Chapter Summaries

Si Ming and his companions were brought before the commander of a Li State army conducting a secret operation on an island. The commander accepted Si Ming’s connection to Yan Jinghong but said they could not leave while the mission remained secret.

• General Liu escorted Si Ming and the others into the island, where Murong Qing inferred that the army planned to attack a Barbarian Hu stronghold and draw troops away from Huai Prefecture.
• Old Ji confirmed Murong Qing’s strategic deduction and mentioned Princess Red Hawk, who had helped bring about Yinling City’s fall.
• The group met the scholarly commander, who questioned Si Ming’s and Murong Qing’s martial backgrounds.
• Si Ming defended his credentials by citing a Confucian teaching, and the commander apologized for General Liu Yongzhan’s earlier offense.
• The commander said the army could not release the group because their secret operation could not risk being exposed, and He Qichang protested that they were from Su State.

Si Ming and Murong Qing pieced together Marshal Mu Wu’s likely strategy against the Barbarian Hu and traced Li State’s crisis to its resistance to public martial arts education. The chapter ended with a young soldier asking Si Ming about Su State’s martial arts revolution and lamenting that Li State still argued over adopting one.

• Si Ming and his companions praised the army’s seafood cooking, and Murong Qing identified their host as Mu Wu, a leading marshal of Li State.
• Murong Qing mapped out the likely target of Mu Wu’s campaign, while she and Si Ming considered how the Heavenly Lion King might be drawn away from the royal capital.
• Murong Qing realized the Mohist School’s public martial arts manuals had helped the Heavenly Lion King reach Void Returning and unite the Barbarian Hu, contributing to Li State’s invasion.
• Si Ming suggested that the Li army might lure the Heavenly Lion King away to attack the capital, and he explained to He Qichang that understanding the plan could help them avoid danger.
• A young soldier visited Si Ming and asked about Su State’s public martial arts education, then lamented that Li State still debated whether to adopt a martial arts revolution despite losing half its territory.

He Qichang attacked Mu Qingfeng to take him hostage, but Liu Yongzhan intervened and defeated him before Mu Qingfeng could be captured. Mu Qingfeng revealed that he had joined the operation as a doctor and asked Si Ming to tell him about Su State, leaving the two ready to talk during the journey.

• He Qichang recognized Mu Qingfeng as Marshal Mu Wu’s son and attacked him, hoping to use him as a hostage.
• Mu Qingfeng defended himself with the Green Pine Palm Art and evasive footwork, but He Qichang’s Demon Blade: Gale struck him into a wall.
• Liu Yongzhan arrived with his golden spear, disarmed He Qichang, and ordered him to apologize to Mu Qingfeng.
• Mu Qingfeng stopped Liu Yongzhan from hurting He Qichang and explained that he disliked fighting and had joined the operation because of his medical skills.
• Mu Qingfeng asked Si Ming to tell him about Su State, and Si Ming agreed to answer his questions.

Mu Wu’s army sailed from Thousand Leaves Island toward an undisclosed destination while Si Ming explained the Mohist School’s eight principles to Mu Qingfeng and debated the Confucian order with him and Murong Qing. After landing, the army began a rapid march, and Si Ming noticed a soldier carrying a machine resembling a telegraph transmitter.

• Mu Wu led the army off Thousand Leaves Island, allowing Si Ming and the others to accompany them while Mu Qingfeng chatted with them.
• Si Ming explained why the Mohist School had merged frugality in funerals into frugality in expenditure and removed opposition to music from its principles.
• Murong Qing argued that changing the Confucian School would require destroying its existing order, and Si Ming said even the country’s fall might not be enough.
• Si Ming listed the Mohist School’s eight principles for Ji Da, who questioned the idea that ghosts and gods rewarded good and punished evil.
• Ji Da spotted land, and the army disembarked and began marching swiftly.
• Si Ming noticed a burly man carrying a machine that resembled a telegraph transmitter.

Mu Wu ordered the Mu Family Army to give its rations to starving refugees, forcing the troops to reach Qianjin City and capture it without delay. After Si Ming encouraged Mu Qingfeng to help others through whatever small actions he could, the army arrived at the city at sunset and prepared to attack as its defenders raised the alarm.

