Chapter Summaries

Head Constable Zheng and Tan Huacong plotted to use an increased Contribution Silver quota to put Chen Ping'an in trouble. Meanwhile, Chen Ping'an improved his Flying Locust Stone and reached Qi Blood Third Level Perfection, leaving him poised to grow stronger still.

• Tan Huacong reported that Chen Ping'an had entered the Martial Path after stopping a Tiger Head Gang shakedown in Pear Blossom Lane.
• Head Constable Zheng ordered Tan Huacong to send Chen Ping'an to collect Tiger Run Gambling House's Contribution Silver and raise its quota by one-tenth.
• Head Constable Zheng planned to send Zheng Shiyong afterward to collect the original amount and gain credit for it.
• Chen Ping'an used his experience to advance Flying Locust Stone to Greater Accomplishment and reached Qi Blood Third Level Perfection.
• Chen Ping'an anticipated improving Public Gate Thirteen Blades and possibly entering the Bone Forging Realm before settling his debts.

After leaving the Town Pacification Office, Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head, and Da Shan discussed their uniforms, the perks of higher ranks, and the difficulty of becoming Formal Constables. Chen Ping'an ended the chapter wondering whether mastering Iron Cloth would count as entering the martial path.

• Chen Ping'an asked where Qin Head was, and Monkey Head said he had disappeared after roll call rather than patrol with them.
• As the three walked down Willow Leaf Street in their Soap Uniforms, Monkey Head admired the Formal Constable uniform and joked about earning a Constable Head Cloak or Fish Scale Uniform.
• Monkey Head imagined how becoming a Formal Constable could protect his family's smithy from the Wild Wolf Gang's fees, but admitted that martial training and connections made promotion difficult.
• Monkey Head urged Da Shan to spend time with Qin Head and learn martial arts, and Da Shan agreed seriously.
• Chen Ping'an walked on with renewed hope and wondered whether Iron Cloth Initiation would mean he had entered the martial path.

Chen Ping'an practiced Iron Cloth with his new method and repaid Uncle Zhang's family with a bowl of mutton for their help. Facing tight household finances, he went to Old Pan's home to collect the half-tael loan his father had made, but Old Pan tried to put him off.

• Chen Ping'an comforted Chen Er'ya as she wiped his injured body, then began practicing Iron Cloth with the new method the next morning.
• Chen Ping'an completed his constable duties and later delivered a large bowl of mutton to Uncle Zhang's family to repay their kindness.
• Chen Ping'an remembered that Old Pan's family still owed his household half a tael of silver and decided to collect it.
• Chen Ping'an asked Old Pan to repay the loan, but Old Pan told him to return another day and avoided addressing the debt.

Chen Ping'an returned home and reassured Chen Er'ya, then discovered he could practice Iron Cloth twice in one session after reaching Minor Accomplishment. On his rest day, he went to Uncle Zhang's household to buy sand and gravel for the next stage of training.

• Chen Er'ya mistook Chen Ping'an climbing over the courtyard wall for a thief, then relaxed when he came home and fell asleep in his arms.
• Chen Ping'an completed two Iron Cloth sessions at night and realized he could gain twice as much experience as before.
• Chen Ping'an planned to try the next Iron Cloth stage by training in sand and gravel.
• Chen Ping'an practiced Iron Cloth twice on his rest day, raising its experience from 2 to 4, then went to Uncle Zhang's home to buy sand and gravel.
• Aunt Zhang recognized Chen Ping'an when she came out to answer the door.

Guan Baxian mistook the Town Pacification Office’s arrival for a major attack, then learned only five people had come and brazenly drove them away. Meanwhile, Chen Ping'an reviewed martial arts manuals and considered pursuing a Divine Technique, before an anxious messenger arrived and waited for permission to speak.

• Guan Baxian learned that the Town Pacification Office had sent only five people to the Crocodile Gang and decided they would not dare provoke him.
• Guan Baxian ordered the five visitors to leave and threatened to kill them if they refused.
• Chen Ping'an recorded more than a dozen martial arts methods from the Quicksand Gang’s manuals on his Golden Finger Panel.
• Chen Ping'an reflected on his rise to power and considered seeking a Divine Technique, possibly through an auction connected to the Dragon Peace Trade Route.
• An anxious newcomer entered the hall, waited silently while Chen Ping'an contemplated, and spoke only after Chen Ping'an gave permission.

Chen Ping'an killed Green Fish Gang Head Mottled Fish in his first real fight and realized the death could earn him a Middle Merit and the status of a Formal Constable. He decided he needed to report the killing quickly but could not reveal his martial cultivation.

