Chapter Summaries

Yang Zhengshan returned to Yang Family Village and Qinghe Town to visit old friends and family graves before continuing toward the Capital. He traveled openly despite the threat of Shanhe Tower’s Gold List, and Ji Hai warned him that other jianghu factions might come after him for the Jade Dew Spirit Peach.

• Yang Zhengxiang welcomed Yang Zhengshan home, learned the Imperial Court planned to grant him a marquis title, and celebrated with the clan elders and villagers.
• Yang Zhengshan attended a lively banquet in Yang Family Village, made offerings to his former body's parents and deceased wife, then visited Lu Songhe and the Lu Family in Qinghe Town.
• After three days, Yang Zhengshan continued toward Jizhou without hiding from the jianghu factions pursuing the Jade Dew Spirit Peach.
• Ji Hai met Yang Zhengshan on the road and warned him about Shanhe Tower’s Gold List, explaining that Ji Zhen had chosen not to pursue the peach.

Yang Zhengshan learned that nine known experts wanted to kill him for the Jade Dew Spirit Peach, but he continued south without hesitation. The chapter left him riding toward the Yanhui Mountain Range as Heart-Destroying Palm Xiang Qiaohe and Mist Wave Swordsman Ye Changkai waited by the Ru River to claim the peach.

• Wei Cen gave Yang Zhengshan a list of nine known assassins and warned that more might be pursuing him.
• Yang Zhengshan refused to hide and ordered his personal guards to stand aside if trouble arose.
• Yang Zhengshan left Xinping Town as martial artists followed him, many hoping to witness the hunt or profit from it.
• By the Ru River, Mist Wave Swordsman Ye Changkai recognized Heart-Destroying Palm Xiang Qiaohe, and the two discussed waiting for Yang Zhengshan.
• Ye Changkai and Xiang Qiaohe agreed that they had no choice but to fight for the Jade Dew Spirit Peach.

Yang Zhengshan reached the Ru River wharf, where martial artists gathered to claim Shanhe Tower’s bounty for his head and seize the Jade Dew Spirit Peach. After catching Tong Jiuxin’s opening arrow, Yang Zhengshan faced the archer alone and counterattacked as the crowd watched.

• Xiang Qiaohe joined Ye Changkai in waiting, reasoning that whoever delivered Yang Zhengshan’s head to Shanhe Tower would receive the bounty.
• Sun Chunsheng told Luo Jinsong that the Jade Dew Spirit Peach mattered more to the Star Moon Sect’s main hall than Yuheng Star Hall, and Luo agreed to help while privately resenting the main hall.
• Yang Zhengshan arrived at the Ru River wharf with his cavalry as martial artists gathered to watch and discuss the bounty on him.
• Tong Jiuxin shot a black-feathered arrow at Yang Zhengshan, who caught it and ordered his personal guards to fall back.
• Tong Jiuxin launched a volley of arrows from a tower ship, and Yang Zhengshan knocked them aside while hurling a short spear at him.

Yang Zhengshan crossed the pier after killing Tong Jiuxin, but three assassins from Shanhe Tower attacked him. More martial arts experts revealed themselves and surrounded him, and the chapter ended as the assassins charged again.

• Yang Zhengshan killed Tong Jiuxin with a thrown short spear, frightening the martial artists at the pier.
• A disguised Poison Bee attacked Yang Zhengshan, and Shadow Bat and Partridge joined the ambush; Red Cloud helped Yang Zhengshan evade them.
• Yang Zhengshan identified the three attackers as Shanhe Tower assassins and climbed onto a flagpole to face them.
• Fu Shanhong, Lu Ke, Ye Changkai, Xiang Qiaohe, Luo Jinsong, and Sun Chunsheng revealed themselves as more opponents gathered around Yang Zhengshan.
• Yang Zhengshan told the three assassins to attack together, and they lunged at him.

Yang Zhengshan killed Shanhe Tower’s assassins and fought off an attack by four Half-Step Innate experts. Meanwhile, Luo Jinsong killed Sun Chunsheng and declared Yuheng Star Hall’s break from Star Moon Sect before leaving, as Yang Zhengshan’s battle continued on the pier.

