Chapter Summaries

Xiao Mo grew rapidly through his first year, learning to crawl, stand, and walk while Zhou Ruoxi devoted herself to caring for him. During a Qin Kingdom winter trial that forced him to cross deep snow to reach her, Xiao Mo persevered and spoke his first clear word: “Mother.”

• Xiao Mo learned to smile, crawl, stand, and walk unusually early, delighting Zhou Ruoxi while Cuicui caught a glimpse of his remarkable crawling speed.
• Xiao Mo realized his father never visited their courtyard, while Zhou Ruoxi spent her increased allowance on his clothes and care rather than herself.
• As Xiao Mo's first birthday approached, Zhou Ruoxi worried about the Qin Kingdom custom requiring newly walking children to cross heavy snow toward their mothers.
• Xiao Mo repeatedly fell while walking through waist-high snow but kept getting up until he reached Zhou Ruoxi.
• Xiao Mo called Zhou Ruoxi “Mother” for the first time, and she embraced him in tears.

After Xiao Mo recovered from a fever, he attended Xiao Yishe’s lavish birthday celebration and saw how differently the manor treated the two boys. Zhou Ruoxi and Cuicui gave Xiao Mo a modest birthday celebration in their courtyard, where his mother wished him safety in the years to come.

• Xiao Mo developed a fever after playing in the snow, and Zhou Ruoxi called a doctor to treat him.
• Xiao Mo’s fever broke overnight, and he woke to find Zhou Ruoxi exhausted from watching over him.
• Zhou Ruoxi brought Xiao Mo to the manor’s lavish celebration for Xiao Yishe’s second birthday, where officials and nobles delivered gifts.
• On Xiao Mo’s birthday, Zhou Ruoxi and Cuicui decorated their courtyard and prepared a small celebration for him.
• Cuicui gave Xiao Mo a silver bracelet, and Zhou Ruoxi placed a Peace Jade Pendant around his neck and wished him lasting safety.

Xiao Mo excelled at martial arts but fought Xiao Yang and the other children after they tried to take his lunch, then threw stones when their mothers insulted Zhou Ruoxi. Zhou Ruoxi punished him for fighting, lying, and disrespect, but learned that he threw the stones to defend her, leaving her to regret her response.

• Over three months of training, Xiao Mo mastered the basics quickly, earning Master Huang's praise and the resentment of Xiao Yang.
• Xiao Yang and seven or eight children tried to take Xiao Mo's lunch, but Xiao Mo beat them and took their meat.
• Zhou Ruoxi noticed Xiao Mo's bruised cheek, and he falsely said he had fallen during drills.
• The other children's mothers confronted Zhou Ruoxi, and Xiao Mo admitted that he fought them after they tried to take his food and that he took their meat in return.
• After one woman insulted Zhou Ruoxi, Xiao Mo threw stones at the group; Zhou Ruoxi later struck his palm four times for his actions.
• At midnight, Zhou Ruoxi treated Xiao Mo's hand, and he explained that he threw stones because he had promised to protect her, prompting her to call herself the silly one.

Xiao Mo gained the other children’s trust after he stopped them from bullying one another, then accompanied Master Huang to meet First Madam Xia Qingke, who dismissed the complaint against him and left training-ground matters to Huang Shan. On the way back, Huang Shan offered to feed Xiao Mo as much as he wanted if Xiao Mo formally became his disciple and learned his spear technique.

• Xiao Dahai and the other children asked Xiao Mo to protect them, and Xiao Mo agreed to take only a small share of their food before telling everyone to stop bullying one another.
• Huan Ying brought Xiao Mo and Huang Shan to the East Courtyard, where First Madam Xia Qingke questioned them about Xiao Mo beating the children and taking their lunch.
• Xiao Yang and the other children defended Xiao Mo, and Huang Shan insisted that the training ground’s affairs were his to decide.
• Xia Qingke ordered Huan Ying to slap a woman who had insulted Huang Shan, apologized to him, and agreed not to interfere in training-ground matters.
• Huang Shan told Xiao Mo not to worry about food and asked him to become his disciple, promising to teach him his spear technique.

Xiao Mo became Huang Shan’s disciple and advanced rapidly through martial training, reaching the peak of Qi Cultivation by age eight. Huang Shan declined the Qin Kingdom’s invitation to attend its grand hunt but arranged for Xiao Mo to go as a guard.

