Chapter Summaries

After transmigrating as the son of a powerful official, Zeng Anmin learned that his father had been imprisoned on a charge of colluding with the Demon Race. Wang Daoyuan’s men seized him and raided the Zeng Manor, while Wang secretly revealed that the case was a frame-up and the verdict had already been decided.

• Zeng Anmin woke in the Holy Dynasty as a wealthy wastrel and discovered his father was a Grand Governor and powerful Confucian Cultivator.
• Uncle Qi rushed in and tried to flee with Zeng Anmin after warning him that his father had been imprisoned and the Xuanjing Division was coming.
• Zeng Anmin and Uncle Qi found Wang Daoyuan and over a hundred Xuanjing Division men surrounding the manor, and Wang ordered Zeng’s arrest.
• Uncle Qi tried to protect Zeng Anmin but was struck down by Wang Daoyuan, and the guards tied Zeng up and dragged him away as they raided the manor.
• Wang Daoyuan secretly told Zeng Anmin that his father had been framed and that the authorities planned to seize the household and seal the case with a predetermined verdict.

Zeng Anmin used Rapid Enlightenment to see through Wang Daoyuan’s plan to kill him and deduced that the Emperor had personally come to Two Rivers Prefecture. At the Xuanjing Division, he shouted that he wanted to see His Majesty and knew where the Dragon Survey Map was.

• Wang Daoyuan told Zeng Anmin that his father had been arrested after the original Dragon Survey Map was lost under suspicious circumstances.
• Zeng Anmin chose the Rapid Enlightenment entry and realized Wang Daoyuan intended to kill him if he tried to escape.
• Zeng Anmin deduced that the Emperor was in Two Rivers Prefecture and that his father had submitted to arrest because the Emperor was there.
• At the Xuanjing Division, Zeng Anmin called out that he wanted to see His Majesty and knew the Dragon Survey Map’s location.

Zeng Anmin revealed that he knew where the Dragon Survey Map was and who had plotted against his father, prompting the White-robed Youth to bring him before Emperor Jianhong. He told the Emperor that the map had never been lost and was still in the Xuanjing Division’s Map Repository.

• Zeng Anmin announced that he knew the location of the Dragon Survey Map and the culprit behind the plot against Zeng Shilin, and the White-robed Youth took him away.
• The White-robed Youth reported Zeng Anmin’s claims and his deduction that Emperor Jianhong had secretly come to Two Rivers Prefecture.
• Emperor Jianhong ordered Zeng Anmin summoned to the Prefectural Mansion’s rear garden.
• Zeng Anmin greeted Emperor Jianhong and declared that the Dragon Survey Map was still in the Xuanjing Division’s Map Repository.

Zeng Anmin argued that an ordinary person had stolen the Dragon Survey Map by using a substance that created poisonous Demonic Mist, then concluded the map had never left the Xuanjing Division. Emperor Jianhong and the others were left considering his claim.

• Zeng Anmin challenged the assumption that his father had colluded with the Demon Race, arguing that the culprit could have been an ordinary person whom the Xuanjing Division's formations would not detect.
• At Emperor Jianhong's command, Zeng Anmin gathered materials and made a crystalline substance that ignited in the air and produced white smoke.
• Zeng Anmin exposed an ordinary person to the smoke, and the person collapsed unconscious, demonstrating how his father could have been incapacitated.
• Zeng Anmin reasoned that the culprit was an ordinary person and declared that the Dragon Survey Map had been hidden somewhere inside the Xuanjing Division.

Zeng Anmin persuaded Emperor Jianhong to use a staged prison escape to draw out the thief who stole the Dragon Survey Map. After the plan lured Xuanjing Division's forces away, Zeng Anmin and the White-robed Youth returned to the Map Repository, where someone approached.

• Zeng Anmin explained to Princess Ning An and Emperor Jianhong that faking his escape would lure the thief back to the Xuanjing Division, and Jianhong approved the plan.
• A black-clad expert broke Zeng Anmin out of prison, prompting the Xuanjing Division to send its forces throughout Liangjiang Prefecture City in pursuit.
• The White-robed Youth carried Zeng Anmin back into the Map Repository after the Division had been emptied.
• Zeng Anmin discovered that the White-robed Youth's white hair was dyed and offered to perm it, exciting the youth.
• The White-robed Youth sensed someone approaching, and Zeng Anmin realized their plan was about to be tested.

Zeng Anmin’s attempt to catch the thief at the Map Repository failed when Princess Ning’an exposed the operation too soon, and the suspect died before he could be questioned. After the search turned up nothing, Zeng Anmin recalled the thief’s suspicious glance and found a ruined well concealing the Dragon Survey Map.

