Chapter Summaries

After spending several days with Shang Xiuxun and Song Yuzhi at Fei Ma Ranch, Hao Shuai set out alone for Luoyang after hearing that Ning Daoqi had fought a mysterious Daoist. His journey went astray, and he found a battlefield where he rescued a beautiful woman in yellow whose identity he nearly recognized.

• Hao Shuai teased Song Yuzhi about being jealous and told her that Song Que had accepted his betrothal gifts.
• Hao Shuai stayed at Fei Ma Ranch with Shang Xiuxun and Song Yuzhi while news spread that Ning Daoqi had fought a middle-aged Daoist to a draw.
• Hao Shuai decided to travel to Luoyang after learning that Ning Daoqi was likely escorting Shi Feixuan and the He Shi Bi Jade, but Shang Xiuxun and Song Yuzhi cheerfully sent him off and kept Xuan Yu.
• Hao Shuai rode the ugly eagle, realized it was flying in the wrong direction, and diverted toward the sounds of battle.
• Hao Shuai saw foreign-clothed warriors fighting black-clad warriors over a platform where a woman in yellow was tied up.
• Hao Shuai rushed to the platform, freed the woman, and brushed away her hair, recognizing her as an astonishing beauty whose identity he nearly guessed.

Hao Shuai rescued Wanwan from the Tiele by killing their leader and ordering his men slaughtered, then woke her and learned her name. He remained suspicious of her charms and mocked her surname as “Pig Curvy.”

• Hao Shuai pulled Geng Gehu'er onto the platform and snapped his neck after Geng threatened him.
• Hua Lingzi challenged Hao Shuai over her senior brother's death, and he released the Heng Ha Two Generals to kill the Tiele.
• Hao Shuai found Wanwan pretending to be unconscious, tested her empty dantian, and woke her by pressing her acupoints.
• Wanwan acted innocent and introduced herself as Wanwan, while Hao Shuai claimed she had been kidnapped and helped her stand.
• Wanwan gave her surname as Zhu, and Hao Shuai teased her by misreading it as “Pig Curvy.”

Hao Shuai challenged Fang Zetao’s claim over Wanwan and let her choose whether to return to Duba Villa. Wanwan chose to stay with Hao Shuai, who ended the chapter by asking her to sign a contract of servitude.

• Hao Shuai dismissed Fang Zeliu’s thanks after Wanwan denied knowing him.
• Fang Zetao arrived, scolded Fang Zeliu, and explained that he had rescued Wanwan and let her stay at Duba Villa.
• Hao Shuai asked Fang Zetao whether he had any formal claim over Wanwan, and Fang Zetao admitted they had no relationship.
• Hao Shuai let Wanwan decide where to go, and she thanked Fang Zetao before choosing to stay by Hao Shuai’s side.
• Fang Zetao accepted Wanwan’s choice and asked Hao Shuai to take good care of her.
• Hao Shuai produced paper and a brush and asked Wanwan to sign a contract of servitude.

Hao Shuai got Wanwan to sign a servitude contract and took her to Luoyang on the ugly eagle. After arriving in the city, he continued treating her as his servant while she tried to maintain her disguise.

• Wanwan signed Hao Shuai’s contract without reading it carefully, while Fang Zetao watched in shock.
• Hao Shuai summoned the late-arriving ugly eagle, then carried Wanwan onto its back and ordered it to fly north to Luoyang.
• Hao Shuai and Wanwan entered Luoyang through the southern gate and admired the city’s grand avenues and scenery.
• Hao Shuai asked Wanwan why Luoyang seemed familiar to her, and she claimed she had visited with her wealthy father before bandits ruined their family.
• Hao Shuai comforted Wanwan by pulling her into his arms, then reminded her that she would have to learn how to serve him.

Hao Shuai toured Luoyang with Wanwan, then went to Manqing Courtyard and demanded that its owner, Shangguan Long, sell it to him for one hundred taels. Wanwan and Shangguan Long were left stunned by his unexpected offer.

