Recaps

At Old Madam Ingrid’s birthday gathering, Russell gave her reading glasses that restored her ability to read clearly. She praised his invention and said she would tell the scholars at Red Castle about it, leaving Russell’s creation poised to earn wider recognition.

• Rowena and Cooper presented Old Madam Ingrid with a colorful-feathered hat, and Roland gave her a gemstone bracelet sent with birthday wishes from Princess Anxia.
• Laura presented her grandmother with a scarf she had knitted herself.
• Russell gave Old Madam Ingrid two pairs of reading glasses and showed her how to use them.
• Old Madam Ingrid tried both pairs, found the weaker pair suited her better, and celebrated being able to read clearly again.
• Old Butler Carter tried Russell’s stronger glasses and was amazed, prompting Old Madam Ingrid to say she would write to the scholars at Red Castle about Russell’s invention.

At the family celebration, Russell’s reading glasses earned praise and raised hopes that he might become a scholar. He enjoyed the banquet’s Origin Meat, considered breeding a new kind of cultivated livestock, and ended the chapter dancing with Malena.

• Old Madam Ingrid and the gathered nobles praised Russell’s reading glasses and discussed her sponsoring his improvements.
• Roland, Rowena, and Baron Roman congratulated Russell, and Roman expected him to become a capable lord for the Fluorite Mushroom Family.
• Russell ate Origin Meat and considered raising piglets from his Golden Black Sow to develop a new Cultivated Origin Beast breed.
• At the celebration dance, Malena invited Russell to dance, and he accepted.

At a ball, Russell discussed his plan to breed a new Cultivated Origin Beast from the extraordinary piglet in his Golden Black Sow with Malena. Afterward, Madam Meryl urged him to consider marrying Malena, but Russell said he wanted to focus on his manor and cultivation for now.

• Russell danced with Malena and told her that his pregnant Golden Black Sow might miscarry, but he hoped to raise the piglet as a new breed called Wuyou Black Pigs.
• Malena approved of Russell's plan and asked to visit Wuyou Snake Manor, and Russell said Teacher Charles could show her around.
• Russell ended the dance and stayed in the rest area instead of joining the next one.
• Madam Meryl praised Russell for finding a positive path in life, then urged him to pursue Malena and take her for another dance.
• Russell told Meryl that he had a clear plan for his future and wanted to focus on his manor and Battle Aura cultivation.

After returning to Wuyou Snake Manor with Rowena’s Fluorite Mushroom Bug gift, Russell learned that the Golden Black Sow had produced no Phantom Beast offspring. He ordered the piglet whose origin power was fading to be raised separately and given the best feed, hoping it could become a new breed of Cultivated Origin Beast.

• Rowena gave Russell a Fluorite Mushroom Bug as a belated coming-of-age gift, and Russell accepted it after she insisted.
• Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor with the Mushroom Bug and the one hundred Gold Coins for the Reading Glasses Improvement Research Project.
• James reported that the Golden Black Sow had given birth but produced no Phantom Beast offspring.
• Russell and Eric examined the fattest piglet and confirmed that its origin power was dissipating.
• Russell ordered James to have Old Hans arrange for a serf family to raise the piglet separately with the best pig feed.

Russell inspected the new birch grove and the Windmill Mill, where weak winds meant the mill needed an additional set of drive shafts made with Metal Ceramic. He approved the extra expense and left the master carpenter responsible for ensuring the mill worked properly.

• Russell inspected serfs planting magically developed birch cuttings across the river and told Rudy to report developments in Magic Potion Tunic.
• Russell visited the Windmill Mill construction site and learned that the local wind was too weak for the planned machinery.
• The master carpenter explained that another set of drive shafts and Metal Ceramic components were needed for reliable operation.
• Russell ordered Charles to purchase the Metal Ceramic components and warned the master carpenter that he would be held accountable if the design still failed.

Russell commissioned Mundis to craft improved Reading Glasses for his grandmother and declined to pursue glassmaking on a larger scale because his territory lacked coal. Katie then reported that she and Catherine had joined Lisbon’s group and confirmed he possessed a Blood Fang Fungus, leaving Russell intent on obtaining it while the sisters continued their careful infiltration.

