Zhan Zhao Adventures resumo, enredo, sinopse

Sinopse de Zhan Zhao Adventures

Huo Linglong, the eldest daughter of Linglong Manor, runs away from home to escape an arranged marriage. At a mountain inn, she encounters a mysterious man in black who, though gravely injured, possesses extraordinary skills. The man in black, hunted by both righteous and villainous factions, repeatedly comes to her aid, piquing her curiosity. She later discovers that he is none other than the Southern Hero, Zhan Zhao, who is being pursued by various forces for obtaining incriminating evidence against Prince Xiangyang.

After defeating several formidable enemies, Zhan Zhao realizes his poison-induced injuries are beyond cure. He entrusts the evidence to Huo Linglong, buying her time to escape by holding off their pursuers, only to fall into an ambush himself. His enemies threaten the lives of innocent villagers, forcing Zhan Zhao to surrender and be captured. Meanwhile, Huo Linglong is caught by Shao Jizu, her fiancé and one of Prince Xiangyang’s subordinates, who demands the evidence she holds. Guided by a white-clad young swordsman, Huo Linglong defeats Shao Jizu. The young swordsman is revealed to be none other than the renowned "Golden-Furred Rat," Bai Yutang.

Together, Huo Linglong and Bai Yutang rescue Zhan Zhao. With their combined efforts, the trio pursues clues, upholds justice, apprehends criminals, and dismantles Prince Xiangyang’s vast web of influence, which spans both the court and the martial world. In the end, they thwart Prince Xiangyang’s conspiracy, restoring peace and security to the people.

Resumos de Zhan Zhao Adventures

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A heavy rain traps travelers at the Shanbei Inn, where the atmosphere is thick with tension. Among the patrons are the mysterious Zhan Rifei, who watches from the second floor with his hat pulled low, and Huo Linglong, who is disguised as a young man. The focus of the room is Ge Yunfei, the Third Chief of Shengyun Stronghold, who is anxious to move a secret treasure despite the storm.

The silence is broken when assassins from the Tang Sect’s Wuning Hall arrive to seize the package. A violent struggle ensues, leaving the Shengyun men dead. As Ge Yunfei lies dying, he attempts to kill a mute boy traveling with them, but Huo Linglong intervenes to save the child. Though the assassins flee with the package, Huo Linglong realizes the boy is not actually part of Shengyun Stronghold and bears scars from previous abuse.

The Tang assassins soon return, suspecting the boy is the real carrier of the treasure. Huo Linglong mocks their lack of observation, noting the boy's thin clothes could hide nothing. The situation escalates when the Shengyun Stronghold’s First and Second Chiefs, Jiao Chaogui and Mu Xiuquan, arrive to find their brother dead. In the resulting chaos, the boy signals a yellow dog to bite one of the assassins.

Huo Linglong eventually reveals her connection to Linglong Manor, causing the Tang Sect members to retreat out of caution. Tensions remain high as Huo Linglong refuses to hand the boy over to the untrustworthy Shengyun leaders. When Jiao Chaogui attacks, a broken spear suddenly flies from the shadows, striking Mu Xiuquan dead. The fatal blow is a display of incredible redirection by Zhan Rifei, who used Jiao’s own sword to deflect the spear.

Terrified by the hidden master's skill, Jiao flees into the rain. Shortly after, the mute boy slips away from the inn, only to be captured by a military envoy named Feng Shao. Commandant Shao Jizu soon arrives at the inn to investigate the carnage.

He identifies the Tang Sect’s poison but is most intrigued by Mu Xiuquan’s death, noting the killer used "redirected force" to either hide their martial arts style or compensate for being too weak to use a direct strike. Shao Jizu orders a lockdown of all routes leaving Xiangzhou. During the search, Huo Linglong and Zhan Rifei are forced to hide together in the inn's cellar.

While hidden, they overhear the guards discussing Shao Jizu’s arranged marriage to the eldest daughter of Linglong Manor—Huo Linglong herself. She is visibly annoyed by the mention of this unwanted engagement. After the authorities depart, Huo Linglong—using the alias Huo Xiaodi—confronts Zhan Rifei. He reveals he recognized her "A Fleeting Glimpse" lightness technique and her divine weapon, the Yin Yang An, which is forged from Ink Fire to counter cold-based arts.

In return, she identifies his weapon as the Yanling Sword, a heavy blade forged by the legendary Zhang Yajiu. Though Zhan Rifei tries to leave to avoid involving her in his troubles, Huo Linglong convinces him to help her rescue the boy. The pair tracks the guards to a pavilion, only to find that the boy has been intercepted by the Sun and Moon Envoys of Hanshui Palace.

The envoys are threatening the child with "Bone-Piercing" poison to extract a secret. Zhan Rifei asks Huo Linglong to lure away a persistent tracker named Yan Ziqing while he confronts the envoys. Zhan Rifei engages in a brutal fight against the Moon Envoy, who wields the "Love Longing" chain, and the Sun Envoy, who carries the "Piercing Sun" saber. Despite being heavily injured, Zhan Rifei holds his ground against the Sun Envoy’s "Dragon-Slaying Coil." Exhausted, both sides eventually break off the fight, leaving the conflict over the boy's secret unresolved.

After successfully distracting Yan Ziqing, Huo Linglong reunited with the heavily wounded Zhan Rifei and the mute boy. To evade the government troops and various sects searching the mountain, the trio sought refuge in a dilapidated Yaksha temple. Inside, Huo Linglong applied her manor's secret "Linglong Honey" to Zhan Rifei’s wounds, curious about his conflict with the Yunying Sect. Zhan Rifei noticed the "Yin Yang An" sword Huo Linglong carried—a treasure that rarely leaves her family’s ancestral hall.

Realizing her identity was likely compromised, Huo Linglong lied, claiming she was a servant who had ruined the wedding between the manor’s young mistress and the hypocritical Shao Jizu. She offered to introduce Zhan Rifei to an influential protector in the capital: Zhao Zhuoqing, the Prince of Nanqing. When Zhan Rifei spoke familiarly of the Prince and the mischievous child Ming Zhu’er, Huo Linglong correctly guessed that he was a government official.

Meanwhile, Yan Ziqing and the Xiuluo Cult Master, Mo Dao, tracked the group to the site of a previous skirmish. They identified marks from Hanshui Palace’s techniques and realized Zhan Rifei had survived a fight with them despite being poisoned. Assuming Zhan Rifei would eventually need to leave the region via the river, they decided to stop searching the woods and instead set an ambush at the ferry docks.

Back in the temple, Zhan Rifei revealed a grim secret: the mute boy was actually "Chang Hong Bi," a living treasure of Hanshui Palace. He explained that the child was not a piece of jade, but a human vessel raised on "Azure Tri-Life Water." The scars on the boy's arms were from people drawing his blood, which was rumored to cure any poison.

Zhan Rifei warned her that the boy might be more calculating than he appeared, suspecting he had used mind control to manipulate a dog during the earlier fight at the inn. Suddenly, Zhan Rifei’s poison flared up. While tending to him, Huo Linglong discovered he had been struck by the "Old Souls at First Glance" poison and noticed the mark of the "Great Compassion Palm" on his back.

Knowing the Shangqing Sect only used that technique against irredeemable villains, she grew suspicious. Fearing he intended to consume the boy's blood to save himself, she took the child and abandoned Zhan Rifei in anger. As Zhan Rifei lay in agony, he drifted into a memory of his investigation into the death of his sworn brother, Constable Liu Hongyi.

In Yicheng County, he had discovered evidence hidden inside a sword hilt but was ambushed by the "Black Fox" Zhi Hua and the Xiuluo Cult. Despite being struck by the palm technique and the deadly poison, he managed to escape with the evidence after the dying Liu urged him to deliver it to the capital. In the present, the effects of the boy's medication began to fade, and his voice returned.

He clarified to Huo Linglong that he wasn't "Chang Hong Bi" and that Zhan Rifei was a true savior who had never tried to harm him. Realizing she had made a terrible mistake, Huo Linglong hurried back to the temple with the boy. They arrived to find Jiao Chaogui and the disciples of Shengyun Stronghold surrounding the temple.

Jiao, desperate for the boy's blood to counter the Tang Sect's poisons, revealed he knew the secret of Huo’s sword: it contained magnets, making it ineffective against his bronze weapons. He deployed a specialized sword formation designed specifically to defeat the Huo family's style. Just as Huo Linglong began to struggle, Zhan Rifei used his remaining strength to throw a spear from a statue to her, guiding her to break the formation. With the sword array shattered, Jiao was forced to retreat. Huo Linglong compelled the defeated disciples to provide two horses, allowing the group to continue their journey toward the capital.

After resolving their misunderstandings from the conflict with Jiao Chaogui, Huo Linglong and Zhan Rifei agree to travel together to the capital. Rifei admits he initially wanted to travel alone to avoid endangering them with his numerous enemies, but Linglong insists they face their foes as partners. During their trek, Rifei explains the history of the Three Famous Manors—Golden Bawang, Silver Shengyun, and Jade Linglong.

He reveals that Bawang Manor was destroyed a decade ago after an ill-fated challenge to the Linyuan Sect, and Shengyun Stronghold has since been obsessed with creating techniques to dismantle Linglong Manor's martial arts to become the world's premier estate. Their journey is interrupted at a ferry crossing by the sudden appearance of Granny Hanshui, the master of Hanshui Palace. Linglong is quickly overpowered while trying to protect the boy, Chang Hongbi.

Zhan Rifei intervenes, blocking the Granny’s staff with a spear in a display of speed that shocks her, but the exertion reveals his dire state: he is severely injured and plagued by deep-seated poison. Chang Hongbi attempts to heal Rifei with his blood, only to realize its medicinal properties have faded. Rifei reassures him that losing these properties is the only way for the boy to finally live as a real human being, free from being a living treasure.

To save Rifei and Linglong from being killed by the Moon Envoy, Chang Hongbi threatens to take his own life. He reveals he fled the palace during Granny’s seclusion because the fortune-teller Su Yizhou predicted he would not live past fifteen, and he wanted to see the world. Despite the cruelty he found outside, he found genuine kindness in Linglong and Rifei.

Chang Hongbi strikes a deal with Granny Hanshui, noting that she needs him to practice her Luotian Great Art—a process that happens every four years—and she cannot afford to wait decades for another chance if he dies now. Granny agrees to spare the others. Before leaving, the boy, having realized Linglong is a woman in disguise, asks her for the name "Huo Xiaodi" as a gift, promising they will meet again.

As Zhan Rifei recovers, he reveals to Linglong that the real Su Yizhou died three years ago. The famous fortune-teller had been driven to madness after his prophecy about Bawang Manor led to their annihilation and the subsequent death of his wife. Rifei deduces that the "Su Yizhou" who entered Hanshui Palace was an impostor with legendary disguise skills—the Black Fox, Zhi Hua.

He believes Zhi Hua’s goal was to strip the palace of its treasure and that more trouble is looming for Hanshui Palace. The pair continues north toward Xiqiao Ferry but is pursued by government troops. While hiding in a warehouse, Linglong discovers a wanted poster of Rifei and questions his true identity.

Rifei admits he has been hunted by both the underworld and the authorities ever since entering Xiangzhou, as his enemies are powerful enough to mobilize military commander Shao Jizu. Feeling his strength failing, he entrusts Linglong with a vital letter from his late friend, the constable Liu Hongyi. He urges her to take it to Prince Zhao in the capital, as it contains evidence of a conspiracy affecting all of Xiangzhou.

To ensure her safety, he seals her pressure points and hides her away, choosing to face the incoming soldiers alone. The leader of the pursuing forces is Zhong Xiong, the "Flying Trident Guardian," who recognizes the man not as Zhan Rifei, but as the Southern Knight, Zhan Zhao. Zhong Xiong respects Zhan Zhao’s reputation and offers him mercy in exchange for the letter.

Zhan Zhao scorns the offer, questioning why a man of Zhong Xiong’s standing would do "dirty work" for a mysterious benefactor. Despite his injuries, Zhan Zhao engages in a fierce duel and uses the "Heavenward Crane Strike," a peerless technique from the Ding family, to lock Zhong Xiong’s heart pulse. Defeated, Zhong Xiong agrees to let Zhan Zhao take him hostage to reach the ferry.

At the ferry, the situation turns dire as the Xiuluo Cult, led by Yan Ziqing, holds innocent civilians hostage to force Zhan Zhao’s surrender. The cultists use poisoned arrows to threaten the villagers, a tactic that outrages Zhan Zhao. Even Zhong Xiong, moved by martial honor, declares that his men will not interfere with Zhan Zhao's attempt to save the captives. Despite being at death’s door, Zhan Zhao prepares to fight the cultists alone to protect the innocent lives hanging in the balance.

At the Xiqiao Ferry, Zhan Zhao stood his ground on the deck, using a flagpole as a makeshift weapon. Despite being poisoned and surrounded, he displayed the formidable skill of the Southern Knight, sweeping several assailants into the water. Watching from the sidelines, Mo Dao of the Xiuluo Cult furiously questioned why Zhong Xiong and the Iron Blood Guards were not intervening. Zhong Xiong, however, revealed that Zhan Zhao’s earlier "Heavenward Crane Strike" had sealed his acupoints, leaving him paralyzed.

He further asserted that his guards followed a strict code against killing innocents and would not break it for the cult’s sake. During the skirmish, Zhan Zhao fought to protect a boatman’s family while facing the combined pressure of Mo Dao and Yan Ziqing. When Zhan Zhao intercepted a hidden arrow and hurled it back, Mo Dao ruthlessly pulled his own ally, Yan Ziqing, in front of him to serve as a human shield.

Zhan Zhao was revolted by this treachery, but Mo Dao merely mocked the Yunying Sect as useless, declaring that Yan Ziqing had finally served a purpose by dying in his stead. Mo Dao then seized the boatman’s eldest son, threatening to kill the boy unless Zhan Zhao surrendered. Zhan Zhao delivered a decisive strike to Mo Dao’s shoulder but, bound by his respect for the law, he stayed his hand rather than delivering a fatal blow.

Mo Dao mocked him as a cowardly official, but the dying Yan Ziqing found the strength to launch one last flying dagger, striking Mo Dao in the throat and reclaiming his sect's honor before succumbing to his wounds. Exhausted and with the poison in his system flaring up, Zhan Zhao collapsed and was taken into custody by Zhong Xiong.

Unbeknownst to his captors, Zhan Zhao had already instructed his companion, Huo Linglong, to take a separate route toward Yincheng Town to seek help from his friend, Commander Meng Kui. When Shao Jizu arrived to inspect the prisoner, he realized Zhan Zhao’s companion was a young fighter using black maces—his runaway fiancée, Huo Linglong. Enraged, Shao Jizu nearly killed the unconscious Zhan Zhao, but Zhong Xiong stopped him, reminding him that their master wanted the knight alive.

Shao Jizu eventually tracked Huo Linglong to a roadside inn near the ferry. He attempted to mask his intentions with a facade of affection, offering to postpone their wedding if she returned home. Huo Linglong saw through the lie, accusing him of hunting Zhan Zhao for personal gain and wanting to marry her only to secure her family’s treasure, the Linglong Eye. As the confrontation turned violent, Huo Linglong found herself outmatched by Shao Jizu’s strength.

Just as she was losing ground, a young man in white named Bai Yutang intervened. Pretending to be Ding Zhao Hui, he casually ate plums while mocking Shao Jizu for struggling against a woman. He urged Huo Linglong to overcome her fear, reminding her that a weapon is meant for killing and that she possessed a peerless divine mace, the Yin Yang An.

With his guidance, she regained her confidence, and Bai Yutang eventually used a variant of the Heavenward Crane Strike to disable Shao Jizu. He took the commander hostage and left a note demanding a prisoner exchange at Luosi Cave at dawn. The strategist Zhi Hua arrived at the guards' camp with a stern warning: if the evidence Zhan Zhao carried reached the capital, it would ruin their master’s operations and lead to all their deaths.

Under Zhi Hua’s direction, the group attempted to facilitate the exchange, with Zhi Hua even disguising himself as Zhan Zhao to lure the kidnappers out. However, they soon realized they had fallen for a diversion. While the guards were distracted at the riverbank, Bai Yutang and Huo Linglong infiltrated the camp and rescued the real Zhan Zhao. As they fled in a carriage, Bai Yutang examined the knight's worsening condition.

Noticing Huo Linglong’s intense concern, he used acupuncture to stabilize Zhan Zhao’s meridians. He noted that the poison, "Old Souls at First Glance," was already rotting the knight's internal organs. Although Huo Linglong provided her family’s "Linglong Honey" to ease his pain, Bai Yutang warned that the treatment would only buy them a few days to find a permanent cure.

Huo Linglong administered a dose of Linglong Honey to Zhan Zhao, hoping to ease his suffering even if it could not save his life. The poison, known as "Old Souls at First Glance," had already seeped into his marrow. Bai Yutang, still disguised as Ding Zhao Hui, stepped in to tighten the "Iron Shackles" acupoint technique on Zhan Zhao, successfully buying him two more days.

He admitted that while he could not cure the poison himself, he knew of a legendary medical family in Tanxi Town—the Jin family—who could. Bai Yutang urged Linglong to head for the capital immediately, noting that the item she carried was far too dangerous to keep on the road any longer. He convinced her to split up: she would deliver the evidence to the capital while he took charge of the dying Zhan Zhao.

Meanwhile, Shao Jizu’s men scoured local clinics but found nothing. To mislead the pursuers, Bai Yutang traded their horse carriage for a donkey cart with a local couple, instructing them to tell anyone searching that a man in white and a boy in blue had fled into the mountains to escape enemies. In Tanxi Town, Bai Yutang approached the two young sons of the physician Jin Zhenping.

He lured them in by offering to fix their broken kite and then kidnapped them to leverage the physician. Back at the Jin estate, the butler Xu An rushed to tell Jin Zhenping that his sons were gone. The kidnapper left a message: if the master refused to help a certain patient, he would never see his children again.

Just then, the donkey cart arrived at the gate carrying Zhan Zhao, surrounded by a massive pool of what appeared to be blood. Jin Zhenping rushed out to inspect the body, quickly realizing the "blood" on the ground was actually chicken blood. However, Zhan Zhao’s condition was real and dire; he had also been struck by the "Great Compassion Palm."

Jin Zhenping initially declared the man beyond saving, but the surrounding townspeople began to jeer, accusing the famous physician of being heartless and fearing for his reputation. Under the weight of public pressure and the threat to his sons, Jin Zhenping was forced to have Zhan Zhao carried into the estate. Bai Yutang sent another message through the butler, mocking Jin Zhenping's mediocre skills and demanding he use the secret Jin family medicine, the "Lament Pill" (Naihe Yin).

Inside, Jin Zhenping recognized the patient as Zhan Zhao of the Kaifeng Prefecture. Fearing the political trouble surrounding the man, he was reluctant to help. However, Madam Zhang, the widow of his fourth uncle, reminded him of their duty as healers and the immediate danger to the kidnapped children. The mention of the Lament Pill triggered a painful memory.

Fifteen years earlier, a boy in white had knelt before the Jin family for days begging for the medicine, only to be heartlessly driven away. Since the formula for the Lament Pill had long since been destroyed, only one pill remained. Using it on an outsider would surely invite punishment from the clan elders, but Madam Zhang stepped forward, offering to take full responsibility.

Together, they administered the pill and used the "Heavenly Root Moon Cave" needle technique to purge the toxins. Zhan Zhao was eventually stabilized and sent out of town in a carriage as instructed. True to his word, Bai Yutang released the children. The boys returned home unharmed, happily telling their father about the "uncle in white" who had played "Herb Duel" with them. Hearing this, Jin Zhenping was certain the man was the boy from fifteen years ago.

When Zhan Zhao regained consciousness in the carriage, Bai Yutang revealed he knew Huo Linglong was a woman. Their conversation was cut short by an ambush from Tang Sect assassins. Despite his own injuries, Bai Yutang borrowed Zhan Zhao’s sword and used his formidable martial arts to drive the attackers away. He assured a worried Zhan Zhao that Linglong was safe, as his diversions had successfully misled the pursuers.

As they continued their journey, Bai Yutang repeatedly tested Zhan Zhao to see if he recognized his true identity, even introducing himself as "Jin Maoshu." Zhan Zhao remained elusive, even when Bai Yutang teased him about his "Imperial Cat" title and suggested that he only joined the court for fame and fortune. Zhan Zhao countered that he served the court to fulfill the trust of a late friend and to protect a vital item that could destabilize the empire.

During a stop, Shao Jizu met secretly with the mysterious Si Ming to report his failure. Si Ming presented him with a masterfully forged sword and medicine for his wounds, explaining that the item Linglong carried was only useful as long as Zhan Zhao was alive to testify; without the man, the evidence was "dead." They agreed to prepare a backup plan to deal with the shifting situation.

Later, Zhan Zhao’s servant, Ming Zhu’er, found them after being directed by Bai Yutang. He reported that Linglong had safely reached the capital with the Prince. He then informed Zhan Zhao of a new crisis: the "Jinmao Rat" (Golden-Haired Rat) had recently caused an uproar at Kaifeng Prefecture. Because he couldn't find Zhan Zhao, the thief had stolen Lord Bao’s official seal and left a note demanding a duel.

Zhan Zhao, realizing he could no longer ignore the situation, admitted he had known his companion's identity all along. With the official seal at stake, he decided they must head immediately to Xiankong Island.

Zhan Zhao and his servant, Ming Zhu Er, traveled by boat toward Songjiang Prefecture, intending to visit the Ding family before heading to Xiankong Island to find Bai Yu Tang. During the journey, the boatman warned them that the island was under a strict lockdown and spoke poorly of Bai Yu Tang's temperament. Meanwhile, Ming Zhu Er mentioned rumors of Zhan Zhao being the Ding family's son-in-law.

Zhan Zhao dismissed this gossip, explaining that his mastery of the Heavenward Crane Strike was a gift from the late Elder Ding to the Zhan family out of gratitude, not a marital arrangement. Upon arriving in Songjiang, they encountered Ding Zhao Hui. After learning that Bai Yu Tang had stolen the official seal to provoke a duel, Zhao Hui defended his friend’s character.

He debunked the rumors of Bai Yu Tang's cruelty, explaining that the "Jinmao Rat" had actually saved a young woman from a notorious criminal named Hua Chong. However, the girl's family had remained silent to protect her reputation, allowing the truth to be distorted into a story of Bai Yu Tang's violence. Zhan Zhao later visited the Ding estate, where he was greeted by a man appearing to be the eldest twin, Ding Zhao Lan. "

Zhao Lan" claimed their sister, Yue Hua, was too ill for visitors and invited Zhan Zhao to stay. Zhan Zhao noticed contradictions in the man’s story regarding Yue Hua’s health. That night, after Ming Zhu Er spotted a servant carrying funeral supplies, Zhan Zhao investigated a cellar and discovered the body of Yue Hua’s maid, Xiao Yun, in an ice coffin. Although the wound on her wrist suggested suicide, Zhan Zhao suspected she had been murdered.

Zhan Zhao confronted the man, correctly identifying him as Zhao Hui in disguise. Zhao Hui confessed that the real Zhao Lan had been in a coma for a year. He revealed that their father had been murdered by someone wielding the Zhanlu Sword, and his body was returned by Jing Yi Ming, the leader of the Shangqing Sect. Shortly after the funeral, Xiao Yun accused Jing Yi Ming of violating her but later recanted and died under suspicious circumstances.

When Yue Hua attempted to seek revenge, she was accused of injuring Zhao Lan during a confrontation and subsequently fled the estate. Examining the facts, Zhan Zhao concluded that Xiao Yun was indeed murdered and that Zhao Lan’s coma was the result of his meridians being shattered by someone who knew how to break the Heavenward Crane Strike.

Zhan Zhao suspected Jing Yi Ming was the true culprit, noting that the outlaw Zhi Hua had recently been seen using the Shangqing Sect’s exclusive Great Compassion Palm. Zhao Hui admitted he had been impersonating his brother to maintain the family's strength and hide their vulnerability from those who coveted the Zhanlu Sword. The following morning, Zhan Zhao and Zhao Hui traveled to Xiankong Island, only to find the area in a state of carnage.

They were met by Lu Fang and Han Zhang, who appeared terrified and urged them to leave immediately. Suddenly, Bai Yu Tang appeared and rang a mysterious bell, which caused Lu Fang and Han Zhang to lose their senses. Their faces overcome by dark markings, the two men mindlessly attacked Zhan Zhao and Zhao Hui. During the struggle, Zhan Zhao and Zhao Hui fell into a hidden pit, realizing too late that they had landed directly on a lethal fire mine.

At a treacherous pit on Xiankong Island, an imposter appearing to be Bai Yutang mocked the trapped Zhan Zhao and Ding Zhaohui. He taunted the "Imperial Cat" for falling into a simple trap and prepared to detonate fire mines beneath them. However, the real Bai Yutang soon appeared, squatting at the pit’s edge. He teased Zhan Zhao for his predicament but provided the key to survival, instructing him to pull a specific fuse to disable the mines.

Trusting his instincts, Zhan Zhao followed the advice and successfully neutralized the threat. The real Bai Yutang revealed that the imposter was actually Zhi Hua, who had infiltrated the island days earlier. Zhi Hua had poisoned the island’s leaders, Lu Fang and Han Zhang, with a toxin causing madness and hallucinations. He had also brought killers from the Tang Sect, disguised as household servants, to slaughter the residents.

While Jiang Ping and Xu Qing had managed to move the women and children to the mountains, Bai Yutang remained concerned that the enemies would soon find their hiding place in the Luosi Pavilion. Urgency dictated their next moves as the group split up. Zhan Zhao headed for the docks, where he encountered Bai Yutang and Zhi Hua locked in a struggle.

Zhi Hua used the antidote for the poisoned brothers as leverage, ordering Bai Yutang to kill Zhan Zhao in exchange for the medicine. In a clever ruse, Bai Yutang and Jiang Ping feigned a fierce duel with Zhan Zhao to deceive the villain. During the staged chaos, they coordinated their movements to catch Zhi Hua off guard, successfully capturing him and securing the antidote.

Once the poison was neutralized and Lu Fang regained his senses, he apologized for the trouble caused by his younger brother. Zhan Zhao explained that the "Imperial Cat" title was merely a royal jest and promised to speak on Bai Yutang's behalf to Lord Bao if the official seal was returned. Bai Yutang personally interrogated Zhi Hua, but the captive remained defiant, claiming his master did not even fear the Emperor.

Realizing Zhi Hua would not talk, Zhan Zhao decided the prisoner must be escorted back to the capital for a formal trial. That night, Zhan Zhao sought out Bai Yutang to express his respect. He acknowledged that despite being frantic about his brothers' safety, Bai Yutang had stayed by Zhan Zhao's side until dawn to ensure he was safe from pursuers.

Bai Yutang had refused to be blackmailed into luring Zhan Zhao into a trap, choosing instead to face the danger alone. Moved by their growing friendship, Bai Yutang agreed to accompany Zhan Zhao to the capital to face Lord Bao. He confessed that his "theft" of the official seal had mostly been a provocation to force Zhan Zhao into a duel. The following morning, the group set out with the prisoner.

During the journey, Ming Zhu'er was surprised to discover that the legendary "Jinmao Rat" was actually terrified of water. Bai Yutang’s visible discomfort on the boat led them to switch to a land route. While resting in the woods, Bai Yutang tried to convince Zhan Zhao to act as a mediator between him and Huo Linglong.

