Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning advanced his Literacy skill while living with his brother’s family in Luoshui County. As he planned for the Great Xia Dynasty’s growing turmoil, he knew he had to rely on his brother for now and repay the family later.

• Jiang Ning read the final pages of a book and brought his Literacy skill to 968/1000 in the Perfected Realm.
• Jiang Yuanyuan brought Jiang Ning a book, and he praised her before setting it aside to read later.
• Jiang Ning saw his sister-in-law’s resentment toward him and reflected on how his years of dependence had strained the household.
• Jiang Ning considered the unrest spreading through Great Xia and resolved to build his own strength while relying on his eldest brother temporarily.

Jiang Ning read the Immortal Gods Compendium until his Literacy skill reached the Perfected Realm, while his eldest brother returned home from the Yamen and spoke with Liu Wanwan. The chapter ended with Jiang Ning discovering that he needed 10 Source Energy to break through Literacy.

• Liu Wanwan gave Jiang Ning a mended shirt and offered to wash his dirty clothes.
• Jiang Ning read the Immortal Gods Compendium and gained 29 Literacy Experience Points, leaving the skill three points short of its limit.
• Jiang Ning's eldest brother returned from the Yamen and told Liu Wanwan that Luoshui County had become increasingly unsafe.
• Jiang Ning gained the final three experience points and saw a plus sign appear beside Literacy on his Panel.
• Jiang Ning selected the plus sign and learned that Literacy's Breakthrough required 10 Source Energy.

After breaking through Literacy, Jiang Ning gained the Photographic Memory Trait and decided to pursue martial arts alongside literature. At lunch, he told Jiang Li that he had made up his mind to learn martial arts, and Jiang Li agreed to find him a good teacher.

• Jiang Ning spent 10 Source Energy Points to break through Literacy and gained the Photographic Memory Trait.
• Jiang Ning tested his new memory and decided to pursue martial arts as his main path while continuing his literary studies.
• Jiang Ning set down the Xian Shen Tong Jie and joined Jiang Li, Liu Wanwan, Jiang Yiming, and Jiang Yuanyuan for lunch.
• Jiang Li asked whether Jiang Ning planned to seek scholarly honors, and Jiang Ning replied that he wanted to learn martial arts even more.
• Jiang Ning confirmed he had made up his mind, and Jiang Li agreed to find him a good teacher.

Jiang Ning’s elder brother, Jiang Li, insisted on paying for him to learn martial arts despite Liu Wanwan’s concerns about the family’s finances and their son Ming Er’s future. After returning from a deadly operation against the God Worshipping Sect, Jiang Li revealed that his right hand had been crippled, leaving the family facing an uncertain future.

• Jiang Li told Jiang Ning he would fund a proper martial arts teacher and hoped to help him secure a constable’s post, while Liu Wanwan worried that the expense would endanger Ming Er’s prospects.
• Liu Wanwan told Jiang Li she wanted to return to her parents’ home, but Jiang Li left for the Yamen after being summoned by Head Constable Feng.
• Jiang Li returned that night with his right hand bandaged and admitted that his tendons had been severed and his bones shattered during the operation against the God Worshipping Sect.
• Jiang Li reassured Liu Wanwan that the County Magistrate would compensate him for his injury, then called Jiang Ning to come with him.

Jiang Li arranged for Jiang Ning to study under Wang Jin at Canglang Martial Hall, but Xu Yunfeng arrived the next morning with a coercive invitation from Cao Bin. Jiang Li agreed to attend, while Xu Yunfeng threatened him and hinted that Jiang Ning could also be in danger if he refused to submit to the Cao Family.

• Jiang Li told Jiang Ning that his right arm could not recover and urged him to learn martial arts, warning him about the God Worshipping Sect and arranging lessons with Wang Jin at Canglang Martial Hall.
• Jiang Li revealed that he had borrowed silver to pay Jiang Ning's apprenticeship fee and told him to go with him to the martial hall the next day.
• Xu Yunfeng visited Jiang Li, brought him medicine, and invited him and Liu Wanwan to meet Cao Bin at Bright Moon Pavilion that evening.
• After Liu Wanwan left the room, Xu Yunfeng told Jiang Li that Cao Bin wanted Liu Wanwan and urged Jiang Li to accept humiliation in exchange for the Cao Family's protection and his place in the County Office.
• Xu Yunfeng warned that Jiang Li could lose his position and injury compensation if he refused, then alluded to Jiang Ning before leaving.

After Xu Yunfeng threatened Jiang Li by targeting his family, Jiang Ning resolved to protect them by pursuing a place at Canglang Martial Hall and earning Wang Jin’s backing. Jiang Ning and Jiang Li left for the martial hall, while rising food prices hinted at worsening unrest.

