Chapter Summaries

Qin Wang returned home with Zheng Kecheng’s Minor Scarlet Sun Cultivation manual, silver, and a mysterious jade slip, then reviewed intel about new dangers and opportunities. He learned that Chen Yi had become a Taiyi Sword Sect disciple, making Qin Xuemei’s rescue more difficult, and resolved to grow stronger before confronting the Chen Family.

• Qin Wang returned to his rented house, secured the door, and studied the Minor Scarlet Sun Cultivation manual and the 615 taels he had taken from Zheng Kecheng’s home.
• Qin Wang checked his daily intel and learned that Ji Zhang’s demonic art might lead him to seize someone nearby for blood.
• Qin Wang learned that his Minor Scarlet Sun Cultivation would reach the beginner stage in six days and that the Yellowed Jade Slip contained a mysterious woman’s soul.
• Qin Wang learned that Du Xiang and Lu Ming would fight to a draw, while Tie Wen planned to kill someone for money to bribe his superior.
• Qin Wang learned that Chen Yi had been taken as a disciple by a Taiyi Sword Sect Elder and resolved to become stronger so he could rescue Qin Xuemei despite the Chen Family’s power.

Qin Wang began cultivating Minor Scarlet Sun Cultivation and learned the first forms of the Flying Eagle Movement Technique at Flying Eagle Martial Arts School. His Intelligence Panel revealed that a Demon Flood Dragon was devouring people and that rival martial arts schools planned to assassinate Flying Eagle disciples, so he decided to stay home and wait.

• Qin Wang practiced Minor Scarlet Sun Cultivation but sensed no qi before leaving for breakfast.
• Qin Wang heard that the River God had devoured fishermen and that officials planned to increase sacrifices of virgin boys and girls.
• Qin Wang went to Flying Eagle Martial Arts School, where Lin Yunfeng demonstrated the Flying Eagle Movement Technique and taught him its first forms.
• Qin Wang's Intelligence Panel revealed that the River God was a wounded Demon Flood Dragon and that Jiang Haitian and Lu Ming planned to assassinate Flying Eagle disciples.
• Qin Wang decided to practice the movement technique at home and avoid the planned assassinations for a few days.

Qin Wang unlocked the Flying Eagle Movement Technique, while daily intel revealed that Ji Zhang would target him within twelve hours and that Lin Yunfeng had betrayed Flying Eagle Martial Arts School. Qin Wang realized his rented house was near Ji Zhang’s hiding place and decided to flee.

• Qin Wang bought Qi and Blood Pills, practiced his martial arts, and unlocked the Flying Eagle Movement Technique.
• Qin Xuemei told Xiao Zi, Xiao Lan, and Xiao Qing that she hoped Qin Wang would become a doctor and build a family, while the three girls said they wanted to live.
• Lin Yunfeng joined Lei Wu and Uncle Quan after killing a fellow disciple, then set out with them to target more Flying Eagle Martial Arts School disciples.
• Qin Wang’s daily intel revealed that Ji Zhang had sucked Zhang Fan dry, needed blood every twelve hours, and would come for Qin Wang in twelve hours.
• Qin Wang learned that Lin Yunfeng had betrayed Flying Eagle Martial Arts School and that the attackers would find his address in seven days.
• Qin Wang realized Ji Zhang was hiding near his rented house on Yacha Street and decided to move before the gang leader reached him.

Qin Wang fled his former home, settled in a new courtyard, and began cultivating the Minor Scarlet Sun Cultivation while preparing to expose Ji Zhang and Lin Yunfeng. The next morning, he learned that the wounded Du Xiang was hiding in his kitchen and had only sixty breaths to live.

• Qin Wang left his former rental house and planned to expose Ji Zhang’s blood-drinking demonic cultivation and Lin Yunfeng’s betrayal.
• Qin Wang saw the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School surrounded by mourning relatives and learned that Du Xiang had arrived with armed followers.
• Qin Wang rented a courtyard, bought Qi and Blood Pills, and wrote copies of intelligence exposing Ji Zhang and Lin Yunfeng.
• Qin Wang reached beginner level in the Minor Scarlet Sun Cultivation after taking six Qi and Blood Pills and repeatedly circulating his internal qi.
• The Intelligence Panel revealed that Du Xiang was gravely wounded and hiding in Qin Wang’s kitchen, while Ji Zhang and the martial schools’ conflict had left numerous people dead.