• Zhou Ruoxi approved Xiao Mo’s request to become Huang Shan’s disciple, and Xiao Mo completed the apprenticeship rites the next day.
• Huang Shan began teaching Xiao Mo the Heaven Opener Fist, and Xiao Mo memorized most of its forms after watching the demonstration once.
• Xiao Mo studied the fist manual with Zhou Ruoxi’s help and trained under Huang Shan, eventually entering a state of enlightenment and reaching qi cultivation level 6.
• Over the following years, Xiao Mo reached the peak of Qi Cultivation, while Huang Shan urged him to keep refining his cultivation before attempting Foundation Establishment.
• Eunuch Li visited Huang Shan to invite him to the Qin Kingdom’s grand hunt, and Huang Shan declined but offered to send Xiao Mo as a guard.

Eight-year-old Xiao Mo agreed to serve as a guard at the Qin Kingdom’s grand hunt, despite Zhou Ruoxi’s concerns. At the hunt, Princess Qin Siyao chose Xiao Mo as her guard after learning his name.

• Eunuch Li invited Xiao Mo to guard the imperial children at the grand hunt, and Xiao Mo accepted despite Zhou Ruoxi’s worries.
• Palace maids dressed Qin Siyao for the hunt, and the Qin Kingdom’s Lord joined her before they departed with Empress Shi and the princes.
• Empress Shi tested Qin Siyao about her studies, and Qin Siyao declared she wanted to marry someone she loved rather than accept a childhood betrothal.
• The Qin Kingdom’s Lord announced that the grand hunt’s winner would receive the Fire Spirit Pearl and told his children to choose guards.
• Qin Siyao approached Xiao Mo, asked his name, and chose him as her guard.

Qin Siyao chose Xiao Mo as her guard and went hunting with him in the Imperial Hunting Forest, where he saved her from a Moon Wolf. As Xiao Mo carried the injured princess back, she promised to beat the war drum for him as a reward.

• Qin Siyao chose Xiao Mo as her guard, and the Qin Kingdom's Lord and Empress Shi approved.
• Xiao Mo killed a rabbit while hunting, then taught Qin Siyao how to shoot; she gradually learned to hit game.
• Xiao Mo sensed danger and fled with Qin Siyao, but a Moon Wolf chased them and Qin Siyao fell and hurt her ankle.
• Xiao Mo fought the ninth-grade Moon Wolf barehanded and killed it, then reset and bandaged Qin Siyao's ankle.
• Xiao Mo carried Qin Siyao back, and she offered to beat the war drum for him as her reward.

Xiao Mo returned from the Imperial Hunting Forest after killing a Moon Wolf to save Qin Siyao, and the Qin Kingdom's Lord rewarded him. Back in the palace, Qin Siyao persuaded her father to let her visit Xiao Manor and said she might marry Xiao Mo when she grew up, leaving the Qin Kingdom's Lord worried about their closeness.

• Xiao Mo carried the injured Qin Siyao out of the forest, and she told the Qin Kingdom's Lord that Xiao Mo had killed a Moon Wolf to save her.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord praised Xiao Mo, gave him gold and brocade, and had his injuries examined.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord awarded the Fire Spirit Pearl to Qin Jingyuan after he won the hunting ceremony, while Qin Jingsu concealed his resentment.
• Qin Siyao asked the Qin Kingdom's Lord for permission to visit Xiao Manor, and he agreed if she finished her lessons.
• Qin Siyao told her father she wanted to give Xiao Mo the same gift her mother had given him and might marry Xiao Mo when she grew up.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord tried to warn Qin Siyao about men, but she defended Xiao Mo and sent her father away so she could study.

After the Hunting Ceremony, Xiao Mo attempted Foundation Establishment under Huang Shan’s guidance and survived the lightning tribulation. Huang Shan then revealed that their lineage’s spear technique was called the God-Slaying Spear.

• Zhou Ruoxi saved Xiao Mo’s gold for his future wedding and agreed to use some of the silk to make herself two outfits.
• Huang Shan judged that Xiao Mo was ready to attempt Foundation Establishment and agreed to keep the attempt from Zhou Ruoxi.
• Huang Shan took Xiao Mo to a barren mountain and gave him a final body-tempering session before his breakthrough.
• Xiao Mo punched against the lightning tribulation, survived it, and successfully reached Foundation Establishment.
• Huang Shan explained that Zhou Ruoxi had likely guessed what Xiao Mo was doing, then revealed the name of their spear technique: God-Slaying Spear.

After surviving his tribulation, Xiao Mo recovered at home with Zhou Ruoxi’s support, then began learning the God-Slaying Spear from Huang Shan. A familiar girl arrived at the training ground to see him.

