The Legend of Heroes – Zhou Yiwei, Vengo Gao, Chen Duling

Du Shi reprimanded Tuo Lei. Young Guo Jing stood up for him but was also reprimanded. At the same time, the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan arrived and recognized Guo Jing by the dagger he was holding, realizing he was the child of Guo Xiaotian and Li Ping. They accepted Guo Jing as their disciple.

That year, the Black Wind Shuangsha, Mei Chaofeng and Chen Xuanfeng, known for their murderous rampages, also came to the desert in pursuit of the Seven Freaks. In the ensuing fierce battle, Guo Jing was captured by Chen Xuanfeng but accidentally hit Chen Xuanfeng's weak spot, causing his death. Mei Chaofeng, now blinded, fled, but Zhang Asheng of the Seven Freaks also perished in the fight.

Following the battle, Guo Jing trained under his six masters. Despite his slow nature, the Seven Freaks, due to their bet, continued to teach him diligently. Years passed, and Guo Jing grew up practicing daily. As the duel date approached, Guo Jing learned from his masters that he would be traveling to Jiangnan at the age of eighteen to compete with his sworn brother, Yang Kang.

Although Guo Jing trained hard, his progress was limited. Ma Yu of the Quanzhen Sect noticed issues with the Seven Freaks' teaching methods, which hindered Guo Jing's learning. Ma Yu offered to teach Guo Jing a mental cultivation method, significantly advancing Guo Jing's martial arts skills. The Seven Freaks noticed the change and, while following Guo Jing, discovered Mei Chaofeng's whereabouts, mistakenly believing Guo Jing was learning martial arts from the notorious Mei Chaofeng.

The Seven Freaks sought out Mei Chaofeng to avenge Zhang Asheng, but Mei Chaofeng, having mastered the Nine Yin White Bone Claw, was too powerful. Guo Jing tried to help but was misunderstood by his second master. Ma Yu intervened, explaining that he had taught Guo Jing the mental method, leading the Seven Freaks to forgive Guo Jing. Together, they fought Mei Chaofeng, with Guo Jing seizing the opportunity to injure her with a dagger, forcing her to flee.

The Seven Freaks instructed Guo Jing to meet them at the Drunken Immortal Tavern in Jiaxing on March 24. Sensing that Mei Chaofeng was still in the desert, they planned to deal with her before heading to Jiangnan to find Guo Jing. Guo Jing bid farewell to his masters and set off for Jiangnan alone.

Huang Rong, disguised as a beggar, was being harassed by a shop assistant. Guo Jing stepped in, paid her debts, and invited her to eat. Huang Rong ordered a feast, and after the meal, Guo Jing, noticing her thin clothing, offered her his mink coat and some travel money, advising her not to steal buns again. Learning that Huang Rong had run away from home after a quarrel with her father, Guo Jing urged her to return home, mentioning her father's likely concern. Touched by his words, Huang Rong decided to reconcile with her father. She then asked Guo Jing for his prized horse, and he agreed without hesitation, his loyalty bringing her to tears. Huang Rong happily rode away on the horse.

Mu Yi held a martial arts competition to find a husband for his daughter, Mu Nianci. Wanyan Kang, a prince of the Jin dynasty, passed by and, intrigued, joined the contest. Despite a fierce fight, Mu Nianci was defeated by Wanyan Kang, who showed no intention of marrying her but took her shoe, infuriating Mu Yi. Seeing it as a mockery, Mu Yi attacked Wanyan Kang but was injured in the process.

Seeing that Yang Kang was about to break his promise and leave, Guo Jing, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't bear it and reminded Yang Kang that his behavior was wrong. He should marry Mu Nianci as agreed. Since Yang Kang was unwilling to marry her, he should return Mu Nianci's shoe. Spoiled and willful, Yang Kang disliked Guo Jing's meddling and decided to teach him a lesson. In the ensuing fight, Guo Jing was not Yang Kang's match and was injured.

