Chapter Summaries

After Xiang Qichen insulted Zhuang Jin while drunk, Qian Wende struck Xiang Qichen and was beaten before the dormitory students separated them. Zhuang Jin accepted Xiong Lei’s plea to end the fight, then decided their relationship was over and that all debts between them had been repaid.

• Xiang Qichen attacked Qian Wende after Qian Wende slapped him, and Jiao Kun, Lin Hong, Wu Hao, and Xiong Lei separated them.
• Xiong Lei stopped Zhuang Jin and Bi Kai from confronting Xiang Qichen, and Zhuang Jin agreed to let the matter end for Xiong Lei’s sake.
• Qian Wende followed Zhuang Jin, while Bi Kai, Wu Hao, and Lin Hong left the dormitory.
• Xiang Qichen thanked Xiong Lei and Jiao Kun, but Jiao Kun grew resentful because Xiang Qichen’s drunken outburst had put him at odds with Zhuang Jin.
• Outside, Zhuang Jin reflected on how he and Xiong Lei had grown apart and decided their debts were repaid and they would no longer travel the same road.

After breaking through to the Two Meridian Realm, Zhuang Jin gained the attention and support of the Shen Family’s senior figures while learning that his relatives had grown more powerful. He focused on mastering Black Fiend Palm ahead of the assessment, hoping his Golden Finger might help him advance in martial skills.

• Chang Hetong congratulated Zhuang Jin on his breakthrough, confirmed that his background investigation had been kept secret, and warned him that Zhuang Yutang and Zhuang Yuyong had risen in power.
• Chang Hetong advised Zhuang Jin to choose safer missions, work on Black Fiend Palm before the assessment, and visit him before selecting a mission next month.
• Zhuang Jin told Ping Yongfeng about his breakthrough, and Ping Yongfeng treated him more like an equal and urged him to focus on martial skills.
• Guo Jun learned of Zhuang Jin’s breakthrough and doubted that Hou Yong could protect himself if Zhuang Jin sought revenge.
• Zhuang Jin set aside dormitory quarrels and practiced Black Fiend Palm for five or six hours a day, wondering whether his Golden Finger could aid his progress.

Zhuang Jin passed the year-end assessment, advanced to Two-Striped Servant, and earned four months of Self-selected Missions. As the dormmates parted ways, he kept his distance from Xiong Lei, whose father learned how he had intervened in the dormitory conflict and angrily dragged him home.

• Zhuang Jin failed to reach the entry level of Black Fiend Palm but demonstrated his Two Meridian Realm cultivation and was promoted to Two-Striped Servant with four months of Self-selected Missions.
• Lin Hong and Bi Kai earned three months of Self-selected Missions each, while Xiang Qichen and the other dormmates fell short of their goals.
• Xiang Qichen apologized to Zhuang Jin, who told him to thank Xiong Lei; Zhuang Jin also reassured Jiao Kun but declined Xiong Lei's dinner invitation.
• Zhuang Jin said farewell to his dormmates and headed to the General Affairs Department to advance his status.
• Xiong Dadan questioned Xiong Lei about the dormitory events, then scolded and punished him for meddling in Zhuang Jin's conflict.

Zhuang Jin registered his promotion to Two-Striped Servant and learned about its benefits, including a monthly allotment of Exotic Beast Meat. Ping Yongfeng explained Exotic Beasts and began advising him about future assignments.

• Chang Hetong registered Zhuang Jin as a Two-Striped Servant, replaced his waist token, and gave him two sets of clothing.
• Zhuang Jin brought Ping Yongfeng wine and dishes, including the Exotic Beast Meat he had bought with his new monthly allowance.
• Ping Yongfeng explained how Exotic Beast Meat invigorated blood and qi and improved cultivation efficiency for a limited time.
• Ping Yongfeng described Exotic Beasts, their realms, useful materials, and valuable Beast Treasures.
• Ping Yongfeng warned that Zhuang Jin could encounter Exotic Beasts in the Herb Fields Outside the City and began explaining assignments.

