Chapter Summaries

Chu Qing defeated Han Qiuze and confronted the White Tiger Seven Mansions, killing their members as their formation began to collapse. Kui Constellation Zhang Ye ordered a retreat, but Lou Constellation Ji Quan charged Chu Qing and was killed.

• Han Qiuze activated the fourth rank of the Nine Transformations of Star Splitting, but Chu Qing seized him, shattered his arms, crippled his inner breath, and threw him before Wu Qianhuan and the others.
• Kui Constellation Zhang Ye led the White Tiger Seven Mansions against Chu Qing, while Shen Constellation Hong Zheng used his murderous gaze to create a battlefield illusion and Bi Constellation Zi Yan attacked with her Flowing Cloud Sleeves.
• Chu Qing drew Wu Qianhuan's sword and killed Zi Constellation Chen Qi with a single strike when Chen Qi tried to break his sword technique.
• Bi Constellation Zi Yan attacked Chu Qing in fury, but he cut apart her sleeves, severed her hands, and killed her with a stroke across her throat.
• Kui Constellation Zhang Ye ordered the remaining members to retreat, but Lou Constellation Ji Quan charged Chu Qing, who seized him by the throat and broke his neck.

Chu Qing killed the Seven Mansions of the White Tiger and captured Han Qiuze while avenging Xiang Mountain Sea, then set Star Splitting Manor ablaze and left with his companions. The group headed toward Heavenly Sound Manor, leaving open the possibility of returning to search for evidence that the Han Family had colluded with the Heavenly Evil Cult.

• Qiong Wu attacked Chu Qing with his Heavenly Granary Art, but Chu Qing killed him with a single palm strike.
• Chu Qing killed Fang Han and Hong Zheng, then defeated Zhang Ye and cut his throat after Zhang Ye's saber attack failed.
• Chu Qing told Zhang Ye that his stronger martial arts made killing him just, and said he had captured Han Qiuze to question him before killing him too.
• Su Ningzhen wanted to burn down Star Splitting Manor, so Chu Qing set its entrance ablaze with a saber strike and warned that anyone who tried to put out the fire would die.
• Chu Qing left Star Splitting Manor with Wu Qianhuan, Liu Qingyan, Su Ningzhen, and Han Qiuze, deciding to travel to Heavenly Sound Manor instead of staying the night.
• Liu Qingyan wondered whether Star Splitting Manor held evidence of the Han Family's collusion with the Heavenly Evil Cult, and Chu Qing said they could return to search later.

Chu Qing tortured Han Qiuze until he revealed Star Splitting Manor and the Heavenly Evil Cult’s plan to destroy Heavenly Sound Manor and dominate northern Ridge. After Chu Qing sensed an unseen expert nearby, a figure appeared before the group, and Chu Qing recognized them.

• Chu Qing questioned Han Qiuze about Star Splitting Manor’s alleged alliance with the Heavenly Evil Cult and its slaughter of Xiang Mountain Sea’s household.
• After Han Qiuze denied the accusations, Chu Qing tortured him until he confessed that Star Splitting Manor had joined the Heavenly Evil Cult for power and had helped destroy the Duan Family.
• Han Qiuze revealed a scheme to frame Heavenly Sound Manor, provoke a confrontation at Little Cold Valley, and weaken the other manors so Star Splitting Manor could seize control of northern Ridge.
• Chu Qing grew suspicious that no one had tried to stop Han Qiuze from revealing the plan, then sensed an expert approaching through the unnaturally quiet woods.
• A figure swiftly arrived in the firelight, and Chu Qing recognized them.

Xingshan appeared at the Han Family, explained that he had destroyed the slave traders’ dens and safely placed the child, while Chu Qing secured Han Qiuze’s blood-written confession before killing him. Chu Qing and Liu Qingyan’s group reached Heavenly Sound Manor after a grueling journey, where Liu Zhaonian greeted Liu Qingyan and Chu Qing recognized his maternal uncle.

• Xingshan apologized for disrupting Chu Qing’s plans, explained his actions against the slave trade, and assured him that the child was safe with a loving farming family before disappearing.
• Wen Rou said Xingshan’s scent had vanished completely when he left, and Chu Qing made Han Qiuze write and sign a blood confession before killing him.
• Chu Qing chose a Strange Arts Treasure Chest but saved it unopened while he waited for a chance to collect enough chests for a ten-draw pull.
• Chu Qing, Wu Qianhuan, and Liu Qingyan traveled to Heavenly Sound Manor, learning that forces from Prairie Fire Manor and Star Splitting Manor had already entered its territory.
• After nearly ten days of urgent travel, the group reached Heavenly Sound City, where Liu Zhaonian came out to greet Liu Qingyan and Chu Qing recognized him as his maternal uncle.

