Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an built a peaceful life with Yan'er, raised their twins, and grew old beside her, while memories of another life stirred when he encountered Lord Mu. Yan'er died in his arms, and Chen Ping'an was left grieving over the century-long life they had shared, which seemed to dissolve like a dream.

• Chen Ping'an married Yan'er, opened a shop, and settled into a happy life as Old Chen rose to become South Spring Lane's constable chief.
• Yan'er became pregnant, and Chen Ping'an cared for her through her discomfort and anxiety as they prepared for their child.
• During a street inspection by Lord Mu, Chen Ping'an felt a familiar headache as he saw her, but Lord Mu pardoned him after learning his name.
• Yan'er gave birth safely to a boy and a girl, and Chen Ping'an and Yan'er raised their twins together.
• After they grew old together, Yan'er died in Chen Ping'an's arms, and he mourned her as memories of their life surfaced like fragments of a dream.

After reviewing the New Talent Rankings, Chen Ping'an learned that several prodigies, including Gu Qingcheng and Wang Siyuan, outclassed him in cultivation and techniques. Wei River's major powers tried to recruit him with gifts and promises, but he refused and chose to keep relying on his own strength.

• Chen Ping'an read the New Talent Rankings and noted his 91st-place ranking and Liu Ziming's 73rd-place ranking.
• Chen Ping'an studied the Profound Light Realm prodigies, paying particular attention to Gu Wu, Gu Qingcheng, and Wang Siyuan.
• Chen Ping'an judged that he might need to reach Golden Body Indestructible to suppress Gu Qingcheng and Wang Siyuan, then resumed cultivating.
• New forces visited Chen Ping'an with gifts, increasing his wealth and interrupting his cultivation.
• The Wei River Four Great Clans offered to recruit Chen Ping'an, and the Liu Family promised him a future as a full Commandant if he pledged allegiance.
• Chen Ping'an rejected the recruitment offers, confident that his strength let him protect himself without depending on the great families.

Chen Ping'an intimidated the Pan family into apologizing for insulting him, then returned home and continued training, determined to rise in status and strength. The next day, his new rank earned him greetings from some constables, while Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu continued to exclude him and Zeng Jihe chose to stay with him.

• Chen Ping'an confronted Old Pan and Aunt Pan over their remarks, frightening them with his dagger until they begged for mercy and promised to stop.
• Chen Ping'an warned the Pan family that their punishment was only a small lesson, then returned home to Nannan and Chen Er'ya.
• Chen Ping'an explained that the Tiger Head Gang had come to collect a debt from Uncle Gao's family and reflected on how status and strength could protect him from exploitation.
• Chen Ping'an resumed saber practice, and the next day some constables greeted him at the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office because he was now a Formal Constable.
• Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu left for lunch without Chen Ping'an, but Zeng Jihe stayed behind after glancing at him, and Chen Ping'an told him it was fine.

Chen Ping'an led the Town Pacification Office to destroy the Crocodile Gang and seize its White Stone City properties. He recognized Jiang Da from an earlier encounter, while Blood Oath Alliance members arrived too late to support the gang and were stunned by its swift defeat.

• Chen Ping'an and Shan Qiwang broke the Crocodile Gang's resistance, and the Town Pacification Office took control of its headquarters.
• Chen Ping'an ordered Shan Qiwang to eliminate the remaining Crocodile Gang members and confiscate the gang's White Stone City properties, then told Cheng Renjing to clean up and raid the gang.
• Jiang Da recognized Chen Ping'an as the young man he had encountered at Old Man Hao's Tofu Pudding Stall and regretted provoking him.
• Chen Ping'an approached Jiang Da and his companions and said, "What a coincidence! We meet again!"
• Lu Guanghong and the Blood Oath Alliance arrived intending to support the Crocodile Gang, but were shocked to see the Town Pacification Office had already defeated it.

Chen Ping'an encountered Mu Wanjun after she subdued Ten Thousand Demons Sect stewards, and she remembered his name before leaving to handle the disturbance. After finishing his shift, he learned that the incident had triggered a major crackdown and left the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office under pressure.

• Mu Wanjun questioned Chen Ping'an, learned his age and post, and told him she would remember his name before hurrying away to deal with the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
• Town Pacification Office constables searched Chicken Cry Lane and the surrounding streets, while Chen Ping'an finished his shift safely and resolved to keep cultivating.
• Chen Ping'an returned home, ate Chen Er'ya's porridge, slept, and learned that constables had questioned every household that morning.
• Chen Ping'an and Chen Er'ya worried about the danger posed by the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, and Chen Ping'an practiced Flying Locust Stone three times.
• At the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office, Chen Ping'an learned that the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had been spotted in South Spring Lane and that Deputy Constable Director Tian Fulang had reprimanded the staff over their oversights.
• Qin Head arrived looking unwell, and Chen Ping'an realized the incident would likely prevent him from slacking off for a long time.

