Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He, a transmigrator, lives in Feiye City, Great Yuan, with his family.
• The city is filled with poverty, crime, and gang activity, with the Blackwater Gang being one of the prominent forces.
• A plague has started to spread in the city, affecting neighbors.
• Wei He works odd jobs and secretly learns to read and write, earning money by writing homework for wealthy children.
• He plans to use his earnings to learn an Internal Cultivation Method from Old Man Zheng.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Initially confused and helpless, he adapts to his new life and starts making plans to improve his situation using his knowledge and the Boundary-Breaking Pearl.
• Wei Ying (Second Sister): Shows concern and care for Wei He, warning him about the recent night raids and the plague.
• Wei Chun (Eldest Sister): Not directly present but mentioned as the pillar of the household, working with the Blackwater Gang.

Significant Themes

• Poverty and Struggle: The commoners' lives are filled with hardship and barely enough to survive.
• Gang Control: The city is divided into territories controlled by different gangs, influencing the lives of its inhabitants.
• Education and Opportunity: Learning to read and write opens up possibilities for Wei He, highlighting the importance of education in this world.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Wei Ying: Brother and sister, sharing a close bond. Wei Ying cares for Wei He and advises him to be cautious.
• Wei He and Li Bian: They interact through Li Bian's homework, with Wei He writing it in exchange for money.
• Wei He and Old Man Zheng: Although not yet met, Wei He plans to learn Internal Cultivation Method from Old Man Zheng, indicating a potential future interaction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He, a 16-year-old boy living in the slums, earns money by writing homework for children, using his skill from a previous life to imitate different handwriting styles.
• He hears commotion near the river, involving a woman's screams and men's roars, but keeps walking.
• Wei He's eldest sister, Wei Chun, has not returned home, and his parents are also missing. He decides to look for her.
• He learns that Wei Chun took on an important job for the Blackwater Gang, but the branch master is unhelpful.
• Chen Biao, a local thug, starts loitering around the Wei residence, showing interest in Wei He's second sister, Wei Ying.
• Wei He decides to find a master to learn boxing, using the money he saved for more than two months.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Shows determination and resourcefulness in finding his missing sister and protecting his family. He's also responsible and cares for his younger sister.
• Wei Chun: Absent but significant, as her disappearance drives the plot. She's described as strong and part of the Blackwater Gang.
• Wei Ying: Timid and dependent on Wei He, she's worried about Wei Chun's absence and fears Chen Biao.
• Chen Biao: A thug with ties to the Thief Gang, he's interested in Wei Ying and harbors ill intentions.

Significant Themes

• Survival and struggle in the slums: The Wei family faces numerous challenges, including poverty, violence, and the disappearance of family members.
• Family bonds: Wei He's concern for his sisters and their dependence on each other highlight the importance of family in their harsh environment.
• The harsh reality of the Outer City: The story illustrates the dangers and hardships faced by those living in the slums, contrasting with the safety and wealth of the Inner City.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Wei Ying: They rely on each other for support and protection, with Wei He trying to shield Wei Ying from their harsh reality.
• Wei He and Chen Biao: There's tension between them, as Chen Biao harbors ill intentions towards Wei Ying, and Wei He is aware of it.
• Wei He and the Blackwater Gang branch master: The master is unhelpful when Wei He inquires about Wei Chun, showing a lack of concern for her well-being.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He, after acquiring money, seeks to learn boxing from Old Man Zheng at Huishan Fist Zheng.
• Wei He enrolls and receives a training uniform, while his sister, Wei Ying, is hired to help with daily chores without pay.
• Chen Biao, a local thug, watches Wei He's house and retreats upon seeing Wei He's new status.
• Wei He and Wei Ying witness a strange procession of neighbors chanting "rebirth into ultimate bliss" at night.
• The next morning, Wei He and Wei Ying move to Huishan Fist Zheng, where Wei He begins his training and Old Man Zheng explains the purpose of martial arts training.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Shows determination to learn boxing for self-preservation and to protect his sister. He demonstrates responsibility and foresight by enrolling both himself and Wei Ying at Huishan Fist Zheng.
• Wei Ying: Exhibits fear and vulnerability after experiencing harassment from Chen Biao. She shows trust in Wei He and willingness to work without pay to ensure their safety.
• Old Man Zheng: Initially appears greedy and mercenary, accepting students only for payment. However, he shows a willingness to teach and mentor students who display aptitude and good attitude.
• Chen Biao: Reveals his greed and harassment of Wei Ying. He shows caution upon seeing Wei He's new status, indicating a fear of Old Man Zheng's influence.

