Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Hiko impressed the monarch with his martial arts and secured a temporary appointment as a general, while promising to earn the monarch’s trust over time. He later reported his progress to Old Master, who praised him but warned him to retreat if the situation became dangerous.

• Uchiha Hiko demonstrated his martial arts and urged the monarch to consider him for the position of general.
• The monarch judged Uchiha Hiko’s abilities satisfactory, accepted his show of loyalty, and appointed him general on a temporary basis.
• Uchiha Hiko left the monarch, believing he had gained the initiative but still needed to secure the monarch’s complete trust.
• Uchiha Hiko explained his progress and plans to Old Master, who praised him and told him to withdraw if his life was at risk.

Uchiha Hiko asked the ruler to appoint him Grand General, but the ruler hesitated because the ministers resented his rapid rise and feared he might become arrogant. Uchiha Hiko reassured the ruler and offered to leave military power in his hands for now, though the appointment remained unsettled.

• The ruler acknowledged that Uchiha Hiko was the best candidate for Grand General but worried that the ministers would resent appointing someone they had known for only a few days.
• Uchiha Hiko recognized the ministers' dissatisfaction and told the ruler that their agreement and loyalty did not prove they were competent or honest.
• Uchiha Hiko warned that the ministers might be embezzling money and argued that the ruler should employ capable people rather than mediocre officials.
• The ruler admitted that the ministers had no opinions of their own and said he feared Uchiha Hiko might become arrogant if promoted quickly.
• Uchiha Hiko reassured the ruler and offered to leave military power with him until it was needed.

Uchiha Hiko tried to convince the monarch to appoint him general, but the monarch hesitated because he feared upsetting his ministers. Hiko reassured him and warned him about the ministers’ possible disloyalty, then learned the monarch wanted to let the aging ministers use their abilities before they retired.

• Uchiha Hiko worried that the monarch might deny him the general’s position, which his plans depended on, and that he would have to explain any change to Old Master.
• The monarch told Uchiha Hiko he trusted his ability but feared the ministers would resent his appointment, since he valued their loyalty and opinions.
• Uchiha Hiko accepted the monarch’s hesitation and promised to prove himself worthy of the position over time.
• Uchiha Hiko warned the monarch that the ministers might secretly betray him, while emphasizing his own loyalty and invoking Old Master’s standing as a trusted minister.
• The monarch explained that he wanted the older ministers to display their talents before retirement, and Uchiha Hiko realized this was the reason behind his decision.

Uchiha Hiko pressed the monarch to appoint him a general, first appealing to his abilities and then threatening to serve another country. After Hiko backed down, the monarch offered him his adoptive father’s position and said he might promote him to general later.

• The monarch told Uchiha Hiko that he admired him but would not appoint him general yet.
• Uchiha Hiko warned that he could join another country and attack the monarch’s land if his request continued to be refused.
• The monarch rejected Hiko’s threat and insisted that the timing was wrong, while warning him not to push too far.
• Uchiha Hiko recognized that his pressure was wearing down the monarch’s patience and admitted that he had been wrong.
• The monarch appointed Hiko to inherit his adoptive father’s position and promised to consider making him general when the opportunity arose.

Uchiha Hiko told Old Master that the Monarch had asked him to take over his official position before possibly becoming a general. Old Master identified the Monarch’s likely motives, and they decided to play along while watching what he did next.

• Uchiha Hiko left the Monarch and went to Old Master to discuss the offer and the Monarch’s intentions.
• Uchiha Hiko explained that the Monarch had previously refused to make him a general, citing ministers’ objections, and said he was unsure how to proceed.
• Old Master said the Monarch admired Uchiha Hiko but wanted to test his patience and create tension between them to probe his identity.
• Uchiha Hiko and Old Master worried that the Monarch might suspect Uchiha Hiko’s identity and agreed to wait for more evidence.
• Old Master decided to hand his position over to Uchiha Hiko and let the Monarch reveal his next move.

