Chapter Summaries

The Three Dragons of Dongcang attacked Li Zhe at the Xiao Manor, but the old man in white and the Xiao Family’s fighters thwarted their attempt to kill him. The attackers escaped into the manor, where fires and fighting spread, and someone carrying a corpse suddenly entered Xiao Shuyun’s courtyard.

• The Three Dragons of Dongcang and their men attacked Li Zhe’s hiding place, while the old man in white revealed that he had sworn to protect the Xiao Family’s descendants.
• Song Changming heard fighting and went to the side courtyard, where he found the Three Dragons of Dongcang battling the Xiao Family’s guards and retainers.
• Xiao Yanli sent his experts into the fight, and the old man in white wounded Xu Dabao when he tried to strike Li Zhe.
• Jiang Kan called for the Three Dragons to retreat, and the three men escaped over the wall as the Xiao Family’s fighters pursued them.
• Fighting and fires spread throughout the Xiao Manor while Xiao Shuyun was kept inside her courtyard; then a person carrying a corpse vaulted over its wall.

Luo Haolin broke into Xiao Shuyun’s courtyard and fought through her guards as he tried to take her hostage. Song Changming intervened and held him off, but the battle remained unresolved as Luo Haolin unleashed a desperate sword technique.

• Xiao Shuyun recognized the corpse Luo Haolin discarded as her brother Xiao Yanli’s old servant, and the guards surrounded the wounded intruder.
• Luo Haolin evaded the Patrol Guard Team’s crossbow bolts, killed several guards, and overwhelmed Min’er and Xiu’er as he closed in on Xiao Shuyun.
• Song Changming arrived and forced Luo Haolin away from the pavilion, giving Min’er and Xiu’er time to retreat with Xiao Shuyun.
• Xiao Shuyun ordered her guards and retainers to help Song Changming, but several retainers fled while he fought Luo Haolin in a prolonged saber-and-sword duel.
• As more Xiao family experts approached and his wounds worsened, Luo Haolin attacked with the Bell Sound Sword’s Flying Bell Elegy.

Song Changming survived Luo Haolin’s deadly sword strike during the chaos at Xiao Manor, but the Three Dragons of Dongcang escaped along with the bandit army. After the battle, Song Changming triggered Potential Unleashed and discovered it greatly enhanced his ability to replay and analyze what he had seen.

• Song Changming deflected Luo Haolin’s killing strike, and Luo Haolin escaped after wounding the Xiao Family guards.
• Xiao Shuyun thanked Song Changming for protecting her, and he told her what had happened throughout Xiao Manor.
• The Three Dragons of Dongcang escaped the city, and the bandit army withdrew after a failed attempt to capture the Second-rank official.
• Song Changming and Lu Zheng judged the clash a loss for both sides, while the daily evaluation granted Song Changming Potential Unleashed.
• Song Changming returned home to recover and discovered that Potential Unleashed let him vividly replay and examine every detail of his fight with Luo Haolin.

Song Changming used the heightened focus of “Potential Unleashed” to study martial arts from memories and combine the techniques he learned with his own. After the state ended, he discovered that his saber arts had expanded and that he had gained a powerful new strike resembling Luo Haolin’s sword technique.

• Song Changming tried to reconstruct Luo Haolin’s movement technique and swordsmanship, but found that he lacked enough vivid memories to copy them completely.
• Song Changming studied remembered martial artists’ moves and combined useful saber techniques and movement insights with the Soul Severing Saber, Flying Swallow Style, and Light Body Technique.
• Song Changming trained without rest until “Potential Unleashed” ended, then collapsed from exhaustion and slept until noon the next day.
• Song Changming checked his panel and discovered that the Soul Severing Saber, Flying Swallow Style, and Flying Swallow Light Body Technique had all expanded, increasing their experience limits and power.
• Song Changming tested his improved techniques and performed Flying Bell Elegy, a strike resembling Luo Haolin’s final sword strike, before embedding his Dragon-Patterned Saber in the courtyard wall.