Significant Themes

• Self-preservation and protection of family: Wei He enrolls in martial arts training to safeguard himself and his sister from the chaotic times and local threats.
• Greed and fear: Chen Biao's actions are driven by greed, while his retreat shows fear of Old Man Zheng's power. Old Man Zheng's initial greed for payment is later tempered by his willingness to teach students who show aptitude.
• The purpose of martial arts: Old Man Zheng explains that martial arts training makes one stronger than ordinary people and enables them to fight, implying that it provides a means of self-defense and empowerment.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Wei Ying: Wei He demonstrates care and responsibility for his sister, ensuring her safety and providing for her needs. Wei Ying trusts and relies on Wei He.
• Wei He and Old Man Zheng: Wei He shows respect and deference to Old Man Zheng, while the latter initially appears mercenary but later shows willingness to teach and mentor Wei He.
• Chen Biao and Wei He: Chen Biao harasses Wei Ying but retreats upon seeing Wei He's new status, indicating a fear of Old Man Zheng's influence.
• Wei He and his neighbors: Wei He and Wei Ying witness a strange procession of neighbors chanting "rebirth into ultimate bliss," hinting at the strange and chaotic times they live in.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He begins training under Old Man Zheng, focusing on strength training using stones.
• He learns about the levels of Huishan Fist: Ox Hide, Stone Hide, and Iron Hide, which measure the hardness of one's fists.
• Wei He discovers that Old Man Zheng provides a special medicinal soup, "Little Ten Thousand Soup," to aid recovery.
• Wei He's Second Sister, Wei Ying, moves into a house near Old Man Zheng's place to avoid Chen Biao and his group.
• Chen Biao's group continues to harass and threaten Wei He and his sister, but they remain focused on their training and plans.

Character Developments

• Wei He: He becomes more determined and focused on his training, showing resilience and dedication. He also learns to read secretly.
• Old Man Zheng: Revealed to be a shrewd and capable businessman, living comfortably despite the times. He provides quality training and care for his disciples.
• Chen Biao: His malicious intent towards Wei He and his sister grows, but he refrains from direct action due to Wei He's new circumstances.

Significant Themes

• The importance of hard work and dedication in martial arts training.
• The contrast between Old Man Zheng's comfortable life and the harsh realities faced by commoners.
• The theme of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, as seen in Wei He's determination to improve himself despite threats and challenges.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Old Man Zheng: Their relationship begins to develop as Wei He shows dedication to his training, earning Old Man Zheng's respect.
• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu (Third Senior Brother): They grow closer, with Cheng Shaojiu inviting Wei He to cultural events and seeking his company.
• Wei He and Chen Biao: Tensions remain high between them, with Chen Biao's threats and harassment continuing, albeit indirectly.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He inquires about Chen Biao and the Blackwater Gang from Cheng Shaojiu, who reveals that the Blackwater Gang has been absorbed by the Horned Snake Gang, and Chen Biao is now associated with the latter.
• Wei He is sent by Old Man Zheng to buy medicinal ingredients, during which he encounters the Incense Gathering Cult and witnesses a disturbance.
• Wei He starts consuming various types of meat to accelerate the energy accumulation of the Boundary-Breaking Pearl, ultimately finding Money Worm Meat to be the most effective.
• After half a year, Wei He's physical growth and strength improve significantly, allowing him to begin formal sparring with techniques and learn a method for grinding and tempering the flesh for Huishan Fist.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Shows curiosity and initiative in gathering information about Chen Biao, demonstrates resourcefulness in finding ways to strengthen himself, and exhibits determination in his training.
• Cheng Shaojiu: Proves to be well-connected and helpful, offering information and assistance to Wei He.
• Old Man Zheng: Continues to train Wei He and eventually begins teaching him advanced techniques.

