Chapter Summaries

Fang Che tested Rain Song and Mo Ganyun in exhausting sparring matches, using their attacks to fully fuse his cultivation while concealing how little harm they had done him. The Night Emperor, Si Kongye, visited Fang Che after recovering from his poison and injuries, and Fang Che reassured him that he had never doubted his integrity.

• Rain Song fought Fang Che for two thousand moves before collapsing from exhaustion, convinced he had held the upper hand.
• Mo Ganyun attacked Fang Che before he could rest, fought until he was completely spent, and fainted after Fang Che showed that he was still unharmed.
• Fang Che told the others that his cultivation had fused during the bouts, while Rain Song and Mo Ganyun were carried inside to recover.
• The Night Emperor, Si Kongye, arrived at the Guardians' territory and followed Fang Che into his office, startling the others with his eerie presence.
• Si Kongye told Fang Che that he had purged his poison and scars and recovered, then asked whether Fang Che had judged him for accepting their agreement and swearing brotherhood.
• Fang Che explained that Si Kongye's refusal to seek help for more than two thousand years proved his integrity, easing Si Kongye's lingering doubts.

Night Emperor told Fang Che how the Sole True Sect poisoned and ambushed him, killing six of his brothers and forcing him into hiding for years. After deciding to rebuild his underground dynasty and await his enemies, he discussed reorganizing the Underground World with Fang Che, who rejected his former approach.

• Night Emperor told Fang Che that healing him had purified his spiritual energy and improved his potential, and said he owed Fang Che for restoring his hope.
• Night Emperor recounted how the Sole True Sect tried to subjugate him, poisoned him, and attacked him, while Heaven's King Flute killed six of his brothers and he killed the two traitors before escaping.
• Night Emperor described how the Sole True Sect hunted him for years and how the Underground World fell into disorder before he eventually called his brother to help him survive.
• Night Emperor said he would rebuild his underground dynasty and wait for the Sole True Sect to come to him, while Fang Che advised him to recover and joked about the gas pellets Night Emperor had collected.
• Night Emperor asked Fang Che how to reorganize the Underground World, and Fang Che rejected his old method of ruling through favors and authority, calling its inhabitants wicked and deserving of death.

Fang Che advised Night Emperor on taking control of the Underground World, then received instruction in several powerful techniques. Night Emperor agreed to reform the underworld and hinted that he could also help with the nine children in Fang Che’s courtyard.

• Fang Che described brutal punishments and urged Night Emperor to suppress unruly forces while building a system of trusted subordinates.
• Night Emperor revealed that other major cities had their own underground rulers, including an isolated figure in Kanke City who was believed to work for Dongfang Sansan.
• Night Emperor taught Fang Che the ninth level of the Nightmare Divine Art and passed on its insights.
• Night Emperor gave Fang Che the Dragon God Halberd Art and Si Kongdou’s Wandering Soul Movement Technique.
• Night Emperor promised to reform the Underground World, kill those who deserved it, and send rescued women and children aboveground.
• Night Emperor asked whether the nine children in Fang Che’s courtyard were the beggars he had rescued, and offered to help with another problem.

Night Emperor proposed a scheme for Fang Che to obtain Spirit Crystal Stone Marrow from their miserly leader and help improve the children’s constitutions. After reviewing his martial arts and deciding his weapon plans, Fang Che received An Ruoxing’s authorization and launched a campaign across East Lake Continent.

• Night Emperor explained that Spirit Crystal Stone Marrow could strengthen the children’s constitutions, but Fang Che warned that taking it from their leader would be difficult.
• Night Emperor whispered a scheme to Fang Che, who praised the plan before Night Emperor left the Guardians’ territory.
• Fang Che reviewed his cultivation arts and techniques, noted that his sword skills lagged behind his other weapon styles, and observed that the new saber spirit ignored everyone while forging the saber.
• Fang Che asked An Ruoxing for an authorization token to standardize the market, and An Ruoxing approved it after he admitted he wanted to abuse his authority for personal gain.
• Fang Che met the market inspectors at the East Lake Continent Guardians’ market, and a campaign swept across East Lake Continent.

