Chapter Summaries

Duàn Yì learned that the Iron-faced Mysterious Person was Guō Qíng’s father, Yan Yunxiao, and explained that he understood the man had tested his martial arts to judge whether he was worthy of Qing'er. Yan Yunxiao was impressed by Duàn Yì’s ability but made clear that martial skill was only his first criterion.

• Duàn Yì pretended not to recognize the Iron-faced Mysterious Person until the man pressed him to guess his identity.
• Duàn Yì identified him as Guō Qíng’s father and addressed him respectfully as Senior.
• Yan Yunxiao removed his iron mask, introduced himself, and allowed Duàn Yì to call him Uncle Yan or Elder Yan.
• Duàn Yì said Yan Yunxiao had tested him to decide whether he was worthy of Qing'er and might have refused to let him leave if he had failed.
• Yan Yunxiao was satisfied that Duàn Yì had endured the Twelve Deadly Swords without injury, though he noted martial arts were not his only consideration.

Yan Yunxiao questioned Duàn Yì about his other relationships before accepting him as Guō Qíng’s suitor. Duàn Yì’s honesty earned him a chance, but he still had to decide whether he could promise to devote himself to Guō Qíng alone.

• Yan Yunxiao explained how much he loved Guō Qíng and asked Duàn Yì whether he had ambiguous relationships with other women.
• Duàn Yì remained silent because he cared for several women and feared that confessing everything could put them at risk.
• Yan Yunxiao inferred the truth and praised Duàn Yì for not lying, then asked what he should do about the situation.
• Duàn Yì realized Yan Yunxiao had already investigated his relationships and had been testing his honesty.
• Duàn Yì concluded that Yan Yunxiao was offering him a chance to promise future devotion to Guō Qíng, but he wondered whether he could truly make that promise.

Duàn Yì and Yan Yunxiao discussed Duàn Yì’s feelings for Guō Qíng, Helan Yue'er, and Yang Wuxia, then turned to the Zhuang and Guō families’ plan to force Guō Qíng into marriage. Duàn Yì proposed killing Zhuang Shili, but Yan Yunxiao warned that the consequences would be too severe.

• Yan Yunxiao challenged Duàn Yì to consider whether Guō Qíng and the Helan Family would accept his other relationships and the conflicts they could bring.
• Duàn Yì regained his composure and asked Yan Yunxiao for time to sort out his feelings, promising not to hurt Guō Qíng.
• Yan Yunxiao asked what Duàn Yì planned to do about the Zhuang and Guō families pressuring Hundred Flowers Valley to marry Guō Qíng to Zhuang Shili.
• Duàn Yì proposed killing Zhuang Shili to end the marriage crisis.
• Yan Yunxiao acknowledged the plan’s effectiveness but warned that killing the Zhuang Family’s celebrated heir would provoke its full retaliation and possibly draw in the imperial court.

Yan Yunxiao proposed a Marriage by Combat to counter the Guō and Zhuang families’ marriage alliance and make Duàn Yì Guō Qíng’s publicly chosen husband. Duàn Yì was tempted by the plan but learned that Yan Yunxiao intended to draw in powerful families and young talents from across the martial world, making the contest far more dangerous.

• Yan Yunxiao suggested inviting outstanding young men to compete for Guō Qíng’s hand instead of resisting the Guō and Zhuang families by force.
• Yan Yunxiao proposed that martial prowess decide the winner and said Duàn Yì could become Hundred Flowers Valley’s son-in-law by defeating the other candidates openly.
• Duàn Yì worried that Zhuang Shili would recognize him and order his experts to attack, but Yan Yunxiao promised to give him a new identity and protection from the Golden Silver Den.
• Yan Yunxiao revealed that he had already invited candidates from powerful families and lineages beyond Hebei, including the Dugu, Murong, Ximen, Ye, Xie, and Xiao families.
• Duàn Yì realized Yan Yunxiao’s ambition to give Guō Qíng the finest possible suitor would draw many formidable opponents into the contest.

Duàn Yì learned that the Marriage by Combat would take place between June and August and considered how to become strong enough to win Guō Qíng. Yan Yunxiao offered him a chance to learn the Thirteen Fatal Sword Strikes, leaving Duàn Yì to weigh the gift against his other paths to greater power.

• Duàn Yì asked Yan Yunxiao when the Marriage by Combat would be held, and Yan Yunxiao said it would take place between June and August.
• Duàn Yì considered using the Yang Core Pill or seeking the Heavenly Cripple Divine Skill to greatly increase his strength, but recognized the dangers of the latter.
• Yan Yunxiao promised to give Duàn Yì a gift because he had correctly guessed Yan Yunxiao's identity.
• Yan Yunxiao revealed the Unifying Divine Skill and the Thirteen Fatal Sword Strikes hidden in the bronze statues, explaining that the sword art could help Duàn Yì dominate the gathering.
• Duàn Yì reflected that the Fifteen Fatal Sword Strikes surpassed Yan Yunxiao's Fourteenth Sword and would offer greater security.