Significant Themes

• Strength and power: Wei He's focus on growing stronger and his dedication to training.
• Information and connections: The importance of gathering information and having useful connections, as seen through Cheng Shaojiu's network.
• Adaptability: Wei He's ability to adapt and find creative solutions to his problems, such as using various meats to accelerate his progress.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu: They exchange information and help each other out, with Wei He writing Cheng Shaojiu's homework in exchange for keeping an eye on Chen Biao.
• Wei He and Old Man Zheng: Their master-apprentice relationship deepens as Old Man Zheng begins teaching Wei He advanced techniques.
• Wei He and the Incense Gathering Cult: Their encounter highlights the growing influence and potential threat of the cult in the city.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He begins learning Huishan Fist's defensive and offensive moves under Old Man Zheng's guidance.
• A fist match between Huishan Fist and Bat Fist is planned.
• Wei He learns that Chen Biao, his target, joined the Horned Snake Gang and was injured in a fight with the Green Bamboo Gang in Nanshan Town.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Shows determination and resourcefulness in pursuing Chen Biao. His quiet demeanor belies a hidden ruthlessness.
• Cheng Shaojiu: Realizes that Wei He is not as harmless as he initially thought, showing a hint of wariness toward him.
• Xiao Ran: A prodigy in Huishan Fist, he is favored by Old Man Zheng and looks down on others for not practicing seriously enough.

Significant Themes

• The importance of practice and dedication in mastering martial arts.
• The contrast between appearance and reality, as seen in Wei He's character.
• The dangers and chaos outside Feiye City.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu: They spar and exchange information, with Cheng Shaojiu helping Wei He keep tabs on Chen Biao. Their relationship deepens, but Cheng Shaojiu becomes wary of Wei He after learning about his plans for Nanshan Town.
• Wei He and Xiao Ran: Though they haven't interacted much, Wei He is aware of Xiao Ran's prodigious talent and his disdain for others.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He, disguised, kills Chen Biao and another of his accomplices, Zhao Deli, who is found dead with his child.
• Wei He struggles with the aftermath of his actions and the image of the child's corpse.
• A group of men, possibly from the Black-Character Bug Sect, arrive at Zhao Deli's hut, find the bodies, and set the hut on fire.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Transitions from a timid, inexperienced youth to a ruthless killer, struggling with the moral implications of his actions.
• Chen Biao: Dies at Wei He's hands, fulfilling Wei He's desire for revenge.
• Zhao Deli: Found dead with his child, highlighting the harsh realities of the era.

Significant Themes

• Survival of the Fittest: In this troubled era, one must be ruthless to survive.
• Consequences of Actions: Wei He grapples with the aftermath of his actions, showing the moral complexity of his choices.
• Harsh Reality: The era's harsh conditions are reflected in the deaths of Zhao Deli and his child, who went unnoticed for an unknown period.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Chen Biao: Their interaction leads to Chen Biao's death, marking a significant shift in Wei He's character.
• Wei He and Zhao Deli: Although they don't interact directly, Wei He's discovery of Zhao Deli's corpse and his child's corpse affects him deeply.
• Wei He and the Black-Character Bug Sect members: Their indirect interaction leads to Wei He's realization of the sect's power and reach.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He continues practicing Huishan Fist, reaching the skin-grinding stage.
• He learns about Chen Biao's death, suspected to be related to Wei He's actions.
• The Women's Academy merges with the Huishan Fist Academy, bringing new disciples, including Jiang Su, the second daughter of the Jiang Family.
• Several disciples fail to achieve entry into the skin-grinding stage and leave prematurely.
• Wei He receives Blood Nourishing Powder from his sister, Wei Ying, to aid his practice.

