Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an visited Gu Qingchan and received a Marriage Certificate formalizing his alliance with Gu Qingcheng, while the Gu Family arranged for him to remain in Azure Dragon Province City. After leaving the Gu Family, he went to the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, where an old acquaintance approached him.

• Chen Ping'an accepted the Gu Family's invitation and rode to its residence, where onlookers recognized him as Reckless Saber and speculated about his Marriage Alliance.
• Gu Qingchan teased Chen Ping'an before presenting him with a completed Marriage Certificate for his marriage to Gu Qingcheng, which he signed and kept.
• Gu Qingchan asked Chen Ping'an to stay in Azure Dragon Province City while the Gu Family prepared to announce the Marriage Alliance, and said the Gu Family would explain Xue Kunsheng's death to the Province Town Pacification Office.
• Gu Qingchan wondered where her Heavenly Mandate was and considered the Gu Family's preparations amid the Succession War.
• Chen Ping'an left the Gu Family and went to the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office, where he was welcomed and met an old acquaintance at the entrance.

Fang Rui sent Pagoda-lifting Hand Ding Tong to capture Chen Ping'an alive, but Chen Ping'an easily overpowered and killed him. The chapter ended with Chen Ping'an identifying Fang Rui as the one behind the attack.

• Fang Rui waited at an abandoned temple while Fang Shicheng confirmed that Ding Tong had been ordered to bring Chen Ping'an back alive.
• Chen Ping'an drove a carriage toward an inn with Chen Er'ya and another passenger as Ding Tong galloped up behind them.
• Ding Tong leaped at Chen Ping'an, expecting to seize him by surprise, but Chen Ping'an countered with the Great Vajra Palm and shattered his arms.
• Chen Ping'an followed with a knee strike that crushed Ding Tong's chest, then endured Ding Tong's kick with Hard Qi Gong.
• Chen Ping'an demanded to know who had sent Ding Tong and killed him when he refused to answer.
• Chen Ping'an concluded that Fang Rui had sent Ding Tong because of their grudge.

Chen Ping'an fought Lan Yingjun and Lan Yingying while severely injured and nearly out of True Qi. Lan Yingjun escaped with her mother after her Silver Bell briefly disoriented him, while Chen Ping'an kept the bell and left without pursuing them.

• Chen Ping'an recovered from Lan Yingying's Earthly Fiend Sky Flip, but Lan Yingjun attacked him while her mother rested.
• Chen Ping'an fought off Lan Yingjun's poison needles and poisonous smoke, seized her ankle, and pressed her into a desperate close-quarters fight.
• Lan Yingying struck Chen Ping'an with her Yin Wind Poison Palm, giving Lan Yingjun a chance to escape, but Chen Ping'an caught up and reached for her again.
• Lan Yingjun used the Silver Bell's chimes to daze Chen Ping'an, escaped his grasp, and then threw the bell at him; he caught it as its impact knocked him into a crater.
• Lan Yingjun carried the injured Lan Yingying away, and Chen Ping'an, too wounded and depleted to pursue, searched the area before leaving.

On the eve of the North Azure Auction, Chen Ping'an encountered a mysterious black-clad woman whose purple-eyed technique nearly overwhelmed him, reminding him of the gulf between himself and Grandmasters. He entered the auction the next day as a private-room guest, looking forward to the three-day event.

• Chen Ping'an heard guests discuss his reputation and Cao Yingxiong's death as he climbed to Elegant Tower's viewing platform.
• Chen Ping'an met the gaze of a black-clad woman across North Azure Stronghold, and her purple eyes nearly caused him to lose consciousness before his Spirituality jolted him back to his senses.
• Chen Ping'an concluded that the woman was a formidable Grandmaster and resolved to avoid fighting Grandmasters until he reached their realm.
• Chen Ping'an spent the night reviewing the encounter and reflecting on his lack of strength.
• Chen Ping'an entered the North Azure Auction through the private-room passage, while Xue Kunsheng received more distinguished guests at a separate entrance.

Chen Ping'an met Xu JinKui while waiting outside Verdant Pine School, where both men were picking up their daughters. After the siblings began walking home, a girl in a passing carriage recognized Chen Er'ya and asked whether Chen Ping'an was her brother.

• Xu JinKui introduced himself to Chen Ping'an and offered him Plum Blossom Cakes, which Chen Ping'an inspected but did not eat.
• Xu JinKui and Chen Ping'an chatted about their lives and work, and Xu JinKui learned that Chen Ping'an served in the Town Pacification Office.
• Xu JinKui introduced his daughter, Xu XiaoMei, to Chen Ping'an before leaving with her in his carriage.
• Chen Er'ya came out of Verdant Pine School, and Chen Ping'an told her he had come to pick her up.
• As Chen Ping'an and Chen Er'ya walked down the street, a girl in a passing carriage lifted the curtain and asked whether Chen Ping'an was Er Ya's brother.

