Legend of Zang Hai Recap, Plot, Synopsis

Legend of Zang Hai Synopsis

Overnight, the family of Zhi Nu, the son of Kua Duo, Chief of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory of the Great Yong Kingdom, was annihilated. He tempered his edges, acquired skills in construction and strategic mastery. Ten years later, under the alias Zang Hai, he returned to the capital and sought reconciliation with his enemy, the Marquis of Pingjin. In order to gain the Marquis's trust, he resolved various challenges, such as the joint burial of the emperor and empress.

Subsequently, Zang Hai gradually entered officialdom, eventually becoming the new Chief of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory. Through careful planning, he brought the Marquis of Pingjin and the accomplices of the past crime to justice. Prime Minister Shi Huaishan sought to initiate a war and eliminate neighboring countries like Dongxia. In order to protect the country and its people from the turmoil of war, Zang Hai, along with Zhuang Zhihang, Xiang Wen Yan Yue, and others, thwarted Shi Huaishan's plans, resolving the conflicts between Great Yong and other nations.

Legend of Zang Hai Recap

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In the sixth year of Zhenshun, two hundred thousand troops of Great Yong launched an expedition against Dongxia. The Dongxia army was utterly defeated and had no choice but to surrender to Great Yong. Great Yong stationed troops at the Dongxia border and began renovating the Fengshan Altar on Mount Dansui to assert dominance over the world. In the blink of an eye, it was the ninth year of Zhenshun.

Snow was falling heavily from the sky, and the cold was bone-chilling. Workers braved the freezing weather to work overtime repairing the Fengshan Altar. General Kuai Duo personally oversaw the work on Mount Dansui. Just as the project was nearing completion, an accident occurred — Kuai Duo descended from a ladder into an unfathomable pit. It turned out that the workers had been working together to chisel open a large stone, only to discover a vast mine inside.

They were inexplicably overcome by fumes and lost consciousness. Kuai Duo and his men descended to the bottom of the mine via ropes and discovered an enormous labyrinth. At the very center was a sparkling treasure. Just as Kuai Duo moved closer to examine it, a horde of zombie-like people suddenly surrounded them. The young Zhinu was clever, brave, and meticulous. He had learned exceptional construction techniques from his father Kuai Duo since childhood.

Without his parents' knowledge, he had even built a secret passage from underground to the kitchen. The Marquis of Pingjin, Zhuang Luyin, personally led an army to campaign against Dongxia and secured a decisive victory. He returned triumphantly with the soldiers of Great Yong, and the entire city turned out to welcome them.

Zhinu emerged from the secret passage to greet his father Kuai Duo, who had accompanied the army on the campaign, but Kuai Duo was nowhere to be seen. Zhinu climbed into a carriage where the Princess of Dongxia was seated. He quickly got down to leave, but the princess believed Zhinu had deliberately bumped into her. She swung her whip and chased him, injuring his back.

Zhinu picked up a stone to fight back, and the princess struck the stone with her whip, causing it to hit the horse’s head. Startled, the horse neighed and bolted, crashing into the carriage carrying Zhuang Luyin’s son, flipping it over. He fell off the horse, and the scene descended into chaos. Zhinu's companions, Guanfeng and Gousheng, arrived just in time to rescue him. They were Kuai Duo’s disciples and helped Zhinu dress the wounds inflicted by the horsewhip.

Zhuang Luyin’s son stumbled upon them by accident. Zhinu asked him about Kuai Duo’s whereabouts, but he insisted Kuai Duo had died in the collapse during the renovation of the Fengshan Altar. Zhinu didn’t believe him, but the man spoke with conviction. Zhinu clearly remembered that on the night before departure, Kuai Duo had instructed him to take good care of his younger sister, Yuenü. Zhinu had even shown his father the secret underground passage he had built.

His father was full of praise. The next morning, Yuenü heard groaning sounds from the passage and immediately told their mother. Their mother discovered Zhuang Luyin’s son was imprisoned inside. Furious, she harshly scolded Zhinu and ordered all the secret passages to be sealed. She also punished Guanfeng and Gousheng. Zhinu wanted his father Kuai Duo to return and see the passage he had built, but his mother slapped him hard.

Holding back tears, Zhinu sealed the passage and also scolded Yuenü. That night, Zhinu couldn’t sleep. He sat dazed in the courtyard. Suddenly, Kuai Duo returned home. Zhinu was overwhelmed with joy and clung tightly to his father. Upon hearing the news, his mother came out. When she saw Kuai Duo alive, her eyes welled with tears of joy. Kuai Duo told his wife to quickly pack, wake up Yuenü and Guanfeng, and leave the capital that very night.

Zhinu woke Gousheng, Guanfeng, and the others. Kuai Duo had no time to explain and needed to take them away immediately. Unexpectedly, their home had long been surrounded. His mother told Zhinu to take Yuenü to the backyard to hide while she went to find Kuai Duo. Zhinu hid Yuenü in the backyard stable and unsealed the blocked secret passage.

Zhuang Luyin personally led men to capture Kuai Duo, forcing him to hand over the treasure he had taken from the passage at the construction site. Kuai Duo refused to comply. At Zhuang Luyin’s order, the soldiers executed Kuai Duo’s disciples one by one. Still, Kuai Duo firmly refused to give in. An assassin discovered Yuenü’s hiding place and brought her before Zhuang Luyin. Zhuang Luyin threatened Kuai Duo with Yuenü’s life. Enraged, Kuai Duo shouted in fury.

After great effort, Zhinu managed to unseal the passage and reached the kitchen through it. Peering through the cracks between bricks, he saw Zhuang Luyin committing a massacre in the courtyard. Mistaking Guanfeng for Kuai Duo’s son, Zhuang Luyin ordered him killed, and he also murdered Yuenü. Zhuang Luyin wanted to take Kuai Duo’s wife and torture her to death bit by bit. She grabbed a dagger and stabbed one of the assassins but was brutally killed.

Kuai Duo witnessed the murder of his wife and daughter with his own eyes, his face contorted with rage. He admitted to hiding the treasure obtained from Dongxia and swore he would never let Zhuang Luyin have it, even in death. He seized a gun from the assassin and shot himself. Before dying, he hinted at Zhinu to live on. Zhinu was devastated — all his loved ones were killed, and overnight, he became an orphan.

Zhuang Luyin ordered a search of Kuai Duo’s body. A collar was found on him. As dawn approached, Zhuang Luyin left with his trusted men and instructed his steward to clean up the scene. The steward ordered all valuables from Kuai Duo’s home to be taken, then set the house on fire. He also burned all of Kuai Duo’s disciples alive. Zhinu witnessed everything. His hatred for Zhuang Luyin ran deep. He passed out from the smoke while hiding in the passage, but fortunately, someone arrived in time to rescue him.

When Zhinu groggily woke up, he found himself lying on a small boat. He had been rescued by a masked man who claimed to be an old acquaintance of Kuai Duo. Zhinu had witnessed with his own eyes the murder of his parents and younger sister, Yue Nu. Overnight, he had become an orphan, and he couldn’t help but cry bitterly. The masked man brought Zhinu ashore and introduced himself.

After surviving a deadly situation, Kuai Duo had written to him, asking him to help the whole family escape the capital. Unfortunately, by the time he arrived, it was too late. Kuai Duo’s home had been burned, and his disciples and family members had been killed. The masked man had only managed to rescue Zhinu. Zhinu knelt down to thank him and swore to personally kill Zhuang Luyin to avenge his loved ones.

After hearing the full story, the masked man agreed to help Zhinu. However, Zhuang Luyin held a high position of power. If Zhinu wanted revenge, he would have to lie low for at least ten years to hone his skills. The masked man devised a plan for vengeance and sent him to Master Xing Dou. Zhinu vowed to kill Zhuang Luyin himself to avenge his family.

Master Xing Dou believed that Zhinu wasn't suited for martial arts, but Zhinu was unconvinced and questioned him directly. This angered Master Xing Dou, who ordered his disciple Lucun to take Zhinu away. Master Xing Dou performed a facial surgery on Zhinu. When Zhinu woke up again, his face was wrapped in bandages, and he found himself trapped in a mortise-and-tenon wooden cage.

From his master Gao Ming, Zhinu learned that Master Xing Dou had altered his appearance to prevent enemies from recognizing him in the future. The whip scars on Zhinu’s back were too deep to be completely erased, so the master could only make them less visible. Master Xing Dou told Zhinu that he must find a way out of the wooden cage or he wouldn't be allowed to eat.

Zhinu was skilled in this craft, but despite using all his abilities, he couldn’t unlock the cage. Starving, he was encouraged by Master Xing Dou to keep trying. Remembering the mechanism techniques his father Kuai Duo had taught him, Zhinu quickly solved the wooden cage’s mechanism. Exhausted and starving, he nearly fainted, but Gao Ming arrived in time to catch him. Master Xing Dou then devised a comprehensive training plan for him.

After the facial surgery, Zhinu's appearance had drastically changed. Master Xing Dou was extremely strict with him and would severely punish even the smallest mistake. Meanwhile, Zhuang Luyin traveled with his son, using both kindness and force on local officials, who became completely loyal to him. In a flash, ten years passed. Under the guidance of Master Xing Dou and Gao Ming, Zhinu had mastered exceptional skills. The pavilions and towers he carved were vividly lifelike.

One day, Zhinu received a message delivered by carrier pigeon and immediately handed it to Master Xing Dou. His new master, Liu Chu, was arriving. Master Xing Dou suddenly became anxious and went into seclusion with Gao Ming for a day, asking Zhinu to welcome the new master. Gao Ming reminded Zhinu to go into town and buy a good jug of wine to welcome her.

When Zhinu returned with the wine, the new master Liu Chu had already been waiting for some time. Only then did Zhinu learn that the new master was a beautiful woman. Liu Chu claimed she had come to teach Zhinu about the matters between men and women. Her first lesson was to teach him how to reject women. Liu Chu tried all sorts of ways to seduce Zhinu, but he remained focused on revenge and pushed her aside.

Liu Chu reminded him to be wary of genuine affection. Like Zhinu, she had become an orphan at a young age. She vividly remembered the moments of familial joy with her parents but could no longer recall their faces. Zhinu could relate deeply—he too could never forget the happy times with his family. Liu Chu used genuine emotion to test Zhinu, and he indeed fell for it.

She then reminded him to seal off his emotions and hide his true heart, or his quest for revenge would be in vain. Zhinu swore he would manage it. Liu Chu told him he had only passed halfway and must be cautious at all times going forward. Zhinu brought the wine to Gao Ming and asked for advice on how to suppress emotions. Gao Ming gave him some guidance and told him to learn from the steadfast Master Xing Dou.

The masked man unexpectedly appeared again and brought a Luban Lock, which Zhinu quickly solved. He gave Zhinu a birthday gift—a portrait of Zhuang Luyin—and shared detailed information about him. Zhuang Luyin wore a golden silk soft armor under his clothes and had three highly skilled personal guards: Qu Jiao, Chu Huaiming, and Yang Zhen. Qu Jiao was Zhuang Luyin’s assassin. Chu Huaiming had once served under Kuai Duo but betrayed him and defected to Zhuang Luyin.

Yang Zhen was Zhuang Luyin’s military strategist. The masked man told Zhinu to find a way to infiltrate Zhuang Luyin’s residence and handed him the full roster of household members. However, Master Xing Dou felt the time was not yet right and that Zhinu shouldn’t enter the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence just yet.

The masked man revealed that the Empress Dowager had just passed away, throwing the court into chaos, making this the perfect time for Zhinu to enter the capital. Gao Ming also believed the moment had come and said he would accompany Zhinu to the capital the next day. The masked man gave Zhinu a new identity—he would now be called Zang Hai. Zang Hai went to look for Gao Ming early in the morning, but Gao Ming had already departed. Master Xing Dou gave Zang Hai repeated instructions and warnings, and Zang Hai set off on his path of revenge.

After completing his studies, Zhinu went to the capital to seek revenge and changed his name to Zang Hai. Gao Ming arrived early in the capital to wait for him. Master Xing Dou escorted Zang Hai to the foot of the mountain. Curious, Zang Hai asked why Master Xing Dou and his masked master had saved him and taught him civil engineering.

Master Xing Dou casually admitted that they both existed for Zang Hai’s sake and told him to go to the capital and ask Gao Ming for the details. Master Xing Dou instructed Zang Hai to head to the Zhen Lou upon arrival, where someone would receive him. Zang Hai bid farewell to Master Xing Dou and embarked on his journey of revenge.

Master Xing Dou then ordered his disciples to burn down the place where Zang Hai had studied for the past ten years. Enduring the elements along the way, Zang Hai traveled day and night until he reached the capital. He headed directly to Zhen Lou, the most renowned brothel in the capital, bustling with guests and lively music. As soon as Zang Hai entered, he sat in the most prominent seat—Suzaku Head—and asked the attendant to light a lamp.

The performers soon brought him a golden, gleaming lamp and clearly stated that the Suzaku Head was reserved for the most honored guests. If Zang Hai insisted on lighting the lamp, he would have to rent the entire Wangyue Pavilion, tip all the performers, and cover the tea and wine expenses of all the guests. The last person to light the lamp had been Prince Yongrong.

Being new to the place and unaware of the rules, Zang Hai got up to leave but was stopped by the performer. He took out his only seven taels of silver, and the performer led him to the general seating downstairs. Downstairs, the shadow play of Eighth Young Master was being performed. The performer explained the play to Zang Hai, who immediately recognized that the dragon and phoenix in the play represented the deceased Empress Dowager and the current Emperor.

The performer explained that the toad in the play symbolized the noisy civil officials, the rooster represented the Prince of Linzi, and the white tiger stood for the Marquis of Pingjin. The court was divided into two factions: one led by the Prince of Linzi and the civil officials, who wanted to move the Emperor’s biological mother, Noble Consort Li, out of the imperial tomb and have her buried with the late Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

The Emperor, unable to withstand their pestering, had gone into hiding. The other faction, led by the Marquis of Pingjin, advocated maintaining the status quo. The Emperor assigned the Ministry of Works to handle the Empress Dowager’s burial. The Vice Minister of Works was Zhuang Zhixing, son of Zhuang Luyin of the Marquis of Pingjin, who was seeking feng shui masters across the land. Zang Hai accidentally noticed several suspicious individuals and suspected they were targeting Eighth Young Master.

He advised the performer to leave quickly to avoid getting into trouble. The performer immediately recognized them as secret agents under Eunuch Cao of the Imperial Surveillance Bureau. Eunuch Cao was the head of all eunuchs in the empire, and his agents were present everywhere from government offices to inns and taverns. Though Zhen Lou bore a plaque personally inscribed by the Emperor, which should have deterred the agents from acting rashly, Zang Hai sensed that something was different today.

He believed that the Eighth Young Master’s satire of the current political situation through the play could bring about his doom. The performer begged Zang Hai to help save Eighth Young Master, but Zang Hai didn’t want to get involved and got up to leave. The performer then publicly declared that Zang Hai was Eighth Young Master, causing an uproar. The agents sprang out to kill Zang Hai, who fled in panic. The performer followed and guided him.

Zang Hai ran into a small alley, where Gao Ming arrived just in time to rescue him, pretending that Zang Hai was a drunken young noble. The agents had no choice but to leave in frustration. Gao Ming took Zang Hai to an inn, where Zang Hai recounted everything the performer had told him.

Gao Ming incisively pointed out that the key to the burial of the Empress Dowager lay with the Emperor, and that no matter what Zhuang Luyin did, he would be in the wrong. Outside, the city was in chaos—Zhuang Luyin had ordered a citywide arrest of feng shui masters, sparing no one, not even coffin shop owners or butchers. Gao Ming and Zang Hai watched through a crack in the door.

Qu Jiao led people to arrest Master Fan of the coffin shop and his son. Zang Hai stepped forward and claimed he was the feng shui master, begging Qu Jiao to release Master Fan’s son. Qu Jiao arrested both Zang Hai and Master Fan. Master Fan was deeply grateful to Zang Hai. Zang Hai and the others arrested were taken to the Marquis of Pingjin’s mansion and locked in an underground chamber.

When someone tried to escape and accidentally triggered a mechanism, he was killed on the spot. Zang Hai warned everyone not to act rashly or touch anything. Zang Hai discovered that the chamber was built according to the positions of the Nine Stars. He quickly found the secret exit and instructed everyone to stand on the trigger points accordingly. Zhuang Luyin treated lives as expendable and slaughtered at the slightest displeasure.

To silence the Emperor and the officials, he had put up a façade, ordering Chu Huaiming and Qu Jiao to gather more than eighty feng shui masters from all over and locked them all in the passage. Zang Hai led Master Fan and the others step by step through the passage. The traps were complex, incorporating even tomb corridors from the previous dynasty. Zang Hai solved them all one by one, and with full cooperation from Master Fan and the others, they successfully evaded one deadly trap after another.

Zhuang Luyin sent people to arrest all the feng shui masters in the city and locked them in an underground palace, which was set up with layers of mechanisms modeled after the imperial mausoleum. No one had ever come out alive. Zang Hai wanted to kill Zhuang Luyin to avenge his family.

He claimed to be a feng shui master and was captured by Qu Jiao and taken to the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence, where he was also locked in an underground palace equipped with imperial mausoleum mechanisms. With meticulous thinking and superb skills, Zang Hai led everyone through one trap after another. Just as they were about to reach the exit, someone accidentally triggered the deadly bone-snapping silk mechanism. They were all killed, and only Zang Hai narrowly escaped death.

Zang Hai emerged alive from the underground palace, shocking Chu Huaiming, who suspected he might be a descendant of the craftsmen who built the imperial mausoleum. Zang Hai admitted he had used the Nine Stars Secret Method to break the bone-snapping silk mechanism. When Zhuang Luyin heard that someone had cracked the mausoleum’s mechanisms, he rushed over. Seeing his enemy made Zang Hai’s hatred boil, but he suppressed it and remained calm.

Zhuang Luyin appointed Zang Hai to preside over the Empress Dowager’s burial. Chu Huaiming, doubting Zang Hai’s background, advised Zhuang Luyin to be cautious. But with the emperor’s deadline looming, Zhuang Luyin decided to let Zang Hai try. Zang Hai deduced from the celestial phenomena that it would rain today, and the rain would naturally unlock the mechanism. Chu Huaiming found it unconvincing and invited the emperor’s close eunuch, Eunuch Sun.

Eunuch Sun came in the rain, which made Zhuang Luyin trust Zang Hai even more and urged him to fully explain his plan. Zang Hai lied, claiming that Noble Consort Li appeared to him in a dream, expressing her wish to fulfill the Empress Dowager and the late emperor’s desire for a joint burial. Zhuang Luyin was half convinced. Zang Hai brazenly said that thanks to Noble Consort Li’s blessing, he had survived the underground palace.

Using Noble Consort Li’s name, Zang Hai prevented the feudal lords from entering the capital for mourning, allowing only the King of Linzi to keep vigil. Eunuch Sun immediately returned to report to the emperor. Zhuang Luyin was still skeptical of Zang Hai’s explanation, but it was enough that Eunuch Sun believed it. Zang Hai took the opportunity to request entry into the inner hall of the mausoleum to inspect Noble Consort Li’s tomb.

Zhuang Luyin instructed Chu Huaiming to accompany him to see whether Noble Consort Li would show a sign, and he also ordered Qu Jiao to investigate Zang Hai’s background. Chu Huaiming brought Zang Hai to Noble Consort Li’s tomb. Zang Hai walked a circle around the tomb, then knelt and expressed his gratitude. Zhuang Luyin waited until noon, when suddenly Noble Consort Li’s tomb collapsed. Zang Hai firmly claimed she was helping fulfill the wish for a joint burial.

Zhuang Luyin and everyone present knelt together to thank her for her wisdom and benevolence. Zang Hai had resolved a long-standing concern for Zhuang Luyin, but instead of being grateful, Zhuang Luyin wanted to kill him to silence him. Zang Hai professed loyalty and offered to use his knowledge of architecture and geomancy to help Zhuang Zhixing. Qu Jiao found out Zang Hai’s identity: his parents had died young, and he learned carpentry from a craftsman.

He had just arrived in the capital a few days earlier. The masked benefactor who saved him had forged his identity. Zhuang Luyin fully believed in Zang Hai and agreed to let him stay in the marquis’ residence. Zang Hai officially reported to the Pingjin Residence. The steward gave him a waist token and arranged for him to stay in the Gentlemen’s Quarters. Zang Hai went to the inn to report to Gao Ming.

Gao Ming was curious how Zang Hai knew Noble Consort Li’s coffin would collapse. Zang Hai explained that when he entered the tomb, he found it was damp, and the coffin was soaked. He had secretly placed a wooden wedge underneath it. Combined with the heavy rain that night, the waterlogging caused the coffin to collapse. Gao Ming praised Zang Hai highly.

Zang Hai took the opportunity to ask about his masked master and Master Xing Dou, but Gao Ming said it was not the right time. Early the next morning, Zang Hai arrived at the Gentlemen’s Quarters, showed his waist token, and entered the residence smoothly. The advisor Huijian greeted him proactively and explained the rules and daily routines of the marquis’ residence, all set by Yang Zhen.

Chu Huaiming became suspicious of Zang Hai’s identity and warned Yang Zhen to be cautious in case Zang Hai replaced him. But Yang Zhen dismissed the concern and retorted that Zang Hai’s expertise in geomancy made Chu Huaiming's position insecure. Huijian gave Zang Hai a thorough tour, and Zang Hai finally learned that the advisors’ main job was to document and glorify Zhuang Luyin’s legacy, essentially compiling the "Zhuang Family Chronicles," with all the credit going to Yang Zhen.

Yang Zhen came to meet Zang Hai and explained many rules to him. Upon learning that advisors could eventually enter court service, Zang Hai became eager for the opportunity. Zhuang Luyin sent for Zang Hai to assess feng shui. Yang Zhen, fearing Zang Hai would steal his spotlight, deliberately assigned him to repair the ancestral hall to prevent the ancestral tablets from being soaked by rain.

Zang Hai saw through Yang Zhen’s intent to keep him from meeting Zhuang Luyin, but still stayed to repair the hall and asked Yang Zhen to explain the reason to Zhuang Luyin. Yang Zhen was more than happy to oblige. Zang Hai reported the matter to Gao Ming, who worried that Zhuang Luyin might forget about Zang Hai. Zang Hai swore he would take Yang Zhen’s place.

Yang Zhen assigned Zang Hai to inventory the residence’s antiques and cultural relics with other advisors, then compile detailed records. Zang Hai discovered many of the artifacts were damaged or incomplete. In the end, Yang Zhen made Zang Hai redo the entire inventory and posted guards at the door in case Zang Hai tried to steal anything—they were ordered to arrest him on the spot.

Yang Zhen was Zhuang Luyin’s military adviser, as well as the head of the staff at the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence. Their job was to write and compile a book about Lu Zhanyuan—“The Zhuang Family Chronicles”—to sing praises of Zhuang Luyin. Zang Hai, relying on his superb skills in architectural geomancy, successfully deciphered the mechanisms of the underground palace and entered the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence.

He was determined to kill Zhuang Luyin to avenge his family, but he had no access to Zhuang Luyin under normal circumstances. Yang Zhen feared that once Zang Hai gained power, he would replace him. Though he claimed to value Zang Hai, he secretly sabotaged him and tried every means to drive him out of the residence. The staff were ordered to inventory and catalog all the antiques and artworks gifted by the emperor.

Yang Zhen then had Zang Hai repeat the count and stationed people outside to keep watch. If Zang Hai dared to smuggle anything out, they would arrest him on the spot. Zang Hai was left alone in the treasury to sort the items and accidentally triggered a hidden mechanism to a secret chamber. He quietly approached, but found the heavy iron door locked, so he turned back. Returning to the treasury, he saw someone rummaging through it.

He shouted to stop the intruder, only to realize it was Zhuang Zhixing, Zhuang Luyin’s second son. Zang Hai recognized him at once—years ago, he and his friends had once locked Zhuang Zhixing inside a secret passage. Now that Zang Hai had undergone plastic surgery, Zhuang Zhixing didn’t recognize him at all. Zhuang Zhixing tried to leave with a stolen golden gourd but dropped it. Zang Hai confiscated it on the spot and promised to keep it secret.

Zhuang Zhixing pulled Zang Hai away with him, and the guards at the door dared not stop them. Yang Zhen handed the inventory Zang Hai had prepared to Zhuang Luyin. Zang Hai had meticulously recorded the origins of the Changfeng Sword, which was obtained during the most glorious battle of Zhuang Luyin’s life. This impressed Zhuang Luyin, who told Yang Zhen to support Zang Hai well.

Yang Zhen and Chu Huaiming both felt threatened by Zang Hai and came up with a sinister plan to host a Hongmen Banquet for him. Yang Zhen invited Zang Hai to a banquet at the Zhen Tower and brought along Chu Huaiming and Qu Jiao as companions. Zhuang Zhixing, addicted to gambling, owed large sums to the Zhen Tower. Xiang Antu asked the manager to tally up the accounts and send someone to summon Zhuang Zhixing for settlement.

Zang Hai arrived at the tower on time, and when Xiang Antu heard Yang Zhen was hosting a banquet for Zang Hai there, she instantly recognized Zang Hai as Zhinu. Feeling something was off, she ordered someone to keep a close eye on the room. When Zang Hai entered the room, he saw Qu Jiao, Yang Zhen, and Chu Huaiming surrounded by women, drinking and making merry. Feeling out of place, he sat alone in a corner.

Chu Huaiming used Yang Zhen’s birthday as a pretext and brought in Xiao Zhi, a singer, to liven up the mood. Zhuang Zhixing hurried to the Zhen Tower and tried to repay his debt with some gold and jewels, but the proprietress refused. She demanded Dongxia’s agate instead, which Zhuang Zhixing firmly declined. The proprietress then threatened to take the IOU to the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence.

After Xiao Zhi finished her song, Yang Zhen suggested Zang Hai take her in. Zang Hai politely declined. Yang Zhen repeatedly insisted, saying he planned to promote Zang Hai to deputy. Zang Hai remained unmoved. Chu Huaiming tried to threaten and intimidate him, but Zang Hai refused to yield. Yang Zhen told him to write a resignation letter to Zhuang Luyin, saying he intended to spend three years writing a book.

Zang Hai had risked his life to enter the Marquis’s residence to avenge his parents and sister. Now that Yang Zhen was trying to drive him out, Zang Hai hastily made an excuse to leave. Qu Jiao drew his sword, and Yang Zhen shifted all the blame onto Xiao Zhi, saying she had failed to serve Zang Hai properly and must be punished. Xiao Zhi knelt and begged for mercy.