Character Developments

• Wei He remains focused on his martial arts practice and finding his relatives, showing no interest in romance.
• Wei Ying demonstrates her care and support for Wei He, gathering Blood Nourishing Powder to help him.
• Cheng Shaojiu shows understanding and acceptance of Wei He's ruthless methods, comparing him favorably to people from his own family.
• Jiang Su is introduced as a skilled and wealthy disciple with a poor temper.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance and determination in martial arts practice.
• The importance of family bonds and support, as shown by Wei He and Wei Ying.
• The ruthlessness and efficiency of Wei He's actions, as noted by Cheng Shaojiu.
• The gap in aptitude between individuals, as acknowledged by Wei He.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu discuss Chen Biao's death and the arrival of new disciples, with Cheng Shaojiu showing acceptance of Wei He's methods.
• Wei He and Wei Ying discuss his progress and her support, showing a strong sibling bond.
• Several senior and junior brothers attempt to interact with Jiang Su, but she rebuffs them, showing her disinterest in their advances.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He struggles to break through and enter Stone Hide (Ox Hide) realm, a crucial step to become a true Huishan Fist disciple.
• He uses a Boundary-Breaking Pearl to aid his breakthrough, succeeding on the last day of Skin Grinding practice.
• Wei He is invited to visit Third Senior Brother Cheng Shaojiu's home, signifying recognition of his achievement.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Struggles with self-doubt but remains determined. After breaking through, he feels the significant difference in his blood and qi, understanding the true essence of the realms.
• Cheng Shaojiu: Shows genuine friendship and support towards Wei He, inviting him to his home after his breakthrough, despite Wei He's humble background.

Significant Themes

• Perseverance: Wei He's determination to break through despite the odds, even using a secret aid, highlights the importance of perseverance in achieving one's goals.
• Friendship: Cheng Shaojiu's unwavering support for Wei He, even when others doubt him, emphasizes the value of true friendship.
• Class Divide: The disparity between wealthy and poor disciples is evident, with those from wealthy backgrounds having better opportunities and resources.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu: Their friendship deepens as Cheng Shaojiu continues to support Wei He, even inviting him to his home after his breakthrough.
• Wei He and Wei Ying: Wei Ying's pride and happiness in her brother's achievement strengthen their bond, providing them with mutual support in their difficult circumstances.
• Wei He and Other Disciples: Wei He's struggle and eventual success contrast with the experiences of other disciples, highlighting the challenges and uncertainties they face.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He successfully breaks through to the Ox Hide level, marking his formal entry into the school.
• He visits Cheng Shaojiu's home, where he spars with guards and learns about the benefits of working for the Cheng Family's escort agency.
• Cheng Shaojiu offers Wei He a job, promising free meals, a monthly salary, and the opportunity to use the family's training facilities.

Character Developments

• Wei He: He gains confidence and improves his skills after breaking through. He also learns about the value of martial masters in society.
• Cheng Shaojiu: He demonstrates his kindness and generosity by offering Wei He a job with good benefits.

Significant Themes

• The value of martial skill in society: Wei He learns that martial masters are highly sought after and can earn good salaries.
• The importance of hard work and perseverance: Wei He's breakthrough shows the results of his dedication and effort.
• The power of friendship and mentorship: Cheng Shaojiu's offer highlights the bond between him and Wei He, as well as the importance of guidance from seniors.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu: Their interaction shows the growth of their friendship, with Cheng Shaojiu acting as a mentor and offering Wei He a job.
• Wei He and the guards: Wei He spars with several guards, demonstrating his improved skills and gaining confidence in his abilities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He returns home, witnessing the desolate and impoverished state of Feiye City.
• Several local gangs, a wealthy family, and a tavern offer Wei He positions, but he declines due to lack of Silver-Kissed Mysterious Serpent Meat.
• Wei He decides to join the Cheng Family, accepting their offer.
• Wei He is invited to join a private training group by Jiang Yan, but must pass a test to prove his worth.

Character Developments

• Wei He gains confidence and recognition after breaking through to the Ox Hide level, attracting more offers and respect from others.
• Cheng Shaojiu shows loyalty and support to Wei He, inviting him to join his circle and helping him navigate offers.
• Jiang Yan, Jiang Su, and Xiao Ran form a small circle within the academy, excluding Wei He due to his perceived low aptitude.