Despite being injured, Guo Jing stubbornly refused to let Yang Kang leave, leading to another confrontation. Seeing Guo Jing losing again, Wang Chuyi of the Quanzhen Sect intervened to help. Yang Kang's men then engaged Wang Chuyi. At a critical moment, the princess arrived, prompting Wang Chuyi to quickly take Guo Jing and leave. Mu Yi overheard the princess's voice and felt it sounded like an old acquaintance.

Eighteen years ago, Mu Yi and his sworn brother Guo Xiaotian went hunting and met Qiu Chuji. They got along well, and Qiu Chuji named their children Guo Jing and Yang Kang, giving them short swords as symbols of friendship between the Guo and Yang families for generations. Duan Tiande was ordered to arrest Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin. Seeing no safe escape, Guo Xiaotian decided to stay behind and let Yang Tiexin flee with his family. Guo Xiaotian was eventually killed by soldiers, and Yang Tiexin, after sending his wife away, returned to rescue Guo Xiaotian's wife but fell off a cliff after being shot.

Wang Chuyi, poisoned by the Sand Palm, asked Guo Jing to take him to an inn to rest and recover. However, they were intercepted by the Four Ghosts of the Yellow River. Huang Rong appeared and helped Guo Jing escape, telling him to take Wang Chuyi to the inn while she dealt with the Four Ghosts. Guo Jing took Wang Chuyi to the inn, where Wang Chuyi began healing his injuries. Although his life was no longer in danger, the internal poison had not been fully expelled. If not treated within twelve hours, he might suffer lifelong disabilities.

Guo Jing hurried to buy medicinal herbs but found they were out of stock in the city, suspecting it was the prince's doing. Wang Chuyi had heard from Ma Yu about Guo Jing's chivalrous nature and was willing to risk his life to save him. Guo Jing then received a letter from Huang Rong asking to meet, believing she could find the herbs. Wang Chuyi hinted at Huang Rong's unusual background, but Guo Jing trusted she wouldn't harm him.

At the agreed meeting place, Guo Jing was happy to see the Four Ghosts captured. Following the call of "Brother Jing," he was surprised to see Huang Rong in her true feminine form. Anxious to find the antidote for Wang Chuyi, Huang Rong reassured Guo Jing, promising to get the medicine that day. Although the snacks Guo Jing brought for Huang Rong were crushed, she appreciated his thoughtful gesture.

Huang Rong explained that the herbs had been taken by the Zhao Palace, suggesting they go there to find them. Concerned about Huang Rong's safety, Guo Jing initially wanted to go alone but eventually agreed to take her along. They arrived at the Zhao Palace and discovered that Yang Kang had imprisoned Mu Nianci and her father. Yang Kang told Mu Yi that he couldn't let others know about their connection due to his royal status. He intended to keep them locked up for a few days before sending them home, promising to visit them in a year or two for the marriage. Mu Yi didn't believe Yang Kang's sweet words and wanted to discuss the matter with the princess, but Yang Kang firmly refused.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong secretly followed Yang Kang and discovered that after leaving the prison, he went to visit the princess. The princess inquired about the martial arts competition held to find a spouse. Yang Kang said that he had brought Mu Nianci and her father, Mu Yi, back to the palace and had ordered his men to treat them well. The princess instructed her son to properly apologize and warned him not to misbehave in the future. Although the princess wanted to personally apologize to Mu Nianci and Mu Yi, Yang Kang found an excuse to refuse.

Huang Rong kidnapped the steward of the Zhao Palace and deliberately injured him, forcing him to seek medicine from Yang Kang. The steward found Yang Kang, who wrote a note to Liang Ziweng to get the medicine. Huang Rong then instructed Guo Jing to follow the steward to retrieve the medicine while she stayed behind to eavesdrop on the conversations in the palace.

Wanyan Honglie, the sixth prince of the Jin dynasty, arrived at the palace to discuss important matters with the martial artists. He recalled how the Jin army had been defeated by Yue Fei, which was well known. Wanyan Honglie wanted to perform a great service for the emperor. He had learned that during his imprisonment, Yue Fei had written a military book, "The Martial Strategies of Yue Fei," containing his lifetime of knowledge on military tactics, training, and siege warfare. Wanyan Honglie believed that if the Jin dynasty could obtain this book, unifying the country would be easy.

