Chapter Summaries

Chen Qing and his childhood friends discussed how they would survive the crushing poverty and Golden River Gang’s extortion, while Chen Qing resolved to learn martial arts. When he returned home, he saw the gang brutalizing Uncle Gao, and Qian Biao tried to trap Chen Qing’s family in a predatory loan.

• Liang Badou, Li Hu, Xiao Chun, Er Ya, and Chen Qing discussed their difficult prospects as the Golden River Gang raised its Dragon King Incense fee.
• Xiao Chun said he would become a junior clerk, Li Hu planned to go south, Er Ya considered working as a servant, and Liang Badou planned to study under his clerical-scribe relative.
• Chen Qing said he intended to learn martial arts, though his friends doubted that his poor family could afford it.
• On his way home, Chen Qing saw Golden River Gang thugs beating Uncle Gao and wrecking Aunt Gao’s home for fishing in their territory.
• Qian Biao offered Chen Qing a high-interest loan secured by his family’s boat, but Chen Qing politely refused and hurried home.

Chen Qing and Madam Han visited the Old Residence to ask Old Master Chen for money so Chen Qing could learn a trade. They learned that Chen Heng had been studying martial arts at Guangchang Martial Arts School, and the chapter ended with Chen Qing noticing the fine silk bestowed by the instructor’s wife.

• Chen Qing returned from fishing with little money, and Madam Han urged him to learn a trade despite their poverty.
• Madam Han brought Chen Qing to the Old Residence to ask Old Master Chen for help with an apprenticeship fee.
• Second Aunt revealed that Chen Heng had studied at Guangchang Martial Arts School for three months and might take the Martial Arts Examination next year.
• Second Aunt showed Old Master Chen a silk handkerchief from the martial arts school, and Chen Qing recognized it as Inner City fabric.

Chen Qing asked Old Master Chen to let him learn martial arts, but the family dismissed him and favored Chen Heng’s training. Back on the boat, Chen Qing resolved to find his own way into martial arts as river bandits threatened his survival, just as a visitor called from outside.

• Old Master Chen prioritized funding Chen Heng’s martial arts and postponed Chen Qing’s request to learn a trade.
• Chen Qing asked to learn martial arts alongside Chen Heng, but Chen Heng and the others rejected the idea, and Old Master Chen told him to become a fisherman like his father.
• Chen Qing comforted Madam Han aboard their boat and considered secretly saving money through net-weaving before seeking a way to learn martial arts.
• A clear voice called for Chen Qing and Madam Han from beyond the cabin door.

Yang Huiniang reunited with Chen Qing and gave him her savings to help him learn martial arts. After narrowly avoiding a gang fight on his way home, Chen Qing set out the next morning to become Zhou Liang’s disciple.

• Yang Huiniang visited Chen Qing and Madam Han, shared mixed grain beans, and gave Chen Qing her savings for martial arts training.
• Chen Qing walked Yang Huiniang home and learned about her life at the Cloth Shop.
• On his way back, Chen Qing hid from a violent clash involving the Five Poisons Gang and hurried to the Lian Boat.
• Madam Han promised to weave more nets to support Chen Qing, and he resolved to use Yang Huiniang’s money to learn martial arts.
• The next morning, Chen Qing went to Zhou Liang’s home and asked to become his disciple.

Chen Qing joined Zhou Liang’s compound as an apprentice and began learning Tongbei Fist, discovering that his Heaven Rewards Diligence destiny guaranteed success through diligent practice. After enduring his first day of grueling stance training, he remained alone in the courtyard at dusk, determined to keep improving.

• Chen Qing paid three months of tuition, became Zhou Liang’s disciple, and learned the compound’s rules from Sun Shun.
• Zhou Liang explained that true martial arts were killing techniques and taught Chen Qing the Tongbei Stance Practice and the stages of martial arts cultivation.
• Chen Qing struggled through the stance, then saw his Heaven Rewards Diligence achievement register his progress and realized he could reliably break through by training diligently.
• Sun Shun gave Chen Qing two steamed buns and advised him to eat before training in the cold.
• Chen Qing trained through the day and, as dusk fell, reached Beginner (5/500) in Tongbei Stance Practice.

Chen Qing endured a month of training at Zhou Academy while struggling to support Madam Han, and he learned that gifted disciple Qin Lie had been singled out for special instruction. After Master Qian forced rotten pork on their household and gave them three days to pay, Chen Qing suspected the Golden River Gang was preparing to flee its fight with the Tiger Gang and told his mother he would handle it.

