Chapter Summaries

Liang Qu found the long-lost Mermaid settlement in a deep ravine and began searching its ruins for valuable items. He summoned his Water Beasts and redirected Ta Ta Kai to bring more help, leaving the search underway as they uncovered several Mermaid Tears.

• Liang Qu traveled across the Great Marsh and found the Mermaid settlement at the bottom of a ravine.
• Liang Qu surveyed the ruins and used Spirit Transformation to search the buildings for hidden chambers and secret compartments.
• Long Pingjiang, Long Pinghe, Fat Catfish, Cannot Move, Round Head, and the other Water Beasts arrived and began searching the ruins.
• Round Head found a Mermaid Tear, while Fat Catfish accidentally broke through a collapsed house.
• Liang Qu ordered Ta Ta Kai to bring the River Otters and Beavers to the ruins, and Ta Ta Kai changed course.
• Round Head found more Mermaid Tears as the Water Beasts continued searching, increasing Liang Qu's collection to three.

Liang Qu excavated a Mermaid settlement in the Jiang Huai Great Marsh, learning about the Merfolk and recovering valuable silk and Mermaid Tears. The chapter ended with him restraining a living, wrapping fabric identified by Long Pingjiang as Dragon Spirit Silk.

• Liang Qu collected 8,600 points of Marsh Essence and found three Mermaid Tears, then asked Long Pinghe and Long Pingjiang about Merfolk customs and history.
• Long Pingjiang explained that Merfolk had once flourished in the Jiang Huai Great Marsh under the Dragon Lord but had mostly disappeared after his protection ended.
• Ta Ta Kai arrived with the River Otter and Beaver families, and Liang Qu put them to work excavating the ruins.
• Ta Ta Kai's family uncovered eighteen bolts of Mermaid Silk, fifteen bolts of Dragon Silk, and three more Mermaid Tears.
• Fat Catfish dug up a box containing living fabric that wrapped around Liang Qu, who restrained it with Water Prison before Long Pingjiang identified it as Dragon Spirit Silk.

Liang Qu learned how Dragon Spirit Silk was made and discovered its value among the ruins of a Merfolk settlement. After finding Mermaid Tears and other treasures, he bonded with the garment and tested its ability to transform, leaving him imagining new uses for it.

• Long Pingjiang explained that Dragon Spirit Silk was woven from rare seven-colored Merfolk scales, making it extremely valuable.
• Liang Qu asked where Fat Catfish had found the chest, and the group searched a central Merfolk house and its underground chamber.
• Ta Ta Kai and the Water Beasts uncovered eleven bolts of Dragon Silk and Mermaid Silk, porcelain, ruined medicines, Merfolk scales, and six Mermaid Tears.
• Liang Qu released the Dragon Spirit Silk from the Water Prison and bonded with it using his blood.
• The Dragon Spirit Silk changed into Liang Qu’s everyday clothes and then his River Conservancy Office uniform, with its Brocade White Fish appearing to swim across the fabric.
• Liang Qu realized the garment might be able to create a movie screen without a projector.

Liang Qu finished excavating the Mermaid Ruins, absorbed the Mermaid Tears, and inspected Fist's haul from the abandoned mine. He spent Marsh Essence to evolve Fist, which entered a cocoon of light as Fat Catfish realized it had not evolved first.

• Liang Qu absorbed Mermaid Tears and discovered that two found near Dragon Spirit Silk contained unusually high amounts of Marsh Essence.
• Liang Qu and the Water Beasts completed the excavation of the Mermaid Ruins and sailed away.
• Liang Qu inspected Fist's mining haul and noticed that its shell had gained red patterns after seven or eight days in the Bloodstone Mine.
• Liang Qu transferred Marsh Essence to Fist, unlocking Adamantine Bedrock, Invisibility Camouflage, Shared Destiny, and Earth Vein Rhythm.
• Fist began evolving inside a cocoon of light, leaving Fat Catfish disappointed that it had not evolved first.

