Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an fought the newly promoted silver-haired Celestial in a frozen stone cave, relying on his dark-gold physique and enhancements to withstand her attacks. Just as he seemed poised to overwhelm her, she unleashed a deadly combination that shackled him and extinguished his Qi Blood, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Chen Ping'an recognized that the silver-haired girl was no ordinary Celestial and prepared to fight her with his pills, Thousand-Year Stone Milk, and the cave's divine blessings.
• Chen Ping'an charged through the girl's ice attacks, and the two fought at close range as his resilient physique and resources turned the battle into a war of attrition.
• The girl realized that her unstable breakthrough and temporarily suppressed momentum left her little time, so she resolved to kill Chen Ping'an before her momentum returned.
• Chen Ping'an exploited a flaw in the girl's defenses and pressed in, but she struck his Spirit Platform with a soul attack and summoned an ice-lotus phantom that threatened his life.
• The girl bound Chen Ping'an with an Ice Soul Ring, then attacked with the Ice Light Mirror and Ice Crystal Disc as his golden radiance faded and his Qi Blood subsided.

Chen Ping'an learned that Zheng Shiyong, Head Constable Zheng’s nephew, had joined the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office as a temporary constable and received special treatment. The chapter ended with Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head, and Da Shan setting out to patrol while Zheng Shiyong served as Constable Yan’s personal attendant.

• Monkey Head explained to Chen Ping'an and Da Shan that Zheng Shiyong was Head Constable Zheng’s blood-related nephew and that new recruits normally had to start as unregistered temporary constables.
• Head Constable Zheng and three other head constables attended the meeting, where Constable Yan introduced Zheng Shiyong to the constables.
• The constables welcomed Zheng Shiyong, and Constable Yan encouraged him before the meeting ended.
• Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head, and Da Shan received an assignment to patrol White Stone Alley in South Spring Lane.
• Monkey Head and Da Shan saw that several head constables had encouraged Zheng Shiyong and that he would accompany Constable Yan as a personal attendant instead of patrolling.

Chen Ping'an struggled to report Mottled Fish’s death without revealing that he had killed him, then hurried to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office to claim a Middle Merit. He reached the offices, where Zheng Shiyong tried to stop him and said no head constables were there.

• Chen Ping'an decided to hide his role in Mottled Fish’s death and make the body’s injuries look like he had finished off a barely living target.
• Chen Ping'an used a nearby stone to add fresh injuries to Mottled Fish’s corpse, then hurried to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office.
• Chen Ping'an told the gate guards he had an important discovery to report and entered the office.
• Chen Ping'an encountered Zheng Shiyong near the Errand Offices and insisted on speaking with a head constable in person.
• Zheng Shiyong told Chen Ping'an that no head constables were present and offered to hear his report himself.

Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head, and Da Shan patrolled Willow Leaf Street, ate lunch at the Town Pacification Office, and rested beneath a tree during their shift. They finished the day without incident and returned their equipment at the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office before heading home.

• Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head, and Da Shan found no trouble on Willow Leaf Street during their morning patrol.
• The three ate lunch at the Town Pacification Office, where Chen Ping'an ate three bowls of rice and Monkey Head complained about the food.
• Monkey Head teased Da Shan about training in martial arts, and Chen Ping'an reflected on the greater meals and power enjoyed by higher-ranked officials.
• After lunch, the three rested beneath a tree, and Chen Ping'an slept for nearly an hour before joining their conversation.
• Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head, and Da Shan resumed patrolling, encountered no major trouble, and returned their Waist Tags and sabers before going home.

Feng Chengxiu learned that Gu Qingchan had entered the Jade Balance Middle Stage and chose to delay acting against Chen Ping'an while he investigated Cao Yingxiong's death. Chen Ping'an promoted old allies, settled debts with Ten Thousand Demons Sect prisoners, and prepared for Little Girl to leave for Azure Dragon Province City.

