Chapter Summaries

Zhuang Jin discussed injustice and class with Chen Honggan, Madame Chen Ruan, Chen Yun, Yu Xiaoxiao, and Song Lan, explaining why the authorities protected the powerful and urging people to rise in status. The gathering then turned to gossip about the Flying Squirrel Bandit, while Zhuang Jin enjoyed a rare quiet moment with his family and guests.

• Madame Chen Ruan thanked Zhuang Jin because his connections had forced Commander Zhou's son to apologize to her elder brother for trying to take his beloved as a concubine.
• Chen Honggan questioned whether the offender would have faced consequences without Zhuang Jin's influence, prompting a discussion about injustice and the authorities' disregard for ordinary people.
• Zhuang Jin explained that class shaped whose interests the authorities protected and argued that people should improve themselves and climb into a more powerful class.
• Chen Yun expressed jealousy that Zhuang Jin had not shared his deeper views with her, and he reassured her that he wanted to shield her from harsh realities.
• The group discussed the Flying Squirrel Bandit, whom Zhuang Jin said stole from the wealthy, gave away little of the money, and violated women.
• Zhuang Jin set aside martial practice to spend a peaceful afternoon talking with Chen Honggan, Madame Chen Ruan, Chen Yun, Yu Xiaoxiao, and Song Lan.

Zhuang Jin declined Chen Yun’s suggestion that he take another concubine, then focused on cultivation as the Shen Family gained ground against the Medicine King Gang. A reunion among former dormitory mates exposed their changed fortunes and ended with Qian Wende entering a brothel room where a role-playing woman stirred an unexpected reaction in him.

• Chen Yun told Zhuang Jin about her friend Yu Qingjun and suggested he take her as a concubine, but he asked to postpone the matter.
• Zhuang Jin met Yu Qingjun, learned that she had been deaf from birth, and felt no desire to pursue her.
• Ou Wenzhong reported that the Shen Family was winning its war of attrition against the Medicine King Gang while Zhuang Jin cultivated toward the Tenth Meridian.
• Qian Wende, Lin Hong, Bi Kai, Wu Hao, Xiang Qichen, and Xiong Lei gathered to eat, and Qian Wende belittled Jiao Kun and demanded payment to transfer Xiang Qichen.
• Xiang Qichen and Xiong Lei recalled Qian Wende’s past dependence on them, prompting him to offer to pay for an outing; Lin Hong, Bi Kai, and Wu Hao declined to join.
• Qian Wende entered a brothel room where a woman role-playing a married wife dodged his embrace, and he felt an unfamiliar switch flip inside him.

Zhuang Jin learned that Qian Wende had abused his authority on Qing'an Street by coercing subordinates’ wives, then summoned him to answer for it. Qian Wende confessed his ambitions in front of Bi Kai and was brought before Zhuang Jin, where he begged for his life.

• Ou Wenzhong warned Zhuang Jin that Qian Wende had taken money and made advances on his subordinates’ wives, so Zhuang Jin sent Bi Kai and Lin Hong to investigate.
• Bi Kai found Qian Wende coercing a subordinate’s wife and overheard him boast that he could switch sides if Zhuang Jin fell from power; Bi Kai kicked in the door, and Qian Wende wet himself in fright.
• Lin Hong reported that Qian Wende’s misconduct had grown from accepting favors and women to threatening subordinates and forcing their wives after gaining power as Street Guardian.
• Zhuang Jin concluded that Qian Wende had acted without outside instigation and dismissed Lin Hong when he tried to plead for mercy.
• Bi Kai brought Qian Wende before Zhuang Jin, and Qian Wende fell to his knees and begged to be spared.

Zhuang Jin severed his relationship with Qian Wende after Qian disobeyed him, then broke through to Ten Meridians and advanced Swift Wind Steps. At a Lantern Festival, he and Chen Yun encountered the Flying Squirrel Bandit as a clash with pursuing Martial Artists erupted.

• Zhuang Jin reprimanded Qian Wende for disobeying him, spared him, and sent him to North of the City after telling him to clean up his own mess.
• Qian Wende lost the influence he had enjoyed through Zhuang Jin, struggled in North of the City, and later failed to get past Zhuang Jin's front gate.
• On May 28, Zhuang Jin registered his Nine Meridian cultivation as a Three-stripe Guard, opened the Foot Taiyin Meridian, and advanced Swift Wind Steps to minor accomplishment.
• On June 15, Zhuang Jin took Chen Yun to East of the City's Lantern Festival, where they heard that Qixia Tower's Luminous Pearl had been stolen by the Flying Squirrel Bandit.
• The crowd hindered the black-robed Martial Artists pursuing the Flying Squirrel Bandit, and Zhuang Jin destroyed the bandit's poison-coated sleeve arrows with a prize lantern.

