Chapter Summaries

Ding Ling offered Duàn Yì the five-hundred-year-old Ice Silkworm and her favor in exchange for killing Xu Fan, a White Lotus Sect Holy Son candidate, to divert Blood Butcher Monk while the Northern Demonic Cult sent reinforcements. Duàn Yì weighed the severe risks of accepting the job and judged the proposed reward insufficient.

• Lu Liding explained that Blood Butcher Monk was one of the White Lotus Sect's Four Great Protectors and was expected to find Ding Ran soon.
• Ding Ling told Duàn Yì that her family would send experts to Ji County within three to five days and offered him the Ice Silkworm and her favor for help.
• Ding Ling revealed that she wanted Duàn Yì to kill Xu Fan at Dafa Jewelry Store so Blood Butcher Monk would focus on him and leave Ding Ran alone temporarily.
• Duàn Yì considered the Ice Silkworm's benefits and the value of Ding Ling's favor, but recognized that the arrangement would expose him to the White Lotus Sect, Blood Butcher Monk, and Monk Huiqing.
• Duàn Yì concluded that the promised rewards did not match the risks he would face by killing Xu Fan.

Duàn Yì negotiated with Ding Ling and Lu Liding to help deal with Xu Fan, demanding the Ice Silkworm, premium Jade Lingzhi, and the Huaxiu Merchant Association’s help finding the Wu Family of Tomb Robbers. After securing Ding Ling’s written agreement, he left with the Ice Silkworm, while Ding Ling and Lu Liding accepted the costly bargain as their best chance to protect Ding Ran and face the Blood Butcher Monk.

• Duàn Yì offered to help deal with Xu Fan in exchange for the Ice Silkworm, premium Jade Lingzhi, and the Huaxiu Merchant Association’s full assistance finding the Wu Family of Tomb Robbers.
• Ding Ling accepted his terms, and Duàn Yì insisted she write an agreement and press her fingerprint because the Jade Lingzhi could not be delivered immediately.
• Ding Ling promised to compensate Duàn Yì with the Jade Lingzhi or herself if the association failed to provide it, while Lu Liding agreed to obtain a detailed dossier on Yang Fan.
• Duàn Yì left with the sandalwood box containing the Ice Silkworm, and Lu Liding warned Ding Ling that the association’s Vice President would object to giving up the Jade Lingzhi.
• Ding Ling explained that helping Ding Ran and potentially opening ties with the Western Demonic Cult justified the bargain, while Duàn Yì was their best chance against Yang Fan and the Blood Butcher Monk.
• Ding Ling reflected that wielding the true Crescent Moon Saber might have made the situation easier and resolved to improve her Ruyi Demonic Saber mastery.

The author reflected on nearly three years of writing and explained that, despite the book’s poor results, he would continue writing I Have a Tower of Hidden Martial Arts rather than rush its ending. He planned to start a new book before July and thanked readers who still enjoyed this story.

• The author described his writing career and the solitary routine of his life as a full-time writer.
• His editor asked about the current book’s progress and his plans for the next one, prompting him to consider the book’s future.
• The author revealed that he had considered ending the book shortly after it went premium, but chose to continue it for himself and its readers.
• He told his editor that he would start a new book before July while continuing to update I Have a Tower of Hidden Martial Arts without rushing its ending.
• The author explained that his future books would be entirely original rather than wuxia fanfiction and thanked the readers who supported the current novel.

Duàn Yì studied Xu Fan’s background and recognized the danger of killing him because of Xu Fan’s ties to the powerful Killing Fist, but he still considered acting soon to draw Blood Butcher Monk away from Ding Ling’s group. Meanwhile, Monk Huiqing, Qiu Shaozhen, Ye Xiaoxian, and a formidable woman gathered in Ji County to discuss eliminating Blood Butcher Monk.