Zang Hai realized Yang Zhen was using her to force him to submit and was torn. Yang Zhen picked up a red-hot coal from the brazier and shoved it into Xiao Zhi’s mouth. Zang Hai tried to stop him, but it was too late—Xiao Zhi passed out from the pain. Gao Ming had been waiting outside the door.

Hearing Xiao Zhi’s screams, he was about to rush in to help Zang Hai when he saw Xiang Antu enter and had to retreat. Xiang Antu, under Zhuang Zhixing’s name, ordered Yang Zhen, Chu Huaiming, and Qu Jiao to leave. Zang Hai begged her to find a doctor to treat Xiao Zhi’s injuries. Her throat was badly burned, and Zang Hai pleaded with the doctor to save her.

Xiang Antu was curious about how Zang Hai had offended Yang Zhen, Chu Huaiming, and Qu Jiao, but Zang Hai couldn’t tell the truth. He asked her to temporarily shelter Xiao Zhi. Xiang Antu told Zang Hai to escort the dead-drunk Zhuang Zhixing back to the Marquis’s residence. It took all Zang Hai’s strength to carry him home. Gao Ming had been waiting for him and warned him to be cautious.

Zang Hai could tell that Yang Zhen and the others were becoming desperate—this meant Zhuang Luyin had started to notice him. It was a step closer to his plan for revenge. Zang Hai hoped to get close to Zhuang Luyin through Zhuang Zhixing. Gao Ming worried about his safety, but Zang Hai was determined. Zhuang Zhixing invited Zang Hai to bathe together to thank him, but Zang Hai declined and subtly tried to learn more about Zhuang Luyin.

Realizing Zhuang Zhixing craved his father’s attention, Zang Hai offered him suggestions. Zhuang Zhixing immediately became wary and warned him not to meddle, or he might bring death upon himself. Zang Hai shared his thoughts with Gao Ming. Gao Ming had long heard that Zhuang Zhixing was unlearned and frivolous, a typical hedonistic youth, and unlikely to win Zhuang Luyin’s favor. Still, Zang Hai wanted to try. That night, thunder rolled and torrential rain poured.

The eunuchs guarding the imperial tomb patrolled everywhere. Suddenly, one heard a banging sound coming from the late emperor’s tomb. He bravely went in and found the emperor’s coffin blocking the entrance. Terrified, he fled in panic. Upon hearing the news, Chu Huaiming went to consult Yang Zhen. They wanted Zang Hai to handle the matter—and to use the opportunity to get rid of him.

The story of the late emperor’s apparition spread rapidly. Zhuang Luyin had just buried the late emperor and empress dowager together and, worried about being held accountable by the emperor, called Yang Zhen and Chu Huaiming to discuss countermeasures. The two jointly recommended Zang Hai to oversee the repairs of the imperial mausoleum, suggesting that the late emperor’s coffin be returned to its original location. They insisted that Zang Hai’s birth characters matched those of the late emperor.

Unwilling to be implicated, Zhuang Luyin appointed Zang Hai to the position of Assistant Director of the Spiritual Platform at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Zang Hai had long seen through the schemes of Yang Zhen and Chu Huaiming. They wanted him to be buried with the late emperor. Gao Ming was deeply worried for Zang Hai and insisted on facing it with him.

Zang Hai knew that during the three months of repairs, he would be safe, and he asked Gao Ming to do three things for him. Upon arriving at the mausoleum, Zang Hai found Chu Huaiming already waiting. Following him to the late emperor’s coffin, he saw water seeping from the ground. Zang Hai recalled that five years ago, the You River had changed its course and now passed through the mausoleum grounds.

Coupled with a heavy rain the previous night, water had flooded the mausoleum, causing the coffin to float and block the entrance after the rain stopped. Zang Hai sharply pointed out that the flooding was due to the failure to implement waterproofing measures after the river's diversion. He recommended urgent waterproofing, which was clearly Chu Huaiming’s negligence. Chu Huaiming then ordered the workers to follow Zang Hai’s instructions for the repairs.

Zang Hai learned that Ji Qun, a craftsman from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, had already discovered the rising ground water and reported it immediately to Chu Huaiming, only to be severely scolded. Zang Hai recognized Ji Qun as a good friend of his late father Kuai Duo and was overwhelmed with emotion, though Ji Qun did not recognize him. Zang Hai led the workers in repairing the mausoleum day and night, adding lime and other fire- and water-resistant materials.

Chu Huaiming and Zhuang Zhixing had embezzled funds allocated by the court and failed to waterproof the mausoleum. Chu Huaiming spoke ill of Zang Hai in front of Zhuang Zhixing, begging him to find a way to get rid of Zang Hai before their fraud was exposed. That night, Zang Hai voluntarily approached Ji Qun, curious how he had fallen from being an official of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to his current state.

Ji Qun, having learned that his good friend Kuai Duo’s entire family was wiped out, had seen through the darkness of the officialdom. Unwilling to become complicit, he chose to survive quietly. Zang Hai did not reveal his identity and did not dare to acknowledge Ji Qun. Following Zang Hai’s instructions, Gao Ming obtained horse urine and disguised himself as a blind fortune-teller. He poured a bottle of tiger urine on the road.

As Zhuang Luyin’s carriage passed by, the horses were startled by the scent and came to a sudden halt. Gao Ming seized the opportunity to step forward, loudly claiming that Zhuang Luyin carried ill fortune. Qu Jiao drew his sword to threaten Gao Ming, but Zhuang Luyin, unwilling to cause a scene, quickly stopped him. Gao Ming loudly warned Zhuang Luyin to be cautious at every step. Suspicious, Zhuang Luyin invited Gao Ming to his home for a divination session.

He attempted to intimidate Gao Ming, who remained calm and fearless. Gao Ming asked Zhuang Luyin to draw a fortune stick. Zhuang Luyin complied and drew a most inauspicious one. Gao Ming, full of ceremony, explained that Zhuang Luyin would soon face trouble, and if not handled well, it could even endanger his children. Gao Ming then lit a brazier for a ritual, and unexpectedly, the fortune stick fell out of the fire and changed into a neutral one.

Gao Ming congratulated Zhuang Luyin, saying that a noble person would soon appear to help him in his career. Qu Jiao suspected that Gao Ming had tampered with the stick and checked it thoroughly but found nothing amiss, so he let Gao Ming go. Zhuang Zhixing reported to Zhuang Luyin about the embezzlement and corner-cutting in the mausoleum waterproofing project, greatly enraging him.

Yang Zhen took the opportunity to slander Zang Hai in front of Zhuang Luyin, suggesting he be buried with the emperor. Afraid of being implicated, Zhuang Luyin authorized Yang Zhen to handle the matter entirely. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Zang Hai and the workers, the repairs on the imperial mausoleum were completed on schedule. The workers drank together in celebration, but Zang Hai reminded everyone not to overindulge.

Chu Huaiming soon arrived and ordered Ji Qun and eight other craftsmen to be buried with the late emperor, promising to care for their families. He then publicly announced that Zang Hai had volunteered to be buried with the empress dowager—Zang Hai surprisingly agreed without hesitation.

Zang Hai and Ji Qun, a former subordinate of his late father, worked overtime with the laborers to repair the imperial mausoleum and finally completed the task within three months. From the beginning, Chu Huaiming and Yang Zhen had planned to have Zang Hai and the eight chief artisans accompany the Empress Dowager in burial. They threatened and bribed the artisans, promising to take care of their families.

Zang Hai had long suspected Chu Huaiming and Yang Zhen’s plot and had prepared countermeasures, even arranging for Gao Ming to impersonate a fortune-teller and lay groundwork in front of Zhuang Luyin. Chu Huaiming publicly announced the imperial decree that Zang Hai and the eight artisans were to accompany the Empress Dowager in burial the next day. Ji Qun and the artisans felt sorry for Zang Hai, yet he readily agreed.

He didn’t understand why Ji Qun and the artisans were willing to go through with it. They knew Chu Huaiming and Yang Zhen were ruthless; even if they refused, they’d be crippled. It was better to trade their lives for a future for their families. Zang Hai was furious, gritting his teeth in anger. Today was the Empress Dowager’s burial day. All the civil and military officials came to pay their respects.

The Emperor, overwhelmed with grief and in poor health, remained in the palace to pray for the Empress Dowager. Zang Hai asked Ji Qun about the officials present. The head of the civil officials was Minister of Rites Shi Yiping and Minister of Revenue Zhao Bingwen—both rare upright men. The head of the military officials was Zhuang Luyin, and the Vice Minister of Works was Zhuang Zhifu. Chu Huaiming was merely a lackey of the father and son duo.

Zang Hai memorized all of this. The Empress Dowager’s coffin was carried into the mausoleum. Once the artisans completed their inspection, Zang Hai entered the innermost hall of the mausoleum. Chu Huaiming pretended to send off Zang Hai and the artisans on their final journey, providing a lavish meal that was poisoned. The poison would take effect in three days, leading to a quiet death. Once everything was arranged, Chu Huaiming shut the massive stone gate of the mausoleum.

He and Yang Zhen exchanged a pleased glance. They had even set up mechanisms in the underground palace—no matter how skilled Zang Hai was, escape was impossible. When the artisans heard the awakening bell, they knew their fate was sealed. They wanted a final feast before death. Zang Hai hurriedly stopped them and promised to lead everyone out of the underground palace with dignity. Otherwise, more artisans would be buried alive in the future.

Ji Qun and the others believed in Zang Hai wholeheartedly. Outside the mausoleum, the civil and military officials knelt and bowed. Next would be dropping the duanlong stone to seal the underground palace. Zang Hai deduced that the massive stone gate had a trigger. If they could find it before the duanlong stone fell, they could escape. One artisan remembered the trigger was buried above their heads.

He stepped onto a stone slab, only to be pierced by arrows and killed. Zang Hai realized it was one of Chu Huaiming’s traps and cursed him in fury. Zang Hai grabbed a plate from the table, held it over his head, and reached for the trigger. Ji Qun and the others did the same, shielding Zang Hai from the arrows with their plates. Several were killed by arrows, but the rest continued to protect him despite the danger.

Zang Hai smashed the bricks above with his fists. More artisans were shot dead. In the end, only Ji Qun remained. Though struck by multiple arrows, he held on to protect Zang Hai. Zang Hai gave it his all and finally pried open the bricks and pulled the trigger. The stone gate slowly rose. Zang Hai let go of the trigger and tried to escape with Ji Qun. The gate began to descend.

Ji Qun, gravely injured, refused to be a burden. He used his body to hold up the stone gate and urged Zang Hai to escape. As Zang Hai crawled out of the underground palace, the stone gate crashed down on Ji Qun. Coughing blood, Ji Qun listened as Zang Hai revealed he was the son of Kuai Duo—Zhinu. Knowing the son of his old friend still lived, Ji Qun smiled with relief and passed away. The duanlong stone stopped halfway.

Chu Huaiming and Yang Zhen were stunned. Covered in blood, Zang Hai emerged alive from the underground palace, leaving all the officials in shock. Zhuang Luyin remembered Gao Ming’s fortune—his destined benefactor would survive a deadly crisis. Yang Zhen took the opportunity to slander Zang Hai again, insisting he was guilty and should be buried with the Empress Dowager.

Zhuang Luyin accused Zang Hai of breaking his promise and ordered him to return to the mausoleum immediately or be shot to death with arrows. Zang Hai looked to the sky and shouted that it was not his time to die—he was destined to live. Zhuang Luyin questioned why the duanlong stone hadn’t fallen if Zang Hai refused burial. Zang Hai swore it would fall.

Just then, a eunuch hurriedly reported that the Empress Dowager’s burial hour was about to pass. Zang Hai declared before everyone that Yang Zhen’s birth characters matched those of the late Emperor, making him the most suitable to accompany the Emperor in death. He even had Chu Huaiming testify. Forced into a corner, Chu Huaiming admitted it was true. Yang Zhen didn’t want to die in vain.

Zhuang Luyin coaxed him, saying he’d go in first and be rescued once the duanlong stone moved. Yang Zhen believed him and stepped into the underground palace. As Zang Hai exited, the duanlong stone began to fall. The officials whispered in disbelief. Yang Zhen panicked, pleading for his life. Just as he tried to escape, he was shot with arrows. Yang Zhen cursed Zhuang Luyin furiously and publicly exposed his crimes. Before he could finish, another arrow ended his life.

Yang Zhen and Chu Huaiming had meticulously planned to put Zang Hai to death, but Zang Hai cleverly turned the tables, making Yang Zhen a burial sacrifice instead. He also had Gao Ming disguise himself as a fortune teller to hint that the one who had narrowly escaped death—himself—was Zhuang Luyin’s destined benefactor. Although Zhuang Luyin remained suspicious of Zang Hai, he still took him away, threatening to kill him.

Zang Hai had no choice but to admit that Yang Zhen had tried to kill him and that he had merely fought back. Seizing the opportunity, Zang Hai pledged his loyalty to Zhuang Luyin, vowing to serve him faithfully. Zhuang Luyin didn’t believe for a second that Zang Hai would follow him with unwavering loyalty.

Zang Hai revealed all of Yang Zhen’s deeds in detail—how Yang Zhen was jealous of the capable and eliminated all the talented advisers, keeping only useless ones. Zang Hai also reported that Qu Jiao had been committing crimes under the name of the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence. Before Zhuang Luyin could give the order, Qu Jiao had already killed Yang Zhen. Zang Hai deduced that Qu Jiao had long been prepared to do so.

Gao Ming, disguised in another identity, had been secretly trailing Zhuang Luyin’s carriage out of concern for Zang Hai’s safety. Qu Jiao rode ahead, deliberately leading the carriage to the rear courtyard of the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence. Zhuang Luyin instructed Zang Hai to get off the carriage first. Qu Jiao then handed a sword to Zhuang Luyin, urging him to kill Zang Hai. But Zhuang Luyin didn’t kill him—instead, he allowed him to return home and rest.

Qu Jiao reminded Zhuang Luyin that keeping Zang Hai alive was a huge risk. Zhuang Luyin, clearly impatient, was shocked that Qu Jiao dared to act on his behalf, confirming what Zang Hai had said. Gao Ming disguised himself as a physician to treat Zang Hai’s injuries. Zang Hai had previously discovered a small river, Xiao Cang River, upstream of the imperial tomb.

He instructed Gao Ming to station himself there and open the floodgate when the bell chimed six times, allowing water to flow through the underground channel to the tomb. When the bell chimed the ninth time, he was to close the gate, reducing the water flow and naturally stopping the Duanlong Stone. Zang Hai asked Gao Ming to light an incense stick and open the floodgate only when the incense burned out.

After emerging from the underground palace, Zang Hai persuaded Zhuang Luyin to have Yang Zhen buried with the Empress Dowager. As the water surged through the channel, the Duanlong Stone fell into place. Zang Hai had risked his life to complete the first step, but he remained vigilant—another challenge still lay ahead. Word reached Zhuang Luyin that the censors had submitted a memorial to the emperor overnight, accusing him of committing murder at the imperial tomb.

Zhuang Luyin was reluctant to hand over Qu Jiao as a scapegoat. Zhuang Zhifu suggested they kill Zang Hai, disfigure his face, and make him pose as Qu Jiao to take the fall. Zhuang Luyin said he would consider it. Zang Hai had already anticipated this move. He bet that Zhuang Luyin wouldn’t make him take the blame for Qu Jiao. The next morning, Zang Hai heard the news that Qu Jiao had died suddenly the night before.

Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. Zhuang Luyin appointed Zang Hai as the chief secretary of the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence, relocating him from the House of Attendants to the inner garden—right next door to Zhuang Luyin. Zhuang Luyin carefully selected maidservants and servants to serve Zang Hai and even invited him to dine together. From the steward Zhuang Shan, Zang Hai learned that even Yang Zhen had never received such treatment.

As promised, Zang Hai attended the family banquet. Zhuang Zhifu feigned hospitality upon his arrival. Zhuang Luyin consulted Zang Hai on dismissing all of Yang Zhen’s selected advisers, keeping only a few elder retainers. He also asked Zang Hai to prepare for his father's memorial ceremony, to which Zang Hai readily agreed. Zhuang Zhifu remained distrustful of Zang Hai. Zhuang Luyin could see that Zang Hai was ambitious and intended for him to support Zhuang Zhifu’s entry into the cabinet.

If Zang Hai had ulterior motives, he would be eliminated. Seeing that Chu Huaiming was negligent in his duties, Zhuang Luyin reassigned part of his responsibilities to Zang Hai. Zang Hai worked diligently, not daring to slack off. Zang Hai met with Gao Ming at the bookstore to report on the situation at the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence.

Gao Ming advised him not to act rashly to avoid death, suggesting instead that they carefully plot a plan to quietly eliminate Zhuang Luyin. After buying a few books, Zang Hai went out to eat, only to find that the shop owner refused to serve him—Xiang Antu had sent someone to summon him and had instructed all street vendors not to entertain him.

Forcing himself to go to the Pillow Tower, Zang Hai found Xiang Antu and a man claiming to be the owner, Xu Ben, already waiting. Xu Ben brought out fine wine and the signature dishes of the Pillow Tower to host Zang Hai. Eager to know why Xu Ben had summoned him, Zang Hai listened as Xu Ben offered him several large chests of gold, silver, and jewels to buy him over.

Zang Hai politely declined and proposed instead to sit at the Vermilion Bird Stage to watch opera on the first and fifteenth of each month and to take back the treasures Zhuang Zhixing had lost in gambling. Xu Ben glanced at Xiang Antu before agreeing. Zang Hai had already seen through Xu Ben’s lie—he was clearly not the owner of the Pillow Tower. So he deliberately made unreasonable demands.

Xu Ben didn’t dare agree and kept sneaking glances at Xiang Antu, who had no choice but to reveal her identity, admitting that she was the true owner of the Pillow Tower. She asked to talk with Zang Hai somewhere more private.

When Zang Hai was eight years old, he witnessed the murder of his parents and younger sister. He escaped death by hiding in a tunnel. A masked warrior rescued him and took him to Master Xing Dou to study the art of architecture and geomancy. Zang Hai dedicated himself to ten years of study. Master Xing Dou then asked his disciple Gao Ming to accompany Zang Hai to the capital to seek revenge on Zhuang Luyin.

Upon his arrival in the capital, Zang Hai encountered Xiang Antu at the Zhenlou Pavilion. Xiang Antu explained the current political situation in detail. Shortly after, she helped Zang Hai out of a dangerous situation at Zhenlou, cleverly allowing him to escape death. Three months later, Xiang Antu heard that not only had Zang Hai survived the perilous underground palace, but he had also become Zhuang Luyin's top adviser.

Curious about him, she sent someone to invite Zang Hai to Zhenlou and had the manager, Xu Benjiaban, test him. Zang Hai saw through the ruse at once. Impressed, Xiang Antu invited Zang Hai to be an honored guest at Zhenlou, but he declined politely, repeatedly claiming that he had joined Zhuang Luyin's ranks purely for fame and fortune. This angered Xiang Antu, who declared that he would one day come begging to her.

Zang Hai remained firm, and Xiang Antu had no choice but to let him go. The Eighth Young Master, a close friend of Xiang Antu, had been observing Zang Hai from the shadows. She sensed he was no ordinary man. Xiang Antu grew wary of Zang Hai, believing that with his talent, he would soon help Zhuang Luyin rise to great power and lead military campaigns to expand the territory of Great Yong.

Not wanting her compatriots to suffer the ravages of war, she began considering how to eliminate Zang Hai. However, as he was currently in his prime, she could only bide her time and wait for an opportunity. News that Zang Hai had become Zhuang Luyin’s top adviser quickly spread. Civil and military officials rushed to send him congratulatory gifts. Zhuang Shan showed Zang Hai the rare and exotic treasures one by one.

Zang Hai noticed that the gift list lacked names and deduced that these officials would come seeking favors. Zhuang Shan subtly implied that these were gifts expecting returns and that Zhuang Luyin was aware of them. Early one morning, Zang Hai distributed porridge to the people at the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence, using Zhuang Luyin’s name. The people all expressed their gratitude to Zhuang Luyin.

Zhuang Luyin praised Zang Hai for not only quelling the officials' gifting intentions but also using the opportunity to enhance his own reputation. He encouraged Zang Hai to study military texts and gave him free access to his study. Seeing Zang Hai's rising reputation in the capital, Xiang Antu had the Eighth Young Master spread several false rumors.

Children quickly spread them through songs: Zang Hai was said to be a sorcerer seeking an elixir of immortality for Zhuang Luyin, a spy planted by political enemies, and even Zhuang Luyin’s illegitimate son. Zang Hai guessed Xiang Antu was behind the rumors. Gao Ming advised Zang Hai to apologize to her to avoid hindering their plan to assassinate Zhuang Luyin.

Zang Hai went to Zhenlou to apologize, but Xiang Antu refused to see him and had her servant lie that she was out. When Zang Hai returned to the marquis’s residence, he received several gifts, along with a letter exposing his ulterior motives for being there. That night, he sneaked into the treasury and unlocked a hidden room beneath it.

Inside, he found gold, silver, and jewels, as well as the fish token taken from his father Kuai Duo by Qu Jiao, and his parents’ bloodstained clothes. Overcome with sorrow and memories of his family, Zang Hai coughed up blood in grief. Kneeling, he vowed to kill Zhuang Luyin in revenge and to give his parents a proper burial. Zang Hai took out a bottle of poison, hoping to find a chance to kill Zhuang Luyin.

But every time Zhuang Luyin invited him to play chess, Zhuang Shan was always present. Zang Hai had to wait for a time when they could be alone. While out on business, Zang Hai was ambushed and, upon regaining consciousness, found himself tied up by the marquis’s advisers Hui Jian and Shi Lei. As they tried to interrogate him, Zang Hai secretly worked to untie the rope behind his back.

After Yang Zhen’s death, Hui Jian and Shi Lei were dismissed and bore a deep grudge against Zang Hai. They wanted to kill him for revenge. Zang Hai managed to loosen his bindings and dodged furiously, but Shi Lei subdued him. Hui Jian took out a set of eight willow-leaf-shaped knives, intending to skin Zang Hai’s face. Zang Hai immediately recognized them as the knives his father Kuai Duo had once given to Guan Feng.

He desperately questioned Hui Jian about his purpose in entering the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence. Hui Jian admitted he was avenging his master. Zang Hai realized Hui Jian was his senior brother Guan Feng and asked him to start cutting from his back, intentionally revealing his whip scars. Though Hui Jian did not recognize Zang Hai’s surgically altered face, he did recognize the scars on his back—he had personally treated those wounds.

Hui Jian was overwhelmed upon realizing Zang Hai was his long-lost junior brother Zhinu. Zang Hai briefly recounted his experiences over the years, and the two embraced and wept. Years ago, after Guan Feng made a mistake, their master’s wife punished him by sending him to chop wood in the back mountains. When he returned, he found Kuai Duo’s family had been slaughtered.

Ever since, he had wandered the land with the eight willow-leaf knives Kuai Duo had given him, vowing to avenge his master’s family. Guan Feng was once caught stealing buns by the reclusive cultivator Kai Zhen. Kai Zhen paid for the buns and took him in. From then on, Guan Feng became Shi Lei’s apprentice. After Kai Zhen died, Guan Feng and Shi Lei relied on each other and eventually found a way to enter the marquis’s household as advisers.

Zang Hai had thought Guan Feng was the one delivering messages to him, but now realized it was someone else. He suspected the person was after the treasure Kuai Duo had brought back from Dongxia. Guan Feng recalled that Kuai Duo had returned from the southwest, and Zang Hai deduced that his father had hidden the treasure in Liu Xian’s tomb.

Zang Hai reunited with his senior brother Guan Feng. After reminiscing, they recalled the person who had written the threatening letter. Zang Hai suspected that the person was after the treasure Kuai Duo had brought back from Dongxia. Guan Feng remembered that Kuai Duo had returned from the southwest. Zang Hai deduced that his father had hidden the treasure in Liu Xian’s tomb. Guan Feng, Shi Lei, and Zang Hai rushed overnight to Liu Xian’s tomb.

Zang Hai remembered that when he was a child, Kuai Duo had once taken him into that tomb raider's tunnel. Kuai Duo had worried that grave robbers would enter to steal the burial items, so before leaving, he had ordered someone to seal the tunnel. Zang Hai, Guan Feng, and Shi Lei split up to search. Zang Hai quickly found the sealed tunnel hidden under fallen leaves, and the three of them went down together.

Zang Hai remembered it was a joint tomb for a couple, with exquisitely crafted coffins, but no inscription. Zang Hai speculated the inscription was hidden beneath the turtle beside the coffins. He opened the turtle shell and indeed found the inscription engraved inside, confirming it was Liu Xian’s tomb. Zang Hai, Guan Feng, and Shi Lei explored the tomb and found that all the burial items had been stolen by grave robbers.

The robbers had either died from traps or from internal conflicts. The three split up to search again but found nothing of value. Just as Zang Hai was about to leave, he noticed a pattern on the coffin that was reversed. He gently pressed the reversed stone block, and a large section of the wall suddenly collapsed, revealing a large engraved stele inside. The stele told the story of Shan Yizi, a righteous official devoted to the people.

Shan Yizi had been Liu Xian’s teacher. Zang Hai picked up a carving knife from the ground and immediately recognized it as the one his father Kuai Duo had used when alive. Guan Feng also confirmed it was their master's, but couldn't understand why one character was missing at the end of the inscription. Zang Hai searched through the scattered characters and found the missing character "Heng.

" He placed it into the final empty slot, activating an underground mechanism that revealed a stone box. Zang Hai carefully opened the box and found a bronze case that Kuai Duo had made during his lifetime. The case was a powerful and deadly weapon. Kuai Duo had feared someone would use it to harm the people, so he had hidden it in Liu Xian’s tomb.

Zang Hai concluded that his father had not hidden the treasure brought back from Dongxia in the tomb. He packed up the bronze case and left the tunnel with Guan Feng and Shi Lei. Guan Feng wanted to help Zang Hai kill Zhuang Luyin to avenge Kuai Duo, but Zang Hai didn’t want to drag him into it. He asked Guan Feng and Shi Lei to seal the tunnel.

Zang Hai returned alone to the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence and, along the way, delivered a letter to Gao Ming. When he returned to the residence, he saw Zhuang Shan directing the maids and servants to prepare for the sacrificial ceremony. Zang Hai went back to his room and hid the bronze case in a trap mechanism, planning to kill Zhuang Luyin during the ceremony.

