Chapter Summaries

Jiang Wang and Chongxuan Sheng discussed Jiang Wang’s bid to become a Pacification Commissioner, the rewards after the war, and Chongxuan Sheng’s plans to study at Jixia Academy. The chapter left Jiang Wang eager to learn more about the academy after Chongxuan Sheng teased him with a secret.

• Jiang Wang accepted the low-grade A-rank Daoist Art Jealous Fire from Chongxuan Sheng’s Storage Box.
• Chongxuan Sheng explained that Gao Shaoling of the Jinghai Gao Clan was the Pacification Commissioner of Chiwei Prefecture and discussed the political favors behind his appointment.
• Jiang Wang told Chongxuan Sheng that the White Bone Evil God had destroyed his homeland, and Chongxuan Sheng vowed they would someday slay it.
• Chongxuan Sheng revealed that Chongxuan Chuliang had been confirmed as Marquis of Dingyuan, a reward that came decades after his earlier service.
• Chongxuan Sheng said he hoped to study at Jixia Academy and described its expert teachers and powerful natural energy and national fortune.
• Chongxuan Sheng withheld the academy’s third advantage, leaving Jiang Wang curious.

In Yinguang City, Yang Xuance rejected the idea of restoring Yang State but accepted Yang Jiande’s jade pendant and the Great Sun Golden Flame Art, intending to do something for his dead father. After Yang Xuance left Liu Huai alone with the Blood Demon Art, Liu Huai destroyed its scroll but discovered he had memorized the entire demonic technique.

• Yang Xuance told Liu Huai that ordinary people owed the Yang Clan nothing and questioned whether Yang Jiande’s fallen soldiers should curse their ruler.
• Liu Huai offered Yang Xuance the Blood Demon Art and the Great Sun Golden Flame Art, but Yang Xuance chose the jade pendant and golden stone instead of the demonic scroll.
• Yang Xuance said he would not try to restore the state, but would act as a son for his father, then left Liu Huai and declared him free.
• Alone, Liu Huai recalled Yang Jiande’s ambitions and realized the Blood Demon Art’s writing had drawn him in despite the danger it posed to Yang Xuance.
• Liu Huai tore up and burned the beast-hide scroll, then discovered he still remembered every character of the Blood Demon Art.

Liu Huai died after the beast-hide book drove him into terrifying visions, while Jiang Wang benefited from his new title and Qi’s rule over Yang Land. The chapter ended with an old monk waiting to meet Jiang Wang, claiming they were fated to meet.

• Liu Huai succumbed to the book’s visions and struck himself dead, after which his body vanished and the beast-hide scroll remained among his clothes.
• Jiang Wang reflected on how his title as Baron of Green Sheep Town let the people’s support nourish his Divine Soul.
• Jiang Wang considered how Qi’s eradication of Ferocious Beasts had helped the people of Yang Land accept Qi rule.
• Jiang Wang finished cultivating in Green Sheep Town and heard from Dugu Xiao that an old monk was waiting for him.
• The old monk told Dugu Xiao that he was fated to meet Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang received the strange monk Kujue, who insisted they were fated and tried to make him his disciple. After Kujue demonstrated his overwhelming power and blessed Longing, Jiang Wang was left uncertain about what had changed in his sword.

• Jiang Wang met a gaunt old monk who called himself Kujue and accepted a vegetarian meal from him.
• Kujue ate forty bowls of rice and nine plates of greens before claiming that fate required him to repay Jiang Wang by passing on his mantle.
• Jiang Wang refused to become a monk, but Kujue continued to insist that he would change his mind and tried to take him to a temple.
• When Jiang Wang tried to leave, Kujue used an unknown technique to return him to his starting point and effortlessly took Longing from him.
• Kujue returned Longing after passing Buddhist light over it, saying he had blessed Green Sheep Town, and Jiang Wang sensed that his sword had changed.

Old Monk Kujue tried to make Jiang Wang his disciple, but Jiang Wang refused because of his own convictions and hatred. After Kujue left, Jiang Wang told Xiang Qian that the monk had called him a Star of Misfortune, and Xiang Qian reacted to the mention of the Hanging Temple.

• Jiang Wang tried to redirect Old Monk Kujue toward Xiang Qian and Huang Yi, but Kujue rejected both suggestions and demanded that Jiang Wang become his disciple.
• Jiang Wang refused, explaining that he had no wish to change his path and would not let go of his hatred until his enemies were dead or he died.
• Kujue fell silent at Jiang Wang's words, called him foolish, and vanished.
• Jiang Wang told Dugu Xiao to keep the monk's visit secret, then went to find Xiang Qian.
• Jiang Wang told Xiang Qian that Kujue had come from the Hanging Temple and called him a Star of Misfortune, prompting Xiang Qian to react to the temple's name.

