Chapter Summaries

Chu Qing caught Three-legged Golden Toads, received cultivation treasures from Red Robe, and continued cultivating while the Rebel Army watched him. On a nighttime hunt, he encountered the Princess Consort at Extreme Cold Lake and discovered she had only pretended to be injured to lure in a victim.

• Chu Qing returned to the mountains, caught more than a dozen Three-legged Golden Toads, and brought them to Madam Jin, who fed them and gave him the Copper Coins they produced.
• Madam Shi delivered a chest of cultivation treasures from Red Robe, and Chu Qing used the East Sea Pearls and other equipment to improve his cultivation.
• Madam Shi urged Chu Qing not to neglect ordinary cultivation while studying the secret transmission realm, and he decided to focus on tempering his five viscera and six bowels first.
• People in the provincial city asked about the Golden Toads while the Rebel Army watched Chu Qing and settled into the city with help from aristocratic families.
• Chu Qing caught thirty Three-legged Golden Toads at Stone Ridge Mountain and found the Princess Consort beside Extreme Cold Lake, appearing injured.
• The Princess Consort admitted she had pretended to be injured to lure and kill someone, leaving Chu Qing dismayed by her scheming.

Chu Qing learned from the Princess Consort that the Bronze Golden Toad in Shi State City's moat was trapped by a growing anomaly, then prepared to move his golden toads despite warnings of unrest. As he headed for the moat with his spear and gold, the Rebel Army began stirring a crowd against him, setting its plan in motion.

• The Princess Consort explained that naturally formed anomalies could become ghosts and gods and advised Chu Qing to use incense and offerings to move the anomaly blocking the Bronze Golden Toad.
• Chu Qing returned to Madam Jin with more Three-legged Golden Toads, stored their Gold Coins, and placed some beneath the eaves and roof corners to ward off ghosts and gods.
• Zhao Hongxiu warned Chu Qing that people planned to seize the golden toads or pan for gold when they were taken to the moat, but Chu Qing ordered her to arrange the transport.
• Chu Qing ate the Copper Coins, took the Overlord Spear and box of Gold Coins, and confirmed that Madam Shi would defend Shi Residence against intruders.
• The Rebel Army planted its members among the crowd and spread rumors to build resentment against Chu Qing before Iron Armor gave the signal.

Chu Qing arrived in Shi State City as masked martial artists prepared to steal the secret transmission hidden in his golden toad, and his overwhelming presence forced the street to kneel. At the moat, he prepared to offer money to the unseen ghosts and gods while King Shiyu and other observers misunderstood his intentions.

• Chu Qing sensed a hidden threat and hurried to join the Blacksmith Shop convoy carrying the golden toad.
• Masked martial artists from other prefectural cities prepared to steal the secret transmission, but Chu Qing appeared and made them and nearly everyone on the street kneel.
• A painter tried to capture Chu Qing's gaze but could not paint his eyes, so he titled the scene “The Eyeless Man.”
• Rebel spies hid in a dark corner and vowed to make Chu Qing pay rather than confront him directly.
• At the moat, King Shiyu assumed Chu Qing planned to worship ghosts and gods, while several Heads of the House crossed the river hoping to watch him kowtow.
• Chu Qing opened a chest of money, confirmed that the golden toad had been secured with chains, and tossed a handful of money into the river.

Chu Qing tried to use Golden Toad Money to make the Red Copper Golden Toad swallow a golden toad, but the process stirred greed among the crowd. The people turned against him, and he insisted the gold had been hard-earned by killing people.

• Chu Qing used Golden Toad Money to draw the Red Copper Golden Toad from the river and ordered strongmen to open its mouth.
• Chu Qing tore open the creature's iron-hard belly with his bare hands after the strongmen failed to cut through it.
• Chu Qing stuffed a golden toad into the Red Copper Golden Toad, but nothing happened, so he prepared to throw the gold into the river.
• The Rebel Army incited the crowd to demand the gold, and secret medicine made some people more volatile as thousands joined the uproar.
• Chu Qing told the crowd that he had earned the gold through exhausting work killing people, while King Shiyu and the others silently noted the victims had suffered more.

Chu Qing ignored the crowd demanding his gold, silenced them with his laughter, and then used the Red Copper Golden Toad to crush the mob. After the bloodied Golden Toad fell into the river, he completed the final Promotion Condition and reached Great Completion in the Golden Toad Swallowing Heaven Method.

• Over a hundred thousand people, incited by Iron Armor and others, demanded that Chu Qing divide the gold and then shouted for him to die.
• Chu Qing drowned out the crowd with laughter empowered by his sonic arts, killing the old bachelor who had tried to pry open the Golden Toad.
• Chu Qing ordered the crowd to kneel and worship him, then lifted the twenty-ton Red Copper Golden Toad and rolled it through them, killing many and sending the rest fleeing.
• Chu Qing declared that he was the will of the people as the Golden Toad rolled into the river.
• Chu Qing completed the final Promotion Condition, and the Golden Toad Swallowing Heaven Method reached Great Completion.