Liang Qu celebrated Fist’s evolution and promised his Water Beasts enlightenment for saving essence, then visited Liu Shiqin to sell Mermaid Tears. Liu Shiqin told him that Ping Yang County had become Pingyang Prefecture, leaving Liang Qu surprised by the sudden administrative change.

• Fist emerged from its cocoon with a stronger, tougher body and returned to mining the Mine Cave.
• Liang Qu let his Water Beasts keep the Treasure Fish they caught and eat the snake meat, promising enlightenment to those who saved five thousand essence.
• Fat Catfish chased after Round Head and the River Dolphins, while Great Beaver asked Liang Qu for enlightenment and received it.
• Liang Qu rode Red Mountain to Fragrant Township County to meet Liu Shiqin and sell some Mermaid Tears.
• Liu Shiqin told Liang Qu that Ping Yang County had become Pingyang Prefecture and that Huaiyin Prefecture had become Huaiyin County.

Liang Qu heard about the changes coming to Pingyang Prefecture and Marquis Weining’s new Ning Jiang Prefecture, then learned that Fragrant Township planned to replace its Water God statue with one of the White Ape. He objected to the change as potentially improper and was urged to seek approval from the River Conservancy Office.

• Liang Qu reflected on his early land purchases as Huaiyin Prefecture prepared to become Pingyang Prefecture and new clans were expected to arrive.
• Liu Shiqin told Liang Qu that Marquis Weining had been granted Ning Jiang Prefecture and was recruiting talented officials for its administration.
• Liang Qu declined Liu Shiqin’s suggestion that he join the new prefectural administration, citing his prospects under the Sacred Emperor’s Edict.
• Liu Shiqin revealed that Fragrant Township’s Water God Temple planned to replace its divine statue with the White Ape.
• Liang Qu objected that worshipping the White Ape might be an improper sacrifice, and Liu Shiqin advised him to consult the River Conservancy Office.

Liang Qu approved a plan to add a small White Ape statue as a subordinate deity in Fragrant Town's River God Temple, keeping it beside the Jianghuai Dragon King rather than replacing him. He also sold Liu Shiqin three Mermaid Tears for fifteen thousand liang and left with the money and approved documents.

• Liang Qu read Liu Shiqin's prepared memorial and learned that Fragrant Town had long worshipped the Jianghuai Dragon King, whose legends were linked to merfolk.
• Liang Qu proposed adding a smaller White Ape statue beside the Dragon King, and Liu Shiqin agreed to request its establishment as a subordinate official in the temple.
• Liang Qu showed Liu Shiqin three Mermaid Tears and demanded fifteen thousand liang for them.
• Liu Shiqin bought the Mermaid Tears, and Liang Qu confirmed the documents, collected the silver notes, and departed on Red Mountain.

Liang Qu’s alliance with the White Ape was revealed to the River Conservancy Office, where his role in defeating the Snake Demon earned him praise and an expected promotion. Back in Fragrant Township County, he ate the Snake Demon’s gallbladder and felt on the verge of opening another meridian.

• The Zhang Clan steward delivered the Snake Demon’s processed scales and told Liang Qu that the craftsmen were still trying to soften them.
• A reply from Liang Qu reached Xu Yuelong and Ran Zhongshi, revealing that the White Ape had slain the Snake Demon and that Liang Qu had befriended it.
• Xu Yuelong showed Ran Zhongshi Liang Qu’s Military Pledge, and they recognized that the Snake Demon’s defeat would bring Liang Qu another promotion.
• Ran Zhongshi posted Liang Qu’s letter and a Snake Demon scale on the River Conservancy Office notice board, drawing a crowd of envious Martial Masters.
• Liang Qu ate the bitter Snake Demon gallbladder, gained Marsh Essence, and felt that he was about to open another meridian.

Liang Qu used half a snake gallbladder to condense a hand meridian, discovering his innate talent made the process far easier than expected. He tested his newfound strength and Fubo’s power, then wondered how much stronger he would become after completing all Thirty-Six Meridians and building three bridges.

