Chapter Summaries

Li Xiao saw the flood of refugees in Willow City and reflected that he could not change their suffering until he gained enough power. He helped an old woman and her dying grandson before heading into the mountains to practice an arrow technique, where he demonstrated its destructive force and prepared to shoot again.

• Li Xiao passed crowds of refugees fleeing war in North River Prefecture and considered the limits of what he could do for them.
• Li Xiao stopped a Chen Family carriage servant from striking an old woman by knocking the servant’s club away with a pebble.
• Li Xiao gave the old woman two taels of silver and directed her to a doctor and the yamen’s porridge stall.
• Li Xiao went to a mountain forest and fired a Swift Wind Thunderclap Arrow that shattered a large boulder.
• Li Xiao drew another arrow and nocked it to the bowstring.

Li Xiao struggled to advance his Swift Wind Thunderclap Arrow because its demanding practice rapidly depleted his strength, so he resolved to prepare for a journey to the Northern Border in search of resources. The commandery appointed him County Lieutenant and acting County Magistrate of Willow City, and the chapter ended with him returning to the Li Mansion and finding Li Yu troubled over account books.

• Li Xiao discovered that practicing Swift Wind Thunderclap Arrow exhausted his Qi and Blood, limiting how quickly he could improve without replenishing resources.
• Li Xiao decided to cultivate his movement technique and Blade Technique before leaving for the Northern Border to search for the Three Origins Token and the Three Origins Sect.
• A commandery official delivered Li Xiao’s appointment as Willow City County Lieutenant and acting County Magistrate, placing military and governmental affairs under his authority.
• The appointment spread through Willow City, where residents welcomed Li Xiao’s rule and hoped for safer streets and better support for refugees.
• Li Xiao returned to the Li Mansion and found Li Yu reviewing account books with a troubled expression.

Li Xiao reassured Li Yu about Wang Hai’s help and told her he planned to travel north in search of cultivation resources. Shi Gandang returned to Willow City and offered Li Xiao a place in the Prince of Nanyang’s service, but Li Xiao declined for now, citing his duties and martial training.

• Li Yu told Li Xiao that Wang Hai had repeatedly helped her with the family businesses, and Li Xiao advised her to accept useful help while making her own decisions.
• Li Xiao told Li Yu that he might leave on a long journey north for several years or longer, and promised to make arrangements for the family and Willow City.
• More than ten days later, Shi Gandang returned to Willow City and invited Li Xiao to a banquet at Drunken Immortal Restaurant.
• Shi Gandang praised Li Xiao’s work as magistrate and urged him to serve the Prince of Nanyang, promising future rank and rewards.
• Li Xiao thanked Shi Gandang but declined to join for now, saying he needed to manage Willow City and focus on strengthening his martial foundations.

Li Xiao secured a temporary understanding with Shi Gandang before an altercation over Bai Lian'er broke out at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant. Shen Bao challenged the pale-faced man who was trying to seize her, but the man's Guard intervened before A Da could land a blow.

• Li Xiao and Shi Gandang agreed to maintain their independence while leaving room for future cooperation.
• Bai Lian'er fled the next room with a bruised face as the pale-faced man pursued her and demanded that she obey him.
• Shen Bao stepped in to protect Bai Lian'er and threatened the pale-faced man with his family’s power.
• Shen Bao ordered A Da to cripple the pale-faced man, but the man's Guard suddenly appeared beside A Da before his attack landed.

A pale stranger’s guard killed A Da and Shen Bao at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, leaving the diners terrified. Bai Lian'er fled to Li Xiao for protection, and the pale man turned his attention to him.

• A guard killed A Da with a single blow, frightening Shen Bao and the restaurant’s diners.
• Li Xiao noted that Willow City had received an extraordinary guest as the guard fixed Shen Bao with a killing gaze.
• Shen Bao tried to call out to Li Xiao, but the guard struck him through the railing and killed him below.
• The pale-faced man mocked Shen Bao and resumed approaching Bai Lian'er.
• Bai Lian'er clung to Li Xiao and begged him to save her, drawing the pale man’s cold stare.

Li Xiao refused Bai Lian’er’s attempt to use him as a shield and calmly returned her to Wang Shichong, a powerful newcomer in Willow City. After Wang learned Li Xiao was the county lieutenant, the two exchanged courtesies, and Li Xiao left the restaurant with Shi Gandang while Bai Lian’er harbored a trace of hatred.

