Chapter Summaries

Sun Yong gave Yang Jing unusually detailed guidance after his breakthrough, while Liu Maolin took him into the Inner City to celebrate. Yang Jing saw Zhao Yuman again and remained focused on growing stronger so he could search for his missing father and eldest uncle.

• Sun Yong carefully corrected Yang Jing's hidden-strength techniques and encouraged him to pursue transforming strength, drawing surprised reactions from the other disciples.
• Liu Maolin took Yang Jing to Fu Man Lou in the Inner City, where Yang Jing saw the stark contrast between its wealth and the Outer City's suffering.
• Yang Jing thought of his father and eldest uncle, missing after joining a supply convoy to the Caozhou Frontline, and resolved to become strong enough to search for them.
• Zhao Yuman recognized Yang Jing outside Fu Man Lou but dismissed him as an unpromising bright strength martial artist, while Qing He remarked that he looked better in person.
• Liu Maolin joked that Zhao Yuman would regret rejecting Yang Jing once she learned he had reached hidden strength, but Yang Jing declined interest in her and said he was not considering marriage.

Yang Jing celebrated his breakthrough to hidden strength with Liu Maolin, who offered him a Senior Guest Retainer position at the Liu Family Medical Hall; Yang Jing accepted, valuing its support and stability. On the ride home, Liu Maolin told him the parade ground trial was in just over twenty days, and Yang Jing grew eager to test himself and pursue official status.

• Liu Maolin ordered an extravagant feast of fierce beast meat and medicinal soup to celebrate Yang Jing's breakthrough, and Yang Jing ate more than two jin without ill effect.
• Liu Maolin offered Yang Jing a Senior Guest Retainer position with a monthly stipend, five spirit fish, and access to medicinal herbs worth up to fifty taels each month.
• Yang Jing accepted the Liu Family Medical Hall's offer, explaining that its trust and the chance to cultivate without distraction mattered more than what other factions might provide.
• Liu Maolin told Yang Jing that the county's parade ground trial would take place in just over twenty days and urged him to participate.
• Yang Jing considered the official standing and other benefits of passing the trial and felt eager to test himself.

Yang Jing discovered that gangs feared him after his breakthrough to hidden strength, then trained hard and studied the parade ground trial’s history. He learned that the trial was brutally selective and resolved to improve during the few weeks remaining.

• Yang Jing accepted Liu Maolin’s offer to find records of earlier parade ground trials, then intimidated two rival gang groups into fleeing and received an apology purse from one leader.
• Yang Jing practiced Mountain Collapse Fist and Surging Wave Leg at home, using energy from fierce beast meat to strengthen his hidden strength.
• The next morning, Yang Jing noticed gang members hiding from him and realized his reputation as a hidden strength expert had spread.
• Liu Maolin gave Yang Jing a booklet detailing five years of parade ground trials, and Yang Jing learned that very few applicants passed, including many peak hidden strength martial artists.
• Yang Jing judged his current strength insufficient to pass and returned to training, determined to improve before the trial.

Lin Yue lost focus over Xiao Wenxuan’s offer and Sun Ningxiang, but Sun Yong’s rebuke helped him regain his discipline. Yang Jing refused the Wang Family’s offer to become a guest retainer, and Zhao Feng told Zhao Yuman that Yang Jing had reached hidden strength, leaving her stunned.

• Lin Yue struggled to train while weighing the Xiao Family’s support against his desire to marry Sun Ningxiang and inherit the Sun Clan Martial Arts School.
• Sun Yong criticized Lin Yue’s scattered training and praised Yang Jing’s progress; Lin Yue refocused and began practicing more steadily.
• Yang Jing trained with the Parade Ground Trial approaching and considered bringing his family from the countryside into the city.
• Wang Weijie invited Yang Jing to join the Wang Family as a guest retainer, but Yang Jing refused because he had already given his word to another family.
• Zhao Feng told Zhao Yuman that Yang Jing had broken through to hidden strength, and she was shocked by the news.

After Yang Jing’s breakthrough to Hidden Strength became known, Zhao Yuman regretted rejecting him and tried to secure Shen Lie as an alternative ally, while Ning Xuezhi sent generous gifts to appease Yang Jing. Yang Jing investigated the Surging Wave Leg, made plans to bring his cousin into town, and tested medicinal nourishment as he continued training.

• Zhao Feng learned Yang Jing had reached Hidden Strength, but Zhao Yuman admitted she had rejected him and claimed Shen Lie was interested in her.
• Ning Xuezhi heard of Yang Jing’s breakthrough and ordered silk, medicinal herbs, and fifty taels of silver sent to Yang Jing’s home to show respect and preserve good relations.
• Yang Jing found no school or great lineage in Yuhe County that taught the Surging Wave Leg, and concluded he could safely teach it to Yang An.
• Yang Jing’s family refused to move into town for now, so he asked Yang An to come to town and train with him instead.
• Yang Jing brewed aged ginseng with other medicinal ingredients and found its nourishment soothed his body and helped his martial training.

