Chapter Summaries

Ji Boying arrived in a vast lake and wandered across its surface, playing music on his sword until he encountered three women in a boat. He left them startled by appearing to walk on water.

• Ji Boying wondered why he had entered another world, then landed on the surface of a lake and calmly set off across it.
• As he walked, Ji Boying flicked his iron sword to make music and sang over the water.
• A woman in a boat answered his song, and Ji Boying followed her voice through the lotus blossoms.
• Ji Boying met three women and two boatmen, and one of the women asked whether he was human or a ghost.
• Ji Boying replied that ghosts did not appear in broad daylight.

Ji Boying met Bao Butong, Feng Bo'e, A'Zhu, A'Bi, and Wang Yuyan on Taihu Lake and demonstrated his overwhelming martial arts. After Feng Bo'e challenged him twice and was easily defeated, Feng asked Ji to travel with them.

• Ji Boying introduced himself as a Qi Cultivator of Mount Zhongnan, and the group exchanged names on Taihu Lake.
• Bao Butong invited Ji Boying to join them on their way to a Beggar Gang gathering, while A'Zhu worried that Bao might be using Wang Yuyan to protect the Murong Family's martial arts manuals.
• Feng Bo'e leaped at Ji Boying with a punch, but Ji repelled him with an Empty Palm Strike, sending Feng and Bao crashing into the boat's cabin.
• Wang Yuyan admitted she could not identify Ji Boying's weaknesses, and Ji told her that power itself was reason.
• Feng Bo'e launched a second attack with his saber, but Ji knocked the weapon away and sent Feng into the lake.
• Feng Bo'e yielded and asked Ji Boying to travel with them so Ji could face formidable opponents while Feng fought weaker ones.

Ji Boying traveled with Bao Butong, Feng Bo'e, A'Zhu, A'Bi, and Wang Yuyan while revealing that A'Zhu was the daughter of Ruan Xingzhu and Duan Zhengchun. The group realized that Duan Yu was A'Zhu's elder brother, leaving Bao Butong concerned that they had treated him poorly.

• Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e invited Ji Boying to travel with them, and he agreed while refusing to promise friendship with Murong Fu.
• Ji Boying told Wang Yuyan that her cousin Murong Fu lacked learning, then explained that his broad knowledge let him know distant affairs.
• Ji Boying asked whether A'Zhu's surname was Ruan and recited a nursery rhyme that matched the inscription on her Longevity Lock.
• Ji Boying revealed that A'Zhu's mother was Ruan Xingzhu and her father was Duan Zhengchun, Prince of Zhennan of Dali.
• Ji Boying explained that Duan Yu was A'Zhu's elder brother, and Bao Butong worried that they had neglected him and treated him impolitely.

Ji Boying revealed A'Zhu's parentage and privately raised doubts about Wang Yuyan's origins, leaving her shaken. At the campfire, he urged the women to learn martial arts so they could defend themselves, while admitting he had failed to find Jiumozhi.

• Ji Boying explained that A'Zhu was the daughter of Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu, and suggested A'Zhu and A'Bi become sworn sisters and acknowledge Duan Yu as their elder brother.
• Ji Boying privately told Wang Yuyan that her origins might be questionable, and she began to suspect that Duan Zhengchun was her real father.
• The group spent the day on Taihu Lake and camped ashore; Ji Boying left to search for Jiumozhi but returned without finding him.
• Ji Boying asked why Wang Yuyan did not practice martial arts and argued that she, A'Zhu, and A'Bi should learn to protect themselves.
• Ji Boying described dangers posed by violent martial artists and criminals, frightening the three women into huddling together.

Ji Boying tracked down Jiumozhi and persuaded him to exchange martial arts before the two went outside the city to spar. Their first clash showed that Ji Boying could match Jiumozhi’s skill, leaving the Imperial Advisor astonished.

• A'Zhu and Wang Yuyan trained diligently while traveling, and Wang Yuyan kept her possible connection to Prince of Zhennan secret.
• Bao Butong worried that Wang Yuyan had grown close to Ji Boying and feared what their journey might mean for the Murong Family.
• Ji Boying followed reports of Jiumozhi to a tavern and introduced himself, then proposed exchanging martial arts.
• Jiumozhi agreed to test Ji Boying, and the two used their Lightness Skills to leave the city and spar.
• Jiumozhi attacked with his Flame Blade, but Ji Boying deflected his strikes with Empty Palm Strikes, impressing him with their comparable skill.