• Murong Qing gave her army rations to a starving child, and Mu Qingfeng asked Mu Wu to spare food for the refugees.
• Mu Wu ordered the army to give its food to the people and hurry to Qianjin City, narrowing the army's margin for error.
• Si Ming shared words urging people to do what they could to help, and Mu Qingfeng resolved to act rather than only worry about saving the country.
• The Mu Family Army pressed onward, with Si Ming carrying the exhausted Old Wang for part of the journey.
• The army reached Qianjin City near sunset, and Mu Wu ordered the troops to form ranks for an attack as the guards sounded the alarm.

Si Ming agreed to help Mu Wu’s army by breaking open Qianjin City’s gate, despite He Qichang’s warning about the risks. As the assault began, Si Ming charged toward the gate with a siege hammer and was caught in an explosive ballista barrage, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Si Ming explained that helping Mu Wu would ease his conscience and argued that Su State’s lack of relations with the Barbarian Hu made the intervention acceptable.
• Ji Da gave Si Ming a heavy spiked hammer and relayed Mu Wu’s permission for him to attack the city gate alone.
• Mu Qingfeng gave Si Ming protective items, and Si Ming prepared for battle while Liu Qingqing urged him to stay safe.
• When the drums sounded, Si Ming shouted “Son of Light, sortie!” and raced toward Qianjin City’s gate with the hammer.
• The defenders fired eight explosive ballista bolts at Si Ming, and the blasts engulfed him in dust and debris.

Si Ming endured Qianjin City's defenses and smashed its gate open while Mu Wu kept Boyan from intervening. The Mu Family Army charged through the breach, but Si Ming stood alone against the Barbarian Hu cavalry pouring out to meet them.

• Si Ming survived the ballista blasts and arrows, then battered the city gate with repeated hammer strikes despite the flames and explosions.
• Boyan prepared to shoot Si Ming, but Mu Wu's spear intent forced him to hold back, leaving the two Spirit Transformation experts locked in a standoff.
• Si Ming's third blow smashed the gate off its hinges, and the Mu Family Army rushed toward the opening.
• The Barbarian Hu sent a thousand cavalry through the gate to fight in the open, but Si Ming blocked their advance with Ground-Sweeping Wild Flowers, crushing the riders at the front.

Mu Wu defeated Boyan and captured Qianjin City, then spared the surrendered defenders and distributed the city’s surplus grain. After the battle, he summoned Si Ming and the others to the council hall, where he confronted Di Zhongyi for joining the Barbarian Hu.

• Mu Wu attacked Boyan with Ten Thousand Zhang of Golden Light Rends Heaven and Earth, broke through Boyan’s arrow formation, and collapsed part of Qianjin City’s wall.
• Mu Wu overpowered Boyan in their duel, severed his arm, and let him escape so he could spread word of the Li State force’s advance toward the Barbarian Hu capital.
• After Boyan fled, most of Qianjin City’s defenders surrendered, and Mu Wu spared them and ordered the city’s remaining grain distributed to residents and refugees.
• Si Ming and He Qichang discussed how long they might remain in Qianjin City and whether He Qichang would use the war to hone his Demon Blade Art.
• Mu Qingfeng summoned Si Ming and the others to the council hall, where Mu Wu accused Di Zhongyi of siding with the Barbarian Hu.

Si Ming denounced Di Zhongyi for joining the Barbarian Hu and argued that he remained a citizen of Li State because he had never legally renounced his nationality. Di Zhongyi was left speechless and disgraced in front of the assembled generals.

• Di Zhongyi defended joining the Barbarian Hu as revenge for the injustice and family tragedy inflicted by Emperor Shenzong.
• Si Ming mocked Di Zhongyi’s justification, and Mu Wu argued that personal revenge should not bring suffering to innocent people.
• Di Zhongyi claimed that the Barbarian Hu could end the troubled times by unifying the realm, leaving the hall divided and uncertain.
• Si Ming accused Di Zhongyi of betraying Li State and used the law to argue that he had never renounced his citizenship.
• Di Zhongyi trembled and fell silent as Si Ming branded him a traitor, lackey, and sellout.

After Si Ming’s taunts caused Di Zhongyi to die, Mu Wu gave him books found in the Vulture King’s residence and announced the army would soon surround Hao Capital. Si Ming chose to remain with the army as an observer, and he gave Liu Qingqing the Heavenly Firmament Arrow Formation Technique.

• Si Ming denounced Di Zhongyi as a Huaxia traitor, and Di Zhongyi spat blood and died.
• Mu Wu said Di Zhongyi’s death could warn other Huaxia traitors, then gave Si Ming an account book and the Heavenly Firmament Arrow Formation Technique.
• Si Ming learned that Mu Wu’s army would advance on Hao Capital and said he wanted to stay to witness the war.
• Mu Wu agreed to let Si Ming accompany the army as an observer, and Si Ming returned to share the news with his companions and hand Liu Qingqing the martial arts manual.