Chu Qing revealed his identity to Liu Zhaonian, who recognized him as his sister’s son and confirmed that Chu Qing’s mother was still alive. The chapter ended with Liu Zhaonian explaining that she had not returned because she could not.

• Liu Zhaonian welcomed Liu Qingyan, Su Ningzhen, and Chu Qing’s group into Heavenly Sound Manor and heard how they had helped Liu Qingyan.
• At Five Sounds Hall, Chu Qing dismissed the attendants and Su Ningzhen, then gave Liu Zhaonian a sealed letter addressed to him.
• Liu Zhaonian read the letter, while Chu Qing removed his disguise and astonished Liu Qingyan.
• Liu Zhaonian recognized Chu Qing as the newborn son of his sister, who had traveled with him to see their dying father nearly twenty years earlier.
• Chu Qing greeted Liu Zhaonian as his uncle and asked whether his mother was alive; Liu Zhaonian said she was, but could not return.

Liu Zhaonian explained how Gongsun Zongheng had kept Liu Zhaohua from returning to her family for twenty years. When an urgent report revealed that Liu Zhaohua was being pursued, Chu Qing set out to meet her.

• Liu Zhaonian recounted how Liu Zhaohua had been injured by Gongsun Zongheng and stayed at Heavenly Sound Manor to avoid endangering her family in Southern Ridge.
• Liu Zhaonian explained that Liu Zhaohua had spent fifteen years in seclusion mastering the Supreme Heavenly Sound, while Chu Yunfei mistakenly believed she had abandoned him and their children.
• Chu Qing asked to see Liu Zhaohua, and Liu Zhaonian said she was returning from investigating the Duan Family's territory.
• A messenger delivered Liu Zhaohua's urgent report that she was being pursued and needed help.
• Chu Qing covered his face with the Painted Skin and volunteered to meet Liu Zhaohua, while Liu Zhaonian tried to stop him and Liu Qingyan vouched for his martial arts.

Chu Qing left Heavenly Sound Manor with Liu Qingyan to find his mother, Liu Zhaohua, while Liu Zhaonian arranged support and met Han Yiren. At Wild Grass Slope, Liu Zhaohua fought off an ambush while protecting the injured You Zong, then faced a large Heavenly Evil Cult force led by Gongsun Zongheng.

• Chu Qing told Liu Zhaonian to keep his identity secret, took Liu Qingyan to help identify his mother, and headed toward Huangchuan Ferry.
• Liu Zhaonian arranged for disciples to follow Chu Qing and entrusted the mysterious captive to his people before going to meet Han Yiren.
• Liu Zhaohua’s carriage was attacked at Wild Grass Slope, and she fought through the ambush while trying to protect the injured You Zong.
• Liu Zhaohua carried You Zong onward and refused to surrender him or betray Heavenly Sound Manor when a force of three hundred armored Heavenly Evil Cult soldiers blocked their way.
• Gongsun Zongheng appeared and declared Liu Zhaohua trapped in a desperate situation, daring her to expect anyone to rescue her.

Chu Qing and Liu Qingyan reached Wild Grass Slope, where Liu Zhaohua and You Zong were surrounded by the Heavenly Evil Cult and Gongsun Zongheng. Chu Qing rescued them with his powerful martial arts, and the chapter ended as he recognized Gongsun Zongheng.

• Chu Qing carried Liu Qingyan across nearly three hundred li to Huangchuan Ferry, but they found no sign of Liu Zhaohua and left to search elsewhere.
• At Wild Grass Slope, the wounded Liu Zhaohua and crippled You Zong faced Gongsun Zongheng and the Heavenly Evil Cult’s forces.
• Gongsun Zongheng ordered the cult’s forces to kill Liu Zhaohua and You Zong, but a streak of lightning suddenly passed overhead.
• Chu Qing and Liu Qingyan arrived, and Chu Qing unleashed Fire Cloud Palm to overwhelm the charging enemies.
• Liu Zhaohua caught Liu Qingyan and Chu Qing restored her strength, then he asked Gongsun Zongheng if he was Gongsun Zongheng.

Chu Qing overwhelmed Gongsun Zongheng and the young general, then stopped them from escaping and forced them to prepare for a fight together. As Gongsun Zongheng revealed his Azure Nether Undying Will, Chu Qing hinted that his hostility was connected to Liu Zhaohua, leaving her shaken.

