Chapter Summaries

Zhuang Jin volunteered to leave the North of the City as the Shen Family reassigned Street Guardians, choosing to secure his Merit Points and focus on cultivation. He passed the Glazed Realm-Testing Puppet test and was promoted to Three-Striped House Guard, while rumors spread about how he had advanced.

• The Shen Family countered the Medicine King Gang’s boundary-pushing with Battle Merit Loans, strengthening its North of the City Street Guardians and earning Zhuang Jin nearly three thousand Merit Points.
• Xing Yan announced that two of the six East Bridge Dock Street Guardians had to transfer, and Zhuang Jin and Miao Lun volunteered to leave.
• On October first, Zhuang Jin passed the Glazed Realm-Testing Puppet test and became a Three-Striped House Guard.
• Zhuang Jin registered for his new rank and received its higher stipend and improved provisions.
• People at the Shen Family Headquarters congratulated Zhuang Jin, while others spread rumors that he had advanced only through easy Merit Points and a Meridian Soothing Pill.

Zhuang Jin and Miao Lun settled into their new duties guarding Lotus Flower Grass fields, where they enjoyed a respite from the fighting and discussed the obstacles facing martial artists. Miao Lun later reported that the Medicine King Gang’s latest counterattack had badly hurt the Shen Family in North of the City, while Zhuang Jin and Miao Lun remained safely outside the conflict.

• Zhuang Jin arrived at the Lotus Flower Grass fields with two squads and received his assignment from Luan Zhenyun.
• Zhuang Jin and Chen Yun worshipped the Old Man in the Moon together, and Miao Lun joined them for a meal and spoke about martial cultivation bottlenecks and the cost of Meridian Unblocking Pills.
• Miao Lun got drunk and confided in Zhuang Jin about his gratitude, his rivalry with his elder brother, and his despair over advancing further.
• Miao Lun told Zhuang Jin that the Medicine King Gang had secretly sent six Six Meridian Martial Artists to a single ward in North of the City, causing heavy losses for the Shen Family.
• Miao Lun reported that Duan Tao and several others had used Battle Merit Loans to advance, and that East Bridge Dock had managed to retreat despite taking losses.

Zhuang Jin and Miao Lun killed a powerful Ironhide Pig and shared in the spoils, then Zhuang Jin completed his Six Meridians accumulation and began breaking through to Seven Meridians. His Inner Breath flowed through the Foot Shaoyang Meridian, completing a circulation through all seven meridians.

• Zhuang Jin and Miao Lun worked together to kill a Skin Tempering Perfected Realm Ironhide Pig after a prolonged fight.
• Miao Lun searched the carcass for a Beast Treasure but found none, then declined a share of the spoils.
• Zhuang Jin arranged for the Ironhide Pig’s hide to be made into Leather Armor and planned to give the armor to Miao Lun.
• Zhuang Jin and Miao Lun hosted a feast for their subordinates using the Ironhide Pig’s meat and organs.
• On October twenty-third, Zhuang Jin completed his Six Meridians accumulation and began opening the Foot Shaoyang Meridian, completing a circulation through all seven meridians.

Zhuang Jin broke through to the Seven Meridians Realm and planned his next steps in cultivation and promotion within the Shen Family. He spent several days sightseeing with Chen Yun, whose companionship eased his guarded heart and left him calmer.

• Zhuang Jin reached the Seven Meridians Realm, discovered the power of Latent Strength, and recognized the dramatic increases in his strength and speed.
• Zhuang Jin decided to delay registering his promotion until the middle of the next month, while gathering resources and building his Black Fiend Palm proficiency.
• Zhuang Jin cultivated Black Fiend Palm while taking afternoons off to visit nearby sights with Chen Yun.
• Zhuang Jin and Chen Yun explored places including Fish Watching Cave, Sunrise Terrace, and Stone Mirror Mountain.
• After seven or eight days of travel, Zhuang Jin felt his tension ease and his affection for life grow through Chen Yun's companionship.