Ji Boying and Jiumozhi exchanged martial arts and manuals after their palm-force contest ended without a clear victor. After Ji Boying quickly mastered Flame Blade and gave Jiumozhi directions to the Muscle Tendon Changing Scripture, they parted, and Ji Boying resumed following A'Zhu and the others toward Apricot Forest.

• Jiumozhi withdrew from the contest after more than thirty exchanges with Ji Boying and acknowledged Ji Boying's strength.
• Ji Boying offered several martial arts manuals and information about the Muscle Tendon Changing Scripture in exchange for Jiumozhi's Flame Blade.
• Jiumozhi chose to read Iron Palm Technique, while Ji Boying studied Flame Blade and mastered it after reading the manual once.
• Ji Boying demonstrated Flame Blade by cutting through a thick tree, shocking Jiumozhi as he finished reading the manual.
• Jiumozhi chose the information about the Muscle Tendon Changing Scripture, and Ji Boying told him where it was kept at Shaolin Temple.
• After exchanging insights and bidding farewell, Ji Boying followed A'Zhu and the others' tracks toward Apricot Forest.

Ji Boying arrived in Apricot Forest and overwhelmed the assembled martial artists, humiliating Shan Zheng and Quan Guanqing while defending Qiao Feng against their prejudice. He then promised Xiao Feng that he knew the full truth about the affair and could identify the Leading Brother.

• Ji Boying entered Apricot Forest with a display of inner power and kicked Shan Zhongshan, Shan Shushan, and Shan Jishan aside before throwing Shan Zheng down and stepping on his head.
• A'Zhu introduced Ji Boying as the Qi Cultivator of Mount Zhongnan, and he greeted A'Zhu, A'Bi, Wang Yuyan, and Duan Yu.
• Ji Boying mocked the Central Plains martial artists for condemning Qiao Feng as Khitan despite his service to the Central Plains, and he struck Quan Guanqing with a forceful gob of phlegm.
• Ji Boying cited Yuchi Jingde and Geshu Han to challenge the crowd's prejudice against non-Han heroes, leaving the martial artists speechless and humiliated.
• Xiao Feng thanked Ji Boying and asked him to reveal the truth about his affair and the identity of the Leading Brother.
• Ji Boying told Xiao Feng that he knew every detail of the affair's origins and course.

Ji Boying exposed evidence that Bai Shijing had helped murder Ma Dayuan, then tortured him until he confessed and implicated Kang Min, Quan Guanqing, and Xu Chongxiao. The Beggar Gang subdued the accused, while Xiao Feng demanded to know why they had framed him and the crowd confronted Kang Min about her motive.

• Ji Boying and Wang Yuyan explained that Ma Dayuan’s crushed throat did not prove he had been killed with the Throat Locking Grappling Technique, and Ji suggested he might have been incapacitated with Ten Fragrance Softening Muscle Powder.
• Ji Boying seized Bai Shijing, exchanged a powerful palm strike with Xiao Feng, and asked Bai whether he would reveal the true culprit.
• Ji Boying tortured Bai Shijing with the Bone Attaching Needle until Bai agreed to confess.
• Bai Shijing blamed Kang Min for seducing and coercing him, and named Quan Guanqing and Xu Chongxiao as the masterminds.
• The Beggar Gang members surrounded Quan Guanqing and Xu Chongxiao, while A'Zhu seized Kang Min and threw her beside Bai Shijing.
• Xiao Feng and the Four Great Elders demanded to know why Kang Min had murdered Ma Dayuan and helped frame Xiao Feng, but Kang Min prepared to deny the accusations.

Wu Changfeng tried to save Xiao Feng by pushing the blame for the conspiracy onto Quan Guanqing, but Xiao Feng refused to settle for a convenient lie and demanded the truth. Ji Boying exposed Quan Guanqing’s culpability, and the chapter ended with Xiao Feng asking Bai Shijing why he had framed him for Ma Dayuan’s murder.

