Chapter Summaries

Lin Yang defeated the Southern Region King, took his treasures, and restored his strength with a pill, but his attempt to revive a Violet-Gold Spirit Vine triggered a mysterious change. The chapter ended with Lin Yang finding himself weakened and surrounded by members of the Yin Sha Sect.

• Lin Yang fought the Southern Region King, drained his essence blood, and forced him to hand over his storage pouch before letting him flee.
• Lin Yang refined a Gathering Essence Pill, recovered from his injuries, and broke through to Martial Venerable Second Heaven.
• Lin Yang found a Violet-Gold Spirit Vine in the Southern Region King's pouch and tried to revive it with flames and a Pill Furnace.
• A mysterious aura emerged from the Pill Furnace, and Lin Yang later discovered his cultivation had fallen to Martial Ancestor First Heaven and his body had become corpse-like.
• Lin Yang left the cave and confronted about thirty Yin Sha Sect members, whose leader attacked him for his treasures.

Lin Yang fought his way through the Northern Region, collecting spirit medicines and defeating the White Lotus Sect while an ambush left him wounded. After arriving at another treasure site, he clashed with the Profound Moon Palace disciples and struck Qin Minghao despite his threat to invoke his father.

• Lin Yang killed the intruders guarding a Mountain Cave and took their spirit herbs and Storage Rings, then cultivated before continuing toward the Yun Zhou Continent.
• Li Haoran gathered his fellow disciples and ordered them to establish strongholds around Green Ox Peak while preparing to seek an opportunity there.
• Lin Yang killed a giant python and most of a White Lotus Sect party, then fought a Black-Clad People member who wounded him before escaping with a threat of the sect's wrath.
• Qin Minghao led White Lotus Sect disciples against Lin Yang, but Lin Yang defeated them and knocked Qin Minghao unconscious before leaving as Mu Yunyan and her Profound Moon Palace disciples arrived.
• Lin Yang confronted the Profound Moon Palace disciples over a medicinal herb, fought them and the White Lotus Sect disciples, and slapped Qin Minghao after he threatened him with his father's power.

Lin Yang defeated Qin Minghao, discovered spirit stones in a cave, and fought Qin Haoyu, taking his storage ring before leaving him alive. As Lin Yang exited the cave, a giant python lunged at him.

• Lin Yang beat Qin Minghao and sent him into the Dense Forest, then urged Shen Qimeng and the other women to flee before reinforcements arrived.
• Lin Yang searched a cave, uncovered five spirit stones behind a carved stone wall, and was confronted by Qin Haoyu and two Black-Robed Men.
• Lin Yang defeated Qin Haoyu's three companions and forced Qin Haoyu to reveal and hand over his storage ring.
• Qin Haoyu attacked Lin Yang from behind after Lin Yang agreed to spare him, but Lin Yang evaded the strike and left the cave.
• A giant python lunged at Lin Yang as he reached the cave entrance.

Lin Yang returned from the Deep Mountain, grew stronger through cultivation, and confronted Qin Family forces and their allies. After breaking through to the initial Foundation Establishment Realm, he fought Wu Tianhua and left him injured and at his mercy.

• Lin Yang survived the giant python after using the system’s five Body Tempering Pills, then returned from the cave and defeated young people who tried to take his reward.
• Lin Yang searched the Lin Family manor for his grandfather, found no trace of him, and returned to cultivate while Qin Haotian and his brothers plotted to kill him.
• After four days of cultivation, Lin Yang broke through to the initial Foundation Establishment Realm and was confronted by a thin man and Wu Tianhua, deputy hall master of Black Feather Hall.
• Lin Yang fought Wu Tianhua, pierced his ear with Spiritual Power, and broke his arm after they exchanged attacks.
• Wu Tianhua warned Lin Yang that his father headed the Qin Family, but Lin Yang refused to spare him for the young master’s crimes.

