Chapter Summaries

Meng Zhao led more than a hundred Meng Family Warriors to a village to seek the third key to the Tuxiu Treasure. As Magic Bat prepared to exploit the warriors’ Blood Qi, Meng Zhao’s men stormed the suspected descendant’s home and seized its occupants.

• Meng Zhao admired the distant Cloud Mist Mountain Range and declared that he would one day subdue a Pureblood Fierce Beast as his mount.
• Meng Zhao received the second branch’s report, gathered his warriors, and ordered them to enter the village directly.
• Magic Bat hid in a village home and planned to absorb the warriors’ Blood Qi to create Blood Bat avatars.
• The villagers fled or hid when Meng Zhao’s large armed group approached.
• Meng Zhao ordered his warriors to break into the suspected descendant’s home, where they took control of the courtyard and seized everyone inside.

Meng Zhao questioned the Miao family about Tu Xiu’s key and discovered they had sold it to Hu Baiwan, whom he suspected of plotting with Meng Qinghuai and the Magic Bat. He spared the family and waited with Jumoluo, who had tracked the Magic Bat to a hiding place in the village.

• Meng Zhao confronted the Miao family and demanded the key that Tu Xiu had entrusted to their ancestor.
• The old man explained that he had sold the key years earlier to pay for his child’s treatment and revealed where he had kept the sale receipt and remaining money.
• Lü Zhong searched the house and brought Meng Zhao the receipt, which named Hu Baiwan as the buyer.
• Meng Zhao concluded that Hu Baiwan had the key and was behind the plot involving Meng Qinghuai and the Magic Bat.
• Meng Zhao ordered his warriors to release the Miao family, while Jumoluo signaled that he had located the Magic Bat and planned to wait for it to reveal itself.

Magic Bat attacked Meng Zhao’s residence, using his Blood Bone Bat Wings to suppress the Meng Family warriors and drive them aside. He recognized Meng Zhao’s Pure Yang Child Qi and felt an unusual craving for his blood, but remained bound by his promise to deliver Meng Zhao unharmed.

• Magic Bat transformed and flew toward the Miao Family’s inner residence, while his pressure disrupted the Blood Qi of the Meng Mansion warriors.
• Lü Zhong guarded Meng Zhao and explained that Magic Bat’s Blood Bone Bat Wings enhanced his speed and intimidated opponents.
• Magic Bat crashed into the courtyard, injuring several warriors, then swept the others away from Meng Zhao with a blast of energy.
• Magic Bat told Meng Zhao that he had Pure Yang Child Qi and was a virgin, and admitted he wanted to drink his blood.
• Magic Bat restrained himself because he had promised the God of Wealth to deliver Meng Zhao intact, and wondered if Meng Zhao had an awakened Special Physique.

Magic Bat attacked Meng Zhao after suspecting he had a Special Physique, but Jumoluo intervened and revealed that he had come to arrest Magic Bat for the Heavenly Punishment Hall. Magic Bat realized Meng Zhao had arranged the confrontation and launched an attack on Jumoluo.

• Magic Bat decided to capture Meng Zhao and refine his essence blood to transform his physique.
• Jumoluo blocked Magic Bat’s attack with Buddhist martial arts while Lü Zhong ordered the Meng Family warriors and Miao Family members away from the courtyard.
• Jumoluo identified himself as a Guardian Divine General of Mountaintop Temple and declared that he had come under orders from the Heavenly Punishment Hall to arrest Magic Bat.
• Magic Bat accused Meng Zhao of planning the trap, and Meng Zhao confirmed that he had sought the Heavenly Punishment Hall’s help.
• Magic Bat revealed his face and attacked Jumoluo with more than a dozen bloody shadows.

Magic Bat attacked Jumoluo, but the monk’s Buddhist martial arts neutralized the demonic techniques and overwhelmed him with the Great Strength Vajra Palm. Meng Zhao and Lü Zhong watched as Jumoluo revealed the formidable power of the ancient combat art.