Chen Ping'an killed Gu Wu with a full-strength saber slash and took his Cold Iron Spear, then left Sheng Yanshan’s belongings untouched to avoid trouble with the Universe Control Division. He used Tracking Powder on the Yin Calamity Sword and set off to pursue him.

• Gu Wu’s final attack failed against Chen Ping'an’s saber, and Gu Wu was killed in a single slash.
• Chen Ping'an took Gu Wu’s Genuine Treasure Artifact, the Cold Iron Spear, and considered the Seven Absolute Soul Severing Spear Technique.
• Chen Ping'an searched Sheng Yanshan’s corpse but left his belongings untouched because the Universe Control Division would investigate his death.
• Chen Ping'an revealed that he had secretly marked the Yin Calamity Sword with Silver Tracking Powder.
• Chen Ping'an headed southeast at more than twice his previous speed to pursue the Yin Calamity Sword.

After Fu Wanyu was murdered on the way to take up his post, the Wei River Town Pacification Office launched an urgent investigation and appointed Chen Ping'an as Commander of the White Stone Town Pacification Office. The chapter leaves Chen facing doubts from his own subordinates and renewed hopes of chaos among White Stone City’s forces.

• Cheng Renjing reported that Fu Wanyu and the ten people accompanying him had been killed on the road, and Chen Ping'an ordered an emergency meeting.
• The Wei River Town Pacification Office debated who had killed Fu Wanyu and agreed to send investigators and covert scouts to find the hidden mastermind.
• The officials agreed to transfer Guan Yuping to oversee the outer trade route and appointed Chen Ping'an as Commander of the White Stone Town Pacification Office.
• White Stone City’s factions saw Chen Ping'an’s promotion as a sign of weakness and began hoping to profit from disorder.
• Officials in the White Stone City Town Pacification Office questioned whether Chen Ping'an’s cultivation was strong enough to suppress the city, while others urged them to trust him.

Chen Ping'an killed Lu Hongxian, then defeated the combined assault by the He Family, Song Family, Blood Oath Alliance, Iron Fist Gang, and Chamber of Commerce Alliance. He slaughtered their leaders and fighters, leaving Li Ding as the last enemy still fighting Chu Mingwei.

• Chen Ping'an took the seat of honor and killed Lu Hongxian with one saber strike after Lu Hongxian insulted him.
• Luan Xiong, Li Ding, He Xuan, Song Huajie, Hong Wenfei, and their allies attacked Chen Ping'an together, while Chu Mingwei fought Li Ding.
• Chen Ping'an broke the coalition's assault with his saber and palm techniques, killing or injuring several attackers.
• Chen Ping'an killed He Xuan, Hong Wenfei, Song Renjie, Luan Xiong, and another Inner Qi Second Stage expert as the battle became a massacre.
• Chen Ping'an turned toward Li Ding, who was still fighting Chu Mingwei, and declared him the only one left.

Chen Ping'an explored Wei River County City, bought gifts for Nannan, and met with Commander Liu Yuanhua to discuss his patrol duties. Liu Yuanhua invited him to a Liu Family banquet as a veiled attempt to recruit him, but Chen Ping'an reaffirmed his commitment to the Town Pacification Office.

• Chen Ping'an wandered through Wei River County City and bought a bracelet, trinkets, and books to make up for neglecting Nannan.
• Chen Ping'an declined invitations to stay with his colleagues and spent the night at an inn.
• Chen Ping'an met with Liu Yuanhua at the Wei River Town Pacification Office and answered questions about patrolling the trade route.
• Liu Yuanhua brought up Chen Ping'an's visit to the Mu Family and invited him to a Liu Family banquet to meet Liu Ziming.
• Chen Ping'an accepted the invitation conditionally but rejected Liu Yuanhua's attempt to recruit him, saying he wanted to serve the Town Pacification Office.

Meng Yude came to plead for Wu Tianqi, but Wei Zhixing’s deferential presence made him doubt his assumptions about Chen Ping'an and leave without a fight. Chen Ping'an reflected on how unpredictable people were and resolved to judge situations more cautiously as he advanced.

• Meng Yude recognized Wei Zhixing as the Wei Family Old Ancestor and realized the elder treated Chen Ping'an with unusual deference.
• Meng Yude pleaded for Chen Ping'an to spare Wu Tianqi from being hung on the city wall, warning that the punishment could offend the Wu Family.
• Chen Ping'an firmly refused to negotiate and hoped Meng Yude would challenge him, but Meng Yude chose to leave calmly.
• Chen Ping'an inferred that Wei Zhixing’s behavior had made Meng Yude overestimate his strength and avoid a confrontation.
• Chen Ping'an considered the limits of his judgment and resolved to weigh risks carefully as he continued his cultivation.