Lin Yang learned that the Qin Family's young master had killed his father and sister, then stormed the Qin Family and slaughtered its leaders and forces. After news of the family's defeat spread, Lin Yang returned to the courtyard seeking Li Mengyao and Qin Haoyu, but could not find either of them.

• Lin Yang beat Wu Tianhua until he confessed that the Qin Family's young master had killed Lin Yang's father and sister, then killed him.
• Lin Yang entered the Qin Family Council Hall, defeated Qin Tiannan, and crushed Wu Tianhua's skull before wiping out Qin Family fighters.
• Lin Yang killed Qin Tiannan and Qin Haoshan, then beheaded Qin Haolong and Qin Haohu after they refused to reveal who had ordered the attack.
• The Qin Family's defeat spread across the Capital City, while Li Mengyao worried about Lin Yang and Qin Haoyu returned to recover.
• Lin Yang injured a brocade-clad Qin Family youth who attacked him, then secretly searched the Qin Family Courtyard but found no sign of Li Mengyao or Qin Haoyu.

Lin Yang rallied supporters against the Qin Family, then reached Qin Haofei’s secret chamber and found Qin Hao had killed her and taken the Thunder Control Blade Art. Meanwhile, Liu Zheng and Qin Hao prepared competing campaigns, and the Great Qin court planned a massive invasion of Great Han.

• Lin Yang killed Qian Baitong, announced his intention to destroy the Qin Family, and gained the allegiance of most of the onlookers.
• Liu Zheng gathered his generals in the Capital City, declared his intent to attack the Qin Family, and appointed Han Zheng as Great General and Nation Protecting Dharma Master.
• Lin Yang broke into the secret chamber and found Qin Hao had killed Qin Haofei after taking the Thunder Control Blade Art from her.
• Qin Hao ordered his ministers to prepare an attack and boasted that his mastery of the Thunder Control Blade Art would help him defeat his enemies.
• Qin Hao accepted a marriage proposal from Western Chu while preparing to attack Great Han, and Qin Zhentian’s court later planned a large-scale invasion of Great Han.

Qin Hao planned a campaign against the Qin-Han Dynasty while navigating court opposition and Han Rui’s political maneuvering. The chapter ended with Han Rui warning Qin Hao to delay the attack until the Great Han’s people had grown weaker.

• Qin Hao ordered Li Yuanhua to prepare for a midnight war and forgave him after Li Yuanhua confessed that he had once arranged Qin Hao’s assassination to help Qin Haoyu.
• At court, Qin Hao discussed unifying the Northern Wasteland, and Han Rui proposed recruiting Great Han masters and secretly building forces; Qin Zhentian rewarded Han Rui with the titles of National Teacher and overseer of the Ministry of Revenue.
• The next morning, Qin Hao announced that he would personally lead an army to recover lost lands, despite officials’ protests, and Han Rui offered to accompany him.
• After court, Han Rui and Zhang Zhao discussed Qin Hao’s plans, and Han Rui said he would assist the campaign against the Qin-Han Dynasty.
• Han Rui visited Qin Hao in the Imperial Garden and advised him to wait until the Great Han’s people had suffered declining livelihoods before attacking.

Qin Hao rejected Han Rui’s objections and decided to send an army against the Great Han Dynasty, while Han Rui’s plans and family affairs grew entangled in a mix-up. The chapter then shifted to another Han Rui, who was selected for an escort to the Capital City to receive an appointment.

• Qin Hao dismissed Han Rui’s warnings about attacking the Great Han Dynasty and ordered a campaign from Longxi, despite Han Rui’s concerns about the route and a possible ambush at Wuwei Commandery.
• Han Rui returned to Sun Bin and Dian Wei, who insisted he accept his role as commander and reminded him that he owed them money over an IOU.
• Han Rui went home after Yue Er delivered his father’s summons, where Han Kang and Li Shi discussed his examination success and continued to regard him as foolish.
• A Han Rui woke early and went with guards to a training ground, where Xu Qing identified him and offered to escort him to the Capital City for an appointment.
• Xu Qing prepared five hundred elite soldiers to escort Han Rui, while Han Rui welcomed the attention and anticipated a promising official career.