• Duàn Yì received Ding Ling’s signed agreement and intelligence on Xu Fan, then used the five-hundred-year Ice Silkworm to strengthen his Ice Profound Energy, though it failed to remove the Yang Core Pill’s fiery toxin.
• Duàn Yì learned that Xu Fan was a talented White Lotus Sect candidate Holy Son, protected by the formidable First Holy Envoy Killing Fist.
• Duàn Yì realized that killing Xu Fan could provoke Killing Fist, but he weighed the risk against the need to draw Blood Butcher Monk away and give Ding Ling and the others time.
• Monk Huiqing, Qiu Shaozhen, Ye Xiaoxian, and a fierce-looking woman gathered in a Buddhist Hall in Ji County to discuss how to eliminate Blood Butcher Monk.

Yang Wuxia tried to recruit Huiqing, Qiu Shaozhen, and Ye Xiaoxian to join Six Gates in killing Blood Butcher Monk, a dangerous White Lotus Sect member. All three refused for different reasons, leaving her without the alliance she had hoped to form.

• Yang Wuxia explained Blood Butcher Monk’s threat and urged the three experts to cooperate with Six Gates to kill him.
• Huiqing refused to act under the court’s banner because he feared damaging Shaolin’s reputation.
• Qiu Shaozhen declined to join the hunt, still resentful of rumors that had diminished his role in the battle against Corpse King.
• Ye Xiaoxian claimed he could kill Blood Butcher Monk alone and needed no help.
• Yang Wuxia frowned at the three refusals and remained unsure how to persuade them.

Yang Wuxia failed to recruit Qiu Shaozhen, Ye Xiaoxian, and Monk Huiqing to work with the Six Gates against Blood Butcher Monk, while the two fighters learned how to draw him out. That evening, several groups headed to Dafa Jewelry Store, where its owner planned to confront the White Lotus Sect’s candidate Holy Son, Xu Fan, over his reckless affairs with local elites’ wives.

• Yang Wuxia warned the three men to avoid Blood Butcher Monk, but Qiu Shaozhen and Ye Xiaoxian refused to join forces with the Six Gates.
• Monk Huiqing suggested that Qiu Shaozhen and Ye Xiaoxian target a disciple of Killing Fist to lure Blood Butcher Monk out, and directed them to Water Moon Hermit for information.
• Yang Wuxia ordered her men to watch the two fighters without provoking them, then hurried off on her own.
• At dusk, several groups converged on Dafa Jewelry Store, a respected local business secretly managed by the White Lotus Sect.
• Brother Hong worried that Xu Fan’s affairs with seven young wives and two noblewomen would ruin his store and connections, and resolved to tell Xu Fan to keep a low profile.

Xu Fan ignored Uncle Hong’s warning to keep a low profile while several groups gathered outside Dafa Jewelry Store, each watching for him. Duàn Yì postponed his plan to kill Xu Fan after spotting potential obstacles, then recognized Yang Wuxia and was shaken by guilt.

• Uncle Hong urged Xu Fan to lie low, but Xu Fan only pretended to agree and disregarded the warning.
• Yang Wuxia watched Dafa Jewelry Store from a night-market stall with two constables and the dismantled pieces of a Red Tassel Spear.
• Qiu Shaozhen and Ye Xiaoxian stood conspicuously near the store, while Duàn Yì watched them and wondered whether they had come for Xu Fan.
• Duàn Yì abandoned his plan to challenge Xu Fan for the moment, deciding to wait and see whether Qiu Shaozhen and Ye Xiaoxian were allies or rivals.
• Duàn Yì spotted Yang Wuxia and felt his guilt return.

Qiu Shaozhen smashed open Dafa Jewelry Store and confronted Xu Fan, announcing that he would kill him. Xu Fan put on his Silver Gang Gloves and challenged Qiu Shaozhen to a fight, while Duàn Yì watched from hiding.

