Chapter Summaries

Chen Sanshi rode out with Zhao Kang to reinforce the Great Wall and pursued a raiding force of Barbarian Cavalry. He charged alone into their ranks, broke through an encirclement, and faced a second attack as the battle intensified.

• Xiang Tingchun ordered Zhao Kang and other commanders to reinforce the Great Wall, and Chen Sanshi joined Zhao Kang's cavalry at Xiang Tingchun's permission.
• Zhao Kang told Chen Sanshi how Barbarian Cavalry had killed Xiang Tingchun's family years earlier, then led the force through the Great Wall gate to pursue more than fifty raiders.
• Chen Sanshi overtook the Great Sheng cavalry on his White Swan Horse and shot a barbarian rider with his Tiger Bone Greatbow before charging after the enemy with his spear.
• The barbarian Hundred Household Commander turned back and ordered his riders to surround and kill Chen Sanshi after he killed a Blood Tempering Officer.
• Chen Sanshi evaded the first encirclement and broke through the riders, while the life-or-death fight consumed the poison in his meridians and improved his spearwork proficiency.
• The Barbarian Cavalry reorganized and launched a second encirclement charge against Chen Sanshi.

Chen Sanshi single-handedly routed and killed a force of Barbarian Cavalry, including their Bone Tempering Hundred Household Commander, before Zhao Kang's troops finished the fight. After Chen Sanshi gained major cultivation progress from the battle, an urgent report revealed that four steppe clans had invaded and Fourth Prince Tuoba was advancing on Anding Prefecture.

• Chen Sanshi killed dozens of Barbarian Cavalrymen and forced the Barbarian Hundred Household Commander to retreat as his qi and blood showed no sign of weakening.
• The Barbarian Hundred Household Commander charged Chen Sanshi but was killed in a single exchange, and Chen Sanshi refused the cavalry's attempt to surrender.
• Zhao Kang arrived with reinforcements, and the Dasheng troops defeated the remaining Barbarian Cavalry, killing most and taking two prisoners for interrogation.
• Chen Sanshi discovered that the battle had nearly purged the poison from his meridians and greatly increased his spear mastery.
• An urgent military report announced that four steppe clans had invaded all three northwestern border provinces and that Fourth Prince Tuoba was leading fifty thousand iron cavalry toward Anding Prefecture.

Chen Sanshi earned a promotion and horses for his military achievements, then visited Ji Guangxian, who tried to recruit him with a lavish banquet and a powerful medicinal bath. Chen Sanshi called the bath ordinary, leaving Ji Guangxian's attempt to win him over unresolved.

• Xiang Tingchun and the commanders discussed the alliance of the four grassland tribes and ordered the Night Watcher squad to scout the Xihe Tribe in fifteen days.
• Xiang Tingchun rewarded Chen Sanshi with the title of Chengxin Colonel, access to the camp's medicinal baths, and fifty horses.
• Yuan Danzhi invited Chen Sanshi to Ji Guangxian's residence, and Chen Sanshi brought Wang Zhi along.
• Ji Guangxian served Chen Sanshi and Wang Zhi a lavish feast, then asked Chen Sanshi to leave Poyang with him.
• Ji Guangxian presented Chen Sanshi with Dew Condensing Body Tempering Soup, but Chen Sanshi dismissed its effects as ordinary.

Chen Sanshi prepared his Night Watchers for the coming border war while improving his cultivation and discovering his White Swan Horse could travel two thousand li a day and seek him out. He then left Poyang County with two other Night Watcher squads to scout the grasslands.

• Prefect Ji offered Chen Sanshi three more medicinal baths and a jar of Crimson Tiger Blood Wine, hoping the benefits would persuade him to accept Ji’s request.
• News of war on the border spread, and Sun Li told Chen Sanshi and Sun Buqi that their father had warned them Poyang might face unforeseen changes.
• Chen Sanshi trained his Night Watchers in the Small Cart Suspended Formation and brought Xu Bin under his command.
• During the following days, Chen Sanshi continued training and cultivating, and his System Panel revealed that his White Swan Horse could travel two thousand li a day and seek him out; he named it Little Seeker.
• At midnight, Chen Sanshi joined Luo Dongquan, Liu Jinkui, and Wang Zhi as their three Night Watcher squads left the city to scout the grasslands.

