Chapter Summaries

Zhong Lin ambushed Dong Yan’s pursuing Black Tiger Gang men with poisoned arrows, bewildering incense, and his Ghost Head Saber. After killing them all, he left the forest with his ambush plan proven effective.

• Zhong Lin fled through the forest and hid after noticing Dong Yan and Skinny Monkey’s groups following him.
• Zhong Lin shot poisoned arrows from cover, killing two of Dong Yan’s men and injuring others.
• Zhong Lin dropped lime powder mixed with bewildering incense over Dong Yan and his remaining men, then broke Dong Yan’s arm and beheaded him.
• Zhong Lin pursued and killed the two survivors as the poison weakened them, ignoring their pleas for mercy.
• Zhong Lin reflected that he had scouted and simulated the ambush repeatedly before deciding to eliminate anyone who threatened his life.

Zhong Lin killed Skinny Monkey’s gang after defeating Dong Yan’s group, collected pills and silver, and reflected on his newly developed medical and medicine-making skills. The next morning, as he took Little Shi to Teacher Liu, the city had filled with more refugees and beggars, and yamen officials were out maintaining order.

• Skinny Monkey led eight men to ambush Zhong Lin, but Zhong Lin killed them all with his saber.
• Zhong Lin searched the corpses, taking silver and pills from Dong Yan’s group while leaving their conspicuous weapons behind.
• At home, Zhong Lin checked his System and saw that Medical Arts and Medicine-Making had appeared as max-level skills.
• Zhong Lin and Little Shi ate porridge and eggs before heading to Teacher Liu, and Zhong Lin noticed more refugees, beggars, and yamen officials in the city.

Zhong Lin learned that Guo Yanhai’s Rebel Army had defeated the county’s reserve force, pushing Black Mountain County toward crisis. He stayed home, resolved to strengthen himself and protect Little Shi as the county’s situation worsened.

• A yamen runner announced grain rationing and conscription as the County Magistrate prepared for the Rebel Army.
• Zhong Lin delivered goods to Xu Lewu, suggested changes to a medicinal prescription, and left with two medical books after revealing he knew its ingredients.
• Old Zhou told Zhong Lin that Guo Yanhai had united the Black Mountain Eighteen Forts, gathered refugees, and defeated the reserve army by cutting off its supplies.
• Zhong Lin considered fleeing Black Mountain County with Little Shi but decided the city’s remaining order and his strength made staying safer for now.
• As shortages, forced conscription, and gangs worsened conditions, Zhong Lin practiced martial arts at home and taught Little Shi basic fist techniques.

Zhong Lin waited for the Ghost-Faced Man to buy Bone Strengthening Pills so he could speed up his progress toward Bone Forging. At Xu's Clinic, Huang Sheng threatened Xu Lewu into selling their medicinal herbs, but Zhong Lin arrived and offered to sell them at market price.

• Zhong Lin reviewed his skills and reflected that he had built up around seven hundred jin of strength but still needed outside help to temper his bones.
• Huang Sheng collected Xu Lewu's regular payment and demanded that Xu sell his medicinal herbs at their original price for the Black Water Gang.
• Xu Lewu refused, and Huang Sheng threatened his grandson and reached for his pudao.
• Zhong Lin arrived at Xu's Clinic, called the herbs their shared stock, and offered Huang Sheng a sale at market price.
• Zhong Lin told Huang Sheng that he had stocked up on the herbs using information from friends at the yamen.

Zhong Lin drove off Huang Sheng, learned that Xu Lewu wanted to live near him for protection, and arranged to move into the vacant house next door. He then returned to the increasingly busy Black Market to sell medicine, where customers gathered at his stall.

• Zhong Lin stopped Huang Sheng from leaving and revealed his Eighth Rank strength, causing Huang Sheng to flee in fear.
• Xu Lewu thanked Zhong Lin and offered him prepared medicinal goods, then asked to move his family next door for safety.
• Zhong Lin decided to rent the vacant No. A6 house on Locust Flower Lane and let Xu Lewu arrange it.
• Zhong Lin entered the Black Market and found it busier, with more daily necessities for sale.
• Zhong Lin set out Blood-Stopping Powder and Trauma Medicine at his stall, drawing a crowd of returning customers.

Zhong Lin bought Bone Strengthening Pills at the Black Market and was summoned to meet Du Chong, the Du Family’s Second Young Master. Du Chong praised Zhong Lin for killing Dong Yan, leaving Zhong Lin carefully gauging his intentions.