Uchiha Hiko took over Old Master's political position and reported the result to the Sovereign, who rewarded him with the general's post and military power. Hiko pretended to be surprised and pledged loyalty while privately planning to use his new authority.

• Uchiha Hiko watched Old Master grieve over leaving political life, then promised to carry out their plan and bring their enemy down.
• Uchiha Hiko went to the palace and told the Sovereign he had completed the assigned task, asking for further orders.
• The Sovereign praised Uchiha Hiko for choosing ambition over family ties and declared that he would make him general.
• Uchiha Hiko feigned astonishment as the Sovereign handed him the general's seal and warned him to remain loyal.
• Uchiha Hiko thanked the Sovereign and considered the new military power a major advantage for his plans.

Uchiha Hiko tried to reassure the Sovereign that he could manage the troops while concealing his ambitions. After the Sovereign left to handle government affairs, Hiko remained wary of supervision and considered consulting Old Master.

• Uchiha Hiko decided to stay cautious and avoid acting too soon so the Sovereign would not grow more suspicious.
• The Sovereign challenged Uchiha Hiko to manage the troops and urged him to prove himself.
• Uchiha Hiko explained that the soldiers were already training hard and that the new recruits needed gradual, strengthened training.
• The Sovereign accepted Hiko's explanation, said he felt reassured, and left to attend to government affairs.
• Uchiha Hiko relied on bribed people around him to tamper with supervision and planned to discuss the matter with Old Master.

Uchiha Hiko recognized that the monarch was using marriage and questions about his military methods to restrain him, and he tactfully deflected both attempts. He left determined to make the monarch anxious while preserving plausible reasons to reject the monarch’s demands.

• The monarch urged Uchiha Hiko to marry, offering to arrange a match with any woman in the palace.
• Uchiha Hiko politely postponed marriage, saying that serving the nation and handling his new duties came first.
• The monarch questioned whether Uchiha Hiko’s unusual approach to army training could truly prepare the soldiers.
• Uchiha Hiko realized the monarch’s questions were attempts to curb his power and resolved to make him uneasy without exposing his own weaknesses.
• Uchiha Hiko concluded that he could reject the monarch’s simplistic proposals with sound explanations, leaving the monarch’s motives exposed if he persisted.

Uchiha Hiko recruited the cook A Xiang to secretly add small amounts of poison to the Sovereign’s food, framing the plot as a way to preserve their country. He left her with one packet and instructed her to use only a quarter, while he continued planning to find someone to take the Sovereign’s place.

• Uchiha Hiko decided to poison the Sovereign gradually and wait until food-tasting precautions eased.
• Uchiha Hiko called over a hardworking young cook and ordered her to secretly add his packet to the Sovereign’s food.
• Uchiha Hiko warned the girl to keep the plan secret and promised rewards if it succeeded, while claiming it would help preserve their country.
• The girl agreed and told Uchiha Hiko that her name was A Xiang.
• Uchiha Hiko gave A Xiang a packet, instructed her to use only a quarter that day, and left before anyone noticed them.

Uchiha Hiko asked A Xiang to serve at his side so she could help conceal his plans, and she gladly agreed after describing how badly she had been treated. He then asked the monarch to assign A Xiang to him, leaving her response unresolved.

• Uchiha Hiko decided to bring A Xiang to his side and explained that she would keep her old duties while helping him cover his movements.
• A Xiang happily accepted, saying she was bullied and overworked where she served and thanking Uchiha Hiko for helping her.
• Uchiha Hiko warned A Xiang that he was treating her as a useful chess piece and expected her to do her work well.
• Uchiha Hiko reflected on his plan to monitor and poison the monarch before attacking her, and aimed to speed up his preparations.
• Uchiha Hiko asked the monarch to assign A Xiang to serve him, claiming she would help with his daily needs while he handled government affairs.

Uchiha Hiko deflected the sovereign’s attempts to arrange a marriage and place a maid beside him, while flattering the sovereign to maintain his favor. After a striking celestial phenomenon appeared, Uchiha Hiko left to attend to his duties, still waiting for the right moment to strike.

