Chapter Summaries

Mu Wanjun fought off Wu Haihua and the Ten Thousand Demons Sect stewards until Chen Ping'an’s gong summoned the Town Pacification Office and forced them to retreat. Chen Ping'an then resumed striking the gong after the attackers fled, and Mu Wanjun told him they were gone.

• Mu Wanjun prepared to use Autumn Stream and Flowing Mist, but the Town Pacification Office’s gong sounded before she could unleash the costly forbidden move.
• Wu Haihua and the two first-rank stewards intensified their attacks, while Mu Wanjun held them off and blocked the thin steward from reaching Chen Ping'an.
• Wu Haihua pierced Mu Wanjun, but her soft armor protected her vital areas, and she countered his attempt to finish her.
• Wu Haihua decided to retreat, but Mu Wanjun stopped him from pursuing the gong-beater, and the attackers fled when Chen Ping'an resumed striking the gong.
• Chen Ping'an lowered the gong after Mu Wanjun appeared nearby and told him the attackers had already left.

Chen Ping'an confronted Big Steel Tooth at the Tiger Head Gang's gambling house and demanded the increased Contribution Silver quota. Big Steel Tooth refused to pay the full amount unless Chen Ping'an defeated his fighter, who attacked him as the chapter ended.

• Chen Ping'an intimidated Big Steel Tooth, accepted tea, and showed Zeng Jihe his confidence by slamming the table and producing the confiscation receipt.
• Big Steel Tooth objected to the increased quota and tried to negotiate, but Chen Ping'an insisted that the Town Pacification Office's rules had to be followed.
• Chen Ping'an refused to settle for the previous year's amount and threatened to take Big Steel Tooth to the Town Pacification Office.
• Big Steel Tooth proposed a fight with his sturdy brother as the condition for paying the full quota, and Chen Ping'an rejected the arrangement.
• The gray-clad fighter launched a fierce punch at Chen Ping'an.

Chen Ping'an discovered a hidden Stone Chamber beneath the clear pool and found the remains of the Old Man of the Mountains, a former Dragon and Tiger Rankings expert. He obtained the old man's legacy, including the divine skill Indestructible Body, and began studying its jade booklet.

• Chen Ping'an searched the pool and found a vine-blocked passage beneath a massive reef.
• Chen Ping'an followed the passage to a Stone Chamber and discovered a skeleton in a neighboring room.
• Chen Ping'an found a letter, a jade booklet, a token, and several bottles and jars beside the skeleton.
• Chen Ping'an learned that the skeleton belonged to the Old Man of the Mountains, who had ranked 173rd on the Dragon and Tiger Rankings.
• Chen Ping'an recognized the jade booklet as the Old Man of the Mountains' legacy of the Indestructible Body divine skill and opened it to study its manifested conception.

Chen Ping'an learned the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training method and prepared for a confrontation with Head Constable Zheng over the previous day's dispute. At the morning assembly, Constable Director Shen Shi Kang arrived with Deputy Constable Director Tian Fulang and the constable heads, leaving Zheng Shiyong and the others wondering what had happened.

• Chen Ping'an studied the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training and saw that his panel required 10 experience points to reach Initiation.
• Chen Ping'an went to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office, where Monkey Head and Da Shan warned him to be careful and Zeng Jihe showed his support.
• Zheng Shiyong and Tan Huacong anticipated that Head Constable Zheng would use Chen Ping'an's defiance against him.
• Shen Shi Kang arrived with Tian Fulang and the five constable heads, while Head Constable Zheng wore a gloomy expression.

Chen Ping'an explained to Gu Qingchan how the Hundred Flowers Feast led to his night with Cloud Dream Fairy and Xue Zirou, while trying to persuade her that the Xue Family had engineered the scandal. Gu Qingchan began considering how the incidents could threaten the Gu Family’s marriage alliance and left to consult her clan.