He admitted to "borrowing" a medicinal formula from her to study and wanted Zhan Zhao to smooth things over, but Zhan Zhao firmly refused to help him out of that particular mess. As they drew closer to the capital, the atmosphere grew tense. Zhan Zhao overheard children singing a cryptic rhyme about a brother’s death and a throne changed by the sound of an axe—a clear reference to the rumors surrounding the imperial succession.

Fearing a political storm, he urged the group to hurry. Meanwhile, in the city, Prince Hui (Zhao Zhuoqing) was indulging in fantasies that Huo Linglong returned his romantic feelings. However, Huo Linglong was only focused on Zhan Zhao's safety. The Prince informed her that the rumors in the capital were tied to the letter Zhan Zhao was carrying, and a warrant had been issued for the guard's arrest. Distraught, Huo Linglong rushed out to intercept Zhan Zhao.

She managed to find him at the city gates, where Cheng Hao of the Dali Court had already laid a trap with a large contingent of soldiers. Cheng Hao insisted on taking Zhan Zhao into custody, and the situation nearly turned violent when Bai Yutang and the others tried to intervene.

Prince Hui arrived just in time to defuse the conflict, claiming he was there to welcome his "friend" Bai Yutang and taking him back to his mansion to discuss a strategy, while Zhan Zhao was led away in heavy stocks. Zhan Zhao was brought before the court to face interrogation. He stood tall despite the chains, revealing the true nature of his mission.

The evidence he carried was a collection of letters between Western Xia and the Song Empire, sent by a person claiming to be a descendant of a close servant to the late Emperor Taizu. These documents directly challenged the legitimacy of the current imperial line, claiming that Emperor Taizong had not ascended through the "Covenant in the Golden Chamber" but had instead usurped the throne. Zhan Zhao confirmed he was fully aware that the sender claimed to possess undeniable proof of this royal betrayal.

Inside the Dali Court, Chief Justice Cheng Hao interrogated Zhan Zhao regarding the explosive secret letter he had been escorting. Zhan Zhao confirmed the letter claimed that Emperor Taizong had usurped the throne from Emperor Taizu rather than inheriting it through the legitimate "Pact of the Golden Slender." Cheng Hao used the fact that Zhan Zhao had visited a friend during his journey to suggest the timing coincided perfectly with the spread of destabilizing rumors, framing him as the source.

Zhan Zhao countered that the recipient of the letter had a far greater motive to spread the rumors, but Cheng Hao dismissed this, revealing that the court had only identified a middleman who was now dead. The investigation escalated when the body of a border market official was brought into the court.

Cheng Hao presented a report from the Yicheng magistrate, claiming that Zhan Zhao had broken into the local court, murdered both the official and a constable named Liu Hong Yi, and stolen evidence of treasonous collusion with Western Xia. Zhan Zhao admitted to being at the scene but insisted he was innocent; he explained that Liu Hong Yi was the one who discovered the official’s treason and was murdered to ensure his silence.

With Liu Hong Yi dead, Zhan Zhao had no witnesses, and Cheng Hao used the testimony of local guards—who claimed to have seen a "man in white"—to identify him as the killer. Zhan Zhao realized Cheng Hao was distorting the facts to settle a personal grudge. In recent years, Lord Bao had retried and overturned many of the Dali Court's failed cases, leading Zhan Zhao to denounce Cheng Hao as a corrupt official more interested in political maneuvering than justice.

Infuriated, Cheng Hao ordered Zhan Zhao to be tortured. He had secretly modified the torture sticks with hidden nails, but even under such agony, Zhan Zhao remained defiant. He eventually seized one of the spiked sticks and hurled it with such force that it shattered the "Impartial and Incorruptible" plaque hanging above the bench before he was hauled away to the death cells. Meanwhile, Zhao Zhuo Qing, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong gathered at the Prince’s manor.

They decided to split up: Bai Yutang and Ming Zhu'er returned to the Kaifeng Court to consult with Lord Bao, while Huo Linglong and Zhao Zhuo Qing stayed behind to gather intelligence. At the same time, the conspirators were moving their pieces. Si Ming informed Shao Jizu that their master was pleased with the rumors, noting that publicizing the letter was part of a larger plan.

To finish off Zhan Zhao, they dispatched the "Five Venoms" of the Xiuluo Cult to the prison. Si Ming noted that if Zhan Zhao’s friends attempted a rescue, it would serve as proof of his collusion with the underworld, justifying an immediate execution. Huo Linglong managed to sneak into the prison first but was quickly surrounded by the Five Venoms.

Simultaneously, Bai Yutang and Zhao Zhuo Qing took a massive risk by night-breaking into the Imperial Palace to petition the Emperor for an imperial gold token. Inside the prison, Zhan Zhao managed to break his shackles and fought alongside Linglong to hold off the assassins. Just as they fought their way out of the cells, they were met by Cheng Hao and a company of armed guards. However, Bai Yutang arrived at the critical moment, brandishing the imperial token.

Recognizing the Emperor's authority, Cheng Hao was forced to stand down. The group later found shelter from the rain at a roadside tea stall, where Huo Linglong finally learned that "Brother Ding" was actually the famous Bai Yutang. Zhao Zhuo Qing arrived to deliver a message from the Emperor, explaining that the trial at Dali Court was a result of political pressure from Lord Bao’s rivals.

The Emperor, who never doubted Zhan Zhao’s loyalty, suspected that a high-ranking official was secretly leaking information to Western Xia. Zhan Zhao combined this with the involvement of the Flying Trident Guardian, Zhong Xiong, and concluded that the only person capable of manipulating both the officials and the underworld was the Lord of Xiangyang. In his own manor, Shao Jizu thanked the Lord of Xiangyang for the gift of a superior sword.

The Prince remarked that the weapon's cold-forging technique originated from the Shangui family. He warned Shao Jizu that they had underestimated the "Southern Knight," noting that if he had a general like Zhan Zhao, his rebellion would be unstoppable. He ordered his men to stop pursuing Zhan Zhao and instead accelerate their preparations for war.

As Zhan Zhao prepared to head back to Xiangzhou, Bai Yutang grumbled about Lord Bao’s "cunning" nature, realizing the judge had subtly manipulated him into risking his life for the rescue. Zhan Zhao shared a laugh with his friends and returned a set of Linglong Honey to Huo Linglong.

While the trio set off on their new mission, Emperor Zhao Zhen was back in the palace, looking at a small mouse Bai Yutang had carved into a wooden pillar during his daring break-in. Rather than becoming angry, the Emperor ordered the carving to be preserved, finding the rogue’s boldness impressive.

Upon arriving in Yicheng County, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong decided to wait at the late Constable Liu Hong Yi’s residence, hoping a victim involved in Liu's cases would eventually appear. They noticed a suspicious peddler pacing the alley. After verifying his identity using a jade pendant—a secret signal Liu had instructed him to use—the man revealed himself as Fan Zhongyu, a scholar in hiding.

Fan Zhongyu recounted a tragic story: his sister, Yu Lian, had been selling her embroidery work to the Ruzhen Embroidery Shop in Xiangyang to pay for his tuition, but she vanished two months ago. When Fan attempted to report her disappearance, the local authorities beat and threatened him. Only the newly appointed Liu Hong Yi had secretly agreed to help, but he was murdered shortly after finding a lead. The group headed to Xiangyang to investigate the Ruzhen Embroidery Shop.

Bai Yutang disguised himself as a flamboyant wealthy lord while Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong acted as his retinue. While Bai feigned interest in high-end silks and dropped the name of a courtesan named "Qiu Chan," Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong noticed a hidden door behind the counter. They deduced that the shop used high wages to lure young women, only to traffic them to a nearby brothel called Fenglai Pavilion through a secret underground tunnel.

That night, Bai Yutang visited Fenglai Pavilion alone. He specifically requested Qiu Chan, an older, faded courtesan who had been trapped in the brothel by debt. During his visit, Bai encountered the notorious "Flower Thief" Hua Chong. Bai easily intimidated the rogue, swiping his gold to pay for Qiu Chan’s redemption. He also noticed several martial artists being ushered into a secret room.

To gain leverage, Bai fed Hua Chong a pill he claimed would cause permanent impotence, telling the terrified man to meet him the next morning for the "antidote." Meanwhile, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong scouted the embroidery shop’s rear entrance and observed Shao Jizu meeting with Si Ming of the Hanshui Palace. They overheard Si Ming explaining the political situation: the Emperor had intentionally allowed Zhan Zhao to "escape" the capital to investigate the Lord of Xiangyang.

Prince Hui, acting as the lead investigator, was deliberately stalling the pursuit orders to give Zhan Zhao time. Si Ming also warned Shao Jizu that his fiancée, Huo Linglong, was risking the Lord of Xiangyang’s wrath by traveling with Zhan Zhao. The following morning, a desperate Hua Chong confessed that Fenglai Pavilion's run-down appearance was a facade for an underground den of vice known as "Zhongxiao Courtyard."

This hidden facility housed many abducted women and could only be entered by those holding a special command token or those with a significant reputation in the martial arts world. Realizing that Yu Lian was likely imprisoned there, the group formulated a plan. Zhan Zhao decided to disguise himself as the scholar Shen Zhongyuan to infiltrate the courtyard.

To secure an entry token, Bai Yutang set out to locate Shao Jizu, who was known to frequent the Baihua Tavern to drown his sorrows over his failing relationship with Huo Linglong.

Knowing that entering the Zhongxiao Pavilion was impossible without a gold token, Bai Yu Tang devised a plan to "borrow" one from Shao Ji Zu. He tracked the commander to the second floor of the Baihua Tavern, where Shao Ji Zu was drinking away his frustrations. Bai Yu Tang approached him, pretending to be a disgruntled ally who had been unfairly implicated by Zhan Zhao’s rigid sense of duty.

He claimed he was tired of being a wanted man and, seeing Zhan Zhao’s success in the government, expressed a desire to seek an official position for himself and his brothers. The deception worked, and Shao Ji Zu’s guard dropped as he listened to the flattery. Bai Yu Tang pushed further, promising to reveal Zhan Zhao’s secret investigation movements if Shao Ji Zu would help the Five Rats join the official ranks.

Over drinks, Bai Yu Tang continued his act, calling Zhan Zhao a fickle hypocrite and even mocking Shao Ji Zu for wasting his time on the "plain-looking" Huo Linglong. Nearby, Huo Linglong and Zhan Zhao were resting at a tea house. Using her exceptional hearing, she caught every insult, and in a fit of rage, she dragged Zhan Zhao away. Shao Ji Zu, seemingly intoxicated, eventually handed over his gold token.

However, his drunken stupor was a facade; he was playing along while secretly sending word to Zhi Hua to prepare an ambush at the Zhongxiao Pavilion. Back at his room, Bai Yu Tang woke up from a brief rest to find the token missing. Huo Linglong had taken it, still fuming over his comments.

To appease her, Bai Yu Tang had to clarify that his stories about Zhan Zhao’s engagement to the Ding family and his supposed harassment of maids were complete fabrications intended only to fool Shao Ji Zu. Once her anger subsided, they prepared to move. That night, Zhan Zhao disguised himself as the martial artist Shen Zhong Yuan and sought out Hua Chong. Terrified by the "impotence pill" Bai Yu Tang had forced him to swallow, Hua Chong demanded an antidote.

Zhan Zhao bluffed, telling him that the pill was merely candy and that his physical discomfort was actually caused by a "Western evil technique" Bai Yu Tang used to block his meridians. Convinced by the lie and eager for a cure, Hua Chong led Zhan Zhao through secret tunnels into the Zhongxiao Pavilion. Meanwhile, Bai Yu Tang used the gold token to enter through the back of an embroidery shop, and the two successfully reunited inside.

The grand hall of the Zhongxiao Pavilion was filled with guests wearing demonic masks and red robes, bidding on women displayed on a high stage. Zhan Zhao’s eyes landed on a limping man whose gait matched a clerk he had seen at Liu Hong Yi’s house. Bai Yu Tang approached the man to gather information, learning that the auctions occurred in three rounds, but guests with gold tokens had the power to take any woman they desired.

Zhan Zhao grew concerned that they were being too conspicuous, fearing the consequences if the enemy was already alerted. Before they could withdraw, a disciple arrived, stating that their master requested a private meeting with "Master Shen." Zhan Zhao had no choice but to follow. Meanwhile, Bai Yu Tang used the token to bid for a girl named Hui Dai.

During their conversation, she revealed that the missing girl, Yu Lian, was not part of the regular auctions; she stayed only with the mysterious owner, He Bo. Bai Yu Tang encouraged Hui Dai to keep hope alive and gave her pills to slip into the guests' baths to protect herself and the other women. However, the trap was already set. Zhi Hua had used poison to control the real Shen Zhong Yuan, turning him into a mindless puppet.

The real Shen ambushed Bai Yu Tang with a powerful Pili Palm strike, catching him off guard and leading to his capture. In a private chamber, Zhan Zhao nearly fell into a trance caused by hallucinogenic candles but managed to extinguish them just in time. The Moon Envoy arrived with three assassins, but upon seeing Zhan Zhao’s face, she secretly aided him.

Recognizing that the "Shen Zhong Yuan" attacking him was a puppet, Zhan Zhao fought his way out and struck Zhi Hua. Zhan Zhao rushed back to the main hall to find Bai Yu Tang suspended in mid-air. As he leapt to rescue him, a cold arrow struck Zhan Zhao’s left arm. The two fought side by side against overwhelming numbers. The Moon Envoy intervened once more, blocking a lethal arrow intended for them. Just as the fighting intensified, Huo Linglong arrived to provide much-needed support.

Following the chaotic battle at the Zhongxiao Pavilion, He Bo is consumed by rage. He barks orders at the Moon Envoy, Zhang Yue, demanding she capture Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang immediately, threatening that the entire Hanshui Palace will pay with their lives if they fail. Zhang Yue is forced to engage, but when Huo Linglong arrives as backup, the Envoy takes the opportunity to draw her aside.

During their exchange, Zhang Yue warns that continued fighting will only lead to a pointless tragedy for both sides. Amidst the confusion, Jing Yi Ming’s son, Jing Xingze, attempts to intervene with his Great Compassion Palm. However, due to his lack of mastery, he is quickly subdued by Bai Yutang, who presses a blade to his throat.

Using the young man as a hostage, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong force their way through the crowd and successfully escape the pavilion. Once they reach a temporary safe haven, the group tends to their wounds. Bai Yutang, having been struck by Shen Zhongyuan’s Pili Palm earlier, uses Linglong Honey to stabilize his condition. Huo Linglong informs the others that she has already captured the treacherous Hua Chong and left him in the custody of Fan Zhongyu.

During the interrogation, Hua Chong remains defiant, mocking Zhan Zhao’s status as a government official by claiming they lack the legal authority to kill him. Recognizing that their current location is no longer secure, Fan Zhongyu suggests they move to a vacant estate outside the city owned by one of his distant relatives. Meanwhile, Ding Zhaohui stealthily follows Zhi Hua and Jing Xingze back to the Jing manor.

There, he uncovers a startling truth: the mysterious He Bo is actually Jing Yi Ming, and Zhi Hua is his illegitimate son. Inside the manor, Xingze tries to shift the blame for the night's failure onto Zhi Hua, accusing him of nearly getting him killed. Although Jing Yi Ming initially rebukes Zhi Hua for his ambitions, he eventually promises to grant him what he desires in exchange for his continued service, prompting Zhi Hua to pledge his absolute loyalty.

As Ding Zhaohui moves across the rooftops of the estate, he is nearly discovered by Mrs. Jing and her maid. However, Mrs. Jing remains composed and chooses to help him, loudly referring to the intruder as a "stray cat." She deliberately speaks of how the "cat" should leave through the open corridor to reach the front garden, providing Ding Zhaohui with the directions he needs to escape.

When Jing Yi Ming arrives to investigate the disturbance, his wife maintains her story, and he eventually dismisses the matter as a mere animal sighting. The next morning, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong intercept a limping clerk as he attempts to leave the city. Under the threat of force, the clerk confesses that the local Magistrate, Lord Li, is a frequent guest at the Zhongxiao Pavilion.

He reveals that Liu Hongyi was framed and killed because Lord Li and a market official suspected him of discovering the truth about the pavilion while investigating a stolen token and a secret letter. Zhan Zhao is devastated to learn that his friend was sacrificed to protect the corruption of local officials. While seeking medicine in the city, Bai Yutang encounters Zhi Hua.

The villain reveals that he has poisoned Bai’s elder brothers with a substance called Yemotian Poison, the same toxin that drove Shen Zhongyuan to madness. Zhi Hua notes that while Zhan Zhao mysteriously remained unaffected by the poison, Bai’s brothers will soon suffer a terrible fate unless an antidote is administered.

He uses this as leverage, demanding that Bai Yutang hand over the information Zhan Zhao has gathered, giving him until midnight the following day to meet at the Fenglai Pavilion. Back at their hideout, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong conduct a second interrogation of Hua Chong. Fearful that he will be silenced by He Bo’s men, Hua Chong finally reveals the inner workings of the Zhongxiao Pavilion.

He explains that guests are ranked by Gold, Silver, and Copper tokens, with the most elite members arriving in secret via the embroidery shop. He admits he was pressured into kidnapping Yu Lian and another girl named Hui Dai to satisfy the pavilion's demands. Just as the truth comes to light, Bai Yutang returns and immediately checks Zhan Zhao's pulse, fearful that his friend might have been poisoned as well.

At the Hanshui Palace, Zhang Yue seeks permission from her superior, the Granny, to assist Zhan Zhao, arguing that the palace should not be complicit in He Bo’s crimes. The Granny refuses, explaining that because their sacred artifact, the Chang Hong Bi, is missing, the palace has lost its strength and must remain subservient to He Bo to ensure its survival. As the situation escalates, Jing Yi Ming orders the elimination of all witnesses to protect his upcoming birthday banquet.

Shortly after, Zhan Zhao and the others discover Zhang Yue and her disciples moving a group of bodies in the middle of the night. Bai Yutang is horrified to find that one of the victims is Hui Dai, the girl he had hoped to save. Filled with indignation, he confronts the members of the Hanshui Palace, condemning them for acting as heartless accomplices to He Bo’s murderous schemes. Zhang Yue, however, warns them that He Bo already knows how they tracked the embroidery shop and tells them they must protect those who are still alive.

The Moon Envoy intervened to stop the skirmish, asserting that the girl’s death was not the work of Hanshui Palace. She warned that He Bo already knew how they had infiltrated the embroidery shop and Zhongxiao Pavilion, urging them to return immediately to protect those they had left behind. Realizing the danger to Fan Zhongyu, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Longlong raced back at once.

While Jing Xingze and his men searched the area, Hua Chong took advantage of the group's absence. He tricked Fan Zhongyu with news of his sister, Yu Lian, before headbutting him and escaping. However, Hua Chong ran straight into Jing Xingze's assassins. To save his own life, he led the killers back to the hideout.

Zhan Zhao arrived just in time to save Hua Chong from Jing Xingze, but he was too late for the others; Fan Zhongyu and the clerk, Fang, had already been murdered. Overcome with grief and guilt for leaving them unprotected, Bai Yutang attempted to kill Hua Chong. Zhan Zhao and Huo Longlong intervened, arguing that Hua Chong must face a legal trial and remained their only lead to rescue Yu Lian.

Bai Yutang, disillusioned by the corruption in Xiangzhou, argued that the law was a hollow formality and that only his blade could deliver justice. The confrontation ended abruptly when Bai Yutang, exhausted and injured, collapsed. With the clerk dead, the Magistrate of Yicheng became the sole remaining witness to Liu Hongyi’s case. Knowing he was the next target for elimination because the capital intended to summon him, the Magistrate sat in his office waiting for the end.

Zhan Zhao arrived through a torrential downpour to confront him. Despite the impending danger, the Magistrate remained unrepentant, boasting that his corruption had secured his family’s future—something Liu Hongyi’s integrity could never provide. Under interrogation, the Magistrate revealed that He Bo, Jing Yi Ming, controlled Xiangzhou’s officials through secret ledgers of their transgressions at Zhongxiao Pavilion. He recounted how Liu Hongyi had been brutally tortured to death for refusing to abandon his investigation into Yu Lian’s disappearance.

Though consumed by fury, Zhan Zhao spared the Magistrate’s life, vowing to bring him to Kaifeng Court to prove that justice still existed. As assassins closed in, Zhan Zhao fought off waves of attackers to protect the witness. After the rain subsided, Zhan Zhao returned to the hideout and found a lotus-shaped ornament among Fan Zhongyu’s few belongings, intended for Yu Lian.

When Bai Yutang regained consciousness, he was moved to tears by the sight of the medicine Fan had been brewing for him before his death. Haunted by the memory of his friend and the grim deadline set by Zhi Hua, Bai Yutang struggled with his guilt. The following morning, after burying Fan Zhongyu, Zhan Zhao sat in somber silence, weighed down by the pervasive darkness of the world.

Standing before the grave of his fallen friend Fan Zhongyu, Bai Yutang is consumed by exhaustion and grief. He mutters to the headstone, wondering if the entire world has gone mad, and admits that he has not felt this tired in a very long time. At the Shangqing Sect estate, Ding Zhaohui is carrying out his plan. While walking through the corridors after delivering birthday gifts, he encounters Mrs. Jing.

Sensing danger, she quietly warns him to stay away to avoid raising Jing Yiming's suspicions. However, their conversation is cut short when Jing Yiming himself appears. Jing Yiming greets Ding Zhaohui with a polite smile that fails to mask his cold scrutiny. Ding Zhaohui covers his tracks by claiming he was simply wandering around to clear his head. Jing Yiming feigns warmth, bringing up the Ding family's recent misfortunes and asking about his missing sister, Ding Yuehua.

Ding Zhaohui admits there is no news but shares his concern that she might crash the banquet. Jing Yiming dismisses the worry, claiming her arrival would at least mean she is safe. Once Ding Zhaohui leaves, Jing Xingze questions his father about keeping their guest around. Jing Yiming explains his calculated strategy: keeping him close under their noses is the safest way to monitor him and eliminate him at any sign of trouble.

He commands his son to heavily guard a backyard courtyard and prevent Ding Zhaohui from approaching it. Jing Yiming also harshly reprimands his son for his past recklessness, warning him never to employ low-life thugs like Hua Chong again. He demands that his son manage Zhongxiaoyuan properly, reminding him that as the rightful heir of the Shangqing Sect, he must not let Zhi Hua overshadow him.

Elsewhere, Bai Yutang gets inspired by the Yaksha statue and decides to take justice into his own hands. Ignoring Huo Linglong's protests, he taps her acupoints to temporarily immobilize her, apologizes, and then feeds Hua Chong a substance to mute him. Bai Yutang drags Hua Chong to Fenglai Pavilion to trade him with Zhi Hua for the antidote for his sworn brothers. However, when Zhan Zhao arrives, Hua Chong is already dead.

Zhan Zhao tries to persuade Bai Yutang to stop conspiring with their enemies and return with him. Entirely disillusioned with the law, Bai Yutang refuses to listen, draws his sword, and stabs Zhan Zhao in the chest before telling him to meet him at Fan Zhongyu's grave. Afterward, Bai Yutang drags Hua Chong's corpse to Fan Zhongyu's grave to offer his apology. Zhan Zhao catches up, clutching his wound, and argues that vigilante justice is not the right path.

Bai Yutang fiercely counters that the locals only worship the Yaksha because the corrupt government offers them no justice. He scoffs at Kaifeng Court, pointing out that even a renowned judge like Lord Bao cannot resolve all the world's deep-seated evils. He believes the imperial court has ignored the Prince of Xiangyang's corruption for a decade, sending Zhan Zhao alone merely to put on a show.

Bai Yutang highlights the tragedy of Zhan Zhao's position—shunned by the martial arts world as an imperial hound and despised by the court for his humble origins. He invites Zhan Zhao to act as a vigilante "Yaksha" with him. When Zhan Zhao firmly rejects the offer, stating that violence cannot yield true justice, their bond is severed, and they part ways.

Left alone, Zhan Zhao's inner torment is worsened by the Yemotian poison coursing through his body, leaving him deeply shaken and questioning his beliefs. Huo Linglong finds him and offers comfort, promising to stand by his side no matter how perilous the journey.

Together, they walk through the town, observing how the closure of the corrupt Ruzhen Embroidery Shop has already brought peace back to the local street vendors and saved innocent girls from becoming targets, which helps restore Zhan Zhao's resolve. That night, sitting on the roof, Zhan Zhao struggles with the pain of delayed justice. Huo Linglong sits with him, discussing Bai Yutang's actions and the true nature of vigilante justice until dawn breaks.

Zhan Zhao then reveals his plan: He Bo possesses a secret ledger of corrupt officials. If they can secure this book and find witnesses among the girls of Zhongxiaoyuan who have seen He Bo's face, they can finally expose the entire conspiracy. Outside the city, Moon Envoy pays her respects to the deceased Huidai by erecting a nameless headstone. Zhan Zhao approaches her and requests her assistance.

Moon Envoy reveals that Zhongxiaoyuan is reopening tonight and advises that simply entering the underground palace will not be enough to uncover all its secrets. Huo Linglong insists on accompanying Zhan Zhao, prompting him to voice his deep concern for her safety, which highlights their growing bond. Although she initially agrees to wait in the embroidery shop's backyard, they ultimately prepare to infiltrate together.

After she departs, Zhan Zhao is struck by an agonizing flare-up of the Yemotian poison, nearly losing his senses. Meanwhile, Bai Yutang meets Zhi Hua to demand the antidote. There, he is horrified to find Shen Zhongyuan locked in a cage and begging for medicine like a desperate beast. To save his sworn brothers, Bai Yutang is forced to swallow a poison that binds him to Zhi Hua's command. Zhi Hua orders him to assassinate the Yicheng County Magistrate.

Watching from the side, Shao Jizu is amused by the arrangement. Zhi Hua reveals that the Yicheng County Magistrate was once a clerk in Tanxi Town fifteen years ago and was directly responsible for a tragic case deeply tied to Bai Yutang's past. Confident that this history will drive Bai Yutang to kill him, Zhi Hua eagerly anticipates the deadly clash between Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao. Later, a weakened and poisoned Bai Yutang crosses paths with Zhan Zhao.

When Zhan Zhao notices his injuries and asks who harmed him, Bai Yutang brushes him off and demands to know the location of the Yicheng County Magistrate. Ignoring Zhan Zhao's warnings to turn back, Bai Yutang resolutely storms off to find his target. At the same time, inside the premises of Zhongxiaoyuan, Fu Feng aids Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong's infiltration. After slipping poison into the guard's water to keep him incapacitated, Fu Feng ushers the duo inside and remains behind to stand guard at the entrance.

Moon Envoy leads Zhan Zhao deep into a secret chamber, stopping at a massive thousand-pound stone door. Before the door shuts, she bids him to take care, while Zhan Zhao urges her to leave quickly to avoid implicating herself and Hanshui Palace. Zhan Zhao then puts on a puppet mask and successfully blends into the bell-controlled crowd kneeling before Jing Yiming. Disciples of the Yunying Sect bring Jiao Chaogui, the Chief of Shengyun Stronghold, before Jing Yiming.

Jiao Chaogui finally realizes the truth: the bitter feud over the Changhong Jade between the Tang Sect and Shengyun Stronghold was actually orchestrated by He Bo. Jing Yiming, acting as He Bo, has been using the Tang Sect to challenge and ruthlessly eliminate any martial sect leader who refuses to submit, all in his quest to dominate the martial world. Enraged, Jiao Chaogui denounces Jing Yiming for hiding behind a mask and attacks him, but he is quickly overpowered.

