Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan kill a white crane, gaining experience points.
• Old Master White Crane, a late Second-Order demon, arrives with reinforcements.
• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan face off against Old Master White Crane and his minions.
• Niu Hanshan uses the Azure-eyed Antelope Horn Bow, wounding Old Master White Crane.
• Lu Yang engages in a fierce battle with Old Master White Crane.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang's experience points increase, allowing him to advance to the Houtian Third Level.
• Niu Hanshan's cultivation is near the Houtian Third Level after consuming a Second-Order demon treasure.
• Old Master White Crane demonstrates strategic thinking and combat prowess.

Significant Themes

• The power of unity and teamwork between Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan.
• The importance of strategic planning and adaptability in combat.
• The danger and unpredictability of facing powerful enemies.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan work together to fight against the demon horde, showcasing their trust and camaraderie.
• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan coordinate their attacks, with Niu Hanshan's bowshot creating an opening for Lu Yang's attack on Old Master White Crane.
• Old Master White Crane commands his minions, demonstrating his leadership and tactical skills.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang kills Old Master White Crane, a Second-Order fierce demon, and advances to the Houtian Fourth Level.
• A group of Second-Order demons, led by a Fox Demon, attacks Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan.
• The demons fight over Old Master White Crane's Demon Treasure, turning against each other.
• A Black Tiger appears, decides to let the demons fight Lu Yang first, and claims the Demon Treasure for the winner.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his strength and growth, killing multiple demons and advancing in cultivation.
• Niu Hanshan becomes injured and relies on Lu Yang for protection.
• The Fox Demon shows cunning and treachery, trying to secure the Demon Treasure for itself.
• Black Tiger reveals its tyrannical might and disdain for the other demons.

Significant Themes

• Strength and power dynamics among the demon races.
• The importance of the Demon Treasure and the chaos it causes among the demons.
• Lu Yang's growing confidence and provocation of Black Tiger.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan: Lu Yang protects Niu Hanshan, who is injured and relies on Lu Yang.
• Lu Yang and the demons: Lu Yang fights and kills multiple demons, including Old Master White Crane.
• The demons and Black Tiger: The demons fear and obey Black Tiger, who decides their fate.
• Lu Yang and Black Tiger: Lu Yang provokes Black Tiger, challenging its authority.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang kills a Fox Demon and gains 260 Experience Points.
• Three demons (Bear, Snake, Wolf) attack Lu Yang together in a Berserk state; he kills them all, gaining 750 Experience Points in total.
• A Black Tiger, a peak second-tier Demon Race member and Lord Black Mountain's envoy, appears and challenges Lu Yang.
• Lu Yang and the Black Tiger engage in a fierce battle, with neither able to gain the upper hand.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his strength and composure, even when facing a powerful enemy like the Black Tiger.
• The Black Tiger reveals its pride and underestimates Lu Yang's capabilities.

Significant Themes

• Strength and Power: Lu Yang's strength is recognized by the Black Tiger, and both characters exhibit their power during their battle.
• Pride and Arrogance: The Black Tiger's overconfidence in its abilities leads it to underestimate Lu Yang.
• Survival and Adaptation: Lu Yang's ability to adapt and find openings in desperate situations highlights his resilience.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and the Black Tiger: Their interaction is marked by mutual disdain and determination to defeat each other.
• Lu Yang and the other demons: Lu Yang shows no mercy in defeating the other demons, while they recognize his strength and resort to Berserk mode to try to defeat him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang breaks through to the Houtian Sixth Level mid-battle, enhancing his power significantly.
• Black Tiger enters a Sobered Berserk state, threatening to break through to the third-rank Demon Race.
• Lu Yang gains enlightenment, improves his Mountain Splitting Saber Art to the Great Perfection level, and defeats Black Tiger.
• Lu Yang finds a jade slip containing a message ordering the Wang Family to kill him.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his calmness and decisiveness under pressure, making strategic decisions about his cultivation and martial art improvements.
• Niu Hanshan's cultivation improves significantly after consuming Demon Treasures, reaching the Houtian Sixth Level.