Significant Themes

• Poverty and hardship in Feiye City, contrasting with the wealth and privilege of the Inner City.
• The importance of aptitude and potential in social hierarchy and opportunities.
• Loyalty and camaraderie among friends and allies.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu: Cheng Shaojiu supports and helps Wei He, considering him a brother.
• Jiang Yan, Jiang Su, and Xiao Ran: They form a close-knit group, excluding Wei He due to his perceived low aptitude.
• Wei He and various local gangs/families: Wei He declines their offers, prioritizing the Cheng Family's offer of Silver-Kissed Mysterious Serpent Meat.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He declines an invitation to a gathering hosted by Jiang Yan, despite Cheng Shaojiu's encouragement, as he has his own plans.
• Wei He takes a short-distance escort job with the Changfeng Escort Agency, planning to investigate his parents' disappearance at Mingde Temple.
• The escort convoy passes through the city gates, and Wei He observes the surroundings outside Feiye City, learning about the local dynamics from an experienced escort guard, Chen Shiniu.

Character Developments

• Wei He demonstrates self-awareness and determination by declining the gathering invitation to pursue his own goals.
• Chen Shiniu shows wisdom and experience, providing insights into the local power dynamics and the escort business.

Significant Themes

• Self-Determination: Wei He chooses his own path instead of following the suggestions of others.
• Power Dynamics: The conversation with Chen Shiniu highlights the power structures and alliances outside Feiye City.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu: Cheng Shaojiu tries to persuade Wei He to attend the gathering, but Wei He declines politely.
• Wei He and Chen Shiniu: Wei He learns about the local situation from Chen Shiniu during the escort run.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He, a youth with a mysterious past, arrives at Mingde Temple in search of clues about his parents' disappearance.
• He observes a group of elite soldiers from Hong Family Fort escorting a veiled woman and her maidservant down the mountain.
• Wei He learns from the temple monks that a group of stone carvers hired to work at the temple went missing half a year ago.
• On his way down the mountain, Wei He encounters a mysterious man who tries to attack him, but Wei He evades the attack and hides.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Wei He is revealed to have improved physically since his parents' disappearance, indicating he has been training. He demonstrates cleverness and agility in evading the mysterious man's attack.
• Mysterious Man: The man is skilled in martial arts, specializing in a leg technique called Life-snatching Consecutive Legs. He is sent to silence people who had contact with a Black-character Bug, suggesting he is involved in a secretive and potentially sinister operation.

Significant Themes

• Secrets and Mysteries: The disappearance of the stone carvers, the elite soldiers from Hong Family Fort, and the mysterious man's actions all contribute to an atmosphere of secrecy and intrigue.
• Power Dynamics: The elite soldiers and the mysterious man's martial prowess highlight the power dynamics at play, with the Hong Family Fort and the mysterious man likely belonging to powerful factions.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and the Temple Monks: Wei He interacts with several temple monks, questioning them about the missing stone carvers. They provide him with information but ultimately have no concrete leads.
• Wei He and the Mysterious Man: Wei He's brief encounter with the mysterious man ends with Wei He evading the man's attack and hiding. This interaction hints at a potential conflict between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He encounters a skilled fighter in the woods who ambushes him.
• Wei He uses quick thinking and underhanded tactics to gain the upper hand, eventually defeating his opponent.
• He finds a letter detailing the use of Scent-tracking and Black-character Bugs to track a "Demon Woman".
• Wei He discovers that he has been marked with the scent of a Black-character Bug, indicating he's been used as a pawn.
• He realizes he's in danger as the pursuers will investigate their fallen comrade.

Character Developments

• Wei He demonstrates quick thinking, adaptability, and strategic use of his environment and resources to defeat a stronger opponent.
• He shows determination and resourcefulness in pursuing the truth about the Demon Woman and the bugs.

Significant Themes

• Survival and adaptability in the face of danger.
• The consequences of being unwittingly drawn into a larger conflict.
• The use of tactics and strategy to overcome superior force.

