Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao confronted Cao Quan'an about Hong Chengtong’s murder and learned that Ren Tianxing had poisoned Hong Chengtong and seized control of the Hong Sect. Cao Quan'an revealed that Ren Tianxing was holding his youngest son Cao Baoyu hostage, leaving Meng Zhao’s search for the truth and the item he sought unresolved.

• Boss Xu left Cao Quan'an after Cao Quan'an told him their debt of gratitude was settled, then agreed to visit Hall Master Ren at a Hong Sect member’s urging.
• Cao Quan'an recalled that Ren Tianxing had exploited his eldest son’s death to take power and had captured Cao Baoyu, forcing Cao Quan'an to conceal his opposition.
• Meng Zhao entered Cao Quan'an’s room and asked whether Cao Quan'an or Ren Tianxing had betrayed and murdered Sect Master Hong.
• Meng Zhao explained that Hong Minghui and her daughter were under his protection and said he had come to investigate the murder and find an item likely held by Cao Quan'an or Ren Tianxing.
• Cao Quan'an denied any role in Hong Chengtong’s death and accused Ren Tianxing of poisoning him with Blue Phoenix.
• Cao Quan'an said he could not retaliate because Ren Tianxing had taken control of his forces and was holding Cao Baoyu hostage.

Meng Zhao negotiated with Cao Quan'an over an alliance against Ren Tianxing, while Cao Quan'an revealed that one of the other Hong Sect vice sect masters might be Ren Tianxing’s accomplice. The chapter ended with Cao Quan'an offering to help Meng Zhao deal with Ren Tianxing if Meng Zhao first rescued his younger son, Baoyu.

• Meng Zhao offered Cao Quan'an help against Ren Tianxing in exchange for a share of the benefits, and Cao Quan'an demanded that his younger son be rescued first.
• Cao Quan'an rejected a public exposure of Ren Tianxing, arguing that it would damage the Hong Sect’s reputation, and proposed that Meng Zhao handle Ren Tianxing himself.
• Meng Zhao suggested that Fourth Master Jin or Shi Qi could join the effort, but Cao Quan'an suspected that one of them was secretly colluding with Ren Tianxing.
• Cao Quan'an suspected Shi Qi because his son, Shi Tian, had died while searching for a flower Hong Minghui liked, leaving Shi Qi resentful of her and Hong Chengtong.
• Cao Quan'an explained that his eldest son had also loved Hong Minghui, then offered to help Meng Zhao deal with Ren Tianxing after Meng Zhao rescued Baoyu.

Meng Zhao received Cao Quan'an’s Golden Arrow Iron Token and learned that Cao Quan'an had a hidden force in Longxiang County that might help locate Cao Baoyu. He and Yan Congke contacted its leader, Ning Baihe, who had found leads on Cao Baoyu’s prison, and Meng Zhao insisted on keeping the rescue discreet.

• Cao Quan'an gave Meng Zhao the Golden Arrow Iron Token and warned him that he would retaliate if Cao Baoyu came to harm.
• Meng Zhao told Yan Congke what Cao Quan'an had revealed, and they discussed the risks of trusting the hidden force and involving Shi Qi.
• Meng Zhao and Yan Congke began searching for Cao Quan'an’s scattered force, which was led by the merchant Ning Baihe.
• Meng Zhao left the signal Cao Quan'an had taught him and waited with Yan Congke at Ning Baihe’s teahouse until Ning arrived.
• Ning Baihe confirmed that he had found leads on Cao Baoyu’s whereabouts and offered to gather more masters.
• Meng Zhao said the rescue needed to remain discreet and offered to let Ning Baihe join them alone if he wished.

Meng Zhao and Yan Congke learned that Cao Baoyu was being held in Baiyang Village, the secret base of Red Skull, and Ning Baihe offered to guide them there. Ning Baihe warned them about three formidable masters guarding the place, leaving them to consider the dangers of the rescue.