• The sovereign offered to transfer a maid to Uchiha Hiko and pressed him to consider an arranged marriage, while Uchiha Hiko recognized that the women were meant to spy on him.
• Uchiha Hiko declined to discuss marriage, citing his new office and duties, and urged the sovereign to focus on his own well-being.
• The sovereign stopped pressing the matter and offered to help if Uchiha Hiko had someone in mind.
• Uchiha Hiko praised the sovereign’s judgment and said he would review the military camp matter.
• A fiery mass streaked across the sky, and Uchiha Hiko called it a sign that Heaven approved of the sovereign’s words.
• The sovereign ended the conversation and sent Uchiha Hiko back to work, while Uchiha Hiko waited for an opportunity to strike a fatal blow.

Uchiha Hiko warned A Xiang to keep his plans secret, then persuaded the ruler to grant him more authority by claiming it was necessary to defend the country. The ruler agreed, while Uchiha Hiko reassured him that he would serve loyally.

• Uchiha Hiko cautioned A Xiang to keep their dealings secret and learn to protect herself.
• A Xiang assured Uchiha Hiko that she had followed his orders and supported his plan to remove the ruler.
• Uchiha Hiko left A Xiang and told the ruler that the country needed stronger military organization.
• Uchiha Hiko asked for more authority, saying it would help him defend the country and earn his soldiers' trust.
• The ruler agreed to grant Uchiha Hiko what he wanted, provided he served the ruler and country wholeheartedly.
• Uchiha Hiko reassured the ruler that he would serve the country and carry out the matter properly.

Uchiha Hiko searched for a suitable male successor to rule the mortal realm and traveled to the Heavenly Realm to find one. He offered the role to a promising young man, who agreed, leaving Uchiha Hiko ready to assess his abilities.

• Uchiha Hiko decided to seek a noble male candidate from the Imperial Harem to become Emperor, but considered searching the Immortal Realm if he found no one suitable in the palace.
• Uchiha Hiko put on his Immortal Robe and flew through the nine layers of clouds to the Heavenly Realm.
• Uchiha Hiko called over a refined young man he had known as a promising child and said he wanted to test his skills.
• Uchiha Hiko offered the young man the arduous task of descending to the mortal world, serving the common people, and becoming their ruler.
• The young man accepted and said he was willing to learn how to govern, making Uchiha Hiko happy with his choice.

Uchiha Hiko hoped to strengthen his spiritual energy during his return to the Heavenly Realm, where a young man told him about a fruit rumored to grant five hundred years of spiritual energy. Hiko ate a fruit and gained the legendary power, leaving the young man astonished and admiring him.

• Uchiha Hiko decided to make the most of his return to the Heavenly Realm by increasing his spiritual energy before resuming his search for the Dragon Balls.
• The young man told Uchiha Hiko that the Spiritual Power Fruit Tree sometimes bore fruit worth five hundred years of spiritual energy, though no one had ever found one.
• Uchiha Hiko said he would take a fruit simply to eat, then plucked one and swallowed it.
• Blue spiritual energy filled Uchiha Hiko and spread through the tree, causing flowers to bloom.
• The young man realized Uchiha Hiko had eaten the legendary fruit and praised his luck, while wishing he could have been the one to find it.

Uchiha Hiko prepared to leave the Heavenly Realm with a young man he had chosen to help reform a cruelly ruled country. He explained the plan to remove the ruler and establish the young man as his younger brother, then warned him to be cautious when they arrived.

• Uchiha Hiko told the young man that his mission in the Heavenly Realm was complete and that they needed to leave for the mortal world.
• Uchiha Hiko explained that the country's incompetent ruler imposed harsh taxes and needed to be removed, while he could not stay to rule because he had other missions.
• Uchiha Hiko told the young man to use a false identity as his younger brother, connected to Hiko's identity as a general.
• The young man asked permission to use Hiko's hair to see his past experiences, and Hiko agreed.
• Uchiha Hiko warned the young man to speak little and act cautiously because he was too talkative.