Zhuang Luyin brought his entire family to the ancestral hall to offer incense to his deceased father, except Zhuang Zhixing was absent. Zhuang Luyin didn’t want to wait any longer and insisted on continuing the ceremony. Zang Hai hurriedly stopped him and asked him to wait for Zhuang Zhixing to return. Zhuang Luyin immediately became suspicious. Zhuang Shan stepped forward to explain that Zang Hai had specially prepared incense laced with golden threads, which he had switched out earlier.

Zang Hai explained that adding golden threads symbolized Zhuang Luyin’s life as a warrior and expressed the hope that the ancestors would protect him and ward off disasters. Zhuang Luyin didn’t believe it and asked Zhuang Shan to inspect the incense burner carefully. Zang Hai was so nervous that he broke out in a cold sweat. Zhuang Shan didn’t find anything unusual in the incense burner.

Zhuang Luyin didn’t pursue the matter and instead scolded Zhuang Shan for misunderstanding Zang Hai’s intentions. Zang Hai was completely baffled. He had clearly placed the trap box into the incense burner, and within an hour it had vanished. From a maid, Zang Hai learned that the ashes from the ancestral hall had been taken away.

He immediately chased after the garbage cart, only to be blocked by a masked man who was holding the trap box that Zang Hai had hidden in the incense burner. The masked man scolded Zang Hai for acting recklessly—Zhuang Luyin had deliberately asked Zang Hai to prepare the ceremony to test him. Only then did Zang Hai realize the truth.

Zang Hai went to Zhuang Luyin that night to admit his fault, confessing that someone had delivered poison and ordered him to poison Zhuang Luyin within three days. Zang Hai wanted to investigate the person's identity in secret but found nothing. Zhuang Luyin not only didn’t hold it against him, but also comforted Zang Hai. He said he had made too many enemies, and many wanted him dead.

Zhuang Luyin told Zang Hai to go back and rest, promising to investigate the matter himself. The masked man revealed that Zang Hai had three enemies: besides Zhuang Luyin, there was the eunuch Cao Jingxian and one other person who had remained deeply hidden and was yet to be found. All three were trying to seize the treasure Kuai Duo brought back from Dongxia.

Zang Hai remembered that there was a copper fish in the secret chamber of the marquis’ residence and guessed that the other two copper fish had been taken by Cao Jingxian and the other hidden enemy. The masked man reminded Zang Hai to lie low and wait for the right moment to take down all three enemies in one strike.

Originally, Zang Hai had intended to kill Zhuang Luyin to avenge his parents and sister, but now, with two more enemies revealed, he had to reconsider. After weighing everything, he decided to endure for now and hid the trap box behind a plaque in his room.

Xiang Antu wanted Zang Hai to become an honored guest of Zhenlou, but Zang Hai refused her outright. Xiang Antu feared he would assist Zhuang Luyin in expanding his power, which would inevitably lead to military campaigns and territorial expansion. She didn't want her people to suffer the ravages of war. In a fit of anger, she instructed the Eighth Young Master to spread rumors about Zang Hai, even claiming he was Zhuang Luyin’s illegitimate son.

The rumors quickly spread throughout the capital. Zang Hai suspected Xiang Antu was behind them and feared that if they continued, his plan for revenge would be jeopardized. Zang Hai brought gifts to Zhenlou to apologize to Xiang Antu and happened to run into a spirited young woman on the way. He inquired and found out she was the famous Eighth Young Master. Upon seeing him, Xiang Antu immediately mocked and ridiculed him.

Zang Hai repeatedly apologized, admitting he had behaved poorly that day and pleaded with her to have the Eighth Young Master suppress the rumors. Xiang Antu was suspicious of Zang Hai’s motives for siding with Zhuang Luyin, but Zang Hai didn’t explain much and only emphasized his misfortunes. Eventually, Xiang Antu agreed to have the rumors quelled.

Xiang Antu casually pointed to a street vendor downstairs selling trinkets — a merchant from Dongxia who had been displaced and was now trying to make a living through small trade. Zang Hai bought a small embroidered pouch before leaving. He went straight to Gao Ming to discuss countermeasures, hoping to find someone Zhuang Luyin trusted most who could help uncover the identity of the third killer.

Gao Ming pondered long and hard but couldn't come up with a suitable candidate. He thought of Zhuang Zhixing, but found him unreliable and noted that Zhuang Luyin didn’t favor him. Zang Hai believed Zhuang Zhixing was actually the perfect choice. He would help Zhuang Zhixing gain Zhuang Luyin’s favor and become heir to the Marquis’s estate. Then Zhuang Zhixing could spy for him without arousing suspicion. In fact, Xiang Antu was the Princess of Dongxia.

Zhuang Luyin had led military campaigns against Dongxia and achieved an unprecedented victory. He brought the young Princess of Dongxia back to Great Yong as a hostage. The emperor granted Xiang Antu the title of Princess Rouyuan. From that day forward, she studied etiquette and national history under Lady Ge and became close friends with a palace maid. The two of them often sneaked out to play.

Ten years passed in a flash, and both Xiang Antu and the maid had grown into young women. They disliked being bound by etiquette. The Eighth Young Master loved storytelling, and Xiang Antu had no desire to be a princess of Great Yong — she only wanted the people of Dongxia to live better lives. The Eighth Young Master advised her to be patient and vowed to help her achieve her dream.

Not long after, Xiang Antu bought the poorly managed Zhenlou at a low price, gave it a complete makeover, and specially prepared a large stage for the Eighth Young Master. While bathing, Zhuang Zhixing accidentally overheard people speaking ill of him. Zang Hai stepped forward to defend him and spoke well of him. Zhuang Zhixing then began to warm up to Zang Hai.

Zang Hai encouraged him not to belittle himself and firmly believed he would one day become the master of the Marquis’s estate. Zhuang Zhixing wasn’t interested — he just wanted to indulge in food, drink, and fun. Zang Hai showed him the account book kept by the late mistress of the estate, which detailed all of Zhuang Zhixing’s expenses, ending with a note that the money had been taken by a pig.

Zhuang Zhixing was so angry he ground his teeth. Zang Hai encouraged Zhuang Zhixing to pull himself together and compete with Zhuang Zhifu. He noted that Zhuang Zhifu’s abilities were limited and that he was only strong because of capable aides like Jiang Xiang. Zang Hai deliberately turned around, and Zhuang Zhixing noticed the whip scars on his back — they looked familiar.

Zhuang Zhixing pulled Zang Hai aside to drink, forcing him to drink a medicinal wine while recounting the time he had been locked in an underground tunnel by Zhinu. Due to the wine’s effect, the scars on Zang Hai’s back became even more visible. Zhuang Zhixing began to suspect that Zang Hai was Zhinu, who had come to the Marquis’s estate for revenge.

Zang Hai tried to dodge the question, but Zhuang Zhixing was convinced — Yang Zhen and Qu Jiao had both been killed through Zang Hai’s schemes. Zang Hai had no choice but to tell the truth. Zhuang Zhixing remembered what had happened back then. After escaping from Zhinu’s house, he had waited for Zhuang Luyin, who returned very late with Yang Zhen.

From the servants, he learned that Kuai Duo’s entire family had been wiped out, and he suspected his father, Zhuang Luyin, was behind it. Zhuang Zhixing couldn’t stand by and watch Zang Hai kill Zhuang Luyin — Zhuang Luyin was his only family. He urged Zang Hai to leave the capital and the Marquis’s estate and never return. He gave Zang Hai one day to consider. Zang Hai hurried to Gao Ming overnight to discuss a plan.

Zhuang Zhixing was far more clever than he had imagined, even using medicinal wine to expose the scars on his back. Gao Ming recalled that Zhuang Luyin would be taking his family to pay respects to their ancestors the next day. He suggested sending Guan Feng and Shi Lei to kill Zhuang Zhixing and silence him. Zang Hai couldn’t bear it and wanted to act based on the situation. That night, Zhuang Zhixing went to sweep his mother’s grave. Zang Hai secretly followed him to the cemetery, intending to use the mechanical box to kill Zhuang Zhixing.

Zhuang Zhixing went to the cemetery late at night to pay respects at his mother's grave. Zang Hai secretly followed him, intending to use a mechanical box to kill him. Suddenly, Zang Hai noticed that a highly poisonous plant called Duling Nanxing, native only to Southern Nanzhao Prefecture, was growing all over the grave. None of the other graves had this plant—only the grave of Zhuang Zhixing's birth mother. Zang Hai explained the situation to Zhuang Zhixing.

This poisonous plant did not exist in the capital, so no one would plant it there on purpose. The most likely explanation was that the seeds of Duling Nanxing were already in her body—someone had poisoned her while she was alive. Zhuang Zhixing did not believe it at all. Zang Hai suggested they exhume the body to confirm, but Zhuang Zhixing refused and attacked Zang Hai, forcibly driving him away. That night, Zhuang Zhixing tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

He recalled that when his mother was alive, Zhuang Luyin had treated him with great care and high expectations. But after her death, Zhuang Zhixing was completely neglected. The next morning, Zhuang Zhixing waited early at the door, wanting to ride with Zhuang Luyin to the ancestral rites and ask him about Duling Nanxing. Jiang Xiang grew impatient and kept rushing him.

Zhuang Zhifu made an excuse to discuss something with Zhuang Luyin on the way, making Zhuang Zhixing ride in a different carriage. Zhuang Luyin led the whole family to the cemetery for the ancestral rites. Zhuang Zhixing had secretly placed a bouquet of Duling Nanxing in a flower vase. Jiang Xiang turned pale when she saw the toxic plant. After the ceremony, Zhuang Luyin reached for some pastries.

Seeing petals from Duling Nanxing fall onto the plate, Jiang Xiang quickly stopped him, lying that there was dust on the pastries and telling him not to eat them. Zhuang Luyin didn't question her and left. Jiang Xiang was furious and interrogated the servants about the origin of the poisonous plant. None of the maids knew anything. She then ordered the bouquet thrown away.

Zhuang Zhixing asked Zhuang Luyin to visit his mother’s grave, but Zhuang Luyin made an excuse to go hunting with Zhuang Zhifu and left. Zhuang Zhixing followed behind. Surprised by this, Zhuang Luyin allowed him to join the hunt. Zhuang Zhixing lied about seeing a deer and lured Zhuang Luyin to his mother’s grave. Zhuang Luyin was furious. Zhuang Zhixing picked a bouquet of Duling Nanxing and handed it to him.

Zhuang Luyin threw it on the ground and scolded him severely. Heartbroken, Zhuang Zhixing decided to verify the cause of his mother’s death and started digging up the grave with his bare hands. Zang Hai arrived shortly after and helped him dig. Together, Zhuang Zhixing and Zang Hai unearthed the grave of Lady Shen. When Zhuang Zhixing saw that the coffin had rotted, he was devastated. Zang Hai opened it and discovered that Shen’s fingers were deformed.

Zhuang Zhixing recalled how his mother often felt weak before her death—a classic symptom of Duling Nanxing poisoning. Zang Hai concluded that someone close to Lady Shen must have poisoned her. Zhuang Zhixing clearly remembered that his mother only fell ill a year after arriving in the capital. He had stayed by her side every day until she died.

Jiang Xiang suspected that Zhuang Zhixing had placed the poisonous plant but doubted that someone so useless would know about such things. Zang Hai learned from servants in the Marquis’s residence that Lady Shen had been close with a physician before her death. From then on, Zhuang Luyin completely ignored her, and even after her death, he never visited her grave. Zhuang Zhixing cried out for justice for his mother.

Zang Hai had Gao Ming track down a maid who had been expelled from the residence, and she revealed that the rumors were spread by Jiang Xiang. At that time, Zhuang Luyin had been stripped of military power by the emperor and urgently needed the help of Jiang Xiang’s father, Jiang Jin, Minister of Rites. Without investigating, he believed Jiang Xiang’s slander and assumed that Lady Shen had an affair with the physician.

Zhuang Zhixing deduced from Zhuang Luyin’s attitude that he knew the truth about his mother’s death. Furious, he swore to avenge her. Zang Hai encouraged Zhuang Zhixing to rise up, promising to help him gain Zhuang Luyin’s trust and favor, in return for finding out from Zhuang Luyin the identity of the third enemy. Zhuang Zhixing agreed to conceal Zang Hai’s identity. The two made a pact. Zang Hai told Gao Ming the whole plan.

Gao Ming worried that Zhuang Zhixing might fail to uncover the third enemy and suggested approaching Cao Jingxian. But Cao Jingxian was deeply secluded, only appearing at the palace or staying home. Gao Ming learned that in two months, the imperial court would host a polo match on foot, and Cao Jingxian would present the award to the champion on behalf of the emperor. Zang Hai decided to use that opportunity to approach him.

Zang Hai took Zhuang Zhixing to meet Guan Feng and Shi Lei, asking them to teach Zhuang Zhixing martial arts. This was the first step in his transformation, and Zang Hai promised to build up his reputation in the capital. Shi Lei trained Zhuang Zhixing with strict discipline, and he practiced diligently. Chu Huaiming brought lavish gifts to complain about Zang Hai to Cao Jingxian and spoke badly about him. But Cao Jingxian refused to see him and only sent a eunuch to dismiss him.

Zang Hai and Zhuang Zhixing both wanted to avenge their loved ones. They formed an alliance, with Zang Hai hoping Zhuang Zhixing would win first place in the annual polo tournament. That way, he could earn Zhuang Luyin’s appreciation and eventually become the heir to the Marquis of Pingjin’s household.

Zang Hai, lacking status and influence, was unable to raise support for Zhuang Zhixing on his own, so he came to Zhan Zhen Lou to ask Xiang Antu for help, hoping she could give Zhuang Zhixing a complete transformation before the tournament. Before Zang Hai could finish, Xiang Antu burst into laughter, suspecting that Zang Hai must be out of his mind. Zhuang Zhixing was idle and irresponsible, a notorious playboy in the capital.

She couldn’t believe Zang Hai would choose him as a partner. But Zang Hai was firm and resolute. Xiang Antu did a quick calculation—if the Eighth Young Master were to create a shadow puppet play to promote Zhuang Zhixing and also deploy manpower to generate public buzz in the capital, it would cost a huge amount of silver.

Zang Hai didn’t have that kind of money, so Xiang Antu seized the jade pendant he carried as a down payment—but that was far from enough. She demanded Zang Hai himself repay the debt with labor. Zang Hai, in turn, laid out a calculation for Xiang Antu. She could profit from ticket sales to the puppet show starring Zhuang Zhixing, and she could open a betting pool on whether he would win or lose.

If Zhuang Zhixing managed to make a spectacular debut, the food he ate at Zhen Lou, the songs he listened to, and even the medicinal baths he soaked in could all become lucrative selling points. Xiang Antu wouldn’t lose money—in fact, she could make a fortune. She worried that Zhuang Zhixing might be useless, but Zang Hai assured her he had already found a master to train him and promised a complete transformation.

Xiang Antu took Zang Hai to the main hall, where Zhuang Zhixing was drinking and making merry with Shi Lei and Guan Feng. Enraged, Zang Hai dragged Zhuang Zhixing to a dilapidated temple, threw him into a livestock pen, and gave him a harsh scolding. Zang Hai reminded him not to forget his vow to avenge his mother. Awakened by the rebuke, Zhuang Zhixing swore to train diligently. But the pigpen was deep—he tried several times but couldn’t climb out.

Zang Hai told him to crawl out of the pigsty. Zhuang Zhixing, unwilling to admit defeat, mustered all his strength and climbed out. From that day on, Zhuang Zhixing began rigorous training under Shi Lei and Guan Feng. He endured hardship and fatigue without complaint, training relentlessly until he was utterly exhausted. Still, he didn’t give up. Gradually, he grasped the key techniques and grew more proficient. Two months flew by, and the polo tournament took place as scheduled.

Zhuang Zhixing, dressed in a green battle robe, joined a team with three other young nobles. Brimming with spirit, he stepped onto the field. The red team had excellent skills and quickly scored two goals at the start. The red team taunted Zhuang Zhixing with sneers, but he suppressed his anger, rallied his fighting spirit, and charged ahead, intercepting several of their shots. The morale of the blue team soared.

They worked together with great synergy and repeatedly broke through the red team’s goal. Shi Lei and Guan Feng cheered for Zhuang Zhixing. He fought with growing strength, his team in perfect coordination. In the end, they won the match. The Eighth Young Master created a shadow puppet play about Zhuang Zhixing and heavily promoted him. Those who bet on Zhuang Zhixing’s team made a fortune. Overnight, Zhuang Zhixing became a sensation in the capital.

Upon hearing the news, Zhuang Luyin was overjoyed. Jiang Xiang and Zhuang Zhifu mocked the situation from the side, but Zang Hai praised Zhuang Zhixing tirelessly and volunteered to bring people to congratulate him. Zhuang Luyin insisted on taking Zang Hai with him and planned to introduce him to officials at court. Zhuang Luyin brought Zang Hai to the arena, lavishing praise on Zhuang Zhixing. Cao Jingxian, by imperial decree, came to present the award to Zhuang Zhixing.

Zhuang Luyin introduced Zang Hai to him. Cao Jingxian had already heard of Zang Hai and felt he looked familiar. He wanted to bring Zang Hai under his command, but Zhuang Luyin was reluctant and responded with polite evasion. Cao Jingxian read aloud the emperor’s decree, bestowing rewards upon Zhuang Zhixing and the other three team members. Zhuang Luyin confided in Zang Hai that Cao Jingxian was ruthless. Once someone entered his Surveillance Bureau, they would never get out.

Not wanting to offend Cao Jingxian, Zhuang Luyin instructed Zang Hai to select a few treasures from the treasury the next day to send to his residence. Zang Hai eagerly accepted—this was his chance to get close to Cao Jingxian and investigate the identity of his third enemy. Zhuang Luyin also told Zang Hai to instruct the kitchen to prepare Zhuang Zhixing’s favorite dishes as a reward.

Cao Jingxian realized that Zang Hai was no ordinary man, which explained why Zhuang Luyin was unwilling to part with him. The more he thought about it, the angrier Cao Jingxian became. That very night, he summoned Chu Huaiming. Chu Huaiming slandered Zang Hai extensively in front of Cao Jingxian, begging him to eliminate Zang Hai. Cao Jingxian agreed to handle it, and Chu Huaiming left content.

That night, Cao Jingxian sent his adopted son, Lu Jin, to Qingquan Town to investigate Zang Hai’s background. He instructed Lu Yan to have people watch Zang Hai closely. If they found anything suspicious, they were to kill him on the spot. Lu Jin and his men arrived in Qingquan Town and ran into an old man selling vegetables. He asked about Zang Hai’s origins, but the old man gave nothing away.

Lu Jin dispatched people to investigate all around, but Zang Hai’s background turned out to be clean. Realizing that Cao Jingxian was targeting Zang Hai, Lu Jin conspired with his companions to lie. They falsely claimed Zang Hai’s background was suspicious and sent a message via carrier pigeon to Cao Jingxian. The vegetable seller overheard everything and led his people to surround Lu Jin’s group, shooting down the pigeon. Lu Jin ordered them all killed. A fierce battle broke out.

The factory guards were all slain, and only Lu Jin remained. The old man fought fiercely with Lu Jin; they were evenly matched. As the fight dragged on, the old man began to tire and was knocked down. His disciple rushed in to fight Lu Jin but was killed on the spot. The old man released a pigeon to send a message, but Lu Jin struck him down with a single blow.

When Zang Hai heard that Cao Jingxian suspected him and had sent Lu Jin to Qingquan Town to investigate, he learned that all the factory guards were killed and Lu Jin returned to the capital alone. Zang Hai realized that he could not kill Lu Jin now, or his identity would be exposed. He decided to wait until Lu Jin returned to the capital before making his move.

Zang Hai came to the Pillow Tower to seek help from Xiang Antu. Xiang Antu was taking a bath at the time. Zang Hai felt very awkward and turned to leave, but Xiang Antu didn’t mind and asked him to stay and explain his purpose. Zang Hai begged Xiang Antu to find someone to kill Lu Jin. Xiang Antu told him to seek help from Zhuang Luyin, but Zang Hai knew that Zhuang Luyin wouldn’t offend Cao Jingxian for him.

Xiang Antu had long heard of Lu Jin’s atrocities in killing innocents and agreed to kill him to rid the people of a menace. In return, she asked Zang Hai to wash her hair. Zang Hai had no choice but to comply despite his discomfort. Through the mirror, Xiang Antu observed Zang Hai’s expression and found his hair-washing technique quite skilled. Zang Hai explained he had helped his mother wash her hair before.

Xiang Antu agreed to help him get rid of his mortal enemy, but once it was done, Zang Hai had to repay her. Zang Hai readily agreed and asked Xiang Antu to find Lu Jin’s letters. He planned to imitate Lu Jin’s handwriting to write a superstitious message to Cao Jingxian. Lu Yan had people monitoring Zang Hai but didn’t find anything suspicious. Lu Jin had not returned for a long time, which made Cao Jingxian anxious.

He ordered Lu Yan to send someone to kill Zang Hai. Lu Jin, enduring rough conditions and traveling day and night, quickly arrived in the capital. Fearing he was being followed, he secretly went to a factory guard’s home to hide temporarily and sent the guard to inform Cao Jingxian. Suddenly, someone tried to ambush Lu Jin. With a few punches and kicks, he killed them all, convinced they were sent by Zang Hai.

At that moment, a group of people burst in and surrounded him. Relying on his exceptional martial arts skills, Lu Jin killed them all but was severely injured. It started to rain heavily. Lu Jin braved the rain and quietly made his way to the Cao residence. On the way, he was ambushed by Xiang Antu. She placed Lu Jin’s corpse in Zang Hai’s carriage, deliberately letting his head hang out of the window.

The guards at the Cao residence saw Lu Jin in Zang Hai’s carriage from afar and were utterly confused, so they secretly followed behind. Zang Hai parked the carriage at the back gate of the Marquis’s residence. He had Xiang Antu impersonate Lu Jin. The two of them returned home under an umbrella. The factory guards saw everything clearly.

One of them went back to report to Cao Jingxian, while the other stayed behind to keep watch on the Marquis’s residence. Knowing that factory guards were lying in ambush at the Marquis’s residence, Zang Hai sent Gao Ming to keep watch. He disguised himself as Zhuang Luyin, while Xiang Antu pretended to be Lu Jin. They deliberately sat by the study window, and Xiang Antu used the opportunity to read Zang Hai’s palm.

The factory guards mistakenly believed they were having a secret conversation. Xiang Antu suspected Zang Hai was using a false identity and that he killed Lu Jin to silence him. In a fit of anger, she threatened to expose Zang Hai. Zang Hai promised that once he completed what he wanted to do, he would reveal his identity to her immediately.

Xiang Antu was worried that Zhuang Luyin might return suddenly, but Zang Hai had already arranged for Zhuang Zhixing to stall him. Zhuang Zhixing invited Zhuang Luyin for a celebratory meal. The father and son had a pleasant conversation. Zhuang Zhixing wanted to drink the night away, and Zhuang Luyin gladly agreed. When Xiang Antu learned the truth of the matter, she was furious and didn’t want to be a pawn for Zang Hai anymore.

But Zang Hai had long regarded her as a friend. Late at night, Jiang Xiang came to fetch Zhuang Luyin for rest. She deliberately wore the red dress she had worn when welcoming Zhuang Luyin back victorious from the Battle of Dongxia. Zhuang Luyin had promised to chat all night with Zhuang Zhixing. Jiang Xiang sat down too and asked Zhuang Luyin to recount the heroic tale of his legendary 800-li night march to fame.

Zhuang Zhixing considerately let them talk alone and waited outside. Xiang Antu and Zang Hai sat by the window until dawn. The factory guard went back to report to Cao Jingxian, who mistakenly believed Lu Jin had talked with Zhuang Luyin the whole night. He hurried over to find out the truth. Cao Jingxian arrived angrily at the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence. Zhuang Shan quickly sent a letter to Zhuang Luyin.

At that time, Zhuang Luyin and Jiang Xiang were still asleep, and Zhuang Zhixing was standing guard outside the door. He wouldn’t let Zhuang Shan in to deliver the message. Zang Hai came to meet Cao Jingxian. Cao Jingxian couldn’t wait to find out whether Lu Jin had really talked with Zhuang Luyin all night. Zang Hai feigned ignorance. Learning that Zhuang Luyin was still asleep, Cao Jingxian wanted to question him in person.

Zang Hai desperately tried to stop him. Cao Jingxian ordered Zang Hai to be killed. Just then, the factory guard rushed in to report that Lu Jin had drowned in the Guangji River. Cao Jingxian immediately led his men away, taking Zang Hai with him. Zhuang Luyin woke up and saw Zhuang Zhixing still standing guard outside. Learning that Cao Jingxian had just left, he immediately took Zhuang Zhixing and rushed to the scene.

Cao Jingxian arrived at the riverbank and had his adopted daughter Lu Yan dissect Lu Jin’s body. They found a secret letter inside. Zhuang Luyin soon arrived and curiously asked why Lu Jin had drowned in the river. Cao Jingxian planned to return and investigate the truth thoroughly.

Cao Jingxian greatly appreciated Zang Hai and wanted to bring him under his command, but Zhuang Luyin was unwilling to let him go. Cao Jingxian grew angry and sent his adopted son Lu Jin to investigate Zang Hai's background. Master Xing Dou not only performed cosmetic surgery on Zang Hai but also fabricated his background.

Lu Jin found nothing suspicious and, fearing accountability, falsely claimed that there was an issue with Zang Hai's identity and sent a letter via pigeon post to Cao Jingxian. The letter was intercepted by a group of martial artists who killed all the imperial guards. Lu Jin barely escaped with his life thanks to his excellent martial skills. Zang Hai asked Xiang Antu to kill Lu Jin and devised a plan to kill two birds with one stone.

Zang Hai and Xiang Antu disguised themselves as Lu Jin and Zhuang Luyin, respectively, and held a secret discussion in the study overnight. Cao Jingxian mistakenly believed that Lu Jin had defected to Zhuang Luyin and went to the Marquis's residence to confront him. Zang Hai had Zhuang Zhixing lure Zhuang Luyin away and forged Lu Jin's suicide note, then had someone throw Lu Jin into the river.

Cao Jingxian found the suicide note on Lu Jin’s body and realized that Lu Jin had pretended to defect to Zhuang Luyin but was then silenced. Cao Jingxian concluded that Lu Jin had discovered Zang Hai’s secret, and Zhuang Luyin killed him to cover it up. He instructed Lu Yan to give Lu Jin a proper burial and summoned her elder brother Lu Ran.

Zhuang Luyin woke up early and learned that Cao Jingxian had come to his residence to question him. He was completely puzzled. Zang Hai seized the opportunity to sow discord between Zhuang Luyin and Cao Jingxian, pleading with Zhuang Luyin to assign someone to protect him, fearing that Cao Jingxian would cause more trouble. Zhuang Luyin agreed to ensure Zang Hai’s safety and planned to appoint him to an official position.