Zhuang Jin and Miao Lun killed a swift Black Goat and discovered a valuable Beast Treasure, but Miao Lun attacked Zhuang Jin to claim it. Zhuang Jin survived by revealing his Seven Meridians strength, killed Miao Lun, and decided he could no longer delay his promotion.

• Zhuang Jin and Miao Lun chased the Black Goat from the Herb Field into a mountain hollow, where Zhuang Jin knocked it down and Miao Lun killed it.
• Miao Lun found a Beast Treasure inside the Black Goat and realized it could help him break through to Seven Meridians.
• Miao Lun struck Zhuang Jin from behind to seize the Beast Treasure, but Zhuang Jin blocked him with the strength of a Seven Meridians martial artist.
• Miao Lun begged for forgiveness and then threatened Zhuang Jin with his elder brother, but Zhuang Jin remembered their friendship and chose to kill him.
• Zhuang Jin took the Black Goat and Miao Lun's corpse and decided to advance his promotion plans.

After Miao Lun’s death, Zhuang Jin hurried to the Shen Family Headquarters with Luan Zhenyun and sought to secure a fair hearing before Miao Shao could interfere. Zhao Bin obstructed them, so Zhuang Jin registered his promotion to Guard and sought allies, leaving Yue Song ready to introduce him to an attendant if he offered his Skin Tempering Completion Beast Treasure.

• Zhuang Jin told Luan Zhenyun what had happened and persuaded him to act quickly, so the two went to the Law Enforcement Division with the evidence.
• At the division, Zhao Bin invited Miao Shao instead of first examining the evidence, and Zhuang Jin accused him of obstructing the case and left to advance his rank.
• Zhuang Jin passed the assessment, registered as a one-striped Guard, and received an upgraded waist token and benefits from Yue Song.
• Zhuang Jin explained the dispute with Miao Lun to Yue Song and asked him for help; Yue Song offered to introduce him to Zou Qingfeng if Zhuang Jin would provide his Skin Tempering Completion Beast Treasure.

Zhuang Jin offered Zou Qingfeng a Beast Treasure in exchange for help resolving Miao Lun’s case and securing a chance to become Shen Xuchen’s personal guard. After questioning Zou Qingfeng’s motives, Shen Xuchen agreed to handle the case himself and went to meet Zhuang Jin.

• Zhuang Jin gave Zou Qingfeng a Beast Treasure, prompting Zou to agree to seek Shen Xuchen’s help with the case and Zhuang Jin’s bid for a personal guard position.
• Zou Qingfeng presented Zhuang Jin’s file to Shen Xuchen and explained the arrangement he had made without permission.
• Shen Xuchen confronted Zou Qingfeng about accepting the Beast Treasure and trying to steer him, then forgave him after making him acknowledge his mistake.
• Shen Xuchen decided to take on Miao Lun’s case and treat Zhuang Jin’s reward as Zou Qingfeng’s reward for discovering talent.
• After studying Zhuang Jin’s file, Shen Xuchen set out with Zou Qingfeng to meet Zhuang Jin.

Zhuang Jin chose the difficult but well-rounded Swift Wind Steps and collected cultivation supplies before returning to the Law Enforcement Division. There, Miao Shao attacked him over Miao Lun’s death, and Zhuang Jin turned the confrontation into a public scandal that threatened Zhao Bin’s standing.

• Zhuang Jin asked You Peng about Movement Martial Skills and chose Swift Wind Steps despite its formidable cultivation bottleneck.
• Zhuang Jin bought Mid-grade Black Essence Powder, exchanged Merit Points, and received a voucher for an Enhanced Meridian Soothing Pill after turning in a Beast Treasure.
• Miao Shao confronted Zhuang Jin outside the Law Enforcement Division and struck at him over Miao Lun’s death.
• Zhuang Jin defended himself with Black Fiend Palm, then called for guards and accused Miao Shao of being a possible spy.
• Zhao Bin and the other directors calmed the gathering, and Miao Shao received a warning.
• Zhuang Jin mocked Zhao Bin with the nickname “Sitting Earth Tiger,” giving Zhao Bin’s rivals an opportunity to undermine his position.

