Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an joined the Town Pacification Office’s assault on the Ten Thousand Demons Deputy Altar and reached its underground karst cave with little resistance. As the siege elites gathered, Gu Qingchan approached, drawing a warm greeting from Feng Wuhen.

• The Blood-robed Man ordered his followers to lead the Town Pacification Office into Blood Flame Cave and declared they would bury the attackers at the Ten Thousand Demons Inheritance Ground.
• Chen Ping'an and Xiong Sanrang entered the concealed passage, where Chen Ping'an killed a bandit attempting a sneak attack and continued through the tunnels.
• Chen Ping'an reached the underground karst cave, found other siege units already there, and learned that Cloud Concealing Sword Feng Wuhen was among the assembled Grandmasters.
• Army Breaker Saber Situ Ba arrived, and the gathered elites continued assembling while they waited to advance further into the deputy altar.
• Zhong Zeyu greeted Chen Ping'an with unusual solemnity, prompting nearby officials to recognize Chen Ping'an as Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an.
• Gu Qingchan approached, and Feng Wuhen greeted her with a gentle smile.

Chen Ping'an heard that Lan Yingjun had defeated a Profound Light expert in one move and learned that the North Azure Auction would feature a thousand-year-old Mystic Ice Heart Lotus. After initiating the Soul Severing Saber, he dined at Elegant Tower with Yuan Zutong and considered which auction items to pursue.

• Yuan Zutong reported that Lan Yingjun had defeated a Lin Family prodigy in one move, earning fame and a likely place among the New Talent Rankings' top fifteen.
• Yuan Zutong told Chen Ping'an that the North Azure Auction's sixth major item was a thousand-year-old Mystic Ice Heart Lotus said to raise the chance of entering the Grandmaster Realm by thirty percent.
• Chen Ping'an dismissed Yuan Zutong to rest, reflected on the difficulty of judging subordinates, and resumed saber practice in the courtyard.
• Chen Ping'an spent eighty Cultivation Experience to initiate the Soul Severing Saber, gaining new saber insights and strengthening the spirituality of his flower bud.
• Chen Ping'an invited Yuan Zutong to dine with him at Elegant Tower and weighed the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art, Soul Bewitching Great Art, and Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor against the other auction items.

Chen Ping'an heard that Qu Feiyan had become a Great Grandmaster and severely wounded Feng Yuanxiang, prompting him to reflect on his own vigilance and responsibilities. After visiting the family of a fallen subordinate, he remembered his original aspiration and advanced the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique to Greater Accomplishment, while Fan Zhengheng received news that Xue Mingde—not Chen Ping'an—had been appointed Brigade Commander of the Li Yang Town Pacification Office.

• Chen Ping'an heard from Fan Zhengheng that the Heavenly Luo Saintess had severely wounded Feng Yuanxiang, a powerful Great Grandmaster, using several Divine Weapons.
• Chen Ping'an took the news as a warning against looking down on his peers and attended visits to families of subordinates killed in the Three Forks Mountain campaign.
• A grieving brother and sister whose father had died in the line of duty left Chen Ping'an questioning whether he had forgotten his original aspiration.
• Chen Ping'an advanced the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique to Greater Accomplishment and mastered its secret technique, Illusory Eye Cloud Mist.
• Fan Zhengheng received a secret letter naming Xue Mingde Brigade Commander of the Li Yang Town Pacification Office and promoting Wang Lingzhi to Brigade Commander of the Perching Cloud Town Pacification Office.

Chen Ping'an killed Niu Lianghong for refusing his orders, then led the garrison’s Banner Heads and an elite force out to attack the Underground Great Hall beneath White Cloud Temple. As the force reached a valley at the foot of Five Peaks Mountain, Chen Ping'an remained uncertain whether the target was a hideout, a branch, or a more dangerous sub-altar.