Han Rui returned to the Han residence for ancestral rites, where the clan discussed his marriage and Han Shoulian’s plans to teach him. After Han Rui ordered the flowers moved and prepared to settle into his own courtyard, Yang Yan slipped into his room at night and called herself his wife.

• Han Rui arrived at Nanshan Post House and reunited with Han Shouren and the Han Clan relatives.
• Han Shoulian told Han Rui that the family had summoned him to honor their ancestors and discuss his wedding date, and Han Rui urged them to arrange it as soon as possible.
• Han Shoulian announced that the main branch would temporarily take control of the Han Clan and that he would later withdraw to teach Han Rui, prompting Han Shouyi to object.
• Han Rui ordered Uncle Yang to move the garden flowers and declared that he would move back into the residence the next morning.
• Yang Yan entered Han Rui’s room through the window and asked whether a wife was wrong to visit her husband.

Han Rui and Yang Yan spent their wedding day together, and Yang Yan finally consented to intimacy after teasing him. Their private moment was interrupted when Yang Ming returned with his elder sister, who had already seen Han Rui.

• Yang Yan massaged Han Rui and helped him rest, and he woke at sunset on their wedding day.
• Yang Yan reminded Han Rui of his promise not to touch her unless she was willing, then invited him to continue their intimacy.
• Han Rui asked after A'Di and spoke with Yang Ming about his preparations for the examinations.
• Yang Ming left to study, and Han Rui and Yang Yan teased each other about consummating their marriage.
• A noise at the door startled Yang Yan, and Yang Ming told Han Rui that his big sister had already seen him.

Han Rui investigated the apparent assassination attempt and helped alert the authorities, while the chapter also followed Yang family weddings and Yang Yan’s teasing efforts to discuss a possible marriage with him. It ended with Han Rui firmly rejecting her suggestion, and Yang Yan accusing him of not valuing her.

• Han Rui told Madam Yang that skilled assassins had likely targeted him and others, then urged her to notify his father and the Jingzhao Yin Government Office.
• At the Heavenly Court, Taishang, Old Lord reported widespread corruption and urged Haotian to authorize an investigation into Wang Gui, Wei Zheng, and other officials.
• Han Rui teased Yang Yan, reminded her to attend his elder brother’s wedding, and later joined the Yang family as Yang Juncai and his bride celebrated their marriage.
• Yang Yan asked Han Rui about Han Li, and Han Rui warned her that his family disliked Han Li and that she should be careful around him.
• While riding together, Yang Yan urged Han Rui to pursue a Yang family girl with betrothal gifts and suggested they could try a relationship themselves.
• Han Rui refused, saying he had to consider his bond with Yang Junjie, and Yang Yan accused him of simply not thinking she was good enough.

Han Rui and Yang Yan affirmed their feelings and sought the Yang Family Head’s approval, but he revealed that Han Rui’s grandfather had arranged a separate marriage between the Han and Yang families. Han Rui stayed with Yang Yan for the night while the Yang Family Head promised to consult Han Zhongyan before giving an answer.

• Han Rui proposed seeking an imperial marriage decree, and Yang Yan admitted her family would oppose their match because she had secretly pledged herself to Li Sanlang, who had caused her parents’ deaths and pursued her.
• Han Rui and Yang Yan went for a stroll, returned to the Yang Residence after she hurt her foot, and told the Yang Family Head about their relationship.
• Han Rui invoked an old promise allowing a Yang daughter to choose her own marriage, while Yang Yan revealed that she and Han Rui had secretly married.
• The Yang Family Head disclosed that Han Rui’s grandfather had arranged a marriage between the Han and Yang families, then said he would consult Han Zhongyan before deciding what to do.
• Han Rui and Yang Yan left the hall together, and Han Rui warned her that entering the palace could bring her hardship.