• Bai Lian’er clung to Li Xiao for protection, but he judged her plea to be a scheme and pried her away from his arm.
• Li Xiao told Wang Shichong that he did not know Bai Lian’er and left her in Wang’s hands.
• Wang Shichong praised Li Xiao’s composure, offered to cover his expenses, and introduced himself; Li Xiao gave his name in return.
• The restaurant’s diners recognized Li Xiao as Willow City’s county lieutenant, and Wang Shichong became slightly warmer toward him.
• Li Xiao and Shi Gandang left the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, while Wang Shichong took Bai Lian’er back to his private room and she showed a fleeting trace of hatred.

Wang Shichong learned that Li Xiao and Shi Gandang were both Fourth Turn experts and decided to leave Li Xiao alone unless he interfered with his pleasures. Later, Bai Lian'er concealed her hatred beneath a show of submission and urged Wang Shichong to kill Li Xiao.

• The old man told Wang Shichong that Li Xiao and Shi Gandang were both likely Fourth Turn Great Martial Masters.
• Wang Shichong abandoned the idea of probing or subduing Li Xiao and said he would report the encounter to his father.
• Shi Gandang explained that Wang Shichong likely belonged to the powerful Tianyang Commandery Wang Family, but Li Xiao dismissed the threat.
• Bai Lian'er pretended to accept Wang Shichong while hiding her resentment toward Li Xiao for refusing to save her.
• Bai Lian'er asked Wang Shichong to kill Li Xiao.

Wang Shichong saw through Bai Lian’er’s attempt to use him against Li Xiao and rejected her, explaining that Li Xiao’s strength and potential made provoking him dangerous. He left Bai Lian’er terrified and stripped of his favor.

• Bai Lian’er urged Wang Shichong to punish Li Xiao, claiming Li Xiao had insulted them both.
• Wang Shichong stopped her and recalled how he had rescued and supported her despite his family’s disapproval.
• Wang Shichong accused Bai Lian’er of exploiting him to take revenge on Li Xiao because Li Xiao had ignored her.
• Wang Shichong explained that Li Xiao was a twenty-year-old Fourth Turn Great Martial Master with formidable potential.
• Wang Shichong condemned Bai Lian’er for trying to provoke a deadly conflict and told her she had lost the cleverness that once made her valuable to him.

Wang Shichong rejected Bai Lian'er and handed her over to his Guards, leaving her fate sealed as he returned to his bedroom. He stayed in Willow City for several days, while Shen Tu made no move over his son’s death.

• Wang Shichong told Bai Lian'er that he would not risk his family’s power for her and kicked her away when she begged for mercy.
• Wang Shichong summoned his Guards and ordered them to take Bai Lian'er one at a time, adding that the elder could join them if he wished.
• Wang Shichong told the Guards to leave no traces, then left for his bedroom as Bai Lian'er was left in despair.
• A short Guard went into the room first, and the door shut behind him as the other Guards waited outside.
• Wang Shichong stayed in Willow City for several days, while Shen Tu showed no response to his son’s death.

Li Xiao learned that Wang Shichong had come to assess whether he could be won over in the struggle between Prince of Nanyang’s sons, but he made clear that he would not take sides. Their banquet left them on friendly terms, and Li Xiao learned that pills for Fourth Turn Martial Masters were scarce because they required dangerous-to-obtain demonic beast materials.

• Li Xiao pieced together that Wang Shichong had been sent to test his strength and allegiance after he took control of Willow City.
• Wang Shichong invited Li Xiao to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant, admitted his family had hoped to win or control Willow City, and offered friendship instead.
• Li Xiao said he would not interfere in commandery politics and that Willow City recognized Prince of Nanyang and the Imperial Court’s laws.
• Li Xiao asked Wang Shichong about pills for Fourth Turn Martial Masters, and Wang Shichong explained that such pills were rare and relied on demonic beast materials.
• Li Xiao thanked Wang Shichong, whose explanation strengthened Li Xiao’s resolve to head north.

Li Xiao recruited new talent to strengthen Willow City's County Office before leaving, and Hu Feng arrived seeking protection from the powerful Wu Family. Hu Feng challenged Li Xiao to withstand one spear thrust as proof of strength, and the chapter ended with the two facing off at the training ground.

• Li Xiao posted a notice recruiting skilled people to serve Willow City and drew applicants including martial masters, hunters, and scholars.
• Hu Feng arrived carrying a heavy spear and told Li Xiao that he had killed the Wu Family patriarch's son and was being hunted.
• Li Xiao offered to protect Hu Feng but demanded his lifelong loyalty, and Hu Feng agreed to submit if Li Xiao could take one spear thrust.
• Hu Feng revealed his Third Turn Peak strength and challenged Li Xiao, so they moved to the training ground before a crowd of County Office staff.
• Li Xiao declined to strike first and told Hu Feng to use everything he had, warning that otherwise Hu Feng might get no chance to attack.

