Chapter Summaries

Huang Dazheng used his new Patrol Office backer to have Tong Xiuyun and Cheng Ran’s family arrested and their wine shops sealed. At the Patrol Office, Xie Xiaojiu, Feng Jiuge, and Ruan Hongmei joined Jiang Ning’s command, while Xie Xiaojiu challenged him to a second spar and lost.

• A Patrol Office Captain arrested Tong Xiuyun at Bright Moon Pavilion after Huang Dazheng accused her of crimes, then led the soldiers to seal the Cheng family’s Prosperity Pavilion and arrest Cheng Ran and his father.
• Xie Xiaojiu reported to Jiang Ning and asked to spar again; Jiang Ning defeated her with a standard long blade without using his full strength.
• Feng Jiuge arrived and announced that she would work under Jiang Ning, though her father had not yet replied about her decision.
• Ruan Hongmei asked to serve under Jiang Ning, and he welcomed her into his command.

Jiang Ning settled into his new role as Deputy Commander while Xie Xiaojiu confronted Xiao Tianhe over Tong Xiuyun’s arrest. Xiao Tianhe accused Xie Xiaojiu of harming colleagues and invoked Patrol Office rules, and Jiang Ning came out to see the dispute for himself.

• Liu Sansheng tried to join Jiang Ning’s command, but Ruan Hongmei drove him off with her whip while Jiang Ning returned to the Inner Hall.
• Xie Xiaojiu brought Jiang Ning lunch, then left after someone called for her at the Patrol Office entrance.
• Jiang Ning finished reading the Patrol Office handbook and used his Photographic Memory to retain its contents.
• Xie Xiaojiu learned Tong Xiuyun had been arrested over alleged crimes at Bright Moon Pavilion and confronted Xiao Tianhe at the Patrol Office gates.
• Xiao Tianhe sent four of his men against Xie Xiaojiu, who wounded them while holding back and demanded Tong Xiuyun’s release.
• Xiao Tianhe accused Xie Xiaojiu of harming colleagues and ordered her to surrender; Jiang Ning arrived and saw her facing him.

Jiang Ning stepped in when Xiao Tianhe used Patrol Office rules to threaten Xie Xiaojiu, then overwhelmed the captains who tried to stop him. He seized Xiao Tianhe and demanded to know where he had taken the people arrested that morning.

• He Jinyun ended Xie Xiaojiu's dispute with Xiao Tianhe by ordering Xiao Tianhe to resolve it himself, then left.
• Xiao Tianhe invoked Patrol Office rules against Xie Xiaojiu and ordered his allies to seize her.
• Hong Minghu and Ye Qiu watched the confrontation and discussed using it to establish rules for the new Patrol Office.
• Jiang Ning stepped in front of Xie Xiaojiu and challenged Xiao Tianhe's claim that she had offended her superior.
• Jiang Ning knocked away Lü Renyao and another captain, seized Xiao Tianhe by the neck, and demanded to know where the morning's prisoners had been taken.

Jiang Ning stopped Xiao Tianhe’s abuses and helped Hong Minghu punish the officers who had attacked him. He then went to the County Office prison with Xie Xiaojiu and Feng Jiuge, where they found the people Xiao Tianhe had arrested.

• Jiang Ning subdued Xiao Tianhe and ordered Xie Xiaojiu to arrest him and Lü Renyao, while He Jinyun challenged Jiang Ning over the confrontation.
• Hong Minghu sentenced Xiao Tianhe to one month in Bitter Prison, Xie Xiaojiu received no reward or punishment, and Jiang Ning received 100 Contribution Points.
• Hong Minghu sentenced Huang Xianzong, Lü Renyao, and the others who had fought to terms in Bitter Prison; Lü Renyao’s sentence increased after he protested.
• Jiang Ning told Xie Xiaojiu to gather people and go with him to the County Office prison to find the arrested wine-shop owners.
• Zhang Cheng led Jiang Ning, Xie Xiaojiu, and Feng Jiuge to the second floor, where Tong Xiuyun and Cheng Ran recognized them.

After rescuing Cheng Ran and the other Wine Shop managers, Jiang Ning arranged for Cheng Ran to join the Patrol Office and brought Huang Dazheng to account for the arrests. Huang Dazheng offered Jiang Ning a Sumeru Ring, which Feng Jiuge identified as a possible ancient artifact, and Jiang Ning learned that Xiao Tianhe held its twin.