• Zeng Anmin and the White-robed Venerable watched an elderly Xuanjing Division attendant enter the Map Repository, but Princess Ning’an recognized him as a thief and ordered his arrest.
• The White-robed Venerable subdued the attendant, but the man poisoned himself and died before he could be questioned.
• Emperor Jianhong ordered a thorough search of the room, but the guards found no Dragon Survey Map and Jianhong held Zeng Anmin’s father responsible for failing to protect it.
• Zeng Anmin remembered that the attendant had glanced toward his hiding place and asked permission to inspect another spot, wagering that his discovery could clear his father.
• Zeng Anmin found a ruined dry well beneath an unusually thick pile of leaves in the forest, where the thief had hidden the Dragon Survey Map.

Zeng Anmin retrieved the Dragon Survey Map and unexpectedly opened his Purple Mansion before Emperor Jianhong pardoned him and allowed him to visit his imprisoned father. The reunion left Zeng Shilin challenging Jianhong over the false accusation against him.

• Zeng Anmin pulled the Dragon Survey Map from the dry well, and its phantom entered his Sea of Consciousness and opened his Purple Mansion.
• Emperor Jianhong accepted the recovered map, pardoned Zeng Anmin for its loss, and ordered Wang Daoyuan to investigate the dead man’s identity and possible accomplices.
• Zeng Anmin asked to see Zeng Shilin, and Jianhong led him and the others to the Imperial Prison.
• Zeng Shilin laughed bitterly alone in his cell, then stopped abruptly when Jianhong, Zeng Anmin, and the others entered.
• Zeng Shilin mocked the investigators and accused Jianhong of wrongfully imprisoning him, prompting Jianhong’s smile to disappear.

Zeng Shilin learned that Zeng Anmin had solved the case and cleared his name, but refused to leave prison without an imperial decree proclaiming his innocence. Jianhong offered Zeng Anmin an Imperial Guard appointment instead, then left after Zeng Shilin rejected it and requested that his merit be converted into money for public works.

• Jianhong told Zeng Shilin that Zeng Anmin had solved the case and redeemed himself, but Zeng Shilin assumed his son had deceived the emperor and tried to take the blame himself.
• The White-robed Venerable recounted how Zeng Anmin had resisted Wang Daoyuan's manipulation and solved the case, while emphasizing his own assistance.
• Zeng Anmin explained that Uncle Qi's death had changed him and that his trust in his father's innocence had guided his investigation, moving Zeng Shilin to praise his growth.
• Jianhong told Zeng Shilin to return home, but Zeng Shilin refused to leave prison until an imperial decree cleared his name, and Ning An supported his request.
• Jianhong offered Zeng Anmin an Imperial Guard appointment as a reward, but Zeng Shilin rejected it and asked for the merit to be converted into money for bridges and roads; Jianhong left, and Zeng Shilin led his son out of the cell.

After the Dragon Survey Map case was solved, Zeng Shilin ordered repairs to Tong'an Street and tasked officials with investigating the theft’s mastermind. On the ride home, Zeng Anmin met Huzi, his cousin’s son who called him Dad, and learned Huzi had been mistreated in prison alongside Concubine Lin.

• Zeng Shilin ordered Qi Xiande to oversee repairs to Tong'an Street and told Wang Deli to investigate Wang Lang and uncover the mastermind behind the stolen Dragon Survey Map.
• Wang Deli and Qi Xiande praised Zeng Anmin for solving the case, and Zeng Shilin dismissed the officials after arranging their duties.
• Zeng Anmin and Zeng Shilin boarded their carriage, where Concubine Lin said the detained servants had been released and Zeng Shilin vowed to purge the Xuanjing Division.
• Zeng Anmin recognized Huzi as his cousin’s son and recalled that the boy had begun calling him Dad after being mocked for having no father.
• Huzi told Zeng Anmin that people had locked him up without food, then said they had mistreated Concubine Lin too, leaving Zeng Anmin startled by the way he addressed her.

Zeng Anmin examined the Dragon Survey Map phantom in his Sea of Consciousness Space and discovered powerful writing on its reverse. The next morning, Zeng Shilin ordered him to attend Shuidu Academy without revealing their relationship, leaving Zeng Anmin to wonder why his father was sending him away with little money.

• Zeng Anmin confirmed that Rapid Enlightenment had brought the Dragon Survey Map phantom into his Sea of Consciousness Space and let him comprehend its true intent.
• Zeng Anmin read the line on the map's reverse, wrote a boastful couplet of his own, and celebrated by singing.
• Zeng Anmin dreamed that Zeng Shilin accused him of an affair with Aunt Lin, then woke when a servant summoned him.
• Zeng Anmin saw Uncle Qi recovering from his injuries and learned from Zeng Shilin that he would attend Shuidu Academy the next day.
• Zeng Shilin told Zeng Anmin to conceal that he was his son and leave his silver with Qi Dachun, then said the Confucian Path cultivated the heart.

