Chapter Summaries

Li Xiao continued training his martial arts until news of a nearby village being raided by bandits convinced him to move his family into Willow City. After showing Li Youde and Li Yu his savings and gaining their agreement, he asked Wang Hai to help find a trustworthy house broker.

• Li Xiao trained Iron Sand Palm, Chasing Wind Arrow Technique, and Iron Wire Fist while steadily improving and consuming large amounts of resources.
• Li Youde and Li Yu told Li Xiao that bandits had massacred and looted Xiao Wang Village, and that suspicious strangers had been seen near their village.
• Li Xiao decided his family should move into Willow City and showed them nearly four hundred taels of silver to cover the move.
• Li Youde and Li Yu agreed to prepare for the move and sell their fields to the Village Head.
• Li Xiao asked Wang Hai to recommend a reliable broker, and Wang Hai offered to take him to Old Man Chen.

Li Xiao toured Willow City with Wang Hai and chose a quiet, spacious residence in Peaceful Lane priced at two hundred and eighty taels. On the way there, they saw the Yellow Robe Cult recruiting followers openly in North City, and Old Man Chen unlocked the house for them to inspect.

• Wang Hai brought Li Xiao to Chen's Agency and helped him find a residence suited to his needs.
• Li Xiao selected a detached courtyard in Peaceful Lane, and Wang Hai offered to help negotiate its two-hundred-and-eighty-tael price.
• Old Man Chen led Li Xiao and Wang Hai through North City, where Wang Hai warned that the Wild Dog Gang controlled the surrounding area.
• Li Xiao and Wang Hai saw the Yellow Robe Cult preaching to a crowd, and Wang Hai reacted with hatred over his father's injury.
• Old Man Chen brought them to the Peaceful Lane residence and unlocked its gate so they could look inside.

Li Xiao bought a house in the city and went with his father to sell their remaining farmland to Village Head Wang Ying. Wang Ying offered a low price, and Li Xiao had not yet responded.

• Li Xiao chose Old Man Chen's residence and negotiated its price down to 270 taels with Wang Hai's help.
• Li Xiao paid for the house, signed the sales contract, and gave Old Man Chen five extra taels to handle the transfer.
• Li Youde decided to sell the family's two mu of farmland before moving to the city, and Li Xiao insisted on accompanying him.
• Li Xiao and Li Youde visited Wang Ying, who changed his dismissive attitude after seeing Li Xiao and hearing they were moving into the city.
• Wang Ying offered four taels per mu for the family's prime paddy fields, prompting Li Youde to frown.

Li Xiao confronted Wang Ying over the unfair price paid for his family’s land, but Wang Biao arrived with armed men and challenged him. Li Xiao refused to back down, and a fight was about to begin.

• Li Xiao demanded ten taels per acre for his family’s land and challenged Wang Ying to explain the earlier grain deal.
• Wang Ying’s sons Wang Biao and Wang Chen arrived with eight or nine burly men, and Wang Ying accused Li Xiao of causing trouble.
• Wang Chen noticed that Li Xiao seemed far more imposing than before, while Wang Biao dismissed him as an inexperienced martial arts student.
• Wang Biao threatened Li Xiao and demanded an apology, but Li Xiao stood his ground and provoked him to fight.

Li Xiao overwhelmed Wang Biao’s thugs and defeated Wang Biao, revealing a vast gap in their fighting abilities. The chapter left Wang Biao pinned beneath Li Xiao’s foot and utterly defeated.

• Wang Biao ordered his thugs to attack Li Xiao, but Li Xiao swiftly incapacitated all eight or nine men.
• Wang Biao recognized Li Xiao as a Martial Master and tried to catch him off guard with a surprise punch.
• Li Xiao anticipated Wang Biao’s attack, caught his wrist, and hurled him onto the stone courtyard floor.
• Li Xiao pinned Wang Biao’s face beneath his foot, leaving Wang Biao unable to break free.

Li Xiao forced the Wang Family to pay one hundred taels and formally settle the land dispute before leaving with his father. Humiliated and injured, Wang Biao plotted to turn the Lin Family against Li Xiao by secretly informing them of his strength and supposed desire for revenge.

