Chapter Summaries

Zhang Rongfang saw the Rice Gang’s military-weapons scandal weaken Shao Quanhu’s position, but Shao and the Chen brothers secretly planned to kill Zhang Xintai and Zhang Xuan. Zhang Xintai’s engagement ceremony went ahead, and the chapter ended when Li Heng called him aside.

• Xiao Wang told Zhang Rongfang and the others that Chen He had been arrested after crossbows were found at a Rice Gang shop, and Zhang Rongfang welcomed the disruption to Shao Quanhu’s plans.
• Zhang Rongfang went into the forest to practice moving quietly, then learned that Shao Quanhu was under government watch and brought back a stag to make Zhang Xintai an engagement gift.
• Shao Quanhu, Chen Zhihan, and Chen He met secretly and planned to kill Zhang Xintai and Zhang Xuan after the engagement ceremony before fleeing to Tanyang.
• Zhang Xintai and Yang Hongyan held their engagement ceremony at their New House, while Zhang Rongfang helped manage the guests and gifts.
• After the ceremony, Li Heng asked Zhang Xintai to speak with him in private.

Zhang Rongfang learned that the Rice Gang might escape serious consequences and feared it would still attack Zhang Xintai, but he found his senior brother safe after Zhang Xintai returned. Meanwhile, Chen Zhihan and his companions tried to ambush Zhang Xuan and instead stumbled into a gathering of powerful Underground Rebel Army leaders.

• Li Heng lured Zhang Xintai away from the engagement feast with a warning about the Yang Family.
• At the feast, Zhang Rongfang heard that the Rice Gang might soon recover from the weapons investigation and worried it would resume its attack plan.
• Zhang Rongfang went looking for Zhang Xintai, learned he had left with Li Heng, and then found him back outside the house holding a bundle.
• Chen Zhihan changed his plan after learning Zhang Xuan would leave that night and led Lao Ding and Chen He to attack him at the Coming and Going Inn.
• Chen Zhihan, Lao Ding, and Chen He burst into Zhang Xuan's room and found him surrounded by seven Underground Rebel Army leaders, including a Sixth Grade fighter.

Haunted by fear over his killing and the Rice Gang’s threats, Zhang Rongfang sought calm at Qinghe Temple and resolved to protect the people he cared about. Two days later, he learned that three Rice Gang bosses had disappeared and hurried back up the mountain to find out what had happened.

• Zhang Rongfang woke from a nightmare about the law and struggled with his fear that the Government Office would discover his killing.
• Zhang Rongfang wandered back to Qinghe Temple and spoke with Xiao Qingying, who shared her grief and fear after her father’s death.
• Zhang Rongfang knelt before the Spirit Official Statue and resolved to create a place where no one would be hurt because of him.
• Two days later, Zhang Rongfang heard that three Rice Gang bosses, including former Patrol Inspector Chen Zhihan, had vanished and that the Chen Family had fallen apart.
• Zhang Rongfang rushed back up the mountain, leaving Xiao Jiu behind at the meal.

Zhang Rongfang visited Zhang Xuan and learned how Breaking Limits worked, then admitted he had Entered the Ranks. Zhang Xuan rewarded him with a heavy bladed wheel and agreed to teach him the Wheel of Wishes Art after hearing his wish.

• Zhang Rongfang told Zhang Xuan that three people from the Rice Gang had disappeared, including Chen Wuyou’s father, Chen Zhihan, but Zhang Xuan dismissed the matter.
• Zhang Xuan explained that Breaking Limits came from repeatedly injuring and healing the body, gradually expanding its capabilities.
• Zhang Rongfang told Zhang Xuan he had Entered the Ranks, and Zhang Xuan praised his progress and took him to choose a reward.
• Zhang Xuan gave Zhang Rongfang an old, heavy Round Wheel called Xiangjian and said he would teach him the Wheel of Wishes Art.
• Zhang Rongfang said his wish was that no one be hurt because of him, and Zhang Xuan renamed the wheel Leaving Injury.

Shao Quanhu sought help from a hidden Black List Expert, but Zhang Rongfang killed her before she could make her third request. Afterward, Zhang Rongfang resolved to gain power and protection by advancing through the Assembled Sages Institute, while the County Office’s investigation into her death was suppressed.