• Feng Chengxiu heard of Gu Qingchan's breakthrough, reconsidered Tong Guan's offer to deal with Chen Ping'an, and decided to wait while investigating Cao Yingxiong's death.
• Chen Ping'an wrote down old colleagues he planned to support and sent Lin Shaohua instructions about the envelope.
• Chen Ping'an continued cultivating and persuaded Little Girl to begin a peaceful qi-nourishing method.
• Chen Ping'an visited Wei River Heavy Prison and confronted Wu Haihua and Kuang Dahai, settling old grievances with them.
• Chen Ping'an left work early and planned to show Little Girl around Wei River County City before Gu Qingchan arrived to take her to Azure Dragon Province City.

Chen Ping'an set out for Northern Cang after giving Mu Wanjun a treasured sword, and considered the dangerous tangle of powers awaiting him at the North Azure Stronghold. He resolved to conceal his true strength and cultivate cautiously, but his journey paused when a subordinate reported another convoy ahead.

• After Xue Mingde was killed, the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office renewed its campaign against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
• Chen Ping'an departed Wei River for Northern Cang amid a grand farewell attended by local officials and powerful families.
• Chen Ping'an gave Mu Wanjun the Exquisite Treasure Weapon Peaceful Grace, signaling that he would protect her even from afar.
• Chen Ping'an reviewed intelligence about the competing factions and growing martial strength at the North Azure Stronghold, and judged that his post would be difficult to control.
• Chen Ping'an decided to avoid revealing Grandmaster strength or entering the Grandmaster Realm unless circumstances forced him, and prepared to advance his Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art.
• A subordinate warned Chen Ping'an that a convoy was converging at the fork ahead and asked whether to drive it away.

After the Town Pacification Office crushed the Ten Thousand Demons Sect forces at Blood Flame Cave, Chen Ping'an learned how the battle had turned and saw the siege through to its successful end. Gu Qingchan arranged for Chen Er'ya in Azure Dragon Province City, then privately wondered about Chen Ping'an and treasured his Gray Linen Shirt as she hoped they would meet again.

• Zhong Zeyu told Chen Ping'an that reinforcements had helped Feng Wuhen kill Black Robe, while all the Ten Thousand Demons Sect grandmasters at Blood Flame Cave had been wiped out.
• Feng Wuhen approached Gu Qingchan with concern and praise, but she grew cold and left, prompting him to chase after her.
• The siege forces cleared the Three Forks Mountain Stronghold over the next two days, ending the siege successfully despite heavy casualties and few valuable spoils.
• Chen Ping'an learned that Gu Qingchan had settled Chen Er'ya in Azure Dragon Province City and thanked her for arranging the girl's schooling.
• After Chen Ping'an departed, Gu Qingchan wondered who he was, kept his Gray Linen Shirt close, and hoped they would meet again.

Chen Ping'an’s party was ambushed on the way to the Sanqi Mountain Garrison, where he killed Blood Demon Hammer Shi Tianpo with one saber strike and captured a Ten Thousand Demons Sect bandit. After honoring the dead and revealing that he had reached the Peak Realm, Chen Ping'an arrived at the garrison and was challenged by a patrol.

• Xiong Sanrang reported that the party would reach the Sanqi Mountain Garrison the next day, while Chen Ping'an sensed concealed enemies along the mountain road.
• Shi Tianpo and Ten Thousand Demons Sect fighters ambushed the party, and Shi Tianpo killed one Inner Qi Realm cultivator before attacking Chen Ping'an.
• Chen Ping'an killed Shi Tianpo with Soul Severing One Saber, then knocked away the falling Blood Demon Hammer with Great Vajra Palm.
• Xiong Sanrang and the Town Pacification Office elites subdued the disorganized attackers, while Chen Ping'an captured and crippled a Profound Light Realm bandit for interrogation.
• Chen Ping'an ordered the dead honored and compensated, took Shi Tianpo's crimson demonic hammer, and admitted to Xiong Sanrang that he had broken through to the Peak Realm.
• After traveling through the night, Chen Ping'an's party reached the Sanqi Mountain Garrison, where a patrol demanded their unit and names.

Chen Ping'an attended the Wishful Treasure Pavilion’s Trading Convention in disguise, where he established himself as the strongest Grandmaster present and learned about current power struggles and rising talents. The gathering was still waiting for its host when a familiar figure flew toward the island, leaving Chen Ping'an surprised.