• Yang Zhengshan killed Poison Bee, then killed Shadow Bat and Partridge after Lu Ke withdrew from their fight.
• Luo Jinsong stabbed Sun Chunsheng from behind, declared Yuheng Star Hall’s secession from Star Moon Sect, and cut off Sun Chunsheng’s head.
• Yang Zhengshan declined Luo Jinsong’s offer to repay his favor, and Luo Jinsong left by boat.
• Yang Zhengshan challenged Ye Changkai, Xiang Qiaohe, Fu Shanhong, and Lu Ke to attack together.
• The four experts joined forces against Yang Zhengshan, who held his ground while the watching martial artists marveled at his strength.

Yang Zhengshan used a battle against Ye Changkai and three other martial artists to push toward the Innate Realm, then killed or crippled them when they tried to withdraw. The chapter ended with him approaching the spear-pierced Ye Changkai.

• Yang Zhengshan endured the four opponents’ attacks and provoked them to increase the pressure as his body and innate true qi surged.
• Ye Changkai realized Yang Zhengshan was using their attacks to seek a breakthrough and tried to leave, but Yang Zhengshan threatened their families and forced the fight to continue.
• Yang Zhengshan pierced Fu Shanhong through the chest, then threw Fu Shanhong’s Golden-Backed Ring Blade into Lu Ke as he fled.
• Ye Changkai and Xiang Qiaohe ran in opposite directions; Yang Zhengshan pierced Ye Changkai with his spear and caught Xiang Qiaohe, killing him with a stomp.
• Yang Zhengshan turned toward the wounded Ye Changkai.

Yang Zhengshan killed four Half-Step Innate Realm experts and moved closer to breaking through to the Innate Realm. In the aftermath, Luo Jinsong planned to bring Yuheng Star Hall under Yang Zhengshan’s protection by enlisting its disciples in Chongshan Town’s army, while Ji Zhen also decided to send Hengdao Sect disciples to serve there.

• Yang Zhengshan confirmed Ye Changkai, Lu Ke, Fu Shanhong, and Xiang Qiaohe were dead, then ordered his attendants to find a boat and cross the river.
• Luo Jinsong learned Yang Zhengshan had killed four Half-Step Innate Realm experts and proposed that Yuheng Star Hall seek his backing by joining the Town Garrison Camp.
• Ji Zhen heard that Yang Zhengshan had slain numerous martial artists and concluded that he had not yet reached the Innate Realm despite his overwhelming strength.
• Ji Zhen ordered Ji Hai to prepare a trip to Chongshan Pass and select more than ten Hengdao Sect disciples willing to enlist in Chongshan Town’s Town Garrison Camp.

Prince Cheng weighed how to eliminate the Crown Prince and asked whether Yueru would help, while Yang Zhengshan arrived in the Capital to receive his enfeoffment. At the Yang Mansion, he reunited with his daughter Yang Yunxue, her husband Liang Jinyan, and his young grandson Liang Qingping.

• Prince Cheng dismissed a proposal to kill Yang Zhengshan and asked his subordinate to find out whether Yueru was willing to help him.
• Yang Zhengshan's victory at the Ru River docks spread through the jianghu, earning him the title First Person Under Xiantian.
• On October eighth, Yang Zhengshan and his party reached the Capital, where Wu Zheng welcomed him and led him to the Yang Mansion.
• Yang Zhengshan settled into the mansion and instructed Lu Shou to prepare hot water and arrange lodging for his party.
• Yang Yunxue, Liang Jinyan, and Liang Qingping visited Yang Zhengshan, who held his grandson and was relieved to see that Yang Yunxue was well.

Yang Zhengshan reunited with Yang Yunxue and received a stream of visitors at the Yang Mansion, including old companions and Yang Family Disciples. Yang Mingwu and others asked to follow him back to Chongshan Town, and Yang Zhengshan said he would consider it while weighing the court's suspicions.