• Jiang Ning ordered the innocent prisoners released, and Cheng Ran resolved to pursue martial arts and accepted a token to register with the Patrol Office.
• Jiang Ning sent Xie Xiaojiu to bring Huang Dazheng to him, then continued training while waiting.
• Huang Dazheng confessed that he had bribed Xiao Tianhe with a family treasure and offered Jiang Ning a black ring in exchange for mercy.
• Jiang Ning accepted the ring and learned that Huang Dazheng had given its twin to Xiao Tianhe.
• Feng Jiuge examined the ring and explained that an Immortal Root Person or someone with highly developed Spiritual Power might be able to use it.

Jiang Ning examined the Sumeru Ring and considered how to strengthen his Spiritual Power, then advanced Xie Xiaojiu to captain and used his Contribution Points to obtain Martial Dao training manuals. After studying them, he tested the recovery pool built at his residence and discovered he could control its water like a dragon.

• Jiang Ning put on the Sumeru Ring and concluded that stronger Spiritual Power was the last requirement for using it, while considering the Imperial Examination as a possible way to improve his power.
• Jiang Ning promoted Xie Xiaojiu to captain, and Feng Jiuge delivered one hundred Contribution Points from the Prefecture Lord.
• Jiang Ning exchanged his Contribution Points and silver for Martial Dao Rank 7 Tendon Refining and Sixth Rank Bone Refining manuals, then studied them and gained substantial Literacy Experience Points.
• Jiang Ning learned the manuals’ guidance on Tendon Refining and Bone Refining and concluded that joining the Patrol Office had been worthwhile.
• Jiang Ning soaked in a newly built pool, rapidly restored his condition, and made the water gather into a dragon with a beckoning gesture.

Jiang Ning led a raid on a suspected God Worshipping Sect hideout, but found it deserted, then accused He Jinyun of killing innocents to claim credit. At a private banquet, Hong Minghu revealed that Jiang Ning had risen to eighty-third on the Hidden Dragon Rankings, just below He Jinyun.

• Jiang Ning learned from Xie Xiaojiu that a God Worshipping Sect branch had been found in the eastern district and ordered Feng Jiuge and the others to investigate it with him.
• Jiang Ning used his Wine Mist to detect and destroy traps in the branch’s underground chamber, but the hideout was empty.
• Jiang Ning returned to the Patrol Office and saw He Jinyun arrive with bloodied weapons and a pile of heads, prompting Jiang Ning to accuse him of killing innocents for credit.
• Hong Minghu invited Jiang Ning to a private banquet at Bright Moon Pavilion and told him he ranked eighty-third on the Hidden Dragon Rankings.
• Jiang Ning saw that He Jinyun ranked seventy-sixth and doubted the ranking because he believed his own strength exceeded He Jinyun’s.

Hong Minghu explained the Hidden Dragon Rankings to Jiang Ning, rejected his questions about the God Worshipping Sect killings, and ordered him to lead an investigation and purge of the Cao Family. Jiang Ning overheard Hong Minghu discussing whether to kill him, then prepared to use medicinal powders in his pool to advance to Martial Dao Rank 7.

• Hong Minghu explained the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings and said Jiang Ning ranked among Guangning Prefecture’s top hundred young experts.
• Hong Minghu showed Jiang Ning a portrait of his fourteen-year-old daughter and proposed a match, but Jiang Ning refused.
• Hong Minghu assigned Jiang Ning to lead an investigation and attack on the Cao Family, while dismissing Jiang Ning’s report that He Jinyun had killed innocents for credit.
• After Jiang Ning left, he overheard Hong Minghu and a shadow discuss keeping him alive to handle dirty work, and he hurried away, intent on becoming stronger.
• At Myriad Blossom Pavilion, Qingyi learned Jiang Ning had bought Ox Tendon Powder, Tiger Tendon Powder, and Dragon Tendon Powder and ordered Xiao Lu to alert her next time he came.
• At home, Jiang Ning poured Ox Tendon Powder into his pool and began using his Water Manipulation Ability to absorb its medicinal power and cultivate toward Martial Dao Rank 7.

