Recaps

Su Fei confiscated the East Island Medicinal Herb Estate’s valuables and escorted its Japanese pirate prisoners through Kuaiji Commandery City to the government offices. The townsfolk pelted the prisoners with rotten food, and Su Fei ordered them locked up under strict guard.

• Su Fei kept a portrait of the middle-aged scholar and ordered Lei Wu to search the estate while he watched the Japanese pirate prisoners.
• Lei Wu’s men seized more than a hundred thousand taels of silver, along with jewels, medicinal herbs, armor, and Japanese swords worth at least three hundred thousand taels in total.
• Su Fei made the Japanese pirates carry the chests and push carts of weapons back toward Kuaiji Commandery City under Imperial Guard escort.
• Lei Wu announced to the townsfolk that the prisoners were Japanese pirates, prompting the crowd to pelt them with rotten eggs, vegetables, and fruit.
• At the government offices, Su Fei ordered the Japanese pirates confined separately in the rear courtyard and placed under rotating guard.

Su Fei questioned the clerks of the Kuaiji Commandery government office about the portrait of a middle-aged scholar and learned that the man was Mr. Hu, a trusted adviser to Yuezhou Governor Zhou Bo'an. Su Fei concluded that Zhou Bo'an was behind the crimes and began considering how to seize Hu.

• Su Fei ordered the captured pirates’ valuables and military supplies inventoried, then displayed the portrait of the scholar he was seeking.
• Su Fei gathered the government office’s clerks and servants and asked whether anyone recognized the man in the portrait.
• Two clerks hesitated, so Su Fei offered five thousand taels to whoever identified the man and warned them against concealing information.
• The clerks identified the scholar as Mr. Hu, Zhou Bo'an’s trusted personal adviser who handled important documents.
• Su Fei rewarded the clerks and realized that capturing Hu could expose Zhou Bo'an, but he doubted the governor would surrender his adviser through normal procedure.

Su Fei infiltrated Zhou Bo'an's residence to capture Mr. Hu and obtain evidence against the governor. He found Mr. Hu in the advisers' courtyard, where the supposed scholar was having an affair with one of Zhou Bo'an's concubines.

• Su Fei decided he needed to capture Mr. Hu and secure evidence before confronting Zhou Bo'an.
• Su Fei entered the Zhou Residence at night and questioned a sleepy servant boy about Mr. Hu's whereabouts.
• The servant boy directed Su Fei to the first room in the east wing of the advisers' courtyard and said Mr. Hu had no guards outside his door.
• Su Fei reached the room and discovered Mr. Hu was having sex with one of Zhou Bo'an's concubines rather than reading.

Su Fei broke into the Zhou Residence and caught Hu Qiuming in bed, then forced him to confess his role in Zhou Bo'an’s crimes. Hu Qiuming revealed how Zhou Bo'an orchestrated the dike explosions and relief-grain fraud, and arranged the deaths of Li Qinghe and Chen Dayou.

• Su Fei confronted Hu Qiuming and subdued him when Hu Qiuming lunged with a dagger.
• Su Fei identified himself as an Imperial Guard thousand-household commander investigating Kuaiji Commandery and incapacitated Hu Qiuming’s concubine.
• Su Fei threatened Hu Qiuming with the Crimson Firmament Sword and cited the Japanese pirates’ confession about the dike explosions.
• Hu Qiuming confessed that Zhou Bo'an had recruited him as an adviser and put him in charge of contacting the Japanese pirates.
• Hu Qiuming said Zhou Bo'an ordered the dikes blown up, arranged the disaster-relief grain scam, and sent an expert to kill Li Qinghe and Chen Dayou in the Heavenly Prison.

Su Fei obtained Hu Qiuming’s account book proving Zhou Bo'an’s crimes and prepared to arrest the Yuezhou governor. By dawn, he had gathered Imperial Guards and constables to surround Zhou Bo'an’s residence.