Significant Themes

• The theme of growth and improvement through adversity is evident as Lu Yang gains enlightenment and improves his martial art during the intense battle.
• The theme of trust and betrayal is reinforced as Lu Yang discovers irrefutable proof of the Wang Family's treachery.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan work together against the demonic threat, with Lu Yang making decisions that benefit both of them.
• Lu Yang shows generosity and fairness by splitting the Demon Treasures equally with Niu Hanshan, strengthening their bond.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan return to Niushi Town, evading the Wang Family's ambush.
• Lu Yang learns about the Wang Family's involvement with the Demon Race and decides to return to Black Mountain County.
• He disguises himself and enters the city, avoiding the Wang Family's informants.
• Lu Yang visits the Qianfeng Merchant Association, where Xu Ya helps him choose a saber art, Demon Subduing Saber Art.
• Lu Yang starts practicing the new saber art and improves it to the Perfection realm using Experience Points.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang's determination to expose the Wang Family's collusion with the Demon Race grows.
• Lu Yang's martial arts skills improve, with the Demon Subduing Saber Art reaching the Perfection realm.
• Xu Ya shows interest in Lu Yang's rapid progress and reports it to an older woman in the Qianfeng Merchant Association.

Significant Themes

• The theme of disguise and deception is prominent as Lu Yang avoids the Wang Family's informants and blends into the city.
• The importance of martial arts skill and improvement is highlighted as Lu Yang upgrades his saber art.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang interacts with Niu Hanshan, who tries to convince him to stay in Niushi Town.
• Lu Yang interacts with Xu Ya, who assists him in choosing a saber art and seems to take an interest in his progress.
• Lu Yang interacts with an older woman in the Qianfeng Merchant Association, although indirectly, as she learns about him from Xu Ya.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang practices and improves his saber skills using the Demon Subduing Saber Art.
• He investigates the Wang Family and reports their collusion with the Demon Race to Lu Jue.
• Lu Yang visits Yan Liu's home and discovers they've moved away, and the bodies of his colleagues have vanished from the mortuary.
• He digs up Li Yan's grave and finds it empty, sensing a demonic presence watching him.
• Lu Yang investigates further and finds that many constables and their families have disappeared, all connected to a servant named Qian Wu in the Qian Family household.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang's skills improve with the Demon Subduing Saber Art, increasing his confidence and power.
• Lu Jue shows caution in dealing with the Wang Family, prioritizing solid evidence.
• Lu Yang becomes more suspicious and determined to uncover the truth behind the disappearances.

Significant Themes

• The corruption and danger within the county yamen, with officials and their families potentially involved in mysterious disappearances.
• The growing threat of demons infiltrating the human world, as Lu Yang senses a demonic presence.
• The importance of diligence and perseverance in investigations, as Lu Yang's continuous efforts lead him to crucial clues.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang interacts with Lu Jue, reporting his findings about the Wang Family and seeking his help.
• He visits Yan Liu's home, only to find they've moved away, and later investigates Li Yan's grave, discovering it empty.
• Lu Yang keeps watch on Qian Wu, the servant connected to the disappearances, leading him to uncover more secrets.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang follows Qian Wu and discovers the Wang Family's collusion with demonic creatures.
• A group of martial artists, intended as replacements for Lu Yang's constables, are led by the Wang Family to serve as blood offerings for demons.
• Lu Yang intervenes, slays the demons, and rescues the martial artists.
• It's revealed that the County Lieutenant and County Assistant Magistrate are involved in the conspiracy with the Wang Family.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his strength and saves the captured martial artists, further establishing his heroic image.
• Steward Niu, a traitor colluding with demons, is exposed and killed by Lu Yang.
• The County Lieutenant and County Assistant Magistrate are implicated in the conspiracy, revealing their corrupt nature.

Significant Themes

• Corruption and collusion among officials and powerful families.
• The struggle against demonic forces threatening human settlements.
• The importance of loyalty and moral integrity, as seen in Lu Yang's actions.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang interacts with the rescued martial artists, who express their gratitude and provide information about the conspiracy.
• Lu Yang confronts and defeats Steward Niu, revealing the Wang Family's involvement with demonic creatures.
• The County Lieutenant and County Assistant Magistrate are shown to be working together with the Wang Family, highlighting their corrupt relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang, a Houtian Eighth Level martial artist, leads a group of martial artists from the Martial Arts School to Niushi Town to help defend against a demon siege.
• They arrive to find Niushi Town under attack by the Demon Race, with Niu Hanshan and the villagers struggling to defend themselves.
• Lu Yang and his group join the battle, causing significant damage to the demon forces and drawing the attention of a Second Rank Bull Demon.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his combat prowess and leadership, inspiring his group to fight bravely against the demons.
• Niu Hanshan, the leader of Niushi Town, is desperate and sorrowful due to the town's dire situation, but his spirits lift upon seeing Lu Yang's arrival.