• Jiang Ning recognized that the Cao, Liu, and Xie Families might pressure Jiang Li and that Xu Yunfeng had threatened him through his family.
• Jiang Ning told Jiang Li that becoming Wang Jin’s true disciple could secure protection through Wang Jin’s ties to Wang Dutou.
• Jiang Li accepted Jiang Ning’s plan but promised to seek the County Magistrate’s protection if it failed.
• Jiang Ning resolved to repay Jiang Li and his sister-in-law for their care and focused on becoming strong enough to protect the family.
• Jiang Ning checked his Panel, then left with Jiang Li after lunch to go to Canglang Martial Hall.
• Jiang Ning noticed flatbread prices had nearly doubled and suspected grain prices and unrest were worsening.

Jiang Ning entered Luoshui County’s Inner City with Jiang Li and went to Canglang Martial Hall, hoping to become a true disciple and gain access to Wang Jin’s connections. Hall Master Wang allowed only Jiang Ning inside, leaving him to face the martial hall’s test alone.

• Jiang Ning saw God Worshipping Sect followers parading toward the City God Temple and concluded that Luoshui County’s conflict required him to seek support from a third party.
• Jiang Li took Jiang Ning through the Inner City’s gates and brought him by carriage to Canglang Martial Hall.
• The gate guards reported that Hall Master Wang would admit only Jiang Ning, and Jiang Li reminded him that passing the test was his own responsibility.
• Jiang Ning entered Canglang Martial Hall while Jiang Li departed, and the guards doubted that a youth from an ordinary household could succeed.

Jiang Ning joined Canglang Martial Hall as a Nominal Disciple and learned that he had six months to master one form of the Five Animal Frolics Fist to pass Hall Master Wang Jin’s assessment. Li Qing gave him the fist manual, and Jiang Ning began reading it with his claimed Photographic Memory as she watched.

• Jiang Ning met Wang Jin, who examined his physique, accepted him as a Nominal Disciple, and told him to study the Five Animal Frolics Fist Manual.
• Wang Jin sent Li Qing to guide Jiang Ning and give him the manual from the Study.
• Li Qing explained that Jiang Ning had to reach the Great Success Realm in one of the Five Animal Frolics forms within six months to become a true disciple.
• Li Qing promised to guide Jiang Ning and said a true disciple could receive Wang Jin’s inheritance and learn the reason behind Canglang Martial Hall’s name.
• Jiang Ning claimed he could memorize the manual in the time it took to drink a cup of tea, and Li Qing agreed to watch as he began reading.

After reading the Five Animal Frolics Fist Manual, Jiang Ning used his Photographic Memory to retain its contents and learned how the fist art could build a strong martial foundation. He impressed Li Qing and Old Wang with his perfect recall, then watched Old Wang demonstrate the entire art and prepared to perform it himself.

• Jiang Ning read the Five Animal Frolics Fist Manual and gained ten Literacy Experience Points as the fist art appeared on his Panel.
• Jiang Ning recited passages from the manual when Li Qing tested his memory, convincing her that he had remembered it all.
• Li Qing brought Jiang Ning to Old Wang, who agreed to demonstrate the Five Animal Frolics Fist for him.
• Old Wang called the martial arts students to watch, then demonstrated all five animal forms as Jiang Ning memorized his movements.
• Old Wang asked Jiang Ning to demonstrate the fist art, and Jiang Ning agreed.

Jiang Ning began training at the Canglang Martial Hall, completed his first round of Five Animal Frolics Fist, and received a Wild Ginseng from Senior Brother Zhou Xing. Li Qing explained that he needed to specialize in Tiger Form Fist to qualify as a true disciple within six months, and Jiang Ning prepared to practice to digest the ginseng.

• Jiang Ning used his Photographic Memory to practice Five Animal Frolics Fist, gained an experience point, and was praised by Old Wang for remembering the moves.
• Old Wang told Jiang Ning to rest, offered him medicinal decoction and six months of midday meals, and asked Li Qing what she thought of him after he left.
• Zhou Xing introduced himself as Jiang Ning's senior brother and gave him a Wild Ginseng, then went to visit Old Wang.
• Jiang Ning ate some ginseng to recover his strength and learned from Li Qing that observing the Ferocious Tiger could help him master Tiger Form Fist and qualify as a true disciple.
• Li Qing advised Jiang Ning to specialize in Tiger Form Fist, and he prepared to practice to digest the ginseng.