• Zhong Lin bought five Bone Strengthening Pills from the Ghost-Faced Man and unsuccessfully offered to become his alchemy apprentice.
• Zhong Lin bought a rooster and eggs, then Yun Ye summoned him to meet Second Young Master Du.
• Zhong Lin followed Yun Ye to a secluded courtyard, where Du Chong watched a lavish banquet and dance performance.
• Du Chong asked Zhong Lin about his strength and the killing of Dong Yan, and Zhong Lin explained that he had acted in self-defense and used a surprise attack.
• Du Chong said Zhong Lin was quite good, while Zhong Lin continued to respond cautiously.

Zhong Lin earned Bone Strengthening Pills from an uncomfortable painting job, refused Yun Ye’s offer to join the Du Family as a guard, and continued training toward the Seventh Rank. After seven days of practice and selling medicine, he prepared to move with Little Shi as unrest and shortages worsened in Black Mountain County.

• Zhong Lin received ten Bone Strengthening Pills for painting erotic pictures for Second Young Master Du, then turned down Yun Ye’s offer to become a Du Family guard.
• Zhong Lin returned home with a rooster and eggs, and he and Little Shi boiled the eggs and playfully cracked them together.
• For seven days, Zhong Lin sold medicine at the Black Market and used Bone Strengthening Pills to temper his bones, nearing the Seventh-Rank Bone Forging Realm.
• Zhong Lin told Little Shi to get ready to move into the house Old Man Xu had rented for them.
• As Zhong Lin prepared to leave, word of rebel Guo Yanhai’s uprising and the growing influx of disaster victims left Black Mountain County increasingly unstable.

Zhong Lin moved into Locust Flower Lane with Little Shi and reunited him with Xu Xiu. As the Rebel Army closed in on Black Mountain County Town, Zhong Lin made plans to protect Old Man Xu’s family while keeping his own survival and Little Shi’s safety first.

• Zhong Lin and Little Shi moved into No. A6, Locust Flower Lane, where Little Shi happily reunited with Xu Xiu.
• Old Madam Xu tried to match Zhong Lin with a woman, but Zhong Lin said he wanted to wait a few years.
• Zhong Lin told Old Man Xu that the Reserve Army had suffered another crushing defeat and the Rebel Army was nearing Black Mountain County Town.
• Old Man Xu asked Zhong Lin to take Xu Xiu out of the city, but Zhong Lin warned that fleeing could be more dangerous and said he would protect the family in the city.
• Zhong Lin planned to dig a cellar and move the grain to his home so Old Man Xu’s family could shelter there if danger worsened.
• Old Man Xu thanked Zhong Lin and pledged his support, while Zhong Lin resolved to protect himself and Little Shi first if circumstances became hopeless.

Zhong Lin completed the Seventh-Rank Bone Forging Realm and explained that he planned to exploit the Rebel Army uprising to obtain methods for advancing beyond Body Forging. As Black Mountain County braced for the Rebel Army’s arrival, he stayed in the city and prepared to target the Noble Families while their defenses weakened.

• Zhong Lin completed Bone Forging, grew stronger, and tested the improved power and concealment of his Instant Kill Technique.
• With Old Man Xu’s help, Zhong Lin learned several folk skills, including ventriloquism, disguise, Aura Tracking Technique, lockpicking, and Aura Concealment Technique.
• Old Man Xu told Zhong Lin that the county reserve army had been defeated and the Rebel Army was coming, then urged him to leave Black Mountain County with Little Shi and Xiu Ge'er.
• Old Man Xu realized Zhong Lin had learned skills useful for burglary and offered him the Qi and Blood Pill formula to protect Xiu Ge'er.
• Zhong Lin declined the formula, revealed that he planned to go to Heavenly Sun County after the war, and explained that the uprising would weaken Noble Family defenses and give him a chance to obtain Blood Condensation methods.

Zhong Lin learned that advancing beyond the Seventh-Rank Bone Forging Realm required a Qi and Blood cultivation method, but the available paths through noble clans and martial halls were closed to him. He welcomed Old Man Xu and his family into his home and prepared for them to shelter in his hidden cellar if danger came.

• Zhong Lin explained to Old Man Xu that Qi and Blood methods were controlled by noble families and that the two martial halls with such methods already had their personal disciples.
• Old Man Xu realized Zhong Lin had no safe way to obtain the method, but Zhong Lin reassured him that he would not take foolish risks.
• Old Man Xu and his two grandchildren moved into Zhong Lin's home that night, bringing their supplies and medicinal herbs.
• Zhong Lin showed how the cellar had been stocked and secured with a massive granite slab for shelter during danger.
• The household shared a warm dinner, and Zhong Lin served food to Little Shi and Xiu Ge'er.