• Li Xiao suppressed his urge to take Wang Biao's ear, then demanded compensation for the land and the Wang Family agreed to pay one hundred taels.
• Wang Chen brought the silver, Wang Ying drew up the deeds, and Li Xiao left with Li Youde after the land transfer was settled.
• Li Youde worried that Li Xiao had been too harsh, but Li Xiao said they had to be ruthless to protect themselves.
• After Li Xiao and Li Youde left, Wang Biao raged over his humiliation and insisted he would avenge himself.
• Wang Biao proposed secretly telling Lin Hong that Li Xiao had become a Martial Master and would seek revenge on the Lin Family, and Wang Ying agreed.

Li Xiao lured a fierce tiger toward Wang Ying’s Home to make the Wang Family’s deaths look like an accident. The tiger broke into the courtyard and attacked the family, leaving Wang Biao and Wang Ying in danger.

• Li Xiao decided to eliminate the threat Wang Biao posed and prepared Beast Luring Incense and Exotic Beast Meat.
• Li Xiao baited a fierce tiger in Back Mountain, shot it with an arrow, and led it toward Wang Ying’s Home.
• The enraged tiger smashed through the Wang Family’s gate and charged into the courtyard.
• The tiger killed Wang Chen and attacked the wounded Wang Biao while Wang Ying fled into the house.

Li Xiao killed Wang Biao after the fierce tiger slaughtered the Wang family, then fed Wang Biao’s ear to the Listening Wind insect. He moved Li Youde and Li Yu from the village to their new home in Peaceful Lane, while the insect’s feeding progress reached 7/10.

• Li Xiao entered the Wang family courtyard after the tiger’s attack, cut off Wang Biao’s ear, and left without revealing his traces.
• Li Xiao fed the ear to the Listening Wind insect, advancing the ritual toward completion.
• Villagers discovered the Wang family’s corpses and looted their estate after concluding a tiger had killed them.
• Li Xiao hired a carriage and brought Li Youde and Li Yu to their new residence in Peaceful Lane.
• Li Xiao helped his family settle into the new house as the Listening Wind insect’s progress reached 7/10.

Li Xiao moved his family into Peaceful Lane and began training Iron Sand Palm at home, reaching Entry Level in a single session. At the Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School, he found Senior Disciple Brother Wu Tieshan teaching the Inner Courtyard disciples and quietly joined them to listen.

• Li Xiao left Li Youde and Li Yu to settle into their new home while he went to practice.
• Li Xiao trained Iron Sand Palm with heated iron sand and medicinal liquid, increasing his experience until he reached Entry Level.
• Li Xiao went to the Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School and found the disciples gathered around Wu Tieshan.
• Wu Tieshan explained Iron Wire Fist techniques and demonstrated how to channel and apply force.
• Li Xiao took an open spot nearby and listened as Wu Tieshan taught.

Li Xiao benefited from Wu Tieshan’s Iron Wire Fist instruction while Qian Li and Wu Tieshan discussed building their strength amid Willow City’s growing unrest. Qian Li set plans in motion to expand the Righteous Army and cultivate promising disciples as the chapter left the Martial Arts Hall preparing for conflict.

• Wu Tieshan taught the disciples Iron Wire Fist, and Li Xiao gained new insight before resuming his training.
• Wu Tieshan privately told Qian Li that the Righteous Army had grown to include more than twenty Martial Masters and that Second Junior Brother had become its Second Chieftain.
• Qian Li ordered Wu Tieshan to recruit more skilled fighters and said he would secure provisions for the Righteous Army.
• Qian Li told Wu Tieshan to watch Li Xiao and invest more effort in Wang Hai, who might take over the Golden Sand Gang.
• Qian Li warned that the County Lieutenant was using bandit suppression to expand his power and urged Wu Tieshan to prepare for the turmoil in Willow City.

Qian Li recalled how the Feng Family had slaughtered his family and resolved to use his martial arts school and the Righteous Army to take revenge. He then summoned Wang Hai and gave him guidance on improving his Iron Wire Force.

• Qian Li remembered his former life as Chen Feng and how Feng Yulong's desire to take Chen E as a concubine led to the massacre of the Chen Family.
• After years of wandering and building power, Qian Li returned to Willow City, established the Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School, and secretly supported the Righteous Army to prepare for revenge.
• Qian Li summoned Wang Hai and praised his recent progress after his breakthrough to Martial Master.
• After watching Wang Hai perform Iron Wire Fist, Qian Li explained how to improve the circulation of Iron Wire Force through the Shanzhong Acupoint and Qihai Acupoint.
• Wang Hai recognized Qian Li's advice as the solution to his cultivation bottleneck and thanked him gratefully.

