Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ping discovered that his parents had used the silver he saved for six years to pay for Jiang An’s martial arts training, and he left the family after confronting them. He cut off a lock of his hair to declare that he had severed ties with them, leaving Jiang Xiaoxi crying as he walked away.

• Jiang Ping came home and learned that Jiang An had enrolled at Jidao Martial Academy after Chen Weimin said he had martial aptitude.
• Jiang Ping discovered that his parents had taken his savings to pay Jiang An’s tuition without asking him.
• Jiang Ping argued with Jiang Fu and Zhang Yun over their decision and their unequal treatment of the brothers.
• Jiang Ping returned with a bundle, cut off a lock of his hair, and declared that he had repaid his debt for being raised and wanted nothing more to do with his family.
• Jiang Xiaoxi clung to Jiang Ping and begged him not to leave, but he set her aside and walked out of the courtyard.

Jiang Ping chose to join the Four Seas Escort Agency so he could earn money and learn its Nourishing Life Technique instead of spending four years saving for martial arts hall tuition. He joined as a new recruit by signing a ten-year contract, determined to use escort work as a stepping stone toward martial arts training.

• Jiang Ping considered ways to earn money quickly but dismissed robbery and becoming a male prostitute, then remembered the Four Seas Escort Agency was recruiting.
• Jiang Ping weighed the agency's pay and Nourishing Life Technique against the dangers of escort work and decided to join, planning to choose safer missions and later attend a martial arts hall.
• Jiang Ping went to the Four Seas Escort Agency, where a servant welcomed him because of his good reputation and past acquaintance with the agency.
• Jiang Ping met Head Escort Liang, registered as a new recruit, and signed the agency's ten-year employment contract.

Jiang Ping and three other recruits settled into a crowded dormitory at the Escort Agency and learned that they had to pass an assessment in the Nourishing Life Technique before taking Escort Missions. After washing up the next morning, Jiang Ping heard that all recruits had arrived and were summoned to the dining hall.

• A servant led Jiang Ping and the other three recruits to the right-side residential area and warned them not to trespass or provoke the Senior Drafters.
• Jiang Ping took an upper bunk in the crowded dormitory after Qian Dele claimed the lower bed he wanted was already taken.
• Luo Tiegen and another recruit learned that recruits had to reach the Fourth Level of the Nourishing Life Technique to pass the assessment and take Escort Missions.
• The next morning, Jiang Ping lent Luo Tiegen some salt, then realized Qian Dele had reserved the lower bed for an old friend by deceiving him.
• A servant announced that all recruits had arrived and ordered them to gather at the dining hall beside the Training Ground after one incense stick.

Jiang Ping and the other recruits took their first Fist Force test at the Four Seas Escort Agency, then learned how food and the Nourishing Life Technique would support their martial training. The chapter ended with the Top Five receiving extra beef and Liang Sheng announcing another test in three days before their first lesson.

• Liang Sheng had the recruits test their Fist Force, and Jiang Ping recorded 155 jin while Sun Qi and Qian Dele ranked among the strongest.
• The recruits entered the dining hall and ate a generous beef meal, where Liang Sheng explained that suitable food helped replenish Blood Qi during martial training.
• Liang Sheng said recruits who stood out could earn the Chief's favor and named the Top Five in the test.
• The Top Five received double beef portions at every meal for three days, and Liang Sheng announced that another Fist Force test would take place in three days.
• Liang Sheng told the recruits to finish eating and gather at the Training Ground in twenty minutes to begin learning the Nourishing Life Technique.

Jiang Ping learned the Escort Agency’s Nourishing Life Technique and awakened the Late Bloomer Destiny, which displayed unexpectedly rapid proficiency gains. As he realized he might already be a genius, he questioned why he had awakened a Destiny meant for a late bloomer.

• Head Escort Liang demonstrated the eighty-one-movement Nourishing Life Technique and offered personal correction to anyone willing to demonstrate it.
• Qian Dele volunteered, received Liang Sheng’s guidance, and impressed the other trainees with his improving movements.
• Jiang Ping awakened the Late Bloomer Destiny, memorized the technique’s key movements, and discovered that his proficiency rose far faster than the Destiny’s description predicted.
• Liang Sheng criticized the trainees’ mistakes, urged them to take training seriously, and explained how Blood Qi and Fist Force marked progress through the technique’s levels.
• As the trainees practiced again, Jiang Ping’s proficiency continued rising rapidly, leading him to suspect he was a genius and wonder why he had awakened the Late Bloomer Destiny.

Jiang Ping rapidly advanced his Nourishing Life Technique through exhausting practice, reaching the Second Level on his first day despite lacking enough food to sustain his training. He returned to the dormitory to rest and kept his progress secret as his roommates discussed their own results.