Li Xiao faced Hu Feng in a martial contest and evaded his battlefield spear techniques without striking back. When Hu Feng unleashed his Returning Spear, Li Xiao seized the shaft and disarmed him, leaving Hu Feng and the onlookers stunned.

• Hu Feng attacked Li Xiao with his Army-Breaking Spear, but Li Xiao evaded the thrust and sweep with Dragon-Snake Illusory Body.
• Hu Feng unleashed a continuous series of spear techniques, while Li Xiao dodged every strike and left the spectators amazed by his movement.
• After dozens of missed attacks, Hu Feng challenged Li Xiao to do more than dodge and launched his Returning Spear at Li Xiao's throat.
• Li Xiao avoided the spear by inches, grabbed its shaft, and forced it out of Hu Feng's hands.
• Hu Feng staggered back as his spear flew into a tree, and the training ground fell silent.

Li Xiao subdued Hu Feng and appointed him chief constable of Willow City, then faced the arrival of Wu Zhenyue and his armed retinue. Wu Zhenyue demanded Hu Feng’s surrender, and the chapter ended with the two Wu Family elders pressuring Hu Feng in the County Office hall.

• Li Xiao defeated Hu Feng, who knelt and swore loyalty to him.
• Li Xiao appointed Hu Feng chief constable and said he would handle the Wu Family himself.
• Wu Zhenyue arrived outside Willow City with a hundred cavalry, but the gate guards refused them entry without authorization.
• Li Xiao invited Wu Zhenyue to meet him at the County Office, where Hu Feng warned that the patriarch was a powerful Fourth Turn Great Martial Master.
• Wu Zhenyue demanded that Li Xiao hand over Hu Feng, while his two elders unleashed their pressure on him.

Li Xiao refused Wu Zhenyue’s demand to hand over Hu Feng and offered compensation, but the Wu Family’s elder rejected him and threatened Willow City. Li Xiao seized the elder and clashed with Wu Zhenyue, whose sword intent was met and seemingly suppressed by Li Xiao’s own martial intent.

• Li Xiao defended Hu Feng, explained that Wu Zhenyue’s son had tried to seize Hu Feng’s Exotic Beast, and offered compensation to settle the feud.
• The Wu Family’s short, fat Third Rank Elder rejected Li Xiao’s offer and demanded Hu Feng’s death, threatening Li Xiao and Willow City.
• Li Xiao asked whether the Wu Family had a Fifth Turn Martial Master, then swiftly grabbed the elder by the throat and lifted him.
• Wu Zhenyue attacked Li Xiao with his sword, but Li Xiao dodged with Dragon-Snake Illusory Body and hurled the elder into Wu Zhenyue’s path.
• Wu Zhenyue released his Jinghong Sword Intent, and Li Xiao answered with a powerful intent that began to suppress it.

Li Xiao revealed that he had mastered two Martial Way True Intents and used his overwhelming strength to force Wu Zhenyue to reconsider attacking Hu Feng. Wu Zhenyue accepted Li Xiao’s offer of compensation and friendship, leaving the Wu Family’s conflict with Willow City temporarily settled.

• Li Xiao revealed a second Martial Way True Intent, suppressing Wu Zhenyue and the elders and shocking Hu Feng.
• Li Xiao declared that Hu Feng was under his protection, threatened the Wu Family, and offered compensation in exchange for peace and friendship.
• A short, fat elder urged Wu Zhenyue to fight, so Wu Zhenyue struck him unconscious to show Li Xiao his position.
• Wu Zhenyue accepted Li Xiao’s terms and declared that he and the Wu Family would be friends with Li Xiao and Willow City.
• Li Xiao returned Wu Zhenyue’s courtesy and agreed to the friendship, while cautioning that they should support one another.

Li Xiao intimidated Wu Zhenyue by revealing his ties to the Prince of Nanyang and his control of Willow City, prompting Wu Zhenyue to abandon his demand for revenge and leave. As Wu Zhenyue rode away, a wounded elder urged him to gather the Wu Family and destroy Li Xiao and Willow City.

