Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ning increased his Inner Breath by refining accumulated Five Elements Spirit Essence under the sun, then joined his family’s New Year’s Eve reunion dinner. Signal flares and war drums announced trouble at Luoshui County’s gates, and Jiang Ning rushed out to investigate.

• Jiang Ning reflected on the need to grow stronger after surviving an attack by two Fifth Grade God Worshipping Sect experts, and continued training while Luyi decorated the courtyard.
• On a rare sunny day, Jiang Ning absorbed Great Sun Essence Qi, refined the Five Elements Spirit Essence in his organs, and increased his Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill experience by 110 as his Inner Breath surged.
• Outside Luoshui County, the Black Lotus Sect Saintess told Captain Jiang to follow the plan to attack the city gates during the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner.
• Jiang Ning celebrated New Year’s Eve with Jiang Li, Liu Wanwan, Luyi, and Xiao Doubao until signal flares and war drums sounded from the city gates.
• Jiang Ning left to investigate the attack and told Jiang Li to keep the family safe at home.

Jiang Ning raced toward the Inner City after the West City Gate sounded an alarm, then discovered the Black Mountain Cavalry had breached the Outer City and were advancing on the Inner City. He used his Heavenly Eye to identify a powerful Black Lotus Sect woman among them and retreated toward the Inner City wall.

• Jiang Ning hurried across the city after seeing Signal Flares and hearing the War Drum, fearing that the West City Gate had fallen.
• At the Inner City wall, Jiang Ning learned from Garrison Commander Xiao Chen that the signals indicated a great army was attacking the city, then set off toward the West City Gate.
• Jiang Ning spotted more than thirty Black Mountain Cavalry riders inside the Outer City and realized the West City Gate had been breached by a force that included a powerful fighter.
• The Black Mountain Cavalry Leader asked the Black Lotus Sect Saintess to locate the person watching them, and she agreed to deal with him.
• Jiang Ning opened his Heavenly Eye, saw the Saintess enveloped in Black Mist, recognized her as a Divine Descendant Subordinate, and retreated toward the Inner City wall.

Jiang Ning returned to Luoshui County’s Inner City wall and warned Ge Zhengyuan that the Black Mountain Cavalry had breached the Outer City and was approaching. As the defenders prepared for an assault, Jiang Ning used his powerful archery to kill several riders, leaving the cavalry exposed to a deadly defense.

• Jiang Ning reached the Inner City wall and told Ge Zhengyuan that thirty-four Black Mountain Cavalry riders were heading toward them after breaking through the Outer City gate.
• Ge Zhengyuan organized the city’s defenses and asked Jiang Ning to help hold the wall as the cavalry approached.
• The Black Mountain Cavalry leader pressed toward the Inner City, relying on a small group of experts to scale the wall and open the gate from inside.
• Jiang Ning shot from the wall and killed several Black Mountain Cavalrymen with arrows that struck like thunder.
• The city defenders readied Divine Crossbows while Ge Zhengyuan recognized Jiang Ning as a formidable divine archer.

Jiang Ning used his Heavenly Eye and archery to decimate the Black Mountain Cavalry attacking the Inner City, then shot at the concealed Black Skirt Woman. After she evaded his arrow and revealed her face, she ensnared Jiang Ning in an illusion and flew toward the city wall.

• Jiang Ning shot down several Black Mountain Cavalrymen, scattering the cavalry and forcing its survivors to hide behind cover.
• Jiang Ning used his Heavenly Eye to see through the cover and killed more Black Mountain Cavalrymen, including their leader, while Ge Zhengyuan watched the threat to the Inner City fade.
• Jiang Ning replaced his worn longbow and fired his strongest Wind Thunder Arrow at the approaching Black Skirt Woman.
• The Black Skirt Woman burned her Heart Blood to evade the arrow, which tore away her veil and damaged her dress as it passed.
• The Black Skirt Woman's revealed beauty dazed the people on the city wall and trapped Jiang Ning in an illusion of women bathing in a hot spring.
• The Black Skirt Woman flew toward the city wall while Jiang Ning remained motionless in the illusion.

Jiang Ning captured the Black Lotus Sect’s Candidate Saintess and discovered she served as a vessel for the Black Lotus Old Mother. After the Old Mother briefly possessed her and yielded to Jiang Ning’s apparent divine status, Jiang Ning killed the Saintess and absorbed two Divinity Points and a fragment of the Divine Descendant Subordinate Authority.

