Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao and the Meng Family warriors defeated the Sun Family group, while Meng Hongdao and Wang Tianlei returned after killing their opponents. Meng Zhao gained permission to recruit the lone surviving Sun Family warrior, and the group returned to the Meng Family with the secret passage’s role as a hidden advantage confirmed.

• Meng Hongdao and Wang Tianlei returned, with Wang Tianlei carrying the head of the Innate Master he had killed.
• Meng Chuan told Meng Hongdao he had killed Sun Chuanxing, and Meng Hongdao ordered him to copy the Purity Scripture thirty times for his brutal methods.
• Meng Zhao explained that he wanted to recruit the surviving Sun Family warrior, and Meng Hongdao agreed while warning him to investigate the man and keep the night’s events secret.
• Wang Tianlei directed his men to clear the scene, tend to the wounded, remove evidence, and loot the corpses before taking away the survivor.
• Meng Hongdao, Meng Zhao, and Meng Chuan returned to the Meng Family, where few residents knew what had happened.

After Meng Zhao’s victory over Shi Siming brought him fame, he accepted congratulatory gifts and planned to cultivate ties while keeping his ambitions hidden. He discussed the Meng family’s rivalries with Lü Yue, then saw two men in black arrive carrying a sack.

• Lü Yue reported the valuable gifts sent by local families and news that several stewards placed by the Eldest Young Master had resigned.
• Meng Zhao told Lü Yue to record the gifts, send return gifts through Lü Zhong, and tell the Eldest Young Master he would accept his goodwill and arrange a banquet.
• Lü Yue questioned whether Meng Zhao should reconcile with the Eldest Young Master, and Meng Zhao pointed out that Meng Wen had shown no gratitude for his revenge on Shi Siming.
• Lü Yue warned Meng Zhao not to trust the Eldest Young Master completely, and Meng Zhao explained that he would play along while quietly building the second branch’s strength.
• Two burly men in black walked in carrying a sack as Lü Yue was about to leave.

Meng Zhao explained that he had captured a talented Sun Family warrior to recruit him, while Lü Yue mistakenly suspected he wanted a male concubine. After Meng Zhao left to inspect antiques, Lü Yue woke the prisoner and began questioning him.

• Meng Zhao paid the Meng Family Warriors who delivered the unconscious young man, then had Lü Yue open the sack.
• Lü Yue mistook the handsome prisoner for a potential male concubine and warned Meng Zhao about the family line.
• Meng Zhao scolded Lü Yue and explained that the young man was a powerful Sun Family warrior he hoped to recruit.
• Meng Zhao left to inspect antiques from the Middle Ages and told Lü Yue to question the prisoner discreetly.
• Lü Yue unblocked the prisoner's Qi Meridians, saw his fierce bearing, and began asking about his background.

Meng Zhao investigated Han Pu’s background and offered him a place in the Meng Family, promising to protect and provide for his family. Han Pu accepted Meng Zhao’s extraordinary prospects by intuition, while Meng Zhao privately suspected Han Pu carried an unawakened Star Body.

• Meng Zhao read Lü Yue’s report on Han Pu’s family and history, then waited for Lü Yue to verify it.
• Lü Yue confirmed Han Pu’s story and revealed that the Meng Family had taken his family somewhere safe, prompting Han Pu to demand why they were involved.
• Meng Zhao explained that Han Pu could not return to the Sun Family and offered him better care for his family and opportunities to advance.
• Han Pu asked why Meng Zhao wanted to recruit a minor Houtian Realm martial artist, and Meng Zhao said he believed Han Pu had great potential.
• Han Pu said he also sensed Meng Zhao would accomplish something extraordinary, making Lü Yue jealous of their rapport.
• Meng Zhao privately considered whether Han Pu was the reincarnation of a Star Body whose fate might be linked to his own.

Meng Zhao secured Han Pu’s loyalty by rescuing his family and giving him the Heavenly Fiend Saber Scripture, while the Sun and Meng Families continued their quiet rivalry. After half a month of progress and relative calm, Lü Yue arrived with a grave expression as Meng Zhao practiced.

