Chapter Summaries

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.

Su Fei led the Palace Guard toward Yuezhou and learned that the Fusang army had seized two commanderies and overwhelmed the Yuezhou Army. After hearing Fang Xiongfei’s plan to exploit the enemy’s dependence on supplies, Su Fei ordered a surprise move to capture both ports and cut off their supply lines.

• Su Fei marched thirty thousand Palace Guard soldiers toward Yuezhou.
• Fang Xiongfei met Su Fei near Kuaiji Commandery and reported that the Fusang army had captured Linhai and Yuyao Commanderies, leaving him with seven thousand battered troops.
• Pang Junhao warned that the Fusang army’s four Martial Saint Realm experts made a direct confrontation too risky.
• Fang Xiongfei explained that the enemy depended on ships docking at the two occupied ports for supplies, and Su Fei decided to seize the ports.
• Pang Junhao proposed dividing the forces into a vanguard, main force, and rear guard, and Su Fei approved the plan.

Su Fei led Fang Xiongfei’s Yuezhou Army and Imperial Guards on a stealthy march to Linhai Commandery’s port, where he devastated the Japanese pirate force with his sword. As Su Fei prepared to finish off the survivors, Fang Xiongfei urgently called for him to wait.

• Fang Xiongfei selected three thousand Yuezhou Army soldiers, and Su Fei’s fifty Imperial Guards disguised themselves as Yuezhou soldiers before the force set out.
• Fang Xiongfei and the Imperial Guards silently killed Japanese pirate scouts along the mountain trail without alerting the larger forces.
• At a mountain hollow near the port, Fang Xiongfei reported the Japanese pirates’ strength and supplies, and Su Fei ordered him and Pang Junhao to attack at dawn.
• A Japanese sentry spotted the approaching Great Xuan army and raised the alarm, bringing three thousand Japanese pirates, two martial artists, and a hundred ninjas out to meet them.
• Su Fei killed one martial artist and the ninjas with a sword strike, then cut down more than a thousand pirates with three further strikes.
• As Su Fei prepared to attack the surviving pirates, Fang Xiongfei rode forward and shouted for him to wait.

Su Fei’s forces retook the harbors at Linhai Commandery and Yuyao Commandery, cutting off the Japanese pirates’ supply route. Hojo Ogi and Takeda Nobuo learned of the losses and decided to attack Kuaiji Commandery, where Great Xuan’s main force had gathered.

• Su Fei let the Yuezhou Army slaughter the defeated Japanese pirates at Linhai Commandery’s harbor, then ordered the supplies seized and the ships destroyed.
• Su Fei led his troops to Yuyao Commandery’s harbor, where they killed the Japanese pirates, raised the Great Xuan flag, and destroyed the infrastructure before returning to Kuaiji Commandery City.
• Hojo Ogi and Takeda Nobuo learned that Great Xuan had retaken both harbors and destroyed the ships and supplies, leaving their forces cut off.
• Kuroda Ikenari suggested withdrawing to sea, but Hojo Ogi slapped him and rejected the idea because the ships were gone and retreat would disgrace their lineages.
• Takeda Nobuo proposed attacking Kuaiji Commandery to face Great Xuan’s main force and seize its supplies, arguing that their remaining troops and Martial Saint Realm warriors could still win.

Hojo Ogi and Takeda Nobuo led the Fusang allied army toward Kuaiji Commandery, where Su Fei prepared to destroy their forces. The chapter ended as the Japanese commanders ordered a hundred ninjas to attack the city walls under cover of night.

• Hojo Ogi agreed with Takeda Nobuo’s plan to attack Kuaiji Commandery and promised the soldiers plunder as their reward.
• Kuroda Ikenari obeyed the commanders’ order to feed the troops and prepare them for the march.
• The Fusang army marched for three days and camped outside Kuaiji Commandery City.
• Su Fei inspected the city’s defenses and told Pang Junhao and Fang Xiongfei he would kill the four Martial Saint Realm experts before the army counterattacked.
• Hojo Ogi and Takeda Nobuo ordered a hundred ninjas to raid the city walls at night.

Su Fei discovered a hundred Fusang ninja trying to scale Kuaiji Commandery City's walls and killed them with a single sword strike. Their deaths humiliated Takeda Nobuo, and Hojo Ogi took command of the Japanese pirates as their army gathered outside the city the next morning.

• Su Fei heard the ninja climbing the walls, hid the soldiers, and waited for the raiders to reach the battlements.
• Su Fei appeared above the ninja and killed all one hundred with the Heaven-Slaying Sword-Drawing Art.
• Su Fei ordered the soldiers to hang the ninja heads from the battlements, and Japanese pirate scouts fled to report the defeat.
• Takeda Nobuo reacted in disbelief, while Hojo Ogi mocked him and claimed command of the next day's battle.
• Hojo Ogi led the Japanese pirate army outside Kuaiji Commandery City, accompanied by twenty-five thousand soldiers, five thousand martial warriors, two hundred ninja, and four Martial Saint Realm experts.