Chapter Summaries

Duàn Yì killed the Zhuang family youth and the Yellow-robed Expert despite a hidden martial artist's warning, then confronted the young man in white who had attacked him. The two met in midair, poised to fight.

• Duàn Yì advanced on the terrified youth while the short, stout man stepped forward to protect him.
• A young man in hiding warned Duàn Yì to stop, and the youth recognized him as Duàn Zixing and called for help.
• Duàn Yì attacked the youth, while the short, stout man used a forbidden martial art to block his sword and the hidden man launched Finger Rays at Duàn Yì.
• Duàn Yì's sword shattered the short, stout man's blade and killed him, then concealed sword qi pierced the throats of the youth and the Yellow-robed Expert.
• Duàn Yì evaded the Finger Rays with the Bird Crossing Technique and moved toward the young man in white.
• Duàn Yì launched himself at the young man in white with his iron sword.

Duàn Yì fought the young man in white, who evaded his Meteor from Beyond the Heavens and countered with a Finger Ray. After Duàn Yì learned that killing Zhuang Shiyi could bring trouble from the Zhuang family, he set aside his Killing Intent, called the near-fatal fight a joke, and invited the young man for wine.

• Duàn Yì unleashed Meteor from Beyond the Heavens, and its Qi Aura injured the young man in white despite his protective true qi.
• The young man in white evaded Duàn Yì with mysterious Eight Trigrams footwork and struck back with a crimson Finger Ray, which Duàn Yì shattered with Cold Iron Sword Qi.
• Duàn Yì studied the young man's movement and finger techniques, then listened as the young man warned that killing Zhuang Shiyi could bring down the Zhuang family upon him.
• Duàn Yì drove his sword through Zhuang Shiyi's corpse and showed that he did not fear the consequences.
• Duàn Yì suppressed his Killing Intent, called the battle a little joke, and invited the young man in white for wine; the young man accepted despite his lingering fear.

Duàn Yì learned that the man he had killed, Zhuang Shiyi, belonged to a powerful family within the Southern Demonic Cult, whose revenge could put him in grave danger. Though he recognized that he had ignored Duàn Zixing’s warning, seeing Helan Yue’er fear for him strengthened his resolve to protect her.

• Duàn Yì compensated the merchant whose roof he had damaged, then took Helan Yue’er and Duàn Zixing to a restaurant.
• Duàn Zixing revealed that he was a prince of Dali and described the Duan Clan’s standing and formidable martial arts.
• Duàn Yì asked about the Zhuang family, and Duàn Zixing explained that it was one of the seven powerful families of the Southern Demonic Cult.
• Duàn Zixing warned that Zhuang Shiyi’s death would bring the Zhuang family and possibly the whole Southern Demonic Cult after Duàn Yì.
• Helan Yue’er blamed herself and feared for Duàn Yì, who decided that protecting her mattered more than regretting Zhuang Shiyi’s death.

Duàn Zixing reassured Helan Yue'er that her powerful family could protect her, then warned Duàn Yì about the formidable enemies seeking revenge for Zhuang Shiyi. He advised Duàn Yì to disappear before the Southern Demonic Cult found him.

• Duàn Zixing comforted Helan Yue'er, explaining that the Zhuang Family would focus its revenge on Duàn Yì and that her family could protect her.
• Duàn Yì asked Duàn Zixing for information about the Zhuang Family so he could prepare for its retaliation.
• Duàn Zixing explained that Zhuang Shili, Zhuang Shiyi's older brother, would likely seek revenge himself before involving the Zhuang Family in the south.
• Duàn Zixing described Zhuang Shili's powerful Undying Seal Method and warned that his abilities far surpassed Duàn Yì's.
• Duàn Zixing named Zhuang Shili's three formidable allies—the Mad Daoist, the Shadow Killer, and Poison Hand Celestial Heart—and warned that the Southern Demonic Cult posed an even greater threat.
• Duàn Zixing urged Duàn Yì to conceal his identity and flee, warning that the cult could pursue him and endanger those connected to him.

Duàn Yì rejected Helan Yue'er’s plan to flee together, promising instead to grow strong enough to face the Southern Demonic Cult. He left her with a renewed resolve to endure the danger and eventually formally ask her family for her hand.

• Helan Yue'er proposed that she and Duàn Yì escape to the grasslands and live together.
• Duàn Yì refused to flee, explaining that her parents and protectors would suffer and that he intended to confront the Southern Demonic Cult.
• Duàn Yì recalled that less than a year earlier he had known only a Minor Capturing Hand, while Helan Yue'er remembered their first meeting and the date he went to Shalu Mountain to learn martial arts.
• Duàn Yì vowed to use the Southern Demonic Cult as a whetstone, become strong enough to fear no one, and formally seek Helan Yue'er's hand in marriage.