Yan Yunxiao demonstrated and explained the Thirteen Fatal Sword Strikes to Duàn Yì using the bronze colossus. After witnessing the devastating Fourteenth Sword, Duàn Yì resolved to deduce a Fifteenth Sword.

• Yan Yunxiao activated the bronze colossus, which came to life and demonstrated the first sword strike, One Sword Seals the Throat.
• Yan Yunxiao explained the first strike’s mental method, and Duàn Yì comprehended its sword technique, internal cultivation, and intent.
• The bronze colossus demonstrated the remaining twelve sword strikes as Yan Yunxiao explained them, culminating in Slay God Destroy Buddha.
• The colossus unleashed the Fourteenth Sword, I See Hell, leaving Duàn Yì trembling as he absorbed its terrifying power.
• Duàn Yì resolved to deduce the Fifteenth Sword.

Duàn Yì accepted Yan Yunxiao’s guidance and stayed in Hundred Flowers Valley to master the Fourteen Deadly Swords before the marriage by combat. As he trained, a series of bloody upheavals shook the martial world and drew the Great Xia Dynasty’s attention.

• Duàn Yì praised the Fourteen Deadly Swords, and Yan Yunxiao told him to remain in the valley, cultivate, and prove himself worthy of marrying Guō Qíng.
• Duàn Yì moved into the furnished residence and made rapid progress studying the sword art with help from the Tower of Hidden Martial Arts.
• Sū Mùzhē defeated and killed Grandmaster Tongxuan at Chongyang Palace, then escaped wounded after Xuanzhen Sect disciples attacked him.
• The Beggars’ Sect Leader was assassinated, Lin Feng disappeared under suspicion, and Wang Qi succeeded him before setting out for Hundred Flowers Valley.
• Violence across Qianzhong Province was traced to the White Lotus Sect and Yama Hall fighting over an ancient martial arts scroll, prompting the emperor to order a crackdown.
• Hundreds of women were killed at Moon Worship Palace, and the suspected return of Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable alarmed the martial world’s major factions.

Duàn Yì and Ding Ling discussed the recent deaths and the suspected return of Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable, whose massacre of Moon Worship Palace might be tied to Duàn Yì’s family. Duàn Yì considered several possible explanations but chose not to involve himself until he learned the truth.

• Duàn Yì read Ding Ling’s report about a string of deaths and other upheavals across the martial world.
• Ding Ling questioned why Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable had destroyed Moon Worship Palace and suspected Duàn Yì had a connection to him.
• Ding Ling recalled Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable’s history as one of the Northern Demonic Cult’s Four Great Demon Venerables and explained his rise under Ying Woqiu.
• Duàn Yì considered whether Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable had attacked Moon Worship Palace to avenge Yán Susu, possibly after hearing her story from Yuè Jiāo Nú.
• Duàn Yì weighed the danger of being connected to Moon Worship Palace and decided to wait for confirmation before getting involved.

Duàn Yì asked Ding Ling to investigate why the Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable attacked Moon Worship Palace, hoping to learn whether he might become an ally or an enemy. Ding Ling suspected the attack was revenge for Yán Susu and revealed that Qin Xin had arrived in Heyin County, leaving Duàn Yì inclined to visit her.

• Duàn Yì asked Ding Ling about the Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable and requested that she investigate his grudge against Moon Worship Palace.
• Ding Ling saw through Duàn Yì's attempt to use her influence while keeping his connection to Moon Worship Palace hidden.
• Ding Ling reasoned that the Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable was more likely avenging Yán Susu than acting out of a general hatred for Moon Worship Palace.
• Ding Ling told Duàn Yì that Qin Xin had arrived in Heyin County and was staying at an inn she had arranged.
• Duàn Yì thought of Qin Xin's lonely circumstances and decided he should go see her.

Duàn Yì left his courtyard with Ding Ling to visit Qin Xin, then explained why he had agreed to take part in Hundred Flowers Valley’s Marriage by Combat. Ding Ling feared the contest would draw powerful challengers from across Great Xia and leave Guō Qíng beyond his reach.

• A'man questioned Duàn Yì about leaving, and Duàn Yì assured him he would return before passing through the courtyard gate with Ding Ling.
• Ding Ling asked Duàn Yì what had happened in Golden Silver Den and why Hundred Flowers Valley had arranged a Marriage by Combat.
• Duàn Yì explained Yan Yunxiao’s connection to Hundred Flowers Valley and his plan to use the contest to ease pressure from the Guō and Zhuang families.
• Ding Ling rebuked Duàn Yì for agreeing to a contest that had attracted major forces from across the land, warning that stronger challengers could win Guō Qíng’s hand.
• Duàn Yì realized Ding Ling doubted his chances because she did not know his true limits or the strength of the hidden talents in Great Xia.

