Chapter Summaries

Jiang Ping secretly killed the water bandit leader with a powerful attack, saving Escort Huang’s party, and they later encountered another group of villains on the road. As dozens of Sword Qi appeared above the villains, a white-clad young man called Qing Yan and swung his sword.

• Fang Yong boasted of his Blade Art before water bandits forced Escort Huang’s group onto the deck and ordered them killed.
• Jiang Ping unleashed a deadly attack that killed the Eighth-Rank water bandit leader, causing the surviving bandits to flee.
• Escort Huang and the others thanked the travelers, while Fang Yong and Jiang Ping’s martial abilities came to light.
• Several days later, Escort Huang’s party was blocked by villains on the road, and dozens of Sword Qi appeared above them.
• A white-clad young man rode forward, called Qing Yan, and swung his sword.

Song Yuanshan arrived to rescue Chen Qingyan, killing the bandits with overwhelming Sword Qi, then joined the escort party on their journey. Fang Yong and Liu Wensheng were left awed by Yang City's prodigies, and Escort Huang revealed that Song Yuanshan was a Seventh Rank martial artist on the verge of entering the Sixth Grade.

• Song Yuanshan rode in and used Sword Qi to kill the bandits, including an Eighth Grade expert who had cultivated Sword Qi.
• Song Yuanshan greeted Chen Qingyan warmly, while her maid rebuked his familiarity and pointed out Fang Yong as a talented young man.
• Song Yuanshan praised Fang Yong and agreed to travel with the escort party after Escort Huang refused to abandon the mission.
• At the campfire, Fang Yong asked about Chen Qingyan's background, and Escort Huang explained that her uncle was an old military examination graduate.
• Liu Wensheng called Song Yuanshan monstrous, and Escort Huang revealed that he was Seventh Rank and could enter the Sixth Grade at any time.

Escort Huang explained to Fang Yong and the others how Golden Skin and Golden Bone formed the foundation needed to reach Fifth Grade, and why age and resources made that breakthrough difficult. Fang Yong was left facing the limits imposed by his late start, while Jiang Ping asked how Song Yuanshan could unleash so much Sword Qi.

• Escort Huang told Fang Yong that Golden Skin or Golden Bone provided the foundation for reaching Fifth Grade, and that Golden Skin was harder to cultivate than Golden Bone.
• Escort Huang explained that martial artists needed to reach Fifth Grade before age thirty because their vital energy and blood declined afterward, leaving Fang Yong worried that he had started too late.
• Escort Huang said Song Yuanshan had pursued Chen Qingyan partly to gain her uncle's resources and improve his chances of reaching Fifth Grade before thirty.
• After the escorts fell silent over the difficulty of Martial Dao, Jiang Ping asked Escort Huang how Song Yuanshan could unleash so much Sword Qi.

Escort Huang explained the levels and difficulty of Sword Qi and Saber Qi, prompting Jiang Ping to seek stronger Sword Arts while Fang Yong reconsidered his prospects. The chapter ended with Fang Yong learning that the Escort Agency had already invested its resources in Ji Baichuan.

• Escort Huang explained that Sword Qi and Saber Qi could be cultivated strand by strand through ten levels, and that Song Yuanshan had surpassed Thirty Percent Sword Qi after years of training.
• Escort Huang advised Fang Yong to prioritize Martial Dao cultivation, while Jiang Ping asked about Sword Arts and learned that Jidao Martial Academy sold the Scorching Sun Swordplay for three hundred liang of silver.
• Escort Huang warned Jiang Ping that buying precious Sword Arts through the Black Market could attract dangerous attention, but Jiang Ping secretly resolved to buy the Scorching Sun Swordplay and asked where he could find Grandmaster Swordplay.
• Escort Huang described Changping Prefecture's Martial Examination Ranking and said Song Yuanshan had a chance to earn Martial Examination Merit at the next examination in three years.
• Fang Yong asked why the Chief had never considered him as a disciple, and Escort Huang explained that the Escort Agency had already committed its resources to Ji Baichuan, a twenty-five-year-old who had appeared on the Martial Examination Ranking twice.

