Chapter Summaries

Aaron left the fish market after Tiger Lord backed down, then traveled with Old Yu into Great Marsh Lake. Old Yu told him that Old Chu had died and Little Chu had survived but lost the money meant for his marriage.

• Fang Yu explained that his ten taels of silver came from honest work and that he had paid his full tribute to the Goldfish Gang, leaving Tiger Lord unable to justify punishing him.
• Tiger Lord dismissed the crowd and ordered his lackey not to pursue Aaron, privately fearing that exposing Aaron would bring scrutiny to his own falsified accounts.
• Aaron bought wine and poached meat for Old Yu at Yuyang Tavern, where Fourth Sister teased him about learning martial arts.
• Aaron met Old Yu at the reed marsh and asked him to keep his distance in public to avoid Tiger Lord targeting his associates.
• On the boat across Great Marsh Lake, Old Yu told Aaron that Old Chu had died from his injuries and that Little Chu had survived, but his marriage plans were ruined after their money was stolen.

Aaron caught a Crimson Blood Carp and used its nourishing soup to sense and refine his qi and blood, entering the Bright Force realm. He went to Green Mountain Martial Hall to formally take a master, where Zhai Yong told him that Song Sanjin had entered force while Huang Dacheng had been expelled and seized by loan sharks.

• Aaron sold scarce fish at the market, paid Tiger Lord his dues, and privately resolved to kill him once he reached the Force realm.
• At Yuyang Tavern, Aaron saw Fourth Madam's daughter and encountered the ruined Little Chu, who drank alone before leaving.
• Two months later, Aaron caught a Crimson Blood Carp, cooked it on a deserted island, and used the warmth from its soup to sense his qi and blood.
• Aaron refined his qi and blood with Flowing Sand Intent and entered the Bright Force realm, then decided to seek a cultivation manual and settle his scores.
• Aaron arrived at Green Mountain Martial Hall to formally take a master, and Zhai Yong told him that Song Sanjin had entered force while Huang Dacheng had gone mad, been expelled, and been seized by loan sharks.

Aaron became Xue Qingshan’s formal disciple and received the first three levels of Black Sand Palm, then tested Azure Dragon Life-Seizing Soup and found its benefits were not worth the cost to his lifespan. He left with his cultivation progressing slowly and continued to favor fishing and self-study over seeking favor at the martial hall.

• Aaron learned that Ma Zhu had suddenly left the martial hall, though he remained suspicious and did not investigate further.
• Aaron explained to Xue Qingshan that eating a Crimson Blood Carp had helped him enter the Force realm, and Xue accepted him as a formal disciple.
• Xue Qingshan gave Aaron the first three levels of Black Sand Palm after Aaron offered an apprenticeship gift, and Aaron bought five days’ worth of medicinal sand.
• Aaron visited Spring Return Hall and spent his last tael of silver on a bowl of Azure Dragon Life-Seizing Soup.
• Aaron used Flowing Sand Intent after drinking the soup and judged that its small gain in cultivation did not outweigh the years of lifespan it cost.

During winter in Boat Village, Aaron learned that the Goldfish Gang had punished Zhang Heihu and executed Old Yu for secretly selling Crimson Blood Carp. Little Chu asked Aaron to help him take revenge on Zhang Heihu, but Aaron refused, and Little Chu set out to act alone.

• Aaron reflected on his life in Boat Village, his progress in martial arts, and his plan to kill Zhang Heihu when the chance arose.
• A gong summoned the villagers, where they saw Zhang Heihu being whipped by another Goldfish Gang member.
• Wang Hua announced that Zhang Heihu had been stripped of his market-manager position and punished for neglecting his duties and allowing private fish sales.
• Wang Hua displayed Old Yu’s severed head as a warning against violating gang rules, and Aaron poured wine beneath the pole to honor his friend.
• Little Chu asked Aaron to help him kill Zhang Heihu, but Aaron refused, and Little Chu vowed to take revenge himself.