Jiang Wang learned how Xiang Qian’s master died and why Xiang Qian had lost his will to fight. He tried to restore Xiang Qian’s hope by reminding him that even the greatest could be defeated and pointing to people who had overcome seemingly impossible limits.

• Xiang Qian told Jiang Wang that his master had defeated Chan Master Kubing of the Hanging Temple during a sword trial.
• Xiang Qian recounted that his master had fought across the world without losing before a rival shattered his life-bound Flying Sword with one punch.
• Xiang Qian said his master had urged him to devote himself to the sword and restore the Flying Sword’s good name, but he believed he could never succeed.
• Jiang Wang reminded Xiang Qian that his master was not a god and that even seemingly invincible figures could be defeated.
• Jiang Wang cited Wang Yiwu’s redefinition of the Heaven-Connecting Realm’s limit and revealed that Chongxuan Sheng was the second man who had overcome the odds.

Jiang Wang reflected on his debts and rewards, then studied Jealous Fire while Jiang Yan explained the Divine Path, the White Bone Venerable God, and the Hanging Temple. Jiang Yan fell silent after warning him to keep his distance from powerful factions, leaving Jiang Wang to wonder whether Kujue could have detected him.

• Jiang Wang reviewed the debts he owed and the compensation he planned for his companions, including Xiang Qian.
• Jiang Yan explained how the meaning of gods had changed over time and described how ghosts and other beings cultivated along the Divine Path.
• Jiang Yan said the White Bone Venerable God sought to become a Worldly Deity, but he did not know what that meant or how it related to the Age of White Bone.
• Jiang Yan described the Hanging Temple as a powerful, ancient Buddhist holy land and advised Jiang Wang to keep his distance from powerful factions until he grew stronger.
• Jiang Yan sealed off the Underworld Candle, and Jiang Wang wondered whether Kujue's presence had kept Jiang Yan subdued because Kujue might have detected him.

Kujue returned to the Hanging Temple, where Kubing escorted him to meet Abbot Kuming. Kujue claimed he had found another peerless disciple, but admitted he had not yet brought the disciple to the Mountain Gate, leaving Kuming worried and Kubing frustrated.

• Kujue crossed the Hanging Temple's formations and entered its suspended main temple.
• Kubing confronted Kujue and insisted that he visit Abbot Kuming, then followed him to the Abbot's Zen Chamber.
• Kujue told Kuming that he had taken on another peerless disciple and planned to make Mount Sumeru's monks pay at the next century's grand competition.
• Kubing pointed out that the Hanging Temple needed disciples of the Jing generation, and Kuming asked when Kujue would bring his disciple to the Mountain Gate.
• Kujue claimed he was tempering the disciple's temperament, then stormed out when Kubing accused him of not finding anyone.
• Kuming reminded Kubing that Kujue had entered the sect three days before him, leaving Kubing speechless.

After Tian Antai took the Pacification Commissioner post in Rizhao Prefecture from Chongxuan Sheng, Jiang Wang helped his friend see the setback as proof that Chongxuan Zun now treated him as a rival. Tian Antai visited Chongxuan Chuliang to thank him and beg forgiveness, then left with a warning to carry back to Tian Anping.

• Chongxuan Sheng told Jiang Wang that Tian Antai had been appointed Pacification Commissioner of Rizhao Prefecture after Chongxuan Zun agreed to trade the post for ten years of access to Chongjia Island.
• Jiang Wang consoled Chongxuan Sheng, arguing that Chongxuan Zun's intervention showed he now saw Sheng as a rival.
• Tian Antai visited Chongxuan Chuliang to express gratitude for his appointment and beg forgiveness for taking the post.
• Chongxuan Chuliang guessed that Tian Anping had sent Tian Antai and warned him to tell his brother that the favor would be remembered.
• Tian Antai hurried away, relieved that Chongxuan Chuliang had spared him but still afraid to refuse his younger brother's demands.

After losing the Pacification Commissioner post in Rizhao Prefecture, Jiang Wang and Chongxuan Sheng discussed securing their gains elsewhere. A young monk named Jingli arrived, insisting that Jiang Wang was his junior brother Jingshen, while Chongxuan Sheng challenged him with a question about equality among sentient beings.

• Jiang Wang and Chongxuan Sheng reviewed the postwar appointments and weighed the risk that Huang Yixing might switch factions.
• Dugu Xiao reported that a monk wanted to see Jiang Wang after she opened her meridians and entered the Transcendent realm.
• Jiang Wang and Chongxuan Sheng met Jingli, who claimed that Kujue had named Jiang Wang Jingshen and chosen him as a disciple.
• Jiang Wang denied wanting to become a monk and told Jingli to seek out Tian Antai instead.
• Chongxuan Sheng mocked Jingli and then asked whether baby turtles counted as sentient beings, challenging Jingli's claim that he had been insulted.