• Jiang Ping raised his Nourishing Life Technique proficiency through repeated practice, grew ravenously hungry, and refused Luo Tiegen's request to guide two fellow townsmen.
• Escort Huang denied beef to trainees who failed to perform the routine correctly, while Jiang Ping ate his meal and felt it restore some of his strength.
• Jiang Ping trained until exhausted, stopped to rest, and later practiced after dinner without supervision.
• Jiang Ping reached the Second Level of the Nourishing Life Technique, sensed Blood Qi, and decided to conceal his talent before returning to the dormitory.
• Jiang Ping overheard his roommates discussing their progress, and Sun Zheng decided not to wake him to ask about his results.

Jiang Ping rapidly advanced in the Nourishing Life Technique and learned to conceal his growing strength, but Sun Qi reached Entry Level on the third day and reminded him that others were talented too. Jiang Ping responded by training harder, still convinced he needed to widen his lead.

• Jiang Ping refused Luo Tiegen’s request for salt, while Luo Da Niu offered salt he had bought himself.
• Jiang Ping trained the Nourishing Life Technique and quickly advanced to near mastery of its Second Level.
• Jiang Ping broke through to the third layer, sensed his Blood Qi had grown to three strands, and planned to control his strength during the next Fist Force test.
• Sun Qi announced that he had sensed Blood Qi and reached Entry Level, drawing attention from the trainees.
• Jiang Ping felt pressured by Sun Qi’s progress and practiced an extra round before collapsing from exhaustion.

Jiang Ping noticed that beef and hard labor helped trainees reach Entry Level in the Nourishing Life Technique, while he neared its Third Level despite exhaustion. After Sun Zheng woke him to ask about his progress, Jiang Ping slapped him, and Sun Zheng angrily challenged him.

• Jiang Ping saw that trainees who reached Entry Level had been eating two portions of beef and resolved to make the Top Five in the next Fist Force test.
• Qian Dele told the dormitory that Head Escort Liang had explained how physical labor and dietary supplements helped trainees progress, then revealed that he had reached Entry Level.
• Sun Zheng questioned the dormitory residents about their training progress and shook Jiang Ping awake to ask about his.
• Jiang Ping abruptly slapped Sun Zheng, who grabbed the railing to avoid falling and shouted that Jiang Ping had dared to hit him.

Jiang Ping refused to apologize after slapping Sun Zheng, arguing that Sun Zheng should apologize too, and the dormitory dispute eventually subsided. The next morning, the trainees gathered for the second Fist Force test, and Head Escort Liang began organizing the test.

• Jiang Ping argued with Sun Zheng and Qian Dele, insisting that Sun Zheng apologize as well as him.
• Qian Dele and Luo Da Niu stopped Sun Zheng from attacking, and the dormmates eventually helped calm the dispute.
• Luo Da Niu explained that everyone had risen early because they were nervous about the second Fist Force test.
• Jiang Ping noticed Luo Tiegen carrying Sun Zheng's salt and towels, and declined Luo Tiegen's invitation to practice together.
• Escort Huang and Head Escort Liang arrived at the crowded Training Ground, criticized the trainees, and prepared to begin the test.

The Escort Agency tested the newcomers’ Fist Force, with Jiang Ping carefully revealing enough strength to reach the Top Five without drawing undue attention. Sun Qi remained the clear leader, while Jiang Ping’s result surprised those who had underestimated him and unsettled Sun Zheng.

• Escort Huang began the Fist Force test, and he criticized Zhang San for making no progress despite receiving nutritious food.
• Sun Qi struck with 213 jin of Fist Force, prompting Escort Huang to praise his Entry Level progress and predict he would soon reach the Second Level.
• Fang Yong recorded 173 jin after reaching Entry Level on one portion of nutritious food, so Escort Huang told him to eat two portions from then on.
• Zhao Lusi recorded 168 jin without reaching Entry Level, losing his place among the Top Five.
• Jiang Ping recorded 183 jin and confirmed he had reached Entry Level; he accepted the recommendation to eat double portions of nutritious food.
• Luo Tiegen congratulated Jiang Ping, while Sun Zheng grew wary and Qian Dele reassured him that he had support.

After reaching the third layer of the Nourishing Life Technique, Jiang Ping used his extra nutritious food to extend his training and rapidly advanced toward the fourth layer. He achieved the fourth layer at the Training Ground, gaining a hundred pounds of strength and considering the later stages and the need to find subsequent techniques.