Jiang Ping’s escort group returned safely to Yang City after learning the Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency had put the new escorts on its Kill List. After buying and studying the Scorching Sun Swordplay in Yun County, Jiang Ping reunited with his neglected younger sister, Jiang Xiaoxi, and took her to get a chicken drumstick.

• Escort Huang revealed that the Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency had targeted their escort teams in revenge for a dead escort chief and warned Jiang Ping, Liu Wensheng, and Fang Yong to stay inside the agency.
• The group stopped overnight in Yun County, where Jiang Ping used his Black Fox Mask to buy an authentic copy of the Scorching Sun Swordplay for fifty taels and practiced it through the night.
• Escort Huang led the group safely back to Yang City the next afternoon and reflected that the journey had tested the three new escorts.
• Jiang Xiaoxi ran to Jiang Ping outside the Escort Agency and told him she had been waiting for him while surviving on porridge and pickled vegetables.
• Jiang Ping realized Jiang Xiaoxi was neglected at home, picked her up, and asked if she wanted a chicken drumstick.

A month after returning from an escort mission, Jiang Ping trained his Scorching Sun Swordplay and postponed traveling to Changping Prefecture City because of the dangers there and the threat posed by Chen An. Meanwhile, his family struggled with resentment over his success, and Zhang Yun revealed she had been unable to see him.

• Jiang Xiaoxi refused dinner at home, and Jiang An deduced that Jiang Ping had been feeding her rich meals since returning from his escort mission.
• Jiang Ping advanced the Scorching Sun Swordplay to the Sword Qi Domain and considered traveling to Changping Prefecture City to seek Grandmaster Swordplay.
• Jiang Ping decided to strengthen himself before traveling, citing the dangers in Changping City, the feud between the escort agencies, and Chen An's connection to the fraud case.
• Jiang Ping continued training for a month, while Jiang An complained that the family needed silver to buy him beef.
• Jiang Fu accused Zhang Yun of withholding money from Jiang Ping, but Zhang Yun said Jiang Ping had refused to see her at the escort agency.

Jiang Ping perfected the Scorching Sun Swordplay and reached Thirty Percent Sword Qi, then decided to seek Grandmaster Swordplay in Changping Prefecture City and compete in the next Martial Examination. When his family made a scene at the Escort Agency to force a meeting, he refused to see them and had Sun Qi punish Jiang An.

• Jiang An urged Jiang Fu to visit Jiang Ping for money and help, but Jiang Fu hesitated to confront his estranged son.
• Jiang Ping demonstrated Thirty Percent Sword Qi, judged himself capable of surviving encounters with Seventh Rank Martial Artists, and resolved to pursue Grandmaster Swordplay and the Martial Examination.
• Escort Huang warned Jiang Ping that negotiations between the two Escort Agencies had stalled and told him his entire family had arrived.
• Jiang Fu made a public scene outside the Escort Agency, claiming his right to see the son he had raised, while Jiang Ping went to the Training Ground instead of meeting him.
• Sun Qi punched Jiang An, broke one of his fingers, and warned Jiang Fu and Zhang Yun that another visit would cost Jiang An a hand.

Jiang Ping left Yang City and traveled to Changping Prefecture City, hoping to obtain a Grandmaster-level skill at an auction. He arrived as the auction was about to begin and heard that Blood of the Mysterious Tiger would be the finale item.

• Sun Qi gave Father Jiang and Mother Jiang one liang of silver for medical expenses and explained that Jiang Ping had signed a ten-year contract with the bodyguard agency.
• Zhang Yun said she would stop disturbing Jiang Ping and asked Sun Qi to tell him that he could return home whenever he wished.
• Jiang Ping set out that night for Changping Prefecture City, wearing a human-skin mask and carrying weapons and supplies.
• Jiang Ping reached the city, explored its busy streets, and avoided staying at a pleasure house after retrieving the wine he had paid for.
• Jiang Ping waited outside the auction house and heard that the Luoyun Chamber of Commerce had acquired Blood of the Mysterious Tiger for the finale item.
• The auction house doors opened, and Jiang Ping entered with the crowd.

