Chapter Summaries

Zhao Hongming led the Wei Elite Soldiers in a surprise attack on the Zhao Army camp and fought Li Mu, eventually defeating him with his martial skills. Li Mu’s subordinates carried him away as the Zhao Army lost its will to fight and collapsed.

• Zhao Hongming ordered the Wei Elite Soldiers to attack the Zhao Army camp from the rear after the logs they had sent down the Lin River drifted out of sight.
• Li Mu recognized the Wei Elite Soldiers’ attack, refused to call back reinforcements, and ordered the Zhao Army to form ranks and meet them.
• Zhao Hongming’s war chariots broke through the Zhao ranks, and Zhao Hongming confronted Li Mu in battle.
• Li Mu wounded Zhao Hongming’s horse and unleashed his Seven-Colored Treasure Lotus, but Zhao Hongming revealed his fused martial skills and struck Li Mu down, destroying his left arm.
• Li Mu swallowed the Seven Lotus Seeds to raise his aura, but Zhao Hongming stopped him; Li Mu’s subordinates carried him away while the Wei soldiers overwhelmed the Zhao Army.

After defeating the Zhao camp, Zhao Hongming led his troops to reinforce Wu Qi, who was struggling to force a crossing over the Lin River. Wu Qi fought Hu Yunfeng to protect the Wei Army’s foothold, but was left nearly out of strength as Hu Yunfeng struck at him again.

• Zhao Hongming routed the Zhao soldiers, then ordered his troops to burn their camp and follow him to reinforce Wu Qi.
• Wu Qi ordered his soldiers to assemble a pontoon bridge across the Lin River, and Wei centurions crossed first to establish a foothold under Zhao attack.
• Le Yang, Ma Chuanping, and other Wei Elite Soldiers held the opposite bank while swimmers kept the bridge in place, allowing the main force to cross.
• Hu Yunfeng charged into the fighting and tore through the Wei formation, so Wu Qi confronted him in a saber duel.
• Hu Yunfeng overpowered Wu Qi and sent him flying, then attacked again as Wu Qi struggled to rise with almost no True Qi left.

Zhao Hongming’s Wei Elite Soldiers routed Hu Yunfeng’s army at the Lin River after defeating the Vast Righteous Sect Elder, while Li Mu escaped with a handful of followers. The Zhao generals regrouped and acknowledged that the Ying County Battle was a crushing defeat, then questioned why Martial King Your Highness had gained such powerful allies.

• Wu Qi’s forces attacked Hu Yunfeng’s Zhao Army from the rear, and Zhao Hongming defeated and killed the Vast Righteous Sect Elder.
• The Wei Elite Soldiers broke through the Zhao ranks, and Zhao Hongming captured Hu Yunfeng for Wu Qi, who beheaded him.
• The Wei Elite Soldiers routed the Zhao Army, while the wounded Li Mu fled with four others and admitted that the battle was lost.
• Ji Guofu led Li Mu’s group to Xue Guangdao and Zhong Qin, who agreed to withdraw toward the capital after hearing the news.
• Xue Guangdao, Zhong Qin, and the others recognized the scale of Zhao’s defeat and wondered why Martial King Your Highness had attracted such capable allies.

After Ji Guofu secretly suspected that Wei Wuji was Zhao Hongming, he concealed the idea and used it to persuade Li Mu and the Vast Righteous Sect elders that the Martial King was no martial genius. The Zhao army withdrew from Hedong City, leaving news of its retreat to cause a stir.

• A Zhao Army general suggested that Zhao Hongming might be a gifted Martial Warrior, and Ji Guofu privately concluded that he and Wei Wuji were the same person.
• Ji Guofu denied that Zhao Hongming could cultivate, convincing Li Mu's men that their defeat came from their own shortcomings.
• Li Mu asked Ji Guofu to claim Wei Wuji had reached Martial Courage Seventh Grade so the Vast Righteous Sect elders would abandon their attack.
• Li Mu and Ji Guofu persuaded Li Zixu and Yu Du to withdraw rather than risk their depleted army against Wei Wuji.
• The Zhao army, reduced to fifty thousand troops, left Hedong City the following day, and the news stirred the city.