Jing Yiming offers Jiao Chaogui a choice: either persuade the other sects to submit, or consume the Yemotian poison to become a mindless puppet controlled by the ring of a bell. He warns that once the poison enters the heart vessels and invades the mind, it triggers vivid hallucinations and makes the victim powerless to resist, even if ordered to self-harm.

Cruelly, the only temporary relief is to consume more of the poison, which slowly rots the mind and leaves the victim witless. Listening from the crowd, Zhan Zhao finally understands the tragic fate of Bai Yutang's sworn brothers and notices his own inner energy behaving strangely. Just as Jiao Chaogui is about to be forced to take the poison, Zhan Zhao intervenes.

Engaging Jing Yiming in a fierce duel, Zhan Zhao uses his unique family martial arts to counter Jing Yiming's stolen techniques, such as the Dragon Roar Swordplay. Zhan Zhao mocks him, pointing out that despite stealing countless masteries, he only knows the forms without understanding their true essence. To turn the tide, Zhi Hua takes Yu Lian hostage and rings the control bell, prompting the mind-controlled crowd to attack.

Unwilling to harm these innocent victims, Zhan Zhao fights his way out and retreats into a display room filled with weapons and treasures, where he spots his father's legendary Zhanlu Sword. Fortunately, Ding Zhaohui arrives just in time to rescue Zhan Zhao. Outside, Huo Linglong waits anxiously, held back by Moon Envoy.

Hearing Zhan Zhao and Ding Zhaohui approaching, Moon Envoy slips into the shadows to avoid being recognized by her elder brother, while Bai Yutang watches from a distance, relieved to see Zhan Zhao safe. Once reunited, the trio pools their clues. They confirm that Jing Yiming, operating as He Bo, has been using Zhongxiao Pavilion to bribe officials for the Prince of Xiangyang and control the martial world—a treasonous conspiracy to overthrow the court.

Ding Zhaohui shares his observations from the Jing estate. He explains that he had smelled medicine near a heavily guarded courtyard and sneaked in, finding the imprisoned and wounded Yu Lian. She had begged Mrs. Jing for poison to kill Jing Yiming and avenge her brother. Mrs. Jing stopped her, advising her to wait for the right moment. However, Jing Yiming overheard them.

Mocking their plotting, he boasted that ten years ago, he instructed Su Yizhou to instigate the deadly feud between Bawang Manor and the Linyuan Sect, resulting in the slaughter of the entire manor, yet he faced no retribution. Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong agree that while Yu Lian is a crucial witness, Mrs. Jing likely knows even more. Persuading Mrs. Jing to testify would be a major breakthrough.

Zhan Zhao also mentions seeing the Zhanlu Sword, confirming Jing Yiming murdered Ding's father. Determined to uncover more evidence, Ding Zhaohui decides to return to the Jing estate. Since Huo Linglong is childhood friends with the honorable Tang Sect young master, Tang Tianhao, Zhan Zhao asks her to seek his help in formulating an antidote for the Yemotian poison. Huo Linglong agrees, realizing Bai Yutang's erratic behavior is a desperate attempt to save his brothers.

However, she worries Bai Yutang might try to assassinate the Yicheng magistrate. Zhan Zhao jokingly suggests they buy a fish to shut his mouth, noting that while he, the cat, dislikes fish, that "white rat" cannot live without it. Meanwhile, Zhi Hua advises Jing Yiming to eliminate Zhan Zhao before the upcoming birthday banquet. Jing Yiming agrees and plans to publicly execute Ding Zhaohui at the banquet to intimidate the other sects.

In the meantime, Zhan Zhao privately meets with Moon Envoy, hoping she can introduce him to Granny Hanshui so they can enlist the help of Hanshui Palace to rescue Yu Lian and the other women held at Zhongxiao Pavilion. Moon Envoy, however, warns that Granny Hanshui will not risk her palace, especially with Zhi Hua targeting Zhan Zhao and Zhongxiao Pavilion being heavily guarded.

Huo Linglong finds Tang Tianhao at the Tang Sect's base, carefully stepping around his precious poisonous plants. After Tang Tianhao complains about her ignoring him since running away from her wedding, she manages to convince him to develop an antidote for the Yemotian poison within three days, urging him to stand up to his uncle.

Upon returning, Ding Zhaohui meets with Zhan Zhao and warns him that the Jing family has halted all banquet preparations to focus entirely on hunting him down. On his way back, Zhan Zhao notices he is being monitored, and the Yemotian poison inside him suddenly flares up, forcing him to meditate to suppress it.

Soon after Huo Linglong joins him, Bai Yutang arrives on horseback, furiously demanding they hand over the Yicheng magistrate, while they try to stop him from being manipulated by Zhi Hua.

Huo Linglong desperately tries to warn Bai Yu Tang that Zhi Hua is manipulating him and that there is no cure for the Yemotian Poison. However, Bai Yu Tang remains stubborn, demanding that Zhan Zhao hand over the Magistrate of Yicheng. He even accuses Zhan Zhao of losing his edge and bloodlust ever since receiving the title of Imperial Cat.

Angered by the insult and realizing that Bai Yu Tang refuses to listen to reason, Zhan Zhao declares that their friendship is over and decides to settle their dispute once and for all. As Zhi Hua's men close in, the two warriors fight their way out of the encirclement, while Huo Linglong stays behind in the woods to hold off the pursuers and buy them time. The confrontation leads Zhan Zhao and Bai Yu Tang to a deep forest cliff.

Zhan Zhao tries to make his rival see that he is merely a pawn in Zhi Hua's scheme to sow discord and eliminate the Magistrate. He points out that killing the official will not save Fan Yu Lian, who remains trapped in the enemy's stronghold. However, Bai Yu Tang, blinded by his quest for vengeance, insists he can rescue Yu Lian on his own. As their fierce duel continues, the Yemotian Poison in Zhan Zhao's body suddenly flares up.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhi Hua appears and uses his bell to manipulate Bai Yu Tang's mind with illusions. Under the influence of the delusion, Bai Yu Tang stabs Zhan Zhao through the chest, sending him plunging into the deep abyss just as Huo Linglong arrives too late. Zhi Hua returns to Jing Yi Ming to report his success, claiming Zhan Zhao is dead and Bai Yu Tang is under their control.

Though Jing Xing Ze is skeptical due to the lack of a body, he volunteers to search the bottom of the cliff. Jing Yi Ming is pleased with Zhi Hua's achievement, which only fuels Jing Xing Ze's growing jealousy and resentment. Meanwhile, Si Ming meets with Shao Ji Zu, expressing doubts about Zhi Hua's claim and advising him to verify Zhan Zhao's death, emphasizing that their master's grand plan for the upcoming banquet must not be compromised.

Under the cover of night, Bai Yu Tang slips into Huo Linglong's residence, only to find Zhan Zhao alive and well. It turns out their deadly clash was a carefully orchestrated act designed to lower Zhi Hua's guard. Examining Zhan Zhao's pulse, Bai Yu Tang marvels at how his friend's inner strength has kept the Yemotian Poison from reaching his vital organs.

While Huo Linglong is relieved, she is furious at them for keeping her in the dark and reprimands them for their recklessness. Fortunately, Tang Tian Hao of the Tang Sect has agreed to concoct an antidote, prompting a sheepish Bai Yu Tang to offer a rare, awkward word of thanks. The next morning, Huo Linglong and Bai Yu Tang share a quiet conversation.

She expresses her sympathy for the heavy burden he has been carrying while trying to save his sworn brothers. When she questions his true motive for targeting the Magistrate, Bai Yu Tang admits he seeks to reclaim the justice that was denied to him fifteen years ago, refusing to let the imperial court dictate his fate. Zhan Zhao joins them, and the three of them begin mapping out their next steps.

Before heading back to the Tang Sect to secure the antidote, Huo Linglong entrusts her jade ring to Zhan Zhao, urging him to stay safe. On the day of Jing Yi Ming's grand birthday banquet, Zhan Zhao disguises himself as a servant to infiltrate the estate. Although Jing Xing Ze nearly uncovers his disguise, Mrs. Jing cleverly intervenes and guides Zhan Zhao to the secret chamber where Fan Yu Lian is imprisoned.

Refusing to flee with them, Mrs. Jing urges Zhan Zhao to expose her husband's heinous crimes so that she and the other captive women can finally leave with dignity. Meanwhile, Jing Xing Ze receives word from Shao Ji Zu that Zhan Zhao's body was never recovered. Realizing they have been deceived, he alerts his father, and they immediately order a total lockdown of the mansion.

Deep within the underground palace, Zhi Hua is cornered by Bai Yu Tang, who uses the control bell to turn the brainwashed fighters against him. While Zhan Zhao successfully smuggles Fan Yu Lian out of the estate, Zhi Hua escapes the trap, only to be met by a mocking Jing Xing Ze. Consumed by rage and humiliation, Zhi Hua shoves the young master into a pit of steel spikes, killing him instantly.

Upon reuniting with Bai Yu Tang, Zhan Zhao is astonished to discover that the mysterious Moon Envoy is actually Ding Yue Hua. She confesses her identity and explains that she infiltrated the Hanshui Palace and worked at the Zhongxiao Pavilion for the sole purpose of assassinating Jing Yi Ming to avenge her family. Despite Zhan Zhao's warnings that she cannot defeat him alone, she remains steadfast in her vow.

At the same time, Jing Yi Ming discovers Fan Yu Lian's escape and confronts his wife. Unfazed, Mrs. Jing denounces him for destroying her home, Bawang Manor, and marrying her only to build a false reputation as a savior. Furious at her defiance, Jing Yi Ming locks her in the dark cell to take Fan Yu Lian's place, promising to make her watch her family's Dragon Roar Swordplay be used for slaughter.

His anger turns to grief when he finds his son's corpse. Blinded by fury, he orders Zhi Hua to have Shao Ji Zu seal the city gates to trap Zhan Zhao, while mobilizing all the forces of the Zhongxiao Pavilion for a final confrontation.

Zhan Zhao brought Yu Lian to safety and met up with Ding Zhao Hui and Bai Yutang. Yu Lian thanked Bai Yutang, but he was instantly filled with guilt, still deeply remorseful over the tragic death of her brother, Fan Zhongyu. Ding Zhao Hui was worried about his sister, Ding Yuehua, upon learning she was serving as the Moon Envoy under Hanshui Palace, which orthodox sects considered a heretic cult.

However, knowing she was currently safe, and deeply concerned about Mrs. Jing being imprisoned by Jing Yi Ming, Ding Zhao Hui decided to head back to the Jing mansion to check on Mrs. Jing's safety and to support his sister should she attempt a revenge attempt there. Shortly after Ding Zhao Hui's departure, Ming Zhu'er and Zhao Zhi'er arrived, sent by Prince Zhao Zhuoqing (Prince Hui).

Bai Yutang welcomed them inside, teasing them about their riding skills and pouring them water while telling them of the recent events. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhao presented Fan Zhongyu's personal effects to Yu Lian, blaming himself for failing to protect her brother. Yu Lian, gentle and sensible, comforted Zhan Zhao, stating that he had already exhausted himself and that the blame lay solely on the villains.

She declared her determination to stand in court and testify against Jing Yi Ming to bring justice for her brother and the other victims of the Zhongxiao Pavilion. Back at the Jing mansion, Ding Zhao Hui found the estate in complete disarray. Mrs. Jing’s maid was weeping in the corridor, and Jing Yi Ming was waiting for him.

Directly discarding his fake benevolence, Jing Yi Ming drew the legendary Zhanlu Sword—the Ding family's stolen heirloom—and openly admitted to murdering Ding Zhao Hui's father, Ding Zhenxiong. Jing Yi Ming explained that he had aligned himself with the Lord of Xiangyang to rule the martial world, and noblemen like the elder Ding were merely obstacles.

He recounted how he had offered to spare Ding Zhenxiong's life if he handed over the secret heart law of the Heavenward Crane Strike, but the elder Ding had refused. It took his elite death soldiers six hours (three shichen) to exhaust the old man before Jing Yi Ming finally struck him down. Overcome with fury, Ding Zhao Hui drew his sword to avenge his father.

Though he was outmatched by Jing Yi Ming's deep cultivation, Ding Zhao Hui mustered his remaining energy to execute the Heavenward Crane Strike, driving his blade into Jing Yi Ming's key meridian points. This severely crippled Jing Yi Ming's ability to use his Great Compassion Palm. However, Ding Zhao Hui was grievously injured in the clash and subsequently locked away in the dungeon.

Zhi Hua then reported the results of the Zhongxiao Pavilion to Jing Yi Ming, confirming that all the girls and death soldiers were under Shao Ji Zu's watch. Knowing they could no longer maintain their hold, Jing Yi Ming urged Zhi Hua to ensure Shao Ji Zu delayed the investigators as long as possible so that the Jing family could safely withdraw.

He promised Zhi Hua that once this crisis was resolved, he would inherit the leadership of the Shangqing Sect. Shao Ji Zu immediately initiated a strict lockdown of Xiangyang, closing all gates except the East gate, where twenty elite soldiers were stationed to scrutinize every departing citizen, especially women. He also ordered their portraits distributed to the city's outskirts.

Soon, Shao Ji Zu received word that Zhan Zhao and his companions were hiding in a dilapidated compound and led his troops to surround the estate. Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang held their ground, defending a draped curtain that concealed a figure they pretended was Yu Lian. This elaborate defense was a ruse to buy time.

In truth, Ming Zhu'er was disguised as Yu Lian to draw attention, while Zhao Zhi'er successfully created a distraction and escorted the real Yu Lian out of the city unnoticed. When Shao Ji Zu broke into the room, he realized he had been played. To cover their final retreat, Bai Yutang took Feng Shao hostage, backing away until Zhan Zhao and Ming Zhu'er swept in on horseback to rescue him, leaving Shao Ji Zu empty-handed.

Furious and humiliated, Shao Ji Zu returned to meet Si Ming, complaining that He Bo—Jing Yi Ming—had used him as a pawn while hiding away. Si Ming presented him with the monthly ledgers of the Zhongxiao Pavilion, pointing out that He Bo was trying to force them to clean up his mess. Si Ming warned that He Bo, now that his ambitions were ruined, would likely reveal their secrets to save himself.

To protect their master's grand designs, Si Ming advised Shao Ji Zu to cut ties and protect themselves by discarding He Bo if necessary. Meanwhile, the group gathered at a deserted cottage on the outskirts. When Bai Yutang spotted the Magistrate of Yicheng, who had been captured and brought along, his temper flared, and he had to be held back by Zhan Zhao.

Zhan Zhao played on the magistrate’s fear of ghosts, warning him that the body of his deceased associate, Liu Hongyi, was buried nearby and that the ghosts of his past victims would haunt him if he attempted to escape. Bai Yutang was amused, noting that Zhan Zhao's psychological tactics were far more devastating than a physical beating.

Zhan Zhao then instructed Ming Zhu'er and Zhao Zhi'er to escort Yu Lian over the mountain to meet up with Huo Linglong, while he and Bai Yutang remained to handle the remaining threats. Zhi Hua had commanded the Hanshui Palace disciples to dig a massive pit in the suburban graveyard, intending to bury the Zhongxiao Pavilion girls alive to destroy all evidence.

However, he was unaware that Moon Envoy had already confessed her true identity as Ding Yuehua to Granny Hanshui. By appealing to Granny's distaste for the brothel business, she had convinced the matriarch to help Zhan Zhao destroy He Bo. Granny had agreed on the condition that Yuehua retrieve the Chang Hong Bi to atone for her deception. Just as Zhi Hua ordered the girls to dig, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and the Moon Envoy ambushed him.

Before the dust could settle, Shao Ji Zu arrived with a horde of Tang Sect assassins, aiming to eliminate the witnesses and the girls to wipe the slate clean. Zhi Hua realized with horror that he had been abandoned as a scapegoat. A chaotic battle erupted. Zhan Zhao confronted Shao Ji Zu, whose lethal strikes were easily parried by Zhan Zhao's fluid and elegant swordsmanship.

Sensing defeat, Zhi Hua tried to sneak away, but Bai Yutang pursued and captured him, using his Baiyu Palm to permanently strip him of his Great Compassion Palm. As the Tang Sect assassins pressed on, Shao Ji Zu prepared to shoot a hidden arrow at the distracted Zhan Zhao. Just in time, Huo Linglong arrived and shot an arrow of her own, piercing Shao Ji Zu's arm.

Moments later, the Guanghua Army arrived, brandishing an imperial decree from Prince Zhao Zhuoqing (Prince Hui) that authorized them to take custody of all witnesses from the Zhongxiao Pavilion. Shao Ji Zu attempted to argue jurisdiction, but faced with Prince Zhao Zhuoqing's decree, he knew he was defeated and grudgingly ordered his men to withdraw.

Zhan Zhao thanked his allies, particularly the Moon Envoy, and urged her to join them in arresting Jing Yi Ming before he could destroy any remaining evidence. However, she declined, stating she had to return to Hanshui Palace to fulfill her promise to Granny, and quietly took her leave.

Zhan Zhao expressed his gratitude to the Moon Envoy, inviting her to join them in capturing Jing Yiming and witnessing his ultimate downfall. However, bound by her promise to Granny Hanshui, she politely declined and departed to return to Hanshui Palace. As she left, Huo Linglong was surprised to learn that this mysterious envoy was actually the Ding family's daughter, Ding Yuehua.

On her way, the Moon Envoy was intercepted by the Sun Envoy, who reminded her that her time was running out. He argued that with Zhan Zhao preparing to seize the Jing Mansion, now was the perfect opportunity to retrieve Chang Hongbi while He Bo and Zhan Zhao clashed, warning her that her life would be forfeit if she failed to bring the child back.

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Jing Yiming received news that Shao Jizu had fired two signal flares. Realizing that Zhan Zhao and his allies were closing in, he ordered his servants to proceed with their escape plan. In the underground chamber, Mrs. Jing attempted to ambush Jing Yiming. He easily overpowered her, and she bitterly denounced him as a hypocritical coward who did not deserve his standing in the martial arts world.

Recognizing that she was merely trying to stall for time, Jing Yiming ignored her insults and pulled a mechanism chain. With a loud rumble, two massive wooden cabinets fell open, revealing a mountain of ledgers and documents. Without a moment's hesitation, Jing Yiming doused the records in oil and set them ablaze. By the time Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang rushed in, the crucial files were already reduced to ashes.

Undeterred, Jing Yiming smugly suggested that the destruction of the evidence gave him the perfect leverage to negotiate a deal with them. In another part of the estate, Huo Linglong located Ding Zhaohui, only to find him brutally tortured and severely weakened. At the same time, the Moon Envoy and Sun Envoy arrived at the mansion. Spotting a suspicious servant, they coerced him into leading them to Chang Hongbi, eventually crossing paths with Huo Linglong.

After securing the child, the Moon Envoy decided to let him stay with Zhan Zhao's allies. She lied to the Sun Envoy, claiming they were too late and that Zhan Zhao had already taken the child. Suspecting her intentions, the Sun Envoy warned her that she would have no place in Hanshui Palace if she returned empty-handed. Despite his captivity, Jing Yiming remained remarkably calm.

He pointed out to Zhan Zhao that he was merely a pawn following orders from a much larger conspiracy and proposed a compromise, promising that his secrets could help Zhan Zhao gain promotion and wealth. Zhan Zhao resolutely rejected the offer, promising to find the truth even from the ashes, which only drew a mocking challenge from Jing Yiming.

Later that night, Zhan Zhao visited Chang Hongbi, reassuring the young boy that once the lingering medicinal scent faded, he would live a normal life. Meanwhile, Bai Yutang examined Ding Zhaohui's severe injuries. He determined that the devastating force of the Great Compassion Palm had shattered his meridians and ravaged his organs, leaving internal energy therapy as their only, albeit slim, hope.

He advised Ding Yuehua to stay by her brother's side during these critical days, while Huo Linglong provided her with Linglong Honey to help ease his excruciating pain. Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong diligently sifted through the charred remains in the chamber, managing to recover some correspondence between He Bo and Western Xia. Although these letters proved He Bo's treasonous dealings, they did not name the mastermind behind him, and the crucial official roster remained lost.

Hearing of this, Shao Jizu grew anxious, but Si Ming reassured him that without the roster, Zhan Zhao's investigation would hit a dead end, leaving them safe for the time being. Refusing to let his companions despair, Zhan Zhao comforted them and urged everyone to rest. He then returned to the secret chamber alone. While examining the clues, he successfully reconstructed the fragments of various seals.

The complete pattern revealed the emblem of the Lord of Xiangyang surrounded by his four core subordinates: He Bo, Si Ming, Dong Jun, and Shan Gui. Comparing the reconstructed seal with the recovered ledgers, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong realized that the mastermind managing the Zhongxiao Pavilion and controlling the officials was not He Bo, but actually Si Ming. As Zhan Zhao prepared to interrogate Zhihua, a sudden crisis arose.

Afflicted by hallucinations from the poison, a crazed Bai Yutang burst in, attempting to kill Zhihua to avenge the deaths of Zhao Zhier and Ming Zhuer. Zhan Zhao quickly intervened, subduing Bai Yutang and helping him regain his senses. Once Bai Yutang was led away, Zhan Zhao turned his attention to Zhihua.

Though the captive initially refused to speak, Zhan Zhao broke his resolve by pointing out that Jing Yiming had never seen him as a true son, but rather as a highly capable yet disposable assassin, who had already pinned all the blame on him. Realizing he had been thoroughly betrayed, a heartbroken Zhihua decided to cooperate and confessed everything about Jing Yiming's operations. Armed with this complete confession, Zhan Zhao visited Jing Yiming's cell.

He shattered the villain's hopes of bargaining by revealing that they now knew the entire truth about the Lord of Xiangyang's network and Si Ming's role in the Zhongxiao Pavilion. Zhan Zhao declared that there would be no quick death for him; instead, he would face the slow, agonizing torment of the law day after day. After Zhan Zhao left, Zhihua approached his father's cell.

He cold-bloodedly admitted that he was the one who had betrayed him and cut off his escape, before revealing that he had also personally murdered Jing Xingze, the precious son Jing Yiming had hoped would carry on his legacy. The revelation left Jing Yiming utterly devastated and trapped in absolute despair. Later, Zhan Zhao spoke with Ding Yuehua, expressing concern over her inability to return to Hanshui Palace without Chang Hongbi.

He encouraged her to return home, assuring her that the imperial court would soon deliver justice for the Ding family. He also shared that before his injuries, Ding Zhaohui had deeply regretted not believing her about Xiao Yun's death years ago, and had kept the body preserved in the hope of one day clearing Xiao Yun's name.

Zhan Zhao met with Ding Yuehua to deliver the news that the court, led by Lord Bao, would secure the death penalty for Jing Yiming, finally bringing justice to the Ding family. He also revealed the truth about Xiao Yun, clearing up the deep misunderstandings Ding Yuehua had harbored against her brother for years. Upon hearing this, Ding Yuehua visited her brother, Ding Zhaohui, who was resting in bed.

Enduring his physical pain, Ding Zhaohui tearfully apologized for failing to believe her back then. He shared that he had kept Xiao Yun's remains in hopes of one day clearing her name, and he begged Ding Yuehua to return home with him. Moved to tears, she agreed. Later that evening, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang shared a drink in a quiet pavilion.

Bai Yutang noted that the wine, called Dongting Spring, was rumored to be the best in Xiangyang, though he jokingly claimed the finest actually came from Liuke Tavern. Bai Yutang apologized for his previous impulsiveness regarding Zhi Hua, which Zhan Zhao quickly dismissed as an understandable emotional burden. Zhan Zhao then addressed Bai Yutang's true identity as Jin Xuebai, who as a child had witnessed his brother, Jin Xuewen, die after being wrongfully convicted.

This past trauma explained why Bai Yutang had reacted with such intense grief and fury over Fan Zhongyu's death. Zhan Zhao explained that Zhi Hua had used the revelation of Jin Xuewen's wrongful conviction to incite Bai Yutang to kill the Yicheng magistrate. Furthermore, Zhan Zhao revealed that Si Ming had instructed Zhi Hua to use this childhood tragedy to guide Bai Yutang toward the magistrate, suggesting that Si Ming possessed deep knowledge of the fifteen-year-old case.

Zhan Zhao proposed that they confront the Yicheng magistrate together to resolve the matter and obtain justice. However, Bai Yutang remained highly skeptical, questioning how a government official like Zhan Zhao could truly guarantee justice for a crime committed by the authorities themselves. Meanwhile, Ding Yuehua sought out Huo Linglong to discuss the secrets of cultivating Changhongbi.

She explained that the process required daily consumption of Azure Tri-Life Water, a lethal poison that only an individual with an extremely positive Yang constitution could survive. Ding Yuehua revealed that Laolao had searched far and wide before finding the young Xiao Di in Bashu, who possessed this rare constitution. She suggested that if Huo Linglong wished to help Xiao Di find his family, she should search in the Bashu region.

Ding Yuehua also apologized to Xiao Di for her past treatment of him, promising him a peaceful future. Huo Linglong tried to comfort Ding Yuehua by reassuring her that the law would handle Jing Yiming, but Ding Yuehua insisted she could only find peace once she witnessed the villain's demise with her own eyes. Driven by her quest for vengeance, Ding Yuehua infiltrated the imperial prison to confront Jing Yiming.

Jing Yiming mocked her for only daring to seek revenge now that he was locked up, but Ding Yuehua made it clear she was there to end their feud. A brutal duel ensued inside the prison cell. Despite suffering injuries from Jing Yiming's powerful palm strikes, Ding Yuehua managed to turn the tide. She trapped his neck with her weapon, Changxiangsi, and declared her true identity as a daughter of the Ding family.

She revealed that she had hidden her identity and served Hanshui Palace solely to obtain this legendary weapon to avenge her family. With a final, decisive strike, she drove her sword through his chest, ending his life. Zhi Hua witnessed the entire killing and felt relief rather than grief for his father's death. Huo Linglong rushed to the prison, only to find that Ding Yuehua had already surrendered herself, expressing no regrets for her actions.

Knowing the severe consequences of executing an imperial prisoner, Huo Linglong helped Ding Yuehua escape the city just as the gates opened, advising her to nurse her injuries at Mingyue Lake. When the guards questioned Zhi Hua about the killer, he remained completely silent. Zhan Zhao quickly took responsibility for the security breach.

Knowing he had to provide an explanation to the court, Zhan Zhao drafted a petition pleading for imperial mercy, highlighting Ding Yuehua's invaluable assistance in resolving the Zhongxiao Pavilion case to offset her crime. Ding Yuehua returned to Hanshui Palace to face Laolao and accept her punishment. Kneeling before Laolao, she confessed to concealing her identity and releasing Changhongbi. Laolao, furious at the betrayal, ordered her to be imprisoned and executed by beheading before sunset.

The Sun Envoy tried to intercede, but Ding Yuehua accepted her fate, expressing deep gratitude to her fellow disciples for their companionship. Guided by Fu Feng, Zhan Zhao arrived at Hanshui Palace to plead for Ding Yuehua's life. Although Laolao initially reacted with hostility and dismissed his appeals for sympathy, Zhan Zhao astutely argued that the secret of Changhongbi was no longer safe and had instead become a vulnerability that allowed He Bo to manipulate the palace.