Zang Hai was more than happy—his ultimate goal was the Imperial Astronomical Bureau so he could investigate the treasure that Zhuang Luyin and Cao Jingxian were searching for. Zang Hai personally crafted a hairpin and gave it to Xiang Antu to thank her for her great support. Xiang Antu asked Zang Hai to accompany her for the Ghost Festival, and Zang Hai readily agreed. On the fifteenth of the seventh lunar month, the sky was dotted with white clouds.

Jiang Xiang said they looked like auspicious rabbits. Zhuang Luyin asked Zang Hai for his opinion, and Zang Hai skillfully deflected. That night, Zang Hai kept his promise and came to see Xiang Antu. Xiang Antu had prepared exquisite pastries and took him on a boat ride to enjoy the riverside scenery. She had her staff release ten thousand lanterns to mourn the dead. She wished to build thousands of Zhenlou buildings to shelter more homeless people.

Zang Hai couldn’t help but see her in a new light. Xiang Antu took the opportunity to confess her feelings to Zang Hai, but he changed the subject. Xiang Antu then asked him to write the names of his deceased loved ones on a lantern to express his grief. Zang Hai held back his emotions—he had yet to avenge the deaths of his parents and sister and could not write their names truthfully. Xiang Antu didn’t press him further.

Sitting on the boat and gazing at the stars, Xiang Antu listened as Zang Hai told her the names and legends of various constellations. She was amazed and, overcome with emotion, remembered her deceased loved ones and believed they had become stars in the sky. Zang Hai noticed that Xiang Antu was troubled but chose not to ask further. The two of them chatted freely, growing more and more in tune with each other.

Chu Huaiming, using astronomical signs, predicted that long-drought-stricken Central Zhou would soon have rain. Eagerly, he asked his colleagues to report the good news to the court. The people celebrated joyfully. Zang Hai, however, observed a white rainbow crossing the sun in Central Zhou and predicted heavy flooding. He urged Zhuang Luyin to report it to the emperor and begin constructing dikes and relocating the locals.

Zhuang Luyin, not wanting to disappoint the emperor or meddle in affairs, chose to keep it quiet. Central Zhou was the territory of Governor Tan Zhisong. If a flood did occur, Zhuang Luyin could seize the opportunity to take control. Zang Hai discovered that Zhuang Zhifu was responsible for reinforcing the dikes but had embezzled funds and cut corners.

Zang Hai intended to use the flood disaster in Central Zhou to bring down both Zhuang Luyin and Chu Huaiming and replace Chu Huaiming as the chief of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Zang Hai went to the entrance of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and publicly announced the coming flood in Central Zhou. He also claimed that Chu Huaiming's prediction was wrong. The people, upon learning he was the same Zang Hai who had repaired the imperial tomb, trusted him deeply.

Word of the impending storm in Central Zhou spread rapidly. When Chu Huaiming heard about this, he was filled with hatred toward Zang Hai. Chu Huaiming went to complain to Zhuang Luyin, who harshly scolded Zang Hai. Zang Hai repeatedly insisted that he was acting in Zhuang Luyin’s best interest—if Chu Huaiming's prediction was wrong, the emperor might blame Zhuang Luyin.

Zang Hai firmly stated that Central Zhou would not only suffer a major flood, but also a general would be killed. He volunteered to take the blame in Zhuang Luyin’s stead. Zhuang Luyin ordered Zang Hai to be imprisoned and decreed that if his prediction proved false, he would be executed.

Zhuang Luyin was worried that Zang Hai might have calculated that the fallen general was him. He remained gloomy all day. Jiang Xiang took the opportunity to speak ill of Zang Hai in front of Zhuang Luyin, urging him to kill Zang Hai. Zhuang Luyin said he would wait seven more days. After a long drought, it finally rained in Zhongzhou. The emperor was overjoyed and rewarded Chu Huaiming.

Feeling smug, Chu Huaiming went to the prison to mock Zang Hai. Zang Hai retorted sharply, telling him to wait and see. Zhuang Zhixing brought food to Zang Hai, and upon hearing that Zhuang Luyin was constantly anxious, Zang Hai explained that he had made up the story about the falling general in desperation—otherwise, Zhuang Luyin would have killed him long ago.

Zang Hai asked Zhuang Zhixing to find a way to inform the people of Zhongzhou that a great flood was coming. Rain continued to fall in Zhongzhou for three days. The collapse of the dikes left people displaced. Chu Huaiming panicked and went to Zhuang Luyin for help, but Zhuang Luyin avoided him. Desperate, Chu Huaiming turned to Cao Jingxian, who also ignored him.

He then went to the prison seeking reconciliation with Zang Hai, begging him to speak well of him in front of Zhuang Luyin. Zang Hai firmly refused. Chu Huaiming knelt and pleaded bitterly, but Zang Hai was determined to fight him to the end and seek justice for the buried craftsmen. Chu Huaiming threatened to kill Zang Hai.

He had entered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau at the age of fifteen and had endured humiliation for years just to gain favor with Zhuang Luyin. He was unwilling to lose everything. He poured a jar of wine into the cell and set it on fire before hastily leaving. As the flames grew stronger, Zang Hai choked and cried out loudly for help. Guards rushed in to extinguish the fire.

Zang Hai had already anticipated that Chu Huaiming might set the fire, so he had warned Zhuang Zhixing in advance not to put out the fire but simply to stop Chu Huaiming. Upon hearing that Chu Huaiming had set the fire to kill Zang Hai, Zhuang Luyin rushed to the prison. Zang Hai had fainted from the smoke, and Zhuang Luyin dashed into the blaze to rescue him, suffering burns in the process.

Chu Huaiming tried to flee from punishment but was caught red-handed by Zhuang Zhixing, who brought him to Zhuang Luyin. Chu Huaiming was so terrified that he begged for mercy repeatedly. Urgent news came from Zhongzhou: the heavy rains had destroyed the dikes, drowning thousands of civilians. Tan Zhisong was swept away by the flood while inspecting the scene, and his body was found downstream. Hearing this, Zhuang Luyin was stunned.

Zang Hai had not only accurately predicted the flood in Zhongzhou but also foresaw the fall of Tan Zhisong, the fallen general. Zhuang Luyin ordered Chu Huaiming to be transferred to the prison of the Dali Temple. Zang Hai helped bandage his wounds, and by now, Zhuang Luyin already regarded Zang Hai as family.

Upon learning that Zhuang Luyin had risked his life to save Zang Hai, Jiang Xiang was furious and blamed Zhuang Zhifu for letting Zang Hai steal the spotlight. Chu Huaiming was dismissed from his position and punished. Jiang Xiang grew wary of Zang Hai, fearing he would help Zhuang Zhixing secure his footing in the marquis' manor. She sowed discord in front of Zhuang Luyin, suspecting that Zang Hai and Zhuang Zhixing had conspired to bring down Chu Huaiming.

Zhuang Luyin asked Zang Hai to explain. Zang Hai admitted that he had helped Zhuang Zhixing win the ball game, hoping that Zhuang Zhixing and Zhuang Zhifu, one in civil affairs and one in military, would become Zhuang Luyin’s left and right arms, strengthening the marquis' power. Zhuang Luyin trusted Zang Hai completely and decided to appoint him as the Chief Officer of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Relying on the superb observational skills he had learned from his father Kuai Duo since childhood, Zang Hai not only helped the people of Central Zhou avoid the flood in time, but also completely crushed Chu Huaiming and finally gained the full trust of Zhuang Luyin. Even so, Zang Hai did not dare to let his guard down—he wanted to get even closer to Zhuang Luyin.

Gao Ming told Zang Hai to seize upon Zhuang Luyin’s weaknesses and shared with him Zhuang Luyin’s story. Zhuang Luyin had a childhood sweetheart and first love named Shen Wan. However, to revive the Zhuang family, he married Jiang Xiang, the daughter of the Minister of Rites Jiang Jin. When Zhuang Luyin led troops to the front lines and suffered a crushing defeat, Jiang Xiang refused to endure hardship with him and stayed in the capital with Zhuang Zhifu.

Shen Wan, disguised as a man, went to the border to care for her injured father and was accidentally recognized by Zhuang Luyin. The old flames rekindled, and they had a son—Zhuang Zhixing. When Zhuang Zhixing was five, Zhuang Luyin once again led troops to fight Dongxia, achieving a decisive victory this time. Unexpectedly, Jiang Xiang brought Zhuang Zhifu to the front lines, hoping to reconcile with Zhuang Luyin.

Shen Wan willingly stepped aside, and Jiang Xiang returned to her position as the matriarch of the Zhuang family. Jiang Jin and Jiang Xiang worked tirelessly to sabotage Zhuang Luyin’s relationship with Shen Wan. In the end, with Zhuang Luyin’s tacit approval, Jiang Xiang had Shen Wan poisoned. Zang Hai believed that the reason Zhuang Luyin had neglected Zhuang Zhixing was that he couldn’t face the guilt in his heart.

Zang Hai decided to use this to get closer to Zhuang Luyin’s inner world. Zhuang Luyin went to Shen Wan’s former residence and summoned Zang Hai. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, but a single plum tree stood proud. Zhuang Luyin remembered how Shen Wan had loved to grow plum blossoms in her lifetime. Seeing the tree brought back memories and stirred deep emotions.

Zang Hai advised him not to dwell on the past; tending to the plum tree could be his way of honoring the deceased’s wishes. Zhuang Luyin was deeply moved. He began showing more care to Zhuang Zhixing. Zhuang Zhixing knew all this was thanks to Zang Hai and was immensely grateful. Zang Hai encouraged him to work even harder, believing that he would surely earn Zhuang Luyin’s recognition.

Zhuang Luyin summoned Zang Hai to the treasury’s secret chamber and shared his hidden concerns. He suspected that Fu Zhisong had been murdered on the emperor’s orders and that the emperor intended to appoint him as the Grand Commander of Central Zhou. Zhuang Luyin was worried he might end up like Fu Zhisong but was also reluctant to give up military control of Central Zhou. Zang Hai advised him to wait and see for the time being.

Zhuang Luyin entrusted Zang Hai with finding the Gui Seal. The first defeat of his life had been because of the Gui Seal. Back then, Zhuang Luyin had led a series of victorious battles and was on the verge of capturing Dongxia’s capital. Unexpectedly, a group of monsters appeared. Zhuang Luyin personally led the charge, but the monsters slaughtered soldiers mercilessly, causing massive casualties among the Great Yong forces. Six years later, Zhuang Luyin led a successful campaign against Dongxia.

With the Gui Seal no longer protecting it, Dongxia was swiftly defeated and reclaimed. Zhuang Luyin heard that the geomancers of Great Yong had found the Gui Seal and even presented a copper fish, suspecting it was part of the Gui Seal. When Zang Hai saw the keepsake left by his father, he suppressed his grief and anger to maintain composure in front of Zhuang Luyin. Zhuang Luyin asked Zang Hai to help locate the Gui Seal.

Zang Hai seized the chance to inquire about the whereabouts of the other two copper fish, but Zhuang Luyin made vague excuses to evade the topic. Zang Hai turned to Gao Ming for information about the Gui Seal and learned that it was a sacred treasure given to the rulers of Dongxia by the Holy Mother of Kunlun—though all that might just be legend.

Still, Zang Hai wanted to use the Gui Seal and the copper fish to track down his third enemy. The emperor convened the military officials to discuss who should be appointed as Commander of Central Zhou. Zhuang Luyin feigned illness and did not attend. The emperor appointed Wuma Fu as the new Grand Commander of Central Zhou and also rewarded Zhuang Luyin with a thousand taels of silver.

Zhuang Luyin was in a great mood and recommended Zang Hai to the court. The court granted special approval for Zang Hai to become the Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Zang Hai expressed his gratitude to Zhuang Luyin, who also gifted him Chu Huaiming’s former residence. Zang Hai moved into Chu Huaiming’s old house and renamed it the Zang Residence. Gao Ming became his chief steward in name and in fact.

Early the next morning, Zang Hai officially took up his post at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. He couldn’t help but recall the memories of coming here to play with his father Kuai Duo as a child, and his heart was overwhelmed with emotion. The officials from each division of the Bureau gathered to welcome Zang Hai. Shi Quan, the head of the Post-Monitoring Division, was in the middle of handling Fu Zhisong’s remains.

The other officials went out of their way to flatter Zang Hai. He asked them to submit their files and briefed himself on the current state of affairs in each division. With a few words, Zang Hai sent them all off. Zang Hai then went straight to the Post-Monitoring Division, where Shi Quan was working on repairing Fu Zhisong’s body, surrounded by students observing the process.

Zang Hai asked to speak with Shi Quan alone, so Shi Quan dismissed the students. Zang Hai offered to assist Shi Quan, and the two of them worked seamlessly together, finishing the task quickly. Zang Hai praised Shi Quan’s skills, but Shi Quan remained indifferent. He said he didn’t care whether Zang Hai was there for fame or fortune—he only asked not to have his peace disturbed. Zang Hai had no choice but to leave in frustration.

On his first day at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Zang Hai found that the officials’ work ethic and morale were completely different from before. He was disappointed and decided to carry out a full reform of the Bureau. Gao Ming advised him not to act too hastily.

As soon as Zang Hai took office, he discovered that the officials of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau were slacking off and shirking their duties. From Gao Ming, he learned that they had abused their authority to seize fertile land and select burial grounds for officials, even to the extent of causing the deaths of common women to pair them with deceased nobles. Determined to reform the bureau, he drafted new regulations overnight and announced them the next morning.

Zang Hai issued three rules for the officials: each must fulfill their own responsibilities, clearly separate public and private matters, act in accordance with the law, and must not interfere with the people’s marriage or funeral affairs using their positions. Some officials objected and protested, but Zang Hai remained firm and left no room for negotiation. When Shi Quan heard that Chu Huaiming had died tragically on the way to exile, he burned paper offerings for him through the night.

Zang Hai was surprised that although Chu Huaiming had oppressed Shi Quan during his life, Shi Quan still let go of the past and mourned him. Shi Quan burned the letter he had written to Chu Huaiming. Zang Hai casually picked one out and found that Shi Quan had given Chu Huaiming many sincere suggestions. Zang Hai earnestly requested Shi Quan’s help in transforming the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Shi Quan advised him to secretly investigate in Tai’an Alley in the western part of the city. Chang Wuyi had opened a medical clinic as a front, using the excuse of treating patients to secretly seek out women on the brink of death, forcing them to become companion sacrifices for nobles. The third son of the Marquis’s residence was to be buried the next day.

Chang Wuyi persuaded Liang Wensheng to let his gravely ill sister Liang Xiaoyan be a companion sacrifice. He gave Liang Wensheng money and instructed him to poison Liang Xiaoyan. When Liang Wensheng refused, Chang Wuyi knocked him out in anger and tried to poison Liang Xiaoyan himself, but thankfully, Shilei arrived in time and arrested him. Zang Hai summoned all the officials of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for an emergency meeting.

He brought in Chang Wuyi to confront Min Shining and listed Min Shining’s crimes one by one. Terrified, Min Shining begged for mercy, but Zang Hai ordered his arrest. Zang Hai held evidence of the crimes committed by each department’s officials and urged them to confess voluntarily. Seeing the situation was beyond saving, they came forward and admitted guilt. After work, Zang Hai returned home and was greeted by Zhuang Zhixing, who brought him congratulatory gifts.

Zang Hai encouraged him to enlist in the army and earn military merits on the battlefield to truly surpass Zhuang Zhipu. Zhuang Zhixing immediately sought out Zhuang Luyin to apply for enlistment. Gao Ming hosted a banquet to celebrate for Zang Hai, and Shilei and Guan Feng joined him for drinks. Gao Ming assigned them to work at Zang Hai’s residence. Xiang Antu personally visited Zang Hai and brought lavish gifts. Zang Hai warmly welcomed her and showed her around.

Gao Ming became wary, sensing something major was about to happen, and instructed Shilei and Guan Feng to verify whether Xiang Antu’s gifts could be accepted. Xiang Antu expressed deep admiration for Zang Hai, impressed that he had become a fifth-rank official in such a short time. She reminded him not to associate with corrupt officials. Recalling how Zang Hai had nearly fallen off a boat during the Ghost Festival, she pressed him to open up.

Zang Hai admitted that he had not yet avenged his family and had no mind for romantic matters for now. Disappointed, Xiang Antu had to leave. Shilei and Guan Feng carefully checked Xiang Antu’s gifts—each one was incredibly valuable. They could both see her feelings for Zang Hai. Gao Ming noticed that Zang Hai was preoccupied, but with Liu Chu away, he didn’t know how to comfort him. So he brought Zang Hai to his old home.

Zhuang Zhixing came to Zhuang Luyin overnight, expressing his desire to join the army. He invoked the memory of his deceased mother, hoping to earn honor for the Zhuang family. Though Zhuang Luyin was concerned for his safety, Zhuang Zhixing was resolute, and Zhuang Luyin had no choice but to concede, telling him to return after a year. Zang Hai returned to his home, now reduced to ruins by fire.

He recalled the happy times when the family of four lived harmoniously together, then remembered the tragic deaths of his parents and sister. The past was vivid in his mind, but the present was filled with sorrow. Overwhelmed with grief, Zang Hai broke down in tears. He vowed to avenge his loved ones. Gao Ming reminded him not to forget the past, and Zang Hai now knew how to respond to Xiang Antu.

Zang Hai and Zhuang Zhixing both harbored deep hatred over the deaths of their loved ones, and they formed an alliance. With his solid professional skills and resourcefulness, Zang Hai not only earned the trust of Zhuang Luyin but was also appointed as the Supervisor of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Zang Hai encouraged Zhuang Zhixing to earn merits on the battlefield so he could one day become the master of the Marquis' Manor.

After much persuasion, Zhuang Luyin finally agreed to let Zhuang Zhixing enlist. Zhuang Zhixing went to bid farewell to Zang Hai, but he wasn't home. He asked the servant to pass on his message to Zang Hai and departed according to Zang Hai's guidance. Xiang Antu confessed her feelings to Zang Hai, but he didn’t know how to respond. He promised to think it over.

He had feelings for Xiang Antu too, but with the murder of his parents and sister still unavenged, he couldn’t allow himself to indulge in romance. Xiang Antu waited by the window every day, hoping to learn if Zang Hai returned her feelings. She became love-stricken, and the Eighth Young Master couldn’t help teasing her about it.

Zang Hai went to Zhenlou to see Xiang Antu, but she, upset, refused to see him and sent Feng Liu to tell him to wait at Liutao Pavilion. Zhuang Zhixing didn’t want anyone to know he was Zhuang Luyin’s son, so he used the alias Shen Xiaoxing. Raised in privilege and luxury, he had never endured hardship before. Upon arriving at the military camp, he found it hard to adapt—dozens of soldiers shared one barrack, which he wasn’t used to.

Some disapproved of his pampered demeanor and mocked and humiliated him in various ways, even setting him up deliberately. Zhuang Zhixing endured his anger silently, but the bullying only worsened. Zang Hai waited patiently in Liutao Pavilion, drinking six pots of tea in a row, but Xiang Antu never appeared. Using official duties as an excuse, he left Zhenlou. Xiang Antu had dressed up carefully before going to meet him, only to discover he had already left.

Disappointed, she refused Feng Liu’s suggestion to chase after him and swore never to see Zang Hai again. Zang Hai had initially wanted to explain things to Xiang Antu—he simply couldn’t focus on romance for now. Xiang Antu standing him up suited his needs, as he could focus entirely on tracking down his third enemy. Zhuang Zhixing, mocked by his bunkmates, had nowhere to go and sat idly outside the camp.

Xiang Hong, the third squad leader, saw him and invited him into his tent to rest. The commanding officer assembled the soldiers for a lecture. In the back, a soldier named Zhan Hao secretly slipped a bug into Zhuang Zhixing’s collar. Zhuang Zhixing suffered from the bites and was publicly scolded by the officer. Though he tried to defend himself, he was punished with ten strikes. Enraged, he sought out Zhan Hao and beat him up.

Fortunately, Xiang Hong arrived in time to scold Zhan Hao. During the chaos, Xiang Hong was accidentally punched but still dragged Zhuang Zhixing away and tended to his wounds personally. Xiang Hong did his best to comfort Zhuang Zhixing, assuring him that he would grow stronger. Zhuang Zhixing was grateful.

Later, he overheard Xiang Hong talking with the soldiers and realized Xiang Hong had known all along that he was Zhuang Luyin’s second son, which was why he had helped him. Zhuang Zhixing was heartbroken—if he weren’t Zhuang Luyin’s son, Xiang Hong wouldn’t have cared. Xiang Hong told him not to dwell on it, but Zhuang Zhixing couldn’t let it go. Zhuang Zhixing wanted to leave the military. On the way out, he ran into Zang Hai.

Zang Hai reminded him that deserting the army was punishable by death. Zhuang Zhixing had grown disillusioned—if he weren’t Zhuang Luyin’s son, if his mother hadn’t been murdered, Zang Hai wouldn’t have approached him. He realized that the only person who had ever truly cared about him unconditionally was his deceased mother. Zang Hai reminded him not to forget his vow to avenge her, and Zhuang Zhixing, steeling his resolve, decided to return to the army.

Zang Hai removed all the ineffective officials in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, leaving only Shi Quan and two others. He planned to recruit new, capable personnel. Shi Quan handed over Chu Huaiming’s belongings to Zang Hai. Before his death, Chu Huaiming had asked Shi Quan to help him find a rare coin to complete a set of "Zhenyou Tongbao" coins he intended to gift to Prince Yongrong—but he died still missing one “Zhesan Coin.

” Zang Hai suspected Prince Yongrong might be the third enemy but lacked concrete evidence. Gao Ming came up with a plan. Soon it would be time for regional officials to return to the capital to report their duties. Prince Yongrong loved festivities and hosted a banquet every three years for these officials, also inviting senior capital officials. Zang Hai hoped to use this event to get close to Prince Yongrong and investigate the regional officials.

However, he feared his rank was too low to be invited. He asked Gao Ming to help find the Zhesan Coin, intending to use the complete coin set as a ticket to the banquet. Gao Ming agreed readily. While wandering through the Inner Cabinet, Prince Yongrong overheard some officials discussing Zang Hai’s reform of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and his efforts to impeach corrupt officials. Intrigued, he inquired further about Zang Hai.

Meanwhile, Gao Ming searched everywhere and finally found the Zhesan Coin on the black market—but Xiang Antu had bought it for five hundred taels. Gao Ming told Zang Hai to go ask her for it. Zang Hai considered selling his house to buy it back for a thousand taels, but Gao Ming refused and told him to apologize to Xiang Antu instead, believing she wouldn’t make things difficult. Zang Hai, however, didn’t want to bow to her.

Zhuang Zhixing threw himself into training with the other soldiers. Despite the hardship, he didn’t complain and quickly adapted to the camp's rigorous life. Xiang Antu, having heard Zang Hai sent Gao Ming to find ancient coins, intentionally bought the Zhesan Coin to make Zang Hai come to her. Zang Hai personally went to Zhenlou to see Xiang Antu and offered to pay double the price, even bringing his house and land deeds as collateral.

Curious, Xiang Antu asked why he needed the coin. Zang Hai admitted he wanted to use the full coin set to win favor with Prince Yongrong. Xiang Antu could tell Zang Hai had something weighing on his mind but didn’t press further. She read his palm again and used the opportunity to give him the Zhesan Coin, telling him to take back the house and land deeds. She made him owe her a favor.

Zang Hai first sent a visiting card to Prince Yongrong. The next day, he braved the rain to visit the prince’s residence. A long line of officials waiting for an audience had already formed, but one by one, they left in disappointment. Prince Yongrong had someone collect Zang Hai’s birth date and eight-character horoscope, then sent the Court of Imperial Banquets Assistant, Shen Yong, to fetch him. The waiting officials whispered among themselves.

Zang Hai followed Shen Yong to the front hall. Prince Yongrong, having heard about his deeds at the imperial mausoleum, thought he must be a fierce and terrifying figure. To his surprise, Zang Hai was handsome and refined, with a remarkably favorable fate. Prince Yongrong suspected someone had tampered with his birth data. Zang Hai hurried to explain that he was just an ordinary man.

He presented a set of Zhenyou Tongbao ancient coins as a gift, which Prince Yongrong liked, though he questioned Zang Hai’s true intentions. Zang Hai didn’t want to follow in Chu Huaiming’s footsteps—he only sought Prince Yongrong’s protection. The prince offered him guidance on the spot and gave the ancient coins to Shen Yong. Shen Yong claimed Zang Hai was a friend and accepted the gift, though he didn’t understand its value. He asked Prince Yongrong to authenticate the coins.

Prince Yongrong then gave Shen Yong a string of prayer beads, explicitly stating it was an exchange, not a bribe. He invited Shen Yong and Zang Hai to a banquet at Zhenlou and told Shen Yong to provide Zang Hai with formal attire suitable for duty. Shen Yong took Zang Hai to the banquet at Zhenlou and introduced him to the officials from various regions.

Prince Yongrong soon arrived and ceremoniously introduced Zang Hai to the guests, who all tried to curry favor with him. Being the emperor’s younger brother, Prince Yongrong asked the officials to do their utmost to assist the emperor. Prince Yongrong believed the position of Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was unlucky. Kuai Duo had died unexpectedly, and Chu Huaiming had also perished in an accident. He advised Zang Hai to change posts, but Zang Hai deflected.

Curious, he inquired about Kuai Duo’s death. Prince Yongrong explained that Kuai Duo’s entire family had been killed by bandits. Zang Hai suspected they were murdered by enemies. Prince Yongrong didn’t want to discuss it further, but Zang Hai pressed on. Someone recalled that Minister of Revenue Zhao Bingwen had once submitted a memorial urging the emperor to severely punish bandits, and shortly after, the bandits were eradicated.

Not wanting to dampen the mood, Prince Yongrong changed the subject, and Zang Hai fell silent. Prince Yongrong urged Shen Yong to bring out the courtesan to perform. The girls appeared, beautifully dressed, their faces veiled with only their eyes showing. They sang and danced, mesmerizing Prince Yongrong and the officials. After the performance, the lead dancer presented Prince Yongrong with a jar of Zhenlou’s mulberry wine.

The prince suggested a treasure competition, where the winner would be rewarded with a cup of the wine. Zang Hai learned from Shen Yong that Prince Yongrong liked to appraise treasures during night banquets. Any item he fancied, he would keep and then reward the donor with a lavish gift. Someone offered the hat worn by a Yin soldier.