Quan Erbao learned that the Wei Elite Soldiers had defeated the Zhao Army, then watched the Wei Army capture Hedong City under Cen Xiu’s command. Zhao Hongming learned that Cen Xiu would temporarily oversee the Eastern Army as the campaign against Zhao expanded.

• Jiang Dingsheng told Quan Erbao that Wu Qi’s thirty thousand Wei Elite Soldiers had defeated the three hundred thousand Zhao troops and routed General Li Mu.
• Quan Erbao regretted abandoning the Wei Elite Soldiers but resolved to continue toward his plan to seek refuge with a friend.
• Cen Xiu led the Wei Army in an assault on Hedong City, broke through the Zhao defenders, and forced the city’s residents and Quan Erbao to flee.
• After Hedong fell, Zhao Hongming asked Cen Xiu about the court’s plans, and Cen Xiu said he would temporarily oversee the Eastern Army and lead its recruitment and defense.

Zhao Hongming agreed to let Wu Qi and the Wei Elite Soldiers assist Cen Xiu in conquering Zhao Country’s Hedong County and establishing the army’s reputation. In Zhao’s court, Li Mu’s rivals tried to have him punished, but news that the Wei Army had seized thirty cities threw the court into turmoil.

• Cen Xiu proposed that Zhao Hongming send the Wei Elite Soldiers to help capture Hedong County, and Zhao Hongming agreed while reminding him to make the army renowned.
• Cen Xiu marched toward the next Zhao city with Wu Qi and more than twenty thousand Wei Elite Soldiers.
• Pang She’s faction accused Li Mu of five major offenses and urged the Zhao emperor to imprison him, while Minister Qian defended him.
• Li Mu entered the court and warned that the Wei Army was advancing through Hedong County, but Pang She dismissed the threat.
• A messenger reported that the Wei Army had taken thirty cities in Hedong, shocking the court.

Li Mu persuaded Chengxiang Emperor to seek the Vast Righteous Sect's help against the Wei Army, while secretly planning to exploit its intervention and defeat Wei's commanders. Ji Guofu learned of the plan and sent a fast rider toward Hedong, as rumors about the Wei Elite Soldiers' strength and rewards spread through Handan.

• After learning that the Wei Army had taken thirty cities in Hedong, Li Mu persuaded Chengxiang Emperor to invite the Vast Righteous Sect's Sect Master to intervene, despite Pang She's objections.
• Li Mu told his confidants that the Sect Master's intervention would help him defeat the Wei Army and recover his influence at court; Ji Guofu realized the plan put Zhao Hongming in danger.
• Ji Guofu sent a trusted subordinate away with instructions, and a fast horse raced from Handan toward Hedong.
• In Handan's streets, a young Martial Warrior spread word about the Wei Elite Soldiers' victories and generous rewards, prompting wandering Martial Warriors to consider joining them.

Zhao Hongming advanced his martial arts and received Ji Guofu’s urgent report about the Vast Righteous Sect’s sect master. In Great Liang City, Chen Xuerong learned of Zhao Hongming’s victories and resolved to keep strengthening herself, while the Huo Family fell silent.

• Zhao Hongming used his Array Dao Scripture to enhance his attacks and movement, then learned from Ji Guofu’s letter that the official had infiltrated Zhao Country’s capital with important news about the Vast Righteous Sect’s sect master.
• Zhao Hongming rewarded the messenger and went to Cen Xiu’s tent to discuss the report.
• Chen Cheng'an told Chen Xuerong that Zhao Hongming’s forces had defeated Li Mu’s army and captured thirty Zhao cities.
• Chen Xuerong made Chen Cheng'an practice, then renewed her resolve to cultivate and narrow the gap between herself and Zhao Hongming.
• The Huo Family sank into silence after hearing news of Wei’s victories.

Huo Yu and Huo Xianshui discussed the danger Zhao Hongming posed to the Huo Family after his military victories and the loss of their influence in the Eastern Army. At court, Zhao Yongxu approved Wu Qi’s promotion and heard opposing arguments over whether Wei should continue its invasion of Zhao Country.