• Yang Yunxue and Liang Jinyan visited Yang Zhengshan, and Yang Yunxue arranged to stay at the Yang Family home for a few days with her grandparents' permission.
• Lu Wenyuan, Zhao Yuan, and several Yang Family Disciples visited Yang Zhengshan after court, and they discussed their military careers and his battle at Ru River Wharf.
• Yang Mingwu asked whether Yang Zhengshan would remain in Chongshan Town and whether he and the other Yang Family Disciples could follow him there.
• Yang Zhengshan said he would consider the request, mindful that transferring Imperial Guard officers and concentrating Yang Family Disciples in Chongshan Town could invite suspicion from the court.

Yang Zhengshan prepared for his marquis investiture as political tensions rose in the capital. The Crown Prince planned to accuse Prince Cheng and Prince Gong of plotting against Yang Zhengshan, while Prince Gong prepared to help Prince Cheng disrupt the ceremony; Yang Zhengshan ended the chapter trying on his new court attire.

• Yang Zhengshan visited Duke Ning, Marquis Changping, Wang Lu, and Guan Wenshuo before beginning preparations for his investiture ceremony.
• Sun Yuanrui told the Crown Prince that Prince Gong had used Shanhe Tower to place a bounty on Yang Zhengshan, and the Crown Prince ordered both Prince Cheng and Prince Gong accused of murder at the ceremony.
• Prince Gong learned that Prince Cheng planned to use Miss Yueru and agreed to cooperate, revealing that Marquis Wuxin would be on duty at Xuanping Gate three days later.
• Yang Zhengshan put on his red Qilin Robe and other marquis regalia, impressing Yang Yunxue and making Liang Jinyan jealous.

Yang Zhengshan received the title of Hereditary Third-Class Marquis of Jing'an at a lengthy ceremony before the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, and Prince Gong. After praising Yang Zhengshan and approving his military appointments, the Crown Prince accused the two princes of plotting against him, leaving Yang Zhengshan caught in the court struggle.

• Yang Zhengshan told Yang Yunxue and Liang Jinyan to stay inside the residence during the investiture ceremony, and they agreed.
• Yang Zhengshan attended the ceremony at Fengtian Gate and received the Imperial Patent naming him a Hereditary Third-Class Marquis of Jing'an.
• The Crown Prince praised Yang Zhengshan's military service and approved his arrangements for Tenglong Guard and Chongshan Town.
• The Crown Prince announced that officials had conspired with martial-arts villains to ambush Yang Zhengshan and promised to seek justice.
• The Crown Prince confronted Prince Gong and Prince Cheng, and Prince Cheng denied harming Yang Zhengshan.

The Crown Prince presented evidence against Prince Gong and Prince Cheng, but Prince Gong’s troops launched a coup and fought their way to Fengtian Hall. Prince Gong demanded to see Emperor Chengping, gambling that the emperor remained too ill to intervene.

• The Crown Prince displayed the captured master of Shanhe Tower and the Jade Dew Spirit Peach as evidence against Prince Gong and Prince Cheng.
• Prince Gong’s soldiers advanced from the capital toward Wumen Gate, where they clashed with the Jinwu Guard and Imperial Guard.
• The Crown Prince accused Prince Gong and Prince Cheng of rebellion, but Prince Gong used an Imperial Patent to prevent the guards from seizing them.
• Emperor Chengping ordered his attendants to wait until the rebel troops reached Fengtian Hall before responding.
• Rebel troops broke through Fengtian Gate and surrounded Fengtian Hall, while Marquis Wuxin, Cao Can, declared that he acted on Prince Gong’s command.
• Prince Gong demanded to meet Emperor Chengping and threatened to treat anyone who obstructed him as a traitor.

Emperor Chengping appeared at court and brought the palace crisis under control, while Yang Zhengshan learned that the princes had been used as one another’s whetstones. After the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, and Prince Gong met with the emperor, Yang Zhengshan remained behind when Eunuch Chen summoned him.

• Prince Cheng said Emperor Chengping had used the brothers as whetstones, and the ministers entered Fengtian Hall to attend the emperor.
• Emperor Chengping praised Yang Zhengshan, then ordered the ministers to withdraw as Jinwu Guard troops surrounded the Ganyong Camp soldiers and captured the officials who had stormed the palace gates.
• Yang Zhengshan waited outside while the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, and Prince Gong met with Emperor Chengping, then watched the three princes emerge in distressed and solemn states.
• Prince Cheng apologized to Yang Zhengshan for putting him in danger, while Prince Gong refused Cao Can’s plea for help.
• Eunuch Chen summoned Yang Zhengshan to meet Emperor Chengping.