• Chen Ping'an presented his membership token, entered the convention, and crushed Black Rat’s attempt to probe his spiritual awareness, making the gathered Grandmasters wary of him.
• Tong Guan arrived, and Chen Ping'an recognized the Universe Control Division envoy candidate as the man behind earlier schemes against him; Tong Guan remained uneasy about a mysterious hostile gaze.
• As Grandmasters discussed recent events, Chen Ping'an overheard their theories about Xue Kunsheng’s death and their praise of his own rise and potential.
• The Grandmasters discussed Gu Qingchan’s breakthroughs, the Gu Family’s possible marriage plans for Chen Ping'an, and Lan Yingjun’s feat of killing an established Grandmaster in Mystic Spirit Province.
• Chen Ping'an heard that the Hidden Dragon Rankings would soon be updated and wondered how the Heavenly Luo Saintess ranked before a familiar aura approached through the air.

Chen Ping'an fought the newly ascended Silver-haired Girl in the frozen stone cave, using his strongest techniques to interrupt her breakthrough and reach her across the Nether Pool. She resisted his attacks and identified that he was a concealed man under fifty, prompting him to recognize the Ice Light Mirror as the source of her insight and decide she could not be allowed to live.

• The Silver-haired Girl unleashed freezing winds and snowfall that overwhelmed Chen Ping'an's Azure Flame, Li Fire Finger, and several fist attacks.
• Chen Ping'an used the Withered Wood Staff, command-flag divinities, and his spear to push through the cave-wide assault and approach the Nether Pool.
• The girl locked Chen Ping'an with a soul attack and dropped a massive ice cone, but he shattered it and struck her with Fatal Slash, which she blocked with an Ice Light Mirror.
• Chen Ping'an attacked with the Blood Devouring Demonic Jar and Seven Absolutes · Illusionary Barrier, but the girl's defenses nullified both while her breakthrough continued.
• The Silver-haired Girl deduced that Chen Ping'an was under fifty and asked whether he knew her or had a taboo, revealing that she had seen through his concealment.
• Chen Ping'an recognized that the Ice Light Mirror had continuously faced him and concluded that the girl had to die.

Chen Ping'an refused Old Jian’s offer of a free Top Divine Weapon in exchange for marrying his great-granddaughter, honoring his Marriage Contract with Gu Qingcheng. After cultivating and waiting in Long'an, Chen learned that an envoy from the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office had arrived, bringing a major change to the Dragon Peace Situation.

• Chen Ping'an recounted to Du Moyuan how Old Jian offered to forge and gift him a Top Divine Weapon if he married Old Jian’s great-granddaughter, but Chen refused because he already had a Marriage Contract with Gu Qingcheng.
• Chen Ping'an and Du Moyuan reconciled over drinks, became friends, and parted after Chen persuaded Du to accept half of his promised gift.
• Chen Ping'an cultivated through the night, using the spirit wine’s effects to raise his Seven Absolute Divine Skill progress to 1,530 points.
• Chen Ping'an visited the Gu Family Residence to seek Gu Rencheng, learned he was attending a Deliberation Council, and left a message before returning to Brocade Ripple Garden.
• After three days of waiting, Chen Ping'an learned that an envoy from the Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office had arrived at the Dragon Peace Stronghold, and the Dragon Peace Situation underwent a major upheaval.

Chen Ping'an perfected the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art, inscribed his seventh Spirit Pattern, and arrived in Dragon Peace to represent Azure Dragon Province at the Grand Assembly. He found the Dragon Peace Town Pacification Office unusually dismissive and, after gathering information from Gu Rencheng, waited at Brocade Ripple Garden as the assembly began.

