Chapter Summaries

Chen Ping'an met Yan Wu for a drink, and their conversation turned to the imminent opening of the Dragon Peace Trade Route and its planned auction gala. As Chen Ping'an considered the strongholds and powerful interests governing the route, he realized that even North Azure Stronghold was caught in a volatile struggle among competing forces.

• Chen Ping'an declined Yan Wu's offer to host him but agreed to share a drink, and Chen Er'ya sat quietly beside them.
• Yan Wu discussed the Dragon Peace Trade Route's approaching opening and asked where its grand auction gala would be held.
• Chen Ping'an and Yan Wu concluded that North Azure Stronghold was the most suitable location for the auction.
• Chen Ping'an reflected on the three major strongholds and the many provincial authorities, clans, and sects with interests in the trade route.
• Chen Ping'an recognized that North Azure Stronghold was a turbulent place where even a Grandmaster might struggle to control the competing forces.

Chen Ping'an advanced to the Profound Light Realm and formed a Profound Light Seed, becoming a rare young master in Azure Dragon Province. At his welcome banquet in White Stone City, the factions sent low-ranking representatives, openly slighting the Town Pacification Office while Chen Ping'an remained cordial.

• Chen Ping'an raised his Flying Star Sword Technique to Greater Accomplishment, broke through the Heavenly Gate, and formed a Profound Light Seed.
• Chen Ping'an recognized that only twenty-seven people on the Azure Dragon Province New Talent Rankings had reached the Profound Light Realm and judged that he would rank at least twenty-eighth.
• The White Stone City Town Pacification Office arranged a welcome banquet for Deputy Commander Chen Ping'an at Drunken Immortal Pavilion, drawing representatives from the city’s factions.
• The Chu Family, He Family, and other factions toasted Chen Ping'an, but sent representatives without significant authority rather than their leaders.
• Cheng Renjing and his colleagues recognized the factions’ attendance as an intentional slight, while Chen Ping'an continued chatting amiably with the guests.

Chen Ping'an returned to Wei River County City as the Town Pacification Office prepared to promote him to Deputy Brigade Commander, while Feng Chengxiu seethed at the promotion he could not block. Chen Ping'an was welcomed by officials and learned that Fan Zhengheng was waiting for him at the office, leaving his visit to Er Ya for later.

• Feng Chengxiu learned that Chen Ping'an's promotion to Deputy Brigade Commander had passed review and resented his growing success.
• Chen Ping'an traveled from Five Peaks Mountain City to Wei River County City while continuing to cultivate the Dragon Elephant Overlord Body Art.
• Officials at the Wei River Town Pacification Office discussed Chen Ping'an's promotion, and Liu Yuanhua was startled to hear that he had already entered the city.
• Chen Ping'an headed toward Wei River School to pick up Er Ya but was met by Zhao Lianzhi and other officials, who said Fan Zhengheng and Liu Yuanhua were waiting for him.
• Chen Ping'an arrived at the Wei River Town Pacification Office, where a crowd welcomed him, and Liu Yuanhua ushered him inside to meet Fan Zhengheng.

Chen Ping'an attended a tense banquet with the Quicksand Gang, where he killed Deputy Gang Leader Shen Taiyuan and Gang Leader Yin Zisheng. He declared the gang guilty of crimes against the people and ordered the Town Pacification Office to wipe it out.

• Chen Ping'an entered the Drunken Immortal Pavilion despite the Quicksand Gang's apparent attempt to intimidate him.
• Shen Taiyuan demanded an explanation for Protector Uncle Gu's death, and Chen Ping'an accused the gang of insulting him at the welcome reception.
• Shen Taiyuan threatened to keep Chen Ping'an from leaving, prompting both sides to draw their weapons.
• Chen Ping'an called Shen Taiyuan a rebel and killed him with a swift saber strike.
• Chen Ping'an killed Yin Zisheng when the gang leader tried to counterattack.
• Chen Ping'an declared the gang's leaders assassins and ordered the Town Pacification Office to encircle and annihilate the Quicksand Gang.