• Russell hired Mundis to polish White Crystal lenses into Reading Glasses for Old Madam Ingrid and arranged to have them fitted at Great Wind Manor.
• Russell decided not to invest heavily in glass products because Guangguang River Valley lacked surplus coal and glassmaking required extensive fuel.
• Katie told Russell that she and Catherine had joined Lisbon’s group, whose growing arrogance had led to deadly clashes with Savage Cave.
• Katie confirmed that Lisbon cultivated a Blood Fang Fungus and made a blood-red ointment called Gum Blood, though only Lisbon knew where the fungus was grown.
• Russell told Katie to keep following Lisbon cautiously and said the sisters mattered more to him than the gains from Xiangshui River Cave.

Russell ordered sanitation improvements in Small Market Town and proposed collecting and composting manure to test it as fertilizer. After Charles pointed out flaws in his payment plan, Russell revised the policy and left Charles to prepare detailed sanitation regulations.

• Russell asked Charles to have Old Hans and the others build a latrine in Small Market Town, then ordered manure collection and composting grounds to test whether fermented manure could fertilize fields.
• Charles and Eric questioned why Russell planned to pay for manure when the serfs could be ordered to hand it over, and Russell chose to provide the money as a cleaning fee instead.
• Charles warned that paying for manure might encourage serfs to avoid the latrine and keep manure at home, so Russell canceled plans for latrines in every tunic and proposed selling buckets and jars cheaply to the serfs.
• Russell instructed Charles to have the sanitation regulations written and read aloud to the Tunic Chiefs and serf stewards.

Charles announced Russell’s sanitation policy to the Tunic Chiefs and serf overseers, pairing punishments for relieving themselves outdoors with payments for collected waste. He assigned Old Hans to build a public toilet and organize construction workers, while Charles reflected on Russell’s growing confidence and his own stalled cultivation.

• Charles warned that anyone caught relieving themselves outdoors would receive ten lashes, while serfs who collected urine or feces could earn copper coins.
• The serf overseers welcomed the rewards and affordable buckets and jars, and Charles told them to explain the policy to every household.
• Charles tasked Old Hans with building a toilet in Small Market Town and described plans to bring merchant caravans there regularly.
• Charles told Old Hans to expand the town, widen its roads, and recruit a construction team that Russell would feed while punishing lazy workers.
• At home, Charles compared Russell’s growing confidence and Eric’s advancement as a Phantom Beast Knight with his own prospects, then tried to cultivate before giving up and deciding to focus on serving Russell.

Charles visited Russell at the manor annex, and Russell checked that the Wuyou Black Pig piglet’s magical aura remained intact. When Lord Cooper, Miss Rowena, and Miss Laura planned to visit, Russell ordered preparations for their reception, ending with his decision to serve the new fish soup recipe.

• Charles arrived at noon, joined Russell for lunch, and helped manage the manor’s affairs.
• Russell inspected the Wuyou Black Pig piglet in the Dark Dreamscape and found its magical aura had not dissipated.
• A knight informed Russell that Lord Cooper, Miss Rowena, and Miss Laura planned to visit Wuyou Snake Manor.
• Russell instructed Butler Morris to receive the guests at the standard used for his elder brother Roland, and Morris assigned preparations to the servants.
• Russell told Morris to use the new fish soup recipe for the luncheon.

Russell hosted Rowena, Cooper, and Laura at his manor, then defeated Rowena again in a duel by tiring her out with his defensive tactics. Rowena accepted that Russell had grown and called on Cooper to fight him next.

• Russell welcomed Rowena, Cooper, and Laura to Wuyou Snake Manor and hosted them for lunch.
• Rowena mistook Russell's plain fish soup for a sign that his household could not afford spices, but Russell explained that it was an invention he wanted Mrs. Moore to improve.
• Russell asked Butler Morris to conceal Rowena's criticism from Mrs. Moore while passing along Cooper's praise.
• Rowena challenged Russell to a second duel, but he wore her down and knocked her red longsword away before defeating her again.
• Russell explained that he had used his endurance and superior tactics to overcome Rowena's stronger Battle Aura, and she called on Cooper to duel him.

Russell learned that Lone Wolf Lisbon planned to cross Wuyou Snake Manor and attack Savage Cave, so he arranged an ambush to stop him. Russell, Eric, Charles, and four Knight Retainers waited at the foot of Curved Blade Mountain as Kevin watched the road, and Russell prepared to nap while they waited.