• Gu Qingchan confronted Chen Ping'an for ignoring her warning and becoming involved with Cloud Dream Fairy at the Hundred Flowers Feast.
• Chen Ping'an described how he had waited to board the Mist and Rain Painted Boat, provoked Xue Guangyu, and later became caught up in Cloud Dream Fairy’s scheme.
• Gu Qingchan challenged Chen Ping'an’s account of Xue Zirou, and he admitted sleeping with her after discovering her watching him and Cloud Dream Fairy.
• Chen Ping'an said he could not explain how he had detected Xue Zirou, prompting Gu Qingchan to consider whether the Xue Family’s plan had gone wrong or deliberately targeted the marriage alliance.
• Gu Qingchan told Chen Ping'an to wait while she left to inform the Elders and prepare a response.

Chen Ping'an reached Qi Blood Second Level and Iron Cloth Greater Accomplishment by converting his accumulated experience into cultivation gains. He rushed to the Town Pacification Office just in time, where a deep voice rebuked him from behind.

• Chen Ping'an gained enough experience from practicing Iron Cloth to advance to Qi Blood Second Level and Iron Cloth Greater Accomplishment.
• Chen Ping'an realized he could continue practicing after gaining experience and pushed himself for one more point before getting dressed.
• Chen Ping'an calculated that Greater Accomplishment let him gain experience more quickly and looked forward to reaching Iron Cloth Perfection.
• Chen Ping'an ran to the Town Pacification Office and arrived before he was late.
• A deep voice behind Chen Ping'an asked why he was so flustered, freezing his expression.

Chen Ping'an killed Little Tiger Lord with his Public Gate Thirteen Blades, captured the Tiger Head Gang stronghold, and led his men to support the battle at the gang’s headquarters. The fighting there remained unresolved, with Constable Li facing Green Lord and Constables Liu and Huang fighting Tiger Lord.

• Chen Ping'an struck Little Tiger Lord’s throat with a perfected Public Gate Thirteen Blades slash, then killed him with a second blow.
• Tan Huacong watched in horror as Little Tiger Lord died, and the remaining Tiger Head Gang members at the stronghold surrendered or were captured.
• Chen Ping'an left several constables to guard the stronghold and led the rest toward the Tiger Head Gang headquarters in Tiger Run Alley.
• At the headquarters, Constable Li fought Green Lord to a standstill while Constables Liu and Huang battled Tiger Lord without gaining the upper hand.
• Tiger Lord grew furious as his age and the constables’ coordinated attacks kept him from defeating them.

Little Tiger Lord investigated Liu Er’s death and, after hearing that Chen Ping'an had challenged the Tiger Head Gang’s men, led thugs to confront him. Chen Ping'an stood his ground at his courtyard entrance and stopped Little Tiger Lord with a threat of lethal force.

• Little Tiger Lord suspected Liu Er had been killed by a powerful martial artist and worried that the death would prevent him from receiving Qi Blood Pills.
• Fei Zi told Little Tiger Lord that Chen Ping'an had invoked the law and his temporary runner status after the gang’s men questioned him about Liu Er.
• Little Tiger Lord angrily led seven or eight thugs to Chen Ping'an’s courtyard, intending to assert the Tiger Head Gang’s authority.
• Chen Ping'an accused the gang’s men of breaking into his home and warned Little Tiger Lord that entering the courtyard without permission violated the law.
• Little Tiger Lord kept advancing until Chen Ping'an brought down his machete and warned that one more step would mean a fight to the death; Little Tiger Lord stopped.

Chen Ping'an took Zeng Jihe to Tiger Run Gambling House to collect the Tiger Head Gang's Contribution Silver, ignoring Zeng Jihe's fears about offending Head Constable Zheng. After forcing his way past the gang's servants, Chen Ping'an demanded to meet the gambling house's protector, Big Steel Tooth, Lord Fang.