Jiang Ping attended the Merchant Guild Auction hoping to buy a Grandmaster-level Technique, but none appeared and he left empty-handed. After departing the Prefecture City, he passed a robbery and escaped because the attackers mistook his Thirty Percent Sword Qi for the strength of a Sixth Grade Martial Artist.

• Jiang Ping entered the Merchant Guild Auction by displaying Thirty Percent Sword Qi, while a young man with Golden Bone arrived seeking Profound Tiger Blood.
• Jiang Ping watched the auction, but no Grandmaster-level Technique appeared, and he could not afford the expensive items.
• The young man with Golden Bone won the Blood of the Mysterious Tiger by bidding a precious True Skill.
• Jiang Ping left the Prefecture City at dusk, where he saw the big man who had been barred from the auction being robbed and killed.
• A Seventh Rank old man considered attacking Jiang Ping, but his companion warned him that Jiang Ping had displayed Thirty Percent Sword Qi, and they let him go.

Jiang Ping resolved to reveal his talent and take the next Martial Examination while first mastering Grandmaster Level skills to protect himself from Chen An. After more than half a month of cultivation and a gathering with his friends, he learned that the two Escort Agencies had resumed accepting missions in exchange for Fang Yong.

• Jiang Ping decided that he would display First-rate or Super First-rate talent, take the next Martial Examination, and use Grandmaster Level skills to guard against Chen An.
• More than half a month later, Jiang Ping had advanced to Eighth Rank Golden Skin (53/1200), though his two visits to the Prefecture City had not brought him what he wanted.
• Qian Dele told Jiang Ping, Liu Wensheng, and Sun Qi that Luo Da Niu had strangled Sun Zheng after enduring his bullying.
• Jiang Ping and Sun Qi celebrated Qian Dele's promotion to escort master with Lingxi Meat and drinks.
• Escort Huang told Jiang Ping that the two Escort Agencies had settled their dispute and could resume missions, then revealed that the agreement's condition was Fang Yong.

Jiang Ping learned that Fang Yong had defected to the Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency, then pursued a Grandmaster Level sword art and a stronger cultivation technique. After two months of training, he reached Golden Skin.

• Escort Huang told Jiang Ping that Fang Yong had chosen to join the Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency, ending the tension between the two agencies.
• Jiang Ping returned from an escort mission and decided to keep seeking a Master Realm skill before changing his plans.
• Jiang Ping traveled to the Prefecture City and bought the Grandmaster Level Ruoshui Swordplay for five hundred taels.
• Jiang Ping purchased the Crimson Blood Technique, returned to Yang City, and devoted himself to cultivation and sword training.
• Two months later, Jiang Ping broke through from Jade-like Iron Skin and achieved Golden Skin.

Jiang Ping reached great perfection in Golden Skin, tested its strength, and began cultivating Iron Bone as he advanced toward the Seventh Rank. While tempering his bones, he discovered an innate Martial Bone in his spine, then had to take an escort mission because he was nearly out of silver.

• Jiang Ping achieved Eighth Grade Golden Skin great perfection and found that his golden robe could withstand his Blazing Sun Sword Qi.
• Jiang Ping tested Ruoshui Sword Qi and stopped when its aura cracked his golden robe.
• Jiang Ping studied the Crimson Blood Technique and began tempering his bones toward Seventh Grade Iron Bone.
• Jiang Ping discovered an extra vertebra in his spine and identified it as a Martial Bone.
• Jiang Ping tempered his bones for several days and saw the Martial Bone reveal a jade-like luster and blurry inscriptions.
• Jiang Ping took an escort mission because he had almost no silver left.

