Recaps

Chen Qing trained at Zhou Academy, advanced to Bright Strength, and secretly killed gang leaders while taking work with the River Bureau. The arc left him facing the dangers around his family and academy as He Yan departed after a failed breakthrough.

• Chen Qing refused Qian Biao’s high-interest loan, then used Yang Huiniang’s savings to join Zhou Liang’s academy and began training in Tongbei Stance Practice.
• Chen Qing strangled Qian Biao after the loan collector threatened his family, then continued training and learned Tongbei Fist’s combat techniques.
• Chen Qing reached Bright Strength, took a River Patrol appointment, and secretly killed Song Tie after the Tiger Gang attacked his hideout.
• Chen Qing accepted Cheng Ming’s sponsorship but declined to join a sparring gathering, then sparred successfully with Zhu Ming and gave Xiao Chun money to help him.
• After the Blackwater Gang threatened Yang Huiniang’s family, Chen Qing killed its members and leader Jiang Hui, while the County Yamen wrongly suspected Chen Heng.
• Chen Qing guarded the river during Commander Pang Qinghai’s return and learned more about the powerful groups and experts gathered at the wharf.
• He Yan failed his breakthrough, damaged his foundation, and left Zhou Academy after urging Chen Qing to keep pursuing martial arts.

Chen Qing reached Hidden Strength, survived attacks and entered the Martial Arts Examination, where he passed and earned public honors. After buying a house and preparing to move with Madam Han, he heard that the Tiger Gang had been slaughtered and suspected Song Hu was probing him about the killings.

• Chen Qing broke through to Hidden Strength, and Zhou Liang began supplying him with Blood Condensing Pills.
• Chen Qing killed three attackers who ambushed him, hid their bodies in the South River, and kept their money and pills.
• After the Commandant was attacked at the River God Festival, Zhou Liang warned his disciples not to choose sides while the city remained unsettled.
• Chen Qing drew the Ten Stone Bow, rejected offers from local factions, and passed the examination after winning several arena bouts and forfeiting his match against Han Rou.
• Chen Qing placed thirty-ninth overall, while officials announced his seventh-place result on the Rank C list and granted his household tax and labor exemptions.
• Zhou Liang taught Chen Qing about Transformation Force and gave him a Tongbei Fist Internal Force Fundamentals Diagram, while he tried to find a way to heal Qin Lie.
• Chen Qing visited the Chen Family Old Residence without accepting his relatives' hospitality, then bought a courtyard on Changping Street and planned to move with Madam Han.
• After Madam Han told Chen Qing that the Tiger Gang had been slaughtered, Song Hu questioned him about the massacre, and Chen Qing suspected Song Hu was testing him.

Chen Qing rose to Transformation Force and entered the Green Scale Gathering with Zhou Academy. After defeating Gao Sheng and Qu Yaohui, he left Songfeng Martial Arts School’s next move uncertain.

• Chen Qing ambushed Song Hu and killed him and his two subordinates, taking Song Hu’s Toad Catching Strength scroll.
• Chen Qing refused Ke Yunqi’s River Bureau Inspector post and accepted a part-time River Commissioner position, then later volunteered to fight Tian Yaozong for the Cheng Family.
• Chen Qing defeated Tian Yaozong in the fist duel, winning the contest for Niangniang Temple Wharf and earning the Cheng Family’s reward.
• Qin Lie’s tendons failed to recover, and after he accused Zhou Liang and confessed his feelings to Zhou Yu, Zhou Liang expelled him from Zhou Academy.
• Chen Qing broke through to Transformation Force, demonstrated his new strength against Liu Ze, and received Three Yang Grass from Zhou Yu.
• Chen Qing entered the Green Scale Gathering with Zhou Liang as Gao Sheng crippled Sun Shun and Liu Nianbo, then challenged Chen Qing.
• Chen Qing shattered Gao Sheng’s spine, then defeated Qu Yaohui in a second fight and sent him off the arena unconscious.

Chen Qing left Gaolin County for the Wutai Sect, joined Qingmu Institute, and grew stronger while taking on dangerous work for the Wu Family. After defeating bandits and attracting attention from powerful figures, he bought a new spear and rode toward an ambush.

• Chen Qing killed Shi Wenshan, received a Wutai Sect recommendation from Pang Qinghai, and left Gaolin County after saying goodbye to Zhou Yu and his family.
• At the Wutai Sect, Chen Qing’s Four-Form Bone Structure limited his prospects, so he joined Qingmu Institute as a Registered Disciple and began cultivating its arts.
• Chen Qing killed a disguised attacker at North Marsh, survived the Seven Fiends’ attack, and later killed Ye Rong'er after taking the Nine Revolutions Golden Art from her.
• Chen Qing reached Transformation Perfection, accepted Wu Manqing’s offer to serve as a Wu Family consecrated expert, and killed the Five Flood Dragons Stirring the River to rescue the Wu Family’s ship and crew.
• Peng Zhen tried to recruit Chen Qing for Kuntu Institute, but Li Baichuan demanded one million taels to release him from Qingmu Institute.
• Chen Qing continued his cultivation, passed his assessment at Transformation Perfection, and learned that older disciples were being ordered to leave the institute.
• Chen Qing bought the Frost Chi spear and agreed to share a carriage with Wu Tieshan, while Sun Kui, Li Xiao, Qian Tong, and Hu Sifang prepared to ambush them on the road.