Chapter Summaries

Little Meng and Master Xuan Ci encountered Ice River Swordsman Bai Ze at an inn in Liusha Market, where Bai Ze warned that Crying Old Man had returned. Xuan Ci revealed Crying Old Man had slaughtered his family, and the Shaolin party prepared to enter his territory despite the danger.

• Little Meng paid Qu Jiuniang for rooms and food, then learned the white-clad swordsman upstairs was Ice River Swordsman Bai Ze.
• Bai Ze greeted Master Xuan Ci and the other Shaolin monks, asked whether they were connected to Crying Old Man's return, and withdrew to his room.
• Little Meng asked about Crying Old Man after noticing Xuan Ci's grave reaction to the name.
• Xuan Ci explained that Crying Old Man had killed his family decades earlier in revenge for Xuan Ci slaying his disciple.
• Xuan Ci warned Little Meng and the others to be careful in Hanhai, Crying Old Man's territory, as their conflict would end only in death.

Xuan Ci took Little Meng and Zhen Hui to the graves of his sons, where Crying Old Man ambushed him and began a battle. Xuan Ci unleashed the Mahākāla Subduing Demons Scripture against Crying Old Man’s vengeful spirits, and the clash engulfed the surrounding land in black mist and Buddha’s light.

• Xuan Ci brought Little Meng and Zhen Hui to a hill outside Liusha Market and explained the martial arts cultivation ranks.
• Xuan Ci revealed that the hill was his sons’ cemetery and sent Little Meng and Zhen Hui back to the inn for incense and candles.
• Crying Old Man appeared and said he had been waiting to kill Xuan Ci, while his disciples and granddisciples waited below for Xuan Ci’s disciples.
• Crying Old Man attacked with the Eighteen Vengeful Spirit Strikes, draining life from the land and killing people and animals across a hundred li.
• Xuan Ci invoked Ksitigarbha’s Original Vow and the Mahākāla Subduing Demons, delivering Crying Old Man’s vengeful spirits as their powers collided.

Little Meng was left facing White-headed Vulture An Guoxie while Gu Changqing released Arhat Subduing Dragons into the battle between Xuan Ci and the Crying Old Man. Arhat Subduing Dragons killed the Crying Old Man with the Flower Picking Finger, and Xuan Ci overcame his hatred and entered the Grandmaster Realm.

• Little Meng realized his master had sent him and Zhen Hui away to face the Crying Old Man, then set out to find Zhen Hui but encountered White-headed Vulture An Guoxie.
• Gu Changqing reached Liusha Market, saw Xuan Ci and the Crying Old Man battling, and released Arhat Subduing Dragons at the battlefield.
• The Crying Old Man recoiled in terror at Arhat Subduing Dragons, while Xuan Ci mistook the abbot's arrival for a deliberate effort to help him.
• Arhat Subduing Dragons used the Flower Picking Finger to make the Crying Old Man vanish, and Xuan Ci let go of the hatred that had bound him.
• Xuan Ci vowed to save all sentient beings, manifested a Bodhisattva form, and officially entered the Grandmaster Realm.

After Xuan Ci reached the Grandmaster realm, Arhat Subduing Dragons hurried him back to the Central Plains, leaving Zhen Ding and Zhen Hui in danger in the sea of sand. Li Yu, appearing as Ice River Swordsman Bai Ze, saved Little Meng by killing An Guoxie and left him inspired to imitate Bai Ze’s style.

• Xuan Ci settled his karma and became a Grandmaster, and Arhat Subduing Dragons took him away from the Western Regions.
• Arhat Subduing Dragons returned Xuan Ci to the Central Plains without realizing that Zhen Ding and Zhen Hui remained behind.
• White-headed Vulture An Guoxie attacked Little Meng with the Divine Art of Raging Sand, and Little Meng drew his saber to resist.
• Li Yu appeared as Ice River Swordsman Bai Ze and declared that he would save Little Meng and kill An Guoxie.
• Bai Ze used Ice Soul Divine Light, Ice Age, to freeze An Guoxie and inscribed his name on the ice.
• Little Meng admired Bai Ze’s flair and decided that he wanted to learn the sword and wear white clothes like snow.

After Bai Ze saved Little Meng from An Guoxie, Little Meng hurried to Hanhai First Establishment to find Zhen Hui, only to learn that horse bandits had abducted him. Gu Changqing returned to the inn, giving Little Meng hope that his junior brother could be rescued.