• Huang Shan carried Xiao Mo, badly injured after his tribulation, back to Xiao Manor, where Zhou Ruoxi welcomed him and cared for his wounds.
• Zhou Ruoxi reassured Xiao Mo that she supported his cultivation and stayed beside him as he fell asleep.
• Three days later, Xiao Mo recovered and went to the training ground, where Huang Shan gave him the Fourth-Grade Magic Tool Breaking Wind and taught him the God-Slaying Spear.
• Xiao Mo practiced the spear techniques through the day while the other Xiao Family disciples watched and admired him.
• A little girl ran up to Xiao Mo and asked if he had missed her, saying she had come to play with him.

Qin Siyao visited Xiao Mo, met his mother, and spent the evening exploring the Imperial Capital with him. Before returning to the palace, she gave Xiao Mo a clay figure of herself and promised she would think of him too.

• Qin Siyao visited Xiao Mo at the training grounds, asked him to call her Si Yao, and invited him to play.
• Xiao Mo brought Qin Siyao to his home, where she met Zhou Ruoxi and gave her a night-glowing pearl.
• Qin Siyao shared dinner with Xiao Mo and Zhou Ruoxi, then explored the Imperial Capital with Xiao Mo and Peanut.
• Qin Siyao made a clay figure, watched street performances, tried local foods, and played beneath the lanterns with Xiao Mo.
• When Peanut said it was time to return, Qin Siyao gave Xiao Mo the clay figure and told him she would think of him too.

Xia Qingke warned Huan Ying not to speculate about Xiao Mo’s closeness to the Third Princess or the succession to the Prince Zhenbei title. Qin Siyao studied hard, passed her mother’s test, and earned permission to visit Xiao Manor again, leaving the Qin Kingdom's Lord wondering why his tea tasted so bitter.

• Huan Ying told Xia Qingke that the Third Princess had taken Xiao Mo out, and Xia Qingke rebuked her for gossiping about the succession.
• After Huan Ying left, Xia Qingke accidentally cut down the courtyard’s most brilliant flower as she worried over Xiao Mo’s growing closeness to the Third Princess.
• Qin Siyao remembered her day at Auntie Zhou’s home and worked through the lessons Empress Shi had assigned her.
• Qin Siyao recited her lessons flawlessly and answered Empress Shi’s questions, earning permission to visit Xiao Manor.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord watched Qin Siyao leave and found his tea unusually bitter.

Xiao Mo taught Qin Siyao the Eight Gates Fist, but accidentally knocked her down when their playful sparring got too intense. He apologized with a flower crown, and Qin Siyao said she would forgive him if he put it on her.

• Huang Shan warned Xiao Mo not to rush his training, then sent him to spend time with Qin Siyao.
• Qin Siyao asked Xiao Mo to teach her spear techniques, but agreed to learn the Eight Gates Fist first.
• Xiao Mo taught Qin Siyao the Eight Gates Fist, and she quickly learned most of its moves.
• Qin Siyao asked to spar, and Xiao Mo accidentally knocked her down after losing control of his fist aura.
• Xiao Mo apologized with a flower crown, and Qin Siyao asked him to put it on her before she would forgive him.

After Huang Shan left, Xiao Mo prepared to enter military service, while Qin Siyao asked the Qin Kingdom's Lord to place him among the palace guards so she could see him more often. The Qin Kingdom's Lord reviewed the capital's military camps and spotted one that seemed suitable.

• Xiao Mo completed the God-Slaying Spear's forms, and Huang Shan told him to forget them and find his own way to master the spear's second stage.
• Huang Shan gave Xiao Mo the Ten Fierce Spear, which recognized him after he endured its beastly phantoms and killing intent, though he could not yet wield it without draining his spiritual energy.
• Huang Shan left Xiao Manor to travel through the kingdoms, and Xiao Mo's brothers discussed the army camps they would join while Xiao Mo said he had received no assignment.
• Qin Siyao asked the Qin Kingdom's Lord to make Xiao Mo a palace guard, and he agreed to check the imperial guard's roster while ensuring Xiao Mo would not be stationed too close to her.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord examined a list of military camps in the capital and found one that caught his attention.

Xiao Mo learned that he had been assigned to the Iron Tiger Army, and he chose to join despite Zhou Ruoxi's fears for his safety. After wrestling with the decision overnight, Zhou Ruoxi gave him permission to report in, and he left Xiao Manor while she watched him go.

• A maid delivered the Ministry of War's letter confirming Xiao Mo's assignment to the Iron Tiger Army.
• Xiao Mo told Zhou Ruoxi he wanted to join, while she hesitated because the army's training and battle service were dangerous.
• Zhou Ruoxi spent the night considering the choice and decided that Xiao Mo needed to see a wider world beyond Xiao Manor.
• The next morning, Zhou Ruoxi signed and handprinted the letter, giving Xiao Mo permission to report to the Iron Tiger Army.
• Xiao Mo kowtowed to Zhou Ruoxi and left Xiao Manor, while she watched him until he disappeared from sight.

