Chapter Summaries

After consuming Dragon Tendon, Liang Qu gained strength, improved his senses and water control, and increased his lifespan and Marsh Spirit fusion, though his martial realm remained unchanged. He planned further improvements to his home and found himself short on money as spring construction and household expenses mounted.

• Liang Qu tested his enhanced body, senses, and water control after digesting Dragon Tendon, and found his Marsh Spirit fusion had risen to 82‰.
• Liang Qu planned to build a stable and rear rooms at his new residence, then listed other needs including a well, furnishings, bedding, and servants.
• Liang Qu realized his expenses had left him nearly broke despite income from fishing and his River Conservancy Office salary.
• Liang Qu noted that his fishing operation employed five workers and earned about one tael and two mace per day, while his official monthly salary was twelve taels paid in goods.

Liang Qu calculated his finances and worried about receiving spices instead of a proper salary before meeting his spirit beasts in Jianghuai Marshlands. A Fei returned with a Crimson Fire Bird feather and revealed that it had befriended a powerful toad in the Deep Water Area, prompting Liang Qu to consider trading miniature ships and other crafted goods for its treasures.

• Liang Qu tallied his income and expenses, then took Dragon Tendon and Sturgeon King Meat to feed Awei, Fist, and Cannot Move.
• Liang Qu sensed that A Fei was deep in the Deep Water Area and waited as the Fat Catfish hurried back through the Dark Current Passage.
• A Fei gave Liang Qu an ordinary Crimson Fire Bird feather and explained through their Mental Link that it had befriended Toad Big Brother and promised to bring it intact ships.
• Liang Qu realized the toad was a powerful Great Demon and considered making miniature ships and other crafts to trade for its unwanted treasures.

Liang Qu explored the dark current with A Fei and discovered that it formed a powerful two-way passage, though he hesitated to enter Toad’s territory. After returning to the lotus-root field, he encountered a boat drifting toward him and was asked for directions to Ping Yang County.

• Liang Qu fed Dragon Tendon to three beasts, whose Marsh Essence progress moved them closer to their second evolution.
• Liang Qu followed A Fei and the other beasts underwater to investigate the dark current.
• A fleet protected by River Dolphins sailed toward Ping Yang County, while Ran Zhongshi learned that Xu Tiling was missing again.
• Liang Qu found that the dark current shattered his Water Prison and sensed that it formed a passage between shallow water and the Deep Water Area.
• Liang Qu returned to the lotus-root field and met a boatman who asked which way led to Ping Yang County.

Liang Qu met Xu Yuelong, the newly appointed Deputy Supervisor of the River Conservancy Office, while fishing and learned that his new superior had a close connection to his master, Yang Dongxiong. Xu Yuelong explained that political maneuvering had cost him the Chief Supervisor position and warned Liang Qu that the Duke of Liang’s grandson would be difficult to deal with.

• Xu Yuelong approached Liang Qu in a small boat, recognized his martial arts, and invited him to join the River Conservancy Office.
• Liang Qu identified himself as a newly appointed River Earl, and Xu Yuelong recognized him as Yang Dongxiong’s disciple and the inventor of pinyin.
• Xu Yuelong explained that Yang Dongxiong had saved his father, Xu Wenzhu, and that his father had helped Yang retire from military service.
• Xu Yuelong told Liang Qu that Da Shun would ultimately defeat the Ghost Mother Sect, but powerful officials were competing to claim credit for the campaign.
• Xu Yuelong revealed that the Duke of Liang had secured the Chief Supervisor post for his grandson, leaving Xu as deputy, and warned Liang Qu about the new supervisor.

Xu Yuelong explained the rivalries and powerful newcomers surrounding Ping Yang’s transformation, then advised Liang Qu about his prospects and Fate Standard. After Liang Qu secretly helped him catch a huge culter, Xu Yuelong ended their fishing trip and asked Liang Qu to take him to visit Yang Dongxiong.

• Xu Yuelong told Liang Qu that Wei Jianpeng’s delayed reinforcements had contributed to the death of Yang Dongxiong’s second son during a desert battle.
• Xu Yuelong described the powerful factions competing over Ping Yang’s rise and revealed that Jian Zhongyi, a formidable scholar and Hunting Tiger Martial Artist, would arrive as County Magistrate.
• Xu Yuelong advised Liang Qu that his Long Jiaos Crossing the River Fate Standard could bring opportunities, but his future depended on how he seized them.
• After Liang Qu used his Mental Link with Fat Catfish, Xu Yuelong caught an eleven-jin culter and credited Liang Qu’s Fate Standard for his luck.
• Xu Yuelong ended the fishing trip and asked Liang Qu to take him to visit Yang Dongxiong.