• Liang Qu endured the snake gallbladder’s bitterness and used its medicinal power to begin condensing a hand meridian through both arms.
• Liang Qu completed the silver-white hand meridian overnight and realized that condensing it had been unexpectedly easy.
• Liang Qu tested his new power by flicking gang qi through his finger and saw that it could cut deeply into floor tiles.
• Liang Qu practiced with Fubo in the courtyard and formed an azure dragon with the Seven Kills, concluding that Cheng Chong could no longer match him in a single exchange.
• Liang Qu imagined completing all Thirty-Six Meridians and three bridges, which would greatly extend the Marsh Ape’s duration and make him invincible beneath Great Demons in the water.

Liang Qu prepared for Fragrant Township County to invite the Water Dragon King, while his Water Beasts fed on the slain snake and gathered Marsh Essence. Just as the ceremony began, a mounted officer ordered Liang Qu to return to Pingyang Prefecture because Huaiyin County had been attacked and its former Prefect had died.

• Liang Qu measured the Marsh Essence from the snake gallbladder, then cut off portions to soak in liquor for his friends.
• Liang Qu's Water Beasts consumed the snake carcass as Round Head led the River Dolphins in catching Treasure Fish, Fat Catfish swallowed medicine, and Fist excavated Bloodstone in the mine.
• Dai Jichuan's White Ape sculpture stood in the County Government Office, where Liang Qu received the River Conservancy Office's approval to add subordinate officials to the Dragon King Temple.
• Liang Qu declined to be First Offering Official and joined Liu Shiqin and the other participants at the Water God Temple for the ceremony on the first day of the fifth month.
• A mounted cavalry officer summoned Liang Qu back to Pingyang Prefecture before the tenth day of the fifth month, reporting that Huaiyin County had been attacked and its former Prefect had perished.

A Cloud Hawk Embroidered Uniform Guard warned Liang Qu that Huaiyin County had been ambushed, likely by the Ghost Mother Sect, but Liang Qu delayed discussing the crisis until after the Water God ceremony. The ceremony concluded with the White Ape statue entering the hall, and Liang Qu received River's Favor from the Ze Cauldron.

• A Cloud Hawk Embroidered Uniform Guard privately told Liang Qu to return to Pingyang Prefecture after the attack on Huaiyin County, while the gathered family heads speculated that the Ghost Mother Sect had struck.
• Liang Qu returned to the ceremony and asked the family heads to wait until the auspicious rites were finished before discussing Huaiyin County.
• Liu Shiqin, Liang Qu, and the Old Temple Keeper performed the three offerings and invitations to the Water God.
• Eight men carried the White Ape God statue into the hall, and the Ze Cauldron granted Liang Qu River's Favor +1.2315.

After completing the Huai River sacrifice, Liang Qu worried that his sudden gain in Favorability had drawn the Flood Dragon’s attention, then returned to the abandoned mine to inspect Fist’s Bloodstone haul. Fist revealed a gemstone with the same aura as Liang Qu’s Bloodstone Arm Guard, which appeared to be a Top Grade Bloodstone.

• Liang Qu realized that gaining 1.23 Favorability for first entering the Huai River could expose the White Ape to the Flood Dragon, and resolved to be more careful underwater.
• After the rites, Liang Qu told those gathered how Prefect Su died fighting the Ghost Mother Sect and how Grandmaster Weng Lijun was gravely wounded.
• Liu Shiqin ordered more pigs slaughtered so the crowd could receive a share of the blessings, while Zhang Wenbao and Li Xiaoheng followed up with Liang Qu about their assistance against the Snake Demon.
• The Zhang Clan delivered Liang Qu Snake Bone Pills and water-element Treasure Plants, and he returned to the abandoned mine with his supplies and Water Beasts.
• Liang Qu found a large haul of Medium Grade Bloodstones and saw Fist emerge carrying a Blood Gemstone whose aura matched his Bloodstone Arm Guard.