• Chu Qing struck Gongsun Zongheng down with a rapid sequence of palm attacks, stunning Liu Zhaohua and the others.
• The young general attacked Chu Qing with his spear, but Chu Qing identified his technique and mentioned meeting Meng Shaokun and Ghost Emperor at Tongtian Mountain Manor.
• Chu Qing countered a sinister arrow-like force and turned it against the young general, who was knocked back before Gongsun Zongheng caught him.
• Gongsun Zongheng and the young general tried to flee, but Chu Qing’s Little Li Flying Dagger stopped them, and the young general fired a signal to summon reinforcements.
• Gongsun Zongheng revealed his Azure Nether Undying Will and regained a younger appearance as he and the young general prepared to fight Chu Qing together.
• Gongsun Zongheng asked what grievance Chu Qing held against him, and Chu Qing implied it concerned Liu Zhaohua, leaving her breathless.

Chu Qing defeated the young general and Gongsun Zongheng, exposing the secrets of the Azure Nether Undying Will and turning Gongsun Zongheng’s ambushes back on him. He dragged the badly injured Gongsun before Liu Zhaohua and began helping her recover.

• The young general attacked with his spear while Gongsun Zongheng followed in ambush, but Chu Qing set the spear ablaze with his Flame Blade and forced the young general to release it.
• Chu Qing saw that Gongsun Zongheng’s Azure Nether Undying Will absorbed and dispersed his inner force, then used the Divine Jade Nine Chapters to overwhelm him and send him flying.
• The young general tried a sneak attack, but Chu Qing stopped his spear, smashed him into the ground, and beat him unconscious.
• Gongsun Zongheng rose to attack Chu Qing from behind, but Chu Qing turned the spearhead against him and reflected his Azure Nether God Slaughtering Palm back into his chest.
• Chu Qing pierced Gongsun Zongheng’s eye and leg, vowed to keep him alive for twenty years, and dragged him before Liu Zhaohua.
• Chu Qing took Liu Zhaohua’s wrist and sent inner force into her, chiding her for not regulating her breathing.

Chu Qing reunited with Liu Zhaohua without fully revealing their relationship, then detained Ning Wufang and learned that You Zong had recovered Duan Qinghe’s final letter. After waiting for Heavenly Evil Cult reinforcements that never arrived, Chu Qing led the group back to Heavenly Sound Manor.

• Liu Zhaohua realized Chu Qing was the family’s third son, but Ning Wufang interrupted before they could speak further.
• Ning Wufang arrived to investigate the signal fire, and Chu Qing defeated him and restrained him beside the unconscious young general.
• Chu Qing promised to seek a physician to treat You Zong’s broken legs and encouraged him to believe he could recover.
• You Zong gave Chu Qing Duan Qinghe’s final letter, dated two months earlier, which recorded the Duan Family’s ultimate arts and supported their account of the clan’s destruction.
• Chu Qing and the others waited two hours for Heavenly Evil Cult reinforcements, then returned to Heavenly Sound Manor when no one came.

Chu Qing returned to Heavenly Sound Manor with the wounded and captives, then revealed evidence that cleared the manor of the accusation against it. He proposed drawing the Heavenly Evil Cult out by pretending the manor had found a secret at Divine Sound Waterfall, and You Zong realized Ning Wufang could be used to spread the bait.

• Chu Qing brought the group back to Heavenly Sound Manor, where Liu Zhaonian received them and no pursuers appeared.
• Chu Qing told You Zong that Ning Wufang was suspicious and might be targeting Heavenly Sound Manor rather than the Heavenly Evil Cult captive.
• Chu Qing gave Liu Zhaonian Han Qiuze's confession and Duan Qinghe's final letter, which together disproved the accusation that Heavenly Sound Manor had allied with the Heavenly Evil Cult.
• Chu Qing proposed allying with Prairie Fire Manor and turning Star Splitting Manor's scheme against its creators, while the group considered how to expose the Heavenly Evil Cult.
• Chu Qing connected a cryptic verse about Divine Sound to Heavenly Sound Manor's forbidden Divine Sound Waterfall and suggested faking a discovery there to lure the Heavenly Evil Cult out.
• You Zong realized Ning Wufang could be made to leak the false news to the Heavenly Evil Cult.

Chu Qing revealed his identity to Liu Zhaohua, and mother and son reunited as he told her about his enemies and asked about Heavenly Buddha Temple. Meanwhile, Ning Wufang secretly freed himself in the dungeon after chastising the Heavenly Evil Cult junior commander for signaling for help.