A River Conservancy fleet arrived at Ping Yang County, where Wei Lin refused to disembark and Ran Zhongshi waited for his superiors. Xu Yuelong arrived with Liang Qu, reunited with Yang Dongxiong, and revealed that another chief supervisor was involved in the attempt to intimidate him.

• Fishermen watched the fleet travel from Yi Xing Town toward Ping Yang County and learned that the tower ships carried officials from the River Conservancy Office.
• Wei Lin looked down on Ping Yang County and refused to disembark, claiming that doing so would dirty his boots.
• Ran Zhongshi and Ran Ying waited aboard their ship because Wei Lin and the other senior officials had not come ashore.
• Xu Yuelong arrived with Liang Qu, introduced him to Ran Zhongshi and Ran Ying, and Ran Zhongshi praised Liang Qu for inventing the Pinyin Method.
• Xu Yuelong greeted Yang Dongxiong as an old acquaintance, apologized for the delay, and quietly told him there was another chief supervisor.

Liang Qu dealt with the River Conservancy Office’s arrangements and returned to Yi Xing Town, where he began digging a well to reach the Jiang Huai River. The well broke through into an underground river, and Liang Qu slipped into the water.

• Xu Yuelong and Wei Lin’s men selected a site near the Jiang Huai River for the River Conservancy Office, and the Military men began construction.
• Liang Qu attended a feast at the Yang Residence and saw that Xu Shi’s hair had turned black after using Dragon Tendon.
• Red Mountain grew temperamental because it was in heat, but Liang Qu struck its forehead and calmed it before riding back to Yi Xing Town.
• Liang Qu asked Liu Quanfu to try building small model boats and offered him one hundred taels in labor for each boat.
• Liang Qu sensed a water vein in his courtyard and dug through rock until he opened a passage to an underground river.
• Liang Qu slipped on the wet well walls and fell into the underground river.

Liang Qu discovered that the underground river beneath his courtyard connected to the Jiang Huai River and expanded the well into a passage and pool with help from his three beasts. Yang Dongxiong then summoned him to the Yang Residence and began teaching him Myriad Victory Embracing Oneness, a cultivation method based on the Blazing Martial Emperor’s lost Myriad Victory Art.

• Liang Qu explored the underground river, confirmed that it connected to the Jiang Huai River, and guided his three beasts through the route.
• Liang Qu and the beasts widened the courtyard well and excavated a large pool, after which the beasts explored the courtyard and learned about trees and timber.
• Liang Qu considered using Marsh Essence to evolve a River Dolphin into a River Porpoise King after learning about the River Conservancy Office’s River Dolphins.
• Li LiBo told Liang Qu that Yang Dongxiong wanted to teach him, so Liang Qu rode to the Yang Residence.
• Yang Dongxiong checked Liang Qu’s Circulating Qi Inscription and began passing on Myriad Victory Embracing Oneness, a method derived from the Blazing Martial Emperor’s Myriad Victory Art.

Yang Dongxiong taught Liang Qu the Myriad Victory Embracing Oneness cultivation art and sent him to report for duty at the River Conservancy Office. At the docks, Liang Qu learned the Demon Subduing Division had also arrived, then registered aboard the tower ship and received his uniform, weapon, salary, and token.

• Yang Dongxiong recounted the origins of the Myriad Victory Embracing Oneness and formally passed the art to Liang Qu.
• Liang Qu memorized the art’s circulation route and instructions, then left for the docks on Red Mountain.
• Liang Qu learned that the Demon Subduing Division had arrived in Ping Yang County before dawn and established its office in the county’s southwestern corner.
• Ran Zhongshi welcomed Liang Qu aboard the tower ship, registered him, and gave him clothes, a standard-issue weapon, a month’s salary, and a token.
• Ran Zhongshi explained that most River Conservancy Office personnel were staying ashore and offered to show Liang Qu the ship and his duties.

Liang Qu learned the duties and rewards of his new River Earl post, received a new boat and a River Dolphin, and returned toward Yi Xing Town. He successfully commanded the River Dolphin, forming his fifth Mental Link.

• Ran Zhongshi explained Liang Qu’s patrol duties, the penalties for negligence, and how River Earl military merit could be earned and exchanged for rewards.
• Ran Zhongshi showed Liang Qu the Records Room, supplies, armory, and the equipment available to an Eighth Rank River Earl.
• Liang Qu chose a new boat and received a Profound Water Spear and a male River Dolphin linked to his token.
• Ran Zhongshi invited Liang Qu to visit his family’s new residence, and Liang Qu agreed before heading toward Yi Xing Town.
• Liang Qu summoned the River Dolphin at an uninhabited stretch of water and successfully commanded it, forming his fifth Mental Link.