He urged her to reconsider if keeping the treasure was worth the trouble it brought. Despite Laolao's stern refusal and threats of immediate execution, Zhan Zhao's words left a deep impression on her. At the execution site, Laolao confronted Ding Yuehua and shared her own tragic past. She revealed that she had been sold by her family to cover business debts, forced to marry a fool, framed for murder, and betrayed by her own relatives.

After fleeing and suffering immense hardships, she was saved by a master of Hanshui Palace who trained her in divine martial arts. She admitted she had envisioned Ding Yuehua as her successor. Ultimately, she commuted Ding Yuehua's death sentence, choosing to cut off her hair as a symbolic substitute for her head, and granted her the freedom to leave the palace.

Laolao later explained to the Sun Envoy that she refused Zhan Zhao's plea publicly so that Ding Yuehua would owe her gratitude to Hanshui Palace rather than an outsider, ensuring she would never betray the sect. She also conceded that Zhan Zhao was correct about the treasure being a liability.

Huo Linglong and Bai Yutang arrived at Hanshui Palace only to find it empty, but they soon learned from the Sun Envoy that Ding Yuehua had been spared and had already left. Huo Linglong caught up with Ding Yuehua on the road to say her farewells and handed over a medical prescription. She assured her that Ding Zhaohui was recovering well and was kept in the dark about her ordeal.

Xiao Di also bid a warm farewell to Ding Yuehua, remembering her secret kindness to him. Ding Yuehua expressed that she had no regrets about her path as the Moon Envoy, as it was a title she had earned through her own strength rather than her family's reputation. Determined to find a cure for her brother's severe injuries, Ding Yuehua planned to travel the land to seek out famous physicians.

She offered to take Xiao Di with her to Bashu to reunite him with his parents as a form of atonement. Huo Linglong agreed to the plan, watching them ride off together into the distance. With the turmoil finally resolved, the companions gathered back at the tavern. Zhan Zhao decided to teach Bai Yutang a lesson for hiding his poisoning and hallucinations during their travels.

He and Huo Linglong playfully staged a dramatic scene, pretending to be deeply hurt by Bai Yutang's lack of trust and suggesting he be removed from their group. Realizing he had been outwitted by his friends' coordinated act, a cornered Bai Yutang playfully surrendered, apologized for his stubbornness, and begged for forgiveness. With their bond restored, Zhan Zhao accompanied Bai Yutang to the prison to interrogate the Yicheng magistrate.

Bai Yutang questioned him intensely about the fifteen-year-old murder case in Tanxi Town involving Jin Xuewen. While the magistrate admitted he had handled the case during his time as a clerk, he resolutely denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the trial had been entirely fair and just.

Recalling his time as a clerk in Tanxi Town, the Yicheng Magistrate adamantly defends his handling of the past case. He asserts that the files—detailing the suspect’s motive, witness testimonies, and physical evidence—were absolutely flawless. He mocks Bai Yutang’s anger, calling it misplaced and questioning his relation to the late Jin Xuewen, whom he describes as a notorious playboy whose death brought joy to the local women. Stunned by his coldness, Bai Yutang leaves the cell in a rage.

Zhan Zhao remains behind, noting that the magistrate only took over the case after the initial trial was already concluded. When Zhan Zhao demands he recount the specific details of this supposedly ironclad case, the magistrate claims his memory has faded over the last fifteen years. Zhan Zhao then flings a ledger into his lap, warning him that his silence only benefits the person currently blackmailing him—a master puppeteer who is definitely not He Bo.

Downstairs in a nearby tavern, a distressed Bai Yutang drinks heavily to drown his sorrows, catching fleeting, spectral glimpses of his late brother Jin Xuewen. Upstairs, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong discuss the magistrate’s confession. The magistrate revealed that Si Ming controlled various corrupt officials using a secret ledger containing records of their wrongful convictions.

While they cannot yet confirm if Si Ming belongs to the government, Zhan Zhao points out that Si Ming was the one who leaked Jin Xuewen’s case to Zhi Hua, meaning solving this mystery is their best shot at tracking down the conspirator. Huo Linglong agrees, determined to help resolve Bai Yutang’s deepest emotional wound. Huo Linglong then asks about Ding Yuehua.

Zhan Zhao reassures her that the imperial court, recognizing Ding Yuehua’s pivotal role in the Zhongxiaoyuan case, has decided to offset her faults with her merits, leaving her unpunished. Zhan Zhao adds that Cheng Siqing and his allies tried to implicate him as well, but Lord Bao successfully argued his case, resulting in his own exoneration. When Zhan Zhao shares his secret imperial orders to thoroughly investigate the Lord of Xiangyang’s faction, Huo Linglong instantly declares she will accompany him.

Zhan Zhao expresses concern about her family and her proximity to Xiangyang, but she remains firm. Bai Yutang chimes in, teasingly pointing out that they could never easily get rid of her, jokingly asking if she would rather go home to marry Shao Jizu. After Zhi Hua is sent to the capital under guard and the remaining members of the Zhongxiaoyuan are apprehended, Zhan Zhao visits the grave of his close friend, Liu Hongyi.

Having left in a rush previously, Zhan Zhao finally erects a proper tombstone and pours a bottle of Liulichun wine. He speaks softly to his late friend, sharing that He Bo was slain by enemies, Zhi Hua is locked up, and every single soul involved in the abduction of innocent girls has faced justice—all because of the clues Liu Hongyi provided.

Zhan Zhao urges his friend to rest in peace amidst the beautiful lakeside scenery, promising to continue his relentless pursuit of the Lord of Xiangyang. Deep within the hunting grounds, Si Ming and Shao Jizu wait anxiously for the Lord of Xiangyang. When the Lord finally joins them, he suddenly draws his bow and aims a deadly arrow directly at Shao Jizu, who freezes in terror. The arrow whizzes past, burying itself in the nearby brush.

Brushing off the near-miss, the Lord invites them to ride and inquires if they are still dwelling on the fall of the Zhongxiaoyuan. Shao Jizu and Si Ming voice their immense shame for failing to act sooner at Luanzaogang, and the Lord admits that while the facility was a project of passion, its loss should not break their spirits. The Lord notes that Shao Jizu’s archery hand seems weak, asking if the arrow wound inflicted by Huo Linglong has healed.

Shao Jizu assures him he is recovering. The Lord muses on Huo Linglong’s audacity in fleeing their arranged marriage, stealing a command token, and leading the Guanghua Army to shoot her own fiancé. Shao Jizu excuses her actions as mere immaturity, pledging to tie her up and bring her back to the altar, knowing full well that they cannot allow the Huo family’s precious Linglong Eye to slip away.

After rewarding them with the freshly hunted game, the Lord advises Si Ming not to fret over the brute He Bo’s demise, but issues a stern warning: Zhan Zhao is exceptionally clever and has likely unearthed clues pointing to Si Ming, requiring their utmost caution. Si Ming holds a secretive meeting with Tang Ji, the master of the Tang Sect, questioning him about any unusual activity within his clan or Tanxi Town following the Zhongxiaoyuan incident.

Si Ming reasons that if Zhan Zhao hopes to save the afflicted death soldiers, his first step must be finding an antidote for the Yemotian poison. Since only two families in the region are capable of such high-level toxicology, Si Ming suspiciously asks about Tang Ji’s nephew, Tang Tianhao. Watching a dying fish gasp for air, Si Ming chillingly warns Tang Ji to keep his family members under tight control and their mouths firmly shut.

When Tang Ji desperately begs him to rescue the Tang Sect disciples currently held by the authorities, Si Ming dismisses the plea without a second thought, coldly stating that during such turbulent times, the deaths of a few disciples are merely a necessary sacrifice to prove their devotion. Haunted by painful childhood memories of being shunned as a murderer’s brother, Bai Yutang suffers another vivid hallucination.

He chases the specter of Jin Xuewen into the street, shouting in frustration at his brother’s silent, sudden appearances after fifteen years of absence, demanding to know if he has returned because of the unresolved murder case. Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong rush to his side. Once he recovers his senses, a stubborn Bai Yutang insists he is perfectly fine and merely had a bad dream. Soon after, they meet Tang Tianhao, the young master of the Tang Sect.

Tang Tianhao admits with regret that he has not been able to formulate a true antidote for Yemotian, but he offers them a medicinal compound capable of suppressing hallucinations and alleviating pain. Curious, Huo Linglong has him check Bai Yutang’s pulse to see if he is also poisoned. Tang Tianhao confirms that while the Yemotian poison is present in Bai’s body, it is not lethal and will naturally wash out of his system in a few days.

When Huo Linglong wonders if Bai’s safety is due to some rare herbs he consumed, Tang Tianhao reveals that Bai possesses a rare poison-immune constitution. He explains that the Jin family of Tanxi Town has long passed down Physician's Blood by bathing their children in a secret medicinal water before the age of seven to protect them from disease and venomous creatures.

Huo Linglong quickly connects the dots, realizing why Bai Yutang was so confident in the Jin family’s medical prowess and pointing out that his brother’s name was Jin Xuewen. Though Bai Yutang angrily dismisses any ties to the Jins, Tang Tianhao confesses his own medical limitations, admitting the poison’s creator is far more skilled than he is, suggesting they must seek direct assistance from the Jin family if they truly want to save the poisoned victims.

Sensing that the young master is holding back, Zhan Zhao pulls Tang Tianhao aside for a private conversation, accompanied by Huo Linglong. Zhan Zhao gently asks him to share any leads he might have discovered. Though Tang Tianhao initially hesitates, bound by his loyalty to the Tang Sect, Huo Linglong points out that he is a terrible liar who would never normally admit to being outmatched unless his uncle, Tang Ji, had ordered him to stay silent.

Moved by their sincerity, Tang Tianhao relents. He explains that Yemotian is a highly sophisticated evolution of a poison from fifteen years ago known as the Seven-Day Drunken Dream. While the older poison killed its victims within seven days using a volatile mix of Muyan Flower pollen, Bone-Corroding Herb, and Chishazi, Yemotian represents a brilliant breakthrough. Its creator cleverly introduced the highly lethal Luohui in precise proportions, using its aggressive toxicity to perfectly counterbalance the other poisons.

Tang Tianhao reveals that his uncle had furiously ordered him to stop his research and avoid Huo Linglong’s companions. Acknowledging that the Tang Sect has allied with a dangerous figure known as Si Ming, Tang Tianhao begs Zhan Zhao to show his clan mercy when the day of reckoning arrives, a request that Zhan Zhao solemnly promises to consider. Over a bottle of fine wine from Liuketang, Bai Yutang reluctantly discusses his ties to the Jin family.

He confirms that to master healing, Jin children must first master poisons, often working with lethal insects and herbs by the age of seven or eight. He grudgingly acknowledges Jin Zhenping’s undeniable genius, noting that he formulated the Qingyin Powder to cure the plum rain miasma at fourteen and took charge of the clan at twenty-eight. He clarifies that it was his kind fourth aunt, not Jin Zhenping, who had originally saved Zhan Zhao’s life with the family’s precious Naiheyin.

Zhan Zhao points out the undeniable web connecting Si Ming, the Tang Sect, the Jin family, and the tragedy of Jin Xuewen. Since the Jins are the key to neutralizing Yemotian, they must gain entry to their estate. Huo Linglong observes that the local inns are packed for the triennial Suwen Assembly, a prestigious gathering where the victor earns the right to learn the secret Tiangen Yueku Needles.

This massive event, they realize, is their perfect cover to slip into the heavily guarded Jin Mansion. The following day, Bai Yutang leads them to his childhood home in Huaihua Alley. He recounts how his father and Jin Zhenping’s father were brothers who divided the family property and moved out early because they were born to concubines.

When Bai was only three, his parents passed away, leaving him and his older brother, Jin Xuewen, to be raised by their loyal old servant, Xiangcai. In a bittersweet memory of fifteen years ago, a young Bai Yutang defended his brother’s immense natural talent against skeptical servants and eagerly signed him up for the Suwen Assembly. At the time, Jin Xuewen spent his days in the company of a courtesan named Qiuchan, earning a reputation as a reckless flirt.

Despite promising his younger brother that he would focus on the upcoming competition, tragedy struck when county officials suddenly raided their home, discovering bloody garments and a murder weapon. Accused of killing a girl in the neighboring courtyard, Jin Xuewen was thrown into prison, where he contracted a deadly plague.

Young Bai Yutang had knelt in the dirt outside the Jin family gates, begging for Naiheyin, but the proud clan refused to spare their heirloom for a suspected murderer who had supposedly stained their honor. The next day, his brother was dead. Hearing this, Huo Linglong sadly recalls that her own aunt had also perished from the plague in Tanxi Town.

Bai Yutang explains that Jin Zhenping secured his legacy by quickly developing a cure for the epidemic, winning the Suwen Assembly and ensuring the outbreak never spread beyond the town. Returning to the present, Bai Yutang spots a familiar old servant of the Jin family.

He corners the man and instructs him to deliver a sharp message to Jin Zhenping: meet him in the Cuixilin on the back mountain, warning that if the family head fails to appear, Bai Yutang will pay another visit to his sons to play Doucao. Meanwhile, a flustered Jin Zhenping receives the servant's message.

Terrified of the unpredictable youth who once kidnapped his children, he instructs his staff to claim he has gone out for a medical call and the Fourth Lady has returned to her maternal home, so neither is in the manor should Bai Yutang come knocking. Elsewhere, Huo Linglong meets an elegant lady who recognizes her. The lady warmly recalls visiting Linglong Manor and how a young Huo Linglong used to cling to her aunt.

She invites Linglong inside her residence, where a mourning hall is set up for her late husband. When Huo Linglong asks if her uncle passed away from an illness, the lady bitterly reveals that in the violent martial arts world, he was not fortunate enough to die of natural causes—he was murdered.

Huo Linglong meets with Mrs. Jiao, her aunt's friend, and gently asks if her husband died of an illness, noting that the martial world has remained quiet about his passing. Mrs. Jiao sighs that her husband had no such fortune. In a world where men live and die by the sword, he took lives, and eventually, his own was taken. She explains that several experts recently infiltrated Shengyun Stronghold, carried out a brutal massacre, and abducted him.

When her son, Si Yuan, finally discovered his body, it had already been left rotting in a mountain pass for several days. Si Yuan kept the details of his quest for revenge hidden to spare her from worry, but she deeply fears that his actions will only invite further bloodshed. Noticing Huo Linglong coming out of the neighboring old house in Huaihua Lane, Mrs. Jiao asks about her business there.

Huo Linglong explains that the house belongs to a friend and that they are merely handling some affairs. Assuming Huo Linglong has no lodgings, Mrs. Jiao warmly invites her to stay with her, but Huo Linglong politely declines. At the Jin Mansion, a servant rushes to Jin Zhenping with urgent news of a major disturbance at Qinghui Hall. Bai Yutang has registered for the upcoming Suwen Assembly under the name of his deceased brother, Jin Xuewen.

Butler Xu An's face turned pale upon seeing the name, and he is currently locked in a fierce argument with the registrant, drawing a massive crowd of onlookers. Realizing he has been lured into a trap, Jin Zhenping immediately sets off. At Qinghui Hall, bystanders gossip about the sudden return of Jin Xuewen. While the younger residents are unfamiliar with the name, the elders recall that he committed a crime and died in prison over a decade ago.

Blending into the crowd, Ming Zhuer and Zhao Zhier loudly declare that the old case was highly suspicious and that Jin Xuewen was likely wronged. They accuse the wealthy Jin family of heartlessly abandoning their own kin to die of illness in prison, successfully turning public opinion against the family. Butler Xu An tries to silence the instigators, but Zhao Zhier mocks his advanced age, telling him to slow down.

Pushing them aside, Xu An accuses them of being in cahoots. Jin Zhenping arrives and orders the crowd to disperse, telling Xu An not to waste his breath on outsiders. Once the crowd clears, Jin Zhenping dismisses the butler as well. Left alone, Bai Yutang mocks Jin Zhenping's authoritative demeanor as the family chief, noting that he has dropped his refined act. Jin Zhenping immediately recognizes him as Young Seventeenth and expresses surprise that he survived the shipwreck years ago.

Bai Yutang sneers, accusing Jin Zhenping of sending men to ensure his death back then. He demands the antidote to the Yemotian Poison, threatening to disgrace the Jin family name at the Suwen Assembly if his demand is ignored. Jin Zhenping feigns ignorance of the poison and accuses Zhan Zhao of orchestrating the scheme.

Bai Yutang retorts that it was actually Fourth Aunt who used the Naihe Yin to save Zhan Zhao's life, rendering Jin Zhenping's claims of being a savior hollow. He mocks the chief for repeatedly falling for simple diversions. Fourth Aunt enters the room in tears and embraces the grown-up Bai Yutang, admitting she thought he had died fifteen years ago.

Bai Yutang reassures her of his strength and explains that he returned to reclaim his identity and apologize to Fifth Uncle for kidnapping the Jin disciples. He adds that Fifth Uncle has already been informed of Jin Zhenping's actions and has ordered the chief to kneel in the courtyard for two hours. Leaving Jin Zhenping to kneel in the pouring rain, Bai Yutang escorts Fourth Aunt inside.

Indoors, Fourth Aunt laments that the family abandoned the search for Bai Yutang years ago, leaving him to wander alone. Bai Yutang reassures her that he learned martial arts during his travels and asks for her help regarding the Yemotian Poison. She acts evasive, suggesting that Jin Zhenping's refusal to help might simply stem from his limited medical skills. Bai Yutang insists the chief can cure it but refrains from sharing further details.

Fourth Aunt promises to try and persuade Jin Zhenping, and Bai Yutang asks to stay in his late Fourth Uncle's study, which she gladly permits. Zhan Zhao arranges for Ming Zhuer and Zhao Zhier to pose as Bai Yutang's servants so they can gather information. That night, the two companions get the Jin Mansion servants drunk and learn that Jin Zhenping has a habit of collecting medical formulas, though the hiding spot remains a mystery.

Their investigation is cut short when Butler Xu An furiously drives the servants away, threatening to fire them. Meanwhile, Fifth Uncle questions Jin Zhenping in his chambers. While Fifth Uncle forgives the unauthorized use of the Naihe Yin to save a life, he reprimands Jin Zhenping for keeping the elders in the dark. Jin Zhenping vehemently denies any alliance with the Tang Sect, portraying himself as a victim of Bai Yutang's vengeance, but Fifth Uncle remains skeptical.

The next morning, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong return to the Huaihua Lane old house. Under Zhan Zhao's guidance, Bai Yutang recalls the day of the murder fifteen years ago. He had returned from a neighboring county with Xiang Cai to find officers carrying out the victim's body. At home, his brother Jin Xuewen was asleep, covered in scratches and blood, claiming he was injured while gathering herbs.

The officers subsequently arrested Jin Xuewen after discovering his dirty robe and a dagger in the house. While the court concluded that Jin Xuewen killed the girl in a failed assault, Zhan Zhao points out the glaring inconsistencies. If Jin Xuewen had been sober enough to hide the murder weapon, he would have cleaned the blood and disposed of the evidence instead of simply sleeping in his bed.

Inspecting the study, they find an untitled book with suggestive drawings belonging to Jin Xuewen, which causes Huo Linglong to leave the room in embarrassment. They examine the blood-spattered bedroom, noting that the medical prodigy family's supposed failure with knockout smoke seems highly improbable. Their investigation is interrupted when Zhao Zhier rushes in, pleading with them to save Ming Zhuer.

Returning to the Jin Mansion, they find that Butler Xu An has bound Ming Zhuer to a tree, loudly slandering both Jin Xuewen and Bai Yutang to the other servants. Zhan Zhao intervenes, pointing out that accusing the young boy of theft without evidence constitutes a punishable false accusation. They rush to the Library Pavilion only to find that Jin Zhenping has burned the medical formulas.

Jin Zhenping mockingly addresses him by his birth name, Jin Yuewen, and points out that even he doubted his brother's innocence back then. He claims that Bai Yutang's childhood plea for the Naihe Yin in the rain was merely a calculated performance to win Fourth Aunt's pity so she would raise him.

Bai Yutang recalls how, as a child, he had indeed remained silent and failed to defend his brother when the old servant Xiang Cai urged him to appeal the case. Shattered by these realizations, Bai Yutang asks to be alone. Determined to help, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong appeal to Fourth Aunt. Huo Linglong passionately describes the hardships Bai Yutang endured as an abandoned child.

Moved to tears, Fourth Aunt relents and provides the antidote formula for the Yemotian Poison, claiming she drafted it from ancient texts to protect Jin Zhenping. Unaware of this development, Jin Zhenping intentionally takes a secluded path for a house call, hoping to lure Bai Yutang into an ambush by the Tang Sect. Bai Yutang follows him, seeking to uncover the hidden formulas.

Fortunately, Zhan Zhao intercepts Bai Yutang before he can walk into the trap, revealing that they already have the formula thanks to Huo Linglong's intervention. Zhan Zhao reassures him that the formula is already being sent to Xiankong Island to save his sworn brothers. He then encourages Bai Yutang to comfort Ming Zhuer, who was deeply hurt by the false accusations. They find Ming Zhuer and Zhao Zhier happily grilling fish by the river. Grateful and relieved, Bai Yutang joins them, asking Huo Linglong how she managed to sway Fourth Aunt.

Over a warm fire, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and their companions roasted fish. Watching Bai Yutang handle the task with effortless skill, the others playfully teased him, noting that since his family lived on Xiankong Island, he should be an expert swimmer rather than someone terrified of water. Bai Yutang’s expression darkened as he recalled a painful memory.

He explained that after his brother’s case was closed, Xiang Cai had insisted on a retrial and took him on a boat to the prefectural court to file a petition. Mid-journey, their vessel began to sink. With his final ounce of strength, Xiang Cai pushed a floating wooden plank to Bai Yutang, saving his life before drowning. Bai Yutang drifted on the river for two days before his rescue, and the water had remained his deepest nightmare ever since.

Touched by his tragic past, the group offered warm comfort, and Zhan Zhao assured him that anyone in his childhood shoes would not have fared any better. Meanwhile, Jin Zhenping grew anxious waiting for Bai Yutang to return. Realizing the antidote prescription was now in his rivals' hands, he rushed back to the mansion to confront Zhang Shi.

In a fit of rage, he accused Bai Yutang of returning solely to exact vengeance on the Jin family, but Zhang Shi remained silently kneeling before the altar in the Buddhist hall. At the same time, Shao Jizu informed Si Ming of the Jin family surrendering the recipe. Si Ming instructed Shao Jizu to pay a visit to his old friend, Tang Tianhao, at Jujing Hall to hold him accountable.

Shao Jizu confronted Tang Tianhao, who was tending to poisonous insect eggs, accusing him of crossing the line by meeting people he shouldn't have and saying things he shouldn't have. The next day, Shao Jizu orchestrated a trap under the guise of an invitation from Tang Tianhao. Having received the word, Huo Linglong went to meet them, accompanied by Zhan Zhao.

During the tense encounter, Zhan Zhao publicly revealed that the victim of the old Huaihua Lane murder was none other than Huo Linglong's aunt, exposing a deep blood feud between the Jin and Huo families. Stunned by the revelation, Huo Linglong sought out Mrs. Jiao, her late aunt's close friend, to verify the claim. Mrs. Jiao sorrowfully confirmed that Jin Xuewen was indeed the killer.

She recalled seeing him sneak into her friend's courtyard on the night of the crime, lamenting that she had previously warned Huo Linglong's aunt about his poor character, but the two had been too close to heed her warnings. Back at the mansion, Zhang Shi privately met with Bai Yutang to reveal the painful truth behind the Jin family's inaction years ago.

Long before Bai Yutang had knelt in the rain begging for the Lament Pill, the local authorities had already delivered Jin Xuewen’s signed confession to the Jin Mansion. Since he had fully confessed and was sentenced to death, Zhang Shi had begged the clan chief to conceal the truth, wanting to spare Bai Yutang the agony of knowing his brother was a murderer. She never expected this well-meaning silence to breed such a bitter hatred within him.

Unable to accept the truth, Bai Yutang went to the magistrate's office to retrieve the confession himself. Heartbroken and carrying the murder weapon, he sought out Huo Linglong, offering his own life to pay his brother's debt. Though consumed by grief, Huo Linglong refused his sacrifice, stating that Jin Xuewen had already paid with his life. Before they could speak further, her brother, Huo Feng, suddenly burst in and attacked Bai Yutang with his sword.

Zhan Zhao quickly intervened, shielding Bai Yutang and leading him away. Huo Feng then comforted his sister with some pastries, urging her to return home with him and reminding her that she could no longer remain friends with the brother of her aunt's killer. Though Bai Yutang now believed his brother was guilty, Zhan Zhao sensed a hidden hand manipulating the entire sequence of events.

The following day, Zhan Zhao went to the county court with Ming Zhu'er and Zhao Zhi'er to examine the original case files. The Magistrate desperately tried to delay and block their request, using a lack of specific authorization as an excuse. When the Registrar helped the Magistrate slip away, Zhan Zhao detained the Registrar to inquire about any bailiffs who had served in the court for over fifteen years.

As the Registrar played dumb, Si Ming passed by disguised as a prefectural officer and pointed out two familiar bailiffs. Seizing the opportunity, the Registrar identified the men as Yao Yushan and Wang Xing, but claimed both had abruptly taken leave and left town the previous day. Zhan Zhao hurried to Wang Xing's home, where his wife revealed her husband had suddenly left for Jingzhou to visit his uncle.

She described him as a strongly built man with a prominent black mole on his left ear. Unfortunately, Zhan Zhao arrived too late; Wang Xing had already been murdered, his neck snapped and his body thrown from a cliff, though the Registrar and local authorities hastily tried to rule his death as an accidental fall. Zhan Zhao then visited Yao Yushan’s home.

Yao's wife was clueless about her husband's whereabouts, but she mentioned that shortly after the Huaihua Lane case was settled, Yao had brought home a massive sum of twenty taels of silver to rebuild their house, claiming it was an inheritance.

Sensing a conspiracy, Zhan Zhao decided to send an urgent letter to the capital, requesting Lord Bao to use the Kaifeng Prefecture's authority to check historical local official appointments and track down the county magistrate who had overseen the case fifteen years ago. Just then, Zhao Zhi'er rushed in with news that Bai Yutang was dead drunk. Zhan Zhao brought him back to the Jin Mansion, where Zhang Shi tenderly prepared a hangover soup to care for him.

Zhan Zhao went to check on a drunken Bai Yutang in his room, telling him that of the two old bailiffs, one was missing and the other had been murdered, proving there was definitely something wrong with the fifteen-year-old case.

Zhan Zhao saw right through Bai Yutang, who was keeping his eyes closed and pretending to be asleep. He brought up the case of Jin Xue Wen once more, asserting that there must be hidden truths beneath the surface. He argued that while Jin Xue Wen’s claim of gathering medicinal herbs at night sounded absurd, if he had truly intended to lie, he would not have concocted such a clumsy and easily refuted excuse.

Zhan Zhao even asked Bai Yutang, given his medical knowledge, if there were any herbs that actually required harvesting in the hills at night. However, Bai Yutang remained deeply dispirited and ignored his words, refusing to even open his eyes. Feeling helpless, Zhan Zhao departed. Upon stepping outside, he learned that Huo Linglong had already left for Linglong Manor with her brother, Huo Feng. On her journey back, Huo Linglong was consumed by doubts.

She recalled how her aunt’s body had been brought back and hurriedly buried within a single day. At the time, the family claimed it was out of fear of the plague, but she now realized they only wanted to suppress the growing whispers and protect the family's reputation. She sensed her father was hiding something, and she was deeply disappointed that even her upright brother, Huo Feng, supported this decision.