• Su Fei learned that Zhou Bo'an colluded with Japanese pirates and sent Zhang Xiucheng one hundred thousand taels each Lunar New Year's Eve.
• Hu Qiuming revealed that he had secretly copied Zhou Bo'an’s account book and led Su Fei to retrieve it from his bedroom.
• Su Fei examined the account book and confirmed that it recorded Zhou Bo'an’s payments to the Japanese pirates and plans to destroy the Kuaiji dike.
• Su Fei told Hu Qiuming to keep the affair secret and serve as a witness, then returned to the Kuaiji Commandery office with the evidence.
• At dawn, Su Fei ordered Lei Wu to assemble nineteen Imperial Guards and more than fifty constables, then directed them to surround Zhou Bo'an’s residence and arrest anyone who tried to escape.

Su Fei led Imperial Guard and constables to arrest Yuezhou Governor Zhou Bo'an over the dike collapse and the resale of relief grain. Zhou Bo'an was confronted with a ledger detailing his crimes and called on Senior Li for help.

• Su Fei ordered Lei Wu and the constables to surround Zhou Bo'an's residence and arrest him if he resisted.
• The Imperial Guard surrounded the Zhou Residence, and the old steward rushed inside to warn Zhou Bo'an.
• Zhou Bo'an left breakfast and confronted Su Fei at the gate, insisting the case against him had already been closed.
• Su Fei displayed the ledger and read entries accusing Zhou Bo'an of colluding with Japanese pirates, blowing up the dikes, reselling relief grain, and sending Zhang Xiucheng annual payments.
• Zhou Bo'an panicked and ordered his servants to summon Senior Li, while Su Fei let them go so he could see who arrived.

Su Fei confronted Zhou Bo'an’s powerful ally, Li Shengtian, after Li demanded that he surrender the incriminating ledger. The two unleashed opposing palm strikes, leaving their clash unresolved.

• Senior Li emerged from Zhou Bo'an’s residence and demanded that Zhou arrange more concubines for him.
• Zhou Bo'an asked Li Shengtian to help subdue Su Fei and recover the ledger, explaining that Su Fei was an imperial commissioner with the Imperial Sword of Authority.
• Li Shengtian threatened Su Fei and released the pressure of his martial saint realm second-layer strength, but Su Fei remained calm and declared Zhou Bo'an guilty before the gathered guards.
• Zhou Bo'an offered Li Shengtian twenty concubines, and Li decided to seize the ledger and help protect their shared crown prince faction.
• Li Shengtian attacked Su Fei with Heaven-Destroying Palm, and Su Fei countered with Dragon Ascending to Heaven as a golden dragon surged toward the purple palm.

Su Fei defeated Li Shengtian and arrested him alongside Zhou Bo'an, then ordered the Imperial Guards to search the Zhou Residence. The search uncovered a detailed ledger documenting Zhou Bo'an’s corruption and payments to Zhang Xiucheng.

• Su Fei shattered Li Shengtian’s attacks and sent him crashing into a wall, leaving him badly injured.
• Su Fei declared that he would arrest Li Shengtian and Zhou Bo'an, and ordered the Imperial Guards to bind them and search the residence.
• Lei Wu and the Imperial Guards found chests of gold, silver notes worth three hundred thousand taels, and other valuables in the Zhou Residence.
• An Imperial Guard found a hidden ledger in Zhou Bo'an’s study, and Lei Wu delivered it to Su Fei.
• Su Fei read the ledger and found records of Zhou Bo'an’s dealings with Japanese pirates, payments to Zhang Xiucheng, and fraud involving military funds.

Su Fei exposed Zhou Bo'an’s crimes, seized his wealth to fund relief for the displaced people, and prepared to escort the prisoners and evidence to the imperial capital. As Su Fei oversaw the relief work, Old Zheng secretly sent a message by carrier pigeon.

• Su Fei found Zhou Bo'an’s ledger, and Zhou Bo'an fainted after realizing his crimes had been exposed; Su Fei ordered a physician to keep him alive.
• Lei Wu reported that Zhou Bo'an’s valuables totaled about six hundred thousand taels and that his storeroom held armor prepared for Japanese pirates.
• Su Fei ordered some of the illicit funds used to buy building materials and construct wooden houses for displaced people in Kuaiji Commandery.
• After a physician revived Zhou Bo'an, Su Fei secured the ledger, prisoners, and confiscated goods at the Zhou Residence and planned to stay until relief construction was underway.
• Old Zheng secretly sent a written message by carrier pigeon, while Su Fei continued traveling between the Zhou Residence and the settlement site.