• Chen Ping'an perfected the Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art, completed his seventh Spirit Pattern, and formed one-third of an eighth before his progress stopped.
• Chen Ping'an judged that his strength rivaled a Storm Cloud Great Grandmaster’s, identified his movement technique as a weakness, and hoped to acquire a Supreme Divine Skill at the Dragon Peace Auction.
• Wang Lingzhi left North Azure Stronghold for his patrol duties, while Chen Ping'an tested his perfected body-forging art and continued cultivating the Tyrant Saber.
• The Azure Dragon Province Town Pacification Office ordered Chen Ping'an to attend the Dragon Peace Grand Assembly as its representative, and Wang Lingzhi was ordered to return to oversee Northern Cang.
• Chen Ping'an traveled to Dragon Peace, where a Garrison Commander Reserve received him instead of Nie Yunlong; he then visited Gu Rencheng and learned more about the interests at stake in the Two Provinces Exchange.
• Chen Ping'an stayed at Brocade Ripple Garden and waited as no one from the Dragon Peace Town Pacification Office contacted him before the Grand Assembly began.

Chen Ping'an gathered more sand and gravel from Uncle Zhang to try a new Iron Cloth training method. The grueling practice boosted his experience, but left his skin so red and blood-threaded that he decided to limit it to nighttime.

• Chen Ping'an asked Uncle Zhang for more sand and gravel and offered to pay, but Uncle Zhang provided it for free.
• Chen Ping'an carried two oversized baskets of sand and gravel home with ease, astonishing Uncle Zhang.
• Chen Ping'an spread the sand and gravel in his yard, removed his clothes, and rolled across it to train Iron Cloth while Chen Er'ya watched anxiously.
• Chen Ping'an gained three Iron Cloth experience points in less than two hours, reaching Minor Accomplishment (8/40).
• Chen Ping'an reassured the worried Chen Er'ya and decided to practice this way only at night because the training left his skin bright red and streaked with blood.

After saving Gu Qingchan from the Ten Thousand Demons Blood Demon, Chen Ping'an disguised himself as an unknown senior and returned to feigning unconsciousness. Gu Qingchan suspected he might be involved but confirmed his apparent cultivation was only Profound Light High Realm, then examined him as he lay still.

• Chen Ping'an told Gu Qingchan that he had killed the Gray-robed Old Man and saved her, then left the stone chamber without revealing his identity.
• Gu Qingchan recovered enough to stand, confirmed her Yin Essence remained intact, and wondered who the mysterious senior was.
• Chen Ping'an blasted open the stone door, changed back into his original appearance, and pretended to remain unconscious while listening for Gu Qingchan.
• Gu Qingchan considered whether Chen Ping'an could be the mysterious senior but dismissed the idea after sensing his Profound Light High Realm cultivation.
• Gu Qingchan pressed a finger to Chen Ping'an's brow to confirm his cultivation, while Chen Ping'an silently wondered why she was touching him.

Chen Ping'an's strict ban on fighting spread through Five Peaks Mountain City, but a clash at the Red Mill tested the Town Pacification Office's authority. As Zhong Shanyong prepared to confront the Wu Family Caravan, Chen Ping'an arrived with more constables.

• Chen Ping'an ordered the Town Pacification Office to post notices and enforce a strict ban on disorder and fighting in Five Peaks Mountain City.
• Meng Yude and the Wu Family Caravan's manager mocked Chen Ping'an's order, while news spread and the Essence Blood Burning Curse was revealed as the North Azure Auction's third finale item.
• Three days later, a drunken caravan manager started a fight at the Red Mill, and the brawl escalated before the Town Pacification Office arrived.
• Zhong Shanyong ordered the constables to arrest everyone, but Wu Lin threatened him and Wu Tianqi urged Wu Lin to tear the Red Mill apart.
• Zhong Shanyong drew his saber to face Wu Lin, and Chen Ping'an arrived with a large group of constables.

Fu Yuanming expected Chen Ping'an’s weak cultivation to make his appointment as South City Prison warden precarious, while Chen settled into the role, arranged a new home, and brought Zeng Jihe into his service. The chapter left Chen assigning Zeng tasks and encouraging him to prepare for a future by his side.

• Fu Yuanming learned that Chen Ping'an had handled his first day and noted that Mu Wanjun and the Inner Energy Offerings had made no move, then anticipated trouble because Chen’s cultivation was below the prison’s usual standard.
• Chen Ping'an stayed alert to Chu Qirong and worked to build relationships with the supervisors and deputy supervisors of the nine major Errand Offices.
• Chen Ping'an arranged for Zeng Jihe to transfer from the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office and serve as his Clerk Follower, and he rented a residence near South City Prison.
• Chen Er'ya and Peony moved into the residence, where Chen Ping'an also hired two Servant Women.
• Chen Ping'an welcomed Zeng Jihe, assigned him to find a suitable academy for Er Ya and help protect the residence, and urged him to keep cultivating his martial skills.