• With her husband and allies missing and the Shao Family abandoned, Shao Quanhu set out to claim her final favor from the Strongman she had once saved.
• At the Nameless Pharmacy, Zhang Rongfang attacked Shao Quanhu with the Wish Wheel and beheaded her before she could finish asking for help.
• The Strong Man with Whiskers appeared at the pharmacy, realized Shao Quanhu could not make her third request, and departed.
• At Qinghe Temple, Zhang Rongfang concluded that he needed to eradicate evil and rise to a position of power to protect himself and others.
• Zhang Rongfang planned to consume Qinghe Temple’s resources, learn its martial arts, and seek entry into the Assembled Sages Institute.
• Several days later, the County Office announced Shao Quanhu’s death, but Qinghe Temple suppressed the investigation as officials seized the Shao Family’s property.

Zhang Rongfang perfected Eight Steps Catching Cicadas and decided to seek real combat experience by challenging a martial arts school. The chapter ended as he began fighting Yu Wenguang at Black Fist Gate.

• The authorities closed Shao Quanhu’s murder case by executing a wandering vagrant, and no one suspected Zhang Rongfang.
• Zhang Rongfang practiced in the forest and used an Attribute Point to raise Eight Steps Catching Cicadas to Mastery, then another to bring it to Perfection.
• Zhang Rongfang discovered that his movement speed and control had improved, and decided he needed real battles to gauge his strength.
• Zhuang Dali considered expanding Black Fist Gate’s territory after Qinghe Temple’s influence declined following the Rice Gang incident.
• Zhang Rongfang entered Black Fist Gate in disguise and presented a challenge, prompting hall overseer Yu Wenguang to fight him.
• Zhang Rongfang and Yu Wenguang stepped forward and struck at each other.

Zhang Rongfang tested himself against Huaxin County’s martial artists, then persuaded Zhang Xuan to teach him the Talisman Arts he knew. As Zhang Rongfang rapidly advanced, Zhang Xuan decided to send him to Tanyang rather than involve him in the Righteous Army’s plans.

• Zhang Rongfang defeated Yu Wenguang at the Black Fist Gate, briefly used a Breaking Limit Skill against Zhuang Dali, and escaped after Zhuang Dali tried to remove his face covering.
• Zhang Rongfang challenged White Bell Temple but withdrew when a powerful monk intercepted him, then concluded that he needed higher-grade techniques to advance further.
• Zhang Rongfang asked Zhang Xuan for the complete Returning Spring Purifying Time Talisman Classic, and Zhang Xuan agreed to teach him the five Talisman Arts he knew.
• Over the next two months, Zhang Rongfang memorized the five Talisman Arts and accumulated five Attribute Points, though he still lacked the Flame Emperor Talisman and Soul Fixing Talisman.
• Zhang Xuan told Zhang Xintai and Chen Lianqing to arrange for Zhang Rongfang to go to Tanyang, explaining that his rapid progress made him too valuable to risk in their affairs.

Zhang Rongfang learned that he might have to travel beyond Huaxin County to find the talisman arts he wanted, and he prepared to leave for Tanyang with his sister-in-law. Meanwhile, Tang Sha grew suspicious of Zhang Xuan’s group and sent Qi Shan to seize Yang Hongyan for questioning.

• Zhang Xuan, Zhang Xintai, and Chen Lianqing discussed Tang Sha’s investigation and arranged extra protection for Yanzi and Zhang Rongfang.
• Zhang Xintai told Zhang Rongfang that Lin Chaoxin and Dharma Master Hongdao knew the Flame Emperor Talisman and Soul Fixing Talisman, then suggested Zhang Rongfang accompany his sister-in-law to Tanyang.
• Zhang Rongfang agreed to travel to Tanyang and used two Attribute points to break through Eight Steps Catching Cicadas, increasing his speed.
• Zhang Rongfang wondered whether raising his Life Attribute could break the limits on martial power.
• Qi Shan reported that Zhang Xintai’s family and Yang Hongyan’s parents were preparing to leave, and Tang Sha ordered him to capture Yang Hongyan for questioning.