Jingli the monk briefly unsettled Chongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wang before an urgent letter revealed that Chongxuan Zun had joined forces with the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce. Jiang Wang arranged for his allies to manage Green Sheep Town while he accompanied Chongxuan Sheng to Linzi to face the new threat.

• Jingli the monk vanished when Chongxuan Sheng tried to grab him, then whispered to Jiang Wang that he would visit again.
• A Shadow Guard delivered Chongxuan Sheng an urgent letter from Linzi, which revealed that the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce had made deals with Chongxuan Zun.
• Chongxuan Sheng realized the commerce alliance had betrayed him and resolved to return to Linzi immediately.
• Jiang Wang agreed to accompany Chongxuan Sheng and entrusted Green Sheep Town to Dugu Xiao, Xiang Qian, and Zhu Biqiong.
• Jiang Wang told Zhu Biqiong she could return to the Sea Fishing Tower after their six months together, then left Xiang Qian to wait and see how Chongxuan Sheng would respond.

Jiang Wang and Chongxuan Sheng arrived in Linzi and visited the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, where Chongxuan Sheng pressed Deputy Head President Su about avoiding an old acquaintance. President Su recognized Jiang Wang, but he stayed silent and waited for her to answer Chongxuan Sheng first.

• Jingli emerged from the woods after Jiang Wang and Chongxuan Sheng rode past, lamenting that Chongxuan Sheng had taken Jingshen away and left him unable to take revenge.
• Chongxuan Sheng led Jiang Wang through Xin Gate into Linzi, where Jiang Wang marveled at the immense city and its crowded streets.
• Chongxuan Sheng checked into a luxurious inn before visiting the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, explaining that hiding their urgency mattered.
• President Su personally welcomed Chongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wang at the chamber’s headquarters.
• Chongxuan Sheng asked why President Su had avoided meeting an old acquaintance, while President Su praised Jiang Wang and identified him as the hero who won the Ji Clan Battle Flag.

Chongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wang confronted Cheng Eleven after the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce sided with Chongxuan Zun in Yang Land. They left after trading threats, with Jiang Wang promising to return once he reached the Inner Palace.

• Cheng Eleven told Chongxuan Sheng that President Su She was unavailable and offered to speak for him instead.
• Chongxuan Sheng accused the Chamber of Commerce of breaking faith by welcoming Chongxuan Zun, and Cheng Eleven defended its right to do business with anyone.
• Cheng Eleven reminded Chongxuan Sheng that he and Chongxuan Zun were family, prompting Chongxuan Sheng to condemn her judgment and warn that the Chamber would be ruined.
• Jiang Wang intervened to keep the confrontation from escalating, threatened to return within two years after reaching the Inner Palace, and left with Chongxuan Sheng.
• Cheng Eleven told them there was no need to see them out.

Chongxuan Sheng sent Jiang Wang to deliver the Qiushan Bow to Li Longchuan, hoping the gift would help counter the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce’s alliance with Chongxuan Zun. Jiang Wang secured Xu Xiangan’s help arranging a meeting, while Xu Xiangan made clear he would not take sides.

• Chongxuan Sheng explained that the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce had chosen Chongxuan Zun because it expected him to offer greater benefits.
• Chongxuan Sheng asked Jiang Wang to use his connection with Xu Xiangan to arrange a meeting with Li Longchuan.
• Chongxuan Sheng gave Jiang Wang a Storage Box containing the Qiushan Bow and told him only to deliver the gift.
• Jiang Wang went to Green Cliff Academy’s Linzi villa and waited for Xu Xiangan to return.
• Xu Xiangan agreed to arrange a meeting with Li Longchuan but said he would not get involved in their dispute.

Jiang Wang met Li Longchuan at the Red Sleeve Pavilion after Xu Xiangan arranged an extravagant tea gathering. The three shared tea and conversation, while Li Longchuan made clear that their friendship would remain cordial rather than binding.

• Jiang Wang followed Xu Xiangan to the Red Sleeve Pavilion and winced at the expense, which he planned to charge to Chongxuan Sheng.
• Xu Xiangan sent a maid to invite Li Longchuan, knowingly setting him up for a scolding from the Li Family's Old Matriarch.
• Jiang Wang and Xu Xiangan savored Mist Maiden Pipa while a performer played the pipa.
• Jiang Wang and Xu Xiangan discussed Yin Guan, Hell's Gate, and other matters before Li Longchuan arrived and teased Xu Xiangan about his nickname and stinginess.
• Jiang Wang greeted Li Longchuan, and the three exchanged jokes as Li Longchuan offered to host Jiang Wang at Begonia Spring the next day.

Jiang Wang offered Li Longchuan the famed Qiushan Bow to build a friendship between him and Chongxuan Sheng, and Li Longchuan accepted. The three men then prepared to test the bow, while Jiang Wang quietly kept the valuable Storage Box.