Jiang Ning rejected Li Qing’s advice to focus on Tiger Form Fist and practiced all five forms of the Five Animal Frolics Fist, using his Panel to build experience. He gained three Experience Points in one session and believed he was on track to pass Wang Jin’s test and gain protection from Xu Yunfeng and Cao Bin.

• Jiang Ning decided that cultivating all five forms together would strengthen his Blood Qi faster, then began practicing in the front yard.
• The other trainees watched Jiang Ning perform the complete fist routine and marveled that he had memorized the manual in a single afternoon.
• Li Qing saw Jiang Ning practicing all five forms, judged that he was wasting his opportunity by not specializing in Tiger Form Fist, and left disappointed.
• Jiang Ning completed three rounds, gained three Experience Points, and reached Not Initiated 4/10 in the Five Animal Frolics Fist.
• Zhou Xing watched Jiang Ning’s movements improve between rounds and recognized his remarkable learning ability.
• Jiang Ning concluded that continued practice would help him pass Wang Jin’s test and deter Xu Yunfeng and Cao Bin from acting against him.

Jiang Ning practiced the Five Animal Frolics Fist until he reached Initiation and awakened his first trace of Qi and Blood Power. After testing a sloppy version of the movements and gaining no experience, he hurried to collect the Martial Arts Hall’s medicinal soup.

• Zhou Xing praised Jiang Ning’s memory and learning ability, then left the Martial Arts Hall without offering him guidance.
• Jiang Ning used the Wild Ginseng to recover between practice sessions and steadily gained experience in the Five Animal Frolics Fist.
• Jiang Ning completed the fist technique and awakened a warm current of Qi and Blood Power, advancing the skill to Initiation.
• Jiang Ning conserved the remaining Wild Ginseng and tested whether practicing carelessly could still earn experience, but received no progress.
• Li Qing told the disciples to collect their medicinal soup, and Jiang Ning rushed to the kitchen after finishing his experiment.

Jiang Ning returned from Canglang Martial Hall after drinking its medicinal soup, with Xu Yunfeng secretly following him to pressure Jiang Li. Jiang Ning reassured his family, recognized the danger of Xu Yunfeng's implied threat, and joined them for dinner.

• Jiang Ning drank the last bowl of medicinal soup at Canglang Martial Hall and headed home after practice.
• Xu Yunfeng followed Jiang Ning from the Inner City to the Outer City, then confronted Jiang Li and threatened to keep escorting Jiang Ning home.
• Jiang Ning told Jiang Li that Xu Yunfeng was trying to pressure him and would hesitate to harm a Canglang Martial Hall disciple because of Wang Jin.
• Jiang Ning privately suspected Xu Yunfeng might use Gang thugs against him and resolved to grow stronger rather than worry his family.
• Jiang Ning joined Jiang Li, Liu Wanwan, Jiang Yiming, and Xiao Doubao for a family feast, and Jiang Li praised his fist training.

Jiang Ning advanced the Five Animal Frolics Fist to Initiation, rapidly strengthened his body, and condensed four wisps of Blood Qi in one night. After learning how far Xu Yunfeng surpassed Jiang Li, he resolved to improve quickly and become Wang Jin’s Direct Disciple before gang violence could threaten him.

• Jiang Ning discovered that diligent practice granted multiple Experience Points and reached Initiation in the Five Animal Frolics Fist, gaining another wisp of Blood Qi.
• Jiang Ning used Qi and Blood Power to strike a tree and lifted a one-hundred-jin dumbbell, while Jiang Li watched in astonishment at his rapid improvement.
• Jiang Ning practiced twice more that night and condensed two additional wisps of Blood Qi, bringing his total to four.
• Jiang Li explained that Xu Yunfeng’s Blood Qi had likely penetrated his entire body, making him stronger than Jiang Li had been at his peak.
• Jiang Ning recognized the danger of a possible gang fight and planned to reach Great Completion and pass Wang Jin’s test to become a Direct Disciple.

Jiang Ning realized that his Source Energy grew faster when he ate well, and he continued training and reading while his skills improved. Concerned about Xu Yunfeng threatening him on the road, he decided to ask Hall Master Wang Jin for work so he could stay at Canglang Martial Hall.

• Jiang Ning saw his Source Energy rise by 0.3 after a day of eating Wild Ginseng, medicinal soup, meat, and rice, and concluded that nourishment affected its growth.
• Jiang Ning trained Five Animal Frolics Fist, tested his strength with Stone Dumbbells, and gained Literacy Experience Points while reading.
• Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan explained their plan to protect Jiang Ning from Xu Yunfeng, but Jiang Ning proposed staying at the Martial Arts Hall instead.
• Jiang Ning tucked Lime Powder and a book around his waist before Jiang Li accompanied him to Canglang Martial Hall.
• Jiang Ning entered Canglang Martial Hall and told Jiang Li not to worry, saying he would ask Hall Master Wang Jin to let him stay.