After Qian Li gave Wang Hai unusually personal cultivation guidance, Wang Hai told his father and questioned the Master of the Hall’s motives. Wang Jinshan advised him to accept the benefits while keeping the Golden Sand Gang’s interests first, leaving Wang Hai resolved to observe Qian Li and the martial arts school.

• Qian Li encouraged Wang Hai after guiding his cultivation, and Wang Hai left the Iron Wire Fist Martial Arts School suspicious of the Master of the Hall’s special attention.
• Wang Hai returned to the Golden Sand Gang’s stronghold and told Wang Jinshan about Qian Li’s detailed guidance and warm attitude.
• Wang Jinshan judged that Qian Li likely wanted to win over the Golden Sand Gang as well as cultivate Wang Hai’s talent.
• Wang Jinshan told Wang Hai to accept the guidance but avoid committing the gang’s interests before Qian Li’s intentions became clear.
• Wang Hai agreed to watch Qian Li and his trusted disciples while focusing on improving his strength.

Li Xiao advanced the Chasing Wind Arrow Technique to Perfection and broke through to the Second-Turn Martial Master, entering the Tendon Refining Realm. He resolved to strengthen himself further and soon complete the ritual to take control of Wind Listening.

• Qian Li summoned Li Xiao twice, offering detailed cultivation guidance and showing him unusual concern, which made Li Xiao more wary of the Martial Arts Hall.
• Wu Tieshan frequently instructed Inner and Outer Courtyard disciples, improving their training and sparring.
• Li Xiao practiced the Chasing Wind Arrow Technique in his backyard until it reached Great Accomplishment and then advanced to Perfection.
• The breakthrough strengthened Li Xiao's fascia, increased his strength and Internal Force, and advanced him to the Second-Turn Martial Master realm.
• Li Xiao decided to obtain three more Martial Masters' ears to complete Wind Listening's feeding progress, then trained with his Iron Wire Force and Chasing Wind Force.

After stabilizing his Second Turn realm, Li Xiao used Mountain Imp meat to replenish his Qi and Blood before training Iron Sand Palm. By midday, he reached Minor Accomplishment and condensed Iron Sand Force.

• Li Xiao cooked Mountain Imp meat, and Li Youde tried it before settling for the gentler medicinal soup.
• Li Xiao told his father that Exotic Beast meat was meant for martial artists and reassured him about his own health.
• After breakfast, Li Xiao tempered his palms in heated iron sand, gaining experience faster with his strengthened body.
• Li Xiao pushed his Qi and Blood into the hottest iron sand and advanced Iron Sand Palm to Minor Accomplishment.
• Li Xiao sensed the newly condensed Iron Sand Force in his palms, a scorching and penetrating force distinct from his other Internal Forces.

After advancing his cultivation and containing three distinct Internal Forces, Li Xiao decided Sun Hong had to pay for plotting against him. At the martial arts school, he told Wang Hai he intended to handle Sun Hong himself and began considering how to act without leaving evidence.

• Li Xiao reflected on his new strength and began planning how to obtain the three ears required for the Listening Wind Insect ritual.
• Li Xiao chose Sun Hong as his first target because Sun Hong had incited Chen Long and tried to use He Ming against him.
• At the martial arts school, Wang Hai explained Sun Hong’s family background and his ties to Zhao Wenfeng.
• Li Xiao told Wang Hai he would settle his debt with Sun Hong himself, while Wang Hai warned him to beware of Sun Hong’s tricks and Zhao Wenfeng’s backing.
• Li Xiao practiced Iron Wire Fist and considered how to deal with Sun Hong secretly without endangering his family or leaving traces.

Li Xiao stalked Sun Hong for three days before ambushing and killing him in a secluded alley, then fed Sun Hong’s ear to the Wind Listening insect. The insect’s feeding progress reached 8/10, leaving Li Xiao needing two more ears.

• Li Xiao spent two days following Sun Hong but found no safe opportunity to attack while Sun Hong stayed with Zhao Wenfeng or was protected at home.
• On the third day, Zhao Wenfeng left the martial arts hall without Sun Hong, and Li Xiao followed Sun Hong through a quiet rear alley.
• Li Xiao blinded Sun Hong with lime and killed him with a strike to the throat before cutting off his left ear.
• Li Xiao concealed the evidence, changed clothes, and made his way home without being followed.
• Li Xiao fed Sun Hong’s ear to the Wind Listening insect, raising its feeding progress to 8/10.

