Chapter Summaries

Huang Shaojie interrogated Yoshida and Matsushita to uncover the identity of Lord Sakada, the Japanese spy behind the plot to frame Minister Gao. Matsushita revealed that Sakada was a Protector in the Imperial Surveillance Bureau, but his rank and alias remained unknown.

• Huang Shaojie explained that the Japanese had framed Minister Gao, and he ordered Commander Jin to release him from prison.
• Huang Shaojie tortured Yoshida, who said he did not know Sakada’s identity and that only Matsushita might know more.
• Huang Shaojie tortured Matsushita, who confessed that Sakada was hiding in the Imperial Surveillance Bureau.
• Matsushita said Sakada was one of the Thirteen Protectors but claimed not to know his rank or alias.
• Huang Shaojie used the Insight Technique and found no sign Matsushita was lying about Sakada’s location.

After interrogating Matsushita, Huang Shaojie learned that Fragrant Flower Brothel served as a Japanese spy contact point and that a spy named Sakamoto had infiltrated the Imperial Surveillance Bureau’s Thirteen Protectors. Azure Dragon narrowed the suspects to four senior Grand Protectors, but Sakada’s identity remained unknown.

• Huang Shaojie interrogated Matsushita and learned that Nakajima Xiaoshu met him in a secret chamber at Fragrant Flower Brothel every three days.
• Huang Shaojie chose to report the intelligence to Azure Dragon before raiding the brothel, then sent Commander Jin to investigate the site where Matsushita had been captured.
• Huang Shaojie and Xiao Qiuyue told Azure Dragon that a Japanese spy called Sakamoto had infiltrated the Imperial Surveillance Bureau’s Thirteen Protectors.
• Azure Dragon warned that tracking the powerful suspects would be dangerous and said only the first five Grand Protectors were strong enough to be considered.
• Azure Dragon ruled out Jade Rakshasa Leng Bingbing because she was a woman, leaving Situ Wuzui, Blood Monk Wangxin, Xie Jin, and Iron Tiger as the leading suspects.

Huang Shaojie received the Soul Searching Technique and planned to use it to uncover the Japanese spy network in the Capital City. Ling Xiaotian ordered the Eastern Pacification Office to focus entirely on rooting out the spies, while intending to use the Imperial Surveillance Bureau’s infiltration to weaken Cao Kun.

• Azure Dragon told Huang Shaojie that the Imperial Guard would target the Japanese organization through the Fragrant Flower Brothel and would await Ling Xiaotian’s decision.
• Huang Shaojie received the Soul Searching Technique as a reward and planned to capture Nakajima at the Fragrant Flower Brothel and search his soul for another spy’s identity.
• Azure Dragon reported to Ling Xiaotian that a Japanese spy was among the Imperial Surveillance Bureau’s Thirteen Protectors.
• Ling Xiaotian decided to investigate the Thirteen Protectors secretly and expose the spy to Emperor Xuande, hoping to diminish Cao Kun’s influence.
• Ling Xiaotian ordered the Eastern Pacification Office to suspend its investigation of the Western Shu rebels and devote all its efforts to destroying the Japanese spy organization.

Ling Xiaotian ordered the Imperial Guard to investigate Japanese spies while keeping the Imperial Surveillance Bureau unaware, and assigned Vermilion Bird to identify the infiltrator among its Thirteen Protectors. At the dungeon, Huang Shaojie used the Soul Searching Technique on Matsushita and uncovered his role in Japan’s spy network.

• Ling Xiaotian told White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise that Japanese spies had infiltrated the Imperial Surveillance Bureau and ordered them to watch for spies and Western Shu rebels within their offices.
• Black Tortoise encouraged an expedition against Japan while secretly hoping it would give the Western Shu Restoration Alliance an opening to rebel.
• Ling Xiaotian ordered Vermilion Bird to secretly investigate the Imperial Surveillance Bureau’s Thirteen Protectors and find the Japanese spy.
• Huang Shaojie went to the Imperial Prison with Xiao Qiuyue, dismissed the guards, and activated the Soul Searching Technique on Matsushita.
• Huang Shaojie discovered that Matsushita had entered Great Chu five years earlier, become one of the Chang'an spy organization’s seven minor leaders, and received the rank of Fourth Rank Military Official from the Japanese Emperor.

Huang Shaojie learned Japanese by searching Matsushita’s soul, then received orders to lead the effort to destroy the Japanese spy organization in the Capital City. After resting, he disguised himself and set out to meet Japanese spies.