• Duàn Yì recognized Yang Wuxia and suspected the Six Gates had set their sights on Xu Fan.
• Qiu Shaozhen and Ye Xiaoxian agreed that Qiu Shaozhen would kill Xu Fan and Ye Xiaoxian would deal with the Blood Butcher Monk if he came seeking revenge.
• Qiu Shaozhen blasted apart the jewelry store's doors with his Saber Qi, driving away curious pedestrians as Duàn Yì watched from a hidden spot.
• Xu Fan put on his Silver Gang Gloves and went outside with Uncle Hong to confront the intruder.
• Qiu Shaozhen introduced himself and pressured Xu Fan with his reputation, but Xu Fan laughed and challenged him to a deadly fight.

Xu Fan and Qiu Shaozhen began a fierce duel in the street, each revealing formidable skill while holding back their strongest techniques. As the fight continued without a clear victor, Duàn Yì judged that his own abilities might let him defeat either man.

• Xu Fan attacked Qiu Shaozhen with Jade Breaking Fist, but Qiu evaded and countered with a saber strike that forced Xu to retreat and disperse the Saber Qi entering his arms.
• Yang Wuxia kept the constables from interfering, Ye Xiaoxian watched their techniques, and Uncle Hong hid inside the jewelry store.
• Qiu Shaozhen and Xu Fan assessed each other, then Qiu launched a sweeping saber attack and resumed their duel.
• Xu Fan guarded against Qiu's Saber Qi and held his ground with Jade Breaking Fist, though Qiu kept him suppressed and neither revealed his strongest techniques.
• Duàn Yì watched from concealment and concluded that his Ice Profound Energy, swordsmanship, and combat talent could let him suppress both fighters.

Qiu Shaozhen unleashed the demonic Overlord of the World Saber Technique against Xu Fan, whose Killing Fist answered with lethal force. Their clash devastated the street, and the chapter ended as Xu Fan used the still-unmastered Killing God against Qiu Shaozhen’s descending saber strike.

• Qiu Shaozhen decided to use the Overlord of the World Saber Technique, despite its demonic influence and the danger it posed to his mind.
• Qiu Shaozhen opened with Straight Through with One Saber as Xu Fan countered with Killing Heart, forcing Qiu to redirect his saber against the incoming fist.
• Their clash shattered the paving stones and wrecked nearby storefronts, and Qiu Shaozhen launched himself into a far more powerful descending attack.
• Xu Fan struggled against the saber’s deathly pressure, then stopped retreating and unleashed Killing God against Qiu Shaozhen.

Duàn Yì intervened in the clash between Qiu Shaozhen and Xu Fan, killing Xu Fan with Meteor from Beyond the Heavens and escaping with his head. Ye Xiaoxian pursued him, while Qiu Shaozhen and Uncle Hong were left to face the aftermath.

• Xu Fan used Killing God against Qiu Shaozhen's Dominate the World Saber Technique as their forces collided.
• Duàn Yì's Meteor from Beyond the Heavens pierced the clash and killed Xu Fan.
• Duàn Yì tore off Xu Fan's head and fled before the onlookers could stop him.
• Yang Wuxia recognized Duàn Yì, and Ye Xiaoxian pursued him.
• Uncle Hong slipped away to avoid blame, while Qiu Shaozhen roared in fury over losing his victory.

Duàn Yì carried Xu Fan’s severed head to prove he had fulfilled his agreement, but Ye Xiaoxian followed him into a peach grove and challenged him to a duel. Duàn Yì overcame his fear of facing the renowned inheritor of Flying Immortal Beyond the Heavens, and just as their swords were about to meet, an unknown figure crashed between them.

• Duàn Yì entered a peach grove with Xu Fan’s severed head and noticed Ye Xiaoxian had followed him.
• Ye Xiaoxian asked Duàn Yì to draw his sword and fight, and Duàn Yì agreed after asking his name.
• Ye Xiaoxian introduced himself as Bái Yúnchéng, Ye Xiaoxian, and Duàn Yì hesitated at the reputation of Flying Immortal Beyond the Heavens.
• Duàn Yì confronted his fear of defeat, regained his confidence, and sharpened his resolve as Ye Xiaoxian sensed the change.
• Ye Xiaoxian gripped the Flying Immortal Sword, but an unknown figure crashed between the two men and forced them back.

