Chapter Summaries

Wei Yunshang learned that Lin Changqing had killed Liu Laoqi and seized the medicinal ingredients in Tianhe Town, then went to Hundred Herbs Hall to take charge of the dispute. She prepared to visit Green Mountain Village with a five-hundred-year-old mountain ginseng, curious about Lin Changqing and intent on testing his ability to keep it.

• A messenger told He Baishan that Lin Changqing had killed Liu Laoqi and his men and taken the medicinal ingredients in Tianhe Town.
• He Baishan worried that Green Mountain Village might challenge Hundred Herbs Hall's hold on Fengle County's medicinal ingredients trade.
• Wei Yunshang arrived at Hundred Herbs Hall and ordered He Baishan to take the five-hundred-year-old mountain ginseng and accompany her to Green Mountain Village.
• Wei Yunshang rebuked He Baishan for following Wei Zhengming's wishes about the ginseng and ordered Yun Zhu to arrange his replacement.
• Wei Yunshang said she would give Lin Changqing the ginseng but would see whether he could keep it, and she set out to meet him.

Wei Yunshang arrived at Green Mountain Village with He Baishan and armed guards, and Lin Hu mistook her visit for retaliation over the Tianhe Town incident. Lin Changqing came to meet her, and Wei Yunshang said she had brought a great gift to apologize for her subordinates offending him.

• He Baishan identified Wei Yunshang and asked Lin Hu to let their party enter the village, but Lin Hu drew his saber and accused them of coming over Tianhe Town.
• Wei Yunshang's guards and Green Mountain Village's men drew their weapons, and a middle-aged guard warned Lin Hu that their group included more than ten Martial Artists.
• Wei Yunshang said they had come to visit Lin Changqing, and Lin Hu stalled for time while someone went to notify him.
• Lin Changqing arrived after sensing the confrontation, then demanded that Wei Yunshang explain her purpose plainly.
• Wei Yunshang said her subordinates had offended Lin Changqing in Tianhe Town and that she had brought a great gift to make amends.

Wei Yunshang visited Lin Changqing with a five-hundred-year-old mountain ginseng, claiming it was an apology for the events in Tianhe Town. Lin Changqing accepted the gift but challenged her motives, and Wei Yunshang began offering him a deal for medicinal ingredients.

• Wei Yunshang threw a box containing a five-hundred-year-old mountain ginseng toward Lin Changqing, who caught it easily and refused to accept it.
• Lin Changqing sent the box back with enough force to shatter Wei Yunshang's carriage, though she landed unharmed.
• Wei Yunshang again offered the ginseng as an apology, and Lin Changqing accepted it before preparing to leave.
• Wei Yunshang stopped Lin Changqing and asked to discuss another matter somewhere private.
• Wei Yunshang offered to supply Lin Changqing with medicinal ingredients at one-tenth of the market price, saying the Wei Family controlled most of Fengle County's trade.

Lin Changqing met with Wei Yunshang, who offered him cheap medicinal ingredients and asked him to kill someone. He refused, but she left him a valuable ginseng anyway, leaving him puzzled about her intentions.

• Lin Changqing met Wei Yunshang privately after learning she would supply medicinal ingredients at one-tenth of the market price, hoping to gain access to the Wei Family's supply channels.
• Wei Yunshang asked Lin Changqing to help her kill someone, but he refused and pushed the Old Mountain Ginseng back to her.
• Wei Yunshang insisted that the ginseng and her offer of cheap ingredients still stood, and said she wanted to make a friend despite Lin Changqing's grudge against Wei Zhengming.
• Lin Changqing suspected Wei Yunshang wanted Wei Zhengming dead, but she denied it and left without naming her target.
• Lin Changqing chose to keep the Five Hundred Year Old Mountain Ginseng and abandoned the idea of using Spiritual Power to hypnotize Wei Yunshang.

Lin Changqing swallowed the five-hundred-year-old Old Mountain Ginseng and entered an epiphany while practicing the Five Elements Technique. He reached the Seventh Rank Organ Refining Limit and awakened Five Elements Fist Momentum.

• Wei Yunshang explained that she gave Lin Changqing the ginseng because she hoped he would grow strong enough to kill her brother Wei Zhengming.
• Lin Changqing swallowed the entire Old Mountain Ginseng and endured its powerful medicinal effects by practicing the Five Elements Technique.
• Lin Changqing entered an epiphany and developed a unified Heaven-Earth Momentum from the momentum of the different animal forms.
• The ginseng's medicinal power transformed Lin Changqing's five viscera into jade-like organs, completing the Seventh Rank Organ Refining Limit.
• Lin Changqing unleashed a punch infused with Five Elements Fist Momentum that shattered the surrounding rocks, plants, and trees.