Chen Ping'an completed the Golden Bell Shield and continued advancing his cultivation while managing the aftermath of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect attack. After a memorial service and more than ten peaceful days, he received a promotion to Chief Constable Candidate of the South City Pacification Office.

• Chen Ping'an pieced together two parchment fragments into a Treasure Map that seemed to point to a cave near Wei River County City, then put it away for later investigation.
• Chen Ping'an settled the prison attack’s aftermath and perfected the Golden Bell Shield, bringing his martial arts total at perfection to five and his realm to Inner Energy Second Level Perfection.
• Chen Ping'an attended a memorial service, where Mu Wanjun thanked him for saving her life and introduced him to her Thirteenth Grand Uncle.
• Chen Ping'an focused on improving his Swift Wind Saber Technique through a stretch of peaceful days at South City Prison.
• The Outer Town Pacification Office promoted Chen Ping'an to Chief Constable Candidate of the South City Pacification Office for his bravery during the Ten Thousand Demons Sect unrest.

After learning that Xue Mingde had been appointed Brigade Commander of Li Yang instead of him, Chen Ping'an dismissed the setback and continued cultivating, while the news stirred speculation across Wei River. An invitation to Xue Mingde’s promotion ceremony later arrived, but Chen Ping'an’s name was conspicuously absent.

• Chen Ping'an set aside the difficult Ten Thousand Demons Body Forging Art and resumed cultivating the Soul Severing Saber Technique, making faster progress.
• Fan Zhengheng showed Chen Ping'an the appointment naming Xue Mingde as Li Yang’s new Brigade Commander, and Chen Ping'an suspected his earned rewards were being delayed amid noble-family maneuvering.
• Chen Ping'an continued training and told Mu Wanjun that official power mattered far less to him than martial arts, easing her concern about his state of mind.
• The appointment spread through Wei River, prompting public debate and cautious behavior from local officials and noble families.
• The Li Yang Town Pacification Office invited Fan Zhengheng and Liu Yuanhua to Xue Mingde’s promotion ceremony, but omitted Chen Ping'an from the invitation.

After the Dragon Peace Trade Route opened, Chen Ping'an returned to Five Peaks Mountain City to take up his post as its Commander and oversee his responsibilities as Outer Perimeter Patrol Envoy. He resisted the influence of local power and began cultivating in seclusion, while Li Pingjiang continued waiting for a chance to kill him.

• The Dragon Peace Trade Route opened, prompting merchant caravans to cross into Azure Spirit Province Territory while heretical, evil, and demonic paths began making moves.
• Li Pingjiang waited near Five Peaks Mountain Garrison for Chen Ping'an and vowed that he would eventually kill him.
• Chen Ping'an arrived in Five Peaks Mountain City, where officials and local powers gathered to welcome him.
• Chen Ping'an observed the city's elites, including representatives of the Wei Family, but did not let their deference or gifts sway him.
• Chen Ping'an declined the Wei Family's invitation and began cultivating in seclusion at the Town Pacification Office.

Chen Ping'an inspected the Quicksand Gang's confiscated wealth and cultivation methods while the Town Pacification Office sorted out the spoils. At the Crocodile Gang, Guan Baxian learned that the authorities had come demanding Duan Peng and angrily went to confront them.

• Shan Qiwang reported the Quicksand Gang's confiscated wealth and detained associates to Chen Ping'an.
• Chen Ping'an inspected the gang's silver, valuables, weapons, and cultivation methods, reading through the manuals to record them in his Golden Finger Panel.
• Guan Baxian drank with Duan Peng, who had decided to join the Crocodile Gang after the Quicksand Gang's destruction.
• A minor leader told Guan Baxian that the Town Pacification Office demanded he hand over Duan Peng or bear the consequences.
• Guan Baxian told Duan Peng to keep drinking and stormed out to face the Town Pacification Office.

After the Tiger Head Gang’s destruction, Chen Ping'an was promoted to head constable of the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office, though he commanded fewer squads than the other head constables. Head Constable Zheng appeared to make peace with him, but after Chen Ping'an accepted Zheng’s dinner invitation, Zheng’s smile vanished and he revealed his hostility.