Aaron learned that Little Chu killed Zhang Heihu with help from a hidden stone thrower, then fled to join the rebel groups on Great Marsh Lake. Half a month later, Aaron visited Old Ge to build ties and ask about martial arts, ending by asking whether any unorthodox arts offered rapid progress at the cost of lifespan.

• Aaron learned that Old Yu had been captured after the Goldfish Gang discovered he sold a Crimson Blood Carp outside the city, and Fourth Sister joined Aaron for drinks.
• Little Chu broke into Zhang Heihu’s home to avenge his father, and Aaron secretly knocked Zhang Heihu off balance with a stone so Little Chu could kill him.
• Little Chu fled to Great Marsh Lake, thanked the hidden Aaron, and said he intended to join the rebel army in the water strongholds.
• Duan Lang investigated Zhang Heihu’s death, ordered the gang to hunt down Little Chu, and offered Aaron control of the fish market if he joined the Goldfish Gang; Aaron refused.
• Half a month later, Aaron brought dried fish to Old Ge, discussed Great Marsh families’ martial arts, and asked about unorthodox arts with dangerous side effects.

Aaron learned that training Black Sand Palm without medicinal sand could shorten his life, but his immortality let him train beyond ordinary limits. Three years later, as drought and famine spread, he lived comfortably at the fish market and heard how the crisis had changed fishermen’s fortunes.

• Old Ge warned Aaron that Black Sand Palm without medicinal sand could damage the body and recounted how Little Whirlwind trained into the Dark Force realm before aging to death in his twenties.
• Aaron trained Black Sand Palm through the night at Great Marsh Lake, discovered his immortal body could keep producing qi and blood, and decided to train three shichen a day while leaving time for fishing and leisure.
• Three years later, during a devastating drought, Aaron gave his remaining fish to a little girl and went to Yuyang Tavern, where he helped the waiter explain rising wine prices.
• Little Six’s father invited Aaron to his son’s wedding and explained that fishermen could live on fish while farming families faced hunger, making a farmer’s daughter willing to marry Little Six without a bride price.
• Aaron lamented that Old Chu had not lived to see Little Chu’s prospects improve, and Little Six’s father agreed that no one could have foreseen the change.

Aaron visited Old Ge in Great Marsh Prefecture City as unrest grew around the Yellow Ant Rebels and Song Shentong. After reviewing his martial progress, he decided he needed Green Mountain Martial Hall’s Dark Force method but would stay low until an opportunity arose.

• Aaron noticed the city guards were armed and alert as he entered Great Marsh Prefecture City with dried fish for the cats.
• Old Ge urged Aaron to learn medicine and asked him to look after his son if he ever rose to prominence, then warned him that Song Shentong and the Yellow Ant Rebels threatened to plunge the world into chaos.
• Aaron reviewed his status and found that his Black Sand Palm had reached the third layer’s peak, while his Incomplete Sea-Gathering Art had barely advanced.
• Aaron reflected that his reluctance to join Green Mountain Martial Hall’s fights had made its members consider Fang Yu weak and unambitious, though he had reached the peak of Bright Force in secret.
• Aaron concluded that he needed a Dark Force cultivation method from Green Mountain Martial Hall but could not risk drawing attention or being conscripted, so he left and resolved to wait for an opportunity.

Aaron refused Green Mountain Martial Hall’s call to join the campaign against the Yellow Ant Rebels and stayed at Great Marsh Lake while the prefectural army was destroyed. When the rebels and their allied water bandits threatened Great Marsh Prefecture City, Aaron entered the city and listened for news, considering how to help his acquaintances and obtain martial manuals amid the chaos.

