Chapter Summaries

Qin Xi and Ancestor Hongjun prepared to travel to North Goose City to confront the Masked Man. After Ouyang Qing woke the others, the group gathered in the courtyard, ready to set out.

• Qin Xi and Ancestor Hongjun rose early and agreed they were glad to fight side by side again.
• Qin Xi told Ouyang Qing to inform everyone that they were going to North Goose City that day.
• Ouyang Qing woke Di Qun, Ao Xin, and the others, who were surprised by the sudden departure.
• Di Qun and the others packed their bundles and relaxed when they saw Qin Xi, Daoist Yangmei, and the others waiting calmly in the courtyard.
• Di Qun walked over to Qin Xi and the others.

Qin Xi and his companions prepared to depart for North Goose City, where he intended to confront the Masked Man despite the risk of severe injury and delayed cultivation. His allies pledged their support and gathered forces to help.

• Qin Xi told everyone they would prepare to leave for North Goose City after eating.
• Ao Xin asked whether Qin Xi had prepared for the danger and made arrangements for the consequences of his injuries.
• Qin Xi said he was ready to kill the Masked Man even if the confrontation harmed both sides and delayed his cultivation for decades.
• Qin Xi urged his companions to prepare but said he would confront the Masked Man himself.
• Ancestor Hongjun said he had brought outstanding disciples from his sect to help.
• Ouyang Qing and Ao Xin said they had gathered powerful Fox Clan talents and Dragon Warriors to support the group.

Qin Xi accepted the forces his friends had gathered to help with the coming conflict, grateful for their support. Yu Xue asked to join him, but he left her behind to protect Qin Dao and warned that she and Sweet Potato might face greater danger after the others departed.

• Di Qun offered the Monster Clan members she had gathered to help Qin Xi.
• Qin Xi thanked Di Qun, Ouyang Qing, Ao Xin, and the others, then accepted the use of their forces.
• Daoist Yangmei said he could not help because he was alone and had no forces to offer.
• Yu Xue and Hong Lian prepared breakfast, and Yu Xue asked Qin Xi to take her with him.
• Qin Xi told Yu Xue to stay with Qin Dao and protect it alongside Sweet Potato, warning that they might face danger after the others left.

Qin Xi and the others prepared to leave for North Goose City to deal with the Masked Man. Once the group had gathered, Qin Xi led them toward the city, determined to settle the matter.

• Xiao Hui agreed to protect the people remaining behind with Sweet Potato so they would not hold Qin Xi back.
• After breakfast, Qin Xi told Di Qun, Ao Xin, and Ouyang Qing to gather their forces before setting out.
• Ancestor Hongjun told Qin Xi that his people were already prepared and explained he was coming to address the deaths of his disciples as well.
• Di Qun, Ao Xin, and Ouyang Qing returned with their people, and Qin Xi ordered everyone to head for North Goose City.

Qin Xi decided to investigate Masked Man in North Goose City and left with Ancestor Hongjun, Daoist Yangmei, and the others. Yu Xue and Sweet Potato stayed behind to protect Qin Dao and manage matters in Qin Xi’s absence.

• Ancestor Hongjun and Daoist Yangmei pledged to stand with Qin Xi as he prepared to confront the threat.
• Yu Xue accepted that she could not travel with Qin Xi and vowed to protect Qin Dao while he was away.
• Sweet Potato agreed with Yu Xue that they must handle their duties and avoid causing trouble for Qin Xi.
• Di Qun closed the door, leaving Yu Xue and Sweet Potato alone in the courtyard.
• Qin Xi led Ancestor Hongjun and the others out of the city and toward the quiet forests on its outskirts.

Qin Xi led his group to North Goose City, the Masked Man’s suspected main base, and decided they would disguise themselves and enter without drawing attention. The chapter ended with the others staring in surprise at Qin Xi’s convincing disguise as a vegetable seller.

• Qin Xi led the group toward North Goose City and told everyone to keep up, while Di Qun volunteered to guard the rear.
• After traveling for about half a day, Qin Xi and the others landed outside North Goose City without entering it.
• Qin Xi proposed that they disguise themselves as ordinary people and sneak into the city to search for the Masked Man.
• Di Qun and Ao Xin bought coarse clothes, and the group changed their appearances.
• Qin Xi darkened his face, stuck on a beard, and carried a basket of vegetables, astonishing Ancestor Hongjun and the others.

Qin Xi, Ancestor Hongjun, and Daoist Yangmei prepared disguises, but Yangmei’s ragged clothes alone did not make him look like a beggar. Qin Xi dirtied his face and clothes, leaving Yangmei looking much more convincing as the group laughed.