Zhang Rongfang traveled with Yang Hongyan toward Tanyang while trying to understand why Zhang Xintai and Master Zhang Xuan had sent them away. He encountered Qi Shan leading a group to seize someone, while Chen Lianqing gathered supporters near Huaxin County for a planned uprising.

• Yang Hongyan told Zhang Rongfang that Senior Brother Master had given her a silver lotus ornament and seemed troubled, and she asked Zhang Rongfang to speak with him when they returned.
• Zhang Rongfang went to fetch water for the merchant group, then entered the woods to hunt and check for danger.
• Qi Shan led masked household servants and Qinghe Temple Daoists toward the merchant group, saying the Black Wolf Escort Agency guards had secretly agreed to cooperate in seizing their target.
• Zhang Rongfang recognized Qi Shan by his distinctive beard, and Qi Shan denied his identity before removing his face covering and ordering Zhang Rongfang to come with him.
• Near Huaxin County, Chen Lianqing and her allies discussed how many people they could mobilize and their shortage of weapons.

Chen Lianqing and her allies prepared to rise against Ling Ting, while Zhang Rongfang killed Qi Shan and his masked companions after they tried to capture him. He returned to the convoy and joined Yang Hongyan for food, leaving the rebellion and its danger still ahead.

• Chen Lianqing said the uprising's allies would target County Inspector Tumu Ha'er, whose strength and armor made him a formidable obstacle.
• Chen Lianqing's group accepted that resistance would cost lives and raised their weapons for the coming struggle.
• Qi Shan confronted Zhang Rongfang near the Bai Family Merchant Group and ordered him to surrender for interrogation.
• Zhang Rongfang used his speed and the Wish Wheel to kill Qi Shan and the masked men who attacked him.
• Zhang Rongfang searched the bodies, took a short sword, disposed of the corpses, and washed before returning to the convoy.
• Yang Hongyan invited Zhang Rongfang to share the food and wine she had prepared.

Zhang Rongfang arrived in Tanyang, transferred his Daoist registry to Mingjing Palace, and earned a First Grade martial certificate as he prepared to seek a military post. The chapter ended when Xu Tao tried to place him in the Patrol Warden Office, only to learn its vacancies had already been filled by Xu Chengjing and Liao Yong.

• Zhang Rongfang helped Yang Hongyan settle with her parents in Tanyang, then went to Mingjing Palace to transfer his registry.
• A Mingjing Palace Daoist explained Tanyang's four major sects and its thriving martial scene to Zhang Rongfang.
• Xu Tao arranged Zhang Rongfang's registry transfer and a post at the Patrol Warden Office, regarding the favor to Zhang Xuan as repaid.
• Zhang Rongfang settled into Mingjing Palace, visited the Spirit Official Hall, and received a First Grade certificate after paying ten taels.
• Xu Tao asked Mountain Opening Daoist to fit Zhang Rongfang into the Patrol Warden Office, but Mountain Opening Daoist said Xu Chengjing and Liao Yong had already filled the vacancies.

Zhang Rongfang learned how difficult life and advancement were for Mingjing Palace disciples without money, then tried to build merit through a Patrol Warden Office post. The Mountain Opening Daoist stole the credit for Zhang Rongfang’s capture, and Xia Rongrong invited him to a Garden Gathering as a possible way to meet useful contacts.

• Xu Tao ordered the Mountain Opening Daoist to replace Liao Yong with Zhang Ying on the Patrol Warden Office roster.
• Zhang Rongfang met his neighbor Xia Rongrong, who explained the fierce competition and expenses facing Mingjing Palace disciples.
• Zhang Rongfang captured a flying thief during a nighttime patrol, but the Mountain Opening Daoist credited the merit and reward to his nephew, Xue Wenyuan.
• Zhang Rongfang worried that he could not earn enough money to support his training or gain official status.
• Xia Rongrong invited Zhang Rongfang to a Garden Gathering where he might meet wealthy young women and find a way to improve his prospects.