• Li Qinglan and Song Sanjin visited Aaron at Yuyang Tavern and urged him to join the martial hall’s campaign, but he refused.
• Ding Shan volunteered to lead Green Mountain Martial Hall’s forces, and Song Sanjin joined him.
• A month later, Aaron learned that the prefectural army had been wiped out and that Fourth Lady had left for the city after her man died.
• Aaron decided to head to Great Marsh Prefecture City, hoping to help Old Ge and Fourth Lady and seek martial manuals amid the disorder.
• Water bandits attacked Three Waters Wharf as Aaron entered the city, and the gates were shut against the fleeing people.
• Aaron learned that Song Shentong had taken control of Twelve Linked Forts and was advancing on the city by land and water.

Aaron killed the aging Golden-Eyed Divine Constable, Jin Rusong, and took his gold leaves and booklets. As Aaron left the residence, the city fell to the Yellow Ant Rebels and descended into chaos.

• Aaron learned that Jin Rusong had been recalled to help keep order and found out where he lived by interrogating a constable.
• Aaron used sleeping incense to enter Jin Rusong's home, where he killed Jin Qing and struck down Jin Rusong with the Black Sand Palm.
• Jin Rusong pleaded for Aaron to spare his family, then died before Aaron could question him.
• Aaron searched Jin Rusong's bundle and took ten gold leaves and two booklets containing investigation methods, disguise techniques, and bone-shrinking skills.
• Aaron heard that the city had fallen, then walked into the streets as constables fled and looters ransacked homes.

After Great Marsh Prefecture City fell, Aaron rescued Fourth Madam and Nannan before heading to Green Mountain Martial Hall, where he found Old Ge dying. He recovered Old Ge’s hidden valuables and medical manuscript, then left with a renewed resolve to protect himself.

• Aaron killed several looters who attacked him and rescued Nannan and Fourth Madam from thugs in their home.
• Aaron hid Fourth Madam and Nannan in a cellar, covering its entrance with a millstone before leaving for Green Mountain Martial Hall.
• Aaron found Green Mountain Martial Hall under attack and killed the men who had murdered Old Ge’s son and wounded Old Ge.
• Old Ge died after entrusting Aaron with the valuables hidden beneath a stone table.
• Aaron found gold, jewelry, and a handwritten copy of Supplement to the Azure Satchel Classic beneath the table, then collected Old Ge’s body.

Aaron obtained Xue Qingshan’s martial arts manual during the fall of Great Marsh Prefecture City, then returned to shelter with Fourth Madam and Nannan. Yellow Ant soldiers began patrolling the streets and announcing orders to restore peace.

• Li Qinglan fought a former apprentice at Green Mountain Martial Hall until Aaron killed him and went to find Xue Qingshan.
• Xue Qingshan killed three of the four martial artists besieging him with concealed iron pellets and hidden force, then died as Zhang Yong seized his manual.
• Aaron tricked the injured Zhang Yong into handing over the manual and escaped with it while the martial hall burned.
• Aaron returned to his residence, brought Fourth Madam and Nannan out of the cellar, and decided to wait until the roads were safe.
• Yellow Ant soldiers patrolled the streets, executed looters, and announced rules against killing and theft while Aaron and Fourth Madam stayed inside.

Aaron settled into Fourth Lady's cousin's household in the war-torn city and sorted through the wealth and martial manuals he had acquired. He began training Black Sand Palm's hidden force and left to arrange a burial, while Fourth Lady worried about how she and Nannan could live safely on their own.

• Fourth Lady bluffed the Yellow Ant Rebels during their inspection, and Aaron bought coffins for her deceased cousin and cousin-in-law.
• Aaron counted his gold and valuables, considered buying land, and chose a violet jade lotus pendant for Nannan.
• Aaron studied Jin Rusong's tracking notes, Old Ge's medical supplement, and the Black Sand Palm manual, learning that hidden force came from tempering the bones.
• Aaron practiced Listening Force with a water vat and trained Black Sand Palm before giving Nannan the jade pendant.
• Aaron promised to find Fourth Lady and Nannan a safer courtyard, then left to arrange the burial as Fourth Lady worried about living without a man to protect the household.

