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- The Han Emperor is pleased at the return of Crown Prince and Honglian, giving credit to both General Ji and Han Fei although the Fourth Prince assigns all credit to the Ninth Prince, Han Fei. Wei Zhuang agrees to meet Honglian in the Cold Palace to teach her martial arts. On his way home, the Crown Prince's carriage falls off a bridge into the water and he drowns in what is made to look like and accident. General Ji is furious as he believes this is the work of the Fourth Prince, Han Yu. Meanwhile, the Han Prime Minister goes to meet the envoy of the Qin Emperor, but finds the envoy murdered by Tian Ze. Shortly thereafter, Qin troops appear, massed outside the Han Palace. Meanwhile, while visiting the body of the Qin envoy, Han Fei and Zifang are greeted by a new envoy at Xinzheng, Li Si. (en)
- The unknown fighters are revealed as the Nine Virtues Union based in Nanyang, established with the aid of Zinu and allied with Quicksand. On his return to Xinzheng, Han Fei discovers that food stocks are depleted and that the treasury has been raided by the Fourth Prince to fund the upcoming king's birthday celebration and who refuses to release any of the funds. At the same time, food prices in Xinzheng are rising due to price speculation by an unknown party although Han Fei suspects Feicui Hu. Han Fei also learns that his uncle Lord Jinglun was bankrupted by Feicui Hu and supervised by the Iron Blood Alliance who oversee financial arrangements within the Seven Kingdoms. (en)
- Following the loss of his wealth and lands, Feicui Hu is then imprisoned for hoarding and destroying food. Ji Wuye argues before the king that Han Fei should be punished for his illegal actions, and Han Fei agrees. He is given a sentence of 300 lashes, but after suffering greatly, the king orders that the last 100 are a little softer. When he recovers, Han Fei visits Feicui Hu in prison and reminds him that his own greed was his downfall. Han Fei gives Feicui Hu's former Vision Manor to Zinu as a replacement for the destroyed Purple Orchid House and reveals that Tain Ze had secretly helped him win the bet by operating in the shadows. Zifang reveals that Quicksand gained a total 29,000 units of gold from the venture. (en)
- Fourth Brother successfully resolves the impasse between Ji Wuye and Han Fei while Ge Nie escapes from Xuan Jian with the badly injured Wei Zhuang. At the smouldering ruins of the Purple Orchid House, Han Fei congratulates Zifang for resisting the Slick Octahedron and promises Zinu that he will assist in construction of a replacement. Later, Han Fei and Zinu visit Tian Ze and Yanling Ji and agree that if they are not allies, they at least have a common enemy. However, and Tian Ze leaves Yanling Ji to monitor Han Fei. Meanwhile, Wei Zhuang visits Tang Qi's grave and is approached by Honglian who tries to console him, but he rebuffs her and burns Tang Qi's grave marker, saying that a veteran's name does not need remembering, just the battlefield where they died. (en)
- Xuan Jian finds himself surrounded by Wei swordsmen, but he easily dismisses them and attacks Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang. After the initial encounter, Xuan Jian advises them to leave, but Ge Nie asks why he has reappeared. Xuan Jian thinks back to a year earlier when a death list was circulated, apparently by the Qin to eliminate important Wei civil and martial ministers. Although the King of Wei was concerned by these attacks, he was cheered when Dian Qing reported that his army pushed back the Qin army 50 kilometers at Yangping. As a reward, the king presented him with personal sword as an accolade. However, the death list was actually created by the Minister of Public Works, Wei Yong, to eliminate his political rivals. He had pressured Xuan Jian to carry out the killings because of his love for Wei's daughter Xian Xian who had nursed him when he was dying and who was also carrying their child. However, when the child was born her father took it away, causing Xuan Jian to now seek vengeance. (en)
- Han Fei speculates that if the Qin attacked, because of the division among the king's advisers, would the Han be best advised to fight back or negotiate a peace? Continuing his defense in court, Han Fei admits to appropriating money from the treasury, however he says that it was for an investment, and returns the gold including an additional 30%. The Empress Dowager arrives in court with Honglian and defends Han Fei's actions as well as strengthening the bonds between Han and Wei. Han Fei's strategy is finally revealed; he planned all along to defeat Feicui Hu by using the food that he and Ji Wuye had secretly hoarded against them. After Han Fei wins the bet against Feicui Hu, the Iron Blood Alliance arrive at the Emerald Manor to exact payment form Feicui Hu and take all of his wealth and lands. Again looking at the big picture, Han Fei again considers the Han dilemma of fighting or appeasing the Qin, and decides there is a third path; to become stronger. (en)
