Chapter Summaries

Liang Qu returned from the Mermaid Ruins, explained his military pledge to Yang Dongxiong and Xu Shi, and shared his Mermaid Tears and precious silks with his master’s household. Yang Dongxiong accepted Liang Qu’s choices and demonstrated how True Aura could manifest as a blade, leaving Liang Qu watching the power of a higher realm.

• Liang Qu recounted how White Ape slew the Snake Demon and found the Mermaid Ruins, and Yang Dongxiong and Xu Shi questioned him about making a military pledge.
• Yang Dongxiong explained that military pledges could create opportunities for advancement and said he would not blame Liang Qu for taking a calculated risk.
• Liang Qu gave Xu Shi and his senior sister Mermaid Tears and gifted the household bolts of Dragon Silk and Mermaid Silk, which Xu Shi accepted.
• Yang Dongxiong asked about the differing forms of Water Beasts and taught Liang Qu that True Aura let humans overcome their physical limits.
• Yang Dongxiong gathered white vapor into a long blade across the courtyard, and Liang Qu sensed the power of the display.

Yang Dongxiong demonstrated True Gang to Liang Qu and explained how martial arts, will, and the pursuit of the Dao shaped its power. Liang Qu understood that True Gang was tempered through life-and-death combat, then prepared to display his own True Gangs for his master.

• Yang Dongxiong summoned a massive saber of True Gang and explained how it extended a martial artist’s power.
• Yang Dongxiong killed a bitterling with his saber’s presence alone, and Liang Qu realized it had been frightened to death.
• Yang Dongxiong questioned Liang Qu about why True Gang came from martial arts rather than cultivation methods, and Liang Qu linked it to will and the Dao.
• Yang Dongxiong explained that martial arts techniques used unyielding will to protect the Dao and kill, while cultivation methods sought harmony and balance.
• Liang Qu concluded that life-and-death combat tempered True Gang, and Yang Dongxiong asked him to display his two True Gangs.

Liang Qu trained under Yang Dongxiong, demonstrated how his Azure Dragon and White Ape True Auras combined into a dragon pillar, and then reunited with the River Conservancy Office crew to share his Fragrant Town treasures. After learning the snake gall wine supposedly nourished yin and replenished yang, his colleagues abandoned their waxberry juice and decided to drink it.

• Yang Dongxiong ended Liang Qu's pressure training and told him to practice with him daily as his True Auras developed.
• Liang Qu told Yang Dongxiong he had opened his hand meridian and showed how his Azure Dragon True Aura transformed into a pillar wielded by his White Ape, which he called the Two-and-a-Half True Aura.
• Liang Qu delivered Dragon Silk, Mermaid Silk, and snake gall wine to the River Conservancy Office, where his colleagues crowded around to divide the gifts and ask how he found the Mermaid Ruins.
• Liang Qu learned that Zhong Shi had gone into seclusion to prepare for Hunting Tiger and that Ran Ying was watching over him.
• Xiang Fangsu tasted the bitter snake gall wine, Bai Yinbin explained its supposed benefits, and Ke Wenbin dumped out the waxberry juice so the group could drink the wine.

Liang Qu learned that his reward and possible promotion would be delayed while Su Guishan remained officially inactive, then sold Mermaid Silk and Mermaid Tears at the Celestial Ship Merchant Guild. He left with thirty-one thousand liang and roughly seventy thousand liang in total, ready to bid at the guild’s annual auction.

• Xiang Fangsu and the others forced themselves to drink bitter snake gall wine while Liang Qu went upstairs to ask Xu Yuelong about his reward.
• Xu Yuelong told Liang Qu that his great merit and possible promotion to Hengshui Envoy required Imperial Capital approval and warned him to keep Su Guishan’s feigned death secret.
• Liang Qu brought twenty bolts of Mermaid Silk and five Mermaid Tears to the Celestial Ship Merchant Guild and agreed to sell the silk and lower-quality pearls while auctioning the five best pearls.
• The guild paid Liang Qu thirty-one thousand liang for the silk and lower-quality pearls.
• Liang Qu counted his wealth at roughly seventy thousand liang and looked forward to bidding at the guild’s annual auction.