With the Parade Ground Trial approaching, Yang Jing trained hard at the Sun Clan Martial Arts School before accepting an herb-escort assignment from the Liu Family Medical Hall. He set out for Jinsha County with warnings to avoid the Flying Horse Bandits’ territory.

• The Sun Clan Martial Arts School’s disciples intensified their training as Sun Yong instructed them and advised Yang Jing to adapt his Mountain Collapse Fist to his movement techniques.
• Yang Jing reviewed his progress in Mountain Collapse Fist and Surging Wave Leg, then ate lunch and headed to the Liu Family Medical Hall for an assignment.
• Liu Maolin told Yang Jing that bandit attacks had increased and that the Flying Horse Bandits had recently robbed a caravan and wounded its guards.
• Old Master Liu asked Yang Jing to escort medicinal herbs to Jinsha County and take a winding side path to avoid the Flying Horse Bandits at Ten-Mile Slope.
• Yang Jing accepted the escort assignment and said he was willing to face bandits for combat practice.

Yang Jing escorted a shipment of medicinal herbs through refugee-filled roads and returned safely, then trained hard ahead of the Parade Ground Trial. Three days later, reports of the fighting in Caozhou deepened his worry for his father and eldest uncle, before he witnessed a gang’s jewelry-shop theft.

• Yang Jing led the Liu Family Medical Hall convoy to Jinhe County, drove off two bands of robbers, delivered the herbs, and returned to Yuhe County without encountering the Flying Horse Bandits.
• Yang Jing collected his payment, ate bear meat, and trained in Mountain Collapse Fist and Surging Wave Leg until late at night.
• Three days later, Yang Jing saw Caozhou refugees describe Qinghe County’s fall and severe losses at Yunmeng Mountain, and he worried that his father and eldest uncle were near the fighting.
• Yang Jing spotted gang members near a jewelry shop and watched their leader strike a woman and flee with two jeweled hairpins.
• The woman cried that she had been robbed and denied knowing the thief after shop staff mistook him for her husband.

Yang Jing continued training at the Sun Clan Martial Arts School despite doubts that he could rank in the upcoming Parade Ground Trial, determined to prove himself. He prepared a meal and welcomed his cousin Yang An, Yang Lao San, and Yang Wei to his courtyard.

• Yang Jing watched a street thief steal a woman's pearl hairpin with a staged husband-and-wife act, then left without intervening.
• Sun Yong led the school's Sparring Team to practice against the Iron Fist Martial Arts School, while Yang Jing stayed behind to train.
• Yang Jing ignored disciples' doubts about his prospects and resolved to pursue the Parade Ground Trial this year rather than wait several years.
• Yang Jing bought tiger meat and restaurant dishes, then cooked a meal at his courtyard while waiting for Yang An to arrive.
• Yang Lao San brought Yang An and Yang Wei to Yang Jing's courtyard, where Yang Jing welcomed them and invited them to eat.

Yang Jing registered for the Parade Ground Trial while continuing his training and helping Yang An learn the Surging Wave Leg. After gathering medicinal herbs, he encountered Miss Jin Lian at the Liu Family Medical Hall and learned she was staying in Yuhe County and inviting him to visit the Lu Residence or the Exotic Beast Pavilion.

• Yang Jing gave Yang Lao San and Yang An a meal, then settled Yang An into his home and began teaching him the Surging Wave Leg.
• Yang Jing discovered Yang An had promising martial aptitude and hoped his cousin could eventually help look after the family.
• Sun Ningxiang collected registrations for the Parade Ground Trial, and Yang Jing registered before returning to his practice.
• Yang Jing bought nourishing herbs at the Liu Family Medical Hall to support his training.
• Yang Jing met Miss Jin Lian with Liu Maolin, mistook her name, and accepted her invitation to visit the Lu Residence or the Exotic Beast Pavilion.

Liu Maolin told Yang Jing about Jin Lian’s past and the Lu Family’s Exotic Beast Pavilion, while Yang Jing returned home to share a meal with Yang An. Three days before the parade ground trial, Yang Lao San told the villagers about Yang Jing’s coming examination and challenged Yang Ji to wager on whether he would pass.