Zhuang Jin learned about the Shen Family’s assignment zones and chose the safety of Shen Family Headquarters over the riskier Herb Fields Outside the City. Ping Yongfeng warned him that slow progress could force Martial Students into the dangerous fight against the Medicine King Gang, then gave him silver and urged him to reach higher realms of martial arts.

• Ping Yongfeng explained Diannan City’s territories and the risks and rewards of five Shen Family assignment locations.
• Zhuang Jin decided to choose Shen Family Headquarters, prioritizing safety and time to strengthen himself over greater compensation and Exotic Beast Meat.
• Ping Yongfeng warned that Martial Students who failed to reach the Second Meridian within three months or the Third Meridian within half a year could be sent to the front near the Medicine King Gang.
• Zhuang Jin reflected that he might avoid the bottlenecks expected of him, but resolved to keep a low profile and focus on martial practice.
• Ping Yongfeng gave Zhuang Jin two taels of silver as a congratulatory gift and admitted he could offer little help beyond financial support.
• Ping Yongfeng asked Zhuang Jin to explore higher martial realms on his behalf, and Zhuang Jin accepted his kindness and silently vowed to remember their bond.

Zhuang Jin collected his doubled New Year stipend, chose a safe Martial Arts Instructor assignment at Shen Family Headquarters, and saw his former dormmates take their own posts. He began work at a training ground and agreed to protect Chen Yun’s cousin Ni Ying while she distributed Qi Channel Opening Soup.

• Zhuang Jin received six taels of silver after learning the Shen Family had doubled everyone’s monthly stipend for the month.
• Zhuang Jin chose to instruct Martial Students at Shen Family Headquarters, while Qian Wende offered to gather news for him and their former dormmates collected their assignments.
• Qian Wende distanced himself from Xiong Lei, and Zhuang Jin accepted Xiong Lei’s apology but made clear their relationship would not return to what it had been.
• Zhuang Jin arrived early at Yellow Character Number Nine Training Field to oversee the Qi Channel Opening Soup distribution.
• Chen Yun introduced her cousin Ni Ying, an Outer Courtyard Second-Class Maid assigned to distribute the soup, and Zhuang Jin agreed to keep an eye on her.

Zhuang Jin taught his first group of Martial Students, but left once he had met the minimum teaching requirement. Ni Ying asked Chen Yun about him and revealed her interest in him, leaving after Chen Yun encouraged her to get to know him.

• Ni Ying distributed Qi Channel Opening Soup to the thirty Martial Students while Zhuang Jin watched.
• Zhuang Jin introduced martial arts, demonstrated his power and Stance Training, then corrected one struggling Martial Student before leading the group through practice.
• Zhuang Jin left after the required teaching time, and the Martial Students complained that he had abandoned their lesson.
• Ni Ying asked Chen Yun about Zhuang Jin and learned about his background and prospects for reaching the Four Meridian Realm.
• Chen Yun advised Ni Ying to spend more time with Zhuang Jin if she liked him, and Ni Ying blushed and hurried away.

Zhuang Jin balanced cultivation with martial skill practice as a new Martial Arts Instructor, setting his sights on reaching the Fourth Meridian and becoming a Household Retainer. The next morning, he taught the Martial Students at Yellow Character Number Nine Training Field and left after leading them through practice.

• Zhuang Jin chose to prioritize cultivation, estimating that he could reach the Third Meridian by late next month and possibly the Fourth Meridian before his four-month protection period ended.
• Zhuang Jin recognized that reaching the Fourth Meridian would bring a major increase in strength and status, while his lack of cultivation bottlenecks gave him an advantage.
• Zhuang Jin spent his first day as a Martial Arts Instructor cultivating diligently, teaching for one incense stick, and practicing the Black Fiend Palm.
• Ni Ying brought the Qi Channel Opening Soup to Yellow Character Number Nine Training Field the next morning and gave the remainder to Zhuang Jin after distributing it.
• Zhuang Jin asked the Martial Students to demonstrate their Stance Training, selected Zhang Ming for individual guidance, then led the whole group through practice before leaving after one incense stick.

