Chapter Summaries

Ji Boying traveled to Blackwood Cliff and infiltrated the Sun Moon Demonic Sect’s heavily guarded headquarters. After discovering unrest among the sect’s factions, he confronted Yang Lianting in Chengde Hall and held a sword to the chief steward’s throat.

• Ji Boying left Mount Hua alone and rode northwest toward Blackwood Cliff.
• Ji Boying left his horse at Xingxing Shoal and crossed the cliffs on foot, avoiding the guarded mountain road.
• Ji Boying climbed Blackwood Cliff, slipped past the guards, and reached the summit.
• Ji Boying observed the sect’s tense divisions and found Yang Lianting giving orders in Chengde Hall.
• Ji Boying leaped into the hall and placed his sword against Yang Lianting’s throat as the guards shouted but did not approach.

Ji Boying confronted Yang Lianting on Blackwood Cliff and demanded to be taken to Dongfang Bubai. He reached Dongfang Bubai’s garden, where the two prepared to fight, and the chapter ended as Dongfang Bubai launched a ball of pink brocade.

• Ji Boying revealed his identity to Yang Lianting and demanded to know where Dongfang Bubai was.
• Yang Lianting led Ji Boying to an underground passage, but Ji Boying refused to enter it and made him point out the way.
• Ji Boying carried Yang Lianting across Blackwood Cliff and landed in a garden beside Dongfang Bubai’s cottage.
• Dongfang Bubai appeared embroidering flowers and claimed he no longer cared about martial-world disputes, but Ji Boying’s sword at Yang Lianting’s throat provoked him.
• Yang Lianting urged Dongfang Bubai to attack, and Dongfang Bubai sent a ball of pink brocade flying through the garden.

Ji Boying fought Dongfang Bubai in the garden, using his sword, Purple Mist True Qi, and powerful fist techniques to overcome Dongfang Bubai's speed and injure him. Dongfang Bubai seized Yang Lianting's sword and prepared to continue the fight with his own swordsmanship.

• Ji Boying knocked Yang Lianting aside and cut Dongfang Bubai's arm after breaking his embroidery needle with his longsword.
• Dongfang Bubai attacked with silk-threaded needles, but Ji Boying parried them, closed the distance, and slashed his robe to rags.
• Dongfang Bubai hurled roof tiles and a beam at Ji Boying, who split the beam with a punch and struck Dongfang Bubai in the chest.
• Dongfang Bubai retreated to Yang Lianting, took his sword, and challenged Ji Boying to stop relying on his weapon advantage.

Ji Boying defeated Dongfang Bubai with his self-created Heavenly Merit Five Directions Sword, and Dongfang Bubai accepted death beside Yang Lianting. Ji Boying recovered the genuine Sunflower Manual and left carrying both men’s heads.

• Dongfang Bubai and Ji Boying fought with their swift and varied swordplay, but Ji Boying’s refined Five Great Mountains sword techniques gradually overwhelmed him.
• Ji Boying pierced Dongfang Bubai’s sword defense and cut off his right hand, then named his swordplay the Heavenly Merit Five Directions Sword.
• Dongfang Bubai admitted defeat and sat with Yang Lianting, asking Ji Boying to grant them a swift death.
• Ji Boying killed Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting with two Bodhi Seeds, then found the genuine Sunflower Manual in Dongfang Bubai’s robe.
• Ji Boying tied their severed heads together and walked away while reading the manual.

Ji Boying returned to Chengde Hall and confronted Ren Woxing, who attacked him while trying to use the Star Absorbing Great Art. Ji Boying overpowered him by sending Purple Mist True Qi into Ren Woxing’s meridians, leaving Ren Woxing’s arms exploding in a cloud of blood.