• Liu Maolin explained that Jin Lian had taken control of the Lu Family after her husband and his parents died, and that the family owned the Exotic Beast Pavilion.
• Liu Maolin told Yang Jing that exotic beasts were far more nourishing than fierce beasts but too expensive for him to afford.
• Yang Jing returned to the courtyard, praised Yang An’s cooking, and shared a meal with him.
• Ten days passed, leaving three days until the parade ground trial, and Yang Lao San carried Yang An’s letter back to Yang Family Village.
• Yang Lao San praised Yang Jing’s strength to the villagers and challenged Yang Ji to wager on whether Yang Jing would pass the martial arts examination.

As Yang Family Village prepared to support Yang Jing at the Martial Arts Examination, Qi Yun dismissed him while Qi Kang warned her about the danger surrounding Lin Yue and the Xiao Family. On the trial’s first morning, Yang Jing ate the meal Yang An had prepared and arrived at the Sun Clan Martial Arts School.

• Yang Lao San wagered his family’s farmland against Yang Ji’s hairpin that Yang Jing would pass the Martial Arts Examination, and villagers agreed to witness the bet.
• Villagers planned to travel together to support Yang Jing, while Old Master Yang offered to prepare food for the journey.
• Qi Yun told Qi Kang that Yang Jing lacked potential and praised Lin Yue, while Qi Kang warned her that the Ye and Li families might target Lin Yue over his ties to the Xiao Family.
• Yang An prepared Yang Jing a meal and medicinal soup before Yang Jing left for the parade ground trial.
• Yang Jing arrived at the Sun Clan Martial Arts School, where the attendant disciples greeted him.

Yang Jing joined the Sun Clan Martial Arts School disciples at the Yuhe County Parade Ground Trial and was assigned to the Seventh Arena. There, he learned that Shen Lie was also in his arena and had promised Zhao Yuman he would teach Yang Jing a lesson if they met.

• Yang Jing trained in the courtyard before Sun Yong led the disciples to the South City Parade Ground.
• Sun Ningxiang presented the school’s token, and the commandant opened the trial and divided contestants into eight teams.
• The commandant assigned Yang Jing and Shen Lie to the Seventh Arena.
• Zhao Yuman told Shen Lie that Yang Jing had once pursued her, and Shen Lie vowed to defeat him if they faced each other.
• Yang Jing joined the contestants at the Seventh Arena, where Xu Hong greeted him and confirmed they were in neighboring arenas.

Yang Jing received Xu Hong’s advice about Arena Seven’s strongest fighters and watched Qian Feng defeat Zhao Hu to study his techniques. The first round continued, and Yang Jing was called to face the unaffiliated martial artist Li Yumang.

• Xu Hong explained that the examiners had spread strong fighters across the arenas and warned Yang Jing about Shen Lie, Qian Feng, and Chen Wu.
• Qian Feng defeated Zhao Hu in three moves, demonstrating the speed and sharp force of his Cleaving Wind Palm.
• Yang Jing studied Qian Feng’s attacks and footwork, then decided to conceal his own movement skills until a critical moment.
• After three more bouts, the official runner announced Yang Jing’s match against Li Yumang, and Yang Jing stepped onto the arena.

Yang Jing defeated Li Yumang in the Parade Ground Trial’s fourth match while concealing much of his strength, then identified the hostile young man watching him as Shen Lie, the seventh platform’s peak Hidden Strength expert. Shen Lie prepared to face Liu Biao, and Yang Jing remained wary, unsure why Shen Lie seemed to resent him.

• Yang Jing used the Mountain Collapse Fist to defeat Li Yumang in a few exchanges, and Li Yumang conceded.
• Shen Lie watched Yang Jing and privately vowed to break his arms if they faced each other, motivated by jealousy over Zhao Yuman.
• Yang Jing noticed a hostile young man and suspected he might be one of the formidable opponents Senior Brother Xu Hong had mentioned.
• Chen Wu defeated Ouyang Quan with a vicious Through-the-Back Fist, badly injuring him.
• The official announced Shen Lie’s first-round match against Liu Biao, and Yang Jing recognized Shen Lie as the peak Hidden Strength expert Xu Hong had warned him about.

Shen Lie dominated two opponents with single punches, while Yang Jing studied his strength and faced his growing hostility. Yang Jing then defeated Li Hu in three measured Mountain Collapse Fist moves, advancing from his bout as the second round continued.

• Shen Lie defeated Liu Biao with one crushing Pashan Fist punch, startling Yang Jing with his mastery of Hidden Strength.
• Sun Yong praised Lin Yue’s controlled victory and predicted he would take first place on the third platform, while Sun Ningxiang hoped he would restore the school’s reputation.
• Qian Feng and Chen Wu won their bouts, and Shen Lie knocked out a Cannon Fist practitioner with one punch before casting a threatening glance at Yang Jing.
• Yang Jing confronted Li Hu with Mountain Collapse Fist, countered his attacks, and struck him down with three successive moves.

