After receiving the treasured sword and expressing his thanks, Xu Qian mutters to himself on the way back, puzzled as to why the Grand Astrologer (Jianzheng) gave him the sword. He had just been saying that alchemy is priceless, yet he so easily accepted the teacher’s gift—wasn’t that somewhat hypocritical? Xu Qian sighs that he’s still a worldly person at heart. No sooner does he speak a slightly disrespectful remark about the teacher than the sword in his hand, as if it can understand him, flies straight at him. Terrified, Xu Qian hastily begs for mercy and apologizes before his life is truly endangered.
Just then, two people approach, radiating an imposing aura that prompts Xu Qian to step aside and make way. One is Wei Yuan, the Nightwatchers’ commander, and the other is Nangong Qianrou, a female Nightwatcher—both of whom left a strong impression on Xu Qian, leading him to conclude they must be big shots.
One day, Princess Huaiqing hears a poem circulating at Yunlu Academy:
“Fear not that ahead no kindred soul remains;
All throughout the realm, your name’s known just the same.”
She remarks that it’s a fine poem and asks Yunlu Academy’s headmaster, Zhao Shou, who composed it. Zhao Shou answers frankly that, in fact, the poet was but a simple warrior.
On their way to Yunlu Academy, Xu Qian and Xu Xinnian ride together on horseback. Having offended Zhou Xianping, Xu Qian is eager to secure some fallback for the Xu family. With two younger sisters underage, he wants to make sure they’ll be safe, so he plans to plead with the academy’s faculty to take them in as students.
At Yunlu Academy, two great scholars—Zhang Shen and Li Mubai—are known for cherishing talent. Upon hearing that Xu Qian has arrived, they greet him with enthusiasm. Once Xu Qian states his request, the two deliberately claim it’s quite difficult but mention that they’re currently compiling a poetry collection titled Persuasion to Study. They say that if Xu Qian can achieve something noteworthy in the form of poetry, they’ll do their utmost to help enroll his sisters in the academy. Needing a safe place for his sisters, Xu Qian agrees to try his hand at writing. However, he can only recall half-lines of the poems he wants to offer. He shows these unfinished verses to Li Mubai, who is somewhat disappointed by their incompleteness. Yet Xu Qian pointedly hints that once he’s done with some other tasks, he will not let his teachers down when he returns. Hearing this, Li Mubai beams with delight and sends him off, urging him to come back soon.
As Xu Qian and Xu Xinnian head home, Xu Xinnian muses about Xu Qian’s careful reasoning: if their mother and two younger sisters are at the academy, it’ll foil any schemes Zhou Li might harbor. Once at home, they realize they’ve been tailed. They warn their uncle, Xu Pingzhi, to strengthen security. As a warrior, Xu Pingzhi gathers his subordinates and orders them to be on high alert.
That evening, Xu Xinnian, Xu Qian, and their uncle gather to share what each has learned over the past few days. From Xu Pingzhi’s clues, they discover that Zhou Li frequently spends time at a mistress’s residence and in less reputable quarters—lately, he’s been especially captivated by Fuxiang, a top courtesan at the Jiaofangsi. Xu Qian surmises that Fuxiang must know some secrets, so they plan to get closer to her. Since Xu Xinnian is a scholar from Yunlu Academy, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to go to such a place. Therefore, the task falls to Xu Qian, the junior constable.
Hearing that Fuxiang is fond of literati types, Xu Qian quickly outfits himself to look polished and refined. It’s his first visit to the Jiaofangsi, and he’s surprised to discover there’s a line and a steep entry fee just to get a seat. Short on cash, Xu Qian heads out to see how he might earn some extra money. Spotting a game of “touhu” (pitch-pot) in the street where people can wager, Xu Qian happens to have two coins in his pocket. Relying on his exceptional aim, he wins a small magical jade mirror and then helps a wealthy patron with his pitching. His success nets him a string of bodhi beads and, ultimately, 600 taels in silver banknotes.
Now flush with money, Xu Qian hurries back to the Jiaofangsi. To his surprise, he bumps into Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian there. Seeing others greet Xu Pingzhi in a familiar manner, Xu Qian realizes his uncle must be a regular.