• Xu Xiangan recited a brief poem about war, and Jiang Wang and Li Longchuan responded with polite remarks.
• Jiang Wang showed Li Longchuan and Xu Xiangan the Qiushan Bow, which he and Chongxuan Sheng had won after killing a general.
• Jiang Wang told Li Longchuan that he and Chongxuan Sheng were giving him the bow to find it a worthy archer and to befriend him, asking nothing in return.
• Li Longchuan accepted the Qiushan Bow and thanked Jiang Wang and Chongxuan Sheng for their generosity.
• Xu Xiangan suggested that Li Longchuan test the bow, and Jiang Wang agreed to join him.
• Jiang Wang had the expensive bill charged to Chongxuan Sheng, then pocketed the Storage Box after returning to the private room.

Jiang Wang and Li Longchuan prepared to spar at the City-Crushing Marquis Mansion, with Li Longchuan testing his new Qiushan Bow and Jiang Wang restoring his strength. Their match was about to begin when the Li Family Old Matriarch arrived with Li Fengyao to watch.

• The narration explained the Li Clan's standing and the history of the City-Crushing Marquis title, contrasting it with the decline of the Fengxian Zhang Clan.
• Xu Xiangan dodged Li Longchuan's request to spar and suggested Jiang Wang test the Qiushan Bow against his sword instead.
• Jiang Wang accepted and entered the Martial Arts Arena, while Li Longchuan attuned himself to the bow and Jiang Wang rested.
• Xu Xiangan greeted Li Fengyao and the Li Family Old Matriarch as they arrived to watch the match.
• The Old Matriarch said she wanted to see whether the Red Sleeve Pavilion had loosened Li Longchuan's bowstring, leaving Xu Xiangan sweating nervously.

Jiang Wang and Li Longchuan tested their skills in a Martial Arts Arena, trading swift sword strikes and powerful arrows. The spar ended without a victor when Li Longchuan stopped himself from using a lethal arrow, and the pair prepared to leave together.

• Xu Xiangan introduced Jiang Wang to Old Lady Li, and Li Fengyao reminded her of Jiang Wang’s past achievements.
• Li Longchuan opened his eyes and faced Jiang Wang as their spar began with a Qi Arrow and Jiang Wang’s sword blocking it.
• Li Longchuan’s Momentum Arrow met Jiang Wang’s Sun Moon and Stars strike, and Jiang Wang answered its force with his sea-of-people sword.
• Jiang Wang’s Flame Sparrows attacked with their cries, while Li Longchuan countered with the Arrow of Sound; Jiang Wang then wove pipa music into the cries to resist it.
• Jiang Wang used Five-Qi Tiger Binding, but Li Longchuan checked his lethal Arrow of the Heart and ended the spar.
• Jiang Wang praised the Shimen Li Clan’s arrows, and Li Longchuan invited him to Begonia before Xu Xiangan interrupted with a cough.

Jiang Wang visited the City-Crushing Marquis Mansion with Xu Xiangan and met Li Longchuan’s family, including his cold and formidable elder sister, Li Fengyao. He accepted a welcome gift from Li Fengyao and left wondering what made Xu Xiangan fear her so much.

• Xu Xiangan lamented the end of spring in autumn as Li Longchuan greeted his grandmother, Old Lady Li, and introduced Jiang Wang to her and Li Fengyao.
• Old Lady Li urged the young men to enjoy themselves, and Xu Xiangan took Jiang Wang away while Li Longchuan stayed behind.
• On their way out, Xu Xiangan teased Jiang Wang about being attracted to Li Fengyao, who appeared behind them and demanded to know what feelings they meant.
• Li Fengyao explained that Old Lady Li had sent a first-meeting gift, and Jiang Wang accepted the jade box after Xu Xiangan clarified the custom.
• After they left, Xu Xiangan revealed that Li Fengyao had changed the character for her name in the clan genealogy herself.

Jiang Wang stayed at Chongxuan Sheng’s private residence in Linzi, where memories of Maple Forest City and worry for An'an stirred his resolve to grow stronger. He explored the Fog of Ignorance in the Soaring Dragon Realm, then heard that Chongxuan Sheng had spent the day being turned away from people’s doors.

• Jiang Wang parted ways with Xu Xiangan after delivering the gift and went to Chongxuan Sheng’s residence near Xia Mountain.
• Jiang Wang looked out at Xia Mountain’s red maples and thought of Maple Forest City, Tiger, and An'an.
• Jiang Wang explored the Five Palaces Sea through the Fog of Ignorance, carefully repairing his Dao Vein as the mist eroded it.
• Chongxuan Sheng returned at night, dismissed the servants, and told Jiang Wang that he had spent the day getting turned away at closed doors.