• Ji Boying reached Chengde Hall and found Ren Woxing, Ren Yingying, Xiang Wentian, and their followers amid the fallen guards and dead elders.
• Ren Woxing recognized that Ji Boying had killed Dongfang Bubai and Yang Lianting, then offered him Ren Yingying’s hand in marriage before launching a surprise attack.
• Ji Boying brushed aside Ren Woxing’s first strike and shattered his left wrist when Ren Woxing attacked with both palms.
• Ren Woxing tried to absorb Ji Boying’s internal strength with the Star Absorbing Great Art, but Ji Boying’s power could not be drawn out.
• Ji Boying sent Purple Mist True Qi through Ren Woxing’s arms, and Ren Woxing released his accumulated qi as his blood vessels burst.

Ji Boying defeated Ren Woxing, destroyed his escape plan, and killed Ren Yingying and Xiang Wentian before finally killing Ren Woxing. The Four Friends of Plum Manor knelt before Ji Boying, who realized Ren Woxing had intended to use gunpowder hidden in the corpses to kill him.

• Ren Woxing survived Ji Boying's attack at the cost of both arms and begged Ren Yingying and Xiang Wentian to flee.
• Ji Boying shot a Bone-Penetrating Nail into Ren Yingying's temple, killing her instantly.
• Ren Woxing and Xiang Wentian challenged Ji Boying to kill them, but Ji Boying killed Xiang Wentian with another Bone-Penetrating Nail and then killed Ren Woxing with a hidden weapon.
• The Four Friends of Plum Manor knelt before Ji Boying, afraid to resist after Ren Woxing's death.
• Ji Boying deduced that Ren Woxing had hidden gunpowder in the corpses to lure him close and kill him.

After Ji Boying vanished from Blackwood Cliff, witnesses reported that he had defeated the Demon Cult’s leaders and ascended, bringing the Mount Hua Sect unmatched fame and imperial favor. The sect’s influence spread through the realm, and it resolved to prosper alongside the nation while staying out of court affairs.

• The Four Friends of Plum Manor and surviving Demon Cult members watched Ji Boying turn transparent and disappear, then spread reports that he had ascended.
• The Mount Hua Sect joined the major righteous sects in attacking Blackwood Cliff, where they found devastation and heard matching testimony about Ji Boying defeating Dongfang Bubai, Ren Woxing, and others.
• Ji Boying’s reported ascension made the Mount Hua Sect the most prestigious sect, while Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, Linghu Chong, and Feng Qingyang protected it from challengers.
• The emperor confirmed the reports, held a ceremony on Mount Hua, made Yue Buqun Imperial Advisor, and encouraged the imperial family to study Mount Hua martial arts.
• The Mount Hua Sect’s teachings spread across the realm, promoting martial arts and national strength as its members avoided court affairs.

Ji Boying appeared above a city and used his Lightness Skill to avoid striking the Jin Little Prince, who invited him to his residence after witnessing his skill. The chapter ended with a girl in red confronting Ji Boying about his martial arts lineage.

• Ji Boying fell from the sky toward the Jin Little Prince, halted himself with his Lightness Skill, and accidentally tapped the prince’s forehead, causing him to fall.
• The angry Little Prince charged at Ji Boying, but Peng Lianhu and two other martial artists stepped between them and warned the prince not to act rashly.
• Ji Boying apologized and invented a story about chasing a bird, while the Little Prince admired his Lightness Skill and invited him to his residence.
• A monk revealed that the Little Prince was the only son of the Sixth Prince of the Great Jin Dynasty, and the girl in red asked Ji Boying whose disciple he was and which senior brother he served under.

Wang Chuyi recognized Ji Boying’s lightness skill as the Quanzhen Sect’s Golden Wild Goose Technique and questioned him about his origins. A street fight broke out when Hou Tonghai chased a little beggar and the Little Prince attacked a thick-browed youth, leaving Ji Boying to recruit Mu Yi with the promise of a wife.