Su Fei helped displaced people move into newly built wooden houses while Crown Prince Zhao Yan and Zhang Xiucheng learned that Su Fei had uncovered their crimes in Yuezhou. They arranged for Kuroda Domain to ambush Su Fei at Blackstone Ridge and eliminate the evidence against them.

• Su Fei hired workers and organized displaced people to build wooden houses, then ordered the elderly and young to move into the first completed homes.
• A carrier pigeon brought Zhao Yan and Zhang Xiucheng news that Su Fei had arrested Zhou Bo'an and Li Shengtian and seized account books implicating Zhang Xiucheng.
• Zhao Yan decided to use Kuroda Domain to kill Su Fei, recover the captured Japanese pirates and valuables, and destroy the evidence.
• Zhang Xiucheng identified Blackstone Ridge as the unavoidable, isolated route for Su Fei's return to the capital and proposed it as the ambush site.

Zhao Yan arranged for the Kuroda Domain to ambush Su Fei’s party at Blackstone Ridge, promising trade with Yuezhou if the attack succeeded. Enticed by the wealth and the promise of access to Yuezhou, Daimyo Kuroda ordered his entire ninja force to prepare an ambush.

• Zhao Yan chose Blackstone Ridge as the ambush site and ordered Zhang Xiucheng to tell Daimyo Kuroda to kill Su Fei’s party and leave no survivors.
• Zhao Yan promised Kuroda the right to trade with Yuezhou if the ambush succeeded, then killed a messenger pigeon.
• Daimyo Kuroda learned that Su Fei had destroyed East Island Estate and captured Kuroda warriors and Zhou Bo'an, and he vowed revenge.
• Daimyo Kuroda hesitated after reading that Su Fei had defeated a Martial Saint Realm Second Layer fighter, but his subordinate reminded him of Zhao Yan’s trade offer.
• Daimyo Kuroda ordered Hattori Kounan to lead all 120 ninja to Blackstone Ridge with Mother-and-Child Poison Needles and Heaven-Blasting Thunder Bombs.

Daimyo Kuroda arranged for Matsumoto Masahito to join his ninjas in targeting Su Fei, exploiting Matsumoto’s pride to draw him into the fight. Matsumoto agreed to meet the envoy, while Su Fei prepared to leave Yuezhou for the imperial capital with the seized valuables.

• Daimyo Kuroda ordered his ninjas to destroy the ledger and kill Zhou Bo'an, and offered rewards for killing Su Fei and seizing valuables.
• A senior retainer proposed recruiting Matsumoto Masahito, a Fusang imperial relative famed for defeating a Martial Saint Realm Second Layer warrior.
• Daimyo Kuroda sent the retainer to Kyoto with a hundred thousand taels of silver and instructions to provoke Matsumoto by claiming Su Fei insulted Fusang’s warriors.
• Matsumoto Masahito heard that Su Fei matched his achievement and ordered the attendant to bring the Kuroda Domain’s senior retainer in.
• In Yuezhou, Su Fei and the Imperial Guard inventoried and sealed crates of valuables as they prepared to return to the imperial capital.

Su Fei prepared to escort the captured officials, Japanese pirates, and seized valuables back to the capital, but displaced residents gathered to thank him as he departed. Zhou Bo'an was publicly denounced and pelted with refuse, then fainted before the journey continued.

• Lei Wu reported that the valuables had been counted and would be escorted by the Imperial Guard.
• Su Fei warned Li Shengtian to watch his mouth and ordered the guards to cripple any Japanese pirates who caused trouble.
• Su Fei left the Zhou Residence with the prisoners, constables, Imperial Guards, and cargo as displaced residents lined the street to thank him.
• Zhou Bo'an demanded that the people pay their respects, but they accused him of causing their suffering and mocked him.
• The crowd pelted Zhou Bo'an with rotten vegetables and dirt until he fainted, and Su Fei ordered the guards to splash water on him so he would survive to stand trial.

