Chapter Summaries

Song Ankang took control of White Jade Mulberry Forest and prepared to meet its managers, while Tang Yelan’s prior planning and informants helped remove Tang Quanli’s followers. The managers gathered at White Jade Tower, uncertain how their new Forest Lord would treat them.

• Chunhua heard Qiushi describe Song Ankang’s deeds and found herself impressed by him.
• Song Ankang took White Jade Mulberry Forest before Tang Quanli and his allies could react, then ordered its accounts audited and summoned its managers.
• Dong Xinjie led many managers toward White Jade Tower as they discussed their hopes and fears about the new Forest Lord.
• The managers noticed Tang Quanli’s direct subordinates were absent and inferred that Song Ankang had purged them.
• Song Ankang learned that Tang Yelan had planted informants and investigated White Jade Mulberry Forest before becoming acting family head.
• Song Ankang reviewed the forest’s monthly profits, and the managers assembled at White Jade Tower without Tang Quanli’s followers.

Song Ankang took charge of White Jade Mulberry Forest and addressed its stewards, openly condemning Tang Quanli’s followers and restoring the workers’ wages. The stewards accepted him as their new Forest Lord and pledged to follow his commands.

• Song Ankang introduced himself as the new Forest Lord and announced that White Jade Mulberry Forest was no longer under Tang Quanli’s control.
• Song Ankang explained that Tang Quanli’s people had been driven out and told the stewards to report any further lawbreaking or troublemaking.
• Song Ankang said Tang Quanli had cut wages and withheld pay, then restored everyone’s wages to their levels before Tang Quanli took office.
• The stewards enthusiastically accepted Song Ankang and pledged to work together under his leadership.

Song Ankang restored White Jade Mulberry Forest’s wages, following Tang Yelan’s advice and winning the support of the stewards and workers. The stewards agreed to improve the forest’s profits and guard against Tang Quanli’s interference.

• Song Ankang reasoned that restoring wages would revive White Jade Mulberry Forest’s quality and profits, which Tang Quanli had damaged by halving pay.
• Song Ankang followed Tang Yelan’s advice and announced measures that included doubling wages, earning the stewards’ gratitude.
• Song Ankang dismissed the stewards and returned to the accounting room while they celebrated the news outside White Jade Tower.
• The stewards worried that Tang Quanli would retaliate, and Dong Xinjie urged them to stabilize the forest, improve its results, and watch for infiltrators.
• The stewards pledged to repay Song Ankang’s kindness and protect White Jade Mulberry Forest from Tang Quanli’s supporters.

Song Ankang uncovered evidence that Tang Quanli had embezzled more than 1.4 million taels from the White Jade Mulberry Forest, while Tang Yelan’s preparations ensured the proof reached the Tang Family Old Ancestor. Tang Quanli lost his position as Forest Lord and was ordered to repay the stolen silver within a year.

• An accountant reported that Tang Quanli had embezzled over 1.4 million taels from the White Jade Mulberry Forest, matching Tang Yelan’s estimate.
• Song Ankang sent Tang Yelan’s guards to deliver the evidence to the Tang Mansion, warning them that Tang Quanli might try to intercept them.
• Tang Quanli tried to suppress Song Ankang, then accused Tang Yelan before the Tang Family Old Ancestor as his allies sought to destroy the evidence.
• Tang Yelan’s guards reached the Tang Family Mansion with the evidence before Tang Quanli’s men could act, stunning the Tang Family Old Ancestor and the other higher-ups.
• Tang Yelan pledged that Song Ankang would increase the forest’s profits by over ten percent the next year and restore them to their former level within three years.
• The Tang Family Old Ancestor removed Tang Quanli as Forest Lord and ordered him to repay the embezzled silver within a year.

After Tang Quanli lost White Jade Mulberry Forest and learned that Chaoyun Manor’s Tenant Farmers had followed Song Ankang, his influence and wealth collapsed. Song Ankang welcomed the newcomers and ordered housing built for them, while Dong Xinjie marveled at the trust he had earned.

• Tang Quanli returned to the First Courtyard in disgrace after Tang Yelan stripped him of his Forest Lord position and learned that Chaoyun Manor’s Tenant Farmers had chosen to follow Song Ankang.
• Tang Quanli raged but could not force the Tenant Farmers to return, and news of his embezzlement and defeat spread through the Tang Family and White Jade Mulberry Forest.
• White Jade Mulberry Forest’s weavers and shop hands celebrated Tang Quanli’s downfall as Song Ankang’s combined businesses promised him substantial income.
• Song Ankang asked Dong Xinjie to build about a hundred houses on White Jade Tower’s vacant land for the more than a thousand people arriving from Chaoyun Manor.
• Dong Xinjie learned that every Tenant Farmer family had followed Song Ankang and praised the trust and loyalty he had inspired.