• Jiang Ping ate his extra serving of beef and rice, then broke through to the third layer of the Nourishing Life Technique during training.
• Jiang Ping discovered that double portions of nutritious food let him complete three additional training rounds each day, while his Destiny showed rapid progress toward the fourth layer.
• Sun Zheng broke through and celebrated, but Jiang Ping ignored the commotion and continued cultivating.
• The next morning, Jiang Ping completed the final rounds needed to reach the fourth layer of the Nourishing Life Technique.
• Jiang Ping felt his Blood Qi nearly double in density and reflected that he would need techniques from the Martial Arts Halls to progress beyond the Nourishing Life Technique.

Jiang Ping considered how to earn money for a Stance Technique while continuing his training, then returned to the dormitory and found his roommates holding a meal to celebrate their progress. The gathering ended with Sun Zheng boasting about Sun Qi and insulting those who had not reached the Entry Level, while Luo Da Niu and the others left in silence.

• Luo Tiegen announced that he had reached the Entry Level, and Jiang Ping returned to training without responding.
• After three training sessions, Jiang Ping went back to the dormitory and reflected on his slowed progress and need to earn money.
• Jiang Ping returned from the bathhouse to find Qian Dele, Sun Zheng, and Luo Tiegen sharing meat and wine, then saw Sun Qi and three other successful trainees arrive for a Friendship Gathering.
• The group discussed Sun Qi's rapid progress, and Jiang Ping learned that Sun Qi had been eating three portions of food supplements.
• Sun Zheng praised Sun Qi while disparaging trainees who had not reached the Entry Level, prompting Luo Da Niu and the other roommates to leave the dormitory.

Jiang Ping ignored Sun Zheng and his newly sworn brothers’ drunken threats, then learned that Sun Zheng’s own arrogance had led to a dormitory brawl. Sun Qi’s intervention left Sun Zheng emboldened, but Jiang Ping remained unfazed, while Liu Wensheng revealed he had reached the Second Level.

• Qian Dele suggested that Sun Qi, Sun Zheng, Luo Tiegen, and the others swear brotherhood, and they agreed after drinking together.
• Sun Qi heard about Sun Zheng’s clash with Jiang Ping, and the group condemned Jiang Ping and demanded that he apologize; Jiang Ping stayed in bed and kept his strength in reserve.
• Jiang Ping woke to find Sun Zheng and Qian Dele injured, then learned that Sun Zheng had fought Luo Da Niu and others after insulting them, and Sun Qi had forced them to apologize and pay silver.
• Sun Zheng used his backing from Sun Qi and Qian Dele to bully Luo Da Niu and the others, but he lost his nerve when Jiang Ping met his glare.
• Liu Wensheng told Jiang Ping that he had broken through to the Second Level and offered to back him up.

At the Escort Agency’s Fist Force test, Head Escort Liang and Escort Huang announced that recruits who failed to reach Entry Level would lose their free meals after the next test. Sun Qi and Fang Yong showed major gains, but Jiang Ping’s result surpassed Sun Qi’s and left Sun Zheng afraid to provoke him again.

• Escort Huang warned that recruits who had not reached Entry Level by the next test would no longer receive free nutritious food.
• Sun Qi recorded a Fist Force of 253 jin, becoming the first to reach that result.
• Fang Yong revealed that he had advanced to the Second Level and recorded 222 jin.
• Jiang Ping recorded 227 jin, prompting Liu Wensheng to admit he had underestimated him again.
• Qian Dele warned Sun Zheng to avoid provoking Jiang Ping and said Sun Qi would not intervene in any conflict.

Jiang Ping demonstrated enough strength to secure his place among the Top Five while trying not to attract too much attention, and the tests revealed growing competition among the trainees. After reaching the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Life Technique, he considered how to obtain the Stance Technique and continue toward becoming a Martial Artist.

• Jiang Ping explained that he wanted to earn a Top Five spot and the Stance Technique without outshining the Escort Agency's Number One.
• Luo Tiegen tried to organize a group celebration for Jiang Ping, but Jiang refused and returned to Liu Wensheng.
• Qian Dele performed the Ceremony of Apprenticeship to Head Escort Liang and was reprimanded, then fell to fifth place in the rankings.
• Head Escort Liang warned that anyone who had not reached Entry Level by the next test would lose nutritional supplements.
• Jiang Ping reached the Fifth Layer of the Nourishing Life Technique and weighed buying the Stance Technique at the Martial Arts Hall or the Black Market in Yang City.
• A voice called for everyone to stop practicing and assemble.

Head Escort Liang demonstrated the Flying Snow Saber Technique and explained its levels and the distant Blade Qi Domain. He then began teaching the recruits its forms, with Jiang Ping and three others handing out wooden blades.

