Love and Sword is a historical romantic drama directed by Zha Chuanyi, led by Vengo Gao and Xuan Lu, co-starring Ren Hao, Jia Nai Na, Yuan Yuxuan, Zhang Haocheng, Bai Fan, Li Jingyi, Liu Enjia, Ran Xu, Wang Jingyan, Peng Bo, Peng Bo, Wang Zijia and Fang Xiaoli, with a special appearance by Liu Tianzuo.
The drama is adapted from Shen Cangmei's novel "Yu Yan Shao Tong Mian / 与艳少同眠", which tells the story of Fang Yi, a young girl who enters the world of martial arts by mistake and turns into a swordsman, Rong Shukuang, who joins hands with a domineering warrior, Yan Shao, to unravel the mysteries of the past and the present world, and to protect each other in the world of martial arts.
Details
English Title: Love and Sword
Chinese Title: 只此江湖梦
Genre: Historical, Romance, Wuxia, Comedy
Episodes: 24
Duration: 35 min.
Director: Zha Chuanyi
Screenwriter: Chu Zheng, Huang Shanshan
Product Company: Tencent Penguin Pictures, Perfect World
Released Date: 2025-02-26
Broadcast Website: WeTV, Viki
Cast
Synopsis
A plain-looking urban girl named Fang Yi unexpectedly falls into the world of martial arts.
She thought she would embark on a legendary journey of righteousness and revenge, but instead, she becomes Rong Shukuang, a formidable swordsman whose martial arts skills are completely lost.
In a critical moment, the cold and ruthless bounty hunter Yan Shao comes to her rescue and takes her to the secretive and tumultuous Yuchi Manor.
Within the manor, Rong Shukuang tears apart deceitful enemies and exposes fake heroes, only to discover a hidden conspiracy and unknown tenderness in the martial arts world...
Recap
Yan Shao galloped across the desert, heading straight for the Ghost Valley Alliance. However, he was stopped by a few men in black, who mocked him for thinking he could go alone to rescue someone from the alliance. Yan Shao, though, proudly declared that there was no formation he couldn't break. After a few simple moves, he effortlessly broke the formation.
At that moment, Rong Shukuang was hanging not far away at the Yuchi Mountain Manor, suspended for three days and nights without anyone coming to rescue her. Three men on horseback arrived, claiming to be the Four Immortals of the Free and Easy Sect. Since the eldest had been killed by Rong Shukuang, only three were left.
Rong Shukuang muttered to herself, not recognizing any of them, but from their conversation, she could tell she was regarded as a female knight. Just then, Yan Shao arrived on horseback, throwing a spinning blade intended to cut the ropes but instead accidentally cut Rong Shukuang's arm. Seeing the blood flow, she fainted. It was unclear whether Yan Shao had come to save her or to kill her.
Yan Shao quickly defeated the so-called Four Immortals with just a few moves, easily rescuing Rong Shukuang from her suspension and riding off with her. Yan Shao treated her wound, noticing she had many injuries and signs of poisoning. Rong Shukuang, still unconscious, experienced a vision of modern-day memories. She had lost her emotions and, feeling there was nothing worth living for, had tried to commit suicide.
Perhaps because of that failed attempt, when she woke up and saw Yan Shao, she thought they had given up on saving her, sending her to another parallel world. Fearing Yan Shao might be an enemy, Rong Shukuang cautiously asked if she had killed any of his relatives. Once assured he wasn't an enemy, she curiously asked why he had saved her. Yan Shao honestly replied it was simply out of a sense of justice.
Rong Shukuang noticed a jade stone on Yan Shao's sword hilt—it was the same jade her grandmother had placed in her palm before her rescue. Yan Shao took out a bounty order, revealing he had been paid three hundred gold to rescue her, but he was curious as she seemed different from the rumors. The rumors said she was a woman with a temper equal to a man’s, who spoke little, yet here she was, chatty.
Yan Shao speculated that perhaps it was due to the effects of the Xuanbing Cold Jade Palm. Rong Shukuang also realized she had crossed over from the modern world. When Yan Shao offered her wine, she hesitated at first but then remembered that in her past life, she had been allergic to alcohol. However, she wondered if her ancient body might not react the same way, so she took a sip and found it quite pleasant.
Yan Shao even helped apply medicine to her wounds, and Rong Shukuang, with her modern mindset, didn’t hesitate. Through their conversation, Rong Shukuang learned some information about the original owner of her body. She was the official match for Lin Shaoci, the lord of Yuchi Mountain Manor, and she had once publicly proposed to him but was rejected, losing face.
Shen Zuitian, the leader of the Ghost Valley Alliance, wanted to seize the treasure of Yuchi Mountain Manor, and rumors had it that the key to the treasure was in the manor. Shen Zuitian had captured Rong Shukuang to force Lin Shaoci to comply. Since Lin Shaoci was far away and couldn’t return in time, a bounty was issued, which led Yan Shao to her rescue.
Rong Shukuang gazed at the starry sky, and with the young hero by her side, she suddenly felt at peace, glad to be away from some troubling matters. Unknowingly, she leaned on Yan Shao's shoulder, enjoying the view of the stars. Yan Shao felt his heart stir. The next day, Yan Shao took Rong Shukuang out of the desert, only to be caught in a sandstorm.
He protected her in his arms, shielding her from the storm, then continued on his way to find water. They arrived at a small desert town where Rong Shukuang decided to change her appearance. She noticed the jade on Yan Shao’s sword hilt again and thought it might be useful, planning to take it if she had the chance.
Yan Shao noticed her interest and warned her not to have designs on his sword, but Rong Shukuang just smiled and followed him into the town. Seeing the town’s offerings, Rong Shukuang thought there must be some delicious food here that could sell well. She bought all the bread and meat, then had the meat chopped up to make a meat-stuffed bun. Soon, people flocked to buy it, and Yan Shao, curious, asked how long she had been planning this.
Rong Shukuang smiled, saying she had just come up with the idea. As she was enjoying the moment, she suddenly fainted. Yan Shao found someone to treat her and discovered she had been poisoned by the Cold Ice Palm. However, the healer said it couldn’t be cured. Yan Shao then revealed his true identity as Tang Wu of the Tang Sect and showed his sect's token.
From the healer's reactions, it became clear to him that Yan Shao was indeed Yan Shao. Tang Wu taught Yan Shao the method of treatment, and Yan Shao used his own energy to draw the poison into himself. Tang Wu didn’t understand why Yan Shao would risk his life for a woman, but everything Yan Shao did was with the hope that Rong Shukuang would never know the truth.
Tang Wu took Yan Shao to the Cold Pond, hoping the chilling waters could temporarily suppress the poison within him. He also informed Yan Shao that the poison had been inside Rong Shukuang for a long time, which meant someone had poisoned her. Suddenly, people from the Ghost Valley Alliance arrived in pursuit. Yan Shao hurriedly emerged from the Cold Pond, rushing back to hide with Rong Shukuang, protecting her in his arms.
Rong Shukuang, feeling his warmth, thought that dying here wouldn't be so bad after all. Using his excellent medical skills, Tang Wu treated a member of the Ghost Valley Alliance, correctly diagnosing his ailments and even gifting him a box of medicine, which made them retreat. Tang Wu, preparing to leave with his merchant convoy, bid farewell to Yan Shao and Rong Shukuang.
Yan Shao handed his token to Tang Wu in thanks, saying that if he ever needed help in the future, Tang Wu would be at his service. Tang Wu had already guessed Yan Shao's identity, and seeing the token only confirmed his suspicions. Afterward, Yan Shao took Rong Shukuang to the Wuqing Building. With a fee of one hundred gold, anyone could enter, but they had to hang their weapons on a tree outside.