Zhuang Jin faced a hearing over Miao Lun’s death and navigated opposition from Zhao Bin and Miao Shao by securing support from Shen Xuqing and Shen Xuchen. With both young masters present, the directors prepared to hear the case under pressure to judge it impartially.

• Zhuang Jin challenged Zhao Bin’s accusations, and Ren Ze rebuked Zhao Bin while You Donglai tried to calm the dispute.
• Chen Yun informed Ni Ying about Zhuang Jin’s breakthrough and the incident with Miao Lun, prompting Ni Ying to bring her to Shen Xuqing.
• Shen Xuqing arrived to support Zhuang Jin, making You Donglai reconsider his willingness to favor Miao Shao.
• Zhao Bin questioned Shen Xuqing’s right to intervene, but Shen Xuchen arrived and declared that he would observe the hearing.
• Zhuang Jin asked Ren Ze and You Donglai to judge by facts and evidence, and Shen Xuqing and Shen Xuchen admired his measured response.

Zhuang Jin faced a Law Enforcement Division hearing over Miao Lun’s death, and the evidence and Shen Xuchen and Shen Xuqing’s intervention secured his acquittal and compensation. After the ruling, Zou Qingfeng collected Zhuang Jin’s promised reward, and Shen Xuchen asked whether he would become a director if he broke through to Seven Meridians.

• Zhuang Jin and Miao Shao gave their accounts of Miao Lun’s death before the three directors of the Law Enforcement Division.
• The coroner’s findings confirmed that Miao Lun had taken the Black Goat’s Beast Treasure and died from Zhuang Jin’s counterattack.
• Zhao Bin tried to cast doubt on Zhuang Jin’s self-defense, but Zhuang Jin, Shen Xuchen, and Shen Xuqing challenged his reasoning.
• The directors ruled that Zhuang Jin was not guilty and awarded him the Black Goat and Miao Lun’s 862 military merits.
• Zhuang Jin thanked Shen Xuchen and Shen Xuqing, then gave Zou Qingfeng the redemption voucher for the Enhanced Meridian Soothing Pill.
• Shen Xuchen asked Zou Qingfeng whether he would serve as a Law Enforcement Division director if he broke through to Seven Meridians.

Zhuang Jin settled into cultivation at the Herb Fields Outside the City while awaiting selection as Shen Xuchen’s personal guard. After reviewing Zhuang Jin’s record and Xing Yan’s evaluation, Shen Xuchen ranked him last and removed his information from the candidate list.

• Shen Xuchen sent Zou Qingfeng to use Zhao Bin’s misconduct as grounds to remove him from the Law Enforcement Division and expand Shen Xuchen’s influence there.
• Zhuang Jin collected his Seven Meridians Realm rewards, chose Yu Xiaoxiao and Min Shang as servants, and thanked Xing Yan and Qian Wende for their efforts.
• Zhuang Jin returned to the Herb Fields Outside the City and focused on cultivating with Mid-grade Black Essence Powder and Flesh Refining Realm Exotic Beast Meat while practicing Swift Wind Steps.
• More than half a month later, Shen Xuchen reviewed the final personal guard candidates and read Xing Yan’s praise of Zhuang Jin alongside a warning that he concealed his abilities and protected himself.
• Shen Xuchen judged Zhuang Jin’s caution too risky for a personal guard, ranked him last, and then removed his information from the candidate list after receiving a note from the Head of the General Affairs Department.

Zhuang Jin tested his newly reached entry-level Swift Wind Steps against Luan Zhenyun and gained confidence in his strength. At headquarters, he learned Xing Yan had been chosen as the Eighth Young Master's personal guard, but Xing recommended Zhuang Jin for East Bridge Dock; Zou Qingfeng also shared news of his upcoming transfer and hinted at an unspoken concern.