Guo Jing followed the steward to get the medicine but was recognized by an apprentice who then reported him, leading to Guo Jing's imprisonment in the pharmacy. There, Liang Ziweng's pet snake sensed an intruder and attacked Guo Jing. To save his life, Guo Jing drank the snake's blood. This made Guo Jing extremely hot. When Liang Ziweng discovered that his treasured snake, which he had raised for over a decade, had been killed and consumed, he was devastated.

The apprentice informed Liang Ziweng that someone had stolen medicine from the pharmacy. Huang Rong, upon learning that Guo Jing was in trouble, rushed to rescue him but ended up revealing her own presence and was surrounded. The assailants, realizing she was from Peach Blossom Island and fearing Huang Yaoshi, decided to kill Huang Rong. Guo Jing arrived at the prison to rescue Mu Nianci and her father. Mu Yi, upon learning that Guo Jing was the son of his old friend Guo Xiaotian, was relieved that his sworn brother's family had survived all these years. Guo Jing wanted to take Mu Nianci and her father away, but Mu Yi insisted on staying to demand justice for his daughter.

Meanwhile, the princess arrived at the prison and ordered the release of Mu Nianci and her father. Ouyang Ke, the young master of White Camel Mountain, appeared at the Zhao Palace to rescue Huang Rong. Ouyang Ke had been invited by Wanyan Honglie. At Ouyang Ke's request, Wanyan Honglie handed Huang Rong over to him. As Guo Jing searched for Huang Rong in the palace, he unexpectedly encountered the Four Ghosts of the Yellow River. After drinking the snake blood, Guo Jing's abilities had significantly increased, and he easily defeated the four ghosts.

Grieving over the loss of his snake, Liang Ziweng was furious and sought to drink Guo Jing's blood. Ouyang Ke, fascinated by Huang Rong's beauty, wanted to keep her by his side and attempted to subdue her through a sparring match, but Huang Rong cleverly thwarted his attempts, making him even more interested in her.

While evading Liang Ziweng, Guo Jing accidentally stumbled into the princess's courtyard. Wanyan Honglie, concerned that thieves might disrupt the princess, visited her. Years ago, Wanyan Honglie, wounded by Qiu Chuji, hid in Niu Family Village and was saved by Bao Xiruo. Infatuated with her, he ordered Duan Tiande to lead men to attack Yang Tiexin and Guo Xiaotian's families while he secretly rescued Bao Xiruo, telling her that her husband had been killed by soldiers' arrows. Wanyan Honglie couldn't understand why, after eighteen years, Bao Xiruo still couldn't forget Yang Tiexin and never saw his true feelings. Bao Xiruo, expressing a desire to visit Niu Family Village, received Wanyan Honglie's permission to go.

Mu Yi secretly followed Princess Bao Xiruo to her residence. After Wanyan Honglie left, Mu Yi appeared in Bao Xiruo's room. At first, Bao Xiruo did not recognize Mu Yi's true identity, but when he mentioned the events of Niu Family Village, she realized that the person in front of her was her husband, Yang Tiexin, whom she had longed for over the past eighteen years. Reunited, the couple's eyes were filled with tears.

Bao Xiruo was about to ask Yang Tiexin how he had survived the pursuit years ago, but at that moment, Yang Kang arrived. Bao Xiruo quickly hid Yang Tiexin in a cupboard, but Yang Kang sensed something was amiss and entered the room. Suspecting his mother was hiding something, Yang Kang attacked the cupboard where Yang Tiexin was hiding. Guo Jing, who was hiding in the shadows, saw Yang Tiexin get injured and intervened.

Bao Xiruo also stopped Yang Kang, revealing that the man before him was his biological father. Yang Kang refused to believe that he was not Wanyan Kang of the Jin people, but rather Yang Kang, a Han. He did not want to acknowledge Yang Tiexin as his father, insisting that his mother was deceived. Heartbroken that her son did not recognize his real father, Bao Xiruo tried to commit suicide by ramming her head against a pillar.