• Wanwan showed Hao Shuai Luoyang’s waterways, Western Park, and Xinzhong Bridge as he decided to make the city his capital.
• Hao Shuai noticed martial artists gathering in Luoyang over rumors about the He Clan Jade and resolved to disrupt Cihang Jingzhai’s plans.
• Hao Shuai led a bewildered Wanwan into Manqing Courtyard and asked the madam to summon Shangguan Long.
• Hao Shuai admired the pleasure house’s architecture before meeting its owner, Shangguan Long.
• Hao Shuai offered Shangguan Long one hundred taels for Manqing Courtyard, astonishing both him and Wanwan.

Hao Shuai seized the Manqing Courtyard from Shangguan Long and turned it into Cihang Jingzhai, then forced Luoyang’s factions to attend its grand opening. The opening began with the guests assembled, but Hao Shuai pointedly demanded to know why Jingnian Zen Temple had not come.

• Hao Shuai forced Shangguan Long to sell him the Manqing Courtyard for a hundred taels and ordered him to close and renovate it.
• After three days of work, Hao Shuai unveiled the new Cihang Jingzhai sign and ordered Shangguan Long to deliver invitations to every faction in Luoyang.
• Hao Shuai told Shangguan Long to spread news of the opening and report any factions that refused to attend.
• Several factions that rejected or destroyed their invitations suffered brutal deaths, frightening Luoyang’s leaders into attending.
• At the grand opening, Hao Shuai slapped Shangguan Long for claiming everyone was present and asked why Jingnian Zen Temple had not come.

Hao Shuai opened Manqing Courtyard in Luoyang as a brothel branded Cihang Jingzhai, using a grand unveiling and alluring performance to provoke the martial factions. The guests were captivated by the show, while Hao Shuai resolved to pursue the young woman surnamed Shi.

• Hao Shuai announced a ten-percent discount and a free companion for customers, then summoned Wang Shichong and Dugu Feng to help unveil the plaque.
• Hao Shuai promised to protect Wang Shichong and Dugu Feng from anyone who tried to kill them, and the unveiled plaque bore the name Cihang Jingzhai.
• Fan Qinghui greeted the guests as the brothel's madam and directed a group of beautiful women to escort them to their rooms.
• Fan Qinghui presented a young woman in a staged Buddhist performance, mesmerizing the guests with her appearance and the atmosphere.
• Hao Shuai decided he wanted to win over the young woman surnamed Shi, while reflecting that the women working at the brothel were short-lived clones he could not bring himself to touch.

Hao Shuai’s Cihang Jingzhai drew attention with its auction and lavish entertainment, while he punished Wang Bo for causing trouble. After learning that Qin Chuan had entered Luoyang, Hao Shuai prepared to pursue his plans involving the He Shi Bi Jade.

• Fan Qinghui auctioned Qin Mengyao, and Wang Shichong won her for a discounted payment of eighty thousand taels.
• Jin Bingyun performed a sword dance and was won by Dugu Feng, after which Fan Qinghui opened the venue to its other performers.
• Hao Shuai’s Cihang Jingzhai became famous across the surrounding regions, aided by its entertainment, service, and promotional pictures.
• Hao Shuai sealed Wang Bo’s abilities and had the Heng Ha Two Generals hang him from Luoyang’s city gate; Wang Bo returned to Changbai after three days.
• Hao Shuai learned that Qin Chuan had entered Luoyang and concluded that Ning Daoqi and the He Shi Bi Jade were likely nearby.

Hao Shuai and Wanwan arrived at Jingnian Zen Temple, drawing a crowd of factions who suspected the He Shi Bi Jade was there. Hao Shuai confronted the temple, revealed Liao Kong as a Great Grandmaster, and accused the monks of abducting a missing woman from Cihang Jingzhai.

