Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao threatened Qing Niang with further torture and the destruction of her face to force her to reveal information about a person who looked like him. Xu Duo offered to tell him what he knew to protect Qing Niang, leaving Meng Zhao to question him with a promise that they might both be allowed to leave.

• Meng Zhao stopped torturing Qing Niang and warned that he would pour boiling water on her face unless she cooperated.
• Qing Niang resisted, but the threat to her face overwhelmed her resolve and made her close her eyes.
• Xu Duo offered to reveal everything he knew if Meng Zhao spared Qing Niang.
• Meng Zhao realized Xu Duo cared for Qing Niang and saw their relationship as leverage.
• Meng Zhao eased Xu Duo's pain and asked him to explain what he knew about the person who looked like Meng Zhao, promising to spare them both.

Meng Zhao questioned Xu Duo and the proprietress about the mysterious man who resembled him, learning that the man was a powerful Plainclothes Alliance figure who wore a bronze mask and used the name Zhao Hun. The proprietress confirmed that her master looked and sounded exactly like Meng Zhao, leaving Meng Zhao with a few crucial clues but many unanswered questions.

• Xu Duo told Meng Zhao that he and Qing Niang had belonged to the Plainclothes Alliance, and that their tavern had served as one of its strongholds.
• Xu Duo said he had seen a powerful, tall man in a bronze mask three times and believed the man was the person Meng Zhao sought.
• Meng Zhao confronted the proprietress, who confirmed that her master had looked exactly like him and had never removed his mask in front of her.
• Meng Zhao asked whether the master's public name was Zhao Hun, and the proprietress reacted with surprise before admitting it.
• Meng Zhao spent nearly half an hour questioning the proprietress, but learned only a small portion of what he wanted to know.

After dealing with the tavern proprietress and cook, Meng Zhao recruited the injured Big Beard to join him on his return to the Meng Family and future enterprise. Zhou Hu accepted Meng Zhao’s offer, encouraged by the promise of resources to pursue the Innate Realm.

• Meng Zhao returned to Big Beard and Zhu'er after more than half an hour and assured them he had dealt with the tavern proprietress and cook.
• Meng Zhao asked Big Beard about his plans after the caravan was taken, and Big Beard said he would recover his strength before looking for work.
• Big Beard recognized Meng Zhao and recalled that Shen Tianci had praised his potential as a future opponent.
• Meng Zhao revealed that Qian Jiao of the Demon Venerable Hall was pursuing him and invited Big Beard to return to the Meng Family with him.
• Meng Zhao promised to support Big Beard’s cultivation and recruit him for a future enterprise, and Big Beard accepted by paying his respects as Zhou Hu.

Meng Zhao questioned Liang Muqiu about rumors that she was the leader of the Seven Freaks of Minshan and promised he would not harm her. He left her to answer while Han Lu watched and Zhu'er focused on the hotpot.

• Meng Zhao reunited with Han Lu and introduced her to Zhu'er over a hotpot meal at the Meng Mansion.
• Meng Zhao turned his attention to Liang Muqiu and decided to speak frankly in hopes of gaining her cooperation.
• Meng Zhao told Liang Muqiu that the Old Beggar had claimed she might lead the Seven Freaks of Minshan.
• Liang Muqiu asked whether Meng Zhao believed the claim, and he said he was uncertain but wanted her honest answer.
• Meng Zhao swore that he had no intention of harming Liang Muqiu, leaving her to respond.

Meng Zhao tried to persuade Liang Muqiu, the leader of the Seven Freaks of Minshan, to leave the Lei Family and join the Meng Family. Liang Muqiu explained why the Seven Freaks remained loyal to the Lei Family, leaving Meng Zhao's recruitment attempt unresolved.

• Liang Muqiu asked whether Meng Zhao would risk betraying his family by shielding her, and Meng Zhao argued that the Meng Family had no irreconcilable feud with her.
• Liang Muqiu confirmed that she led the Seven Freaks of Minshan, and Meng Zhao asked her to help him recruit the other six.
• Meng Zhao argued that the Seven Freaks could work for the Meng Family just as they had worked for the Lei Family.
• Liang Muqiu explained that the Lei Family had saved the Seven Freaks after enemies drove them from Minshan Commandery, and that they had pledged themselves in gratitude and hope of returning for revenge.
• Meng Zhao suggested that the Lei Family might have arranged the Seven Freaks' danger and argued that they had repaid any debt by now.
• Liang Muqiu said the Lei Family had helped them greatly and promised them much, so the Seven Freaks would not betray it.

Meng Zhao tried to persuade Liang Muqiu to join the Meng Family, arguing that she and the Seven Freaks of Minshan would be safer and better rewarded with him than with the Lei Family. Liang Muqiu remained conflicted and asked to speak with him alone, while Han Lu and Zhu'er began talking in the pavilion.