• Cooper and Rowena said they would leave for home the day after tomorrow, and Rowena challenged Russell to another match next year.
• Eric told Russell that Lisbon planned to travel through Alfalfa Tunic and attack Savage Cave, where Big Clumsy Bear Grove stood in his way.
• Russell ordered Eric to confirm Lisbon’s route and timing through the Wildcat Sisters and prepare an ambush.
• The Wildcat Sisters sent word that Lisbon would pass the foot of Curved Blade Mountain at midnight.
• Eric led Russell, Charles, and four Knight Retainers to lie in wait while Kevin watched the road, and Russell asked Charles to wake him if anything happened.

Russell explored the Dark Dreamscape and found a mysterious glowing stone embedded in Curved Blade Mountain, then awoke as Eric’s group prepared an ambush for Lone Wolf Lisbon. Eric struck Lisbon with a sudden sword attack, beginning the planned assault.

• Russell entered the Dark Dreamscape with Little Dream Dragon and discovered a faintly glowing, rounded stone embedded in Curved Blade Mountain.
• Russell considered whether the stone was a gemstone from a nearby Gem Dragon, memorized its location, and continued exploring until Little Dream Dragon grew tired.
• Eric warned Russell that Lisbon and more than twenty followers had arrived, including the Wildcat Sisters, and Russell ordered the group to follow their plan.
• Eric assigned the Knight Retainers to hold back Lisbon’s followers while he launched the decapitation strike and Charles protected Russell.
• Lisbon entered the ambush site, and Eric rushed out and slashed his throat before he could finish shouting.

Russell’s forces defeated Lone Wolf Lisbon’s gang, captured the survivors, and recovered the Blood Fang Fungus Mushroom Bug. Russell began dissolving Lisbon’s contract with the bug before Lisbon died, while the fate of the prisoners awaited judgment.

• Eric ambushed and fatally wounded Lone Wolf Lisbon, then Russell’s knights defeated the remaining rangers and Wandering Souls and forced them to surrender.
• Russell declared that Xiangshui River Cave would become part of Wuyou Snake Manor and ordered the captives bound and taken to the manor’s annex for individual judgment.
• Russell ordered Katie and Catherine to search Lisbon’s residence for the Blood Fang Fungus Mushroom Bug, then returned with the prisoners and kept Lisbon alive under Eric’s watch.
• Katie brought the Mushroom Bug to Russell about two hours later, and Russell instructed Charles and the Wildcat Sisters to judge the captives, execute the worst offenders, and reform the rest.
• Russell began working to dissolve Lisbon’s contract with the Mushroom Bug before Lisbon died, hoping to prevent harm to the creature.

Russell stripped the Blood Fang Fungus Mushroom Bug’s contract from Lisbon and ordered his execution. He then judged the captured members of Xiangshui River Cave, expanded Wuyou Snake Manor’s Cave Patrol Squad, and prepared to visit the cave.

• Russell used Lisbon’s blood and Blood Siphon Potion to break the Blood Fang Fungus Mushroom Bug’s contract, then had Tom kill Lisbon and burn his body.
• Katie reported that the Wildcat Sisters had captured the remaining Wandering Souls, and Russell ordered the Worm Grass protected while the captives awaited judgment.
• Russell ordered the execution of those who had willingly committed evil with Lisbon and offered the remaining rangers and Wandering Souls a choice to join his Cave Patrol Squad or leave for other caves.
• Russell executed one ranger and nine Wandering Souls; three rangers and thirty-one Wandering Souls pledged loyalty to him as serfs and joined the Cave Patrol Squad.
• Russell told Katie and Catherine to lead the group to Xiangshui River Cave so he could receive the Cave Freemen’s allegiance and inspect the settlement.

Russell explored the Xiangshui River Cave with Katie, Charles, and Catherine, learning about its Ice Cap, river, and Cave Freemen. After taking control of the cave following Lone Wolf Lisbon’s death, he gained the Freemen’s loyalty and reached Lisbon’s mushroom fields.

• Katie explained how the Ice Cap divided the caves’ warm, habitable areas from the frozen regions, while Charles and Catherine discussed the land’s history.
• Russell learned that the Xiangshui River was an ordinary surface river buried beneath the snow and asked where its unfrozen waters flowed.
• Catherine summoned Moray and Monet to pledge loyalty to Russell, who promised the Cave Freemen work, protection, and the freedom to marry.
• Moray and Monet called the other Cave Freemen to pledge loyalty, and more gathered as Russell’s group traveled through the cave.
• Katie led Russell to Wolf Head Cavern, where the Worm Grass of the Mushroom Bug and the Blood Fang Fungus fields filled Lisbon’s former lair.