After killing Zhuang Shiyi, Duàn Yì prepared for the Southern Demonic Cult’s retaliation and chose to face the danger alone rather than flee or rely on Wang Xiong. He sent Helan Yue'er away for safety, then left the residence in disguise with his treasures and sword.

• Duàn Yì told Granny An and Eunuch Qiu to take Helan Yue'er back to the Helan Family, and warned Huo Xiaozu to remain with Wang Kuan and Wang Xiong.
• Huo Xiaozu offered to ask Wang Xiong for help, but Duàn Yì refused to involve them in his troubles.
• Duàn Yì returned Helan Yue'er's Black Silkworm Treasure Robe before she departed with Granny An and Eunuch Qiu.
• Duàn Yì packed his treasures, changed into dark clothes, concealed his face beneath a bamboo hat, and took his Songyang Iron Sword.
• Duàn Yì left the residence alone in the storm, ready to face the Southern Demonic Cult.

After Duàn Yì killed Zhuang Shiyi and the men with him, Yang Wuxia and the Ji County Six Gates investigated the street killings and weighed whether to protect Duàn Yì. Yang Wuxia chose to stay neutral and let the Zhuang family pursue him, while warning them not to harm anyone else.

• The Ji County patrol army investigated the bloody street and handed the case to the Six Gates.
• Yang Wuxia, Swift Sword Fu Fei, and Parting Hook Meng Shen concluded that Duàn Yì had killed the Zhuang family's men in a dispute over Helan Yue'er.
• Fu Fei suggested suppressing the matter or sheltering Duàn Yì, but Yang Wuxia refused to interfere or favor either side.
• Yang Wuxia ordered Fu Fei to notify the Zhuang family that Duàn Yì was the killer and warned them not to target anyone else.
• Yang Wuxia privately hoped Duàn Yì would survive the coming pursuit and return stronger.

Zhuang Shili visited Ding Ling and proposed marriage to unite the northern and southern demonic cults, but she avoided accepting. When Fu Fei reported that Duàn Yì had killed Zhuang Shiyi and his guards, Zhuang Shili remained composed, while Lu Liding considered using the killing to improve relations with the Zhuang family and advance his business interests.

• Zhuang Shili presented generous gifts to Ding Ling’s household and proposed marriage as a bridge between the northern and southern demonic cults.
• Ding Ling accepted the gifts but steered their conversation away from marriage, while Zhuang Shili remained gracious and engaging.
• Fu Fei reported that Duàn Yì had killed Zhuang Shiyi and all his guards after Zhuang Shiyi tried to harm Duàn Yì’s female companion.
• Zhuang Shili stayed calm after hearing of his younger brother’s death, impressing Ding Ling and Lu Liding with his composure.
• Lu Liding considered helping Zhuang Shili avenge Zhuang Shiyi to ease tensions and benefit the Huaxiu Merchant Association.

After Zhuang Shili left, Ding Ling rejected Lu Liding and Ding Ran’s plans to help either him or Duàn Yì, ordering her family to stay neutral. She left believing Duàn Yì’s ability to escape the coming encirclement would reveal his true potential.

• Zhuang Shili politely took his leave after failing to secure Ding Ling’s help.
• Lu Liding urged Ding Ling to help Zhuang Shili capture Duàn Yì, arguing that an alliance could benefit the Ding family and raise her standing in the Northern Demonic Cult.
• Ding Ling refused because helping Zhuang Shili would betray her bond with Duàn Yì and might make the Zhuang family suspect the Ding family had conspired against Zhuang Shiyi.
• Ding Ran proposed secretly helping Duàn Yì, but Ding Ling warned that doing so would expose the Ding family’s connection to him and risk war between north and south.
• Ding Ling ordered Lu Liding and Ding Ran not to interfere with either side, then left hoping Duàn Yì would prove himself by breaking through the encirclement.

Duàn Yì hid in Ji County’s northern slums under a convincing disguise while martial artists hunted him for a bounty. After Old Third Zhu urged him to leave, Duàn Yì revealed his intention to investigate Old Xu and use the bounty hunt to test Zhuang Shili.

• After three days of rain, Ji County buzzed over the coming duel as martial artists searched for Duàn Yì, whose death carried a bounty of three hundred thousand taels.
• Duàn Yì hid in Little Willow Alley, disguised as a poor, thin, pockmarked man so thoroughly that even acquaintances would not recognize him.
• Old Third Zhu explained that he had arranged Duàn Yì’s hiding place and identity, then urged him to stay concealed rather than seek revenge.
• Duàn Yì did not answer Old Third Zhu directly and considered Old Xu’s role in spreading the bounty news a provocation.
• Duàn Yì decided to learn Old Xu’s strength and hidden resources, cool the bounty hunters’ greed, and use the conflict to test Zhuang Shili.