• Chen Qing returned home after joining Zhou Academy, reassured Madam Han that Huiniang's silver covered his tuition for now, and heard her warn him about the Tiger Gang's conflict with the Golden River Gang.
• Chen Qing trained diligently for a month, and Zhou Liang told him his foundation was stable enough to begin combat lessons while assigning him academy chores.
• Chen Qing cleaned the latrines with Qin Lie, who revealed he wanted to become a Martial Champion for his sister, and learned Qin Lie had earned special treatment for reaching the threshold of Bright Strength.
• Chen Qing returned home and found Madam Han working late to save for his future tuition, then Master Qian and two lackeys burst in and dumped rotten pork in the cabin, demanding payment within three days.
• Chen Qing suspected the Golden River Gang was losing ground to the Tiger Gang and planning a final shakedown, and he told Madam Han to leave the matter to him.

Chen Qing ambushed and killed Qian Biao, then took his valuables and hid his involvement. At Zhou Academy, he watched Zhou Liang demonstrate Tongbei Fist’s lethal applications and began practicing them with Sun Shun.

• Qian Biao decided to sell his remaining goods and flee Yazi Bay after collecting valuables from local families.
• Chen Qing strangled Qian Biao in a dark alley, crushed his neck and other bones to obscure the evidence, and took his valuables.
• News of Qian Biao’s death spread through Yazi Bay as the Golden River Gang began searching for the killer.
• Zhou Liang demonstrated Tongbei Fist’s vital-point and throat attacks on Sun Shun and taught the disciples to fight without being bound by forms.
• Chen Qing practiced Tongbei Fist’s combat applications with Sun Shun, beginning with Startling Thunder Shatters Window.

Chen Qing trained diligently in Tongbei Fist and learned that reaching Bright Strength could earn academy disciples lucrative part-time work. After watching Qin Lie attract competing offers from local businesses, Chen Qing left the academy determined to work toward Bright Strength.

• Chen Qing practiced Tongbei Fist under Sun Shun’s detailed instruction and noticed Zhou Yu tending to injured disciples.
• Sun Shun explained that disciples who reached Bright Strength could take paid work as guards or escorts, and Chen Qing became interested in earning money for tuition.
• Qin Lie demonstrated Bright Strength before Zhou Liang and visiting patrons, prompting the Wangyuan Escort Agency and Li’s Forge to compete with generous offers.
• Three other Bright Strength disciples performed, but received smaller offers, and Sun Shun warned the younger disciples that failure to advance could leave them doing exhausting labor.
• Chen Qing continued training until evening, then Zhou Yu advised him to balance exertion with rest before he left the academy.

Chen Qing reunited with his childhood friends in Yazi Bay, where Xu Fang’s transformation and their diverging lives came into view. After hearing that Song Tie might be hiding near Huai Shu Street, the group watched Xu Fang depart, likely for the last time.

• Liang Badou introduced Xu Fang to Chen Qing and their childhood friends at the tea boat, and they recalled their years growing up together.
• The friends discussed their changed circumstances, and Liang Badou offered Chen Qing a constable’s position, but Chen Qing refused and said he would keep learning martial arts at Zhou Academy.
• Liang Badou said the Golden River Gang was being hunted by the Tiger Gang and suspected Song Tie was hiding near Huai Shu Street.
• Xu Fang’s elderly maid arrived by carriage and told her to return to the residence before the hour of the Monkey.
• Xu Fang said goodbye to her childhood friends and left in the carriage, while Chen Qing and the others watched it disappear.

Chen Qing struggled toward Bright Strength while witnessing the hardships facing Zhou Academy’s poorer disciples and receiving help from Yang Huiniang. After months of practice, he finally reached minor mastery in Tongbei Stance Practice and broke through, earning congratulations and Blood Vitality Powder.

• Chen Qing learned that Guo Dachui had failed his breakthrough attempt and left Zhou Academy, deepening the other disciples’ anxiety about their futures.
• Yang Huiniang gave Chen Qing two boiled eggs and over twenty copper coins from her reward, while her manageress called her back to work.
• Chen Qing continued training as Qin Lie and Luo Qian watched, with Luo Qian dismissing his chances of further progress.
• Chen Qing broke through to Bright Strength as his Tongbei Stance Practice reached minor mastery.
• Sun Shun and Zhou Yu congratulated Chen Qing, and Zhou Yu gave him a packet of Blood Vitality Powder.
• Luo Qian called Chen Qing’s breakthrough luck and doubted his potential, while Qin Lie ignored the news.

After reaching Bright Strength, Chen Qing learned that sponsorship could help fund his martial arts training but chose to seek work instead. He returned home amid the Golden River Gang’s search for Qian Biao’s killer, then told his grandfather about his breakthrough, winning praise while his family still favored Chen Heng’s prospects.