• Chu Qing and Liu Zhaonian agreed to put on an act to test Ning Wufang.
• Liu Zhaohua asked Chu Qing to confirm his real name, and he admitted he was her son before revealing his true face.
• Chu Qing knelt before Liu Zhaohua, and she embraced him and mourned the years they had spent apart.
• Chu Qing told Liu Zhaohua about Wu Qianhuan and Wen Fusheng, asked what she knew about Heavenly Buddha Temple, and urged her to return to Southern Ridge to reunite with Chu Yunfei.
• Ning Wufang spoke to the imprisoned Heavenly Evil Cult junior commander, then silently freed himself from his shackles.

Ning Wufang secretly freed himself in Heavenly Sound Manor’s prison and agreed to investigate the Divine Sound Waterfall, while Chu Qing warned Han Yiren that the Heavenly Evil Cult planned to sacrifice him and Heavenly Sound Manor. After learning that Li Shengxing and the other members of the Four Friends of Green Mountain were staying at the manor, Chu Qing went to seize Li Shengxing and found him dressing for a nighttime outing.

• Ning Wufang told the young general he would help investigate the Divine Sound Waterfall, then replaced his shackles and quietly worked to break Chu Qing’s seals on his acupoints.
• Han Yiren confided his fears to Chu Qing, who revealed that the Heavenly Evil Cult intended to use Han Yiren and his followers to bind Heavenly Sound Manor to the cult and then discard them.
• Chu Qing told Han Yiren to wait for the cult’s next instructions and promised to arrange his escape, then asked whether he knew Li Shengxing.
• Han Yiren explained that Li Shengxing and Mu Chunyu, Tong Jinglai, and Liao Qingcheng formed the Four Friends of Green Mountain and were all staying at Heavenly Sound Manor.
• Chu Qing went to Li Shengxing’s residence intending to capture him and found him changing into night attire just after midnight.

Chu Qing followed Li Shengxing to a meeting where he learned that Mirror of Sin had accepted a contract to kill him under the name Han San. After a new commission appeared, Chu Qing captured the contact and revealed his identity as Han San.

• Chu Qing followed Li Shengxing from Heavenly Sound Manor to the Sun Family Inn and overheard him meet a Mirror of Sin contact.
• The contact told Li Shengxing that Han Qiujun had hired Mirror of Sin to kill Han San, with three helpers due to arrive, including a newcomer.
• Chu Qing learned that Mirror of Sin had once failed to find a former subordinate of Bai Qi, and he wondered whether the newcomer was Chu Tian.
• A new Nameless on the List commission appeared for Chu Qing, who concluded that his role as Mirror of Sin's target had triggered it.
• Chu Qing entered the inn room, disarmed and captured the contact, then identified himself as Han San.

Chu Qing interrogated Pu Cheng and learned that Mirror of Sin's Southern Region Main Branch was supposedly in Langya Forbidden Zone, then asked Liu Zhaonian to investigate. He later prepared Wu Qianhuan to meet his grandmother and brought Wen Rou along, while Liu Zhaohua anxiously awaited them and was caught laughing with Liu Qingyan.

• Chu Qing tortured Pu Cheng until he named Langya Forbidden Zone as the location of Mirror of Sin's Southern Region Main Branch, then killed him.
• Chu Qing told Liu Zhaonian to investigate the branch and explained that he wanted to keep Mirror of Sin from threatening his family and friends.
• Liu Zhaonian agreed to help in Northern Ridge and invited Chu Qing to bring Wu Qianhuan to meet his grandmother, who could treat Wu Qianhuan's damaged meridians.
• Chu Qing restored Wu Qianhuan's appearance, dressed and made her up, and agreed with her that Wen Rou should come along.
• Liu Zhaohua waited nervously for Chu Qing and Wu Qianhuan, but Liu Qingyan arrived first and made her laugh before the group entered.

Chu Qing and Liu Zhaohua’s family reunited with Liu Zhaohua’s mother, who began treating Wu Qianhuan’s injury with the Heavenly Heart Myriad Peace Melody. As Han Yiren prepared to leave and forces from two manors neared Heavenly Sound City, Chu Qing decided to visit Ouyang Tianxu that night.

