Chapter Summaries

Qin Yan accepted the Jiang Family’s offer to distribute Qinghe Town’s goods and sought help finding capable business managers. He recruited Song Huan’s assistance with a gift of a One Qi Pill and considered bringing the Imperial City Bureau in Youshan Prefecture under his influence.

• Li Yunsheng offered Qin Yan the deed to land in Fuyun County and proposed that the Jiang Family distribute Qinghe Town’s goods through its commercial channels.
• Qin Yan accepted the business partnership while insisting he would not take advantage of the Jiang Family.
• Qin Yan invited Song Huan to help find convicted merchants who could manage his growing businesses, and Song Huan promised an answer within three days.
• Qin Yan gave Song Huan a One Qi Pill to aid his cultivation, and Song Huan left grateful and eager to refine it.
• Qin Yan considered bringing the Imperial City Bureau in Youshan Prefecture under his command to ease the Capital’s concerns about him.

The crown prince learned that the Hongjia Emperor was pursuing longevity and launched a rebellion to seize the throne before his father could recover or continue ruling. He took control of the palace and the Capital, while Xia Chengqian fled toward an old pillar of the state for protection.

• The crown prince was barred from visiting the Hongjia Emperor at Qianqing Palace by the Hidden Dragon Guards commander.
• Eunuch Jing told the crown prince that the Hongjia Emperor had obtained a method of longevity and that an expert was performing the ritual.
• The crown prince ordered his followers to carry out their plan, and his forces seized control of the military command, Yanshan Camp, and the Capital.
• Peng Tao and a hidden Grandmaster evacuated Xia Chengqian from Prince Jing's Estate, and Xia Chengqian's party headed to the old pillar of the state.
• The crown prince took control of the imperial palace and ordered three Supreme Grandmasters to attack the Hidden Dragon Guards commander.

After the crown prince seized the throne, rival princes and local forces plunged Great Li into rebellion, while Qin Yan prepared to protect Youshan Prefecture. Prefect Li Muyun and Assistant Prefect Tao Wang persuaded Qin Yan to take charge of the prefecture, and he agreed.

• Qin Yan suspected the crown prince had usurped the throne because he learned the Hongjia Emperor might obtain the Ghost Cultivator method, but he told Qin Xiaoyi to continue their plans and prepare for chaos.
• Prince Jing proclaimed a campaign against the new emperor, and eighteen princely lords raised armies as rebellions spread throughout Great Li.
• After a clan in Lindong County rebelled with 1,200 men, Qin Yan ordered Shadow and Lei Tong to crush them; Ba Wei and Lei Tong routed the rebels, and Ba Wei slaughtered the Wei Family.
• Li Muyun and Tao Wang visited Qin Yan to thank him for protecting Youshan Prefecture and asked him to take charge of its defense.
• Qin Yan accepted responsibility for Youshan Prefecture, and Li Muyun and Tao Wang pledged their support.

Qin Yan prepared Youshan Prefecture to face Prince Fu’s approaching army while explaining to Lu Xiao why he intended to overthrow the Great Li Dynasty. Lu Xiao accepted Qin Yan’s invitation to join him.

• Li Muyun and Tao Wang pledged the Xu Character Camp, the Youcang Camp, and the prefectural forces to Qin Yan, who ordered the camps to gather at Danxiang County ahead of Prince Fu’s advance.
• Qin Yan ordered Shadow to kill Hai Fuchuan of the Ironedge Camp and have Lei Tong take over.
• At Abundant Harvest Tower, Lu Xiao confronted Qin Yan over his ambitions, and Qin Yan argued that he acted for the people against the corrupt Great Li Dynasty.
• Qin Yan asked Lu Xiao to stake his life alongside him, and Lu Xiao agreed.

Qin Yan consolidated control of Youshan Prefecture’s camps and received the Red Shadow Army, which he outfitted as heavy cavalry. The chapter ended with Prince Fu threatening to attack Danxiang County and slaughter its people after Qin Yan refused to open the gates.

• Lu Xiao warned Lu Chi that Qin Yan would eliminate anyone he considered an enemy, though he agreed to follow Qin Yan.
• Ba Wei reported that the Ironedge Camp had been taken and all who refused to submit had been eliminated.
• Qin Yan assessed his growing forces and kept his weapons production and military strength concealed while building his power.
• Qi Zhen arranged for Han Chen and the three thousand Red Shadow Army troops to return to Qin Yan.
• Qin Yan presented the Red Shadow Army with heavy armor for soldiers and horses, transforming them into heavy cavalry.
• Prince Fu arrived outside Danxiang County, threatened to attack and slaughter the city, and Qin Yan’s officers cursed his demand.