Song Changming advanced his martial arts while the governor’s forces drove the bandits from Donglai Commandery, and the Xiao family’s influence grew over the next two years. During the Long River Lantern Festival, he guarded Xiao Shuyun as a planned fight broke out nearby.

• Song Changming found that his improved martial arts outstripped his Fourth Realm of Bone Forging Body Refinement Cultivation, while the governor dispatched county troops and Private Soldiers against the bandits at Tengya Mountain.
• After three months of fighting, the governor’s army drove the surviving bandits and the Three Dragons of Dongcang out of Donglai Commandery, and Li Zhe received an imperial edict restoring him to office.
• Li Zhe departed for the capital, followed later by Xiao Hongyang and the Xiao Family’s Third Young Master, as the Xiao family’s standing increased.
• Two years later, Xiao Shuyun went to the Long River Lantern Festival dressed as a young gentleman, accompanied by Song Changming, Min'er, and Xiu'er, and fled a pleasure boat after discovering what went on inside.
• Song Changming stepped in front of Xiao Shuyun when two groups suddenly clashed in what appeared to be a planned martial-world ambush.

Song Changming protected Xiao Shuyun from the Dinghai Water Gang after a man falsely claimed he had the treasure map, then learned the map supposedly led to a Martial Art Manual. After killing the man who framed him, Song Changming searched his body and discovered an unusual hidden layer in his clothing.

• A martial-world fighter accused Song Changming of carrying the treasure map, and the Dinghai Water Gang attacked him and Xiao Shuyun.
• Song Changming fired a Signal Smoke and fought off the gang, killing more than twenty attackers and capturing their leader.
• The leader told Song Changming that the treasure map had been split into three pieces and that the Golden Palace Sect member possessed one piece tied to a rumored Martial Art Manual.
• Song Changming questioned the Golden Palace Sect member, who claimed the map was at his sect, then killed him for framing Song Changming.
• Song Changming searched the corpse for valuables and found an unusually thick section hidden in the hem of the man's inner shirt.

Song Changming recovered a piece of the treasure map, eliminated the Dinghai Water Gang attackers, and escorted Xiao Shuyun safely home. The county governor then crushed the gang and seized its shipping business, while Song Changming continued cultivating and kept the map’s discovery secret.

• Song Changming found a Beast Hide treasure-map fragment on a dying Golden Palace Sect member and killed the remaining Dinghai Water Gang attackers before the Patrol Guard Team arrived.
• Song Changming escorted Xiao Shuyun back to the County Governor’s Mansion, where she thanked him and said she disliked his claim that protecting her was merely his duty.
• Song Changming studied the map fragment at home, reviewed his martial arts progress and attributes, and prepared for possible trouble over the treasure.
• The county governor sent the army to capture the Dinghai Water Gang and confiscate its merchant ships, rewarding Song Changming for protecting Xiao Shuyun.
• The gang withdrew from Donglai Commandery, the county governor took control of local sea transport, and no one discovered that Song Changming held a piece of the treasure map.

Song Changming reached the Second Realm in skin refining, then visited his family and shared a peaceful meal with them and Song Ping'an. Later, Gu Wenhui met him at Piaoxiang Pavilion, questioned why he had refused a post at the County Governor's Mansion, and left Song Changming wondering what the celebrated adviser wanted from him.

• Song Changming broke through to the Second Realm in skin refining and reflected on the advantages of his comprehensive body cultivation.
• Song Changming returned to the Song Residence, where Song Ping'an welcomed him and Mother Song and Father Song showed their affection for him.
• Father Song proudly showed Song Changming a newly emerged Three-Striped Azure Water Silkworm, and Song Changming ate with the family and Song Ping'an.
• In August, Song Changming visited Piaoxiang Pavilion, where Gu Wenhui praised his strength and asked why he had declined Fourth Miss Xiao's recommendation to advise the county governor.
• Song Changming explained that he wanted more experience in the General Security Department, while Gu Wenhui urged him to pursue a military post; Song Changming wondered why Gu had sought him out.