Chu Qing slaughtered the crowds gathered for his gold, using their blood to advance the Golden Toad Swallowing Heaven Method to perfection. He left the survivors terrified and deranged, then threw the bloodstained golden toad into the scarlet moat and told them his gold was there.

• After Chu Qing jumped into the moat, the Rebel Army incited the crowd to condemn him, and he emerged carrying the Red Copper Golden Toad.
• Chu Qing smashed several family heads with the golden toad, then hurled it across the moat into the densely packed crowd and demanded that they help him cultivate.
• As the crowd fled, Chu Qing crushed people for several minutes until the Red Copper Golden Toad was stained red and his Golden Toad Swallowing Heaven Method reached perfection.
• King Shiyu warned the surviving family heads that a supposedly mad Chu Qing would be dangerous to try to control.
• Chu Qing tossed the golden toad into the scarlet moat and told the terrified survivors to jump in for gold, leaving hundreds of people in Shi State City mad and muttering his words.

Chu Qing returned to the Shi Residence after perfecting the Golden Toad Swallowing Heaven Method and prepared to temper his organs before pursuing the Pelt Realm. As the city’s powerful factions argued over his killings and the danger posed by absent aberrants, Hua Yu led an attack on the Rebel Army for plotting against him.

• Chu Qing returned to the Shi Residence, where Madam Shi said she had killed everyone who gathered outside, and he announced his secret art had reached Perfection.
• Chu Qing told Madam Shi he planned to temper his five viscera and six bowels before seeking a Pelt Realm secret art worthy of his standards.
• At King Shiyu’s Mansion, King Shiyu warned the Heads of the House that uncollected corpses could produce abnormalities, but they dismissed the danger and blamed Chu Qing.
• The Rebel Army Iron Armor claimed Chu Qing had lost the people’s support, but Hua Yu arrived with armed forces and ordered the rebels executed for plotting against him.
• Iron Armor protested that Hua Yu’s forces were still helping Chu Qing, and Hua Yu ordered his limbs cut off and his body hung at the city gate.

Chu Qing focused on cultivating while Hua Yu and the five great families purged Rebel Army members who had plotted against him. Hua Yu then offered the families’ support for his entry into the Major City Martial Academy and opening the Heaven-Connecting Path, asking him to stand with them for ten years, and Chu Qing asked what they wanted in return.

• Hua Yu and five great families tracked down and killed Rebel Army members who had been bewitching people and plotting against Chu Qing.
• Chu Qing cultivated at the Shi Residence, gained strength rapidly, and studied Luo Sheng’s dragon tendon with Madam Jin, who found it was connected to Silver Coins spat out by the Golden Toad.
• Zhao Hongxiu told Chu Qing that Hua Yu had come to see him, and he went with her to her private estate outside the provincial city.
• Hua Yu told Chu Qing that the five great families would support his entry into the Major City Martial Academy and help him open the Heaven-Connecting Path if he stood with them in the major city for ten years.
• Chu Qing asked Hua Yu what the families wanted him to give in return.

Hua Yu explained that several lineages wanted Chu Qing to father descendants so they could benefit from his bloodline, which might help forge divine weapons. As Chu Qing’s cultivation accelerated and he prepared to pursue the main city Martial Academy, a woman in bridal garments burst through the wall and appeared before him.

• Hua Yu told Chu Qing that the five lineages would help him reach the main city Martial Academy if he attained Pelt Realm Perfection by the end of the year, while explaining their interest in his bloodline.
• The Cui family head asked the Cui Family Daughter about Chu Qing, but she refused to consider him until he opened the Heaven-Connecting Path.
• Chu Qing settled into a routine of cultivation, opera, studying dragon sinews with Madam Jin, and exchanging plans with the five lineages and letters with the Princess.
• Chu Qing’s Five Viscera and Six Bowels advanced to Silver Sinew Grade and grew stronger as the Golden Toad Swallowing Heaven Method and Sound Wave Skill accelerated his progress.
• Chu Qing practiced weapon techniques beneath the moon when an argument erupted next door and the wall exploded, revealing Daughter of Stonemason Xu in bridal garments.

Daughter of Stonemason Xu fled the Gongyang Family after her fiancé accused her of being involved with Chu Qing and proposed treating her like a concubine. She sought Hua Yu at the manor, where she found Hua Yu alive with Chu Qing, and the encounter ended with Chu Qing accidentally crushing her neck before she healed herself.