• Chen Ping'an endured Mottled Fish's whip kick, broke his knee, and crippled his other foot.
• Chen Ping'an overpowered Mottled Fish, knocked him down, and crushed his throat, killing him.
• Chen Ping'an recovered from the fight and accepted that he had killed Mottled Fish without fear or regret.
• Chen Ping'an realized killing Mottled Fish could earn him a Middle Merit, ten taels of silver, and the status of a Formal Constable.
• Chen Ping'an decided to report the death but worried that investigators would discover his martial cultivation.

Chen Ping'an was reprimanded by Head Constable Zheng for arriving after him, despite not actually being late, then joined the other constables as all five head constables gathered. The unusual assembly was explained when Deputy Constable Director Tian Fulang arrived and took his seat.

• Head Constable Zheng questioned Chen Ping'an, recognized him as Chen Tian An's son, and warned him to follow the Town Pacification Office's rules.
• Chen Ping'an joined Monkey Head, Da Shan, and Qin Head, who checked on him and wondered why so many senior officers had arrived.
• All five head constables assembled on the platform and waited while the constables stood quietly below.
• Tian Fulang entered in a black Fish Scale Uniform, received the constables' greeting, and ordered them to rise.

Chen Ping'an reported that he had killed Mottled Fish to Tan Huacong, then brought him to the corpse and explained how the encounter happened. He left Tan Huacong hearing a carefully framed account that emphasized Mottled Fish’s injuries and Chen Ping'an’s supposed good fortune.

• Chen Ping'an found the constable head’s office empty and refused Zheng Shiyong’s offer to report his urgent matter to him.
• Chen Ping'an went to the Errand Office and told Tan Huacong that he had killed Mottled Fish.
• Tan Huacong reacted with disbelief and accompanied Chen Ping'an to the courtyard where Mottled Fish’s corpse lay.
• Chen Ping'an told Tan Huacong that he had seen an injured figure leave his kitchen, followed him to the courtyard, and encountered his sudden attack.

After Chen Ping'an killed Thousand Leaf Phantom Hand and suppressed Guan Dongxiang, news of his strength spread across Azure Dragon Province Territory, while the Gu Family rejected the Azure Prince's marriage proposal. Chen Ping'an continued cultivating and received a letter just as the latest Azure Dragon New Talent Rankings were released, leaving the province in an uproar.

• News spread that Chen Ping'an had killed Thousand Leaf Phantom Hand and defeated Guan Dongxiang, prompting officials and experts across Azure Dragon Province Territory to reassess his strength.
• Gu Haoqing reviewed Chen Ping'an's techniques and combat power, then went to meet Ning Zhengyue.
• Gu Qingchan learned that the Gu Family had formally rejected the Azure Prince's marriage proposal and considered Chen Ping'an as a possible reason for that decision.
• Chen Ping'an continued his cultivation, accepted gifts from Wei River factions, and met Mu Wanjun; his status panel showed the Soul Severing Saber nearing perfection.
• Chen Ping'an received a letter as the latest Azure Dragon New Talent Rankings were released, stirring an uproar throughout the province.

After refusing the Fang Family’s recruitment, Chen Ping'an returned home and continued training, then received a transfer order appointing him Head Jailer of South City Prison. His appointment enraged Fu Yuanming, who ordered his allies to undermine Chen Ping'an and make his new post difficult to hold.

• Chen Ping'an left the Fang Family, returned to his courtyard, and promised himself he would let Chen Er'ya enjoy a carriage ride someday.
• Chen Ping'an trained in the Golden Bell Shield, Swift Wind Saber Technique, and Eight Steps Catching Cicadas, then received his custom Black Cloud Brocade Boots from the Fang Family.
• The South City Pacification Office transferred Chen Ping'an to become Head Jailer of South City Prison, and Tian Fulang worked to strengthen his relationship with him.
• Fu Yuanming learned that Chen Ping'an had taken the position he had intended for Chu Qirong and ordered a more thorough investigation of Chen Ping'an.
• Fu Yuanming told his confidant to instruct Chu Qirong to secretly obstruct Chen Ping'an and provoke disorder in the prison, avoiding direct conflict so they could later impeach him.

After Zheng Zhenwu’s death, Han Li investigated Chen Ping'an but shifted his suspicions toward the Ten Thousand Demons Sect. Chen Ping'an advanced to Qi Blood Fifth Level through his mastery of Public Gate Thirteen Blades.