Song Ankang paid to build homes for the Tenant Farmers of Chaoyun Manor and won their deep loyalty. Their new workshop quickly expanded and increased his income, leaving the Tenant Farmers devoted to him and Tang Family leaders stunned.

• Song Ankang offered to use three months of his salary to build houses for Chaoyun Manor's Tenant Farmers, and Dong Xinjie admired his generosity.
• The Tenant Farmers offered to repay Song Ankang, but he told them to treat their work managing the workshop as rent.
• More than a thousand Tenant Farmers built the workshop and began processing medicinal herbs, rapidly increasing Song Ankang's income.
• Song Ankang doubled the workshop workers' wages, and the Tenant Farmers renamed it Song's Workshop.
• The Tenant Farmers showed such loyalty that many were ready to leave Tang's Trading Company for Song Ankang, and some Tang Family leaders were dumbfounded.

Song Ankang’s generosity and leadership helped White Jade Mulberry Forest and Song’s Workshop prosper, while his cultivation advanced and his household became financially secure. With his foundation stabilized and danger from Tang Quanli looming, he decided to seek Pure Courtesans as outsiders for his technique-breaking cultivation.

• Song Ankang’s support for the tenant farmers and doubled wages moved the Mulberry Farmers, strengthened his standing, and brought skilled workers back to White Jade Mulberry Forest.
• White Jade Mulberry Forest and Song’s Workshop got on the right track, earning Song Ankang the respect of Tang Family higher-ups and a steady income.
• Song Ankang advanced Qi Concealment, neared Great Accomplishment in Treading Snow Without a Trace, and raised his Childhood Purity True Qi to twenty-six strands.
• After stabilizing his household and cultivation foundation, Song Ankang decided to pursue technique-breaking cultivation with Pure Courtesans rather than women connected to his household or manor.
• Song Ankang resolved to press forward without hesitation, believing he needed strength to protect himself and those around him from the dangers ahead.

Song Ankang disguised himself as a dashing young master and traveled to An City to visit a Pure Courtesan for his first cultivation-breaking experience. Hearing about Shengyun Tower’s Rouge Assembly, he decided to seek a match there, while ruling out the famed Peng Xuan'er as beyond his means.

• Song Ankang repeatedly altered his appearance until he was satisfied with his disguise as a carefree young nobleman.
• Song Ankang claimed he would be cultivating in seclusion, left the White Jade Mulberry Forest, and headed for An City.
• Song Ankang entered An City and made his way toward the Qinhuai River, where the pleasure quarters stood.
• Song Ankang heard that Shengyun Tower was holding a Rouge Assembly featuring Peng Xuan'er and a new group of Pure Courtesans.
• Song Ankang chose to visit Shengyun Tower and seek a Pure Courtesan, deciding he could not afford to pursue Peng Xuan'er.

Song Ankang visited Shengyun Tower to watch the Rouge Assembly, intending to enjoy the spectacle rather than compete for Peng Xuan'er. He took a seat among the crowd, assessed the cultivators present, and saw Li Xiaoqing arrive as the assembly was about to begin.

• Song Ankang decided that he could not afford to compete for Peng Xuan'er and planned to find a Pure Courtesan instead.
• Song Ankang paid ten taels of silver to enter Shengyun Tower and admired its elaborate wedding-like decorations.
• Shengyun Tower maids identified Song Ankang as a handsome virgin, and he overheard them with his heightened senses.
• Song Ankang sensed that most guests were Body Refining martial artists, noted the Qi Nourishing cultivators and a Qi Cultivation Late Stage guard, and judged that he ranked among the strongest guests.
• Li Xiaoqing descended onto the platform in a red robe as festive music began.

At Shengyun Tower’s Rouge Assembly, Song Ankang learned that courting the celebrated Peng Xuan'er would require an enormous betrothal gift, but he considered using poetry to win her instead. When Peng Xuan'er appeared, her beauty left him wishing he had far more money.

• Li Xiaoqing welcomed the guests and announced that Peng Xuan'er would perform before suitors offered gifts in six artistic categories.
• The guests discussed the high price of courting Peng Xuan'er and debated what kinds of gifts might impress her.
• Song Ankang realized his money was insufficient and considered presenting a poem because Peng Xuan'er loved poetry.
• Peng Xuan'er appeared on the platform, and Song Ankang was captivated by her beauty.

Peng Xuan'er dazzled Shengyun Tower with her qin, War Chess, and calligraphy, prompting the guests to offer lavish betrothal gifts. After a merchant gave a thousand taels of gold, Zhao Xiyu presented a single poem, drawing the attention of the entire tower and Peng Xuan'er.

