Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Liu Wuzhou's caravan, returning to Shanyang County, suffered further casualties despite his promise to prevent more losses, with only about 80 of the original 500 survivors. Zhang Xuan's victory over the black horse bandits garnered him fame, attracting merchants to the Dragon Lake Inn, where his companion Cheng Yaojin accepted gifts on his behalf. Meanwhile, Zhang Xuan practiced the "Gathering Spirit Returning Heart Diagram" for healing after overtraining. Zhao Dan, a merchant who lost many in the caravan, expressed gratitude and left gold for Zhang Xuan. Chai Shao met with Li Jing, discussing a mission to Julu Lake for weapons, but worried about Zhang Xuan's potential reaction to the truth. Later, Zhang Xuan, upon receiving the Purple Bug Jade Pupas from Chai Shao, realized he was being manipulated into a larger scheme involving Wuchuan Prefecture. Deciding to accompany Chai Shao to Julu Lake, he prepared for the journey by recruiting guards and gathering supplies, with Cheng Yaojin taking charge of the preparations.

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