Prince Yongrong was curious about its origin, and Zang Hai stepped forward to explain that the Yin soldiers were summoned by a specific object. The prince was shocked to hear it was the Gui Seal, the very artifact that had caused his father’s death. Prince Yongrong took out the ancient coin set Zang Hai had given him, showering it with praise and declaring he would reward Zang Hai.

The lead dancer offered Zang Hai a cup of mulberry wine, wishing him success in his official career. Zang Hai realized the dancer was Xiang Antu. He downed the wine in one gulp, which made him cough violently. Prince Yongrong couldn't help teasing him. The prince soon got drunk and left early. Xiang Antu poured wine for Zang Hai and asked him to return the Zhesan coin. Just as Zang Hai was about to explain, she had already left.

When he tried to follow, Shen Yong arrived to drink with him, so he had to sit back down. Shen Yong revealed that he had given Prince Yongrong a sobering pill, and the prince would wake soon. Zang Hai's heart skipped a beat. Xiang Antu sneaked into Prince Yongrong’s quarters, calling out to him several times, curious about the Gui Seal. The prince was dead drunk. She secretly took the Zhesan coin, but unexpectedly, the prince woke and stopped her.

Zang Hai arrived just in time to defuse the situation. He grabbed the coin from Xiang Antu and handed it to the prince, claiming the coin had been left behind on the table. Prince Yongrong believed him, and Zang Hai used the opportunity to send Xiang Antu away. Just as Zang Hai was about to leave, the prince called him back, saying he vaguely remembered a woman whispering something in his ear.

Zang Hai didn’t know how to respond, but luckily, Liu Chu arrived in time. She wanted to surprise the prince and presented her newly learned dance. The prince introduced her to Zang Hai, and Liu Chu pretended not to know him. Zang Hai, unable to handle alcohol, soon became drunk. He returned home in his carriage late at night, only to find Liu Chu inside.

Zang Hai suspected that Prince Yongrong was the third enemy, but Liu Chu thought it impossible. On the night Zang Hai’s family was murdered, Prince Yongrong had been hosting a night banquet on a pleasure boat and only docked at dawn. He was the first to see the flames in the sky, leading to the discovery of Kuai Duo’s family massacre.

Gao Ming had informed Liu Chu in advance, and she had arrived at Zhenlou just in time to help Zang Hai. The next morning, Gao Ming brought porridge to Zang Hai. Zang Hai eliminated Prince Yongrong from suspicion and decided to pursue a lead through Zhao Bingwen.

Zang Hai took the initiative to approach the Prince of Yongrong and learned that on the night his entire family was murdered, the Prince was hosting a banquet on a pleasure boat. This ruled out the Prince of Yongrong as the third killer. Zang Hai heard that Grand Secretary Zhao Bingwen had once sought justice for his father, Kuai Duo, and hoped to find a breakthrough through Zhao Bingwen.

Zang Hai visited Zhao Bingwen, and upon entering, saw Zhao Bingwen repairing the roof himself. He found Zhao Bingwen different from other officials. Zhao Bingwen invited Zang Hai to the study and warned him not to be too reckless. Lately, the memorials impeaching Zang Hai had piled up like a mountain. Zang Hai was unfazed—he refused to stand idly by while officials neglected their duties. Zhao Bingwen advised him on how to navigate officialdom.

Zang Hai had offended many royals and nobles, putting his life at risk, but he didn’t care. He wanted to stir up the murky waters of the bureaucracy and bring the corrupt to justice. Zhao Bingwen reminded him to protect himself first before taking action. Zang Hai found the advice invaluable. Zhao Bingwen had to attend a cabinet meeting and asked Zang Hai to help repair the roof tiles in his absence. Zang Hai agreed readily.

After Zhao Bingwen left, Zang Hai sent away the servant and quietly entered the study. He found an official document showing that Zhao Bingwen had been dispatched to provide disaster relief in Yuezhou on the day Zang Hai’s family was murdered. Midway through his journey, Zhao Bingwen remembered he had left a memorial from the Provincial Administration Commission in the study and rushed back, only to find Zang Hai missing from the front yard.

Zhao Bingwen headed straight to the back study and saw Zang Hai coming out from a distance. Zang Hai claimed a servant had asked him to help deal with the dampness in the study. Zhao Bingwen ordered the steward Zhao Geng to summon all the servants for Zang Hai to identify. Zang Hai claimed he couldn’t remember clearly. None of the servants admitted it, so Zhao Bingwen threatened to punish them all.

Zang Hai pleaded on their behalf, but Zhao Bingwen became suspicious of Zang Hai’s motives and pressed him for an explanation. Just then, Zhao Bingwen’s daughter, Ba Gongzi, arrived and defused the situation. She firmly claimed it was she who had asked Zang Hai to address the dampness issue in the study. Since she often dressed as a man, Zang Hai had mistaken her for a servant. Zhao Bingwen found nothing unusual and apologized to Zang Hai.

Zang Hai later reported the findings to Gao Ming—Zhao Bingwen was indeed in Yuezhou providing disaster relief the night his parents and sister were murdered, ruling him out as the third killer as well. Zang Hai asked Gao Ming to find a few rare storybooks, which he gave to Ba Gongzi as thanks. However, Gao Ming believed the one Zang Hai should be grateful to was Xiang Antu—she had asked Ba Gongzi to help Zang Hai.

Ba Gongzi liked the storybooks very much and wanted to read them that night. She told Zang Hai to go thank Xiang Antu. Zang Hai suspected Xiang Antu had a secret, and she demanded one of his in exchange. Zang Hai refused. Early the next morning, Zang Hai joined the civil and military officials at court. The Emperor did not arrive to review memorials, so Cao Jingxian heard the officials’ reports and responded to them one by one.

Finally, Chief Eunuch Cao Jingxian announced the Emperor’s edict—Fu Zhisong was to be buried with the late Emperor, and the entire burial ceremony would be entrusted to Zang Hai, who was given only two months to complete it. Zang Hai realized Cao Jingxian was deliberately making things difficult for him, but he did not dare to disobey. Zang Hai personally oversaw the work at the imperial mausoleum.

Shi Quan cooperated fully, but Zang Hai discovered that all the craftsmen were inexperienced young men who had no grasp of the work, leading to constant mistakes. Fearing the project wouldn’t be completed on time, Zang Hai went to the Ministry of Revenue to request an additional forty craftsmen from Zhuang Zhifu. Zhuang Zhifu made all kinds of excuses, so Zang Hai pleaded earnestly and even invoked Zhuang Luyin to pressure him.

Zhuang Zhifu agreed to send eighty men but only gave him forty—keeping the wages for the remaining forty for himself. Zang Hai flatly refused. When Zang Hai returned to the worksite, only Shi Quan was left. Zhuang Zhifu had reassigned the young craftsmen to repair the palace instead. Just as Zang Hai was at his wits’ end, Cao Jingxian’s adopted son Lu Ran came to deliver refreshments. Lu Ran asked to tour the mausoleum, and Zang Hai accompanied him.

Lu Ran advised him to be tactful and invited him to a family banquet hosted by Cao Jingxian. Zang Hai could see that Cao Jingxian wanted him dead. He refused to bow to Cao Jingxian and had no intention of colluding with officials from the Inspectorate. Gao Ming urged him to yield for the sake of survival—if he wanted revenge, he had to stay alive first. But Zang Hai stood firm and would not give in.

Zang Hai went to ask Zhuang Zhifu for craftsmen, but Zhuang Zhifu demanded to embezzle half of the reported craftsmen’s expenses for personal gain. Zang Hai flatly refused. In a fit of rage, Zhuang Zhifu withdrew all the craftsmen. Cao Jingxian sent his adopted son to persuade Zang Hai to submit to him, but Zang Hai firmly refused. He called on Shi Quan, Shi Lei, and Guan Feng to help him.

The four of them began constructing the tomb for Fu Zhisong. A few days later, Lu Ran came to the imperial mausoleum to find Zang Hai and invited him to attend Cao Jingxian’s next family banquet. Zang Hai firmly refused. Lu Ran then burned the letter Cao Jingxian had written to Zang Hai and warned him to complete the tomb by the Double Ninth Festival or he would lose his life.

Shi Quan protested on the spot, saying Cao Jingxian had deliberately shortened the construction period to doom them. Lu Ran flew into a rage and drew his sword to stab Shi Quan. Zang Hai protected Shi Quan with all his might and pleaded on his behalf. Only then did Lu Ran sheath his sword and use the death of his younger brother Lu Jin to threaten Zang Hai. Zang Hai did not want to sit and wait for death.

After long and careful thought, he decided to stir up conflict between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin. Zhuang Zhifu came to see Zang Hai and pretended to show concern, promising to speak well of him before Cao Jingxian. Zang Hai did not appreciate it. Zhuang Zhifu demanded Zang Hai hand over the tomb construction accounts, claiming he could ensure the project would finish on time. Zang Hai had no choice but to make a concession.

Zhuang Zhifu decided to go to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau the next day to collect the ledger. Zang Hai handed the ledger to Zhuang Zhifu. Zhuang Zhifu had all the previous craftsmen return to the imperial mausoleum and even brought along cheap materials. Upon hearing that Zang Hai had used tomb construction funds to implicate Zhuang Zhifu, Cao Jingxian instructed Lu Ran to find a way to inform Zhuang Luyin.

Once Zhuang Luyin learned of this, he fiercely scolded Zhuang Zhifu. Terrified, Zhuang Zhifu begged for mercy and pushed all the blame onto Zang Hai. Jiang Xiang tried her best to speak up for Zhuang Zhifu, and Zhuang Luyin ordered him to hand over all the embezzled silver. Zhuang Luyin came to question Zang Hai, who admitted he had been blinded by greed and used substandard materials, begging Zhuang Luyin for mercy.

Zhuang Luyin knew Zang Hai wasn't foolish enough to commit such a blunder and suspected someone had forced him to frame Zhuang Zhifu. But Zang Hai insisted it was entirely his own doing and that he didn’t want to implicate the Marquis’s household, so Zhuang Luyin finally let it go. Zhuang Zhixing had earned merit on the front lines and was promoted to Banner Commander. He returned from the army to visit Zhuang Luyin, who praised him highly.

During court, He Ziqing, an official from the Ministry of Rites, publicly proposed that Fu Zhisong’s tomb be completed and the burial held ten days before the Double Ninth Festival. Cao Jingxian sought Zang Hai’s opinion. Zang Hai admitted he could not complete it on time, which enraged Cao Jingxian. He said he would report the truth to the Emperor. Zhuang Luyin stepped in to plead for Zang Hai, suggesting the burial be postponed until after the Double Ninth Festival.

Cao Jingxian disagreed, leading to a fierce quarrel between him and Zhuang Luyin. The civil and military officials all supported Zhuang Luyin’s proposal, and Cao Jingxian had no choice but to return to report to the Emperor. He bore a grudge against Zhuang Luyin. Cao Jingxian summoned Zhuang Zhifu and produced impeachment memorials from various officials detailing years of bribery and corruption. Frightened, Zhuang Zhifu knelt and begged for mercy.

Cao Jingxian agreed to help him resolve the trouble, and Zhuang Zhifu was deeply grateful, swearing to repay him well. Cao Jingxian then ordered Zhuang Zhifu to find out what Zhuang Luyin was looking for. Zhuang Zhifu was worried he couldn’t complete the task. To set an example, Cao Jingxian executed Lord Zhang on the spot for disobedience, leaving Zhuang Zhifu trembling with fear.

Early the next morning, Zhuang Zhifu went to see Zang Hai, addressed him as a brother, and even gave him a fine piece of white jade. He tried desperately to get close to Zang Hai and said he would come visit again the next day.

In order to find the third enemy, Zang Hai racked his brains to get close to Prince Yongrong and Zhao Bingwen, but both of them had alibis. Cao Jingxian wanted to bring Zang Hai under his wing, but Zang Hai flatly refused. Cao Jingxian then began to obstruct him in every possible way. Not willing to sit and wait for death, Zang Hai devised a plan to sow discord between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin.

Cao Jingxian threatened Zhuang Zhixing with accusations of corruption, forcing him to find out whether Zhuang Luyin had obtained the Gui Seal. Knowing he couldn’t get anything out of Zhuang Luyin, who highly valued Zang Hai, Zhuang Zhixing decided to curry favor with Zang Hai, pretending to be like a brother to him. Zang Hai deliberately let Zhuang Zhixing see the sketches he had drawn of a mechanical box and a bronze fish.

Zhuang Zhixing dragged Zang Hai out to drink. Zang Hai, unable to hold his liquor, quickly passed out. Zhuang Zhixing took him home and used drunkenness as an excuse to stay the night. Zhuang Zhixing saw Gao Ming help the drunken Zang Hai back to his room. He sneaked into the study, stole the sketches Zang Hai had drawn, and handed them to Cao Jingxian.

Seeing the mechanical box and the bronze fish, Cao Jingxian suspected that Zhuang Luyin had already obtained the Gui Seal and that Zang Hai had helped him design the box to hold it. Cao Jingxian knew the Gui Seal possessed immense power—whoever obtained it could dominate the world—so he decided to confirm the matter personally. Zhuang Zhixing invited Zang Hai to Drunken Spring Hall to drink. Cao Jingxian, along with Lu Ran and Lu Yan, hid in a nearby room.

Zhuang Zhixing kept urging Zang Hai to drink. Zang Hai pretended to be drunk. Zhuang Zhixing took the opportunity to ask about the Gui Seal’s whereabouts. Zang Hai played mysterious. Zhuang Zhixing kept pressing, and Zang Hai finally claimed the Gui Seal was hidden in the basement of the Marquis’ treasury. After saying this, he fell asleep at the table. Zhuang Zhixing called Cao Jingxian out.

After confirming Zang Hai was drunk, Cao Jingxian mocked Zhuang Zhixing, saying he was no match for Zang Hai—Zhuang Luyin would rather share the secret with Zang Hai than with him. Taking advantage of Zang Hai's drunken muttering, which claimed even Zhuang Zhixing knew the Gui Seal was hidden in the basement, Cao Jingxian urged Zhuang Zhixing to kill Zang Hai. Otherwise, Zang Hai might help Zhuang Zhixing become the head of the Marquis’ household.

Zhuang Zhixing took Cao Jingxian’s dagger and stabbed Zang Hai. Pleased, Cao Jingxian left Drunken Spring Hall with Zhuang Zhixing and Lu Ran. Lu Yan drew her sword to kill Zang Hai, but Shi Lei arrived just in time to save him. Lu Yan and Shi Lei fought fiercely. Lu Yan grabbed a dagger and tried to kill Zang Hai, but Shi Lei kicked her away and then rescued Zang Hai. Lu Yan returned to report to Cao Jingxian.

Cao Jingxian turned the tables, accusing Zhuang Zhixing of attempting to assassinate a court official and had him thrown into prison. Due to severe blood loss, Zang Hai was on the brink of death. He asked Guan Feng to take him to the Marquis’ residence. Upon hearing the news, Zhuang Luyin rushed over. Zang Hai told him how Cao Jingxian had coerced Zhuang Zhixing into trying to kill him.

Worried that Zhuang Zhixing was in danger, Zang Hai begged Zhuang Luyin to rescue him quickly. Zhuang Luyin sent Zhuang Shan to negotiate Zhuang Zhixing’s release from Cao Jingxian while he stayed home to wait for the physician to treat Zang Hai’s injuries. Zhuang Shan had no success when he went to demand Zhuang Zhixing’s release from Cao Jingxian and had to return to report back to Zhuang Luyin, who was furious.

Zhuang Luyin then instructed Zhuang Shan to summon Imperial Censor Xu Daishan and Qi Ming to discuss a countermeasure. Hearing this, Cao Jingxian suspected Zhuang Luyin was plotting against him. After the physician tended to Zang Hai’s wounds, Zhuang Luyin sent him home. Zang Hai remained unconscious for several days due to his injuries. Gao Ming stayed by his side the entire time. When Zang Hai finally woke up, Gao Ming breathed a sigh of relief.

Zang Hai was eager to understand the current situation. He deliberately spread false information and used a ruse to further escalate the tension between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin. Zang Hai was certain Cao Jingxian would strike first to seize the Gui Seal, and he would enlist the help of someone who knew the truth from back then. That person must be the third enemy. Zang Hai asked Gao Ming to keep a close watch on Cao Jingxian.

Gao Ming kept watch outside Cao Jingxian’s residence and saw him sneak out at night. Gao Ming rushed back to report to Zang Hai. Despite Gao Ming’s warnings, Zang Hai insisted on tailing Cao Jingxian. Gao Ming, worried, sent Shi Lei to accompany him. Zang Hai and Shi Lei followed Cao Jingxian all the way to the Palace of Hostages. Zang Hai decided to sneak in through the secret channel that led to it and leapt into the river.

After much effort, Zang Hai finally found the secret channel into the Palace of Hostages. He overheard Cao Jingxian and the hostage Dongxia plotting to steal the Gui Seal together. They agreed to act on the day of Zhuang Luyin’s birthday banquet. Hiding in the channel, Zang Hai couldn’t see the hostage’s face, and he was utterly shocked to discover it was Xiang Antu.

Early the next morning, Zang Hai went to the military camp to find Zhuang Zhixing and asked him to gather his men and return to rescue Zhuang Luyin. Zhuang Zhixing readily agreed. Zang Hai took Zhenlou to meet Xiang Antu. Xiang Antu had been planning to find him too and was ready to reveal all the secrets. She scheduled a meeting with Zang Hai for the following night.

However, Zang Hai needed to attend Zhuang Luyin’s birthday banquet and would be late. Xiang Antu firmly refused to delay, and Zang Hai had no choice but to agree. Xiang Antu didn’t want Zang Hai to get involved, so she sent Feng Liu to stall him. She planned to meet Zang Hai after stealing the Gui Seal with Cao Jingxian. The next morning, Zang Hai sent Guan Feng to the meeting in his place. He told Guan Feng to lie to Xiang Antu and say he was drunk. Once everything was in place, Zang Hai went to the Marquis’ residence to attend the banquet.

Today was Zhuang Luyin's birthday celebration. Xiang Antu and Cao Jingxian planned to steal the Gui Seal from the Marquis's residence by working together. Xiang Antu didn’t want to implicate Zang Hai, so she arranged to meet with him that night to reveal all the secrets. Zang Hai intended to use the conflict between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin to identify his third enemy. He sent Guan Feng to attend the meeting in his place.

Zang Hai came to attend Zhuang Luyin’s birthday banquet. Civil and military officials all arrived to offer their congratulations, but Zhuang Luyin couldn’t feel any joy. Zhuang Zhifu was still being detained by Cao Jingxian, leaving him unsettled. The officials, equally anxious for Zhuang Luyin, offered various strategies. Jiang Xiang took the opportunity to complain to the officials about Cao Jingxian monopolizing power. The officials had also suffered under Cao Jingxian’s oppression.

Zhuang Luyin seized the moment to rally them to jointly impeach Cao Jingxian the next day. Xu Daishan and Qi Ming were the first to sign the memorial, and Zhuang Luyin asked Lord Lü to sign as well. Cao Jingxian broke into the Marquis’s residence with his men, presenting Zhuang Luyin with a Lumo Blade as a gift. Zhuang Luyin had no choice but to invite him to sit.

Cao Jingxian grabbed the memorial from Lord Lü and burned it to ashes on the spot. The officials used excuses to take their leave, but Cao Jingxian forbade anyone from leaving and ordered his men to bring in the badly beaten Zhuang Zhifu. Jiang Xiang was heartbroken upon learning Zhuang Zhifu’s kneecaps had been gouged out.

Under the guise of acting for the emperor, Cao Jingxian presented Zhuang Zhifu’s confession and forced Zhuang Luyin to kneel and admit fault in exchange for Zhuang Zhifu’s life. Enraged, Zhuang Luyin drew his sword to fight Cao Jingxian. Cao Jingxian then stabbed his own arm and staggered outside, accusing Zhuang Luyin of attempting to kill him. Taking advantage of the chaos, Zang Hai slipped away to the underground treasury.

Cao Jingxian falsely accused Zhuang Luyin of secretly raising troops and plotting rebellion, demanding he hand over the Gui Seal. Zhuang Luyin had never seen the Gui Seal and cursed Cao Jingxian furiously. Cao Jingxian ordered a thorough search of the residence. Furious and humiliated, Zhuang Luyin unleashed a bloodbath against the factory guards of the Inspectorate. Meanwhile, Lu Yan arrived at the treasury to assist Xiang Antu in stealing the Gui Seal.

Guan Feng arrived at the agreed meeting place on time, but Xiang Antu didn’t show. Feng Liu came in her place. With Lu Yan’s cover, Xiang Antu entered the treasury’s underground chamber and began searching. Zang Hai suddenly appeared, having poured oil everywhere and set traps. Xiang Antu was masked, so Zang Hai didn’t recognize her. She attempted to flee but was shot in the leg by Zang Hai.

When Zang Hai removed her mask, he was shocked to discover that the hostage from Dongxia was Xiang Antu. Zang Hai became convinced that Xiang Antu was the third enemy he had been seeking. Xiang Antu only wanted to reclaim the Gui Seal that belonged to Dongxia. Zang Hai admitted he was Zhinu, the son of Kuai Duo, and had spent ten years seeking revenge for the massacre of his family.

He swore to kill Xiang Antu to avenge his parents and sister. Zang Hai knelt before the human-skin relics of his parents, then set the underground chamber on fire. He carried the unconscious Xiang Antu out and handed her over to Shi Lei. When Lu Yan arrived at the treasury, she found the underground chamber engulfed in flames, and Xiang Antu had already vanished.

Lu Ran had taken Zhuang Zhifu and Jiang Xiang hostage, and Cao Jingxian pressured Zhuang Luyin to hand over the Gui Seal, but Zhuang Luyin refused outright. Zhuang Zhixing arrived just in time with his men, defeating the factory guards with ease. Seeing the tide turn, Cao Jingxian tried to escape in the chaos. Zhuang Zhixing drew his sword to stab him, but Lu Yan stood by Cao Jingxian’s side.

Zhuang Zhixing was injured, and Lu Yan desperately protected Cao Jingxian as they escaped. Zhuang Luyin suspected that Zang Hai had played a part in the disturbance, or else Cao Jingxian wouldn’t have dared cause such trouble. Fortunately, he had already removed the bronze fish from the underground chamber. Zang Hai revealed that Zhuang Zhifu had stolen the blueprints of the Gui Seal’s container, suspecting he had betrayed them to Cao Jingxian.

Zhuang Luyin also suspected Zang Hai had called Zhuang Zhixing to come rescue them, but Zang Hai denied it. Worried that the emperor would believe only Cao Jingxian’s version of events and punish him, Zang Hai advised Zhuang Luyin to take the blame on behalf of Zhuang Zhifu and seek the emperor’s leniency. Zhuang Zhifu developed a high fever due to an infected wound and kept rambling nonsense. Jiang Xiang cried uncontrollably in distress.

The physician could do nothing, and Zhuang Luyin, heartbroken, begged the physician to save Zhuang Zhifu’s life. Later, Zhuang Luyin visited Zhuang Zhixing and entrusted him with the mission to restore the Zhuang family’s honor.

Cao Jingxian and Xiang Antu joined forces to steal the Gui Seal from the Marquis’ residence. Cao Jingxian brought along Zhuang Zhifu, whose kneecaps he had broken, to threaten Zhuang Luyin. Zhuang Luyin was ready to fight Cao Jingxian to the death. Cao Jingxian injured his own arm and falsely accused Zhuang Luyin of attempting to kill him, then deliberately went out into the streets shouting. Cao Jingxian, playing the victim, accused Zhuang Luyin before the emperor.

The emperor summoned Feng Zhang and Lü Zongchang, who were present that night, to testify. Fearing to offend either Cao Jingxian or Zhuang Luyin, they lied, saying they had left early and only heard Cao Jingxian’s screams without witnessing the attack. Zhuang Luyin cried out in protest, accusing Cao Jingxian of framing him for treason and crippling Zhuang Zhifu. Cao Jingxian claimed Zhuang Zhifu had embezzled funds to secretly raise troops for Zhuang Luyin. Both sides stuck to their stories.

The emperor was momentarily unsure how to decide. He reprimanded both Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin, temporarily suspended Cao Jingxian’s duties, and accepted Zhuang Luyin’s voluntary resignation, promising not to execute Zhuang Zhifu. Cao Jingxian was unwilling to let things go, but with no leverage, he had to temporarily swallow his anger. He ordered Lu Ran to search for Xiang Antu, but found nothing. Xiang Antu had been missing for two days.

The Eighth Young Master came to ask Zang Hai for news. Zang Hai claimed to know nothing. Two days ago, Xiang Antu had arranged to meet him, but he had to attend Zhuang Luyin’s birthday banquet and sent Guan Feng in his place. However, Guan Feng met Liu Chu instead. Zang Hai had spent the past two days at the Marquis' residence dealing with the conflict between Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin and hadn’t gone to apologize to Xiang Antu.

The Eighth Young Master got no useful information and had to leave with his men. Zang Hai hid Xiang Antu in a secret underground chamber to recuperate and instructed Guan Feng to drug her with a muscle-weakening powder. He asked Liu Chu to help care for Xiang Antu. Zang Hai was convinced Xiang Antu was the murderer who destroyed his family. Xiang Antu protested with all her might.

Zang Hai was half-convinced but believed the matter was somehow connected to Dongxia. Xiang Antu offered to search for the third enemy together with Zang Hai, in the name of the Princess of Dongxia, but Zang Hai firmly refused. Zhuang Zhifu’s wound became infected, and his fever wouldn’t go down. He drifted between lucidity and delirium. Jiang Xiang was extremely worried and sent her maid to fetch a doctor, but the doctor was treating Zhuang Zhixing’s injuries.

Jiang Xiang was furious and forced the maid to bring the doctor to see Zhuang Zhifu. Zhuang Zhixing was gradually recovering. Zhuang Luyin encouraged him to participate in the military imperial examination and strive to become the top military scholar. Zhuang Zhixing lacked confidence, but Zhuang Luyin believed in him. Achieving official rank would help him gain a foothold at court and restore the Zhuang family.

Jiang Xiang, who overheard the conversation between father and son from outside, felt deeply resentful. The next morning, Zhuang Luyin went out early to build connections with the examiners of the military exam. Jiang Xiang learned of this and was furious. Zhuang Zhixing told Zang Hai about taking the exam, and Zang Hai asked Shi Lei to train him diligently. Half a month later, Zhuang Zhixing took the exam.

The first round was a policy essay; the second was a martial contest. Zhuang Zhixing advanced through each stage and made it to the final round, where he would compete with Fang Lei for the title of top military scholar. The final contest began. Zhuang Zhixing and Fang Lei competed in archery and horsemanship. Whoever found the brocade box hidden in the forest first would win.