• Magic Bat’s blood-energy streams struck Jumoluo’s protective Buddhist light but dissipated without harming him.
• Magic Bat transformed into a giant scarlet bat and attacked Jumoluo with demonic claws.
• Jumoluo advanced and unleashed a golden Buddhist palm that melted Magic Bat’s attack and threatened to shatter his manifestation.
• Meng Zhao asked Lü Zhong to identify the palm, and Lü Zhong recognized it as the Great Strength Vajra Palm.
• Lü Zhong explained the palm’s ancient origins and supreme power while Meng Zhao marveled at Jumoluo’s mastery.

Jumoluo overwhelmed Magic Bat and blocked his attempt to flee, while Meng Zhao watched and reflected on the difference in their strength. The fight remained firmly in Jumoluo’s favor, leaving Magic Bat trapped before him.

• Magic Bat decided to retreat, but Jumoluo used a golden Buddhist net to block his escape and form a suppressive lotus.
• Magic Bat sacrificed his Blood Bat Clone to break the lotus and tried to flee, but Jumoluo intercepted him again.
• Magic Bat demanded to know why Jumoluo would not let him go, and Jumoluo declared that he would not allow him to escape.
• Meng Zhao asked Lü Zhong why Jumoluo was letting Magic Bat keep attacking, and Lü Zhong guessed Jumoluo wanted to study his opponent’s techniques.
• Jumoluo continued to counter Magic Bat’s attacks with his protective true qi, Great Strength Vajra Palm, and golden lotus, while Meng Zhao considered how power shaped martial combat.

Jumoluo defeated Magic Bat and agreed to let Meng Zhao interrogate him before taking him to the Imperial Capital Headquarters for trial. Meng Zhao began questioning Magic Bat about the hidden assassin and Hell Path, but Magic Bat refused to speak.

• Magic Bat lay crippled after Jumoluo defeated him, and Meng Zhao reflected on how defeat could bring ruin to anyone.
• Jumoluo explained that Magic Bat had suffered backlash from the Heavenly Bat Blood Transformation Scripture and said he would escort him to the Imperial Capital Headquarters.
• Meng Zhao praised Jumoluo and tried to persuade him to stay, but Jumoluo remained determined to leave.
• Meng Zhao asked to question Magic Bat about the person who had ordered his assassination and Magic Bat's ties to Hell Path, and Jumoluo allowed it with Lü Zhong present.
• Lü Zhong carried Magic Bat to a small room, where Meng Zhao confronted him, but Magic Bat refused to reveal anything.

Meng Zhao forced Magic Bat to reveal that Hu Baiwan had arranged the assassination and sought a mysterious key tied to the Supreme Alliance treasure. Magic Bat warned that Hu Baiwan had powerful connections, including Prince Fu, leaving Meng Zhao to consider how to act against him.

• Meng Zhao threatened Magic Bat with degrading abuse and offered relief in exchange for cooperation, and Magic Bat agreed to answer his questions.
• Magic Bat identified Hu Baiwan as the man who hired him and described Hu Baiwan’s influence and three Innate Master guards.
• Magic Bat said Hu Baiwan had obtained a key from Tu Xiu’s brother-in-law’s family and suspected Meng Zhao was investigating it.
• Meng Zhao asked how to exploit Hu Baiwan, but Magic Bat said Hu Baiwan was cautious and warned that he had ties to Prince Fu.
• Meng Zhao considered that Prince Fu might distance himself from Hu Baiwan if the latter’s Hell Path affiliation were exposed.

Meng Zhao questioned Magic Bat about Hu Baiwan's influence and ties to the Hell Path, then tricked him into revealing that Shi Jie was the Sinful Valley envoy who had betrayed him. The chapter left Magic Bat realizing Meng Zhao was deliberately gathering information about both Hu Baiwan and Shi Jie.