• Tian Fulang and Shen Shi Kang learned that Zheng Zhenwu and Zheng Shiyong had died, prompting speculation about Chen Ping'an and concern that the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had returned.
• Han Li questioned Chen Ping'an about Zheng Zhenwu’s apology dinner and examined why Zheng Zhenwu had met him before dying along Chen Ping'an’s route home.
• Chen Ping'an practiced Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training while Han Li investigated and learned that Chen Ping'an was Chief Constable's man, shifting his focus toward the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
• Chen Ping'an accumulated enough experience to perfect Public Gate Thirteen Blades and broke through to Qi Blood Fifth Level, Blood Strength Viscera Refining.

Chen Ping'an received a public promotion to full Commander and Dragon Peace Trade Route Outer Perimeter Inspector for his role in destroying the Heavenly Luo Sect stronghold. Afterward, Zhao Lianzhi shared political developments and cultivated ties with him, leaving Chen with a potential informant in the Wei River Town Pacification Office.

• Zhao Lianzhi announced Chen Ping'an's promotion and praised the Five Peaks Mountain Garrison's officers for their service against the Heavenly Luo Sect.
• Chen Ping'an and Zhao Lianzhi greeted each other as equals, and Chen invited him to a banquet.
• Over dinner, Zhao Lianzhi revealed that Chen Ping'an was under consideration for Vice Commander Candidate and might soon take responsibility for Five Peaks Mountain City.
• Zhao Lianzhi said the Town Pacification Office had cleared Chen Ping'an's decision to execute a garrison Banner Head and forbidden further challenges to the verdict.
• Chen Ping'an gave Zhao Lianzhi Silver Notes, and the two established a preliminary alliance in which Zhao would pass him useful information.

Mu Wanjun and Chen Ping'an joined forces against Mai Xiongbo after Chen Ping'an revealed he had resisted the poison. Chen Ping'an lured Mai Xiongbo into a prison duty room and trapped him in a falling iron cage, then urged Mu Wanjun to flee.

• Mu Wanjun used her forbidden sword move, but Mai Xiongbo broke through her attack and left her desperate.
• Chen Ping'an threw Flying Locust Stones at Mai Xiongbo, creating an opening for Mu Wanjun to reach him.
• Chen Ping'an explained that his powerful Qi Blood had kept Mai Xiongbo's poison from penetrating deeply, and Mu Wanjun agreed to fight alongside him.
• Chen Ping'an led Mu Wanjun deeper into the prison and entered a guard duty room, while Mai Xiongbo pursued them.
• Chen Ping'an used Flying Locust Stones to disrupt Mai Xiongbo, then pulled a lever that dropped a Fine Iron Cage around him.
• Chen Ping'an told Mu Wanjun to go and ran toward the outside of the duty room.

Chen Ping'an killed Xue Shishun, uncovered the Xue Family’s plot involving Mother-Child Gu Worms, and raced back to Li Yang County City to retaliate. The chapter ended as he crashed through the roof of the Town Pacification Office, interrupting Xue Mingde’s celebration.

• Chen Ping'an annihilated Xue Shishun, took two items from his Hundred Treasures Pouch, and destroyed the body before Fan Zhengheng arrived.
• Chen Ping'an recognized the Mother-Child Gu Worms and realized Tao Yan'er had been planted as a signal to Xue Shishun.
• Chen Ping'an blamed the Xue Family for plotting against him and vowed to make them regret it.
• Xue Mingde waited in the Town Pacification Office, confident that Xue Shishun had killed Chen Ping'an.
• Chen Ping'an crashed through the roof of the Town Pacification Office’s main hall, and Xue Mingde demanded to know who had arrived.

Fang Qixian attacked Chen Ping'an to avenge Rui'er, but Chen Ping'an survived his Azure Rainbow Sword assault and revealed his Bronze Body Indestructible Realm. Chen Ping'an killed Fang Qixian with a single palm strike.

• Fang Qixian concluded that Chen Ping'an had murdered Rui'er and lured him away from the inn to kill him without witnesses.
• Fang Qixian unleashed the Azure Rainbow Sword’s power, but Chen Ping'an survived the attack as his ornamental sword shattered.
• Fang Qixian rushed Chen Ping'an with repeated sword strikes, believing the wounded man would die.
• Chen Ping'an revealed his ten-foot-tall Vajra body and struck Fang Qixian’s head, killing him.

Chen Ping'an attended Gu Qingchan’s promotion celebration at Small Pan Mountain, where representatives and powerful figures from across the provinces gathered. As the ceremony reached its midpoint, envoys from Azure Cang Prince Manor arrived with an unexpected announcement.