• Meng Zhao urged Liang Muqiu to abandon the Lei Family and join the Meng Family, warning that her six companions might suffer if they were captured.
• Han Lu supported Meng Zhao's offer, while Zhu'er privately marveled at his persuasive words.
• Liang Muqiu admitted that she could not decide for all seven and struggled to choose, despite leaning toward Meng Zhao.
• Liang Muqiu asked Meng Zhao to speak with her alone, and he led her out into the snow beneath an umbrella.
• Zhu'er asked Han Lu whether she feared Liang Muqiu would take Meng Zhao from her, and Han Lu said she only wished to serve him.
• Zhu'er began telling Han Lu about her young lady as the two girls chatted together.

Meng Zhao tried to recruit Liang Muqiu and demanded her loyalty, while she warned him that her enemies might threaten the Meng Family. She revealed that she was descended from King Liang Bin and had fled Liang Prefecture after her family was attacked, leaving Meng Zhao to consider whether to accept the danger.

• Meng Zhao told Liang Muqiu that he wanted her loyalty to him and the Meng Family’s Second Branch, and that he cared about her martial strength rather than her morality.
• Liang Muqiu asked whether Meng Zhao knew whom the Seven Freaks of Minshan had offended, but he said the Meng Family could match the Lei Family’s offers and feared no one they feared.
• Liang Muqiu revealed that she was descended from King Liang Bin, the peerless powerhouse who had founded Liang Prefecture.
• Liang Muqiu explained that the Liang Family had suffered repeated declines and that she had fled to Ji Prefecture after a recent attack, joining the other six as one of the Seven Freaks of Minshan.
• Liang Muqiu warned that the force hunting her was stronger than the Meng Family and asked whether Meng Zhao still wanted to recruit her.
• Meng Zhao did not answer and began considering whether Liang Muqiu’s story was true and whether he could accept the risk.

Meng Zhao agreed to take Liang Muqiu and the Seven Freaks of Minshan under his protection despite the danger posed by the force that destroyed her family. As they continued walking, he asked why she had trusted him with her secret, leaving Liang Muqiu blushing and unsure how to answer.

• Meng Zhao asked Liang Muqiu for more details about the force that destroyed her family, but she said it was likely one or more branches of the Demonic Path and possibly the Heavenly Demon Palace.
• Liang Muqiu explained that the Lei Family and her six companions did not know her true identity, and Meng Zhao agreed to bear the risk as long as she remained known as one of the Seven Freaks of Minshan.
• Meng Zhao promised that he and Liang Muqiu might eventually have the strength to avenge the Liang Family, and Liang Muqiu shared the group’s settlements, backup hideouts, and secret contact methods with him.
• Meng Zhao realized Liang Muqiu was the true leader of the Seven Freaks of Minshan and believed his plan to recruit them had largely succeeded.
• Meng Zhao asked why he had learned Liang Muqiu’s name when her companions did not, and why she had revealed her background to him; Liang Muqiu blushed as she struggled to respond.

Meng Zhao secured Zhou Hu’s loyalty and discussed Yao Shun’s imprisonment with Lü Zhong after returning to the Meng Mansion. Zhou Hu was left wondering whether Meng Zhao planned to confront Qian Jiao of the Demon Venerable Hall.

• Meng Zhao returned to the pavilion with Liang Muqiu, then summoned Lü Zhong and Zhou Hu to his study.
• Zhou Hu praised his new life at the Meng Mansion and pledged to follow Meng Zhao, who told him to learn the household and its people.
• Meng Zhao asked Lü Zhong about Yao Shun, who was imprisoned after his collarbones were pierced; Lü Zhong expected him to eventually submit and work for Meng Zhao.
• Zhou Hu recalled how Meng Zhao had captured Yao Shun, Qian Jiao’s direct disciple, and marveled at Meng Zhao’s bold planning.
• Zhou Hu wondered whether Meng Zhao intended to challenge Qian Jiao, though he thought such a move would be reckless.

Meng Zhao planned to gather resources and recruit powerful allies as he prepared to establish a new foundation beyond the Meng Family, while keeping the family name and weighing his uncles’ likely objections. He left Lü Zhong shocked by his determination to bring the Seven Freaks of Minshan under his command.

• Meng Zhao told Big Beard Zhou Hu to use torture carefully because he wanted Yao Shun as a useful pawn.
• Lü Zhong reported that he could register and reassign most of the Second Branch’s personnel, but withdrawing from jointly run businesses would likely face opposition.
• Meng Zhao decided to consolidate the Second Branch’s cash flow without disrupting its businesses and to consult his uncles before making further plans.
• Meng Zhao told Lü Zhong he intended to recruit the Seven Freaks of Minshan, shocking Lü Zhong and Zhou Hu.
• Meng Zhao argued that the Seven Freaks were seven top-tier Innate Masters and said their strength would greatly bolster the Second Branch.