• Magic Bat told Meng Zhao that Hu Baiwan had bribed officials, built a far-reaching network, and maintained three Hell Path strongholds in Nan'an Commandery City containing evidence of his dealings.
• Lü Zhong recorded Magic Bat's revelations as evidence that could be used against Hu Baiwan.
• When Magic Bat asked how Meng Zhao had learned of the assassination plot, Meng Zhao claimed an unknown Innate Master with a White Elephant Vital Energy Manifestation had warned him.
• Magic Bat recognized the description as Shi Jie and revealed that his sworn brother was a Sinful Envoy from Sinful Valley who had betrayed him after Magic Bat once helped him escape Ling Feixue.
• Magic Bat warned Meng Zhao that Shi Jie might have ulterior motives, but Meng Zhao accused him of trying to manipulate him and refused to provoke Shi Jie without cause.
• Magic Bat realized Meng Zhao had been fishing for information about both Hu Baiwan and Shi Jie.

Meng Zhao agreed to learn the Heavenly Bat Blood Transformation Scripture from Magic Bat in exchange for killing the man who betrayed him. After memorizing the art, Meng Zhao learned the betrayer’s weakness: he loved sour plums.

• Meng Zhao recognized that his cooperation with Shi Jie would eventually give way to conflict over the Tuxiu Treasure and its third key.
• Magic Bat offered to teach Meng Zhao the Heavenly Bat Blood Transformation Scripture, claiming it could awaken Meng Zhao’s Special Physique and reveal his immense potential.
• Lü Zhong warned Meng Zhao that the demonic art could cause a dangerous backlash, but Magic Bat insisted that Meng Zhao had an unawakened bloodline.
• Meng Zhao agreed to learn the scripture and kill Magic Bat’s former good brother, who had come to Nan'an for the Tuxiu Treasure and possessed a key.
• Meng Zhao memorized the scripture, and Magic Bat told him that the man loved sour plums and always ate them when he saw them.

After Jumoluo departed, Meng Zhao reassured Lü Zhong that he knew about his Special Physique and had no intention of cultivating the Heavenly Bat Blood Transformation Scripture. He kept his physique secret from the Meng Family and revealed that the scripture contained a hidden scheme, while preparing to awaken his physique by other means.

• Meng Zhao lamented that Jumoluo would not serve him, and Lü Zhong encouraged him by pointing to the promise of his Special Physique.
• Meng Zhao told Lü Zhong that he already knew about his physique, would keep it secret, and would not switch from the Red Flag Order to the Heavenly Bat Blood Transformation Scripture.
• Meng Zhao explained that the scripture had poor compatibility with the Red Flag Order, though he hoped to adapt some of its insights for his future blood-changing process.
• Lü Zhong agreed to guard Meng Zhao's secret and asked how he would awaken his physique without cultivating the scripture.
• Meng Zhao revealed that he had discovered a hidden scheme in the scripture that would make him bloodthirsty, a secret he had actually uncovered with the Sky-Illuminating Mirror.

Meng Zhao studied the Heavenly Bat Blood Transformation Scripture and used its principles to strengthen his body, while avoiding its corrupting methods. He spent time with Han Lu and began teaching her martial arts, leaving her with a chance to become more capable and remain by his side.

• Meng Zhao copied and studied the Heavenly Bat Blood Transformation Scripture, using its teachings on essence and blood to improve his physique.
• Meng Zhao rejected the scripture’s blood-drinking methods because he had the Red Flag Order and disliked its crooked practices.
• Meng Zhao took Han Lu to the fishpond and learned how Meng Zhao’s support had improved Han Pu’s family and prospects.
• Meng Zhao told Han Lu he would teach her martial arts, and she showed him the rudimentary skills she had learned from her brothers.
• Meng Zhao taught Han Lu the Beauty Fist, a nimble martial art he had memorized from Meng Rong.

Meng Zhao was summoned to the Meng Family reception hall, where the family elders and heirs had gathered, likely because of Meng Qinghuai’s death. He assessed the rivalries among his relatives while maintaining a careful, outwardly friendly posture toward Meng Xi and observing Meng Wen’s apparent despondency.