• Peng Xuan'er played Po Zhen Zi on the qin, leaving the guests spellbound, and Young Master Bai offered her a Jiaowei Qin while others added music-related gifts.
• Peng Xuan'er defeated a Kyoto national master at War Chess, and guests presented her with costly chess-related gifts.
• Peng Xuan'er displayed her calligraphy, and a fair, fat merchant offered a thousand taels of gold as a betrothal gift.
• Zhao Xiyu asked a maidservant for paper and a brush while nearby guests mocked the idea that his poem could match the value of the gifts.
• Zhao Xiyu placed a single poem among the calligraphy gifts, and the maidservant announced his name, silencing Shengyun Tower and drawing every gaze toward him.

At Shengyun Tower, Peng Xuan'er dazzled the guests with transformations, dance, music, and a supernatural vision of a spring river. After the performance, Li Xiaoqing announced that three quarters of an hour remained for presenting betrothal gifts, leaving Song Ankang's thousand-gold poem awaiting judgment.

• Guests mocked Song Ankang's claim that his poem was worth a thousand gold, while he remained calm beside the shabby-looking gift.
• Peng Xuan'er transformed her appearance and temperament through a series of calligraphy and painting performances, leaving the audience astonished.
• Peng Xuan'er danced with sixty-five Pure Courtesans as music, petals, and blue silk ribbons filled Shengyun Tower.
• Peng Xuan'er sang as a phantom spring river and moonlit scene appeared around Shengyun Tower, entrancing Song Ankang and the guests.
• Li Xiaoqing appeared and asked whether anyone else wished to present betrothal gifts before the auspicious time.

Song Ankang believed he had lost Peng Xuan'er to wealthy bidders, but she chose his poem over gifts worth nearly five thousand taels of gold. He named it "Northern Beauty Peng Xuan'er," and her gratitude and admiration left her heart resting on him.

• Guests offered Peng Xuan'er extravagant gifts, with bids reaching nearly five thousand taels of gold, while Song Ankang gave up hope of winning her.
• Peng Xuan'er selected Song Ankang's poem as her betrothal gift, surprising the guests and granting him exclusive rights to her for three months.
• Peng Xuan'er asked Song Ankang to name the untitled poem, and he called it "Northern Beauty Peng Xuan'er."
• Peng Xuan'er emerged and thanked Song Ankang, saying the poem had praised her so greatly that she could die without regret.
• Peng Xuan'er chose the poem for its literary quality, the fame it could bring her, and the sincerity she sensed in Song Ankang's affection.

Song Ankang’s poem about Peng Xuan’er won overwhelming praise and elevated her fame, after which he was hurriedly dressed as a groom and married her in Shengyun Tower. Their marriage began a three-month Good Fortune Period, but Song Ankang lacked the wealth to redeem her when it ended.

• Shengyun Tower displayed Song Ankang’s poem, and guests praised its artistry and its tribute to Peng Xuan’er.
• Masters of Poetry said the poem would boost Peng Xuan’er’s reputation and the price of her future listings, while lamenting that it was being given as betrothal gifts.
• Song Ankang was surprised by the poem’s acclaim and was led by maids to change into wedding clothes.
• Song Ankang and Peng Xuan’er completed their wedding ceremony before the guests at Shengyun Tower.
• The chapter explained that Peng Xuan’er would belong exclusively to Song Ankang for three months, after which she could be listed for clients unless he redeemed her.
• Song Ankang realized that he could not afford to redeem Peng Xuan’er with his current wealth.

Song Ankang’s poem for Peng Xuan'er caused a sensation, while the Heavenly Book of Fate Defiance restored and strengthened his cultivation after his technique was broken. The feedback advanced him to Qi Nourishing Second Layer and awakened the One Yang Body, leaving him eager to cherish Peng Xuan'er during their three months together.

• The poem attributed to Zhao Xiyu spread through literary circles, and people praised Peng Xuan'er and Shengyun Tower while wondering who Zhao Xiyu was.
• The Heavenly Book of Fate Defiance restored Song Ankang’s injuries, cultivation foundation, and Childhood Purity True Qi, then strengthened them through backlash feedback.
• Song Ankang’s Childhood Purity True Qi broke through to Qi Nourishing Second Layer and increased to forty-six strands.
• The feedback improved Song Ankang’s talent and aptitude and awakened his One Yang Body, strengthening his yang affinity and True Qi.
• Song Ankang decided he should cherish Peng Xuan'er, who had given him the best of everything, during their exclusive three-month arrangement.