Chen Sanshi infiltrated the Xihe Tribe’s main camp and discovered it had reinforced its troops ahead of an attack on Poyang. He overheard the Ninth Prince take command, then heard that Great Sheng spies had been spotted nearby as the camp erupted into pursuit.

• Chen Sanshi led his scouting group toward the Xihe Tribe’s largest settlement by following tracks and avoiding patrols.
• Chen Sanshi slipped into the main camp in disguise and learned it held roughly three thousand soldiers with full supplies.
• The Ninth Prince arrived, announced he would command the Xihe Tribe’s attack on Poyang, and displayed the Zhenyue Sword.
• The tribal chief sent a rider to notify the Great Khan that the Ninth Prince had come to the camp.
• Chen Sanshi began retreating after confirming the Xihe Tribe had reinforced its troops, but the camp sounded an alarm after Great Sheng spies were spotted five li away.

Chen Sanshi’s group was discovered and surrounded while escaping the Barbarian Military Camp, so he broke away and stormed into the camp to reach the Ninth Prince. He defeated the prince and took him hostage, leaving himself surrounded by barbarian soldiers.

• Chen Sanshi escaped the camp and reunited with Wang Zhi’s group, who said the barbarians had discovered them during a search.
• Chen Sanshi led the group in the Small Cart Suspended Formation, helping them slaughter a cavalry squad before hundreds of pursuers surrounded them.
• Chen Sanshi asked Wang Zhi to hold off the Viscera Refining commander, then rode toward the Barbarian Military Camp while Wang Zhi and the others stayed to fight.
• Chen Sanshi entered the camp through its western barricade and charged into the Main Military Tent, killing the Hundred Household Commander guarding the Ninth Prince.
• Chen Sanshi disarmed and wounded the Ninth Prince, caught the Zhenyue Sword, and held its blade against the prince’s neck as the barbarian soldiers surrounded them.

Chen Sanshi captured the Yuwen Ninth Prince and used him to secure the retreat of his surviving men, but the team missed its rendezvous at Poyang. As their families waited anxiously, Sun Buqi reported that Chen Sanshi was still missing.

• Chen Sanshi returned from the enemy camp with the Yuwen Ninth Prince as his captive, stopping the battle and forcing the barbarian Thousand Households to let his six surviving companions leave with their dead.
• The Ninth Prince ordered the barbarians to retreat, and Chen Sanshi's group rode back toward Poyang through the night and the following day, missing the agreed rendezvous.
• Luo Dongquan told Song Yan he had worked to eliminate Chen Sanshi as a rival, fearing Chen might someday retaliate against him.
• Gu Xinlan and Tong Shi waited anxiously for news while Sun Li practiced her saber, and Sun Buqi arrived to report that Chen Sanshi alone had not returned with the other teams.

Chen Sanshi returned to Poyang after surviving an encirclement by Xihe cavalry and capturing the Ninth Prince Yuwen, but Wang Zhi accused Luo Dongquan of betraying their squad without evidence. The court reported Chen’s feat to the emperor, who decided to give the young officer a chance.

• Sun Li and the others waited through the night for Chen Sanshi, while Zhao Kang assumed the missing Night Watcher squad had died.
• A force of over two thousand Xihe cavalry pursued Chen Sanshi and seven other riders toward the Great Wall, keeping their distance because Chen held the Ninth Prince Yuwen hostage.
• Chen Sanshi led his exhausted survivors safely back to the city and revealed that they had captured the Ninth Prince while bringing home their fallen comrades’ bodies.
• Wang Zhi accused Luo Dongquan of alerting the barbarians, but Liu Jinkui confirmed Luo had been far away, and Xiang Tingchun dismissed the accusation for lack of evidence.
• Chen Sanshi asked Xiang Tingchun to compensate the fallen men’s families as the Xihe cavalry threatened Poyang and then withdrew.
• Seven days later, the emperor heard the report of Chen’s capture of the Ninth Prince and ordered that the young officer be given a chance.