Qin Yan sent the Red Shadow Army to confront Prince Fu’s forces and led a devastating cavalry charge that routed them. Prince Fu watched his thirty-thousand-man army collapse and fell over in rage.

• Qin Yan ordered Han Cui and Li Fu to prepare to punch through Prince Fu’s army, while refusing the other generals’ requests to join the first attack.
• Prince Fu rejected his advisers’ warnings and ordered Deng Rong to lead the attack, with Sun Wuqing holding the line.
• Qin Yan led a thousand Red Shadow Army cavalry out of the city and used the Ink Sun Bow to blast holes through Deng Rong’s defenses.
• A blood-armored guard engaged Sun Wuqing as the Red Shadow Army charged through Prince Fu’s troops and wheeled around for another attack.
• Qin Yan shot Deng Rong and more than a dozen high-level generals, causing Prince Fu’s army to rout.
• Prince Fu saw his thirty thousand troops overwhelmed and collapsed in rage as those around him panicked.

Qin Yan routed Prince Fu’s army, captured Prince Fu, and demanded five million taels in exchange for his release. News of the defeat unsettled the other princely lords, who sent gifts to keep Qin Yan from supporting the Yuanqing Emperor.

• Qin Yan and the Red Shadow Army shattered Prince Fu’s forces and pursued Prince Fu’s sedan chair.
• Qin Yan captured Prince Fu and demanded five million taels, threatening to mutilate him if the ransom was late.
• Prince Fu’s surviving generals laid down their weapons, and Qin Yan ordered them to camp where they were.
• Ba Wei defeated Sun Wuqing and knocked him to the ground after Prince Fu’s capture was announced.
• The eighteen princely lords learned of Prince Fu’s defeat, cursed his decision to attack Qin Yan, and sent gifts to placate the Youshan Marquis.

After defeating Prince Fu, Qin Yan attracted lavish offers of allegiance and an imperial promotion while strengthening his control over Youshan Prefecture. His policies won him popular support, and even the Taiping Army slaves at his mine hoped he would remain safe and offered to fight for him.

• Qin Yan received lavish gifts from rival princely lords and continued demanding payment from Prince Fu for the captives' release.
• The Yuanqing Emperor promoted Qin Yan to first-rank Youshan Marquis, while Prince Jing resolved to keep him neutral and prevent him from joining the emperor.
• Qin Yan refused to expand his army, paid homeless people to reclaim wasteland, and crushed several lineages that opposed his rule.
• Gao Daniu and other Taiping Army slaves discussed Qin Yan's defeat of Prince Fu and feared the court might punish the marquis who treated them well.
• Gao Daniu said he would take up a blade for Qin Yan if the marquis accepted men of their status.

Qin Yan visited the Cloudskull Mountain mine, where grateful mine slaves wanted to join his army, and used his influence to expose corruption and heal an injured miner. He left the miners reassured that he would protect them.

• Qin Yan agreed to accept Taiping Army mine slaves into his forces and reshape them into an army loyal to him.
• Qin Yan arrived at the Cloudskull Mountain mine and told Li Qi that miners did not need to kneel before him.
• Qin Yan sensed that Xu Shan had embezzled money from the miners’ provisions, and Qin Xiaoyi ordered guards to take him away for questioning.
• Qin Yan visited the infirmary and healed a middle-aged miner’s injured leg, promising to keep the miners safe.

Qin Yan inspired miners and former Taiping Army soldiers with promises of dignity, freedom, and a fairer world, while quietly building an army in Youshan Prefecture. His ideas alarmed some scholars and officials, while a young scholar set off for Qinghe Town to see whether Qin Yan could fulfill his vision.

• Qin Yan listened to the miners' requests and agreed to build more latrines.
• Gao Daniu asked to join Qin Yan's soldiers, explaining that Qin Yan treated ordinary people as human beings.
• Qin Yan promised the miners he would free them from slavery and let people live with dignity, stirring fervor among the miners and Taiping Army members.
• Qin Yan gained the Speech Skill and gradually assembled an army of nearly ten thousand former Taiping Army members.
• Scholars and officials in Youshan Prefecture learned of Qin Yan's ideas, and a young scholar left for Qinghe Town to investigate them.

Qin Yan strengthened his body through thunder tempering while expanding his army and dealing with resistance from powerful clans. As Qinghe Town prospered and the princes continued their wars, Sun Wuqing submitted to Qin Yan and was healed.

