Chapter Summaries

After returning to Wei River, Chen Ping'an reunited with Mu Wanjun, received a farewell banquet from Fan Zhengheng and local officials, and finished refining the Seven Luminaries Finger Sheath. With his strength greatly increased, he prepared to leave for Northern Cang.

• Chen Ping'an reassured Mu Wanjun that he had escaped the attack in Li Yang and asked her to go with him to Northern Cang, but she refused.
• The Blood Devouring Demon Lord blamed the Ten Thousand Demons Sect for the leaked divine art and ordered the sect to suspend operations and lie low.
• Fan Zhengheng hosted a banquet for Chen Ping'an and toasted him repeatedly, privately believing Chen Ping'an had combat power near that of a Grandmaster.
• Chen Ping'an completely refined the Seven Luminaries Finger Sheath, raising his combat power to the level of top Grandmasters.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed his cultivation progress and decided it was time to take up his post in Northern Cang.

Mu Wanjun told Chen Ping'an about the struggle over North Azure Stronghold’s vacant garrison commander post and revealed that deputy garrison commander Xue Kunsheng was a formidable Dragon and Tiger Rankings expert. The chapter ended with her explaining how the highest-ranked experts could briefly contend with Grandmasters.

• Mu Wanjun recalled that Fang Rui had been imprisoned after killing someone in the street and watched Chen Ping'an for a reaction, but his calm expression eased her suspicions.
• Mu Wanjun explained that powerful factions were contesting North Azure Stronghold’s vacant garrison commander post, and that even Grandmasters would rarely take such a position themselves.
• Chen Ping'an asked who was overseeing the stronghold, and Mu Wanjun named deputy garrison commander Xue Kunsheng, a Profound Light Pinnacle expert ranked 233rd on the Dragon and Tiger Rankings.
• Mu Wanjun described Xue Kunsheng’s reputation, his Gold and Silver Twin Chains, and his victory against three Top Experts.
• Chen Ping'an asked whether Dragon and Tiger Rankings experts could contend with Grandmasters, and Mu Wanjun said those ranked in the top two hundred could briefly do so, while the top fifty or sixty might exchange hundreds of moves.

Feng Chengxiu dealt with the fallout after Chen Ping'an killed Tong Jin, then filed an impeachment request against Chen's appointment. Meanwhile, Chen refined the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor and resolved to send Er Ya to Azure Dragon Province City for her safety and education.

• Feng Chengxiu blamed Tong Jin for provoking Chen Ping'an and making the Universe Control Division's investigation into Cao Yingxiong's death more difficult.
• Feng Chengxiu sent a letter to Lord Tong Guan reporting Tong Jin's death, then decided to use the Universe Control Division's supervisory authority to impeach Chen Ping'an's appointment.
• Chen Ping'an recalled how he had killed Tong Jin after the Universe Control Division envoy attacked the Town Pacification Office and wounded Zhong Shanyong.
• Chen Ping'an decided that Er Ya should study at the Province City Academy and considered supporting her martial training despite her ambition to learn the Kingly and Overlordly Arts.
• Chen Ping'an continued refining the Mystic Ice Silkworm Armor with True Essence, expecting to finish in a few days and slightly increase his combat power.

After Xue Zirou learned that Xue Mingde had been killed and that Chen Ping'an had rejected the Xue Family’s marriage alliance, she resolved to question Chen Ping'an face-to-face. Xue Shijing weighed the family’s worsening political position and the unresolved death of Xue Shishun, while the chapter ended with Chen Ping'an relaxing in the Chen Family residence with a woman in his arms.

• Xue Zirou learned that Xue Mingde had been killed in the Li Yang Town Pacification Office and went to the Clan Elder Hall for answers.
• Xue Shijing told Xue Zirou that evidence pointed to a Ten Thousand Demons Sect Grandmaster and that Chen Ping'an had refused the proposed marriage alliance.
• Xue Zirou reacted with disbelief and anger, then left intending to ask Chen Ping'an herself why he had refused her.
• Xue Shijing considered the Xue Family’s threatened interests in Li Yang County, its setbacks against the Gu Family, and the secret, unexplained death of Xue Shishun.
• Xue Shijing judged it nearly impossible that Chen Ping'an had killed Xue Shishun, while the chapter ended with Chen Ping'an lounging with a woman at the Chen Family residence.