Chen Ping'an reunited with Mu Wanjun, thanked her for helping him in the past, and gave her a precious Purple Vein Luo Wood Root as she advanced in her career. As the campaign against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Branch Helm neared its final stages, Chen Ping'an accumulated enough experience to perfect the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art.

• Chen Ping'an noticed Feng Chengxiu probing him, while Fan Zhengheng advised him to be careful and not give anyone an excuse to target him.
• After Mu Wanjun emerged from seclusion at the Inner Energy Third Stage, she visited Chen Ping'an, and the two renewed their friendship.
• Chen Ping'an gave Mu Wanjun a Purple Vein Luo Wood Root in gratitude for her past help, and she spent the night at his residence.
• Mu Wanjun was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Outer Town Pacification Office, while forces from several counties and the Universe Control Division joined the encirclement of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect Branch Helm.
• Chen Ping'an accumulated enough Cultivation Experience to perfect the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art.

Chen Ping'an returned to Wei River County after his victories in the Ten Thousand Demons Siege and received an urgent letter from Er Ya, who was settling well in Azure Dragon Province City. He replied with warmth and concern for her future, then sent the letter by the fastest route as news of his achievements spread through the city.

• Fan Zhengheng and Liu Yuanhua welcomed Chen Ping'an and praised his accomplishments in the Ten Thousand Demons Siege at a banquet.
• Chen Ping'an returned to his residence, missed Er Ya, and spent the night cultivating before going to the Town Pacification Office.
• Chen Ping'an received Er Ya's letter, learned that Gu Qingchan had helped her enter Azure Dragon School and settle in the province city, and read her invitation to visit.
• Chen Ping'an replied with reassurance and teasing praise, urged Er Ya to cultivate, and resolved to help her extend her life through martial arts training.
• Chen Ping'an ordered his reply sent to Azure Dragon Province City with the fastest urgent delivery, while news of his victories spread through Wei River County City.

Yu Jinjue urged Chen Ping'an to withdraw the troops surrounding the Blood Saber Sect, warning that Northern Cang's factions could unite and destabilize the region. Shui Furong arrived and offered to mediate with Zhu Jiuhuan, leaving Yu Jinjue hopeful that the conflict could be settled peacefully.

• Yu Jinjue asked Chen Ping'an to stop the attack on the Blood Saber Sect, but he dismissed her concerns about the sect's connections and Northern Cang's fragile balance.
• Huang Jingyao announced that Shui Furong had come to see Chen Ping'an, surprising Yu Jinjue.
• Chen Ping'an and Shui Furong exchanged friendly greetings, revealing to Yu Jinjue that they had known each other before.
• Shui Furong offered to mediate the dispute and said she had a seventy to eighty percent chance of persuading Zhu Jiuhuan to join her.
• Yu Jinjue welcomed the prospect of mediation, believing the two influential figures could help prevent wider conflict.

He Xuan, Song Huajie, Luan Xiong, and the other leaders went to the Chu Family after receiving Chu Mingwei’s invitation, assuming Chen Ping’an had been captured. Chen Ping’an appeared alive, with Chu Mingwei following behind him like a servant.

• He Xuan and Song Huajie received Chu Mingwei’s letters and decided to visit the Chu Family.
• Luan Xiong learned that the Blood Oath Alliance’s attempt to abduct Chen Ping’an’s Younger Sister had likely failed, then went with Lu Hongxian to the Chu Family.
• The leaders of White Stone City’s major forces traveled to the Chu Family, believing Chu Mingwei had defeated Chen Ping’an.
• Lu Hongxian mocked Chen Ping’an in the hall, and the gathered leaders laughed with him.
• Chen Ping’an appeared at the hall and asked, “Is that so?”, while Chu Mingwei followed close behind him.

Chen Ping'an met Liu Yuanhua at the Wei River Town Pacification Office, where Liu tested his judgment about the deaths of two commanders and invited him to join the Liu Family. On the ride home, Chen Ping'an chose to detour around a fight between noble young masters.

• Zhao Lianzhi warmly welcomed Chen Ping'an and saw him off from the Town Pacification Office.
• Zhao Lianzhi brought Chen Ping'an to meet Liu Yuanhua, who used the Qi Observation Method to probe him.
• Liu Yuanhua asked Chen Ping'an about the deaths of Feng Shixian and Fu Wanyu, and Chen Ping'an suspected someone had arranged their deaths because they obstructed something.
• Liu Yuanhua praised Chen Ping'an and asked whether he would join the Liu Family.
• Deng Yi reported that noble young masters had blocked the road while fighting over a courtesan, and Chen Ping'an ordered the carriage to take a detour.