Han Rui reunited with Yang Yan, then returned to the inn and discussed Imperial Concubine Yang with Zhou Lin. At Qingliang Temple, Han Rui met Zhou Lin’s acquaintance and was invited to a meal by the abbot, leaving his reason for visiting the temple unresolved.

• Yang Yan reassured Han Rui that she was willing to stay with him despite her low status, and Han Rui promised to make her happy.
• Han Rui returned to the inn, where Zhou Lin suggested visiting Imperial Concubine Yang’s mother’s remains to help awaken her memories.
• Zhou Lin led Han Rui to Qingliang Temple, where guards Chen Shancheng and Chen Shanwu said they had been ordered to protect her.
• Han Rui met Zhou Lin’s acquaintance and claimed he had come to Qingliang Temple to fulfill his late father’s wish and pray for him.
• After touring the temple grounds, Han Rui prepared to leave, but a monk invited him to dine in the vegetarian hall on the abbot’s behalf.

Han Rui visited Qingliang Temple with Zhou Lin and met Chen Shancheng's son, Chen Wenlong, whose elder brother had been murdered. After discussing the killing and Han Rui's urgent assignment to investigate corruption in Yangzhou, they set out together, with Chen Shancheng mentioning a map he had acquired.

• Han Rui and Zhou Lin joined Chen Shancheng and Chen Shanwu in a meditation room at Qingliang Temple, where Zhou Lin and Chen Shancheng recognized each other.
• Chen Shancheng offered Han Rui and Zhou Lin a valuable gift, hinting at a match, but Han Rui explained that he was already betrothed.
• Chen Wenlong arrived and revealed that his elder brother was dead; after Han Rui described the masked killer's attack, Chen Wenlong vowed to investigate and seek revenge.
• Han Rui told Chen Shancheng that he was returning to Yangzhou to supervise an investigation into corruption at the Salt and Iron Government Office, and Chen Shancheng offered to accompany him.
• As they traveled northeast, Chen Shancheng told Han Rui that he had bought a map and praised Han Rui's paintings.

Han Rui traveled toward Yangcheng Lake, met Li Xiyin and a persistent madam, and encountered two beautiful women he had been waiting for. At Spring Sunshine Garden, Li Ji welcomed him and hinted that he had heard Han Rui was close with Imperial Concubine Yang.

• Han Rui exchanged contact information with Chen Shancheng, then rode away with a painting scroll Chen had given him.
• Han Rui greeted Li Xiyin and her companions before agreeing to travel with the madam toward Yangcheng Lake.
• At the Dragon Gate Grottoes, Han Rui saw snakes guarding the base of a massive stele and recognized two beautiful women who walked away without noticing him.
• The madam repeatedly invited Han Rui to Spring Flower House, but he refused and hurried on.
• Han Rui arrived at Spring Sunshine Garden with the two women, where Li Ji welcomed him and asked about his connection with Imperial Concubine Yang.

Han Rui learned that Imperial Concubine Yang had summoned him on the emperor’s orders, possibly to arrange his marriage to Yang Jiu'er, and went to meet her in Yangzhou. He agreed to accompany her to the Poetry Gathering, while her intentions remained uncertain.

• Li Ji told Han Rui that Imperial Concubine Yang had invited him to a banquet and wanted his guidance, so Han Rui agreed to attend that night.
• Han Rui asked Vermilion Bird about the summons and learned that Imperial Concubine Yang might want Yang Jiu'er to marry him, but that the emperor had ordered him to go.
• Han Rui traveled to Willow River Bank, where Imperial Concubine Yang greeted him and repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay with her.
• Imperial Concubine Yang said she had agreed to her husband's wishes, and Han Rui reluctantly accepted her proposal to leave Chang'an after the matter was settled.
• Imperial Concubine Yang told Han Rui they would go boating at the first Yangzhou Poetry Gathering and said she needed to find her husband to discuss it.