• Huang Shaojie used Soul Searching on Matsushita, learned most everyday Japanese, and confirmed that Matsushita’s confession about Sakamoto and a hidden supreme commander was true.
• Azure Dragon assigned Huang Shaojie full responsibility for eliminating the Japanese spy organization and authorized him to deploy Eastern Pacification Office officials below Thousand-Household Officer rank.
• Huang Shaojie returned to Huang Manor and slept until the afternoon to recover from the mental strain of Soul Searching.
• Xiao Qiuyue woke Huang Shaojie, helped him dress, and joined him for dinner and a stroll through the back garden.
• Huang Shaojie put on a disguise and told Xiao Qiuyue he was going to meet with Japanese spies.

Huang Shaojie went undercover at the Fragrant Flower Brothel, a Japanese spy contact point, to meet the suspected spy Cui'er. After paying only for wine and music, he found himself pressed to maintain his lecherous cover when Cui'er tried to seduce him.

• Xiao Qiuyue warned Huang Shaojie not to be bewitched by Japanese women, and he left for the Fragrant Flower Brothel.
• Mother Xue welcomed Huang Shaojie and quoted prices for spending the night with Cui'er or having wine and music with her.
• Mother Xue privately warned Cui'er to watch for spies from the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Surveillance Bureau.
• Cui'er took Huang Shaojie to her room, sat on his lap, and offered him wine while thinking he was far more handsome than Japanese men.
• Huang Shaojie let Cui'er sit on his lap and groped her to maintain his cover, but blocked her kiss and clarified that he had paid only for wine and music.

Huang Shaojie used a Japanese identity and forged message to persuade Natsumi that Matsushita wanted Nakajima at Xihua Ridge, while Mother Xue accepted the story. Meanwhile, Black Tortoise disguised himself and set out to kill Huang Shaojie.

• Huang Shaojie used Matsushita's code phrase to convince Natsumi that he was a Japanese agent named Daxiong.
• Huang Shaojie told Natsumi that Nakajima should meet Matsushita at Xihua Ridge, where they would ambush an Imperial Guard Commander.
• Natsumi agreed to relay the message, and Mother Xue's suspicions faded after Natsumi explained why she believed Huang Shaojie.
• Black Tortoise disguised himself with night clothes, a clown mask, and heightening boots before setting out to kill Huang Shaojie.

After returning from Fragrant Flower Brothel, Huang Shaojie reunited with Xiao Qiuyue, but Black Tortoise infiltrated Huang Manor and attacked him. Huang Shaojie survived the assassination attempt and struck back, leaving their battle amid the wreckage of the room.

• Huang Shaojie returned to his residence, reassured Xiao Qiuyue that his operation had gone smoothly, and went with her to bathe.
• Black Tortoise secretly entered Huang Manor and watched Huang Shaojie and Xiao Qiuyue kissing through the window.
• Black Tortoise struck Huang Shaojie's Fengchi acupoint with One Yang Finger, but Huang Shaojie's Indestructible Vajra Technique stopped the attack.
• Xiao Qiuyue called for Lu Changkong while Black Tortoise entered the room and chopped Huang Shaojie's neck.
• Huang Shaojie's neck repelled Black Tortoise's palm, and Huang Shaojie counterattacked, sending palm force into Black Tortoise's protective true qi and demolishing the room.

Black Tortoise attacked Huang Shaojie and Xiao Qiuyue, but Huang Shaojie’s divine skills let him withstand the masked Ninth Rank Grandmaster. After clashing with Huang Shaojie and Lu Changkong, Black Tortoise remained dangerous, and Huang Shaojie chose to face him alone while Lu Changkong protected Xiao Qiuyue.

• Black Tortoise was startled when his One Yang Finger and palm strike failed to subdue Huang Shaojie.
• Lu Changkong rushed to the ruined pavilion and joined Huang Shaojie in attacking Black Tortoise, but Black Tortoise’s counterstrike sent Lu Changkong flying and forced Huang Shaojie back.
• Black Tortoise realized Huang Shaojie’s cultivation had advanced greatly and recognized Lu Changkong as the former Golden Robed Divine Constable.
• Xiao Qiuyue confirmed that she was unharmed and warned Lu Changkong that the masked man was formidable.
• Huang Shaojie ordered Lu Changkong to protect Xiao Qiuyue and said he would fight Black Tortoise alone.

Huang Shaojie fought Black Tortoise, who fled the city and lured him to a secluded mountain ridge west of Chang'an. Huang Shaojie pursued him, and Black Tortoise turned to face him there.

• Black Tortoise was shocked to learn that Lu Changkong called Huang Shaojie his master and resolved to kill Huang Shaojie.
• Huang Shaojie and Black Tortoise exchanged powerful attacks, but neither gained the upper hand.
• Black Tortoise fled, and Huang Shaojie pursued him at a speed that broke the sound barrier.
• Black Tortoise drew Huang Shaojie beyond the city to avoid attracting the attention of Imperial Guard experts.
• Black Tortoise landed on a mountain ridge and remarked on Huang Shaojie's lightness skill.