Liang Qu visited Lu Gang to arrange the transport of Blood Ore and brought home wine before sharing a lavish meal with Su Guishan, who promised him a water-aligned Treasure Plant for a late-night meal. He trained underwater against the Flood Dragon’s pressure as Fist mined ore and Round Head searched for a missing River Dolphin tribe, finding enormous snake trails instead.

• Liang Qu told Lu Gang that Blood Ore was piled aboard his ship and asked him to send people to collect it, while Lu Gang reflected on how much Liang Qu had changed and heard that Liang Qu still treasured his senior brothers’ gifts.
• Liang Qu brought Snake Gall Wine to the Chen Clan residence, then returned home and ate a lavish dinner with Su Guishan, who offered another Treasure Plant if Liang Qu prepared a satisfying late-night meal.
• Liang Qu arranged for Aunt Zhang’s daughter to work at his residence and raised Aunt Zhang’s wages before preparing crawfish and other food for Su Guishan.
• Liang Qu endured the Flood Dragon’s pressure underwater for an hour and a half and felt his Azure Dragon True Aura grow stronger.
• Fist continued mining Blood Ore near Fragrant Township County, while Round Head gathered River Dolphin followers and searched for a missing tribe before discovering enormous snake trails in the marsh.

Liang Qu learned that four snake demons and other monsters had entered the area, so he ordered Round Head to scout Fragrant Township County and avoid danger. He then hosted Su Guishan for a midnight meal and asked him about the Flood Dragon, vanished true dragons, and the Demon Court Four Pillars.

• Round Head spotted at least three or four snake demons near the River Dolphins, and Liang Qu concluded he could not face them all at once.
• Liang Qu ordered Round Head to scout the Shallow Water Area, monitor the snakes, and claim to be a breeding dolphin from the River Conservancy Office if discovered.
• Liang Qu left the pond, met Chen Xiu after Aunt Zhang brought her to work, and accepted her as the household’s fourth servant.
• Liang Qu and Su Guishan shared crayfish, milk tea, and other dishes, and Su Guishan enjoyed the meal.
• Liang Qu asked Su Guishan how the imperial court viewed the Jiang Huai Flood Dragon, why true dragons had disappeared, and how powerful the Demon Court Four Pillars were.

Liang Qu asked Su Guishan about the imperial court’s plans for the Jiang Huai Flood Dragon, the vanished Dragon Lord, and the Demon Court Four Pillars. Su Guishan explained the nature of true dragons and confirmed that the Four Pillars were Martial Saints, leaving Liang Qu with new information about their origins.

• Liang Qu reasoned that Da Shun would prefer to cooperate with the Flood Dragon to develop the Jiang Huai Great Marsh, and argued that the Demon Court Four Pillars were likely Martial Saints.
• Su Guishan revealed that true dragons were innate spiritual items tied to great rivers, that only one remained in the world, and that the Huai River Dragon had vanished after leaving its Dragon Pearl behind.
• Su Guishan explained that Da Shun might accept the Flood Dragon as Dragon Lord if it supported the court, but its hostility toward Da Shun made it a potential target for replacement.
• Liang Qu drew the armored fish he had encountered in Hua Zhu County, and Su Guishan wondered why a subordinate of the Northern Demon King had traveled south.
• Su Guishan confirmed that the Northern and Northeast Demon Kings came from the sea, the Western Tortoise came from Grotto Heaven Lake, and Toad alone was born in the Jiang Huai Great Marsh.

Liang Qu learned from Su Guishan that a new Dragon Lord could emerge in roughly twenty-five years, and that demons seeking to serve or become the Dragon Lord could earn immense merit. After exchanging the water-element Treasure Plant for Su Guishan’s information, Liang Qu considered what Favorability and the process of becoming a True Spirit meant.

• Su Guishan explained that he knew Cang Shou, the western pillar, and revealed that the Treasure Toad had claimed Liang Qu’s pond and received a Treasure Lotus as rent.
• Su Guishan told Liang Qu that Da Shun wanted to expand trade with the southern pillar, and that helping arrange it would earn Great Merit.
• Su Guishan described Jiang Huai Great Marsh’s former six pillars and estimated that a new Dragon Lord might emerge in about twenty-five years.
• Su Guishan guessed that White Ape was an unusual breed and advised it to stay hidden from the Flood Dragon until it could contend for the Dragon Lord’s throne.
• Liang Qu gave up the water-element Treasure Plant in exchange for Su Guishan’s information, then returned to the Quiet Room to record and examine his questions about Favorability, worship, and True Spirits.