Zhuang Jin grew closer to Ni Ying and considered choosing her as a future wife, but he delayed deciding until he reached the Fourth Meridian. The next morning, he learned that Ni Ying had volunteered for and been selected as an Inner Courtyard Maid, leaving him unsettled.

• Ni Ying openly wiped Zhuang Jin's mouth with her handkerchief, prompting the martial students to realize she seemed to favor him.
• Zhuang Jin reflected that he needed to deal with Zhuang Yutang and Zhuang Yuyong before pursuing romance, and considered choosing Ni Ying if the Shen Family arranged a marriage for him.
• Zhuang Jin decided to observe Ni Ying for a while and make his choice after reaching the Fourth Meridian.
• Chen Yun told Zhuang Jin that Ni Ying had been selected as a Third-Class Maid of the Inner Courtyard and would not distribute soup for the rest of the month.

After learning Ni Ying had entered the Inner Courtyard, Zhuang Jin concluded she had been drawing close to him for her own advancement and put aside his romantic feelings. Chen Yun apologized and gave him pastries, while Xiong Lei misread their interaction and Chen Yun hinted that he should move on.

• Zhuang Jin reflected on Ni Ying's departure and decided that becoming a maid offered less independent potential than advancing as a martial artist.
• Chen Yun apologized for her cousin and offered Zhuang Jin pastries, which he accepted without developing any romantic feelings toward her.
• Xiong Lei arrived, saw Zhuang Jin and Chen Yun together, and imagined they were romantically involved.
• Chen Yun greeted Xiong Lei and asked why he looked troubled, prompting him to invent a difficult cultivation puzzle.
• Chen Yun advised Xiong Lei to set the puzzle aside and find another path, hinting that he should let go of his feelings for her.

After a tense exchange with Xiong Lei, Zhuang Jin focused on cultivation and advanced his Black Fiend Palm to beginner's mastery. By the end of the month, his progress toward the Three Meridian Realm had exceeded expectations, and after an afternoon of cultivation, he unexpectedly encountered someone.

• Xiong Lei questioned Zhuang Jin about his behavior toward Chen Yun, but Zhuang Jin rejected his interference and left.
• Zhuang Jin trained through the night and advanced his Black Fiend Palm to beginner's mastery, demonstrating Manifested Strength that broke past one inch.
• Zhuang Jin trained diligently over the following weeks, earning a reputation for hard work while accumulating nearly sixty percent of what he needed to reach the Two Meridian Realm.
• By the end of the month, Du Yunqi was the only one of Zhuang Jin's thirty martial students to become a Formal Martial Artist.
• After lunch, Zhuang Jin continued cultivating despite having the afternoon off, then emerged from the Quiet Room and unexpectedly saw someone.

Xiang Qichen visited Zhuang Jin to announce his breakthrough to the Two Meridian Realm and beginner-stage Black Fiend Palm, hoping to provoke envy and regain his confidence. Zhuang Jin remained indifferent, and Xiang Qichen left promising to return after reaching the Three Meridian Realm while Zhuang Jin resumed training.

• Xiang Qichen told Zhuang Jin that he had reached the Two Meridian Realm and advanced his Black Fiend Palm to the beginner stage.
• Zhuang Jin congratulated Xiang Qichen calmly, revealing no surprise or jealousy.
• Xiang Qichen grew angry at Zhuang Jin's indifference, then criticized him for avoiding dangerous battles and claimed his own combat experience gave him a better future.
• Zhuang Jin dismissed Xiang Qichen's questions about fighting and said he did not know what a life-or-death battle felt like.
• Xiang Qichen vowed to visit again when he reached the Three Meridian Realm and left, while Zhuang Jin returned to training.