Mu Wu’s siege of Haojing City forced the Barbarian Hu army to retreat from the front lines, but a report warned that the Single-Winged Eagle King might be heading to relieve the capital. Mu Wu planned to withdraw the next day and remained confident that the enemy would not dare pursue his army.

• He Qichang complained that Mu Wu had kept the group watching rather than letting them fight, until a telegraph report announced the Barbarian Hu army’s retreat.
• Mu Wu’s forces sent Marshal Xue a message about their planned withdrawal and received a warning that the Single-Winged Eagle King might be coming to Hao Capital.
• Mu Wu judged that he could face the Eagle King and Silver Wolf King, while Liu Yongzhan and the others could handle the injured Vulture King.
• Mu Wu discussed the telegraph’s technology with its operator and wondered whether martial arts could someday allow people to communicate over long distances.
• Liu Yongzhan asked whether the Silver Wolf King might attack the withdrawing army, and Mu Wu insisted the capital’s remaining defenders would not dare pursue them.
• Ji Da agreed with Mu Wu and declared that they would take Hao Capital if the Barbarian Hu came after them.

Mu Wu learned that Shenzong’s crown prince might still be alive in Haojing City and decided to rescue him despite the possibility that the report was a trap. He arranged for Si Ming to enter the city while Mu Wu occupied the Silver Wolf King and the Vulture King.

• The Mu Family Army returned safely to Qianjin City while the Heavenly Wolf King and the Vulture King followed without attacking.
• Two disguised men told Mu Wu that the Barbarian King had secretly kept Shenzong’s crown prince alive and raised him without revealing his identity.
• Mu Wu’s generals debated whether the report was a trap, and Zhang Xingjiao warned that a rescue could delay the army’s withdrawal and risk an ambush.
• Mu Wu decided to verify the report and rescue the crown prince, then asked his Su State allies to help ensure the plan succeeded.
• Liu Yongzhan told Si Ming that he would charge into Haojing City to seize the crown prince while Mu Wu kept the Silver Wolf King and the Vulture King occupied.

Si Ming and his companions agreed to rescue the crown prince of Li State in Haojing City, while Murong Qing challenged Liu Yongzhan’s account that her father had betrayed the prince. After Mu Wu brought them to the city, they infiltrated through the damaged walls to begin the rescue.

• Si Ming accepted Liu Yongzhan’s request and asked him to prepare antidote pills; He Qichang and Murong Qing chose to accompany him.
• Liu Yongzhan told Murong Qing that her father, Murong Zhe, had betrayed the crown prince, but Murong Qing and Si Ming defended Murong Zhe’s integrity and questioned the story.
• Murong Qing learned that the crown prince might help clear her father’s name and urged the group to leave at once.
• Mu Wu carried Si Ming and the others to Haojing City, telling them to act after he drew the Vulture King and the Silver Wolf King away.
• Si Ming led the group through the ruined city walls and instructed them to move quietly without drawing attention.

Si Ming broke into Zhang Baobao’s residence and carried him off as a golden dragon drew the city’s attention to a battle at the palace. Murong Qing intercepted one of the watchers and killed her, while the fight’s outcome and the others’ progress remained unknown.

• A golden dragon attacked the imperial palace, prompting Mu Wu to battle the Silver Wolf King and Vulture King and giving Si Ming’s group a chance to act.
• Si Ming broke into the residence, knocked out its occupants, confirmed that the boy was Zhang Baobao, and carried him away.
• Murong Qing and He Qichang confronted two watchers who emerged from the alley.
• Murong Qing recognized her opponent’s Well Moon Saber Technique and fought her with the Thousand Directions Afterimages sword technique.
• Murong Qing used her Glacier True Qi to create an opening, severed the woman’s saber, and killed her with a downward slash.

Ju Beichen and the Heavenly Lion King Chidahu debated their political beliefs while playing chess, until a message revealed that the child was being rescued. Chidahu confirmed that the child was the real crown prince and introduced a book of New Mohist Studies, leaving Ju Beichen curious about its ideas.