Duàn Yì traded Old Xu’s information for a promise to teach Old Third Zhu’s youngest son swordplay, then created the Lesser Heavenly Cycle Swordplay as a solid foundation for the boy. The exchange left Duàn Yì with new insights into swordsmanship, while Old Third Zhu received the manual with gratitude.

• Duàn Yì offered Old Third Zhu a business deal: Old Xu’s information in exchange for teaching his youngest son swordplay.
• Old Third Zhu agreed to provide everything he knew about Old Xu and asked Duàn Yì to write a swordplay that he could teach his son.
• Duàn Yì created a balanced foundational swordplay from several sword arts and added three lethal techniques called the Three Styles of Clear Wind.
• Old Third Zhu recognized the swordplay’s value and realized it would give his son a strong foundation.
• Duàn Yì named his creation the Lesser Heavenly Cycle Swordplay and explained its purpose and limitations to Old Third Zhu.
• Old Third Zhu accepted the manual with trembling hands and thanked Duàn Yì.

Duàn Yì learned that Xu Ruobo had spread Zhuang Shili’s news and bounty, and decided not to let the old man’s influential connections deter him. Suspecting a trap, Duàn Yì disguised himself and went to watch the Xu Residence, where he overheard three bounty hunters searching for him around the Yuwen Family.

• Duàn Yì read Old Third Zhu’s information about Xu Ruobo and learned of the old man’s powerful allies and ties to the Yuwen Family.
• Duàn Yì decided he would not continue yielding to those who took Zhuang Shili’s side, though he considered whether Xu Ruobo was bait in a trap.
• Before dawn, Duàn Yì used Disguise Ointment and coarse clothes to transform himself into a poor-looking martial artist.
• Duàn Yì went to the back street near the Xu Residence and listened as three martial artists discussed watching the Yuwen Family for clues to his whereabouts.
• Duàn Yì realized the three men were pursuing the three-hundred-thousand-tael bounty and believed he might be hiding with the Yuwen Family.

Duàn Yì disguised himself as Wang Feng and questioned three bounty hunters about the reward for his capture. He learned the bounty was genuine and that they planned to stake out the Yuwen Family to find him.

• The three men argued over whether Duàn Yì would stay in the city and whether the three-hundred-thousand-tael bounty was a trap.
• Duàn Yì approached them in disguise as Wang Feng and asked whether the bounty was real.
• One of the men seized Duàn Yì’s shoulder, suspecting he knew where Duàn Yì was, while the leader pretended to make him stop.
• The leader told Duàn Yì that he and his brothers had confirmed the bounty at the Xu Residence and that even information about Duàn Yì could earn a reward.

Duàn Yì learned that Xu Residence was heavily guarded and abandoned the idea of attacking it head-on. Disguised as Wang Feng, he proposed stealing or robbing the three hundred thousand taels bounty, leaving the three men tempted but uncertain.

• Duàn Yì listened as the burly man warned him about the watchers outside Xu Residence and the dangerous expert left inside.
• Duàn Yì concluded that Poison Hand Celestial Heart was likely guarding Xu Residence and decided not to seek revenge there alone.
• Duàn Yì dropped his timid act and revealed a menacing side, shocking the three men.
• Duàn Yì told the men he had no information about his own whereabouts but suggested they could pursue the bounty by other means.
• The leader dismissed the idea of swindling the Xu family, so Duàn Yì hinted they should take the initiative themselves.
• The other two men recognized that Duàn Yì meant stealing or robbing the bounty, and all three weighed the risk against the fortune.

Duàn Yì persuaded the three brothers to consider pursuing the three hundred thousand taels bounty, arguing that they could escape the Xu family’s reach after leaving Hebei. The brothers began to warm to his plan when he proposed using the battle between Yan Chongtian and Aorgel as their opportunity.

• The eldest brother warned Wang Feng and his brothers against targeting the bounty, and the three brothers turned suspiciously toward Duàn Yì.
• Duàn Yì taunted the brothers about their timidity, then stopped the eldest from standing with a hand on his shoulder and demonstrated his overwhelming strength.
• Duàn Yì argued that the Xu family could not search all of Great Xia and that the four men could flee Hebei with the bounty.
• The eldest brother explained that the bounty’s silver, notes, jewelry, and medicinal materials would be difficult to steal by force.
• Duàn Yì proposed recruiting other experts and striking while Yan Chongtian and Aorgel fought, stirring greed and ambition in the three brothers.