• Bai Ze told Little Meng that his master had likely gone to recover from his injuries, then Little Meng thanked Bai Ze for killing An Guoxie.
• Little Meng rushed toward Hanhai First Establishment to check on Zhen Hui, while Bai Ze headed toward the inn to challenge Evil Saber Ze Luoju.
• Little Meng found dead horse bandits outside the inn and recognized Gu Changqing's sword marks.
• Qu Jiuniang told Little Meng that Sky-Flipping Howler Yuan Mengzhi had abducted Zhen Hui and likely taken him to Evil Saber Ridge.
• Gu Changqing rode back to Hanhai First Establishment, and Little Meng was glad to see him.

Gu Changqing arrived after his plan to involve Xuan Ci had gone awry, leaving Zhen Hui captured by Sky-Flipping Howler Yuan Mengzhi and Ze Luoju alive. He joined Little Meng in pursuing the captors, and Ice River Swordsman Bai Ze supplied a horse and rode with them.

• Gu Changqing greeted Little Meng and regretted that his failed scheme had left Zhen Hui captured and Ze Luoju alive.
• Gu Changqing promised to help Little Meng rescue Zhen Hui and said he knew the Hanhai region where Yuan Mengzhi had fled.
• Little Meng realized he had no horse, and Bai Ze appeared at Hanhai First Establishment with two fine horses.
• Bai Ze gave Little Meng a black horse and joined Gu Changqing and Little Meng in setting out after Yuan Mengzhi.

Gu Changqing, Bai Ze, and Little Meng attacked Shen Zui’s stronghold at Chēliè Gorge to learn Yuan Mengzhi’s route. After Shen Zui told them Yuan Mengzhi had headed toward Fish Sea, they killed him and divided the stronghold’s loot.

• Gu Changqing and Bai Ze explained that Yuan Mengzhi would pass through Chēliè Gorge and charged ahead despite Little Meng’s concern about an ambush.
• The three swordsmen slaughtered the bandits guarding the gorge and swept through Shen Zui’s stronghold.
• Little Meng threatened Shen Zui until he revealed that Yuan Mengzhi had gone toward Fish Sea.
• Little Meng killed Shen Zui, then searched the stronghold and shared the valuables with Bai Ze and Gu Changqing.

Little Meng, Gu Changqing, and Bai Ze arrived in Fish Sea and learned that Yuan Mengzhi would attend a banquet at the City Lord’s Mansion the following night. They planned to go there and challenge Fish Sea’s strongest figures, though Bai Ze refused to fight.

• Little Meng, Gu Changqing, and Bai Ze entered Fish Sea City, where Gu Changqing described its ruler Bai Bazheng and the city’s ties to Meng Nan.
• Gu Changqing stopped Little Meng from asking around openly and led the group to Old Cao Tavern to find information from Xie the Drunkard.
• Little Meng paid Xie the Drunkard five hundred taels, and Xie revealed that Yuan Mengzhi would attend Bai Bazheng’s banquet the next night.
• Gu Changqing proposed testing their swords against Yuan Mengzhi and Bai Bazheng, but Bai Ze said they were not worthy.
• Gu Changqing and his companions decided to attend the banquet and rode away to await the following night.

During Little Meng's reincarnation mission, he gained the Thunder God Seal and returned to Fish Sea City with Li Yu and Bai Ze. At Bai Bazheng's banquet, he challenged Yuan Mengzhi, killed him with a thunderous strike, and became known as Mad Monk Saber Thunder.

• Little Meng vanished for his Demon Tomb reincarnation mission, where he gained the Thunder God Seal, while Li Yu chose not to interfere.
• Little Meng returned, and he, Bai Ze, and Gu Changqing went to Bai Bazheng's banquet at the City Lord's Mansion.
• The guards and Bai Bazheng welcomed Bai Ze and Gu Changqing as renowned young heroes but ignored Little Meng in his gray robe.
• Little Meng spotted Yuan Mengzhi and Zhen Hui at the banquet, then announced himself as Shaolin Zhending and challenged Yuan Mengzhi for abducting a Shaolin disciple.
• Yuan Mengzhi attacked Little Meng with his Golden Howler Claws, but Little Meng's Thunder God Seal summoned a massive bolt that killed him.
• The banquet guests named Little Meng Mad Monk Saber Thunder, and he regretted the title despite having made his name.

Gu Changqing, Little Meng, and Bai Ze slaughtered the Hanhai horse bandits at Bai Bazheng’s banquet, then headed for Evil Ridge to confront Ze Luoju. Their victory made the three young heroes famous, while Bai Ze prepared to test his sword against the Outer Scenery expert.

• Gu Changqing unified his sword arts and used a righteous, sun-bright sword strike to kill the horse bandits at the banquet.
• Bai Bazheng stayed out of the slaughter and, after the bandits died, praised the three heroes and claimed to have supported them.
• Bai Ze announced that he would go to Evil Ridge to challenge Ze Luoju, and Gu Changqing and Little Meng agreed to join him.
• The three left Fish Sea, and tales of their defeat of the fifteen Hanhai band leaders spread across the region.