• Head Escort Liang introduced Snowfall, the escort agency’s fast, overbearing saber art, and explained how speed let the blade and wielder move as one.
• Liang Sheng demonstrated the technique, revealing Blade Light like falling snow and blasting a giant stone with his saber.
• Liang Sheng described the technique’s three levels and the Blade Qi Domain, which he had failed to comprehend despite decades of practice.
• Liang Sheng called on Fang Yong and Jiang Ping to distribute wooden blades, then added Liu Wensheng and Sun Qi to help.
• Jiang Ping pretended that carrying the basket was difficult as the recruits received their wooden blades.

Jiang Ping discovered that he could learn and improve the Flying Snow Saber by mentally rehearsing it, even as his distracted practice drew criticism. By night, he had advanced the blade art beyond two-thirds of its entry-level progress and was beginning to practice it physically.

• Jiang Ping recalled Liang Sheng's demonstration and found that mentally simulating the Flying Snow Saber raised his proficiency despite not swinging the blade.
• Liang Sheng taught the recruits the forms, while Escort Huang corrected their practice and criticized Jiang Ping for making many mistakes.
• Jiang Ping continued rehearsing the saber in his mind, increasing his proficiency as Fang Yong and Sun Qi were praised for their standardized forms.
• Jiang Ping practiced the Nourishing Life Technique after lunch, then rested from the mental and physical exhaustion.
• That night, Jiang Ping practiced the Flying Snow Saber with his wooden blade in the dormitory, stopping when his returning roommates made the cramped space unsafe.

Jiang Ping kept studying the Flying Snow Saber while Fang Yong impressed the escorts with his talent. By afternoon, Jiang Ping reached entry level, manifested Blade Light, and began aiming for the more advanced Blade Qi Domain before taking an Escort Mission.

• Jiang Ping ignored Luo Tiegen and continued pondering the Flying Snow Saber, while Sun Zheng returned to the dormitory subdued after Jiang Ping's earlier display of strength.
• The next morning, Fang Yong demonstrated fluent saber techniques, drawing praise from Escort Huang and revealing a growing gap between his skill and Sun Qi's.
• Escort Huang encouraged Jiang Ping to work harder and discuss saber arts with Fang Yong, while Jiang Ping's Destiny showed the Flying Snow Saber nearing entry level.
• That afternoon, Jiang Ping reached minor accomplishment in the Flying Snow Saber and privately practiced the technique outside the dormitory.
• Jiang Ping's saber swings produced ten streaks of Blade Light, which he discovered could strike only two or three feet away.
• Jiang Ping set his sights on mastering Saber Qi and looked forward to choosing an Escort Mission with greater confidence.

At the fist-force test, Fang Yong broke through to the third layer of the Nourishing Life Technique and took first place, while Jiang Ping concealed his extraordinary progress and stayed low-profile. Four days later, Jiang Ping was nearing the Blood-Qi Martial Artist realm as the Escort Agency’s trainees continued advancing.

• Sun Qi tested at 273 jin, but Fang Yong struck for 284 jin, revealing his breakthrough to the third layer and claiming first place.
• Head Escort Liang awarded Fang Yong three portions of nutritious food per meal, and the trainees celebrated his talent.
• Jiang Ping tested at 245 jin and remained calm, hiding that he had reached the seventh layer of the Nourishing Life Technique and was close to becoming a Blood-Qi Martial Artist.
• Luo Da Niu and another trainee failed to reach Entry Level, while Qian Dele stagnated, fell out of the Top Five, and was insulted by the head escort.
• Liu Wensheng surpassed Jiang Ping to take third place, and Jiang Ping dismissed the rankings before entering the dining hall with him.
• Four days passed as Jiang Ping continued progressing in the Nourishing Life Technique and Flying Snow Saber.

Jiang Ping broke through to become a Blood-Qi Martial Artist and reflected on how to conceal his rapid progress. After training with the Flying Snow Saber, he returned to the dormitory, where his roommates discussed Qian Dele’s advancement before Sun Zheng burst in.

• Jiang Ping’s Blood Qi surged during training, and he broke through to become a Blood-Qi Martial Artist with fist force exceeding a thousand pounds.
• Jiang Ping learned to sense and control his Blood Qi directly, then decided to hide his strength from others.
• Jiang Ping considered the demands of Blood-Qi cultivation and returned to the dormitory to study the Flying Snow Saber.
• Luo Tiegen and Luo Da Niu found Jiang Ping practicing with a wooden blade, and Luo Da Niu told him that Qian Dele had reached the Second Level of the Nourishing Life Technique.
• Sun Zheng violently kicked open the dormitory door and strode inside.