After reaching the limit of Body Tempering, Lin Changqing decided to seek more cultivation knowledge while investigating the Eternal Army’s advance. He rode toward Fengle County Town, where fleeing wealthy households and starving refugees showed him how severe the unrest had become.

• Lin Changqing examined his Jade Organs and concluded that he would consolidate his Body Tempering foundation before pursuing the Blood Changing Realm.
• Lin Yongfan and Lin Yuntang told Lin Changqing that the Eternal Army had seized three counties and that villages near Yunshui Town had been wiped out.
• Lin Changqing urged the village elders not to panic or relocate without reliable information, and said he would ask Chen San about the situation in town.
• Lin Changqing rode toward Fengle County Town and passed wealthy families fleeing the unrest.
• Starving refugees crowded around Lin Changqing to beg for food, but he rode on, realizing that the crisis in Nine Plains was worse than he had expected.

Lin Changqing arrived in Fengle County Town and visited Third Master Chen at the Divine Weapon Pavilion to ask how he could obtain more cultivation methods and martial skills. Third Master Chen explained the history of Martial Arts Sects in Great Zhou, leaving Lin Changqing with the knowledge that sects could now recruit within the dynasty.

• Lin Changqing entered Fengle County Town after paying the soldiers at the gate, seeing refugees gathered outside and the guards demanding silver from travelers.
• Lin Changqing went to the Divine Weapon Pavilion, where a waiter took him directly to Third Master Chen.
• Lin Changqing asked Third Master Chen how to obtain cultivation methods and martial skills, and Third Master Chen said the two paths were joining a sect or entering the Imperial Court.
• Third Master Chen explained that the Great Zhou Grand Ancestor had once forbidden sects from operating within the dynasty.
• Third Master Chen said Great Zhou later allowed Martial Arts Sects to spread their teachings and recruit disciples after its experts needed their help to suppress a Demon King.

Lin Changqing weighed joining a martial arts sect against entering the Great Zhou Demon Suppression Division, whose Scripture Pavilion better suited his goal of studying many martial arts. He accepted Chen San’s assessment token and learned that candidates had to be under eighteen, have entered the ranks, and generally reach the seventh rank to pass.

• Chen San advised Lin Changqing that the Demon Suppression Division offered fairer advancement and broader access to martial arts than sects, which demanded travel and enforced harsh status hierarchies.
• Lin Changqing questioned Chen San’s motives, and Chen San revealed he was external personnel for the Demon Suppression Division but had no recruitment quota.
• Chen San offered Lin Changqing a recommended assessment slot for the Division’s assessment, scheduled for a month later, and handed him an identity token.
• Lin Changqing accepted the token, thanked Chen San, and recognized that Chen San hoped his success would benefit the Chen Family.
• Chen San explained that candidates had to be no older than eighteen and have entered the ranks of martial arts, while passing usually required seventh-rank strength.

Lin Changqing heard conflicting reports about the Eternal Army’s advance and grew uneasy about Jiuyin County’s danger. After learning from refugees that the Imperial Court’s reinforcements had failed, he prepared to fortify Green Mountain Village and stock it with food and weapons.

• Lin Changqing warned Chen San about refugees and corrupt Yamen officials, and Chen San promised to investigate and report the matter.
• Lin Changqing bought a large quantity of grain for delivery to Green Mountain Village and gave flatbread to refugees outside Fengle County Town.
• A refugee told Lin Changqing that the Eternal Army had defeated Imperial forces, pillaged Jiuyin County, and was preparing to advance further.
• Lin Changqing resolved to reinforce Green Mountain Village’s walls and make bows, crossbows, and armor despite the restrictions.

Lin Changqing encountered Captain Lu Haitian and a hundred Eternal Army cavalrymen blocking the road beneath Clear Wind Mountain, seeking revenge for his destruction of Qingfeng Stockade. He broke into their charge and carved through their formation, leaving Lu Haitian wounded and the cavalrymen reeling.