- Wei Yong and his village are saved by Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang but Wei Yong is immediately summoned to Daliang to assume command of the Wei army. Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang return to Ghost Valley with more questions than answers, and the master tells them that everyone thinks they know right from wrong, but the criteria change all the time. For example, they may think that Wei Yong is evil because of his ruthless quest for power, however he will defend the Han against the Qin which is a key role in preserving the balance of power. The master advises that instead of seeking answers they must make their own judgments and decisions, but then deal with the consequences. Meanwhile, Xuan Jian is still alive and he attacks Wei Yong's camp killing his men and slashes the Minister of Public Works. He is then thanked by Qian Sha, second highest in the Net Trap organization who tells Xuan Jian that Chengjiao is the target of their next mission. However, Xuan Jian, believes he died by the swords of Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang, and realizes that he was 're-forged' by Net Trap for their own purposes and he kills Qian Sha. Back at Han Fei's household, Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang reveal that they met Wei Wuji who has taken control of the Wei soldiers. (en)
- Han Fei tells the Fourth Prince and General Ji Wuye that he will support them should anything happen to the Crown Prince. Also that Tian Ze's actions are unpredictable, since being freed from the chains and the technique of the legendary venomous insects that restricted him for so long. Han Fei reveals that he learned this from the carved medicine bottle he obtained from Tian Ze, who will be seeking revenge. In the palace, Bai Yifei now has Nong Yu and the bottle, but Nong Yu manages to convince him that she is working for Tian Ze and that she knows that Bai Yifei was his captor. Meanwhile, Bai Duwang returns to Honglian's cell to kill the crimson king snake. He angrily attacks Honglian for releasing it, but the snake suddenly attacks him to defend her. When he tries to kill the snake Honglian stops him, but the dying snake gives her a small glowing crimson ball. Believing it to be poison, she takes it, but instead of dying she survives, and all the snakes become her servants. (en)
- Wei Zhuang introduces his Senior Brother, Ge Nie, to Han Fei who had already deduced who he was. After an awkward introduction, Han Fei impresses the skeptical Ge Nie with his wisdom and understanding of politics and power. Later, in a small, secluded garden Han Fei meets a man wearing white robes and a mask. They have a philosophical discussion about the existence of a power beyond mortals which controls their fates. Then, Han Fei pays his respects to the Emperor of Qin, Ying Zheng, who then removes his mask. (en)
- Before the Royal Father General Ji Wuye and Prime Minister Zhang debate the deaths of Lords An Ping and Long Quan, and decide not to make the events public. However, until the recovery of the gold, Han Fei will not be made Minister of Criminal Justice. Han Fei discusses the case with Wei Zhuang and states that he knows Zinu saw who poisoned the two lords and that it could only have been one of two people, Moya or Baifeng who both serve Ji Wuye. Han Fei then invites Wei Zhuang to visit Ji Wuye with him. When they arrive, they see three women fighting over gold coins, and he proposes a more interesting version of the game where the losers are put to death. Ji Wuye is amused and orders that they play the game. (en)
- General Ji declares a curfew in Xinzheng while Wei Zhuang and Ge Nie speculate on the purpose of presence of the Slick Octahedron. Meanwhile, in the garden, Han Fei cautions Ying Zheng on the dangers of travelling to Xinzheng and in return, Ying Zheng refers to the section in Han Fei's essay referring to the dangers of officials with too much influence. That night, two carriages leave the house where Han Fei met Ying Zheng and are stopped and searched by General Ji's men, however they find no sign of their quarry, the Emperor of Qin. At the same time, General Ji meets Ge Nie and asks him to surrender his sword for safety. (en)