Jiang Ning reached Martial Dao Rank 7, then broke through to Minor Completion in the Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill and discovered the power of Inner Breath. After testing it and cultivating under the Great Sun, he recovered and trained with his saber, leaving with thirty-three wisps of Inner Breath.

• Jiang Ning achieved Martial Dao Rank 7 at the Luo River Bank and considered learning archery after recalling Cao Rong's formidable shot.
• Jiang Ning saved his Source Energy for Literacy and read while waiting for the Chen Hour, when he could cultivate with the Great Sun Essence Qi.
• Jiang Ning's Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill reached Minor Completion, allowing him to sense Inner Breath in his Dantian and test its effects on grass and stone.
• Jiang Ning swallowed a Protect Organ Pill Shen Congyun had left him and absorbed the stronger Great Sun Essence Qi of the Snake Hour, gaining another wisp of Inner Breath while damaging his organs.
• Jiang Ning recovered in the lake and practiced the Canglang Saber Technique and Swimming for two hours, reaching thirty-three Inner Breath wisps and 151 Great Completion experience in the saber technique.

Jiang Ning broke Literacy through its third breakthrough, gained Quick Thinking, and used his new Spiritual Power to unlock the Sumeru Ring. Hong Minghu ordered him to lead a raid on the Cao Family, and Jiang Ning gathered City Guard support before learning that Cao Rong posed a serious threat and could not be convicted by the Patrol Office.

• Jiang Ning broke through Literacy, gained Quick Thinking, and briefly controlled objects with Spiritual Power leaving his body.
• Jiang Ning used blood to bond with the Sumeru Ring and stored his Spirit Weapon, silver notes, and other belongings inside it.
• Ruan Hongmei told Jiang Ning that Hong Minghu had summoned him, and Hong Minghu ordered him to arrest the Cao Family during its head's birthday banquet.
• Ye Qiu asked Jiang Ning whether he had offended Hong Minghu, and Jiang Ning refused to reconsider marrying Hong Minghu's young daughter.
• Jiang Ning went to Wang Dutou's military camp and secured City Guard support for the raid.
• Wang Dutou warned Jiang Ning that Cao Rong's archery threatened even a Sixth Rank expert and that the Patrol Office could not convict him.

Jiang Ning led the Patrol Office in a raid on the Cao family after learning it sheltered the God Worshipping Sect. He discovered the family elders escaping through an underground tunnel and collapsed it, leaving thirty-four people trapped below.

• Jiang Ning assembled his guards and ordered Deputy Commander Liu to surround Cao Mansion while his force waited for the storm to cover their approach.
• The Cao Family Head learned the Patrol Office was coming and led key clan members, including Cao Zijian, into a tunnel intended to carry them beyond the city.
• Jiang Ning sensed the escapees underground, announced the arrest of the Cao family, and charged into the mansion as the birthday guests speculated that he was pursuing a private grudge.
• Cao Bin confronted Jiang Ning, but Xie Xiaojiu struck him aside before Jiang Ning stomped the ground to damage the tunnel and force its occupants to flee.
• Jiang Ning used his Inner Breath in a final stomp, bringing the tunnel down and sealing thirty-four people inside.

Jiang Ning raided the Cao Mansion, killed the God Worshipping Sect’s Incense Master and crushed the Cao Family’s resistance. After the front yard was illuminated, Cao Guangsheng surrendered conditionally, but Jiang Ning left the fate of the surviving clansmen to the Prefecture Lord.

• Jiang Ning discovered the underground tunnel and confronted the shriveled old man who emerged from it.
• Jiang Ning ordered Feng Jiuge and the others to block the tunnel and arrest the Cao Family members while he fought the old man.
• Jiang Ning killed the old man, revealed as the God Worshipping Sect’s Incense Master, and the Cao Family and cultists began fighting back and trying to escape.
• Cao Zijian rallied the Cao Family to resist, but Jiang Ning killed Cao Bin and used water blades to slaughter many people in the darkness.
• Someone outside tossed rainproof torches into the Cao Mansion, revealing the casualties and leaving only a little over ten Cao Family members alive.
• Cao Guangsheng surrendered and asked whether his surviving clansmen would live, and Jiang Ning said their fate depended on the Prefecture Lord.