At Escort Huang’s promotion banquet, Jiang Ping was asked to choose five new members for Huang’s team and selected Sun Qi and Qian Dele among them. After a smooth escort journey to the Prefecture City, Jiang Ping visited an old bookstore to investigate the secret of martial bones and found a connection to the Blood Art.

• Huang Youren celebrated breaking through to the Eighth Rank, while Escort Huang and others discussed Fang Yong’s departure and his rapid progress.
• Jiang Ping learned that Sun Qi and Luo Tiegen had been injured by bandits during an escort mission.
• Escort Huang announced that he was expanding his team by five escorts and let Jiang Ping choose them; Jiang Ping selected Sun Qi and Qian Dele first.
• Several days later, Sun Qi and Qian Dele joined Escort Huang and Jiang Ping on a mission to deliver goods to the Prefecture City.
• After delivering the goods, Jiang Ping visited an old bookstore and discovered that martial bones were connected to the Blood Art.

Jiang Ping studied Blood Techniques and learned that his Martial Bones could be stolen, so he resolved to conceal them until he reached the Fifth Grade Realm. The next morning, Escort Huang’s group set out for Yang City, where Jiang Ping secretly used Sword Qi to drive off the Robbing Bandits following them.

• Jiang Ping learned that Martial Bones could be transplanted and searched the ancient texts for a way to hide his own.
• Jiang Ping resolved to learn the Blood Escape Technique and keep his Martial Bone aptitude secret until reaching the Fifth Grade Realm.
• Jiang Ping met Liu Wensheng, Qian Dele, and Sun Qi before the group returned to the inn.
• The next morning, Huang Youren led the escorts out of Prefecture City toward Yang City.
• Jiang Ping recognized five Robbing Bandits following the escort group, including their Seventh Rank leader.
• Jiang Ping unleashed Sword Qi that forced the bandits to their knees, then let Escort Huang believe the danger had passed.

Jiang Ping broke through to the Seventh Rank and later revealed his rapid progress to Huang Youren, explaining his family troubles and his need for resources. Huang Youren recognized Jiang Ping’s exceptional talent and promised to secure cultivation resources for him despite the Escort Agency’s focus on Ji Baichuan.

• Jiang Ping broke through to the Seventh Rank and tested his powerful Sword Qi, nearly damaging his Golden Robe.
• Jiang Ping revealed his Ninth-Rank Great Accomplishment cultivation to Huang Youren, who was astonished by his progress.
• Jiang Ping told Huang Youren how his family had obstructed his path and admitted that he feared Chen An but needed resources.
• Jiang Ping confessed that he had made Head Escort Zhu take the blame in the Blood Case and revealed that he had bought the Blazing Sun Sword Art.
• Jiang Ping said he wanted to lead Escort Missions and hoped to reconcile with the Chen Family father and son.
• Huang Youren promised to use his influence to secure resources for Jiang Ping.

Jiang Ping revealed his exceptional talent to the Four Seas Escort Agency and gained the head escorts’ approval and promise of greater support. News spread through Yang City, while martial academies and other young talents reacted to his rise and weighed it against their own prospects.

• Jiang Ping demonstrated Ninth-Rank Great Accomplishment Blood Armor, Flying Snow Saber Qi, and Riding the Wind Sword Qi, astonishing the head escorts.
• The Chief Escort praised Jiang Ping’s talent as comparable to Chen An’s and agreed to report his case and allocate him resources after Jiang Ping asked to take on the Mighty Drafter.
• Word of Jiang Ping’s talent spread through Yang City, and Jidao Martial Academy regretted that Chen Weimin had kept him from joining them.
• Ji Baichuan told Song Yuanshan that he had cultivated Golden Bone and that Master Lin would devote his resources to Ji Baichuan’s Martial Examination challenge.
• Fang Yong dismissed Jiang Ping as a threat, citing Ji Baichuan’s access to resources, and continued training toward Fifth Rank.

Jiang Ping moved into a spacious new home and received five thousand taels plus several cultivation manuals from the Four Seas Escort Agency. He planned to use the resources to advance rapidly, possibly reaching the Golden Bone Realm.