• Lin Changqing realized the cavalry unit had come for him after he destroyed Qingfeng Stockade.
• Lu Haitian identified himself as an Eternal Army Captain and revealed that Qingfeng Stockade had been part of their plans in Fengle County.
• Lu Haitian ordered his hundred cavalrymen to charge Lin Changqing in a battle formation.
• Lin Changqing leaped from his horse and used a Spiritual Power-infused roar to briefly hypnotize the charging soldiers.
• Lin Changqing struck Lu Haitian, severing one of his arms, then turned to fight the cavalrymen as they reached him.
• Lin Changqing cut through the formation with his Jingzhe Saber and killed at least thirty cavalrymen in the first clash.

Lin Changqing wiped out a hundred-man Eternal Army cavalry unit and returned to Green Mountain Village with warhorses and armor. He warned the villagers that the Eternal Army was advancing and planned to strengthen the village defenses.

• Lin Changqing killed Lu Haitian and routed the remaining Longevity Cult cavalrymen, then hunted down those who fled.
• Lin Changqing collected more than seventy warhorses and a hundred sets of armor before riding back to Green Mountain Village.
• Lin Changqing suspected someone in Fengle County Town had revealed his movements and worried that Jiuyin County might already have fallen.
• Lin Yuntang, Lin Yongfan, Lin Hu, and the other villagers gathered at the entrance and learned that Lin Changqing had defeated a hundred-man cavalry unit.
• Lin Changqing told Lin Yongfan to inspect and repair the armor and announced plans to reinforce Green Mountain Village's walls.

Lin Changqing prepared Green Mountain Village for a possible advance by the Eternal Army, organizing supplies, defenses, and a refuge in Great Green Mountain. The village was ready to retreat into the valley if the fighting reached Fengle County.

• Lin Changqing told the village leaders that the Eternal Army had likely taken Jiuyin County and urged them to reinforce Green Mountain Village rather than relocate immediately.
• Lin Changqing assigned the villagers to buy grain, strengthen the walls, and repair armor and crossbows, while he planned to find a refuge in the Back Mountain.
• Lin Changqing raised Green Mountain Village's walls to five meters and had the grain delivered and guarded.
• Lin Yongfan and the others purchased enough grain to feed the village for three months, while Lin Hu organized villagers to train with armor and crossbows.
• Lin Changqing found a suitable valley in Great Green Mountain, cleared a path to it, built simple wooden sheds, and moved most of the grain there.

Lin Changqing confronted He Yunshan and the Northern Garrison Army after they arrived at Green Mountain Village to forcefully conscript its people. He demanded to see the Imperial Court’s Conscription Order, leaving the dispute on the brink of violence.

• Lin Changqing sensed trouble and descended Great Green Mountain as more than a thousand Northern Garrison Army soldiers approached Green Mountain Village.
• The villagers gathered to defend the entrance while the elderly, children, and women fled into the mountain under their long-prepared plan.
• Lin Changqing recognized the soldiers as men of the Imperial Court, then leaped down from the wall to confront them.
• He Yunshan identified Lin Changqing and demanded that he join the Northern Garrison Army, while ordering Green Mountain Village to provide three hundred men.
• Lin Changqing refused, questioned the extraordinary conscription, and demanded that He Yunshan present the Imperial Court’s Conscription Order.

Lin Changqing demanded that He Yunshan show a Conscription Order, then crippled him with one punch when He Yunshan attacked. After the soldiers withdrew, Lin Changqing suspected the conscription was unauthorized and set out to investigate He Yunshan in secret.

• Lin Changqing challenged He Yunshan to produce a Conscription Order and told him to leave Green Mountain Village without one.
• He Yunshan attacked Lin Changqing, who shattered He Yunshan’s right leg with a punch powered by Five Elements Fist Momentum.
• A cavalryman threatened the villagers, so Lin Changqing let He Yunshan’s force withdraw after they promised to stop conscripting from Green Mountain Village.
• Lin Changqing told Lin Yongfan and Lin Yuntang that He Yunshan likely lacked an official order and instructed the village to strengthen patrols and hide people in the Back Mountain.
• Despite his family’s warnings, Lin Changqing followed He Yunshan’s group to investigate in secret.

Lin Changqing ambushed He Yunshan’s escort and questioned him about his hidden identity. He Yunshan finally confessed that he was an outer disciple of the White Lotus Sect recruiting soldiers for the Eternal Army.

• Lin Changqing followed He Yunshan after he separated from the Northern Garrison Army’s main force.
• At the foot of Clear Wind Mountain, Lin Changqing killed He Yunshan’s cavalry escort and the soldiers carrying him.
• He Yunshan threatened Lin Changqing with retaliation from the Northern Garrison Army, then begged for his life.
• Lin Changqing demanded to know why He Yunshan had recruited soldiers and what other identity he held.
• After Lin Changqing severed He Yunshan’s left leg, He Yunshan confessed that he was an outer disciple of the White Lotus Sect and had recruited soldiers for the Eternal Army.