• Ning Baihe gave Meng Zhao the address of Baiyang Village and confirmed Cao Baoyu was likely held there by elite followers of Ren Tianxing.
• Yan Congke explained that Baiyang Village hid Red Skull, a criminal and assassin organization with ties to the Hong Sect and possibly Ren Tianxing.
• Ning Baihe offered to lead Meng Zhao and Yan Congke to Cao Baoyu, then warned them about Hegemon King Spear Ruan Xiong and his powerful external hardening art.
• Meng Zhao said speed could exploit Ruan Xiong's weakness and that their goal was to rescue Cao Baoyu rather than fight to the death.
• Ning Baihe described Blood Sun Hand Wang Song, a murderous practitioner of demonic cultivation who could be difficult to escape.
• Ning Baihe introduced Xie Feng, the hidden-weapon master Thousand-Hand Tathagata, whose poisoned weapons and skill at finding openings made Yan Congke wary.

Meng Zhao, Ning Baihe, and Yan Congke entered Red Skull in Baiyang Village to investigate its defenses and find a way to rescue Cao Baoyu. They reached the fighting arena, where Meng Zhao and Ning Baihe began planning how to divert Red Skull’s guards during the rescue.

• Meng Zhao decided the three would investigate Red Skull before attempting to rescue Cao Baoyu, and Yan Congke offered to get them inside as regular customers.
• The group entered Baiyang Village and observed its extensive defenses, lavish residences, and apparent protection from the authorities.
• Yan Congke claimed they were visiting Auntie Tang’s territory, and a hostess named Xiao Li led them through Red Skull.
• Meng Zhao and Ning Baihe studied the routes and guards while considering a diversion that could draw defenders away during Cao Baoyu’s rescue.
• Yan Congke’s gambling itch took hold, and he prepared to bet on the fighting arena’s bouts.

Meng Zhao witnessed a powerful captive boxer named Iron Refining Hand break free and fight Red Skull’s guards, only to be confronted by Hegemon Spear Ruan Xiong. As the crowd gathered to watch and wager on the clash, Meng Zhao judged Iron Refining Hand would prevail.

• A disturbance erupted inside Red Skull’s boxing hall, and Meng Zhao used the chaos to send Ning Baihe and Yan Congke to gather information while he went toward the hall with Xiao Li.
• Iron Refining Hand burst through the hall’s roof carrying two bloody heads and killed most of the guards who tried to stop him.
• As Iron Refining Hand leaped away, Hegemon Spear Ruan Xiong blocked his path and exchanged a powerful blow with him.
• The crowd gathered to watch and place bets, while a shifty-eyed young man offered Meng Zhao a wager on Ruan Xiong.
• Meng Zhao said he backed Iron Refining Hand, though he acknowledged that the man’s true identity and strength remained uncertain.

Iron Refining Hand fought Hegemon King Spear Ruan Xiong while Meng Zhao and Empty-Handed Trickster watched. Iron Refining Hand broke Ruan Xiong’s Golden Body Art with his ice-and-fire palm technique, and Meng Zhao claimed the ring he had wagered.

• Ruan Xiong declared that his son had inherited the Hegemon King Spear and urged Iron Refining Hand to attack without restraint.
• Iron Refining Hand and Ruan Xiong clashed, destroying the corridor as Ruan Xiong’s spear forced Iron Refining Hand to defend.
• Iron Refining Hand struck Ruan Xiong with an ice-and-fire palm technique that broke his external cultivation and badly injured his shoulder.
• Ruan Xiong asked what technique had broken his Golden Body Art, and Iron Refining Hand named his palm technique.
• Empty-Handed Trickster conceded his wager and gave Meng Zhao the emerald-green ring, which Meng Zhao put on his thumb.

Meng Zhao watched the Iron Refining Hand fight his way out of Red Skull, defeating Ruan Xiong, four assassins, and other pursuing experts. At the river, Meng Zhao revealed himself and proposed an alliance to rescue Cao Baoyu, and the injured man agreed to help.

• The Iron Refining Hand broke Ruan Xiong’s horizontal training body, and Ruan Xiong retreated before four Red Skull assassins attacked.
• The Iron Refining Hand killed the four assassins and fought through Red Skull as Meng Zhao and Empty-Handed Trickster followed.
• The Iron Refining Hand defeated Ying Feiyang and escaped Baiyang Village, while the other pursuers gave up.
• Meng Zhao followed the Iron Refining Hand to a river, revealed himself, and offered to help him in exchange for assistance rescuing Cao Baoyu.
• The Iron Refining Hand, injured and wary, accepted Meng Zhao’s proposal to work together against Red Skull.