By entering the Wuqing Building, it was like paying a protection fee, ensuring no one could pursue them inside. The building’s owner, Jin Buyao, initially planned to make Rong Shukuang pay, but upon learning her identity, he understood Yan Shao’s intentions and generously allowed them entry. He even arranged for Rong Shukuang to bathe. Meanwhile, in another room, Fei Wu and Feng Ming were helping Yan Shao by applying ice to control the poison.
Fei Wu couldn’t understand who could have hurt Yan Shao so badly and was even more displeased that he would damage himself for a woman. Every time Yan Shao drew poison for Rong Shukuang, it worsened his condition, only extending his life by a few years. But Yan Shao felt it was worth it, as it gave Rong Shukuang a chance to survive. Every time she slept, Yan Shao would draw the poison, secretly vowing to protect her forever.
In his heart, Rong Shukuang was the woman he had sworn to protect all his life—Fang Yi, who was actually Rong Shukuang. The next morning, Rong Shukuang wanted to say goodbye to Yan Shao, but he didn’t come out of his room. She assumed that Yan Shao had completed his mission and no longer needed to protect her, so she began considering ways to protect herself. Jin Buyao took her outside, where many martial artists were drinking in the hall.
Rong Shukuang tried to find someone to protect her, but after introductions, she realized that none of them were suitable. Eventually, she noticed a man sitting in a corner and approached him, hoping he would escort her to Yuchi Mountain Manor. To her shock, it was Shen Zuitian. Terrified, she immediately stood up and fled. At that moment, Tang Yingluo and Yu Linglong arrived, claiming they were there to protect Rong Shukuang.
She rushed to find Yan Shao, who had already sensed the situation outside. He knew that Tang Yingluo and Yu Linglong were only interested in meeting Lin Shaoci and had no true intention of protecting Rong Shukuang. Realizing this, Rong Shukuang suddenly realized that Yan Shao was the best person to protect her. She proposed that he be her protector, but Yan Shao pretended to refuse, urging her to wait patiently for people from Yuchi Mountain Manor.
Rong Shukuang, worried that Shen Zuitian might kill her at any moment, was about to leave in anger, when Yan Shao suddenly clutched his chest. Yan Shao took another bath to try to cleanse the poison. Just then, Shen Zuitian arrived in his room, testing Yan Shao’s abilities. Reluctantly, Yan Shao had no choice but to spar with him. Yan Shao won the confrontation, and Shen Zuitian asked why he was protecting Rong Shukuang.
He guessed that it wasn’t because of her character but rather because Yan Shao might be using her to obtain the treasure. He proposed that they join forces to attack Yuchi Mountain Manor and seize the treasure. Yan Shao refused, stating that he was unwilling to share a woman or wealth. Shen Zuitian warned Yan Shao that having friends was better than having enemies and urged him to reconsider.
Later, Yan Shao and Rong Shukuang entered the hall, where they saw Shen Zuitian feeding a dog named A Lie. Rong Shukuang, fearful of becoming the dog’s next meal, couldn’t help but worry. Yan Shao teasingly told Rong Shukuang that if she begged him, he would protect her, to which she rolled her eyes. Just then, Lin Shaoci suddenly entered, causing a stir. Though Rong Shukuang didn’t know Lin Shaoci personally, she immediately guessed his identity based on the commotion.
When Lin Shaoci arrived, it caused quite a stir. Tang Yingluo quickly reminded him to check that Rong Shukuang was unharmed, assuring him that he could now feel at ease. Lin Shaoci rushed to find Rong Shukuang but was interrupted by Shen Zuitian’s laughter. Shen Zuitian mocked Yu Linglong, saying that someone like her was willing to be controlled by Lin Shaoci, which only proved that Lin Shaoci's status was quite high.
Rong Shukuang, standing by, was curious about who would win if Lin Shaoci and Shen Zuitian fought. Yan Shao believed that Lin Shaoci was no match for Rong Shukuang’s abilities, since she had already been injured, so Lin Shaoci would naturally be weaker. Lin Shaoci, mocking Shen Zuitian, pointed out that abducting a girl while they were away didn’t make him a hero.
However, Shen Zuitian demanded the treasure’s key, claiming that the treasure should not be monopolized by Yuchi Mountain Manor. Lin Shaoci denied knowing anything about the key, but Shen Zuitian didn’t believe him and threatened to invade Yuchi Mountain Manor for a search. Rong Shukuang pulled Yan Shao into a room, but they accidentally entered a men's bath.
The men inside were about to protest when Yan Shao tossed his identity token, and the group immediately backed off, leaving Rong Shukuang confused. Rong Shukuang explained her thoughts, wanting Yan Shao to accompany her to Yuchi Mountain Manor to protect her. She had a feeling that the Manor wasn’t entirely trustworthy, but Yan Shao, although she didn’t know his background, wouldn’t harm her. In the end, Yan Shao agreed.
In the hall outside, Lin Shaoci denied knowing anything about the key, but no one believed him. They warned that if he didn’t tell the truth, Yuchi Mountain Manor would never know peace again. Enraged, Lin Shaoci grabbed one of them by the throat, and Jin Buyao intervened, reminding Lin Shaoci that this was not a place for fighting but for drinking.
Lin Shaoci came to see Yan Shao and Rong Shukuang, noticing that Rong Shukuang had lost a lot of weight. He then suggested speaking with her alone, but Rong Shukuang insisted on having Yan Shao as her personal guard. Lin Shaoci reluctantly agreed. Outside, Shen Zuitian’s men were present, so they decided to make a plan to leave. Shen Zuitian, having paid Jin Buyao for information, learned that Yan Shao and Lin Shaoci were preparing to leave.
Jin Buyao, having received the money, promised to provide information to anyone willing to pay. Shen Zuitian set up an ambush outside Wuqing Building. After Lin Shaoci and the others left, he intercepted them. Yu Linglong, covering for Tang Yingluo disguised as Rong Shukuang, helped her escape. Shen Zuitian quickly intervened, and during the scuffle, both Yu Linglong and Lin Shaoci were injured. Shen Zuitian also realized that Tang Yingluo wasn’t the real Rong Shukuang and demanded she come out.
At that moment, Rong Shukuang and Yan Shao had captured Shen Zuitian’s dog, A Lie, and forced him to release Lin Shaoci and the others. Shen Zuitian then learned that the desert checkpoint had been seized by a man and woman, so he immediately rushed to intervene. Finally, Yan Shao and his group left, and Lin Shaoci worried that Shen Zuitian would catch up. But Yan Shao was confident they wouldn’t be pursued.
He also released A Lie, as the people who had seized the checkpoint were all under Yan Shao’s orders. Everyone believed Shen Zuitian had let them go because of the dog, but only Yan Shao knew that Shen Zuitian wouldn’t be controlled by a dog. Soon, they arrived at Yuchi Mountain Manor. Lin Shaoci told the old Manor Master that Yan Shao had taken good care of Rong Shukuang on the journey and helped her with her cold poison.
Tang Yingluo knew that Rong Shukuang had a lot of cold poison in her body and needed someone to use their internal energy to heal her. Lin Shaoci wanted to heal her first, but Tang Yingluo still thought Yan Shao was more suitable. Although Lin Shaoci wasn’t entirely comfortable with Yan Shao, he had no other choice. He saw no harm in letting Yan Shao treat her, and apologized for his doubts.
Yan Shao, however, made it clear that he didn’t mind, as he was Rong Shukuang’s personal guard, not a guard of Yuchi Mountain Manor. After hearing about the events, the old Manor Master sincerely thanked Yan Shao but subtly suggested that Yan Shao leave. Rong Shukuang quickly stepped forward, asking the old Manor Master to allow Yan Shao to stay as her guard.