Aaron continued cultivating Black Sand Palm while the Southern Heavenly King’s forces tightened their grip on the prefectural city. After buying herbs and witnessing the city’s hardship, he encountered his injured former senior brother Song Sanjin, who had lost his martial arts, family home, and companions.

• Aaron checked his status and resolved to complete the fourth layer of Black Sand Palm before pursuing a breakthrough to Hidden Force.
• Aaron heard that Song Shentong had declared himself the Southern Heavenly King and that the Liu Family and Goldfish Gang were gaining power in the city.
• Aaron bought ingredients for Azure Dragon Life-Seizing Soup and the Seed-Removing Formula from an apothecary.
• Aaron saw refugees gathering after a recruitment proclamation promised food and rewards to those who enlisted.
• Aaron recognized the injured Song Sanjin, who told him that his companions were likely dead, his martial arts had been ruined, and his family and home were gone.
• Aaron gave Song Sanjin five copper coins and left.

Aaron left Great Marsh Prefecture and returned to the Fish Market, where he found Chu Tianhe and the Twelve Linked Forts controlling the docks. He reconnected with the fishermen, learned that Old Song and Old Xu had died, and settled back into life on Great Marsh Lake.

• Aaron practiced Black Sand Palm with Azure Dragon Life-Seizing Soup and saw his proficiency reach 64/300 as he neared cultivating hidden force.
• Aaron assured Fourth Madam that he would return to visit her and Nannan, then left the city after warning local hooligans and buying medicinal ingredients.
• Aaron met Chu Tianhe, who had become a minor chief of the Twelve Linked Forts, and declined his offer to join the stronghold.
• Aaron learned that Old Song and Old Xu had been forced into attacking the city and died, while Old Xu's children remained alive.
• Aaron told the fishermen that they could not influence the struggle between the Goldfish Gang and the Twelve Linked Forts, then contemplated the persistence of life on Great Marsh Lake.

Aaron broke through to dark force after tempering his marrow with Black Sand Palm and drinking Azure Dragon Life-Seizing Soup. After returning to Three Waters Wharf, he heard fishermen celebrating another Crimson Blood Carp catch.

• Aaron completed the fourth level of Black Sand Palm, tempered his marrow, and entered the dark-force realm.
• Aaron tested his new strength by striking a boulder from three inches away and noted that he could rival Duan Lang, though he still needed a force-transformation manual.
• Aaron considered targeting the Liu and Cao families for their martial arts manuals and continued to plan to settle scores with them.
• Aaron returned to Three Waters Wharf, then went to Three Waters Tavern and ordered wine and food.
• Fishermen entered the tavern praising Old Yan for catching a Crimson Blood Carp, prompting Aaron to wonder why such catches had become so frequent.

Aaron recognized that the sudden abundance of Crimson Blood Carp meant a Carp King had emerged and tried to avoid the coming struggle by leaving Great Marsh Lake. The Twelve Linked Forts detained the fishermen and their families, while Duan Lang arrived with the Goldfish Gang to seize control of them.

• After Old Yan caught a Crimson Blood Carp, Aaron caught three more while fishing outside his usual grounds and suspected that a Carp King had appeared.
• Aaron ate his Crimson Blood Carp, practiced martial arts, and watched more fishermen catch them over the following days.
• When Old Black caught two Crimson Blood Carp in one cast, Aaron headed for Great Marsh Prefecture City to wait out the danger.
• At the dock exit, Chu Tianhe blocked the fishermen from leaving and ordered their boats and families seized.
• Duan Lang arrived with Goldfish Gang members and ordered them to attack the Twelve Linked Forts and retake the territory.

Aaron escaped the battle at Great Marsh Lake after killing Duan Lang, then hid in the prefectural city before reuniting with Fourth Madam and Nannan. Months later, he learned that the search for the Crimson Blood Carp King had dwindled and that the Goldfish Gang still fought Old Lame Leg, while Duan Datong blamed his son’s death on the water bandits.