• Chen Ping'an left his younger sister, Chen Er'ya, at home and went to the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office, where the constables greeted him warmly.
• Shen Shi Kang announced that Chen Ping'an had been promoted to head constable, while Zheng Shiyong hid his resentment and fear that Chen Ping'an had killed Tan Huacong.
• Shen Shi Kang and Tian Fulang spoke with Chen Ping'an, who learned he would command only three squads and be the weakest head constable in authority.
• Shen Shi Kang hosted a banquet to celebrate Chen Ping'an’s promotion, and Chen Ping'an declined Tian Fulang’s invitation to drink flower wine because his younger sister was waiting at home.
• Head Constable Zheng invited Chen Ping'an to a banquet at Spring Rain Pavilion to apologize, and Chen Ping'an accepted.
• After Chen Ping'an left, Head Constable Zheng’s smile disappeared and a trace of viciousness showed in his eyes.

Chen Ping'an completed Spiritual Pattern Condensation, perfected the Seven Absolute Divine Skill, and gained the trump card Seven Absolutes · Illusionary Barrier. He left Leiming for Azure Dragon Province City to attend Er Ya's Coming-of-Age Ceremony, but as his carriage crossed the mountain border, he sensed two concealed figures lying in ambush.

• Chen Ping'an broke through to the Third Stage of Breakthrough and perfected the Seven Absolute Divine Skill, unlocking Seven Absolutes · Illusionary Barrier.
• Chen Ping'an chose to focus on the Seven Kill Heavenly Dipper Fist and Azure Sun Blood Refinement Method, while worrying that the pursuit of Qu Feiyan and the Heavenly Luo Saintess might put him at risk.
• The Thunderclap Town Pacification Office continued its campaign against fleeing demonic heretics, while Chen Ping'an cultivated and refined equipment before preparing to leave Leiming.
• Chen Ping'an visited Gu Qingchan, Wu Benqing, Gu Loping, and Feng Wuhen before departing Leiming for Azure Dragon Province City to attend Er Ya's Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
• Chen Ping'an cultivated during the journey, then sensed two concealed figures lying in ambush in the mountain forest beside the official road.

Mu Qingyao defended Chen Ping'an against her brother Mu Chenjie’s class prejudice while Chen Ping'an quietly studied the Seven Absolute Divine Skill. Its insights triggered a breakthrough, and he reached the Jade Balance Late Stage, becoming a Great Grandmaster.

• Mu Qingyao visited Chen Ping'an to ask about his injuries, and caravan hands speculated about her concern for him.
• Mu Chenjie warned Mu Qingyao to keep her distance from Chen Ping'an, but she argued that a poor background did not prevent friendship or greatness.
• After Mu Qingyao returned to her carriage, Chen Ping'an heard the siblings’ argument and treated it as a passing interlude.
• That night, Chen Ping'an slipped away from the caravan and opened the Inheritance Jade Book to study the Seven Absolute Divine Skill.
• Chen Ping'an grasped that the Seven Absolutes Heart Sutra was the skill’s core, reached Initiation, and advanced to the Jade Balance Late Stage as a Great Grandmaster.

Chen Ping'an returned to Thunderous Roar Great City and summoned representatives of Leiming’s factions to discuss a joint campaign against the evil demons. The representatives expected him to seek their help, but Chen Ping'an ended the meeting by declaring the plan settled unless anyone objected.

• Feng Wuhen secured Black Spirit Gate’s support for the encirclement and set out to confront the Outer Path Alliance.
• Chen Ping'an crossed the Thunderclap Mountain Range and returned alone to Thunderous Roar Great City, resolving to settle the evil-demon crisis.
• Wu Benqing expected Chen Ping'an to seek his help, then condemned Chen Ping'an’s decision to summon the city’s factions and waited for the meeting to fail.
• Leaders of the various factions sent representatives with little authority and no real commitment to the temporary Deliberation Council.
• Chen Ping'an addressed the assembled representatives, proposed that all factions jointly encircle and suppress the evil demons, and declared the matter settled unless anyone objected.