Significant Themes

• Courage and determination in the face of adversity
• The power of unity and teamwork against overwhelming odds
• The restraining effect of certain martial arts on demon qi

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and his group of martial artists work together, following his commands to fight effectively against the demons.
• Lu Yang's arrival boosts Niu Hanshan's morale, giving him hope that Niushi Town might yet be saved.
• The Second Rank Bull Demon takes notice of Lu Yang and his group, pausing its attack on Niushi Fort to confront them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang arrives at Niushi Town and saves it from a demon invasion.
• He kills several Second-Order demons, including a Bull Demon, a Gyrfalcon Demon, and a Bat Demon.
• The demons retreat, and Lu Yang allows the villagers to pursue and kill the fleeing demons for their treasures and corpses.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his formidable strength, easily defeating powerful demons.
• Niu Hanshan shows gratitude and respect towards Lu Yang for saving his town.
• Wang Kang and his group gain confidence and experience from the battle.

Significant Themes

• The power of cultivation and martial arts in protecting one's home and family.
• The value of Demon Treasures and demon corpses as resources.
• The importance of alliances and cooperation in facing common enemies.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan form a friendly alliance, with Niu Hanshan expressing admiration for Lu Yang's strength.
• Lu Yang and Wang Kang have a mutual respect, with Wang Kang looking up to Lu Yang's abilities.
• The villagers work together to pursue and kill the fleeing demons, demonstrating unity and determination.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Niu Hanshan offers Lu Yang a Secret Scroll, the Mighty Bull Shakes Mountain Diagram, in exchange for two Demon Treasures and three Second-Order Demon corpses.
• Lu Yang accepts the scroll and promises to help Niu Hanshan reach the Xiantian Realm in the future.
• Lu Yang comprehends the first style of the diagram using 1,000 Experience Points, significantly increasing his right arm's strength.

Character Developments

• Niu Hanshan shows trust in Lu Yang by exchanging a precious treasure face-to-face, understanding the dire situation of Niushi Fort.
• Lu Yang demonstrates his sincerity and generosity by accepting the scroll and promising to help Niu Hanshan.

Significant Themes

• Trust and reciprocity: Niu Hanshan's trust in Lu Yang leads to a beneficial exchange, while Lu Yang's reciprocation strengthens their bond.
• The value of cultivation techniques and their difficulty: The Mighty Bull Shakes Mountain Diagram's high value is reflected in its extreme difficulty, with even the first style requiring a significant amount of Experience Points to comprehend.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan interact as equals, with mutual respect and understanding, leading to a beneficial exchange and a promise of future assistance.
• Lu Yang's interaction with the System highlights his determination and willingness to invest resources for significant gains in strength.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Demon Race attacks Niushi Town again, this time led by a Third-order Demon Beast.
• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan decide to join forces and counterattack.
• Lu Yang uses the Mighty Bull Charge Fist to temporarily incapacitate the Third-order Bull Demon, allowing Niu Hanshan to strike with a precise arrow.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his prowess and strategic thinking, willing to take on the Third-order Demon Beast directly to create an opening for Niu Hanshan.
• Niu Hanshan shows his skill and precision in archery, capitalizing on Lu Yang's distraction of the enemy.

Significant Themes

• The power gap between Xiantian and Houtian martial artists.
• The desperation and resilience of the townspeople facing the Demon Race's onslaught.
• The importance of strategic cooperation and teamwork in overcoming overwhelming odds.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan work together to face the Third-order Demon Beast, showcasing their trust and understanding of each other's abilities.
• Lu Yang's concern for the townspeople's safety is evident in his decision to switch from defense to offense.
• The Demon Race's brutal and merciless attacks contrast with the human characters' determination to protect their home and people.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan attempt to kill a Third Rank Bull Demon using a blood-red arrow, but a Second Rank Bull Demon sacrifices itself to block the arrow.
• The Third Rank Bull Demon enters a "Sobered Berserk" state, causing widespread destruction in Niushi Town.
• Lu Yang upgrades his cultivation using the system, allowing him to defeat the Second Rank Bull Demons and ultimately the Third Rank Bull Demon.
• Niushi Town suffers heavy losses, with many residents and guards killed or wounded. The town is left in ruins.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang's cultivation advances to the Post-Xiantian Ninth Layer and then to the Xiantian Realm.
• Niu Hanshan is devastated by the destruction of Niushi Town and the loss of his people.
• Wang Kang survives the battle and vows revenge against the Demon Race.