• Meng Zhao arranged a safe home for Han Pu’s family and gave Han Pu the Heavenly Fiend Saber Scripture, earning his gratitude and service.
• Lü Yue arranged for Han Pu’s younger sister, Han Lu, to serve as Meng Zhao’s personal maid.
• Sun Chuanshan secretly told Meng Zhao that the Sun Family was mobilizing forces and contacting local underworld figures.
• Meng Zhao lost interest in public challenges after easily defeating several martial artists and spent his time cultivating instead.
• Over the next half month, Han Pu became one of Meng Zhao’s trusted aides, while Shi Jie repeatedly disappeared on mysterious errands.
• As Han Lu watched Meng Zhao practice in the courtyard, Lü Yue hurried in with a grave expression.

Lü Yue brought Shi Jie to see Meng Zhao, who learned that Hell Path had been hired to kill him. Shi Jie then began to explain the second matter that had brought him to Nan'an Commandery.

• Lü Yue told Meng Zhao that Shi Jie had come to the mansion, and Meng Zhao reluctantly agreed to meet him.
• Shi Jie apologized for coming in person and warned Meng Zhao that someone had hired Hell Path to kill him.
• Meng Zhao questioned Shi Jie's source and wondered whether Hu Baiwan or another Meng Family member was behind the attempt.
• Shi Jie advised Meng Zhao to stay cautious and suggested telling the Earl of Nan'an, then revealed that his second matter was the real reason for his visit.

Shi Jie told Meng Zhao that Tuxiu Treasure was hidden in a Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm and that finding its third key was urgent. Meng Zhao agreed to have the Second Branch investigate Tu Xiu’s brother-in-law’s descendants, while postponing further discussion until they found a lead.

• Meng Zhao recognized Tu Xiu as the former leader of Ji Prefecture’s underworld factions, and Shi Jie explained how the vanished warlord had amassed treasure and military supplies.
• Shi Jie revealed that Tuxiu Treasure also contained Tu Xiu’s martial arts learning, which Shen Tianci sought for his pursuit of a Grandmaster breakthrough.
• Meng Zhao assured Shi Jie he would not betray him to Shen Tianci, then asked why Shi Jie needed his help.
• Shi Jie explained that the treasure lay in a Grotto-Heaven Secret Realm and required two keys to open; he and Shen Tianci each held one, while the third was likely with Tu Xiu’s brother-in-law’s descendants in Nan’an Commandery.
• Meng Zhao agreed to send the Second Branch to investigate the descendants’ whereabouts and said they would discuss the rest once they had definite leads on the key.

Meng Zhao and Lü Yue discussed the assassination threat and the Tuxiu Treasure, then set plans in motion to find the treasure’s third key and uncover Tu Xiu’s history. Lü Yue visited Lü Zhong afterward and reflected on his adoptive father’s improving health, though Lü Zhong’s old injuries still left him with limited years.

• Lü Yue warned Meng Zhao that someone in the Meng Family might have ordered the assassination, and Meng Zhao ordered stronger security while deciding not to tell Meng Jizu yet.
• Meng Zhao tasked Lü Yue with finding the treasure’s third key and collecting information about Tu Xiu, suspecting Shi Jie was withholding something.
• Lü Yue assigned Han Pu to gather records about Tu Xiu and sent informants to search for the descendants of Tu Xiu’s brother-in-law.
• Lü Yue visited Lü Zhong, who had been recovering while resting from household duties, and Lü Zhong advised him to remain calm and cultivate his state of mind.
• Lü Yue reflected that Lü Zhong’s Formless Primordial Unity Skill could extend his lifespan, but his old injuries meant he still had few years left.

Lü Zhong warned Lü Yue that Meng Qinghuai, not just the Meng brothers, might be plotting against Meng Zhao and seeking control of the second branch. Lü Yue planned to consult Meng Zhao before acting, while Lü Zhong prepared to help uncover the threat.