Zhuang Jin helped capture the Flying Squirrel Bandit, then learned from the bandit's diary how he had obtained Azure Origin Mother Fluid and cultivated to the Eighth Meridian Realm. After another month of cultivation, Zhuang Jin registered as a Four-Pattern Guard and broke through to Eleven Meridians, before receiving an invitation from Shen Xuchen.

• Zhuang Jin injured the fleeing Flying Squirrel Bandit and joined the Township Garrison Commanders in capturing him.
• Ou Wenzhong explained that the Lantern Festival gathering had been a trap, and gave Zhuang Jin books and paintings as thanks.
• Chen Yun found the Flying Squirrel Bandit's diary, which revealed that he had stolen Azure Origin Mother Fluid from a Medicine King Gang disciple and used it to cultivate medicinal herbs.
• Zhuang Jin resumed cultivating while Ou Wenzhong visited regularly with gifts and news about the city factions' battles.
• On July twenty-eighth, Zhuang Jin registered as a Four-Pattern Guard and broke through to Eleven Meridians.
• The next day, Shen Xuchen invited Zhuang Jin to a small gathering.

Zhuang Jin chose to leave his post east of the city for the bloodier South of the City front rather than become a blade in its tangled power struggles. After handing the post to Pang Shusheng, he departed, while the question of having descendants remained unresolved.

• Shen Xuchen told Zhuang Jin that the Six-Month Period had arrived and offered him a post in South of the City or a chance to remain east of the city.
• Zhuang Jin chose to go to South of the City, where he hoped to replenish his battle merits and settle matters with Zhao Bin.
• Shen Xuchen explained that the Black Fiend Art’s draining of vital essence could hinder Zhuang Jin from having children, while switching cultivation methods could resolve the problem at the cost of slower progress and risks.
• Shen Xuchen asked Zhuang Jin to bear with Pang Shusheng, who would take over the east of the city post and would scrutinize its affairs closely.
• Pang Shusheng examined the accounts, criticized Zhuang Jin for occupying the post without changing the situation, and urged him to give it up for someone willing to act.
• Zhuang Jin asked Pang Shusheng why he had volunteered, expressed admiration for his desire to do what was right, handed over the seal, and departed.

Zhuang Jin learned about the South of the City front and took command of his assigned garrison, where he quickly asserted control over his six subordinates. He left Zhao Bin stripped of military authority and under surveillance, while dividing the remaining forces among the three streets.

• Sun Mingbi explained the South of the City front, the scarcity of Twelve Meridian fighters, and how Meridian Opening Realm Martial Intuition prevented powerful fighters from disguising themselves.
• Zhuang Jin asked for Nine Meridian subordinates, but Sun Mingbi was reluctant to transfer any, so Zhuang Jin proceeded to Fengdu Street with the six commanders assigned to him.
• Zhuang Jin’s subordinates introduced themselves: Liu Licheng and Huang Tianjun tried to make peace, while Zhao Bin remained openly hostile.
• Pu Yingyuan accused Zhao Bin of plotting against Zhuang Jin and suggested he might betray the Shen Family, while Luo You appeared to defend Zhao Bin and coaxed him into admitting his resentment.
• Zhuang Jin declared Zhao Bin’s conduct a security concern, placed Zhao Bin’s squads under his personal guards, and required Zhao Bin to apply before leaving and report his daily activities.
• Zhuang Jin kept Zhao Bin and Huang Tianjun on Fengdu Street, assigned Liu Licheng and Shi Shouyu’s forces to Fenghua Street, and sent Pu Yingyuan and Luo You to garrison Fengguang Street.

Zhuang Jin uncovered Zhao Bin’s attempt to poison him and killed him, while the Medicine King Gang prepared a separate attack on Zhuang Jin’s sector. The chapter ended as Zhu Xi realized the gang’s plans were exposed and ordered his men to attack at once.

• Zhuang Jin explained that he was pressuring Zhao Bin into either surrendering or making a desperate move, while warning his subordinates about possible attacks on food or water.
• Zhao Bin’s wife secretly passed him a message and an item from the Medicine King Gang, prompting him to act against Zhuang Jin.
• Fu Honggang ordered Zhu Xi and his men to kill Zhuang Jin in the Fengzi Hao Fleet sector, with Fu Honggang planning to intercept Shen Family reinforcements.
• Zhuang Jin’s white mice died after eating the delivered meal, so he donned the Top-grade Profound Exotic Beast Leather Armor Shen Xuchen had lent him and sent a signal for reinforcements.
• Zhuang Jin confronted Zhao Bin, struck him with Latent Strength, and killed him after the poison failed to work.
• Zhu Xi saw the Shen Family distress signal and ordered his men to attack immediately, fearing Zhuang Jin had exposed their plan.