After becoming a formal constable, Chen Ping'an celebrated with Chen Er'ya and trained in the Public Gate Thirteen Blades, while learning that she wanted to continue studying. He mastered the saber technique by the next morning and headed to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office to receive his new duty assignment.

• Chen Ping'an returned home wearing his constable saber, and Chen Er'ya joyfully learned that he had become a formal constable.
• Chen Ping'an studied the Public Gate Thirteen Blades and practiced it alongside Flying Locust Stone, building experience in both techniques.
• Chen Er'ya told Chen Ping'an she wanted to keep learning to read and write, and he resolved to support her.
• Chen Ping'an practiced the Public Gate Thirteen Blades the next morning until he reached Initiation, slightly advancing his Qi Blood as well.
• Chen Ping'an practiced Flying Locust Stone, ate breakfast, and went to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office for his new duty assignment.

Chen Ping'an respected Mu Wanjun’s choice to remain bound by her family’s expectations, then gained insight from the limits of what strength could change. Meanwhile, the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office deliberated over the Heavenly Luo Saintess’s victory and turned to rewards for the Three Forks Mountain siege, where Gu Haoqing hoped to secure Chen Ping'an a promotion.

• Chen Ping'an continued cultivating and handling his duties while considering Mu Wanjun’s situation, and he attended a banquet hosted by the Mu Family.
• Chen Ping'an understood that Mu Wanjun had refused his attempt to free her from her family obligations, respected her decision, and sat alone through the night reflecting on it.
• Ning Zhengyue told the Province Town Pacification Office that the Heavenly Luo Saintess had severely wounded Feng Yuanxiang during the Thunderclap Mountain siege after reaching the Great Grandmaster realm.
• The officials debated how to respond but, lacking the manpower and opportunity to pursue Qu Feiyan, settled on superficial measures and moved on.
• Ning Zhengyue called for discussion of rewards for the Three Forks Mountain Ten Thousand Demons Siege, and Gu Haoqing anticipated that Chen Ping'an’s merit and battle power could win him the Li Yang Town Pacification Office Brigade Commander position.

Chen Ping'an arrived in Dragon Peace Stronghold, visited the Gu Family Residence, and attended Zhong Lisheng’s two-hundredth birthday banquet. Zhong Lisheng introduced Chen Ping'an to the assembled Grandmasters as Reckless Saber, leaving the guests surprised.

• Chen Ping'an left Cloud Dragon Pavilion in his imposing carriage and ordered Xiong Sanrang to send a calling card to the Gu Family Residence.
• Chen Ping'an stayed at Brocade Ripple Garden, cultivated overnight, and gained Cultivation Experience.
• Chen Ping'an visited the Gu Family Residence, met Gu Rencheng, and received more than ten jars of Three Autumn Dew.
• Chen Ping'an attended Zhong Lisheng’s birthday banquet and presented him with an eight-hundred-year-old spiritual herb.
• Zhong Lisheng introduced Zhou Zhaowu, the Rock Bear Beast Master, and the other guests at the banquet.
• Zhong Lisheng introduced Chen Ping'an as Reckless Saber and Garrison Commander Chen, surprising the assembled guests.

Gu Baixuan, Wu Benqing, and Leiming’s elite feared that Chen Ping’an’s killing of Grandmasters from four Thunderclap Mountain Range factions had disrupted their network of smuggling profits and tacit rules. After Chen formally took up his post as Chief Inspector, he visited Gu Qingchan at the Gu Family Residence, carrying other intentions as well.

• Gu Family Elders debated whether Chen Ping’an’s killing of Blood Centipede and other Grandmasters was a warning to the Gu Family and the region’s other interests.
• News of Chen’s killings spread through Thunderous Roar Great City, where many officials and business figures condemned him for endangering the tacit balance that protected their profits.
• Wu Benqing sent an envoy and apology gifts to the Thunderclap Mountain Range factions, presenting Chen’s killings as an accidental act committed before he took office.
• Gu Loping concluded that Chen possessed Top Grandmaster-level strength and arranged for his promised benefits to be delivered in full.
• Chen Ping’an formally assumed the Thunderclap Town Pacification Office Chief Inspector position and then visited Gu Qingchan at the Gu Family Residence.