Chen Ping'an faced three Ten Thousand Demons Sect elders and defeated them with overwhelming force. Elder Han fled after witnessing the others fall, but Chen Ping'an hurled a Fine Iron Spear after him and pinned him to the ground.

• Elder Lu, Elder Sha, and Elder Han surrounded Chen Ping'an and attacked him together.
• Chen Ping'an shattered Elder Lu's saber strike and killed him with a powerful slash.
• Chen Ping'an blasted apart Elder Sha's sword lights and killed him with a golden palm strike.
• Elder Han recognized Chen Ping'an's strength and turned to flee.
• Chen Ping'an threw a Fine Iron Spear after the fleeing Elder Han, piercing him and pinning him to the ground.

Chen Ping'an took Little Girl on a night tour of Wei River County City before she left to study in Azure Dragon Province City, revisiting places tied to their childhood and his rise. The evening ended with Little Girl teasing him about an alleged marriage, while Chen Ping'an privately recalled her childhood concern for his future.

• Chen Ping'an returned home and listened as Little Girl described her studies before taking her out to see Wei River.
• Chen Ping'an and Little Girl visited their old courtyard in Pear Blossom Lane, where officials, gang leaders, and neighbors gathered to welcome him.
• Chen Ping'an showed Little Girl South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office and South City Prison, where he reunited with Qin Head and Little Zeng.
• Chen Ping'an took Little Girl to South City Pacification Office, reunited with Monkey Head and Da Shan, and encouraged them in their work.
• Chen Ping'an and Little Girl toured the brightly lit inner city at night, where Little Girl warned him about being tempted by women and insisted he was about to marry.
• Little Girl asked what his future wife would be like, prompting Chen Ping'an to remember her childhood plans to save money for his marriage.

Chen Ping'an visited the Black Market with Zeng Jihe and remembered an earlier visit there with Old Chen. After browsing the stalls, he lingered at one item that caught his attention.

• Chen Ping'an decided to visit the Black Market and brought only Zeng Jihe inside while the other constables waited outside.
• At the entrance, Chen Ping'an reassured the guard, and Zeng Jihe paid four Small Money for them both.
• Chen Ping'an walked through the market openly, ignoring the whispers of people who thought he was a reckless newcomer.
• A ginseng root reminded Chen Ping'an of Old Chen bringing him to the Black Market years earlier to buy medicine.
• Chen Ping'an browsed the stalls and stopped at a trinket displayed by a gray-clothed stall owner who had entered the Martial Path.

Chen Ping'an strengthened his Inner Qi by reaching Initiation in Eight Steps Catching Cicadas and Greater Accomplishment in Golden Bell Shield, then reported for his new post at the South City Pacification Office. He arrived without trouble and met Lord Shen at the Errand Office.

• Chen Ping'an assessed his Inner Qi combat strength and found that refining Kun Spirit Turbid Qi restored his reserves slowly, while martial arts breakthroughs increased them.
• Chen Ping'an reached Initiation in Eight Steps Catching Cicadas, gaining enough Inner Qi to stabilize his realm and reach the normal combat level of the Inner Qi First Realm.
• Tian Fulang hosted a farewell banquet for Chen Ping'an, where officials and gang representatives toasted him and gave him gifts.
• Chen Ping'an reached Greater Accomplishment in Golden Bell Shield, greatly increasing his Inner Qi and bringing his reserve to nearly two-thirds full.
• Chen Ping'an reported to the South City Pacification Office, received guidance through the arranged registration process, and greeted Lord Shen at the Errand Office.

Chen Ping'an taunted Wang Changxu as the audit report against him neared completion, while Fang Rui learned that Shadowless Kick had been killed and ordered another retainer found. Chen Ping'an trained with the Flying Star Sword Technique and realized that Wan Jun’s effort to make him Deputy Commander was already progressing.

• Chen Ping'an mocked Wang Changxu, who continued preparing an audit report intended to bring him down.
• Fang Rui learned that Shadowless Kick had been killed after attempting to assassinate Chen Ping'an, and suspected Mu Wanjun might have intervened.
• Fang Rui ordered Fang Shicheng to monitor Chen Ping'an and find a suitable retainer for another attempt.
• Chen Ping'an practiced the Flying Star Sword Technique, gaining experience with each repetition.
• Chen Ping'an saw his progress and remarked that Wan Jun's work on his Deputy Commander appointment had advanced quickly.