• Wu Changfeng accused Quan Guanqing of murdering Ma Dayuan and conspiring to frame Xiao Feng, while signaling the witnesses to let Quan bear the blame.
• Xiao Feng stopped Wu Changfeng from killing Quan Guanqing and declared that he would uncover the truth regardless of whether he was Han Chinese or Khitan.
• Quan Guanqing denied responsibility, admitted only to opposing Xiao Feng as chief, and tried to excuse his role in concealing the truth and framing him.
• Ji Boying exposed Quan Guanqing’s role in hiding Ma Dayuan’s murder and harming the Beggar Gang, then used his inner power to pin Quan Guanqing down in agony.
• Xu Chongxiao blamed Kang Min and killed himself with a dagger, while Xiao Feng asked Bai Shijing why he had framed him for Ma Dayuan’s death.

Xiao Feng learned that Kang Min had orchestrated Ma Dayuan’s murder and the plot to frame him because he had barely glanced at her at a gathering. Though the truth was exposed, Xiao Feng renounced the Beggar Gang and asked Ji Boying to tell him about his birth and the mysterious Leading Brother.

• Xiao Feng suspected Bai Shijing had framed him for reasons beyond ambition, while Bai Shijing confessed his guilt and blamed Kang Min.
• Kang Min revealed that she had hated Xiao Feng ever since he failed to look at her at the Luoyang Hundred Flowers Gathering, and that she used Bai Shijing, Quan Guanqing, and Xu Chongxiao to ruin him.
• Kang Min explained that Bai Shijing killed Ma Dayuan after Ma rejected her demand to expose Xiao Feng’s Khitan identity, and that the conspirators stole Xiao Feng’s folding fan to support their accusation.
• Elder Chen confessed to stealing Xiao Feng’s folding fan, and Xiao Feng forgave him but declared that he could no longer remain in the Beggar Gang.
• Xiao Feng thanked Ji Boying for exposing the plot and asked him to reveal the truth about Xiao Feng’s birth and the identity of Leading Brother.

Ji Boying traded information with Xiao Feng and revealed that Xiao Feng was Khitan, his father Xiao Yuanshan was alive, and the Shaolin abbot had led the attack at Yanmen Pass. He also named Murong Bo as the one who spread the false rumor, leaving Apricot Forest in uproar.

• Ji Boying offered to trade information for Xiao Feng's Dragon Capturing Skill, and Xiao Feng agreed that teaching it would not betray the Beggar Gang.
• Ji Boying secured Duan Yu's trust by hinting at his connection to Duan Zhengchun, then promised to make a deal with him after speaking with Xiao Feng.
• Ji Boying confirmed that Xiao Feng was Khitan and that Xiao Yuanshan was alive, hiding under an assumed name in Shaolin Temple.
• Ji Boying identified the Shaolin abbot as the Leading Brother, then subdued Elder Tan, Madam Tan, Zhao Qiansun, and Monk Zhiguang when they tried to stop him.
• Ji Boying revealed that Murong Bo had spread the false news that provoked the Central Plains martial world into attacking the Khitans, and the crowd erupted in confusion.

Ji Boying exposed Murong Bo as the mastermind behind the Yanmen Pass tragedy and other crimes, while Xiao Feng spared the Murong Family’s retainers who had known nothing of the schemes. As the Western Xia First Grade Hall arrived in Apricot Forest, Ji Boying saved the mortally wounded Deputy Branch Leader Xie, and Xiao Feng and Ji Boying’s shared snort sent the invading party into disarray.

• Ji Boying revealed that Murong Bo had faked his death, plotted to provoke war between the Central Plains and the Khitan, and killed Ke Baisui to seize his fortune.
• Bao Butong protested Ji Boying’s accusations, but Ji Boying struck him down; Xiao Feng then stopped the crowd from taking its anger out on Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e.
• Ji Boying explained Murong Bo’s crimes, and Xiao Feng declared that he would seek revenge on Murong Bo without blaming the retainers who had been unaware of the plot.
• A dying Deputy Branch Leader Xie was brought into Apricot Forest, where Ji Boying treated him and said he might survive if his wounds healed within three days.
• Western Xia cavalry and warriors entered Apricot Forest, but Xiao Feng and Ji Boying’s powerful snort startled their horses and knocked the general from his mount.