• Niu Lianghong challenged Chen Ping'an's authority because he had no written order from Lord Guan, and Chen Ping'an killed him with a single saber strike.
• Chen Ping'an ordered every Banner Head to assemble a squad at the garrison gate within a quarter of an hour, and the force set out from the garrison.
• Spies left the garrison to report Niu Lianghong's death and Chen Ping'an's departure to Guan Yuping.
• Chen Ping'an considered the dangers of the coming operation and prepared to rely on his Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill if the Underground Great Hall proved too powerful.
• Chen Ping'an led the assembled force to a valley at the foot of Five Peaks Mountain.

Mu Wanjun backed Chen Ping'an at the South City Town Pacification Office and urged the Mu Family to recruit him through a marriage alliance. The clan elders postponed the decision and focused instead on helping Feiyu enter the New Talent Rankings.

• Mu Wanjun promised to handle Fu Yuanming and sent Xiao Die to escort Chen Ping'an from the office, signaling her protection of him to the constables.
• News of Xiao Die escorting Chen Ping'an spread through the South City Town Pacification Office, strengthening his standing as chief jailer and helping him rule South City Prison without opposition.
• Chen Ping'an learned that Chu Qirong had died after his defeat, while Fu Yuanming used the aftermath to attack several people and recover some influence.
• Mu Wanjun proposed a marriage alliance with Chen Ping'an before the Mu Family clan elders, but most opposed marrying out a direct daughter to a commoner from the outer city.
• Mu Wanjun argued that Chen Ping'an's rapid progress made him a rare talent worth securing, but the leading clan elder postponed the decision and the elders turned their attention to helping Feiyu reach the New Talent Rankings.

Chen Ping'an returned to White Stone City to a grand welcome from the Town Pacification Office and the city's factions. As the crowds gathered to glimpse him, Old Man Hao recognized the young commander and froze in shock.

• White Stone City's major factions and the Town Pacification Office welcomed Chen Ping'an at the gates, treating him with deference because of his fearsome reputation.
• Chen Ping'an reflected on how the factions' treatment of him had changed since his first arrival, then rode into the city with Shan Qiwang, Cheng Renjing, and his trusted followers.
• Word of Chen Ping'an's return spread through the city, and residents left their errands to crowd the streets and welcome him.
• Old Man Hao abandoned his flatbread stall and struggled through the crowd to catch sight of the commander.
• Old Man Hao saw Chen Ping'an's face and, despite hearing others discuss his achievements, wondered if this young man was really the commander.

Chen Ping'an returned home with books for Chen Er'ya, who eagerly welcomed the gift. After mastering the Public Gate Thirteen Blades, he broke through to the Qi Blood Fourth Level and resolved to keep training cautiously.

• Chen Ping'an gave Chen Er'ya several booklets so she could practice reading, and she thanked him excitedly.
• Chen Ping'an completed his practice of the Public Gate Thirteen Blades and used the Golden Finger Panel to advance the technique to Minor Accomplishment.
• The advancement generated Qi Blood that drove into Chen Ping'an's bones, bringing him to the Qi Blood Fourth Level, Bone Forging Realm.
• Chen Ping'an assessed his strength against local fighters, reminded himself to remain cautious, and resumed practicing with his saber.

Chen Ping'an perfected the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill, reached Golden Body Indestructible, and began advancing toward the Jade Balance Realm. When the North Azure Auction announced the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art as its fifth finale lot, Chen Ping'an prepared to leave Five Peaks Mountain City for the auction.

• Chen Ping'an broke through the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill to Perfection and achieved Golden Body Indestructible.
• Chen Ping'an's spirituality flower bud formed, marking his first step toward the Jade Balance Realm and Grandmaster status.
• Chen Ping'an judged that his combat power had likely surpassed Old Man of the Mountains, though he still wanted to perfect Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger before challenging a Grandmaster directly.
• The North Azure Auction announced the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art as its fifth finale lot, and Chen Ping'an recognized it as a substitute for the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill.
• With fewer than ten days until the auction, Chen Ping'an decided it was time to set out for the North Azure Stronghold.