• Jiang Ning broke the Black Skirt Woman’s illusion, seized her with Fist Momentum, and smashed her against the city wall until she could barely resist.
• The Black Skirt Woman identified herself as a Candidate Saintess and vessel for the Black Lotus Old Mother, and Jiang Ning left Ge Zhengyuan to handle the remaining Black Mountain forces.
• Jiang Ning took the Black Skirt Woman to the Luo River and resisted her renewed attempt to charm him.
• As Jiang Ning began crushing her neck, the Black Lotus Old Mother possessed the Black Skirt Woman, then humbled herself after sensing Jiang Ning’s Heavenly Eye and agreed he could do as he pleased with the vessel.
• Jiang Ning killed the Black Skirt Woman and absorbed two Divinity Points and a fragment of the Divine Descendant Subordinate Authority, though the Authority remained incomplete.

Jiang Ning reflected on the Black Lotus Old Mother's threat, then helped finish off the Black Mountain Army and returned safely to his family. Luoshui County's factions learned that he had saved the city, and the Xie Family began considering how to protect itself from his attention.

• Jiang Ning worried that the Black Lotus Old Mother would return once Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy recovered, and wondered whether Great Xia's Martial Saint could stand against a Deity.
• Jiang Ning used his bow and Heavenly Eye to kill the fleeing Black Mountain Army and remaining Black Mountain Cavalry in Luoshui County's outer city.
• Jiang Ning returned home, reassured Jiang Li and Liu Wanwan, and told Xiao Doubao that he had beaten the bad people.
• Wang Jin and Wang Dutou praised Jiang Ning's achievement, while the Xie Family Head called for a meeting to discuss the clan's survival.
• Qingyi read a report about Jiang Ning's archery, and the county's factions were shaken by his role in preventing the city's destruction.

Jiang Ning cultivated his Five Animal Frolics Fist and tempered his bones, then met Xie Zhengtian, who offered a self-investigation report and twenty thousand taels to win his favor. Jiang Ning gave the Xie Family one chance to punish its offenders, and Xie Zhengtian left believing money might help his family survive.

• Jiang Ning practiced his fist technique, consumed a Jade Marrow Pill, and observed that roughly thirty percent of his bones had become Jade Bone.
• Jiang Ning checked his skill and Source Energy totals, concluded that he needed money, and recovered in the icy water at Boulder Beach.
• Xie Zhengtian arrived with a self-investigation report and two golden-threaded Silver Notes as a New Year's gift.
• Jiang Ning judged the Xie Family's proposed punishments insufficient and warned Xie Zhengtian that the family had only one chance to investigate and punish its offenders.
• Jiang Ning accepted the twenty thousand taels, and Xie Zhengtian told the Black Faced Man that the family could survive if it was willing to make sacrifices.

Jiang Ning cultivated, received New Year visits from Luoshui County factions, and consumed Starry Grass and Ten Thousand Wood Tree Heart. The next day, their effects raised his Source Energy above 500, allowing him to break through the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique and strengthen his blade speed and Blade Intent.

• Jiang Ning sent Luyi to Myriad Blossom Pavilion to buy Starry Grass and Ten Thousand Wood Tree Heart, then cultivated his Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill and gained 113 Experience Points.
• Jiang Ning learned that Luoshui County’s factions had visited his residence to offer gifts and goodwill after his battle the previous night.
• Luyi delivered the two Immortal Treasures and returned four thousand taels in unused Silver Notes, which Jiang Ning told her to keep.
• Jiang Ning ate the Starry Grass and Ten Thousand Wood Tree Heart, then spent the afternoon visiting Wang Jin and Qingyi before resuming his training.
• The next morning, Jiang Ning found his Source Energy had reached 618.83 and used it to break the Firewood Chopping Blade Technique through its sixth limit break, upgrading Blade Like the Wind to Blade Like Lightning.
• Jiang Ning tested his new blade technique and found his blade speed had increased by thirty percent and his Blade Intent could send lethal blade light beyond his weapon.

After half a month of cultivation, Jiang Ning’s Jade Bone was nearly complete, while his skills and strength continued to improve. He prepared to return to the Patrol Office, and as Xie Zhengtian arrived with gold to plead for his family’s future, Jiang Ning sensed that Xie Zhengtian had made his choice.