In their eyes, the prestige of Linglong Manor was far more important than her aunt’s life. Zhan Zhao headed to the ruined residence in Huaihua Lane alone. Searching through the debris, he discovered a torn scrap of paper with the name "Jin Yue Wen" faintly visible on it. Meanwhile, Si Ming summoned Shao Ji Zu to discuss the investigation of the Zhongxiao Court case in the capital.

Since the incident had occurred within the jurisdiction of Xiangzhou, Si Ming instructed him to personally write a memorial to apologize, regardless of the outcome of the case. Shao Ji Zu, elated by Huo Linglong's departure, believed their wedding was drawing near and that she would no longer interfere with their master's affairs.

At the inn, Ming Zhu Er and Zhao Zhi Er wanted to search for Huo Linglong, but Zhan Zhao stopped them, explaining that the only way to bring her back was to get to the bottom of the case first. Before dawn, unable to cope with his inner turmoil, Bai Yutang slipped away from the inn. Zhan Zhao took Zhao Zhi Er and Ming Zhu Er into the mountains to track Bai Yutang.

Along the way, they encountered a local hunter who had lived there for over twenty years.

When asked if anything unusual had happened fifteen years ago around the Double Ninth Festival, the hunter recalled that although the plague was rampant at the time, a pair of reckless lovers had defied the government's ban to tryst in the pavilion at Flying Petals Col. Though the search yielded no immediate sign of Bai Yutang, they returned to the inn, where the innkeeper handed Zhan Zhao a letter left by Huo Linglong.

Ultimately, Huo Linglong decided to return and face her fears to find the truth for her aunt, choosing to team up with Zhan Zhao once again. Zhan Zhao tracked Bai Yutang down by a creek in the outskirts. He confronted him sternly, demanding that he stop running away like a coward and instead take responsibility to uncover the truth of what happened fifteen years ago. Provoked and angry, Bai Yutang plunged into the deep water.

Overcoming his lifelong terror of drowning, memories of his older brother teaching him calligraphy flashed through his mind. He finally conquered his fear and broke through the water’s surface, where Zhan Zhao reached out and pulled him back onto the shore. The group returned to the victim's house to examine the crime scene.

Huo Linglong pointed out that the cedar furniture was suspicious, as her aunt was severely allergic to cedar wood and would never have owned it, indicating the original furniture was replaced after the murder. They also discovered fluid, expert sword marks on the door frame, proving that a martial arts master—a third person—was present on the night of the crime, as neither the scholar Jin Xue Wen nor her young aunt could have left such marks.

Knowing they needed the official records, they planned to retrieve the case files. That night, the county office storehouse caught fire in an obvious attempt by the magistrate to destroy the evidence. Fortunately, Bai Yutang acted swiftly and managed to rescue the case files from the fire. As they reviewed the retrieved files overnight, they noticed a significant discrepancy. While the content of the confession matched his brother's hand, the handwriting of the signature "Jin Yue Wen" did not.

His brother had always taken pride in his elegant handwriting, making the strokes of his characters exceptionally long, unlike the poorly written signature on the document, suggesting it was forged or written under duress. The files also contained three critical testimonies from the original trial.

First, the Jin family butler, Xu An, testified that Jin Xue Wen frequently harassed Huo Linglong's aunt, though Jin Xue Wen had argued he only spoke to her because she seemed to be in trouble and had no ill intent. Second, Mrs. Jiao and her two maids testified that they saw Jin Xue Wen enter the neighboring courtyard on the night of the murder.

Lastly, Jin Xue Wen had maintained his innocence, claiming he was in Flying Petals Col gathering herbs all night and had witnessed Tang Ji of the Tang Sect trysting with a veiled woman in white at Chunxin Pavilion. However, Tang Ji had vehemently denied ever being there or seeing Jin Xue Wen. Huo Linglong suggested questioning Mrs. Jiao again, but Zhan Zhao realized Tang Ji was the real key. Recalling the hunter’s story, the group went back to consult him.

The hunter confirmed that the woman who frequently met the man at the pavilion always wore a white dress embroidered with flower petals resembling the fallen blossoms of Flying Petals Col. Bai Yutang realized Tang Ji had lied in court to keep his affair a secret, and finding this woman in white was the only way to shatter his false testimony.

Furthermore, to prove Jin Xue Wen was telling the truth about gathering herbs, they decided to return to the old Jin residence to examine his medical books for any plants that could only be harvested at night. Among the dusty books, Bai Yutang was reminded of his childhood, when his brother, Jin Xue Wen, would gently scold him for neglecting his studies and encourage him to practice his writing for the upcoming Suwen Assembly.

Ming Zhu'er and Zhao Zhi'er were busy organizing and drying scrolls in the courtyard, waiting for Zhan Zhao and the others to return. Meanwhile, Bai Yutang was struck by a sudden, vivid memory of his late brother, Jin Xuewen, urging him to practice his needling techniques for the upcoming Suwen Assembly. Following this memory, Bai Yutang searched a hidden compartment in his bed and successfully retrieved his brother's handwritten prescription.

The document detailed the "Day-Long Cocoon," a highly toxic specimen harvested from the cliffs of Eagle Beak Rock in Flying Petals Col. Jin Xuewen had written that the cocoon could serve as a vital ingredient for the long-lost Naihe Decoction to cure rare poisons, explaining his midnight climb on the night of the incident.

Driven by these clues, Bai Yutang searched the area near a dry well and discovered the Day-Long Cocoon preserved in the cold darkness, exactly as his brother's notes described. Overwhelmed by grief, Bai Yutang realized that his brother had not been a lazy slacker but had worked tirelessly to secure a victory at the assembly. He bitterly regretted not attending his brother’s trial to hear his defense.

Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang analyzed the findings and deduced that the devastating plague fifteen years ago was actually caused by the Seven-Day Drunken Dream poison. Jin Xuewen had evidently uncovered this conspiracy, which ultimately cost him his life. The group decided to split up to gather more information. Huo Linglong paid a visit to Mrs. Jiao to ask about the night of the murder.

Mrs. Jiao recalled seeing a scholar-looking figure who closely resembled Jin Xuewen, suggesting her aunt's death was indeed related to him. Suddenly, Jiao Siyuan arrived and accused Linglong Manor of killing his father, Jiao Chaogui, pointing out that his father had been killed by a sword through the Baihui point—a signature move of Linglong Manor known as "A Fleeting Glimpse." Huo Linglong defended herself, explaining that Jing Yiming’s assassins had mastered various sects' ultimate moves and were the ones responsible.

Mrs. Jiao quickly intervened to calm her son and prevent a clash. Upon leaving the Jiao residence, Huo Linglong met her brother, Huo Feng, who wanted to bring her back to the manor. Sensing that Shao Jizu was lurking nearby to eavesdrop, Huo Linglong loudly declared to her brother that she had resolved to call off her engagement, vowing never to marry such a foolish, arrogant, and conceited man.

Angered by her words, Shao Jizu retreated to vent his fury through intense martial arts practice. Si Ming observed him, advising that if he wanted to take Huo Linglong back, there were many ways to do so, depending on how ruthless he could be. Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang walked through the town to question the local residents about the past plague.

The townspeople described how the victims had behaved as if they were dreaming, displaying immense, unnatural strength, and retaining no memory of their actions after waking. This description strongly pointed to the Seven-Day Drunken Dream poison. When they asked Fourth Aunt Zhang shi about the prescription used to cure the plague, she became evasive and claimed she did not know.

Jin Zhenping suddenly arrived and warned Bai Yutang—whom he addressed by his childhood nickname, "Little Seventeen"—not to trouble his aunt and to let her live in peace. Meanwhile, Tang Ji received a pigeon message from Si Ming, forcing him to comply with his demands despite his reluctance. That night, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong gathered to share their findings.

Zhan Zhao suspected that the Tang Sect had originally wanted Yemotian, making the plague of the Seven-Day Drunken Dream an accidental outcome. Realizing that the mysterious white-clothed woman wore a dress with a distinct pale red floral pattern and that Zhang shi knew many prestigious ladies, Huo Linglong decided to investigate further.

The next morning, Huo Linglong visited the Jin Mansion and spotted a screen in Chunxin Pavilion depicting a man and a woman meeting in a pavilion, which perfectly matched the hunter's description of the secret lovers. She immediately alerted Bai Yutang, who found it hard to believe his aunt could be involved.

However, when they questioned a maid at the mansion, she confirmed that Zhang shi owned a white dress with pale red petals hidden at the bottom of a chest. The maid added that Zhang shi had left to pray at Moyun Temple. They rushed to Moyun Temple and spotted Zhang shi switching carriages and changing her clothes.

Huo Linglong stayed behind to search for the discarded dress while Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang followed Zhang shi to a hidden cave in Flying Petals Col. At the temple, a maid burning joss paper revealed to Huo Linglong that Zhang shi had been muttering apologies to "Little Seventeen" (Bai Yutang). Inside the cave, Zhan Zhao heard the sound of running water, indicating a secret passage.

As they searched, Bai Yutang accidentally knocked over a wooden box, releasing a cloud of toxic white smoke. The poison caused him to hallucinate, mistaking Zhan Zhao for Tang Ji, and he drew his sword to attack. Watching from behind a stone wall, Zhang shi was consumed by guilt and fled, vowing never to see Tang Ji again.

Inside the cave, Bai Yutang's hallucination shifted, and he began to see Zhan Zhao as his late brother, Jin Xuewen, desperately promising to save him. Outside, Tang Ji ordered his men to shoot flaming arrows, setting the cave on fire to burn them to ashes. Fortunately, Bai Yutang regained his senses, and working with Zhan Zhao, they broke through the stone wall to let the underground river flood the cave, saving themselves from the fire.

At the same time, Huo Linglong was cornered at Moyun Temple by Jiao Siyuan, who was determined to avenge his father. Shao Jizu suddenly appeared and drove Jiao Siyuan back, but he then tried to force Huo Linglong to return to the manor. Zhan Zhao arrived just in time to knock Shao Jizu down and rescue her. Back at the Jin Mansion, they confronted Zhang shi with the evidence.

Broken, she confessed that she and Tang Ji were childhood sweethearts, but due to their different social statuses, she was forced to marry into the Jin family. She admitted that Tang Ji had set up the cave trap to silence them when their investigation drew too close. She wept, insisting that they never intended to harm anyone and that the plague was an accident.

Begging Bai Yutang to spare her some dignity, she implored him not to let the rest of the Jin family know of her scandalous past, leaving the decision of her fate in his hands.

Bai Yutang had once regarded Zhang, his fourth aunt, as a deeply cherished elder, never imagining she would play a role in his brother's tragic end. Confronting her, he recalled how she was the only one in the Jin family he believed truly cared for him.

When pressed about the murder of Huo Linglong's late aunt, Zhang insisted that Tang Ji was not the killer but had merely given false testimony, and she claimed she did not know the true culprit's identity. Despite her tearful pleas of living in guilt and regret for fifteen years, reminding him of how she lovingly raised him at Jujing Hall, Bai Yutang remained resolute.

He declared that while he could overlook her role in Tang Ji's plot to kill him out of gratitude for her past kindness, he could never forgive her on behalf of his deceased brother, Jin Xuewen. He demanded that Zhang testify in court to expose Tang Ji's perjury and clear his brother's name. However, Zhang refused, desperate to protect her family's reputation.

She feared that testifying would brand her as a disgraced woman, ruining the promising careers of her children—her son, Liang Er, who was an official in the capital, and her daughter, Lan Er, who had married into a noble house. She begged Bai Yutang to kill her on the spot to avenge his brother rather than drag her family through public shame.

Bai Yutang flatly refused, stating that her death would not restore his brother's honor, and insisted that she owed Jin Xuewen her testimony. Meanwhile, Huo Linglong bound Jiao Siyuan to interrogate him, demanding to know why he was so certain the Huo family had killed his father, Jiao Chaogui. Realizing that Huo Linglong and Zhan Zhao harbored no malice, Jiao Siyuan admitted he had been manipulated.

He explained that during his father's funeral, a mysterious informant sent a message claiming Huo Linglong was in Xiangyang at the time of the murder, and another message had tipped him off about her location that very day. Huo Linglong assured him that her family had absolutely nothing to do with Jiao Chaogui's death, advising him to investigate the person feeding him information instead.

When pressed about the sword formation his men had used, Jiao Siyuan revealed that his father and uncles had developed it fifteen years ago. He added that starting from that same year, his mother, Mrs. Jiao, had settled permanently in Xiangyang, never returning to Shengyun Stronghold. Jiao Siyuan recalled that his father had visited Xiangyang that autumn, on the eve of the Jin family's Suwen Assembly.

Huo Linglong and Zhan Zhao brought Jiao Siyuan to confront Mrs. Jiao, demanding the truth about the night Huo Linglong's aunt was murdered. Mrs. Jiao initially tried to deflect, claiming Jiao Chaogui's presence in Xiangyang had nothing to do with the crime and citing a grudge over a concubine as her reason for never returning to Shengyun Stronghold.

However, Huo Linglong exposed the lies, pointing out that the concubine had died that very winter, yet Mrs. Jiao had still refused to return. Under pressure, Mrs. Jiao finally broke down and confessed the harrowing truth. On the night of the murder, Jiao Chaogui had broken into the aunt's residence to demand the location of the Linglong Eye. When she refused to cooperate, he attacked her with a sword, leaving her severely wounded.

The next day, upon hearing that the gentle scholar Jin Xuewen had been arrested, Jiao Chaogui forced Mrs. Jiao to falsely testify that she saw Jin Xuewen entering the courtyard to permanently divert suspicion from himself. To ensure her silence, Jiao Chaogui subsequently murdered Mrs. Jiao's two maids, which terrified her so deeply that she severed all ties with Shengyun Stronghold.

Deeply grieved by the revelation that her aunt's supposed friend had covered up her murder for fifteen years, Huo Linglong wept bitterly. Bai Yutang, who had been listening outside, burst into the room. Disgusted by Mrs. Jiao's belated tears, he demanded that she go to court to deliver justice for the victims. When Mrs. Jiao hesitated out of fear of destroying Shengyun Stronghold's reputation and facing the Huo family's wrath, Bai Yutang coldly threatened Jiao Siyuan's life.

Terrified, Mrs. Jiao begged for her son's safety and agreed to testify. Huo Linglong sternly warned her that if she dared to break her promise or flee, she would personally execute both mother and son. After returning to their old residence, the group tried to process the heavy revelations. Huo Linglong lamented how easily these perpetrators offered empty remorse while continuing to prioritize their own selfish interests over justice.

Analyzing the details, Zhan Zhao pointed out that since Jiao Chaogui had already used a sword, there was no logical reason for him to use a dagger to finish her off. Furthermore, since Jiao Chaogui only decided to frame Jin Xuewen after the arrest, the bloody clothes and the dagger must have been planted by someone else. Bai Yutang confirmed the dagger was indeed Jin Xuewen's, a birthday gift from his fourth uncle.

Zhan Zhao concluded that the real culprit had to be someone close to Jin Xuewen who knew of the dagger's existence. He realized that only a handful of people fit this description, which explained why Zhang was so desperate to protect them. Realizing the danger, Bai Yutang, Zhan Zhao, and Huo Linglong rushed back to the Jin Mansion to lock down Zhang's courtyard, hoping to prevent any attempts on her life.

Inside the mansion, Jin Zhenping remained unnervingly calm, confident that Zhang would never reveal the truth. Meanwhile, Zhang received a reply from her son, Liang Er. Desperate to protect her children's future and fearing that the exposure of her past affair would bring ruin to her family, she instructed her maid to deliver two farewell letters to Liang Er and Lan Er. After warning the servant to ask no questions, Zhang swallowed poison.

Bai Yutang, who was guarding the courtyard, heard a sudden sound and burst into the room, only to find Zhang already dead, tightly clutching Jin Zhenping's jade jue in her hand. During the funeral, a furious Bai Yutang confronted Jin Zhenping, accusing him of driving Zhang to her death to protect his own skin, and produced the jade jue found in her hand.

Jin Zhenping falsely claimed he had never seen the ornament and turned the accusation back on Bai Yutang, sneering that Jin Xuewen would forever remain a murderer and that Bai Yutang would always be a killer's brother. Suddenly, Tang Ji arrived at the funeral hall. Shocked, Jin Zhenping warned him to keep a low profile, mentioning that Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong were currently away attempting to rescue Mrs. Jiao and Jiao Siyuan from Si Ming's assassins.

Tang Ji, devastated by Zhang's death and realizing Jin Zhenping had driven his childhood sweetheart to suicide to protect his own skin, drew his weapon to kill him once the coffin was closed. Bai Yutang intervened, unwilling to let Jin Zhenping die so easily, and clashed with Tang Ji. As Tang Ji fell into a disadvantage, Jin Zhenping suddenly released the "Tipsy Breeze" poison, temporarily paralyzing Bai Yutang and allowing Tang Ji to escape to protect their shared secrets.

However, upon returning to the Tang Sect, Tang Ji was immediately assassinated by Shao Jizu, who was acting under Si Ming's orders. Shao Jizu declared Tang Tianhao as the new chief of the sect. As Tang Ji lay dying, he firmly held his grieving nephew back, forbidding him from acting impulsively, and urged him to focus solely on preserving the Tang Sect.

As Bai Yutang rested and recovered, Ming Zhu'er bandaged his wounds, teasing him for being overly delicate as he winced at the alcohol-based medicine. Meanwhile, a letter arrived from Lord Bao in the capital, clarifying two vital facts. First, the tragic plague in Tanxi Town had never been reported to the imperial court, meaning the inhumane actions were not sanctioned by the Emperor.

Second, the magistrate who oversaw the case fifteen years ago was Luo Wenjie, who currently served as the Governor of Xiangzhou and was suspected to be the mastermind "Si Ming." Realizing that the high-ranking governor would never willingly reopen the case through standard legal channels, Zhan Zhao proposed a bold strategy: they would invite Luo Wenjie to the upcoming Suwen Assembly and present the undeniable evidence in front of the entire town, leaving him with no choice but to confess.

As the Jin family prepared for the event, the Fifth Uncle summoned Jin Zhenping, demanding to know if he was colluding with the Tang Sect. Jin Zhenping deflected the accusation and warned the elder that if Bai Yutang succeeded in reopening the case, a far more damaging family scandal would be exposed: the forbidden affair between Zhang and Jin Xuewen.

Realizing that clearing one name would only invite public disgrace upon the family, the elder began to waver on whether to allow Bai Yutang to participate. However, their discussion was cut short when Zhao Zhi'er, the steward of Nanqing Palace, arrived bearing a royal token. He announced that Prince Hui (Zhao Zhuoqing) would personally attend the Suwen Assembly at the invitation of his close friend, Bai Yutang, leaving the Jin family with no choice but to proceed with the event.

Five Granduncle harbored deep doubts about why Prince Hui, Zhao Zhuo Qing, would suddenly grace the Suwen Assembly with his presence. Zhao Zhi Er intentionally dropped hints, explaining that the Prince shared a profound friendship with Bai Yutang and had been invited specifically to watch him compete with other medical masters. Hearing of this royal connection, Five Granduncle did not dare risk offending the Prince.

Consequently, he flatly refused to go along with Jin Zhenping's schemes to bar Bai Yutang from participating in the assembly. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong successfully tracked down the hunter, Cui Tian. They settled him into an inn and compensated him with money for his lost livelihood, asking only that he speak the honest truth at the upcoming Suwen Assembly. Cui Tian, a man of integrity, readily agreed to testify.

Later, as they walked past Yao Yu Shan's house, Huo Linglong sighed over the misfortune of Yao’s wife, who still had no news of her husband's whereabouts. However, Zhan Zhao's sharp eyes caught a curious sight: Yao's wife was offering food to a beggar. It struck him as strange that the same beggar had been lingering in the deep alleys for days, even refusing to leave in the rain.

Before they could investigate further, a messenger from Jin Zhenping arrived, inviting Zhan Zhao to Cuixi Forest for a private meeting. Following the meeting, a frustrated Jin Zhenping went to report his lack of progress to Si Ming and Shao Ji Zu. Jin Zhenping proposed either delaying the Suwen Assembly to buy them more time to eliminate the witnesses, or simply sabotaging the event entirely so it could not take place.

However, Si Ming remained resolute, insisting that the assembly must proceed exactly as scheduled. He argued that sacrificing a pawn was a small price to pay if it allowed them to see exactly what cards their opponents held. Since Zhan Zhao was trying to lure them into a trap, Si Ming decided they would simply walk right into it.

On the eve of the Suwen Assembly, Bai Yutang successfully secured Mrs. Jiao and her son in a neighboring room under close guard. Their preparations were nearly complete, save for one crucial element: they still lacked the key witness, Yao Yu Shan. Desperate to tip the scales in their favor, Bai Yutang made up his mind to head to Flying Petals Col to search for Qingyu Grass.

If he could find the rare Day-Long Cocoon mentioned in his brother's notes, he could definitively prove that Jin Xue Wen had been in the mountains on the night of the crime. Before setting off, Bai Yutang instructed Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong to proceed directly to Qinghui Hall without him if he failed to return by morning. Knowing his friend's stubborn nature, Zhan Zhao did not stop him, choosing instead to let him take the risk.

As a heavy autumn rain began to fall, Huo Linglong grew increasingly anxious about Bai Yutang's safety and worried that Yao Yu Shan might have already fallen into the hands of the enemy. Zhan Zhao suddenly recalled the mysterious beggar and suspected that it might actually be Yao Yu Shan in disguise. He rushed back to question Yao's wife, but she remained tight-lipped and urged him to leave, claiming her husband had not returned.

Meanwhile, braving the torrential downpour, Bai Yutang scaled Yingzui Rock. His efforts paid off when he located both the Qingyu Grass and the Day-Long Cocoon. He spent the entire night on the cliff guarding the precious find. Upon waking the next morning, he was viciously attacked by a falcon. The Qingyu Grass had grown right beside its nest, and the protective bird fought fiercely to drive the intruder away.

On the day of the Suwen Assembly, Luo Wen Jie, the Governor of Xiangzhou, arrived to observe the ceremony. Shortly after, a grand carriage entered the courtyard. Luo Wen Jie stepped forward to pay his respects, but Zhao Zhi Er stepped out instead, claiming that Prince Hui had paused to admire the scenery along the road and would arrive shortly. Realizing the Prince was not coming, Luo Wen Jie became suspicious.

With the auspicious hour fast approaching and no sign of the Prince, Huo Linglong secretly rang the assembly bell early to force the event to begin. In accordance with century-old traditions, the gates of the three courtyards were shut tight, permitting entry but forbidding anyone from leaving. Flanked by Zhan Zhao and his allies, a helpless Luo Wen Jie was escorted to the seat of honor to preside over the evaluations.

During the draw, Jin Zhenping manipulated the lots to call out Bai Yutang's number, aiming to disqualify him for being absent. Huo Linglong boldly stepped forward as his proxy, announcing that they were not there to compete, but to appeal a fifteen-year-old injustice. She openly demanded that Luo Wen Jie review the wrongful conviction of Jin Xue Wen.

Caught off guard, Luo Wen Jie tried to leave under the pretext that the assembly was not a court of law, but his eyes locked with Si Ming's cold, warning gaze from within the disguised crowd. Petrified, the Governor was forced back into his seat, a detail that did not escape Zhan Zhao's watchful eye.

Stirred by Huo Linglong's words, the gathered crowd of physicians and citizens began to chant for a retrial, leaving Luo Wen Jie with no choice but to reopen the case. Mingzhu'er then brought forward a large chest containing the original files and physical evidence. Zhan Zhao immediately began his cross-examination of the first witness, the old butler Xu An. He pointed out the glaring loopholes in Xu An's claims about Jin Xue Wen's supposed flirtations.

Zhan Zhao revealed that Xu An had repeated the exact same lewd lines for multiple different women over the years, exposing his testimony as a fabricated, rehearsed script. Unable to recall any specific details under pressure, Xu An's credibility crumbled, and Luo Wen Jie was forced to declare his testimony invalid. Since the second witness, Tang Ji, was dead, Zhan Zhao called the hunter Cui Tian to the stand.

Cui Tian testified that for years, he had seen a man and a woman trysting at Chunxin Pavilion in Flying Petals Col. He confirmed that on the night of the murder, he saw them again, which supported Jin Xue Wen's claim of seeing Tang Ji outside the city that night.

Luo Wen Jie tried to dismiss this, arguing that a single hunter's testimony was insufficient and that Jin Xue Wen could have simply seen the couple years before and lied about the date. Huo Linglong countered by bringing up the physical evidence, pointing out that the deep, inch-long wounds on Jin Xue Wen's shoulder could not possibly have been inflicted by human fingers. Just then, a wounded Bai Yutang made his dramatic entrance.

He bared his arm to reveal fresh, deep lacerations that perfectly matched the coroner’s drawings of Jin Xue Wen's fifteen-year-old injuries. Bai Yutang explained that the wounds were the result of a falcon attack, proving that his brother had indeed been high up in the cliffs harvesting herbs on the night of the crime.

To solidify his proof, Bai Yutang presented the Day-Long Cocoon, a rare translucent treasure that he had recovered from their old family residence's well in Huaihua Lane, proving that Jin Xue Wen had rightfully earned the top spot in the competition years ago. Desperate to salvage the situation, Luo Wen Jie argued that another witness had seen Jin Xue Wen leaving the victim’s house. At that moment, Mrs. Jiao stepped forward.

She confessed to committing perjury, revealing that the man she saw leaving the courtyard that night was actually her husband, Jiao Chao Gui, who had severely beaten Huo Linglong's aunt. Jiao Chao Gui had threatened to kill her if she did not frame Jin Xue Wen. Realizing he was cornered, a panicked Luo Wen Jie tried to quickly close the trial by taking responsibility for the past oversight and blaming his subordinates.

However, Zhan Zhao delivered the final blow, accusing the Governor of deliberate collusion with the killer to frame Jin Xue Wen, and ordered his men to bring out the real Yao Yu Shan to identify him. When Yao Yu Shan asked how the investigator had uncovered his identity, Zhan Zhao explained that during his second visit to the Yao household, the wife's lack of anxiety betrayed her knowledge of her husband's safety. Furthermore, the beggars' insistence on staying in the deep alleys instead of busy markets, even during heavy rain, revealed that they were receiving daily food from her.

Zhan Zhao confronts a beggar on the street, who is actually Yao Yu Shan in disguise. He points out that unlike real beggars who do not fear the gaze of passersby, Yao Yu Shan had given himself away by avoiding eye contact. Although Yao Yu Shan is skeptical that a mere investigator can truly overturn an unjust case against powerful corrupt officials, Zhan Zhao urges him to think of his family.

He warns that if the corrupt faction fails to find Yao Yu Shan, they will undoubtedly target his wife and daughter next. Swayed by Zhan Zhao's determination and the threat to his family, Yao Yu Shan agrees to testify against Governor Luo Wen Jie. At the Suwen Assembly, Yao Yu Shan recounts the events of fifteen years ago.

When a devastating plague hit the town, Jin Xue Wen insisted he was in the mountains gathering herbs to treat the victims, even going so far as to draft an antidote prescription. However, after Jin Xue Wen was thrown into prison, his formula mysteriously vanished. As the plague intensified, Yao Yu Shan's suspicions grew. His doubts were confirmed when his colleague, Wang Xing, discovered that the sword marks at the crime scene had been deliberately erased.