- Li Kai tells Han Fei and his friends of how he arrived at Liu Yi's house that night to find him dead. He could not catch the murderer that Liu Yi's wife saw him. Han Fei deduces that the killer must be Wujiu acting on his own behalf and not for his master Duxie Zi, but that he did not find the treasure. Zinu races to Liu Yi's house where she finds Wujiu threatening Lady Hu, demanding the treasure. Zinu confronts Wujiu who attacks her, but then takes Lady Hu hostage. Wei Zhuang arrives to break the deadlock, disabling Wujiu, but he fights on and Wei Zhuang kills him. Meanwhile in a deep dungeon a Lord is taken into a special chamber where he is shown a woman imprisoned underwater in a huge tank made from Millennium Crystal. (en)
- Li Kai is trapped high on a building and about to be executed by a volley of arrows, but he decides to fall to his death rather than the Han army have his blood on their arrows. Over the body, Fourth Brother happily declares the case closed. Meanwhile, Ji Wuye commands that the body be confirmed and Wujiu eliminated. Zinu tries to comfort Lady Wu and reveals that Nong Yu is her long-lost daughter, confirmed by her gemstone of Raining Fire and they are tearfully reunited. In the cemetery, Li Kai wakes up, surprised to be alive, his life saved by Zinu and Wei Zhuang who switched bodies as he fell from the rooftop. Li Kai kowtows three times to Han Fei in gratitude for saving his life and the subterfuge of his death as it insulates his former wife and daughter from the dangers of being associated with him. Han Fei presents Lady Wu and Nong Yu with Li Kai's sword vowing that he will not be forgotten, not revealing that he is still alive. (en)
- Zifang's research of past records shows a blank period during the battle with the Baiyue suggesting a deliberate intention to conceal the events. He reports that the Crown Prince of Baiyue, Tian Ze, also named Red Eyebrows Dragon Snake, was a powerful sorcerer and attracted agents with exotic talents. He apparently disappeared when the Han and Chu subdued the Baiyue. Zinu surmises that he was held prisoner within the city raising the question of who was his captor, and also his liberator. A masked figure who can control cold and ice approaches the house of the Crown Prince and encounters Yanling Ji. As Tian Ze appears, he is told that his masters still control him, and that his revenge should be confined to their agreement. The masked figure leaves behind a small bottle as a sign of a shackle that cannot be broken between them. Later, General Ji Wuye's troops surround the home of the Crown Prince and he also sends Moya to help Han Fei with the rescue. (en)
- Zinu asks Wei Zhuang why he has decided to help Han Fei. He thinks back to an earlier conversation with Han Fei in which they discussed their relative positions, including Wei Zhuang's relationship with Ge Nie. Wei Zhuang replies that he's interested to see how Han Fei ends up. On his way home that night Han Fei is confronted by a group of assassins who kill his bodyguards. Suddenly, the assassins are all slain by a mysterious swordsman. When Wei Zhuang arrives on the scene and questions him about the incident, Han Fei says cannot identify their killer or the sword he used that left distinctive marks on their bodies. Back at the Purple Orchid, as a Hong Yu packs up Nong Yu's room she is slain by an unknown swordsman. (en)
- As Tian Ze and Qu Shimo use their sorcery to defeat the Han troops, a mysterious white-haired figure appears who is the embodiment of the broken sword Nilin. He neutralizes the efforts of the two Baiyue warriors and Tian Ze fights back. Tian Ze battles Nilin which has the ability to shatter and reform at will, but Tian Ze eventually gains the upper hand although his body suffers the effects of the attacks. Tian Ze re-animates the dead Han soldiers who again attack Han Fei and Zinu, but Wei Zhuang appears at the last moment and saves them. Wei Zhuang questions if Han Fei's battle plan is to rely on Wei Zhuang to repeatedly save him. At that moment Honglian appears and as she greets Han Fei, she is shrouded in green mist by Qu Shimo and captured by Tian Ze. (en)
- Continuing the flashback, Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang examined the dead villagers and questioned a witness about the killer and his sword, which appears to be black. Suddenly they came under attack from a fast moving and shadowy assailant who evaded even their best efforts to stop him. After killing the witness, he escaped, warning Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang not to meddle in other people's business. However, they realized the sword was one of a pair known as Xuan Jian; one black, Xuan, to suppress souls and one white, Jian, for protection. They are the fourth ranking swords of a set of eight swords forged by Ou Yezi for the king of Yue. They also saw that the swordsman had the unique spider tattoo of Net Trap on his hand. Back in the present, Wei Yong reveals that he is the Minister of Public Works of the Wei State and he has been a thorn in the side of Qin for some time. He asks the travellers to help him seek justice and Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang debate the appropriate course of action as justice can have different interpretations. Later, at a pre-arranged signal, four wagons set off in opposing directions to lure Xuan Jian into the open. Net Trap operatives destroy the wagons, however Xuan Jian finally reveals himself. (en)