Su Fei led the Imperial Guard procession back with prisoners and valuables, but ninjas ambushed them at Blackstone Ridge. After Su Fei stopped their poisoned bolts, Matsumoto Masahito challenged him to a duel and demanded that he acknowledge Fusang’s superiority if he lost.

• Su Fei led the procession out of Kuaiji Commandery and traveled for seven or eight days toward home.
• At Blackstone Ridge, explosions blocked the road as Hattori Kounan and his ninjas surrounded the procession and demanded Zhou Bo'an, the valuables, and the release of Kuroda Domain prisoners.
• Zhou Bo'an eagerly called to the ninjas for rescue, while Su Fei refused Hattori Kounan’s demands and declared that the attackers would die for ambushing the Imperial Guard.
• Hattori Kounan ordered his ninjas to fire poisoned bolts at Su Fei, who summoned the Crimson Firmament Sword and cut them all down with Sword Qi.
• Matsumoto Masahito arrived with two children, introduced himself as a royal-born martial genius of Fusang, and challenged Su Fei to a duel with submission or an admission of Great Xuan’s inferiority at stake.

Su Fei defeated and killed Matsumoto Masahito after discovering that his claimed victory over a martial saint was likely a lie. Hattori Kounan ordered the ninjas to bombard Su Fei and his group with Heaven-Blasting Thunder Bombs.

• Matsumoto Masahito challenged Su Fei, and Su Fei broke his katana and wounded him with a single sword strike.
• Su Fei questioned Matsumoto Masahito's claim that he had defeated someone at the martial saint realm second layer, and Matsumoto insisted Martial Saint Takeshita had praised him.
• Matsumoto Masahito charged Su Fei again, so Su Fei struck him down; Matsumoto then begged for help, and Su Fei killed him with the Finger Flicking Divine Ability.
• Hattori Kounan feared blame from Fusang Kingdom's imperial family and ordered the ninjas to avenge Matsumoto Masahito by throwing their Heaven-Blasting Thunder Bombs.
• The ninjas hurled over a hundred Heaven-Blasting Thunder Bombs toward Su Fei's group, while Zhou Bo'an panicked in the prison cart.

Su Fei turned the Heaven-Blasting Thunder Bombs against the Fusang ninjas and slaughtered the force led by Hattori Kounan at Blackstone Ridge. He suspected someone in the crown prince's faction had revealed his route, but left no survivors to confirm it.

• Zhou Bo'an begged the ninjas to stop as they dropped Heaven-Blasting Thunder Bombs on the procession, but Su Fei caught the bombs with his Dragon Catching Skill.
• Su Fei hurled the bombs at the ninjas, killing those blocking the road and leaving Hattori Kounan stunned on the cliff.
• Hattori Kounan led the remaining ninjas in a charge, and Su Fei stopped Lei Wu and the Imperial Guards from intervening.
• Su Fei's golden shield repelled the ninjas' poisoned weapons, and his saber strikes killed the attackers one wave at a time.
• Su Fei killed Hattori Kounan with a final saber slash, leaving no ninjas alive at Blackstone Ridge.
• Su Fei suspected someone from the crown prince's faction had leaked his route to the Kuroda Domain.

Su Fei returned to the Southern Commandery Investigation Department with the Japanese pirates, Zhou Bo'an, Li Shengtian, and the evidence of Yuezhou’s dike conspiracy. After Lei Chongxiao rushed to report the case to the court, Su Fei claimed his reward and obtained the Sacred Heart Formula and 240 years of cultivation.

• Su Fei arrived at the Investigation Department and told the gate guards that he had captured Japanese pirates, Yuezhou Governor Zhou Bo'an, and the crown prince’s bodyguard, Li Shengtian.
• Su Fei gave Lei Chongxiao the ledger and explained Zhou Bo'an’s collusion with Japanese pirates and the Kuroda Domain’s attempted ambush.
• Lei Chongxiao ordered the prisoners sent to the Imperial Guard Heavenly Prison and the valuables counted and registered, then hurried to report the case to the court.
• Su Fei received the system’s reward for completing the dike investigation and claimed the Sacred Heart Formula and 240 years of cultivation.
• The Sacred Heart Formula entered Su Fei’s mind, and he learned that it was a powerful cultivation art capable of granting immortality at its utmost limit.