Fat Catfish visited the Green Skin Frog clan, where Da Pang and Er Pang welcomed it and invited it to share a meal. It then found Old Toad hiding a Treasure Lotus in his cave, and Old Toad blocked the entrance and accused it of intending to commit an act of transgression.

• Fat Catfish explored the Great Marsh, frightened a spirit crocodile, and returned to Toad Cave to ask the vines for directions.
• The vines sent Fat Catfish to the Green Skin Frog clan, where Da Pang and Er Pang recognized it as the Legless Frog and heard it call itself Ferocious Fang General.
• Da Pang and Er Pang invited Fat Catfish to eat Red Spotted Fish with the clan, and the frogs accepted it as a new kind of frog after hearing Great King had said so.
• Fat Catfish followed the frogs' directions to Old Toad's private cave and saw him holding a Treasure Lotus.
• Old Toad hid the Treasure Lotus, blocked Fat Catfish from entering, and demanded to know whether it intended to commit an act of transgression.

Old Toad mistook Fat Catfish for an assassin and beat it unconscious, but Da Pang and Er Pang later fed it and explained the misunderstanding. Fat Catfish learned that Old Toad would meet Dragonfolk that afternoon to sell information about Heavenly Water Morning Dew, giving it another chance to approach him.

• Old Toad attacked Fat Catfish, tied its whiskers into a knot, and summoned Da Pang and Er Pang, insisting that Fat Catfish was an assassin.
• Da Pang explained that Fat Catfish was Legless Frog, but Old Toad scolded and beat both commanders before sealing his cave entrance.
• Da Pang carried Fat Catfish away, and Fat Catfish dreamed of eating Treasure Fish before waking to find Da Pang sharing Red Spotted Fish with it.
• Fat Catfish gave its extra fish meat to Da Pang, then asked when Old Toad would leave so it could apologize.
• Er Pang told Fat Catfish that Old Toad planned to meet Dragonfolk that afternoon to sell news about Heavenly Water Morning Dew, which was expected to appear in a little over ten days.

Liang Qu learned from Yang Dongxiong how heavenly anomalies and animal patterns could help cultivators form Aspects, then asked Xu Shi for advice on handling invitations from newly arrived factions. After leaving Yang Residence, he checked on his aquatic companions and received a mysterious reply from Fat Catfish about plotting a major event.

• Yang Dongxiong explained that observing wondrous sights or animal patterns could transform true gang into Aspects, and warned Liang Qu about pursuing too many mismatched insights.
• Liang Qu asked Yang Dongxiong which of more than ten invitations from Huaiyin factions he should accept, but Yang Dongxiong directed him to Xu Shi.
• Xu Shi sorted Liang Qu's invitations into four groups and listed suitable gifts and price ranges for visits.
• Liang Qu reflected that his rise through the water let him avoid competing with others over limited resources and sometimes share what he found.
• After leaving Yang Residence, Liang Qu checked on his aquatic companions through their Mental Link and asked Fat Catfish what was happening.
• Fat Catfish replied that it was plotting a major event.

Liang Qu let Fat Catfish pursue its own mysterious plan while he rode south to inspect the villages and towns, as Ta Ta Kai and the other otters feasted at a dockside restaurant. Meanwhile, Fat Catfish secretly watched Old Toad sell the Dragonfolk information about Long Qi and learned what they would need to capture it.

• Liang Qu rode south to inspect the villages and towns after letting Fat Catfish act on its own.
• Ta Ta Kai and the little otters spent several hundred copper coins on spicy stew, and Ta Ta Kai prepared to seek revenge on Scarface.
• Fat Catfish hid near Old Toad's cave and watched Dragonfolk arrive by flying shuttle.
• Old Toad caught a large frog hiding two Treasure Fish, then accepted chests from the Dragonfolk in exchange for Long Qi's location and the timing of its appearance.
• Old Toad told the Dragonfolk to use ice over two hundred years old to subdue Long Qi, while Fat Catfish secretly listened and memorized the deal.