Yang Wuxia interrupted Duàn Yì and Ye Xiaoxian before their duel could begin, and Ye Xiaoxian agreed to postpone their contest. After Duàn Yì showed Yang Wuxia Xu Fan’s head, she declined to arrest him and the old companions happily agreed to meet again.

• Yang Wuxia stepped between Duàn Yì and Ye Xiaoxian and urged them to call off their fight.
• Ye Xiaoxian agreed to postpone their sword contest and left along a peach tree.
• Yang Wuxia asked Duàn Yì where Xu Fan’s head was, and Duàn Yì brought it to her.
• Yang Wuxia explained that she would not arrest Duàn Yì for killing a White Lotus Sect expert.
• Duàn Yì asked Yang Wuxia for her address so he could visit her after sending the head away.

Duàn Yì reassured Yang Wuxia that he was not an assassin and explained his involvement in Xu Fan’s death. After Yang Wuxia gave him a Six Gates token and left, the Blood Butcher Monk learned of Xu Fan’s death and ordered the White Lotus Sect to find and avenge the killers.

• Yang Wuxia questioned Duàn Yì about whether he had become an assassin, and he explained that he had killed Xu Fan as part of a personal agreement to lure out the Blood Butcher Monk.
• Duàn Yì told Yang Wuxia about his agreement with Ding Ling and the history connecting Ding Ran to the Blood Butcher Monk.
• Yang Wuxia warned Duàn Yì to be careful around Ding Ling’s group, gave him a token he could use to seek help from the Six Gates, and departed.
• Duàn Yì picked up Xu Fan’s head and left the peach grove with the token.
• The owner of Dafa Jewelry Store secretly passed news of Xu Fan’s death through the White Lotus Sect to the Blood Butcher Monk.
• The Blood Butcher Monk ordered the sect to identify and avenge Xu Fan’s killers, then notified the Holy Envoy Killing Fist.

Duan Yi learned that the Wu Family’s Nine Dragon Jade Cup might be in his hometown and planned to return to Wei Prefecture after Yan Chongtian and Aorgel’s battle. Meanwhile, rumors about his role in Xu Fan’s death and his supposed relationship with Yuwen Lan Jun spread, leaving him caught between powerful enemies and threatening to unravel her engagement to Qiu Shaozhen.

• Duan Yi received intelligence from Ding Ling and Lu Liding that Wu Zhiyong, a wealthy merchant in Lin'an County, might possess the Nine Dragon Jade Cup, and he decided to return to Wei Prefecture after the coming battle.
• Duan Yi learned that rumors credited him with killing Xu Fan and rescuing Yuwen Lan Jun, while also spreading stories about his martial skills and romantic entanglements.
• The rumors turned public opinion against Qiu Shaozhen, who claimed Duan Yi had stolen credit for Xu Fan’s death and was considering breaking his engagement to Yuwen Lan Jun.
• Duan Yi realized that the scandal could provoke a clash between the Yuwen Family and the Overlord Saber Sect, with both sides likely to blame him.

Duàn Yì suspected Lu Liding had exposed his identity and sought Yang Wuxia’s protection through Six Gates, hoping its influence would deter his enemies. While Yang Wuxia handled a case, Swift Sword Fu Fei brought Duàn Yì to temporary shelter and warned him to stay put, though the unresolved Jade Lingzhi deal still tied him to the Huaxiu Merchant Association.

• Duàn Yì reasoned that Lu Liding may have exposed him to endanger him and eventually bring him under the Huaxiu Merchant Association’s protection.
• Duàn Yì decided his own strength could not withstand the threats from both righteous and criminal martial factions, so he sought refuge near Yang Wuxia and Six Gates.
• Swift Sword Fu Fei arrived at the Six Gates branch and confirmed Duàn Yì’s identity.
• Fu Fei explained that Yang Wuxia was busy with a case and had asked him to settle Duàn Yì temporarily.
• Fu Fei warned Duàn Yì not to wander because his situation was dangerous, and Duàn Yì agreed to keep a low profile.
• Duàn Yì recognized that he might still have to deal with the Huaxiu Merchant Association because the Jade Lingzhi had not yet been delivered.