After Zhang Ming failed to become a Formal Martial Artist, Zhuang Jin reunited with Bi Kai and Qian Wende over a meal and heard about Bi Kai’s work at the Herb Fields Outside the City. The chapter ended with Zhuang Jin politely refusing Bi Kai’s invitation to join him there next month, choosing to remain at the Shen Family Headquarters and cultivate.

• Zhuang Jin saw Zhang Ming off after no Martial Students broke through that afternoon.
• Qian Wende and Bi Kai arrived with food and wine, and Zhuang Jin welcomed them into his room.
• Ping Yongfeng politely declined their invitation to join them for a meal.
• Bi Kai shared Exotic Beast Meat and described the relatively safe work and cultivation opportunities at the Herb Fields Outside the City.
• Bi Kai invited Zhuang Jin to join him there next month, but Zhuang Jin declined and decided to stay at the Shen Family Headquarters.

Zhuang Jin warned Qian Wende and Bi Kai that outside-recruited Martial Students had to reach the Second Meridian within three months to avoid assignment to dangerous South of the City. As Qian Wende described the power struggle and duties in North of the City, Zhuang Jin learned that Fourth Meridian cultivators served as Street Guardians and considered how safe he might be there after advancing.

• Zhuang Jin told Qian Wende and Bi Kai that recruits who failed to reach the Second Meridian within three months could be sent to South of the City near the Medicine King Gang.
• Qian Wende resolved to gather provisions and cultivate toward the Second Meridian, and Zhuang Jin told him to pass the warning on to Wu Hao.
• Qian Wende explained that the Shen Family and the Medicine King Gang were absorbing smaller gangs in North of the City while continuing to pay the government its share.
• Qian Wende described how Street Guardians oversaw three squads and said Fourth Meridian cultivators held that position, while street fighting usually involved lower-ranked members.
• Zhuang Jin estimated that he might reach the Fourth Meridian before his self-selected missions ended and judged that serving as a Street Guardian would keep him relatively safe.

Zhuang Jin dined with Bi Kai and Qian Wende, catching up on their former dormmates and hearing more about the coming Merit Points system. He planned to stay cautious during the four-month protection period, rely on support from Ping Yongfeng and Chang Hetong if needed, and focus on reaching the Fourth Meridian before the protection ended.

• Qian Wende reported that Xiang Qichen had broken through the Second Meridian, while Jiao Kun had missed patrol and been fined after visiting the Half-Veiled Gate.
• Qian Wende said Wu Hao’s streets had remained peaceful because they were controlled by minor factions that did not dare challenge the Shen Family.
• Qian Wende shared rumors that killing Medicine King Gang martial artists would soon earn Merit Points, and Zhuang Jin confirmed the reform would be announced the next day.
• Zhuang Jin resolved to lie low during his Self-selected Missions, borrow from Ping Yongfeng and Chang Hetong if necessary, and pursue the Fourth Meridian and Household Retainer rank.
• After Bi Kai and Qian Wende left, Zhuang Jin trained at the training ground for an hour before it closed.

On February 1, Zhuang Jin collected his pay and learned that the bounty system had been replaced with Merit Points that could be exchanged for silver, cultivation supplies, and protective gear. He chose another Martial Arts Instructor assignment and learned that Qian Wende and most of their companions would return to familiar posts, while Jiao Kun and Xiong Lei were reassigned to the dangerous North of the City.

• Zhuang Jin collected four taels of silver and calculated that his savings would cover his needs until he broke through to the Third Meridian.
• Chang Hetong gave Zhuang Jin the revised task catalogue, Merit Points rules, and exchange list, which included Meridian Soothing Pills, Exotic Beast Meat, and leather armor.
• Zhuang Jin concluded that Exotic Beast Meat and armor were useful but costly, and learned that the meat on the exchange list was shipped from the prefectural city.
• Zhuang Jin registered again as a Martial Arts Instructor and met Qian Wende, who said he, Haozi, and Xiang Qichen had kept their North of the City street and team assignments.
• Zhuang Jin learned that Jiao Kun had been moved to a more dangerous street near Medicine King Gang territory, while Xiong Lei was also sent to the North of the City.
• Lin Hong and Bi Kai chose to return to the Shen Family Headquarters and the Herb Fields Outside the City, respectively, before the group departed for their posts.