Su Fei used his accumulated cultivation to raise the Sacred Heart Formula and broke through to the martial saint realm second layer, triggering an extraordinary celestial phenomenon. Situ Qianya discovered Su Fei’s breakthrough and praised him, while Lei Chongxiao arrived at the Thousand Households Office.

• Su Fei spent his accumulated cultivation on the Sacred Heart Formula, reaching its second layer and breaking through to the martial saint realm second layer.
• A sun and moon appeared together above the Southern Commandery Investigation Department as a hundred golden birds circled them, drawing the attention of imperial capital residents and Situ Qianya.
• Su Fei examined his increased strength, learned that the Sacred Heart Formula could extend his lifespan to five hundred years, and admired his martial arts panel.
• Situ Qianya arrived, confirmed Su Fei had caused the phenomenon, and was astonished that he had reached the martial saint realm second layer in his twenties.
• Situ Qianya praised Su Fei and began offering to introduce him to a commandery princess before Lei Chongxiao entered and greeted him.

After reaching the Martial Saint Realm, Su Fei chose to remain in the Imperial Guard and continue solving cases rather than become a full-time Attendant. That night, Crown Prince Zhao Yan received an unexplained summons to the palace.

• Lei Chongxiao confirmed Su Fei's breakthrough and reported it to the court, then explained his options as a Martial Saint.
• Situ Qianya advised Su Fei that full-time Attendant work would let him focus on cultivation, but Su Fei chose to keep investigating cases for the Imperial Guard.
• Lei Chongxiao gave Su Fei the imperial cultivation manual Overturning Water Formula as a congratulatory gift.
• Lei Chongxiao went to the imperial palace to report Su Fei's choice to the court.
• Crown Prince Zhao Yan received an edict ordering him to enter the palace for an immediate audience, and Zhang Xiucheng suggested the emperor might have recalled unfinished matters.

Emperor Xuan confronted Crown Prince Zhao Yan with Zhou Bo'an’s ledger and punished him for failing to discipline his subordinates, while Zhang Xiucheng was dismissed and imprisoned. Su Fei heard that his investigation had brought down the crown prince’s grand tutor, and Thousand Households Commander Hong arrived at his office.

• Crown Prince Zhao Yan visited Emperor Xuan, who challenged his denials about Zhou Bo'an’s corruption and the Fusang ninjas’ ambush.
• Emperor Xuan ordered Zhao Yan to stand outside his study overnight and dismissed Zhang Xiucheng, sending him to the Heavenly Prison to await trial.
• Emperor Xuan ordered a state letter condemning the Fusang Kingdom and sent Zhao Yan’s bodyguard Li Shengtian to serve on the northern frontier.
• News of the crown prince’s punishment and Zhang Xiucheng’s imprisonment spread through the capital, where Imperial Guards praised Su Fei’s role in the case.
• Lei Chongxiao brought Su Fei osmanthus cakes and warned him to be careful, and Thousand Households Commander Hong arrived at Su Fei’s office.

After breaking through to the Martial Saint Realm, Su Fei accepted his colleagues’ invitations to celebrate and grew closer to the Thousand Households Commanders. The celebrations ended when Lei Chongxiao reported that Zhang Xiucheng had died in prison and left a blood letter accusing Su Fei of fabricating evidence, prompting Su Fei to plan an investigation into the death and letter.

• Thousand Households Commanders took turns inviting Su Fei to celebrate his breakthrough, and he agreed to join them.
• Su Fei spent several days socializing with his colleagues and learned how deeply they valued loyalty.
• Lei Chongxiao told Su Fei that Zhang Xiucheng had died in the Ministry of Justice’s Heavenly Prison and left a blood letter blaming Su Fei.
• Su Fei concluded that the crown prince had likely arranged Zhang Xiucheng’s death and was using the letter and rumors to damage Su Fei’s reputation.
• Su Fei ordered Lei Chongxiao to examine Zhang Xiucheng’s body, compare the blood letter with his handwriting, and obtain a new statement from Li Shengtian.