• News spread that Hao Shuai was heading to Jingnian Zen Temple, prompting factions across Luoyang to rush there in hopes of finding the He Shi Bi Jade.
• Hao Shuai climbed the mountain with Wanwan and mocked her as they approached the temple.
• Bùchēn greeted Hao Shuai at the gate, but Hao Shuai demanded to speak with the temple master, Liao Kong.
• Hao Shuai's aura silenced Bùchī, and Liao Kong broke his decades-long Silent Meditation Technique to introduce himself and repel the pressure.
• Hao Shuai identified Liao Kong as a Great Grandmaster, then claimed a missing woman from Cihang Jingzhai had been abducted by Jingnian Zen Temple.
• The gathered spectators laughed at Hao Shuai's accusation.

Hao Shuai forced Jingnian Zen Temple to allow a search for missing young women, claiming he could prove they were hidden there. The search ended in Liao Kong’s bedroom, where they found a dead young woman, leaving the monk stunned and the witnesses suspicious.

• Hao Shuai overwhelmed Liao Kong with his aura and demanded permission to search Jingnian Zen Temple for the missing young women.
• Liao Kong agreed to the search, wagering that Hao Shuai would remain at the temple for ten years if they found nobody; Hao Shuai wagered he could take one thing from the temple if they did.
• Hao Shuai chose Dugu Feng and three other representatives from powerful factions to join the search.
• Liao Kong led the group through the temple, and Hao Shuai opened the curtains around the bed in Liao Kong’s quarters.
• Hao Shuai found a naked, bruised young woman and pretended to mourn her as Mu Ling; Dugu Feng confirmed that she was dead, leaving Liao Kong frozen in shock.

Hao Shuai accused Jingnian Zen Temple and Liao Kong of abusing Mu Ling, then demanded the Bronze Hall as payment for their wager. When Liao Kong refused, he ordered the temple’s monks to form a battle formation and block Hao Shuai, leaving a confrontation imminent.

• Hao Shuai carried Mu Ling’s body into the square and accused Liao Kong of killing her on his bed.
• Wanwan and a Yuwen Family member supported Hao Shuai’s claims, and Liao Kong admitted Mu Ling had been found in his room.
• Hao Shuai suggested another monk might have framed Liao Kong, then invoked their wager and demanded the Bronze Hall.
• Liao Kong refused to hand over the hall, so Hao Shuai moved toward it and warned the crowd that the temple had broken its word.
• Liao Kong ordered more than two hundred monks to form a battle formation, and Hao Shuai challenged him to confirm whether the temple wanted to fight.

Hao Shuai used a Gatling gun to destroy Jingnian Zen Temple’s formation, defeat its leaders, and claim the temple as compensation. After absorbing the power of Liao Kong and the other monks, he threatened to hang them at Cihang Jingzhai unless the Buddhist faith responded.

• Liao Kong led Jingnian Zen Temple’s monks in a formation that linked their strength to resist Hao Shuai.
• Hao Shuai summoned a Fire God Gatling and massacred the Warrior Monks while chanting the Namo Gatling Bodhisattva Heart Sutra.
• Bùchī, Liao Kong, and the three Vajra Guardians attacked Hao Shuai, who swiftly defeated all five.
• Hao Shuai claimed Jingnian Zen Temple and sent Wanwan to fetch Shangguan Long and have him transport its valuables to Cihang Jingzhai.
• Hao Shuai drained the power from Bùchēn, Bùtān, Liao Kong, and the other monks, then threatened to display the five at Cihang Jingzhai to provoke the Buddhist faith.

Hao Shuai entered Jingnian Zen Temple’s Bronze Hall, took the He Shi Bi Jade, and looted the temple before ordering it dismantled and burned. Back at Cihang Jingzhai, he considered clearing the way for Zhao Min and the others to fight for supremacy, while Wanwan asked to see the jade.