Gu Wenhui revealed that the County Governor had backed the Third Prince in the looming struggle among the six Princes, then invited Song Changming and Lu Zheng to join him if they changed their minds. On his way home, Song Changming was surrounded by Dinghai Water Gang members seeking revenge, and one attacked him.

• Gu Wenhui told Song Changming and Lu Zheng that the ailing Son of Heaven's six Princes were competing for the throne and that the County Governor had pledged allegiance to the Third Prince.
• Gu Wenhui judged that the County Governor and the Xiao Family were likely to become expendable and explained that the County Governor had ignored his warning three years earlier.
• Song Changming admitted he had avoided the County Governor's Mansion to preserve himself, and Gu Wenhui offered to make a place for him and Lu Zheng if they joined him later.
• Song Changming and Lu Zheng clinked cups with Gu Wenhui, then left after drinking and discussing the political turmoil.
• Song Changming stopped in a bamboo grove and was surrounded by more than ten Dinghai Water Gang members seeking revenge for their fallen comrades.
• A Dinghai Water Gang fighter charged Song Changming.

Song Changming killed the Dinghai Water Gang assassins sent to ambush him, then learned that the emperor was ill and the Xiao family had been struck by a political crisis. The chapter ended with Xiao Jingchuan’s advisors realizing that the Third Prince would not help rescue Xiao Hongyang from prison.

• Song Changming killed the Dinghai Water Gang ambushers in a bamboo grove and confirmed they had not come for the treasure map.
• Song Changming ordered the bodies cleared, and the Dinghai Water Gang stopped intervening in Donglai Commandery after its failed attack.
• Song Changming, Zhou Sixin, and Liang Chuanshan discussed rumors that the emperor had fallen ill and the possibility that succession turmoil would reach Donglai Commandery.
• Xiao Hongyang was imprisoned in the imperial capital, while Xiao Yanli fled and went missing, leaving Xiao Jingchuan’s family in crisis.
• Xiao Jingchuan told Xie Shihuan and his other advisors that the Third Prince had shown no intention of helping Xiao Hongyang, while Gu Wenhui watched silently.

As the Third Prince appeared ready to abandon the Xiao Family, Gu Wenhui advised Xiao Jingchuan to defy the Imperial Court and use his Private Soldiers to attract another prince’s support. Xiao Jingchuan openly rejected an imperial order and prepared to fight three neighboring commanderies; meanwhile, Xiao Shuyun summoned Song Changming to say farewell.

• Xiao Jingchuan asked Gu Wenhui how to protect the Xiao Family, and Gu Wenhui proposed either fleeing with their forces or defying the imperial decree and seeking another prince’s support.
• After the Imperial Court sent an envoy to remove him and escort him to the capital, Xiao Jingchuan defied the order and broke with the court.
• The Imperial Secretariat ordered the commanderies of Nanyang, Seven Rivers, and Yongkang to send troops against Donglai Commandery.
• Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Wenhui discussed the coming battle, and Gu Wenhui said victory over the three commanderies could break the crisis.
• Xiao Shuyun summoned Song Changming to Xiao Manor and told him she had called him there to bid farewell.

After Xiao Shuyun left Donglai Commandery ahead of the war, Xiao Jingchuan defeated the invading coalition, though Song Changming expected the conflict with the Imperial Court to continue. At a victory banquet, Shi Lie challenged the General Security Department’s patrol captains to spar, putting Song Changming and his colleagues on the spot.

• Xiao Shuyun told Song Changming about Xiao Hongyang’s imprisonment and Xiao Jingchuan’s defiance of the Imperial Court, then departed with the Xiao Family convoy.
• The armies of Nanyang, Seven Rivers, and Yongkang invaded Donglai Commandery, but Xiao Jingchuan’s forces defeated them in less than half a month.
• Gu Wenhui told Gu Ruxin that the realm was nearing chaos and that he intended to begin an age of disorder himself.
• Song Changming prepared his family for upheaval, continued training, and patched the courtyard wall after Big Yellow and Big White smashed through it.
• Xiao Jingchuan held a victory banquet and praised the General Security Department’s patrol guards for keeping order in the city.
• Shi Lie challenged the patrol captains to a sparring match, and Xie Shihuan agreed as the banquet hall cleared for the contest.