Chen Ping'an refined the Hundred Illusions Divine Blade and learned that Xue Kunsheng had died mysteriously, while the Xue Family debated the murder and plotted against Chen Ping'an’s growing ties with the Gu Family. The news left Chen Ping'an torn between returning to North Azure Stronghold to take charge and staying in Azure Dragon Province City for the Trading Convention.

• Chen Ping'an completed another session of cultivation, reviewed his progress in the Seven Absolute Divine Skill, and considered how the Hundred Illusions Divine Blade could transform into a saber, spear, or sword.
• Peony brought Chen Ping'an an urgent letter from Northern Cang reporting Xue Kunsheng’s death without injuries or signs of poison.
• The Xue Family Clan Elders ordered an investigation into Xue Kunsheng’s death, dismissed Chen Ping'an and the Demonic Heretics as suspects, and recalled Xue Shishun’s earlier death at the hands of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
• The Xue Family discussed its losses in Northern Cang, lamented that it had failed to win over Chen Ping'an, and considered driving a wedge between him and the Gu Family.
• Chen Ping'an burned the secret letter and weighed whether to return to North Azure Stronghold or remain in the provincial city for the Trading Convention.

Chen Ping'an received a swift promotion to Vice Commander Candidate and learned that the Province Town Pacification Office had approved it. After shocking Zhao Lianzhi with his progress against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, Chen Ping'an identified his latest slain enemy as a notorious Heavenly Luo Sect disciple and ordered the man’s head displayed as a warning.

• Zhao Lianzhi delivered Chen Ping'an’s appointment documents, and Chen Ping'an was promoted to Vice Commander Candidate.
• Chen Ping'an hosted Zhao Lianzhi for lunch and explained that he had executed three Ten Thousand Demons Sect elders, captured a spy, and begun investigating a nearby stronghold.
• A Constable Director reported that the head Chen Ping'an brought back belonged to Li Pingjiang, the Heavenly Luo Sect disciple known as Soul Severing Saber.
• Chen Ping'an recognized that Soul Severing Saber had attacked him because of his past actions against the Heavenly Luo Sect.
• Chen Ping'an ordered Soul Severing Saber’s head hung above the city gate to deter threats to Five Peaks Mountain City and the Dragon Peace Trade Route.

Liu Yuanhua learned that Cao Yingxiong had been killed by a powerful unknown expert, then received news that Chen Ping'an had killed Li Pingjiang and displayed his head, provoking Seven Absolute Old Man. Meanwhile, Chen Ping'an reached North Azure Stronghold and entered with his convoy, unaware of the uproar his actions had caused.

• Liu Yuanhua doubted Chen Ping'an's report of clashing with Cao Yingxiong but forwarded the account of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect battle to the Province Town Pacification Office.
• Liu Yuanhua learned that an unidentified expert had killed Cao Yingxiong and one of his companions in the Red Maple Mountain Area, while Lin Wanying escaped severely wounded.
• Liu Yuanhua heard that Chen Ping'an had killed Li Pingjiang and hung his head on the wall of Five Peaks Mountain City, so he urgently reported the news to the Province Town Pacification Office.
• Chen Ping'an's convoy arrived at North Azure Stronghold, where he observed the strong defenses and learned that the patrol sector south of the stronghold was especially dangerous.
• Chen Ping'an's subordinates completed registration and paid the entry fees, allowing the convoy to enter North Azure Stronghold.

Chen Ping'an beat Fang Rui after keeping him in South City Prison, then learned from Mu Wanjun that the delayed exoneration was part of a struggle between the Mu and Fang Families over the Dragon Peace Trade Route. He left determined to cultivate and grow stronger amid the great families’ conflict.