As Black Mountain County descended into chaos and the Rebel Army surrounded the city, Zhong Lin protected the Xu household and reassured them that they could survive the turmoil. He received a bottle of prepared supplies from Old Man Xu, leaving the household braced for the coming siege.

• Zhong Lin killed a knife-carrying thief who climbed into the courtyard, then returned to find Old Man Xu checking on the disturbance.
• Zhong Lin studied medicine while Old Man Xu taught Xiu Ge'er and Little Shi, and the household shared a peaceful meal amid growing unrest.
• After the Rebel Army surrounded the city, Zhong Lin reassured Old Man Xu and Old Madam Xu that their food, preparations, and his martial strength would protect them.
• Old Man Xu gave Zhong Lin a porcelain bottle containing supplies he had gathered through his connections.

As the Rebel Army attacked the city, Zhong Lin hid his family in a cellar and went to the Du Family estate, where he watched Du Lun battle the Rebel Army’s sixth-rank fighter, Xu Ruo. Xu Ruo hinted at a brutal advantage just as Du Lun’s forces began to surround the rebels.

• Zhong Lin saw fires and fighting erupt across the city and sent Old Man Xu’s family into a cellar for safety.
• Zhong Lin covered the cellar entrance with a heavy boulder, armed himself, and headed to the Du Family estate.
• Zhong Lin watched Du Lun and Xu Ruo trade powerful blows across the estate’s rooftops.
• Xu Ruo revealed himself as the Iron Arm Saber King and said the Rebel Army needed him to hold Du Lun until General Guo broke through the city gates.
• Du Lun said his forces were surrounding the rebels and mocked Xu Ruo, who asked whether Du Lun had ever lost a bone.

Xu Ruo’s attack drew commoner martial artists into the Du Family estate, plunging the family into chaos while Zhong Lin watched for a chance to seize the Blood Condensation Skill. After killing Dan Wenlong, Zhong Lin spotted Du Chong fleeing with something hidden in his chest and joined other masked martial artists in trying to stop him.

• Xu Ruo’s signal brought masked commoner martial artists into the Du Family estate, where they attacked while Du Lun was occupied.
• Zhong Lin saw that Guo Yanhai’s plan had used the Blood Condensation Skill to lure the martial artists into weakening the Du Family.
• Zhong Lin confronted and killed Dan Wenlong, then took his bundle of valuables, but found no Blood Condensation Skill inside.
• Zhong Lin noticed Du Chong escaping from a burning courtyard with a bulge beneath his clothes and suspected he was carrying a cultivation method.
• Du Chong ordered his guards to cover his retreat while Yun Ye helped him escape, but Zhong Lin and five other masked martial artists charged to capture him.

Zhong Lin and the other masked men pursued Du Chong, killed his guard Yun Ye, and found a copied, altered version of the Crimson Sun Stance Skill on Du Chong. The group realized the manual’s instructions were incomplete, leaving them without the Blood Condensation Skill they had sought.

• Zhong Lin and the five other masked men slaughtered the guards holding the rear and continued after Du Chong.
• An iron caltrop pierced Du Chong’s leg, and Yun Ye confronted the masked men to protect him.
• Zhong Lin evaded Yun Ye’s attack and killed him with a hidden short blade in a single strike.
• Zhong Lin ordered two masked men to search Du Chong, and they found the Crimson Sun Stance Skill manual.
• The masked men discovered the manual had been recently copied and altered, with much of its written breathing method obscured.

Zhong Lin used a drug to make Du Chong recite the missing passages of the Crimson Sun Stance Skill, then demanded payment from the masked martial artists for sharing it. He left with several stolen treasures and the completed manual in hand.

• Zhong Lin stopped a masked man from killing Du Chong and ordered the group to take him to a secluded courtyard.
• A masked man tortured Du Chong, but Zhong Lin had his bones reset and gave him a soul-bewildering drug to draw out the breathing technique.
• Du Chong recited the Crimson Sun Stance Skill, allowing the masked men to restore its missing passages.
• Zhong Lin demanded one item from each masked man's bundle in exchange for the manual, and they reluctantly agreed.
• Zhong Lin took a gold ingot, a light-swallowing black dagger, and the martial skills Crimson Sun Palm, Eight Steps Catching Cicadas, and Hibiscus Golden Needles.
• The masked men copied down the completed Crimson Sun Stance Skill.