Seeing Bao Xiruo injured, Yang Tiexin decided to take her away from the Zhao Palace. Yang Kang tried to stop them, but Yang Tiexin used the unique spear technique of the Zhao family to block Yang Kang, forcing him to confront his true heritage. Mu Nianci arrived at the courtyard looking for her father. Yang Tiexin told Bao Xiruo that Mu Nianci was his adopted daughter, and then took Bao Xiruo and Mu Nianci away from the palace.

Guo Jing found Huang Rong in the palace, but they were intercepted by palace guards. They had no choice but to hide in a dry well, where they unexpectedly encountered Mei Chaofeng. Recognizing Guo Jing as the disciple of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, Mei Chaofeng intended to kill him. However, Huang Rong revealed Mei Chaofeng's true identity, stopping her.

Huang Rong convinced Mei Chaofeng to help them fend off the palace guards, promising to plead with her father, Huang Yaoshi, on her behalf. Guo Jing and Huang Rong, along with Mei Chaofeng, managed to escape the well. Mei Chaofeng realized that her master was not in the palace and demanded the secrets of Peach Blossom Island's martial arts from Huang Rong in exchange for her help.

Yang Kang led palace soldiers to stop Yang Tiexin and his group from escaping, determined to take his mother back. At this moment, Ma Yu of the Quanzhen Sect appeared and, learning that Yang Tiexin was Qiu Chuji's friend, helped Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo escape through the city gate. Mei Chaofeng, Guo Jing, and Huang Rong fought against Ouyang Ke and Liang Ziweng, but as Mei Chaofeng had gone mad, they gradually began to lose.

Just then, Yang Kang returned to the palace, ordering Liang Ziweng and the others to help find his mother, allowing Guo Jing and the others to escape. The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan arrived at the palace, intending to kill Mei Chaofeng, who had gone mad. However, Guo Jing, grateful for her previous assistance, stopped them. Huang Rong took the opportunity to lead Mei Chaofeng away from the palace.

Huang Rong only saved Mei Chaofeng because she did not want anyone from Peach Blossom Island to die at the hands of outsiders. Mei Chaofeng then revealed that after being blinded by the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, she had been hiding in the Zhao Palace, where she secretly practiced martial arts and was discovered by the young Yang Kang. Yang Kang found a hiding place for her, and in return, Mei Chaofeng agreed to teach him martial arts.

Wanyan Honglie and Yang Kang soon caught up with Yang Tiexin and his group. Yang Kang intended to kill Yang Tiexin himself. Qiu Chuji appeared to save Yang Tiexin, but Yang Kang poisoned Qiu Chuji when he was off guard. Ma Yu quickly provided protection to help Qiu Chuji detoxify.

Bao Xiruo refused to return to the palace with Yang Kang, and Yang Kang stubbornly refused to acknowledge Yang Tiexin as his father, only recognizing Wanyan Honglie, who had raised him for eighteen years, as his father. Wanyan Honglie, resentful that Bao Xiruo had never shown him any affection, decided to kill Yang Tiexin and take Bao Xiruo away. Seeing that they could not escape their fate, Yang Tiexin did not want to implicate the innocent Qiu Chuji and Mu Nianci.

He took his own life with the Yang family's spear. Unable to bear living without her husband, Bao Xiruo also took her own life with a dagger.

Guo Jing brought Wang Chuyi to the scene. As Yang Tiexin was dying, he entrusted his adopted daughter Mu Nianci to Guo Jing. Though reunited after eighteen years, Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo ultimately died together, fulfilling their final wish. Under Yang Kang's hint, Mu Nianci held Yang Kang hostage, forcing Liang Ziweng and others to hand over the antidote for the poison affecting Qiu Chuji, successfully saving him.

Late at night, Yang Kang came to pay his respects to his mother, Bao Xiruo, but Qiu Chuji believed that Yang Kang, who recognized a traitor as his father, had no right to offer incense to the Yang couple. Despite this, Yang Kang insisted on honoring Bao Xiruo, infuriating Qiu Chuji, who wanted to kill him. Guo Jing intervened, and considering Yang Kang as Yang Tiexin's only bloodline, Qiu Chuji temporarily spared his life.