• Wang Chuyi identified himself to Peng Lianhu, Reverend Lingzhi, and Liang Ziwen, then insisted Ji Boying must have learned the Quanzhen Sect’s Golden Wild Goose Technique.
• Soldiers whipped the crowd aside as Hou Tonghai chased a little beggar, while a thick-browed youth charged in and fought back against them.
• Wang Chuyi stopped Hou Tonghai from pursuing the beggar and forced him to back down after Peng Lianhu revealed the Daoist’s identity.
• Wang Chuyi intervened when the Little Prince and soldiers overwhelmed the thick-browed youth, knocking soldiers away and pinning the Little Prince down.
• Ji Boying asked Mu Yi whether he wanted a wife and offered to provide one if Mu Yi became his subordinate.

Ji Boying revealed that Yang Tiexin’s long-lost wife was in a sedan chair under Wanyan Honglie’s control, and Yang pledged himself to Ji in exchange for help. Ji then intervened in Wang Chuyi’s struggle over Wanyan Kang and exposed Peng Lianhu’s concealed weapon.

• Ji Boying named Yang Tiexin and promised to help him reunite with Madam Bao, who was being controlled by Wanyan Honglie.
• Yang Tiexin knelt before Ji Boying and vowed to serve him, while Mu Nianci was startled by his actions.
• Ji Boying rushed to the sedan chair and broke Peng Lianhu’s wrist as Peng tried to shake hands with Wang Chuyi.
• Ji Boying pointed out the steel needle concealed in Peng Lianhu’s ring, revealing that Peng had planned to attack Wang Chuyi.
• Wang Chuyi rebuked Peng Lianhu, and the little beggar arrived to help the injured honest youth to his feet.

Ji Boying persuaded Guo Jing and Huang Rong to follow his plan by promising to reveal who murdered Guo Jing’s father. When Wanyan Kang attacked Wang Chuyi and Ji Boying intervened, Ji Boying handed Wanyan Kang over to Wang Chuyi and sent him away with the others while he faced the pursuing fighters.

• Ji Boying told Wang Chuyi to take Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and the father and daughter competing in the martial contest for marriage outside the south gate.
• Ji Boying promised Guo Jing he would reveal his father’s murderer, and Guo Jing agreed to follow his instructions.
• Ji Boying identified the little beggar as Huang Rong, who agreed to see what he had planned.
• Wanyan Kang broke free and attacked Wang Chuyi, but Ji Boying blocked Peng Lianhu, Liang Ziwen, and Reverend Lingzhi as he seized Wanyan Kang.
• Ji Boying threw Wanyan Kang to Wang Chuyi and urged him to leave with Guo Jing and the others as soldiers and fighters closed in.

Ji Boying held off Peng Lianhu, Liang Ziwen, Reverend Lingzhi, and Hou Tonghai long enough for Wang Chuyi and the others to escape, then seized Bao Xiruo and fled with her. Bao Xiruo believed Yang Tiexin was dead and begged Ji Boying to spare her son, while Peng Lianhu and Liang Ziwen failed to catch up.

• Ji Boying blocked Liang Ziwen and Peng Lianhu from pursuing Wang Chuyi, killed Ma Qingxiong and Qian Qingjian with steel needles, and wounded Shen Qinggang and Wu Qinglie.
• Hou Tonghai joined Peng Lianhu, Liang Ziwen, and Reverend Lingzhi in attacking Ji Boying, who used his five-style swordsmanship to hold off all four.
• After more than fifty exchanges, Ji Boying unleashed a flurry of sword strikes, slipped past his opponents, and cut open Bao Xiruo's sedan chair.
• Ji Boying pulled Bao Xiruo onto the sedan chair roof and told her he would take her to Yang Tiexin; Bao Xiruo begged him to spare her son.
• Ji Boying scattered Iron Bodhi Seeds and fled across the rooftops with Bao Xiruo, while Peng Lianhu and Liang Ziwen fell behind.

Ji Boying brought Bao Xiruo to Yang Tiexin, and the two recognized each other after eighteen years apart. Their reunion revealed Wanyan Kang’s true parentage, and Yang Tiexin ended by urging Bao Xiruo to return to safety while insisting that Kang’er must not acknowledge Prince Zhao as his father.