Yang Jing advanced to the third round of the Parade Ground Trial, drawing Zhao Yuman’s conflicted attention and Xu Hong’s respect. After his school gathered for lunch, Yang Jing spotted someone outside Ju Xian Lou and rose in surprise.

• Zhao Yuman watched Yang Jing win in three moves and hoped he would lose soon, while worrying that Shen Lie might seriously injure him.
• Xu Hong praised Yang Jing’s composure and solid foundation, then warned him to surrender rather than risk injury if he faced Shen Lie, Chen Wu, or Qian Feng.
• Yang Jing completed the second round, leaving eight contestants in the seventh arena, and reunited with Xu Hong and the Sun Clan Martial Arts School disciples.
• Liu Maolin told Yang Jing that Sun Yong had focused on Lin Yue during the morning bouts, and warned Yang Jing about Shen Lie.
• Sun Yong led the disciples to Ju Xian Lou for lunch before their afternoon matches, and Yang Jing suddenly stood after spotting someone through the window.

Yang Jing and the Sun Clan Martial Arts School disciples ate before the afternoon parade ground trial, where Sun Yong prepared Lin Yue to face Ye Canglan. Meanwhile, Yang An brought white-flour buns to the waiting villagers, who had gathered to support Cousin Jing.

• Yang Jing briefly thought he saw Yang An outside the restaurant, but dismissed it as a mistake.
• Sun Yong treated the disciples to a generous meal and advised them to prepare for the afternoon matches.
• Sun Yong warned Lin Yue about Ye Canglan’s powerful first ten attacks and told him to defend with the Mountain Collapse Fist before counterattacking.
• Sun Yong privately counted on Lin Yue to win the third platform and restore the Sun Clan Martial Arts School’s reputation.
• Yang An arrived at the alley where the villagers were waiting and unpacked a bundle of white-flour buns.
• Yang An explained that Grandpa had asked him to feed the villagers who had come to support Cousin Jing.

Yang Jing handed out steamed buns to villagers and refugees before winning his third-round bout against Zhao Kui at the martial arts competition. The seventh ring’s field narrowed to four fighters, and the fourth round began as Sun Ningxiang watched Yang Jing from outside the fence.

• Yang An distributed steamed buns to the villagers, while Yang Shouzhuo gave buns to two hungry refugee children.
• Yang Jing was matched against Zhao Kui of the Black Wind Martial Arts School in the third round’s first bout.
• Yang Jing calmly countered Zhao Kui’s Iron Claw Technique and defeated him in a few exchanges, prompting Zhao Kui to concede.
• Shen Lie, Chen Wu, and Qian Feng underestimated Yang Jing after his victory and regarded one another as the main contenders.
• The seventh ring’s fighters were reduced to Shen Lie, Qian Feng, Chen Wu, and Yang Jing, and the official began the fourth round.
• Sun Ningxiang quietly arrived and watched Yang Jing through the fence.

Yang Jing faced Qian Feng in the first semifinal and used Mountain Collapse Fist alongside his concealed Surging Wave Leg to overcome Qian Feng’s binding attacks. Yang Jing gained the advantage, while Shen Lie watched and dismissed his mixed training as misguided.

• Sun Ningxiang arrived at the seventh arena to watch Yang Jing, while Xu Hong noticed her attention was fixed on him.
• The official announced Yang Jing’s semifinal match against Qian Feng of the Lieyang Martial Arts School.
• Qian Feng attacked first with Cleaving Wind Palm, but Yang Jing met his strike with Mountain Collapse Fist and matched his internal energy.
• Yang Jing blended Surging Wave Leg into his footwork, evaded Qian Feng’s binding force, and landed a blow that staggered him.
• Shen Lie recognized Yang Jing’s agility but mocked him for dividing his efforts across different martial arts.
• Yang Jing struck Qian Feng with a series of attacks that wounded him and slowed his palm techniques.

Yang Jing defeated Qian Feng in the fourth-round match, revealing speed and strength that surprised the spectators and the Sun Clan Martial Arts School. As Sun Yong celebrated the unexpected victory, Qi Yun returned and reported that she had lost.

• Yang Jing overwhelmed Qian Feng with swift footwork and two powerful punches, forcing him to concede.
• The official declared Yang Jing the winner, and the spectators, including Chen Wu and Sun Ningxiang, reacted with surprise.
• Sun Ningxiang congratulated Yang Jing, then hurried to tell Sun Yong and the Sun Clan disciples that he had defeated Qian Feng and advanced to the fifth round.
• Sun Yong was astonished and pleased by Yang Jing's victory, though he doubted the young disciple could win first place.
• Qi Yun approached Sun Yong and quietly told him that she had lost her fourth-round match.