• Jiang Ning decided to keep cultivating rather than search Luo River Lake for treasures, and reflected on the threats posed by He Jinyun’s family, the God of Flesh and Blood, and Black Lotus Old Mother.
• Jiang Ning saw that his Jade Bone was ninety percent complete and looked forward to visiting the Patrol Office to claim contributions for killing two God Worshipping Sect martial artists.
• Luyi told Jiang Ning she had reached Qi and Blood Completion, and he instructed her to begin Skin Tempering and buy the needed resources with his money.
• Jiang Ning trained through the morning and gained 115 experience points in Inner Alchemy Nourishing Life Skill by breathing in Great Sun Essence Qi.
• Xie Zhengtian arrived at Jiang Ning’s residence with gold gathered by the Xie family, hoping to secure the family’s future, and Jiang Ning sensed his arrival.

Xie Zhengtian offered Jiang Ning a detailed account of his clan’s crimes and gold as thanks for saving the Xie family, while promising to punish the guilty and open the family granaries to feed the city. After accepting the gifts, Jiang Ning planned to buy Myriad Blossom Pavilion’s Immortal Treasure and prepare for his Five Animal Frolics Fist’s Fourth Limit Break; the chapter ended with him arranging to visit Pavilion Master Lin and buy Luyi Skin Protecting Cream.

• Xie Zhengtian presented Jiang Ning with a dossier documenting the Xie clan’s crimes and promised the accused would face Great Xia Law without leniency.
• Xie Zhengtian gave Jiang Ning sixty-six taels of gold in gratitude for protecting the Xie family and pledged to open the family granaries to feed the city’s poor.
• Jiang Ning accepted the gold and realized that his wealth would be enough to buy Myriad Blossom Pavilion’s Immortal Treasure at a discount, bringing his Fourth Limit Break within reach.
• Xie Zhengtian explained to the Black Faced Man that Jiang Ning had suggested mixing sand and soil into porridge so only those truly desperate would take it, conserving grain for the winter.
• Jiang Ning invited Luyi to eat with him, told her to stop calling herself his servant, and planned to visit Pavilion Master Lin with her and buy the Skin Protecting Cream she had skipped.

Jiang Ning received a letter from his fiancée, Ji Mingyue, and bought the Five Elements Spirit Fruits before heading to the Patrol Office. After eating all five fruits, he sensed that they were transforming and strengthening his innate foundation as the carriage neared its destination.

• Qingyi gave Jiang Ning a letter from Ji Mingyue, who wrote about her recent experiences and said she planned to send him a letter each month; Jiang Ning chose not to reply.
• Ji Mingyue wondered whether Jiang Ning had received her letter and whether he would write back, then told Ji Minghao she was looking at the scenery.
• Jiang Ning left Myriad Blossom Pavilion with the Five Elements Spirit Fruits and Skin Protecting Cream, then rode with Luyi toward the Patrol Office to check whether White Granny had arrived and to make use of his merits.
• Jiang Ning ate the Mystic Water Spirit Fruit and the crimson fire fruit, sensing changes around his kidneys and heart.
• Jiang Ning ate the remaining three fruits and sensed all five together sublimating their effect, enhancing his innate foundation as the carriage approached the Patrol Office.

Jiang Ning returned to the Patrol Office, discussed the Xie Family’s chance to reform with Xie Xiaojiu, and learned that the White Granny had come to issue his salary. He asked her about the Martial Dao ranks and heard why Golden Body methods could make even a Ninth Rank fighter formidable; the chapter left him listening as she explained the four steps of external refinement.

• Jiang Ning arrived at the Patrol Office and met Xie Xiaojiu, who thanked him for giving the Xie Family a chance to survive.
• Jiang Ning explained that Xie Zhengtian’s actions had earned the family a chance, while acknowledging that he could not take responsibility for everyone in Luoshui County.
• Jiang Ning reviewed the month’s reports, learned that Hong Minghu had asked to see him, and went to find the White Granny in the Internal Affairs Office.
• White Granny praised Jiang Ning for defending the city, gave him his salary, and said higher-ups would recognize his merit in person.
• Jiang Ning asked about the Martial Dao’s Fifth Grade, and White Granny explained the four external-refinement steps and the power of Golden Body methods.
• Jiang Ning considered her explanation as White Granny described how Skin Tempering, Strength Training, Tendon Refinement, and Bone Forging each emphasized a different improvement to the body.