At the victory banquet, Ma Yunlin lost a martial contest to Shi Lie, and Song Changming stepped in to defend the Capital City Patrol's reputation. Song Changming overwhelmed Shi Lie with his strength and saber art, leaving the military generals to witness his victory.

• Ma Yunlin volunteered to fight Shi Lie, but Shi Lie overpowered him and knocked him to the ground.
• Xie Shihuan asked Song Changming or Lu Zheng to take the next match, and Song Changming volunteered.
• Shi Lie challenged Song Changming, but Song Changming's saber strikes drove him back and shocked the watching generals.
• Song Changming used the Soul Severing Saber to disrupt Shi Lie's momentum and gradually daze him.
• Song Changming knocked both bronze hammers from Shi Lie's hands, defeating him, then calmly said, "You let me win."

Song Changming defeated two of Fan Yun’s generals at the celebration banquet, earning the respect of the assembled officials and soldiers. After the Imperial Court’s authority faltered and Xiao Jingchuan remained isolated, the recovered emperor issued an edict ordering a hundred-thousand-strong allied army to march on Donglai Commandery.

• Song Changming defeated Shi Lie and Li Wenye in succession, leaving Fan Yun’s generals unwilling to challenge him further.
• Xie Shihuan praised Song Changming and eased tensions at the banquet, which continued until Xiao Jingchuan was escorted away after drinking and denouncing the Imperial Court.
• After the allied army’s defeat, Imperial Secretariat officials failed to secure troops from the three commandery governors, and other governors also delayed sending forces.
• Xiao Jingchuan received no help from the princes and feared the Imperial Court would punish him once the capital stabilized.
• The old emperor recovered, reformed the Imperial Court, and issued an edict ordering six neighboring commanderies to attack Donglai Commandery.
• The emperor mobilized fifty thousand border troops, and a hundred thousand allied soldiers assembled within three days and marched on Donglai.

As the Imperial Court’s hundred thousand troops approached Donglai Commandery, Xiao Jingchuan fled west with more than fifty thousand soldiers and many officials, leaving the city’s administration depleted. Song Changming stayed behind, and with the County Governor’s Mansion and patrol forces unable to maintain order, unrest and looting spread through the city.

• Lu Zheng told Song Changming that the Imperial Court’s allied army was approaching and that Gu Wenhui had warned him to prepare for a purge of Xiao Jingchuan’s supporters.
• Lu Zheng decided to leave Donglai Commandery with Gu Wenhui, while Song Changming chose to stay with his elderly parents.
• Xie Shihuan tried to persuade Song Changming and the other Patrol Captains to follow Xiao Jingchuan, but Song Changming refused.
• Xiao Jingchuan fled west under cover of night with more than fifty thousand troops, officials, supplies, and equipment, while Xie Shihuan took thirteen Patrol Guard Teams with him.
• After the flight was discovered, only seven Patrol Guard Teams remained, and looting and vandalism spread as the understaffed authorities lost control of the city.

After the Commandery Governor fled, Donglai Commandery City descended into chaos, and Song Changming sheltered his family while protecting his residence. When escaped prisoners attacked Liang Chuanshan, Song Changming arrived and slaughtered them, leaving Liang safe.

• Song Changming told his parents to stay inside, and Big Yellow and Big White drove off thieves who broke into the Song Residence.
• Liang Zhaolong brought the seven patrol guards who had no family ties to Song Changming’s residence and reported that the city was in chaos.
• Liang Chuanshan was wounded and surrounded at his residence by escaped prisoners who had killed his servants and guards.
• Song Changming arrived as one prisoner attacked Liang Chuanshan’s carriage driver and killed the attacker with his saber.
• Song Changming cut down the escaped prisoners who attacked him, killing the last one by pinning him to the courtyard wall.