• A servant told Meng Zhao that Meng Jizu had urgently summoned him and the other young masters, so Meng Zhao sent Han Lu back and went to the hall.
• Meng Zhao flattered Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao, easing their stern expressions before taking a seat beside Meng Chuan.
• Meng Chuan silently praised Meng Zhao’s nerve, while Meng Zhao considered how the elders’ guilt made them unusually tolerant of him.
• Meng Xi greeted Meng Zhao with exaggerated warmth, and Meng Zhao kept their relationship ambiguous while privately distrusting him.
• Meng Zhao saw Meng Wen in a wheelchair and doubted that his listless appearance reflected his true state of mind.

Meng Jizu told the family that Meng Qinghuai had been poisoned to death, and the brothers considered who might be behind the killing. Meng Zhao knew he had arranged it, while the others blamed the Sun Family; Meng Hongdao then asked Meng Zhao for his view.

• Meng Jizu announced that Meng Qinghuai had been poisoned to death in his own home.
• Meng Wen suspected the Sun Family and quietly wondered whether Meng Zhao had played a role.
• Meng Jizu shared the investigation report, which blamed Wang Ji’s husband for revenge but left questions about who supplied the poison.
• Meng Xi and Meng Wen both suggested that the Sun Family had secretly arranged the killing.
• Meng Jizu doubted the Sun Family was responsible, and Meng Hongdao asked Meng Zhao what he thought.

Meng Zhao revealed that Hu Baiwan had sent Magic Bat to assassinate him, then used his capture and interrogation to accuse Hu Baiwan of poisoning Meng Qinghuai. Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao largely believed him and reconsidered the Meng Family’s relationship with Hu Baiwan.

• Meng Zhao argued that the Sun Family had little reason to poison Meng Qinghuai and named Hu Baiwan as the more likely culprit.
• Meng Wen and Meng Jizu challenged Meng Zhao to provide evidence against Hu Baiwan.
• Meng Zhao revealed that Magic Bat, a wanted killer sent by Hu Baiwan, had tried to assassinate him.
• Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao reacted with fury and asked how Meng Zhao had survived Magic Bat’s attack.
• Meng Zhao explained that Leng Huifeng had arranged for Jumoluo to guard him and capture Magic Bat, whom Meng Zhao had interrogated.
• Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao accepted that Meng Zhao’s claims were likely true and considered reassessing their relationship with Hu Baiwan.

Meng Zhao urged the Meng Family to use Hu Baiwan’s suspected ties to the Hell Path as an opportunity to weaken him and possibly the Sun Family. The elders were persuaded by his strategy, but the plan depended on proving Hu Baiwan’s identity through official channels.

• Meng Zhao argued that Hu Baiwan had tried to kill him and poison Meng Qinghuai to avenge Hu Yingming and provoke conflict between the Meng and Sun Families.
• Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao reproached Meng Zhao for handling the danger without consulting his family, and he promised to seek their guidance in the future.
• Meng Chuan demanded that the family retaliate, but Meng Jizu ordered the younger generation to stay in the residence and leave Hu Baiwan’s fate to the elders.
• Meng Zhao urged Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao to expose Hu Baiwan as a Hell Path member and take advantage of the Sun Family’s likely reluctance to defend him.
• Meng Xi, Meng Wen, and Meng Chuan were stirred by Meng Zhao’s vision of defeating both rival powers, though the chapter noted that the Meng Family still needed proof it could use to condemn Hu Baiwan publicly.

Meng Zhao proposed using evidence and the Heavenly Punishment Hall to bring down Hu Baiwan, then warned the Meng Family that Hu Baiwan had allied himself with Prince Fu. Meng Jizu called a meeting of the family’s senior members and invited Meng Zhao to attend.