Chen Ping'an oversaw Xu Renchang’s release and accepted Xu Jinkui’s gift, strengthening their connection. South City Prison then received Wu Haihua, a captured Ten Thousand Demons Sect steward who recognized Chen Ping'an as the person who had sounded the gong in Chicken Cry Lane.

• Chen Ping'an ordered a clerk to find out why Xu Renchang had not been released, then left after reassuring Xu Jinkui.
• After Xu Renchang was freed, Xu Jinkui gave Chen Ping'an five hundred taels and gifts for Chen Er'ya as a token of allegiance.
• The South City Pacification Office delivered Wu Haihua to South City Prison after capturing him during a clash in the South District.
• Chen Ping'an recognized Wu Haihua and learned that he had been captured after the Pacification Office's reinforcements overwhelmed him.
• Chen Ping'an reminded Wu Haihua of the sounding gong in Chicken Cry Lane, and Wu Haihua realized Chen Ping'an had thwarted his attempt to kill Mu Wanjun.

Chen Ping'an told Tan Huacong a partly fabricated account of how he had killed Mottled Fish, and Tan accepted his explanation after concluding Mottled Fish’s injuries had weakened him. Chen Ping'an secured Tan’s agreement to record the incident and reward him with Middle Merit, and they returned to the Town Pacification Office together.

• Chen Ping'an described how Mottled Fish had attacked him and how he had beaten him with a stone, while concealing that he had staged the courtyard scene.
• Tan Huacong questioned Chen Ping'an’s surprisingly mild injuries and Mottled Fish’s repeated falls, but considered that Mottled Fish’s wounds and lack of food or medicine could explain them.
• Tan Huacong accepted that Mottled Fish was dead and agreed to record the case and report Chen Ping'an’s reward.
• Chen Ping'an asked to return with Tan Huacong so he could provide details during the recording, and Tan agreed.

Chen Ping'an rejected Little Tiger Lord’s offer of one hundred taels, citing the Tiger Head Gang’s repeated abuse and intimidation. He decided to settle the grudge through his authority as a Reserve Constable and began gathering evidence against the gang.

• Little Tiger Lord apologized to Chen Ping'an and offered him sixty taels, then another forty, but Chen Ping'an refused the money.
• Chen Ping'an listed the Tiger Head Gang’s past offenses and told Little Tiger Lord that one hundred taels could not settle their accumulated grievances.
• After the gang left, Chen Ping'an reassured Chen Er'ya and resolved to use his official power to deal with the Tiger Head Gang.
• Chen Ping'an ordered Monkey Head, Da Shan, and Zeng Jihe to collect evidence of the gang’s illegal dealings.
• Chen Ping'an met with Constable Li, Constable Huang, and Constable Liu over the course of the day.

As the Hundred Flowers Banquet filled Mist and Rain Ferry Crossing, Mu Chenjie brought Mu Qingyao to watch, while Lang Shiyuan and Instructor Lin discussed the crackdown at Azure Dragon School and noticed Chen Ping'an. After meeting Old Man Ge and accepting his flatbread, Chen Ping'an headed toward the boats to meet the Xue Family, where a young man stopped him with a question.

• Mu Chenjie took Mu Qingyao to a painted boat, where she enjoyed the festivities but recalled past events.
• Lang Shiyuan told Instructor Lin that Azure Dragon School was under strict inspection after apparently offending a powerful figure, and Instructor Lin approved of the school's reforms while worrying about Chen Er'ya's future.
• Lang Shiyuan and Instructor Lin recognized Chen Ping'an in the crowd and exchanged greetings with him.
• Chen Ping'an met Old Man Ge, told him he had come to see Yunmeng, and accepted a warm flatbread from the old driver.
• Chen Ping'an prepared to board a boat and meet the Xue Family, but an unfamiliar young man asked whether he had come to attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet.