Chapter Summaries

Ren Yingying tried to end her engagement to Xia Qingqing by claiming she loved the masked Song Qingshu, but Xia Qingqing turned the situation around and proposed that they marry immediately. Ren Yingying begged Song Qingshu to help her escape the engagement, and he reluctantly agreed to pretend to marry her in secret.

• Ren Yingying claimed she and the masked Song Qingshu were deeply in love, while Zhang Sanfeng privately wondered what had changed his appearance.
• Xia Qingqing agreed to cancel the engagement only if Ren Yingying and Song Qingshu married at the Golden Snake Camp to protect her reputation and boost the soldiers' morale.
• Ren Yingying objected that their families should attend, but Xia Qingqing pointed out that the wedding could free her from Cult Master Ren's plans.
• Xia Qingqing let Ren Yingying speak privately with Song Qingshu and secretly winked at him.
• Song Qingshu refused to marry Ren Yingying because he loved Youyou, but Ren Yingying begged him to help her avoid marrying Song Qingshu.
• Song Qingshu finally agreed to pretend to marry Ren Yingying if she promised to keep the secret.

Ren Yingying and Song Qingshu went through a wedding ceremony under the false identities of Xu Ruowu and Linghu, with Zhang Sanfeng presiding. Ren Yingying waited anxiously in the bridal chamber, and the chapter ended as the drunken Song Qingshu entered.

• Xia Qingqing persuaded Ren Yingying to marry immediately, and Ren Yingying agreed out of fear Song Qingshu might change his mind.
• Xia Qingqing asked Zhang Sanfeng to preside over the wedding, and he reluctantly accepted.
• Ren Yingying and Song Qingshu completed the wedding bows, with Zhang Sanfeng serving as their elder.
• Ren Yingying entered the bridal chamber, removed her veil, and resolved not to spend the night with the fake groom.
• Song Qingshu stumbled into the room smelling strongly of alcohol, and Ren Yingying gripped the short sword hidden in her sleeve.

Song Qingshu tried to persuade Ren Yingying to stay in the bridal chamber with him, while hiding his desire to win her away from Linghu Chong. Ren Yingying remained wary, and after they went outside together, Song Qingshu pulled her into the shadow of a rockery, leaving her startled and about to cry out.

• Song Qingshu praised Ren Yingying's beauty and suggested they spend the night talking in the bridal chamber, but Ren Yingying refused because she feared Linghu Chong might misunderstand.
• Song Qingshu privately considered taking Ren Yingying's body to gain an advantage over Linghu Chong, though he hesitated because it might cost him her heart.
• Ren Yingying offered to sleep outside so Song Qingshu could rest in the room, but he instead proposed that they go outside to admire the moon.
• Song Qingshu led Ren Yingying along secluded paths and suddenly pulled her into the shadow of a rockery, startling her and making her prepare to cry out.

Song Qingshu cornered Ren Yingying in a secluded corridor, using their sham marriage and the danger of being discovered to pressure her into silence. Just as he kissed her, Zhang Sanfeng suddenly struck Xia Qingqing, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Song Qingshu hid Ren Yingying from approaching Xia Qingqing, Ajiu, and Zhang Sanfeng, then kissed and groped her while warning that crying out would ruin her plan to end their marriage.
• Ren Yingying decided she would rather accept marrying Song Qingshu than let the man behind her take advantage of her, and she demanded to be released.
• Song Qingshu numbed Ren Yingying's body and forcibly kissed her despite his promise not to violate her.
• Song Qingshu paused when Xia Qingqing spoke with Zhang Sanfeng, who suddenly struck a palm toward her face.

Zhang Sanfeng suddenly attacked Song Qingshu, who fought back to protect Xia Qingqing and Ajiu. After recognizing Song Qingshu beneath his disguise, Zhang Sanfeng heard his explanation, while Ren Yingying realized she had married him and wondered whether she had fallen for him.

• Zhang Sanfeng struck at Xia Qingqing, and Ajiu intervened, giving Song Qingshu time to rush out and rescue Xia Qingqing.
• Song Qingshu exchanged blows with Zhang Sanfeng, escaped his Tai Chi force, and attacked with his wooden sword before shielding Xia Qingqing and Ajiu.
• Zhang Sanfeng recognized Song Qingshu’s martial arts and questioned the group’s disguises, so Xia Qingqing and Song Qingshu removed their masks.
• Song Qingshu apologized to Zhang Sanfeng for hiding after accidentally killing Mo Shenggu.
• Ren Yingying recognized Song Qingshu and realized she had exchanged wedding bows with him, then wondered whether she had fallen for him.

Song Qingshu reunited with Zhang Sanfeng, who revealed that Songxi, Liting, and Song Yuanqiao had all disappeared after leaving the Golden Snake Camp. Zhang Sanfeng had come down the mountain to investigate, and Song Qingshu prepared to learn what had happened to his father and uncles.

• Ren Yingying tried to reassure herself while Zhang Sanfeng recognized Xia Qingqing’s relationship with Song Qingshu and let the matter pass.
• Song Qingshu showed Zhang Sanfeng his sword technique, Myriad Swords Returning to Origin, and learned that Zhang Sanfeng had created Taiji Fist’s Casting the Sparrow’s Tail.
• Zhang Sanfeng told Song Qingshu that his Fourth Martial Uncle Songxi and Sixth Martial Uncle Liting had stopped sending messages after leaving the Golden Snake Camp.
• Song Yuanqiao disappeared after Zhang Sanfeng sent him to investigate the missing disciples, prompting Zhang Sanfeng to descend the mountain himself.

Song Qingshu and Zhang Sanfeng organized an investigation into the disappearance of Zhang Songxi and Yin Liting, while Song Qingshu left Ren Yingying behind after declaring her his wife. Three days later, the Golden Snake Camp found a ruined temple where the missing men had likely encountered their enemies.

• Zhang Sanfeng agreed that Zhang Songxi, Yin Liting, and Song Yuanqiao might still be alive, and Song Qingshu ordered Xia Qingqing and Ajiu to summon the Golden Snake Camp leaders and investigate.
• Zhang Sanfeng advised Song Qingshu to conduct himself properly, then left after telling him to remain true to his original intentions.
• Song Qingshu released Ren Yingying's acupoints, told her she was now Madam Song, and left to investigate his father's whereabouts.
• The Golden Snake Camp launched a wide search beginning at the place where contact with Zhang Songxi and Yin Liting had been lost.
• Three days later, the Golden Snake Camp found a ruined temple where Zhang Songxi and Yin Liting had most likely met their enemies.

Song Qingshu concluded the peace negotiations with Suo'etu and sent him and Wuyunzhu safely back to Yanjing while preparing to search for his missing father. At a ruined temple, he and Zhang Sanfeng found evidence of a battle and a Shaolin Prajna Palm print, leaving them puzzled about Shaolin’s involvement.

• Song Qingshu readily agreed to Suo'etu’s requests, and Wuyunzhu asked him to visit her in the capital before leaving with her father.
• Song Qingshu dispatched elite cavalry to escort Suo'etu and Wuyunzhu back to Yanjing, then told A'zi he would travel with Zhang Sanfeng to investigate his father’s disappearance.
• A Golden Snake Camp soldier reported that the Ninth Princess and the others had found a ruined temple near the border, so Song Qingshu and Zhang Sanfeng went there.
• Zhang Sanfeng found Liting’s sword among the wreckage, while Song Qingshu spotted a palm print on a pillar.
• Zhang Sanfeng identified the print as Shaolin Temple’s secret Prajna Palm and questioned why Shaolin would be involved.

Song Qingshu and Zhang Sanfeng discussed Shaolin’s attack on Wudang and the possibility that a third party had framed Shaolin to provoke the sects into conflict. They agreed to investigate Shaolin to rescue Song Qingshu’s father and martial uncles, while Zhang Sanfeng revealed that he had once hoped Song would inherit Wudang.

• Song Qingshu argued that Shaolin had long resented Wudang and may have attacked its members to weaken the sect before striking again.
• Zhang Sanfeng suspected someone had planted evidence, including a Prajna Palm imprint, to turn Shaolin and Wudang against each other.
• Song Qingshu urged Zhang Sanfeng to let him accompany him to Shaolin, warning that the Three Du’s Vajra Subduing Demon Formation could pose a threat.
• Zhang Sanfeng asked Song Qingshu to put aside his feud with Zhang Wuji, and Song agreed while keeping his knowledge of Zhang Wuji’s possession secret.
• Zhang Sanfeng told Song Qingshu he had considered him the best heir to Wudang’s legacy, and Song joked that his future sons could join the sect.

Song Qingshu warned Zhang Sanfeng that Shaolin might hold powerful martial artists, including a mysterious Sweeping Monk, and persuaded him to bring Song along to demand someone’s release. After arranging the Golden Snake Camp’s affairs and letting Ren Yingying escape, the two set out for Shaolin.

• Song Qingshu joked with Zhang Sanfeng about women and longevity, then talked his way out of offending him.
• Song Qingshu told Zhang Sanfeng about Shaolin’s formidable monks and described the Sweeping Monk as a likely peer of Zhang’s.
• Zhang Sanfeng agreed that Song Qingshu could accompany him to Shaolin after warning him not to provoke the monks or rush to blame them.
• Song Qingshu left Xia Qingqing to oversee the Golden Snake Camp and sent Ajiu with a letter to contact Li Kexiu.
• Ren Yingying escaped, and Song Qingshu ordered his subordinates not to pursue her while keeping A'zi behind to help Xia Qingqing.
• Song Qingshu and Zhang Sanfeng set out for Shaolin.

Song Qingshu discussed his martial arts and the Blissful Zen Method with Zhang Sanfeng, who advised him to keep to his original intentions if he hoped to master it. On their way onward, they found Jiumozhi and Ren Woxing fighting, and Song Qingshu recognized both old acquaintances as they stopped their battle.

• Song Qingshu and Zhang Sanfeng discussed how his varied martial arts might merge and reviewed the Divine Light Scripture and Blissful Zen Method.
• Zhang Sanfeng warned Song Qingshu about the Blissful Zen Method’s Inner Demons and advised him never to forget his original intention.
• Song Qingshu jokingly offered to teach Zhang Sanfeng the technique, and Zhang Sanfeng cursed him playfully.
• Song Qingshu and Zhang Sanfeng heard a battle ahead and approached two powerful fighters.
• Jiumozhi and Ren Woxing each called on Song Qingshu for help, then stopped fighting when they realized he knew them both.

Song Qingshu, Zhang Sanfeng, and their new allies Ren Woxing and Jiumozhi set out for Shaolin to investigate Song Yuanqiao and the others’ disappearance. Ren Woxing asked whether Song Qingshu had seen Yingying, who had gone looking for him.

• Jiumozhi explained that he had challenged Ren Woxing after learning Ren had defeated Dongfang Bubai, and Song Qingshu introduced the two men to each other.
• Song Qingshu introduced Zhang Sanfeng, whose effortless display of skill impressed Ren Woxing and Jiumozhi.
• Song Qingshu told Ren Woxing and Jiumozhi that Song Yuanqiao and the others had disappeared and that he and Zhang Sanfeng were going to investigate at Shaolin.
• Ren Woxing and Jiumozhi volunteered to join the journey, and Zhang Sanfeng agreed after asking them not to damage relations with Shaolin.
• As they traveled, Ren Woxing asked Song Qingshu whether he had seen Yingying.