• Daughter of Stonemason Xu left the Gongyang Family after they blamed her for the loss of Golden Silk White Jade and planned to marry her as a concubine.
• Daughter of Stonemason Xu went to Hua Yu's manor to pay her respects and evade the Gongyang Family, hoping Chu Qing might clear her name.
• Daughter of Stonemason Xu found Hua Yu alive and enjoying herself with Chu Qing, then accused them of leaving her to suffer.
• Chu Qing threatened to kill Daughter of Stonemason Xu to keep his identity secret and seized her by the neck.
• Hua Yu warned Chu Qing against using force, but Daughter of Stonemason Xu tried to die and Chu Qing accidentally crushed her neck.
• Hua Yu threatened that Chu Qing would take advantage of her corpse, prompting Daughter of Stonemason Xu to heal herself and condemn them through tears.

Chu Qing avoided Hua Yu and Daughter of Stonemason Xu after their tearful reunion, focusing on cultivation until his Five Viscera and Six Bowels reached Gold Grade. Hua Yu finally came to see him with urgent news, but the chapter ended before she revealed what had happened.

• Chu Qing left Hua Yu's estate at dawn and stayed away from the women, devoting himself to cultivation.
• Hua Yu visited the Shi Residence, but Wind Flower Snow Moon stopped her and arranged for her to return after Chu Qing emerged from seclusion.
• Chu Qing's Five Viscera and Six Bowels reached Gold Grade, increasing his strength, recovery, senses, and combat ability.
• Chu Qing heard Hua Yu outside and went to meet her despite the maids blocking her way.
• Hua Yu told Chu Qing that something terrible had happened.

Chu Qing prepared to confront the powerful visitors from Loulan City, then ambushed their party at Shi State City’s gates. He killed Luo Yong and Gongyang Zhanren in quick succession, while the old woman remained behind.

• Hua Yu told Chu Qing that members of the Gongyang, Luo, and Xu Families, along with people from Loulan Martial Academy, had come to Shi State City looking for him.
• Gongyang Zhanren and Luo Yong led the visitors toward the city, each intending to claim the kill, while an old woman from the Xu Family traveled with them to protect Daughter of Stonemason Xu.
• Chu Qing rejected Madam Shi and Hua Yu’s offers to accompany him, saying he would face the visitors alone and return if he failed.
• At the city gates, Chu Qing leaped down and struck Luo Yong with the Overbearing Spear, piercing his forehead despite his attempt to block.
• Gongyang Zhanren attacked Chu Qing with Eight Divine Hands: Peacock, but Chu Qing broke both his arms and struck his heart, killing him beside Luo Yong.

Chu Qing headed for Loulan Main City after killing Luo Yong and Gongyang Zhanren, while the old woman withdrew from the conflict. He entered the city at night and sought intelligence on the Gongyang Family and the Luo Family, preparing to strike.

• Chu Qing warned the old woman not to have gone to Shi State City, threatened her friends and family, then continued toward Loulan as she abandoned the struggle and settled in a remote town.
• Chu Qing encountered martial artists escorting a festive procession to kill a country bumpkin, and they later found Luo Yong and Gongyang Zhanren dead outside Shi State City.
• The procession members learned that Chu Qing had killed the two young experts, and a man who tried to pull out the Overbearing Spear was killed by other martial artists seeking to curry favor with Master Qing.
• Chu Qing reached Loulan City at night, covered his face, and entered quietly.
• Chu Qing found a Human World stronghold and demanded basic intelligence on the Gongyang Family and the Luo Family, silencing the broker’s attempt to sell him scandalous gossip.

Chu Qing hired Human World to identify members of the Gongyang Family and the Luo Family, then launched a rapid series of killings across the main city. The chapter ended with Gongyang Zhige realizing the masked assassin was coming for him.

• Chu Qing ordered the intelligence chief to find active members of the Gongyang Family and the Luo Family, regardless of age or gender.
• Human World identified several targets, and Chu Qing killed Luo Xiao in his private residence, leaving the women there mentally shattered.
• Chu Qing killed Gongyang Ziyu and three Third Limit experts of the Gongyang Family as Human World relayed reports of his attacks.
• The intelligence chief planned to warn Gongyang Zhige so the assassin would be forced into a confrontation with the two families.
• Gongyang Zhige saw Chu Qing emerge from a brothel after killing a Gongyang elder, met the masked assassin's gaze, and realized Chu Qing intended to kill him.

Chu Qing slaughtered the Major City Martial Academy students who tried to stop him and pursued Gongyang Zhige after he fled Juxian Pavilion. The chapter left Gongyang Zhige still running from Chu Qing.