Liang Qu learned that Old Toad could sense where Long Qi would appear, and he used the Dragonfolk’s costly investigation to prepare for the coming opportunity. After buying old ice and setting out to scout the destination, he ran into Chen Zhaoan, who reminded him that the River God Sacrifice was approaching.

• Long Zongyin paid Old Toad to keep the Long Qi information secret, and Old Toad agreed not to sell it again for less than twice the hush money.
• A Fei relayed the Dragonfolk’s information to Liang Qu, who learned how Fortune and Prosperity species sensed treasures and asked Wu Cangshou about their abilities.
• Wu Cangshou explained the differences between human cultivation and the Demon Race’s ancient method, and A Fei chose to remain with Old Toad to study and eat.
• Liang Qu ordered old ice, learned that Long Pingjiang and Long Pinghe had been recalled by their clan, and continued special training with Yang Dongxiong as his Grand Purity Dragon Aura grew stronger.
• After receiving three-hundred-year-old ice, Liang Qu set out to scout the destination but met Chen Zhaoan, who reminded him about the upcoming River God Sacrifice.

Liang Qu settled plans for the River God Sacrifice and then heard Old Toad boast of a Grandmaster’s supreme treasure, only for Wu Cangshou to reveal that Liang Qu already knew its location and how to subdue its Qi. Liang Qu and the pond’s inhabitants persuaded Old Toad to invest in expanding the frog clan’s pond, and Old Toad finally agreed.

• Liang Qu told Chen Zhaoan that the River God Sacrifice would remain at Shang Rao Wharf and asked him to explain the decision to the villagers.
• Liang Qu and Chen Zhaoan arranged the sacrifice’s banquet and expenses, and Liang Qu gave Chen Zhaoan silver for the event and his work.
• Liang Qu decided he could serve as Chief Priest again after learning more about the Flood Dragon’s precarious position from Su Guishan.
• Old Toad offered to reveal the location of a Grandmaster’s supreme treasure in exchange for a larger lotus pond, but Liang Qu and Wu Cangshou already knew about the Heavenly Water Long Qi and that old ice could subdue it.
• Liang Qu, Old Turtle, and the pond’s inhabitants urged Old Toad to invest in expanding the frog clan’s pond, and Old Toad finally agreed.

Liang Qu obtained nine Great Treasure Fish from the Old Toad to fund the expansion of the pond, then prepared for a nighttime visit to the Toad Cave. He arrived to find the Toad among a multitude of warships, trying to dismantle two Ship Models.

• Liang Qu discussed how creatures sensed and collected Long Qi with Wu Cangshou, who agreed to accept three fish heads for his share.
• The Old Toad selected nine Treasure Fish and reluctantly handed them to Liang Qu after he persuaded it that investing would benefit the toad clan.
• Liang Qu promised to start the pond expansion work that night and had Ta Ta Kai escort the Old Toad ten li.
• After dinner, Liang Qu put on his Dragon Spirit Silk, prepared his weapons, and collected a small token from the Old Monk.
• Liang Qu brought Cannot Move through the underground river and Undercurrent Tunnel to the Toad Cave, where he found the Toad trying to dismantle two Ship Models among many warships.

Liang Qu visited the Old Toad to explain his shipbuilding plans and obtain directions to the Heavenly Water Long Qi. After a long journey, he found a valley where Dragonfolk and Toads were gathering, and suspected the site held more than a joint advance force.

• Liang Qu told the Old Toad he had no new ship, promised a four-zhang warship soon, and pitched a design for assembling a ship over five zhang from transported parts.
• The Old Toad offered two items in exchange for an assembled great ship, and Liang Qu left with the Fat Catfish, who carried a Toad Skin Coat granting safe passage through southern waters.
• Liang Qu used the Fat Catfish's directions and a waterproof Compass to travel through the Great Marsh, then reached the area described by the Old Toad before dawn.
• Awei found a deep valley, and Liang Qu sent Cannot Move and the Fat Catfish to wait outside while he and Awei entered.
• Liang Qu discovered Dragonfolk carving glowing-vine caves into the valley and observed a Dragon Girl who appeared to lead their advance force, alongside two Toads.