• Huo Xianshui doubted Huo Yu’s report that the Wei Elite Soldiers had routed Zhao’s army, but Huo Yu confirmed the news and warned that the Huo Family was in danger.
• Huo Yu said Zhao Hongming’s growing influence and possible appointment as Crown Prince made him a threat, while Huo Xianshui regretted misjudging him.
• Zhao Yongxu asked his officials to consider Wu Qi’s promotion, and Xiao Boling, Hong Daowen, Chen Mou, and Yu Hezheng supported naming him Right General.
• Zhao Yongxu ordered Wu Qi appointed Right General Who Pacifies the Border of Wei Country under Zhao Hongming’s command.
• Yu Hezheng urged Zhao Yongxu to stop the war because Wei’s troops were deep in Zhao Country and supply costs were high, while the Minister of Revenue urged them to press their advantage and continue attacking.

Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu let Martial King Zhao Hongming decide how to respond to Li Mu’s attack on Ying Commandery, then sought Bi Lingjun’s help in Hedong County. Meanwhile, Fourth Prince Zhao Hongli agreed to pursue a marriage alliance with the Huo Family, and Bi Lingjun demanded command of the Five Directions Army in exchange for her aid.

• Xiao Boling and Hong Daowen argued that the conflict with Li Mu should be treated as a dispute between vassal rulers, and Jian'an Emperor assigned the matter to Martial King Zhao Hongming.
• Jian'an Emperor praised Zhao Hongming’s achievements, then decided to visit Bi Lingjun and ask her to counter the Vast Righteous Sect in Hedong County.
• Consort Hua proposed that Zhao Hongli seek a marriage alliance with Huo Yu, and Zhao Hongli agreed to follow her plan.
• Jian'an Emperor asked Bi Lingjun to travel to Hedong County and help hold off the Vast Righteous Sect’s sect master.
• Bi Lingjun rejected the offer of Minister of Personnel and demanded the post of Great General of the Five Directions Army.

Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu pressured Bi Lingjun into agreeing to intervene in Zhao Country, while Zhao Hongming and Cen Xiu prepared to retreat from Hedong to preserve the Wei Army. As Zhao officials debated the withdrawal, the Vast Righteous Sect Master reached the battlefield and descended toward the Wei Army to attack.

• Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu threatened to help Xuantian Manor refine a Purple Sun Pill, and Bi Lingjun agreed to act once in exchange for the Minister of Personnel post and three thousand Wish Stones.
• Zhao Hongming showed Cen Xiu Ji Guofu's letter, and they decided to scatter and withdraw the Wei Army rather than confront the Vast Righteous Sect Master directly.
• Zhao Hongming sent an envoy offering to return cities and withdrew from Anyi, while Pang She's faction urged Chengxiang Emperor to execute the envoy and Li Mu argued that the Vast Righteous Sect Master would defeat the Wei Army regardless.
• Chengxiang Emperor authorized Li Mu to gather troops and recover Hedong's lost territory while they awaited the Vast Righteous Sect Master's arrival.
• The Vast Righteous Sect Master arrived at a mountain overlooking the Wei Army, learned that Zhao Hongming's carriage was among them, and leapt from the cliff to attack.

Zhao Hongming ambushed the Vast Righteous Sect’s attackers and defeated Li Zixu with one punch before fighting the Vast Righteous Sect Master on equal footing. The Vast Righteous Sect Master unleashed a more powerful attack and declared that Zhao Hongming’s run of success would end.

• Cen Xiu spotted two figures approaching through a sea of flowers and ordered the Wei army to prepare for an attack.
• The Vast Righteous Sect Master cut through the Wei soldiers’ defenses while Li Zixu attacked the Martial King’s carriage, only to be trapped by Zhao Hongming’s array.
• Li Zixu broke free of the array, but Zhao Hongming struck him down with a single punch.
• The Vast Righteous Sect Master challenged Zhao Hongming, who revealed his power by fighting the Martial Courage Ninth Grade opponent evenly.
• The Vast Righteous Sect Master summoned a series of brilliant stars and warned Zhao Hongming that his advantage would end.