After Jiang Ning led the raid that brought down the Cao Family, he collected valuables and a reward from Hong Minghu, then arranged exchanges for new martial arts. The chapter ended with Jiang Ning ordering the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique, which would arrive the next day.

• Jiang Ning accepted the Cao Family's surrender, and Deputy Commander Liu reported that his men had killed those who resisted while escaping.
• The Cao Family's downfall shook Luoshui County, and Xie Xiaojiu gave Jiang Ning valuables she had taken from the mansion; he let her keep everything beyond twenty thousand taels.
• Hong Minghu praised Jiang Ning for killing a God Worshipping Sect Incense Master and awarded him more than ten thousand Contribution Points.
• Feng Jiuge told Jiang Ning that her father had agreed to exchange the Prairie Fire Spear Technique, and Jiang Ning promised to prepare the Canglang Saber Technique in three days.
• Jiang Ning spent thirteen thousand Contribution Points to order the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique and learned he could collect it the next day.

Jiang Ning trained in archery and used a Swimming limit break to gain the Water Spirit Body trait, strengthening his perception and water control. Meanwhile, Medicine King Valley chose to wait and see, while Cao Rong learned that his family would be executed in a month and considered acting against the Patrol Office.

• Jiang Ning tested the Wind Thunder Arrow Technique, then practiced it at Boulder Beach while using lake water to recover from the strain.
• Jiang Ning spent over two hundred Source Energy Points to raise Swimming to its Fifth Limit Break and gained the Water Spirit Body trait, which expanded his perception and strengthened his water-control abilities.
• Jiang Ning continued practicing archery and breathing cultivation in the lake, while the Green Snake Gang's collapse reshaped Luoshui County's balance of power.
• The Valley Master of Medicine King Valley and Gongsun Yu agreed to avoid provoking Jiang Ning for now and wait to see how he handled Cao Rong's revenge.
• Cao Rong learned that his imprisoned clansmen would be publicly executed in a month and realized Duwei Yan hoped to use him against the Patrol Office.

Jiang Ning demonstrated the perfected Wind Thunder Arrow Technique, exchanged martial arts manuals with Feng Jiuge, and trained until the technique reached its experience limit. He then practiced underwater, where he felt especially powerful, and continued advancing the Canglang Saber Technique.

• Jiang Ning tested his perfected Wind Thunder Arrow Technique and shattered a wooden longbow when he drew it too forcefully.
• Feng Jiuge witnessed Jiang Ning's archery, exchanged her family's Prairie Fire Spear Technique for his Canglang Saber Technique, and inferred that he possessed a Summoning Ring and an Immortal Root.
• Jiang Ning learned the Prairie Fire Spear Technique, then trained his Wind Thunder Arrow Technique until it reached 2000 experience points.
• Jiang Ning decided to build up his skills and strength before seeking the Source Energy needed for a breakthrough.
• Jiang Ning entered the water, explored his heightened underwater awareness, and began practicing the Canglang Saber Technique among the reefs of Desolate Island.

Jiang Ning mastered the Superior Grade Martial Art Water Fire True Force by fusing the perfected Canglang Saber Technique and Prairie Fire Spear Technique, then began tempering it at Chaotic World Beach. Meanwhile, the Patrol Office faced a difficult decision after the powerful Yellow Sky Sect sent an Incense Master to preach in the region.

• Jiang Ning perfected the Canglang Saber Technique, assessed his Three kinds of Jin Force, and arranged for Feng Jiuge and Xie Xiaojiu to monitor Cao Rong’s movements.
• Jiang Ning trained with the Prairie Fire Spear Technique at Boulder Beach while the Cao Family’s holdings were divided and the Patrol Office hunted down God Worshipping Sect strongholds.
• Hong Minghu and Ye Qiu discussed how to handle the Yellow Sky Sect’s Incense Master and arranged a meeting with the Patrol Office’s commanders and deputy commanders.
• Jiang Ning perfected the Prairie Fire Spear Technique, fused its Ninefold Fire Force with the Canglang Saber Technique’s Ninefold Force, and comprehended Water Fire True Force.
• Jiang Ning tested Water Fire True Force by reducing a reef to sand, then continued tempering it through the night and returned to Chaotic World Beach the next morning.