Both galloped into the woods and split up at a fork in the path to search. Zhuang Zhixing rode deep into the forest and spotted the box from afar. He shot it down, but Fang Lei pinned it to the tree with an arrow. Zhuang Zhixing gave up the box voluntarily, but Fang Lei tried to kill him to silence him. Zhuang Zhixing dodged desperately and sneaked up behind Fang Lei. Fang Lei heard something and turned around.

They both released their arrows at the same time. Zhuang Zhixing was hit and injured. Fang Lei rushed forward to kill him, but Zhuang Zhixing threw a handful of dirt into his eyes. Fang Lei was temporarily blinded, and Zhuang Zhixing seized the opportunity to subdue him. Fang Lei admitted defeat. Zhuang Zhixing took the brocade box back and, living up to expectations, won the title of top military scholar.

Zhuang Luyin prepared a grand banquet at the Marquis’ residence to celebrate. Zang Hai was concerned that Zhuang Zhixing’s illegitimate status would be criticized. Zhuang Luyin decided to officially name Zhuang Zhixing as heir and move his mother Shen Wan’s tomb to the ancestral cemetery, adding her name to the family genealogy. When Jiang Xiang heard that Zhuang Zhixing had won the top rank, she looked at the crippled Zhuang Zhifu and was overcome with tears.

At the banquet in the Marquis' residence, civil and military officials came to offer congratulations and praised Zhuang Zhixing lavishly. Zhuang Zhixing humbly asked for their guidance and support. Zhuang Luyin gifted him the battle robe he had worn through many campaigns and placed high hopes on him. Zhuang Zhixing vowed to glorify the Zhuang family. Zhuang Luyin told him to meet him at the hour of the pig that night, as he had something important to tell him.

Zhuang Zhixing thanked Zang Hai, who believed it was all due to Zhuang Zhixing’s own efforts. Jiang Xiang went to the ancestral hall to pray for Zhuang Zhifu, hoping that the ancestors of the Zhuang family would bless him. She accidentally saw Shen Wan’s spirit tablet and flew into a rage.

Jiang Xiang learned that Zhuang Luyin had named Zhuang Zhixing as the heir and even written his mother Shen Wan into the family genealogy, placing her memorial tablet in the ancestral hall. She couldn’t swallow the insult. Carrying Shen Wan’s tablet, she stormed over to confront Zhuang Luyin.

Jiang Xiang threw Shen Wan’s memorial tablet to the ground in front of everyone, insisting that she was the rightful mistress of the Marquis’s residence and threatening to expose the truth behind Shen Wan’s death. Zhuang Luyin slapped Jiang Xiang hard across the face and forcibly expelled her. Zhuang Zhixing held his mother Shen Wan’s memorial tablet in his arms, overcome with grief. Zang Hai tried to console him with kind words.

No sooner had Jiang Xiang returned to her room than Zhuang Shan came to inform her that she and her husband Zhuang Zhifu would be sent back to their hometown at dawn. Jiang Xiang refused to leave. She ordered her daughter-in-law to bring her the robes of a First-Rank Lady granted by the Emperor—she intended to enter the palace and file a formal complaint. After the evening banquet ended, Zhuang Zhixing went to see Zhuang Luyin.

Zhuang Luyin confessed to the massacre of Kuai Duo’s family years ago and handed the bronze fish over to Zhuang Zhixing. Zhuang Zhixing felt that Zhuang Luyin had aged a great deal overnight and felt a deep sorrow for him. That night, Zhuang Zhixing sought out Zang Hai and pleaded with him to spare Zhuang Luyin’s life. Zhuang Luyin was now without power or troops, just a pitiful old man.

But Zang Hai remained unmoved—his heart set like stone—insisting on avenging his parents and sister. Unable to persuade Zang Hai, Zhuang Zhixing returned the bronze fish to him and revealed the entire truth. Zhuang Luyin had twice led campaigns against Dongxia, but both times the advance was halted by the mute soldiers controlled by the Gui Seal.

Ten years ago, Zhuang Luyin returned to the capital with Dongxia’s hostage prince and had Chu Huaiming watch over Kuai Duo as she built the Fengshan Altar. Midway through his journey, Zhuang Luyin received a secret letter from Chu Huaiming informing him that the altar had suddenly collapsed. Chu Huaiming saw Kuai Duo escape from the ruins holding something, then leave Dongxia. Zhuang Luyin suspected that Kuai Duo wanted to keep the Gui Seal for herself.

He and Cao Jingxian went to negotiate with the Queen of Dongxia and later led men to arrest Kuai Duo. What followed was the massacre of her entire household. When Zang Hai found out the third murderer was Xiang Antu’s mother, the Queen of Dongxia, he swore to kill her. Zhuang Zhixing fulfilled his promise and found out the identity of the third enemy. He agreed to help Zang Hai take revenge—but Zang Hai must not kill Zhuang Luyin.

Zang Hai immediately went to see Xiang Antu and told her everything. Xiang Antu refused to believe her mother was the murderer and insisted that Zhuang Luyin had framed her. She pleaded with Zang Hai not to take Zhuang Luyin’s word at face value, but Zang Hai wouldn’t listen. The next morning, Zhuang Zhixing went to court with all the civil and military officials. The Emperor bestowed a promotion and noble title upon him.

Jiang Xiang, dressed in the First-Rank Lady’s robes gifted by the Emperor, came to the palace to strike the grievance drum. The Emperor allowed her in to state her case. Zhuang Luyin whispered to Jiang Xiang to return home immediately, but she ignored him completely. Jiang Xiang publicly accused Zhuang Luyin of deceiving the Emperor and engaging in corrupt practices, declaring that Zhuang Zhixing’s victory in the imperial military examination was unworthy.

She presented evidence of Zhuang Luyin bribing the three examiners, and they admitted to accepting bribes to make things easier for Zhuang Zhixing. Zhuang Luyin tried desperately to defend himself, but the Emperor wouldn’t believe a word. He Ziqing exposed Zhuang Luyin’s indulgence of Zhuang Zhifu’s embezzlement and his coercion of craftsmen into burial sacrifices. Zhuang Luyin could no longer refute the accusations.

The Emperor ordered him imprisoned and declared that the case would be tried jointly by the three judicial offices. Zang Hai brought food and wine to Zhuang Luyin in prison and informed him that the joint review had confirmed his guilt. Cao Jingxian had repeatedly urged the Emperor to grant Zhuang Luyin the death penalty.

Zhuang Luyin refused to believe the Emperor would utterly destroy him and urged Zang Hai to seek help from Xie Houguang of the Ministry of War and Huang Shen of the Ministry of Rites. But Zang Hai refused to obey. Instead, he placed a chair outside the prison cell and sat down. Zang Hai revealed he was actually Zhinu, the son of Kuai Duo.

Zhuang Luyin burst out laughing toward the sky—he had killed many in his years of warfare, and Kuai Duo was just one of them. He firmly believed he would not die and that, if he were released, the first person he’d kill would be Zang Hai. Zang Hai mocked him in return.

Zhuang Luyin threatened to reveal Zang Hai’s true identity to Cao Jingxian so he could kill him, but Zang Hai told him to abandon the thought—he wouldn’t live to see Cao Jingxian again. Zang Hai had learned the identity of the third enemy from Zhuang Zhixing and vowed to eliminate each one of them. Zhuang Luyin hadn’t expected that Zhuang Zhixing was also a pawn of Zang Hai.

Realizing that his cause was lost, he could only roar toward the heavens in despair. Zang Hai walked out of the prison. Heavy snow was falling. Thinking of his brutally murdered parents and sister, he couldn’t hold back his tears.

Cao Jingxian accused Zhuang Luyin and Zhuang Zhifu, while Jiang Xiang, still holding the title of a first-rank titled lady, also filed charges against Zhuang Luyin. After Zhuang Luyin was imprisoned, the emperor issued an order to confiscate his property. The household was to remain under house arrest awaiting further judgment, and all the servants were exiled to serve in the military.

When Jiang Xiang saw the chaos in the marquis's residence and that Zhuang Zhifu had lost his mind and could no longer care for himself, she was completely disheartened and wanted to end her life. Jiang Xiang poisoned the teapot and had Zhuang Zhifu’s wife, Yue Rou, bring it to Zhuang Zhixing. Yue Rou handed Zhuang Zhifu a bowl of poisoned ginger tea, which he drank in one gulp. Jiang Xiang also drank it.

As Yue Rou returned, Jiang Xiang made her drink the final bowl. One after another, the three were poisoned and died. Zhuang Zhixing, overwhelmed with grief, had not touched his bowl of tea and narrowly escaped death. When the emperor heard that Zhuang Luyin's family had committed suicide by poison, he leveled several charges against Zhuang Luyin and demoted him to commoner status.

Upon hearing the news of Zhuang Zhifu and Jiang Xiang’s deaths, Zhuang Luyin gnashed his teeth in fury. He forced the prison guard to deliver a blood-written letter to Cao Jingxian. Pressured and helpless, the guard had no choice but to comply. As the guard loitered at Cao Jingxian’s doorstep, Shi Lei and Guan Feng noticed something suspicious and pulled him aside. Mistaking them for secret police, the guard handed over the blood-letter, which they immediately delivered to Gao Ming.

In the letter, Zhuang Luyin revealed that Zang Hai was the son of Kuai Duo and threatened Cao Jingxian—either find a way to release him or he would expose the truth behind Kuai Duo’s death to the emperor. Zang Hai had anticipated that Zhuang Luyin would try to contact Cao Jingxian and had stationed Guan Feng and Shi Lei at his door, intercepting the letter in time. Zang Hai then had someone send the blood-letter to Cao Jingxian.

Cao Jingxian had long wanted to eliminate Zhuang Luyin and took this opportunity to do so. He ordered Lu Ran to forge a blood-letter in Zhuang Luyin’s handwriting and deliver it to Zhuang Luyin’s confidant, Zhang Lang. Upon receiving the letter, Zhang Lang mistakenly believed that Zhuang Luyin had asked them to rescue him at midnight that night.

Zhang Lang instructed Zhang Mao to lead fifty disguised soldiers to break into the prison, while Lan Yongji was to lead eighty men to assist from within the city. Zhang Lang himself would lead three hundred to support from outside the city. They agreed to use fireworks as their signal. Zhang Lang then killed the prison guard who delivered the letter to cover their tracks. Zang Hai went to the underground chamber to see Xiang Antu.

Sitting by her side, he thought of the smiling faces of his deceased parents and sister, and tears streamed down his face. Zang Hai knew that by tonight, his first enemy, Zhuang Luyin, would be eliminated. Xiang Antu didn’t know how to comfort him and simply stayed silently by his side. Cao Jingxian had everything arranged and waited for Zhang Lang to rescue Zhuang Luyin, which would confirm the charge of treason against him.

As soon as Zhang Mao’s group entered the capital, Lu Ran reported it to Cao Jingxian. Cao Jingxian ordered him to lure Zhuang Zhixing out and then kill both Zhuang Luyin and Zhuang Zhixing. Lu Ran stormed into the marquis’s residence, killing people left and right, while Zhuang Zhixing chased after him relentlessly. Zhuang Luyin waited bitterly for Cao Jingxian but was instead met by Zhang Mao.

Realizing he had fallen into Cao Jingxian’s trap, Zhuang Luyin refused to sit and wait for death. He decided to meet up with Zhang Lang and go kill Cao Jingxian. Zhuang Luyin and Zhang Mao broke out of prison and met up with Lan Yongji in the streets. Zhuang Luyin instructed Lan Yongji to set off fireworks to signal Zhang Lang. Upon seeing the fireworks in the city, Zhang Lang immediately led his troops to storm the capital.

Just as Zhuang Luyin was about to rendezvous with Zhang Lang, the imperial guards blocked their way, triggering a fierce battle. Zhuang Luyin ordered his men to kill all the guards, leaving no survivors. Zhuang Zhixing, still in pursuit of Lu Ran, ran into Zhang Lang on the way. Zhang Lang tried to take Zhuang Zhixing with him. Zang Hai arrived in time to stop Zhuang Zhixing, urging him to flee the capital at once or face certain death.

Zhuang Zhixing had no choice but to ride away from the city. Zhang Lang’s men rescued Zhuang Luyin, who then rallied his forces, determined to storm the palace and “rectify the emperor’s inner circle. ” Zhuang Luyin and his troops reached the palace gates, where the imperial guards emerged to face them. With tensions high, Zhuang Luyin demanded to speak with the emperor to plead his case.

The guards' commander did not believe him and was convinced he intended to rebel. At Zhuang Luyin’s order, his soldiers began the assault, and a bloody battle broke out. The guards retreated while fighting, eventually sealing the palace gates. When the emperor heard that Zhuang Luyin was leading troops in an attack on the palace, he remained calm and continued his woodworking. Zhuang Luyin ordered his troops to continue the assault.

From the shadows, Zang Hai watched and began shooting down the attacking soldiers. Zhuang Luyin led the charge himself, urging his troops to use timber to batter the gates. Zang Hai shot Zhuang Luyin in the arm and then shouted loudly. Zhuang Luyin broke through the siege and charged toward Zang Hai, who raised his crossbow and aimed it at him. Zhuang Luyin threatened to kill Zang Hai, but Zhuang Zhixing arrived in time to stop him.

Holding Lan Yongji’s severed head, he urged Zhuang Luyin to surrender. Otherwise, the entire Zhuang family would be accused of treason. Zhuang Luyin, blinded by hatred, refused and drew his sword to strike Zhuang Zhixing.

Zhuang Zhixing urged Zhuang Luyin to surrender and even threatened to die if he refused. Zhuang Luyin slashed his sword at him. Zhuang Zhixing tried to persuade him not to resist stubbornly, saying he was doomed this time. Zhuang Zhixing swore to restore the Zhuang family’s honor. Zhuang Luyin didn’t believe he had the capability and challenged him. He launched a full-force attack, but Zhuang Zhixing countered every move with ease.

Only then did Zhuang Luyin realize that he had aged. Seeing his soldiers nearly all dead or injured, he knew his cause was lost. To protect Zhuang Zhixing, he pressed closer and closer, finally deliberately throwing himself onto Zhuang Zhixing’s sword. With his last breath, Zhuang Luyin urged Zhuang Zhixing to restore the Zhuang family, then collapsed and died. Zang Hai witnessed the scene and was deeply moved.

The commander of the Imperial Guards, seeing that Zhuang Luyin was dead, persuaded the surviving soldiers to surrender, and they had no choice but to comply. Zhuang Zhixing was taken away by the Imperial Guards. The emperor assigned Cao Jingxian to handle the case of Zhang Lang and the others breaking into the prison. Cao Jingxian suggested allowing Zhuang Zhixing to keep his whole body after death.

After careful consideration, the emperor decided to assign Zhuang Zhixing to guard the frontier. The emperor appointed Zang Hai as Vice Minister of Works and also made him Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Zang Hai recommended Shi Quan as the Deputy Director. The emperor issued a decree to reclaim the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence. Zang Hai was ordered to carry it out. The once-glorious residence was now in complete disarray.

Zhuang Zhixing was sent to guard the borderlands, the very place where Zhuang Luyin had once led troops. Before departing, Zhuang Zhixing visited his mother’s grave. Zang Hai came to see him off. Zhuang Zhixing congratulated Zang Hai on his promotion. Zang Hai said he still had two enemies left to kill and would have to wait for the right opportunity. He assigned Shilei and Guanfeng to escort Zhuang Zhixing to the border.

As they bid farewell, Zang Hai told him to keep moving forward and never look back. Zhuang Zhixing spurred his horse and set off on his journey. Zang Hai watched his departing figure with mixed emotions—he had destroyed someone as pure as Zhuang Zhixing in the name of revenge. Lu Ran urged Cao Jingxian to eliminate Zhuang Zhixing to cut the weeds and dig up the roots, but Cao Jingxian didn’t want to be accused of injustice.

He preferred Zhuang Zhixing to die at the border. Cao Jingxian had people thoroughly search the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence but still couldn’t find the Gui Seal. He decided to search the residence personally. The masked master came to see Zang Hai and congratulated him on eliminating Zhuang Luyin, but Zang Hai couldn’t feel happy. He felt guilty for what had happened to Zhuang Zhixing. Zang Hai didn’t understand why Cao Jingxian wanted to find the Gui Seal.

The masked master speculated that Cao Jingxian wanted to use the Gui Seal as a talisman for safety. Holding great power under the emperor’s trust, Cao Jingxian feared for his life once the emperor was gone. Zang Hai concluded that Cao Jingxian would return to the residence to search for the Gui Seal. He had already set a trap in the cellar so that if Cao Jingxian showed up, he would surely die.

The masked master praised Zang Hai repeatedly but was concerned that Queen of Dongxia might come to hold Zang Hai accountable. Zang Hai had left Xiang Antu in his residence as a hostage. As Zang Hai predicted, Cao Jingxian brought Lu Yan and Lu Ran to the residence’s treasury cellar. They searched around, and Lu Yan found a hidden compartment in the wall, which contained a trap box left by Zang Hai.

Cao Jingxian told Lu Yan and Lu Ran to stand in front of him, but he didn’t expect Zang Hai to have also set a trap behind them. Cao Jingxian was injured by the mechanism. Zang Hai went to find Xiang Antu, who was chatting with Liu Chu. Xiang Antu had heard that Zhuang Luyin had been killed and that Cao Jingxian had fallen into Zang Hai’s trap.

She warned Zang Hai not to harm her mother; otherwise, she would never forgive him. Gao Ming brought Liu Chu some tonic medicine, trying hard to win her favor. Liu Chu planned to leave the capital that very night and asked Gao Ming to put a heater in her carriage.

Zang Hai attended court with the civil and military officials, but the Emperor, who was unwell, did not appear. In the past, Cao Jingxian would attend in his place to hear the officials’ reports, but he didn’t come either, so the officials all went home. Prince Yongrong entered the palace to visit the Emperor, who was still preoccupied with his woodworking.

Upon leaving, Prince Yongrong ran into Zang Hai and told him that Cao Jingxian had been critically injured in an attack the previous night. Zang Hai remained expressionless—he had personally set the trap in the Marquis’s estate cellar, so of course he knew Cao Jingxian had been attacked. Prince Yongrong hated Cao Jingxian to the bone and hoped he would die soon.

Knowing Zang Hai also resented Cao Jingxian, he made some sarcastic remarks in front of Zang Hai and quickly left. Cao Jingxian was gravely wounded and barely clinging to life. Lu Yan stayed by his side, never leaving him, to care for him. Lu Ran discovered that only Zang Hai had entered the Marquis’s estate after the seizure and suspected that Zang Hai had set the deadly trap in the cellar.

All Cao Jingxian could think about was finding the Gui Seal. Overcome with anxiety, he coughed up blood again, terrifying Lu Ran and Lu Yan. After eliminating both Zhuang Luyin and Cao Jingxian, Zang Hai had only one enemy left: Queen Ming Yu Su Ti of Dongxia. He instructed Gao Ming to spread news that Xiang Antu had gone missing, hoping to lure Ming Yu Su Ti out. But she didn’t show.

Zang Hai decided to go to Dongxia himself after the New Year to seek revenge. As the New Year approached, Zang Hai invited Gao Ming, Shi Lei, and Guan Feng to celebrate with him and also asked Liu Chu to accompany Xiang Antu. He wanted Guan Feng and Shi Lei to study at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Neither of them wanted to go, so Zang Hai didn’t push the matter.

Zang Hai discussed with Liu Chu the plan to release Xiang Antu after the New Year. Liu Chu could tell that Zang Hai liked Xiang Antu but was burying his feelings because of his family’s vendetta. She advised Zang Hai not to miss his chance with Xiang Antu or he would regret it. Zang Hai decided to resign and go to Dongxia, but then suddenly received a notice from the Ministry of Works and rushed over to investigate.

The people of Dongxia had acquired a rare treasure, and Queen Ming Yu Su Ti planned to personally present it to the Emperor of Great Yong. She specifically requested to stay in her daughter Xiang Antu’s hostage palace, and the Emperor ordered the Ministry of Works to quickly renovate it. Ming Yu Su Ti arrived in the capital of Great Yong in a grand procession with her Dongxia envoys, bringing generous gifts for the Emperor.

Upon hearing that Xiang Antu was unwell, the Emperor sent medicinal herbs to her. Finally, Ming Yu Su Ti had her people bring forth a finely crafted wooden palace made using the long-lost mortise and tenon structure. It was a "deadlock" mechanism that could only be closed, not opened. Knowing the Emperor enjoyed woodworking, Ming Yu Su Ti catered to his interests with this gift and asked him to have someone open it to retrieve the treasure inside.

The Vice Minister of Works volunteered to open the wooden palace. After examining it, he realized it was a deadlock mechanism that could only be dismantled by force, so he hesitated. Prince Yongrong recommended Zang Hai try. Zang Hai examined the palace closely and soon discovered the hidden mechanism—it was the unique skill of his father, Kuai Duo. Zang Hai found himself in a dilemma: if he succeeded, his identity would be exposed.

Ming Yu Su Ti made mocking remarks nearby. In one bold move, Zang Hai opened the wooden palace, revealing a jade embryo shaped like an infant—the rare treasure. The Emperor was delighted, and Ming Yu Su Ti seized the moment to request Zang Hai to choose a site for the jade embryo, which the Emperor readily agreed to. Guan Feng brought pigeon soup to Xiang Antu.

She poured the soup over her rice and scolded Guan Feng, who left and reported to Zang Hai. Zang Hai had no choice but to go see Xiang Antu and promised to release her soon. When Xiang Antu learned her mother, Ming Yu Su Ti, had arrived in the capital, she was both shocked and overjoyed—it was something she had dreamed of day and night.

But now she didn’t want to see her mother; she only wanted to run away with Zang Hai. Zang Hai heartlessly rejected her, leaving Xiang Antu in tears. Zang Hai, too, was torn apart—he could no longer choose between love and revenge. Zang Hai was tasked with selecting a site for the jade embryo, and Ming Yu Su Ti accompanied him, even asking Zang Hai to be her carriage driver.

Zang Hai was eager to know if her last visit to the capital was when his parents were killed. Ming Yu Su Ti brushed him off with vague excuses. She had received a letter from Xiang Antu and learned that she had feelings for Zang Hai. Ming Yu Su Ti was curious whether Zang Hai was Kuai Duo’s son or disciple. Zang Hai did not give a direct answer.

Ming Yu Su Ti pressured Zang Hai to take her to see Xiang Antu and ordered her people to drug all accompanying Great Yong officials. Zang Hai agreed to take her to Xiang Antu.

The Queen of Dongxia personally escorted the world’s rare treasure—the Jade Embryo—to present it to the Emperor of Great Yong. She even had a wooden palace made to house the Jade Embryo, specially crafted using the lost techniques of Kuai Duo. Zang Hai quickly cracked the mechanism and opened the wooden palace. Ming Yu Su Ti suspected that Zang Hai was either Kuai Duo’s son or his disciple.

Xiang Antu had once written to Ming Yu Su Ti, mentioning that she liked Zang Hai, prompting Ming Yu Su Ti to force Zang Hai to hand over Xiang Antu. Zang Hai brought Ming Yu Su Ti to an abandoned tomb, falsely claiming that Xiang Antu was imprisoned inside. As soon as Ming Yu Su Ti and her group entered, Zang Hai activated a mechanism and escaped, trapping them all inside.

Ming Yu Su Ti sent people to search for an exit, but they found nothing. Guan Feng brought food to Xiang Antu, and she desperately questioned him about Zang Hai’s whereabouts. Guan Feng evaded the question, but Xiang Antu guessed that Zang Hai had gone to seek revenge on her mother. Worried about Zang Hai’s safety, she lied and claimed she was pregnant with his child and asked Guan Feng to take her pulse.

Seizing the opportunity, she subdued Guan Feng and used him to escape from the secret room. Liu Chu saw Xiang Antu come out holding Guan Feng hostage and tried to dissuade her from looking for Zang Hai. At that moment, Zang Hai was accompanying her mother, Ming Yu Su Ti, around the capital. Xiang Antu was frantic. Her mother, being the Queen of Dongxia, was no ordinary person—and she had long known Zang Hai’s true identity.

This encounter was extremely dangerous for Zang Hai. Xiang Antu wanted to save him, but Liu Chu advised her to give up. Zang Hai was determined to avenge himself against Ming Yu Su Ti; by now, the confrontation was likely already over. Ming Yu Su Ti’s men finally discovered the first mechanism. It activated a corridor. She led her group through, but the stone door behind them closed. On the stone door were five lotus flowers.

Including her, there were six people. Ming Yu Su Ti had one person stay behind and then managed to open the next door. Another corridor followed. Each successive door had one less lotus flower than the last. Each time, she left one person behind until the final door, which had only one lotus flower. Ming Yu Su Ti guessed Zang Hai wanted to meet her alone.

She left everyone else behind and entered the final door, which led to an empty tomb with no exit, its walls covered in murals. Zang Hai had been waiting. Ming Yu Su Ti recognized from the murals that it was the tomb of Princess Yongning, daughter of Emperor Zhenzong. The murals were painted by the emperor himself to honor his deceased daughter. Zang Hai pressed Ming Yu Su Ti to confess if she had murdered his family.

She didn’t answer but guessed that Zang Hai had repainted the murals and tried to persuade him to let go of his hatred. Zang Hai raised his crossbow at her, but Ming Yu Su Ti, seasoned in battle, didn’t see him as a threat. Zang Hai had prepared flour mixed with explosives. If he threw it into the fire, Ming Yu Su Ti would surely die.

She urged him to think of Xiang Antu—if he killed her, Xiang Antu would live a life full of hatred like his. Zang Hai knew this would wrong Xiang Antu, but he couldn’t let his family die in vain. He swore to kill Ming Yu Su Ti. Suddenly, Xiang Antu arrived at the tomb. She volunteered to die in her mother’s place, ending the feud between their two families once and for all.

She pulled out a dagger, ready to take her own life. Zang Hai desperately tried to stop her and agreed to let Xiang Antu take Ming Yu Su Ti away. But Xiang Antu didn’t want Zang Hai to live in regret and insisted on dying. Both Zang Hai and Ming Yu Su Ti acted simultaneously to save Xiang Antu. Ming Yu Su Ti clearly stated that she had not killed Kuai Duo and began telling Zang Hai a story.

Years ago, Dongxia suffered a great defeat, and the royal court fell into chaos. Ming Yu Su Ti’s throne was in danger. She was pursued by traitors and, wounded, fell off a cliff. Kuai Duo, who was building the Fengshan Altar at the time, rescued her and brought her back to camp. When Ming Yu Su Ti woke up, she learned that Kuai Duo had saved her life.