Zeng Anmin enrolled at Shuidu Academy to begin cultivating the Confucian Path, despite his father's hope of keeping him away from the danger surrounding the stolen Dragon Survey Map. During his first lesson, he comprehended Literary Qi from a book and felt it enter his Sea of Consciousness.

• Zeng Shilin told Zeng Anmin he could return only after opening Purple Mansion, and Zeng Anmin agreed to cultivate quickly.
• Zeng Anmin and Qi Dachun arrived at Shuidu Academy, where Qi Dachun carried their belongings and collected oddly shaped stones.
• Dean Qin Shouchang refused to meet Zeng Anmin, dismissing him as an untalented son of a Great Scholar.
• An instructor demonstrated how Literary Qi could destroy Malevolent Qi and introduced three books for students to study.
• Zeng Anmin opened "Imperial Academy," memorized its contents, and felt a warm current of Literary Qi rush into his Sea of Consciousness Space.

Zeng Anmin rapidly read two books and built a sphere of Literary Qi in his Sea of Consciousness, but his page-turning angered Master Han, who threatened to expel him. When Zeng Anmin claimed he had experienced an epiphany and raised his middle finger, milky-white radiance appeared at its tip.

• Zeng Anmin discovered that he could nourish Literary Qi through his Sea of Consciousness and quickly read the books on his desk.
• Master Han warned the students that overusing their vital essence could kill them, then stopped Zeng Anmin from reading further.
• Master Han ordered Zeng Anmin to take thirty ruler strikes, and threatened to expel him when he refused to hold out his hand.
• Zeng Anmin said he had experienced an epiphany and challenged Master Han to hear what he had realized.
• Zeng Anmin raised his middle finger before Master Han, and a trace of milky-white radiance flickered at its tip.

Zeng Anmin comprehended Literary Qi in less than a quarter of an hour, prompting Master Han to apologize and arrange his promotion to a higher class. After Zeng Anmin received three Martial Arts Entries to choose from, Dean Qin Shouchang learned that the academy’s new prodigy was Zeng Anmin.

• Zeng Anmin revealed a strand of Literary Qi, and Master Han confirmed his bone age and rapid comprehension.
• Master Han apologized for his prejudice and said he would arrange for Zeng Anmin to advance to a higher class.
• Zeng Anmin received three Silver Martial Arts Entries and faced a countdown to choose one.
• The steward told Qin Shouchang that a new student had comprehended Literary Qi in less than a quarter of an hour.
• Qin Shouchang asked which family the student came from, and the steward named Zeng Anmin, leaving the Dean shocked.

At Shuidu Academy, Qin Shouchang arranged for Zeng Anmin to enter the Confucian Path early, hoping his impatience would eventually force the Dean to rescue him. After Emperor Jianhong departed Two Rivers Prefecture, Zeng Shilin learned that his son had comprehended Literary Qi in less than a quarter of an hour and struggled to hide his pride.

• Qin Shouchang suspected Zeng Anmin had secretly studied the Confucian Path before turning sixteen and ordered the steward to arrange his advancement for the next day.
• Zeng Shilin warned Two Rivers Prefecture's officials to keep Emperor Jianhong's visit secret as the emperor's ship sailed away.
• A clerk delivered Shuidu Academy's letter reporting Zeng Anmin's rapid comprehension of Literary Qi.
• Qin Xiande and the other officials read the letter, celebrated Zeng Anmin's talent, and congratulated Zeng Shilin.
• Zeng Shilin downplayed the news, dismissed the officials, and hurried to his carriage, where he laughed with delight.

Zeng Anmin searched for a way to cultivate the Confucian and Martial Paths together, but a book said their qi could not coexist. At Shuidu Academy, he met top student Zhang Lun, who explained the next stage of Confucian cultivation.

• Zeng Anmin read books in the Dark Document Hall but found no guidance on dual cultivation, and On Confucian Martial Arts said Literary Qi and martial qi could not be cultivated together.
• Zeng Anmin attended class in Jiazi Classroom, where Instructor Wang Yuli seated him and pointed him to Zhang Lun for help.
• Wang Yuli announced that Zhang Lun had placed first in three consecutive major examinations and awarded him a Shuidu Order, granting a chance to enter the Library of Past Sages.
• After class, Zhang Lun invited Zeng Anmin to study together, and they exchanged courtesy names.
• Zeng Anmin asked about the Cultivation of Temperament Realm, and Zhang Lun explained that practitioners needed to accumulate Literary Qi in all 720 major acupoints without rushing.

