The world’s situation remains unsettled, divided into three kingdoms: Beixuan, Xixiang, and Yan Nan. The people of Beixuan are renowned for their bravery and combat prowess, while Yan Nan boasts a prosperous economy capable of rivaling Beixuan. Within Beixuan, five factions vie for the position of wolf leader. The death of Xuan Shu, the head of the Xuan faction, is linked to the Baigong heir of Yan Nan. His son, Xuan Lie, is conducting a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, the Jun family of Yan Nan, also Baigong heirs, are searching for the whereabouts of the legendary crystal stone.
Jun Qi Luo decides to lead her caravan to Xixiang the next day, intending to find the fabled crystal stone. However, her father is deeply worried, believing that the journey to Xixiang is long and perilous, especially since they must pass through the notorious “No-Man’s-Land,” infested with rampant horse bandits and fraught with danger. He pleads with Jun Qi Luo to abandon the trip, return to her female identity, marry Qi Min, who has always been devoted to her, and lead a stable life.
But Jun Qi Luo is resolute. She understands the heavy responsibilities of being the Baigong heir—not only to manufacture fine crossbows for Yan Nan but also to uphold her family’s honor. She confesses to her father that even if she reverts to her female identity, she remains the Jun family’s Baigong heir and cannot remain uninvolved. She is also determined not to let the Jun family’s business fall into the hands of the second branch, fearing they would ruin it swiftly.
At this moment, Jun Qi Luo’s third sister, Jun Jiangjuan, arrives to inquire if she truly intends to marry Qi Min. Jun Qi Luo smiles and shakes her head, saying it is merely a temporary measure. Jun Jiangjuan silently agrees, knowing that although Qi Min has deep affections for Jun Qi Luo, her talent and ability mean her future husband will not be ordinary. Meanwhile, her second sister believes that Qi Min, as the only outsider aware of Jun Qi Luo’s female identity, is indeed a perfect match for her. Before departing, Jun Qi Luo’s father reminds Qi Min once again to take good care of her.
On their way to Xixiang, Jun Qi Luo and her group encounter a severe equine disease, resulting in the death of many horses. At their current pace, they cannot reach their destination on time. Faced with this dilemma, Jun Qi Luo swiftly seeks a solution. She notices a nearby Beixuan caravan and decides to approach them to discuss borrowing some horses to address their urgent need. In exchange, she offers the caravan a precious Jun family brocade.
However, the caravan members are skeptical of Jun Qi Luo’s proposal, doubting that such an ordinary-looking caravan would possess such a valuable brocade. To alleviate their doubts, Jun Qi Luo reveals that she knows a secret path that can lead the caravan to avoid danger and proceed smoothly. After careful consideration, the caravan’s leader agrees to Jun Qi Luo’s proposal.
As they travel along the secret path, they are suddenly attacked by a group of horse bandits. During the fierce battle, Jun Qi Luo keenly observes that the bandits’ attire is unlike usual, suggesting they may not be ordinary bandits. Amid the chaos, Qi Min attempts to protect Jun Qi Luo and escape but is unfortunately captured. He tenderly urges Jun Qi Luo to remain strong because the Jun family needs her.
After waking up, Jun Qi Luo is filled with sadness and helplessness. Meanwhile, Luo Qi reports to Xuan Lie that they discovered an exquisite silk weaving on the battlefield, likely the Jun family’s brocade. Faced with Xuan Lie’s questioning, Jun Qi Luo, thinking quickly, lies, claiming she is not a member of the Jun family caravan but rather Jun Fei Fan’s personal maid. She explains that because the eldest master and she are mutually in love, she is impersonating him to stabilize the caravan’s morale.
Xuan Lie searches the caravan and finds weapons, realizing that this group is smuggling arms under the guise of a caravan. However, he is unsure which tribe of Beixuan they belong to. To uncover the truth, Xuan Lie decides to release information and set a trap, waiting for the mastermind to fall into it. Meanwhile, Jun Qi Luo seizes the opportunity to try to escape but is captured again by Xuan Lie. During the search, Xuan Lie discovers the Jun family’s merchant permit on Jun Qi Luo, placing her in an even more precarious situation.
Seeking a solution, Jun Qi Luo agrees to take Xuan Lie to find Jun Fei Fan. Xuan Lie tentatively believes her. Jun Qi Luo then presents three conditions: ensuring her personal safety, assisting in burying the deceased, and delivering the goods to Xixiang. After consideration, Xuan Lie finds the conditions reasonable and promptly agrees to Jun Qi Luo’s requests.