Jiang Ning learned how Divine Bone Golden Bodies compared with Immortals and Gods, then spent 100,000 Contribution Points to gain a Principal Eighth Rank title. The Old Woman explained that his promotion still required assignment from above, which could transfer him away from Luoshui County.

• The Old Woman explained that Divine Bone Golden Bodies could make martial artists formidable enough to challenge Immortals and Gods, and that the Martial Saint Lord had killed Maimed Immortals and Lesser Deities.
• Jiang Ning concluded that his official status and future strength could protect him from threats such as Black Lotus Old Mother, Water Moon Sword Palace, and the God Worshipping Sect.
• The Old Woman told Jiang Ning that 100,000 Contribution Points would raise his office by half a rank and that martial examination honors could halve promotion costs.
• Jiang Ning presented ten Gold Inlaid Jade Pendants, and the Old Woman exchanged them and his old token for a Principal Eighth Rank Identity Token.
• The Old Woman said Jiang Ning's promotion was an empty title until Dongling County assigned him a post, and that he could remain in Luoshui County only if one of its Four Great Commanders left.

Jiang Ning learned how the Fifth Grade Inner Strengthening Realm worked and demonstrated an inner-breath technique to the Old Woman. He proved that he had killed two Fifth Rank God Worshipping Sect martial artists, leaving the Old Woman to decide how his unprecedented feat would be rewarded.

• Jiang Ning was promoted to Principal Eighth Rank and received a booklet explaining the Fifth Grade realm and inner-breath techniques.
• Jiang Ning learned the stages of Fifth Grade inner breath and used his Spiritual Power to weave a protective Heavenly Garment, surprising the Old Woman.
• The Old Woman outlined the realms above Fifth Grade, then doubted Jiang Ning’s claim that he had killed two Fifth Rank martial artists from the God Worshipping Sect.
• Jiang Ning led the Old Woman to the Desolate Island, where she examined the ice-sealed corpses and confirmed they were Fifth Rank martial artists.
• The Old Woman said Jiang Ning’s feat qualified for merit but that the authorities were unlikely to multiply the usual reward tenfold; Jiang Ning hoped to receive at least the standard Sixth Rank reward for each kill.

After killing two Fifth Grade God Worshipping Sect martial artists, Jiang Ning learned that his merit could earn him a substantial reward and was invited to assist in Hong Minghu and Ye Qiu’s operation against a major target. The next morning, he saw his Source Energy rise after eating Five Elements Spirit Fruits and decided to focus on breaking through Five Animal Frolics Fist as he neared completion of his Sixth Rank jade bones.

• The Old Woman promised Jiang Ning a reward for killing two Fifth Grade God Worshipping Sect martial artists and told him to return the next day for an answer.
• Hong Minghu and Ye Qiu praised Jiang Ning’s archery and asked him to assist in an operation against a major target once the other commanders arrived.
• Hong Minghu and Ye Qiu concluded that Jiang Ning had killed Cao Rong and discussed the rewards he might receive for his past merits.
• Jiang Ning woke on Major Cold to find his Source Energy at 2357.88 after eating Five Elements Spirit Fruits, and he chose to prioritize breaking through Five Animal Frolics Fist.
• Jiang Ning sensed that his five viscera were thriving and estimated that his jade bone forging would be complete in about three days.

After pushing Five Animal Frolics Fist through a fourth breakthrough, Jiang Ning gained the Bear Tiger Body and a dramatic increase in strength. He remained focused on reaching Fifth Grade while Dongling City arranged a huge reward for his latest feat.

• Jiang Ning used Source Energy to break through Five Animal Frolics Fist and formed vivid, detailed images of five beasts in his mind.
• Jiang Ning spent the day painting the Beast Diagrams while Luyi assisted him, and Painting Dao reached Great Completion.
• The Prefecture Lord awarded Jiang Ning one million contribution points for killing two Fifth Rank God Worshipping Sect martial artists and ordered the reward rules revised.
• Jiang Ning discovered that Five Animal Frolics Fist had reached Four Breakthroughs and gained the Bear Tiger Body, which gave him strength he estimated exceeded ten thousand jin in one arm.
• Jiang Ning considered pursuing the Indestructible Vajra Body but chose to prioritize forging his Jade Bone and advancing to Fifth Grade.