She explained that ever since she was captured, she had feared there might be an insider at the Manor, and having someone from the outside like Yan Shao was safer. The old Manor Master reluctantly agreed. At that moment, a maid came to report that Second Miss Lin Wanci had fainted. The old Manor Master hurried to her side, only to realize that Lin Wanci had faked her illness.
He explained that he had been too busy recently to visit her daily, and Lin Wanci had feigned sickness to get his attention. When Lin Wanci saw her trick had been uncovered, she took the old Manor Master’s arm and complained that he didn’t pay enough attention to her. Rong Shukuang, watching, couldn’t help but smile. Lin Wanci, seeing Rong Shukuang return, hastily stretched out her hand, coughing uncontrollably.
Rong Shukuang, thinking it was for a handshake, quickly took her hand. Lin Wanci reminded her that whenever she coughed before, Rong Shukuang had always pressed on her tiger’s mouth to stop the cough. Rong Shukuang, embarrassed, immediately pressed her tiger’s mouth and apologized. Lin Wanci, satisfied, let her father and sister go. The old Manor Master then led Rong Shukuang to a secret room and shared a past long buried.
The wall had a portrait of her mother, Su Shiyu. Su Shiyu had once been married to the Fang family, and along with Lin Shaoci’s and Lin Wanci’s mother, Rong Li, and their master, Chu Moxiong, they had all been trained under the same sect. Later, Su Shiyu married into the Fang family. The old Manor Master, along with Rong Li, took over the Manor’s leadership.
Soon after, he received word from Su Shiyu that the Fang family had been hunted, so they rushed to save them, only to find the Fang family had been a fallen royal family who had guarded the map and key to the Fuxian treasure for generations. The information had somehow been leaked, and they were pursued by martial artists.
By the time the old Manor Master arrived, the Fang family had been slaughtered, and Su Shiyu had fled with Rong Shukuang to Langyue Village. When the old Manor Master arrived, the village had already been destroyed, with only Rong Shukuang left. He brought her back, adopting her as a goddaughter. To hide her identity, she was made to take on Rong Li’s surname.
The old Manor Master wanted to ask about the events of that time, wondering if she remembered who had taken her. Rong Shukuang pretended to have a headache and couldn’t recall anything, avoiding further questioning. After leaving, she was stunned by the amount of information she had learned today. She even began to doubt if the original owner of this body was named Fang Yi, just like herself. This made her wonder if she had crossed into a parallel world.
Rong Shukuang was led to her room by the maid, only to find it was spacious, with a large courtyard. She couldn’t help but compare it to the house on the outskirts of the Fifth Ring, which was far inferior. The maid, who had been following her, noticed a change in Rong Shukuang. Her temperament had clearly shifted.
The old Manor Master and Lin Shaoci thought it was normal after her severe injuries, but the maid felt that when Rong Shukuang spoke with Yan Shao, she seemed like a completely different person—so casual and free-spirited. The old Manor Master didn’t know Yan Shao’s background, so he sent Lin Wanci to investigate.
Rong Shukuang brought many things with her, intending to propose to Yan Shao. She hoped to get Yan Shao to sign a marriage contract, claiming that she wanted to marry him. In reality, she wanted him to protect her safety. Yan Shao, who was always elusive, feared that if he left one day, he might not be able to find anyone. To his surprise, he signed the contract.
However, when he opened it, he discovered an additional condition: Rong Shukuang wanted him to obey her without question. Yan Shao purposely took the contract away from her, and when Rong Shukuang tried to retrieve it, she accidentally fell into his arms. The close contact between them caused some emotional changes.
During a meal, Lin Wanci and the old Manor Master tried to probe into why Yan Shao was willing to stay by Rong Shukuang’s side, and whether Rong Shukuang had met Yan Shao before. Yan Shao recalled seeing Rong Shukuang at a restaurant, performing cold, impressive martial arts in a fierce battle. However, he lied and claimed he had never seen her before.
Rong Shukuang also stated that she and Yan Shao had gone through life-and-death situations together, which made them trust each other more. Rong Shukuang admitted that she was no longer the same as before, but hoped that everyone would slowly accept the new version of her. She no longer wished to pretend to be someone she wasn’t, as it was too exhausting.
Rong Shukuang was eager to recover her martial arts skills, but when she saw Yan Shao’s eyes, she hurriedly expressed her trust in his medical skills and hoped he could treat her. At that moment, both Rong Shukuang and Lin Wanci almost stumbled and fell. Yan Shao rushed to help Lin Wanci, but as a result, Rong Shukuang fell to the ground.
Rong Shukuang shot an unhappy look at Yan Shao, while Yan Shao, concerned, thought that if he couldn’t find an opportunity to administer the poison in the next few days, it might take effect and cause her to faint. That night, taking advantage of the darkness, Yan Shao went to Rong Shukuang’s room to administer the poison. He suddenly noticed a red rash on her neck and tried to check it, but this woke Rong Shukuang up.
She mistakenly thought Yan Shao was trying to do something inappropriate and shouted loudly. Yan Shao quickly used acupuncture to calm her down, explaining that he was there to treat her with poison. Rong Shukuang then believed him. After administering the poison, Yan Shao hurriedly jumped into a water tank, and Rong Shukuang quickly followed. She guessed that Yan Shao must have felt the same intense desire for her and used the cold water to cool himself down.
Trying to lighten the mood, she joked that if they truly married and things didn’t work out, they could divorce. This angered Yan Shao, and he warned Rong Shukuang not to joke about marriage as if it were a game. Suddenly, Rong Shukuang noticed red rashes on her arm. Soon after, her breathing became labored, and she fainted. Yan Shao, ignoring his own condition, carried Rong Shukuang back to her room.
Rong Shukuang, at that point, even began to suspect that she might be leaving this place and returning to the modern world. Yan Shao didn’t understand what she was saying but insisted that she could not leave. His mind echoed with Su Shiyu’s wish for him to protect Fang Yi for the rest of his life. Yan Shao gave Rong Shukuang some medicine, and just then, Tang Yingluo and Lin Shaoci arrived.
Yan Shao asked Lin Shaoci to personally prepare the medicine, as he didn’t trust anyone in the area. Yan Shao also instructed Tang Yingluo to use the "Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles" technique to treat Rong Shukuang. Tang Yingluo had only learned the technique from her elder sister but had never used it herself. Though she was hesitant, she eventually agreed due to Yan Shao and Lin Shaoci’s insistence.
In her delirium, Rong Shukuang thought about her modern self, holding onto a piece of jade. She refused to let go, as it was a gift from her grandmother. When she finally opened her eyes, she was given the medicine by Yan Shao. Rong Shukuang realized that the symptoms were related to her allergy and wondered what exactly her body was allergic to. After asking Lin Shaoci, she learned that it was related to Liliang Grass.
Tang Yingluo remembered that Lin Wanci had recently brewed wine that might have contained Liliang Grass. Upon further investigation, it was confirmed that Lin Wanci had bought Liliang Grass. The old Manor Master scolded the maid for not taking proper care, allowing Rong Shukuang to come into contact with it. While performing acupuncture on Rong Shukuang, Tang Yingluo discovered some hidden toxins.
Yan Shao said he had already suspected this and asked Tang Yingluo if she knew that the family’s meals were prepared by Lin Wanci. He had come to investigate Lin Wanci and was now looking for clues in her food diary. Rong Shukuang, noticing Yan Shao coming out from Lin Wanci’s quarters, quickly followed to see what was happening. She worried that there was something suspicious going on, but instead, she found Yan Shao reading some booklets.
Thinking they might be love letters, she quickly snatched one away, only to find it was her own daily log. She scolded Yan Shao for being a voyeur, but Yan Shao explained that, as her bodyguard, it was only natural for him to check it.