• Ancestor Hongjun teased Qin Xi about his convincing farmer disguise, and Qin Xi complimented Hongjun’s old-man outfit.
• Daoist Yangmei complained that his ragged clothes made him look like a refugee or beggar.
• Di Qun explained that the outfit had been bought from a beggar because suitable clothes were limited.
• Qin Xi smeared muddy water over Daoist Yangmei’s face and body to improve his disguise.
• Ao Xin, Di Qun, and the others laughed at Yangmei’s new appearance, which needed only a slight change in posture to complete the disguise.

Qin Xi and the others disguised themselves and entered North Goose City without drawing attention. He sent them out in pairs to search for information, and the group sensed an undercurrent of violence beneath the city’s peaceful appearance.

• Qin Xi entered North Goose City disguised as an old vegetable seller and hid beside a civilian house.
• Di Qun, Ao Xin, and the others entered the city in plain clothes and gathered with Qin Xi.
• Daoist Yangmei entered disguised as a beggar, complained about how people recoiled from him, and joined the others.
• Qin Xi told everyone to search in pairs and regroup at the same place in two hours.
• Daoist Yangmei paired with Ancestor Hongjun, while Hong Lian and Ouyang Qing set out together disguised as husband and wife.

Qin Xi searched North Goose City alone and suspected the Masked Man had settled somewhere comfortable within the city. He left the government office area and began searching the upscale residential district.

• Qin Xi wandered to a government office and noticed a black-clad man inside.
• The man told Qin Xi to leave, and Qin Xi pretended he had gotten lost.
• Qin Xi suspected the man was one of the Masked Man’s subordinates and thought the Masked Man might live near the government office.
• Qin Xi decided to tell the others what he had seen when they regrouped and continued searching among the district’s large residences.

Di Qun and Hong Lian concluded that the Masked Man was more likely to hide in North Goose City’s wealthy districts than its slums and changed direction to investigate. Meanwhile, Di Qun tried to make Ao Xin blend in as they searched, but Ao Xin questioned the aimless plan.

• Di Qun asked Hong Lian where the pleasure-seeking Masked Man would feel safest.
• Hong Lian reasoned that the Masked Man would avoid the slums and likely own properties in bustling, wealthy areas.
• Di Qun and Hong Lian headed toward those districts to search for the Masked Man.
• Di Qun told Ao Xin to lower her intimidating presence and stoop like an ordinary laborer.
• Ao Xin complained that wandering around North Goose City without a plan would not help them find the Masked Man.

Di Qun and Ao Xin investigated a heavily guarded courtyard and noticed its gatekeepers wore official boots. Di Qun suspected the Masked Man was protected by local authorities and planned to discuss it with Qin Xi and Big Boss.

• Ao Xin and Di Qun spotted a large courtyard surrounded by high walls and heavy guards.
• Two black-clad gatekeepers stopped them and ordered them to leave.
• Di Qun led Ao Xin to a hiding place and asked what she had noticed.
• Di Qun pointed out that the gatekeepers wore official boots and suspected someone with authority protected the courtyard.
• Di Qun said she and Ao Xin would discuss the suspicious place with Qin Xi and Big Boss.

Qin Xi, Daoist Yangmei, and Ancestor Hongjun met while searching the upscale area for the Masked Man. Qin Xi and Ancestor Hongjun agreed to investigate its large courtyards, while Daoist Yangmei was left wondering what they had figured out.

• Ao Xin admitted she had no idea about the matter and continued searching with Di Qun.
• Qin Xi searched the upscale area and spotted Daoist Yangmei and Ancestor Hongjun.
• Daoist Yangmei and Ancestor Hongjun teased Qin Xi about his farmer disguise and his broken stick.
• Ancestor Hongjun and Qin Xi concluded that the Masked Man might live in one of the area's spacious courtyards and decided to investigate.
• Daoist Yangmei asked what they had thought of, but Qin Xi refused to explain and Ancestor Hongjun let him figure it out himself.

Qin Xi, Ancestor Hongjun, and Daoist Yangmei searched North Goose City for the Masked Man, praising his skill at managing the city while still treating him as an enemy. As they continued through the wealthy district, a rider charged toward them, shouting for them to move aside.

• Qin Xi and his companions searched the southern district of North Goose City and noticed its orderly layout.
• Ancestor Hongjun praised the Masked Man’s management skills, and Qin Xi revealed that the Masked Man was one of his avatars.
• Qin Xi said they still needed to devise a way to catch the Masked Man, whom he considered a clever enemy.
• Qin Xi and Ancestor Hongjun found no reason to suspect an ordinary courtyard and continued through the wealthy district.
• A rider galloped toward Qin Xi and his companions, shouting for them to move aside, and Qin Xi exchanged a glance with Ancestor Hongjun.

Qin Xi and the others investigated the wealthy part of town after a mysterious rider raced past them, while Di Qun and Ao Xin independently reached the same area. Di Qun began explaining that she had suspected the Masked Man was treating the place as his own territory.