Chen Ping'an and Zeng Jihe were assigned to collect Contribution Silver from the Tiger Head Gang's Tiger Run Gambling House, while Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu refused to help. Chen Ping'an left without confronting the gambling house before receiving their collection voucher, and planned to return the next day.

• Zeng Jihe told Chen Ping'an that their squad had been assigned Tiger Run Gambling House but would not receive its collection voucher until the next morning, leaving only two days of the three-day deadline.
• Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu declined to go with Chen Ping'an and Zeng Jihe, dismissing the need to visit before the voucher arrived.
• Chen Ping'an insisted they still had to handle the assignment and took Zeng Jihe to Tiger Run Gambling House to look at it from outside.
• The gambling house's Page Boys saw the constables leave and guessed they would return to collect Contribution Silver within the next two days.
• Chen Ping'an told Zeng Jihe they should go home, confident that he could deal with the assignment after receiving the voucher.

Chen Ping'an bought the Flying Locust Throwing Method at the Black Market and had his Golden Finger Panel record it. As he headed home, he noticed a Qi Blood First Level man following him and prepared to deal with the threat.

• Chen Ping'an showed Chen Er'ya his strength, then left for the Black Market with silver and his Firewood Chopping Knife.
• Chen Ping'an met the Skinny Tall Guy beneath the Ashamed Tree and inspected the Flying Locust Throwing Method before agreeing to buy it for five taels of silver.
• Chen Ping'an read the entire manual and confirmed that his Golden Finger Panel had recorded the martial art.
• Chen Ping'an left the Black Market and gauged the strength of the big man guarding its entrance.
• A Bamboo Hat Man followed Chen Ping'an after he left, and Chen Ping'an noticed him and decided to end the encounter quickly.

Chen Ping'an rejected Xue Mingde’s attempt to recruit him into the Xue Family and attended Xue Mingde’s promotion ceremony, where he reunited with old acquaintances and met Wang Lingzhi. The chapter ended with Wang Lingzhi privately vowing revenge after Chen Ping'an treated him coolly.

• Chen Ping'an refused the Xue Family’s offers of cultivation resources, a marriage alliance with Xue Zirou, and support at the North Azure Stronghold, reaffirming his loyalty to the Gu Family.
• After Chen Ping'an left, Xue Mingde grew angry and hinted that the Xue Family would deal with him ruthlessly.
• At Xue Mingde’s promotion ceremony, Chen Ping'an reunited with Xu Chongyuan and Zhong Zeyu, who was astonished by Chen Ping'an’s rapid rise and strength.
• Chen Ping'an attended the banquet as one of its highest-ranking guests and met Wang Lingzhi, the previous-generation heavenly talent of the Wang Family.
• Wang Lingzhi took offense at Chen Ping'an’s cool reception and privately vowed to make him kneel after reaching the Grandmaster Realm.

Chen Ping'an arrived at North Azure Stronghold ahead of the auction, settled into a private courtyard, and practiced the Soul Severing Saber Technique while Yuan Zutong gathered information. After hearing about the powerful experts assembled in the stronghold, including Tantai Jinfeng and Lan Yingying, Chen Ping'an considered their strength as Yuan Zutong prepared to report further events.

• Chen Ping'an arrived at North Azure Stronghold four days before the North Azure Auction and rented an expensive courtyard after other lodgings proved full.
• Chen Ping'an practiced the Soul Severing Saber Technique and gained Cultivation Experience while Yuan Zutong waited without interrupting him.
• Yuan Zutong reported that dozens of famous Peak Realm experts had gathered in the stronghold, including Subduing Dragon Saber Tantai Jinfeng of the Shadowless Saber Sect.
• Yuan Zutong told Chen Ping'an that Five Poison Earthly Fiend Palm Lan Yingying, now a formidable Pseudo-Grandmaster, had also arrived.
• Chen Ping'an considered the strength of Tantai Jinfeng and Lan Yingying as Yuan Zutong began reporting several recent events in the stronghold.