Fang Che confronted a mob that had gathered outside the disgraced Li Family compound under the pretense of defending him, while planning to loot the family’s property. He exposed their greed with the Life and Death Decree and declared that he would execute them as a warning to others.

• After Li Pingsheng’s failed assassination attempt, the Li Family was investigated, its members punished, and most of its property confiscated, while public anger turned its compound into a target for abuse.
• Fang Che saw that some of the people outside the Li Family gates were waiting to exploit the family’s desperation and seize its wealth.
• Fang Che confronted the ruffians blocking the gates, and they accused him of siding with the Li Family when he tried to stop them.
• Fang Che pierced the legs of the ruffians with blasts of force, then revealed the Life and Death Decree and identified himself as Fang Che.
• The ruffians begged for mercy, but Fang Che declared that he would execute them for their lawlessness and make an example of them.

Fang Che protected the Li Family from opportunistic thugs, then defended his harsh methods to Liu Qingquan while worrying that his hidden identities would eventually be exposed. Meanwhile, Guardian inspectors reached Si Kongdou’s bookstore and demanded its purchase receipts.

• Fang Che beheaded the thugs’ leader and ordered the remaining men to confess their crimes at the Government Office.
• Fang Che told the crowd to leave the law-abiding members of the Li Family in peace, and the family thanked him as he departed.
• Liu Qingquan apologized for pleading on behalf of the guilty and warned Fang Che to guard his growing reputation.
• Fang Che explained that severe punishment would deter future abuses, then worried that his Night Fiend and Star Radiance identities would someday be exposed.
• Guardian inspectors searched Si Kongdou’s bookstore, checked his license, and demanded his purchase receipts.

Si Kongdou was arrested for selling books without invoices, but Fang Che got him released by claiming him as his brother. Back at the courtyard, Si Kongdou confronted Fang Che and Si Kongye over their scheme and exposed Fang Che’s claims of poor aptitude as lies.

• The Guardians raided Si Kongdou’s bookstore, found books with no invoices, and arrested him after he invoked the Snow Condensing Sword Master’s approval.
• At the East Lake Continent Guardian Hall, Si Kongdou was sentenced to death and demanded to see Fang Che, claiming they were brothers.
• Fang Che arrived, confirmed Si Kongdou was his brother, and secured his release by explaining that he had arranged the books for him.
• Fang Che claimed he had injured his heart meridians while practicing the Nightmare Divine Art, and Si Kongdou offered to treat him before summoning Si Kongye.
• Si Kongdou accused Si Kongye and Fang Che of plotting to seize his treasure, then called out Fang Che’s false claims about his aptitude and achievements.

Fang Che and Night Emperor tried to persuade Si Kongdou to give them his Spirit Crystal Stone Marrow, but their schemes and flattery unraveled into an awkward confrontation. Si Kongdou refused at first, then asked who the marrow was for, while Fang Che chose to leave rather than pressure him further.

• Si Kongdou saw through Fang Che and Si Kongye’s attempt to flatter and deceive him, then argued with Night Emperor about their standing and past grievances.
• Fang Che praised Si Kongdou as the unrivaled number-one thief and tried to ease the brothers’ argument.
• Night Emperor challenged Si Kongdou to give him the Spirit Crystal Stone Marrow, and Fang Che reluctantly asked for it directly when Si Kongdou demanded that they ask.
• Si Kongdou refused to give up his wealth, and Fang Che dropped the request, explaining that he wanted the marrow for children with average aptitudes.
• Si Kongdou asked whether the marrow was for Fang Che himself, while Fang Che prepared to leave and Si Kongye apologized for how badly their plan had gone.

Fang Che left after a cordial meal with Si Kongye and Si Kongdou, without raising the children’s aptitude issue or accepting help. Si Kongye then rebuked Si Kongdou for refusing to give up Spirit Crystal Stone Marrow, leaving Si Kongdou alone in regret.