Duàn Yì persuaded three brothers to plan a raid on Xu Residence during the battle between Yan Chongtian and Aorgel, when Ji County’s defenses would be stretched thin. He proposed recruiting One-Eyed Dragon for the manpower, but the brothers feared the notorious bandit would betray them and began to suspect Duàn Yì’s motives.

• Duàn Yì convinced the three brothers that Yan Chongtian and Aorgel’s battle would leave Xu Residence and Ji County vulnerable enough to raid.
• Duàn Yì and the brothers left the breakfast stall and found a secluded spot to discuss how to seize the three hundred thousand taels.
• When the eldest brother asked how they would manage the raid and transport the silver, Duàn Yì wrote “One-Eyed Dragon” in the dirt as his proposed recruit.
• The brothers objected that One-Eyed Dragon would likely betray them and take the silver for himself.
• Duàn Yì argued that One-Eyed Dragon shared their appetite for plunder and that his own martial arts could keep the bandit in check.
• The brothers remained uncertain and began to suspect Duàn Yì might be One-Eyed Dragon’s subordinate, luring them into a trap.

Duàn Yì recruited three brothers to help rob the Xu family and secretly confirmed their plans before heading to One-Eyed Dragon’s hideout. He reached the abandoned warehouse and was invited inside to discuss a major deal.

• Duàn Yì told the three brothers he would approach One-Eyed Dragon while they scouted the Xu Residence, and they agreed to work together.
• Duàn Yì followed the brothers to their lodgings, listened to their plans, and then went to find One-Eyed Dragon.
• Duàn Yì learned from Old Third Zhu that One-Eyed Dragon was hiding with his subordinates in an abandoned warehouse in the western district.
• Duàn Yì found the warehouse, knocked on its chained door, and introduced himself as Wang Feng, a friend of Old Third Zhu.
• One-Eyed Dragon’s men cursed Old Third Zhu and tossed a key through the door, inviting Duàn Yì inside.

Duàn Yì entered One-Eyed Dragon’s warehouse and demonstrated his superior martial strength to earn the bandits’ respect. One-Eyed Dragon acknowledged his skill and invited him to speak, leaving Duàn Yì poised to state his purpose.

• Duàn Yì entered the warehouse courtyard and walked toward One-Eyed Dragon despite the bandits’ hostile stares.
• A bare-chested bandit attacked Duàn Yì with a steel blade, but Duàn Yì caught it and sent the man staggering back with a flick.
• Duàn Yì twisted the Hundred Refined Steel Blade into an iron ball and dropped it silently, frightening the bandits into backing down.
• One-Eyed Dragon tossed aside his book, met Duàn Yì’s gaze, and asked him to speak plainly.

Duàn Yì, posing as Wang Feng, proposed that One-Eyed Dragon join him and three companions in raiding Xu Ruobo’s residence for its treasure and a three-hundred-thousand-tael bounty. After verifying Duàn Yì’s claims, One-Eyed Dragon agreed to the plan, forming a temporary alliance.

• Duàn Yì told One-Eyed Dragon that he and three companions wanted help seizing the bounty and treasure at Xu Ruobo’s residence.
• Duàn Yì described his recent exploits and argued that the group should raid the residence while Ji County’s defenses were weakened by Yan Chongtian’s battle.
• One-Eyed Dragon weighed the rewards against the risk of retaliation and sent a subordinate to investigate Duàn Yì’s claims.
• While they waited, One-Eyed Dragon questioned Duàn Yì about their strength, intelligence, timing, and escape plans, then suggested creating disturbances around Ji County to draw away defenders.
• One-Eyed Dragon’s subordinate returned with an excited report, and Duàn Yì and One-Eyed Dragon established a temporary alliance.

Duàn Yì and the three brothers settled how to divide the expected bounty and Xu Residence’s treasury after planning their assault. On May 8th, Jixian City’s martial artists gathered to watch Yan Chongtian face Aorgel, while Yuwen Xiu assured the military commissioner that Yan Chongtian was prepared to win.

• Duàn Yì mediated a dispute between One-Eyed Dragon and the three brothers over the bounty’s division.
• The group agreed that One-Eyed Dragon would receive 120,000 taels, Duàn Yì 80,000 taels, and the three brothers 100,000 taels, while Xu Residence’s treasury would be split into three equal shares.
• After leaving the warehouse, Duàn Yì hurried toward a familiar manor in disguise.
• On May 8th, martial artists gathered across Jixian City and streamed out under armed troops’ guidance to witness the great battle.
• The military commissioner worried that Yan Chongtian might lose to Aorgel, but Yuwen Xiu said Yan Chongtian had improved his Wedding Dress Divine Skill and secretly learned a blood-exploding technique.