Chen Ping'an accepted that he could not yet resist Little Tiger Lord’s demand for monthly fees, but vowed to make the Tiger Head Gang pay once he grew stronger. He practiced Iron Cloth, shared a hearty dinner with Chen Er'ya, and received sand and gravel from Uncle Zhang for training.

• Chen Ping'an recognized Little Tiger Lord’s strength and understood that he would have to pay the Tiger Head Gang’s monthly fee starting next month.
• Chen Ping'an reassured Chen Er'ya that their debt was paid and vowed to make the Tiger Head Gang pay for breaking their rule.
• Chen Ping'an practiced Iron Cloth during his rest day and gained one experience point before fatigue stopped him from training again.
• Chen Ping'an and Chen Er'ya cooked and ate a large dinner, and he told her to buy more meat to support his martial training.
• Uncle Zhang delivered two baskets of sand and gravel to Chen Ping'an’s courtyard, and Chen Ping'an claimed the Town Pacification Office had assigned it for practice.

Chen Ping'an received a rapid promotion to Constable Director Candidate after impressing Mu Wanjun, who also began considering how the Wei River Mu Family could recruit him. Days later, the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office learned the rewards for the Ten Thousand Demons Sect campaign and reacted with astonishment at his promotion.

• Mu Wanjun named Chen Ping'an a Constable Director Candidate, tested his Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training, and gave him a token to request an audience with her.
• Mu Wanjun decided to write to the Wei River Mu Family about Chen Ping'an's talent and his potential to reach the Inner Qi Realm.
• Chen Ping'an returned home early, spoke with Chen Er'ya, and spent the next two days practicing the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training.
• A Special Envoy arrived at the South City Pacification Office to deliver the campaign merit rewards, and Shen Shi Kang and Tian Fulang learned the news.
• Constable Li, Constable Yan, Constable Liu, Constable Huang, and the others were astonished by Chen Ping'an's rocket-speed promotion.

Chen Ping'an continued training as he prepared to break through to the Viscera Refinement realm, then attended Zheng Zhenwu’s apology banquet and accepted a lavish gift. Zheng Zhenwu promised to transfer another squad to him, but afterward he and Zheng Shiyong arranged an alibi, leaving their true intentions unclear.

• Chen Ping'an trained at home and estimated that he would reach Qi Blood Fifth Level once the Public Gate Thirteen Blades reached complete perfection.
• Chen Ping'an cultivated Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training during the day and gained three points of Cultivation Experience.
• At Spring Rain Pavilion, Zheng Zhenwu and Zheng Shiyong apologized to Chen Ping'an and offered him thirty taels of gold.
• Chen Ping'an accepted the gold, drank with the two men, and heard Zheng Zhenwu promise to transfer another squad to him within two days.
• After Chen Ping'an left, Zheng Zhenwu and Zheng Shiyong returned upstairs to arrange girls as an alibi.

Chen Ping'an began his new assignment as a Formal Constable with Cheng Yuan, Zhao Hu, and Zeng Jihe under his command. After Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu openly sided with Zheng Shiyong and undermined him during patrol, Chen Ping'an left planning to wait for a chance to make them regret it.

• Chen Ping'an met his three temporary constables and noticed Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu were reluctant to cooperate with him.
• Zheng Shiyong mocked Chen Ping'an and openly urged Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu to work hard under him; the two responded eagerly.
• Chen Ping'an questioned Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu about their conduct, but Zeng Jihe returned with the patrol assignment before the confrontation went further.
• The four patrolled Ox Leaf Ward, where Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu kept their distance from Chen Ping'an and left at noon without him.
• Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu returned half drunk for the afternoon patrol, while Chen Ping'an let the disrespect pass and later resolved to wait for a chance to punish them.

Chen Ping'an effortlessly defeated the Scarface Old Man after Zhong Shanyong and his men cornered him, then took command of the Town Pacification Office. He ordered a strict crackdown on disorder in Five Peaks Mountain City.

• Zhong Shanyong and two Inner Qi Realm experts drove the fleeing Scarface Old Man into a storefront, where he seized Chen Ping'an as a hostage.
• The Scarface Old Man tried to crush Chen Ping'an’s throat, but Chen Ping'an snapped his arm and sent him crashing to the ground with one move.
• Zhong Shanyong and the two experts recognized Chen Ping'an as their Commander and knelt before him, while the Scarface Old Man realized his captor was the famed Reckless Saber, Reckless Vajra.
• Chen Ping'an told Zhong Shanyong to rise and said the city’s unrest required investigation, though it was not solely his fault.
• Chen Ping'an ordered the Town Pacification Office to ban disorder and fighting in Five Peaks Mountain City and punish violators according to Great Qian Law.