Huang Shaojie confronted Black Tortoise, who questioned him about Xiao Qiuyue and tried to recruit him into Western Shu. After Huang Shaojie rejected the offer, they fought fiercely, and Black Tortoise’s immense strength forced Huang Shaojie to unleash the Wind God Leg’s ultimate move.

• Huang Shaojie recognized that Black Tortoise had lured him to a secluded place and challenged him to fight.
• Black Tortoise asked whether Huang Shaojie had slept with Xiao Qiuyue, then offered to spare him and grant him high status if he joined Western Shu.
• Huang Shaojie learned that Black Tortoise was a eunuch and former Western Shu servant, but failed to discover his identity in the Capital City.
• Huang Shaojie attacked with Wind Sweeping Through Decaying Buildings, and he and Black Tortoise exchanged more than a hundred blows.
• Black Tortoise blasted apart a small peak with a Vajra Fist, and Huang Shaojie countered with the Wind God Leg’s Divine Wind’s Furious Howl.

Huang Shaojie and Black Tortoise traded devastating attacks, but Huang Shaojie’s Divine Blade Slash wounded the vastly stronger Ninth Rank Grandmaster. Black Tortoise charged again with a dagger, and Huang Shaojie dodged while launching another Divine Blade Slash.

• Huang Shaojie and Black Tortoise’s attacks collided, sending them both flying, though neither was seriously injured.
• Black Tortoise decided to exhaust Huang Shaojie and attacked him with White Rainbow Palm.
• Huang Shaojie let the palm strike his chest, drew the Demonic Blade, and slashed Black Tortoise through his Vajra Fist and protective true qi.
• Black Tortoise crashed into the mountainside, then drew a dagger and charged at Huang Shaojie in rage.
• Huang Shaojie dodged the dagger with Catching Wind and Shadows and countered with another Divine Blade Slash.

Huang Shaojie fled after Black Tortoise learned to counter his Divine Blade Slash, using strikes and feints to keep escaping during a supersonic chase. He tried to lead Black Tortoise to Azure Dragon's residence, but Black Tortoise turned away before a figure flew out to meet Huang Shaojie.

• Black Tortoise blocked Huang Shaojie's repeated Divine Blade Slashes, and Huang Shaojie fled toward the Imperial City.
• Black Tortoise chased Huang Shaojie, but Huang used the force of Black Tortoise's attacks to accelerate away.
• The two raced into the inner city, where their speed dropped as their true qi ran low.
• Huang Shaojie slashed at Black Tortoise and fled toward Azure Dragon's residence, hoping Azure Dragon would come to his aid.
• Black Tortoise recognized Huang Shaojie's plan and turned away, just as a figure flew out from Azure Dragon's residence and appeared before Huang Shaojie.

Huang Shaojie told Azure Dragon about the masked attacker, and Azure Dragon began investigating the man’s identity. After Huang Shaojie returned to Xiao Qiuyue, the chapter shifted to Natsumi’s forced service to Nakajima, who asked whether Matsushita had visited.

• Huang Shaojie told Azure Dragon that the masked man was a eunuch and described his build and formidable martial arts.
• Azure Dragon suspected the masked man might be Gao Feijun but agreed to investigate his identity in secret.
• Huang Shaojie returned to the residence, reassured Xiao Qiuyue and Lu Changkong, and told the servants to finish clearing the pavilion ruins the next day.
• Nakajima beat and abused Natsumi in the secret chamber at Fragrant Flower Brothel.
• Nakajima asked whether Matsushita had visited, and Natsumi said he was being watched by the Imperial Guard and had sent a subordinate with a message.

Huang Shaojie lured Nakajima to Xihua Ridge by impersonating Matsushita’s subordinate, intending to capture the Japanese spies. When Nakajima recognized him as an Imperial Guard Commander and ordered his men to attack, Huang Shaojie killed the first attacker with a powerful palm strike.

• Nakajima agreed to meet Matsushita and help kill the Imperial Guard Commander, then violently confronted Natsumi over her supposed closeness with Daxiong.
• Huang Shaojie brought Eastern Pacification Office officers to Xihua Ridge and hid in the banyan tree to ambush Nakajima.
• Nakajima arrived with two subordinates and recognized Huang Shaojie as an Imperial Guard Commander rather than Matsushita’s subordinate.
• Nakajima ordered his Sixth Rank Grandmaster subordinate to cripple Huang Shaojie and leave him alive for questioning.
• Huang Shaojie unleashed a Divine Dragon palm strike, shattering the subordinate’s arm and killing him.