Jiang Ning used Wild Ginseng to sustain his training and impressed Wang Jin by demonstrating Initiation in all Five Animal Frolics forms. After Wang Jin demonstrated the techniques, Jiang Ning continued practicing until his skill reached Initiation 14/100, then went to knock on Wang Jin’s backyard gate.

• Jiang Ning ate a piece of Wild Ginseng and felt his strength recover as its medicinal power spread through his body.
• Wang Jin arrived at the Martial Arts Hall and instructed everyone to practice while he corrected their techniques.
• Jiang Ning practiced all five forms, and Wang Jin recognized that he had reached Initiation and initially condensed Blood Qi.
• Wang Jin demonstrated the Five Animal Frolics Fist for the students, and Jiang Ning studied his movements.
• Jiang Ning practiced throughout the morning with the Wild Ginseng’s aid, raising his Five Animal Frolics Fist to Initiation 14/100.
• After lunch, Jiang Ning knocked on the gate to Wang Jin’s backyard.

Jiang Ning secured permission from Wang Jin to live and work at the Martial Arts Hall for safety, then spent the afternoon advancing his Five Animal Frolics Fist. Aunt Sun assigned him to chop heavy firewood, leaving him facing the demanding task.

• Jiang Ning asked Wang Jin to let him stay at the Martial Arts Hall, and Wang Jin agreed in exchange for him chopping firewood.
• Jiang Ning practiced the Five Animal Frolics Fist, consumed Wild Ginseng, and raised the skill to Initiation 26/100.
• Jiang Ning told his older brother, Jiang Li, that he would be staying at the Martial Arts Hall permanently.
• Aunt Sun found Jiang Ning after he drank herbal medicine and led him to the yard where he would work.
• Aunt Sun showed Jiang Ning the heavy logs and Firewood Blade he would use to chop firewood.

Jiang Ning discovered that chopping wood under Wang Jin’s guidance trained a blade technique and rapidly gained experience until he reached Mastery. Wang Jin grew more favorably disposed toward him and hoped his comprehension would qualify him to become a Direct Disciple.

• Jiang Ning chopped wood using Blood Qi, and Wang Jin explained that Canglang was the name of a blade technique and that chopping wood could train him.
• Wang Jin told Aunt Sun that he wanted to cultivate Jiang Ning, though whether Jiang Ning could inherit his mantle depended on his comprehension.
• Jiang Ning’s Panel registered the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique, and he gained experience by splitting logs.
• Wang Jin cautioned Jiang Ning against exhausting himself and explained that blade basics could help him become a Direct Disciple.
• Jiang Ning reached Mastery in the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique and felt his strength and blade handling improve.

Jiang Ning discovered that his Firewood Chopping Blade Technique breakthrough had greatly increased his strength, then shared dinner with Wang Jin and Aunt Sun. He ended the chapter chopping wood under the moonlight, gaining another experience point as he prepared to continue training.

• Jiang Ning split a thick log with a stronger chop after his Firewood Chopping Blade Technique reached mastery.
• Aunt Sun served Jiang Ning meat paste with Earth Ganoderma, and Wang Jin told him it would help his martial training.
• Jiang Ning thanked Wang Jin for taking him in and promised to care for him in his old age, moving the aging hall master.
• Wang Jin told Jiang Ning to chop wood to digest dinner before practicing his fists.
• Jiang Ning chopped another log without using Blood Qi and gained an experience point in Firewood Chopping Blade Technique.

Jiang Ning trained until the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique reached Minor Completion, allowing him to split logs cleanly with one strike. He continued practicing the Five Animal Frolics Fist and resolved to advance quickly so he could protect his eldest brother’s family from Xu Yunfeng and the Cao Family.

• Jiang Ning chopped firewood and read during his rests, raising his blade technique to 199/200 and his Literacy skill to 93/2000.
• Jiang Ning’s final strike raised the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique to Minor Completion, and he immediately split logs with precise, single blows.
• Jiang Ning practiced the Five Animal Frolics Fist twice more, condensed two strands of Qi and Blood Power, and reached Initiation 28/100.
• Jiang Ning worried that he would soon run out of medicinal materials, which had helped him sustain his strenuous training.
• Jiang Ning thought about Xu Yunfeng’s ties to Cao Bin and the Cao Family and resolved to reach Great Completion, pass Wang Jin’s assessment, and become Wang Jin’s Direct Disciple to protect his family.