• The head escorts debated Jiang Ping's support and learned that Ji Baichuan had agreed to undertake a dangerous task for the Chief after reaching the Fifth Grade Realm.
• Jiang Ping invited Escort Huang and his aunt to celebrate his move into a large new home.
• Zhu Yue gave Jiang Ping five thousand taels and manuals that included the Blood Escape Technique and two Offensive Techniques.
• Jiang Ping asked about the Invincible Vajra and learned that a neighboring family's collection might include a costly Concept Level Blade Art.
• After Zhu Yue left, Jiang Ping decided to use his silver on nutritious food to rapidly improve his strength and try to reach the Golden Bone Realm.

Jiang Ping refined his cultivation with Lingxi Meat, received a brief reconciliation letter from Chen An, and rapidly advanced through the Ninth and Eighth Grade Realms. As Song Yuanshan questioned whether Jiang Ping should pursue Golden Bone, Zhu Yue explained that Song had spoken to protect Ji Baichuan’s claim on the Escort Agency’s resources.

• Jiang Ping ate two jin of Lingxi Meat per meal and decided to spend two months focusing on cultivation rather than taking escort missions.
• A servant delivered Chen An’s three-word letter, “Reconciliation reached,” and Jiang Ping burned it after reading it.
• Jiang Ping showed Head Escort Zhu Yue his Ninth-Rank Perfection blood qi, and Zhu Yue told him that a Concept-level Saber Technique had been removed from sale after great clans pressured the Merchant Guild.
• Fang Yong broke through to the Eighth Grade Realm, but Jiang Ping followed only days later and then surpassed him in Iron Skin cultivation.
• Song Yuanshan declared that Jiang Ping was too old to benefit from forging Golden Bone, and Zhu Yue told Jiang Ping that Song was trying to discourage the Chief from allocating more resources to him so Ji Baichuan could receive them instead.

Jiang Ping joined the Four Seas Escort Agency’s silver escort mission to earn money and advance his Jade Bone, despite the danger of protecting an orphan pursued by a Seventh Grade Golden Bone expert. As the mission departed, the frightened girl asked Jiang Ping whether she would die.

• Zhu Yue assured Jiang Ping that the Chief would still grant him three thousand taels and speculated that Ji Baichuan was being trained to fight the Chief’s Fifth Rank enemy.
• Jiang Ping asked to join the Chief Escort’s silver escort mission, and Zhu Yue agreed to seek the Chief Escort’s approval.
• The Chief Escort approved Jiang Ping’s participation, and Jiang Ping spent the next few days tempering his Jade Bone and preparing hidden weapons.
• At the mission’s departure, the Chief Escort revealed that the team was escorting an orphan whose family had been killed by enemies led by a Seventh Grade Golden Bone expert.
• The three head escorts balked at the danger, but the Chief Escort said the team would abandon the mission if they encountered the expert and had the girl hide in a cargo cart.
• Jiang Ping helped the girl into the cart, and she asked him whether she would die.

Jiang Ping and the Four Seas Escort Agency escorted Lu Yao away from Changping Prefecture while her pursuers searched for her. After reaching her relatives’ prefecture, they faced a more dangerous route ahead.

• The Chief Escort led the caravan out of Yang City under the Mighty Flag, hiding Lu Yao in a cargo cart as they hurried through Changping Prefecture.
• At a fork in the road, Jiang Ping and the escorts encountered five bandits, but their leader recognized the Mighty Flag and sent them on without a fight.
• The bandit leader told Lu Yao’s pursuers where the convoy had gone and offered to lead them to her.
• Five days later, the caravan left Changping Prefecture, changed to the Renyi Flag, and continued through two prefectures while Jiang Ping helped defeat another group of robbers.
• Lu Yao learned that her relatives lived in a prefecture with many powerful Martial Artists, and the Chief Escort warned that the rest of the journey could be dangerous.