Meng Zhao defended his plan to recruit the Seven Freaks of Minshan despite Lü Zhong’s concerns that the powerful, unruly martial artists could become a threat. He remained confident that the Meng Family’s influence and Liang Muqiu could help keep them in check, then asked Lü Zhong and Big Beard to accompany him.

• Meng Zhao considered how the Seven Freaks of Minshan could give him the powerful martial artists his forces lacked, while Lü Zhong worried that recruiting them would endanger the Meng Family’s second branch.
• Lü Zhong warned Meng Zhao that the Seven Freaks were difficult to control and might turn against him.
• Meng Zhao argued that the Seven Freaks would have nowhere to go after opposing both the Lei Family and the Meng Family, and that Liang Muqiu could help bring them under his command.
• Meng Zhao reasoned that his growing strength and future recruits could help restrain the Seven Freaks, though he could not explain all his safeguards to Lü Zhong.
• Lü Zhong agreed to support Meng Zhao, who asked him and Big Beard to come out with him.

Disguised as an ordinary man, Third Brother Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers returned to the Seven Freaks of Minshan’s hideout with food and found his companions arguing over whether to keep searching for their missing Eldest Brother. The dispute remained unresolved as Big Iron Hammer accused Fourth Sister and her husband of wanting to flee, while his injuries still required the Earth Core Fruit.

• Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers bought cooked food in Anping Ward and hurried back to the old residence he used as a hideout.
• He found the Seven Freaks of Minshan arguing in the main hall and revealed his handsome appearance after washing off his disguise.
• Fourth Sister explained that she and her husband had suggested withdrawing because they had found no news of Eldest Brother and Big Iron Hammer needed the Earth Core Fruit to remove the Rushing Thunder Force.
• Big Iron Hammer accused Fourth Sister and her husband of fearing death and insisted they find Eldest Brother before leaving.
• Fourth Sister’s husband grew angry and began defending their decision to withdraw.

The Seven Freaks of Minshan debated whether to risk searching for Liang Muqiu or leave Nan'an to find an Earth Core Fruit for Big Iron Hammer's injuries. Before they reached a decision, someone arrived at their hideout, likely from the Meng Family.

• Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers said Liang Muqiu was likely captured or badly injured and explained that Big Iron Hammer needed an Earth Core Fruit to remove Wang Tianlei's Rushing Thunder Force.
• Fifth Brother proposed leaving the city to buy an Earth Core Fruit while the others searched for Liang Muqiu, but Big Iron Hammer refused to put him at risk.
• The group failed to agree on a plan, and Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers prepared medicine for Big Iron Hammer while the others gathered to eat.
• The five people at the table sensed an intruder and readied themselves for a fight.
• Fifth Brother warned that the visitor had likely followed Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers and told Big Iron Hammer to escape with Fan An and Fan Jing if fighting began.

Meng Zhao and his companions visited the Six Monsters of Minshan, who suspected the Meng Family had come to capture them but wondered if their missing eldest brother had sent Meng Zhao. The gate opened, leaving the two sides face-to-face and wary.

• Second Brother Big Iron Hammer urged the others to leave him behind if pursuers arrived, while Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers quietly went to investigate.
• The other four Freaks joined Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers at the gate, ready to fight, and he sensed three people outside.
• Meng Zhao announced that he had come at an old friend's request to visit the six experts, making them suspect their eldest brother had directed him to them.
• Fourth Sister suggested through voice transmission that their eldest brother might have sent Meng Zhao, but Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers hesitated because Meng Zhao belonged to the Meng Family.
• Meng Zhao, Lü Zhong, and Big Beard Zhou Hu waited outside in a guarded formation as Meng Zhao worried the Six Monsters might attack instead of negotiating.
• Someone inside told them to wait, then the chains snapped and the gate opened as several people emerged.

Meng Zhao met the Six Monsters of Minshan and tried to recruit them, believing their connection to Liang Muqiu would make them receptive. The meeting grew tense when he discovered that Second Brother still blamed the Meng Family for his injuries.

• Meng Zhao arrived with Lü Zhong and Zhou Hu, and Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers questioned why he had come to meet the Six Monsters with only two companions.
• Meng Zhao persuaded the group to speak inside, and the Six Monsters watched as he entered their house without hesitation.
• Meng Zhao noticed the severed lock at the gate and recognized how cautiously the Six Monsters had been hiding.
• Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers introduced Meng Zhao to Big Iron Hammer, who blamed the Meng Family and threatened him over Wang Tianlei's role in his condition.
• Meng Zhao denied that the Meng Family was at fault and accused Big Iron Hammer of holding a grudge after losing.