• Chu Tianhe fought Duan Lang and the Goldfish Gang, but Duan Lang disarmed him and struck him down with a lethal palm.
• Aaron ambushed Duan Lang while he was resting, killed him, and carefully erased the traces before leaving for Great Marsh Prefecture City.
• Aaron hid out for half a month, then heard that Duan Lang’s death had driven Duan Datong into a rage and prolonged the conflict between the Goldfish Gang and the Twelve Linked Forts.
• Aaron visited Fourth Madam and Nannan, then spent the following months practicing martial arts and learning disguise techniques.
• Aaron visited Cloud Celebration Pavilion to ask about the Crimson Blood Carp King and learned that the Liu and Cao families had withdrawn while the Goldfish Gang continued fighting Old Lame Leg.

After six quiet years on Great Marsh Lake, Aaron learned that Huang Wenlong had launched a new campaign and prepared to settle old accounts before leaving on a long journey. He warned Fourth Lady and Nannan to flee the coming turmoil, then found the Liu Family in mourning and suspected the deaths were not what they seemed.

• Huang Wenlong pacified the north, installed King Gui as emperor, and marched south to suppress the Southern Heavenly King's rebellion.
• Aaron reached the pinnacle of Black Sand Palm after six years of secluded cultivation and heard that war was again approaching.
• At Three Waters Tavern, Aaron learned that Huang Wenlong was leading a huge army south against the Southern Heavenly King.
• Aaron warned Nannan to take Fourth Lady out of the city and said he would leave on a long journey.
• Aaron found the Liu Family mourning the deaths of its head and old master, but sensed that something was wrong.

After learning that Ma Zhu had killed the Liu Family head and old master in revenge for White Peony, Aaron avoided the weakened family and attacked the Goldfish Gang instead. He killed Gang Leader Duan Datong, took the gang’s valuables and Fish Scale Force manual, and left its headquarters burning before disguising himself near the Liu residence.

• Aaron paid the Cloud Celebration Pavilion for news that Ma Zhu had attacked the Liu residence over White Peony and died alongside the Liu Family’s old master.
• Aaron decided to leave the Liu Family alone for now and went to settle his old accounts with the Goldfish Gang.
• Aaron killed the gang’s adviser with iron pellets and fought Gang Leader Duan Datong, who mistook him for a Green Mountain Martial Hall expert.
• Aaron killed Duan Datong, took the Goldfish Gang’s valuables and Fish Scale Force manual, and left the headquarters as it caught fire.
• Aaron disguised himself as a white-haired chestnut seller near the Liu residence and sold snacks to people gathered for the funeral.

Aaron waited for the Liu Family to weaken, then killed Liu Zaiming and Liu Qinghe to obtain the Iron Garment Fist manual. After Song Shentong’s defeat and the Liu Family’s collapse, Aaron decided to leave the area and cultivate in seclusion before returning to confront the Cao Family.

• Blood Scar Bandit led an attack on the Liu Residence, but the Liu Family’s old patriarch emerged from hiding, defeated the attackers, and died after ordering the family branches to disperse.
• Aaron watched the Liu Family relocate its branches, abducted Liu Zaiming, killed him, and disguised himself to approach Liu Qinghe.
• Aaron struck down Liu Qinghe with Black Sand Palm and took the Iron Garment Fist manual, but Liu Qinghe died without revealing its secret medicine formula.
• Aaron learned that the Liu Family’s main branch had been wiped out and found a letter saying Nannan had taken Fourth Lady to safety in the countryside.
• News arrived that Cao Hongyan had killed Song Shentong and reached Transformation Force, while the imperial army advanced into Great Marsh Prefecture.
• Aaron chose not to challenge the Cao Family and left to cultivate in seclusion in the depths of Great Marsh Lake.