Uchiha Hiko returned to the Sovereign, whose health had worsened after Hiko arranged to have him poisoned, and weighed how to strip him of his power without killing him. Hiko concealed his absence and prepared to introduce his younger brother to the Sovereign and ministers, laying the groundwork for what came next.

• Uchiha Hiko saw that the Sovereign's health had deteriorated and decided to move his plans forward, though he briefly pitied him.
• The Sovereign questioned Uchiha Hiko about disappearing, but worried that challenging the powerful general could leave him helpless.
• Uchiha Hiko claimed he had gone away to recover from injuries sustained in the last war and checked the Sovereign's pulse.
• Uchiha Hiko advised the Sovereign to rest and said he would help handle the nation's affairs.
• Uchiha Hiko asked the Sovereign to accept his younger brother, whom he had found during his absence, into his service.

Uchiha Hiko forced the monarch to promise Xiaosheng a high-ranking post, then killed him after he made the appointment at court. Uchiha Hiko placed Xiaosheng on the throne and declared that the country would improve for its people.

• Uchiha Hiko threatened the monarch until he agreed to introduce Xiaosheng at court and promote him.
• Uchiha Hiko planned to tell Old Master about his progress and bring Old Master and the old woman into the palace.
• The next day, the monarch introduced Xiaosheng's talents to the officials and assigned him a high position.
• Uchiha Hiko killed the monarch with a sword strike in front of the court.
• Uchiha Hiko installed Xiaosheng on the throne and told the officials that the country and its people would have better days.

Uchiha Hiko prepared to leave after entrusting the realm to Dugu Tianxia, explaining that he wanted Dugu Tianxia to care for the Old Master and the old woman as family. He found Dugu Tianxia had matured into a ruler devoted to helping the common people, then asked the frail Old Master and the old woman to return to the palace while he continued his journey.

• Uchiha Hiko told Dugu Tianxia to govern the realm well and care for the Old Master and the old woman as his own family.
• Dugu Tianxia agreed, explained that his full name was Dugu Tianxia, and described how serving the common people had given his life new meaning.
• Uchiha Hiko praised Dugu Tianxia's growth and said he would visit again before going to speak with the Old Master.
• Dugu Tianxia abolished exorbitant taxes and distributed corrupt officials' stolen money among the common people.
• Uchiha Hiko told the Old Master that Dugu Tianxia would rule the realm and asked him and the old woman to return to the palace for their later years.

Uchiha Hiko urged Old Master to move into the palace, both so he and the old woman could receive proper care and so Old Master could help Dugu Tianxia govern. Old Master agreed, leaving Hiko to part from the couple with his hopes for the country and their safety entrusted to them.

• Old Master praised Uchiha Hiko’s growth and lamented that they would soon part, while Hiko recalled the warmth and acceptance he had found in town.
• Old Master said he and the old woman preferred to stay in town, where they could live peacefully away from painful palace memories.
• Uchiha Hiko insisted that Old Master move into the palace so he could receive care and Hiko could look after him as family.
• Uchiha Hiko explained that he also wanted Old Master to guide the young Dugu Tianxia and help stabilize the country.
• Old Master agreed to go to the palace and assist Dugu Tianxia, while acknowledging that they would need time to get to know one another.

Uchiha Hiko prepared to leave after entrusting Old Master with guiding the young Dugu Tianxia, then set out for Li'er Country to continue his journey across the countries. He needed to find a formidable woman there to accompany him on his next mission, despite his discomfort around women.

• Uchiha Hiko asked Old Master to supervise and guide Dugu Tianxia, believing the young man could be easily misled and might benefit from his spiritual energy.
• Uchiha Hiko chose to leave quietly because saying goodbye to everyone would make the farewell more painful.
• Uchiha Hiko learned that his next destination was Li'er Country, where women held prominent roles and he had to recruit a formidable woman as his companion.
• Uchiha Hiko mounted a horse and set off for Li'er Country, reminding himself to adapt despite his dislike of women.