- The old Baiyue shaman, Bai Duwang approaches at the Baiyue refugee camp set up by the Han Emperor, and releases magic snakes. Then the Crown Prince of Baiyue, Tain Ze arrives saying they do not deserve to be part of the new Baiyue and mercilessly kills them all. Meanwhile Wei Zhuang disarms the sword-wielding assassin in Han Fei's quarters with only one hand. She is revealed to be Nong Yu who wants to join Quicksand and take revenge on Ji Wuye. Impressed by her conviction, Han Fei agrees to give here a trial. The next day, Han Fei and Zifang sadly inspect the dead Baiyue people at the decimated Baiyue refugee camp. (en)
- Tang Qi is told of incidents at east and west streets targeting the Qi Jue Clan and sends reinforcements, but it's a ploy by Moya to wipe out the clan. Meanwhile, Li Si and Ge Nie's carriage is stopped at the palace gates by General Ji's troops and told that they are to be escorted to the embassy. While investigating the attack on the Qi Jue Clan Wei Zhuang encounters Moya. Meanwhile, as Han Fei is taken by carriage to the palace alone, he thinks back to his encounter with Yanling Ji and her attempt to extract information from him and her queries about why he has the Nilin Sword. Han Fei then realizes that his carriage is taking a different route and not directly to the palace. At the Purple Orchid House, Chengjiao appears, while in the streets, Wei Zhuang prepares to fight Moya and his assassins on the rooftops. (en)
- The Han Emperor calls for Yanling Ji to be brought to the palace while the Slick Octahedron plan their next move to assassinate Ying Zheng. As Han Fei analyses the current situation, he suggests that the threat to Ying Zheng may come from within the Qin Empire. They also realize that Ying Zheng's habit of holding a longsword was how the Slick Octahedron eventually discovered them. Meanwhile, Bai Yifei delivers Yanling Ji to Li Si as requested, supervised by Ge Nie. (en)
- Honglian offers to join Quicksand, but has trouble convincing the others of her value. However, Zinu suggest that she may be of some use and Honglian chooses the code name Chilian , and Zinu offers her the Chilian sword. Han Fei is called before the Han Emperor and the generals Ji Wuye and Bai Yifei watch him being berated for the disturbance he has caused and the release of Yanling Ji. However, Han Fei presents the emperor with a pardon document from the King of Qin for Yanling Ji which silences his critics. They are interrupted by news that Nanyang and Fushu have been hit by crop failures. The ageing emperor decides that he must name a new heir following the death of the Crown Prince. He seeks advice from General Ji and Prime Minister Zhang who are at opposite ends of the balance of power in the court and both are circumspect in their recommendations, of either the Fourth or the Ninth Prince. The emperor calls both princes to the palace, and over dinner and surprisingly seeks their advice on arranging a marriage for Honglian. (en)
- Using his position of Minister of Criminal Justice, Han Fei confronts General Ji Wuye's troops in the street and accuses them of not protecting the city from the spreading fire. However, Ji Wuye asserts that they are busy chasing Baiyue rebels. Prime Minister Zhang Kaidi then approaches and Ji Wuye asserts that his grandson, Zhang Liang, has been conspiring with the Baiyue but Zifang contradicts his account. Meanwhile, Ge Nie attacks Xuan Jian and during the fight, he collapses the part of the roof, and rescues Wei Zhuang, ending the other battles raging inside the building. Outside, Fourth Brother intervenes between Han Fei and Ji Wuye and directs the general to commit his troops to extinguishing the fire to which he reluctantly agrees. Bai Yifei then reports that Bai Duwang and Cai Die are dead inside the ruins. Fourth Brother attributes the death of Cai Die to the fire, closing the case and stifling further discussion. (en)
- Tian Ze frees Qu Shimo and confronts Bai Yifei while Wushuang Gui appears and attacks Xuan Jian. Wushuang Gui is wounded, but he leaves with Zifang and Nong Yu, clearing a path through Ji Wuye's troops and assisted by Zinu on the rooftops. The meet up with Han Fei who sends them to his house for protection, saying that he has another powerful ally. Inside the Purple Orchid House, Tian Ze, Yanling Ji and Qu Shimo attack Bai Yifei who still seeks the treasure of Baiyue. Xuan Jian launches an all-out attack on Wei Zhuang and disarms and wounds him, sending him crashing to the ground. As he is about to kill Wei Zhuang and make him part of his soul, Ge Nie appears above them on a rooftop. (en)