Liang Qu revealed that his rat-like companion had found three Top Grade Bloodstones in the depleted mine and shared them with the Li Family and the court. Li Xiaoheng begged him to teach the method, and Liang Qu explained that his companion could seek mineral deposits before hinting that Top Grade Bloodstones could flee from sound.

• The clerks discovered that Liang Qu had extracted several cubic zhang of Medium Grade ore from the supposedly depleted mine, and Li Xiaoheng asked how he had done it.
• Liang Qu showed Li Xiaoheng three Top Grade Bloodstones and learned that mine oversight had grown lax as production declined.
• Liang Qu gave the three gemstones to Li Xiaoheng for registration and agreed to split the remaining ore, choosing peace of mind over keeping the stones secret.
• The Mine Supervisor recorded the gemstones, and Li Xiaoheng returned with one remaining to share with Liang Qu.
• Li Xiaoheng begged Liang Qu to teach him the method, and Liang Qu said his companion could seek mineral deposits like a Treasure Seeking Rat.
• Liang Qu told Li Xiaoheng that the claim that Top Grade Bloodstones could flee from sound was not baseless.

Liang Qu completed a hidden north-south Vortex Waterway across Pingyang Prefecture while enduring the Flood Dragon’s growing killing intent, then returned to Kui Pavilion. Near Fragrant Township County, Long Zijian and Long Zihe found numerous snake tracks and considered going to Ping Yang County to lie low.

• Li Xiaoheng saw Liang Qu off and reflected bitterly on how far the Li Family youths fell short of his talent and character.
• Liang Qu absorbed a Top Grade Blood Gemstone, then entered the water and found the Flood Dragon’s malice had intensified enough to threaten his safety.
• Liang Qu constructed a Vortex Waterway and discovered that enduring the Flood Dragon’s killing intent might strengthen his spiritual resilience.
• Long Pingjiang and Long Pinghe joined Liang Qu aboard the blessed ship, and he repeatedly built waterways over the next five days until a north-south route across Pingyang Prefecture was complete.
• Liang Qu returned to Kui Pavilion, while Long Zijian and Long Zihe found tracks from several Snake Demons and Snake Monsters near Fragrant Township County and discussed going to Ping Yang County to lay low.

Liang Qu returned to Pingyang Prefecture after resolving the Snake Demon and reported to the River Conservancy Office, where he learned that Huaiyin County had been ambushed. He met Xu Yuelong in the Great Marsh to ask about the attack, but Xu hinted that Liang Qu would understand what had happened once he went home.

• Liang Qu sailed into Shangrao, saw the bustling riverfront, and heard from the dockhands about Pingyang Prefecture’s recent changes.
• Liang Qu reported to the River Conservancy Office before the deadline and presented the order requiring his return.
• Huang Pingchang told Liang Qu that Huaiyin County had been ambushed and that Xu Yuelong had been fishing in the Great Marsh.
• Liang Qu found Xu Yuelong and asked about the ambush, while Xu noticed Liang Qu’s Dragon Spirit Silk and heard about the Mermaid Ruins.
• Xu Yuelong told Liang Qu that he would understand the situation once he went home.

Liang Qu returned home and discovered that Su Guishan, the supposedly deceased former prefect, had taken up residence there with Old Turtle. Su Guishan explained that his apparent death was part of a plan to draw out the Ghost Mother Sect, then revealed he had come partly to meet Liang Qu and partly to see the Old Monk next door.

• Liang Qu learned from Fan Xinglai that an old man and a large turtle had arrived two days earlier, and ordered him to keep the visitor’s presence secret.
• Liang Qu visited the East Wing and recognized the silver-haired guest as Su Guishan, the former Prefect of Huaiyin Prefecture.
• Su Guishan explained that the Ghost Mother Sect had targeted Huaiyin Prefecture after its defenses weakened, and that he and Weng Lijun staged their deaths to lure out the remaining enemy.
• Su Guishan said he had been appointed Water River Governor and could therefore claim to be Liang Qu’s superior.
• Su Guishan admitted he had come out of personal interest in Liang Qu and to visit the Old Monk next door.