Li Xiao concealed his role in Sun Hong’s death while Zhao Wenfeng and the Sun Family investigated, and Wang Hai privately learned the truth and promised to keep it secret. Sun Hong’s body was returned to the Sun Family, where Sun Fugui and Madam Sun Zhang erupted into grief and conflict.

• Li Xiao continued practicing at the Martial Arts Training Ground as Zhao Wenfeng learned Sun Hong was missing and searched for answers.
• Wang Hai quietly asked Li Xiao if he had killed Sun Hong, and Li Xiao admitted it; Wang Hai praised him, promised secrecy, and warned him to beware of Zhao Wenfeng.
• Zhao Wenfeng left with his confidants while Li Xiao focused on stabilizing his Second Turn cultivation and finding another target for the Wind Listening insect.
• The Sun Family received Sun Hong’s corpse, and Sun Fugui and Madam Sun Zhang argued amid their grief over his death.
• Sun Fugui slapped Madam Sun Zhang to stop her wailing.

After Sun Hong’s death, Sun Fugui chose not to seek revenge, fearing the killer could destroy his family. Zhao Wenfeng learned of Sun Hong’s death and decided to investigate, suspecting Wang Hai and Li Xiao.

• Sun Fugui rejected Madam Sun Zhang’s pleas for revenge, reasoning that the killer was likely far stronger than his household’s Guards.
• Sun Fugui blamed Sun Hong’s arrogance and Madam Sun Zhang’s indulgence, then ordered the family to bury him quietly and report that bandits had killed him.
• Li Xiao calmly practiced his fists at the Martial Arts Hall, unaware of the Sun Family’s decision.
• Zhao Wenfeng learned that Sun Hong had died and dismissed the claim that ordinary bandits were responsible.
• Zhao Wenfeng decided to make a show of investigating Sun Hong’s death to protect his standing among the Martial Arts Hall’s Disciples.
• Zhao Wenfeng considered Wang Hai and then Li Xiao as possible suspects, but lacked evidence to act against either man.

Zhao Wenfeng confronted Li Xiao over Sun Hong’s death and attacked him when he denied involvement. Wu Tieshan stopped the assault, but Zhao Wenfeng remained determined to uncover the truth, while Li Xiao resolved to remember the injury.

• Zhao Wenfeng questioned Li Xiao about Sun Hong’s death and accused him of hiding something, but Li Xiao denied harming Sun Hong.
• Zhao Wenfeng attacked Li Xiao with Iron Wire Fist, and Li Xiao blocked weakly and was injured to conceal his strength.
• Wu Tieshan arrived and stopped Zhao Wenfeng from continuing the attack.
• Li Xiao told Wu Tieshan he had suffered only a minor internal injury, and Wu Tieshan rebuked Zhao Wenfeng for private fighting and baseless suspicions.
• After Li Xiao left, Zhao Wenfeng vowed to find Sun Hong’s killer, while Li Xiao silently resolved to remember Zhao Wenfeng’s punch.

Wu Tieshan joined Black Wind Stronghold as its Fourth Chieftain while secretly organizing Qian Li’s disciples to overthrow Lei Biao. He and Lu Meng planned to strike during Lei Biao’s birthday feast and seize the stronghold for their larger campaign around Willow City.

• Lei Biao welcomed Wu Tieshan into Black Wind Stronghold as its Fourth Chieftain at a rowdy feast, while Lu Meng and Hu Kui quietly assessed the newcomer.
• After the feast, Wu Tieshan slipped into Lu Meng’s courtyard and met with more than ten loyal disciples trained by Qian Li.
• Wu Tieshan and the others discussed how their allies already controlled more than half the stronghold, while Lei Biao’s loyal men numbered just over a hundred.
• Lu Meng proposed poisoning Lei Biao’s wine at his upcoming birthday feast, distracting or controlling his trusted headmen, and attacking when torches signaled the operation.
• Wu Tieshan ordered the disciples to take their positions and said Qian Li had arranged support within Willow City; he then dismissed Black Wind Stronghold as a stepping stone.