• Chen Ping'an shut the prison gates and repeatedly kicked Fang Rui until Fang Rui admitted he was wrong and begged for mercy.
• Chen Ping'an ordered Constable Head Min to take Fang Rui inside and later noticed that no clearance or bail had arrived by nightfall.
• Chen Ping'an went to the South City Pacification Office and asked Mu Wanjun about Fang Rui's delayed release.
• Mu Wanjun explained that the Mu Family was using Fang Rui's crime to pressure the Fang Family in their contest over the Dragon Peace Trade Route.
• Chen Ping'an recognized that he was too weak to enter the great families’ struggle and resolved to cultivate and break through.

Chen Ping'an killed Iron Pagoda Demon Luo and then fought Gai Zijie, overpowering him with his Golden Body Indestructible form and finger techniques. Gai Zijie escaped by abandoning the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor, but another figure rushed in to seize it as Chen Ping'an turned to face them.

• Gai Zijie watched Chen Ping'an kill Iron Pagoda Demon Luo with his Golden Body Indestructible form and decided to retreat.
• Chen Ping'an spotted Gai Zijie and forced him to fight, trapping his Noon Azure Light Sword and striking him with powerful attacks.
• Gai Zijie struggled against Chen Ping'an's overwhelming strength, suffered injuries, and realized he had to escape.
• Gai Zijie used the Azure Spirit Escape Light Art, slipped out of the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor, and fled, leaving the armor behind.
• Another figure rushed toward the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor, and Chen Ping'an turned and struck at the newcomer.

After the Town Pacification Office turned the battle around, the Blood-robed Man fled into a cavern pursued by Gu Qingchan and Situ Ba. His apparent refuge was a trap: a blood pool seized Situ Ba, and a concealed Top Grandmaster emerged to attack him, leaving him gravely wounded and fighting for his life.

• Gu Qingchan killed Blood Demon Hand, and Qu Zhaocheng’s arrival helped the Town Pacification Office overwhelm the Ten Thousand Demons forces.
• The Blood-robed Man ordered a retreat, used Burning Blood Escape, and fled through the underground cavern as Gu Qingchan and Situ Ba pursued him.
• The Blood-robed Man lured his pursuers into a chamber with a blood pool, where a massive blood-colored hand seized Situ Ba and eroded his True Essence.
• Situ Ba used a secret burst technique to escape the hand, then fought off waves of blood-red pool water as Gu Qingchan was kept at bay by the Blood-robed Man.
• A concealed Gray-robed Old Man appeared and pierced Situ Ba’s chest with a blood-colored ripple, revealing himself as a Top Grandmaster.
• The Gray-robed Old Man pressed his attack, and Situ Ba, gravely wounded, fought desperately to find a way to survive.

Chen Ping'an fought Lan Yingying over the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor, overpowering her until she unleashed Earthly Fiend Sky Flip and knocked him out of his Vajra form. Both were left weakened, and Lan Yingying urged Lan Yingjun to kill him.

• Lan Yingying attacked Chen Ping'an to seize the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor, but he resisted her poison and drove her back with his Vajra techniques.
• Chen Ping'an countered Lan Yingying with the Li Fire Finger, Xun Wind Finger, and a barrage of martial techniques, forcing her to unleash Five Poisons Soul Devour.
• Chen Ping'an shattered Lan Yingying's five-colored palm imprint with Great Sage Kicking the Furnace and continued attacking as she tried to retreat.
• Lan Yingjun intervened with a palm and poison powder, but Chen Ping'an repelled her and sent her flying.
• Lan Yingying used Earthly Fiend Sky Flip to knock Chen Ping'an into the ruins and break his Vajra form, but the backlash left her unable to fight.
• Lan Yingjun landed unharmed, and Lan Yingying called on her to kill Chen Ping'an.

After Chen Ping'an returned from the Sanqi Mountain siege, news spread that his accomplishments and strength could earn him promotion to Brigade Commander of the Li Yang Town Pacification Office. As Feng Chengxiu regretted missing his chance to kill him, Chen Ping'an cultivated his movement and body-forging arts before leaving work and spotting a familiar woman.