Meng Zhao and his companions discussed Duan Hong’s background and investigated the Red Skull’s defenses while planning to rescue Cao Baoyu. They grew suspicious that the apparent opportunity to reach Cao Baoyu might be a trap, and Meng Zhao proposed using Duan Hong’s feud with the Red Skull as cover for their return.

• Meng Zhao learned that Duan Hong came from the renowned Duan Family and shared his own background and reason for seeking Duan Hong’s help.
• Meng Zhao brought Duan Hong back to the teahouse, where Ning Baihe and Yan Congke reported that Cao Baoyu was likely held in Auntie Shen’s northern territory within the Red Skull.
• Ning Baihe said Cao Baoyu appeared to enjoy unusual freedom, but Meng Zhao and Duan Hong questioned whether Ren Tianxing would risk using Cao Baoyu as bait.
• Ning Baihe admitted that if the information was false, Cao Baoyu might already have been killed, while Meng Zhao judged that Ren Tianxing likely had another plan.
• Meng Zhao proposed entering the Red Skull under the pretext of helping Duan Hong pursue his private grudge, then splitting up to investigate and prepare an escape route.

Duan Hong attacked the courtyard where Cao Baoyu was supposedly held, but Wang Song ambushed him with Blood Sun Hand and wounded him in their clash. Ning Baihe seized the apparent Cao Baoyu and exposed him as Xie Feng, revealing that the rescue attempt had sprung a carefully laid killing trap.

• Duan Hong entered the courtyard, froze its defenders with his spiritual intent, and burned them to ashes with Iron Refining Hand.
• Wang Song attacked Duan Hong with Blood Sun Hand, and their first clash injured both of them.
• Ning Baihe arrived and seized the apparent Cao Baoyu, then tested his identity with a palm strike.
• The supposed Cao Baoyu revealed hidden needles and attacked Ning Baihe, who evaded them with Golden Cicada Sheds its Shell.
• Ning Baihe recognized the disguised attacker as Xie Feng and realized Meng Zhao's group had uncovered the trap.

Ning Baihe, Meng Zhao, and Yan Congke fought Xie Feng and Wang Song after discovering Cao Baoyu was missing, and the battle left their plans against Ren Tianxing in danger. Meng Zhao defeated Xie Feng despite his concealed-weapon trump card, while Wang Song remained under attack.

• Xie Feng revealed that he knew about the Hong Sect’s internal affairs, and Ning Baihe realized Cao Baoyu was absent and the courtyard was a trap.
• Meng Zhao and Yan Congke joined Ning Baihe, with Yan Congke and Duan Hong overwhelming Wang Song while Meng Zhao and Ning Baihe attacked Xie Feng.
• Xie Feng fired a volley of steel nails, but Meng Zhao raised an ice wall, and the reflected ice scarred the face Xie Feng wore as Cao Baoyu.
• Xie Feng unleashed concealed weapons from his Tathagata Hand and charged Meng Zhao, who advanced through the attack with Three Points Return to One Qi.
• Xie Feng detached his mechanical right hand and detonated its black powder, destroying much of the courtyard and injuring Meng Zhao.
• Ning Baihe took Xie Feng’s head after the explosion left him badly wounded and without either hand.

After the failed rescue at Red Skull, Meng Zhao reasoned that Ren Tianxing had hidden Cao Baoyu in the least expected place: Misty Rain Villa. Ning Baihe brought the theory to Cao Quan'an, who confirmed that Baoyu was likely there and took up his Tiger Maw Saber.