Zhao Hongming fought the Vast Righteous Sect Master, who overwhelmed him with his Star Dharma Idol and Vast Righteous Sword. Zhao Hongming turned the battle with the Life-Stealing Puppet and Thunder Control Technique, forcing the Sect Master to flee.

• The Vast Righteous Sect Master recognized that Zhao Hongming's face might be altered, but Zhao denied it and the Sect Master attacked him with the Vast Righteous Sword.
• Zhao Hongming fought back with his green Dharma Form, but the Sect Master's sword injured him and nearly split the Dharma Form in two.
• Zhao Hongming used the Life-Stealing Puppet, replenishing its power with Qi and Blood drawn through the Eight Desolations Eternal Youth Technique.
• The puppet battled the Vast Righteous Sect Master and unleashed Thunder Control Technique, shattering the Vast Righteous Sword and extinguishing the stars behind him.
• The Sect Master was badly wounded and fled when Zhao Hongming prepared to attack again.

Zhao Hongming defeated the Vast Righteous Sect Master but suffered serious injuries and lost the Life-Stealing Puppet. After Bi Lingjun arrived at the camp too late to help, she met the disguised Zhao Hongming and asked whether he was the Bright Cult Leader, Wei Wuji.

• Zhao Hongming stopped pursuing the fleeing Vast Righteous Sect Master, and the Life-Stealing Puppet shattered after its power ran out.
• Zhao Hongming returned to Cen Xiu and the Wei Army, ordered them to camp and head back to Anyì at dawn, then began healing his injuries.
• Bi Lingjun arrived at the camp and learned from Cen Xiu that Cult Leader Wei had driven off the Vast Righteous Sect Master.
• Bi Lingjun entered Zhao Hongming's tent, examined him, and asked whether he was the Ming Cult Leader, Wei Wuji.

Zhao Hongming concealed his strength from Bi Lingjun and claimed that seeking immortality through National Destiny was a scam, while Bi Lingjun warned him not to underestimate the Fifth Prince. After the Vast Righteous Sect Master’s defeat reached Zhao Country, Li Mu’s plans collapsed and he chose to feign illness.

• Zhao Hongming used the Small Bewildering God Array to conceal his condition while Bi Lingjun questioned his motives for approaching Wei Country’s royal clan.
• Zhao Hongming told Bi Lingjun that National Destiny could not grant immortality and was a scam; she left wary and planned to investigate.
• Bi Lingjun praised the Fifth Prince’s character and warned Zhao Hongming to be careful, then Cen Xiu decided to support Zhao Hongming and strengthen his control of the Eastern Army.
• The Vast Righteous Sect Master brooded over his defeat and the loss of two elders, then set out to prepare for the consequences with Li Mu.
• Li Mu learned that the Vast Righteous Sect Master was seriously injured, accepted Shi Weishi’s advice, and announced that he was ill and would receive no visitors.
• Ji Guofu was stunned to learn that the Ming Cult Leader had defeated the Vast Righteous Sect Master.

After defeating the Vast Righteous Sect Master, Zhao Hongming returned to Wu Qi’s forces, ordered them to defend the captured cities, and headed for Ying Commandery. News of Wei Wuji’s victory spread across Zhao Country, bringing a surge of Martial Warriors seeking to join the Bright Cult and Wei Elite Soldiers.

• Cen Xiu led his army back toward Anyì, while Zhao Hongming pursued Wu Qi’s troops and returned to their carriage.
• Zhao Hongming told Wu Qi that the Vast Righteous Sect Master had been defeated and instructed him to join Cen Xiu in defending the occupied cities rather than capturing more.
• Zhao Hongming told Wu Qi that the court had appointed him Wei Right General, then left for Ying Commandery while Wu Qi returned to Anyì.
• News of Wei Wuji’s victory spread through Zhao Country, prompting Martial Warriors to travel toward Ying Commandery and gather at the Bright Cult’s halls.
• Bright Cult recruiters screened applicants for the Wei Elite Soldiers, whose ranks had already grown to ten thousand Martial Warriors.