• Liu Qingyan reminded Chu Qing that he had promised to teach Su Ningzhen martial arts, and Chu Qing agreed to consider what to teach her.
• Liu Zhaohua took Chu Qing and the others to meet his grandmother, while Liu Qingyan explained Heavenly Sound Manor’s forces and mentioned her arrogant younger brother, Liu Jinghan.
• Chu Qing met his grandmother and explained that Gongsun Zongheng would pay for separating him from his blood relatives for twenty years.
• Liu Zhaohua’s mother examined Wu Qianhuan, recognized her Moon Pointing Profound Skill, and began treating her with the Heavenly Heart Myriad Peace Melody at the Tranquil Heart Pool.
• Liu Zhaonian told Chu Qing that Han Yiren would leave the next morning and that forces from two manors would arrive early; Chu Qing decided to visit Ouyang Tianxu that night.

Chu Qing arranged a plan with Liu Zhaonian and Han Yiren to expose the Heavenly Evil Cult’s plot, then secretly followed the forces of Star Splitting Manor and Prairie Fire Manor. He appeared in Ouyang Tianxu’s tent, stole a meat bun without being detected, and asked for another.

• Chu Qing persuaded Liu Zhaonian to claim the mysterious item was in his own possession, while Liu Zhaonian sent a further message to draw out Ning Wufang.
• Han Yiren showed Chu Qing the Heavenly Evil Cult’s instructions to ambush his people at Clear Spring Gorge and frame Heavenly Sound Manor, then pledged Little Cold Valley’s support.
• Chu Qing searched Divine Sound Waterfall, listened to Wu Qianhuan play the zither, and left Heavenly Sound Manor in disguise.
• Chu Qing followed the large forces of Star Splitting Manor and Prairie Fire Manor as they camped on their way to Heavenly Sound City.
• Ouyang Tianfeng warned Ouyang Tianxu that Han Qiujun seemed untrustworthy, while Ouyang Tianxu explained why Prairie Fire Manor had joined the expedition.
• Chu Qing suddenly appeared in Ouyang Tianxu’s tent, ate his meat buns, and asked him for another one.

Chu Qing revealed the secret behind Prairie Fire Manor’s Prairie Fire Force and warned Ouyang Tianxu that Han Yiren would be ambushed at Clear Spring Gorge by people from the Heavenly Evil Cult posing as members of Heavenly Sound Manor. Ouyang Tianxu went with Chu Qing to witness the trap, where they waited as the ambushers arrived before Han Yiren’s group.

• Chu Qing caught Ouyang Tianxu’s basin and suppressed the Prairie Fire Force, then explained that the technique turned an opponent’s own internal force against them.
• Chu Qing gave Ouyang Tianxu Han Qiuze’s confession and revealed a plot to frame Heavenly Sound Manor by killing Han Yiren at Clear Spring Gorge.
• Chu Qing told Ouyang Tianxu that Han Yiren had been controlled by the Heavenly Evil Cult and that Han Qiujun had arranged for Ouyang Tianxu to travel through the gorge that night.
• Ouyang Tianxu left the main force with Chu Qing, and they reached Clear Spring Gorge around midnight, where Chu Qing identified an ambush laid by Heavenly Sound Manor.
• Chu Qing found Liu Qingyan and Su Ningzhen among the concealed Heavenly Sound Manor experts and told them to hide more carefully.
• At dawn, the Heavenly Evil Cult’s disguised group entered Clear Spring Gorge and spread out to hide, confirming Chu Qing’s warning to Ouyang Tianxu.

Han Yiren’s group was ambushed in Clear Spring Gorge by Heavenly Evil Cult fighters disguised as Heavenly Sound Manor disciples, but Yi Zhishang and the real manor forces turned the battle around with sound arts. A mysterious leaf-playing man overwhelmed Yi Zhishang until Liu Jinghan arrived, and he prepared to face the Heavenly Evil Cult himself.

• Han Yiren and the wandering martial artists entered an ambush, where Heavenly Sound Shuttles were first fired at them.
• Chu Qing signaled Heavenly Sound Manor disciples to attack the disguised Heavenly Evil Cult fighters, and Yi Zhishang explained the impersonation to Han Yiren’s group.
• Yi Zhishang played the Heartbreak Gut-Wrenching Melody, letting Heavenly Sound Manor gain the advantage over the Heavenly Evil Cult fighters.
• A man playing a leaf unleashed Misty Sorrowful Clouds, overwhelming Yi Zhishang’s music and driving those nearby into despair.
• Liu Jinghan arrived playing a zither, countered the sound arts, and learned from Yi Zhishang that the opponents were Heavenly Evil Cult fighters.
• Liu Jinghan declared that he would test the Heavenly Evil Cult’s methods.