Zhuang Jin fought off Zhu Xi’s Medicine King Gang assault on Feng’an Street while concealing his true strength and using Exotic Beast Leather Armor to survive their attacks. The gang retreated, leaving Zhuang Jin alive and determined to kill Zhu Xi when they next met.

• Zhuang Jin told the assembled Martial Artists that Zhao Bin had betrayed them and been executed, but Zhu Xi immediately launched an attack with his forces.
• Zhuang Jin overwhelmed Incense Master Kuang, using his armor to absorb Zhu Xi’s palm and then striking Kuang down.
• Zhuang Jin ambushed Incense Master Pan and killed him with a palm strike, while Zhu Xi killed Huang Tianjun after Zhuang Jin pretended to defend him.
• Zhu Xi pursued Zhuang Jin, but Zhuang Jin repeatedly used his armor and movement to evade him without revealing that he was in the Eleven Meridians Realm.
• The Medicine King Gang’s retreat signal sounded, and Zhu Xi withdrew with his men after vowing to settle matters with Zhuang Jin later.
• Zhuang Jin checked his forces and found that Xue Yan, Duan Tao, Lin Hong, Bi Kai, and the others were unharmed, though several fighters had been injured.

Zhuang Jin survived the Medicine King Gang’s attack, killed two Nine Meridian Incense Masters, and feigned a collapse to withdraw from the front and recuperate. As he planned to use his battle merits to advance his cultivation, he learned that Pang Shusheng had been executed in East of the City over accusations of colluding with the Medicine King Gang.

• Sun Mingbi and the other commanders arrived expecting to mourn Zhuang Jin, but he emerged alive with the heads of two Medicine King Gang Incense Masters and reported that Garrison Commander Huang had died.
• Zhuang Jin pretended to faint, while Fu Honggang told his men that the Medicine King Gang had won and dismissed responsibility for Zhao Bin’s family.
• Zhuang Jin recovered in the rear as Chen Yun and Yu Xiaoxiao cared for him, and Lin Hong reported that Zhao Bin’s remaining loyalist had been killed, Zhao Bin’s family executed, and Zhuang Jin awarded twenty-five thousand battle merits.
• Zhuang Jin planned to use his battle merits to accumulate strength at the Eleven Meridian Realm and break through to the Twelfth Meridian Realm while recuperating.
• Zou Qingfeng visited on behalf of Shen Xuchen and told Zhuang Jin that Pang Shusheng had been executed at Qingyuan Township Headquarters after being accused of colluding with the Medicine King Gang.

After learning that Pang Shusheng had been framed and killed, Zhuang Jin recuperated on South City Third Frontline, broke through to the Twelfth Meridian Realm, and perfected his Black Fiend Palm. He decided to return to the front line to earn battle merits and continue advancing.

• Zhuang Jin learned that Pang Shusheng had been falsely accused of colluding with the Medicine King Gang and killed, while Shen Xianhong mobilized forces in East of the City.
• Zhuang Jin registered at Eleven Meridians and became a five-pattern guard, frustrating Fu Honggang’s claim that he had ruined Zhuang Jin’s potential.
• Zhuang Jin spent his battle merits on Flesh Refining Perfection Exotic Beast Meat and completed his Eleven Meridians accumulation after more than a month of recuperation.
• On September 27, Zhuang Jin opened his final meridian and reached the Twelfth Meridian Realm.
• Zhuang Jin perfected the Black Fiend Palm and advanced Swift Wind Steps to Greater Mastery, then resolved to return to the front line for battle merits.

After returning to the southern front, Zhuang Jin agreed to help Sun Mingbi kill Medicine King Gang Chief Commander Fu Honggang in exchange for thirty thousand Merit Points and a chance to advance toward the Meridian Opening Realm. Fu Honggang, meanwhile, was nearing perfection in his movement skill and planned to settle accounts with both men.