Bai Ze led Gu Changqing, Little Meng, and their companions to Evil Ridge and charged through Ze Luoju’s defenses. After breaking the stronghold’s gate with one sword, Bai Ze confronted the Outer Scenery expert, and their battle was about to begin.

• Bai Ze refused to rest and led the group in a direct assault on Evil Ridge.
• Bai Ze cut down the bandit sentries and swept through those who tried to block their advance.
• Bai Ze’s sword shattered Evil Ridge’s massive gate and brought snow and frost to the stronghold.
• Ze Luoju emerged, recognized Bai Ze, and drew his evil black saber to avenge An Guoxie.
• Bai Ze declared that Ze Luoju was worth only one sword and raised his icy blade as their battle began.

Bai Ze resisted Ze Luoju’s mind-attacking Evil Saber and countered with a freezing sword strike that defeated the Outer Scenery expert. Gu Changqing and Little Meng recognized that Bai Ze had created a legend by slaying an Outer Scenery with Nine Apertures.

• Ze Luoju unleashed the Evil Saber, stirring wicked thoughts in everyone nearby, while Gu Changqing and Little Meng used their techniques to preserve their clarity.
• Bai Ze remained unaffected by the Evil Saber and dodged Ze Luoju’s descending slash.
• Zhen Hui innocently suggested that Bai Ze was stupid too, leaving the others embarrassed and Ze Luoju shaken.
• Bai Ze drew his sword and froze the hall and Ze Luoju with a single icy strike.
• A message appeared on Ze Luoju’s ice sculpture declaring that Bai Ze had slain the Evil Saber, and Gu Changqing and Little Meng marveled at his achievement.

After the heroes destroyed Evil Ridge, Bai Ze’s killing of Ze Luoju made him famous throughout Jianghu and earned him first place on the Human Ranking. Gu Changqing, Bai Ze, Little Meng, and Zhen Hui parted ways as the young heroes set out on their journeys.

• Gu Changqing killed the remaining horse bandits at Evil Ridge while Little Meng searched Ze Luoju’s hall for treasure.
• Bai Ze absorbed Ze Luoju’s saber into his Ice River sword, upgrading it to a low-grade treasured weapon.
• Little Meng kept the bandits’ weapons and manuals, and the heroes left Evil Ridge after its destruction.
• News spread that Gu Changqing and Zhen Ding had also defeated powerful enemies, while the destruction of Evil Ridge helped bring peace to the Vast Sea.
• Gu Changqing and Bai Ze declared their intentions to travel to the Central Plains, and the four young heroes parted ways.
• The Six Gates posted the new Human Ranking, naming Bai Ze first after he slew An Guoxie and Ze Luoju.

After You Huanduo spread rumors about Zhending, Zen Master Wujing stripped Little Meng of his martial arts and expelled him from Shaolin. Little Meng set out into Jianghu, but horse bandits arrived in Wuliang City as he prepared to face them.

• You Huanduo found Ze Luoju frozen at Evil Ridge and spread the claim that Zhending hated evil and killed without restraint.
• Xuan Ci reunited with Little Meng and Zhen Hui, then brought them back to Liusha Market, where Zen Master Wujing confronted Little Meng over his killings.
• Little Meng defended his actions and refused to repent, so Zen Master Wujing ordered his martial arts stripped and expelled him from Shaolin.
• Xuan Ci took Little Meng to Wuliang City and urged him to return to the Divine Capital Su Family before leaving him.
• Little Meng changed into white clothes, resolved to venture into Jianghu, and drew his sword when four horse bandits charged at him.

Little Meng survived an attack by bandits and Standing Yama You Huanduo, whose plot had led to his expulsion from Shaolin, as his inner force returned and Gu Changqing killed You Huanduo. Reunited with his friends, Little Meng learned that he had entered the Human Ranking under the humiliating titles “Mad Monk Saber Thunder” and “Reckless Vajra.”

• Little Meng used his swordsmanship to blind four mounted bandits despite his apparently crippled martial arts.
• Standing Yama You Huanduo revealed that he had schemed to get Little Meng expelled from Shaolin and attacked him, but Little Meng's inner force suddenly returned.
• Gu Changqing arrived and killed You Huanduo with a single sword strike, explaining that he had pursued the bandit to prevent future danger to his family.
• Jiang Zhiwei and Bai arrived, and Little Meng rejoiced that his friends had come to drink with him.
• Jiang Zhiwei showed Little Meng the Human Ranking, which placed Bai first, Jiang Zhiwei tenth, Gu Changqing twentieth, and Little Meng thirty-third under the embarrassing titles “Mad Monk Saber Thunder” and “Reckless Vajra.”