• Zhuang Jin reached the entry level in Swift Wind Steps and sparred with Luan Zhenyun, whose speed and skill he eventually surpassed.
• Luan Zhenyun told Zhuang Jin that, with his Swift Wind Steps and Black Fiend Palm, few Seven Meridian martial artists could match or catch him.
• Luan Zhenyun informed Zhuang Jin that he needed to return to headquarters for his new assignment and attend a meeting as a Town Garrison Commander.
• Xing Yan told Zhuang Jin that he had become the Eighth Young Master's personal guard and recommended Zhuang Jin to take over East Bridge Dock.
• Zou Qingfeng paid Zhuang Jin for the Reinforced Meridian Soothing Pill, said he would become a Law Enforcement Division director, and hinted that he had something else to discuss.

Zhuang Jin attended his first District Headquarters meeting as a newly appointed Town Garrison Commander and learned that he and Liu Licheng would lead a frontline attack against the Medicine King Gang. The next day, at an internal township meeting, he spotted an acquaintance among the waiting martial artists.

• Zhuang Jin found that most Town Garrison Commanders treated him coldly because he had risen through external recruitment rather than family connections, and he resolved to keep a low profile while improving his strength.
• Liu Licheng arrived, introduced Zhuang Jin to the other commanders, and explained that District Garrison Commander Guo Liangping was strict and decisive.
• Guo Liangping described the Shen Family's gains against the Medicine King Gang and announced that East Bridge Dock and Ping Shui Bo would attack the frontline together on the night of the sixth.
• Zhuang Jin returned to East Bridge Dock, settled into the Township Headquarters with his household, and spent the evening eating and cultivating.
• On December first, Zhuang Jin attended an internal township meeting and recognized an acquaintance among the ordinary martial artists waiting outside.

Zhuang Jin took command of East Bridge Dock as the new District Garrison Commander, managing old acquaintances among his subordinates and securing their obedience. By the end of the day, Wei Xun and Qu Zhe had submitted, and Zhuang Jin had consolidated control of the district.

• Zhuang Jin recognized his former instructor Tang Wentao and arranged for him to transfer back to the Shen Family Headquarters or the Herb Fields Outside the City next month.
• Tang Wentao told his wife that Zhuang Jin had honored their old connection, and they argued over the silver gift she had once refused to give him.
• Zhuang Jin met with the six Street Guardians, asserted his authority, and ordered them to cooperate and follow his instructions.
• Zhuang Jin briefed the Street Guardians on plans to join Ping Shui Bo in an attack on the front lines on the night of the sixth and on matters concerning their streets.
• Wei Xun brought Xiang Qichen and a costly gift to apologize to Zhuang Jin, while Qu Zhe also visited with gifts to show his submission.
• Zhuang Jin accepted the apologies and gifts, and the Street Guardians fell in line, leaving him in control of East Bridge Dock.

Zhuang Jin learned from Liu Licheng that Xing Yan had sabotaged his selection for the Eighth Young Master's Personal Guard, but he chose not to confront him or attend his celebration. He remained wary of Liu Licheng's motives and reflected on whether his rapid progress had drawn attention, while Xing Yan's banquet began without him.

• Liu Licheng told Zhuang Jin that Xing Yan had influenced the selection evaluation to get him eliminated from the final shortlist.
• Zhuang Jin explained to Chen Yun that Xing Yan had cultivated goodwill in hopes of gaining a greater reward, and he accepted that their relationship would now fade.
• Zhuang Jin declined Xing Yan's invitation to celebrate, while privately wondering whether Liu Licheng had another reason for revealing the betrayal.
• Xing Yan waited at the entrance for Zhuang Jin, then sighed, accepted that he would not come, and went inside to begin the banquet.

Dong Pei devised a scheme to exploit Zhuang Jin’s strained position within the Shen Family by sending Gao Shi to recruit him openly. On December 6, Gao Shi approached Zhuang Jin and publicly invited him to join the Medicine King Gang.

• Dong Pei reviewed intelligence on Zhuang Jin and planned to use Gao Shi to widen the rift between Zhuang Jin and the Shen Family.
• Gao Shi’s cruelty toward his former friend Zhou Yuan and his subservience to Minor Incense Master Fei Xu were revealed.
• Fei Xu ordered Gao Shi to approach Zhuang Jin openly and invite him to defect to the Medicine King Gang.
• On December 6, Qian Wende brought Gao Shi to meet Zhuang Jin while Liu Licheng waited behind a screen.
• Gao Shi invited Zhuang Jin to join the Medicine King Gang and share its wealth and honor.