• Zeng Jihe regretted following Chen Ping'an out of the Town Pacification Office, but Chen Ping'an insisted there was no reason to worry if they collected the Contribution Silver.
• Chen Ping'an and Zeng Jihe arrived at Tiger Run Gambling House, where the Tiger Head Gang's page boys tried to stop them and make them report their business first.
• Chen Ping'an drew his saber, struck the triangular-eyed page boy with its flat, and pushed into the gambling house as Zeng Jihe followed in amazement.
• Chen Ping'an asked who was in charge and ordered the page boy to bring out Big Steel Tooth, Lord Fang.
• Big Steel Tooth, Lord Fang, emerged with several rogue thugs and challenged Chen Ping'an's authority.

Chen Ping'an consolidated his position in South City while his hostility with Fu Yuanming remained unresolved. After Xu JinKui explained that his son Xu Renchang had been sent to South City Prison following a street brawl, Chen Ping'an learned that Xu JinKui was waiting to plead with a prison constable head.

• Chen Ping'an praised Zeng Jihe for protecting Chen Er'ya and told him to investigate any remaining dangers.
• Over half a month, Chen Ping'an secured his power with Mu Wanjun's support, while his feud with Fu Yuanming hardened.
• At a monthly meeting, Chen Ping'an encountered Tian Fulang, who treated him with greater respect, and exchanged formal greetings with Fu Yuanming.
• Chen Ping'an met Xu JinKui outside a restaurant and asked why he was waiting for someone from South City Prison.
• Xu JinKui told Chen Ping'an that his son Xu Renchang had been imprisoned after a street brawl and that he had arranged a banquet to ask a prison constable head for help.

Mu Wanjun announced her breakthrough to the Mu Family elders and asked them to help Chen Ping'an against the Fang Family. The elders explained that the Mu Family's conflict with the Fang Family was constrained by the Liu Family's intervention, leaving their response uncertain.

• Chen Ping'an returned to South City Prison, traded barbs with Wang Changxu, and learned that Wang planned to build a case to strip him of his post.
• Mu Wanjun returned to the Mu Family and revealed to Seventh Uncle that she had reached the Inner Energy Second Level.
• The Mu Family elders praised Mu Wanjun's breakthrough and offered her a reward, while she reflected on the resources Mu Feiyu had received.
• Mu Wanjun asked the elders to support Chen Ping'an, explaining that the Fang Family was harassing him because he had kept Fang Rui confined.
• The elders described the Mu Family's difficult position and revealed that the Liu Family had intervened to prevent the Mu Family from gaining ground against the Fang Family.

Chen Ping'an pursued the masked intruder from the inn into the wilderness and discovered he was Fang Qixian, a Profound Light Realm expert wielding the Azure Rainbow Sword. Their battle began with Fang Qixian overpowering Chen Ping'an's first attack, leaving his saber knocked aside.

• Chen Ping'an ordered the Town Pacification Office elites to stay at the inn and chased the fleeing intruder into the wilderness.
• Chen Ping'an guessed the intruder was Fang Qixian, then tricked him into revealing his identity.
• Fang Qixian asked whether Chen Ping'an had killed Fang Rui, but Chen Ping'an attacked instead of answering.
• Fang Qixian revealed his Profound Light Initial Realm strength and struck with the genuine treasure weapon Azure Rainbow Sword.
• Fang Qixian's sword overwhelmed Chen Ping'an's attack, knocked away his saber, and left him standing in a miserable state.

After learning that the Xue Family Grandmaster Xue Shishun had arrived at the North Azure Stronghold, Chen Ping'an considered the dangers surrounding the auction and prepared to compete under his alternate identity. He secured a private room at the venue and returned to his courtyard, ready for the auction to begin the next day.