Chen Ping'an met Zhang Tianyuan, concealed his role in Li Wusheng’s death, and received a valuable lotus fruit before leaving Azure Dragon Province City. As he set out for Leiming, Liang Xiaoxian pursued him, and Chen Ping'an began cultivating Grand Void Wind Riding.

• Chen Ping'an prepared for Zhang Tianyuan’s scrutiny, then met the Mystic Yellow Absolute Sword and carefully concealed his true strength and connection to Li Wusheng’s death.
• Zhang Tianyuan praised Chen Ping'an, tested his apparent cultivation, and gave him a Jade Veined Lotus Fruit.
• Chen Ping'an used the lotus fruit to support his plans for future cultivation and spent a warm evening with Little Girl, resolving to get her into the Academy as soon as possible.
• Chen Ping'an left Azure Dragon Province City the next morning, and Liang Xiaoxian ordered Earth Splitting Old Man and Raging Wave Guest to pursue him.
• On the road to Leiming, Chen Ping'an began cultivating Grand Void Wind Riding.

Chen Ping'an killed Heavenly Luo Sect Hall Master Xing Rongzi after revealing his Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill, then reflected on the limits of his strength and hurried back to where Gu Wu had died. He found the site still undiscovered and prepared to deal with the remaining loose ends.

• Xing Rongzi realized Chen Ping'an possessed a Body Protection Divine Skill, but Chen Ping'an shattered his attacks and struck his head, killing him.
• Chen Ping'an assessed the threat Xing Rongzi's hidden technique had posed and resolved to perfect the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill.
• Chen Ping'an searched Xing Rongzi's body, took his belongings, destroyed the corpse and traces, and buried the distinctive longsword in a forest.
• Chen Ping'an avoided a Town Pacification Office squad while hurrying back to the place where Gu Wu and Sheng Yanshan had died.
• Chen Ping'an found that no one had discovered the site yet and felt relieved.

Chen Ping'an waited for Zuo Wumei to attack his home, then fought him off and chased him into a secluded alley. Zuo Wumei turned to face him, confident that his hidden technique would kill Chen Ping'an.

• Chen Ping'an trained in the Golden Bell Shield, then hid on his rooftop to ambush Zuo Wumei, but the thief did not appear that night.
• Chen Ping'an searched South Spring Lane for Zuo Wumei and spent another night keeping watch from his roof.
• Zuo Wumei approached Chen Ping'an's home, detected him, and attacked; Chen Ping'an sprang up to intercept him.
• Chen Ping'an and Zuo Wumei exchanged saber strikes, and Zuo Wumei fled when he recognized Chen Ping'an as a Qi Blood Sixth Level expert.
• Chen Ping'an pursued Zuo Wumei through the streets, and Zuo Wumei stopped in a secluded alley, promising to kill him with a hidden technique.

Chen Ping'an broke through to five Spirit Patterns and reached Minor Accomplishment in Tyrant Saber before preparing to attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet as Reckless Saber and the Trading Convention under another identity. As Xue Zirou and Xue Guangyu traveled to Mist and Rain Ferry Crossing to receive him, Chen Ping'an also considered impersonating the supposedly dead Seven Absolute Old Man, though he still needed a way to conceal his aura.

• Chen Ping'an gained a fifth Spirit Pattern, achieved Minor Accomplishment in Tyrant Saber, and learned its secret technique, Severing Earth Strike.
• Chen Ping'an recalled how he had avoided Gu Qingchan's tests about the Trading Convention and planned to make a conspicuous appearance at the Hundred Flowers Banquet before attending the convention under his alternate identity.
• Xue Zirou reflected on her complicated feelings about Chen Ping'an and instructed Xue Guangyu to help receive him without causing trouble.
• Xue Guangyu insisted he wanted to challenge or provoke Reckless Saber, but Xue Zirou warned him to behave as their carriages set out for Mist and Rain Ferry Crossing.
• Chen Ping'an cultivated the Seven Absolute Divine Skill and considered using the dead Seven Absolute Old Man's techniques, belongings, and secrets to impersonate him, but recognized that he needed an aura-concealing treasure.