• Ju Beichen stopped Chidahu from taking back a chess move and explained why he served Li State’s rulers rather than claiming the throne.
• Chidahu defended rule by strength and criticized Huaxia, while Ju Beichen argued that the Barbarian Hu refused to face its weaknesses.
• Ju Beichen received a telegraph message from the Mu Family Army and asked whether Chidahu’s hidden crown prince was genuine.
• Chidahu revealed that the prince had been switched with a substitute before the substitute was beheaded, and said the child was likely being rescued that night.
• Chidahu showed Ju Beichen Ghosts and Gods Metropolis and introduced its ideas as New Mohist Studies.

After rescuing the former crown prince from Haojing City, Si Ming and his companions questioned how easily the escape had gone. Their journey south was interrupted when the monk Xunan appeared and demanded the child.

• Ju Beichen realized the Heavenly Lion King had let the former crown prince escape as part of a political plan and tried to leave to stop Mu Wu from rescuing him.
• The Heavenly Lion King trapped Ju Beichen on Jade Pillar Peak and kept him from departing.
• Si Ming and his companions stopped after escaping Haojing City, and Si Ming and Murong Qing wondered whether their smooth rescue had been arranged in advance.
• Murong Qing recognized the rescued boy as her cousin and criticized his Barbarian Hu hairstyle, while He Qichang agreed it was ugly.
• The monk Xunan blocked the group's path and said he had come for the boy, prompting He Qichang to prepare for a fight.

He Qichang’s Demon Blade wounded Monk Xunan, then He Qichang transformed into a demon and attacked him again. Si Ming intervened to protect Xunan, but He Qichang turned his frenzied assault on Si Ming.

• Si Ming recognized Xunan’s Flower-Picking Finger, and Xunan was surprised by Si Ming’s knowledge of Buddhist martial arts.
• He Qichang used Demon Blade: Moon Eclipse to wound Xunan’s soul, then battered him until his Golden Bell Cover broke.
• Xunan struck He Qichang with the Demon-Subduing Lion’s Roar, but He Qichang shook it off and transformed into a demon.
• He Qichang wounded Xunan with Demon Blade: Rushing Thunder and overwhelmed his Flower-Picking Finger with Demon Blade: Torrent.
• Si Ming blocked He Qichang’s attack with Bullet Fist and called for him to calm down, but He Qichang launched a frenzied assault on Si Ming.

Si Ming and Murong Qing subdued He Qichang, then learned that Zhang Baobao was Xunan’s disciple and a Buddha’s Child. The group debated the boy’s future, and He Qichang later woke at a dock.

• Si Ming broke He Qichang’s saber and knocked him unconscious while Murong Qing froze him with Glacier True Qi.
• Xunan questioned Si Ming about He Qichang’s demonic connection, and Si Ming defended treating demons as sentient beings deserving compassion.
• Xunan revealed that Zhang Baobao’s Buddhist name was Bukong and admitted he had taken the boy as a disciple because he was a Buddha’s Child.
• Murong Qing considered taking her cousin to Su State, while Si Ming said Zhang Baobao’s wishes and Marshal Mu’s opinion had to be considered.
• He Qichang woke on a straw mat at a dock and smelled the sea.

He Qichang woke after his demon transformation and feared his secret had been exposed, but Si Ming and Murong Qing accepted him without judgment. The group prepared to leave, while Ying Zhou and Murong Wu visited a dessert shop in Tange City.

• He Qichang recalled how his half-demon blood caused his transformation and how an earlier loss of control had left him isolated.
• Si Ming asked He Qichang about his transformation, then treated it casually and walked away.
• Murong Qing told He Qichang she judged people by their actions rather than their nature, and Xunan gave her a copy of the Śūraṅgama Sūtra.
• A woman reminded He Qichang that Heart Moon Fox had also been accepted despite being a pure-blooded demon, and Si Ming called the team aboard the boat to leave.
• Ying Zhou bought two cakes at a dessert shop and gave the strawberry cake to Murong Wu, who enjoyed it.

Ying Zhou taught Murong Wu to act tough, and Murong Wu beat up a young man who had dirtied Ying Zhou’s clothes. After winter vacation, Si Ming and Murong Qing discussed how much Murong Wu had changed.

• Ying Zhou taught Murong Wu to insult an interfering woman, and she left after Ying Zhou frightened her.
• A young man bumped into Ying Zhou and dirtied his clothes, then refused to apologize.
• Murong Wu kicked and beat the young man, and Ying Zhou led him away before the shop staff intervened.
• Murong Wu returned to the orphanage, where Murong Qing scolded him for fighting, while Ying Zhou left for the company.
• After winter vacation, Si Ming observed that the classmates had changed, and Murong Qing worried that Murong Wu had become overly manly.