• Qin Yan endured a storm of heavenly lightning, increasing his strength and spirit before returning to the marquis's residence.
• Qin Yan ordered Qin Xiaoyi to warn influential clans obstructing his policies and authorized him to handle any further defiance.
• Refugees arrived in Qinghe Town, where Tian Dafu and his family found factory work, housing, and the chance to draw wages in advance.
• Prince Jing expanded his power by taking three provinces, while Prince Fu became a laughingstock after Qin Yan defeated and captured him.
• Qin Yan visited the imprisoned Sun Wuqing, accepted his submission, removed the chains from his shoulders, and healed his injuries.

Sun Wuqing joined Qin Yan at the Deep Mountain Base, where he saw Zong Xiaoshan break through to the Grandmaster level and become commander of the Red Shadow Army. After Qin Yan demonstrated his overwhelming strength, Sun Wuqing settled into teaching the base’s disciples and sharing martial knowledge.

• Qin Yan brought Sun Wuqing and Ba Wei to the Deep Mountain Base, where he assigned Sun Wuqing to cultivate and teach the disciples.
• Qin Yan led the group to watch Zong Xiaoshan break through to the Grandmaster level, then appointed him commander of the Red Shadow Army.
• Sun Wuqing learned that Chuan Ya was one of Qin Yan’s allies and was easily defeated by Qin Yan in fewer than ten moves.
• Sun Wuqing watched Qin Yan and Ba Wei spar, seeing Qin Yan repeatedly suppress and heal Ba Wei through their brutal training.
• Sun Wuqing grew accustomed to patiently teaching the disciples, whose cultivation improved under his guidance.

Qin Yan received an update on Qinghe Town’s rapid growth and expanding industrial production, then discussed how to increase output and develop new technology. He reflected on his belief that strength shaped the world and resolved to build a new, science-based era, beginning by educating children.

• Qin Xiaoyi reported Qinghe Town’s population growth, new housing, factory sales, steel and ammunition production, and the oil field’s output to Qin Yan.
• Qin Yan ordered greater steel and oil production and more prospecting for mineral resources.
• Qin Yan explained to Qin Xiaoyi that engines could harness the power of many people and perform difficult tasks.
• Qin Yan reflected that violence and strength underlay the world’s rules and that he would fight to establish his own vision.
• Qin Yan began compiling knowledge from his previous life into books so children could become pioneers of science.

Qin Yan mastered the Heaven-Splitting Fist and returned to Qinghe Town as the dynasty’s civil war neared the capital. The Yuanqing Emperor sent Pure Jia Commandery Princess to Qin Yan in hopes of winning his support, but Qin Yan had no intention of rescuing him.

• Qin Yan lifted and pulverized a mountain with his new Heaven-Splitting Fist, then recovered from the strain and announced that his training was complete.
• Qin Yan, Sun Wuqing, and Ba Wei returned to Qinghe Town after more than forty days away, while the princely lords’ campaign against the Yuanqing Emperor spread toward the capital.
• The beleaguered Yuanqing Emperor ordered Li Zhen to offer Qin Yan a princely title and Pure Jia Commandery Princess’s hand in marriage in exchange for help.
• In mid-July, Liu Jin arrived with Pure Jia Commandery Princess and the imperial edict; Qin Yan refused to commit to saving the Yuanqing Emperor and arranged for the princess to stay at Idle-Dust Lodge.

Princess Chunjia, Xia Wanjun, considered her mission to win Qin Yan over as Qin Yan focused on the Demon-Suppressing Bureau's extraordinary mobilization. As the Capital fell, the Yuanqing Emperor died after discovering that the Hongjia Emperor had survived as a Ghost Cultivator, while ancient powers began sending their young heirs into the world.

• Xia Wanjun told Jinxi that Qin Yan was no ordinary man and reflected on how the Yuanqing Emperor had sent her to win him over.
• Qin Yan ordered an investigation into the Demon-Suppressing Bureau after its experts converged on the Capital in an unprecedented mobilization.
• As the Capital faced its imminent fall, the Yuanqing Emperor told his sons and grandsons to escape through a secret passage, while Li Zhen escorted them away and Li Daban stayed behind.
• The Hongjia Emperor appeared before the dying Yuanqing Emperor, revealed that he had become a Ghost Cultivator, and claimed he had let his son rule as a form of paternal nurturing.
• After the Capital's gates were blasted open, the Yuanqing Emperor died, and the Hongjia Emperor declared that he would reign over the world again with powerful Third Realm figures behind him.
• Ancient sects watched the upheaval as their young heirs emerged from secluded lands, prompting one of them to wonder how long the newly awakened age would last.

The Heavenly Star Lord planned to restore immortal cultivation’s dominance while the Great Li Dynasty’s power struggle reached its climax. As Prince Jing entered the capital, the Hongjia Emperor revealed that he had prepared to purge the dynasty’s rival factions, and Xia Tiancheng struck the rebel forces with the power of a Martial Arts Myth.