After obtaining the Crimson Sun Stance Skill, Zhong Lin returned home and reviewed his gains, then visited Old Zhou to learn that the Rebel Army’s attack had been repelled for now but the County Town might not hold for long. He resolved to focus on increasing his strength as the siege continued.

• Zhong Lin returned to his courtyard, reassured Old Man Xu that his mission had gone smoothly, and brought the household out of the cellar.
• Zhong Lin examined the Crimson Sun Stance Skill and his other gains, planning to use the System Panel to advance and expand his martial skills.
• After the fighting outside the city gates faded, Zhong Lin left home to ask Old Zhou what had happened.
• Old Zhou told Zhong Lin that spies had attacked the Du and Zhang Families, the Du Family had suffered heavy losses, and the Zhang Family had driven off its attackers.
• Old Zhou warned Zhong Lin that the Rebel Army and disaster victims might soon overwhelm the County Town, and Zhong Lin left determined to grow stronger.

Zhong Lin struggled to sense vital energy and blood while practicing the Crimson Sun Stance Skill, then shared a meal with his household. Outside Black Mountain City, the Righteous Army recruited starving refugees with food, drawing desperate men toward its camp.

• Zhong Lin practiced the Crimson Sun Stance Skill for two hours but failed to sense vital energy and blood.
• Xiu Ge'er and Little Shi watched Zhong Lin until Old Man Xu sent them back to their lessons.
• Zhong Lin reviewed his understanding of the breathing method and stance, then stopped practicing when Old Madam Xu called dinner.
• Zhong Lin ate with his household, consuming several mixed-grain steamed buns prepared to support his growing appetite.
• A gong-striker announced that General Guo of the Righteous Army would give two jin of mixed-grain flour to eligible recruits.
• Starving refugees moved toward the Rebel Army camp as some men said farewell to their distressed families.

Guo Yanhai’s Rebel Army prepared to seize Black Mountain County, while Military Advisor Han proposed a scheme to capture Xin'an County as well. Han Jin left to lead the operation, with Xu Ruo assigned to protect him, and promised Guo Yanhai the Blood Soul Pill.

• Guo Yanhai praised Ou Lu and Han Jin as the Rebel Army prepared to attack Black Mountain County.
• Han Jin noticed red light flashing in Guo Yanhai’s eyes and wondered whether he needed to change people again.
• Han Jin proposed disguising Rebel soldiers as Black Mountain County troops to lure Xin'an County into sending forces, then ambushing them.
• Han Jin volunteered to lead the plan, and Guo Yanhai assigned Xu Ruo to guard him.
• Han Jin set out to muster the troops and told Guo Yanhai that the Blood Soul Pill was ready.

Master Yin, Mei Weixuan, and a young woman entered the Rebel Army camp and confronted Guo Yanhai, whose sudden rise to the Fourth-Rank Divine Strength Realm alarmed them. After Mei Weixuan tested Guo Yanhai’s strength, the two began a fierce duel that remained unresolved.

• Mei Weixuan and the young woman fought through Rebel Army soldiers while Master Yin glided toward the camp’s command tent.
• Guo Yanhai confronted the three, and Master Yin recognized that Guo Yanhai had reached the Fourth-Rank Divine Strength Realm in just half a year.
• Guo Yanhai offered the visitors rewards if their families submitted, then attacked Mei Weixuan after he mocked him.
• Mei Weixuan blocked Guo Yanhai’s punch, assessed his strength as weaker than a true Fourth Rank, and drew his sword.
• Mei Weixuan launched Light Splitting, Guo Yanhai dodged and reached for his temple, and Mei Weixuan countered with Crane Shakes Feathers.

Master Yin defeated Guo Yanhai and discovered he had taken a Blood Soul Pill, prompting orders to report the threat and secure the area. Meanwhile, Zhong Lin mastered the Crimson Sun Stance Skill through the system and broke through to the Qi and Blood Realm Rank 6, though his newly formed qi and blood remained weak.

• Guo Yanhai transformed into a blood-covered giant and attacked Mei Weixuan, but Master Yin struck him down with astral qi.
• Master Yin identified signs that Guo Yanhai had consumed a Blood Soul Pill and warned that the Blood Demon Sect might have returned.
• Master Yin ordered Mei Weixuan to bring troops and Gu Yourong to gather the Rebel Army military heads for interrogation.
• Zhong Lin entered the Crimson Sun Stance Skill into the System Panel after three days of practice and gained the creator's decades of experience.
• Zhong Lin practiced the stance, sensed qi and blood emerge, and reached the Qi and Blood Realm Rank 6 with only a single weak wisp of qi and blood.