Song Qingshu, Ren Woxing, Zhang Sanfeng, and Jiumozhi visited Shaolin, where the monks prepared for a possible confrontation. Ren Woxing’s criticism of Shaolin’s treatment of Zhang Sanfeng left the two sides at daggers drawn.

• Song Qingshu told Ren Woxing that he and Ren Yingying had held a wedding ceremony and promised to arrange a grander one after rescuing his father.
• Jiumozhi questioned Zhang Sanfeng about martial arts and grew wary of challenging him.
• The four men arrived at Shaolin, where Zhang Sanfeng requested an audience with the abbot.
• Shaolin’s monks gathered in alarm and Abbot Xuan Ci came out to greet the visitors.
• Ren Woxing accused Xuan Ci of disrespecting Zhang Sanfeng by receiving him outside the temple, and the Shaolin monks reacted tensely.

Zhang Sanfeng and Song Qingshu confronted Shaolin over a Prajna Palm mark found where Zhang Songxi and Yin Liting disappeared, though Zhang Sanfeng said he did not believe Shaolin was responsible. The dispute grew more heated, and Ren Woxing insulted Kongzhi as the Shaolin monks reacted to the accusation.

• Xuan Ci accused Zhang Sanfeng of abandoning Shaolin and stealing its martial arts, prompting Song Qingshu to defend his grandmaster until Zhang Sanfeng admitted Shaolin had helped inspire Wudang's techniques.
• Zhang Sanfeng explained that Zhang Songxi and Yin Liting had vanished and that Song Yuanqiao had disappeared while searching for them.
• Song Qingshu showed Xuan Ci and Fangzheng a wooden board bearing a Prajna Palm imprint, then used a distant grasp to snatch it back from Xuan Ci.
• Song Qingshu revealed that the board had been found where Zhang Songxi and Yin Liting disappeared and demanded an explanation from Shaolin.
• Zhang Sanfeng said he doubted Shaolin was involved but noted that its secret Prajna Palm was the only known lead, and Kongzhi accused him of falsely blaming the temple.
• Ren Woxing mocked Kongzhi's appearance and warned him to watch his conduct.

Ren Woxing defeated Kongzhi by using the Star-Absorbing Technique, then fought Fangzheng to demonstrate his strength. The battle continued as Fangzheng’s deep inner force resisted Ren Woxing’s technique.

• Kongzhi attacked Ren Woxing after Ren taunted him, but Ren countered his Shaolin skills and absorbed much of his inner force with the Star-Absorbing Technique.
• Fangzheng separated the two and acknowledged Kongzhi’s defeat before challenging Ren Woxing himself.
• Song Qingshu considered taking Ren’s place, but Ren refused his help and faced Fangzheng’s Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm.
• Ren and Fangzheng fought evenly, and Ren discovered that Fangzheng’s inner force could not be absorbed by the Star-Absorbing Technique.
• Fangzheng pressed his attack, while Ren retreated and resolved to defeat him without relying on the Star-Absorbing Technique.

Ren Woxing used a surprise attack to defeat Master Fangzheng, but Zuo Lengchan then exploited his weakened state and challenged him. Song Qingshu intervened to protect Ren Woxing while preserving his pride, and left Zuo Lengchan embarrassed with a feint.

• Ren Woxing’s absorbed foreign qi backlashed during his duel with Master Fangzheng, leaving him at a disadvantage.
• Ren Woxing seized Kongzhi to force Master Fangzheng to turn, then subdued Master Fangzheng with a strike to the Tanzhong Acupoint.
• Song Qingshu and Jiumozhi defended Ren Woxing’s unorthodox victory against Xuan Ci’s criticism.
• Zuo Lengchan suddenly attacked the weakened Ren Woxing, and Song Qingshu stepped between them.
• Ren Woxing told Song Qingshu to stand aside, so Song Qingshu feinted a slap at Zuo Lengchan and mocked his fear.

Ren Woxing and Zuo Lengchan fought before the martial world, with Ren Woxing gaining the upper hand until Zuo Lengchan concealed his Internal Energy and turned to a dangerous finger technique. Song Qingshu recognized the hidden threat and warned Ren Woxing about Zuo Lengchan’s Ice True Qi.