Duàn Yì explained to Ding Ling why Yan Yunxiao’s Marriage by Combat could not be changed and insisted he would compete under another identity. Ding Ling suspected Duàn Yì had hidden ties to the Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable, while Duàn Yì declared he would defeat every rival.

• Duàn Yì told Ding Ling that Yan Yunxiao controlled the Marriage by Combat and that he could only earn Guō Qíng’s hand by defeating every competitor.
• Ding Ling warned Duàn Yì that Zhuang Shili might recognize him and that the Northern Demonic Cult might not risk fighting the Southern Demonic Cult to protect him.
• Duàn Yì said Yan Yunxiao would arrange a flawless alternate identity and keep Zhuang Shili from attacking him publicly.
• Ding Ling connected Zhang Qingshan’s decision to spare Duàn Yì and Duàn Yì’s possible link to the Yellow Heaven Demon Venerable to the possibility that Yan Yunxiao knew his hidden identity.
• Duàn Yì declared that the Fourteen Deadly Swords and his faith in his martial potential would let him defeat everyone, moving Ding Ling with his confidence.

Duàn Yì and Ding Ling left after he restrained his feelings for her, then discussed how he would face Qin Xin while competing in the Marriage by Combat tournament. The chapter left Duàn Yì troubled over how to tell Qin Xin that he was risking everything for Guō Qíng.

• Ding Ling warned Duàn Yì not to underestimate the world’s martial heroes, and he reaffirmed his ambition to become the strongest beneath heaven.
• Duàn Yì suppressed his feelings for Ding Ling and said they should leave; Ding Ling angrily called him a coward and hypocrite.
• Duàn Yì and Ding Ling arrived at an inn that Ding Ling had rented for Qin Xin, with Bai Lao Er serving as her expert guard.
• Ding Ling asked how Duàn Yì planned to face Qin Xin while entering the Marriage by Combat tournament.
• Duàn Yì worried that Qin Xin would be devastated to learn he was risking himself for Guō Qíng and might marry her.

Duàn Yì visited Qin Xin at the inn after she had spent days worrying about him. When he embraced her, Qin Xin clung to him and wept, revealing how much his presence meant to her.

• Ding Ling asked Bai Lao Er about Qin Xin and learned that she had stayed at the inn, playing the qin and reading without going out.
• Duàn Yì entered the inn's private courtyard alone to see Qin Xin.
• Qin Xin greeted Duàn Yì with relief and asked why he had taken so long to visit and whether he had encountered trouble.
• Duàn Yì embraced Qin Xin, then hesitated when he realized the gesture might cross a boundary.
• Qin Xin pressed close, held Duàn Yì tightly, and sobbed against him as he sensed her loneliness and happiness.

Duàn Yì and Qin Xin reunited and shared an intimate embrace, then talked about their lives since parting. Qin Xin encouraged him to pursue Guō Qíng and pledged to remain at his side, while Duàn Yì held her hand as a silent acknowledgment of their bond.

• Qin Xin clung to Duàn Yì, and he gently pulled away before their embrace could go further.
• Qin Xin told Duàn Yì that Jue Ming had brought her back and helped her attain consummate Meridian Unblocking cultivation.
• Duàn Yì told Qin Xin about his life in Mengzhou and his intention to join the Marriage by Combat for Guō Qíng.
• Though jealous, Qin Xin encouraged Duàn Yì to do what he wished and promised to stand by him through life and death.
• Duàn Yì took Qin Xin's hand and held it without making a verbal promise.

Duàn Yì spent three happy days with Qin Xin before A'man arrived with news that Yan Yunxiao had returned and wanted Duàn Yì to meet the people he had brought. Duàn Yì agreed to go after learning Qin Xin could accompany him, though he remained wary of Yan Yunxiao's intentions.

• Duàn Yì stayed at the inn, and Qin Xin slept peacefully for the first time in a long while.
• Duàn Yì and Qin Xin spent three days together, while Duàn Yì learned about Bai Er's past and his service to Ding Ling.
• A'man arrived at breakfast and told Duàn Yì that Yan Yunxiao had returned with people to teach him.
• A'man said Yan Yunxiao had invited Qin Xin to accompany Duàn Yì, easing her sadness and deepening Duàn Yì's suspicions.
• Duàn Yì considered the risk to Qin Xin, then agreed to meet Yan Yunxiao after Qin Xin nodded.