• Fang Che stayed to eat and drink with Si Kongye and Si Kongdou, steering their conversation away from the children’s aptitude and the earlier dispute.
• Fang Che said he planned to investigate Spring Tower and accepted the brothers’ offer of reinforcements if needed.
• After Fang Che left, Si Kongye explained that their arrest had been meant as a joke and a way to help the children, but Si Kongdou’s refusal had ruined their plan and hurt Fang Che.
• Si Kongye revealed that Fang Che had taken in children who reminded him of the brothers’ own past and wanted to give them a future.
• Si Kongye condemned Si Kongdou for valuing his Spirit Crystal Stone Marrow over repaying Fang Che, then left in anger.
• Si Kongdou remained behind, regretting his actions and slapping himself.

Fang Che turned his embarrassment over the failed meeting with the Night Emperor and Si Kongdou into an opportunity to draw them closer to East Lake Continent’s interests. Back at the Inspectorate Hall, he prepared a nighttime operation against brothels trafficking children while continuing to train the Nine Small Ones.

• Fang Che returned to the Inspectorate Hall, reflecting that the Night Emperor and Si Kongdou would feel indebted to him and become more willing to help East Lake Continent.
• Fang Che reviewed the mass executions and ordered the Inspectorate to begin investigating brothels that received children, focusing on two establishments in Southern District’s Second Sector.
• Fang Che assigned Feng Xiangdong, Mo Ganyun, Rain Song, and Jing Shuanggao to raid the Ping'an Road Brothel, while he planned to accompany Xue Wanren; he ordered the arrested suspects brought to the Qianxiang Road Brothel.
• Fang Che warned his men to behave during the operation, prompting Night Dream to glare at them and Dong Yunyu to deny having any old habits.
• Fang Che made the Nine Small Ones practice their horse stance and recite texts, encouraging them to quit if they could not endure the hard training.
• The Nine Small Ones persisted through the afternoon’s training, and Fang Che noted that their sweat had become normal as their bodies began recovering from accumulated toxins and impurities.

Fang Che began training nine malnourished children, while Si Kongdou watched and regretted refusing to give him Spirit Crystal Stone Marrow. After leaving the children with Night Dream, Fang Che and his companions headed to Qianxiang Road Brothel for a mission.

• Fang Che ordered Night Dream to train the children harshly, and he and the others began guiding them through martial cultivation.
• Fang Che explained that the children could build strong foundations through hard work despite lacking treasures, and Ren Chun and Ren Dong vowed to catch up with the geniuses.
• Night Emperor told Si Kongdou that Fang Che viewed their dealings as settled and that Si Kongdou had rejected his friendship, leaving no easy way to make amends.
• Fang Che sent Night Dream to supervise the children's training while he and the others split into two teams and departed to act.
• Si Kongdou considered secretly giving the children Spirit Crystal Stone Marrow but decided he would need to repair his relationship with Fang Che openly.
• Fang Che and his companions arrived at Qianxiang Road Brothel, where Dong Yunyu gaped at the crowded, brightly lit establishment.

Fang Che raided a brothel with his patrol team, exposed and punished three abusive managers, and warned the other managers and guests to treat the women better. He left the brothel celebrated by its workers while continuing his investigation.

• Fang Che and his teammates entered the Qianxiang Road Brothel under the authority of a Life and Death Decree and ordered everyone to stay while he investigated.
• The brothel’s women crowded around Fang Che, whose reputation had grown into legend among them, while Ma Yidao hurried out to greet him.
• Fang Che questioned Ma Yidao about Steward Niu, and Ma Yidao revealed that Niu Meng, Niu Zhuang, and Wang Si had been restrained for their abuses.
• Dong Yunyu broke the three men’s legs, and Fang Che struck Ma Yidao and threatened to replace him if more culprits were found.
• Fang Che warned the brothel managers not to mistreat or coerce women and urged the guests to tip generously and help women who wanted to leave.
• Fang Che addressed the gathered women and guests, asking them to do good whenever they could.

Fang Che investigated a brothel trafficking network, comforted the women there, and uncovered a larger operation based at Azure Cloud Manor. He left Ma Yidao alive to keep the brothels under control, while his visit made Qianxiang Road Brothel famous and changed how its women worked.

