Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an cultivated the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art and worried about his coming visit to the Gu Family, then attended a welcome banquet at the Five Blessings Treasure Tower. He began addressing Northern Cang’s influential figures, leaving them to hear his first declaration as Town Guardian.

• Chen Ping'an advanced his cultivation of the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art and reflected on Gu Qingchan, their relative strength, and the marriage alliance the Gu Family had proposed.
• Chen Ping'an ordered Huang Jingyao to send a secret letter to Azure Dragon Province City, and Xue Kunsheng informed him that the welcome banquet was ready.
• Huang Jingyao oversaw the letter’s dispatch at the North Azure Stronghold’s five-thousand-li urgent-delivery standard while Chen Ping'an traveled by carriage to the Five Blessings Treasure Tower.
• Gu Hongxiu, Zhu Jiuhuan, Yan Sheng, and other local notables greeted Chen Ping'an and offered gifts at the banquet.
• Xue Kunsheng praised Chen Ping'an’s appointment, and the gathered officials and faction representatives echoed his words.
• Chen Ping'an quieted the banquet and warned the attendees that he would set out the rules, cautioning them against disregarding the situation or stirring up trouble.

After the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s desperate actions revealed that the besieged stronghold was far more important than an ordinary branch, Chen Ping'an volunteered to lead reinforcements from Wei River County. He departed for the three-county border confident in his new Soaring Dragon Movement Technique, while Seven Absolute Old Man postponed his plan to kill him.

• Fan Zhengheng told Chen Ping'an that the Province Town Pacification Office had ordered Wei River County to send more elites to support the operation against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, and Chen Ping'an agreed to lead them.
• Seven Absolute Old Man considered going to Wei River to assassinate Chen Ping'an but abandoned the plan rather than risk exposing himself or a Heavenly Luo Sect stronghold during the crackdown.
• Chen Ping'an cultivated the Soul Severing Saber mental art while the Wei River Town Pacification Office assembled its support force.
• Fan Zhengheng and Liu Yuanhua saw Chen Ping'an off as he led four Profound Light Realm experts, twenty Inner Qi Realm experts, and one hundred martial artists toward the border of Li Yang, Earthfire, and Wei River Counties.
• Chen Ping'an rode out with the force, confident in the newly acquired Soaring Dragon Movement Technique and ready to face a Ten Thousand Demons Sect Grandmaster.

After breaking through to the Qi Blood Fourth Level, Chen Ping'an went to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office, where Head Constable Zheng announced the annual Contribution Silver assignments. Chen Ping'an recognized Zheng's warning as aimed at him and let Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu provoke him, leaving their conflict poised to escalate.

• Chen Ping'an practiced the Public Gate Thirteen Blades and Flying Locust Stone, then asked Chen Er'ya to buy a large pig leg for dinner.
• Chen Ping'an arrived at the office later than usual and greeted Head Constable Zheng, who entered without confronting him.
• Head Constable Zheng announced that the Contribution Silver collection assignments would soon be posted and warned that mistakes would be punished severely.
• Zeng Jihe hurried to the Errand Office to check the assignments, while Zhao Hu and Cheng Yuan taunted Chen Ping'an about doing the work.
• Chen Ping'an pretended to be angered by their insults as Cheng Yuan and Zhao Hu faced him without fear.

At a trading convention hosted by the newly ascended Great Grandmaster Gu Qingchan, Chen Ping'an bought Heavenly Pure Water and sought a high-grade Divine Skill in exchange for a Divine Weapon. His search failed, and he considered publicly breaking through to Grandmaster so he could qualify to obtain a Supreme Divine Skill from the Province Town Pacification Office Treasury, while Gu Qingchan watched him with growing recognition.