Liang Qu evolved a River Dolphin into Round Head, who asked to bring his family and agreed to teach Liang Qu’s other beasts. After selling Treasure Fish and securing exclusive berths for his boats, Liang Qu offered Lin Songbao a chance to learn martial arts, leaving him excited.

• Liang Qu used Marsh Essence to evolve the River Dolphin into a River Dolphin King and named it Round Head.
• Round Head asked for its wife and child to join it; Liang Qu agreed to take in its newborn child and promised to reunite the family when possible.
• Liang Qu brought Round Head to meet his other beasts, and Round Head volunteered to teach them.
• Liang Qu registered his new boat with Lin Songbao and sold the Treasure Fish; Lin Songbao gave him two exclusive berths at the dock.
• Liang Qu told Lin Songbao to ask his father for permission to learn martial arts, saying he had talent, and Lin Songbao became excited.

Liang Qu outfitted his new residence in Yi Xing Town, buying household goods and hiring servants through a brokerage. As he left, a magnificent carriage drawn by Qing Province Valiant Blood Steeds arrived, and he suspected County Magistrate Jian Zhongyi was inside.

• Liang Qu bought household supplies at the Ping Yang County market and arranged for porters to deliver them to his home.
• Liang Qu purchased furniture and hired two old maids to cook, clean, and do laundry at his three-courtyard residence.
• Liang Qu sent the two maids to his home with keys and instructions to organize the deliveries and prepare dinner.
• Liang Qu saw a huge carriage pulled by three Qing Province Valiant Blood Steeds arrive at the brokerage.
• Liang Qu and the bystanders guessed that the carriage belonged to County Magistrate Jian Zhongyi or another important member of the Jian Family.

Jian Zhongyi received ritual implements made from two murdered women and discussed the Ghost Mother Sect’s Yinsha Water Old Mother with a monk, who urged him to target Liang Qu for his bones. Liang Qu remained unaware of the danger as he returned home and saw his courtyard renovations taking shape.

• A monk delivered Jian Zhongyi two ritual implements made from the flesh of two people, explaining they required years of work to reach perfection.
• Jian Zhongyi asked how the Yinsha Water Old Mother compared to the Snow Mountain Great Master, and the monk judged her a resentful god who might be captured and made a heavenly guardian.
• The monk spotted Liang Qu and praised his bones as suitable for making a rigid cavity and Dharma bowl, but Jian Zhongyi decided not to act rashly because Liang Qu had a Dragon Blood Horse.
• Liang Qu watched Jian Zhongyi’s extravagant convoy depart, then went to study at the academy and medical hall before riding home.
• Liang Qu found the craftsmen shaping his screen wall and building the pool, while the rest of his household preparations were in place.

Liang Qu learned that new County Magistrate Jian Zhongyi had begun a land and tax reassessment, drawing public praise as he took office. After visiting Senior Brother Lu Gang and seeing Fubo reforged, Liang Qu set out at night to patrol the fishing grounds and carry out a beast-driving task.

• Liang Qu tested how Myriad Victory Embracing Oneness concealed his presence, then let the bricklayers take the day off to watch the land measurement and tax assessment.
• The bricklayers told Liang Qu that Jian Zhongyi was checking households and land, recovering occupied fields, and preparing to rebuild the Patrol Team by reclaiming grain taxes.
• Liang Qu rode to Ping Yang County and saw residents praise Jian Zhongyi's early rulings, road-building notices, and rewards for verified reports, though Liang Qu remained unsure whether the new magistrate was truly capable or merely promoting himself.
• Liang Qu visited Lu Gang, received the reforged Fubo at 186 jin, and learned that Lu Gang had advanced to the middle stage of Wolf Smoke while Hu had become a Galloping Horse Martial Master.
• After returning home, Liang Qu ate and cultivated, then took Fubo out by boat to patrol and expand the fishermen's range as part of a beast-driving task.

Liang Qu prepared to patrol the waterways as a River Clerk and recruited Li LiBo and Chen Jiechang to help him. After accepting an invitation to their celebration, he set out with Round Head and a Little River Porpoise to hunt Water Beasts.

• Liang Qu dressed in his River Conservancy Office uniform and headed toward Shang Rao Wharf with his weapons and food.
• Li LiBo invited Liang Qu to a joint feast celebrating his and Chen Jiechang's breakthroughs as Martial Artists, and Liang Qu agreed to attend in three nights.
• Liang Qu offered Li LiBo and Chen Jiechang River Clerk positions, and Li LiBo agreed to discuss the work with Chen Jiechang.
• Liang Qu boarded the River Conservancy Office boat and met Round Head alongside a Little River Porpoise.
• Liang Qu sent the Little River Porpoise to rest with Fat Catfish and the others, then took Round Head out to hunt Water Beasts.