Yang Kang had lived as Wanyan Kang for eighteen years, never knowing his true identity. He was heartbroken and could not accept the sudden change in his identity. Mu Nianci, worried about Yang Kang, followed him. Though she did not try to persuade him, she knew that her parents hoped Yang Kang would live well. Qiu Chuji intended to fulfill Yang Tiexin's dying wish by arranging for Guo Jing and Mu Nianci to marry.

However, Guo Jing did not want to honor this engagement. Ke Zhene revealed that Guo Jing had been conferred the title of Golden Blade Consort by Genghis Khan in the desert. Despite this, Guo Jing did not want to marry either Mu Nianci or Princess Hua Zheng, openly confessing his love for Huang Rong. The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, upon learning that Huang Rong was Huang Yaoshi's daughter, forced Guo Jing to swear never to see her again.

Unable to comply with his masters' demands, Guo Jing found himself in a difficult position between his masters and Huang Rong. Huang Rong arrived and decisively took Guo Jing away on horseback. Huang Rong asked Guo Jing why he did not want to marry Mu Nianci or Princess Hua Zheng. Guo Jing honestly expressed that he only wanted to be with Huang Rong, and his heart could not hold anyone else.

Huang Rong, happy with Guo Jing's confession, also admitted that she only liked Guo Jing. Guo Jing wished to ask his masters for permission to marry Huang Rong, promising to explain the situation to Mu Nianci and to dissolve his engagement with Princess Hua Zheng in the desert. Guo Jing and Huang Rong returned to the courtyard but could not find his masters.

They decided to wait until the gathering at Drunken Immortal Tavern in six months to plead with them. Eighteen years earlier, Qiu Chuji learned that the families of Yang Tiexin and Guo Xiaotian were besieged by Duan Tiande. Upon discovering that Guo Xiaotian's wife was hiding in Fahua Temple, he went there to find her but was intercepted by the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan.

When Qiu Chuji found out that Duan Tiande had slandered him in front of Master Jiao Mu and the Seven Freaks, claiming he had defected to the Jin people, a misunderstanding ensued, leading to injuries on both sides. Later, the Seven Freaks and Master Jiao Mu realized they had been deceived when they saw Duan Tiande at Fahua Temple.

They then agreed to separately rescue the widows of the Yang and Guo families and have their children compete at Drunken Immortal Tavern in eighteen years. Eighteen years later, Qiu Chuji and the Seven Freaks reunited. While Guo Jing had become a chivalrous and righteous man, Yang Kang had recognized a traitor as his father. Qiu Chuji publicly admitted defeat in their bet.

Although Ke Zhene was angry that his disciple liked Huang Rong, Daoist Ma Yu saw that Huang Rong genuinely liked Guo Jing and persuaded Ke Zhene to let the marriage proceed according to Guo Jing's wishes. Mu Nianci took the wandering Yang Kang back home. Yang Kang could not understand why his mother had insisted on abandoning the wealth of the palace to return to Niu Family Village.

Mu Nianci left Yang Tiexin's iron spear with Yang Kang as a memento. Although Yang Tiexin had betrothed Mu Nianci to Guo Jing before his death, Mu Nianci knew Guo Jing had someone he liked and would not marry him. She acknowledged only that her father had betrothed her to Yang Kang, who won her hand in a martial arts contest.

Yang Kang, moved by Mu Nianci's sincerity, promised to marry her at Niu Family Village once he settled his current affairs. As Guo Jing and Huang Rong traveled through a forest, they unexpectedly encountered Hong Qigong. Huang Rong, in high spirits, gambled with Hong Qigong on a game of Cuju.

Guo Jing started the Cuju match but, having never played before, he accidentally kicked the ball too hard, breaking it. Hong Qigong declared that Guo Jing had lost the match, but Huang Rong was not willing to accept defeat. Hong Qigong suggested a sleeping contest instead. Huang Rong told Guo Jing to continue competing with Hong Qigong, assuring him that she had a way to make Hong Qigong lose.