Xia Rongrong tried to recruit Zhang Rongfang for a gathering with wealthy young ladies, but he refused, prompting Wan Yanlu to decide to visit him herself. During a night patrol, Zhang Rongfang uncovered an attempt to drug and abduct an Incense Guest, though the culprit escaped, and he was ordered to help search the Dao Palace.

• Xia Rongrong failed to persuade Zhang Rongfang to attend a gathering, so Wan Yanlu decided to visit Mingjing Palace and negotiate with him in person.
• While patrolling the Dao Palace, Zhang Rongfang recognized that a disheveled man in Brocade Robes was controlling a drugged Incense Guest and attacked him.
• The suspect knocked aside another patrolling Daoist and escaped after exchanging more than ten moves with Zhang Rongfang.
• Daoist Yuanxin identified the Incense Guest’s condition as the effect of Bewitching Wine Fragrance and ordered him taken to the Elixir Room for an antidote.
• Daoist Yuanxin praised Zhang Rongfang and ordered a thorough search of the Dao Palace, keeping Zhang Rongfang on duty until late that night.

Mountain Opening Daoist awarded Xue Ning the Prison Affairs Concurrent Post Quota while giving Zhang Rongfang only a small stipend increase. After Li Huoyun visited to thank Zhang, he offered him a position as his Companion Martial, and Zhang realized Li Huoyun had been misled about who received the quota.

• Mountain Opening Daoist assigned the new Prison Affairs Concurrent Post Quota to Xue Ning and raised Zhang Rongfang’s monthly stipend by two taels instead of promoting him.
• Zhang Rongfang sent a letter to his Master and fellow disciples in Huaxin County, then noticed monks meeting with Mingjing Palace’s upper ranks.
• Li Huoyun visited Zhang Rongfang to thank him for rescuing him and praised his sharpness, resolve, and simple way of life.
• Li Huoyun invited Zhang Rongfang to visit the Huaijing Li Residence and later returned to offer him a position as his Companion Martial.
• Li Huoyun said he believed Zhang Rongfang had passed the Concurrent Post Quota to Xue Ning, and Zhang Rongfang asked about the return gift Li Huoyun had mentioned.

After learning that his reward had been intercepted, Zhang Rongfang completed the One Yuan Talisman and later assassinated Mountain Opening Daoist. As Zhang escaped, Heavenly Maiden Tong Zhang of the Sensing Gate confronted the pursuing officers and killed them with Golden Needles.

• Li Huoyun apologized for the intercepted reward, but Zhang Rongfang told him to let the matter go and watched him leave.
• Zhang Rongfang learned the One Yuan Talisman and used his remaining Attribute Points to complete it, strengthening his physique.
• Half a month later, Zhang Rongfang ambushed Mountain Opening Daoist after he left Huan Chun Brothel and killed him with a Dagger.
• Zhang Rongfang cleaned his Dagger, changed clothes, and escaped through an alley, where he encountered a White Dress Woman.
• The White Dress Woman was identified as Heavenly Maiden Tong Zhang of the Sensing Gate when a Patrol Warden's Black Hound recoiled from her.
• After the Patrol Warden's deputy urged an attack, Tong Zhang killed the pursuing officers with a rain of Golden Needles.

After killing Kaishan, Zhang Rongfang escaped suspicion, continued practicing his Talisman Arts, and saved enough Attribute Points to prepare to break the One Yuan Talisman’s limits. Just before he could do so, Wan Yanlu visited and tested his attitude toward her figure, then left after he pointed out that she could lose weight through determination and dietary changes.

• Zhang Rongfang assessed the injuries he sustained killing Kaishan and realized his strength still lagged behind his speed.
• Government officers questioned Zhang Rongfang about Kaishan’s murder and a masked-looking woman, while Kaishan’s successor took over his post and dismissed his subordinates.
• Xu Tao and Xu Yanguan discussed Kaishan’s death and considered involving the Patrol Division because the case also involved a Sensing Gate expert.
• Zhang Rongfang continued practicing and studying until he had two Attribute Points, enough to break the One Yuan Talisman’s limits.
• Wan Yanlu visited looking for Xia Rongrong and asked whether Zhang Rongfang would marry a woman with her figure.
• Zhang Rongfang explained that determination and eating less rice and flour could help her lose weight, and Wan Yanlu left embarrassed.