These wounds, though non-fatal, proved a third person was present, but Governor Luo Wen Jie bribed both men to keep their mouths shut. Fearing they would eventually be silenced for good, Yao Yu Shan secretly salvaged and hid the partially burnt case files. Though incomplete, the surviving pages support his story. The angry crowd condemns the corrupt governor.

Seeing his scheme fall apart, Luo Wen Jie desperately deflects the blame onto his clerk, Qiu Han, claiming he stayed indoors during the crisis and left the case entirely in the clerk's hands. Suddenly, Shao Ji Zu, the military commandant of Xiangzhou, arrives with troops to surround the hall. He claims he is acting on the orders of Chief Justice Cheng Hao of the Dali Court to arrest Luo Wen Jie and seize all evidence and witnesses.

Zhan Zhao confronts him with Prince Hui's token, but Shao Ji Zu is skeptical and orders his subordinate, Feng Shao, to drag the witnesses away. Before blood can be shed, Prince Hui, Zhao Zhuo Qing, steps out of his carriage to assert his royal authority. Outmatched, Shao Ji Zu is forced to back down. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhao notices a suspicious figure slipping away. It is Qiu Han, who is also the mastermind Si Ming.

He has escaped through a secret passage behind the Medicine King statue leading to the back hills. Borrowing a horse, Zhan Zhao pursues him. On the run, Shao Ji Zu catches up with Si Ming, who stresses that they must retrieve the other half of a vital ledger, as its recovery by Zhan Zhao would destroy their master's years of influence in the imperial court.

Moments later, Feng Shao arrives with news that Zhan Zhao is already closing in on their position. To buy time for Si Ming to escape, Shao Ji Zu sets up an ambush within the city. As Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang escort the witnesses and the prince back, they are suddenly attacked by death warriors from the Zhongxiao Court. During the chaotic skirmish, a carriage carrying Si Ming speeds away.

Despite fighting with injuries, Bai Yutang pursues the vehicle but is ultimately intercepted by Shao Ji Zu, allowing Si Ming to slip away once more. Analyzing the situation, Zhan Zhao deduces that Si Ming is not heading to the governor's office, but rather back to his own residence to incinerate the incriminating ledger. He instructs Bai Yutang to stay and protect Prince Hui while he and Huo Linglong infiltrate Si Ming's estate.

Upon arrival, they cross paths with Tang Tian Hao, who has recently succeeded as the Chief of the Tang Sect and has been ordered to burn the evidence. Inside the study, Zhan Zhao uncovers a private record book meticulously kept by Si Ming. Among the pages is a case from the second year of Jingyou, in which a man named Kang Liang sued Zhuang Yu for abducting his daughter.

The girl had died from striking a pillar in resistance, and the lawsuit was eventually withdrawn due to a lack of witnesses. However, further investigation of household registers revealed that Zhuang Yu was the cousin of Zhuang Duo—who faced a similar abduction charge in Yi County—and that the two ran a brothel together. Suspiciously, Kang Liang fell to his death from a cliff just three days after withdrawing his complaint.

Si Ming had compiled these dark secrets of local officials to hold them under his thumb. Simultaneously, Prince Hui personally seals the Xiangzhou prefecture court, while Huo Linglong successfully recovers the missing half of the Zhongxiao Court ledger. Reviewing the documents, Prince Hui laments that Qiu Han possessed an extraordinary talent for detecting loopholes in old cases and exploiting them to control the local administration, though it was a tragedy that such a brilliant mind strayed into corruption.

Meanwhile, the elderly servant Xu An reveals to Jin Zhenping that he had recognized the murder weapon, a custom dagger, in Jin's room years ago but hid the truth because Jin Zhenping was the sole remaining heir and hope of the family. Terrified of being exposed, Jin Zhenping meets with Tang Tian Hao in the woods and tries to coerce him into murdering Zhan Zhao's group.

He threatens to expose the Tang Sect's involvement in the Seven-Day Drunken Dream poison fifteen years ago if he is caught. Refusing to be blackmailed, Tang Tian Hao asserts that the Tang Sect is already ruined and decides that killing Jin Zhenping is the simplest way to silence the past. When Tang Tian Hao attacks to kill them, Bai Yutang suddenly steps in to save them and stop the violence.

However, Tang Tian Hao manages to seal two of Bai Yutang's major acupoints, leaving him powerless. Bai Yutang sternly warns Tang Tian Hao not to become the wretched sort of person Huo Linglong would despise. Stirred by the mention of Huo Linglong, Tang Tian Hao abandons his murderous intent and walks away.

Unpredictably, the ungrateful Xu An seizes the opportunity and drives a blade straight into Bai Yutang's chest, justifying his actions by claiming that only Jin Zhenping can carry the weight of the family's future. As Bai Yutang lies mortally wounded, Jin Zhenping finally breaks down and confesses the dark truth of fifteen years ago.

Driven by a lifelong envy of his brother Jin Xue Wen's natural medical genius, Jin Zhenping had desperately wanted to win the Suwen Assembly to secure his position as family head. During the plague, he went into the mountains to find a cure, only to stumble upon a secret tryst between his fourth aunt and Tang Ji. He discovered that the epidemic was actually caused by the Seven-Day Drunken Dream poison they had engineered.

When Tang Ji attempted to silence him, his fourth aunt intervened, teaching Jin Zhenping the poison's toxicology in hopes that he could synthesize the antidote and take credit for saving the town. Despite his efforts, Jin Zhenping was unable to formulate the cure. He then followed Jin Xue Wen and overheard his conversation with Huo Linglong’s aunt.

Realizing his brother had easily created the antidote and fearing the aunt would expose the poison’s origin, Jin Zhenping decided they both had to die. He brought knockout incense to Pagoda Alley, only to find another assailant had already attacked the aunt. Delivering the final fatal blow himself, he framed his brother for the murder. He further reveals that Qiu Han later deceived Jin Xue Wen into writing a confession in exchange for a staged death.

Though Jin Xue Wen initially complied, he ultimately refused to sign to prevent his younger brother from living under the shadow of a criminal's sibling, prompting Qiu Han to forge his signature after his death.

Since Jin Xuewen had not signed the confession, Qiu Han (Si Ming) did not care, confident he could easily forge the signature. Shortly after, Jin Zhenping entered with Xiaoyaosan, a quick-acting poison. It was only then that a horrified Jin Xuewen realized he had been set up as a scapegoat. Realizing he had no hope of clearing his name, Jin Xuewen tried to negotiate, offering his medical prescription to help Jin Zhenping secure the position of family head.

In exchange, he begged Jin Zhenping to take in his younger brother, Jin Yuewen, and raise him under their Fourth Uncle. However, Jin Zhenping had already obtained the prescription. Viewing Jin Xuewen as an insignificant insect, he rejected the plea, declaring that the boy would live forever under the shadow of a murderer's brother. He then personally forced the poison down Jin Xuewen's throat and strangled him to death.

Listening to Jin Zhenping callously recount the murder, a wounded Bai Yutang was filled with grief and anger, rebuking him for not even offering a comforting lie to a dying man. Unmoved, Jin Zhenping only expressed regret for being too hasty; had he listened to Jin Xuewen, he might have obtained the Zhaoxi Cocoon to secure his leadership.

He also regretted not killing Bai Yutang years ago to prevent this revenge, and lamented leaving a knife mark on Linglong's aunt, which gave Qiu Han the leverage to treat him like a puppet. As Jin Zhenping prepared to finish Bai Yutang off, Bai Yutang suddenly grabbed the blade with his bare hands. Zhan Zhao, Huo Linglong, and Fifth Granduncle burst in to stop him.

It was revealed that Bai Yutang had sealed his own major acupoints to mimic a severed heart pulse, faking his death to make Jin Zhenping let his guard down. Appalled by Jin Zhenping's cruelty, Fifth Granduncle promised to expose his crimes to the entire clan and deliver him to the magistrate. As he was being led away, Jin Zhenping mockingly warned Huo Linglong and Bai Yutang that if they attempted to reopen the case, Zhan Zhao would surely die.

Zhan Zhao brought the heavily injured Bai Yutang back, and Tang Tianhao managed to stabilize him. Huo Linglong questioned Zhan Zhao about Jin Zhenping's threat. Zhan Zhao finally confessed that Jin Zhenping had approached him earlier. Since Zhan Zhao was previously poisoned by Yemotian, his body only survived because of the residual "Yijian Rugu" poison. Though Naiheyin suppressed the toxins, utilizing his inner force in the cave accelerated the spread, causing the greenish markings on his back to return.

Jin Zhenping had offered a cure in exchange for dropping the case, but Zhan Zhao had refused. Hearing this, Bai Yutang and the others were deeply upset that Zhan Zhao had hidden his impending death just to see the case through. Ming Zhu'er was particularly angry, but Zhan Zhao coaxed them and shifted the focus back to the investigation. Huo Linglong surmised her aunt might have overheard the secrets of the Seven-Day Drunken Dream during her travels.

The next day, Zhan Zhao, Huo Linglong, and Bai Yutang visited the Jin Mansion, expecting Fifth Granduncle to hold a public clan assembly. Instead, they discovered Fifth Granduncle had let Jin Zhenping flee under the guise of "traveling" to protect the family's century-old reputation, exchanging the antidote for the murder weapon. He told them Jin Zhenping would live under a false name, and they would declare him dead in two years.

Meanwhile, at the provincial office, Cheng Hao, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, advised Prince Hui, Zhao Zhuoqing, against submitting the ledger to the Emperor. He argued that exposing the massive network of corrupt officials would put the Emperor in a tight spot and disgrace the imperial court. Zhan Zhao was outraged, pointing out that Cheng Hao's own name was on the list.

Cheng Hao desperately defended himself, claiming he was simply forced by circumstances to survive, and warned that exposing the scandal would make them targets at court. Disillusioned by the systemic failure of the law, Huo Linglong attempted to break into the Jin Mansion at night to hand over the murder weapon for Zhan Zhao's antidote, but Zhan Zhao stopped her.

Both she and Bai Yutang had lost faith in official justice, choosing instead to save Zhan Zhao's life at any cost. Carving a wooden Yaksha statue alone, Zhan Zhao wrestled with his conscience. Refusing to let a murderer escape justice, he kidnapped Jin Zhenping and dragged him to the Yaksha Temple. Jin Zhenping begged for his life, promising to live as a wandering doctor, but Zhan Zhao pointed out he had never shown mercy to his victims.

Ignoring Jin Zhenping's taunt that killing him would not change the world, Zhan Zhao executed him, and blood splattered onto a nearby bundle. The blood-stained bundle was soon picked up, and the medicine box inside was returned to the Jin family. Enraged by Jin Zhenping's death, Fifth Granduncle refused to hand over the antidote. As rumors of the execution spread, the companions worried about Zhan Zhao's disappearance. Suddenly, Huo Linglong's father, Huo Tianxing, arrived to take her home.

He revealed that her Great-Aunt had married into Miaojiang and knew people from the Baihua Sect, who might possess a cure for Zhan Zhao's poison. Encouraged by this hope, Huo Linglong decided to return home, while Bai Yutang vowed to find another way to keep Zhan Zhao alive.

Huo Linglong learned that the Baihua Sect might hold the key to curing Zhan Zhao's poison. Eager to find a way to save him, she agreed to return to Linglong Manor with her father, Huo Tianxing, and bade farewell to her companions. At the same time, Tang Tian Hao prepared to return to the Tang Sect, feeling utterly lost and overwhelmed by the decline of his family.

Zhan Zhao warmly comforted Tang Tian Hao, reassuring him that his gentle nature was not weakness but a preservation of his youthful innocence. Zhan Zhao promised to plead for leniency for the Tang Sect, ensuring that only those who created the Seven-Day Drunken Dream would be held accountable. With Si Ming's faction defeated and the old shackles broken, Tang Tian Hao felt his doubts clear, ready to lead his sect on a righteous path.

The next morning, Bai Yu Tang forced his way into the Jin Mansion once more to demand the antidote. He fiercely confronted the Fifth Uncle and the servant Xu An, accusing their endless plotting of ultimately costing Jin Zhenping his life. When the Fifth Uncle angrily threatened to report the matter to the officials, Bai Yu Tang retorted that if they had simply handed Jin Zhenping over to the law instead of playing tricks, he would still be alive.

He warned them that if they did not produce the antidote, he would expose all of the Jin family's dark scandals to the public. Left speechless and fuming, the Fifth Uncle stormed off. Upon her arrival at Linglong Manor, Huo Linglong was immediately drugged by incense in her room. When she woke up, she found herself locked away in confinement. To protect the Huo family's standing, Huo Tianxing had resolved to marry her off to Shao Ji Zu.

Though consumed by guilt, he felt he had no other choice. Huo Feng brought his sister meals day after day, but his heart ached as she steadfastly refused to eat or drink. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhao traveled alone to the capital for an audience with the Emperor.

The Emperor was furious, reprimanding Zhan Zhao for forcing him to expose the court's own corruption and pointing out that his rash actions risked alerting the Lord of Xiangyang before the rebellion was fully investigated. However, Zhan Zhao remained steadfast, refusing to let the citizens of Xiangzhou suffer any longer. He eloquently laid out the plight of the common people, pleading for justice over political convenience.

Back in Xiangzhou, Bai Yu Tang sneaked into the Jin family's library with Tang Tian Hao. There, they successfully uncovered the manual for the Heavenly Root Moon Cave Needles, a legendary medical technique rumored to bring the dead back to life. Tang Tian Hao explained that the technique was incredibly complex and historically only understood by the Fourth Lady of the Jin family. Though the task seemed nearly impossible, Bai Yu Tang insisted they had to try.

At Linglong Manor, Huo Feng confronted his father, begging to let Huo Linglong live a free life, even offering to bear all of the family's future fortunes and misfortunes himself. However, Huo Tianxing reminded his son that as a man, he was incapable of inheriting the Linglong Eye, which was bound to the daughters of the Huo family. Ultimately, Huo Linglong agreed to the marriage on the sole condition that she be allowed to see her Great-Aunt.

Accompanied by Huo Feng, Huo Linglong visited her Great-Aunt, who promised to send a messenger pigeon to the Baihua Sect to inquire about the antidote. However, she warned Huo Linglong that if she could not escape her family's fate, she must not allow herself to fall for Zhan Zhao, noting that her aunt had once paid with her life trying to flee an arranged marriage.

When Huo Linglong pressed her about the secret of the Linglong Eye, her Great-Aunt remained silent, telling her that if she truly wished to escape her fate, she was better off not knowing. That night, Huo Feng secretly aided his sister's escape. Huo Linglong attempted to retrieve the Yin Yang An during her flight, only to be cornered by Huo Tianxing.

She declared her refusal to marry Shao Ji Zu, and thanks to Huo Feng stepping in to block their father, she managed to break free and escape the manor. While searching for clues, Bai Yu Tang spotted Jin Zhenping among a line of prisoners and realized that Zhan Zhao had spared his life. Desperate for the antidote to save Zhan Zhao, Bai Yu Tang swallowed his pride and knelt before Jin Zhenping, begging him for help.

Jin Zhenping mocked him and demanded his submission, but Zhan Zhao arrived just in time to stop Bai Yu Tang, reminding him of his dignity and pointing out that Jin Zhenping had no real cure to offer. Zhan Zhao's courageous petition to the Emperor proved successful, and an imperial envoy was dispatched to thoroughly investigate the old cases in Xiangzhou.

As Jin Zhenping was escorted away in chains, he witnessed his accomplice Xu An wandering the streets in complete madness, babbling about his "Sanlang" being a young genius. The Jin family's once-mighty prestige was utterly shattered. Watching the scene unfold, Bai Yu Tang envisioned his older brother guiding him as a child, finally resolving his years of deep-seated resentment. Later, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yu Tang sat together, sharing sweet water instead of wine due to Zhan Zhao's injuries.

Bai Yu Tang asked why he had ultimately spared Jin Zhenping at the Yaksha Temple. Zhan Zhao explained that killing the villain would only satisfy the vengeance of the living, whereas exposing the truth to the world would bring true peace to the deceased, like a kite flying high for all to see. Bai Yu Tang finally understood that Zhan Zhao was not a blindly loyal servant of the court, but was leveraging imperial power to safeguard the innocent.

As Zhao Zhuo Qing prepared to return to the capital, he promised to have the imperial physicians search for a cure for Zhan Zhao. Before departing, he revealed that Si Ming had been spotted in Wanshan County, where he once worked as a clerk. Ming Zhu Er pleaded to let Zhao Zhi Er remain with them to assist in the investigation, and Zhao Zhuo Qing readily agreed, warning them not to cause any trouble for Zhan Zhao.

At the Jiao Mansion, Mrs. Jiao presented Huo Linglong with a copper box that had belonged to her late aunt. The box bore a crack from when Jiao Chao Gui had tried to force it open with a sword. Examining the box with Zhan Zhao, they discovered three mysterious markings that matched letters found in He Bo's manor. Mrs. Jiao mentioned that the aunt had visited Wanshan County before arriving in Tanxi Town.

Huo Linglong recalled her Great-Aunt mentioning that the Lin family of the Qingshan Sect in Wanshan County had once sought a marriage alliance, suggesting her aunt might have uncovered the truth about the plague there. With all signs pointing to Wanshan County, the group prepared for their journey. Meanwhile, Si Ming sought to redeem himself by presenting a copied list of the corrupt officials' ledger to the Lord of Xiangyang.

The Lord of Xiangyang accepted the list and allowed him to stay, aiming to utilize his talents. Si Ming informed him of Zhan Zhao's movement toward Wanshan County, adding that he had made arrangements to support Dong Jun. Confident in his powerful allies, Shangui and Dong Jun, the Lord of Xiangyang remained undeterred by Zhan Zhao's interference and began plotting to expand his reach toward the northwest.

Upon arriving in Wanshan County, the travelers were shocked to find a bustling and prosperous market instead of the impoverished wilderness they had anticipated. They witnessed a town of exceptional order, where lost purses were hung up rather than stolen. Spotting a wanted poster for the Xiuluo Cult, they learned from a local elder that their courageous Magistrate Hu had successfully purged the area of all bandits and bullies, causing the cult to flee. Zhan Zhao then politely asked the elder for the way to the Lin family of the Qingshan Sect.

Upon hearing the name of Wanshan County, Zhao Zhi Er’s expression shifted instantly. He vividly recalled passing through the region years ago with Zhao Zhuo Qing, when the area was gripped by a devastating famine and desperate citizens fought violently for food. Returning now, however, the group found a peaceful and prosperous town where locals did not even lock their doors at night. This transformation was the work of the highly capable Magistrate Hu Xiaochen.

Even the town's wanted posters bore the name of Mo Dao, proving that the magistrate had the courage to target powerful criminals. As Zhan Zhao and his companions walked through the busy streets, they began asking locals about the Qingshan Sect's Lin family. The townspeople grew visibly uneasy, with one elderly local warning them that the old Lin estate was a place of ill omen, as the entire family had vanished fifteen years ago amidst rumors of ghosts.

Determined to find answers, the group decided to head toward the county court. Along the way, Bai Yutang noticed an elderly man tailing them. Suspecting a threat, Bai Yutang stepped forward to test the stranger's martial arts, only to find that the old man possessed exceptional skills. The confrontation was interrupted by the arrival of Magistrate Hu Xiaochen, whom Zhan Zhao immediately recognized as his beloved former classmate from ten years ago. Deeply moved, the two friends embraced.

Hu Xiaochen introduced the elderly man as Zhu Mingyuan, the county court's registrar and head instructor who trained the local guards. He explained that a citizen had reported strangers asking about the Lin family, prompting him to send Zhu Mingyuan to investigate. Hu Xiaochen then warmly invited the travelers to stay at his sparse and humble quarters behind the court, reflecting his simple way of life. Despite his modest means, Hu Xiaochen hosted a welcoming feast.

When he offered wine, Zhan Zhao was reminded that he could not drink due to his lingering injuries, prompting playful teasing from Bai Yutang about someone finally keeping the stubborn warrior in check. The conversation turned somber as they discussed the tragic death of their mutual friend, Liu Hongyi.

Hu Xiaochen expressed deep remorse that his demanding duties had kept him from staying in touch, and shared that he had never married after his fiancée, Xi Wen, broke off their engagement due to his low-ranking position. He explained that his refusal to compromise his principles for political convenience had prevented his promotion, but he remained content to serve his people. Later that night, Hu Xiaochen brought Zhu Mingyuan to meet Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang.

Zhu Mingyuan urged them not to believe the superstitious ghost stories, revealing that the Lin family had likely been massacred fifteen years ago in a brutal act of vengeance. Because the previous magistrate had buried the remains carelessly in an unknown location, the tragedy remained an unsolved mystery. However, Zhu Mingyuan managed to locate the address of Qiu Han’s old, abandoned estate. The following morning, the group set out to inspect the old mansion.

After Zhu Mingyuan guided them to the corner of the street and excused himself, they entered the dusty courtyard, noticing a peculiar, fishy stench in the air that Bai Yutang had previously detected near the court. Suddenly, a figure in turtle-shell armor crashed through a window and lunged at Zhan Zhao. When the attacker's hood was knocked back, it revealed the scarred face of Luo Changshui, a servant from Gucheng County from ten years ago.

Luo Changshui declared that he had endured physical torment to master his current form and seek revenge, but he quickly collapsed from severe poisoning and managed to escape. The encounter brought painful memories to the surface. Hu Xiaochen realized that Qiu Han’s rumored return was a trap, prompting him to ask Zhan Zhao if he and Liu Hongyi had killed Squire Zhao's son, Zhao Yue An, ten years ago.

Zhan Zhao was shocked, admitting he had always believed Hu Xiaochen was the killer. The two friends finally realized they had spent a decade in silence because they both mistakenly believed the other had committed the murder. Hu Xiaochen immediately ordered Zhu Mingyuan to apprehend Luo Changshui. Back at the quarters, Bai Yutang tried to practice acupuncture on Mingzhu to prepare for treating Zhan Zhao, admitting his eyes were blurry from studying medical texts late into the night.

Touched by his friend's devotion, Zhan Zhao agreed to share the truth of what happened ten years ago with Bai Yutang and Huo Linglong. Ten years ago, a kind vegetable vendor named Jin Niang and her husband, Duan Shi Lang, were well-loved by the students of Jiacheng Academy. When Jin Niang failed to deliver their food, the three friends went to her home and discovered her lifeless body.

A neighbor testified to seeing Squire Zhao's son, Zhao Yue An, fleeing the scene, and his sword was recovered as the murder weapon. However, the wealthy Zhao family corrupted the course of justice. Luo Changshui bribed key players, forcing the neighbor to claim he had an eye disease and misidentified the culprit. The coroner, having accepted a massive bribe, altered his report to claim the neck wounds were made by a billhook.

The court then pinned the crime on Jin Niang's husband, Duan Shi Lang, who had actually been away working in another county for six months. When the three friends protested, the corrupt magistrate threw them out. Determined to seek justice, Zhan Zhao began drafting a petition. However, a wealthy student named Liu Wen Long framed him for the theft of an ancient inkstone worth ten taels of gold.

Because the Liu family sponsored Jiacheng Academy, the dean pressured Zhan Zhao to accept the blame. Realizing the Liu and Zhao families were close allies trying to discredit his petition, and disillusioned by the academy's hypocrisy, Zhan Zhao walked away. Refusing to play by their corrupt rules, Zhan Zhao took on the masked identity of the Yaksha. He stole Jin Niang's body and handed her over to her uncle, Zhong Shou, for a proper burial.

He then beat the corrupt coroner, publicly exposed the magistrate's hidden vault of stolen gold, and sliced off a portion of Liu Wen Long's scalp. Eventually, Zhan Zhao resolved to infiltrate the Zhao Mansion to execute Zhao Yue An. He was intercepted by Liu Hongyi, who tried to stop him. As they argued, they spotted a masked figure resembling Hu Xiaochen leaving the estate just as cries erupted that the young master had been murdered.

Assuming Hu Xiaochen had carried out the deed, they cut off contact to protect him, unaware that Hu Xiaochen had actually arrived too late to do anything. Zhan Zhao also revealed that he had cornered Luo Changshui back then and severed his tendons, leaving Bai Yutang astonished to learn that Zhan Zhao was the legendary Yaksha. Following the encounter at the old estate, a wanted poster was issued for Luo Changshui.

During the pursuit, Luo Changshui cornered a wealthy merchant, attempting to silence him. Before the monster could strike, Zhu Mingyuan intervened and killed Luo Changshui by stabbing him with a hairpin. Zhan Zhao rushed over to check on the merchant, only to find himself staring at Zhong Shou, Jin Niang's uncle.

Zhong Shou was terrified and confused, prompting Zhan Zhao to urge him to think carefully about what he might have done ten years ago that made the conspirators so desperate to silence him.

Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong questioned Zhong Shou about why the assassin Luo Chang Shui had tried to kill him. Zhong Shou played innocent, claiming that after burying his niece Jin Niang years ago, he had traveled constantly to trade in medicinal herbs. He insisted he had no ties to the powerful Zhao family and had no idea why anyone would want him dead.

Unconvinced by his excuses, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang secretly trailed him after he departed. Their suspicions were validated when they followed him to a quiet medical clinic, catching him and a corrupt physician red-handed as they forcibly drugged a terrified young woman. Dragged before Magistrate Hu Xiaochen, the two criminals were forced to confess.

Zhong Shou admitted that years ago, when ghost marriages were popular in Xiangzhou, a wealthy family offered two hundred taels of silver for a young woman's corpse. Driven by greed, he had desecrated Jin Niang's grave and sold her body. Realizing how lucrative the trade was, he partnered with the black-hearted clinic physician to secure more "merchandise."

Because finding natural female corpses was difficult, they had resorted to drugging nine healthy young women across Yicheng, Sui County, and Wanshan County, staging their deaths to sell them as ghostly brides. Furious at their cruelty, Hu Xiaochen ordered them imprisoned to await execution. Seeking deeper answers, Zhan Zhao visited the prison to interrogate Zhong Shou further.

The prisoner revealed that his business had dried up everywhere except Wanshan County, where his most recent client was a man named Wang Heng, who had purchased a corpse for his deceased brother, Wang Qing. Troubled by the sheer number of young men dying under mysterious circumstances within a year, Zhan Zhao shared his doubts with Hu Xiaochen.

The magistrate explained that the deaths were likely the work of the depraved Xiuluo Cult, which had used locals for human sacrifices and poison testing before his administration successfully drove them out. Zhan Zhao remained highly skeptical. If Wang Qing had indeed been murdered, he questioned why his family had remained silent instead of reporting it, and how ordinary families could suddenly afford hundreds of taels of silver for ghost marriages.

To find answers, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong investigated Wang Heng's residence. However, the family had already fled overnight, leaving behind spoiled food. Before they could pursue them, urgent news arrived from the prison: both Zhong Shou and the physician had been silenced, killed with professional precision. Bai Yutang immediately suspected a traitor within the county office who knew the guards' rotation schedules.

Hu Xiaochen fiercely defended his officers, stating he trusted his men just as Zhan Zhao trusted Bai Yutang and Huo Linglong, and refused to believe anyone close to him had turned. Later that evening, over drinks, a semi-drunk Hu Xiaochen finally lowered his guard. He admitted that Wanshan County was harboring dark undercurrents and confessed he knew Zhan Zhao was in town to purge the Lord of Xiangyang's faction.