Russell explored Xiangshui River Cave, claimed a jar of Gum Blood, and ordered the Cave Patrol Squad to secure the settlement and guard the Blood Fang Fungus field. He then climbed out of Big Mouth Cavern with his companions to see the snowy forest, where life thrived beneath the snowfield’s harsh conditions.

• Russell inspected the Blood Fang Fungus and claimed the jar of Gum Blood, leaving the mushroom field untouched until he could consult Baron Roman.
• Russell ordered Eric to register the cave’s free commoners as manor serfs, guard the Blood Fang Fungus field, and patrol for Snow Ghosts, while Catherine assisted him.
• Russell asked Katie to guide him around Xiangshui River Cave and visited Big Mouth Cavern with Kevin and his companions.
• Kevin checked that the snowfield was safe, and Russell climbed through the cavern opening to explore the snow walls and snowy forest.
• Charles struggled to climb out of the cavern until Tom and Jack pulled him up, and Katie urged him to lose weight.

Russell uncovered and contracted an Amber Bug, a rare butterfly wondrous creature that had been sealed in amber for millions of years. After the amber shattered, the butterfly bonded with him and appeared beside Little Dream Dragon’s mark.

• Russell returned from the snowfield with Kevin and told Charles that he intended to hunt Snow Ghosts.
• Russell assigned Eric, Katie, Charles, and the Knight Retainers to organize Xiangshui River Cave as Cave Tunic, with agricultural and border-defense structures.
• Russell took Kevin to Curved Blade Mountain and dug a golden-yellow stone containing a butterfly from the rock wall.
• Russell recognized the stone as an Amber Bug, cut his finger, and used his blood to contract it.
• The Amber Bug awakened, shattered its amber casing, and flew into Russell’s palm beside Little Dream Dragon’s M-shaped mark.

Russell bonded with a Sword Butterfly Amber Bug, whose swordsmanship insight transformed his understanding of the Radiant Sword Technique and greatly accelerated his Battle Aura training. He ended the chapter having doubled his combat strength, though Tom’s greater Battle Aura still let him defeat Russell in their spar.

• Russell discovered that the Sword Butterfly Amber Bug’s mark could merge with the Little Dream Dragon’s mark and help him master swordsmanship.
• Russell refined the Radiant Sword Technique, carved more than a centimeter of new meridians toward both hands, and named the butterfly Sword Butterfly.
• Russell tested Sword Butterfly’s abilities and watched it unleash several faint streaks of sword aura.
• Russell sparred with Knight Retainer Tom and dominated him for a quarter of an hour before his Battle Aura waned and Tom overwhelmed him.
• Eric, Charles, Tom, and the other Knight Retainers praised Russell’s improved swordsmanship, while Russell called it a small improvement.

After Russell displayed his newly awakened swordsmanship, he planned to formalize Wuyou Snake Manor’s administration and hire workers for specialized duties. Charles welcomed the Wildcat Sisters to his house and spent the night thinking about them.

• Russell demonstrated his swordsmanship to Eric and credited his enlightenment to the dragon’s guidance.
• Russell learned that 472 freemen from Xiangshui River Cave had become his serfs and scheduled a manor meeting to establish official positions.
• Russell tasked Charles with drafting an administrative system for Wuyou Snake Manor.
• Russell agreed with Morris that the manor should hire Pig, Horse, and Fish Herders and discuss other servant duties with Old Hans.
• Charles gave Katie and Catherine rooms in his house until their dormitories were built, then lay awake thinking about them.

Russell discovered that the Sword Butterfly could enter the Dark Dreamscape and help him and Little Dream Dragon explore beyond its usual boundary. The pair reached Curved Blade Mountain before Little Dream Dragon grew tired, and Russell woke the next morning with the Sword Butterfly Mark circling Little Dream Dragon’s mark.