In gratitude, she promised to bring his wife and children to Dongxia, but Kuai Duo politely declined. Half a month passed. As she recovered, Kuai Duo worked in the freezing cold, constructing the altar for the Emperor of Great Yong while holding a trinket he had made for his son, Zhinu. Seeing that he missed his family, Ming Yu Su Ti chatted with him. She mentioned her daughters, Ming Yan Yinshu and Xiang Antu.

Kuai Duo had long known Ming Yu Su Ti was the Queen of Dongxia and notified her soldiers to retrieve her so she could return and restore order in the court. After returning to Dongxia, she couldn’t forget Kuai Duo. When she heard the altar had collapsed, fearing for his safety, she rushed to Fengshan Altar and encountered Kuai Duo on the way. He had found the Gui Seal on Mount Dansui and intended to report back to the emperor.

Ming Yu Su Ti warned him that the Gui Seal was an ominous object. If it fell into the wrong hands, it could bring catastrophe to the world. She asked him to hand it over, promising not to use it in a war against Great Yong. Kuai Duo refused. Ming Yu Su Ti asked for a farewell hug, intending to steal the seal. Kuai Duo, however, subdued her with anesthetic.

Before leaving, he gave her a handwritten book he had compiled over the years and rode off. A month later, Ming Yu Su Ti heard that Kuai Duo’s entire family had been massacred. She was devastated. After recovering from the grief, she buried her feelings for Kuai Duo and focused entirely on being Queen of Dongxia. Using the geomantic techniques recorded in Kuai Duo’s handwritten book, Ming Yu Su Ti helped the people of Dongxia live prosperous lives.

She used the same techniques to construct the wooden palace for the Jade Embryo and returned the handwritten book to Zang Hai. After learning the truth, Zang Hai realized he had wrongly blamed Ming Yu Su Ti. She had one more important mission in Great Yong—and she needed Zang Hai’s help to complete it.

After Dongxia was defeated, the young Xiang Antu was sent to Great Yong as a hostage. She lived ten years under the roof of others, until she met Zang Hai and gradually fell in love with him. Now, Xiang Antu is reunited with her long-missed mother, Ming Yu Su Ti. She confides in Ming Yu Su Ti about her hardships over the years and her feelings for Zang Hai.

Ming Yu Su Ti also has a high opinion of Zang Hai, but since Zang Hai has yet to avenge his great enmity, she worries that he won't put Xiang Antu first. Zhuang Zhixing learns from Zhuang Luyin that the third culprit behind the destruction of Zang Hai’s family is the Queen of Dongxia. Zang Hai sets a death trap in an attempt to kill Ming Yu Su Ti, but Xiang Antu arrives just in time.

Ming Yu Su Ti then reveals the truth to Zang Hai: not only did she not kill his father, Kuai Duo, but she also shared a deep bond with him. Zang Hai cannot understand why Zhuang Luyin would deceive Zhuang Zhixing, and no matter how hard he thinks, he can't guess who the third enemy is. The Eighth Young Master comes to see Xiang Antu.

She confesses her inner turmoil: though the misunderstanding between Zang Hai and Ming Yu Su Ti is cleared, the two still harbor grudges too deep to be together. The Eighth Young Master can only try to console her. Xiang Antu sends a message to Zang Hai, asking him to meet her at the Pillow Tower. Zang Hai arrives on time, and Xiang Antu performs a shadow puppet play for him—a story about a little goldfish and a little swan.

The goldfish represents Zang Hai, and the swan represents Xiang Antu. Through this performance, Xiang Antu expresses her feelings. Deeply moved, Zang Hai no longer wants to let down her unwavering love. He opens his heart to Xiang Antu, and the two lovers finally come together. Xiang Antu holds tightly to Zang Hai, afraid he will leave. They pour their hearts out to each other, with endless things to say. Zang Hai promises never to leave or forsake Xiang Antu.

Overcome with emotion, she kisses him and eagerly asks what he has experienced all these years. As Zang Hai recounts his story, Xiang Antu falls asleep on him halfway through. Zang Hai feels an unprecedented happiness. Ming Yu Su Ti gives Zang Hai the blueprint of the Gui Seal and tells him its story. Many years ago, a female general found the Gui Seal.

She used it to summon the Yin Soldiers—spirits that possessed living bodies in battle, making them invincible. The general expanded her territory and founded Dongxia. She was the first Queen of Dongxia—Fuxian. Her body was eventually devoured by the power of the Gui Seal. Before dying, she sealed it deep within her tomb, warning future generations never to unseal it. Three hundred years later, Ming Yu Su Ti's mother, Queen Ming Lühuda, had the Gui Seal unearthed.

The key was the three bronze fish. Ming Lühuda used the Gui Seal to defeat Great Yong, but at a terrible cost. Before her death, she hid the Gui Seal in a place known to only five people. Kuai Duo found it, which led to the massacre of his entire family. Ming Yu Su Ti fears that the reappearance of the Gui Seal will bring irreversible disaster.

She asks Zang Hai to help find it and promises to help him locate his third enemy once it's done. Zang Hai agrees readily. After years of relentless effort, Ming Yu Su Ti created a compass. As long as the bronze fish are placed on it, the Gui Seal can be located. She asks Zang Hai to make a choice: if he chooses Xiang Antu, he must give up his revenge. Zang Hai firmly refuses.

Xiang Antu immediately expresses her full support for Zang Hai’s revenge. Ming Yu Su Ti has no choice but to yield. Zang Hai places the bronze fish on the compass and follows its needle, eventually narrowing the location to the imperial palace. Under the pretense of inspecting the construction progress of Hanzhang Hall, he continues his search using the compass. He follows it all the way to the emperor’s harem, where the compass points to Hanzhang Hall.

Blocked by the Imperial Guards at the entrance, Zang Hai is stunned. He quickly returns to consult with Gao Ming, suspecting that the emperor sent Kuai Duo to find the Gui Seal. Cao Jingxian gradually recovers from his injuries and sends Lu Ran to keep a close watch on Zang Hai. When Lu Ran informs him of Zang Hai’s investigation in the palace, Cao Jingxian bursts out laughing.

He had entered Hanzhang Hall countless times, never imagining the Gui Seal was hidden there. Ming Yu Su Ti wants to visit the place where Kuai Duo once worked, so Zang Hai takes her to tour the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. In Kuai Duo’s room, Ming Yu Su Ti recalls their time together and is overwhelmed with emotion. She reminds Zang Hai to cherish the one in front of him.

Zang Hai confirms that the Gui Seal is hidden in the Hanzhang Hall of the imperial palace. Ming Yu Su Ti fears the Great Yong Emperor will use the Gui Seal to rule the world. Zang Hai believes that his father, Kuai Duo, never gave the bronze fish to the emperor precisely because he feared such a day would come.

Zang Hai plans to use the Gui Seal to lure out the third enemy, then explain everything to the emperor after killing him. Gao Ming and his masked master both oppose Zang Hai's risky plan, but Zang Hai refuses to miss this opportunity, so they have no choice but to concede.

After the Spring Festival, the Emperor, as usual, opened the Historiography Bureau. The cabinet transferred historians from various departments to the palace to compile the annual history. Zang Hai was selected as one of the historians. Every day, he left early and returned late, working on the chronicle at the palace. Before long, it was the Lantern Festival. Every household was decorated with lanterns and fireworks. Zang Hai worked overtime and finally completed the part he was responsible for.

He and Ming Yu Su Ti meticulously planned to steal the Gui Xi tonight. The Emperor would host a grand banquet for the officials this evening, and Zang Hai planned to act while the Emperor was away from Hanzhang Hall. Zang Hai asked Ming Yu Su Ti to set off fireworks outside the palace, making Hanzhang Hall as bright as day. The imperial guards were blinded by the intense light, and Zang Hai slipped into Hanzhang Hall unnoticed.

He placed the bronze fish on the compass and followed its direction into the inner hall, which was filled with miniature models of pavilions and towers carved by the Emperor himself. Zang Hai searched carefully but found nothing. Then he noticed that a deer and goose carved by the Emperor had the inscription “Ninth Year of Zhenshun” on the back. Zang Hai kept searching and found miniature models of all the buildings in the capital made by the Emperor.

Even the house that had been burned down ten years ago—his former home—was among them, but the layout was incorrect. Zang Hai restored the original layout, which unexpectedly triggered a mechanism, revealing the Gui Xi. The box that held the Gui Xi was handcrafted by Kuai Duo, and the word “Goose” was engraved on the back. Only then did Zang Hai realize that the Emperor represented the deer, and his father Kuai Duo represented the goose.

Zang Hai took the Gui Xi and was about to leave when he noticed that a building painted on the wall lacked a dougong bracket. He pressed it and, as expected, it triggered another mechanism—a secret door. Zang Hai pushed it open and found a hidden passage. He followed the tunnel out and rushed back to the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Overnight, he created a replica box for the Gui Xi. Just then, Shi Quan arrived unexpectedly, startling Zang Hai.

Zang Hai tried to send him away, but Shi Quan drew his sword and held Zang Hai hostage, revealing that he was actually Lu Fen, the adopted son of Cao Jingxian. He had been undercover at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for many years, waiting for this moment to retrieve the Gui Xi and hand it over to Cao Jingxian. Zang Hai was utterly confused. He had investigated Shi Quan before but found nothing suspicious.

All four of the Shi siblings were loyal to Cao Jingxian. Shi Quan had been assigned to monitor Chu Huaiming, and since Chu Huaiming had failed to find the Gui Xi, Cao Jingxian ordered Shi Quan to remain at the Astronomical Bureau—once the workplace of Kuai Duo. At last, he had encountered Zang Hai and grew curious about his identity. Zang Hai was just about to strike back. Cao Jingxian arrived in time to stop Zang Hai.

He clutched the Gui Xi tightly and praised Shi Quan endlessly. He then forced Zang Hai to reveal his identity. Zang Hai admitted that he was Kuai Duo’s son, Zhinu. Upon discovering that Zang Hai was making a fake Gui Xi, Cao Jingxian guessed that he intended to use the real one for revenge. Cao Jingxian then ordered Lu Ran to kill Zang Hai to silence him and tried to leave with the Gui Xi.

At that moment, Ming Yu Su Ti and Xiang Antu burst into the Imperial Astronomical Bureau with reinforcements, surrounding Cao Jingxian and his men. A fierce battle ensued. Xiang Antu covered for Zang Hai as he fled. Cao Jingxian tried to escape in the chaos, but Ming Yu Su Ti charged in, killing the guards beside him and blocking his path. She demanded that he hand over the Gui Xi. Cao Jingxian stubbornly refused, but now he was alone.

He pretended to hand over the Gui Xi to Ming Yu Su Ti but used the opportunity to draw a crossbow and ambush her. Xiang Antu and Zang Hai saw Ming Yu Su Ti wounded and rushed to help her. Cao Jingxian aimed his crossbow at Xiang Antu, but Zang Hai shielded her without hesitation. Ming Yu Su Ti dashed forward and took the arrow for Zang Hai.

Enduring the pain, she turned and thrust her sword into Cao Jingxian’s body. He was seriously wounded, but his guards managed to rescue him and flee. Due to her severe injuries, Ming Yu Su Ti was on the brink of death. She entrusted Zang Hai with the task of protecting Xiang Antu and then passed away. Xiang Antu was devastated, overwhelmed with grief. Zang Hai was also deeply moved.

He advised Xiang Antu to take Ming Yu Su Ti’s body back to the Hostage Palace and stage her death as an accident, keeping the night’s events a secret. Xiang Antu swore to avenge her mother. The next morning, Zang Hai went to court. The Emperor publicly announced that Ming Yu Su Ti had died suddenly of illness in the Hostage Palace. He found the matter suspicious but could not find the real cause. All he could do was increase the number of troops at the Dongxia border and exempt Dongxia from taxes for five years to prevent any rebellion.

Zang Hai wanted to use the Gui Seal to lure out the third culprit responsible for the massacre of his family. He risked sneaking into the Hanzhang Hall in the palace and successfully stole the Gui Seal, but unexpectedly, Shi Quan and Cao Jingxian arrived soon after and took it away. Only then did Zang Hai realize that Shi Quan was Cao Jingxian’s adopted son.

Ming Yu Su Ti and Xiang Antu arrived just in time to support Zang Hai, and both sides broke into a fierce battle. Ming Yu Su Ti was struck by an arrow while saving Zang Hai and Xiang Antu. With her last breath, she thrust her sword into Cao Jingxian's body.

When the emperor learned that the Gui Seal had been stolen and that Ming Yu Su Ti had suddenly died the night before, he suspected that Ming Yu Su Ti had taken the seal and ordered his men to surround both the Zhen Tower and the Zhi Palace. Zang Hai was worried Xiang Antu would be arrested, so he wanted to help clear her name.

Gao Ming advised him to give up—it was an imperial decree—but Zang Hai couldn’t rest easy and insisted on checking on Xiang Antu. Xiang Antu, clad in mourning, escorted her mother Ming Yu Su Ti’s remains out of the city. Watching the funeral procession slowly recede, she was overcome with indescribable sorrow. From afar, Zang Hai witnessed this heart-wrenching scene and was filled with remorse.

Had he not insisted on seeking revenge, Ming Yu Su Ti wouldn’t have lost her life. Severely wounded, Cao Jingxian was on the brink of death. Realizing his time was short, he sent for a mysterious man and entrusted him with both the Gui Seal and the copper fish. After sending off her mother, Xiang Antu returned to the Zhi Palace, which was now heavily surrounded by the Imperial Guards.

The Eighth Lady couldn’t see Xiang Antu and was extremely anxious. She sought out Zang Hai to discuss a plan. Zang Hai was also at a loss. The Eighth Lady wanted to ask her father Zhao Bingwen for help, but Zang Hai advised her to stay calm and promised to protect Xiang Antu at all costs. Ming Yu Su Ti’s body was returned to Dongxia, where her daughter Ming Yan Yinshu ascended as the Queen of Dongxia.

She stripped Xiang Antu of her title as Princess and left her to the mercy of the Great Yong emperor. The Imperial Guards found correspondence between Xiang Antu and the Queen of Dongxia in the Zhen Tower. In the letters, Xiang Antu expressed her dissatisfaction with Great Yong and passed on intelligence to Dongxia. Guan Feng and Shi Lei went out to gather news and saw a team of guards heading to the Zhi Palace.

They immediately returned to report to Zang Hai, but by the time Zang Hai arrived, it was already too late. He could only watch helplessly as Xiang Antu was taken away. Zang Hai was convinced the letters found in the Zhen Tower were forged by Cao Jingxian, but he didn’t dare break into the prison to rescue Xiang Antu, fearing it would bring her more danger. Still worried about her, Zang Hai asked Gao Ming to forge a judicial edict.

Gao Ming refused, afraid Zang Hai would get himself killed, but Zang Hai had made up his mind, so Gao Ming reluctantly complied. Zang Hai used Gao Ming’s forged edict to enter the prison without trouble. Xiang Antu didn’t want to drag him down and urged him to leave quickly, but Zang Hai, having already lost too many loved ones, didn’t want to lose her too.

He promised to find a way to rescue her and told her to wait patiently. That night, Zang Hai went to the palace to see the chief eunuch Sun Defang, asking to meet the emperor immediately. Unable to fend him off, Sun Defang let him in. Before leaving, Zang Hai wrote a letter to Gao Ming. He planned to confess to the emperor.

If he and Xiang Antu couldn’t return safely before dawn, he would leave the capital with Guan Feng and Shi Lei. Sun Defang brought Zang Hai to the Hanzhang Hall, where Zang Hai knelt and confessed. Just as he was about to speak the truth, the emperor ordered him bound and drove all the guards away.

Zang Hai truthfully recounted how he had snuck into the Hanzhang Hall to steal the Gui Seal, only to have it taken by Cao Jingxian. The emperor didn’t believe him at all. In the hall, Zang Hai had seen the carvings of the deer and the goose, representing the emperor and Kuai Duo respectively, and he finally understood the deep affection between his father and the emperor.

When the emperor learned that Zang Hai was Kuai Duo’s son, Zhinu, he was deeply moved. He immediately unbound Zang Hai and ordered Sun Defang to lead a search of Cao Jingxian’s residence, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. Zang Hai explained in detail how his family had been massacred. He had identified three perpetrators: Zhuang Luyin, now dead; Cao Jingxian, now a walking corpse; and a third who remained unknown.

The emperor blamed Zang Hai for acting recklessly—stealing the Gui Seal just to find the third killer, only for it to be snatched away by Cao Jingxian. Zang Hai, in turn, reproached the emperor for not publicly announcing the presence of the Gui Seal in the palace. If he had done so, his parents and sister might have been spared. The emperor gave a cold laugh. Things were far more complicated than Zang Hai thought.

He began to recount the story between himself and Kuai Duo. Years ago, when he was still a prince, the late emperor assigned Kuai Duo to be his study companion. They had much in common, particularly a shared love of woodworking. After he became the crown prince, Kuai Duo left the palace. The emperor faced many assassination attempts and narrowly escaped death several times. Kuai Duo saved him at every turn.

Fearing further plots, the emperor sent Sun Defang to find Xue Zhao and bring troops to his defense, while Kuai Duo personally commanded the Imperial Guards to protect the Hanzhang Hall. When the late emperor passed away, he left a secret decree naming him heir. The emperor was deeply grateful to Kuai Duo for his protection. Before his death, the late emperor told the new emperor to find the Gui Seal. Dongxia had used it to defeat Great Yong.

The emperor sent Zhuang Luyin to attack Dongxia and ordered Kuai Duo to build the Fengshan Altar there and search for the seal. Three years later, Kuai Duo found the Gui Seal and handed it to the emperor, who was ecstatic. Kuai Duo advised him not to use the Gui Seal to start a war, warning that it would bring untold suffering to the people, but the emperor ignored him, obsessed with his dream of dominating the world.

After Kuai Duo found the Gui Seal, she risked her life to rush back to the capital and hand it over to the emperor. The emperor wanted to reward her for her service, but Kuai Duo used her declining health as an excuse to resign, saying she wanted to return to her hometown with her husband and child to spend her remaining years in peace. The emperor feared Kuai Duo might reveal how he obtained the Gui Seal.

Kuai Duo had come straight to him from Dongxia without meeting anyone else or returning home. The emperor specially approved her retirement, but that very night, Kuai Duo’s entire family was wiped out. Zang Hai told the emperor in detail about the murders of his parents and sister. The emperor was furious and clenched his teeth in anger. Sun Defang led a team to the Cao residence overnight.

Cao Jingxian had been dead for four or five days, and his body was already decomposing. All the imperial agents in the residence had also been killed. Sun Defang immediately reported this to the emperor. Zang Hai suspected that all of this was done by the third culprit behind his family’s massacre. Cao Jingxian, knowing he was doomed, had handed the Gui Seal over to his partner—the third person.

The emperor ordered Zang Hai to retrieve the Gui Seal and bestowed upon him a Severing Traitor Sword, allowing him to strike down his enemy at any time. Zang Hai took the opportunity to plead for Xiang Antu, and the emperor agreed to release her. Zang Hai went to the prison to retrieve Xiang Antu. Gao Ming, Guan Feng, and Shi Lei had been waiting outside for a long time.

Gao Ming was still brooding over Zang Hai leaving without a word and, in a fit of anger, slapped him hard. Zang Hai didn’t want to explain much and simply brought Xiang Antu home, even giving her his own bedroom. Xiang Antu reproached Zang Hai for taking such a risk for her, but Zang Hai said he was willing. When the Eighth Prince heard that Xiang Antu had been rescued, she immediately came to Zang’s residence to visit her.

Gao Ming was upset that Zang Hai had gone to the palace alone to confess to the emperor and spoke harshly to him. Zang Hai tried hard to make peace, but Gao Ming wouldn’t forgive him. Zang Hai knelt and apologized, promising not to take such risks again. Gao Ming, heartbroken, reminded him to live well so he could care for him in his old age.

Guan Feng was delighted to hear that Liu Chu would also be moving into Zang’s residence. Gao Ming personally cooked a large meal, with each dish hinting at Zang Hai’s ingratitude. Liu Chu soon arrived to welcome Xiang Antu, bringing her some rouge and powder, encouraging her to move on from her grief. Liu Chu noticed Gao Ming’s sour mood and forced him to smile. His forced smile looked worse than crying, making everyone burst into laughter.

They drank and feasted happily, enjoying a joyous reunion meal. After the meal, Zang Hai remained heavy-hearted. Xiang Antu noticed something was bothering him and accompanied him to admire the moon. Zang Hai wanted to find the third culprit as soon as possible. Xiang Antu promised to help him. Zang Hai didn’t want her to take risks, but Xiang Antu was willing to share his burdens. Zang Hai planned to start by investigating Cao Jingxian to uncover the third enemy.

Xiang Antu hoped that once Zang Hai’s revenge was complete, they could leave everything behind and travel far away together. After the banquet, everyone dispersed, leaving only Liu Chu and Gao Ming drinking together. Emboldened by alcohol, Gao Ming confessed his feelings to Liu Chu, but she evaded the topic. Zang Hai and Lord Zuo carefully inspected the Cao residence.

They found that the imperial agents had twisted expressions and dirt between their fingers, concluding that they had been poisoned and their bodies moved indoors afterward. Zang Hai carefully counted the agents but found that only Lu Yan’s body was missing, and Shi Quan had also disappeared. Zang Hai asked Lord Zuo to help investigate. The emperor had given Zang Hai a Severing Traitor Sword.

He planned to begin his investigation with the Inner Cabinet, so Gao Ming took him to see his masked master. Zang Hai intended to start by investigating the Inner Cabinet’s chief advisor, Shi Yiping. The masked master removed his mask on the spot—Zang Hai was shocked to discover it was Zhao Bingwen.

Zang Hai voluntarily confessed to the emperor, admitting that he was Kuai Duo's son Zhinu. He told the emperor everything about how his family was silenced. The emperor and Kuai Duo were the best of friends in their youth. Kuai Duo once risked his life to protect the emperor. The emperor sent Zang Hai to retrieve the Gui Seal and gave him the Broken Treachery Sword to slay the third enemy.

Zang Hai decided to start his investigation with Shi Yiping, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. His masked benefactor and Gao Ming were worried for him and helped him devise a plan. When the time was right, the masked benefactor removed his mask, revealing his identity. Zang Hai was shocked—it was Zhao Bingwen. Zhao Bingwen returned the wooden carved deer to Zang Hai, a relic left behind by his father Kuai Duo ten years ago.

Zang Hai knelt on the ground to thank him profusely, and Zhao Bingwen was moved to tears. Zhao Bingwen recounted his history with Kuai Duo. Years ago, Zhao was assigned to investigate a corruption case in a construction project, which involved many court officials. They collectively framed him, and only Kuai Duo stood up for him. Zhao Bingwen was demoted to the frontier, but he swore to repay Kuai Duo. They corresponded frequently by letter.

Zhao Bingwen was later transferred to the capital due to his outstanding achievements, while Kuai Duo went to Dongxia to build the Fengshan Altar. Three years later, Zhao Bingwen suddenly received a secret letter from Kuai Duo. Kuai Duo wanted to flee the capital with his wife and child and asked Zhao Bingwen to assist them. Zhao rushed through the night, but he was still a step too late—Kuai Duo's home was burned down.

Zhao managed to rescue Zhinu and sent him to study with Master Xing Dou. Upon learning the truth, Zang Hai was filled with emotion. Zhao Bingwen also wanted to know who the third enemy was. He planned to take Zang Hai to investigate Shi Yiping. As the Grand Secretary, Shi Yiping was second only to the emperor, making it nearly impossible for ordinary people to see him.

Zhao Bingwen wrote a formal letter that night and sent it to Shi Yiping. That night, Zang Hai couldn't sleep. He sat in the courtyard in a daze, and Gao Ming came to talk with him. Zang Hai asked how Gao Ming had met Zhao Bingwen. Gao Ming explained that he had been an orphan and was taken in by Zhao Bingwen, who also took in Liu Chu and saved Master Xing Dou.

They all served Zhao Bingwen out of gratitude. Xiang Antu learned that the father of Eighth Young Master Tong’er—Zhao Bingwen—was Zang Hai’s savior and was amazed by the coincidence. She reminded Zang Hai to be cautious when visiting Shi Yiping’s home. The next morning, Zhao Bingwen took Zang Hai to visit Shi Yiping. They exchanged pleasantries, and Zhao Bingwen asked Shi Yiping to look after Zang Hai.

Shi Yiping guessed that Zang Hai was trying to investigate the death of Cao Jingxian through the Cabinet, which Zang Hai did not deny. Shi encouraged him to pursue the truth and promised to grant him authority. Zang Hai found Shi Yiping to be calm and unflustered, showing no flaws. At Shi Yiping's home, Zang Hai noticed some valuable paintings that were recently popular, including “Scenery of Mount Yuren,” a famous peak in Dongxia.

Zang Hai decided to visit again that evening, bringing two rare paintings to please Shi Yiping. Although Shi Yiping knew Zang Hai neither excelled at painting nor enjoyed art, Zang Hai went to great lengths to curry favor, which made Shi Yiping suspicious and displeased. Shi believed Zang Hai had no right to investigate Cao Jingxian’s death and said he would petition the emperor to handle the case.

Zang Hai remained calm in the face of Shi Yiping’s accusations and even responded sarcastically. Suddenly, Shi Yiping coughed up blood and collapsed. Zang Hai suspected the tea was poisoned. Before he could react, Lu Yan burst in and attempted to assassinate Shi Yiping. Zang Hai ordered the guards to apprehend her, but Lu Yan escaped through a window. Shi Lei and Xiang Antu arrived just in time and helped subdue her.

Lu Yan accused Shi Yiping of stealing the Gui Seal from Cao Jingxian and slaughtering people. Surrounded and with no way out, Lu Yan committed suicide on the spot. Shi Yiping was poisoned to death. Sun Defang led a thorough search of Shi's mansion but found no sign of the Gui Seal. Then, Zang Hai discovered a hidden compartment behind one of the paintings.

He asked Sun Defang to dismiss the guards and retrieved the Gui Seal and Copper Fish from the secret compartment. Sun Defang immediately escorted Zang Hai to the palace to see the emperor. Zang Hai reported Shi Yiping’s theft of the Gui Seal and the poisoning of the secret agents to the emperor and returned the Broken Treachery Sword. He requested the painting of “Scenery of Mount Yuren” from Shi Yiping’s home, which the emperor readily agreed to.

When Zhao Bingwen learned that Zang Hai had handed over both the Gui Seal and the Copper Fish to the emperor, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Back then, Kuai Duo had only turned in the Gui Seal and kept the Copper Fish. Zhao worried that the emperor might use the Gui Seal to start a war, which had led to Kuai Duo’s death.