Ji Boying’s Sound Attack routed Helian Tieshu’s Western Xia First Grade Hall, while Duan Yu’s reunion with Third Master Yue and Yun Zhonghe’s arrival disrupted the confrontation. Poison left the Beggar Gang weakened, but Ji Boying seized Yun Zhonghe before he could attack.

• Ji Boying’s Sound Attack threw the Western Xia First Grade Hall riders from their horses, and Xiao Feng praised him as the Central Divine.
• Helian Tieshu spotted Xie still alive and ordered Nu'er Hai to capture Ji Boying, while Xiao Feng challenged the Western Xia warriors.
• Duan Yu recognized Third Master Yue as his disciple, who kowtowed once before leaving, and warned Xiao Feng and Ji Boying that Yun Zhonghe and the Four Great Evils had joined the First Class Hall.
• Yun Zhonghe charged toward Madam Ma, but Xiao Feng intercepted him with a palm strike as poison weakened the Beggar Gang and made their eyes stream with tears.
• As Yun Zhonghe approached the helpless Xiao Feng, Ji Boying used threads to yank him over and shake him until he could no longer resist.

Ji Boying killed Yun Zhonghe, recovered the antidote, and protected the poisoned Beggar Gang members from Helian Tieshu’s cavalry. After Xiao Feng recovered, Ji Boying killed Quan Guanqing, Kang Min, and Bai Shijing, then left Helian Tieshu to Xiao Feng while preparing to kill someone else.

• Ji Boying tortured Yun Zhonghe to death and found the antidote to the Melancholy Softening Wind in his robes.
• Helian Tieshu surrounded Apricot Forest with Western Xia cavalry and threatened to kill the Beggar Gang unless Ji Boying surrendered.
• Ji Boying tossed the antidote to Xiao Feng and used Sword Qi to knock thousands of arrows out of the air, protecting the Beggar Gang.
• Xiao Feng took the antidote, stood up, and passed the bottle to Elder Song.
• Ji Boying killed Quan Guanqing, Kang Min, and Bai Shijing with palm force, then told Xiao Feng to handle Helian Tieshu while he went to kill someone else.

Ji Boying and Xiao Feng defeated Western Xia First Grade Hall, captured Helian Tieshu, and killed Ye Ernian after exposing her crimes against infants. Xiao Feng resolved to seek answers about his origins at Shaolin Temple, and Ji Boying gave him Ye Ernian’s head to deliver to the abbot so Xiao Feng would not be blamed for her death.

• Ji Boying caught the Western Xia soldiers’ arrows, while Xiao Feng fought through their ranks and captured Helian Tieshu.
• Ji Boying disarmed Ye Ernian, rescued the infant, and tortured and killed her after Duan Yu revealed her crimes.
• Xiao Feng ordered Helian Tieshu taken away for interrogation and offered to pass on the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, while reserving the Dog Beating Staff Technique for the next gang leader.
• Xiao Feng rejected the elders’ suggestion to conceal his Khitan origins and insisted on going to Shaolin Temple for answers.
• Ji Boying learned the Dragon Capturing Skill from Xiao Feng, killed Ye Ernian, and gave her head to Xiao Feng to take to the Shaolin abbot.

Ji Boying revealed that Xiao Yuanshan had stolen Xuan Ci and Ye Ernian’s son, explaining Ye Ernian’s grudge against Xiao Feng while warning that her crimes were her own. Xiao Feng hurried toward Shaolin Temple to protect his adoptive parents and master, unaware that Murong Bo and a hidden, extraordinarily powerful Sweeper Monk could complicate the confrontation.

• Xiao Feng asked Feng Bo'e and Bao Butong to investigate whether Murong Bo had destroyed his family, while Bao Butong sent Duan Yu with Wang Yuyan to warn Murong Fu.
• Ji Boying explained that Xiao Yuanshan had stolen Xuan Ci and Ye Ernian’s son, after which Ye Ernian began abducting and killing infants.
• Ji Boying urged Xiao Feng to stop Xiao Yuanshan from harming innocent people, and Xiao Feng rushed to find his father and protect his adoptive parents.
• Ji Boying warned Xiao Feng that Murong Bo was secretly studying martial arts at Shaolin Temple and might attack from the shadows.
• Ji Boying cautioned Xiao Feng against fighting in the Scripture Depository, where the powerful Sweeper Monk could intervene.

