As they head to the capital, Ning Que finds out from Qing Chen that eleven of his seventeen acupuncture points are blocked, rendering him unable to cultivate. Despite, he asks Qing Chen to teach him the cultivation levels for his own knowledge. He keeps getting recurring dreams that haunt him about the sky becoming dark. The official for the department of transport is murdered.

Ning Que and Sang Sang visit Zeng Manor upon entering the capital. After 15 years, Ning Que reunites with his sworn brother, Zhuo Er. They both have sworn revenge upon General Xia, who killed both of their families when they were young. At the time, they also found Sang Sang as a baby, among the dead. Princess Li meets with her father, Emperor Li

In recognition for helping Xiao Shu, Ning Que is promoted by General Xu as a secret imperial guard, called into action whenever asked of him. Xiao Shu decides to step down as the leader of the Dragon gang, upsetting the Emperor. Prince Long Qing escapes punishment from Luo Kedi, while Prince Chong Ming and He Ming Chi of Xiling Academy collude to take down the Emperor.

Yan Se rushes to the two-story building exam, hoping he can get to Ning Que before the winner of the exam is decided. Meanwhile, State Preceptor Qing Shan informs the Emperor that Ning Que is the calligrapher he’s been searching for. Up in the mountain, Ning Que and Long Qing battle internal demons to find their way to the mountaintop.

Although Mo Shan Shan has expressed her admiration for Ning Que, he still hides his real identity from her and gives her advice on how to deal with the powerful leaders. Third Elder gives Hun Yuan a lesson after learning he’s been giving the 6th Prince diarrhea medicine. Mo Shan Shan and Chen Jia meet, while the Third Elder and the Empress face off.

After Sang Sang used her Heavenly Luminescence to take down Xia Hou, her chilling disease relapsed with greater intensity. To help her, Fu Zi recommends Ning Que take her to see Qi Shan, who is the only person who can save her. Hong Yu defeats the Grand Priest of Justice to take over his position. In search of Ning Que, Long Qing finally finds him and exacts his revenge.