- With Wei Zhuang missing, the Qi Jue Clan out of action and Han Fei called away to the palace, Zinu concludes that Ying Zheng in the Purple Orchid House is Nightfall's real target. Zifang suggests that they empty the Purple Orchid House of guests, but Nong Yu stays, disguised as Zinu. Meanwhile, Chengjiao secretly meets Cai Die inside. At the palace gates, Fourth Brother insists that General Ji's troops allow Li Si and Ge Nie's carriage also containing Ying Zheng and Zinu to enter. The troops refuse, so to defuse the tense situation, Fourth Brother invites Li Si to his house. Meanwhile General Ji arrives at the Purple Orchid House and is surprisingly greeted by Cai Die who shares a secret with him and he departs. However, Zifang and Nong Yu who is disguised as Zinu find the real Cai Die dead in her room, and suspect the Slick Octahedron have entered the premises. Elsewhere, Han Fei is led into a room in a small annex and told to wait. Moya's assassins attack Wei Zhuang who easily defeats them, until Beifang attacks and matches Wei Zhuang in skill and speed. Meanwhile, the Slick Octahedron infiltrates the Purple Orchid House. In the annex room, Han Fei slides open a door and is shocked to see Lady Mingzhu. (en)
- On the 10th day since the wager, Han Fei begins releasing bags of rice into the market lowering the price slightly, but Feicui Hu begins buying it to force the price back up. More food floods into the market as other regions are attracted by the high price, forcing Feicui Hu to buy even more to maintain the price. However, the price eventually falls, and although Han Fei wins the bet with Feicui Hu, he is called to the palace to answer for his actions. When Han Fei is accused of stealing military rations, he answers that he simply moved them for protection. He also explains that the rice was not stored in the burned warehouse and has been distributed in Nanyang. Also, he explains that he commandeered food that had been purchased in the name of the military, but instead wad hidden and not declared, so he used it to supplement the food relief sent to Nanyang. He indirectly accuses General Ji Wuye of the subterfuge. (en)
- Han Fei identifies the prisoner rescued from Duxie Zi as the Right Minister of War, Li Kai. He asks him about the daughters of the Master of Raining Fire in Baiyue; one became a concubine of the Emperor, the other, whom he loved and gave a Raining Fire gemstone, married Liu Yi. At Ji Wuye's house, Feicui Hu reveals that Liu Yi conspired with the Three Hairless Wolves to steal the Raining Fire treasure, then had them killed and took it himself. However one of the three survived. He is the intruder who is now searching for the treasure and who killed Liu Yi and Hong Yu. A flashback shows how Liu Yi betrayed Li Kai at the battle in Baiyue years ago and left him for dead. (en)
- The Chiliarch commander questions General Wang Yi closely about the deaths of the scouts, but he admits only that Lord Li Si and his entourage are in the camp. However the Chiliarch is still dissatisfied with his response and begins his own investigation. Wang Yi tells Li Si of his concerns for the power struggles in the Qin court, but Li Si consoles Wang Yi that the Empress Dowager and Prime Minister Lu have the situation in hand, and reveals that the Qin Emperor, Ying Zheng had been meeting with the Han. He reveals that they were attacked by the Slick Octahedron, but he suspects that Wang Yi already knows about them. Wang Yi questions how Li Si can serve both the prime Minister and the Emperor whom he sees as having different agendas. Ying Zheng and Ge Nie begin to suspect that Wang Yi may be plotting something of his own. Meanwhile, in Han Fei shares with Wei Zhuang a story which explains that when the situation is unclear, one has to test the waters. (en)
- Back in the present, Xuan Jian continues his attack on Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang, slightly wounding them before escaping. Ge Nie and Wei Zhuang deduce that they were not wounded by Xuan Jian's swordsmanship, but by an invisible trap laid beforehand by someone else, and suspect Wu Qingsi, an assassin who has joined Net Trap. She reveals herself and tightens the razor sharp threads. Ge Nie grabs the invisible threads, cutting his hand, but using his blood to reveal their position and Wei Zhuang cuts them both free. They pursue Xuan Jian to save the treacherous Wei Yong only because of his ability to hold back the Qin forces and manage to reach him before Xuan Jian can kill him. However, earlier Wei Yong had engaged Yan Ri of Net Trap to protect him, offering the Wei army's support in return for his help. (en)