• Gu Qingchan arrived at the island and began hosting the trading convention, drawing the Grandmasters' respectful greetings.
• Chen Ping'an purchased a bottle of Heavenly Pure Water from an elder for several hundred Origin Crystals, and Gu Qingchan noticed him.
• Chen Ping'an offered a Divine Weapon in exchange for a top Divine Skill or Supreme Divine Skill, but Zhu Changlie's Dragon Capture Art was not good enough and no trade followed.
• After the convention produced no Supreme Divine Skill for him, Chen Ping'an considered publicly reaching the Grandmaster Realm and becoming a Division Head Candidate to gain access to the Province Town Pacification Office Treasury.
• Gu Qingchan kept watching Chen Ping'an, and Zhu Changlie noticed that her gaze seemed unusually familiar and affectionate.

Chen Ping'an arrived at the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison, met its Banner Heads, and settled into his new residence while learning that Patrol Envoy Guan Yuping was away on official business. His Great Vajra Palm reached Perfection, strengthening his Martial Path Realm and bringing him closer to becoming a Top Expert.

• Chen Ping'an arrived at the garrison, where the Banner Heads and constables welcomed him.
• Chen Ping'an attended a luncheon and learned about the garrison’s elite patrol members and its thirteen Inner Qi Realm Banner Heads.
• You Yongming told Chen Ping'an that Guan Yuping was handling official duties in Five Peaks Mountain City, prompting Chen Ping'an to reserve judgment about the unusual arrangement.
• Chen Ping'an inspected the residence prepared for him and refrained from intervening in official affairs while Guan Yuping was absent.
• Chen Ping'an’s Great Vajra Palm reached Perfection, strengthening his True Qi and advancing his Martial Path Realm toward the late stage of Shining Night as Day.

Gu Qingchan returned to the Gu Family with a glowing assessment of Chen Ping'an, while preparing to support the siege of a Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold. On the road to the three-county junction, Chen Ping'an studied the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique and came close to a breakthrough into the Jade Balance Middle Stage.

• Gu Haoqing questioned Gu Qingchan about Chen Ping'an, and she praised him even more highly while confirming that he accepted the possibility of a Marriage Alliance, provided he could meet the candidate first.
• Gu Qingchan and Gu Haoqing discussed her upcoming mission to support the Province Town Pacification Office against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, and Gu Qingchan began refining the Ice Lotus Treasure Lamp.
• Chen Ping'an led his elites from Wei River County toward the three-county junction and spent the night at a relay station.
• Chen Ping'an studied the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique and discovered its incomplete inheritance left him just short of mastering it.
• Chen Ping'an continued practicing and gained Cultivation Experience, bringing himself close to advancing from Jade Balance Early Stage to Jade Balance Middle Stage.

Chen Ping'an rejected Liang Xiaoxian’s lavish recruitment offer from Azure Cang Prince Manor and continued cultivating after his breakthrough and marriage alliance with Gu Qingcheng. As he prepared to leave Azure Dragon Province City for Northern Cang, the Province Town Pacification Office received the Northern Border Pacification Bureau’s directive about him.

• News of Chen Ping'an’s breakthrough to Jade Balance Grandmaster at twenty-four spread across the provinces, prompting astonishment and celebration as well as regret among those who had underestimated or hoped to marry Gu Qingcheng.
• The Gu Family’s marriage alliance between Chen Ping'an and Gu Qingcheng became public, crushing the hopes of many young talents while the Wang Family and Xue Family remained silent.
• Chen Ping'an assessed the congratulatory gifts and declined recruitment offers from several powers, including Liang Xiaoxian’s generous offer on behalf of Azure Cang Prince Manor.
• Chen Ping'an cultivated the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art and planned to return to Northern Cang once the Gu Family finalized the marriage alliance.
• Zhang Tianyuan told the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office’s high-ranking officials that the Northern Border Pacification Bureau had replied.

Gu Qingchan captured Chu Kuangxiong, and Chen Ping'an won the Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist at the convention. Afterward, Chen Ping'an negotiated to buy the damaged Mystic Light Mirror, but came up short on Origin Crystals and turned to Gu Qingchan.