• Russell found the Sword Butterfly beside him in the Dark Dreamscape, where it joined Little Dream Dragon and playfully circled it.
• Little Dream Dragon passed through the Dark Dreamscape’s boundary, and Russell realized the Sword Butterfly illuminated a small sphere around itself.
• Russell tested the Sword Butterfly’s range and found it could not move more than two meters from Little Dream Dragon.
• Russell rode Little Dream Dragon as the Sword Butterfly led them beyond the Dark Dreamscape to the foot of Curved Blade Mountain.
• Little Dream Dragon became tired, and Russell returned to waking life the next morning with the Sword Butterfly Mark beside Little Dream Dragon’s mark.

Russell discussed his new Mushroom Bug with Baron Roman, then searched the castle library for information about rare bugs without success. After Russell left, Roland and Madam Meryl discussed Russell’s lack of interest in Malena and Roland’s own prospects.

• Russell told Baron Roman that he had six bugs and explained that Blood Fang Fungus might be a newly discovered mushroom, then assured him that Reading Glasses for their grandmother were being made.
• Russell searched Baron Roman’s study for information about Amber Bugs but found no useful records, and he concluded that he would have to investigate the Sword Butterfly Amber Bug himself.
• Roland envied Russell’s Gold-Silver Wolfdog Kevin and joked with Russell about his own hopes of winning over Lord Ross before Russell rode away from Fluorite Castle.
• Roland wondered whether Russell had stopped competing with him for Lord Ross, then returned to the sitting room and told Madam Meryl that Russell had not cared about Malena.
• Madam Meryl scolded Roland for failing to socialize actively while Russell remained uninterested in Malena and Marcus considered sending her to the Girls’ Academy in Furious Wind City.

Russell arranged tax-free monthly visits by merchant caravans to Wuyou Snake Manor and approved Charles's proposed government structure. The manor meeting began the next day as Russell arrived before the gathered serfs, with officials yet to be appointed.

• Russell visited Bencote at the Governor's Office and asked him to notify merchant caravans that trade at Wuyou Snake Manor would be tax-free.
• Russell returned to his manor and trained with the Radiant Sword Technique, resolving to reach Great Knight within three years.
• Charles told Russell that representatives had been nominated in all seven tunics and outlined a proposed framework of administrative, security, and court officials.
• Russell approved the framework and instructed Charles to leave assistant positions vacant until he decided whether to fill them.
• The serfs gathered in the Small Market Town for the manor meeting, and Russell arrived on horseback as they bowed to greet him.

Russell held a manor meeting in Small Market Town to reorganize Wuyou Snake Manor after its annexation of Xiangshui River Cave. He appointed three chief officials, then handed the meeting to Charles to continue implementing his plans.

• Russell gathered the manor’s officials, retainers, and representatives and announced that he would establish a system of officials.
• Russell appointed Charles Chief Scribe, Eric Security Chief, and Old Hans Court Chief.
• Old Hans thanked Russell and asked to keep addressing him as Lord Master, and Russell agreed.
• Russell tasked Charles with presiding over the rest of the meeting, selecting officials, and announcing policies.

At Wuyou Snake Manor’s meeting, Russell approved the territorial officials and the first tunic elections. The meeting paused at noon, with more tunic appointments still to come.

• Charles, Eric, and Old Hans nominated officials, and Russell approved nine people for the manor’s administrative, security, and court positions.
• Russell renamed Bean Wheat Tunic to Market Tunic, and Iron-Arm Dunn won reelection as its Tunic Chief.
• Red-nosed Rudy won reelection as Tunic Chief of Magic Potion Tunic, while Drulk narrowly defeated Horace and Bal to lead Cave Tunic.
• Charles paused the meeting until one in the afternoon, and Russell invited the newly appointed officials to lunch at the manor villa.

Russell oversaw elections and appointments at Wuyou Snake Manor, filling the remaining local leadership and guard posts while creating a transport team. At the evening feast, he laid out construction and town reorganization plans and ordered continued vigilance against Snow Ghosts.

• The serfs elected Mrs. Sharby as Lentil Tunic Chief, and Russell appointed her despite Charles's concern that she was a woman.
• Officials selected Jack and Bal to lead the Birch Forest and Wolf Head Cavern Insect Grass Guard Squads after Horace declined the latter post.
• Russell appointed James captain of the new Manor Transport Team, completing the main appointments.
• At dinner, Russell called for work on public latrines, compost yards, septic pits, and Small Market Town's reorganization while ensuring serfs would be fed and rewarded for construction work.
• Katie promised to guard Xiangshui River Cave and prevent Snow Ghosts from crossing into the territory.