• Ji Boying brought Bao Xiruo to the grove, where Yang Tiexin hesitated to reveal himself until Bao Xiruo recognized the scar on his arm.
• Bao Xiruo embraced Yang Tiexin and asked him to take her away, then worried aloud about their son Kang’er.
• Wanyan Kang heard Bao Xiruo’s words, and she explained how she had preserved memories of Niujia Village and Yang Tiexin.
• Wang Chuyi connected Wanyan Kang’s identity and name to Qiu Chuji’s agreement with the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, confirming that Yang Tiexin was his father.
• Guo Jing freed Yang Kang, who struggled to accept the truth, while Yang Tiexin did not pressure him to speak.
• Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo thanked Ji Boying, and Yang Tiexin urged Bao Xiruo to return while saying Yang Kang must not recognize Prince Zhao as his father.

Ji Boying explained his invented connection to Quanzhen and the investigation his master had left him, while Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo reunited and Yang Kang struggled with the scene. Ji Boying revealed that Wanyan Honglie had encountered Qiu Chuji and been saved by people from Niujia Village, but he had not yet explained Duan Tiande’s whereabouts.

• Bao Xiruo declared that she wanted to die beside Yang Tiexin, and the two embraced while Yang Kang turned away in discomfort.
• Wang Chuyi asked Ji Boying about his name and connection to Quanzhen, prompting everyone to seek an explanation.
• Ji Boying praised Wang Chongyang’s resistance to Jin and condemned both the Song court and the Jin dynasty.
• Ji Boying claimed that his master had followed Wang Chongyang, later investigated the Niujia Village tragedy, and entrusted him with uncovering its truth.
• Guo Jing pleaded with Ji Boying to reveal Duan Tiande’s whereabouts, and Ji Boying said Wanyan Honglie had been wounded by Qiu Chuji and rescued by villagers from Niujia Village.

Ji Boying revealed Wanyan Honglie’s role in the deaths and misfortunes surrounding the Guo and Yang families, and Guo Jing accepted the account and resolved to kill him. The group fled south together, while Yang Tiexin’s attempt to comfort Yang Kang ended with his son silently moving away.

• Ji Boying recounted how Wanyan Honglie and Duan Tiande caused Guo Xiaotian’s death and set off the misunderstandings involving Qiu Chuji, Master Jiaomu, and the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan.
• Guo Jing accepted Ji Boying’s story, and Yang Tiexin blamed himself for his elder brother’s death while Bao Xiruo reeled from learning Wanyan Honglie’s guilt.
• Guo Jing reassured Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo, then joined Huang Rong in pledging to help bring Wanyan Honglie down.
• Ji Boying explained how he had pieced together Yang Tiexin’s identity and Wanyan Honglie’s connection to Niujia Village, and the group believed his account.
• Ji Boying urged everyone to leave before Wanyan Honglie could send troops after them, and they traveled south through the snow.
• Yang Tiexin tried to drape his patched jacket over Yang Kang, but Yang Kang silently stepped away from him.

Ji Boying helped Yang Kang confront his conflicting feelings about Yang Tiexin and Wanyan Honglie, while Guo Jing offered to take responsibility for avenging their families. The group fled south after Ji Boying sensed pursuers approaching.

• Yang Tiexin told Guo Jing that Wanyan Honglie was the true mastermind behind his father's death, while Duan Tiande's whereabouts remained unknown.
• Ji Boying explained to Yang Kang that Wanyan Honglie had separated him from Yang Tiexin and caused Bao Xiruo years of sorrow, complicating any debt of gratitude Yang Kang felt toward his adoptive father.
• Guo Jing told Yang Kang he did not have to kill Wanyan Honglie and promised to settle the family's feud himself.
• Ji Boying sensed pursuers, so the group stamped out their campfire and hurried south; hoofbeats thundered behind them moments later.