Qin Wang discovered the dying Du Xiang in his kitchen, waited for him to die, took his money and a mysterious key, then buried his body to avoid trouble. He reviewed the Intelligence Panel’s remaining reports and learned that his cultivation would reach the Third-Rate realm in three days.

• Qin Wang read that Du Xiang was hiding in his kitchen and would die soon, then armed himself and listened for movement.
• Du Xiang recalled how Shi Lan had poisoned him and Jiang Haitian and Lu Ming had hunted him before he died in Qin Wang’s kitchen.
• Qin Wang confirmed Du Xiang was dead, searched him, and took five banknotes worth 250 taels and a small black key.
• Qin Wang buried Du Xiang behind his house and concealed the excess soil so authorities and Du Xiang’s enemies would not discover the body.
• Qin Wang reviewed the Intelligence Panel’s reports, learned that Ji Zhang would target people with powerful qi and blood, and saw that he would enter the Third-Rate realm in three days.

Qin Wang spread intelligence about the Chen Family’s cultivation weakness around the city, then returned home to count his wealth. While sorting his possessions, he saw a Qi and Blood Pill vanish into the broken bowl from Qingniu Mountain, leaving him with an unexplained mystery.

• Qin Wang read that Chen Kun’s Purple Sun Cultivation weakened by half at midnight and ordered ten notices exposing the Chen Family’s weaknesses.
• Qin Wang posted the intelligence notices around teahouses and taverns, then returned home after wiping away Du Xiang’s bloodstains along the route.
• Qin Wang counted his silver and found he had 1,330 taels on hand, not including money hidden at Li Laocai’s home and beneath the thatched hut.
• Qin Wang saw a red flash as a Qi and Blood Pill slipped from its bottle into the broken bowl, but the pill disappeared and the bottle was left empty.

Qin Wang discovered that the Broken Bowl absorbed Qi and Blood Pills and later produced purified pills, while mysterious notices exposing powerful figures’ secrets shook Yan Yun County. He began refining one of the new pills, strengthening his inner energy.

• Qin Wang tested the Broken Bowl with another Qi and Blood Pill and watched the pill disappear into it.
• People across Yan Yun County discussed notices exposing Ji Zhang’s blood-drinking demonic art, Chen Kun’s cultivation flaw, and Lin Yunfeng’s betrayal.
• Ji Zhang ordered Ji Bo to gather the Black River Gang’s elite and investigate who had posted the notices.
• Chen Kun ordered Chen Feng to find the culprit and watch rival families and factions after the notice exposed his Purple Sun Cultivation’s weakness.
• County Magistrate Chen Hao asked Ji Wuyuan to investigate the allegations and summoned Ji Zhang to the county yamen.
• Qin Wang found three purified pills in the Broken Bowl, swallowed one, and used Minor Scarlet Sun Cultivation to refine its power as his inner energy grew thicker.

After advancing to third-rate, Qin Wang returned to Qingniu Town, recovered Li Laocai’s hidden silver, and found the Soul Gathering Bowl buried with it. The updated intel revealed that the bowl could refine and control the trapped souls, while several powerful enemies were searching for him.

• Qin Wang absorbed three purified Qi and Blood Pills and advanced to the third-rate realm, then considered seeking an apprenticeship with Li Hongfei at Tongrentang Pharmacy.
• Qin Wang returned to Qingniu Town, brought Bai Fenghuan food, and thanked Bai Mingliang after dinner at Hundred Herbs Hall.
• Qin Wang dug up 850 taels of silver from beneath Li Laocai’s burned bedroom and discovered the Soul Gathering Bowl in the jar.
• Qin Wang carried the silver and bowl home, ate, and practiced Ancestor’s Long Fist, Flying Eagle Movement Technique, and Minor Scarlet Sun Cultivation.
• Qin Wang’s updated intel reported that Chen Kun, Ji Zhang, and Lin Yunfeng were hunting for him, that the bowl held Li Laocai’s family’s souls, and that Zhang Aofeng planned to test Chen Kun at midnight.