Xiang Antu visited Zang Hai, who had been drinking heavily and was dazed in his room. She noticed he had something on his mind. Zang Hai suspected that Shi Yiping might not have been the third enemy. Although he had witnessed Shi’s gruesome death, he felt no joy. Something didn’t feel right. He believed the true third enemy was someone else who framed Shi Yiping to conceal his own identity.

Zang Hai suspected this person was after the third Copper Fish. Only with all three Copper Fish could the Gui Seal be opened. Xiang Antu told him not to overthink and promised to stay by his side. Zang Hai decided to resign from his post. The next morning, Zang Hai told Gao Ming about his decision to resign and travel the world with Xiang Antu. He also wanted to visit Master Xing Dou.

Gao Ming was momentarily surprised, then quickly expressed his support. The emperor appointed Zhao Bingwen as the new Grand Secretary. Zhao Bingwen, worried about being unfit for the position, asked to serve as acting Grand Secretary first.

Zang Hai submitted his resignation to the Cabinet, planning to leave the capital with Xiang Antu, Gao Ming, and the others once the emperor approved. Xiang Antu dismissed the maids and servants from the residence. Early the next morning, Zang Hai began packing, only to discover that Gao Ming was not home. Upon asking, he learned that Gao Ming had gone to buy horses to pull the luggage.

Gao Ming returned with Zhao Bingwen and brought Zang Hai directly to the slums of the capital, prompting Zang Hai to make a new choice. Seeing the ragged refugees stirred deep unease in Zang Hai’s heart. Zhao Bingwen explained the current state of Great Yong: corruption rampant in officialdom, continuous natural disasters, displaced refugees, and rampant cheating in the imperial exams leaving the people in misery. Kuai Duo used to provide relief to disaster victims during her life.

Zhao Bingwen urged Zang Hai to stay and help him root out corruption and serve the people. Watching Zhao Bingwen’s departing figure, Zang Hai broke into a cold sweat. He had long suspected that Shi Yiping was not the third enemy but lacked solid evidence. He had conspired with Xiang Antu to use resignation as bait to lure the real culprit out.

The third enemy, wanting the bronze fish in Zang Hai’s possession, would certainly try to keep him close in order to kill him at any moment. Zhao Bingwen’s desperate effort to retain Zang Hai in the Cabinet confirmed Zang Hai’s suspicion that he was the third enemy. Xiang Antu suspected that Gao Ming and Zhao Bingwen were in cahoots. Zang Hai intended to stay close to Zhao Bingwen and wait for the right moment to act.

That night, Gao Ming urgently visited Zhao Bingwen, expressing concern that Zang Hai might not be suited for Cabinet work. Zhao Bingwen, worried that Zang Hai would suffer the same fate as Kuai Duo, decided to keep Zang Hai close to ensure his safety. He pressed Gao Ming to find out the whereabouts of the third bronze fish from Zang Hai as soon as possible. Zang Hai officially reported for duty at the Cabinet, receiving special attention from Zhao Bingwen.

Zang Hai diligently carried out his duties, never daring to slack off. He carefully reviewed the financial records from recent years, all signed by Zhao Bingwen. Zang Hai found that Zhao Bingwen was an honest and upright official, yet he remained wary and continued investigating him secretly. The Eighth Young Lady visited Xiang Antu and instantly recognized the "Scenery of Mount Yuren" painting as her father Zhao Bingwen’s.

Curious how it ended up with Zang Hai, Xiang Antu explained that the painting had been confiscated from Shi Yiping’s home and Zang Hai had requested it from the emperor. Zang Hai requested disaster relief funds from Zhao Bingwen, who feared corrupt officials would embezzle them. Zhao Bingwen planned to petition the emperor to cut officials’ salaries and lectured Zang Hai at length on the principles of governance.

Xiang Antu told Zang Hai about the painting, and he too found the situation suspicious. The Eighth Young Lady returned home to look for the painting, but it was already gone—only an empty box remained. Zhao Bingwen explained that he had gifted it to Shi Yiping and advised her to stop performing scripts and instead stay home and study needlework. He ordered the steward Zhao Geng to have someone keep a close watch on her every move.

Zang Hai worked late into the night and still couldn’t finish his tasks. From a colleague, he learned that during his lifetime, Shi Yiping had always been at odds with both Cao Jingxian and Zhuang Luyin. Zang Hai mistakenly believed Shi Yiping had a close relationship with Cao Jingxian. However, the colleague, who had served Shi Yiping for many years, knew the two were irreconcilable enemies and presented a roster compiled by Shi Yiping before his death.

While flipping through it, Zang Hai discovered that before entering the palace, Cao Jingxian had been named Lu Min. From an old eunuch, Zang Hai learned that Lu Min had castrated himself before entering the palace—he had volunteered to become a eunuch. Zang Hai also found out that Lu Min had studied at the Great Yong Academy. Zang Hai went to the Great Yong Academy to check the student records and indeed found Lu Min’s name.

He also discovered that Zhao Bingwen and Zhuang Luyin had been Lu Min’s classmates. Exhausted from long days of early starts and late returns, Zang Hai became distant, prompting Gao Ming to complain about their growing estrangement. When Zang Hai casually asked Gao Ming about his future plans, Gao Ming said he just wanted to stay by Zang Hai’s side. Zang Hai became certain that Zhao Bingwen was the third enemy.

He planned to kill Zhao Bingwen to avenge his family. Xiang Antu respected his decision. Zang Hai asked her to prepare—he intended to invite Zhao Bingwen over the next day to uncover the truth.

Zhao Bingwen ordered Gao Ming to find out from Zang Hai the whereabouts of the bronze fish, but Gao Ming had no success. Zhao Bingwen was worried that if too much time passed, Zang Hai would uncover the truth, so he decided to act first. Gao Ming didn’t want Zang Hai to be hurt and tried hard to delay, but Zhao Bingwen could no longer wait. Zang Hai sent someone to invite Zhao Bingwen to a banquet.

Zhao Bingwen instructed Shi Quan to begin the operation. Zhao Bingwen arrived at the banquet on time. Zang Hai had prepared a lavish spread. Gao Ming noticed that no one else was around. Zang Hai made an excuse about matching sixes and drawing sevens and left with Xiang Antu. Guan Feng and Shi Lei also went out for fun, and Gao Ming didn’t question it.

Zang Hai had specially prepared the dishes that his parents loved most when they were alive and confronted Zhao Bingwen face to face, accusing him of repaying kindness with enmity. Zang Hai was convinced that Zhao Bingwen was the third enemy. Zhao Bingwen remained calm in the face of Zang Hai’s accusations. Zang Hai had discovered that Zhao Bingwen, Zhuang Luyin, and Cao Jingxian were classmates at the Great Yong Academy.

Zhao Bingwen admitted that he had overlooked something and guessed that Xiang Antu and the others were lying in wait nearby. Xiang Antu, Shi Lei, and the others had no choice but to step out—tonight, they were going to assist Zang Hai in eliminating Zhao Bingwen. Zhao Bingwen admitted he was the third enemy. He had orchestrated the extermination of Zang Hai’s entire family, killed Cao Jingxian, and seized the Gui Seal and the bronze fish.

He also admitted to killing Shi Yiping, claiming it was all for the emperor. At that moment, the imperial guards arrived under the emperor’s orders to arrest Zang Hai, who had no choice but to surrender. The emperor dismissed all the guards—he wanted to speak to Zang Hai alone. Since ascending the throne, the emperor had lived in constant fear of being harmed. He never imagined Kuai Duo would betray him.

Zang Hai did his best to defend his father, Kuai Duo, explaining that she died for the greater good. The emperor forced Zang Hai to reveal the location of the bronze fish, promising not to implicate those around him. Zang Hai told him where it was hidden, and the emperor sent Sun Defang to retrieve it. Zang Hai urged the emperor to destroy the Gui Seal, warning that otherwise, it would bring disaster upon the people.

He also revealed that Zhao Bingwen was the third enemy. Unexpectedly, Shi Quan had already confessed to the emperor, revealing that he was Lu Fen, the adopted son of Cao Jingxian. He accused Zang Hai of hiding the bronze fish with malicious intent. The emperor believed him and had Zang Hai arrested. After making his report, Lu Fen was thrown in prison, where Zhao Bingwen soon came to silence him permanently.

The emperor ordered Sun Defang to summon Zhao Bingwen to the palace early the next morning. That night, the emperor tried using the three bronze fish to open a box and found the Gui Seal inside. Not long after, Zhao Bingwen came to the prison to gloat in front of Zang Hai. Only then did Zang Hai learn the emperor had met with misfortune.

Zhao Bingwen firmly accused Zang Hai of being the murderer and even arrested Sun Defang and Xue Zhao for failing to protect the emperor. Zhao Bingwen proudly boasted that he now possessed the Gui Seal and the bronze fish. Zang Hai saw Zhao Bingwen’s true face clearly. Zhao Bingwen no longer concealed his greed. Once he heard from Zang Hai that the Gui Seal was in the palace, he carefully laid out his plan.

He used Zang Hai’s desire for revenge to get him to steal the Gui Seal from the palace. Then he had Cao Jingxian snatch it and place it in Shi Yiping’s home, after which he had Shi Yiping killed. This led Zang Hai to mistakenly believe Shi Yiping was the third enemy. Zhao Bingwen then drove a wedge between the emperor and Zang Hai, forcing Zang Hai to hand over the last bronze fish.

In the end, Zhao Bingwen successfully obtained both the Gui Seal and the bronze fish. Zang Hai suspected that Zhao Bingwen’s feelings for Kuai Duo were false. Zhao Bingwen admitted that Kuai Duo had once defended him with integrity, but they had no written correspondence, and Kuai Duo never asked him for help. It was Zhuang Luyin who had written to inform him that Kuai Duo had found the Gui Seal in Dongxia and returned to the capital.

Zhao Bingwen rushed back and had Cao Jingxian mobilize the imperial guards to search the city for Kuai Duo. Unexpectedly, Kuai Duo entered the palace through a secret passage to meet the emperor. Zhao Bingwen ordered Zhuang Luyin to kill Kuai Duo’s entire family, then hypocritically submitted a petition to the emperor pleading for Kuai Duo. Zang Hai couldn’t understand how Zhao Bingwen managed to control both Zhuang Luyin and Cao Jingxian.

Zhao Bingwen recalled his days at the Great Yong Academy. Born in a remote border town, he had vowed since childhood to enter the court. He studied diligently and was admitted to the academy at the age of ten. Most of the students there were sons of powerful nobles. Because of his poor background, Zhao Bingwen was frequently bullied—they even wanted to cut off one of his fingers.

Zhuang Luyin and Cao Jingxian came to his aid, and the three were consequently ostracized. Zhao Bingwen, Zhuang Luyin, and Cao Jingxian joined forces to teach that noble bully a lesson, eventually pushing him into a river where he drowned. Cao Jingxian was suspected because of the scar on his face and was expelled from the academy. With no other option, he entered the palace and became a eunuch, eventually rising to become a chief eunuch.

Zhuang Luyin earned military honors and became a great general. Zhao Bingwen joined the cabinet and gained real power. The reason he used Zang Hai to find the Gui Seal was to fulfill his ambition of ruling the world. Now, with success just one step away, he was elated beyond words. Zang Hai scoffed at him with disdain. The imperial guards raided Zang Hai’s home, but it was empty—Xiang Antu and Feng Liu had long since escaped.

Young Master Eight had come secretly to check on them. Xiang Antu wanted to know what had happened to Zang Hai. Young Master Eight considered asking his father, Zhao Bingwen, but Xiang Antu was forced to reveal that Zang Hai had been harmed by her father, Zhao Bingwen.

Zhao Bingwen confessed everything to Zang Hai—he intended to kill him to silence him. Gao Ming was heartbroken but powerless. Zhao Bingwen promised to leave Zang Hai’s body intact. Gao Ming only wanted to cook one last meal for Zang Hai so he could leave this world with a full stomach. Zhao Bingwen readily agreed. Gao Ming prepared Zang Hai’s favorite dishes and had them delivered to the prison. Zang Hai quickly finished the meal.

Zhao Bingwen personally came to the prison to oversee the execution, carrying out the sentence of "tie jia guan". Gao Ming hid nearby and witnessed Zang Hai being tortured, feeling as if his heart were being torn apart. Zhao Bingwen ordered more punishment, and soon Zang Hai stopped breathing. Zhao Bingwen confirmed his death and told Gao Ming to take care of the body. Prince Yongrong sent someone to see Zhao Bingwen, so Zhao Bingwen had to leave first.

In a daze, Zang Hai arrived in another world where he saw his sister Yuenü and their mother. Overwhelmed with emotion, Zang Hai was told by his mother that he did not belong there and must return to the human world. Zang Hai didn’t want to go back, but Kuai Duo suddenly called out to him, urging him to live on. His mother and Yuenü also came to bid him farewell, as did his fellow disciples.

With great sorrow, Zang Hai left. Thanks to the desperate efforts of Gao Ming, Guan Feng, and the others, Zang Hai was finally pulled back from the brink of death. Earlier, Xiang Antu had gone to Gao Ming for help. Gao Ming had added a sedative to the food, successfully fooling Zhao Bingwen. Luckily, Prince Yongrong’s people came to summon Zhao Bingwen away, or Gao Ming wouldn’t have been able to save Zang Hai.

Zhao Bingwen imprisoned Prince Yongrong in his own residence. He sent his steward Shen Yong to deliver a message to Zang Hai: before the emperor's death, he kept calling out Zang Hai’s name, and he admitted that Zang Hai had been right. From Zhao Bingwen, Zang Hai learned that he planned to go to Dongxia to build his own army. Determined to stop him, Zang Hai decided to head to Dongxia. Xiang Antu insisted on going with him.

Gao Ming quickly prepared a carriage, and after Zang Hai said goodbye to Shi Lei and the others, they left the capital. Gao Ming decided to escort Zang Hai and Xiang Antu outside the city and have them travel with a merchant caravan to Dongxia. He would stay behind to keep a close watch on Zhao Bingwen. To escape the city, Gao Ming had Zang Hai and Xiang Antu pose as plague victims.

The guards at the gate insisted on inspecting the carriage. Gao Ming suddenly coughed up blood, and the guards, fearing he was also infected, let them through. Gao Ming handed all his savings to Zang Hai before seeing them off. From a distance, the Eighth Young Master saw them safely leave and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Zang Hai later found a letter Gao Ming had left behind, only to learn that he had drunk poisoned tea served by Zhao Bingwen. Knowing he wouldn’t live much longer, Gao Ming had lied to Zang Hai. Zang Hai wanted to go back and save him, but Gao Ming staggered a few steps before collapsing and dying on the spot. Devastated, Zang Hai was consumed with grief but chose to press on to avoid further complications.

Zang Hai and Xiang Antu traveled day and night, eating and sleeping in the open along the way. Xiang Antu wanted to seek news from her newly enthroned sister, but Zang Hai was worried her sister might be wary and suggested they stay near the royal court first. They soon arrived at the foot of Mount Yuren, where Xiang Antu made a vow. The newly crowned Queen of Dongxia, Ming Yan Yinshu, came in person to receive Xiang Antu.

She had received a letter from Great Yong beforehand and knew that Xiang Antu and Zang Hai had secretly come to Dongxia. Suspecting that Xiang Antu was after the throne, she ordered that Xiang Antu and Zang Hai be taken back to the royal court. Zang Hai was thrown into the celestial prison, and Xiang Antu, out of spite, refused to eat or drink.

Ming Yan Yinshu prepared a generous dowry for her and ordered her to marry the prince of Moersa from the recently subdued Eastern Sea tribe. Xiang Antu firmly refused and even threatened to die rather than comply. Ming Yan Yinshu then ordered one of Zang Hai’s fingers to be cut off every day until Xiang Antu agreed. Helpless, Xiang Antu was forced to accept the marriage.

Zang Hai was imprisoned in the dungeon. From the prison guard, he learned that Xiang Antu was to marry into the Eastern Sea tribe, and he was burning with anxiety. Xiang Antu obtained permission from Ming Yan Yinshu to bid farewell to Zang Hai in the dungeon. When Zang Hai found out she was going to be married off, he was reluctant but powerless to stop it.

Ming Yan Yinshu had people watching them, so Zang Hai and Xiang Antu only talked about how Zhuang Zhixing had won the championship in the polo match. Xiang Antu had been sent to Great Yong as a hostage since childhood. She spent the night talking with the old maid who had once served her mother, learning about what had happened in Dongxia over the past ten years, and entrusted the maid with a task.

Xiang Antu feared her sister Ming Yan Yinshu would kill Zang Hai, so she insisted on having Zang Hai escort her to the Eastern Sea tribe and then letting him go. Ming Yan Yinshu, after much consideration, reluctantly agreed. Xiang Antu informed Ming Yan Yinshu about Zhao Bingwen's plan to build an army in Dongxia. Once Zhao Bingwen used the Gui Seal to dominate the world, her marriage alliance with the Eastern Sea tribe would become meaningless.

But Ming Yan Yinshu didn’t want to hear her complaints and insisted on her going through with the marriage. Xiang Antu left Dongxia, and Zang Hai accompanied the bridal escort. The grand procession departed Dongxia, and the Eastern Sea's welcoming party arrived early. Zang Hai recognized the leader as Xiang Hong, a subordinate of Zhuang Zhixing, in disguise. When Xiang Antu had visited him in the dungeon, Zang Hai had hinted for her to seek help from Zhuang Zhixing.

Xiang Antu had asked the maid to deliver a message to him. Once the escort confirmed the identity of the welcoming party, they left at ease. Xiang Antu mounted Zang Hai’s horse, and they followed Xiang Hong to Zhuang Zhixing’s military camp. Zang Hai thanked Zhuang Zhixing for rescuing them. It had been a year since they last met, and Zhuang Zhixing had now been promoted to General Zhaoyi.

Zang Hai noticed how much more composed and mature he had become and told him everything about how Zhao Bingwen had framed him. When Zhuang Zhixing learned that Zhao Bingwen was the third person Zang Hai held a grudge against, he showed no expression—only surprise that his father Zhuang Luyin had lied to him before his death. Zang Hai suspected that Zhao Bingwen had long since bought off Zhuang Zhixing.

He told Xiang Antu about this and wanted to leave the camp as soon as possible, fearing it would be too late once Zhuang Zhixing revealed their whereabouts to Zhao Bingwen. Xiang Antu overheard from the soldiers that Zhao Bingwen had ordered Zhuang Zhixing to conscript laborers in Dongxia to build the Fengshan Altar. Zang Hai was determined to stop him.

Zhuang Zhixing suddenly came to warn Zang Hai and Xiang Antu not to wander around and posted guards outside their tent. Zang Hai knocked the guards unconscious and tried to leave with Xiang Antu during the night, but they were intercepted by Zhuang Zhixing. Zang Hai became certain Zhuang Zhixing had sided with Zhao Bingwen and, heartbroken, told him how Zhao Bingwen had once saved him and used him for revenge.

He warned Zhuang Zhixing not to fall into Zhao Bingwen’s trap. Zhuang Zhixing tried to persuade Zang Hai to change his name and follow him, but Zang Hai politely declined—his only goal was to destroy the Gui Seal. After some thought, Zhuang Zhixing came to Zang Hai, agreeing to let them go and allowing him to destroy the Gui Seal.

Zang Hai and Xiang Antu went to the site where Kuai Duo had built the Fengshan Altar, searching for an entrance. They hoped to find a way to undo the Yin Soldiers from the holy ground where the Gui Seal was sealed. The altar had long since collapsed, but Zang Hai followed the direction of the water flow and eventually found the entrance.

Together, they pushed open the massive stone gate, which led to the sacred site where Xiang Antu’s grandmother, Queen Ming Lühuda, had sealed the Gui Seal. Xiang Antu spotted a rope hanging from above—Zang Hai guessed it had been left by his father. Zang Hai and Xiang Antu continued deeper inside and saw the dried corpses of Dongxia soldiers standing upright.

Zang Hai lit the candelabra in the main hall with a torch and found where the Gui Seal was kept. Xiang Antu saw a corpse on the ground and retrieved a notebook compiled by Zhang Mie. It detailed how Great Yong had invaded Dongxia and how Zhang Mie, skilled in geomancy, had suggested to Queen Ming Lühuda the use of the Gui Seal to summon the Yin Soldiers.

After Zhang Mie produced the Gui Seal, Queen Ming Lühuda summoned thirty thousand soldiers. But the Gui Seal did not immediately summon the Yin Soldiers. Zhang Mie used his own blood to soak the Gui Seal. It contained a rare poison. The soldiers who drank the ceremonial wine tainted by the poison became invincible war gods. This army crushed everything in its path, conquered several cities in Great Yong, and even took Dancheng, the gateway to Great Yong’s capital.

When Queen Ming Lühuda realized the soldiers were beyond control, she used royal blood to stop them. Before she died, she ordered Zhang Mie to seal both the Gui Seal and the entire army. After reading the booklet, Xiang Antu and Zang Hai finally understood the origin of the Yin Soldiers. Just as they were about to leave, a group of grotesque, monstrous people appeared and surrounded them.

Zang Hai realized it was an illusion and quickly pulled Xiang Antu away. He suspected Zhang Mie had used hallucinogens when painting the murals. As they emerged, they found themselves surrounded by Zhuang Zhixing and his soldiers, and Zhao Bingwen stepped down from a carriage behind them.

Zang Hai and Xiang Antu entered the sacred site where the Gui Seal was sealed and discovered the origin of the Yin Soldiers. As soon as they emerged, they were blocked by Zhuang Zhixing and Zhao Bingwen and had no choice but to surrender. Zhao Bingwen thanked Zhuang Zhixing for informing him, which allowed him to capture Zang Hai and Xiang Antu smoothly.

He recommended Zhuang Zhixing to the newly ascended Crown Prince of Linzi, who conferred upon Zhuang Zhixing the title of General of Agile Cavalry. Zhao Bingwen instructed Zhuang Zhixing to capture the royal court of Dongxia in one strike, so Dongxia would never rise again. Although Zhuang Zhixing lacked sufficient troops, Zhao Bingwen promised to immediately provide him with a new batch of soldiers. Zang Hai was brought in, and Zhao Bingwen seized the booklet left behind by Zhang Mie.

Upon seeing Zhuang Zhixing, Zang Hai lashed out at him, cursing him furiously. Zhuang Zhixing remained unapologetic and even justified his actions, claiming that everything he did was for the revival of the Zhuang family. Following the methods outlined in the booklet, Zhao Bingwen extracted the toxic liquid from the Gui Seal and had a geomancer drink it.

Then he drew the poisonous blood from the man's body and forced one thousand Dongxia laborers working on the Fengshan Altar to drink it. After drinking the poisoned wine, the laborers turned into savage monsters, and Zhao Bingwen ordered the man killed. Zhao Bingwen noticed that a page was torn out of the booklet and forced Zang Hai to reveal its contents.

Zang Hai insisted that the Yin Soldiers were monsters and advised Zhao Bingwen to give up before it was too late. Zhao Bingwen suspected that the missing page contained instructions on how to control the Yin Soldiers, but Zang Hai firmly denied it. Not believing him, Zhao Bingwen decided to go to the sacred site himself, and Zhuang Zhixing offered to escort him.

Xiang Antu rushed back to Dongxia on horseback to warn Ming Yu Su Ti to beware of an invasion by Great Yong. Ming Yu Su Ti refused to believe her. In her view, Zhao Bingwen had come this time to cooperate. Xiang Antu urged her to wake up—Zhao Bingwen was using the Gui Seal to summon the Yin Soldiers and was planning to destroy Dongxia completely.

Ming Yu Su Ti suspected Xiang Antu was deliberately sowing discord for the sake of the throne. Xiang Antu made it clear she had no interest in the throne—she only wanted to save the people of Dongxia. Zhao Bingwen forced Zang Hai to lead the way. Zang Hai was reluctant, fearing they would not come back alive, but Zhao Bingwen was determined, so Zang Hai had no choice but to guide him into the sacred site.

Zhao Bingwen placed the Gui Seal back in its original position, and soon a small bowl of toxic liquid flowed out. He forced Zang Hai to drink the poison, prompting Zang Hai to reveal that the missing page’s contents were depicted on the wall mural. Zhao Bingwen examined the mural carefully but found nothing unusual.

Zang Hai repeatedly claimed that the Yin Soldiers could not be controlled and that Zhao Bingwen would never be able to achieve his ambitions with the Gui Seal. Zhuang Zhixing waited for a long time but didn’t see Zhao Bingwen and Zang Hai come out. Worried that Zang Hai might be in danger, he wanted to go in, but Zhao Bingwen’s guards blocked him fiercely. They had already discovered that Zhuang Zhixing had let Xiang Antu escape.

A fierce battle broke out between the two sides. Zang Hai summoned the Dongxia Yin Soldiers, and they surrounded Zhao Bingwen. Terrified, Zhao Bingwen fled in panic. In a daze, he felt as if his body had been pierced, but it was all an illusion—Zhao Bingwen was literally scared to death by his own hallucinations. Zhuang Zhixing and the officers brought by Zhao Bingwen engaged in a life-and-death struggle. Xiang Antu arrived just in time with reinforcements from Dongxia.

They quickly wiped out the enemy soldiers. Xiang Antu rushed into the sacred site to find Zang Hai, and he happened to be coming out with the Gui Seal. The two of them embraced tightly. The newly crowned emperor learned of Zhao Bingwen’s actions and reinstated Zang Hai to his former position. Zhuang Zhixing and Zang Hai returned to the capital to report. Upon returning to the capital, Zang Hai went to the palace to see the emperor.

The emperor was playing chess, and Zang Hai patiently waited by his side. After the game ended, the emperor invited Zang Hai to play a round and burned all the wooden carvings created by the late emperor. Zang Hai asked the emperor to proclaim his father Kuai Duo’s innocence. He also requested permission to resign and return home. Despite the emperor's repeated pleas, Zang Hai refused.

Liu Chu came to pay respects at Gao Ming’s grave and then left the capital. Xiang Antu visited the Eighth Young Master, who was teaching at the Great Yong Academy. Before they could talk much, Xiang Antu was pulled away by students. She ran into Zang Hai and left the capital with him. Zang Hai left all his money to Guan Feng and Shi Lei, who decided to follow him.

Zhuang Zhixing returned to the Marquis of Pingjin’s residence, where the maids and servants lined up in two rows to welcome him home. Although Zhuang Zhixing had returned to his homeland, all his loved ones were gone, and his heart was filled with emotion. As Zang Hai and Xiang Antu arrived at the city gate, they seemed to see the younger version of themselves when they first came to the capital. Xiang Antu called out loudly to Zang Hai, and he finally snapped out of his memories.