• Lü Yue told Lü Zhong that someone had colluded with the Hell Path to assassinate Meng Zhao, and Lü Zhong doubted Meng Xi and Meng Wen were responsible.
• Lü Zhong explained that another heir could inherit the second branch if Meng Zhao died, making Meng Chuan and Meng Qinghuai potential suspects.
• Lü Zhong revealed that Meng Qinghuai had repeatedly probed his views on the second branch and might have backing from the Hell Path.
• Lü Yue raised the idea of killing Meng Qinghuai, but Lü Zhong insisted they wait for Meng Zhao's instructions.
• Lü Zhong told Lü Yue to handle the Tuxiu Treasure as Meng Zhao wished and warned him not to trust Shi Jie.

After learning that Meng Qinghuai and Meng Wen were plotting against him, Meng Zhao ordered them watched and began gathering intelligence on Tu Xiu’s treasure. He concluded that the treasure might involve a true dragon and resolved to seek it for the sake of his Purple Origin Dragon Body and martial arts.

• Meng Zhao learned that Meng Qinghuai intended to inherit the second branch with Meng Wen’s backing, and ordered Lü Yue to monitor Meng Qinghuai and infiltrate Meng Wen’s circle.
• Meng Zhao justified acting against his brothers as self-preservation, since they had already plotted to kill him and take the family estate.
• Meng Zhao reviewed the second branch’s records about Tu Xiu and considered three legends about his rise: a Sun-Shooting Divine Arrow, one of the Nine Tripods, or a dragon corpse and martial inheritance.
• Meng Zhao judged the dragon-corpse legend the most credible and decided to pursue Tu Xiu’s treasure for its potential benefit to his Purple Origin Dragon Body.
• Meng Zhao considered using the Sky-Illuminating Mirror to improve the Red Flag Order into a divine skill strong enough to contend with Shen Tianci’s Taiyi Golden Book.

Meng Qinghuai met a powerful, disguised man who ordered him to lure Meng Zhao out within three days or abandon the assassination. When Meng Qinghuai revealed that Meng Zhao was searching for Tu Xiu’s brother-in-law’s descendants, the man became interested in the Tuxiu Treasure and promised to arrange a plan to draw Meng Zhao out.

• Meng Qinghuai hurried to a tea shop, unaware that he was being followed, and knelt before a disguised man in a private room.
• The man scolded Meng Qinghuai for arriving late and ordered him to slap himself before giving him three days to lure Meng Zhao out or abandon the assassination.
• Meng Qinghuai pleaded for more time, but the man rejected his excuses and warned that he expected him to secure an opportunity to kill Meng Zhao.
• Meng Qinghuai told the man that Meng Zhao was searching for Tu Xiu’s brother-in-law’s descendants, possibly to pursue the Tuxiu Treasure.
• The man ordered Meng Qinghuai to return and wait while he arranged to find the descendants and promised to handle Meng Zhao’s fate himself.

God of Wealth persuaded Magic Bat to remain in Nan'an and capture Meng Zhao alive so he could learn about a key possibly connected to Tuxiu Treasure. Magic Bat agreed to act without informing Hell Path, while God of Wealth pursued the chance to uncover the treasure and profit from the Meng Family's secrets.

• Meng Qinghuai left God of Wealth's private room after paying for the tea, and Magic Bat entered to complain about being asked to help.
• God of Wealth said Meng Qinghuai could bring him considerable profit, and offered Magic Bat three captives to drink from so he would stay in Nan'an.
• God of Wealth explained that Magic Bat was a notorious Nine Apertures Innate expert wanted for killing a magistrate's family, and that his presence in Nan'an could provoke the Meng Family and the Imperial Court.
• God of Wealth ordered Magic Bat to capture Meng Zhao alive because Meng Zhao's search for Tu Xiu's brother-in-law's descendants might reveal how to use God of Wealth's key to find Tuxiu Treasure.
• Magic Bat questioned whether they should notify Hell Path, but God of Wealth warned that doing so would let others claim the reward, and Magic Bat agreed to capture Meng Zhao.