Chen Ping'an and Chen Er'ya ate at Old Man Hao's stall and learned that the Crocodile Gang extorted the people of White Stone City. The gang's Rogue Jiang confronted Chen Er'ya after she asked why they had left without paying, and the chapter ended with Old Man Hao knocked to the ground.

• Chen Ping'an asked Old Man Hao about the fees that consumed most of his earnings, and Old Man Hao blamed the city's powerful factions.
• Rogue Jiang and his Crocodile Gang men arrived, discussed the Town Pacification Office's new Deputy Commander, and ate without paying.
• Chen Er'ya sympathized with Old Man Hao, while the Crocodile Gang members noticed Chen Ping'an's group had not left.
• Chen Er'ya asked why Rogue Jiang's men had not paid, prompting Rogue Jiang to confront her.
• Old Man Hao tried to shield Chen Er'ya, but one of the rogues shoved him down.

After Yu Zhanhong left, Chen Ping'an prepared for his appointment as North Azure Deputy Garrison Commander and received an invitation to Xue Mingde’s promotion ceremony in Li Yang. He chose to attend with Fan Zhengheng, setting out from Wei River County City while Liu Yuanhua stayed behind to oversee the office.

• Yu Zhanhong departed Wei River County City after sharing intelligence with Chen Ping'an about the Heavenly Luo Saintess, Qu Feiyan, and the strongholds along the Dragon Peace Trade Route.
• Chen Ping'an returned his Wei River Town Pacification Office duties to Fan Zhengheng and Liu Yuanhua, then considered Feng Chengxiu’s apology, gift, and intelligence about North Azure Stronghold.
• Chen Ping'an continued cultivating the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art, gaining only about 15 Cultivation Experience in a full day.
• The Li Yang Town Pacification Office invited Chen Ping'an to Xue Mingde’s promotion ceremony, prompting ridicule because it had previously excluded him from its invitations.
• Chen Ping'an decided to attend the ceremony in grand style, and two days later he and Fan Zhengheng departed Wei River County City in guarded carriages while Liu Yuanhua remained behind.

Chen Ping'an accepted the Wu Family’s apology and gifts, then continued cultivating while overseeing the Five Peaks Mountain region and cooperating with a Universe Control Division inquiry. After three days, his cultivation panel showed that he had accumulated enough experience to advance Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger.

• Wu Shangli apologized to Chen Ping'an on behalf of the Wu Family and secured his forgiveness by presenting an eight-hundred-year-old Blood Spirit Mushroom and ten Origin Crystals.
• Chen Ping'an devoted himself to cultivating Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger while You Yongming and the other officials handled routine duties.
• Chen Ping'an learned that Xue Kunsheng had been demoted to Garrison Commander Reserve but remained the leader of the North Azure Stronghold.
• Zhao Zhitin, Lin Wanying, and two other Universe Control Division members questioned Chen Ping'an about the day Cao Yingxiong died, but they found no useful clues.
• After three days of cultivation, Chen Ping'an saw that Three Points of Human Tribulation Finger had reached Greater Accomplishment and its Cultivation Experience was full.

Xing Rongzi learned that the Heavenly Luo Sect stronghold had been discovered and prepared to evacuate, while Chen Ping'an and Zhao Zhitin led an advance force to White Cloud Temple. When the group opened the underground passage, Xing Rongzi's sword attack killed one guard, and Zhao Zhitin realized Chen Ping'an had concealed his strength.

• Xing Rongzi ordered Gu Wu to prepare the stronghold for evacuation and went to investigate the passage entrance.
• Chen Ping'an, Zhao Zhitin, Chu Long, Sheng Tingshan, and three Universe Control Guards reached White Cloud Temple and activated the hidden passage mechanism.
• A Universe Control Guard subdued the skinny, tall Old Taoist, and Chen Ping'an revealed that the passage led to the Heavenly Luo Sect stronghold.
• Xing Rongzi sent a barrage of sword lights through the passage, killing one Universe Control Guard and injuring two others.
• Zhao Zhitin saw that Chen Ping'an had escaped injury and suspected the Reckless Saber had hidden his abilities.

Chen Ping'an incapacitated Cloud Dream Fairy and Xue Zirou before secretly leaving Mist and Rain Ferry Crossing for the Heaven-Tier Trading Convention. He arrived disguised as Night Owl, where Gu Qingchan’s public deference drew attention to him and revived rumors that he was the Black Robe Old Monster.