Character Interactions

• Wei He's interaction with the unknown assailant highlights his resourcefulness and adaptability.
• The letter and its contents hint at a larger conflict involving the Demon Woman, Black-character Bugs, and their pursuers, indirectly connecting Wei He to this conflict.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He returns to the scene of the tracker's death, witnessing wolves devouring the corpse.
• He rejoins the escort party and returns to Feiye City without incident.
• Wei He collects his wages from the escort agency and heads to Huishan Fist Academy.
• Wei He spars with Cheng Shaojiu and asks about real combat strategies.

Character Developments

• Wei He becomes more introspective and determined after his encounter with the tracker.
• Cheng Shaojiu demonstrates maturity and willingness to share his insights with Wei He.

Significant Themes

• The importance of real-world combat experience and adaptability.
• The role of observation, anticipation, and intimidation in combat.
• The concept of 'Qi Mechanism'—momentum and opportunity.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu engage in a mentoring-like relationship, with Cheng Shaojiu sharing his insights on real combat.
• Wei He's interaction with the tracker highlights his understanding of using strength to strike weakness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu engage in intense practical combat training, focusing on surprise attacks and unconventional moves.
• Wei He forms his own unique attack style and considers a secret weapon idea.
• Wei He visits a blacksmith shop to have a custom weapon made.
• Wei He's Second Sister, Wei Ying, gives him money she saved from sewing work, expressing her care and concern for him.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Develops a new combat style and considers a secret weapon, demonstrating his innovative thinking. He also shows care and concern for his sister, Wei Ying.
• Cheng Shaojiu: Shows improvement in practical combat, gaining attention and respect from fellow disciples. His bond with Wei He strengthens.
• Wei Ying: Shows resilience and determination, working hard to support herself and her brother. She expresses her wish to open a bun shop one day.

Significant Themes

• Brotherhood and Support: Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu's bond grows stronger through their shared training and experiences. Wei Ying's support and care for Wei He also highlight this theme.
• Innovation and Adaptation: Wei He's modern thinking and logical reasoning help him develop a new combat style and consider unconventional weapons.
• Resilience and Determination: Wei Ying's struggle to support herself and her brother, despite their difficult circumstances, shows her resilience and determination.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu: Their intense training sessions lead to a deeper understanding and mutual respect. They help each other improve and grow.
• Wei He and Wei Ying: Their bond strengthens as Wei Ying expresses her care and concern for Wei He, and he shows appreciation for her efforts. They discuss their parents' fate and their shared wish for a better future.
• Wei He and Li Shen: Wei He interacts with the blacksmith, Li Shen, to have a custom weapon made, showing his determination to improve his combat skills.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xiao Ran's breakthrough to Stone Hide level creates a stir in the courtyard and attracts attention from outsiders.
• Wei He receives a job from the Cheng family to escort a mission, marking his first official task as a true disciple.
• The Yonghe Escort Agency's rules and preparations for the journey are outlined by Cheng Kai, one of the agency's grand escorts.
• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu discuss the details of the mission, and Cheng Shaojiu gifts Wei He a small bottle of Snake Venom Fang Water.

Character Developments

• Xiao Ran: Becomes the center of attention after his breakthrough, attracting offers from various influential figures.
• Wei He: Accepts his first escort mission, demonstrating his commitment to his role as a true disciple. He also receives a gift of potent poison from Cheng Shaojiu, indicating their growing bond.
• Cheng Kai: Shows his experience and authority as a grand escort, providing guidance and rules for the mission.

Significant Themes

• Growth and Development: Both Xiao Ran and Wei He experience significant growth in their martial arts journey, with Xiao Ran's breakthrough and Wei He's first mission.
• Bonds and Relationships: The relationship between Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu deepens, with Cheng Shaojiu showing favor to Wei He by gifting him the Snake Venom Fang Water.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Shaojiu: Their bond strengthens as Cheng Shaojiu gifts Wei He the Snake Venom Fang Water, showing trust and favor.
• Wei He and Cheng Kai: Wei He meets Cheng Kai for the first time and receives guidance from him, establishing a new relationship within the Yonghe Escort Agency.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The journey is uneventful, with the group traveling from village to village, staying overnight, and continuing the next day.
• On the seventh day, nearing their destination, the group holds an internal martial arts competition for entertainment and to establish internal rankings.
• Wei He participates and easily defeats several opponents, including Li Er and two others using weapons.
• Cheng Jing, a head bodyguard and skilled fighter, steps in to challenge Wei He.