Chen Ping'an rejected the Xue Family’s invitation to the Hundred Flowers Banquet, while Gu Qingchan investigated his past and began suspecting that he was Night Owl and the Fierce-Eyed Vajra. After summoning Chen Ping'an to the Gu estate, Gu Qingchan prepared to speak with him about the marriage contract.

• Chen Ping'an refused the Xue Family’s invitation to the Hundred Flowers Banquet and suspected that the family might have ulterior motives tied to Xue Shishun’s attempted assassination.
• Gu Wende told Gu Qingchan that a guest token used by Chen Ping'an had belonged to the Old Man of the Mountains, whose Indestructible Body art was associated with the Fierce-Eyed Vajra.
• Gu Qingchan connected Chen Ping'an’s appearances with those of Night Owl and the Fierce-Eyed Vajra, and suspected that all three identities belonged to him.
• Chen Ping'an cultivated the Seven Absolute Divine Skill and moved closer to Minor Achievement and a fourth Spirit Pattern.
• Gu Qingchan sent a maidservant to summon Chen Ping'an, who then accepted the Gu Family steward’s invitation and arrived at the pavilion where she waited.

Chen Ping'an left the Blessed Fortune Land amid a Grandmaster battle and lured Iron Pagoda Demon Luo into a secluded alley, where he revealed his overwhelming strength. He killed Iron Pagoda Demon Luo, while Noon Azure Light Sword Gai Zijie watched nearby.

• Chen Ping'an left the Blessed Fortune Land as the Heavenly Luo Saintess fought seven Grandmasters and Tantai Jinfeng joined the battle.
• Chen Ping'an noticed Iron Pagoda Demon Luo following him and led him into a quiet part of North Azure Stronghold, while Gai Zijie followed them both.
• Iron Pagoda Demon Luo attacked Chen Ping'an, who pretended to be badly injured before unleashing his Li Fire Finger, Vajra Image, and Xun Wind Finger.
• Chen Ping'an transformed into a towering Vajra giant and crushed Iron Pagoda Demon Luo, killing the Dragon and Tiger Rankings expert.

After the Town Pacification Office destroyed the Crocodile Gang and executed Guan Baxian, the city’s major factions gathered outside but backed down once they learned what had happened. Shan Qiwang celebrated Lord Chen’s renewed authority while wondering whether he would eventually compromise with the factions, as Commander Feng had.

• Lu Guanghong and the Iron Fist Gang arrived at the Crocodile Gang’s compound, where the Town Pacification Office had already taken down the gang’s banner.
• The Chu Family, Song Family, He Family, and Chamber of Commerce Alliance joined the Blood Oath Alliance and Iron Fist Gang outside the compound.
• Town Pacification Office constables ordered the gathered factions to disperse, and Lu Guanghong challenged their authority.
• Shan Qiwang announced that Lord Chen had executed Guan Baxian for sheltering the Quicksand Gang’s remnants and defying repeated warnings.
• The factions withdrew, and Lu Guanghong led the Blood Oath Alliance away to report to Luan Alliance Leader and plan their response.
• Shan Qiwang rejoiced at the Town Pacification Office’s restored authority but wondered whether Lord Chen would eventually reach a compromise with the major powers.

Chen Ping'an advanced Eight Steps Catching Cicadas to Minor Accomplishment, bringing his Inner Qi to First Level Perfection and setting his sights on reaching the Second Level. After training, he went to Verdant Pine School to pick up Nannan and began waiting there, where a wealthy middle-aged man approached him.

• Chen Ping'an advanced Eight Steps Catching Cicadas to Minor Accomplishment after days of cultivation.
• Chen Ping'an found that his dantian was full of Inner Qi and realized he had reached First Level Perfection.
• Chen Ping'an judged that he ranked among Wei River County City's younger generation but reminded himself that greater experts remained beyond his reach.
• Chen Ping'an planned to advance the Swift Wind Saber Technique to Greater Accomplishment in half a month and then break into the Inner Energy Second Level.
• Chen Ping'an finished training, went to Verdant Pine School to pick up Nannan, and waited for dismissal.
• A prosperous middle-aged man approached Chen Ping'an outside the school and asked whether he was waiting for classes to end.

While investigating Feng Shixian’s death, Chen Ping'an found a hidden White Cloud Temple and discovered that its Taoists were all martial cultivators. After the temple’s Temple Master returned and went into his room, Chen Ping'an looked inside and found it empty.

• Chen Ping'an examined the mountain path where Feng Shixian died and concluded that the killer had been stronger but had not overwhelmingly outmatched him.
• Chen Ping'an spotted a distant building and crossed the rugged terrain to investigate it, finding the secluded White Cloud Temple.
• Chen Ping'an secretly observed the temple’s dozen Taoists and learned that they were all martial cultivators, including one at Qi Blood Fifth Level.
• Two Taoists mentioned that their Temple Master had gone on a monthly purchasing trip, and Chen Ping'an waited for his return.
• The Qi Blood Sixth Level Temple Master returned with several people and went straight to his room.
• Chen Ping'an approached the Temple Master’s room after the temple quieted down and found that no one was inside.