• Wang Song was killed by Yan Congke's sword qi, and Duan Hong, Yan Congke, Meng Zhao, and Ning Baihe stormed Red Skull before withdrawing.
• Ning Baihe worried that their failed attempt had endangered Cao Baoyu, while Meng Zhao urged him to search for other leads instead of dwelling on blame.
• Meng Zhao proposed that Ren Tianxing might have hidden Cao Baoyu at Misty Rain Villa, where Cao Quan'an was recuperating, and Ning Baihe agreed the theory fit Ren Tianxing's movements.
• Ning Baihe went to Misty Rain Villa and reported the events and Meng Zhao's theory to Cao Quan'an.
• Cao Quan'an confirmed that Cao Baoyu was likely inside Misty Rain Villa, summoned his Tiger Maw Saber, and prepared to act.

Ning Baihe reported that Cao Quan'an had rescued Baoyu, exposed Ren Tianxing's crimes, and recovered the final fragment of the Mechanism Diagram, though Ren escaped with possible help from Shi Qi. Cao Quan'an invited Meng Zhao to join the Hong Sect, but Meng Zhao refused and insisted that Hong Minghui and her daughter remain under his protection.

• Ning Baihe told Meng Zhao, Duan Hong, and Yan Congke that Cao Quan'an had rescued Baoyu and moved against Ren Tianxing, who escaped after a bloody fight.
• Ning Baihe gave Meng Zhao the final fragment of the Mechanism Diagram, which Ren Tianxing's mistress had handed over to Cao Quan'an.
• Ning Baihe offered Meng Zhao a powerful position in the Hong Sect, but Meng Zhao declined the invitation.
• Meng Zhao told Ning Baihe that Hong Minghui and her daughter could stay with him as long as Hong Minghui wished, and warned Cao Quan'an not to interfere.

Meng Zhao rejected Ning Baihe’s offer to join the Hong Sect and revealed that his ambitions included slaying Little Cold Mountain’s Mountain Dragon and possibly becoming the Son of True Dragon. He remained uncertain whether Tianyuan Land was real or a test within the Ascending Heaven Tower, and prepared to pursue Old Xi Kou’s Treasure with Yan Congke and Duan Hong.

• After Ning Baihe left, Meng Zhao told Yan Congke that he had refused Cao Quan'an’s offer because joining the Hong Sect could make him a target for Ren Tianxing.
• When Duan Hong asked about his ambitions, Meng Zhao said he wanted to pursue the supreme martial path and slay the Mountain Dragon of Little Cold Mountain for its Dragon Pearl or Dragon Essence.
• Meng Zhao explained that if slaying the dragon did not resolve his doubts, he might try to become a dragon by becoming the Son of True Dragon.
• Meng Zhao privately considered whether Tianyuan Land was an illusion or a real world reached by a wisp of his Primordial Spirit, and resolved to uncover the truth about the Ascending Heaven Tower’s test.
• Meng Zhao asked Yan Congke and Duan Hong to join him in opening Old Xi Kou’s Treasure, and both agreed.

Five years after claiming Old Xi Kou's Treasure, Meng Zhao prepared to hunt the Mountain Dragon with two divine weapons and eighteen Fate Breaking Nails. He chose Duan Hong and Yan Congke as his trusted partners, leaving the dragon hunt poised to begin.

• Meng Zhao used Old Xi Kou's Treasure to build his strength and a hidden network while Hong Minghui returned to defeat Ren Tianxing and reclaim leadership of the Hong Sect.
• Meng Zhao acquired the God Slaying Spear and Eight Desolations Lock before Star Palace could use them to hunt the Mountain Dragon.
• Meng Zhao decided to wield the God Slaying Spear himself and gave Duan Hong the Eight Desolations Lock to bind the Mountain Dragon.
• Meng Zhao assigned all eighteen Fate Breaking Nails to Yan Congke instead of eighteen untested men, and Duan Hong agreed that the three of them would be more dependable.

Meng Zhao, Duan Hong, and Yan Congke reached Mysterious Abyss to lure out the Mountain Dragon. They discovered a beautiful, intelligent snow-white flood dragon, and their resolve to kill it faltered as it eagerly inhaled Meng Zhao’s specially made incense.