A scout reported that Meng Qinghuai had met Magic Bat, a feared assassin wanted by the Heavenly Punishment Hall, leaving Meng Zhao worried about his safety outside the mansion. Han Pu suggested asking the Heavenly Punishment Hall to intervene against Magic Bat and protect Meng Zhao.

• At Meng Mansion, a scout told Meng Zhao, Lü Zhong, Lü Yue, and Han Pu that he had seen a blood-red bat tattoo on a man who left a tea shop after meeting Meng Qinghuai.
• Lü Yue vouched for the scout’s sharp vision, and Lü Zhong identified the man as Magic Bat, a notorious killer whose name appeared on the Heavenly Punishment Hall’s wanted roster.
• Lü Yue explained Magic Bat’s crimes, and Lü Zhong warned that Magic Bat’s martial arts likely surpassed Shi Jie’s, making Meng Zhao vulnerable if he left the mansion.
• Meng Zhao dismissed the scout to keep watching Meng Qinghuai and weighed whether to seek help from Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao without exposing his connections and conflicts.
• Han Pu proposed asking the Heavenly Punishment Hall to pursue Magic Bat and send people to protect Meng Zhao.

Meng Zhao considered using the Heavenly Punishment Hall to capture Magic Bat and turn the assassination attempt against Hu Baiwan. He decided the Meng Family would need to act while keeping Meng Wen and Meng Qinghuai’s involvement hidden from Meng Jizu.

• Han Pu proposed using the Heavenly Punishment Hall to deal with Magic Bat and target the person behind the assassin.
• Lü Zhong explained that Nan'an’s chief agent, Leng Huifeng, was unlikely to be strong enough, but could request help from the Ji Prefecture office.
• Meng Zhao concluded that Hu Baiwan was likely behind the assassination attempt, possibly working with Meng Qinghuai, and that Hu’s connections made him dangerous to confront directly.
• Meng Zhao decided to pin the plot on Hu Yingming’s connections and enlist the Meng Family with the Heavenly Punishment Hall’s endorsement, without exposing Meng Wen and Meng Qinghuai.
• Meng Zhao considered having Meng Qinghuai disappear after Magic Bat was captured, while postponing any direct move against Meng Wen.

Meng Zhao sent Han Pu to seek help from Leng Huifeng of the Heavenly Punishment Hall against Magic Bat, who was suspected of planning to assassinate him. Leng Huifeng accepted the threat as a matter for his hall and prepared to hear the details.

• With Magic Bat lurking outside the manor, Meng Zhao entrusted Han Pu with the Heavenly Injury Saber and sent him to contact Leng Huifeng.
• Han Pu secretly traveled to the Heavenly Punishment Hall in Nan'an Commandery and arranged a meeting with Leng Huifeng through a gatekeeper.
• Leng Huifeng doubted Han Pu's claim that he served the Meng Family until Han Pu presented the Heavenly Injury Saber as proof.
• Han Pu told Leng Huifeng that Magic Bat, a wanted criminal, was believed to be targeting Meng Zhao, and explained that the Meng Family was occupied with its conflict against the Sun Family.
• Leng Huifeng agreed that the Heavenly Punishment Hall would pursue Magic Bat and invited Han Pu to explain the matter in detail.

Meng Zhao learned that a family believed to descend from Tu Xiu's brother-in-law possessed a key-like hereditary treasure, but he stayed home until Jumoluo arrived to help capture Magic Bat. He welcomed the Guardian Divine General as a fellow Buddhist, leaving the hunt for Magic Bat about to begin.

• Lü Yue's search uncovered a credible lead that descendants of Tu Xiu's brother-in-law possessed a hereditary treasure resembling a key.
• Meng Zhao suspected the lead could be a trap and refused to leave his residence or tell Shi Jie, while his men watched the suspected family's home.
• Meng Qinghuai grew anxious as he waited for Meng Zhao to leave, but his master extended the deadline because of the Tuxiu Treasure.
• Five days later, Divine General Jumoluo of Mountaintop Temple arrived at the Meng Mansion to capture Magic Bat and protect Meng Zhao.
• Meng Zhao and Jumoluo recognized their shared Buddhist connections, agreed to address each other as senior brothers, and went to share a vegetarian feast.