• Fang Che told the women at Qianxiang Road Brothel that he did not look down on them and urged them to plan for a safer future; several women drew portraits of him as he went upstairs.
• Fang Che and his companions interrogated more than 120 suspects and learned the names and hiding places of over 50 Azure Dragon Gang members, along with evidence that Azure Cloud Manor had received thousands of children and women.
• Mo Ganyun executed the 120 suspects, while Fang Che spared Ma Yidao but warned him that he would be killed if he allowed further abuses in the brothels.
• Fang Che and his seven companions left the brothel as the women thanked him, and news of his visit spread, drawing orders for portraits and making Qianxiang Road Brothel famous.
• Fang Che explained to Mo Ganyun and the others that Ma Yidao's guilt gave him leverage to protect the women in the brothels under Ma Yidao's control.

Fang Che’s campaign against the Azure Dragon Gang helped make East Lake Continent safer, while a mass killing underground led Zhao Shanhe to suspect the Night Emperor had returned. Zhao Yinger set out for Southeast Headquarters, and Fang Yunzheng slipped away from Feng Yunqi to pursue his own plans, leaving Feng Yunqi furious and drawing him toward Guardian Headquarters.

• Fang Che and his companions captured Azure Dragon Gang members, traced their superiors, and helped drive criminals from East Lake Continent as thousands of bodies emerged from the Underground World.
• Zhao Shanhe examined the corpses and recognized the Ghost Tooth marks of the Night Emperor’s Ghost Blade, then worried that the legendary killer had returned.
• Zhao Yinger left her master’s mountain for Southeast Headquarters after receiving an appointment as Deputy Internal Affairs.
• Fang Yunzheng persuaded Feng Yunqi to let him leave, then used messages about a spiritually marked flowerpot to conceal his disappearance.
• Feng Yunqi confronted Dongfang Sansan about Fang Yunzheng’s disappearance, and Dongfang Sansan invited him to Guardian Headquarters to refine pills with rare materials and earthfire.

Feng Yunqi began refining pills for Dongfang Sansan under a deliberately vague promise of a cut, while Fang Che and Night Emperor continued their brutal campaigns across East Lake Continent. The chapter ended with Fang Che attending a senior Guardians' meeting, where his killing aura startled the assembled leaders before he presented himself as a polite young man.

• Dongfang Sansan promised Feng Yunqi a cut for refining pills but planned to interpret it as one ten-thousandth, and Feng Yunqi eagerly traveled to Kanke City to begin work.
• Xue Fuxiao and the Snow Condensing Sword searched the Extremely Cold Snow Mountains for silver wolves and wolf cubs, while Zhao Wushang watched construction of the Under Heaven Escort Agency.
• Feng Yun instructed the Sole True Sect's agents to rescue selected Azure Dragon Gang leaders and use Fang Che's campaign to reshuffle the gang, while Night Emperor slaughtered his way through the Underground World.
• Fang Che's investigations and Night Emperor's purge drove gangs into retreat, improved public order, and filled Night Dream's treasury with seized goods.
• Zhao Shanhe summoned Fang Che to a meeting, and Fang Che deliberately brought an overwhelming killing aura that silenced the senior Guardians before he entered and respectfully took his seat.
• Fang Che restrained his aura when An Ruoxing admonished him, revealing a handsome and mild appearance that led the veteran leaders to recognize his skill at concealing his nature.

Fang Che attended a senior meeting where the Southeast Headquarters reviewed its finances, operations, and plans for a school to support disabled children rescued from criminal gangs. The officers named it Nirvana Martial Academy, and Fang Che explained that it would teach the children martial arts and practical skills so they could have a chance at independent lives.

• Zhao Shanhe introduced Fang Che to the senior officers, and Fang Che learned that several department heads were Saint-level experts.
• The Finance Chief reported a huge surplus and credited Fang Che’s Life and Death Patrol Team with confiscating property and suppressing gangs, while Yin Guotang complained that the team’s work had left the Punishment Altar idle.
• Fang Che defended his use of the Life and Death Decree and warned the officers not to plead for subordinates caught committing proven crimes.
• Zhao Shanhe proposed a Southeast Disability Support Center for rescued children, and the officers discussed staffing, funding, and using skilled death-row prisoners as instructors.
• Fang Che proposed the name Nirvana Martial Academy and argued that the children needed martial arts and practical training to gain a chance at recovery and independent lives.