After imperial troops restored order in Donglai Commandery, Song Changming passed the General Security Department’s purge and met its new Head of the General Headquarters, Zhuang Ren. Zhuang Ren tested Song Changming in a sword duel, recognized his talent, and offered to take him to the capital if an opportunity arose.

• Song Changming urged Liang Chuanshan to shelter with him, but Liang chose to gather Lu Gang and the other patrol guards instead.
• Imperial troops arrived in Donglai Commandery, suppressed the unrest, arrested many evildoers, and pursued the fugitive prefect Xiao Jingchuan.
• The Imperial Court appointed a new prefect and officials, while a new Head of the General Headquarters began purging the General Security Department.
• Song Changming passed the investigation and met Zhuang Ren, who praised his record and challenged him to exchange moves.
• Song Changming and Zhuang Ren fought with saber and sword; Zhuang Ren held back, and Song Changming admitted defeat.
• Zhuang Ren praised Song Changming’s ability, approved of his decision to stay in Donglai Commandery, and promised to take him to the capital if the opportunity arose.

Song Changming benefited greatly from a century-old ginseng root while the new governor restored order and struggled to secure grain for winter. The chapter ended with Song Changming and Zhuang Ren leading a large Patrol Guard force toward a port to exterminate bandits.

• Song Changming helped reorganize the weakened General Security Department as the new governor restored order by executing hundreds of serious criminals.
• Song Changming met Liang Chuanshan, Lu Gang, and Zhou Sixin, who discussed the winter grain shortage and the Imperial Court's victory over Governor Xiao's forces.
• Liang Chuanshan told Song Changming about a century-old ginseng root in Lianhua County, and Song Changming bought it for nine hundred taels of silver.
• Song Changming found that the ginseng greatly accelerated his Ox Demon Art and other Body Refining techniques, though he could afford only a few more roots.
• Zhuang Ren, Song Changming, and a large Patrol Guard force rode toward a port near the Luolong River to exterminate bandits.

Song Changming and Zhuang Ren uncovered the Dinghai Water Gang’s seizure of the harbor and killing of its officials, then fought the gang and captured several members and ships. The next morning, at least five hundred water bandits arrived at the shipyards, apparently finding the government force gone.

• Song Changming’s group arrived at the harbor and discovered the Canal Transport Department officials were missing.
• Song Changming and Liang Zhaolong captured two Dinghai Water Gang lookouts, who revealed that the harbor officials had been sunk in the river.
• Zhuang Ren’s guards and the Patrol Guard Team defeated a group of gang members, while Song Changming subdued their leader.
• Song Changming’s group found that the gang had retaken the harbor and seized official ships, then ambushed a gang shift arriving by ship and captured another vessel.
• The next morning, seven Dinghai Water Gang ships brought at least five hundred members to surround the shipyards, where their leaders found no government men in sight.

Zhuang Ren and Song Changming led the Patrol Guard Team into battle after the commandery governor’s elite cavalry arrived, routing the Dinghai Water Gang. Song Changming then faced A Liu, a Body Refining Sixth Realm expert, and the chapter ended as their fierce duel continued.

• Dinghai Water Gang leaders pursued Zhuang Ren and Song Changming after discovering their position near the harbor.
• The commandery governor’s thousand black-armored cavalrymen emerged from the fog, and Zhuang Ren led the patrol guards in a charge against the gang.
• Zhuang Ren defeated one gang leader, while Song Changming intercepted A Liu’s attack and recognized him as a Sixth Realm expert.
• Song Changming and A Liu exchanged saber strikes; Song Changming wounded A Liu only slightly because of his exceptionally tough skin and membranes.
• Song Changming and A Liu continued their duel as Liang Zhaolong led the Patrol Guard Team against the remaining gang members.