• The Heavenly Star Lord assessed the era’s flourishing Martial Dao and told the Heavenly Heart Dao master to claim blessed lands and prepare for immortal cultivation’s return.
• The capital fell to Prince Jing, who entered the imperial city and addressed the Hongjia Emperor as his father.
• The Hongjia Emperor revealed that he had switched to Ghost Dao cultivation and intended to use the succession struggle to expose and eliminate the great clans and vassal princes.
• The Hongjia Emperor called on Xia Tiancheng, the imperial clan’s Martial Arts Myth, to help defend the dynasty and clear away its entrenched problems.
• Xia Tiancheng crushed the rebel forces with a massive palm strike, and the surviving Third Realm fighters recognized that a Martial Arts Myth had appeared.

Xia Tiancheng forced the eighteen vassals’ army to retreat and killed Mu Changfeng in a duel, even as Mu broke through to the Fourth Realm. More imperial reinforcements arrived, leaving the allied forces outnumbered and facing a one-sided slaughter.

• Xia Tiancheng cowed the allied army with his presence and ordered the eighteen vassals’ forces to stand down.
• Mu Changfeng challenged Xia Tiancheng with his Slaughtering Blade, seeking to break through to the Martial Arts Myth realm.
• Xia Tiancheng defeated Mu Changfeng with his Asura Finger, and Mu broke through to the Fourth Realm as he died.
• More than twenty imperial Supreme Grandmasters converged on the imperial city, outnumbering the allied experts.
• Xia Tiancheng and the imperial forces began slaughtering the allied Supreme Grandmasters.

Prince Jing and the other surviving powers watched as ancient experts joined the struggle to overthrow Great Li, overwhelming the imperial forces. Xia Tiancheng survived their first attack but was killed when the black-robed expert unleashed a devastating gale.

• Prince Jing watched a mysterious figure kill a Supreme Grandmaster effortlessly and learned that Prince Xiang also had a powerful expert at his side.
• King of Chu Xia Fengxi called for Xiahou Jun, who arrived and was identified as an ancient supreme expert of the Thunderclap Immortal Sect.
• Prince Xiang's expert unleashed a formation across the imperial city, killing most of the imperial family's fighters and wiping out the weaker vassal kings.
• Xia Tiancheng confronted Xiahou Jun and the black-robed formation expert, demanding to know who they were and vowing to defend Great Li.
• The black-robed expert engulfed Xia Tiancheng in a storm of blades, leaving a cloud of bloody mist.

The Great Li Dynasty fractured after Prince Jing seized the throne and immortal sects backed rival powers across the realm. As Qin Yan assessed the returning ancient cultivators and the growing threats, he resolved to keep building Qinghe Town’s strength and pursue a future where technology and immortal cultivation coexisted.

• The rebel army captured the imperial palace, the Yuanqing Emperor killed himself, and Prince Jing became the Hongwen Emperor while Prince Xiang and the King of Chu claimed territory.
• Qin Yan learned that Qi Hong had died, Qin Zhu and Gong Miao had survived, and Wei Chen had been imprisoned after suffering grave injuries.
• Qin Yan received reports that the Thunderclap Immortal Sect and Azure Origin Immortal Sect were recruiting disciples in Prince Xiang’s and the King of Chu’s territories.
• The Hongwen Emperor made the Dao One Immortal Sect the state religion and named Immortal Master Yunchen Imperial Preceptor, prompting Qin Yan to recognize the name as that of an ancient Mahayana powerhouse.
• Qin Yan concluded that the Great Li Dynasty had effectively splintered and chose to observe events while quietly developing his own strength.
• Qin Yan affirmed that technology should coexist with immortal cultivation and help ordinary people survive and gain opportunities to rise.

Qi Zhen and Qi Hao arrived in Qin Yan’s Youshan Prefecture and were stunned by its peaceful, prosperous towns, powerful soldiers, electric lights, and loyal people. Their visit left Qi Zhen convinced that Qin Yan had the strength and popular support to challenge the throne, and the chapter ended when the pair heard a lesson that horrified them.

• Qi Zhen and Qi Hao entered Youshan Prefecture, where Qi Zhen was struck by its peace and the discipline of Qin Yan’s soldiers.
• Qi Zhen learned that Qin Yan controlled both the military and administration, had suppressed powerful clans, and was praised by ordinary people.
• Chen Ergou welcomed Qi Zhen and Qi Hao in Qinghe Town and explained that Qin Yan’s bright streetlights ran on electricity.
• Qi Zhen and Qi Hao witnessed Qinghe Town’s lively night market, its friendly constables, and the comfortable lives of its residents.
• Qi Zhen and his companions stopped to listen to a teacher instructing children and adults, but the lesson made them look horrified.