• Gu Qingchan used the Mystic Maiden Heart Sutra and her restraining divine weapon to suppress and capture Chu Kuangxiong.
• Chen Ping'an paid 16,500 Origin Crystals for the Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist and stored its Inheritance Jade Book.
• The convention ended, and Chen Ping'an asked the aged Top Grandmaster to inspect the damaged Mystic Light Mirror.
• Chen Ping'an bargained the price of the Mystic Light Mirror down to 3,500 Origin Crystals.
• Chen Ping'an revealed that his payment was short and looked toward Gu Qingchan, prompting the aged man to suspect she would help him.

Chen Ping'an heard how Gu Qingchan rejected Feng Wuhen’s marriage proposal despite his offer to join the Gu Family, and wondered whether she loved someone else. After cultivating, he found he had enough experience to advance the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art, but distant hoofbeats interrupted him.

• Feng Wuhen’s offer to marry into the Gu Family was rejected, reportedly at Gu Qingchan’s own decision.
• A man in a restaurant spread a rumor that Gu Qingchan’s heart belonged to someone else, and the listeners realized he might be making it up.
• Chen Ping'an considered the rumor and reflected that even established Grandmasters could not sway the province’s most powerful factions.
• Chen Ping'an suppressed his distracting thoughts about Gu Qingchan and cultivated until he had enough experience to improve the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art.
• Chen Ping'an heard a dense burst of hoofbeats approaching and stopped before breaking through.

Seven Absolute Old Man ordered Li Pingjiang to avenge Gu Wu by killing Chen Ping'an, while Chen Ping'an turned down the Universe Control Division's recruitment offer and awaited his reward. The Wei River Town Pacification Office's reward appointment finally arrived at the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison.

• Seven Absolute Old Man learned that Gu Wu had been killed and sent Li Pingjiang to investigate and avenge him by killing Chen Ping'an.
• Chen Ping'an continued cultivating at the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison while the Wei River Town Pacification Office investigated his reported merits and delayed his reward.
• Zhao Zhitin offered Chen Ping'an a First Seal Universe Control Guard position, but Chen Ping'an declined the recruitment.
• Cao Yingxiong sneered at Chen Ping'an's refusal and predicted that he would regret it.
• After three more peaceful days, the Wei River Town Pacification Office's reward appointment arrived at the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison.

Chen Ping'an weighed the motives behind a letter about Feng Shixian’s death and decided to investigate the scene himself. Before leaving the garrison, he asserted his authority over the disrespectful Niu Lianghong, who remained contemptuous of him after he rode away alone.

• Chen Ping'an considered whether Zhao Zhitin had delivered the letter to help him investigate Feng Shixian’s death or to serve the Universe Control Division’s interests.
• Chen Ping'an resolved to visit the place where Feng Shixian had died and declared that he would punish anyone who provoked him.
• Niu Lianghong greeted Chen Ping'an from horseback without dismounting, prompting Chen Ping'an to demand a proper salute.
• Niu Lianghong dismounted and saluted after Chen Ping'an’s imposing gaze reminded him of the Reckless Saber’s reputation.
• Chen Ping'an warned Niu Lianghong to focus on his duties, then rode out alone to investigate.
• Niu Lianghong mocked Chen Ping'an’s lack of followers and led his riders out on patrol.

After his recommendation to promote Chen Ping'an was shelved amid factional opposition, Gu Haoqing reconsidered his approach while Chen Ping'an advanced his Soaring Dragon Movement Technique during the siege. As the forces prepared to assault the Ten Thousand Demons Deputy Altar, two Yuheng Grandmasters arrived, and another Grandmaster approached.

• Gu Haoqing learned that the Wang and Xue Families had resisted Chen Ping'an's promotion, and Ning Zhengyue shelved the recommendation for later discussion.
• Chen Ping'an killed two Ten Thousand Demons Sect Profound Light Elders and cultivated the Soaring Dragon Movement Technique to Minor Accomplishment, gaining the Wind Cloud Illusory technique.
• The siege forces pinpointed the Ten Thousand Demons Deputy Altar within a twenty-li area and gathered to launch their final assault.
• Yan Shibao and Qu Zhaocheng arrived at the western encirclement, and Chen Ping'an assessed their Yuheng Early Stage strength.
• As Yan Shibao and Qu Zhaocheng waited for another Grandmaster, a figure swept toward the gathered forces.