After Zhao Country's court blamed the Black-Clad Society for the defeat against Wei, Zhao Hongming returned to Jin Yin City and learned that the battle had strengthened his forces. Zhang Yi then proposed Li Li as Ying County Governor and asked to travel to Zhao Country to secure its formal cession of the Thirty Cities of Hedong.

• Censor Lin argued before Chengxiang Emperor that the Black-Clad Society shared responsibility for Li Mu's defeat, and Pang She agreed that it should be punished.
• Zhao Hongming recovered from his injuries on the journey back to Jin Yin City, then left the carriage outside the city and entered alone.
• Gao Yanshi reported that more than ten thousand Martial Warriors had applied to join the Wei Elite Soldiers and that three Innate Martial Artists were undergoing ideological education.
• Zhao Hongming agreed to meet Zhang Yi, who recommended Li Li for Ying County Governor and asked to serve as an envoy to Zhao Country to negotiate the cession of the Thirty Cities of Hedong.

Zhang Yi persuaded Zhao Hongming to send him as an envoy to Zhao Country, where he intended to exploit the rivalry between Pang She and Li Mu and weaken Zhao from within. Zhao Hongming then heard Li Li’s proposal to reform Ying Commandery and appointed him its governor.

• Zhang Yi proposed using Pang She’s rivalry with Li Mu to secure Zhao Country’s cession of the Thirty Cities of Hedong and sow turmoil in Zhao, and Zhao Hongming authorized his mission.
• Zhang Yi recommended Li Li for his diligent governance of Jin Yin City and reported that officials who had fled during the crisis were being held in the underground prison.
• Zhao Hongming ordered the captured officials executed and summoned Li Li to question him about governing Ying Commandery.
• Li Li argued that Ying Commandery should reward merit, employ capable people, and end the influence of Martial Arts Forces that profited without serving the people.
• Zhao Hongming approved Li Li’s reform proposal and appointed him Ying County Governor.

Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu learned that his son Zhao Hongming, under the identity of Wei Wuji, had defeated the Vast Righteous Sect Master and ordered preparations to resume forging the God-Demon Weapon. Fifteen days later, Zhang Yi reached Zhao Country as an envoy and persuaded Prime Minister Pang She to consider ceding the Thirty Cities of Hedong before asking to meet Zhao Country’s ruler.

• Feng Dabao told Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu that Ming Cult Leader Wei Wuji had defeated the Vast Righteous Sect Master, and Zhao Yongxu realized Wei Wuji was Zhao Hongming.
• Zhao Yongxu ordered Feng Dabao to keep Zhao Hongming’s identity secret and summoned Minister of Works Chen Mou to discuss restarting the forging of the God-Demon Weapon.
• Fifteen days later, Zhang Yi entered Zhao Country’s Imperial Palace with six Wei Elite Soldiers and met Prime Minister Pang She, who sat in the ruler’s seat of honor.
• Zhang Yi argued that Zhao Country should cede the Thirty Cities of Hedong, claiming the loss would discredit Li Mu and benefit Pang She.
• Pang She agreed to consider Zhang Yi’s proposal, and Zhang Yi asked Jia Qifang to lead him to meet Zhao Country’s ruler.

Zhang Yi persuaded Chengxiang Emperor of Zhao Country to cede the Thirty Cities of Hedong to avert an invasion by Wei. After Chengxiang Emperor won court support for the proposal, Zhang Yi received the agreement in Handan City and secured the territory for the Martial King of Wei.

• Zhang Yi met Chengxiang Emperor privately and warned him that Wei was preparing a 200,000-man invasion of Zhao.
• Zhang Yi urged Chengxiang Emperor to cede the Thirty Cities of Hedong, and Chengxiang Emperor agreed to raise the proposal at court.
• Chengxiang Emperor proposed ceding the cities, and Pang She backed him after ministers from Li Mu's faction objected.
• Chengxiang Emperor ordered an agreement of mutual non-aggression, and Zhang Yi received the document that afternoon in Handan City.