- Ji Wuye tells the Emperor that remnants of the Baiyue are rebelling and using witchcraft, setting a blaze of fire in the city against which, water was ineffective. He also says that Li Kai is involved in the insurrection, and that Han Fei has stirred up issues from the past. The Emperor orders him to resolve the chaos and use Bai Yifei to reinforce the defenses, leaving Ji Wuye very pleased. Han Fei takes Lady Hu to stay with her sister Beauty Hu in the palace for protection. Beauty Hu promises her support for him with the Emperor, however Han Fei is confined to his quarters on orders of the Emperor. Zifang delivers a gift from Han Fei to Fourth Son signifying his support for the prince. Fourth Son places the condition that Zifang also helps him with another matter. Meanwhile in the deep dungeon, Wushuang Gui, a huge warrior breaks in, killing all the guards and freeing Yanling Ji, the woman imprisoned in the tank. She kills the Lord with fire and as they leave, she sets the prison ablaze. (en)
- Wei Zhuang tells Han Fei that Tian Ze used sorcery to interrogate the resurrected Wujiu during which he mentioned the astrological technique of the Yin-Yang School, "Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon". Zinu says that Tian Ze is after the Raining Fire Gemstone treasure, and that Ji Wuye's Nightfall group is tracking it down. Wei Zhuang surmises that Tian Ze's motives may be different to those of Wujiu and Liu Yi. When Han Fei arrives at the palace, he is prevented from entering by Prime Minister Zhang Liang who says that the Han Empire is facing a storm of blood and terror and that Han Fei is at the centre. Meanwhile Feicui Hu and General Ji Wuye are gambling together in the palace, Wei Zhuang asks Tang Qi to trace the owner of a bracelet he found, Bai Yifei decides to go horse-riding, and Honglian awakes in a prison watched by Qu Shimo. (en)
- Even though he is affected by the poisonous fog, Wei Zhuang manages to defeat Duxie Zi and questions him about the attack on Han Fei. Duxie Zi says it was done by outsiders and he only offered support under the orders of Wujiu of Nightfall. When Duxie Zi tries a surprise attack, Wei Zhuang kills him with his own weapon. In the dungeon, Wei Zhuang finds a man in chains that he remembers seeing earlier in the city. He recalls his conversation with Tang Qi about a rumored treasure from Raining Fire Manor in Baiyue, which contained a mine for Raining Fire gemstones. The lord was generous, but bandits called the Three Hairless Wolves robbed the manor, killing all the inhabitants. They divided the gold equally and swore a Blood Oath of Death, however they all died violently in the mountains. Later, Tang Qi was among the Han army led by Bai Yifei, the master of Snow Fort, who were dispatched to assist Baiyue to quell rebels. However the treasure was never found. Meanwhile Zinu severely wounds the intruder wearing a bird mask who entered her room. (en)
- The Fourth Prince suggests that Han Fei took a big risk with his proposal to Li Si, but Han Fei shows his skill in a game with coins called "Unwon Victory" where the player in the weaker position can use the opponent's greed to defeat them. He suggests that the power of the Qin Prime Minister is strong, whereas that of the ruler is weak. In the Cold Palace Wei Zhuang gives Honglian her first lesson martial arts, trust no-one, stay on guard and never relax. Meanwhile Bai Yifei uses frightening visions from Yanling Ji's past to break her will and hoping she would reveal the location of her master, Tian Ze. (en)
- Han Fei suggests that his Quicksand group enlist the aid of Tian Ze even though that option also presents a risk. He suggests that to combat Nightfall on their own terms, they must employ the same strategies of strength in finance, military, politics, and espionage. He says this means building their own business structure across the seven states supported by capable forces, using his position in court to recommend people of integrity to work as officials and finally, to set up and establish their own intelligence network. The major obstacle is money, however even pooling all their resources, they do not have enough. Han Fei proposes that they target Feicui Hu, the weakest and wealthiest of the Nightfall leaders. To allay Wei Zhuang's concerns of his plan, Han Fei demonstrates his capacity for pre-planning and anticipating the decisions of his adversaries. (en)