As they looked through the log, they began to argue, with Rong Shukuang accusing Yan Shao of spending too much time with Lin Wanci, while Yan Shao accused her of spending too much time with Lin Shaoci. After their argument, they both calmed down. Rong Shukuang and Yan Shao began to analyze what she had been exposed to before falling ill. Eventually, they remembered that her personal maid, Liu An, had given her a bowl of water.
They decided to test Liu An, and from her pouch, they found Liliang Grass. Yan Shao confronted Liu An, demanding to know why she had tried to harm Rong Shukuang.
This matter was brought before the old Manor Master and others. Liu An explained her actions, saying that ever since Rong Shukuang returned, she noticed many differences in her behavior. To test her, Liu An had intentionally used Liliang Grass. While the red rashes and symptoms from the past appeared again, there were still many differences. Lin Shaoci recalled the scar on Rong Shukuang's arm from their youth, and sure enough, upon inspection, the scar was still there.
Lin Wanci felt that Liu An's words had some merit. Yan Shao explained on her behalf that when he saved Rong Shukuang, she had been injured by the Cold Ice Palm, causing her to lose many memories. Everyone began to feel sympathy for Rong Shukuang, and the matter passed. However, for fairness, the old Manor Master ordered Liu An to be punished with twenty lashes. The next morning, Liu An still limped as she brought breakfast to Rong Shukuang.
Rong Shukuang, holding the food, said she was going to find Tang Yingluo to eat together and advised Liu An to take a few days off to rest. Feeling stifled in the manor, Rong Shukuang encouraged Tang Yingluo to go shopping with her. Tang Yingluo worried about potential danger outside, but she was persuaded by Rong Shukuang and agreed to go. While they were browsing clothes, they were attacked. Tang Yingluo shielded Rong Shukuang and helped her escape.
Rong Shukuang fled upstairs into a restaurant, where she accidentally encountered Yan Shao, who was in the middle of a detox bath. Rong Shukuang misunderstood the situation, thinking Yan Shao was involved with a man in the room. However, upon seeing Yan Shao’s muscular chest, she inexplicably started to nosebleed. The sight made her faint again. When Rong Shukuang woke up, she found Yan Shao by her side, along with Liu An.
Yan Shao questioned Liu An, suggesting that besides using Liliang Grass to test Rong Shukuang, she must know that Rong Shukuang had other hidden health issues. Seeing that Rong Shukuang had woken up, Liu An hurriedly left. Rong Shukuang teased Yan Shao, asking if he liked men. Yan Shao then deliberately leaned closer to her, causing her heart to race. She quickly pushed him away and declared that she knew he didn’t like men.
Lin Wanci invited Yan Shao to discuss how to treat Rong Shukuang. Rong Shukuang insisted on going along. Under Lin Wanci's request, everyone wanted to see Yan Shao’s skills and how he could protect Rong Shukuang. Yan Shao had no choice but to demonstrate his martial arts, astonishing everyone. They realized that Yan Shao’s skills were unparalleled and drew from various schools of thought.
Yan Shao also revealed that he had studied medicine before and was willing to research ways to treat Rong Shukuang with Lin Wanci. Lin Wanci, impressed, felt that since meeting Yan Shao, he had realized how limited his own knowledge was and was eager to discuss things with him. Rong Shukuang, shouting that she too was a frog in a well and wanted to discuss as well, was dragged away by Lin Shaoci and the others.
Lin Wanci was concerned that Rong Shukuang wouldn’t recover in time and was feeling anxious. Yan Shao, worried about both the cold poison and hidden toxins in her body, agreed to begin immediate treatment and instructed a large dose of medicine according to Lin Wanci’s request. Tang Yingluo was worried that the medicine might be too potent and tried to stop it, but Yan Shao insisted.
The first bowl of medicine was too bitter for Rong Shukuang, and Yan Shao went to add sugar to it. However, Lin Wanci had prepared a second bowl and handed it to Rong Shukuang. While Tang Yingluo pretended to blow on the hot drink to cool it down, she secretly added a poison powder to counteract the effects of Lin Wanci's medicine.
She had only used this poison on animals before and wasn’t sure what effect it might have on humans. Upon discovering this, Yan Shao silently groaned in distress, but he knew that Rong Shukuang’s hidden toxins must not be revealed to anyone. Tang Yingluo was frustrated with Yan Shao’s shifting loyalties, sometimes siding with the eldest lady, sometimes with the second lady, and was unsure who he truly supported. After taking the poisoned medicine, Rong Shukuang developed a slurred speech.
Yan Shao helped her recover, and Rong Shukuang wished to regain her martial arts abilities quickly, so she could live up to the identity of a swordswoman. When she saw more medicine being brought to her, she became anxious. The people treating her couldn’t even agree on a treatment plan and seemed to be using her as a guinea pig.
Lin Shaoci’s guard brought Rong Shukuang a dessert, and she learned from him that there was a secret passage in her room. Excited, she rushed back to her room and began searching for the hidden chamber. By chance, a teacup fell, revealing a hollow in the floor. She quickly found the mechanism and opened the secret door, sneaking into the chamber alone.
Inside the secret room, there was nothing unusual at first, but as she explored further, Rong Shukuang started rummaging through boxes and cabinets. To her surprise, she found women’s clothes, realizing that even she had a girlish side. She suddenly came across Lin Shaoci’s flute and couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. It was a token of his feelings for Lin Shaoci, but she had been rejected during his proposal, which left her embarrassed in front of everyone.
As she continued to flip through Rong Shukuang’s books, she found that they were filled with drawings of Lin Shaoci. But the current “Rong Shukuang” only blushed and had a racing heart when she was around Yan Shao, making her feel like a bit of a flirt. Suddenly, she discovered a piece of paper with a poem and some escape clues drawn on it. These cryptic things made Rong Shukuang tear up, and she was surprised at herself for crying. Hidden in the shadows, a figure quietly released a small insect, which flew toward Rong Shukuang, releasing a cloud of smoke.
Rong Shukuang smelled the smoke and suddenly felt a rush of heat throughout her body. Despite drinking several cups of water, the discomfort didn’t go away. She had no choice but to seek out Yan Shao. Without saying a word, she leaned into him, making an intimate gesture. Yan Shao pushed her away, and upon checking her pulse, he discovered that Rong Shukuang had been poisoned again. Rong Shukuang regretted it and blamed Yan Shao for saving her.
She wondered if she had died, perhaps she would return to her previous world. She didn’t even know what this world was, whether it was her own world or from another time and space. Yan Shao couldn’t understand her words, but Rong Shukuang kept asking if she was his trouble. Yan Shao firmly responded that she was not, as he was willing to help her. Rong Shukuang remembered her earlier worries about losing her memories forever and becoming useless.
Back then, Yan Shao had promised that if she couldn’t remember, he would take her away from Yuchi Manor. With a dazed look in her eyes, Rong Shukuang kissed Yan Shao suddenly. Yan Shao struggled to control his emotions as he stared at her. But when he saw her growing more and more dazed, Yan Shao picked her up and threw her into a water tank. This brought Rong Shukuang back to her senses.
She begged Yan Shao to pull her out, holding his hand tightly. She called his name, feeling inexplicably safe whenever she said it. Perhaps this name was her amulet. Yan Shao comforted her, assuring her that he would always be there. The next day, while everyone was sitting together for tea, it was obvious that neither Yan Shao nor Rong Shukuang had rested well. They both lied, claiming they couldn’t sleep because of two wild cats fighting.