Ji Boying split from the fleeing group to delay Wanyan Honglie’s cavalry, using hidden weapons to halt their charge and confronting the prince. He exposed the truth about Bao Xiruo and Yang Kang before Wanyan Honglie ordered his soldiers to shoot him, and Ji Boying met the volley with his sword.

• Ji Boying told the others to keep fleeing while he stayed behind to harass the pursuing cavalry, and Guo Jing wanted to go with him.
• Ji Boying used the Golden Wild Goose Technique to race toward Wanyan Honglie’s troops and threw Bone-Penetrating Nails that killed two guards.
• Liang Ziwen and Peng Lianhu shielded Wanyan Honglie, while the cavalry tightened their formation around him.
• Wanyan Honglie offered Ji Boying wealth and a place in his household if he returned his wife and son, but Ji Boying said Bao Xiruo and Yang Kang had gone with their true husband and father.
• Wanyan Honglie ordered his cavalry to shoot Ji Boying, and Ji Boying used the Three-Foot Green Edge to shield himself from the arrows.

Ji Boying held off Wanyan Honglie’s army and stopped him from pursuing the other fugitives, then escaped back to the treetop beyond the soldiers’ reach. Wanyan Honglie’s troops remained unable to capture him.

• Wanyan Honglie ordered repeated volleys of arrows against Ji Boying, who deflected them with his sword and mocked the prince.
• When Wanyan Honglie sent soldiers to cut down the tree, Ji Boying killed them with Iron Bodhi Seeds while continuing to repel arrows.
• Ouyang Ke warned Wanyan Honglie that Ji Boying was buying time and that the other fugitives could escape with the Little Prince, so Wanyan ordered his cavalry to pursue them.
• Ji Boying leapt from the tree, broke through the soldiers around him, and charged toward Wanyan Honglie before retreating under Liang Ziwen and the others’ attack.
• Wanyan Honglie’s soldiers hesitated to pursue Ji Boying, and the prince demanded to know who could capture him.

Ji Boying fought Ouyang Ke and the other martial artists while Wanyan Honglie agonized over losing Bao Xiruo. Ji Boying defeated Ouyang Ke but spared him, leaving the rest of the group still standing against him.

• Wanyan Honglie despaired as Bao Xiruo moved farther from him, and Ouyang Ke offered to fight Ji Boying with help from the others.
• Ouyang Ke and Ji Boying exchanged blows atop a poplar tree, where Ji Boying repeatedly exploited gaps in Ouyang Ke’s techniques.
• Liang Ziwen attacked Ji Boying with his Medicine Hoe while Peng Lianhu and Sha Tongtian supported the fight with concealed weapons and an iron oar.
• Sha Tongtian struck the tree and jolted Ji Boying into the air, but Ji Boying evaded Peng Lianhu’s weapons and countered Ouyang Ke.
• Ji Boying cut Ouyang Ke’s steel folding fan in half and kicked him from the tree, sparing his life while the other fighters remained unharmed.

Ji Boying killed Reverend Lingzhi after the monk fled into the woods, while Wanyan Honglie discovered a sash that pointed toward the fugitives and ordered a pursuit. Ji Boying rejoined Guo Jing and the others, who were moving slowly because Wang Chuyi had been helping Yang Tiexin and Yang Kang.

• Ji Boying chased down Reverend Lingzhi in the woods, cut off his hand, and killed him with a sword strike to the brow.
• Peng Lianhu, Liang Ziwen, and Sha Tongtian found Reverend Lingzhi's body and carried it back to Wanyan Honglie.
• Wanyan Honglie learned that Yang Kang's sash had been found and ordered cavalry, local offices, and nearby garrisons to stop the fugitives.
• Ji Boying returned to Guo Jing and the others, who explained that Wang Chuyi had carried Yang Tiexin and Yang Kang with his Lightness Skill.
• Wang Chuyi reassured the group that they could escape into the mountains if necessary.