Meng Zhao prepared to leave the city with Jumoluo concealed among his warriors, planning to lure and capture Magic Bat while ordering Lü Yue to move against Meng Qinghuai. The expedition departed with a large armed force, while Meng Zhao refused Lü Zhong’s proposal to capture Shi Jie, saying he still needed him for the Tuxiu Treasure.

• Meng Zhao and Jumoluo spent the night discussing Buddhist scriptures and martial arts, then prepared to set out together.
• Meng Zhao told Lü Yue to act against Meng Qinghuai and clean up any traces, but refused Lü Yue’s request to accompany him.
• Meng Zhao explained that Jumoluo would conceal his identity so Hell Path would not learn he was traveling with the party to capture Magic Bat.
• Meng Zhao assembled fourteen elite warriors and other fighters, who received hand crossbows tipped with Extraterrestrial Star Iron; Jumoluo disguised himself among them.
• Lü Zhong suggested capturing Shi Jie as well, but Meng Zhao refused because he still needed Shi Jie in connection with the Tuxiu Treasure.

Meng Wen learned that Meng Zhao had left the residence and expected Meng Qinghuai’s planned assassination to succeed, though he felt conflicted about betraying his cousin. Meanwhile, Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao discussed Meng Zhao’s future and turned their attention back to the Sun Family and Fire Dragon Cave.

• Meng Zhao, Jumoluo, Lü Zhong, and Meng Family experts rode out of the residence while Lü Yue returned with killing intent.
• Meng Wen heard that Meng Zhao had left the city residence and rejoiced that the long-awaited chance to kill him had arrived.
• Meng Wen reflected on his betrayal and hoped Meng Zhao would blame Meng Qinghuai rather than him after her death.
• Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao discussed Meng Zhao’s conduct and possible marriage, then complained about Meng Yan’s behavior.
• Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao resumed discussing the Sun Family’s wait for people from Fire Dragon Cave.

Meng Qinghuai learned that Meng Zhao had left the estate and eagerly imagined taking control of the Second Branch after his death. At Wang Ji’s residence, Wang Ji sought more medicinal powder from her former husband in exchange for another meeting, while her maid concealed a cold expression.

• Meng Qinghuai left Wang Ji’s bedroom after a messenger from Meng Mansion summoned him, and Wang Ji later beat the maid who had interrupted them.
• Wang Ji learned that her former husband would provide the formula only if she accompanied him again, and she agreed while demanding that he hand it over at once.
• The maid gave Wang Ji a packet of medicinal powder, and Wang Ji planned to use it to make tea for Meng Qinghuai.
• The maid praised Wang Ji’s chances of winning Meng Qinghuai’s favor, then left with a cold expression hidden beneath her meek manner.
• Meng Qinghuai learned that Meng Zhao had led men away from the estate and imagined taking over the Second Branch and claiming Meng Zhao’s beautiful maid.

Wang Ji unknowingly helped Lü Yue poison Meng Qinghuai, whose cultivation and body were destroyed before Lü Yue revealed the plot against him. Lü Yue arranged for Wang Ji and her former husband to die as well, leaving the maid to report the killings with a prepared account.

• Wang Ji secretly mixed powder from her former husband into Meng Qinghuai's ginseng tea, hoping to keep him devoted to her.
• Meng Qinghuai drank the tea, lost his cultivation, and suffered a fatal transformation as Wang Ji watched in horror.
• Lü Yue and two others entered, and Lü Yue told Meng Qinghuai that he was being punished for plotting against his Young Master before Meng Qinghuai died in a burst of blood mist.
• Wang Ji's former husband killed her with Lü Yue's dagger, left a written explanation, and then killed himself.
• Lü Yue instructed the little maid to report the case using his prepared account and promised to protect her family.