Rong Shukuang felt embarrassed thinking about how she had kissed Yan Shao the night before, so she hurriedly left. Yan Shao followed her to comfort her, telling her that nothing had happened, but this only made Rong Shukuang more upset and disappointed. She had kissed him, yet he didn’t respond. She didn’t know who was sabotaging her. Yan Shao presented evidence showing that it was Tang Yingluo’s doing. Furious, Rong Shukuang immediately wanted to confront Tang Yingluo and demand answers.
She couldn’t understand if Tang Yingluo was trying to help or harm her. She decided to sever their sisterly bond and never speak to Tang Yingluo again. Tang Yingluo, on the other hand, was happy. The old Rong Shukuang had always been cold and never referred to her as a sister, but now she was determined to call Rong Shukuang her sister. Although Tang Yingluo had used a charm to influence her, she only wanted to help Rong Shukuang.
But since Rong Shukuang was in good health, the charm didn’t affect her much. Yan Shao, however, felt dissatisfied because all of Rong Shukuang’s toxins would end up affecting him, which meant she would be fine. That day, martial artists from various sects arrived in the city. Lin Wanci and Lin Shaoci went out on business, and Rong Shukuang wanted to follow them.
Lin Shaoci was initially worried about Rong Shukuang’s safety but agreed when he saw that Yan Shao was going along. The martial arts competition would take place the following evening, and the winner would get to drink Hundred Flower Brew. Lin Wanci hoped that Yan Shao would come out on top, and he seemed confident about it. Lin Wanci noticed that the area between the East and West markets, usually unobstructed, had set up official checkpoints today.
Lin Shaoci thought it might be his father’s arrangement, worried that too many people might come and accidentally enter the Xuanhonghua Society. The Xuanhonghua Society held an annual event where martial artists from various sects gathered. Rong Shukuang enjoyed the bustling atmosphere and even noticed someone selling meat-filled buns. Lin Wanci, feeling unwell, almost fainted, and Yan Shao caught her. Rong Shukuang sarcastically teased Yan Shao about his wandering affections. The group arrived at a tavern to drink.
After Rong Shukuang took a sip of wine, she made everyone guess the ages of the tavern owner and his wife based on the scent of the wine. They guessed that the wife was older, but it turned out to be the opposite—an older wife with a younger husband. The wife was called Lihua Bai, and the husband was called Qiankin Xiao. Upon seeing Yan Shao, they exchanged a knowing glance.
When they saw a blind man doing fortune-telling, Rong Shukuang, curious, thought the blind man’s predictions were accurate. However, Yan Shao disagreed. Rong Shukuang approached him to test it and found that he wasn’t actually blind, but she still decided to have her fortune told. The fortune teller revealed that Rong Shukuang’s family business had never been prosperous, and she had neither land nor a noble family. She was destined to marry far away.
But as with all fate, both good and bad were intertwined. Lin Wanci, intrigued, also joined in. The fortune teller had Tang Yingluo draw a fortune, which revealed that her obsessive attachment to love would hurt both herself and others, but Tang Yingluo was still willing to accept it. Lin Wanci’s fortune was favorable, indicating that although he had shortcomings, he would live a life free from worry.
However, it also suggested that Lin Wanci’s current desires were unattainable illusions, and he should be cautioned not to dwell too deeply on them. Yan Shao intervened, advising everyone not to take these fortune-telling jokes too seriously. Meanwhile, the fortune teller discreetly swapped something with Yan Shao when no one was looking. The Tian Gang people had arrived, and Yan Shao had arranged to meet them at a specific time and place.
While others were distracted, Lin Wanci slipped into another room and met with Shen Zuitian. She informed him that official checkpoints had been added outside, and the leaders of the Feng and Lu halls were responsible for it.
Rong Shukuang colluded with Shen Zuitian, intending to capture all the martial artists who had come this time and establish Yuchi Manor as the unrivaled power. Shen Zuitian suddenly felt that the girl before him was somewhat terrifying—he had never seen someone who appeared delicate on the surface but was more ruthless than anyone else. Lin Wanci believed in the law of the jungle. Those so-called righteous sects were all hypocritical.
If Yuchi Manor could command the martial world, those people wouldn’t dare to say a word. Seeing Lin Wanci coughing non-stop, Shen Zuitian wanted to close the window, but she stopped him, saying that as long as her plan was unfinished, she would not die. Shen Zuitian thought that if it weren’t for Lin Wanci’s weak body, Yuchi Manor would have long been in her hands.
Lin Wanci sneered at him—if she were healthy, she wouldn’t need his help at all. Yan Shao came looking for Lin Wanci, suspecting that her behavior was unusual. However, he remained composed and instructed his subordinates to search the room. But by the time they entered, Shen Zuitian had already left. Martial artists from all over had gathered here, including those who rarely ventured out—like the Tang Sect’s leader, Tang Chanyi, and the Thousand Star Hall’s master, Jiang Cheng.
Manor Lord Lin warmly welcomed them, thanking them for attending the gathering at Yuchi Manor. But no one was interested in pleasantries. They demanded to go to war with the Ghost Valley Alliance, knowing that they had come for the treasure. In reality, everyone here was after the treasure. Some asked directly where it was.
Manor Lord Lin admitted that the purpose of this gathering was to discuss this matter and arranged for the guests to rest first, saying it needed careful planning. In private, the eldest lady of the Tang Sect met with Tang Yingluo. She knew that Tang Yingluo had admired Lin Shaoci for years, so she prepared a love-infused Gu poison for her, hoping she could get what she wanted. However, Tang Yingluo believed that love should not be obtained this way.
Manor Lord Lin and Lin Shaoci discussed their next steps. They couldn’t tell who among the guests was a friend or foe, but regardless, they had to remain steady. Then, Manor Lord Lin asked Lin Shaoci whom he truly liked. Yu Linglong and Tang Yingluo had pursued him for years, yet he spoke favorably of Rong Shukuang. He once saw her as someone like a man, even someone he relied on. But now, he found himself wanting to protect her.
Hearing this, Manor Lord Lin said no more. Rong Shukuang dressed herself up as a blade master, proudly showing off her outfit to Yan Shao. He complimented her, saying she lived up to the title of a blade master. This made her secretly pleased. Today marked the beginning of the Xuanhong Flower Festival. A red flower was hung in the center, and the scene was bustling. Jiang Ruhai greeted Rong Shukuang, but she no longer remembered him.
Yan Shao smoothed things over, and only then did she realize that during last year’s festival competition, she had crippled one of his legs. Feeling a bit ruthless, she generously declared that if Yan Shao won the competition this year, she would cover Jiang Ruhai’s medical expenses. Rong Shukuang pulled Jiang Ruhai to drink, but he found an excuse to leave. In the process, she bumped into a child, and a fire starter fell from the child's body.
She immediately chased after the child but lost him. Fortunately, Feng Ming, Yan Shao’s subordinate, had been protecting her the whole time. When Yan Shao was absent, Feng Ming would always be there. Sensing something suspicious about the fire starter, Rong Shukuang decided to investigate, and Feng Ming followed. They discovered a severely injured man hidden under a reed mat. Just then, Lihua Bai from the tavern arrived and suggested taking the injured man back to treat him.
Rong Shukuang agreed, unaware that before this, Qianjin Xiao and the boy she had been chasing had already met in secret and were passing along orders from the Ghost Valley Alliance’s Shen Zuitian. In past years, Rong Shukuang was the highlight of the Xuanhong Flower Festival, but this year, she wasn’t competing due to her health, which left many disappointed. Tang Yingluo found her and suggested she join the poetry contest instead.
Jiang Ruhai and Yan Shao were the first team to compete. On the table was a bowl of wine, and whoever successfully grabbed the wine and named it correctly would pass the round. Yan Shao won. The injured man that Lihua Bai had taken in later died from poisoning. Before his death, he wrote the number "one" on the floor with his blood, stating that he had drunk a specific kind of wine.