Jiang Ning refined his martial foundation while preparing to use his perfected archery technique, then learned that He Jinyun wanted the Naxumi Ring. He accepted He Jinyun’s wager, defeated him with one punch, and claimed the second ring.

• Jiang Ning reviewed his strengthened skills and continued training his Blood Qi and sinews in a medicinal pool.
• Feng Jiuge summoned Jiang Ning to the Patrol Office, where Hong Minghu and the commanders had gathered for an urgent matter.
• He Jinyun revealed that he had obtained a Naxumi Ring from Huang Dazheng and challenged Jiang Ning to wager their rings in a spar.
• Jiang Ning agreed to the wager and sent He Jinyun crashing into a rockery with one punch, revealing that he had reached Martial Dao Rank 7.
• He Jinyun conceded and handed over his ring, while Yuan Hua abandoned his thoughts of coveting Jiang Ning’s treasure.

Jiang Ning learned that a Yellow Sky Sect Incense Master had come to Luoshui County, then recognized Liu Linmen as the man who had killed his predecessor and decided he could not be allowed to live. The chapter ended as Prefect Hong Mingfu pressured Liu Linmen over his request to preach, while Ye Qiu noticed Jiang Ning endured the force better than the other Rank 7 martial artists.

• Ye Qiu explained that a Yellow Sky Sect Incense Master had arrived and handed out intelligence describing the sect's vast reach and its powerful leader, Yellow Sky Daoist.
• Ye Qiu told the Patrol Office commanders that the Incense Master would visit that night, and Hong Mingfu instructed them to receive the visitors without losing face.
• Jiang Ning cultivated in his courtyard until the Yellow Sky Sect delegation arrived at the Patrol Office, where he recognized Liu Linmen as the man who had killed his predecessor.
• Jiang Ning decided Liu Linmen could not be left alive, and dark clouds and thunder gathered over the Patrol Office.
• Liu Linmen asked Hong Mingfu for permission to preach in Luoshui County, and Hong Mingfu answered with a wave of powerful Inner Breath that visibly strained the visitors and the Patrol Office officials.
• Ye Qiu noticed Jiang Ning remained calm under Hong Mingfu's pressure, unlike Tang Miaomiao and Yuan Hua, and was astonished by his ability.

Jiang Ning followed Liu Linmen’s party through a stormy night and ambushed them with arrows, killing the God Worshipping Sect’s Incense Master and two others. Liu Linmen survived with injured eyes and pursued Jiang Ning, who escaped into the rain.

• Hong Minghu failed to gauge Liu Linmen’s strength and estimated that his Inner Breath had reached the stage of being like the sea.
• Jiang Ning left the Patrol Office and used his heightened perception to track Liu Linmen’s party through the rain.
• Jiang Ning ambushed the seven with sound-breaking arrows, but Liu Linmen intercepted the first attacks and sensed danger.
• Jiang Ning changed targets and wounded Liu Linmen’s eyes, then killed the God Worshipping Sect’s Incense Master with an arrow.
• Jiang Ning continued firing as Liu Linmen urged the survivors to retreat, killing another member of the party before they reached cover.
• Liu Linmen charged after Jiang Ning, who escaped into the rainy night; Liu Linmen was left with injured eyes and only four of his party.

Jiang Ning escaped Liu Linmen after attacking the Yellow Sky Sect party, but the sect’s Earthly King marked him for later identification. Back home, Qingyi used a jade hairpin to drive off a supernatural threat, while a distant man began recuperating from Yin Spirit damage.

• Jiang Ning fled the rainstorm after failing to kill Liu Linmen and believed the heavy rain had erased the evidence of his attack.
• Liu Linmen concluded that someone from the Patrol Office had attacked his party, then reported the incident to an Earthly King, who marked the attacker for identification.
• Jiang Ning returned home and reflected on the danger posed by Liu Linmen and Medicine King Valley before continuing to temper his sinews.
• A supernatural chill surrounded Jiang Ning, but Qingyi’s green jade hairpin struck down the unseen threat, and Qingyi told him to visit her the next day.
• A thousand li away, a broad-browed, large-eyed man suffered Yin Spirit damage and announced that he would enter seclusion for three hundred days.