• Chen Ping'an reviewed his secret techniques and prepared to handle whatever might happen at Gu Qingchan’s celebration.
• Chen Ping'an arrived at Small Pan Mountain and learned that Tantai Jinfeng and the Shadowless Saber Sect had come, prompting a tense exchange of looks.
• Chen Ping'an encountered Wei Yiqi, Tong Guan, and other familiar figures while factions and Great Grandmasters gathered for the ceremony.
• Gu Qingchan appeared in ceremonial dress and exchanged greetings with the gathered representatives as Chen Ping'an watched from the mountain peak.
• The Gu Family began Gu Qingchan’s promotion ceremony, and Azure Cang Prince Manor’s Raging Wave Guest and Earth Splitting Old Man arrived to offer congratulations.

Chen Ping'an bought the Golden Bell Shield and the latest Azure Dragon Province New Talent Rankings, then studied the province’s strongest young fighters. He learned that Liu Ziming ranked eighty-eighth at Inner Energy Third Stage and resolved to close the gap between himself and the young paragons.

• Chen Ping'an bought the Golden Bell Shield for twelve hundred taels at Wishful Treasure Pavilion.
• After overhearing two young masters praise Liu Ziming’s ranking, Chen Ping'an asked Xiao Xue for the latest New Talent Rankings and took the booklet to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office.
• Chen Ping'an read that the rankings featured Azure Dragon Province’s outstanding fighters under thirty and that several top-ranked paragons had reached the Profound Light Realm.
• Chen Ping'an found Liu Ziming ranked eighty-eighth at Inner Energy Third Stage, with a record of defeating Ten Thousand Demons Sect Protector Weng Qianjing.
• After reading the rankings, Chen Ping'an concluded that ranked fighters possessed at least Inner Energy Third Stage and had comprehended martial arts intent, but believed his Golden Finger Panel could help him catch up.

Chen Ping'an received the Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber from Qi Deliang and used the occasion to strengthen ties with the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office. Their meeting deepened speculation that the Gu Family planned to arrange a marriage alliance with him.

• Qi Deliang escorted the Earth Crocodile Golden Flame Saber to the Wei River Town Pacification Office and greeted Chen Ping'an.
• Chen Ping'an inspected the treasured saber and considered how its reputation could mislead opponents about his true fighting methods.
• Qi Deliang praised Chen Ping'an and sought to befriend him, knowing the Province Town Pacification Office valued his talent and the Gu Family might choose him as a son-in-law.
• Chen Ping'an and Qi Deliang shared a meal and grew closer as they discussed their interests.
• Liu Yuanhua heard of their meeting and took it as further confirmation of the Gu Family's marriage alliance plans.

During the Ten Thousand Demons siege, Gu Qingchan and Situ Ba pressured the Blood-robed Man while Chen Ping'an fought through the bandits. Chen Ping'an killed Blood Demon Battle Axe, and Gu Qingchan killed Blood Demon Hand from afar; the larger battle was still underway.

• Gu Qingchan and Situ Ba joined forces against the Blood-robed Man, whose Blood Demon Great Art damaged the spirituality of Gu Qingchan’s Mystic Ice Divine Needles.
• Chen Ping'an defeated and killed the axe-wielding Ten Thousand Demons core elder known as Blood Demon Battle Axe.
• Qu Zhaocheng severely wounded Blood Demon Hand with a Big Dipper Hundred Crack Fist, and Gu Qingchan used her divine needles to kill him.
• Qu Zhaocheng thanked Gu Qingchan for aiding him while the Grandmaster battles continued.

Chen Ping'an received the sealed official letter, but the Wei River Town Pacification Office ordered him to abandon his White Stone City post and report immediately to the Trade Route Patrol Station. Forced to investigate Feng Shixian's death within three months, he set out with his elites, vowing to return and defeat those who had targeted him.

• Chen Ping'an collected and checked the official letter bearing the Wei River Town Pacification Office's great seal.
• Zhao Lianzhi told Chen Ping'an that Guan Yuping had requested urgent help at the Dragon Peace Trade Route, and Chen Ping'an realized Liu Yuanhua was behind the order.
• The Wei River Town Pacification Office ordered Chen Ping'an to report to the Trade Route Patrol Station that day and investigate Feng Shixian's death within three months.
• Chen Ping'an returned to the inn, ordered his elites to prepare to depart, and regretted that he could not deliver Nannan the bracelet he had bought for her.
• After bidding Mu Wanjun farewell, Chen Ping'an led more than a dozen riders out of Wei River County City toward the Trade Route Patrol Station and vowed to return.