Chen Ping'an insisted that Fang Rui be imprisoned despite the Fang Family’s pressure and claims that his charges would soon be cleared. Fang Rui was taken inside South City Prison, while Fang Shicheng remained outside after Chen Ping'an rejected his threat.

• Fang Rui arrived at South City Prison with Fang Family guards and refused to let the runners escort him inside.
• Chen Ping'an ordered Constable Head Min to seize Fang Rui, and Min restrained him despite Fang Rui’s resistance.
• The leading Fang Family guard attacked Min, but Chen Ping'an repelled him and warned the guards that further violence would make them prison breakers.
• Min continued escorting Fang Rui into the prison despite Fang Shicheng’s order to stop.
• Fang Shicheng asked Chen Ping'an to let Fang Rui wait outside, but Chen Ping'an refused and walked away after rebuking him.

After Little Tiger Lord threatened Chen Ping'an’s family over a debt, Chen Ping'an comforted Chen Er'ya and resolved to gain the strength to protect her and repay the money. He began cultivating Iron Cloth with help from his Golden Finger Panel and made his first progress.

• Chen Ping'an comforted Chen Er'ya after Little Tiger Lord’s visit and promised to give her a better life.
• Chen Ping'an repaired the broken gate bar and estimated that Little Tiger Lord had reached Qi Blood Second Level Perfection.
• Chen Ping'an realized he was short of the fourteen taels he owed Little Tiger Lord and decided he needed greater strength.
• Chen Ping'an studied the Iron Cloth technique recorded by his Golden Finger Panel and began practicing it at home.
• Chen Ping'an endured the painful training until his panel showed Iron Cloth at Not Yet Initiated (1/5).

Azure Cang Prince Manor envoys disrupted Gu Qingchan’s celebration, but Old Xuan restrained the confrontation and the ceremony continued. As the gathering ended, Tantai Jinfeng challenged Chen Ping'an to a fight to the death, and Chen Ping'an prepared to kill the Grandmaster.

• The Raging Wave Guest and Earth Splitting Old Man arrived from Azure Cang Prince Manor, disrupting Gu Qingchan’s celebration and drawing a wary welcome from the Gu Family.
• The Earth Splitting Old Man behaved rudely toward Gu Qingchan, but Old Xuan intervened and the envoys’ visit continued without an open clash.
• The celebration concluded, and Chen Ping'an watched for his chance to act before Tantai Jinfeng challenged him in front of the gathered guests.
• Tantai Jinfeng made the challenge a fight to the death, and Chen Ping'an accepted without backing down.
• Tantai Jinfeng drew his saber and released his aura as Chen Ping'an raised his own weapon, declaring his intent to slay a Grandmaster.

Chen Ping'an helped the Town Pacification Office raid Spring Rain Pavilion, exposing it as a Ten Thousand Demons Sect stronghold and capturing its madam alive. After the operation, he teased Master Mu before leaving.

• Town Pacification Office constables surrounded Spring Rain Pavilion and began searching the building.
• Chen Ping'an confronted Procuress Ruchun about the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, and she attacked him.
• Chen Ping'an overpowered and captured Procuress Ruchun while the constables arrested people throughout Spring Rain Pavilion.
• Shen Shi Kang led the raid, and the Town Pacification Office captured two Ten Thousand Demons Sect members alive before taking everyone to South City Prison for questioning.
• Chen Ping'an approached Master Mu, who begged forgiveness, and warned him to visit brothels less often as he got older.

Chen Ping'an took office as head jailer of South City Prison and toured the South City Pacification Office with Shen Shi Kang, learning about its structure and strength. Mu Wanjun warned him that deputy head jailer Chu Qirong had deep-rooted connections, but offered her support as Chen prepared to face him.