• Zhou Liang congratulated Chen Qing on reaching Bright Strength, and Sun Shun offered to help him find a part-time appointment while explaining sponsorship from wealthy families.
• Chen Qing rejected the idea of seeking sponsorship and went home, where he learned that Liu Laizi and the Golden River Gang were searching Yazi Bay for Qian Biao’s murderer.
• Chen Qing told Madam Han that he had reached Bright Strength, and she sent him with a fish to share the news with Old Master Chen.
• Chen Qing hid the fish near the Chen Family Old Residence and told Old Master Chen and Second Aunt about his breakthrough.
• Old Master Chen warmly praised Chen Qing but later acknowledged that he intended to reserve his resources for Chen Heng, whose prospects he considered better.

Chen Qing joined the River Bureau as a part-time River Patrol and received five taels in advance to pay his tuition. After sparring with Sun Shun, he learned to better understand Bright Strength, while Zhou Academy prepared for the approaching Martial Arts Examination.

• Xu Chengfeng of the Tiger Gang told Chen Qing that the gang had taken over the area and secretly ordered A Jie to investigate where Chen Qing learned boxing.
• Chen Qing chose a River Patrol appointment over guard work at the Li Clan Chamber of Commerce and Drunken Moon Pavilion, then registered with Cheng Ming at the River Bureau.
• Chen Qing asked Cheng Ming for an advance on his stipend to pay tuition, and Cheng Ming agreed to give him five taels.
• Chen Qing sparred with Sun Shun, who guided him through exchanges that helped him understand how to wield Bright Strength.
• Zhou Yu called Sun Shun to the Backyard, where Master appeared to be discussing the approaching Martial Arts Examination with senior disciples.
• Chen Qing continued practicing Tongbei Fist and saw that it had reached Minor Mastery (1/1000).

Chen Qing tracked Liu Laizi to a hidden Golden River Gang hideout and discovered that Gang Leader Song Tie was injured and under pressure from the Tiger Gang. Rather than risk attacking Song Tie himself, Chen Qing withdrew with a plan to use others to kill him.

• Chen Qing followed Liu Laizi and a yellow-toothed man through Huai Shu Street to a secluded courtyard.
• Chen Qing recognized Song Tie and overheard the Golden River Gang members argue about making peace with the Tiger Gang.
• Song Tie smashed a table, rejected surrender, and said Master Hu would return to help reclaim Yazi Bay.
• After the others left, Chen Qing saw Song Tie collapse and treat a serious wound.
• Chen Qing judged a direct attack too risky and left the hideout intending to kill Song Tie with a borrowed knife.

Chen Qing ambushed and killed the wounded Song Tie as the Tiger Gang raided his hideout on Huai Shu Street. He took Song Tie’s silver and a copy of the Gale Blade Technique, and by the next day word had spread that the Tiger Gang had killed the Golden River Gang’s leader.

• Er Mazi brought Xu Chengfeng a note identifying Song Tie’s hiding place on Huai Shu Street, and Xu Chengfeng sent men to verify it.
• After Er Mazi confirmed Golden River Gang lookouts were at the street entrance, Xu Chengfeng led the Tiger Gang to attack Song Tie’s hideout and ordered Liu Laizi punished as a traitor.
• Song Tie fought his way out of the ruined courtyard and fled through the back alleys while wounded.
• Chen Qing ambushed Song Tie, tore off his arm, and killed him before he could escape.
• Chen Qing took more than twenty taels of silver and the Gale Blade Technique from Song Tie, then vanished into the shadows.
• News spread through Yazi Bay that the Tiger Gang had killed the Golden River Gang’s leader.

After Song Tie’s death, Chen Qing continued his martial training while working as a River Bureau patrol guard and considered how to move his mother to the safer Inner City. Seeing a Martial Champion at the docks showed him the wealth and status that passing the Martial Arts Examination could bring.

• Madam Han heard that the Tiger Gang had killed Song Tie and warned Chen Qing to be careful; Chen Qing recognized that the gang was taking credit for his deed.
• Chen Qing gave Madam Han silver and asked her to buy more fish and meat, then studied the Gale Blade Technique.
• Over half a month, Chen Qing patrolled for the River Bureau and trained at Zhou Academy, improving his Tongbei Stance Practice and Tongbei Fist while spending down his savings.
• While patrolling the docks, Cheng Ming urged Chen Qing to save enough silver to bring his mother to the safer Inner City.
• A Martial Champion rode into the docks, and Cheng Ming explained his privileges and urged Chen Qing to pass the Martial Arts Examination.