• Hao Shuai entered the Bronze Hall, suppressed the He Shi Bi Jade’s strange energy, and took the jade seal from its table.
• Hao Shuai looted Jingnian Zen Temple’s wealth and ordered Shangguan Long to distribute its valuables to the poor, dismantle the Bronze Hall, and burn the temple.
• Hao Shuai returned to Cihang Jingzhai and considered eliminating the Demon Sect and Cihang Jingzhai to clear obstacles for Zhao Min and the others.
• Wanwan asked Hao Shuai to show her the He Shi Bi Jade, and he teased her about repaying him as his maid.

After Hao Shuai kissed Wanwan and showed her the He Shi Bi Jade, he recruited Shangguan Long and set out to confront the Great Ming Venerate Cult in Luoyang. He wanted to prevent the cult from stirring up trouble and obtain its martial arts manuals, especially the Wisdom Scripture of the Source of All Laws.

• Hao Shuai kissed Wanwan, then let her inspect the He Shi Bi Jade and made a wager with her about its authenticity.
• Shangguan Long returned to Luoyang with the spoils from Jingnian Zen Temple, and news of the temple's destruction spread through the city.
• Hao Shuai offered Shangguan Long a place in his service, and Shangguan Long accepted.
• Hao Shuai learned that the Great Ming Venerate Cult's senior leaders were gathered in Luoyang and ordered Shangguan Long to take him to their base.
• Hao Shuai planned to stop the cult from causing trouble and seek its manuals, particularly the Wisdom Scripture of the Source of All Laws.

Hao Shuai and Shangguan Long confronted the Great Ming Venerate Cult, and Hao Shuai crippled Xu Kaishan and defeated the cult’s members. As Hao Shuai moved to absorb Xu Kaishan’s power, a hidden attacker struck from above with poison and a sword.

• Xu Kaishan and the Great Ming Venerate Cult discussed Jingnian Zen Temple’s destruction and their desire to obtain the He Shi Bi Jade.
• Hao Shuai and Shangguan Long burst into the cult’s hall, and Hao Shuai knocked Jiu Lingzhi unconscious with a glance.
• Hao Shuai tossed the He Shi Bi Jade to Xu Kaishan, whose qi reversed when he touched it.
• Hao Shuai easily overwhelmed the fleeing cult members and wounded Xu Kaishan, explaining that the cult had made a mistake by stirring up trouble in the Central Plains.
• An attacker dropped poisonous powder and thrust a sword at Hao Shuai, prompting Shangguan Long to rush to warn him.

Hao Shuai defeated Yang Xuyan’s assassination attempt, looted the Great Ming Venerate Cult, and used a tracker hidden in the He Shi Bi Jade to find Wanwan. He reached the Yin Gui Sect’s secret base in Luoyang and sensed Zhu Yuyan and others inside.

• Yang Xuyan attacked Hao Shuai with a flying sword and poisoned sleeve darts, but Hao Shuai stopped the weapons and resisted the concealed blade with his Indestructible Diamond Body.
• Yang Xuyan tried to flee, but Hao Shuai seized him and slammed him into the floor until he was near death.
• Hao Shuai absorbed Xu Kaishan’s true qi and ordered Shangguan Long to hand over the Great Ming Venerate Cult’s treasures and martial arts manuals.
• Hao Shuai dismissed Shangguan Long and used his handheld computer to track the transmitter he had planted in the He Shi Bi Jade given to Wanwan.
• Hao Shuai followed the signal to the Yin Gui Sect’s abandoned Luoyang residence and sensed Zhu Yuyan and more than a dozen people inside.

Hao Shuai confronted the Yin Gui Sect after finding Wanwan with its members and accusing them of kidnapping her over the He Shi Bi Jade. When Zhu Yuyan and the sect attacked him, Hao Shuai unleashed his Devouring Domain, suspending everything in the hall.