Pledging his full support, Hu Xiaochen agreed to Zhan Zhao's request to exhume Wang Qing's body. The exhumation went ahead, and the coroner determined that Wang Qing had died from severe internal trauma and fractures, consistent with a heavy fall or being crushed by a heavy object, rather than poison. Neighbors revealed that Wang Qing had left home to work on a mysterious, high-paying job.

However, when the team tried to exhume another victim, Liu Er Lang, a hostile crowd led by the victim's brother, Liu San Lang, and angry village elders blocked them. They accused the outsiders of bringing trouble to their peaceful town, forcing Zhan Zhao to halt the exhumation to prevent a riot. Meanwhile, Bai Yutang checked Zhan Zhao's pulse using the "Classic of Pulse Diagnosis" and noticed that the green poison marks on his body were spreading.

Despite the gravity of his illness, Zhan Zhao remained cheerful and brushed off the danger. That night, Zhu Ming Yuan secretly met with an envoy, revealing that he had killed Luo Chang Shui to protect Wanshan County's secrets. He urged the messenger to warn their master to prepare for Zhan Zhao's next moves.

While Bai Yutang hid Zhan Zhao's worsening condition from young Ming Zhu'er to keep him from worrying, he privately urged Zhan Zhao to take care of his health. Recalling that Jin Niang's husband had also vanished in his prime, Zhan Zhao realized that their best course of action was to leave Wanshan County and head to Gucheng County to dig into the ten-year-old case.

He wanted to uncover why Zhao Yue An had targeted Jin Niang, a simple market woman with whom he had no personal grievance. Entrusting Ming Zhu'er and Zhao Zhi'er to Hu Xiaochen's care, the trio departed. In Gucheng County, they met Jin Niang's mother-in-law, who explained that Jin Niang had gone searching for her husband, Duan Shi Lang, who was working at Jiuzhou Mountain.

Instead, she discovered his remains alongside a dozen other young men buried in a shallow mass grave. Realizing the conspiracy spanned a decade and involved multiple regions, the group went to investigate the Zhao family cemetery. There, they noticed that Zhao Yue An's tomb was strangely neglected. They deduced that Zhao Yue An had faked his death to protect his family's highly illegal, deadly labor operations after the murder of Jin Niang.

Determined to expose the truth, Bai Yutang abducted Zhao Yue An's father, Zhao Zheng De. Under the threat of a blade, a terrified Zhao Zheng De admitted he had faked his son's death to protect him, though he claimed ignorance regarding the fatal operations on Jiuzhou Mountain. He then revealed a massive secret: Zhao Yue An was actually the illegitimate son of a powerful noble—the Lord of Xiangyang—fostered in their home.

After faking his death, the youth changed his name and was taken to a wealthy estate in Huilonghe. Huo Linglong quickly connected the dots. Huilonghe was a small place with very few wealthy families, and the timeline matched perfectly. Shao Ji Zu, the youngest son of the Shao family, had returned to his household ten years ago at the age of sixteen and was now twenty-six.

While Tang Sect's Xiao Tang (who also fit the age profile) and her own sickly brother, Huo Feng, were also possibilities, Bai Yutang agreed that the arrogant Shao Ji Zu was the most likely suspect. To prevent the mole in Wanshan County from silencing their new witness, they decided to return to Wanshan County first to plan their next steps while keeping Zhao Zheng De hidden outside the yamen. Upon their return, however, they immediately stumbled upon a sudden commotion.

Upon returning to Wanshan County from Gucheng County, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong were immediately drawn to a chaotic scene where a crowd had gathered around a deep pit. Leaving Bai Yutang to watch over their witness, Zhao Zhengde, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong went to inspect the area, where paper talismans fluttered through the air. Onlookers recognized the victim as Wang Heng, identifying him by his newly tailored clothes.

Examining the fluttering talismans, Hu Xiaochen concluded that the Xiuluo Cult was active once more and attempting a cover-up. Zhan Zhao informed him that they had brought back Zhao Zhengde, a crucial witness from the decade-old case, and needed a secure hideout. Agreeing that the county court was compromised, Hu Xiaochen warned Zhan Zhao not to speak of their findings within the yamen walls.

He revealed his suspicion of Zhu Mingyuan, noting that on the day Zhong Shou was murdered, Zhu Mingyuan had manipulated schedules and checked prison shifts. They realized Zhu Mingyuan had orchestrated Zhong Shou’s assassination by Luo Changshui and subsequently executed Luo Changshui in public to silence him. To trap the mastermind, Hu Xiaochen suggested a plan. He had Bai Yutang settle Zhao Zhengde in an empty house on Wansheng Street while he kept Zhu Mingyuan occupied at the court.

When the four allies met after dark, Hu Xiaochen was shocked to learn that Zhao Yue'an was actually the illegitimate son of the Lord of Xiangyang, fostered under Zhao Zhengde. Fearing that the Lord of Xiangyang would silence Zhao Zhengde, Hu Xiaochen advised against moving the witness and suggested drawing the suspects to their own territory for identification instead.

Although Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang strongly suspected Shao Jizu, Hu Xiaochen insisted on gathering all three potential suspects—Shao Jizu, Tang Tianhao, and Huo Feng—to avoid subjective bias. Bai Yutang offered to write to Tang Tianhao to invite him, while Huo Linglong wrote to Shao Jizu, using their upcoming wedding as a pretext.

They arranged the meeting in the Heaven suite of Juxian Pavilion, which sat directly across from Wanxing Restaurant, allowing Zhao Zhengde to observe them from across the street. That night, Zhu Mingyuan sneaked into the old residence of Si Ming to meet Zhou Jiliang, the newly appointed leader of the Xiuluo Cult. Zhou Jiliang took pleasure in the growing panic in Wanshan County.

When Zhu Mingyuan warned him that using poison would leave too many traces, Zhou Jiliang agreed to stick to the plan, expressing anticipation for his upcoming encounter with Zhan Zhao after ten years of separation. Meanwhile, two travelers rushing through the night witnessed a horrifying scene in the wilderness. They saw Xiuluo Cult members pushing two men and a woman into a pit, stoning them to death with rocks. Terrified, they fled to the county court to report the crime.

The victims were identified as Liu Sanlang and his parents. Huo Linglong and Bai Yutang were puzzled by the cult's sudden shift in targets, but Zhan Zhao asserted that the cult was acting under the Lord of Xiangyang's orders to disrupt their investigation. He emphasized that finding Zhao Yue'an was the only way to end the killings. Tang Tianhao arrived as planned.

Though annoyed to find himself suspected of being the Lord of Xiangyang's illegitimate son, he confirmed his innocence and agreed to help. He and Huo Linglong discussed a needle technique that might temporarily suppress the poison in Zhan Zhao's body. Despite knowing it was a trap, Shao Jizu came alone. With the wedding less than half a month away, he wanted to see what Zhan Zhao was truly capable of.

When he entered Juxian Pavilion, Bai Yutang grew suspicious upon noticing there was no ambush. Inside the pavilion, Tang Tianhao confronted Shao Jizu about the downfall of the Tang Sect, but Shao Jizu brushed him off, stating he was waiting for another guest. Across the street at Wanxing Restaurant, Zhan Zhao had Bai Yutang watch the pavilion with Zhao Zhengde. Just then, a traveling father and daughter passed by and fell, causing Zhao Zhengde's expression to change drastically.

Meanwhile, Huo Feng entered the Juxian Pavilion suite. Inside, Shao Jizu revealed that the upcoming marriage was merely a transaction where the Lord of Xiangyang, the Shao family, and the Huo family each took what they needed. He warned Huo Linglong that her obsession with Zhan Zhao would destroy her family. Enraged, Huo Feng drew his sword to fight him. During the clash, Shao Jizu spotted Zhao Zhengde watching from the window, smiled coldly, and left.

Across the street, Zhao Zhengde pointed at the window and identified Huo Feng as the true Zhao Yue'an. Suddenly, the traveling father and daughter on the street turned out to be disguised Xiuluo Cult members. They attacked Zhao Zhengde with Soul-Chasing Nails, but Zhan Zhao intercepted them. As a fierce battle erupted, Hu Xiaochen arrived with reinforcements. Bai Yutang leaped out to pursue Shao Jizu, but his path was blocked by Zhu Mingyuan.

As the duel intensified, paper talismans rained down from the sky, sending the crowd into a panic. Zhou Jiliang revealed himself to Zhan Zhao, mockingly claiming the title of the new Yaksha. The two clashed in a fierce duel. Zhou Jiliang was surprised that Zhan Zhao's strength remained formidable despite his poisoning, but he quickly distracted Zhan Zhao by mentioning Ming Zhuer and the past family massacre, using the moment of hesitation to escape.

Nearby, Zhu Mingyuan held a local citizen hostage, demanding that Hu Xiaochen hand over Zhao Zhengde. Terrified onlookers pressured Hu Xiaochen to agree to the trade, arguing that a stranger's life was not worth a local resident's. Refusing to sacrifice his witness, Hu Xiaochen offered himself as a hostage instead. Zhu Mingyuan rejected the offer, ruthlessly killing the hostage before attempting to flee, only to run directly into Zhan Zhao, who captured him. Back at the court, the grieving widow wept bitterly, laying the blame for her husband's death on Zhan Zhao and the investigators.

Following the capture of Zhu Ming Yuan, Magistrate Hu Xiaochen put on an elaborate display of self-reproach in the courtroom, publicly apologizing to the citizens of Wanshan County to secure their loyalty. To comfort Yao's widow, Hu Xiaochen pledged three months of his salary to help with her household expenses.

When a local, Zhao Da Fa, urged the widow to accept a few hundred taels of silver first as was the custom, his casual words immediately raised Zhan Zhao's suspicions, hinting at a deeper conspiracy behind the murders. During the interrogation, Zhu Ming Yuan readily confessed to ordering the deaths of Zhong Shou and the physician. However, when Bai Yutang demanded to know how he had caught wind of the secret identification process beforehand, Zhu Ming Yuan fell completely silent.

Sensing the tension, Hu Xiaochen promptly dismissed the gathered townspeople, promising that the government would deliver justice. Hu Xiaochen then invited Zhan Zhao into his private study to speak in confidence. He claimed that because the secret identification had been leaked and innocent citizens had died, there must be a traitor within their circle. He initially cast suspicion on Zhao Zhi Er, the young butler of Prince Hui's manor, but Zhan Zhao defended him.

Hu Xiaochen then warned Zhan Zhao against being too emotional and pointed out that Zhao Zheng De had identified Huo Feng as the target. He insinuated that the Huo family might be secretly aligned with the Lord of Xiangyang for power, warning Zhan Zhao that his close friendship with Huo Linglong could ruin his reputation and jeopardize the entire investigation.

Overhearing this manipulative speech from outside, Bai Yutang pushed the door open and entered with Huo Linglong to confront the magistrate. When questioned, Huo Linglong fiercely insisted that her brother was definitely not Zhao Yue An, before leaving the room in frustration. Enraged by Hu Xiaochen's blatant attempt to sow discord, Bai Yutang struck him with a powerful palm blow, calling him an insidious hypocrite, and demanded to know whether Zhan Zhao trusted his companions or this scheming official.

Zhan Zhao stepped in to separate them, criticizing Bai Yutang for his impulsive behavior. Deeply disappointed by Zhan Zhao's reaction, Bai Yutang stormed out of the court. With their companions gone, Zhan Zhao remained behind to help stabilize Hu Xiaochen's disrupted internal energy. Hu Xiaochen feigned kindness, explaining that the harsh attitude of the local townspeople was merely born of hardship, and detailed how they pooled money for grieving families as a long-standing custom.

Soon, Ming Zhu Er arrived to report that he could not stop Bai Yutang and Huo Linglong, who had already departed with Tang Tian Hao. Zhan Zhao announced his decision to escort Zhao Zheng De back to Xiangyang to petition the imperial envoy for Zhao Yue An's arrest under the guise of Jin Niang's old case, and he left Ming Zhu Er under Hu Xiaochen's care for safety.

That night, members of the Xiuluo Cult attempted to kidnap Zhao Zheng De, but they fell directly into a trap. Zhan Zhao had already seen through Hu Xiaochen's facade; the magistrate's obsession with playing the flawless savior was his greatest mistake, revealing his true identity as Dong Jun. Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, Huo Linglong, and Tang Tian Hao had merely staged their falling out to deceive him. With their trap sprung, they easily captured two of the cult's elite fighters.

Searching Zhao Zheng De, Bai Yutang uncovered the exclusive seal of the Lord of Xiangyang, proving that Zhao Zheng De had been threatened in order to shield the actual Zhao Yue An and prevent any direct accusation against Shao Ji Zu. Meanwhile, Zhao Zhi Er bought some snacks to comfort Ming Zhu Er. As they spoke, Zhao Zhi Er casually brought up how Zhan Zhao had rescued Ming Zhu Er from a family tragedy a decade ago.

He mentioned stumbling upon the old case files, which suddenly triggered a dormant, horrifying memory in Ming Zhu Er's mind—he vividly remembered that the legendary vigilante, Yaksha, was the one who had slaughtered his entire family. Just then, Zhou Ji Liang appeared wearing the fearsome Yaksha mask. He taunted Zhan Zhao, claiming that he had carried the blame for ten years and was tired of shielding Zhan Zhao's hypocrisy.

Zhou Ji Liang threatened to tell Ming Zhu Er the ultimate truth about the massacre. Furious, Zhan Zhao drew his sword to silence the cult leader, but Zhou Ji Liang managed to escape amidst the chaos with his men's assistance. Distraught and confused, Ming Zhu Er desperately questioned Zhan Zhao about his family's killer.

Unable to bear the emotional strain, the "Yijian Rugu" poison in Zhan Zhao's body flared up violently, and he collapsed unconscious after promising to always protect the boy. Zhou Ji Liang fled to a deserted temple in the outskirts to nurse his wounds. Hu Xiaochen met him there in his capacity as Dong Jun. Zhou Ji Liang requested a dozen live subjects to test a devastating new poison, which Hu Xiaochen readily promised to deliver.

Zhou Ji Liang also expressed frustration over his two captured subordinates, and Hu Xiaochen assured him that he would retrieve them, as they were still necessary for his ongoing schemes in Wanshan County. At the manor, Zhan Zhao's life hung by a thread. With no other options, Tang Tian Hao reluctantly prepared to use the highly risky Heaven's Root & Moon's Cave needling to suppress the rampaging poison.

As a torrential rain began to fall, Hu Xiaochen arrived to demand the release of the two captive cultists. When Bai Yutang and Tang Tian Hao confronted him with his crimes, Hu Xiaochen arrogantly declared that sacrificing a few lives was a small price to pay for Wanshan County's prosperity. Hu Xiaochen taunted them to strike, knowing that any disruption to the delicate acupuncture session would instantly kill Zhan Zhao.

To save his master's life, Ming Zhu Er stepped forward, taking full responsibility for releasing the prisoners and telling the magistrate to take his men and go. As Hu Xiaochen departed, he looked back at Zhan Zhao with a complex, unfathomable expression. Tang Tian Hao then braced himself and inserted the final, most perilous needle directly into Zhan Zhao's Baihui point.

Meanwhile, at the prince's manor, the Lord of Xiangyang summoned Shao Ji Zu to test his resolve regarding Zhao Zheng De's fate. Showing no hesitation or mercy, Shao Ji Zu analyzed the situation calmly, suggesting that since Zhao Zheng De was currently keeping silent, any hasty move to silence him might instead provoke a full confession.

Pleased by his son's cold-blooded rationality, the Lord of Xiangyang praised his judgment and warmly reminded him that he was far more important than the other children raised in the courtyard. This rare approval led Shao Ji Zu to believe that he held a uniquely favored position in his father's eyes.

When questioned about his upcoming marriage to Huo Linglong, Shao Ji Zu assured his father that despite any excuses Huo Feng might have made, all the wedding preparations were fully complete. When Zhan Zhao finally regained consciousness, he opened his eyes to see Huo Linglong watching over him. She explained that Ming Zhu Er had cried at his bedside all night and had only left once he was out of danger.

Though she was deeply concerned, she could not bring herself to scold him, instead advising him to go outside and face the disgruntled companion waiting in the courtyard. Outside, Bai Yutang was aggressively pounding medicine, venting his frustration. When Zhan Zhao joined him, Bai Yutang sharply criticized him for keeping them completely in the dark about his deteriorating health and his plans, asking if Zhan Zhao deemed them untrustworthy.

Zhan Zhao explained that he had only wanted to protect them from his personal vendetta with the Xiuluo Cult leader. Still grumpy, Bai Yutang shoved a bowl of pitch-black medicine toward him, claiming it was laced with Duan Chang Grass (Heart-Severing Grass) to end his troubles once and for all. Zhan Zhao simply smiled, accepted the bowl, and drained it without a single second of hesitation.

Seeing this, Bai Yutang's lingering anger quickly dissolved, especially when Zhan Zhao remarking that while his bond with Hu Xiaochen was forever shattered, having the two of them as his true companions made his sacrifices entirely worthwhile.

Zhan Zhao gradually regained his strength after taking the bitter medicine prepared for him, bringing a sense of relief to both Huo Linglong and Bai Yutang. As he sat up, Zhan Zhao made a solemn request: they must not mention the previous night's conflict to Ming Zhu'er, and they must keep his past life as a Yaksha a permanent secret. Confused by his secrecy, the two listened as Zhan Zhao opened up about a dark chapter of his life.

Years ago, when he first became a Yaksha, he was driven by a desire to enforce justice and became captivated by the praise of the townsfolk who lauded him as a heroic outlaw. His delusion was shattered the day he raided an unlicensed brothel and crossed paths with Zhou Jiliang, another man operating under the Yaksha moniker. Zhou Jiliang’s methods were merciless and cruel, far exceeding anything Zhan Zhao stood for.

Although Zhan Zhao succeeded in rescuing several captive women—including Ming Zhu'er's older sister, Yue'er—Zhou Jiliang held a twisted belief that these women had been willingly sold by their families. In a frenzy of self-righteous vengeance, Zhou Jiliang hunted down the families and slaughtered them. That night, amidst the raging flames, Zhan Zhao saved a young Ming Zhu'er from the carnage.

Now, Zhan Zhao only wished for the boy to remain oblivious to the horrific truth, even if it meant letting him believe the Yaksha was simply an evil entity. Just as the story concluded, Ming Zhu'er entered the room. Seeing Zhan Zhao awake and recovering, the boy was overcome with joy. He admitted he had been wrong to let Zhou Jiliang’s manipulative words sow discord between them.

As Ming Zhu'er and Zhao Zhi'er revealed they had sneaked some documents out of the empty county office, Bai Yutang grew suspicious of why the court was so deserted. Meanwhile, Zhao Zhi'er slipped away to meet a local peddler, sending a message via carrier pigeon. He harbored deep doubts about the decade-old case, believing the truth was far more complex than it appeared on the surface. Early the next morning, Tang Tianhao prepared to return to the Tang Sect.

Before departing, he met with Zhan Zhao and the others to bid farewell and leave some restorative herbs. He promised to continue seeking a cure for the poison ravaging Zhan Zhao's body. As Tang Tianhao left, he advised them to check the town square, where Magistrate Hu Xiaochen was putting on yet another public spectacle.

In the heart of Wanshan County, Hu Xiaochen was orchestrating the public execution of the captured Xiuluo Cult members, shouting slogans of justice to win over the crowd. Watching the magistrate's hypocritical display, Bai Yutang felt nothing but disgust. When they confronted each other later, the rift between Zhan Zhao and Hu Xiaochen became absolute.

Invoking their old friendship as classmates, Hu Xiaochen warned Zhan Zhao to leave Wanshan County immediately, hinting that only his departure could guarantee the safety of his companions. The tense standoff was interrupted by news of a landslide at Baozhu Mountain, which had unearthed a mass of human bones. Zhan Zhao and his friends rushed to the scene, but Hu Xiaochen had already turned the locals against them.

Incited by the magistrate's words, the angry villagers blocked the investigators, claiming the bones belonged to their own families. Unwilling to clash with innocent people, Zhan Zhao chose to withdraw. To clear the path forward, Zhan Zhao devised a plan to test the waters. He instructed Bai Yutang to take Ming Zhu'er and Zhao Zhi'er to Gucheng County to locate the remains of Duan Shilang, Jin Niang’s husband.

Since Hu Xiaochen was unaware they knew about Duan Shilang, his body would still be untouched. Meanwhile, Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong stayed behind in Wanshan County to distract the magistrate, planning to meet up with the others later. Hu Xiaochen indeed took the bait. After ensuring the bodies of Wang Qing and Liu Erlang were secure, he received reports that Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong were deep in the forest.

Suspecting they were searching for Duan Shilang, Hu Xiaochen hurried to the Lin house in the mountains. Detecting his pursuers, Hu Xiaochen turned to find Zhan Zhao and Huo Linglong behind him. However, the magistrate had already surrounded the estate with villagers, forcing Zhan Zhao to turn back once more. Fortunately, guided by a kind and understanding old woman, Zhan Zhao was able to examine Duan Shilang’s remains, while his companions retrieved two other bodies from the mass grave.

Upon examining the bones, Zhan Zhao noticed that the roots of the teeth were stained deep black. Remembering his past work with the prince and coroners, Zhan Zhao realized this was not a typical poisoning but a classic sign of mercury exposure from the amalgamation process used in metal mining. This confirmed that the mountains of Wanshan County hid a massive, illegal gold mine, which explained how the local villagers had suddenly acquired so much wealth.

Huo Linglong suddenly recalled the warnings Shao Jizu had given her. She began to fear that her own family was deeply entangled in this dangerous conspiracy. Zhan Zhao concluded that the mined gold was being used to fund the Lord of Xiangyang's impending rebellion, and that the secluded Lin house served as the main vault for storing the treasure. Under pressure, Hu Xiaochen personally escorted a massive shipment of gold out of Wanshan County.

He ordered Zhu Mingyuan to stay out of sight and follow from a distance, planning to retreat and contact Zhou Jiliang once they met up with Feng Shao. Upon reaching the Prince's manor, Hu Xiaochen was summoned by the Lord of Xiangyang. While the prince acknowledged that Hu Xiaochen and the Shangui family had made the greatest contributions among his followers, he expressed intense frustration over Zhan Zhao constantly disrupting their plans.

To accelerate his treasonous plot, the prince demanded that Hu Xiaochen seize the gold held by the local villagers. Despite Hu Xiaochen’s protests that the people had risked their lives for that wealth, the prince remained cold, reminding him that Wanshan County would have starved without his gold mine. The prince warned Hu Xiaochen that failure this time would leave them with no escape. Once Hu Xiaochen departed, the Lord of Xiangyang met with Shao Jizu.

The prince dismissed Wanshan County's gold as a mere drop in the bucket, emphasizing that the marriage between Shao Jizu and Huo Linglong was the crucial key to their success. He ordered Shao Jizu to hasten the wedding. While Hu Xiaochen planned to use the old Yaksha case to frame Zhan Zhao, Shao Jizu agreed to assist in secret, plotting to fan the flames of the conspiracy.

Late at night, Hu Xiaochen returned to his office only to find his guards dead, poisoned by Zhou Jiliang. Zhou Jiliang, experimenting with lethal toxins like Blood-Sealing Throat and Dragon Entanglement, made it clear he would not be Hu Xiaochen’s puppet. Seeking leverage, Hu Xiaochen offered Zhou Jiliang another target, promising him ample opportunity to satisfy his bloodlust. The following morning, Ming Zhu'er expressed his doubts to Zhao Zhi'er, sensing that Zhan Zhao was still keeping secrets about the past.

Suddenly, cries erupted outside as villagers shouted that the Yaksha had returned to deliver justice. Zhan Zhao and his companions joined the gathering crowd at the city gates, where the corpse of Si Ming, the fugitive clerk from Xiangzhou Prefecture, was hanging high for all to see. Pushing through the chaotic crowd, Zhan Zhao identified himself as an imperial investigator from Kaifeng Prefecture, knowing the delicate balance of Wanshan County had been shattered forever.

Zhan Zhao and his companions managed to rescue Si Ming, but the captive had been heavily drugged and was completely delirious. Despite his fractured state of mind, Si Ming locked his eyes onto Huo Linglong. Gesturing for her to approach, he muttered that he could only reveal his secret to her alone. He whispered a chilling truth: Shangui was hiding within her own family.

He mocked her for assisting Zhan Zhao in investigating her own kin, laughing at the sheer absurdity of their situation. The revelation left Huo Linglong deeply shaken. Speaking privately with Zhan Zhao, she presented an item she once assumed her aunt had brought from the Lin family, now realizing it actually belonged to the Huo family.

Zhan Zhao confessed that his suspicions regarding the Huo family's connection to the Lord of Xiangyang had been growing since a previous identification event, though he had suppressed those unsettling thoughts. It was only when they discovered the gold mine in Wanshan County that the reality became impossible to ignore. Huo Linglong explained that while Linglong Manor was renowned throughout the martial world, few knew they were originally swordsmiths who built their legacy on metallurgy.

Determined to uncover the truth, she resolved to return to the manor and confront her father and brother. Bai Yutang soon arrived, presenting her with a fine steed for her journey. Before riding off, Huo Linglong urged Bai Yutang to watch over Zhan Zhao, warning that a Yaksha had appeared that morning and was likely targeting him.

Once Huo Linglong departed, Zhan Zhao handed his token to Bai Yutang, instructing him to take the two young boys to the county court to retrieve Si Ming. They were to deliver him to the imperial envoy, Lord Chu, in Xiangyang, where the boys would stay for safety. Zhan Zhao himself chose to remain in Gucheng County, anticipating that the local magistrate would be Zhou Ji Liang's next target.

Bai Yutang pleaded with him to reconsider, pointing out the dark poison marks on his shoulder. He warned Zhan Zhao that while he might survive a month by refraining from martial arts, forcing his inner energy would prove fatal. Despite the warning, Zhan Zhao remained steadfast, feeling a profound duty to make amends for the lives lost to the fake Yaksha.

Seeing his resolve, Bai Yutang relented, demanding a promise that Zhan Zhao would stay alive until his return from Xiangyang. Meanwhile, Zhu Ming Yuan informed Hu Xiaochen that the gold requested by the Lord of Xiangyang had been successfully gathered from the resentful yet obedient populace. He reported that Zhou Ji Liang had executed his plan, Zhan Zhao remained in Gucheng County, and Huo Linglong had returned home.

Hu Xiaochen, consumed by paranoia, ordered a strict lockdown of the city gates, instructing the guards and townspeople to stay vigilant to prevent Bai Yutang from slipping into the county. Upon arriving at Linglong Manor, Huo Linglong was confronted by her father, Huo Tian Xing, who questioned why she had returned despite his warnings. Shao Ji Zu was also waiting, gloating that he knew she would eventually come back.

He mocked her for forcing him to expose the Huo family's secrets to Zhan Zhao's group and declared that the wedding date would be moved up. When she demanded to know the identity of Shangui, Shao Ji Zu sneered that she herself was the new Shangui, and told her to ask her Great-Aunt, the previous Shangui, for the truth.

Elsewhere, Zhou Ji Liang intercepted Zhan Zhao, noting with dry amusement that he had arrived too late to stop the magistrate's departure. However, he casually revealed that the coroner who handled the old case had already been killed and that the academy's chancellor was currently in mortal danger. He taunted Zhan Zhao, urging him to rush to the academy if he wanted to play the hero once more.