During the sleeping contest between Hong Qigong and Guo Jing, Huang Rong roasted a Beggar's Chicken. The enticing aroma made it hard for Hong Qigong to resist. Meanwhile, Liang Ziweng chased after Guo Jing to suck the blood that had absorbed snake venom. Guo Jing and Huang Rong were no match for Liang Ziweng, but at the critical moment, Hong Qigong intervened to save them. Recognizing Hong Qigong, Liang Ziweng knelt and begged for mercy.

Guo Jing, kind-hearted as always, allowed Liang Ziweng to leave. Hong Qigong was completely won over by the aroma of the Beggar's Chicken and willingly admitted defeat in the contest. Huang Rong had already recognized Hong Qigong's identity and used gourmet food to entice him into teaching them martial arts. Hong Qigong, noticing Huang Rong's martial arts style, realized she was Huang Yaoshi's daughter and refused her request to accept Guo Jing as a disciple.

Unwilling to give up, Huang Rong prepared a table of delicious dishes the next day. Attracted by the aroma, Hong Qigong came by, and Huang Rong took the opportunity to praise his martial arts, claiming he was even better than her father, Huang Yaoshi. Flattered, Hong Qigong showed himself.

Being a food lover, Hong Qigong enjoyed the meal prepared by Huang Rong and agreed to teach Guo Jing some martial arts moves, though he did not promise to accept him as a disciple. Hong Qigong personally taught Guo Jing "Regret of the Dragon. " Despite his slow comprehension, Guo Jing eventually mastered one move after practicing, which pleased Hong Qigong.

Huang Rong continued to win over Hong Qigong with gourmet food, convincing him to teach her a set of martial arts as well. Ouyang Ke found Huang Rong and Guo Jing. Reluctant to give up on taking Huang Rong back to White Camel Mountain, Ouyang Ke attempted to kill Guo Jing. However, Guo Jing, who had learned one move of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, managed to hold his own in a fight against Ouyang Ke.

Despite injuring Guo Jing after several battles, Ouyang Ke intended to take Huang Rong away but was unexpectedly interrupted by Hong Qigong. Ouyang Ke released venomous snakes to attack Hong Qigong, but Hong Qigong swiftly killed the snakes. Out of respect for Ouyang Feng, Hong Qigong let Ouyang Ke go, though Ouyang Ke left reluctantly. Huang Rong prepared a full snake feast to reward Hong Qigong.

When Hong Qigong learned that Ouyang Ke had been troubling Guo Jing and Huang Rong, he agreed to continue teaching Guo Jing the first fifteen moves of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Under Hong Qigong's meticulous guidance, Guo Jing's martial arts skills improved rapidly. After Bao Xiruo's tragic death, Wanyan Honglie returned to the small courtyard of the palace. Despite eighteen years of sorrow, he never won Bao Xiruo's love.

Yang Kang also returned to the courtyard to bid farewell to Wanyan Honglie, expressing his intention to return to his mother's hometown, Niu Family Village in Lin'an, to atone for his mother's sins. Wanyan Honglie did not want his son to leave. Although Yang Kang was not his biological son, Wanyan Honglie had always treated him as his own.

He told Yang Kang that he could continue using the Wanyan surname and inherit the throne after his death if he wished. Yang Kang explained to Mu Nianci that he couldn't return to Niu Family Village with her yet because he wanted to stay with Wanyan Honglie to protect Yue Fei's "Wu Mu's Military Strategy" from Wanyan Honglie's greed, hoping to change the opinions of those who looked down on them.

Mu Nianci ultimately chose to trust Yang Kang and allowed him to stay with Wanyan Honglie.

After teaching Guo Jing martial arts for thirty days, Hong Qigong prepared to bid farewell. However, Huang Rong still hoped that Hong Qigong would teach Guo Jing the final three moves of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Guo Jing was already satisfied and gratefully thanked Hong Qigong for his teachings, which made Hong Qigong appreciate Guo Jing's wisdom.