Song Ankang recovered enough to break his Childhood Purity Technique again, leaving himself weakened while Peng Xuan'er advanced to the Inner Refinement Second Layer. After Peng Xuan'er defeated Yang Ying's taunts and revealed Song Ankang's cultivation and help, Yang Ying grew jealous and tried to approach him, but Peng Xuan'er intercepted her.

• Song Ankang broke his Childhood Purity Technique with Peng Xuan'er, weakening his cultivation while her strength rose to the Inner Refinement Second Layer.
• Peng Xuan'er bought medicine for Song Ankang and clashed with Yang Ying, who mocked her for spending her own money on him.
• Peng Xuan'er defended Song Ankang and revealed that his True Qi had helped her break through several bottlenecks.
• Yang Ying believed Peng Xuan'er's account but left in embarrassment and jealousy.
• Yang Ying sneaked back to seduce Song Ankang, but Peng Xuan'er confronted her and warned her away.

Peng Xuan'er struggled to keep Shengyun Tower’s courtesans away from Song Ankang after Yang Ying spread rumors about his Marrow Cleansing. Meanwhile, Song Ankang recovered through the Heavenly Book of Fate Defiance, broke through to Qi Nourishing Third Layer, and awaited feedback that could improve his talent and aptitude.

• Peng Xuan'er realized Yang Ying would target Song Ankang after learning he had performed Marrow Cleansing for her.
• Yang Ying spread rumors that Song Ankang would perform Marrow Cleansing for women who spent a spring night with him, drawing many courtesans to visit Peng Xuan'er.
• The Heavenly Book of Fate Defiance healed Song Ankang's injuries and strengthened his cultivation foundation and Childhood Purity True Qi.
• Song Ankang broke through to Qi Nourishing Third Layer, and his Childhood Purity True Qi increased to seventy-eight strands.
• Song Ankang decided to temper his rapid gains and awaited feedback to improve his talent and aptitude.

After improving his cultivation through feedback, Song Ankang faced a crowd of Shengyun Tower courtesans who wanted him to perform Marrow Cleansing. Peng Xuan'er persuaded him to meet them, and the chapter ended with him rejecting Yang Ying’s advances to remain loyal to his wife.

• Song Ankang cultivated the Seven Injuries Demonic Scripture and improved his constitution, will, and cultivation foundation.
• Peng Xuan'er explained that her sisters had gathered at the Bamboo Forest Small Pavilion after learning about her Marrow Cleansing.
• Song Ankang agreed to meet the women after Peng Xuan'er asked him to, and the courtesans crowded him with gifts and flirtation.
• Song Ankang learned about the ranks of Shengyun Tower’s courtesans and recognized Yang Ying, the former Courtesan Queen, among the visitors.
• Yang Ying invited Song Ankang to visit her, but he ignored her advances because she had a grudge against Peng Xuan'er.

Song Ankang spent his days doting on Peng Xuan'er, who fell deeply in love with him despite believing their relationship would end after three months. When Peng Xuan'er arranged for her sisters to take her place, Song Ankang gained powerful feedback that pushed him through a breakthrough into the Qi Nourishing Fourth Layer.

• Song Ankang stayed devoted to Peng Xuan'er and secretly returned to the White Jade Mulberry Forest before claiming he was in secluded cultivation.
• Song Ankang cooked for Peng Xuan'er and repeatedly baptized her with True Qi, helping her reach the Inner Refinement Fourth Layer.
• Peng Xuan'er fell in love with Song Ankang but resolved to let him go when their three-month arrangement ended, unaware that he was not Zhao Xiyu.
• When Peng Xuan'er was indisposed, she summoned her sisters to accompany Song Ankang, and he accepted after reasoning that he needed to advance for the Human Race's sake.
• The next day, Song Ankang's side-effect feedback healed his injuries and strengthened his foundation before his Childhood Purity True Qi broke through the bottleneck.
• Song Ankang advanced from the Qi Nourishing Third Layer to the Qi Nourishing Fourth Layer, and his Childhood Purity True Qi condensed into a powerful mist.

Song Ankang’s Childhood Purity Technique broke again, raising his aptitude to the Two Suns Physique and greatly increasing his strength. After enjoying the company and performances of Peng Xuan’er and the other beauties, he promised them a poem as a reward and began reciting it.

• Song Ankang reached the Two Suns Physique after the technique’s side effects fed back into his body, bringing his combat power close to that of a Qi Cultivation Layer Seven cultivator.
• Song Ankang continued improving with the help of the beauties, while cultivating the Seven Injuries Demonic Scripture to strengthen his physique.
• Peng Xuan’er massaged Song Ankang as more than a dozen beauties sang and danced for him.
• The beauties crowded around Song Ankang after their performance and asked him to reward them for their efforts.
• Song Ankang promised the beauties a poem and announced a title whose long subtitle listed their names.