Lin Changqing killed He Yunshan, a White Lotus Sect member who had used his Northern Garrison Army position to forcibly recruit villagers for a rebellion, and learned that County Magistrate Wei Linkang had helped him. He brought the news to Chen San at the Divine Weapon Pavilion, leaving Chen to react to the revelation.

• He Yunshan confessed that County Magistrate Wei Linkang had helped him recruit soldiers for the White Lotus Sect’s rebellion.
• Lin Changqing killed He Yunshan and rode to Fengle County Town to stop the remaining men from conscripting villagers.
• Lin Changqing avoided the county yamen and went to the Divine Weapon Pavilion to tell Chen San about the plot.
• Chen San was surprised to learn that the Northern Garrison Army had been recruiting in Green Mountain Village.
• Lin Changqing told Chen San that He Yunshan was dead and that a county magistrate had assisted him.

Lin Changqing returned to Green Mountain Village after arranging for Chen San to report White Lotus Sect infiltration and the false conscription scheme. He strengthened the village while cultivating, then reached Profound Stillness in Spiritual Power ahead of the Demon Suppression Division assessment.

• Chen San understood that Wei Linkang had colluded with the White Lotus Sect and left to report the matter to the Demon Suppression Division.
• Lin Changqing returned to Green Mountain Village and told Lin Hu the supposed Northern Garrison Army soldiers had been Eternal Bandits in disguise, allowing villagers in the mountains to come home.
• Lin Hu entered the ranks of Martial Dao, and Lin Yongfan followed three days later with even stronger Qi and Blood.
• Lin Changqing cultivated on Great Green Mountain as Green Mountain Village grew stronger through training and medicinal support.
• Lin Changqing reached Profound Stillness, used Spiritual Power to control and hypnotize a falling goose, and prepared for the Demon Suppression Division assessment.

Gu Chensha delivered Lin Changqing his Demon Suppression Division assessment mission and explained the rules for completing it. After binding his blood to the Identity Token, Lin Changqing learned that he had to investigate the extermination of the Longquan Liu Family in Longquan Town.

• Lin Changqing met Gu Chensha at Green Mountain Village, where the Demon Slaying Guard gave him an Identity Token and told him he had one month to complete his assessment mission.
• Lin Changqing told Lin Hu that he planned to join the Demon Suppression Division and urged him to reach Sixth Rank before venturing beyond the village.
• Lin Changqing returned home, bound the Identity Token with his blood, and sensed the mysterious power within it.
• Lin Changqing received the mission details in his mind: travel to Longquan Town in Fengle County and investigate the extermination of the Longquan Liu Family.

Lin Changqing arrived at the Longquan Liu Family Ancestral Residence to investigate the massacre that had wiped out the family ten days earlier. After a mysterious constable warned him away and proved powerful, Lin Changqing entered the residence determined to investigate the supposed heart-eating demon.

• Lin Changqing rode into Longquan Town and learned from an old man that the Liu Family had been respected, but every member had been killed with their heart removed.
• Lin Changqing tore the government seal from the Liu Family residence and opened its gates, where Yin Cold Evil Qi swept toward him.
• A young constable warned Lin Changqing that the Liu Family massacre was dangerous and urged him to abandon the investigation.
• Lin Changqing fought the constable and was forced back, though the constable also staggered from their exchange.
• The young constable vanished at great speed, and Lin Changqing entered the residence with his Jingzhe Saber to investigate.

Lin Changqing discovered a corpse puppet in the Liu Family Old Residence and traced its master to an eerie black cat. After wounding the cat, he charged at it, determined to kill it for its connection to the Liu family's massacre.

• Lin Changqing entered an old courtyard and fought a black-clad figure whose body resisted his saber like metal.
• Lin Changqing used his Spiritual Power to destroy the figure, realizing it was a corpse puppet controlled by a strand of consciousness.
• Lin Changqing spotted a black cat with glowing green eyes, then withdrew from the courtyard to lure its master into revealing itself.
• The black cat spoke, accused Lin Changqing of ruining its plans, and approached the desiccated corpse.
• Lin Changqing reappeared behind the cat and slashed it with the Jingzhe Saber, wounding it as it grew to the size of a goat.
• Lin Changqing lunged at the injured cat, declaring that it had to die because it was connected to the Liu family's massacre.