Zhuang Jin settled into his routine teaching at the Huang-grade Training Field while Yu Xiaoxiao and Old Chen offered contrasting views on dealing with others. After Zhou Chao became a Formal Martial Artist and challenged him, Zhuang Jin remained unbothered and broke through to the Third Meridian Realm that night.

• Zhuang Jin met Yu Xiaoxiao, agreed to watch over the Qi Channel Opening Soup, and heard her criticize Xiong Lei for pursuing Sister Yun despite her rejection.
• Zhuang Jin taught the new martial students as a group, ignoring those who tried to show off for individual guidance, while Old Chen taught Xiong Lei to respect hierarchy, avoid meddling, and side with his allies.
• Zhuang Jin maintained his teaching and cultivation routine, and several days later Zhou Chao announced that he had become a Formal Martial Artist and said Zhuang Jin had not helped him.
• Zhuang Jin calmly accepted Zhou Chao's refusal to thank him and continued teaching without taking offense.
• Zhuang Jin refined Black Essence Powder and circulated his Inner Breath through the Hand Shaoyang, Hand Shaoyin, and Hand Taiyang Meridians, reaching the Third Meridian Realm.

Zhuang Jin reached the Three Meridian Realm and decided to kill Hou Yong to test his resolve to take a life. He ambushed Hou Yong in the rain, defeated his guards, and faced Hou Yong’s volley of poison needles.

• Zhuang Jin reflected on the increased power and expenses that came with reaching the Three Meridian Realm.
• Zhuang Jin decided that he was ready to settle accounts with Hou Yong, whom he believed Guo Jun could no longer protect.
• Hou Yong left the Half-Veiled Gate with guards Ding and Fei and encountered a conical-hatted figure in a secluded alley.
• Ding and Fei attacked Zhuang Jin, but he easily knocked them unconscious.
• Hou Yong fired a volley of poison needles at Zhuang Jin.

Zhuang Jin killed Hou Yong and two guards after Hou Yong attacked him with poison needles, then made their deaths look like drownings. He decided not to target Guo Jun and announced his breakthrough to the Three Meridian Realm to discourage further trouble while he focused on reaching the Fourth Meridian.

• Zhuang Jin caught Hou Yong's poison needles and overpowered him, then drowned him and the two unconscious guards in a puddle.
• Zhuang Jin searched the three men, took their silver, and arranged the scene to appear like an accidental drowning.
• Zhuang Jin weighed whether to kill Guo Jun but chose to spare him because Guo Jun was a Shen Family servant and attacking him could jeopardize Zhuang Jin's martial path.
• Zhuang Jin decided to reveal his breakthrough to the Three Meridian Realm to deter Guo Jun and avoid distractions from his training.
• News of Zhuang Jin's rapid breakthrough spread through the circles of people who knew him and caused a stir.

After Zhuang Jin broke through to the Third Meridian, he received congratulations from Martial Artists in the Shen Family Outer Courtyard, including a renewed gesture of reconciliation from Guo Jun. Tang Wentao also wanted to give Zhuang Jin a congratulatory gift, but his wife only let him take one tael of silver.

• Chang Hetong congratulated Zhuang Jin and gave him five taels of silver, treating him as an equal.
• Zhuang Jin reassured Ping Yongfeng that he still regarded him as a mentor and accepted only three taels of his silver to spare him embarrassment.
• Many people from the Shen Family Outer Courtyard visited Zhuang Jin, and Guo Jun offered him three taels of silver in hopes of putting their past conflict behind them.
• Tang Wentao asked his wife for five taels to congratulate Zhuang Jin, but she argued that his past gifts to students had brought little in return.
• Tang Wentao left with one tael of silver after his wife refused to give him more.