Han Rui met Imperial Concubine Yang and Yang JiuGong in Yangzhou as plans took shape for a lantern banquet and a visit to his Jiangnan estate. Imperial Concubine Yang revealed her failing health to her attendants and entrusted them with her final wishes, while Yang JiuGong agreed to attend Han Rui’s banquet.

• Han Rui and Imperial Concubine Yang strolled beside the lake before she left, and he returned to the residence alone.
• Han Rui visited Yang JiuGong at Yang Garden, then gave Imperial Concubine Yang a box of silver and spoke with her about Yang JiuGong’s recovery and the imperial family.
• Imperial Concubine Yang and Yang JiuGong discussed Han Rui’s prominence, his estate and workshop, and plans to attend his lantern banquet.
• Imperial Concubine Yang asked her palace maids to remain loyal, then confided that she was gravely ill while holding a jade pendant and thinking of Ninth.
• Yang JiuGong questioned Imperial Concubine Yang about attending Han Rui’s banquet, and she told him to follow her instructions and wait for palace attendants to summon him.

Han Rui hosted his friends with fine wine and prepared for the poetry gathering, where he clashed with Zhang JiuZhang. After Zhang JiuZhang left, Zhao Ji appeared and asked Han Rui about a poem spreading through the Capital City.

• Han Rui entertained Zhao ShiZhen and his other guests with his rare wine, then invited Zhao ShiZhen to accompany him to the poetry gathering.
• Han Rui avoided Zhang ChengYe at first, then met him and set out for the gathering with Zhao ShiZhen.
• Zhang JiuZhang confronted Han Rui and demanded that he accept a challenge, but Han Rui refused to be intimidated by his threats.
• Zhang JiuZhang blocked Han Rui's way in the garden before leaving, and Han Rui laughed at the encounter.
• Zhao Ji revealed himself to Han Rui and said he had come to see the place connected with a poem about the spring river and autumn moon.
• Zhao Ji admitted he did not understand the poem, and Han Rui explained that its meaning required feeling its soul.

Zhao Ji repeatedly sought out Han Rui, admired his calligraphy, and asked him to work in the palace. The chapter ended with Zhao Ji ordering an edict that appointed Han Rui to several posts and assigned him to evaluate officials.

• Han Rui refused Zhao Ji's request for guidance and left, while Zhao Ji later learned he had gone sightseeing outside the Capital City.
• Zhao Ji found Han Rui in a secluded meadow the next morning and invited him to chat and grind ink.
• Han Rui told Zhao Ji a story about an old tree, displayed his calligraphy, and helped explain the red figure hiding in the thicket.
• Zhao Ji asked Han Rui to write a piece, then offered him work organizing palace books; Han Rui reluctantly agreed to stay.
• Zhao Ji ordered Huang Jin to draft an edict appointing Han Rui Hanlin Compiler and Censorate Registrar, with duties assessing officials.

Zhao Ji allowed Han Rui to study and repaint the mysterious Shan He Tu, and Han Rui experienced a sudden surge of kingly presence while contemplating it. Later, Han Rui encountered a green-robed scholar and his young companion, then confidently pointed out details in the scholar’s own painting.

• Zhao Ji appointed Han Rui to examine the Shan He Tu, praised his persistence, and permitted him to try painting it.
• Han Rui practiced painting, discussed the Shan He Tu with Huang Chengyan, and began writing Zhao Ji a letter about the painting’s merits and flaws.
• While contemplating the Shan He Tu, Han Rui entered a strange state, released an oppressive aura, and declared that it showed the bearing a king ought to possess.
• A green-robed scholar and a young man came looking for Han Rui, and the young man led the scholar to the study.
• Han Rui praised the scholar’s Shan He She Ji Tu as a famous ancient work and pointed out that a pavilion and bamboo pole should appear in places among the rocks.