• Song Qingshu’s interruption gave Ren Woxing a moment to recover, and the two resumed their long-awaited contest to settle their past rivalry.
• Fangzheng and Jiumozhi watched Ren Woxing fight with growing respect, while Jiumozhi recalled his own past defeat at Fangzheng’s hands.
• Ren Woxing drove Zuo Lengchan back and pinned him in a contest of internal strength, prompting Jiumozhi to declare Ren Woxing the winner.
• Zuo Lengchan withdrew one palm and attacked with a series of finger strikes, while Ren Woxing found that his Star-Sucking Technique could not detect Zuo Lengchan’s Internal Energy.
• Ren Woxing deliberately exposed his chest to draw in any Internal Energy in Zuo Lengchan’s strike, and Song Qingshu shouted a warning about Zuo Lengchan’s Ice True Qi.

Ren Woxing was gravely injured while defeating Zuo Lengchan, and Jiumozhi defeated Xuan Du in a contest of finger techniques. Jiumozhi then challenged Shaolin’s claims to the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills, leaving the monks outraged.

• Ren Woxing let Zuo Lengchan’s Ice True Qi strike him, then kicked Zuo in the groin and sent him howling to the ground.
• Song Qingshu treated Ren Woxing’s cold-poison injuries, and Ren explained that Zuo had avoided damage to his dantian but suffered a devastating groin injury.
• Jiumozhi stepped in to face Xuan Du while Song Qingshu tended to Ren Woxing.
• Jiumozhi defeated Xuan Du in a contest of Flower Plucking Finger, wounding him with three strikes to the chest.
• Jiumozhi told Xuan Sheng and Xuan Ci that Shaolin’s Seventy-two Ultimate Skills came from Indian martial arts that had spread through Tibet, provoking the Shaolin monks.

Jiumozhi challenged Shaolin’s claim that its martial arts were created in the Central Plains, citing Sanskrit names and teachings to argue that the skills came from India. After Xuan Cheng revealed that Song Qingshu had translated the same Prajna Palm passage for him, Jiumozhi tested Song by reciting a longer Sanskrit passage and giving its Chinese meaning.

• Jiumozhi argued that Shaolin’s Buddhist teachings and martial arts were Indian in origin, while Xuan Ci maintained that most of the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills had been created by Shaolin monks.
• Xuan Ci asked Xuan Sheng to fetch ancient manuals documenting the origins of the Prajna Palm, Maha Finger, and Great Vajra Fist, and Jiumozhi examined all three closely.
• Jiumozhi recited a Sanskrit formula for the Prajna Palm that matched its Chinese teaching, shocking the Shaolin monks.
• Xuan Cheng said that Song Qingshu had translated the same passage into Sanskrit for him, and Jiumozhi reacted with surprise at Song’s knowledge.
• Jiumozhi recited a longer Sanskrit passage and challenged Song to translate it, then explained its meaning as an essential Internal Energy principle of the Prajna Palm.

Jiumozhi challenged Shaolin’s claim to the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills and argued that the arts had originated in India and reached Shaolin with their cultivation methods incomplete. He left the monks stunned by declaring that he had mastered all seventy-two skills.

• Jiumozhi recited Sanskrit formulas for the Prajna Palm, Great Vajra Fist, and Maha Finger, but Xuan Ci exposed his trick of translating the texts before reciting them.
• Jiumozhi claimed that the Seventy-two Ultimate Skills had passed from India through Tibet and that Shaolin had lost their essential cultivation annotations.
• Kong Wen defended Shaolin’s tradition, while Xuan Sheng challenged Jiumozhi to demonstrate his claims against Shaolin masters.
• Jiumozhi argued that incomplete mental methods prevented Shaolin monks from mastering many ultimate skills, then boasted that he had mastered all seventy-two.