• Meng Zhao, Duan Hong, and Yan Congke traveled through Little Cold Mountain, where swarms of snakes and pythons attacked them, until Meng Zhao’s snake repellent drove the creatures away.
• The three reached Flying Cold Waterfall and sensed an oppressive presence near Mysterious Abyss, then took concealed positions around it.
• Meng Zhao lit a specially formulated incense burner near the abyss and retreated to wait for the creature it would attract.
• A huge snow-white flood dragon emerged from Mysterious Abyss, stunning Duan Hong and Yan Congke and making them question whether they should kill it.
• The flood dragon noticed the three but approached the incense burner and greedily inhaled its smoke, unaware of their plans.

Meng Zhao reconsidered slaying the snow-white flood dragon and chose to spare it after it showed him affection, suspecting his past-life dragon aura or Li Zheng’s origins explained their bond. He left with Duan Hong and Yan Congke committed to pursuing his second ambition: overthrowing the Tian Yuan Dynasty and defeating its Son of True Dragon.

• Meng Zhao decided to let the snow-white flood dragon’s actions determine whether he would attack, while Duan Hong and Yan Congke prepared to defend him.
• The snow-white flood dragon warned Meng Zhao at first, then approached him with curiosity and affection, allowing him to stroke its scales.
• Meng Zhao considered whether his past-life dragon cultivation or Li Zheng’s possible connection to Little Cold Mountain’s dragon qi had drawn the flood dragon to him.
• Meng Zhao chose not to kill the Auspicious Beast, and the snow-white flood dragon returned to Mysterious Abyss.
• Duan Hong and Yan Congke agreed to help Meng Zhao pursue his second ambition of overthrowing the Tian Yuan Dynasty and confronting its Son of True Dragon.

Meng Zhao revealed the hidden network and preparations he had built across Hebei Province, reassuring Duan Hong and Yan Congke that he could protect the Mountain Dragon. Afterward, they focused on building a rebel government in Kaiyan County, which became the center of growing unrest across Hebei Province.

• Meng Zhao showed Duan Hong and Yan Congke the covert connections and foundations he had established throughout Hebei Province and beyond.
• Duan Hong and Yan Congke urged Meng Zhao to prepare for threats against the Mountain Dragon, and he explained that he had placed watchers near Little Cold Mountain and inside Star Palace.
• Meng Zhao, Duan Hong, and Yan Congke shifted their efforts from dragon slaying to building the personnel and institutions needed for rebellion.
• Over three years, Meng Zhao used Kaiyan County and nearby counties to train troops, forge weapons, recruit talent, and weaken the authorities.
• The authorities investigated the hidden force but failed to uncover its leadership, leaving Hebei Province on edge and Kaiyan County at the center of the turmoil.

Kang Tongxiao, a Dragon Protector Secret Service investigator sent by Eunuch Wei, questioned five agents about the hidden organization in Kaiyan County and Hebei Province. Unable to uncover its structure or leaders, he sought a new lead by asking why the organization had been created.

• Kang Tongxiao reprimanded five agents for failing to make progress during their three months investigating the mysterious organization.
• One agent explained that the organization’s members blended into everyday life and that its scattered network left no clear evidence.
• Kang Tongxiao considered how the organization silenced anyone who discovered important clues.
• Kang Tongxiao asked what purpose the organization served and why its leader had established it.

Kang Tongxiao questioned five Dragon Protector Secret Service agents about the mysterious organization suspected of threatening the Tian Yuan Dynasty and ordered them to focus their investigation on Li Zheng of Little Cold Village. Despite warning signs and uncertainty about the danger, Kang Tongxiao decided he would investigate the village himself.

• Kang Tongxiao suggested the mysterious organization might share the White Dragon Venerable Society’s rebellious aims and directed the agents to investigate bandits, iron supplies, and weapon craftsmen.
• The agents reported that bandits evaded investigation, suspected officials were warning them, and iron reached the organization through clans and merchants acting as intermediaries.
• The agents explained that Kaiyan County’s unusual cleanliness made them suspect it concealed something, and Kang Tongxiao asked about local powers and newcomers.
• Kang Tongxiao became suspicious of Li Zheng after hearing about his martial arts, his rise alongside the organization’s growth, and his ties to Little Cold Village.
• When an agent warned that Li Zheng was powerful and connected to the Hong Sect, Kang Tongxiao promised to seek expert help from Eunuch Wei and resolved to sound out Little Cold Village himself.