The second round of the Xuanhong Flower Festival was a poetry contest using the Flying Flower Order format. Even with cheat notes, Rong Shukuang couldn’t beat Yan Shao. Lin Wanci stepped in to answer in her place, but Yan Shao still won. Suddenly, Lin Wanci began coughing uncontrollably. Everyone suggested taking her back, but she insisted on resting in a nearby carriage to avoid disturbing the festivities.
Tang Yingluo and Rong Shukuang originally wanted to accompany her, but then Rong Shukuang smelled something familiar—the scent from when she had chased the little boy before. Onstage, Yu Linglong and Yan Shao were dueling when news arrived that Manor Lord Lin had received word—Lin Wanci had disappeared, though the carriage remained. He hurried off to find her. Meanwhile, Yan Shao had won the match and was now eligible to claim the top prize.
Rong Shukuang suddenly noticed the Ghost Valley Alliance members in the vicinity and connected the dots—all of them had fire starters, meaning there must be flammable materials nearby. The falling of the flower ball was the signal. Panicked, she shouted that Jiang Ruhai was suspicious and ordered his capture. Yu Linglong and Lin Shaoci rushed to subdue him. Rong Shukuang explained her deductions to Lin Shaoci, fearing someone would use fire oil to set the place ablaze.
When the flower ball fell, it would be the cue. Lin Shaoci leaped forward to snatch the flower ball from Yan Shao, but Yan Shao effortlessly caught it first. Realizing that Yan Shao was also involved, Lin Shaoci demanded to know what would happen when the flower ball dropped. But Yan Shao said nothing. Lin Shaoci questioned whether Yan Shao cared about Rong Shukuang or the lives of the city’s people.
Yan Shao simply replied that he cared for no one. At that moment, Rong Shukuang stepped forward, declaring her trust in Yan Shao. She believed he cared about every life present and pleaded with him to hand the flower ball to her.
Rong Shukuang reached out to Yan Shao, hoping he would hand over the flower ball. Just as Yan Shao extended his hand, he suddenly tossed the flower ball into the air. Instantly, the ball scattered into countless petals, leaving everyone in shock. The members of the Ghost Valley Alliance who had been preparing to set the place on fire were immediately subdued by people Yan Shao had secretly arranged in advance.
Among them, Qian Jin Xiao attempted to light a torch but was discovered by the Villa Master, Lin. The two engaged in combat, and Qian Jin Xiao was wounded by Tang Sect’s hidden weapons while trying to escape.
When Qian Jin Xiao returned to the tavern to tend to her wounds, she was startled to find Lihua Bai already sitting in the room, staring at her. On the floor lay a lifeless body, and beside its fingers was a single written character. Lihua Bai revealed that she had long known Qian Jin Xiao was with the Ghost Valley Alliance. She also admitted that she had consumed the deadly Yuye Jinhua Wine, intending to use her life to atone for the countless lives taken by the Ghost Valley Alliance.
Qian Jin Xiao couldn’t bear to see his wife perish, so he revealed that the wine outside wasn’t wine at all but a poison known as Tian Nü San Hua. Lihua Bai expressed her gratitude for his honesty and left.
Above the Red Blossom Gathering, countless Kongming lanterns were released into the sky. Lin Shaoci never expected Yan Shao to have everything under control. Such a brilliant strategist, yet he was willing to act as a mere guard? Without Yan Shao, Yuchi Manor would have been in grave danger today. However, Yan Shao believed that as long as Rong Shukuang was around, there were no true gaps in their defenses. He praised Rong Shukuang’s extraordinary sharpness.
Just as Rong Shukuang was about to celebrate with Yan Shao by opening a jar of wine, Shen Zuitian suddenly led a group of men to attack the martial artists, making everyone believe that Yuchi Manor had set a trap for them.
Standing on the rooftop, Shen Zuitian drew his bow and fired an arrow, aiming not at a person but at a wine jar. Realizing something was wrong, Yan Shao quickly covered the jar with cloth, recognizing that it contained poison. He immediately ordered everyone to evacuate.
Chaos erupted as the Ghost Valley Alliance members attacked ruthlessly. Yan Shao fought against Huang Pao, injuring him with a kick. He then whistled for his horse, mounted it, and rode away. Worried, Rong Shukuang chased after him, commanding him not to die—he simply could not die.
At that moment, Lihua Bai arrived and told Yan Shao that the poison inside the jar was Tian Nü San Hua, which could be neutralized with water. Yan Shao immediately spurred his horse toward the nearest water source, instructing Rong Shukuang to evacuate the civilians.
Tang Yingluo, Yu Linglong, and the Villa Master joined forces to fight off the assassins of the Ghost Valley Alliance. Meanwhile, Yan Shao carried the poisoned jar and fled, pursued by Ghost Valley’s killers who tried to shoot the jar out of his hands. Dodging numerous attacks, he finally reached the river, where he hurled both the jar and his pursuers into the water, triggering a massive explosion.
Madam Xing demanded an explanation from the Villa Master for the events of the day. He promised to investigate thoroughly and provide an answer. Lin Shaoci also demanded accountability from Jiang Ruhai of Qian Xing Hall for colluding with the Ghost Valley Alliance. Jiang Cheng assured that if the truth was confirmed, there would be no mercy.
As the crowd dispersed, Rong Shukuang stood at the street entrance, waiting anxiously for Yan Shao’s return. When she finally saw him riding back on his horse, her eyes welled up with tears, and she rushed toward him. Their gazes locked, and something unspoken passed between them.
However, Yan Shao suddenly turned in another direction. Suspicious, Rong Shukuang followed. He pushed open a door and entered a courtyard. Just as Rong Shukuang was about to follow him in, a group of people surrounded her. Feigning calm, she drew her blade and warned them not to forget that she was the infamous Rong Shukuang, known for her ruthless kills.
Before things escalated, Lin Shaoci and Tang Yingluo arrived, recognizing the people surrounding Rong Shukuang.
Yan Shao had come to confirm whether Shen Zuitian was still present because the arrow had been fired from this location. Lin Shaoci informed him that they had caught Qian Jin Xiao attempting to ignite oil. Yan Shao quickly led people to the second floor, where they found Qian Jin Xiao and Lihua Bai lying lifeless on the bed, their fingers interlocked, leaving everyone in somber silence.
Tang Chanyi discovered Jiang Ruhai in hiding and confronted him about his involvement. Jiang Ruhai admitted his role in the events but insisted that his only goal was to seek revenge on the Six Great Sects. He had waited ten years for Tang Chanyi, but they had never ended up together. Offering his life as an atonement, he told her to kill him. However, Tang Chanyi ultimately couldn't bring herself to do it and let him go.
Lin Wanci apologized to her father, explaining that she had left the carriage the previous night because she had felt unwell and needed fresh air, inadvertently causing him to worry. She also feared that the Six Great Sects would suspect Yuchi Manor of wrongdoing. The Villa Master did not blame her but instead reassured the Six Great Sects that he would uncover the truth and give them a proper explanation.
Yan Shao and Lin Shaoci reflected on the incident. Lin Shaoci acknowledged that Yan Shao had orchestrated everything perfectly—except for one thing: they hadn't realized the Baihua Brew had been poisoned. They were unsure when it had been switched. Yan Shao mentioned that someone had seen Lin Wanci pause for a while while transporting the Baihua Brew through the streets, suggesting that might have been the moment it was swapped.
Understanding the situation, Lin Shaoci expressed his gratitude to Yan Shao. The Villa Master also sincerely thanked him but couldn't understand why such a talented individual would choose to serve as a mere guard. Lin Wanci worried that the Ghost Valley Alliance would continue to target Rong Shukuang and was grateful that Yan Shao had helped protect her. Yan Shao, however, stated that he would have also helped if Lin Wanci had been in danger.