After parting ways with his companions, Li Yu, disguised as Bai Ze, traveled to Shaolin under the pretext of studying the mysterious turtle’s Ice Power. Xuan Ci welcomed him into the temple, giving him a chance to pursue his real goals there.

• Little Meng got drunk after three bowls, sang and recited poetry, and Jiang Zhiwei sobered him with a blast of icy air.
• Bai Ze announced that he would visit Shaolin, while Gu Changqing planned to visit the Divine Capital and Little Meng and Jiang Zhiwei set out on their own journeys.
• Jiang Zhiwei left to temper her swordsmanship, and the companions parted ways.
• Disguised as Bai Ze, Li Yu headed to Shaolin, where Abbot Kongwen was preparing to reclaim the temple from Demon Master Han Guang with an ally’s help.
• Bai Ze asked Xuan Ci for permission to study the mysterious turtle in the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, and Xuan Ci agreed, allowing him to enter Shaolin.

Li Yu entered Shaolin Temple as Bai Ze, secretly studied its techniques, and created the Ice River Sword Art to guide his avatar toward the Dao Fruit. After gaining permission to enter the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, he discovered a Law Body realm demon below it who claimed to be the Demon King Bai Ze.

• Xuan Ci brought Bai Ze to Zen Heart Residence and said he would seek the abbot’s permission for him to enter the Demon Suppressing Pagoda.
• Li Yu secretly scanned Shaolin’s Scripture Repository and used its techniques and Rulai’s Divine Palm Third Form to understand the world’s cultivation path.
• Li Yu combined his ice techniques and sword arts to create the Ice River Sword Art, a method pointing directly to the Other Shore.
• Xuan Ci told Bai Ze that the abbot had approved his entry, then escorted him to the Demon Suppressing Pagoda.
• Li Yu entered the pagoda, sensed a Law Body realm demon imprisoned beneath it, and learned that the demon called itself the Demon King Bai Ze.
• Li Yu took offense at the demon claiming his name and resolved to kill it.

Li Yu renamed the sealed Demon King Bai Ze as Black Marsh while waiting for Arhat Subduing Dragons and One Heart Sword to confront Han Guang. Han Guang tried to free Bai Ze to cover his escape, but found the Ice River Swordsman in the pagoda and the renamed demon king emerging instead.

• Li Yu altered the Demon King Bai Ze's soul and gave him the name Black Marsh.
• Li Yu froze the talkative Kun Peng Descendant's mouth and spent two days pretending to comprehend Mysterious Turtle's cold air.
• Arhat Subduing Dragons and One Heart Sword arrived at Shaolin Temple, forcing Han Guang to abandon his abbot disguise and plan an escape.
• Han Guang broke the Demon Suppressing Pagoda's seal and tried to release Bai Ze as a distraction.
• The Ice River Swordsman answered from inside the pagoda, and Black Marsh charged out, leaving Han Guang bewildered.

Han Guang tried to enlist the Black Marsh Demon King as an ally, but Black Marsh claimed Shaolin had reformed him and then blew himself up to stop Han Guang. After the blast ended the battle at Shaolin, Li Yu decided to pursue the True Martial Sect’s inheritance next.

• Han Guang called on the Black Marsh Demon King to help him escape, but Black Marsh denounced him for slandering Shaolin and declared himself reformed.
• Han Guang cursed Black Marsh and fled, while Black Marsh charged after him shouting Confucian slogans.
• Black Marsh declared that he would sacrifice himself to eliminate Han Guang and detonated his Law Body, engulfing Han Guang in the explosion.
• Arhat Subduing Dragons protected Shaolin Temple from the blast, and Mister Lu recoiled from the monks after witnessing Black Marsh’s self-destruction.
• Li Yu concluded that Black Marsh’s Law Body matched his deductions, then chose to visit the True Martial Sect with Little Meng’s help.

Li Yu reached Xuanwu City and met Zhang Yuanshan while visiting Meng, learning that Zhang was being pressured to marry for his family’s survival. Li Yu offered him a Pan Peach Hundred Longevity Pill to solve the problem by extending his ancestor’s life.

• Li Yu heard that Meng had been dubbed the Gentleman Sword and traveled on to Xuanwu City, intending to use Zhang Yuanshan to gain access to True Martial Mountain.
• Li Yu found Meng drinking with Zhang Yuanshan in Copper Dragon Town, where Zhang explained his family’s decline and the marriage arranged to strengthen the Zhang family.
• Li Yu proposed extending Zhang Yuanshan’s ancestor’s life or having Zhang rapidly advance his cultivation to secure his family’s standing.
• Li Yu gave Zhang Yuanshan a Pan Peach Hundred Longevity Pill said to extend life by a hundred years, astonishing Zhang and Meng.