Meng Zhao went to meet the Seven Freaks of Minshan on Mu Qing’s behalf and tried to persuade them to return to the Meng Family. He proved that he had genuine knowledge of their secrets, and Big Iron Hammer accepted that Mu Qing had sent him and asked how she was.

• Big Iron Hammer and the Fan brothers considered killing Meng Zhao, while Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers and the others wanted to hear what proof he had.
• Meng Zhao said Mu Qing had sent him to contact the Seven Freaks and take them to the Meng Family.
• Fourth Sister stopped the Fan brothers from attacking, and Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers asked Meng Zhao to prove his claim.
• Meng Zhao presented the Marquis Lei Token, and Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers confirmed it was genuine.
• Meng Zhao began revealing private secrets Mu Qing had told him, including Big Iron Hammer’s past affair with Hong Yuan.
• Big Iron Hammer stopped Meng Zhao and accepted that Mu Qing had sent him, then asked about her.

Meng Zhao persuaded the Six Monsters of Minshan to come to the Meng Mansion, where their eldest brother was recovering, and offered them work as his followers. The Monsters agreed to discuss his proposal before giving him an answer.

• Big Iron Hammer recognized that Meng Zhao knew about his private affair with Hong Yuan, and the Six Monsters grew less suspicious of him.
• Meng Zhao said Liang Muqiu was badly injured and recovering at the Meng Mansion, then invited the Six Monsters there to reunite with her and treat Big Iron Hammer.
• The beautiful Fourth Sister questioned why Liang Muqiu had not come herself, and Meng Zhao claimed she had been injured in a fight with his eldest uncle and that he had treated her.
• Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers asked why the Monsters should trust the Meng Mansion, and Meng Zhao said they were not true enemies of the Meng Family.
• Meng Zhao offered to raise the Monsters' compensation from the Lei Family by fifteen percent and help them return to Minshan Commandery to settle old scores.
• Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers asked for time to discuss the offer, and Meng Zhao agreed to wait.

The Seven Freaks of Minshan debated whether to accept Meng Zhao’s offer, weighing the Meng Family’s uncertain support against the Lei Family’s threat. Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers argued they should choose the side most likely to win, and crushed the Marquis Lei Token as they prepared to decide.

• Fifth Brother urged the Seven Freaks to trust Meng Zhao and reunite with Liang Muqiu, but Fourth Sister warned that the Lei Family could crush them if the Meng Family failed to protect them.
• Fourth Sister questioned Meng Zhao’s influence within the Meng Family and said they should not trust his promises without Meng Jizu’s personal word.
• Big Iron Hammer warned that refusing Meng Zhao could endanger Liang Muqiu, while Fifth Brother suggested detaining Meng Zhao to exchange him for her.
• Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers argued that returning to the Lei Family would leave them vulnerable to resentment after their failed mission in Nan'an.
• Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers pointed out that the Lei Family seemed unable to defeat the Meng Family openly and said the Seven Freaks should support whichever family would win.
• Daoist Priest of Plucking Flowers crushed the Marquis Lei Token as the Seven Freaks prepared to make their decision.

Meng Zhao brought the Six Freaks to Meng Mansion, where an informant saw them enter the Western Residence. Meng Wen learned that the Fourth Young Master was involved and considered whether the report offered a chance to strike at him.

• Meng Zhao persuaded the Six Freaks to accompany him to Meng Mansion and arranged for the injured Big Iron Hammer to travel comfortably.
• Meng Zhao and five of the Freaks walked through the snow while Lü Zhong cared for Big Iron Hammer in the carriage.
• The group entered Meng Mansion through the Western Residence's side gate, where a watcher recognized the Seven Freaks of Minshan.
• Meng Wen brooded over his decline and his rivalry with Meng Zhao as he drank alone in the North Garden.
• An informant from the second branch forced his way toward Meng Wen and said he had urgent news concerning the Fourth Young Master.
• Meng Wen prepared to hear the report, hoping it might give him a reliable opportunity to act against Meng Zhao.

Meng Wen learned that the Seven Freaks of Minshan were in the Western Residence with Meng Zhao and gathered ten experts to capture them. The experts grew wary when they realized the mission could entangle them in the Meng Family’s internal conflicts.

• A man told Meng Wen that he had seen the Seven Freaks of Minshan enter the Western Residence with Meng Zhao.
• The man implied that Meng Zhao had a close connection to the seven freaks, and Meng Wen considered whether his younger brother had colluded with them.
• Meng Wen dismissed the man’s urging, promised to avenge his brother, and summoned ten Innate Realm experts from the Hall of Honored Retainers.
• Meng Wen told the experts that the seven freaks were in the Western Residence and asked them to capture the group for Meng Jizu’s judgment.
• Cang Shu Yun and the other experts hesitated when they learned the seven freaks were being entertained by Meng Zhao, fearing involvement in the family’s internal disputes.