Meanwhile, Huo Linglong met with her Great-Aunt, who finally unveiled the painful history of the Huo family. The family's legacy and its tragedies were bound to the Linglong mental method. The founding ancestors of Linglong Manor were a couple; the husband created the lightness skill A Fleeting Glimpse along with the Yin Yang An, while the wife, Lady Huo Xiao, established the Soaring Cloud Swordplay and the Linglong mental method.

Because the mental method was deeply feminine, it could only be mastered by women. Once a practitioner reached the fourth level and paired it with the Yin Yang An, they could sense the subtle energy pathways of the earth to locate gold mines, a secret known as the Linglong Eye. To prevent the world's greed from tearing them apart, the Huo family attempted to keep the technique hidden. However, a disciple leaked the secret, inviting relentless attacks from various sects.

In the chaos, the method was split into six scrolls, with the original copy remaining with the Huo family while the others scattered across the martial world. The warring sects eventually destroyed themselves over the useless fragments, allowing the Huo family to enjoy generations of peace. That peace ended when Xuanqing Palace discovered the Huo family held the original scrolls, using their own copy of the third level to blackmail the family into a marriage alliance.

To preserve her clan, the Great-Aunt reluctantly married their leader. When their greed escalated in an attempt to seize the remaining scrolls and the Yin Yang An, she fought back and reclaimed the third scroll. Yet, the torment continued. The Lin family, who served He Bo, sought an alliance and leaked the secrets to him. He Bo proposed retrieving the lost scrolls if Huo's aunt would serve the Lord of Xiangyang as the Fourth Divine Lord to search for gold.

Huo Tian Xing refused, and the persistent harassment drove the aunt to flee to the Lin family to break off her engagement and retrieve the fourth scroll. She arrived too late, only to witness He Bo and his men slaughter the entire Lin family. Eventually, the lost scrolls fell into the hands of the Lord of Xiangyang, who used them to subjugate the Huo family.

Following the aunt's passing, the Great-Aunt had no choice but to become the Lord of Xiangyang's Shangui, locating the Wanshan County gold mine to buy a temporary peace. However, the Lord of Xiangyang was insatiable, demanding Huo Linglong's marriage to Shao Ji Zu in exchange for the remaining scrolls. The Great-Aunt urged Huo Linglong not to resent her father, who only acted to protect the future of the family.

Zhan Zhao rushed to the academy, only to find Hu Xiaochen waiting for him. The chancellor was unharmed; the threat had been a mere ruse to lure him into a confrontation. Hu Xiaochen invited him for a drink to reminisce about their old school days, attempting to use their bond to persuade Zhan Zhao to drop the gold mine case and retire quietly. He warned him that his enemies in the court had uncovered his secret identity as the Yaksha.

He threatened to submit a written petition that would ruin Zhan Zhao, explaining that the court would not distinguish between a true or false Yaksha but would simply punish an official who took the law into his own hands. When Zhan Zhao refused to back down, Hu Xiaochen flew into a rage, threatening to target the people around Zhan Zhao, leading to a complete severance of their past friendship.

He attempted to justify his horrific deeds, claiming he saved the people of Wanshan County from the brutal, fatal conditions of the Lord of Xiangyang's previous mining operations. Zhan Zhao countered by listing Hu Xiaochen's crimes: orchestrating a massacre with the Xiuluo Cult, turning the citizens into accomplices, and murdering innocents to protect Zhao Yue An. Desperate and unrepentant, Hu Xiaochen declared that if he fell, he would drag Zhan Zhao down with him.

Zhan Zhao firmly told him to withdraw his men and face him directly rather than hiding behind Zhou Ji Liang. Guided by the markers left by his brothers, Bai Yutang met with Han Zhang and Jiang Ping near the Lord of Xiangyang's heavily guarded private villa. His brothers explained that while the city was on high alert for the Jinmao Rat, they had easily slipped inside.

They teased Bai Yutang about acting as Zhan Zhao's errand boy and involving their sister-in-law in brewing the Lament Pill. Jiang Ping noted that she was making progress but they still needed to wait. Having observed the villa, the brothers suspected the Lord of Xiangyang's accumulated wealth was hidden inside Chongxiao Tower. Bai Yutang asked them to keep watch while he prepared to slip inside to investigate.

Back at Linglong Manor, Huo Linglong served her father porridge, refusing to leave him to face the Lord of Xiangyang alone. Huo Tian Xing handed her a letter from the Baihua Sect originally addressed to her Great-Aunt, urging her to flee while he held off their enemies. Huo Linglong steadfastly refused, declaring that a daughter of the Huo family does not run.

She agreed to the marriage with Shao Ji Zu but begged her father to reveal why the Lord of Xiangyang was so desperate to force the union despite already possessing the gold mine. Zhan Zhao passed by the city gates and heard the commoners discussing how the Yaksha case had reached the capital, leaving the imperial court in an uproar.

Meanwhile, in the county court's records archive, Ming Zhu Er desperately searched the files for clues about his family's past, while Zhao Zhi Er tried to soothe his anxiety. Later, Zhan Zhao encountered Zhao Zhi Er, who explained that the Emperor wanted to protect him but was pressured by outraged officials, forcing him to dispatch Zhao Zhuoqing to investigate secretly.

Zhao Zhi Er warned that the copycats in the capital were likely the Lord of Xiangyang's doing to get Zhan Zhao dismissed. She added that the imperial envoy, Lord Chu, was in league with Zhan Zhao's enemies, attached great importance to the case files, and had been seeking the Yaksha records, urging Zhan Zhao to be cautious. Inside the archives, Lord Chu found Ming Zhu Er searching through the documents.

He led the boy to a private room, revealing that while Prince Hui had denied him access to the official Yaksha files, he had obtained a secret copy. Lord Chu produced the document detailing the slaughter of the Ming family in Nanzhang County ten years ago. He offered to let Ming Zhu Er examine it, but only on the condition that the boy testify that the Yaksha murdered his family.

When a confused Ming Zhu Er pointed out that Zhou Ji Liang had already been sentenced to death for the crime, Lord Chu replied coldly that Zhan Zhao had lied to him.

Lord Chu summoned Ming Zhu'er to a private meeting, offering to let him examine the case files of the tragic massacre of his family. However, the offer came with a strict condition: Ming Zhu'er had to testify that the mysterious Yaksha was the true culprit. Confused by this demand, Ming Zhu'er questioned why they would reopen the old case when Zhou Jiliang had already been sentenced to death.

Lord Chu quickly corrected him, explaining that Zhou Jiliang was never sentenced to death but was merely exiled for his past as a bandit, a fact fully documented in the official archives. He pushed the young boy to recall if there were actually two Yakshas, urging him to try and remember if the killer had removed his mask in front of him a decade ago.

Before Ming Zhu'er could process the haunting memories of his parents' deaths, Zhan Zhao and Zhao Zhi'er rushed into the room. Having finished reading the files, Ming Zhu'er immediately grew suspicious of Zhan Zhao, believing he might be the real Yaksha. Sensing the shift, Lord Chu used his authority as an imperial commissioner to order his guards to arrest Zhan Zhao. In a swift, defensive move, Zhan Zhao drew his sword and took Lord Chu hostage to secure their escape.

He fled the city with a reluctant Ming Zhu'er in tow, seeking refuge in a dilapidated temple on the outskirts. Inside the ruined temple, Bai Yutang and Zhao Zhi'er caught up with Zhan Zhao. Bai Yutang voiced his concerns about the situation, teasing that he had even brought the Five Rats of Xiankong Island to aid the Royal Cat.

He then revealed that he had followed the gold shipment to a heavily guarded estate belonging to the Lord of Xiangyang, which housed a highly suspicious structure called Chongxiao Pavilion. Having learned from the previous disaster at Zhongxiao Courtyard, Bai Yutang had refrained from infiltrating the pavilion alone. Additionally, he shared a troubling rumor circulating outside: Huo Linglong was scheduled to marry into the Shao family the very next morning.

The following morning, Huo Linglong dressed in her bridal attire and said a solemn farewell to her father, brother, and grand-aunt. Carrying the Huo family’s Yin Yang An, she proceeded with the wedding to Shao Jizu. Her submission to this marriage was not born of affection, but rather a calculated sacrifice to buy valuable time for her family to evacuate.

In the bridal chamber, Shao Jizu was captivated by her elegance, remarking that while their union was not a love match, it felt like an unavoidable fate since she was a Huo. Looking at him, Huo Linglong demanded to know what they were plotting and why they wanted to seek another gold mine. Shao Jizu refused to hand over all the remaining scrolls as promised, offering only the fourth mental method scroll.

He urged her to activate the Linglong Eye and serve the Lord of Xiangyang to ensure her family's safety and future prosperity. Mocking his grand ambitions, Huo Linglong retorted that the conspirators were already cornered. When Shao Jizu threatened that her only other choice would destroy her family's reputation and land them in prison, she proudly admitted that her family had already chosen to face those consequences. The dispute quickly escalated into a duel.

Drawing upon the techniques taught to her by Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang alongside her own martial skills, Huo Linglong gained the upper hand, wounding Shao Jizu before making a swift escape. Huo Linglong met Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang outside the mansion, and the trio retreated into the safety of the woods.

She explained that her father had initially believed the Lord of Xiangyang only sought wealth, only realizing his treasonous plans when it was too late to back out. She presented the fourth mental method scroll and the Wanshan County gold mine map to Zhan Zhao as a token of her family’s desire to redeem themselves. Furthermore, she handed Bai Yutang a medicinal prescription from the Baihua Sect designed to neutralize the "Yijian Rugu" poison.

Recognizing the prescription's viability, Bai Yutang decided to copy it and send it to Tang Tianhao for confirmation before they used it. Under the cover of night, the three companions infiltrated the grounds near Chongxiao Pavilion, spotting Western Xia representatives arriving by boat. Feng Shao detected their presence and immediately signaled the guards, leading the Western Xia guests inside while leaving the trio locked out.

At the same time, the Lord of Xiangyang received an urgent dispatch detailing the failed negotiations between Hu Xiaochen and Zhan Zhao in Wanshan County. As he discussed his next move with Shao Jizu, the Western Xia representatives burst in, furiously insulting the Lord of Xiangyang for failing to secure the perimeter and allowing intruders near the estate. Shao Jizu offered to hold off the intruders while his father escorted the foreign guests to safety.

Determined to eliminate the threat once and for all, the Lord of Xiangyang ordered his guards to withdraw and leave the pavilion doors wide open, drawing the trio into a trap. Sensing the danger but determined to investigate the Western Xia connection, Zhan Zhao, Bai Yutang, and Huo Linglong entered the building, only to be trapped as a sudden inferno of kerosene erupted around them.

The raging flames forced them to separate, but through sheer coordination, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang managed to break through a stone barrier to rescue a heavily injured Huo Linglong and carry her to a nearby inn. At another hideout, Ming Zhu'er woke up to find himself bound, with Zhao Zhi'er keeping watch.

He lashed out in anger, accusing Zhan Zhao of lying to him about Zhou Jiliang's fate and keeping the truth of his family's massacre hidden for a decade. When Zhan Zhao returned, he could only offer silent remorse in the face of the boy's furious accusations. Unable to calm the hysterical teenager, Bai Yutang stepped in and knocked Ming Zhu'er unconscious to prevent him from drawing unwanted attention.

Furious over Huo Linglong's escape and betrayal, Shao Jizu vowed to make her and her family pay. The Lord of Xiangyang delegated the task of hunting down Zhan Zhao's group to Shao Jizu, leaving his son with conflicted feelings as he departed to soothe their volatile Western Xia allies. Meanwhile, the news of the Ming family massacre had spread throughout Xiangzhou, causing local officials to hesitate.

Unwilling to deploy troops to aid Zhan Zhao, they chose to wait for an official ruling on the Yaksha and a clear sign from the Emperor. Zhao Zhi'er informed Zhan Zhao that he had already sent word of the Western Xia presence to the capital, reassuring him that reinforcements would eventually arrive, though Zhan Zhao knew their time was rapidly running out.

Later that night, the Lord of Xiangyang met with Hu Xiaochen, who praised his political maneuvers in the capital regarding the Yaksha case. Hu Xiaochen suggested that magnifying the Yaksha issue would force the Emperor to demand total obedience from the populace. However, the Lord of Xiangyang dismissed his ideas, revealing that he had already secured a deal to cede land to Western Xia in exchange for military support.

Shocked by this treasonous pact, Hu Xiaochen warned him that the insatiable Western Xia troops would bring bloodshed and ruin to the Song Empire. The Lord of Xiangyang merely scoffed, pointing out that it was the gold from Hu Xiaochen's Wanshan County that made the deal possible, before harshly reprimanding him for losing the gold mine and exposing Chongxiao Pavilion.

Hu Xiaochen sought a private audience with Lord Xiangyang, hoping to present a plan to resolve their current crisis. However, the prince dismissed his proposal before he could even finish speaking. To his horror, Hu Xiaochen learned that Lord Xiangyang had already promised to cede land to Western Xia in exchange for military assistance.

Realizing that the vast amount of gold he had painstakingly gathered was not meant for raising an army but was instead a tribute to bribe Western Xia, Hu Xiaochen desperately tried to dissuade him. But Lord Xiangyang, having already deemed Hu Xiaochen a useless liability for losing the gold mine and exposing Chongxiao Pavilion's secrets, ordered Zhu Mingyuan to execute him. Meanwhile, Bai Yutang remained deeply concerned about Zhan Zhao.

Recalling how Zhan Zhao had unleashed the devastating He Chong Tian strike yet appeared entirely unaffected afterward, Bai Yutang felt something was amiss. Unwilling to sit idly by, he decided to find Tang Tianhao to get the truth about the antidote. At that moment, Tang Tianhao was checking Zhan Zhao's pulse in secret. He sternly warned the imperial guard that using the He Chong Tian strike again would leave him beyond saving.

Zhan Zhao pressed for the truth about his remaining time. Tang Tianhao explained that while the Baihua Sect's formula had a miraculous effect, it still lacked a crucial catalyst, the Nai He Yin. Without this trigger to push the fire poison to its absolute limit, they could not force the internal cold poison to counterattack and neutralize it. Soon after, the body of Hu Xiaochen was found hanging from the city gates.

The citizens gathered in a frenzy, looking up to see a masked figure, posing as Yaksha, standing atop the wall. Zhou Jiliang, hiding behind the mask of Yaksha, spoke with a Xiuluo Cultist, declaring that Wanshan County had finally fallen into his grasp. When the city guards arrived to investigate, Zhou Jiliang had already slipped away. The guards demanded that the onlookers describe the killer, but the oppressed citizens, harboring deep hatred for corrupt officials, praised Yaksha for executing justice.

Watching silently from the shadows, Zhan Zhao felt a heavy, suffocating sorrow. With Zhou Jiliang brazenly committing crimes under Yaksha's name, Zhan Zhao feared that the Huo family would be the next target. Huo Linglong felt the mounting pressure as well and resolved to lead Tang Sect disciples to rescue her father and brother. Since time was of the essence, the companions decided to split up.

Bai Yutang took on the task of intercepting the Western Xia agents, while Huo Linglong headed back to her family. Zhan Zhao, determined to save the trapped citizens, set off for Wanshan County. To keep his friends from worrying, Zhan Zhao lied about his condition, claiming Tang Tianhao had successfully suppressed the Yi Jian Ru Gu poison with acupuncture. Before Zhan Zhao could depart, Zhao Zhier arrived on a swift horse, bearing terrible news.

Zhou Jiliang had abducted Ming Zhuer and gathered the remnants of the Xiuluo Cult to seal the gates of Wanshan County, trapping the helpless citizens inside like caged beasts. Zhan Zhao refused to let the innocent suffer and rode into the danger zone alone. Upon reaching the blockaded Wanshan County, Zhan Zhao fought his way through a swarm of cultists on the main street, carving a path to the city tower where Zhou Jiliang awaited. A brutal duel ensued.

Zhou Jiliang used the lives of the townspeople, who were bound at Baozhu Mountain, to force Zhan Zhao to confess to the decade-old Ming family massacre. He threatened to light a flare to signal his men to slaughter everyone if Zhan Zhao spoke a single wrong word. In their final struggle, both men plummeted from the high tower. Zhan Zhao managed to drive his sword into the stone wall to suspend himself, while Zhou Jiliang fell to his death.

Ming Zhuer emerged, tearfully demanding the truth about the fire that had destroyed his family. Zhan Zhao confessed, admitting that during his frantic attempt to capture Zhou Jiliang ten years ago, he had accidentally ignited the oil, triggering the catastrophic fire. Wracked with guilt, Zhan Zhao guided Ming Zhuer's hand, forcing the young man's blade into his own chest to end the decade-long feud. Ming Zhuer, stunned and overwhelmed, dropped his sword and walked away.

Lord Chu arrived with his guards shortly after, already holding the written confession Zhao Zhier had handed him. Zhan Zhao informed him that the citizens of Wanshan County were held on Baozhu Mountain and begged for a few hours to settle his remaining affairs before facing justice. Meanwhile, Ming Zhuer returned to the ruins of his family home. Spotting a small discarded vial of Bailong Powder on the ground, his buried memories suddenly rushed back.

He remembered that Zhou Jiliang had forced him to swallow the poison that night, leaving him dazed. In his confusion, he had thrown a torch. Though Zhou Jiliang had dodged, the torch had landed on the spilled oil, burning his parents and sister alive. Devastated, Ming Zhuer realized he had spent ten years hating the wrong person. Deep in the forest, Huo Tianxing and his companions fell into a deadly ambush.

Just as they were about to be overwhelmed, Huo Linglong and Tang Tianhao arrived with Tang Sect disciples, turning the tide of the battle. However, the sound of approaching cavalry signaled that more pursuers were close. To save the lives of the hundreds residing in Linglong Manor, Huo Tianxing ordered his daughter to take the gold mine map and lure the government soldiers toward the nearest town, Yincheng.

Tang Tianhao solemnly promised Huo Linglong that the Tang Sect would fight to the death to keep her father and brother safe. At the same time, Shao Jizu finished his chess game with Lord Xiangyang and volunteered to escort the Western Xia agent across the border. Bai Yutang pursued them relentlessly, but Zhong Xiong, determined to repay a past debt of gratitude to the prince, stood in his way to buy time for Shao Jizu's retreat.

Bai Yutang urged him to see the truth of the prince's treason, but seeing that Zhong Xiong was immovable, the two agreed on a three-move duel. Bai Yutang emerged victorious, urging Zhong Xiong to abandon his blind loyalty now that the debt was paid. In the wilderness, Shao Jizu grew weary of the Western Xia agent's arrogant insults regarding his father.

Deciding to eliminate him to keep their secrets safe, Shao Jizu attacked, but the agent fought back desperately, stabbing Shao Jizu through the abdomen. By the time Bai Yutang caught up, both men had already drawn their final breaths. After searching the bodies and finding nothing, Bai Yutang was joined by his brothers, Han and Jiang. They explained that the two decoy groups had split toward Dengcheng and Nanzhang County.

One group consisted of formidable martial artists who had severely wounded Han before he was rescued, while the other group of minor soldiers had scattered. Realizing that the treasonous contract between Lord Xiangyang and Western Xia must still be out there, they knew they had to act quickly. If the documents crossed the border markets, they would be lost forever.

Bai Yutang instructed his second brother to take their fourth brother back to the inn to recover, and then head to Xiqiao Ferry to receive the Xiankong Island companions and bring the Nai He Yin. With no time to lose, Bai Yutang set off alone toward Nanzhang County.

Zhan Zhao, riding hard despite his severe injuries, finally managed to meet up with Bai Yutang. After taking a brief moment to catch his breath and steady himself, Bai Yutang told him that his search had yielded nothing, as there were no documents or evidence to be found. Just then, Han Zhang and Jiang Ping arrived, battered and supporting each other. They reported that the two groups they had been tracking had split up, heading toward Dengcheng and Nanzhang County.

Ignoring the toxic poison ravaging his body, Zhan Zhao insisted on splitting up with Bai Yutang to pursue them. As they rode, the poison inside Zhan Zhao flared up violently. He pushed his horse to its limits, but his strength failed him, and he collapsed heavily from his saddle. As he lay semi-conscious on the ground, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. Opening his eyes, he saw Mingzhu'er riding toward him, tightly clutching a letter.

Mingzhu'er presented the document, which detailed the collusion between the Lord of Xiangyang and Western Xia, and asked if it would be of any help. He explained that he had run into a squad of Iron Blood Guards and overheard them talking about Zhan Zhao’s mission, so he had poisoned their tea while they were resting at a tea stall to steal the letter.

Overjoyed but suddenly horrified, Zhan Zhao embraced Mingzhu'er, only to realize his young companion was mortally wounded. Coughing blood, Mingzhu'er weakly told him that he finally remembered everything about the fire from ten years ago. Flashbacks of that tragic night rushed back: Zhou Jiliang had forced him to take a drug, causing him to lose his mind and throw a torch onto the oil, accidentally killing his own family.

Remembering Zhou Jiliang's cruel words that it was better for him to die in the fire than live with the guilt of killing his family, Mingzhu'er gasped that he did not deserve Zhan Zhao's kindness. In his final moments, Mingzhu'er told Zhan Zhao that he could no longer stay by his side and urged him to find another servant, proudly declaring himself a great hero before passing away. Deeply grieved, Zhan Zhao wept over the boy's body.

He softly confessed to his lifeless companion that ten years ago, it was actually Mingzhu'er who had saved him, giving him a chance to live and redeem himself. Zhan Zhao admitted that he had willingly let Mingzhu'er believe he was the killer, knowing the lie would cause pain but believing it was far better than letting the boy live with the devastating guilt of accidentally causing his own family's deaths.

All Zhan Zhao had wanted was for Mingzhu'er to survive and live a good life. With Bai Yutang’s help, Zhan Zhao brought Mingzhu'er’s body back to the old Ming estate. While Zhao Zhier met the incoming troops from the capital and Han Zhang pursued the remaining Iron Blood Guards, Bai Yutang brought the Naihe Yin to Zhan Zhao. Sensing his end was near, Zhan Zhao prepared to head to Chongxiao Pavilion.

When Bai Yutang offered to join him, Zhan Zhao refused, stating he was a dying man with no future and only wanted to know how much time he had left. Tang Tianhao stepped forward and admitted that while the Baihua Dao's formula could cure him, it required a highly potent fire poison as a crucial booster to counter the cold poison.

Since they still did not know what this exact ingredient was, Tang Tianhao confessed that Zhan Zhao would not survive long enough for them to find it. Refusing to give up, Zhan Zhao asked if the Naihe Yin could buy him enough time to fulfill his remaining wishes. Tang Tianhao warned him that while the medicine's fire properties could temporarily suppress the cold poison, it would only grant him a few hours.

Once the effect wore off, the cold poison would return with absolute fury, leaving even the most skilled physician helpless. Zhan Zhao confessed that his previous claim about using acupuncture to suppress the poison was merely a lie to keep them from worrying. Hearing this, an angry Bai Yutang argued that the Naihe Yin was a poison, not a cure.

However, Zhan Zhao remained steadfast, explaining that he needed those precious hours to settle his score with the Lord of Xiangyang. He did not want to deceive Bai Yutang any longer, wanting to choose his own path and die with dignity. Before parting, Zhan Zhao unbuckled his sword and presented it to Bai Yutang, knowing his friend had appreciated the plain weapon since their first meeting.

Meanwhile, government troops arrived in time to restore order, saving Linglong Manor and the Huo family. Relieved to see his daughter's capable leadership, Huo Tianxing officially handed control of the manor over to her, confident she could lead them forward. Huo Feng appeared in chains, and Huo Tianxing willingly surrendered to the soldiers. Huo Feng comforted his sister, noting that Linglong Manor was named after her and would now truly live up to its name.

Watching her father and brother being led away, Huo Linglong wept but remained resolved, ordering her followers to find all the scattered Huo disciples and bring them back home. Having consumed the Naihe Yin, Zhan Zhao made his way to Chongxiao Pavilion. Bai Yutang quickly caught up with him, refusing to let him face the danger alone.

Having snatched a blade on his way, Bai Yutang returned Zhan Zhao's sword and promised they would share a drink once the battle was won. However, the Lord of Xiangyang had prepared a deadly trap. Hidden mechanisms unleashed a barrage of arrows, and Bai Yutang threw himself in front of Zhan Zhao to shield him from a fatal crossbow bolt. Mortally wounded, Bai Yutang collapsed.

With his final breaths, he tried to share what he had learned from interrogating a cultist about the missing ingredient—explaining how the toxic Bailong Powder was made from venomous snakes on Flying Petals Col—but he lost his strength and passed away before he could name the exact herb. Zhan Zhao pressed on to find the Lord of Xiangyang casually playing chess, completely unsurprised by his arrival. Suddenly, Zhu Mingyuan ambushed Zhan Zhao from the shadows.

Weakened by the poison, Zhan Zhao initially struggled to defend himself. However, as the fight dragged on, he managed to read his opponent's movements. Summoning every ounce of his remaining strength, Zhan Zhao exploited a critical opening and delivered a fatal blow to Zhu Mingyuan. Standing before the defeated conspirator, Zhan Zhao produced the imperial edict lacking the imperial seal.

The unrepentant Lord of Xiangyang proudly declared himself the rightful heir to the throne of Emperor Taizu, arguing that the crown would have been his if not for the Covenant in the Golden Chamber. He demanded Zhan Zhao's allegiance, but Zhan Zhao firmly replied that his loyalty belonged to justice and the people, not a throne.

He condemned the Lord of Xiangyang for agreeing to cede Song territory to Western Xia, proving he cared nothing for the citizens he wished to rule. The Lord of Xiangyang merely laughed, mocking Zhan Zhao's ideals. He boasted that since the empire belonged to his family, his nephew, the Emperor, would never execute his own uncle to save the royal family's face.

He claimed he would only face a few years of confinement before being quietly released to rebuild his power, construct a new Chongxiao Pavilion, and manipulate new officials. He taunted Zhan Zhao for the useless deaths of his companions, declaring that no blade in the world could kill an Imperial Uncle.

In response, Zhan Zhao stated that while no such blade might exist, he would gladly become that blade himself, executing the Lord of Xiangyang to deliver the justice he deserved. That night, a heavy snow fell over the city. Having learned of the Yaksha's noble sacrifice, the grateful citizens gathered under Wanxing Tower, lighting candles and offering prayers for the hero who had saved them. Months later, Huo Linglong officially took charge of Linglong Manor.

Tang Tianhao visited her, and they discussed how her father and brother had received leniency from the court after handing over their mining secrets. Linglong expressed her deep gratitude to Zhan Zhao, who had left a letter to the Emperor detailing her help during the investigation, allowing Zhao Zhier to successfully plead for her family.

As she fondly recalled their shared struggles, a disciple announced the arrival of Ding Zhaohui and a man in a bamboo hat named Zhan Rifei, who was actually Zhan Zhao in disguise. With the Imperial Cat restored to his post, Zhan Zhao returned to Kaifeng Court to assist Bao Zheng in rebuilding the country and protecting the hard-won peace.

In a final, poignant scene, Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang are seen sitting on the rooftop sharing a drink, bickering in their usual friendly manner. When Bai Yutang joked that drinking on the roof was improper, Zhan Zhao retorted that painting in the imperial palace was far worse. Reflecting on their journey, Zhan Zhao mentioned his pending duties regarding Western Xia, though Bai Yutang teased him for constantly obsessing over work.

As they argued over the titles of Imperial Cat and Jinmao Rat, they fondly debated who had truly won their past duels, sharing a quiet moment of camaraderie in the peaceful night.