Huang Shaojie defeated Nakajima and a High-level Earth Ninja, then searched Nakajima’s soul for intelligence. He learned where another Japanese spy could be found and uncovered Nakajima’s cover identity.

• Nakajima and the High-level Earth Ninja attacked Huang Shaojie, but Huang severed Nakajima’s left arm and killed the ninja with a punch.
• Nakajima fled, but Huang Shaojie caught and crippled him before ordering his men to take him back to the Eastern Pacification Office.
• Huang Shaojie searched Nakajima’s soul and discovered that Kobayashi Shigeyoshi, one of Japan’s seven leaders in the capital, used Guilai Inn as a meeting place.
• Huang Shaojie learned that Nakajima lived on Huimin Fang Baogu Street and ran Bailiang Rice Shop with seven subordinate clerks.

Huang Shaojie raided Bailiang Rice Shop, captured its Japanese spies, and reported progress to Azure Dragon. A system reward advanced him to Fifth Rank Grandmaster, and he assembled a team to target Guilai Inn that night.

• Huang Shaojie ordered Nakajima imprisoned, then led two Deputy Commanders of a Thousand to Bailiang Rice Shop while four Hundred Commanders secured its surroundings.
• Huang Shaojie killed the accountant with a slap, and Deputy Commander He crippled the clerk while another Deputy Commander of a Thousand captured five Japanese martial artists in the rear courtyard.
• Huang Shaojie had the six spies locked in a woodshed, left guards at the rice shop, and returned to the Eastern Pacification Office.
• Huang Shaojie told Azure Dragon that he had destroyed two of Japan's seven branches in the Capital City, and Azure Dragon rewarded him with ten thousand taels and promised promotion to Commander of a Thousand.
• The system rewarded Huang Shaojie with thirty years of internal energy, advancing him to Fifth Rank Grandmaster.
• Huang Shaojie summoned Deputy Commanders He and Jiang and five Hundred Commanders, then named Guilai Inn as their target for that night.

Huang Shaojie and Xiao Qiuyue entered Guilai Inn as part of a plan to eliminate its Japanese spies without revealing the Imperial Guard’s identity. After Monkey ogled Xiao Qiuyue, Huang Shaojie beat him and pierced both his eyes with chopsticks, leaving the confrontation underway.

• Huang Shaojie assigned Deputy Commander Jiang’s group to surround Guilai Inn while he and Xiao Qiuyue entered first.
• Kobayashi Shigeyoshi and Monkey welcomed Huang Shaojie and Xiao Qiuyue, and Monkey leered at Xiao Qiuyue.
• Huang Shaojie slapped Monkey twice after catching him ogling Xiao Qiuyue.
• Kobayashi tried to calm Huang Shaojie while secretly planning to have Yamamoto deal with him later.
• Huang Shaojie demanded that Monkey’s eyes be gouged out, then shot two chopsticks into them.

Huang Shaojie captured the Japanese spies at Guilai Inn, learned the identities and location of two more spies, and received the Face-Changing Disguise Technique. He and Xiao Qiuyue went to Hecheng District to arrest the pair and discovered a strange scene inside their bedroom.

• Huang Shaojie blinded Monkey, shattered Kobayashi Shigeyoshi's dantian, killed the Japanese spies at Guilai Inn, and ordered the adulterous couple killed.
• Huang Shaojie searched Kobayashi Shigeyoshi's soul and learned that Gangxia Xiongfei and Oda Nae were spies living in Hecheng District.
• Huang Shaojie received the Face-Changing Disguise Technique reward and decided to capture Gangxia Xiongfei and Oda Nae that night.
• Huang Shaojie and Xiao Qiuyue slipped into the spies' courtyard and saw a woman whipping a chained man in the bedroom.

Huang Shaojie and Xiao Qiuyue captured the Japanese spies Huimei and Xiongfei after a fight, then Huang Shaojie used Soul Searching Technique to learn about another spy. The chapter ended with Xiao Qiuyue asking what he had done to Xiongfei.

• Xiao Qiuyue attacked Huimei while Huang Shaojie struck Xiongfei down with one palm.
• Huimei used Night Vanishing Technique to ambush Xiao Qiuyue, but Huang Shaojie broke her arm, kicked her away, and sealed her acupoints.
• Huang Shaojie searched Xiongfei’s soul and learned that Kohara, alias Doctor Chen, ran a clinic in Minshun Quarter with two subordinate assistants.
• Xiao Qiuyue asked Huang Shaojie what he had been doing to Xiongfei.