Qin Wang reviewed intelligence revealing conflicts within the Chen Family, plans by rival powers to test Chen Kun, and secrets left by Du Xiang, while deciding to keep exposing his enemies. After reaching the county seat, he delayed further revelations because the Chen Family, the Arrest Bureau, and the Black River Gang were searching for the exposer, and set out to investigate local institutions and the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School.

• Qin Wang resolved to exploit the Chen Family’s weaknesses, expose Zheng Kecheng’s crimes, and eventually search for Du Xiang’s hidden passage using the key he had found.
• Qin Wang buried one thousand taels of silver and prepared to leave Qingniu Town with two hundred and fifty taels and his treasured items.
• Bai Fenghuan gave Qin Wang food for his journey, and he promised to bring her treats from the county seat.
• Qin Wang returned to his rented house in the county seat, confirmed no one had entered, and learned that the Chen Family, Arrest Bureau constables, and Black River Gang were searching for the exposer.
• Qin Wang decided to postpone exposing anyone and went to ask Tongrentang Pharmacy about medicine apprentices while planning to scout the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School and other local powers.

Qin Wang applied to become a medicine apprentice at Tongrentang Pharmacy, then learned through the Daily Intel that Li Hongfei and Ding Dian planned to exploit and track him. After destroying possible traces, Qin Wang resolved to expose them later and decided he needed to move again.

• Qin Wang inspected the ruined Flying Eagle Martial Arts School, visited Tongrentang Pharmacy, and was told by Li Hongfei to return the next day to study medicinal ingredients.
• Li Hongfei rejected Qin Wang as a Medicine Person candidate, while Ding Dian revealed that he had secretly put tracking powder on him.
• Qin Wang surveyed the Chen and Su families and other locations, bought Qi and Blood Pills, then returned home to eat and train.
• The Daily Intel revealed Li Hongfei planned to prepare Qin Wang as an obedient virgin boy for Li Tianhe, and that Li Hongfei and Li Tianhe had killed 576 Medicine People.
• Qin Wang burned his clothes and the bedsheet, washed himself, and decided to delay exposing Li Hongfei until investigations cooled down.
• Worried tracking powder might have contaminated his home, Qin Wang decided he needed to move again.

Qin Wang exposed Tongrentang Pharmacy, the Chen Family, the Black River Gang, and the Tianhe Society by posting thirty notices around Yan Yun County. As the revelations stirred public outrage and powerful enemies reacted, Li Tianhe learned that he was among those exposed.

• Qin Wang waited until the nighttime surveillance had been withdrawn, then posted notices detailing the crimes and secrets of Tongrentang Pharmacy, the Chen Family, the Black River Gang, and the Tianhe Society.
• Qin Wang ate noodles near one of his notices and listened as townspeople condemned the accused and speculated about the mysterious Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord.
• Chen Kun read that Zhang Aofeng had attacked him and learned of scandals involving his family, then flew into a rage and rushed to confront his younger brother.
• Li Hongfei ordered Ding Dian and his guards to capture the Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord, offering pills for the man’s capture or head.
• Li Tianhe discussed exploiting the Black River Gang’s possible collapse, then received a notice exposing his crimes and demanded to know where it came from.

Qin Wang’s revelations triggered a countywide search for the Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord and forced local leaders to consider how to contain the public outrage. While Qin Wang stayed in hiding and focused on cultivation, new intelligence showed that his exposure of the Chen Family’s scandal had led to Chen Feng’s death and worsened Old Madam Chen’s condition.

• Li Tianhe ordered the Tianhe Society to hunt down the Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord after notices exposed his abuse of boy lovers and the deaths of sixteen youths.
• Chen Hao and Ji Wuyuan discussed the public scandal and decided to summon Li Tianhe, Ji Zhang, and Li Hongfei while searching for the person behind the revelations.
• Zhang Aofeng and Zhang Aochi decided to deny that the Zhang Family had tested the Chen Family and planned to sound out the Lin and Su Families.
• Qin Wang reviewed his cultivation progress, stayed in his rented courtyard to avoid the search, and planned to obtain the complete Flying Eagle Movement Technique after waiting a few days.
• New intelligence revealed that Chen Kun killed his brother Chen Feng after confronting him over his affair with Jiang Yuqin, who then killed herself, while Old Madam Chen’s condition worsened.

