiers dying as Yellow Springs water poured from their mouths.

• The Prince of Liang brought Zhang Xuezhou into a vast stone tomb carved to resemble his palace and sat in its main hall.
• The prince placed a ring on the stone seat, listened to Zhang Xuezhou’s story about Sima Xiangru, and became enraged as he imagined Emperor Jing calling him a fool.
• The prince arranged five Scarlet Bird Flags and began a ritual, while Zhang Xuezhou was prevented from leaving the hall.
• The prince and Emperor Jing argued through the formation about the emperor’s prolonged life, the prince’s promised succession, and whether either brother was driving the other to his death.
• The attendants who sent out their Yang Corporeal Souls fell dead, and Yellow Springs water poured from the soldiers’ mouths until their bodies withered and collapsed.

Zhang Xuezhou’s soul was pulled from his body while Emperor Jing, the King of Liang, and the King of Huainan fought through the five banners. As Emperor Jing and the King of Liang clashed in dragon forms, the King of Huainan began a hidden spell and an unfamiliar banner sounded behind Zhang Xuezhou.

• Zhang Xuezhou recited the Tomb Scripture while Emperor Jing, the King of Liang, and the King of Huainan argued over the Han Dynasty’s fortune and their lives.
• A strange fragrance grew stronger, and Zhang Xuezhou’s three souls and seven spirits left his body before he could use the Return to the Aperture Technique.
• Zhang Xuezhou saw Emperor Jing as a golden dragon, the King of Liang as a white dragon, and the King of Huainan as a flood dragon beneath a starry sky.
• The King of Huainan refused to choose a side, then slipped behind the golden dragon as Emperor Jing and the King of Liang exchanged accusations and attacks.
• As the two dragons grappled, the King of Huainan muttered that he had been forced to act and began reciting a spell.
• Zhang Xuezhou heard an unfamiliar banner fluttering alongside the crackling of the five great banners.

Zhang Xuezhou was trapped in a strange mental confrontation as Emperor Jing, the King of Liang, and the King of Huainan fought in dragon forms. The King of Huainan turned against both sides and began absorbing Emperor Jing’s power, leaving the King of Liang alarmed that he might become a new emperor.

• Zhang Xuezhou found himself unable to use his strength while Emperor Jing and the King of Liang battled through the Water of the Yellow Springs and nameless fire.
• The King of Huainan restrained Emperor Jing so the King of Liang could attack, then released him and seized the King of Liang’s tail instead.
• Zhang Xuezhou’s formless presence took the shape of a large fish, and he stayed out of the fight.
• The King of Huainan switched sides again, claiming Emperor Jing would drain him to death, while Emperor Jing accused the King of Liang of planning to do the same.
• Emperor Jing used flames to drain the King of Huainan’s life and fortune, but the King of Liang and the King of Huainan joined forces against him.
• The King of Huainan swallowed Emperor Jing’s golden power and began developing golden markings, a fifth claw, and longer horns, making the King of Liang fear he was becoming Emperor Jing’s replacement.

The King of Huainan turned from devouring Emperor Jing to attacking the King of Liang, whose white-dragon form carried a dangerous power tied to Fengxi Marsh. As Emperor Jing recited the Tomb Scripture, Zhang Xuezhou followed a different version and sensed a sword, drawing Emperor Jing's attention.

• Emperor Jing tried to turn the King of Huainan against the King of Liang, but the King of Huainan kept devouring him until Emperor Jing's threat diminished.
• The King of Huainan and the King of Liang discussed Emperor Jing's proposal to keep him alive as provisions, then the King of Huainan charged at the King of Liang.
• The King of Liang revealed that his white-dragon form drew power from a tomb he had built in Fengxi Marsh, and the King of Huainan struggled against its corrupting flesh and Yellow Springs water.
• Emperor Jing began reciting the Tomb Scripture, and Zhang Xuezhou joined in, correcting his recitation to match Emperor Jing's version.
• Zhang Xuezhou sensed a sword as his fish body grew more substantial, and Emperor Jing noticed his presence amid the struggle.

Emperor Jing’s Tomb Scripture wish summoned Crimson Firmament and killed the King of Liang’s fortune body, leaving Zhang Xuezhou trapped with the defeated king in the tomb hall. The King of Liang admitted the formation could not be opened from within and offered Zhang Xuezhou the empress’s tomb as he crawled toward his coffin.

• Emperor Jing and Zhang Xuezhou chanted the Tomb Scripture, and Emperor Jing’s wish called down a red sword that burned the King of Liang’s white dragon head to nothing.
• Zhang Xuezhou returned to his body in the tomb hall, where the wounded King of Liang accused him of using the wish to kill his fortune body.
• Zhang Xuezhou threatened the King of Liang with a stone bowl and struck him with it and a stone cup when he refused to release him.
• The King of Liang explained that his grand formation could not be broken from inside and offered Zhang Xuezhou the empress’s tomb.
• The King of Liang crawled toward a coffin behind the imperial throne, asking to die with dignity.

Trapped in the King of Liang’s tomb, Zhang Xuezhou learned how its formation and deadly Yellow Springs Water worked, then used a Ring of Method Control to survive the hazards. After the King of Liang died, Zhang searched for a way out and turned to the Fuxi Physiognomy School inheritance jade to learn the Acupoint-Fixing Technique.

• Zhang Xuezhou questioned the King of Liang about the Mountains and Rivers Ever-Secure formation and learned that its weakness lay in the earth veins, which could be located by formation experts or intercepted through physiognomy.
• The King of Liang explained that the Yellow Springs Water could erode souls and melt flesh, then revealed a Ring of Method Control that would let Zhang sense the formation and avoid the river.
• The King of Liang directed Zhang to the ring and a prepared coffin, then died while warning that the Fuxi Physiognomy School could break the formation and fix its acupoints.
• Zhang put on the Ring of Method Control, saw the Yellow Springs Water, and watched it move aside when he held out the ring.
• Zhang explored the tomb, avoided its traps and poison, and confirmed that its seamless walls left him no exit; his attempt to reverse the Stone Transformation Technique failed.
• Zhang took out the Fuxi Physiognomy School inheritance jade and used the Deer-Slaying Blade to activate the points of light recorded within it.

Ning Cheng and three companions pursued Zhang Xuezhou beyond Suiyang City, using Ning Cheng’s tracking mark to follow him. They reached a mountain where Ning Cheng suspected a dangerous tomb had been built, then located Zhang Xuezhou hiding underground beneath a tree.

• Ning Cheng and his companions waited outside Suiyang City because their official duties gave them no authority to enter, then set out after Ning Cheng sensed Zhang Xuezhou had left the city.
• Ning Cheng explained how Zhang Xuezhou could evade his tracking mark, but continued following the mark with the other three men.
• The four traveled 180 li to a mountain, where Ning Cheng noticed signs of recent construction and grew wary that the King of Liang might have built a tomb there.
• After failing to find Zhang Xuezhou on the mountain, the officer surnamed Lu urged Ning Cheng to track him again.
• Ning Cheng used his Technique to locate Zhang Xuezhou beneath a large tree and said they could dig him out.