Ji Boying traded Duan Yu news about his parentage for Lingbo Weibu, revealing that Duan Yu was Duan Yanqing’s son and advising him on how to ease the conflict between his parents. He also confirmed Wang Yuyan’s connection to Duan Yu, leaving Duan Yu relieved and eager to pursue her as he handed over the martial art.

• Ji Boying offered Duan Yu important family news in exchange for Lingbo Weibu, and Duan Yu agreed after Wang Yuyan encouraged him to trade.
• Ji Boying revealed that Duan Yu was not Duan Zhengchun’s biological son but Duan Yanqing’s son, born after Dao Baifeng sought revenge on Duan Zhengchun.
• Ji Boying proposed that Duan Zhengchun and Dao Baifeng reconcile, while Duan Yanqing accept Duan Yu as his heir and give up his claim to the throne.
• Ji Boying teased Duan Yu about no longer needing to fear that pretty women were his sisters, then confirmed Wang Yuyan’s identity and connection to him.
• Duan Yu felt relieved that he could pursue Wang Yuyan and gratefully gave Lingbo Weibu to Ji Boying.

Duan Yu chose to hurry to Shaolin Temple while Ji Boying continued west and searched Tianshan for Vulture Peak Palace. Ji Boying found the palace’s stone chamber, discovered hundreds of martial arts records, and mastered the Tianshan Plum Folding Hand as he began exploring the Xiaoyao School’s techniques.

• Duan Yu chose to go to Shaolin Temple first, and he and A'Zhu, Wang Yuyan, and their companion parted from Ji Boying.
• Ji Boying travelled west at a leisurely pace and eventually reached Tianshan, where he searched the southern foothills for Misty Peak.
• Ji Boying found Vulture Peak Palace, climbed its cliffs past the guarded strongholds, and scouted the fortress but found no sign of the Tianshan Child Elder.
• Ji Boying located an unguarded stone cave behind the fortress and discovered over a thousand circles recording martial arts on its walls.
• Ji Boying studied the Tianshan Plum Folding Hand, judged it superior to the Nine Swords of Dugu, and quickly mastered its six forms.

Ji Boying studied the Tianshan Child Elder’s martial arts in the forbidden chamber, refining his internal cultivation and discovering a method that could extend his lifespan. When the Four Swords of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum arrived seeking help against a rebellion at Vulture Peak Palace, he agreed to intervene and carried them out of the chamber.

• Ji Boying mastered the Tianshan Six Yang Palm and Tianshan Plum Folding Hand, then began adapting their principles into his own palm techniques and swordsmanship.
• He studied the Eight Desolations and Six Directions, I Alone Am Supreme Divine Art, learning how its qi circulation could nourish his vitality and slow the depletion of his lifespan.
• Ji Boying practiced an unnamed health-preserving art from the stone wall and felt his vitality and qi circulation improve.
• After hearing fighting outside, Ji Boying encountered the Four Swords of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum, who explained that servants had rebelled while the Tianshan Child Elder was absent.
• Ji Boying agreed to help the four sisters, then used the Dragon Capturing Skill to seize them and leap out of the chamber.

Ji Boying arrived at Vulture Peak Palace and stopped the fighting, then confronted Murong Fu and his allies. He left Zhuo Bufan frozen in terror with a thirty-foot violet Sword Light at his throat.

• The Four Swords of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum brought Ji Boying into the besieged great hall, where he silenced the combatants with a roar.
• Duan Yu and Wang Yuyan reached Ji Boying and asked him to protect them and stop Murong Fu.
• Murong Fu challenged Ji Boying with renewed confidence after inheriting his father's inner strength, while Wang Yuyan warned Ji Boying about the increase in Murong Fu's power.
• Zhuo Bufan demonstrated his half-foot Sword Light and charged at Ji Boying.
• Ji Boying drew his iron sword and formed a thirty-foot violet Sword Light, stopping Zhuo Bufan before he could reach him.