The next day, Hong Qigong left without saying goodbye. Huang Rong and Guo Jing also prepared to head to Zuixian Restaurant as scheduled. Guo Jing planned to go to town alone to buy some dry food, leaving Huang Rong in the courtyard to pack their belongings. After Guo Jing left, Ouyang Ke attacked Huang Rong with venomous snakes, and Huang Rong was accidentally bitten and poisoned. Ouyang Ke took the opportunity to abduct the unconscious Huang Rong.

When Guo Jing returned to the courtyard from town and found Huang Rong missing, he deduced from the dead snakes that Ouyang Ke had taken her. Following Huang Rong's trail, he pursued them. Guo Jing successfully caught up with Ouyang Ke and rescued Huang Rong. Together, they fought Ouyang Ke. Thanks to Hong Qigong's training, their martial arts skills had improved significantly, and they managed to defeat Ouyang Ke. Realizing he was no match for them, Ouyang Ke seized the chance to escape.

The Mongols had already infiltrated Song territory and were cooperating with the Song people. Now, with the Jin forces capturing land on both fronts, Wanyan Honglie instructed Yang Kang to secretly infiltrate Song territory as a Jin envoy. His task was to find someone to kill the Mongol envoy and frame the Song people for it, thereby breaking the Mongol-Song alliance without a fight.

Mei Chaofeng, having successfully practiced the internal energy techniques taught by Huang Rong, had now cleared her meridians, resulting in a significant increase in her martial prowess. Yang Kang invited Mei Chaofeng to accompany him to Song territory, knowing well her enmity with the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. With the Jiangnan Seven Freaks and the palace experts planning a battle on the fifteenth of August, they planned to seize the opportunity to kill their enemies in one go. Mei Chaofeng declined to travel with Yang Kang but assured him that she would seek revenge against the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan on her own.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong arrived in town to rest. Huang Rong spotted Mu Nianci and deliberately separated from Guo Jing to secretly find her. Mistakingly believing that Mu Nianci had feelings for Guo Jing, Huang Rong snatched the short sword, a keepsake from Yang Tiexin, from Mu Nianci's hand. Unable to defeat Huang Rong, Mu Nianci was trapped by her. Huang Rong intended to make Mu Nianci promise not to marry Guo Jing. Learning that Huang Rong had feelings for Guo Jing, Mu Nianci assured her that she had no intention of marrying him. Huang Rong, realizing that Mu Nianci liked Yang Kang and posed no threat to her relationship with Guo Jing, cleared up the misunderstanding. Before parting, Mu Nianci gifted the short sword to Huang Rong.

Mu Nianci bid farewell to Huang Rong and headed to Niu Family Village. Along the way, she heard that the Jin envoy was a young prince. She followed them secretly and successfully found Yang Kang. Meanwhile, Huang Rong and Guo Jing encountered Lu Chengfeng, the master of Guiyun Manor, fishing on the river. Lu Chengfeng and the couple hit it off immediately, and he invited them to stay at his manor for a few days.

Lu Chengfeng asked his son, Lu Guanying, to entertain Guo Jing and Huang Rong. Later, he invited Huang Rong and Guo Jing to admire his landscape paintings. Impressed by Huang Rong's insightful comments, Lu Chengfeng regarded her as a kindred spirit. While staying at Guiyun Manor, Huang Rong noticed the iron Bagua in their room and became curious about the peculiarities of the manor and Lu Chengfeng's identity.

That night, the sound of conch shells woke Huang Rong. She roused the sleeping Guo Jing to investigate, but they inadvertently fell into the manor's Bagua maze. Using her knowledge of Qimen Dunjia, Huang Rong easily navigated the maze and successfully emerged at the lakeside.

Lu Guanying learned that the Jin envoy would cross the lake that night. He decided to lead the people to intercept the Jin's wealth, distributing half to the poor by the lake and dividing the rest among the villages. As Yang Kang, the Jin envoy, crossed Taihu Lake by boat, his party was ambushed.