• Zhuang Jin returned to Fengdu Street after sending Chen Yun and the others back to headquarters, and Sun Mingbi visited him with gifts and two Ninth Meridian commanders to replace his former subordinates.
• Sun Mingbi praised Zhuang Jin and asked him to help kill Fu Honggang, whom he blamed for planning the attack that had injured Zhuang Jin.
• Zhuang Jin hesitated, prioritizing his cultivation and personal safety, until Sun Mingbi offered thirty thousand Merit Points in goods.
• Sun Mingbi revealed that killing Fu Honggang could help him obtain a Meridian Opening Pill once the Shen Family released them, and Zhuang Jin agreed to assist after completing his cultivation accumulation.
• Fu Honggang felt that his Vajra Tiger Subduing Steps were nearing perfection and vowed to settle accounts with Sun Mingbi and Zhuang Jin.

Fu Honggang perfected the Vajra Tiger Subduing Steps and launched a decisive assault on the Shen Family’s South of the City front, intending to kill Sun Mingbi and Zhuang Jin. Sun Mingbi and Fu Honggang began a fierce battle, while Zhuang Jin faced Zhu Xi, and the chapter left the larger fight unresolved as Zhong Yi and Shi Yin watched from a bell tower.

• Xue Yandao broke through to Seven Meridians, Lin Hong advanced to Five Meridians, and Bi Kai reached Fourth Meridian as Zhuang Jin’s forces earned military merit with few casualties.
• Fu Honggang perfected the Vajra Tiger Subduing Steps and decided to attack before Zhuang Jin could reach Twelve Meridians.
• The Medicine King Gang and Shen Family committed their forces to an all-out battle on the South of the City front.
• Fu Honggang challenged Sun Mingbi, and Zhuang Jin fought Zhu Xi as fighters on both sides joined the clash.
• Fu Honggang suppressed Sun Mingbi and revealed that he had perfected both the Black Fiend Palm and his movement martial skills, while Sun Mingbi wore Top-grade Profound Exotic Beast Leather Armor.
• Zhong Yi and Shi Yin watched the battle from a bell tower, with Shi Yin claiming the Medicine King Gang had won and Zhong Yi warning that the outcome remained uncertain.

Zhuang Jin revealed his Twelfth Meridian Realm cultivation and defeated Zhu Xi before joining Sun Mingbi to overpower Fu Honggang. The Medicine King Gang suffered a crushing defeat, and the news shocked the Shen Family and Prefecture City.

• Zhuang Jin killed Zhu Xi in three moves with his Perfected Level Black Fiend Palm and Swift Wind Steps.
• Zhuang Jin revealed his Twelfth Meridian Realm cultivation and fought Fu Honggang while Sun Mingbi recovered.
• Zhuang Jin and Fu Honggang exchanged dozens of blows, but Zhuang Jin's armor gave him the advantage.
• Sun Mingbi joined Zhuang Jin, and together they grievously wounded Fu Honggang until Zhuang Jin crippled his limbs.
• Zhuang Jin left Fu Honggang to Sun Mingbi, who killed him, and the Medicine King Gang was routed that night.

After killing Fu Honggang and reaching Twelve Meridians, Zhuang Jin moved to the South of the City headquarters, where Attendant Zhong’s protection let him cultivate in relative safety. As the other characters reacted to his rise and the Medicine King Gang withdrew from direct confrontation, Zhuang Jin completed his accumulation in the Twelve Meridian Realm on November 28.

• Zhong Yi praised Zhuang Jin’s battle performance, shared his treasured wine with him, and invited him to stay at the South of the City headquarters under his protection.
• Xiang Qichen told Qian Wende about Zhuang Jin’s breakthrough and battlefield success, deepening Qian Wende’s regret over his past choices.
• Shen Xuqing urged Ni Ying to reconnect with Chen Yun, while Chen Yun received congratulations from the Outer Courtyard after Zhuang Jin’s rise.
• Shen Xuchen accepted that Zhuang Jin should remain on the front line for now, and Shen Xianhong arranged for Zhong Yi to watch over him.
• Zhuang Jin moved to the headquarters, directed the Fengzi Hao Fleet through his guards, and cultivated while the Medicine King Gang avoided direct conflict.
• After more than a month of cultivation, Zhuang Jin completed his accumulation in the Twelve Meridian Realm on November 28.

Zhuang Jin discovered that remaining at the peak of the Twelve Meridian Realm would keep the Black Fiend Art draining his potential, so he chose to break through into the Meridian Opening Realm. After gaining Transforming Strength and Martial Intuition, he sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching.

• Zhuang Jin realized that without a bottleneck, the Black Fiend Art would keep producing excess Inner Breath and risk damaging his body or opening the Eight Extraordinary Meridians in the wrong order.
• Zhuang Jin decided to break through rather than wait, citing the strain on his potential and the threat posed by the Medicine King Gang after Fu Honggang's death.
• Zhuang Jin sent his Inner Breath into the Chong Meridian and broke through into the Meridian Opening Realm.
• Zhuang Jin discovered that he could wield Transforming Strength beyond his body's limits and gained heightened perception called Martial Intuition.
• Zhuang Jin used Martial Intuition to sense the patrolling martial artists outside and a powerful aura approaching rapidly.