Chen Sanshi prepared for the coming war, rewarded his surviving men, and learned that Luo Dongquan had concealed his strength. After using his final Dew Condensing Body Tempering Soup, Chen broke through to Skin Tempering and gained skin tough enough to rival exotic bone.

• Chen Sanshi reviewed his improved skills, admired the Zhenyue Sword, and learned the captured Ninth Prince had been sent toward the capital.
• Chen Sanshi paid Wang Li to check on the fallen recruits’ families and promised Zhu Tong and the others treatment and cultivation supplies.
• Wang Zhi warned Chen Sanshi that Luo Dongquan had reached at least Mastery in Viscera Refining, while Yuan Danzhi was newly entered into the realm.
• Xiang Tingchun confronted Luo Dongquan for exposing his comrades’ whereabouts, struck him, and agreed to suppress the matter despite Luo’s betrayal.
• Chen Sanshi used his final medicinal bath, broke through to Skin Tempering, and gained skin as tough as bone.

Chen Sanshi secretly raided the Liang family’s medicine storehouse, overheard their plan to inform the County Magistrate about the immortal treasure, and left without confronting them. He began learning the Diancang Sword Technique as Poyang prepared for an imminent battle against the Xihe Tribe.

• Chen Sanshi tested his hardened body, then stole black ginseng and other rare medicines from the Liang family residence.
• Chen Sanshi overheard Liang Shengzhi and his wife discuss avenging Liang Zhan and potentially revealing the immortal treasure to the County Magistrate.
• Chen Sanshi left the Liang residence after learning that the County Magistrate had Organ Refinement experts and was investigating the immortal treasure.
• Chen Sanshi obtained the Diancang Sword Technique from Wang Zhi and began practicing, rapidly learning its forms.
• Chen Sanshi learned that the Ninth Prince had been escorted to the capital as Poyang strengthened its defenses ahead of the coming battle.

As Poyang prepared for an imminent barbarian assault, Chen Sanshi mastered the Diancang Sword Technique and learned he could wield sword and spear together. The defenders were ordered to the Great Wall, and Chen Sanshi spent his last night at home with Gu Xinlan before the battle.

• Chen Sanshi distributed grain to commoners laboring to reinforce the Great Wall, despite Scabby Head's insults.
• Chen Sanshi used Bilateral Combat to wield his sword and spear together, then advanced the Diancang Sword Technique to major accomplishment in two days.
• Feng Yong reported that six thousand Xihe Tribe troops, including two Viscera Refining Martial Artists, would attack Poyang within five days, while Xiang Tingchun ordered the soldiers to the Great Wall.
• Ji Guangxian promised Chen Sanshi more secret medicines, hoping the medicines would keep him tied to the Ji family.
• Gu Xinlan gave Chen Sanshi the fitted robe she had sewn and asked him to return so they could have a child; Chen Sanshi comforted her, and they spent the night together.

Chen Sanshi helped defend the Great Wall as the Xihe Tribe’s army gathered before Poyang. His archery killed one barbarian rider and defeated Qimuge, lifting Sheng morale, but the barbarians began their siege at dawn three days later.

• Chen Sanshi and the others took up positions along the Great Wall while Xu Wencai warned that the barbarian reinforcements and Anding Prefecture’s inaction seemed suspicious.
• Chen Sanshi advanced his spear and sword skills as the defenders waited for the enemy to arrive.
• When a barbarian rider demanded Poyang’s surrender, Chen Sanshi shot him dead from the wall.
• Qimuge challenged Chen Sanshi to an archery contest, but Chen shot down all three of his arrows and wounded him as he tried to flee.
• Wumuer postponed the attack for two days after his forces lost face, but the barbarian army began its formal siege at dawn on the third day.

Chen Sanshi helped repel the barbarians’ initial probing assault, then spent ten days cultivating and improving his medical skill as the enemy harassed the Great Wall. When the barbarians launched a full-scale attack, he held off an Assault Chariot alone and slaughtered its soldiers before the enemy sounded a retreat.