Chen Qing received Cheng Ming’s offer of sponsorship but declined an invitation to represent Zhou Academy at a nearby sparring gathering. The other disciples judged his refusal harshly, while Chen Qing returned to training.

• Cheng Ming offered to sponsor Chen Qing with monthly meat and Blood Vitality Powder, and Chen Qing gratefully accepted.
• Zhou Yu announced a seven-person sparring gathering with nearby academies, and Sun Shun suggested Chen Qing as a participant.
• Zheng Ziqiao and Luo Qian questioned Chen Qing’s qualifications, but Zhou Yu supported giving him a chance to broaden his horizons.
• Chen Qing declined the invitation, saying he wanted to strengthen his foundation through practice.
• Qin Lie, Zheng Ziqiao, and Luo Qian criticized Chen Qing’s refusal, while Zhou Yu showed brief disappointment.

Chen Qing visited Yang Huiniang’s home with salted fish, where Chen Jinhua accused him of taking Huiniang’s money and struck the fish to the ground. After Chen Qing gave Huiniang silver, he went to the River Bureau and watched two Patrol Guards spar.

• Chen Qing brought two salted fish to Yang Tiezhu and Chen Jinhua’s home and learned that Yang Huiniang was at the cloth workshop.
• Chen Jinhua accused Chen Qing of taking Huiniang’s wages, and Huiniang defended her right to give him her dowry.
• Chen Jinhua threw the fish onto the ground, but Chen Qing picked them up and left them by the stove before departing.
• Yang Huiniang followed Chen Qing outside, reassured him about her mother’s words, and accepted silver he said would repay her earlier help.
• Chen Qing reached the River Bureau and watched Wang Cheng and Zhu Ming spar, with Zhu Ming forcing Wang Cheng back using the Sea-Breaking Fist.

Chen Qing sparred with Zhu Ming and several Patrol Guards, demonstrating his skill with the Tongbei Fist before resuming his dock patrol. He then lent Xiao Chun three hundred copper coins for Miss A Cui, only to see Xiao Chun beaten and rejected by her associates while remaining convinced she loved him.

• Cheng Ming explained the status of the five Great Clans, and Chen Qing accepted Zhu Ming's invitation to spar.
• Chen Qing used the Tongbei Fist to counter Zhu Ming's attacks and stopped a finger strike just short of Zhu Ming's chest, earning his respect.
• Chen Qing sparred with several Patrol Guards, then met Xiao Chun, who begged for money to redeem Miss A Cui from the Floating Houses.
• Chen Qing refused to lend silver but gave Xiao Chun three hundred copper coins after Xiao Chun pleaded with him.
• Thugs beat and threw Xiao Chun out of the Floating Houses, but he insisted Miss A Cui loved him and planned to earn money to take her away.

Chen Qing continued training and improving his martial arts while struggling to afford the nourishment his growing strength required. At Zhou Academy, Qin Lie broke through to Hidden Strength and Zhou Liang named him his Closed-Door Disciple, leaving the other disciples to reckon with their own prospects.

• Madam Han gave Rice Bran to Uncle Gao’s family after the Tiger Gang’s collections and the river bandits left them short of food.
• Chen Qing spent three months training and sparring, improving his Tongbei skills while running out of money for meat and Blood Vitality Powder.
• Chen Qing defeated He Yan in a spar, prompting He Yan to question whether Heaven Rewards Diligence could truly bring success.
• A disciple announced that Qin Lie had broken through to Hidden Strength, and Zhou Liang named him his Closed-Door Disciple.
• Qin Lie’s elder sister arrived and tearfully thanked Zhou Liang, while He Yan reflected on his family’s hardships and Chen Qing continued training.

Chen Qing learned that the Blackwater Gang had beaten Yang Tiezhu and planned to take Yang Huiniang to the Warm Jade Workshop, and he investigated the gang’s backing. He left determined to deal with the gang carefully and without leaving a trace.

• Chen Qing learned that the Blackwater Gang had beaten Yang Tiezhu after he refused to let them take Yang Huiniang, and that they had threatened the family before.
• Chen Heng promised to seek help from his martial arts school, but Senior Brother Mao told him Senior Brother Lin would intervene for twenty taels, leaving Chen Heng unable to decide what to do.
• Chen Qing asked Xu Chengfeng about nearby gangs and learned that the Blackwater Gang had about twenty members, three Bright Strength experts, and a leader named Jiang Hui.
• Chen Qing concluded that the Blackwater Gang’s backing was shallow and resolved to act cautiously without leaving evidence.