Significant Themes

• The brutal and costly nature of the battle against the Demon Race.
• The consequences of failure and the struggle for survival in a dangerous world.
• The importance of cultivation and strength in overcoming adversity.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan work together to try and kill the Third Rank Bull Demon.
• Lu Yang fights against the Bull Demons, ultimately defeating them and saving Niushi Town.
• Wang Kang and Lu Yang are the only survivors from their group, leading to a bond between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang escorts Niu Hanshan and the remaining villagers of Niushi Town to Han Family Village.
• Han Qi, the town chief, welcomes them and agrees to let them stay temporarily.
• Han Qi plans to betray Lu Yang by tying him up and handing him over to the Black Mountain County Yamen for a reward.
• Lu Yang awakens before Han Bao can kill him and overpowers Han Qi.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his strength and cunning by waking up before Han Bao can kill him and overpowering Han Qi.
• Han Qi reveals his greedy and treacherous nature, prioritizing wealth over his friendship with Niu Hanshan.
• Niu Hanshan is portrayed as a brave and loyal friend but is also naive, as he doesn't suspect Han Qi's true intentions.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal: Han Qi's betrayal of Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan highlights the theme of trustworthiness and the dangers of betrayal.
• Greed: Han Qi's desire for wealth leads him to betray his friend and attempt to kill Lu Yang for a reward.
• Strength and power: Lu Yang's strength and cunning allow him to overcome Han Qi's betrayal and maintain his safety.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan: Lu Yang saves Niu Hanshan and the villagers, and they form a bond of trust and friendship.
• Han Qi and Lu Yang: Han Qi betrays Lu Yang, attempting to kill him for a reward, but Lu Yang overpowers him.
• Han Qi and Han Bao: Father and son work together to betray Lu Yang but fail due to Lu Yang's strength and cunning.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang discovers he's been framed and has a bounty on his head by the County Lieutenant.
• Han Qi, the village head, is revealed to be behind the plot and is killed by Lu Yang.
• A group of martial artists, led by Wang Kui, the Wang Family Patriarch, arrives to capture Lu Yang.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his power and decisiveness, killing those who betray him.
• Niu Hanshan shows loyalty to Lu Yang and asks for mercy for Han Qi, who is later killed.
• Han Ling'er's despair upon learning of her father's death.

Significant Themes

• Betrayal and its consequences.
• Power dynamics and the struggle for influence in Black Mountain County.
• The importance of loyalty and trust in relationships.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Niu Hanshan: Lu Yang spares Han Qi's life on Niu Hanshan's request, showing trust in their bond.
• Lu Yang and Wang Kui: They recognize each other as cultivators of the Returning Origin Art, setting the stage for a potential conflict.
• Han Ling'er and Lu Yang: Han Ling'er's despair highlights the impact of Lu Yang's actions on those around him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang faces off against the heads of three of Black Mountain County's four great families (Zhang, Wang, and Li), who have been infiltrated by the Demon Race.
• Lu Yang fights against the three Xiantian Realm martial artists, demonstrating his proficiency in the Demon Subduing Saber Art.
• Wang Kui uses a demonization potion to transform into a Wolf Demon, enhancing his strength and speed.
• Lu Yang uses his improved Demon Subduing Saber Art to defeat the three family heads and their martial artists.
• Lu Yang kills Wang Kui, now a Wolf Demon, using the Mighty Bull Mountain Shaking Power.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang showcases his skill and determination, growing stronger and more confident in his abilities.
• Wang Kui, upon demonizing, becomes more aggressive and single-minded, prioritizing his beastly instincts over rational thought.

Significant Themes

• The corruption and infiltration of the Demon Race among human families.
• The struggle against demonization and the loss of humanity.
• The power of determination and skill in the face of overwhelming odds.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang faces off against the heads of the Zhang, Wang, and Li families, demonstrating his prowess and challenging their alliance with the Demon Race.
• Lu Yang and Wang Kui engage in a fierce battle, with Wang Kui's demonization adding a new layer of danger.
• Lu Yang ultimately defeats and kills Wang Kui, showcasing his growth and mastery over his saber technique.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang gains 5,000 Experience Points, allowing him to comprehend the second style of the Five Styles of Shaking Mountain and increase his cultivation.
• He discovers that killing demonized martial artists provides Experience Points, but rejects the idea of "mass-producing" them for points.
• The remaining family martial artists flee, leaving Han Ling'er behind. Lu Yang spares her life.
• Lu Yang finds Space Bags containing wealth and items on the three family heads, totaling 280,000 taels.
• Lu Yang decides to return to Black Mountain County to clear his name and purchase the next cultivation method.
• Disguised as Wang Family martial artists, Lu Yang and Wang Kang return to Black Mountain County.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates growth in strength and wisdom, rejecting an unrighteous path and showing mercy to Han Ling'er.
• Han Ling'er experiences a shift in her feelings towards Lu Yang, though her resentment remains.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of one's actions (mistakes come with a price).
• The struggle between righteousness and greed.
• The importance of clearing one's name and reputation.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Wang Kang work together, with Wang Kang assisting Lu Yang in various tasks.
• Lu Yang shows mercy to Han Ling'er, highlighting his changing attitude towards her.
• Lu Yang interacts with Xu Ya at the Qianfeng Merchant Association, seeking information about combat-strengthening pills.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang buys five Elemental Fusion Pills for 300,000 taels.
• He inquires about Black-grade cultivation methods suitable for Xiantian Martial Artists.
• Xu Ya shows him several Black-grade methods, but none meet his requirements.
• Lu Yang learns about the Returning Origin Secret Notes, a deduced copy of the Returning Origin Art up to the seventh level of the Xiantian Realm.
• He buys the Returning Origin Secret Notes for 150,000 taels.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his wealth and willingness to invest in his cultivation.
• Xu Ya shows professionalism and knowledge about cultivation methods and pills.