• Li Xiao told Wu Zhenyue that the Prince of Nanyang had entrusted him with Willow City and that he had brought six or seven Great Martial Masters under control.
• Wu Zhenyue dropped his demand for compensation and revenge over his son, then declined Li Xiao’s invitation to stay and left Willow City.
• Li Xiao reassured Hu Feng that Wu Zhenyue would not dare retaliate soon and urged him to grow stronger; Hu Feng pledged his life to Li Xiao.
• As Wu Zhenyue rode away, the wounded short, fat elder urged him to avenge the Young Master by gathering the Wu Family and attacking Willow City.

Wu Zhenyue killed Fourth Elder Wu Song after accusing him of plotting to seize the Patriarch position, then punished his son by sending him to the Border Army. In Willow City, Li Xiao used a brief period of calm to strengthen the County Office, cultivate himself, and support his companions and family.

• Wu Zhenyue accused Fourth Elder Wu Song of hoping he would die in a clash with Li Xiao so Wu Song's son could claim the Patriarch position.
• Wu Zhenyue killed Wu Song, declared that he had died a hero, and ordered Wu Song's son sent to serve in the Border Army.
• Wu Zhenyue led the Wu Family party back to Chiming Commandery while privately warning himself that he would face Li Xiao again.
• Li Xiao secretly recruited suitable Golden Sand Gang members into the County Office and Patrol Guard as Willow City rebuilt its walls and planned for refugees.
• Li Xiao trained Hu Feng in spear techniques, the Severing Gate Saber Technique, and the Divine Intent Diagram, while Liu Qingyue advanced to Second-Turn Martial Master.
• Liu Qingyue grew close to Li Youde and Li Yu, and Li Yu became more confident managing the family shop with her help.

Liu Qingyue and Li Yu encountered Daoist Nun Jingyun, who recognized Liu Qingyue as a natural Dao body and insisted on taking her as a disciple. Jingyun restrained Liu Qingyue and compelled her to go to the Li Mansion, where Li Xiao sensed someone approaching.

• Li Yu took Liu Qingyue strolling through Willow City, where Liu Qingyue accidentally collided with Daoist Nun Jingyun and returned her wrapped drawings.
• Daoist Nun Jingyun examined Liu Qingyue and declared her a natural Dao body, offering to take her back to Qingwei Temple to cultivate.
• Liu Qingyue refused Jingyun's offer, but Jingyun nullified her Internal Force and immobilized her with a flick of her horsetail whisk.
• Jingyun brushed Li Yu aside when she tried to intervene, then compelled Liu Qingyue to walk toward the Li Mansion while Li Yu followed anxiously.
• At the Li Mansion's rear courtyard training ground, Li Xiao sensed something and turned toward the gate to the front courtyard.

Daoist Nun Jingyun brought Liu Qingyue to Li Xiao and said she wanted to take her to Qingwei Temple to cultivate. After Li Xiao learned that Jingyun was a powerful Qi Cultivator who had detected his Wind Listening Exotic Insect, she explained why her sect remained hidden from the mortal world.

• Daoist Nun Jingyun arrived with Liu Qingyue and told Li Xiao she wanted to guide her into the Dao Sect.
• Li Xiao asked Jingyun to release Liu Qingyue, and Jingyun lifted the restraint that prevented her from moving or speaking.
• Liu Qingyue hid behind Li Xiao and said Jingyun had forcibly brought her there to make her a disciple.
• Li Xiao secretly used Wind Listening, and Jingyun detected his perception-based Exotic Insect and explained that his low cultivation let its aura leak out.
• Li Xiao asked about Qingwei Temple and Qi Cultivator sects, and Jingyun explained that they hid in secluded places and avoided worldly affairs.

Daoist Nun Jingyun offered Liu Qingyue a chance to join Qingwei Temple, but Liu Qingyue chose to stay with her family and accepted a Spirit-Guiding Talisman in case she changed her mind. Before departing, Daoist Nun Jingyun warned Li Xiao that his Exotic Insect could attract powerful predators and put his life at risk.

• Daoist Nun Jingyun explained that Qi Cultivators and their Sects existed beyond the ordinary martial world, and Li Xiao wondered about reaching that higher level.
• Liu Qingyue refused Daoist Nun Jingyun's offer to take her to Qingwei Temple, choosing instead to remain in the mundane world with her family.
• Daoist Nun Jingyun gave Liu Qingyue a Spirit-Guiding Talisman that would let her summon the Daoist nun if she changed her mind while still in the Zhou Kingdom.
• Daoist Nun Jingyun warned Li Xiao that stronger Martial Masters could detect his Exotic Insect's probing and that some Alchemists might refine him for its power.
• Daoist Nun Jingyun departed by disappearing into the distorted air, leaving Li Xiao aware that the Exotic Insect could make him a target.