• Chen Sanshi and the defenders repelled the barbarians’ first siege, killing more than four hundred attackers while the Poyang Thousand Households Command lost just over fifty men.
• Chen Sanshi went into the mountains to cultivate and hunt, then used the ten-day lull to improve his medical skill until he gained the ability to dispel mortal poisons.
• The barbarians launched a full-scale assault with thousands of infantry and cavalry, and Chen Sanshi led thirty men to reinforce Zhao Kang at Beacon Tower Jia.
• Chen Sanshi ordered fire arrows against the advancing Assault Chariots, while the barbarians’ catapults smashed open a breach in the Great Wall.
• Chen Sanshi alone blocked an Assault Chariot, killed a Bone Tempering barbarian commander with his Zhenyue Sword, and slaughtered the soldiers inside until they fled.
• The barbarians sounded the gong and withdrew their troops after a horn sounded beyond the Great Wall.

After Poyang survived a fierce barbarian assault, Chen Sanshi helped organize the city’s defenses and received an imperial decree rewarding him for capturing the Ninth Prince Yuwen. The Emperor’s reward included poisoned wine meant to control him, and Chen Sanshi drank it while planning to detoxify himself.

• The Xihe Tribe withdrew after Xiang Tingchun and Yuan Danzhi killed a Main General who had broken through Poyang’s western wall, leaving the city with around nine hundred fighting men.
• Chen Sanshi advised withdrawing civilians into the city and fortifying its walls, and Xiang Tingchun ordered the evacuation and preparations to clear the fields.
• Sun Li agreed to help settle Lan Jie'er and the families of Chen Sanshi’s men, while Chen Sanshi returned to the wall and counted twenty men from his command dead.
• After the civilians withdrew into Poyang, Han Cheng brought Chen Sanshi to Magistrate Xue, warning him to agree to whatever the magistrate ordered.
• Magistrate Xue read an imperial decree granting Chen Sanshi the Fifth Rank title of Flying Cavalry Lieutenant, Bone Tempering spiritual medicine, and Imperial Wine.
• Chen Sanshi recognized the wine as Jade Blood Poison Dew intended to control him, then drank it because he believed he could detoxify himself.

Chen Sanshi learned that the emperor had poisoned the wine meant to bind him as a trusted confidant, secretly neutralized it, and prepared for the growing barbarian threat. Zhao Kang returned with news that Anding Prefecture’s Great Wall had fallen, leaving Poyang County isolated and facing more than ten thousand enemies without reinforcements.

• Xue Yuping revealed that he sought an immortal treasure and warned Chen Sanshi to keep the mission secret while watching for clues tied to the military.
• Chen Sanshi left the city, made an antidote for the poisoned wine, and discovered that the barbarians had breached the wall and entered the area.
• After learning that the barbarians expected reinforcements, Chen Sanshi reasoned that they might be exploiting Anding Prefecture’s collapse and urged Xiang Tingchun to investigate.
• Zhao Kang reported that Anding Prefecture’s Great Wall had fallen to fifty thousand barbarian cavalry and that the enemy could cut off the prefecture’s supply route through Hengkang.
• The news left Poyang County with nine hundred defenders facing more than ten thousand enemies and no likely reinforcements or supplies.

As Poyang County endured another fierce siege by the Xihe Tribe, Chen Sanshi fought on the walls and advanced his archery to Mastery. After the attack was repelled, he completed Bone Tempering by tempering his marrow and gained the Adamantine Body, leaving him far more formidable for the battles ahead.

• Chen Sanshi and Xiang Tingchun decided to seek reinforcements from Hengkang Prefecture, and Wang Zhi volunteered to bring back soldiers.
• Xiang Tingchun rallied Poyang's defenders, while Sun Li assured Chen Sanshi that Sister Lan and his subordinates' families were safe.
• Feng Yong and others mobilized more than five thousand townspeople to reinforce the city, though the gentry and many martial arts school disciples avoided the work or tried to flee.
• The Xihe Tribe launched another assault, and Chen Sanshi reached Archery Mastery while killing attackers on the walls.
• Xiang Tingchun killed an Organ Tempering barbarian general, and the defenders forced the Xihe Tribe to retreat after a costly battle.
• Chen Sanshi used his last Mysterious Origin Body Tempering Pill to temper his marrow, reaching Bone Tempering Perfection and gaining the Adamantine Body.