Zhang Rongfang broke through the limit of the One Yuan Talisman, then passed his Second Grade assessment at Mingjing Palace and became eligible to seek a government post and enter the true lineage. In Great Capital, Zhang Rongyu helped her husband advance his Imperial Court ambitions after engineering Sha Luo Ha Lai’s departure, while worrying about her younger brother.

• Zhang Rongfang used two Attribute Points to break through the One Yuan Talisman’s limit, increasing his strength and Heavy Mountain uses.
• Zhang Rongfang decided to seek a government post where he could earn merit and advance more quickly.
• Sha Luo Ha Lai left her mansion after Zhang Rongyu deceived her husband with a false pregnancy to drive out the First Madam.
• Zhang Rongyu advised her husband on his Imperial Court ambitions and planned to visit Zhang Rongfang once the immediate crisis passed.
• Zhang Rongfang fought Daoist Kong Kong for fifty exchanges and passed his Second Grade assessment.
• The old Daoist told Zhang Rongfang he could pursue government job assessments and choose a master for the true lineage.

Zhang Rongfang passed the Second Grade assessment, resigned from Mingjing Palace, and traveled with Li Huoyun to take a post at the Ministry of Justice. There he learned that rebels had risen in Huaxin County and met Li Huoyun’s father, the ministry chief.

• Zhang Rongfang declined the offer to take a new master at Mingjing Palace because he already had one.
• Li Huoyun helped Zhang Rongfang complete his transfer to the Ministry of Justice and leave Mingjing Palace.
• Wan Yanlu learned that Zhang Ying had left for the Ministry of Justice, resolved to lose weight, and refused to eat her favorite pig trotters.
• Zhang Rongfang and Li Huoyun arrived at the Ministry of Justice, where an officer told them rebels were active in Huaxin County and nearby counties.
• Zhang Rongfang greeted the Chief of the Ministry of Justice, who rose from behind his desk and approached him.

Zhang Rongfang joined the Ministry of Justice as deputy captain of the Ninth Squad, led by Lin Qixiao, and settled into its patrol routine. While dining with his squadmates, he encountered a confrontation at a wine house after a red-bearded man accused a White-Clad Man and Woman of stealing his money pouch.

• Chief of the Ministry of Justice Li Ran assigned Zhang Rongfang to serve as deputy captain in the Ninth Squad and sent him to meet Captain Lin Qixiao.
• Zhang Rongfang learned that Lin Qixiao was a formidable Third Grade martial artist from Tianxuan Palace, then received equipment and met the squad's fifteen First Grade members.
• Zhang Rongfang began living in the squad's small building, practicing Martial Arts during the day and patrolling at night.
• After more than half a month, Zhang Rongfang dined with Chen Hansheng, Liu Han, and Gelu Xilai, who mentioned that Lin Qixiao had a bad temper and might have trouble in her family.
• The squad rushed downstairs when a red-bearded man confronted a White-Clad Man and Woman, demanding that they return his money pouch.

Zhang Rongfang witnessed Lin Qixiao brutally silence a dispute at the wine house, then returned to training and used four Attribute Points to push Taichang Eagle Claw Skill to its limit. The breakthrough transformed his hands but lowered his Life Attribute, leaving him suspecting a link between life and martial arts cultivation.

• Zhang Rongfang recognized that the red-bearded man was the victim of the siblings’ theft, but Lin Qixiao arrived and struck him down before he could explain.
• Lin Qixiao slapped the brother and sister, struck Liu Han, and ordered Zhang Rongfang and the Ninth Squad away from the wine house.
• Chen Hansheng told Zhang Rongfang that Lin Qixiao was feared for her violence, powerful family, and treasured saber, Zihan.
• Zhang Rongfang bought three months of Blood Nourishing Pills and continued training while working his patrols.
• After a month, Zhang Rongfang had four Attribute Points and used them all to break through Taichang Eagle Claw Skill, transforming his fingers and hands.
• Zhang Rongfang noticed his Life Attribute had fallen from 25–26 to 24–25 and began to suspect that martial arts cultivation affected it.