• A rider galloped past Qin Xi and Daoist Yangmei, and Ancestor Hongjun warned that the rider was probably not an ordinary person.
• Qin Xi and Ancestor Hongjun turned back to investigate the rider's route, leaving Daoist Yangmei baffled by their decision.
• Di Qun and Ao Xin abandoned their search of ordinary areas and headed toward the wealthy district.
• Qin Xi and Ancestor Hongjun found no sign of the rider before meeting Di Qun and Ao Xin.
• Di Qun greeted Qin Xi, Ancestor Hongjun, and Daoist Yangmei, then began explaining her suspicions about the Masked Man.

Qin Xi’s group compared their findings and decided to investigate the suspicious government office after dark while keeping the wealthy district under suspicion. Hong Lian and Ouyang Qing joined them, and Qin Xi praised Hong Lian’s judgment and suggested she could manage affairs in the Fox Clan.

• Qin Xi told Di Qun and the others that the government office was suspicious because its officers and soldiers had cultivation, and that one house in the wealthy district was also strange.
• Qin Xi proposed gathering everyone and inspecting the government office after dark, while continuing to investigate the wealthy district.
• Hong Lian and Ouyang Qing emerged from an alley and met Qin Xi’s group.
• Ouyang Qing explained that Hong Lian had suggested coming to the area because she had lived in the Human Realm.
• Qin Xi praised Hong Lian’s ability and suggested she could manage matters in the Fox Clan, then looked toward the alley as a relatively safe place.

Qin Xi and the others hid in an alley in North Goose City and planned to investigate the government office after dark, where they suspected the Masked Man might be. As night approached, Qin Xi told the group they could move.

• Qin Xi led the group into a hidden alley so they could discuss their next steps out of sight.
• Qin Xi told them that unusually powerful guards protected the government office and proposed investigating it after dark.
• Ouyang Qing recognized that the Masked Man had taken control of North Goose City, and the group waited for nightfall.
• Qin Xi observed that the city was well governed but still considered the Masked Man a danger to its people and the Primordial World.
• As the sky darkened, Qin Xi told the others they could go.

Qin Xi and his allies prepared to infiltrate the government office at night to confront the Masked Man and investigate the missing disciples. They split into teams and entered from different directions, with Qin Xi, Ancestor Hongjun, and Daoist Yangmei reaching the quiet courtyard of the main hall.

• Qin Xi agreed to set out immediately, and Ao Xin and Di Qun prepared to move with him.
• Qin Xi divided the group into teams to infiltrate the government office from four directions.
• Di Qun and Ao Xin headed west, while Ouyang Qing and Hong Lian headed east.
• Qin Xi told Ancestor Hongjun and Daoist Yangmei that this was the critical moment to settle matters with the Masked Man.
• Qin Xi, Ancestor Hongjun, and Daoist Yangmei concealed themselves in the night and entered the courtyard.
• Qin Xi landed near the main hall courtyard and glanced back at Ancestor Hongjun.

Qin Xi and his companions found a guarded, lavishly furnished room where they believed Masked Man was hiding. While Ancestor Hongjun and Daoist Yangmei dealt with four hidden guards, Qin Xi entered the room and found a wall.

• Ancestor Hongjun checked the lit room and saw no one inside.
• Four burly men in black emerged around the house, and Qin Xi recognized them as unusually strong hidden guards.
• Qin Xi told Ancestor Hongjun and Daoist Yangmei to handle the guards quietly.
• Ancestor Hongjun attacked with a water talisman, knocking the guards backward and drenching them.
• The tall guard ordered the others to attack Ancestor Hongjun with blades.
• Qin Xi opened the door and entered the room, where he saw a wall.

Qin Xi discovered a hidden passage and sent Daoist Yangmei to handle the four Black-Clad Men who emerged from it. As Daoist Yangmei took the fight outside, Qin Xi prepared to investigate the house’s secret.

• Four Black-Clad Men came through a hidden door, and one attacked Qin Xi with a blade that chopped down the door behind him.
• Ancestor Hongjun scolded Qin Xi and the others for making too much noise, while Qin Xi insisted he had not caused the damage.
• Qin Xi asked Daoist Yangmei to deal with the men and went to investigate what was hidden inside the house.
• Daoist Yangmei swept the Black-Clad Men into a whirlwind and sent them flying outside to continue the fight.
• Ancestor Hongjun saw the injured men and warned Daoist Yangmei that his fighting might tear down the house.

Qin Xi found the hidden entrance to Masked Man’s underground stronghold and confronted his powerful double. Masked Man had nearly recovered and taken control of North Goose City, leaving the two face to face in the hall.

• Qin Xi followed the Black-Clad Men through the secret chamber and entered the underground palace.
• Qin Xi explored the empty rooms and reached a large hall.
• Masked Man emerged from the darkness as a mirror surrounded by black qi.
• Qin Xi recognized that Masked Man had recovered from his injuries and grown much stronger.
• Qin Xi confronted Masked Man over taking control of North Goose City.