Zeng Anmin learned from Zhang Lun why Confucian cultivation and martial arts usually conflicted, then realized his own circumstances might let him pursue both. As he examined the Dragon Survey Map in his Sea of Consciousness Space, he discovered that a line of his poem had been replaced by a mysterious question.

• Zhang Lun explained that Literary Qi and Martial Arts Aura could not safely be cultivated in the same body because both paths washed the body's acupoints with incompatible energy.
• Zeng Anmin reasoned that his Literary Qi came from his Sea of Consciousness Space, so martial arts cultivation might not conflict with it, and decided to seek a beginner's method in secret.
• Qi Dachun told Zeng Anmin that martial arts could be learned through Qi Guiding Diagrams or by having an expert press specific points on the body.
• Zeng Anmin examined the Martial Arts Spiritual Artifact stored in his Sea of Consciousness Space and saw that the Dragon Survey Map's opening line had been replaced with a question asking whether he was a Confucian Cultivator from the Northern Saint Kingdom.

Zeng Anmin discovered that the Dragon Survey Map connected him to the owners of the other Heavenly Dao Diagrams and used their mistaken belief that he held the Xi Huang Diagram to form an alliance. The Heavenly Dao Alliance exchanged martial cultivation diagrams and poetry, leaving Huang inspired to hunt demon beasts.

• Zeng Anmin learned that the other person believed his map was the Xi Huang Diagram, and he concealed the truth while asking about the diagrams' connection.
• Nan, Huang, and Dao joined the conversation, and Zeng Anmin proposed forming the Heavenly Dao Alliance.
• The four chose the notes Bei, Nan, Huang, and Dao, then agreed to help one another grow stronger.
• Nan asked Zeng Anmin for the complete poem, and Zeng Anmin requested Qi Guiding Diagrams in return.
• Nan sent Zeng Anmin several Qi Guiding Diagrams, and Zeng Anmin shared a poem that left Huang eager to hunt demon beasts.

Zeng Anmin entered the Ninth-rank Martial Arts realm and chose an entry that raised his combat power to the eighth rank. At the academy, he amused Qi Dachun with twisted explanations of Confucian sayings until the instructor caught him and ordered him to stand through the lesson without eating.

• Zeng Anmin used Nan's Qi Guiding Diagram and breathing method to sense spiritual qi and enter the Ninth-rank Martial Arts realm.
• The system offered three Martial Arts Entries, and Zeng Anmin chose High-End Power, which raised his combat strength to the eighth rank.
• Zeng Anmin sensed the martial aura gathering in his body and realized he could use the methods of an Eighth-rank Breath Nurturing Realm martial artist without having opened a dantian.
• At the academy, Zeng Anmin gave Qi Dachun joking interpretations of several Confucian sayings.
• The instructor overheard Zeng Anmin, scolded him for insulting refinement, and ordered him to stand through the lesson without eating.

Zeng Anmin was confined to the classroom and denied lunch, but Zhang Lun secretly shared his steamed buns with him. After Wang Lin tried to buy Zhang Lun’s Shuidu Order, Zhang Lun refused and declared he would make his own future, leaving Zeng Anmin impressed by his resolve.

• The instructor confined Zeng Anmin within a visible aura and forbade him from eating lunch.
• Zhang Lun secretly gave Zeng Anmin two steamed buns and shielded him while he ate.
• Wang Lin asked Zhang Lun to reconsider giving him the Shuidu Order in exchange for wealth or a promising future.
• Zhang Lun refused to give up the order and rejected Wang Lin’s offer of support.
• Zhang Lun declared that he would forge his own future, and Zeng Anmin praised his lofty spirit before joking about his own ambitions.

Zeng Anmin learned that his friend Zhang Lun had been murdered and examined the body outside Shuidu Academy. He concluded that the killer had staged the scene to disguise a theft, though the instructor challenged his reasoning.

• Zeng Anmin celebrated his progress in Literary Qi and martial arts before heading to class.
• A classmate told Zeng Anmin that Zhang Lun was dead, and Zeng Anmin rushed to the academy gates.
• Wang Daoyuan and an instructor suspected Zhang Lun had been killed in revenge after finding his naked body in the snow.
• Zeng Anmin examined the scene and argued that a ranked martial artist had killed Zhang Lun instantly, leaving no footprints and stripping him to conceal the theft of his possessions.
• The instructor objected that a ranked martial artist had no reason to steal from Zhang Lun, who came from a commoner family.