Yang Zhengshan explained his appointments and plans for developing Chongshan Town to Emperor Chengping, who rewarded him with Marquis Wuxin’s mansion and fields. At court the next day, Emperor Chengping removed the Crown Prince, sent Prince Gong to his fief, and named Prince Cheng Crown Prince, while officials involved in the struggle faced punishments.

• Yang Zhengshan told Emperor Chengping that he had appointed his son Yang Mingzhi and selected commanders to develop Fuzhou and keep the Tenglong Guard flourishing.
• Emperor Chengping granted Yang Zhengshan Marquis Wuxin’s mansion and eight thousand mu of fields, and Yang Zhengshan left feeling grateful for the emperor’s trust.
• Emperor Chengping issued decrees demoting the Crown Prince to Prince An and sending him to Nanyun Province, ordering Prince Gong to his fief, and naming Prince Cheng Crown Prince.
• Yang Zhengshan learned that Prince Cheng had kept his distance from the violence, abandoned a plan to kill the Crown Prince, and informed Emperor Chengping of the princes’ schemes.
• The court punished Marquis Wuxin, Duke Chang’s household, Zhang Ao, and other officials, while Yang Zhengshan’s concern, Su Gan, received only a salary docking.

Yang Zhengshan returned from the Capital to Chongshan Town after being ennobled as Marquis Jing'an and receiving a mansion and granted fields. Reunited with his family, he welcomed Lin Zhan and Zheng Xinnian as newlyweds and urged Lin Zhan to prepare for the Spring Imperial Examination.

• After the Capital's congratulatory visitors dwindled, Yang Zhengshan met Zhou Lan and secured her support for transferring Yang Mingwu, Yang Chengze, and Yang Chengxu back to Chongshan Town.
• Yang Zhengshan drank with Zhou Lan and Zhou Xu, then left the Capital two days later with his affairs there settled.
• Yang Zhengshan arrived at Chongshan Pass in November and reunited with Yu Qingyi, Xiao Mingzhao, and the rest of his family.
• Lin Zhan and Zheng Xinnian kowtowed and served tea to Yang Zhengshan, who gave them paired jade pendants as a wedding gift.
• Yang Zhengshan told Lin Zhan to cherish his wife and prepare for the Spring Imperial Examination, and welcomed Zheng Xinnian into the family.

Yang Zhengshan returned to Chongshan Town as Marquis of Jing'an and arranged marriages for his grandsons while consolidating his authority over the town’s military and trade administration. The reorganization settled Chongshan Town under his influence, though the Imperial Court retained control of civilian shipping taxes and could still appoint the Regional Commander.

• Yang Zhengshan inspected Yang Chengye’s martial progress, urged him to keep training, and told Yu Qingyi to prepare marriages for Yang Chengye and Yang Chengmou.
• Yang Zhengshan agreed that Yu Qingyi and Wang would visit the Capital early next year with Lin Zhan to explore marriage prospects and social connections.
• Yang Zhengshan hosted a family banquet and received Chongshan Town officials who congratulated him on becoming Marquis of Jing'an.
• Yang Zhengshan divided Tenglong Guard into four guards, assigned their commanders and fleets, and secured a fifty-percent tax reduction on their maritime trade.
• Yang Zhengshan assigned officers across Chongshan Town’s routes and Zhenbiao Five Battalions, then placed Zhou Ren and Lu Wenchun in key Regional Military Commission posts.
• Yang Zhengshan’s appointments and reorganizations strengthened his control over the town’s troops and administration, and Chongshan Town’s situation settled down.

As Chongshan Town’s new officials took office, Yang Zhengshan welcomed Zhang Mingzhong and found him diligent and cooperative. With his worries about the Garrison Eunuch eased, Yang Zhengshan worked with Pang Tang and other officials on plans to train troops, relieve poverty, develop the economy, and open up the Northern Territory.