• Lin Shaohua reported on the Outer Town Pacification Office and praised Mu Wanjun after Chen Ping'an asked about her district.
• News of Chen Ping'an’s feats and possible promotion reached the Wei River Four Great Clans and Fan Zhengheng, while Mu Wanjun gained standing and resources within the Mu Family.
• Feng Chengxiu concluded that Chen Ping'an’s promotion was all but certain and regretted not striking before Chen Ping'an grew too powerful to kill discreetly.
• Chen Ping'an cultivated the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique and planned to train the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art after mastering its next stage.
• Chen Ping'an left the office and encountered a familiar, beautiful woman near his home.

Chen Ping'an sold cultivation resources at the Northern Cang Grand Meet, confirmed Xiong Sanrang had handled the proceeds honestly, and accepted an invitation to Flame Saber's two-hundredth birthday banquet. He headed to watch Mu Wanjun compete, while Wu Zicheng pursued a place in the tournament's top hundred and wondered what commotion had begun outside.

• Chen Ping'an gave Xiong Sanrang a pouch of miscellaneous resources to sell as a test, and Xiong Sanrang later returned all 572 Origin Crystals from the sales.
• Chen Ping'an sold more of his cultivation resources during the Northern Cang Grand Meet, then cultivated the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art to 1,201 points toward Greater Accomplishment.
• Chen Ping'an learned from Yu Jinjue that Xue Kunsheng had exchanged letters outside the Postal Relay Office and ordered her to keep monitoring him.
• Yu Jinjue presented Chen Ping'an with Flame Saber's invitation to his two-hundredth birthday banquet, and Chen Ping'an accepted it.
• Chen Ping'an set out for the Grand Competition venue with Yu Jinjue to watch Mu Wanjun compete.
• Wu Zicheng won his match and hoped to enter the top hundred and attract the attention of the Gu Family, then heard a growing commotion outside.

Mai Xiongbo of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect revealed that he had impersonated Constable Head Shi and poisoned the constables and Prison Guards at South City Prison. He left Mu Wanjun fighting alone and revealed that the Sect had informants inside the prison.

• Mai Xiongbo shed his disguise and revealed his identity after sneaking an attack on Mu Wanjun.
• Mai Xiongbo released poison that incapacitated the constables and Prison Guards, while Chen Ping'an pretended to collapse.
• Mai Xiongbo crippled Mu Wanjun's right shoulder and attacked her as she fought back with her left hand.
• Mai Xiongbo said the Sect had blocked reinforcements outside and planted informants inside South City Prison.

After discovering the Iron Cloth manual during a raid, Chen Ping'an began to hope he could improve his life and support his younger sister. As he shared a rare feast with Chen Er'ya, someone from the Tiger Head Gang pounded on their gate.

• Chen Ping'an cooked a lavish meal for himself and Chen Er'ya after finishing a night operation.
• Chen Ping'an recalled how his late father had secured him an unregistered constable position and how their family had struggled since his father's death.
• Chen Ping'an remembered finding the Iron Cloth manual during the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office's raid and secretly reading it before turning it in.
• Chen Ping'an saw a status display showing Iron Cloth had not yet been initiated, with progress at 0/5.
• A voice shouting that it was the Tiger Head Gang pounded on Chen Ping'an's courtyard gate.

Chen Ping'an considered whether to intervene after the Tiger Head Gang beat Uncle Gao over a usurious debt. Little Tiger Lord demanded twenty taels of silver from Uncle Gao, who said he could not pay.

• Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu tried to persuade Zeng Jihe to join their effort to isolate Chen Ping'an, but Zeng Jihe chose to observe for a few more days.
• Chen Ping'an returned home, ate dinner, and practiced the Flying Locust Stone before hearing a scream outside.
• Chen Ping'an found the Tiger Head Gang beating Uncle Gao while neighbors watched and learned that Uncle Gao had borrowed usurious silver.
• Little Tiger Lord stopped the beating and demanded twenty taels, claiming the debt and interest were recorded on an IOU.
• Uncle Gao insisted he had borrowed only twelve taels and said he could not repay twenty.