Significant Themes

• The value and rarity of cultivation methods and pills.
• The importance of wealth in the cultivation world.
• The potential dangers of changing cultivation methods.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang interacts with Xu Ya, who assists him in finding suitable cultivation methods and pills.
• Lu Yang's identity as the wanted criminal is acknowledged but not exposed by Xu Ya.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang buys a Black-grade, mid-tier martial art, Tablet Smashing Hand, for 28,000 taels.
• He learns about the Qianfeng Merchant Association's Cultivation Chamber, which he can use free of charge for three days due to his spending.
• Lu Yang enters the Cultivation Chamber and discovers it's filled with Spiritual Qi, greatly aiding his cultivation.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates his wealth and status by spending over 100,000 taels in the association.
• Xu Ya shows kindness and professionalism by offering Lu Yang free access to the Cultivation Chamber.

Significant Themes

• The importance of Spiritual Qi in cultivation and its rarity.
• The value of the Qianfeng Merchant Association's Cultivation Chamber and its exclusivity.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang interacts with Xu Ya, leading to him learning about and gaining access to the Cultivation Chamber.
• Lu Yang's interaction with the Cultivation Chamber highlights his cultivation progress and the system's upgrades.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang leaves the Qianfeng Merchant Association through the main entrance, knowing he's been discovered.
• He's ambushed by Black Mountain County's elites, led by Qian Yikang (Xiantian Sixth Level) and Lu Jue (Xiantian Fifth Level).
• Lu Yang reveals that Qian Yikang and Lu Jue have been colluding with the Demon Race, causing the soldiers to doubt them.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang remains confident and composed, even when outnumbered and facing stronger opponents.
• Qian Yikang and Lu Jue are exposed, their reputations potentially damaged.
• Xu Ya, from the Qianfeng Merchant Association, shows interest in Lu Yang and bets on his success.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of colluding with the Demon Race.
• The importance of reputation and trust in society.
• The power dynamics between martial artists of different realms.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang interacts with Xu Ya, who offers him advice and shows concern for his safety.
• Lu Yang confronts Qian Yikang and Lu Jue, exposing their secrets and challenging their authority.
• Xu Ya and the Old Woman have a private conversation, hinting at a wager and possible consequences.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lu Yang uses the Black-grade, mid-tier martial art Tablet Smashing Hand to injure Qian Yikang.
• Lu Jue attacks Lu Yang from behind using Thunder Talismans.
• Lu Yang and Lu Jue engage in a fierce battle, with Lu Jue using his long spear to suppress Lu Yang slightly due to its superior quality as a Treasure Weapon.
• Lu Yang uses Tablet Shattering Style and Earth Splitting Style against Lu Jue, causing him injuries.

Character Developments

• Lu Yang demonstrates significant growth in his martial arts, mastering a Black-grade, mid-tier martial art in a short time.
• Qian Yikang's arms are injured, making him less effective in the battle.
• Lu Jue's martial foundation is revealed to be more solid than Qian Yikang's, and he displays greater threat in combat.

Significant Themes

• The importance of martial arts quality and cultivation level in determining combat strength.
• The role of weapons in battle, with Lu Jue's Treasure Weapon giving him an advantage against Lu Yang's ordinary saber.
• The theme of hypocrisy, with Lu Jue accusing Lu Yang of colluding with demons while he himself attacks from behind.

Character Interactions

• Lu Yang and Qian Yikang's battle highlights the power gap between them, with Lu Yang gaining the upper hand.
• Lu Yang and Lu Jue's battle showcases their equal strength, with neither able to gain an advantage due to Lu Jue's superior weapon.
• Lu Jue's attack from behind reveals his desperation and willingness to use underhanded methods against Lu Yang.