• Lu Chongde was transferred to Liaodong as Provincial Administration Commissioner, securing Pang Tang’s position as Governor of Chongshan Town.
• Ning Qinghe, Song Ying, Zhang Cong, and Zhang Mingzhong arrived to take up their new posts in Chongshan Town.
• Yang Zhengshan and Pang Tang welcomed Zhang Mingzhong, who pledged to support Chongshan Town’s military affairs and follow Yang Zhengshan’s direction.
• Zhang Mingzhong inspected Chongshan Town’s offices, learned about its affairs, and refused offers of silver, reassuring Yang Zhengshan.
• Yang Zhengshan reviewed Chongshan Town’s vast population, territory, and resources as he planned its development with Pang Tang and other officials.
• Yang Zhengshan set out to train the Zhenbiao Five Battalions and develop the Northern Territory using funds remaining from the valuables seized from Wuliang’s army.

Yang Zhengshan and Pang Tang agreed on a decade-long plan to develop the Northern Territory by building towns and bringing in settlers. Back at his mansion, Yang Zhengshan accepted Luo Jinsong and Yuheng Star Hall’s three hundred disciples into Chongshan Town’s army, provided the sect dissolved and its members became fellow soldiers.

• Yang Zhengshan told Pang Tang to begin with Heiyun City and Heiyun Guard, then develop the territory east and west while recruiting settlers from across Da Rong.
• Pang Tang was inspired by the plan and agreed to handle the migration of people to Chongshan Town.
• Yang Zhengshan returned to his mansion and learned that Luo Jinsong had come seeking refuge from Star Moon Sect.
• Luo Jinsong offered to bring Yuheng Star Hall’s three hundred disciples into Yang Zhengshan’s command, and Yang Zhengshan asked about their martial strength.
• Yang Zhengshan agreed to enlist them and required that Yuheng Star Hall cease to exist, with its disciples serving only as soldiers.

Yang Zhengshan accepted Luo Jinsong and Yuheng Star Hall’s three hundred martial artists into his forces, assigning their leaders and distributing the others among the battalions. After the New Year celebrations at the Marquis Mansion, he called Yang Mingzhi into his study to speak with him.

• Yang Zhengshan ordered Luo Jinsong and the three hundred Yuheng Star Hall disciples to report for military service, warning them to obey military law.
• Yang Zhengshan appointed Luo Jinsong Camp Sitting Officer of the Elite Guard Battalion, assigned Li Chengguo as an instructor at the Marquis Mansion, and placed Qian Zhonghe and Ji Zhengfei as Assistant Camp Sitting Officers.
• Yang Zhengshan divided the remaining martial artists among the Zhenbiao Five Battalions and the Six Routes Reinforcement Battalion, while their families settled along the routes using distributed Yuheng Star Hall wealth.
• Yang Zhengshan sent Luo Jinsong to familiarize himself with the Elite Guard Battalion and postponed further arrangements until after the New Year festival.
• On the first day of the 35th Year of Chengping, Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi received New Year greetings from their family in the Marquis Mansion.
• Yang Zhengshan called Yang Mingzhi into his study for a proper conversation.

Yang Zhengshan advised Yang Mingzhi on rebuilding Fuzhou through maritime trade, land reclamation, and resettlement, then discussed Lin Zhan’s upcoming imperial examination and plans to enter the capital. The chapter ended with Yang Zhengshan suggesting that Lin Zhan’s future child take Yang Mingcheng as a master, strengthening the family’s ties.

• Yang Zhengshan refused to give Yang Mingzhi money and grain but advised him to develop Fuzhou through docks, maritime trade, wasteland reclamation, and preparations for relocated commoners.
• Yang Zhengshan asked Lin Zhan about his chances in the Spring Imperial Examination, and Lin Zhan chose to take the exam despite the risk of ranking below the First Rank.
• Yang Zhengshan told Lin Zhan to travel to the capital with his master's wife after the first month and visit Lu Wenyuan for guidance.
• Yang Zhengshan watched the children play in the snow and suggested that Lin Zhan's future child take Yang Mingcheng as a master.