Qin Wang learned that the Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord had become a target of a citywide hunt, while the Snow Lotus Sect planned to send an emissary to Yan Yun County. Over ten days, he strengthened his martial arts and reached minor mastery in Ancestor's Long Fist, then set his sights on Ding Dian as Zheng Kecheng returned determined to capture him.

• Qin Wang reviewed intelligence about the Snow Lotus Emissary, Zheng Kecheng, Ding Dian, and the citywide hunt, and resolved to expose Zheng Kecheng and eventually kill Ding Dian.
• During the lockdown, Qin Wang burned his writing materials, bought forty Qi and Blood Pills from Xinglin Chun Pharmacy, and secretly continued training.
• After ten days, Qin Wang's Ancestor's Long Fist reached minor mastery, his strength had nearly quintupled, and his Flying Eagle Movement Technique and cultivation had advanced.
• Qin Wang anticipated obtaining Du Xiang's complete Flying Eagle Movement Technique that night and planned to destroy Ding Dian.
• At the Arrest Bureau, Zheng Kecheng vowed to capture the Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord and use the achievement to advance his career.

Qin Wang infiltrated the ruined Flying Eagle Martial Arts School and recovered Du Xiang’s Flying Eagle Movement Technique, treasure key, and map. Back at his rented house, he received new intel about several enemies and learned that Divine Constables had arrived in Yan Yun County, leaving him weighing how to use the information and planning a future trip to Liangzhou.

• Qin Wang entered Du Xiang’s underground chamber and took the Flying Eagle Movement Technique, banknotes, a key, and a map from its hidden compartment.
• Qin Wang returned home and received updated intel, including Chen Kun’s planned assassination of Zhang Aofeng and Ding Dian’s decision to seek treatment from Li Hongfei at dawn.
• Qin Wang decided to kill Ding Dian before he could reach Li Hongfei and considered exposing Chief Constable Zheng Kecheng.
• Qin Wang learned that Divine Constables had arrived in Yan Yun County and considered using the bureau against Li Hongfei.
• Qin Wang discovered that Du Xiang’s Liangzhou treasure included valuables and a Mysterious Alchemy Furnace, and resolved to visit Liangzhou when he could.

Qin Wang robbed and killed Ding Dian, taking the Disguise Technique, then exposed Zheng Kecheng’s crimes and the Black River Gang’s ties to the Snow Lotus Sect. The revelations spread through Yan Yun County, and Zheng Kecheng flew into a rage when he learned he had been exposed.

• Qin Wang took Du Xiang’s map, key, manual, and silver, then set out to rob Ding Dian and publicize Zheng Kecheng’s crimes.
• Qin Wang restrained Ding Dian, took his silver and Disguise Technique, killed him, captured his soul, and set his house on fire.
• Qin Wang posted intelligence exposing Zheng Kecheng’s murders, fraud, and slow poisoning, as well as Ji Zhang’s role in poisoning Old Madam Chen and the Black River Gang’s allegiance to the Snow Lotus Sect.
• People across the county discussed the revelations while Qin Wang listened over breakfast, pleased with the uproar.
• Zheng Kecheng read the notice exposing him, denounced it as slander, and shattered his desk in anger.

Zheng Kecheng ordered a citywide search for Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord while the Divine Constable Bureau’s three investigators pursued the Snow Lotus Sect and Li Hongfei. Qin Wang realized Zheng Kecheng might trace the rumors back to Qingniu Town, began disguising himself, and faced a new threat as Zheng went to inspect the north gate’s entry records.

• Zheng Kecheng assembled the available constables and ordered them to search Yan Yun County for Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord.
• Zheng Kecheng recalled the earlier exposure of Li Laocai and resolved to investigate people who had come from Qingniu Town, confident his crimes would remain concealed.
• Zhao Yong, Lin Kang, and Su Jin discussed the verified revelations by Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord and set out to find the Snow Lotus Emissary and investigate Li Hongfei.
• Qin Wang practiced the Disguise Technique, decided to replace the name Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord with Tianji Pavilion, and planned to leave his rented home under a new identity.
• Constables questioned people at the sites of the notices as Zheng Kecheng went to the north gate to check the records of arrivals from Qingniu Town.