Chen Ping'an brought Chu Qirong to the South City Pacification Office and faced the fallout from exposing his scheme. After Mu Wanjun confirmed Chen Ping'an had reached Qi Blood Sixth Level, she decided to return to her lineage and bring him into it.

• Chen Ping'an reviewed Chu Qirong's failed prison-break scheme on his way to the South City Pacification Office, where news of Chu's downfall had already spread.
• Fu Yuanming confronted Chen Ping'an and warned him not to mistake a temporary victory for lasting success, but Chen answered calmly and provoked Fu further.
• Mu Wanjun praised Chen Ping'an for defeating Chu Qirong and confirmed that he had advanced to Qi Blood Sixth Level.
• Mu Wanjun judged Chen Ping'an a Peak Realm martial arts genius and decided to return to her lineage to arrange his entry.

Chen Ping'an completed his preparations for the North Azure Auction while hiding his identity, training, and learning the limits of the Transparent Mask. With two days left before the auction, Yuan Zutong reported that a Grandmaster had arrived at North Azure Stronghold.

• Chen Ping'an entered North Azure Stronghold under a newly registered identity and heard rumors questioning his strength alongside news of his promotion to Vice Commander Candidate.
• Chen Ping'an stayed at Azure Mystery Pavilion, cultivated the Soul Severing Saber Technique, and secretly returned to Secluded Elegant Courtyard using the Transparent Mask.
• Chen Ping'an discovered that prolonged use clouded the Transparent Mask and judged that it could be used continuously for about three days.
• The next day, Chen Ping'an practiced, noted that two days remained until the auction, and surveyed Blessed Fortune Land and the North Azure Town Pacification Office.
• Yuan Zutong urgently told Chen Ping'an that a Grandmaster had arrived at North Azure Stronghold.

Chen Ping'an fought the silver-haired Celestial in her frozen cave, survived her relentless attacks, and briefly gained the upper hand with his Bloodline Golden Wheel. After she unleashed a powerful Ice Jade Hairpin and the Ice Light Mirror revealed his face, the silver-haired girl recognized something that left her expression changed.

• The silver-haired girl’s ice attacks nearly killed Chen Ping'an, but he survived by activating his Bloodline Golden Wheel and charged into close combat.
• Chen Ping'an blocked her Ice Thought with Break Delusion and relentlessly attacked, preventing her from escaping while his treasures restrained hers.
• The silver-haired girl endured his assault and summoned an Ice Jade Hairpin, whose freezing strike blasted Chen Ping'an into the cave wall and left him injured.
• The silver-haired girl used the Ice Light Mirror to reveal Chen Ping'an’s face, then stared at his reflection with a suddenly complicated expression.

Chen Ping'an fought the Tiger Head Gang stout man at Tiger Run Gambling House, killing him after luring Big Steel Tooth into the fray. Big Steel Tooth struck Chen Ping'an through a wall, and Chen Ping'an used the attack to accuse him publicly of assaulting an officer.

• The stout man attacked Chen Ping'an, who knocked him down and invoked the Great Qian Law before launching a saber assault.
• Chen Ping'an overwhelmed the stout man with Public Gate Thirteen Blades, wounded his arm, and drove him into a desperate defense as Big Steel Tooth pleaded for mercy.
• Chen Ping'an lured Big Steel Tooth closer, then killed the stout man with a slash to the neck.
• Big Steel Tooth, enraged by the stout man's death, punched Chen Ping'an through a wall into the gambling house's main hall.
• Chen Ping'an rose before the watching patrons, pretended to be injured, and demanded to know what crime Big Steel Tooth should face for attacking an officer.

Chen Ping'an decided to destroy the Crocodile Gang after Guan Baxian threatened the Town Pacification Office and refused to surrender Duan Peng. He led the constables to the gang’s gates and began drawing his saber, leaving the confrontation about to turn violent.

• A visitor reported Guan Baxian’s threats to Chen Ping'an and the Town Pacification Office, and Chen Ping'an announced that he would destroy another gang.
• Duan Peng worried that Guan Baxian might abandon him, but Guan Baxian returned and claimed he had driven the Town Pacification Office away.
• Guan Baxian reassured Duan Peng and drank with him, then left again when a subordinate reported that the constables had returned.
• Guan Baxian found the Crocodile Gang’s entrance surrounded by constables and relied on temporary support agreements with the Blood Oath Alliance and Iron Fist Gang.
• Chen Ping'an confronted Guan Baxian, declared that the Crocodile Gang would join the Quicksand Gang in being destroyed, and drew his Wild Goose Feather Saber.