Liang Qu learned the real nature of the Old Monk’s relationship with Su Guishan and discovered that the Old Monk hoped to use his ruined dantian to pursue the Arhat Fruit Position. He thanked the Old Monk for the protective tokens that helped him defeat the great snake, then left with new knowledge about the grandmasters around him.

• Liang Qu reflected on Su Guishan and the Old Monk living in his residence, then greeted Oolong and visited the Old Monk in the West Wing.
• The Old Monk explained that Su Guishan had once been a wastrel, gained insight after saving a Dark Turtle, and later rose to become a jinshi and martial grandmaster.
• The Old Monk described his limited but meaningful exchanges with Su Guishan and revealed that he hoped to use his ruined dantian as a path toward the Arhat Fruit Position.
• The Old Monk explained that Su Guishan was a second-realm Great Grandmaster, while the Old Monk had once been stronger but was now weaker due to his injury.
• Liang Qu thanked the Old Monk for the Golden Body tokens that had protected him from the great snake, and the Old Monk offered to make more if needed.

Liang Qu gathered his Water Beasts in the Great Marsh and spent Marsh Essence to evolve Round Head, the Fat Catfish, and Awei. With five Great Monster Spirits under his command, he began organizing his growing force and left it with orders before returning home to rest.

• Liang Qu greeted the Old Toad and Wu Cangshou in the pond before slipping into the Great Marsh to gather his Water Beasts.
• Liang Qu told Round Head, the Fat Catfish, and Awei that they had all met the threshold to evolve, then spent thirty-seven thousand points of Marsh Essence on them.
• Awei gained Yellow Water Calamity Poison and Nether Water Calamity Poison, Round Head improved its ability to strengthen other River Dolphins, and the Fat Catfish gained Ink Mist Entangling Flow.
• Liang Qu saw that his evolved Water Beasts made up a force of five Great Monster Spirits and ordered Fist to return to Fragrant Township County and Round Head to gather nearby wild River Dolphins.
• Liang Qu told A Fei to avoid returning to the pond for two days, then left Aunt Zhang a note and silver before going to sleep.

Liang Qu welcomed Su Guishan into his household and treated him to an elaborate noodle breakfast. Su Guishan enjoyed the meal and gave Liang Qu a Water-Fire Vine as a meeting gift and rent, leaving Liang Qu delighted.

• Aunt Zhang prepared knife fish and eel noodles while Su Guishan helped her in the kitchen.
• Liang Qu greeted Su Guishan and decided to call him Uncle Su despite the household's uncertainty about his supposed death.
• Everyone gathered for breakfast, and Su Guishan praised Aunt Zhang's cooking after eating more than ten bowls.
• Su Guishan presented Liang Qu with a Water-Fire Vine to aid his Golden Body cultivation, and Old Monk approved the gift.

Liang Qu returned home from Fragrant Township County and planned to expand his pond before bringing wine and rare silk to the prefectural city. He revealed to Xiang ChangSong that he had reached Wolf Smoke and obtained Snake Gall Wine, Dragon Silk, and Mermaid Silk during his recent mission.

• Liang Qu stored the Water-Fire Vine and decided to enlarge the crowded pond to five mu, with a waterside pavilion and a plank road.
• Liang Qu loaded Snake Gall Wine and Mermaid Silk onto a cart, while River Otters carried the wine from his fortune ship and locals discussed his reputation.
• Liang Qu visited the Martial Arts School and gave Xiang ChangSong jars of Snake Gall Wine.
• Xiang ChangSong learned that Liang Qu had reached Wolf Smoke in April and had killed a Snake Demon in Fragrant Township County.
• Liang Qu told Xiang ChangSong that he had also found Mermaid Ruins and brought back Dragon Silk and Mermaid Silk.