- Han Fei's Quicksand debate the increasing power and influence of Ji Wuye and the Nightfall group and the possibility that the abduction of the Crown Prince may have just been part of a bigger plot to seize power by competing factions. Han Fei decides that since he has been cast in a pivotal role, he will try to determine the outcome. Zifang visits the Fourth Prince and shows him a broken halberd, signifying "winner take all", suggesting his position may be under threat. When the Fourth Prince rushes to the palace he finds Ji Wuye in charge. Continuing their speculation, Wei Zhuang and Zinu conclude that the Emperor and Crown Prince may be in danger. Meanwhile Bai Yifei goes to meet a mysterious stranger on the lake and Honglian is visited by Yanling Ji in her prison cell. (en)
- Lady Hu denies that she killed her husband. Han Fei notices her wearing a gemstone of Raining Fire which she says she acquired from an old friend some time ago. On further questioning, and with evidence found in the hidden chamber, Han Fei again asks if Lady Hu killed her husband, but she faints. Although her behavior is suspicious, Han Fei and Zifang do not believe that she is the killer. Wei Zhuang manages to open the Baiyue but it appears to be empty. They suspect that a symbol in the chest signifies a "life and death oath" which may have been broken. Wei Zhuang says he knows someone who may be able to provide clues to the significance of the chest. (en)
- Zinu sends Nong Yu to the palace to report on what is happening. Meanwhile Baifeng encounters the archer Han Qiancheng, trying to kill the Crown Prince whom Baifeng only just manages to save from a deadly volley of arrows, and then meets up with Moya. Zinu tells Zifang that Han Fei's plans have prevented both the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince from ascending the throne. Also, that the Emperor may have withdrawn from state affairs because of the activities of Nightfall and the Four Fearful Warriors. Beauty Hu and Nong Yu try to enter the palace, but are turned back by Lady Mingzhu. Bai Yifei's informant tells him that in Xianyang, Li Si has met with Zheng Guo a friend of Han Fei. He does not know the whereabouts of Honglian, but says that Tian Ze may be plotting his own strategy, greater that just knowing the secret of the Raining Fire Manor. Meanwhile Han Fei, along with Zifang, examines the ruins of the Cold Palace and deduces that Tian Ze's purpose was to obtain information from the library about the Gemstone of Raining Fire, Ghost Army Blocking the Road and Seven Mansions of the Azure Dragon to further his desire for the restoration of his land. (en)
- An official of the Han State is assassinated by Moya, from Nightfall who then sets the place ablaze. Li Si arrives at the Qin State and immediately makes a bold offer to the Prime Minister to increase his wealth. Meanwhile Han Fei arrives at the Han State, not sure of the welcome he will receive. His younger sister Honglian is the first to welcome him, noting however that the necklace she gave him is missing but he quickly changes the topic. In a flashback Han Fei asks his teacher if there is a power beyond mortals which control fate - his teacher replied there is. (en)
- Bai Yifei, the Blood Marquess, arrives unannounced at Ji Wuye's house, and joins the discussion about the influence of Han Yu, but Ji Wuye is more concerned about the appearance of Li Kai and his murder of Liu Yi. Wei Zhuang escapes from the fiery cell with the prisoner and advises Moya to warn his master, Ji Wuye. Moya attacks Wei Zhuang who is too strong and fast, and although wounded, Moya manages to escape as the house bursts into flames. The blazing house of Duxie Zi does not go unnoticed. Wei Zhuang arrives at the Purple Orchid to find that Zinu and Han Fei survived the volleys of arrows, although Han Fei took an arrow in the arm to save Zinu, and Wujiu escaped. Outside, Tang Qi tells Wei Zhuang his men found 8 unidentified archers dead, and that Feicui Hu is sending a gift to the capital by carriage. Wei Zhuang tells Tang Qi that it's now safe to cross the bridge. (en)
- Bai Duwang enters Honlian's cell, explaining that there are hundreds of poisonous snakes in the Poisonous Pit who feed on each other, absorbing each other's poison, becoming more toxic and leaving the venomous snakes victorious. Surprisingly as Honglian laments about her situation, the crimson king snake consoles her. She then climbs to a high window to help it escape, but the window is protected by a realgar. She wipes it away, and the snake escapes. As Tang Qi and Wei Zhuang watch Bai Yifei arrest some smiths, presumably for refining utensils for the legendary venomous insects, Tang Qi tells Wei Zhuang that although Bai Yifei made his name in the war with Baiyue, but there is a dark side to him. Meanwhile Bai Yifei and Lady Mingzhu exchange information and potions in the Royal Incense Room. He tells her that General Ji Wuye has been collaborating with the Fourth Prince more closely than before and both desire the throne. This is all overheard by Nong Yu, however as she leaves she suddenly realizes that she has been detected by Bai Yifei. (en)