• Shen Shi Kang welcomed Chen Ping'an and escorted him to the Dispatch Office, where Liu Jinzhu completed his registration and assessed his cultivation at Qi Blood Fifth Level.
• Liu Jinzhu wondered whether Shen Shi Kang was deliberately backing Chen Ping'an and worried that Chen might not be strong enough to suppress Chu Qirong.
• Shen Shi Kang introduced Chen Ping'an to the Pacification Office's nine Errand Offices, three special institutions, and roughly eight or nine Inner Qi Realm experts.
• Chen Ping'an resolved to keep cultivating rather than become complacent about his standing in Wei River Outer City.
• Chen Ping'an visited Mu Wanjun, who cautioned him about Chu Qirong's entrenched connections and told him to seek her help if difficulties arose.

Chen Ping'an met Gu Qingcheng, his arranged marriage partner and a celebrated Gu Family prodigy, but his attempts to probe her hidden nature triggered a frightening backlash. After exchanging three questions about the Dao, he left the pavilion and encountered Gu Qingchan waiting outside.

• Gu Qingchan introduced Chen Ping'an to Gu Qingcheng and left them alone with a hostile sword-carrying girl.
• Chen Ping'an tried to sense Gu Qingcheng's cultivation and suffered pain and turmoil in his spirituality, though she explained that Bright Moon liked him.
• Gu Qingcheng asked Chen Ping'an what the Sword Path, Saber Path, and Dao were, and he answered that he was the Dao.
• Chen Ping'an tried probing Gu Qingcheng again, encountered another powerful backlash, and decided against touching her to investigate further.
• Chen Ping'an left the pavilion after making a face at the angry girl, then found Gu Qingchan waiting in a corridor and asking how his conversation had gone.

After killing Mountain Shaking Fist, Chen Ping'an earned recognition in the North Azure Stronghold and recovered while the Town Pacification Office publicized victories against the upheaval’s forces. The Province Town Pacification Office’s envoy investigated Xue Kunsheng, and when the lockdown was lifted, Chen Ping'an prepared to leave.

• Chen Ping'an presented Mountain Shaking Fist’s head to the North Azure Town Pacification Office, and Liu Gongxi and others praised his strength and sought his friendship.
• News of Chen Ping'an’s victory spread, quieting criticism that he had avoided fighting Lan Yingjun; Chen Ping'an stayed in the stronghold to recover and cultivate.
• The North Azure Town Pacification Office publicized reports of victories against the Heavenly Luo Sect, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, and other forces, while Chen Ping'an remained skeptical of some claims.
• A special envoy from the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office questioned Xue Kunsheng about the upheaval, leaving Xue Kunsheng fearing his advancement had been ruined.
• Three days after the envoy arrived, the North Azure Stronghold lifted its lockdown, and Chen Ping'an left the Secluded Elegant Courtyard with Yuan Zutong’s carriage ready.

Chen Ping'an inventoried the spoils from the Dragon Peace Turmoil, used Jade Dew Pills to recover his spirituality, and assessed which weapons and treasures to keep, refine, or sell. With his injuries mostly stabilized and his wealth greatly increased, he resumed cultivating the Overlord Saber, then left his room when a visitor arrived to see Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an.

• Chen Ping'an inspected the pouches taken from several slain Grandmasters, finding Rotten Bone Granny’s valuable Divine Weapons and the Ghost-Masked Elder’s Jade Dew Pills and damaged Phantom Mask, but little of value from Black Mountain.
• Chen Ping'an swallowed two Jade Dew Pills over two days and recovered most of his combat strength while stabilizing his spirituality injuries.
• Chen Ping'an examined his new treasures, planned to refine the Gray Fine Net, Green Bamboo Tube, and Heavenly Luo Saintess’s Black Veil, and decided to sell several other items.
• Chen Ping'an estimated his wealth at eighty or ninety thousand Origin Crystals, with about forty thousand in resources he could allocate and more than twenty thousand in cash flow.
• Chen Ping'an resumed cultivating the Overlord Saber, then left his room when someone arrived to visit Reckless Saber Chen Ping'an.