• Meng Zhao explained that the Meng Family could seize Hu Baiwan’s ledgers and letters, use Magic Bat as a witness, and enlist the Heavenly Punishment Hall to investigate the Hell Path.
• Meng Jizu praised Meng Zhao’s strategy but said he and Meng Hongdao needed time to consider it.
• Meng Zhao warned that Hu Baiwan’s secret alliance with Prince Fu posed a greater danger to the Meng Family than his ties to officials or the Hell Path.
• Meng Jizu and Meng Hongdao recognized the threat of Hu Baiwan gaining influence through Prince Fu and decided to discuss the matter with the family’s senior members.
• Meng Jizu invited Meng Zhao to the evening meeting, and Meng Zhao agreed to attend.

After Meng Zhao returned from the Meng Family leadership meeting, he praised Lü Yue and Han Pu and planned how to take Hu Baiwan’s treasure key by exploiting Hu Yingming. Meanwhile, Hu Baiwan and his Hell Path protectors debated whether the Meng Family had discovered his identity, leaving them unaware that Magic Bat had been captured.

• Meng Zhao praised Lü Yue for handling Meng Qinghuai’s death and Han Pu for helping capture Magic Bat, then assured Lü Yue that the blame had been pinned on Hu Baiwan.
• Meng Zhao explained that the Meng Family was preparing to move against Hu Baiwan, but he wanted to secretly obtain the treasure key in Hu Baiwan’s possession.
• Han Pu revealed that Hu Yingming had hired Shi Siming and might be able to steal treasures from his father’s vault, prompting Meng Zhao to plan to deceive him.
• Hu Baiwan wondered whether Meng Zhao’s safe return, Meng Qinghuai’s death, and Magic Bat’s disappearance meant the Meng Family had uncovered his identity.
• Geng Zongfang and Kang Liang dismissed Hu Baiwan’s fears and urged him to wait for Magic Bat to reappear.

Hu Baiwan warned Geng Zongfang and Kang Liang that the Meng Family might target them if his Hell Path identity was exposed. He explained the clan’s hidden strength and strategic restraint, then decided to wait before sending their nephews away.

• Hu Baiwan ordered more patrols and planned to send warnings to Prince Fu, Hell Path headquarters, and his allies in Ji Prefecture.
• Hu Baiwan warned Geng Zongfang and Kang Liang that exposure as a Hell Path member could turn both the underworld and legitimate forces against them.
• Geng Zongfang and Kang Liang suggested striking the Meng Family first, but Hu Baiwan said a direct clash would be disastrous and that the Meng Family’s power was far greater than it appeared.
• Hu Baiwan explained that the Meng Family tolerated its deadlock with the Sun Family to avoid provoking the Imperial Court and other great clans, while still using hidden force when necessary.
• After Hu Baiwan revealed that two of the Sun Family’s four Innate Masters had vanished and described the Meng Family’s extensive network of fighters, Geng Zongfang and Kang Liang agreed to follow his lead.
• Geng Zongfang and Kang Liang proposed sending their nephews away, but Hu Baiwan chose to wait because his suspicions were not yet certain.

The Meng Family intercepted all thirty-two of Hu Baiwan’s messages, leaving him increasingly isolated in Nan'an Commandery City. At Welcome Spring Pavilion, Hu Yingming heard that Meng Zhao was currying favor with a stranger and decided the man might offer him a chance for revenge.

• The Meng Family intercepted messages traveling by air, land, and water from Nan'an Commandery City, preventing all thirty-two letters Hu Baiwan sent from reaching their destinations.
• Hu Baiwan strengthened the guards around his residence, cut back his businesses, contacted powerful families, and secretly sent Fine Rain Sword Liu Song to the Sun Family.
• Hu Yingming drank at Welcome Spring Pavilion, brooding over his hatred for Meng Zhao while his companions amused themselves.
• Sun Chuanshan told Hu Yingming that he had seen Meng Zhao acting obsequiously toward a pretty boy with an unfamiliar accent.
• Hu Yingming decided the stranger might help him get revenge and asked Sun Chuanshan to take him to see the man.