Character Developments

• Wei He: Demonstrates his superior strength and speed, defeating several opponents easily. He remains calm and collected throughout the fights.
• Cheng Kai: Shows understanding and respect for Wei He's skills, acts as a commentator and referee for the sparring matches.
• Li Er: Proves to be a formidable opponent with exceptional stamina but is no match for Wei He's speed and skill.
• Cheng Jing: Reveals her strength and status as one of the top fighters in Shiqiao Town. She challenges Wei He, believing he is disrespecting the elders by defeating them.

Significant Themes

• Hierarchy and respect within a group: Cheng Jing believes Wei He is disrespecting the elders by defeating them, highlighting the importance of hierarchy and seniority.
• The value of practical combat experience: Wei He seeks to gain more practical combat experience by challenging opponents.
• The difference in strength between Blood Essence realms: Wei He's superior reaction speed and strength, due to his higher Blood Essence realm, allows him to easily defeat his opponents.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Li Er: Spar, with Wei He defeating Li Er due to his superior speed and strength.
• Wei He and Cheng Jing: Engage in a verbal exchange before their spar, with Cheng Jing challenging Wei He's intentions and methods.
• Cheng Kai and Wei He: Cheng Kai comments on Wei He's fights, showing respect for his skills and understanding his desire for practical combat experience.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Cheng Jing attacks Wei He, but their fight is interrupted by a mysterious creature, the Black Madman, which drags away two caravan guards.
• The group spends a terrified night in the bridgehead house, with the Black Madman trying to break in.
• The next morning, they find bloodstains and create cenotaphs for the lost guards before quickly leaving the area.
• On their return journey, they cross the stone bridge without stopping and reach Feiye City.

Character Developments

• Wei He shows courage and composure in the face of danger, demonstrating his potential as a capable caravan guard.
• Cheng Kai, the Head Caravan Guard, proves his leadership and knowledge of the route's dangers, using a map to mark deadly spots.
• Cheng Jing reveals her experience and understanding of the caravan routes' perils, showing concern for Wei He's safety.

Significant Themes

• Danger and Survival: The journey highlights the constant threat to the caravan guards' lives, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and preparedness.
• Leadership and Experience: Cheng Kai's leadership and knowledge of the route's dangers are crucial for the group's survival, underscoring the value of experience and wisdom.
• Loss and Grief: The loss of two guards serves as a reminder of the high stakes and the emotional toll on the survivors.

Character Interactions

• Wei He and Cheng Jing: Their interaction reveals Cheng Jing's concern for Wei He's safety and her willingness to share her knowledge with him.
• Cheng Kai and the Caravan Guards: Cheng Kai's leadership is evident in his commands and the guards' obedience, showing a level of trust and respect.
• The Caravan Guards: The group's shared experience of fear and loss fosters a sense of unity and mutual support.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wei He returns to Feiye City and exchanges his earnings for food, rice, and cloth.
• He decides to buy a house and finds one in Shiqiao Town, near Huishan Fist, with a convenient location and four side rooms.
• The house is priced at 5000 taels, but the real estate agent accepts payment in food and rice instead.

Character Developments

• Wei He shows initiative and decisiveness in buying a house for himself and Second Sister.
• He demonstrates adaptability by accepting the real estate agent's unconventional payment terms.

Significant Themes

• The changing value of currency (silver vs. food and rice).
• The abundance of empty houses and the decreasing population in Feiye City.

Character Interactions

• Wei He interacts with the real estate agent old man, who provides him with information about the house and its surroundings.
• There's no direct interaction with other characters in this chapter.