• Yuan Zutong told Chen Ping'an that Xue Shishun, the Seven Constellation Vein Sealing Hand, had arrived openly to support Xue Kunsheng, prompting Chen Ping'an to suspect other powerful factions had also sent Grandmasters.
• Chen Ping'an practiced his saber, thought about Little Girl, then changed his appearance and aura before leaving his courtyard for the Azure Mystery Pavilion.
• Chen Ping'an used his alternate identity to enter the Blessed Fortune Land early and secured an independent private room by passing the two-hundred-Origin-Crystal wealth verification.
• Chen Ping'an left the auction venue, returned to the Azure Mystery Pavilion, then changed identities again and made his way back to the Secluded Elegant Courtyard.
• Yuan Zutong reported that Chen Ping'an's Waist Tag had secured him a private room through his New Talent Rankings qualification, and Chen Ping'an went to the Elegant Tower ahead of the auction.

Chen Ping'an staged his recovery beside Gu Wu’s corpse and convinced the arriving Universe Control Division guards that he had killed the Heavenly Luo Sect remnant after a fierce battle. Zhao Zhitin questioned his account, but later judged that Chen Ping'an’s strength and hidden ability might be far greater than they had assumed.

• Chen Ping'an waited beside Gu Wu’s corpse, presenting himself as badly injured from the fight until Zhong Zhengjiang of the Universe Control Division found him.
• Chen Ping'an led Zhong Zhengjiang to Sheng Yanshan’s corpse and claimed Gu Wu had used a secret technique to kill Sheng before Chen killed Gu Wu.
• Zhong Zhengjiang confirmed that the battle traces broadly supported Chen Ping'an’s account when he brought him to Zhao Zhitin and Chu Long.
• Zhao Zhitin challenged Chen Ping'an to explain how he had killed Gu Wu, but Chen refused to be treated like a criminal and left after their exchange grew tense.
• Zhao Zhitin and Chu Long discussed Chen Ping'an’s earlier slash and concluded that he might be much more formidable and secretive than they had thought.

Chen Ping'an carried the weakened Mu Wanjun through the chaotic streets of Wei River South City while Mai Xiongbo pursued them. He stopped in a secluded spot, revealed his strength, and killed Mai Xiongbo with Swift Wind Quick Saber Strike.

• Chen Ping'an fled with the failing Mu Wanjun as Mai Xiongbo chased them and Kuang Dahai engaged Yan Wu.
• Mu Wanjun fainted, and Chen Ping'an carried her to a secluded area before turning to face Mai Xiongbo.
• Mai Xiongbo attacked Chen Ping'an, but Chen Ping'an blocked his palm and countered with a series of strikes.
• Chen Ping'an drew the Hundred Patterned Blade and used Swift Wind Quick Saber Strike to cut Mai Xiongbo in two.

Wu Zicheng rode toward the North Azure Stronghold, planning to use the Grand Meet and its martial competition to advance his standing and seek a connection with Gu Jinyu. He reached the Dragon Peace Trade Route and rode past a Green Robe Man, whom he dismissed as an unimportant passerby.

• Wu Zicheng traveled from Earth Fire County to the North Azure Stronghold as part of the Wu Family’s training for its young descendants.
• Wu Zicheng reflected on Gu Hongxiu’s strength and hoped to meet Gu Jinyu at the upcoming North Azure Grand Meet.
• Wu Zicheng planned to stand out in the North Azure Grand Competition, gain Gu Hongxiu’s attention, and find a chance to meet Gu Jinyu alone.
• Wu Zicheng reached the Dragon Peace Trade Route, glanced at the Green Robe Man beside its stone stele, and rode past him with condescension.

Chen Ping'an oversaw the cleanup at the Red Mill and considered how far his strength had advanced, concluding that defeating Xue Kunsheng remained unlikely. He ordered the city’s households to provide people for new patrol squads and threatened to eliminate the Wei Family if they refused to contribute.

• Chen Ping'an watched Wu Tianqi get arrested and assessed the power of his Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber.
• Chen Ping'an compared his abilities with Xue Kunsheng’s and checked his Golden Finger Panel, noting that his Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill was nearing perfection.
• Zhong Shanyong reported the Red Mill operation’s results to Chen Ping'an as the runners and officials waited quietly.
• Chen Ping'an ordered Zhong Shanyong to establish rules requiring each household to provide people for new patrol squads.
• After Zhong Shanyong explained that the Wei Family had previously limited other forces’ contributions, Chen Ping'an ordered him to tell the Wei Family to send people or face elimination.
• Chen Ping'an left the Red Mill with Zhong Shanyong, the officials, and the runners escorting the arrested offenders.