Lin Wanci said she wished to rest, and Yan Shao offered to escort her. Rong Shukuang followed them outside and overheard their conversation, sensing something hidden in their words. However, she couldn't decipher it and instead thought they were merely exchanging poetic verses, which frustrated her. Angry, she stormed off.
Lin Wanci noticed that Rong Shukuang had indeed changed. The old Rong Shukuang would never have been this easily flustered.
Determined, Rong Shukuang prepared a selection of snacks and formally knelt before Yan Shao, requesting to be his disciple. Yan Shao readily agreed.
Meanwhile, Lin Wanci visited the water prison to see the captured child from the Ghost Valley Alliance. She spoke of a rabbit she once kept that refused to eat or drink, so she sealed it away, causing it to suffocate to death. The child, alarmed, finally spoke, asking who had done such a thing. Lin Wanci simply handed him a steamed bun, put a finger to her lips in a silencing gesture, smiled faintly, and left. Fear flickered in the boy's eyes.
Early the next morning, Rong Shukuang pestered Yan Shao to teach her martial arts, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t generate any strength. Frustrated, she lamented how weak she was. Yan Shao speculated that her injuries were affecting her and told her not to force it. He demonstrated swordplay and guided Rong Shukuang through it.
As she moved alongside Yan Shao, Rong Shukuang's heartbeat suddenly quickened, and she realized she might have developed feelings for him. Yan Shao reminded her to focus and train properly. When Rong Shukuang leaped over Yan Shao, her heart pounded even faster, and there was a hint of longing in her gaze.
Suddenly, Yan Shao released his grip, causing Rong Shukuang to fall to the ground. He warned her that martial artists must never be distracted by desire and questioned what she had been thinking about. Without hesitation, Rong Shukuang blurted out, "I was thinking about you!" but quickly retracted her words, swearing never to think such thoughts again.
Yan Shao, noticing her dizziness, caught her in his arms and checked her pulse. Realizing she was merely exhausted, he gently advised her to rest.
Yan Shao went to the prison to find the captured young boy and accurately revealed his background. His name was Shangguan Tong, originally an orphan wandering the streets. He was taken in by the Junshan Sect and became the disciple of the sect leader. However, he later killed his master and defected, leading to a manhunt against him across the martial world. With no place to go, he disguised himself and sought refuge with the Guigu Alliance.
Many innocent people nearly lost their lives due to the oil fire he ignited. However, Yan Shao knew that the boy was not willing to commit such acts. Years ago, when he killed his master, it was because his master had suffered from energy deviation, was in unbearable pain, and begged him to end his life to preserve his honor. Shangguan Tong had been hunted ever since, but he never spoke the truth.
Now that Yan Shao had uncovered the truth, the boy confessed that Shen Zuitian and Huang Pao were both hiding in a winery within the city and a gathering place called Hua Jian Xiao. When Lin Shaoci arrived at the prison, he discovered that Shangguan Tong had already escaped and immediately ordered a search. Meanwhile, Shangguan Tong sought out Yan Shao, hoping to join Tiangang.
He had realized that Yan Shao was connected to Tiangang because only someone from Tiangang would have known about his disguise. Yan Shao neither confirmed nor denied it but instead gave Shangguan Tong a token and instructed him to use it to make contact with someone. Shangguan Tong then handed over the steamed bun he had been holding, warning that it was poisoned.
The bun had been brought by Lin Wanci, but the guards had also delivered food—he did not know who wanted to kill him, only that there was definitely a traitor among them. Afterward, Yan Shao went to Rong Shukuang's room and found that she had already fallen asleep. He began extracting poison from her body but unexpectedly collapsed from exhaustion.
When Rong Shukuang woke up and found her master lying beside her, she was stunned but did not push him away. Just then, a group arrived outside, searching for the escaped prisoner. Hearing them, Rong Shukuang anxiously tried to wake Yan Shao, but he remained unconscious. Left with no choice, she hurriedly hid him inside a secret chamber.
When Yan Shao regained consciousness, he found himself inside the hidden chamber, which was filled with Rong Shukuang's sketchbooks of admiration for Lin Shaoci. He couldn't help but sigh at his disciple—if only she devoted as much effort to her swordsmanship, her martial arts skills wouldn't be so poor. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly fainted again.
After the search party had left, Rong Shukuang rushed down to check on Yan Shao, only to find him unconscious on the ground. Panicked, she tried using modern emergency methods to wake him, but just as she was about to act, Yan Shao suddenly opened his eyes and accused her of behaving improperly. The two started bickering again. Remembering the sketchbooks in the room, Yan Shao grew irritated. Rong Shukuang quickly explained that she did not like Lin Shaoci.
If she truly liked someone, she would want to watch the stars with them, share interesting stories, and enjoy delicious food together—all of which she had done with Yan Shao. Touched, Yan Shao’s eyes reddened, but recalling the sketchbooks, he found himself unable to distinguish truth from lies. For now, he focused on keeping Rong Shukuang safe, but in his frustration, he declared that they would be training with swords at dawn.
Early the next morning, Yan Shao was already waiting in the courtyard to teach Rong Shukuang swordsmanship. Curious, she asked what "qi sinking into the dantian" meant. At that moment, Lin Shaoci arrived, offering to personally teach Rong Shukuang, but Yan Shao refused. Rong Shukuang suggested they have a duel, with the winner becoming her master. Lin Shaoci immediately agreed, eager to expose Yan Shao's true nature.
As the two fought, Rong Shukuang suddenly recalled something from her sketchbooks and grew dizzy. Both Yan Shao and Lin Shaoci quickly ended the match to check on her. She asked Lin Shaoci which tea cup he liked best, but he could not remember. Rong Shukuang desperately tried to recall something, feeling that it was crucial, but Yan Shao advised her not to force herself.
Later, Rong Shukuang decided to sell all her sketchbooks of Lin Shaoci, believing that Yan Shao had been merciless in their training because of those books. Since Lin Shaoci was a renowned young hero, many admirers were eager to buy them, including Yu Linglong and Tang Yingluo. While browsing through the pages, Yu Linglong noticed a familiar emblem, and just as Rong Shukuang tried to take a closer look, Yu Linglong refused and raised the price to one hundred taels.
With no other choice, Rong Shukuang approached Yan Shao, hoping to borrow money to buy the sketchbooks. When Yan Shao questioned her, she lied, claiming she needed the money for women’s essentials. However, Tang Yingluo and Yu Linglong later agreed to lower the price to fifty taels and rushed to inform Rong Shukuang. Unfortunately, Yan Shao overheard their conversation.
Misunderstanding that Rong Shukuang only wanted the sketchbooks to please Lin Shaoci, he became furious and refused to lend her any money. That night, Rong Shukuang sneaked into the Hidden Pavilion to check the account books, only to find Yan Shao already inside. They accused each other of sneaking around. Just then, Lin Shaoci arrived with his men to investigate. However, they found no one, and Lin Shaoci realized someone was playing a game of cat and mouse with him.
Determined to see it through, he pretended to be at ease and left with his men. Meanwhile, Liu An had been secretly observing Rong Shukuang. She noticed that when Rong Shukuang exited the Hidden Pavilion, Yan Shao was with her. She immediately reported this to Lin Wanci. Lin Wanci speculated that Rong Shukuang might be short on money and intended to take control of the business by reviewing the accounts.
As for Yan Shao, she suspected he had an entirely different motive and decided to intervene. The next day, as Yan Shao was about to start sword training with Rong Shukuang, Lin Shaoci arrived and searched him. He found an ornate box on Yan Shao and accused him of staying close to Rong Shukuang just to steal its contents.