• The Yin Gui Sect examined a jade seal that Zhu Yuyan said resembled the He Shi Bi Jade but was not the original.
• Bian Bufu taunted Wanwan, and Hao Shuai suddenly appeared in the hall after she warned him about her young master.
• Hao Shuai accused the Yin Gui Sect of kidnapping Wanwan and seized Bian Bufu, slapping him and draining his power until he was crippled.
• Zhu Yuyan challenged Hao Shuai, then attacked with Wen Cailing, Elder Xia, Elder Yun, Dan Mei, and the other sect members.
• Hao Shuai activated his Devouring Domain, filling the hall with a huge Black Hole and black lightning that lifted every object into the air.

Hao Shuai defeated Zhu Yuyan and the Yin Gui Sect with his Devouring Domain, then accepted their surrender after Wanwan pleaded for them. He left them bound to his service with Life and Death Talismans.

• Hao Shuai trapped Zhu Yuyan and the Yin Gui Sect experts in his Devouring Domain and drained their power.
• Hao Shuai revealed that he had known Wanwan's identity from the moment they met, then teased and threatened her.
• Wanwan persuaded Hao Shuai not to kill Zhu Yuyan and offered the Yin Gui Sect's intelligence network in exchange for their submission.
• Zhu Yuyan agreed to surrender the Yin Gui Sect, and Bi Shou Xuan, Wen Cailing, and the other experts knelt before Hao Shuai.
• Hao Shuai placed Life and Death Talismans in the Yin Gui Sect members and activated them to demonstrate their power.

Hao Shuai used the Life and Death Talisman to subdue the Yin Gui Sect and ordered Zhu Yuyan to gather the Demon Sect’s manuals and forces. As he later wondered whether the Buddhist sect had abandoned Liao Kong, Cihang Jingzhai was secretly assembling allies in Luoyang to oppose him, while Hao Shuai planned to draw out and eliminate the city’s forces.

• Hao Shuai tormented the Yin Gui Sect masters with the Life and Death Talisman, then gave them an antidote that would last one year and warned that only someone far stronger than him could break the talisman.
• Hao Shuai demanded Zhu Yuyan’s collected portions of the Heavenly Demon Strategy and ordered her to gather the remaining Demon Sect manuals and members.
• Hao Shuai revealed that Shi Zhixuan had submitted to him and returned to the Great Grandmaster realm, then ordered Zhu Yuyan to abandon her plan to kill him.
• Hao Shuai ordered the silver-haired woman to take Bian Bufu to a pigsty and keep him alive while subjecting him to daily abuse.
• Hao Shuai later wondered whether the Buddhist sect had abandoned Liao Kong, unaware that Fan Qinghui had summoned the Four Great Holy Monks to help Shi Feixuan and Ning Daoqi oppose him.
• Hao Shuai planned to lure out and wipe out the forces gathering in Luoyang.

Hao Shuai used the He Shi Bi Jade to lure Luoyang’s major factions to Tianjin Bridge, where he faced the Four Great Holy Monks and Shi Feixuan. He challenged the hidden forces to reveal themselves and threatened Cihang Jingzhai, leaving the standoff poised to erupt.

• Hao Shuai and Wanwan walked toward Tianjin Bridge as Wanwan listed the many factions and leaders who had gathered in Luoyang.
• Hao Shuai explained that he had announced the He Shi Bi Jade would choose an emperor to draw the realm’s powers to the bridge.
• The Four Great Holy Monks confronted Hao Shuai, and he joked that Wanwan was the demoness they meant to subdue.
• Shi Feixuan arrived, and Wanwan told her she had become Hao Shuai’s maid; Hao Shuai showed Shi Feixuan her deed of indenture.
• Hao Shuai called on the hidden forces to emerge and threatened to crush the He Shi Bi Jade when nobody appeared.
• Shi Feixuan demanded the jade back for Cihang Jingzhai, and Hao Shuai rejected her claim and threatened to storm the sect.