Zhuang Jin broke through to the Meridian Opening Realm and returned to Shen Family Headquarters to register as an Acolyte. After receiving his promotion and learning about his new privileges, he realized that he had entered the Shen Family’s decision-making circle.

• Zhong Yi and Sun Mingbi learned that Zhuang Jin had broken through to the Meridian Opening Realm, and Sun Mingbi congratulated him while envying his progress.
• Zhong Yi accompanied Zhuang Jin to Shen Family Headquarters, then left to surprise his old friends while Zhuang Jin went to the General Affairs Department for assessment.
• Zhuang Jin passed the Glazed Realm-Testing Puppet test, and Mu Mingxi registered his promotion to Acolyte and replaced his waist token.
• Mu Mingxi explained Zhuang Jin’s new stipends, residences, personal attendant, access to the Tribute Department, and right to attend monthly high-level meetings.
• Zhuang Jin recognized that his promotion had transformed him from a subordinate serving the Shen Family system into a privileged member able to influence its decisions.

Zhuang Jin visited the Skill Transmission Department after becoming an Acolyte, where Shen Xianji explained the higher cultivation realms and martial skill mastery. Zhuang Jin received cultivation manuals and a concealment secret art, while arranging for Chen Yun to practice the Azure Wood Springwood Art.

• Zhuang Jin went to the Skill Transmission Department and met deputy head Shen Xianji, who explained the Meridian Opening, Fetal Breath, and Innate realms.
• Shen Xianji told Zhuang Jin that the Shen Family and the Medicine King Gang each had one Innate Realm practitioner, their respective leaders.
• Zhuang Jin asked to give his Five Elements cultivation-method quota to Chen Yun and continue cultivating the Black Fiend Art; Shen Xianji agreed and selected the Azure Wood Springwood Art for her.
• Shen Xianji gave Zhuang Jin cultivation manuals and explained the three levels of martial skill perfection, including how his Black Fiend Palm and Swift Wind Steps could continue improving.
• Zhuang Jin asked about concealing his realm, and Shen Xianji gave him the Turtle Breath Technique while explaining its limits.

Zhuang Jin bought supplies for his advancing cultivation before meeting Shen Xianhong in Plum Garden, where the Shen Family Patriarch tested his resolve and welcomed him into the family’s inner circle. Shen Xianhong invited him to attend the next day’s high-level meeting, leaving Zhuang Jin poised to take part in the Shen Family’s affairs.

• Zhuang Jin purchased High-grade Black Essence Powder, Qi Channel Opening Soup Packs, and Wood Essence Powder at the Pill Department.
• Zhong Yi reported to Shen Xianhong that Zhuang Jin had shown no suspicious behavior, and Shen Xianhong decided his talent and guarded nature made him valuable to the Shen Family.
• Shen Xuchen escorted Zhuang Jin to Plum Garden, where Shen Xianhong welcomed him and offered him Cloud Concealment Tea and a jin to take home.
• Shen Xianhong asked Zhuang Jin how he had endured years of martial training, and Zhuang Jin explained that he feared losing control of his fate and failing to protect what he valued more than the hardship of training.
• Shen Xianhong praised Zhuang Jin’s resolve and invited him to the next day’s high-level meeting, advising him to listen more than he spoke.

Zhuang Jin celebrated his promotion to attendant rank at a grand banquet that drew Shen Family leaders, relatives, and ambitious young masters. He welcomed their goodwill without committing to support any candidate for family head, while Qian Wende confronted how far he had fallen from Zhuang Jin’s favor.

• Yue Song hosted the guests at Zhuang Jin’s banquet and reflected on how his loyalty to Zhuang Jin had raised his own prospects.
• Qian Wende arrived with a gift and regretted losing his former closeness to Zhuang Jin, while Qu Zhe questioned why he could not enter the courtyard.
• Zhuang Jin greeted Mu Mingxi and other attendants, and Qian Wende realized that Zhuang Jin had risen beyond his reach.
• Chen Yun received the attendants’ female relatives, who treated her cordially as Zhuang Jin’s status elevated her standing.
• Zhuang Jin recognized that Meridian Opening had placed him among the Shen Family’s upper echelon and raised his family’s standing.
• Shen Xuhong, Shen Xujing, Shen Xuchou, and other young masters courted Zhuang Jin, but he spoke pleasantly without pledging support to any of them.