Jiang Ning tested the new reality-shaping effects of his Five Animal Frolics Fist, then visited the Internal Affairs Office and learned that slaying a Fifth Grade God Worshipping Sect martial artist had earned him one million contribution points. He rejected thoughts of pursuing a higher office and remained focused on improving his strength.

• Jiang Ning saved his Source Energy for another Five Animal Frolics Fist breakthrough instead of advancing Swimming, then practiced and discovered his fist force could manifest a fire tiger's heat and influence the surroundings.
• Jiang Ning drank wine infused with a Taiyin Stone Fragment, practiced his fists and bone forging, and woke to find his Source Energy had risen to 1488.76.
• Jiang Ning visited the Internal Affairs Office, where White Granny told him he had received one million contribution points for killing a Fifth Grade member of the God Worshipping Sect.
• White Granny outlined possible promotions and posts, but Jiang Ning decided that official status mattered less than the peace and time needed to strengthen himself.

Jiang Ning accepted the plan to erect a statue and receive the people’s incense, then focused on cultivation as the Xie Family distributed relief grain through the bitter winter. He completed his Jade Bone forging and, after several days of recovery and training, believed his growing strength could let him contend with a Fifth Grade Peak martial artist.

• Jiang Ning learned that his one million contribution points and rebellion merit would be issued when the Prefecture City envoy arrived, and the old woman urged him to leave the county for greater prospects.
• On the carriage ride home, Jiang Ning asked Luyi why she followed him, and she said he had treated her kindly by escorting her safely home.
• Jiang Ning agreed to let the people erect a statue for him, hoping their incense might benefit his divine authority, while the Xie Family distributed relief grain to the city’s poor.
• Jiang Ning completed the jade transformation of the final bone at his chest, finishing his Jade Bone forging and reaching Fifth Rank Great Completion.
• Over the next several days, Jiang Ning sensed substantial gains in his physique and martial skills and judged that he could now challenge a Fifth Grade Peak fighter, though their inner breath remained his concern.

Jiang Ning refined his Five Animal Frolics Fist and tested the speed he gained after his Jade Bone forging, while considering the rare materials needed to advance further. In Dongling City, Xiao Emei asked Inspector Bai Luoyu to accompany her to Luoshui County so she could invite Commander Jiang to Water Moon Sword Palace, and Bai Luoyu saw through her motives.

• Jiang Ning refined Five Animal Frolics Fist, gained five experience points from a practice session for the first time, and continued training as his experience rose rapidly.
• After his physique finished its major Jade Bone changes, Jiang Ning tested his speed and found he could run about 540 meters per breath at full force, or over 800 meters per breath using Move Like Wind and Move Like Thunder.
• Jiang Ning concluded that Divine Bone forging required Heavenly Stars Yang and Earthly Fiends Yin, which he had not been able to locate, and planned to seek information through the Patrol Office and Martial Saint Manor.
• Xiao Emei met Inspector Bai Luoyu in Dongling City and asked to accompany him to Luoshui County, where she intended to invite Commander Jiang to Water Moon Sword Palace over He Jinyun's death.
• Bai Luoyu agreed to Xiao Emei's request but privately judged her beauty and scheming insufficient to earn his respect or achieve Great Completion.

Jiang Ning joined the Patrol Office commanders after Prefecture Lord Hong Minghu revealed that County Magistrate Li Hong was the God Worshipping Sect’s Deputy Sect Leader. The group set out to arrest Li Hong, while Jiang Ning hoped the operation would let him stay in Luoshui County by taking over Ye Qiu’s post.

• Jiang Ning arrived at the Council Hall, where Yuan Hua apologized for his past offenses and Jiang Ning accepted his apology.
• Hong Minghu showed the commanders evidence identifying Li Hong as the God Worshipping Sect’s Deputy Sect Leader and proposed arresting him alive for the merit.
• Li Changkong and Ye Qiu urged Hong Minghu to act immediately, and Hong Minghu agreed to lead the arrest operation.
• Hong Minghu assigned Jiang Ning to guard Li Hong’s escape routes with his archery while the others supported the operation.
• Ye Qiu told Jiang Ning that he expected to be promoted and transferred, offering Jiang Ning the chance to take over his position and remain in Luoshui County.
• The commanders gathered three li from the County Office, and Hong Minghu warned them that Li Hong was likely a Sixth Rank Bone Forging martial artist and must not be allowed to escape.