Chen Ping'an pursued a chance to become a Formal Constable by earning Middle Merit through the search for the Green Fish Gang's remnants, while keeping his hidden martial cultivation secret. He and his companions found no clues, but Monkey Head remained determined to continue the search.

• Chen Ping'an reasoned that becoming a Formal Constable without revealing his martial cultivation would give him the standing and protection he needed.
• Chen Ping'an, Monkey Head, Da Shan, and the other constables searched the streets for the gang's remnants but found nothing.
• Chen Ping'an asked Uncle Zhang for Water Chestnut Distinct Stone Blocks, then returned home to Chen Er'ya and practiced Iron Cloth after dinner.
• The next day, Chen Ping'an arrived early for duty and patrolled with Monkey Head and Da Shan as Monkey Head explained the proper ways to address the office's leaders.
• The patrol again yielded no trace of the gang's remnants, and Monkey Head urged Chen Ping'an and Da Shan to keep searching the following day.

Chen Ping'an returned to Wei River County City and was challenged by Guan Dongxiang on the long street. He defeated Guan with one saber, ordered his arrest, and revealed that he had also killed Thousand Leaf Phantom Hand.

• News of Chen Ping'an's return spread through Wei River County City, but no Town Pacification Office commander came to greet him.
• Guan Dongxiang blocked Chen Ping'an's carriage and demanded a duel, while Feng Chengxiu and Wu Dazhen watched from a nearby building.
• When a burly Town Pacification Office guard attacked Guan Dongxiang, Chen Ping'an intervened and defeated Guan with Soul Severing One Saber.
• Chen Ping'an ordered the wounded Guan Dongxiang seized for colliding with his carriage, resisting arrest, and provoking the law.
• Chen Ping'an's guard announced that Chen had killed Thousand Leaf Phantom Hand, shocking Feng Chengxiu and the gathered crowd.

Gu Qingchan visited Chen Ping'an and met his younger sister, Chen Er'ya, before taking her to Azure Dragon Province City to study. As the siblings parted, Feng Chengxiu became more determined to act against Chen Ping'an on behalf of the Universe Control Division.

• Chen Ping'an brought Gu Qingchan to his home, where she met Chen Er'ya and was impressed by the girl's intelligence and learning.
• Chen Er'ya teased Chen Ping'an about Gu Qingchan being her future sister-in-law and deliberately let Gu Qingchan hear her question to gauge her reaction.
• Chen Ping'an and Chen Er'ya bickered on their last night together in Wei River County City, and he gave her a bracelet before she left.
• The next morning, Gu Qingchan's carriage departed for Azure Dragon Province City with Chen Er'ya and her maidservant Peony, while Chen Ping'an resolved to join her there someday.
• Feng Chengxiu declined Fan Zhengheng's invitation, secretly judged Chen Ping'an to be an arrogant junior, and left with the Universe Control Division after deciding the Gu Family's support was not strong enough to deter him.

After the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s defeat, Chen Ping'an was promoted to Constable Director Candidate while Shen Shi Kang transferred to the South City Pacification Office and Tian Fulang became acting director. Chen Ping'an gained authority, rewarded his allies, and received gifts from South Spring Lane’s factions.

• Shen Shi Kang was promoted to Director of the Errand Office, Chen Ping'an became Constable Director Candidate, and Tian Fulang was appointed acting Constable Director of the South Spring Neighborhood Pacification Office.
• Chen Ping'an took command of eight squads, made Da Shan acting Squad Leader, and gave Zeng Jihe a formal position with two temporary constables as attendants.
• The constables held a farewell banquet for Shen Shi Kang before he transferred to the South City Pacification Office.
• Chen Ping'an trained late into the night and moved into a larger official room after his promotion.
• Factions visited Chen Ping'an with gifts, and the Red Bear Gang gave him a large residence.