After Poyang survived two days of attacks, Xiang Tingchun celebrated the city’s defense while planning his rise to a better post. He pursued Liang Shengzhi for deserting, only to be ambushed over an alleged immortal treasure and betrayed by Luo Dongquan.

• Poyang’s defenders repelled the barbarians, and Xiang Tingchun celebrated with the surviving officers while civilians repaired the walls and carried the dead.
• Xiang Tingchun returned home and reassured Madam Liu that the siege would soon end and that he might be transferred to Jiangnan.
• Luo Dongquan reported that Liang Shengzhi had fled through the South Small Gate with his family, so Xiang Tingchun rode out to pursue him.
• Xiang Tingchun stopped Liang Shengzhi’s carriage, where Xue Yuping, Han Cheng, and Tang Ming confronted him and demanded the immortal treasure.
• Luo Dongquan revealed that he had betrayed Xiang Tingchun, and Xue Yuping ordered the others to attack.

After Xiang Tingchun died in a barbarian ambush, Chen Sanshi strengthened Poyang City's defenses by recruiting and training more soldiers, while his Troop Command mastery let him rapidly drill the Cart Suspended Formation. Wang Zhi returned with word that reinforcements would arrive in five days, but Chen Sanshi suspected the barbarians were waiting for something, and Magistrate Xue summoned him.

• Yuan Danzhi reported that Xiang Tingchun had died pursuing someone who escaped through the southern gate, leaving Luo Dongquan as Main General.
• Chen Sanshi recruited willing laborers, assigned Wang Li to teach them cultivation, and ordered Xu Wencai and Xu Bin to train the cavalry.
• Chen Sanshi used his Troop Command mastery to train the Great Cart Suspended Formation rapidly, and his soldiers gained the Death Wish in Battle Formation trait.
• Chen Sanshi borrowed Sun Li's Red Lotus Saber Technique and reached Bone Tempering Perfection in saber technique after five days of practice.
• Wang Zhi returned with two survivors and reported that Commander Ma's thousand troops would arrive in five days to lift Poyang's siege.
• Chen Sanshi worried that the barbarians were waiting for something, and Han Cheng told him Magistrate Xue had requested his presence.

Chen Sanshi learned that Magistrate Xue and the imperial court planned to abandon Poyang and secretly flee, leaving the city to a Witch God Cult blood sacrifice. Torn between escape and the people who trusted him, he returned to the city wall and began to form a plan after spotting a crimson official robe.

• Xue Yuping revealed that Chen Sanshi was ordered to leave Poyang alone before the Witch God Cult arrived, while Tang Ming reported that their search for the immortal treasure had failed.
• Han Cheng admitted that Governor Sun’s people had infiltrated the plot but had received no instructions, and he warned Chen Sanshi that the poisoned wine and the city’s impending destruction left him in danger.
• Chen Sanshi considered killing Xue Yuping and Tang Ming, but Han Cheng said Tang Ming was too strong and warned that the emperor might retaliate even if they succeeded.
• Back on the city wall, Chen Sanshi saw the soldiers, refugees, and recruits who trusted him and could not bring himself to abandon them.
• Chen Sanshi resolved that fleeing would leave him unable to sleep and spotted a crimson official robe that gave him an idea.

Chen Sanshi secretly prepared to expose the plot against Xiang Tingchun while Magistrate Xue and Ji Guangxian confronted each other outside the city. Chen Sanshi killed Luo Dongquan and Song Yan, leaving the conspiracy unresolved.

• Chen Sanshi gave Xu Wencai a secret task, then left the city to meet Han Cheng before midnight.
• Ji Guangxian confronted Xue Yuping over Xiang Tingchun's murder, and Xue revealed that his faction was searching for an immortal treasure and ordered his men to attack.
• Luo Dongquan sent Song Yan away and headed toward the meeting place, but Chen Sanshi ambushed him with a relentless barrage of arrows.
• Chen Sanshi killed the wounded Luo Dongquan and cut off his head after confirming he was dead.
• Song Yan returned, witnessed Luo Dongquan's death, and attacked Chen Sanshi, who killed him with a single strike.