Duàn Yì settled into the Six Gates branch and met Huo Xiaozu, a chatty young man hoping to join the organization and win Yang Wuxia’s favor. As Huo Xiaozu described Yang Wuxia’s high standards, he made a remark that soured Duàn Yì’s mood.

• Fu Fei showed Duàn Yì his temporary residence at the Six Gates branch and warned him not to quarrel with the martial artists living there.
• Huo Xiaozu introduced himself to Duàn Yì and explained that he had followed Yang Wuxia from Jizhou hoping to join the Six Gates.
• Huo Xiaozu brought wine and food back to Duàn Yì’s courtyard, and the two drank while talking.
• Huo Xiaozu chatted about his life and revealed his feelings for Yang Wuxia, while Duàn Yì considered pursuing her himself.
• Huo Xiaozu said Yang Wuxia would only marry a peerless hero, and his next remark darkened Duàn Yì’s expression.

Duàn Yì heard Huo Xiaozu condemn Xuanzhen Sect and Liu Zhicheng, whose rumored connection to Yang Wuxia bothered him. Their conversation was interrupted when two Xuanzhen Sect Daoists stormed into Duàn Yì’s courtyard to confront Huo Xiaozu.

• Huo Xiaozu told Duàn Yì that rumors linked Yang Wuxia with Liu Zhicheng, and Duàn Yì questioned what kind of man Liu was.
• Huo Xiaozu denounced Xuanzhen Sect and accused Liu Zhicheng of taking credit for Qiu Shaozhen’s defeat of the Zombie King.
• Duàn Yì asked whether Yang Wuxia knew Liu’s true character, while Huo Xiaozu argued that Liu’s skill at pretending made his nature difficult to see.
• Huo Xiaozu continued criticizing Liu, including recounting how the Blood Butcher Monk had nearly killed him in three moves.
• Two angry Xuanzhen Sect Daoists entered Duàn Yì’s courtyard and threatened Huo Xiaozu for insulting their sect.

Duàn Yì confronted two Xuanzhen Sect Taoists who had entered his courtyard to punish Huo Xiaozu for insulting their sect. After demonstrating his skill, he stopped short of openly defying them and questioned their accusation against Huo.

• Fan Zhitong and Sun Zhiwei threatened Huo Xiaozu for badmouthing the Xuanzhen Sect and Liu Zhicheng.
• Duàn Yì challenged the Taoists for barging into his courtyard and threatening his guest.
• Duàn Yì split a porcelain cup with bamboo chopsticks, and the Taoists recognized him as Young Hero Duàn, Sword Kill Xu Fan.
• Fan Zhitong apologized for their behavior but asked Duàn Yì to let them punish Huo Xiaozu.
• Duàn Yì said he had heard Huo discussing the grasslands, not slandering the Xuanzhen Sect, and asked what evidence they had.

Duàn Yì protected Huo Xiaozu from two Xuanzhen Sect Daoists who had tried to punish him without proof. After they left, Duàn Yì warned Huo Xiaozu to be more careful about whom he trusted, and Huo Xiaozu recognized that a longtime friend had betrayed him before.

• Duàn Yì argued that the fat and thin Daoists had no proof Huo Xiaozu had insulted the Xuanzhen Sect, leaving them without a proper cause to punish him.
• The Daoists bowed to Duàn Yì and left his courtyard after realizing they could not gain an advantage against him.
• Huo Xiaozu thanked Duàn Yì for protecting him and admitted he had been worried about being beaten again.
• Duàn Yì advised Huo Xiaozu to choose carefully whom he confided in and suggested his past trouble had come from trusting the wrong person.
• Huo Xiaozu realized that a friend he had known for years had informed on him to the Xuanzhen Sect.