Liang Qu killed five Water Beasts in one night and brought their heads to the River Conservancy Office to claim merit. After Xu Yuelong lent him his Waist Token to verify the kills, the Record Keeper recorded Liang Qu’s merit and presented the exchange ledger.

• Liang Qu used Water Prison and Awei’s venom to weaken a Water Beast before killing it and taking its head back to the boat.
• Liang Qu continued hunting until he had collected five Water Beast heads, then ate roasted belly meat and headed for the dock.
• Liang Qu found Xu Yuelong fishing at midnight and watched him stun nearby blackfish with a powerful strike.
• Xu Yuelong was surprised that Liang Qu had killed five Water Beasts and lent him his Waist Token so he could submit the heads without three witnesses.
• The Record Keeper inspected the heads and token, recorded Liang Qu’s merit, and handed him the Small Merit Exchange Ledger.

Liang Qu browsed the Minor Merit Ledger and learned how River Conservancy Office exchange rates and benefits compared with other departments. He exchanged two minor merits for three Cockscomb Fruits and discovered that eating one added Marsh Essence.

• Liang Qu asked the Record Keeper about splitting minor merits and learned the River Conservancy Office offered three Cockscomb Fruits for two merits as a department benefit.
• The Record Keeper explained that Cockscomb Fruits could be traded internally for Red Maple Flower Fruits, but warned Liang Qu not to spread the information.
• Liang Qu considered contributing cultivable treasure plants and using official resources to investigate Marsh Essence-rich lotus roots.
• Liang Qu browsed the exchange ledger, noted its cultivation arts, martial arts, medicines, and River Dolphin tokens, and chose to save his remaining three minor merits.
• Liang Qu exchanged two minor merits for three Cockscomb Fruits, ate one on his boat, and gained eight Marsh Essence.

Liang Qu traded merits for Cockscomb Fruits, raised his fusion rate to ten percent, and received guidance from Xu Yuelong about earning Great Merits. After checking on his fishing gang, he felt his blood Qi strengthen enough to begin refining the Blood Barrier.

• Liang Qu ate three Cockscomb Fruits and used his accumulated Marsh Essence to raise his fusion rate to exactly ten percent.
• Xu Yuelong returned Liang Qu's Waist Token, explained how to request unlisted exchanges, and advised him to pursue Great Merits and underwater martial arts.
• Xu Yuelong called Liang Qu Big Brother Xu and warned him that Wei Lin's ship might bring jealousy and trouble.
• Liang Qu visited Chen Qingjiang and the others, confirmed their boats were full of fish, and agreed to attend Li Bo's invitation on the eighth night.
• As Liang Qu's fusion rate continued rising, his blood Qi strengthened and he realized he could begin refining the Blood Barrier.

Liang Qu advanced his cultivation, shared breakfast with the workers, and learned that the county’s land survey would not redistribute fields. The chapter left him hearing that the new County Magistrate planned to hold a boat race and inaugurate the government office the next day.

• Liang Qu refined his blood and marrow, estimating that he would become a Galloping Horse Martial Master in about half a month.
• Liang Qu treated the craftsmen to Demon Beast fish porridge and learned from Liu Quanfu that a small tower ship could be finished before the summer solstice.
• Liang Qu asked A Quan and A Jin about the field survey, and they said officials had no plans to redistribute land and had not fully measured several masters’ fields.
• The workers discussed rising grain prices and said relief grain had only temporarily eased shortages.
• A Jin said the new County Magistrate planned a boat race, then reported that the magistrate would inaugurate the government office the following day.

Liang Qu learned about the new County Magistrate’s arrival, continued his studies and river patrols, and met a strange Old Monk who asked him to become his disciple. The chapter ended with Liang Qu wary of the unexpected offer.

• Liang Qu heard workers discuss the County Magistrate’s formal duties and the slapdash land measurement.
• Si Hengyi told Liang Qu that the new County Magistrate would examine the county’s students, and Liang Qu asked what Si Hengyi thought of the recent projects.
• A physician taught Liang Qu how to distinguish Floating, Sinking, and Hollow Pulses and warned him about blood loss.
• Liang Qu patrolled the river, earned four Minor Merit, exchanged his merits for Cockscomb Fruit, and read about the Jiang Huai River and the Great Snow Mountain Region.
• An Old Monk stopped Liang Qu after his patrol and asked him to become his disciple.