The box was rumored to contain the key to a treasure, confirming suspicions that Yan Shao had only come for the treasure. Yan Shao was imprisoned. Rong Shukuang requested to speak with him alone, and after sending Lin Shaoci away, she demanded an explanation. She had always trusted Yan Shao, but now he had nothing to say in his defense. Enraged, she slashed the ropes binding his hands, declaring that they were now even.
Yan Shao hurriedly grabbed her, asking if she truly believed he was that kind of person. Rong Shukuang shook off his hand and declared that none of it mattered anymore. From now on, they would go their separate ways, never to meet again in the martial world.
Yan Shao knew that both Rong Shukuang and Lin Shaoci had their own agendas. In order to uncover the truth about what she wanted to know, she needed to earn money. So, she created a type of crossbow and named it "Meteor Fire." Her goal was to refine it into a successful product and sell it for profit. After multiple trials, both Rong Shukuang and Tang Yingluo, who had been helping with the experiments, ended up with smoke coming out of their mouths due to the device.
In the marketplace, a storyteller began recounting a tale as per Rong Shukuang’s arrangement. He claimed that the leader of Xingfeng Cave had suddenly died and that before his death, he had developed a miraculous weapon called Meteor Fire. He also announced that two great swordsmen would duel at the pavilion in the center of the lake the next day, attracting a large crowd of onlookers. Disguised as a man, Tang Yingluo mingled with the crowd, ready to stir emotions at the right moment. Meanwhile, Rong Shukuang, dressed as a ruthless swordsman, made an appearance at the lake pavilion.
In the crowd, concerns arose that such a legendary weapon might be lost forever. The ruthless swordsman fired a shot, seemingly killing the opponent, but pretended to be injured by a fellow disciple. This led to a public outcry demanding that the Meteor Fire be destroyed. Instead, people began placing bids on the weapon. In the end, all of the Meteor Fire crossbows were sold at a high price. After earning the money, Rong Shukuang distributed the earnings among the actors she had planted in the audience, instructing them to keep quiet.
Later, Rong Shukuang sought out Yu Linglong to buy back the illustrated book. Yu Linglong questioned her about what kind of scheme she was running—why sell the book only to repurchase it at a high price? Rong Shukuang did not answer, instead carefully examining the book. She soon realized that each page contained the same hidden mark, leading her to suspect it was some kind of symbol or secret code.
Meanwhile, Lin Wanci noticed that the group had truly fallen out with each other and became even more convinced that something was amiss with the Hidden Pavilion. She instructed Liu An to infiltrate the location for investigation and provided information on the guard shift schedules.
That night, Liu An donned dark clothes and sneaked into the Hidden Pavilion. She discovered a small box and reached out to grab it, but as soon as she did, a trap triggered, releasing a flurry of concealed weapons. At the same time, Lin Shaoci had been waiting in ambush and launched an attack on Liu An. Liu An attempted to escape through the window but was hit by a Meteor Fire shot fired by Rong Shukuang from outside. Yan Shao also appeared, trapping Liu An. It turned out the entire event had been a setup from the very beginning.
After purchasing the illustrated book, Rong Shukuang had studied it closely and identified the repeating marks as signals she had previously used to mark the locations of suspected spies at the manor. The marked areas corresponded to places where spies had appeared, but since Rong Shukuang had not yet been captured by Shen Zuitian at that time, it proved that Yan Shao was not the one responsible. Yan Shao expressed his willingness to assist in the greater plan to capture the spies. Thus, they staged the drama at the Hidden Pavilion, making it seem like they had a falling-out, when in reality, they had never doubted Yan Shao at all.
When Liu An opened the box she had taken, she found only a slip of paper that read, "Thank you for your patronage." Furious, she attempted to escape but was quickly caught. Seeing that it was Liu An, Rong Shukuang was unsurprised, having long suspected her to be untrustworthy. Just as they were about to take Liu An into custody, Lin Wanci suddenly appeared, and Liu An took her hostage to escape. As she fled, she pushed Lin Wanci away. Yan Shao instinctively rushed to catch Lin Wanci, which made Rong Shukuang jealous. She accused Yan Shao of having feelings for Lin Wanci. Yan Shao explained that he had never deceived Rong Shukuang, but then questioned her—if one day he did deceive her, how would she react? Rong Shukuang, feeling guilty herself, countered with a question of her own: What if she were the one who had deceived Yan Shao first? Before Yan Shao could respond, she suddenly felt that everyone had secrets, and none of it really mattered anymore.
Rong Shukuang noticed that Yan Shao's face was slightly dirty and instinctively reached out to wipe it clean. The close proximity made her heart race. She asked Yan Shao, "In this world, there are two kinds of people—those who watch others burn and those who burn themselves. Which kind do you want to be?" Without hesitation, Yan Shao replied, "I want to burn myself so that you don’t have to."
Early the next morning, Lin Shaoci came looking for Rong Shukuang. The two spent more time talking, and Lin Shaoci admitted that in the past, he had not worked as hard as she did. He had only been determined to surpass her one day, which was why he trained so diligently. Rong Shukuang suddenly realized that in any era, a woman who was too strong could make men feel pressured. Lin Shaoci expressed that he had long since seen her as a woman, wishing that she had not been so strong in the past. Unintentionally, his true feelings slipped out, making Rong Shukuang flustered. She quickly found an excuse to go find Yan Shao instead. However, Yan Shao had already witnessed their conversation, and jealousy surged within him.
When Yan Shao trained Rong Shukuang afterward, his jealousy made him especially ruthless in his sparring. Forced into desperation, Rong Shukuang unexpectedly executed the "Flowing Cloud Sleeve Strike," cutting through a pillar in the distance with sheer internal force. Overjoyed, she likened the technique to the Six Meridian Divine Sword from stories. However, when she tried to perform it again, she found herself unable to. She begged Yan Shao to ambush her, hoping that in a moment of crisis, she could unleash the move again. But even when Yan Shao suddenly startled her, she still couldn’t replicate it.
Meanwhile, Liu An was hiding in an abandoned house, tending to her wounds when Yan Shao arrived with his men and captured her. Realizing that Yan Shao was not ordinary, Liu An questioned his true identity. Yan Shao, tired of being asked the same question repeatedly, told her that knowing his identity would do her no good.
Yan Shao then brought up the massacre at Longyue Village, pointing out that it was the Ghost Valley Alliance that had slaughtered everyone there. Su Shiyu had placed two jade pendants on him and Fang Yi, attempting to escape with them.
Yan Shao told Liu An that the Ghost Valley Alliance had killed her entire family, yet she was now working for them. However, Liu An believed that it was the Fang family that had caused the village’s downfall. She had personally witnessed Lin Qianyi take Fang Yi away and rename her Rong Shukuang. Liu An couldn’t understand why everyone else had died, yet the Fang family's daughter had survived.
Yan Shao handed Liu An a silver locket that had belonged to her younger sister and called her by her childhood name, "Ah Yue." Shocked, Liu An looked at Yan Shao in disbelief. He told her that she had been blinded by hatred, which was why she had failed to recognize him. Liu An recalled playing with Yan Shao as a child and suddenly realized that he was none other than Yan Wuying, the boy Su Shiyu had adopted. She also realized that he had come to find Rong Shukuang.
Yan Shao interrogated Liu An about what poison she had used on Rong Shukuang, where she had obtained it, and whether there was an antidote. Liu An revealed that the poison was called "Red Lotus Heart," a creation of Su Shiyu, and that it had no cure. But Yan Shao declared that as long as he was alive, he would find a way to save Rong Shukuang.
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2016-03-20
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