• Chen Ping'an saw through the Xue Family’s wine trick, then used a spiritual technique to knock Cloud Dream Fairy unconscious.
• Xue Zirou sneaked up to the window, but Chen Ping'an paralyzed and captured her, then knocked her unconscious as well.
• Chen Ping'an searched the two women, reinforced the suppression on their consciousness, and left for Azure Jade Lake by traveling underwater.
• Chen Ping'an met Gu Qingchan at the secret trading venue, asked her to call him Fellow Daoist, and entered the convention with her.
• Gu Qingchan guided Chen Ping'an to a seat near the Great Grandmasters, prompting attendees to suspect he was the Black Robe Old Monster.
• Lu Yuanzai recognized Chen Ping'an’s disguise and recalled Feng Wuhen’s earlier defeat, feeling pity for him.

Chen Ping'an cultivated while the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office’s Special Envoy, Yu Zhanhong, arrived in Wei River, then received a major promotion to Deputy Brigade Commander with authority over patrols across the county. The chapter ended with influential figures celebrating him at his promotion banquet as Fu Shenghua approached to offer a toast.

• Chen Ping'an attended banquets at the Mu, Liu, Fu, and Fang families, where their elders treated him with deference and he recalled how the Fang Family had once looked down on him.
• Chen Ping'an reflected that he must not let status and power distract him from his Martial Dao, then cultivated in seclusion and gained progress.
• Yu Zhanhong arrived in Wei River while Chen Ping'an was in seclusion, and he showed no displeasure that Chen Ping'an had missed his reception.
• Chen Ping'an met Yu Zhanhong at the Town Pacification Office, where Yu treated him warmly and the officials recognized his influential connections.
• Yu Zhanhong announced Chen Ping'an’s promotion to Deputy Brigade Commander, granting him authority over patrols throughout Wei River County and oversight of the Outer City Town Pacification Office.
• At Chen Ping'an’s promotion banquet, powerful guests lined up to toast him, and Fu Shenghua recognized Zhao Lianzhi among them before approaching Chen Ping'an himself.

Chen Ping'an refined his soul arts, sold much of his stockpiled resources, and prepared to attend Mystic Spirit Major City’s upcoming top-tier auction under an alternate identity. As the auction drew near, the Gu Family arrived in Mystic Spirit Major City, and Chen Ping'an learned that Lan Lao had come with them.

• Chen Ping'an assessed his Butterfly Dream Bewildering Spirit Method, combat abilities, and treasures, and longed for Heaven Grade Demonic Beast blood to complete his third blood refinement.
• As preparations for the auction made Mystic Spirit Major City busier, Shen Huiqing coordinated the Azure Dragon Garrison’s work while Chen Ping'an sold resources under changing identities and raised his available Origin Crystals above two hundred thousand.
• Chen Ping'an encountered Lan Yingjun at a trading convention, where she acquired a rare auxiliary item; he sold two Divine Weapons and a medicinal herb without approaching her.
• As rumors revealed increasingly valuable auction items, Chen Ping'an planned to attend under an alternate identity and let his public self enter seclusion.
• The Gu Family’s party arrived in Mystic Spirit Major City, and Chen Ping'an received word that Lan Lao had come.

Chen Ping'an gained a second Spirit Pattern after reflecting on how experience shaped people, then rode from the Outer City to the Inner City while learning about Azure Dragon Province and its Courtesan Competition. The chapter ended with him arriving at the courtyard where the Little Girl lived.

• Chen Ping'an attained enlightenment in the street and inscribed a second Spirit Pattern, strengthening his spiritual foundation and combat power.
• Chen Ping'an hired a carriage, and the old man warned him about powerful families and shared stories about the provincial city’s prodigies.
• Chen Ping'an entered the Inner City and saw a specially made Town Pacification Office carriage pass through without inspection.
• The old man described Mist and Rain Ferry Crossing, its lavish painted boats, and the coming Courtesan Competition, including Cloud Dream Fairy’s chance to win the title for a fifth year.
• The old man mentioned that Reckless Saber had taken a famous courtesan into his chambers as the carriage reached the Little Girl’s courtyard.