Duàn Yì and Qin Xin met Yan Yunxiao and two unfamiliar guests in the courtyard, whose reactions to Duàn Yì seemed strangely reverent. Yan Yunxiao accepted Qin Xin’s place in Duàn Yì’s life, while he and the guests focused their attention on the zither case she carried.

• Duàn Yì brought Qin Xin to Yan Yunxiao’s courtyard and found Yan Yunxiao talking with a tall man and a woman in a red qipao.
• The two strangers briefly showed surprise, delight, and reverence when they saw Duàn Yì, then hid their reactions.
• Duàn Yì introduced Qin Xin to Yan Yunxiao and the two guests, and Qin Xin greeted them formally.
• Yan Yunxiao accepted Qin Xin’s relationship with Duàn Yì, while his gaze and those of the strangers settled on her zither case.

Yan Yunxiao introduced Wang Ping An and Teacher Meng, whom Duàn Yì mistakenly assumed would train him in martial arts. Wang Ping An revealed that he would instead teach Duàn Yì how to become a true upper-class noble, leaving Duàn Yì to suspect the lessons were connected to the new identity he would use at the Marriage by Combat.

• Yan Yunxiao tested the Heavenly Demonic Qin with his sword intent, and Qin Xin's instrument sounded on its own to repel him.
• Yan Yunxiao praised the Heavenly Demonic Qin and told Duàn Yì that his daughter Guō Qíng would likely become friends with Qin Xin.
• Yan Yunxiao introduced Wang Ping An and Teacher Meng, and Duàn Yì asked what martial arts they would teach him.
• Yan Yunxiao clarified that the pair were not martial artists and told Duàn Yì to learn from them while continuing to practice the Fourteen Deadly Swords.
• Wang Ping An said he would teach Duàn Yì to change his bad habits and become a qualified upper-class noble, prompting Duàn Yì to suspect the lessons would prepare his new identity for the Marriage by Combat.

Meng Wanqing taught Duàn Yì and Qin Xin the etiquette and mannerisms expected of a young master and young lady, while Wang Ping An observed Duàn Yì. After seven days of training, the clothes she had ordered arrived, leaving the pair ready for their next step.

• Wang Ping An introduced Meng Wanqing, who said she would teach Duàn Yì etiquette and arrange clothes for him and Qin Xin.
• Meng Wanqing taught Duàn Yì and Qin Xin everyday manners, including how to sit, walk, dine, and use expressions and eye contact.
• Duàn Yì grew interested in how conduct and mannerisms could shape a person's appeal, and he recognized the value of Meng Wanqing's lessons.
• Meng Wanqing's training continued for seven days, during which Duàn Yì and Qin Xin's mannerisms changed noticeably.
• The clothes Meng Wanqing had arranged were delivered.

Duàn Yì dressed in lavish clothes and accessories reserved for the Imperial Family, and their origins led him to suspect Yan Yunxiao wanted him to impersonate an imperial descendant. He realized the identity could shield him at the Marriage by Combat, but feared the consequences if the deception were exposed.

• Meng Wanqing chose an ornate outfit for Duàn Yì, and Wang Ping An, Meng Wanqing, and Qin Xin were amazed when he appeared in it.
• Duàn Yì noticed that the outfit and accessories were extraordinarily valuable and asked where they had come from.
• Meng Wanqing said the silk brocade came from Boss Yan and that the accessories came from their unnamed master, who would visit in a few days.
• Duàn Yì recognized the dragon designs and imperial symbols, then deduced that Yan Yunxiao might intend him to pose as a member of the Great Xia Imperial Family.
• Duàn Yì considered how an imperial identity could deter rivals at the Marriage by Combat, but worried that impersonating the Imperial Family could bring ruin if discovered.

Duàn Yì suspected his father had ties to the Duàn family of Dali and prepared to travel with Qin Xin disguised as his sword-bearing page. Meanwhile, his jealous younger half-brother resolved to kill him rather than compete for the family heirship.

• Duàn Yì wondered whether the One Yang Finger manual and dragon-patterned decorations hinted that his father came from Dali's Duàn family, but decided to wait for answers from Yan Yunxiao, Wang Ping An, and Meng Wanqing.
• Qin Xin changed into men's clothing to pose as Duàn Yì's sword-bearing page before their journey to Hundred Flowers Valley.
• The youth called Second Young Master learned that Wang Ping An and Meng Wanqing had been sent to Duàn Yì and that the Dragon Abyss Sword would be lent to him.
• Second Young Master killed two kneeling men for their reports and flattery, then asked the last survivor who had the better chance of claiming the heirship.
• The surviving man said Second Young Master could win by killing Duàn Yì, and Second Young Master ordered him to summon Iron Slave.