• A Major City Martial Academy youth attacked Chu Qing with Melting Gold Heart-Urging Claw, but Chu Qing crushed his skull, forced him to kneel and accept death, and tore off his head.
• Chu Qing discovered that Gongyang Zhige had fled Juxian Pavilion and swore to kill him even if he ran home.
• Gongyang Zhige ordered his two companions to stop Chu Qing, and they pretended to pursue him while shouting challenges.
• Chu Qing abruptly turned on the two students and killed them with his Blood Peacock technique.
• Chu Qing resumed his pursuit of Gongyang Zhige as onlookers watched the Sonic Boom Barrier scatter blood mist through the night.

Chu Qing pursued Gongyang Zhige to the Gongyang Family estate and killed him with the Blood Peacock after breaking through the guards. Gongyang Zhige’s body shattered in front of his mother and the Head of the House, leaving the family to confront his death.

• Gongyang Zhige fled while trying to persuade Chu Qing to spare him, but Chu Qing said he had to die because he belonged to the Gongyang Family.
• Chu Qing chased Gongyang Zhige to the estate and waited until he reached the entrance before striking.
• The guard captain charged at Chu Qing, who smashed through the guards and bronze gates, killing the captain.
• A Blood Peacock burrowed into Gongyang Zhige’s head and drove him through the estate to the front hall, where cracks spread across his face.
• Gongyang Zhige ran to find his mother, but his body shattered beside the flowerbeds and the Blood Peacock exploded into blood mist.

Chu Qing killed Gongyang Zhige, the Human World Organization's intelligence chief, and numerous pursuing guards before forcing his way toward the city gate. As he broke through the sealed gate, heavy-armored cavalry arrived to block his escape.

• Gongyang Zhige's mother begged the Gongyang Family Head to avenge her son, and he ordered the Gongyang Knights to hunt Chu Qing.
• The Luo Family deployed the Silver Spear Guard to intercept anyone leaving the city, while the Human World Organization's chief ordered his subordinates to share information about Chu Qing's route.
• Chu Qing killed the intelligence chief with Eight Divine Hands: Sun and Moon after suspecting he would reveal Chu Qing's information, then raced toward the city gate.
• Gongyang Family soldiers sealed the city gate and fired arrows at Chu Qing, but he smashed through the armored soldiers guarding its passage.
• Chu Qing struck down a black-clad figure at the gate, and a force of heavy-armored cavalry arrived as he tried to escape.

Chu Qing turned back to fight the Gongyang Knights after they attacked him as he left the main city, and wiped out all twenty-seven in seconds. He left the stunned city behind, while the Luo Family’s Silver Spear Guards arrived and learned the knights had been reduced to a pile of blood and wreckage.

• Chu Qing closed the main city gate behind him, but a Gongyang Knight hurled a war halberd through it as the knights prepared to charge after him.
• The Gongyang Knights formed an Army Formation and charged through the gate, while Chu Qing turned and rushed toward them.
• Chu Qing smashed through the gate and killed five Gongyang Knights in his first collision.
• Chu Qing charged again and destroyed all twenty-seven Gongyang Knights within three seconds, leaving only blood mist and scattered wreckage.
• Chu Qing left the city as its soldiers and guards watched in silence and relief.
• The Luo Family’s Silver Spear Guards arrived looking for the murderer, and a witness told them the pile of blood and debris was all that remained of the Gongyang Knights.

The Gongyang Family, Luo Family, and Human World responded to killings in the main city, while the Gongyang Family discovered the killer may have used the legendary Eight Divine Hands. Human World suspected Chu Qing was the outsider behind the attacks.

• The Head of the Gongyang Family ordered a citywide search and security crackdown, then commanded his people to find and capture the killer after learning the wounds matched the Eight Divine Hands.
• The Luo Family ordered its people to find the outsider and urged Luo Yong to bring Chu Qing back so they could use him to restore their prestige and undermine the Gongyang Family.
• Human World’s leaders examined the headless corpse of an intelligence chief and debated whether Chu Qing had killed him.
• A Human World member argued that the outsider had targeted the Gongyang Family, Luo Family, and Human World, the same groups Chu Qing had offended, making him a possible suspect.

The Human World Organization tried to persuade the Gongyang and Luo Families to join forces and kill Chu Qing, identifying him as a possible culprit behind the families’ losses. The two family heads suspected the organization had an ulterior motive and abandoned the attack, effectively admitting defeat for now.

• The Human World Organization linked Chu Qing to the outsider and proposed that the Gongyang and Luo Families help kill him.
• The organization warned that Chu Qing had mastered the Golden Toad Method, Golden Inlaid Jade, and Eight Divine Hands, so the families agreed to send Golden Spear and Gongyang Feng after him.
• The Human World Organization cautioned the family heads that Chu Qing might retaliate against their people in the main city.
• The Head of the Gongyang Family and the Head of the Luo Family suspected the organization was trying to manipulate them and withdrew their plans to send their prodigies.
• The two family heads decided they could not safely send their foundations alone and admitted defeat for the time being.