Chen Ping'an returned from the Trading Convention to find Xue Zirou and Cloud Dream Fairy asleep in the Mist and Rain Painted Boat, then left after a night that left both women shaken and confused. He used the rest of the day to master the Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist’s first killing technique and resumed cultivating the Seven Absolute Divine Skill.

• Chen Ping'an returned to the Mist and Rain Painted Boat, checked that no one had entered his room, and found Xue Zirou and Cloud Dream Fairy still asleep.
• Xue Zirou woke, realized what had happened, and left the room before Cloud Dream Fairy awoke; Cloud Dream Fairy then saw the marks on her body and remembered Chen Ping'an.
• Xue Guangyu came looking for Chen Ping'an, learned that he had left, and became angry when he understood what the madam meant by Chen Ping'an's thanks for their hospitality.
• Chen Ping'an comprehended the Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist, reached Initiation, and mastered its first killing intent and secret technique, Startling Thunder Break.
• Chen Ping'an chose to keep prioritizing the Seven Absolute Divine Skill, then resumed cultivation and gained another point of Cultivation Experience.

Chen Ping'an watched the auction progress from ordinary lots to heavyweight treasures while saving his wealth for the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art. The Ten Thousand Mysteries Miasmic Poison Smoke fetched a remarkable price, and the chapter ended with Lan Yingying reflecting on Lan Yingjun’s talent and future.

• Li Dongshan opened the auction with the Rain Flower Sword, which sold for eighty-six Origin Crystals, followed by the Clear Wind Steps and many other lots.
• Chen Ping'an lost interest in the early offerings and circulated his Cosmic Orbit as the first day of the auction passed.
• Over the following days, the lots grew more valuable, and Chen Ping'an declined to bid on the Ten Thousand Mysteries Miasmic Poison Smoke so he could save his wealth for the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art.
• A top-floor guest bought the Ten Thousand Mysteries Miasmic Poison Smoke for two hundred and ninety-five Origin Crystals, while an eighth-floor guest won the Three Yang Spirit Nourishing Pill for two hundred and twenty-five Origin Crystals.
• Lan Yingjun celebrated that Lan Yingying’s poison smoke had sold for more than the pill, and Lan Yingying reflected that Lan Yingjun’s talent could carry her beyond her own accomplishments.

Chen Ping'an received Liu Yuanhua’s warning that the Wei River Town Pacification Office would reconsider his post in seven days, but he chose to keep cultivating rather than yield. As Feng Chengxiu prepared to use the hearing to strip Chen Ping'an of his official protection, new news from North Azure Stronghold reached him, while Liu Yuanhua learned of an unexpected development.

• Chen Ping'an read Liu Yuanhua’s letter advising him to cooperate with the renewed deliberation and accept the possibility of losing his post, but Chen Ping'an resolved not to yield and cultivated the Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger.
• Officials in the Wei River Town Pacification Office argued over Chen Ping'an’s conduct, while other powers in Wei River County City watched the coming deliberation with interest.
• Feng Chengxiu prepared evidence to accuse Chen Ping'an of arrogance and recklessness, intending to remove his official protection so Lord Tong could seek revenge for Tong Jin’s death.
• Feng Chengxiu reviewed progress in the investigation of Cao Yingxiong’s death and concluded that the killer was likely a Grandmaster-level combatant linked to the Northern Cang unrest.
• Feng Chengxiu received an important letter from North Azure Stronghold and finished reading it with a darkened expression.
• Liu Yuanhua was summoned by Fan Zhengheng and emerged astonished and delighted; meanwhile, a group escorted a carriage to the gates of the Five Peaks Mountain City Town Pacification Office.