Fang Che secured the Southeast Headquarters' support for the Nirvana Martial Academy, then was tasked with screening 998 death-row prisoners selected for atonement through their skills. The prisoners waited anxiously as Fang Che's murderous aura approached, and the chapter ended with him standing in the doorway.

• Fang Che argued that the Guardians had a duty to fund and run the Nirvana Martial Academy, and the Southeast Headquarters' leaders applauded and pledged their support.
• Zhao Shanhe showed Fang Che the academy site and explained plans to house, teach, and train up to a million disabled children.
• Fang Che urged Zhao Shanhe to find other public representatives for the Guardians, but learned that Feng Xiangdong, Rain Song, Mo Ganyun, and other Lineages were unwilling to lead.
• Zhao Shanhe left Fang Che to handle 998 selected death-row prisoners, and Fang Che angrily read through their files before meeting them.
• The prisoners hoped they could atone for their crimes and earn places at the academy, but panicked when Fang Che's murderous aura drew near and he appeared in the doorway.

Fang Che assigned 998 death-row prisoners to serve as teachers at Nirvana Martial Academy, laying out strict punishments and rewards that gave them hope of a future. After arranging trusted support for the academy and continuing to protect the children in his care, Fang Che noticed the Azure Dragon Gang’s Duan Tang and encountered Si Kongdou, who was then targeted by an unseen expert.

• Fang Che frightened the 998 prisoners, explained their duties at Nirvana Martial Academy, and presented punishments and rewards that persuaded them to accept their posts.
• Zhao Shanhe ordered the prisoners sent to the academy and directed that later candidates with no innocent blood on their hands be held separately for selection.
• Fang Che’s team chose Feng Xiangdong as executive vice-headmaster, while Ren Chun and the other children continued training and managing their new home.
• Dong Yunyu recognized Duan Tang entering Good Fortune Wine House, and Fang Che quietly ordered the team to monitor him without alerting him.
• Si Kongdou tried to reconcile with Fang Che, but Fang remained distant; an unidentified man in blue then watched Si Kongdou with killing intent.
• Si Kongdou sensed the hidden expert and warned Night Emperor that a super expert had targeted him.

Fang Che and the Life and Death Squad tried to draw out Azure Dragon Gang elites without endangering the civilians crowded around Good Fortune Wine House. As they left for a remote area, the Sole True Sect’s Great Devil guardian Heavenly King Flute appeared, and Bu Chou rose to confront him.

• Night Emperor hurried off after receiving an alarming message about his elder brother’s danger.
• Fang Che overheard Duan Tang and Tong Zhiwang discussing the Azure Dragon Gang’s anger, their plan to provoke an attack, and their confidence that headquarters experts would protect them.
• Fang Che realized the Azure Dragon Gang elites wanted the Life and Death Squad to attack amid civilians, so he kept his team from acting in the crowded wine house.
• A middle-aged man watching Fang Che from Good Fortune Wine House sensed a sinister aura, while Si Kongdou and Night Emperor began monitoring the situation nearby.
• Fang Che led the Life and Death Squad away from the crowds, and they learned that a Great Devil had entered East Lake Continent.
• Heavenly King Flute appeared and clashed with Bu Chou in the sky as his mournful flute affected Fang Che and his companions.

Fang Che’s group ambushed the Azure Dragon Gang, but the two White-Clothed Men sent to fight them charged into their swords and died, letting the inspectors capture the gang leaders. As Heavenly King Flute fought Bu Chou above East Lake, Fang Yunzheng secretly watched over Fang Che from a nearby tree without revealing himself.

• The Azure Dragon Gang’s five experts attacked Fang Che’s group with hidden weapons, while two White-Clothed Men rushed in to assassinate them.
• Mo Ganyun and Rain Song killed the two White-Clothed Men, who kept charging even after being cut apart.
• Fang Che ordered his group to attack the stunned gang members, and they captured the two elders and three hall masters.
• Night Emperor told Fang Che he was going to confront Heavenly King Flute, while Fang Yunzheng remained concealed nearby and watched his son.
• Heavenly King Flute fought Bu Chou in the sky and demanded to enter East Lake to find Si Kongye, but Bu Chou refused to let him descend.