Zhuang Jin rejected the Medicine King Gang’s attempt to recruit him, then confronted Incense Master Dong Pei during the Shen Family’s advance. He charged Dong Pei and invited Liu Licheng to join him, turning the promised duel into a two-on-one fight.

• Gao Shi tried to persuade Zhuang Jin to defect to the Medicine King Gang, but Zhuang Jin dismissed him and ordered him to leave.
• After Gao Shi departed, Liu Licheng vouched for Zhuang Jin and suggested he repay Dong Pei for the recruitment scheme.
• That night, the Shen Family’s forces advanced across North of the City while the Medicine King Gang retreated and harassed them.
• Dong Pei appeared on a rooftop and tried to recruit Zhuang Jin, but Zhuang Jin refused and challenged him to fight.
• Zhuang Jin told Liu Licheng to attack with him, then charged Dong Pei, and Liu Licheng followed.

Zhuang Jin and Liu Licheng fought off Dong Pei’s ambush and won three streets, while Dong Pei’s plot involving Gao Shi left Zhuang Jin with troubling intelligence to review. The chapter ended with Zhuang Jin reading Qian Wende’s report on Gao Shi and turning cold.

• Zhuang Jin and Liu Licheng overwhelmed Dong Pei, who escaped after taking a serious palm strike.
• Dong Pei’s retreat disrupted the Medicine King Gang’s plans, allowing East Bridge Dock and Ping Shui Bo to seize three streets and inflict heavy losses.
• Qian Wende ordered Gao Shi captured alive, and Dong Pei planned to use Gao Shi to undermine Zhuang Jin.
• Dong Pei learned that Gao Shi had likely been captured and suffered a sudden burst of bleeding from his back.
• Zhuang Jin received 872 battle merits after the streets and casualties were tallied.
• The following afternoon, Qian Wende gave Zhuang Jin his report on Gao Shi, and Zhuang Jin’s expression turned cold as he read it.

Zhuang Jin visited Gao Shi in prison, where Gao Shi recounted how abuse and betrayal had shaped his rise through the Medicine King Gang before attacking Zhuang Jin and dying. As snow fell, Zhuang Jin left the prison and reflected on old companions whose lives had changed alongside his growing influence.

• Gao Shi welcomed Zhuang Jin, ate and drank the food he brought, then realized Zhuang Jin had come to tell him it was time to die.
• Gao Shi recounted how the Medicine King Gang and Zhou Yuan had betrayed and mistreated him, leading him to believe that cruelty was necessary to survive and rise.
• Gao Shi challenged Zhuang Jin to say what he should have done, lunged at him, and died after Zhuang Jin struck him with his palm.
• Zhuang Jin asked Xue Yandao to arrange Gao Shi's burial, then walked through the snow and remembered Gao Shi, Xiang Qichen, and Xiong Lei.
• Xiang Qichen, Xiong Lei, Jiao Kun, Lin Hong, Qian Wende, Bi Kai, and Wu Hao appeared in separate scenes reflecting on Zhuang Jin's influence and their own changed fortunes.

Zhuang Jin found warmth and tranquility at home with Chen Yun after Gao Shi’s affair had troubled him. The next day, Dong Pei learned that Zhuang Jin had killed Gao Shi and sent him a humiliating gift, leaving Dong Pei’s wound reopened in rage.

• Zhuang Jin returned home through heavy snow, and Chen Yun spoke with him about her bonsai, neighborhood troubles, and plans for the household servants.
• Zhuang Jin told Chen Yun that she could hold her own views and promised to support her as they learned together.
• Zhuang Jin practiced Martial Practice and refined Mid-grade Black Essence Powder, finding comfort in the warmth of his home.
• Dong Pei learned that Zhuang Jin had killed Gao Shi and decided that Zhuang Jin had seen through his scheme.
• Dong Pei opened Zhuang Jin’s gift of women’s clothes, felt humiliated, and burst open his wound in anger.