Qin Wang learned from his refreshed intel that Zheng Kecheng would soon investigate him, Prince Jin’s forces were advancing, and Li Hongfei had hidden powerful pills in a western-city courtyard. He resolved to build his strength and obtain the pills while staying alert to the threats around him.

• Qin Wang listened to diners discuss the Zhang brothers’ deaths, then practiced the Flying Eagle Movement Technique and his Disguise Technique at his rented courtyard.
• Qin Wang’s daily intel revealed that Chen Kun had killed Zhang Aofeng and Zhang Aochi, while Zheng Kecheng would trace the Hundred Knowledge Divine Lord to him in three days.
• Qin Wang learned that Zheng Kecheng served the Heavenly Fortune Alliance, Prince Jin’s army was advancing toward You Prefecture, and Li Hongfei had hired Blood Kill Hall to find him.
• Qin Wang discovered that Li Hongfei had hidden three Dragon Blood Pills and ten Tiger Blood Pills at courtyard No. 88 in the western part of the city.
• Qin Wang decided to watch Li Hongfei and Tongrentang Pharmacy, investigate the courtyard, and claim the pills to strengthen himself.

Qin Wang advanced to the mid-stage Third-Rate Realm and learned that Zheng Kecheng was closing in on his rented house, so he prepared a poison trap for the constable. He used Beisu San Gong Xiang to enter Li Hongfei’s estate and incapacitated its guards and wolfhounds, leaving the Dragon Blood Pills within reach.

• Zheng Kecheng identified Qin Wang as a suspect in the Qingniu Town arson case and ordered a citywide search for him.
• Qin Wang advanced to the mid-stage Third-Rate Realm and learned Zheng Kecheng would find his rental house in three days.
• Qin Wang planned to steal Li Hongfei’s Dragon Blood Pills and Tiger Blood Pills while Li was away, then move house and prepare a poisoned trap for Zheng Kecheng.
• Qin Wang watched Li Hongfei leave No. 88 Western City Estate with two guards to meet County Magistrate Chen Hao.
• Qin Wang lit Beisu San Gong Xiang outside the estate and sent a dark object into the courtyard, where Ding Gang, Wen Zhong, and the four wolfhounds collapsed.

Qin Wang killed the guards and wolfhounds at Li Hongfei's villa, stole the Dragon Blood Pills and other valuables, and set the villa on fire before escaping. Meanwhile, Zheng Kecheng learned that his son Zheng Lingyun had been accepted as General Li Jingzhong's adopted son, and Li Hongfei rushed back after discovering the blaze.

• Qin Wang killed Wen Zhong and the other guard, then dispatched the four wolfhounds and collected their souls in the Soul Gathering Bowl.
• Qin Wang used the hidden entrance in Li Hongfei's study to reach the underground chamber and opened the third pill-refining room.
• Qin Wang took the Dragon Blood Pills, Tiger Blood Pills, Qi and Blood Pills, banknotes, an ancient book, and gold bars, then left the pill furnace behind.
• Qin Wang set fire to Li Hongfei's villa after hiding the guards' and wolfhounds' bodies, then escaped over the wall.
• Zheng Keshou told Zheng Kecheng that General Li Jingzhong had accepted Zheng Lingyun as his thirteenth adopted son, and Zheng Kecheng said he would return after dealing with a little fly.
• Li Hongfei saw his villa burning and rushed back to it.

Qin Wang stole Li Hongfei’s pills, money, and Pill Comprehension Primer, then prepared an ambush for Zheng Kecheng. He poisoned Zheng Kecheng and Wang Jiang at the old rental and slit Zheng Kecheng’s throat.

• Li Hongfei found his underground chamber robbed and, enraged by the loss of his pills and savings, coughed up blood.
• Qin Wang counted the stolen pills, gold, and banknotes, discovered the Pill Comprehension Primer, and learned it contained pill recipes and a map.
• Qin Wang moved his belongings to a new courtyard, then returned to the old rental to lay a trap for Zheng Kecheng.
• Qin Wang’s daily intelligence revealed that the pills could raise him to the second-rate realm and that Zheng Kecheng planned to kill him before joining Prince Jin’s forces.
• Zheng Kecheng and Wang Jiang entered Qin Wang’s old rental; a hidden poison device incapacitated both men, and Qin Wang emerged to cut Zheng Kecheng’s throat.