Su Fei uncovered evidence that Zhang Xiucheng had been murdered and used it to expose the crown prince’s scheme, leading Emperor Xuan to confine Zhao Yan for ten days. The chapter ends with the Fusang emperor learning that Great Xuan had executed Matsumoto Masahito.

• Su Fei told Lei Chongxiao to investigate Zhang Xiucheng’s death, and Lei found evidence that the neck wound was not self-inflicted and the alleged suicide note was forged.
• Zhao Yan mourned Zhang Xiucheng publicly, blamed Su Fei, and promised to support Zhang’s family, boosting his reputation among the people.
• Lei Chongxiao presented the autopsy and handwriting reports to Emperor Xuan, who confined Zhao Yan for ten days.
• Su Fei warned that Zhao Yan would hold a deeper grudge and might retaliate more harshly later.
• The Fusang emperor read Great Xuan’s diplomatic letter stating that Matsumoto Masahito had been executed.

After Matsumoto Masahito’s death, Fusang’s emperor ordered an invasion of Yuezhou, while the northern barbarians prepared to exploit Great Xuan’s troubles. Emperor Xuan received reports of attacks on both fronts as Su Fei reviewed Yuezhou’s relief reports.

• Fusang’s emperor vowed to avenge Matsumoto Masahito and ordered western daimyo to invade Yuezhou and demand the Imperial Guard’s death.
• Daimyo Kuroda and other western lords mobilized troops and warships to attack Great Xuan.
• Batu and the high priest ordered fifty thousand barbarians to assemble at Wild Goose Pass and wait for Great Xuan to divert its forces south.
• Emperor Xuan received urgent reports of Fusang ships attacking Yuezhou’s coast and barbarian troops gathering on the northern frontier.
• Emperor Xuan condemned Fusang’s betrayal of Great Xuan’s past generosity and considered the threat of a two-front war.
• Su Fei read reports on Yuezhou’s disaster relief as Lei Chongxiao entered with a grave expression.

At morning court, ministers argued over whether Great Xuan should defend Yuezhou against Fusang or prioritize the northern barbarians, with Tang Baolun urging the court to surrender Su Fei. Su Fei volunteered to lead an army to retake Yuezhou within a month and defended his resolve, leaving the court awaiting the emperor’s decision.

• Lei Chongxiao warned Su Fei that Fusang demanded his life and compensation while its army approached Yuezhou, and that the northern barbarians had reinforced their border garrisons.
• At morning court, Zhang Xiongfei urged the emperor to send reinforcements to Yuezhou first, while Tang Baolun argued for appeasing Fusang and abandoning Yuezhou to focus on the northern barbarians.
• The ministers split into opposing camps as Emperor Xuan struggled to decide whether to defend Yuezhou, confront the northern barbarians, or hand over Su Fei.
• Su Fei arrived at court and volunteered to drive the Japanese pirates out of Yuezhou within a month, pledging to take his own life if he failed.
• Tang Baolun questioned Su Fei’s ability and motives, and Su Fei cited his past victories before warning that abandoning Yuezhou would make Great Xuan appear weak.

Su Fei accepted Emperor Xuan’s appointment as Supreme Commander for Suppressing the Japanese Pirates in Yuezhou and prepared to lead 30,000 Palace Guard troops south. He rallied the soldiers with accounts of the Japanese pirates’ atrocities and led them to march against the invading force.

• Su Fei volunteered to command the campaign, and Emperor Xuan appointed him Supreme Commander with 30,000 Palace Guard troops under his authority.
• Su Fei received a quest to defeat the Japanese pirates and drive them out of Great Xuan, with Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Source and 280 years of cultivation as rewards.
• At the capital camp, Su Fei addressed the Palace Guard and described the Japanese pirates’ attacks on Yuezhou and its people.
• Su Fei recounted killing 120 ninjas and Matsumoto Masahito, then challenged the soldiers to help him defeat the invading force within a month.
• Su Fei drew the Nation-Guarding Sword and led the Palace Guard south, as the soldiers chanted that they would kill the Japanese pirates and protect their homes and nation.