Xiao Mo joined the Iron Tiger Army, where instructor Chang Xin introduced him to the camp and its strict discipline. After Xiao Mo beat Zhao Wei and took charge of their quarters, Chang Xin punished the recruits by ordering them to run laps.

• Xiao Mo registered with the Ministry of War and received a token to report to the Iron Tiger Army camp.
• Chang Xin became Xiao Mo’s instructor and explained the army’s harsh training and strict discipline.
• Xiao Mo settled into Earthly Branch Twelve and met his nine roommates, led by Zhao Wei.
• Zhao Wei demanded that Xiao Mo call him boss and wash the roommates’ shoes, but Xiao Mo punched him down and claimed authority over the room.
• Chang Xin caught Xiao Mo standing over Zhao Wei and ordered Xiao Mo and the others to run ten laps around camp.

Xiao Mo settled into life in the Iron Tiger Army, bonding with his dormmates as their grueling training began. In the Imperial Palace, Qin Siyao learned he had joined the army instead of the imperial guards and vowed to go after him herself.

• Xiao Mo had his dormmates introduce themselves, learned why they had joined the Iron Tiger Army, and explained that he was a concubine's son from Xiao Manor.
• Xiao Mo and the other recruits began a demanding daily routine of running, weighted drills, martial training, lessons, and military classes.
• Qin Siyao confronted the Qin Kingdom's Lord after discovering that Xiao Mo had joined the Iron Tiger Army rather than the imperial guards.
• The Qin Kingdom's Lord defended his decision and promised to give Xiao Mo the greatest reward under heaven after his seven years of service.
• Qin Siyao returned to her bedchamber and decided to go after Xiao Mo herself.

Qin Siyao disguised herself as a maid and tried to sneak out of the palace to visit Xiao Mo, but Qin Jingyuan helped her reach the Iron Tiger Army barracks. There, he offered Xiao Mo cultivation supplies and discreet support, leaving Xiao Mo suspecting that the Second Prince was trying to win him over.

• Qin Siyao stole Peanut's palace pass, put on a maid's uniform, and tried to leave the palace to visit Xiao Mo.
• The guards stopped Qin Siyao, but Qin Jingyuan arrived and offered to take her to buy beggar's chicken, then directed the carriage to the Iron Tiger Army barracks.
• Qin Jingyuan explained that he was helping his sister and reminded her that he and her eldest brother would protect her.
• Qin Siyao found Xiao Mo training under heavy weights and chains, and told him she had come to see him.
• Qin Jingyuan arranged Red Tiger Heart and other supplies for Xiao Mo, slipped him a note with a contact's details, and warned him not to refuse.
• Xiao Mo accepted Qin Jingyuan's offer and privately wondered whether the Second Prince was trying to win him over.

Xiao Mo showed Qin Siyao around the Iron Tiger Army camp, and she apologized for her role in his being sent there instead of to the Imperial Guard. Before leaving, Qin Siyao promised to send up a sky lantern each night so he would know she was thinking of him.

• Qin Jingyuan gave Xiao Mo a training pill and left him to show Qin Siyao around the military camp.
• Xiao Mo showed Qin Siyao his training equipment, and she failed to lift a Dragon-Subduing Stone or his Profound Iron weights.
• Qin Siyao apologized for asking the emperor to place Xiao Mo in the Imperial Guard, but Xiao Mo said he preferred the Iron Tiger Army and did not blame her.
• Qin Jingyuan called Qin Siyao back to the palace, and she told Xiao Mo she would send up a sky lantern each night to show she missed him.

Xiao Mo kept his distance from Qin Jingyuan’s offer of favor while maintaining his promise to Qin Siyao, then spent two years training with the Iron Tiger Army. When Qin mobilized against Wei Kingdom, Chang Xin learned that all ten members of Earthly Branch Twelve had been summoned.

• Xiao Mo told Zhao Wei and the others that he had known Qin Siyao before, while his comrades discussed which prince might become Crown Prince.
• Xiao Mo found Red Tiger Heart and Spirit Medicines added to his meals, accepted the food, and decided he would help Qin Jingyuan only when he agreed with the prince’s aims.
• Xiao Mo kept looking toward the palace for Qin Siyao’s Sky Lantern, and two months later he watched one drift toward the camp.
• Over the next two years, Xiao Mo reached the mid-stage of the Cave Mansion Realm while suppressing his cultivation, and Zhao Wei and the others advanced to the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
• Commander Wang told Chang Xin that Qin had mobilized against Wei Kingdom and that all ten members of Chang Xin’s Earthly Branch Twelve were on the list of summoned soldiers.