Liang Qu secretly explored the valley where Long Qi was expected to appear, mapped its terrain, and left Awei behind to monitor the Dragonfolk. Meanwhile, Round Head’s group returned toward Pingyang Prefecture as the snake demons learned that Liang Qu was close to White Ape and began planning how to approach him.

• Liang Qu observed the Dragonfolk leaders Long Binglin, Long E Ying, and Long Yanrui, then explored the valley while avoiding their searches.
• Long E Ying sensed she was being watched, prompting the Dragonfolk to intensify their patrols as the leaders worried about the pressure of competing for Long Qi.
• Liang Qu reasoned that the valley might produce more than one wisp of Long Qi, mapped its terrain, and left Awei hidden as a lookout.
• Liang Qu watched young Dragonfolk arrive with White Sturgeon and saw their leaders confer with a silver-haired elder before returning to Fat Catfish and Cannot Move.
• Round Head led the river dolphins through the Vortex Waterway after confirming the snake demons had not disturbed Fragrant Township County’s fishing grounds.
• The snake demons pieced together that White Ape had killed Green Viper and was friends with Liang Qu, then decided to approach Liang Qu in Pingyang Prefecture and invite him to dinner.

Liang Qu discussed the coming heavenly phenomenon with Su Guishan, who explained how celestial instruments and powerful figures could sense major events. Liang Qu planned to gather allies to observe the phenomenon safely, then returned to the pond and prepared a Treasure Fish feast for Old Turtle and Wu Cangshou.

• Liang Qu told Su Guishan that he had found no signs of the coming excitement yet, while Su Guishan said the injured Big Fish would need a month to heal before he could try catching it again.
• Su Guishan explained that celestial instruments helped detect major events and that their influence, along with the Martial Saints’ restraint, had helped Liang Qu’s previous victory succeed.
• Liang Qu decided to observe the coming phenomenon briefly and bring more people, since powerful beasts would gather and they would need to claim space near it.
• Liang Qu returned to the pond, caught a Treasure Fish, and offered Wu Cangshou an extra portion as an apology for making him wait.
• Liang Qu told Ta Ta Kai to start the fire for the feast.

Liang Qu fed his river dolphins, consumed a Water-Fire Vine, and strengthened his Golden Body before heading to Yang Martial Hall. There, the apprentices praised his rise as a Wolf Smoke expert just as he arrived on a Dragon Blood Horse.

• Liang Qu fed three treasure fish to Old Turtle and learned that one fish contained unusually high Marsh Essence as he cultivated his Heart Meridian.
• Liang Qu reunited Round Head with a new group of river dolphins, counted twenty-three adults, and urged Round Head to recruit more near Abundant Port and Haiyan.
• Liang Qu ate the Water-Fire Vine and advanced his Golden Body, then allowed a swarm of bees to remain temporarily beneath his hanging-flower gate.
• At Yang Martial Hall, apprentices discussed Liang Qu's achievements and described him as a Wolf Smoke expert, while Hu Qi and Xiang ChangSong overheard them.
• Liang Qu arrived at Yang Martial Hall on a Dragon Blood Horse bestowed by the Emperor, drawing the apprentices' attention.

Liang Qu returned to Yang Martial Hall and learned that new family-backed martial arts schools were drawing apprentices away by offering cheap training and job prospects. He proposed adding literacy lessons and recruiting apprentices for his medicinal-farming business, then asked Yang Dongxiong and his Senior Brothers to help secure an underwater area for an approaching heavenly phenomenon.

• Liang Qu arrived at Yang Martial Hall, where Hu Qi and Xiang ChangSong explained that his reputation had helped keep apprentices coming despite the crowds gathering at new martial arts schools.
• Xiang ChangSong and Hu Qi told Liang Qu that five of the eight new schools were backed by Great Martial Masters and recruited promising apprentices into their families, threatening schools run mainly for tuition income.
• Liang Qu proposed partnering with Shanghu Academy to teach literacy and eventually hiring apprentices to transport and protect medicinal materials from his expanding farms.
• Yang Dongxiong approved discussing the literacy program with Headmaster Zhao, and Liang Qu then told him about Heavenly Water Long Qi and the coming heavenly phenomenon.
• Liang Qu asked Yang Dongxiong, Hu Qi, and Xiang ChangSong to help secure several mu of underwater territory, and said he would also seek help from Brother Yue Long.