- As Lady Mingzhu threatens Han Fei, the spirit of the Nilin Sword appears and stops her. Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince continues to delay Ge Nie and Li Si at his home, but Ge Nie manages to leave safely with Li Si without causing a diplomatic incident. At the Purple Orchid House Zifang and Nong Yu confront the members of the Slick Octahedron alone. Moya and his assassins along with Baifeng make a final assault on Wei Zhuang, but he defeats them. Zifang asserts that the Slick Octahedron as a single assassin that has incorporated the identities of the people he has slain, and alleges that three people were involved in the death of Chengjiao; General Bi from Qin, who was defending Tunliu, Li Wu, the dancer at Chengjiao's side and Xun Feng and Qian Sha, the two-faced assassin. Meanwhile, Han Fei prepares to farewell Ying Zheng, warning him that dangers lurk for him with the Qin Empire. Ying Zheng in turn proposes that together they could rule 99% of the world, a world ruled by law and enlightened by Confucianism, but Han Fei does not accept. Wei Zhuang returns to the Purple Orchid House and Goujian, King of Yue, turns out to be the true executioner in the Slick Octahedron, who wields with the twin Black and White Xuan Jian swords. He and Wei Zhuang begin to cross swords, however they are interrupted by Yanling Ji. She prepares to leave with Zifang and Nong Yu, but is stopped by Bai Yifei. Later, Han Fei and Zinu share a quiet moment and discuss the political situation and the uncertain future with a number of powerful players. (en)
- Han Fei entertains the minister responsible for the king's birthday celebration, but "borrows" his official sigil to access the treasury. Meanwhile, the warehouse storing the food collected by Han Fei is suspiciously set alight while being guarded by Ji Wuye's palace guards. In desperation, Han Fei has Wei Zhuang and the Nine Virtues Union raid the military warehouse and steal wagon loads of food which he sends to the people of Nanyang. With this theft of military stores, Feicui Hu believes that Han Fei is doomed. Meanwhile Han Fei uses the money he stole from the treasury to make the first payment to the merciless Iron Blood Alliance. (en)
- Han Fei wants both the Crown Prince and Honglian in exchange for the chrysalis but Tian Ze says it's not enough and he is forced to choose one. Han Fei chooses the Crown Prince but then says he wants Honglian as well. Wei Zhuang takes Honglian from Yanling Ji, while Tian Ze suddenly comes under attack from Bai Yifei using his icy crystals. Meanwhile Wei Zhuang is attacked by Yanling Ji, Bai Duwang, Wushuang Gui and Qu Shimo. He uses both his sword and combat skills to deflect and thwart their attacks, then reminds them that he is not their real enemy. The Baiyue fighters then go to the aid of Tian Ze who is still under attack from Bai Yifei. From a distance Han Fei sees the magnitude of the battle and is concerned about Honglian, but Zifang reassures him that Wei Zhuang's promises will never be broken. (en)
- Prime Minister Zhang Liang questions Han Fei about progress on the Liu Yi case, but their discussion centers on the power plays within the government. Han Fei is pressed to close the case quickly, but raises the issue of Hong Yu's death in Nong Yu's room at the Purple Orchid. Meanwhile a tattooed thief wearing a bird mask enters Zinu's room searching for something. In the streets, Fourth Brother Han Yu warns Zifang to be careful and they see the Snow Fort army of Bai Yifei the Blood Marquess, who have recently returned from an expedition. At the Duxie Zi household, Wei Zhuang slaughters Duxie Zi's men but is caught in a poisonous fog. (en)
- Han Fei is attacked by ghostly soldiers but is saved by Zinu with her snake sword Chilian and the ghosts turn into crows and depart. In an arrangement with the Royal Father, Lords An Ping and Long Quan are led to prison and held captive. They are each given a chance to confess and the first to do so would be pardoned. Both apparently suicide before Han Fei arrives, however he discovers evidence that they were in fact poisoned. (en)
- Wei Zhuang is challenged by a band of Duxie Zi's assassins on the rainy night, but he easily kills them all. At the show on Mount Wu, Han Fei and Honglian meet Fourth Brother Han Yu who was delegated to escort Beauty Hu. Han Fei questions Beauty Hu about her sister, and she says that her sister reacted badly after seeing a strange-looking servant a month ago. Although Fourth Brother investigated, nothing came of it. Wei Zhuang enters the Duxie Zi household and asks for the prisoners to be released to him. Duxie Zi finds Wei Zhuang's request unacceptable and orders him killed. (en)
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