Chapter Summaries

Chen Mu met Inspector Yan Jingqing, impressed him with his knowledge of governance, and was appointed Commandant of the Surveillance Department while also holding a new commandant post in the Demon Subduing Office. Yan Jingqing acknowledged the He Family’s attempted move against Chen Mu, and Chen Mu left understanding that the laws of the court could not straightforwardly override the martial world’s rules in Jade Province.

• Chen Mu entered Jade City after sensing that He Wuyou had approached him and Yu Jiujiang had secretly watched over him.
• Chen Mu met Yan Jingqing at the Surveillance Department and answered his questions about cultivating oneself and governing a state.
• Yan Jingqing praised Chen Mu’s abilities and appointed him Commandant of the Surveillance Department, while arranging for him to become a Commandant of the Demon Subduing Office as well.
• Yan Jingqing told Chen Mu that he had already ordered someone to deal with the He Family after its attempt to test him.
• Chen Mu asked whether the laws of the court or the rules of the martial world took priority when dealing with the Four Great Sects, and Yan Jingqing told him to judge for himself.

After becoming a Surveillance Department Commandant and retaining command of the Demon Subduing Office, Chen Mu returned to the Yu Family and reunited with Yu Zhen and the rescued Yu Yao. News of his promotion shook Jade City, leaving the He Family’s allies in panic and drawing the attention of the Four Great Sects.

• Chen Mu considered his new authority and remained wary that the He Family might be secretly colluding with the Heavenly Corpse Sect, though no proof had been found.
• Yu Zhen welcomed Chen Mu at the Yu Family Residence, thanked him for saving Yu Yao, and introduced the healthy baby to him.
• Chen Mu greeted Yu Yao and went inside with Xiao He to discuss his new post and what might follow with the Yu Family.
• News spread that Chen Mu had become Jade Commandery’s only local Surveillance Department Commandant while also commanding the Demon Subduing Office, stirring a great uproar throughout Jade City.
• Fu Linjiang and other factions tied to the He Family panicked, while figures from the Four Great Sects turned their attention toward Chen Mu.

Zhang Youying learned that Chen Mu had become Capital Director of the Surveillance Department and wondered what she had missed as he rose beyond her reach. In the north of Jing Yu County, Xue Lin learned that Chen Mu had also mastered two Artistic Conceptions and been appointed a concurrent Capital Director of the Demon Subduing Office.

• A waiter told Zhang Youying that Butcher Zhang was celebrating Chen Mu's promotion to Capital Director of the Surveillance Department with firecrackers.
• Zhang Youying reflected on Chen Mu's rise and wondered what she had missed despite having gained the stable life she once wanted.
• Xue Lin's forces brought down a near-Tier Four Wild Bull demon, and Xue Lin credited his victory to comprehending the Li Fire Artistic Conception.
• Xue Lin imagined that his new mastery would secure his place as the foremost young figure in Jade Commandery and put his past irritation with Chen Mu behind him.
• A scout reported that Chen Mu had become Capital Director of the Surveillance Department and had been appointed to a newly created Demon Subduing Office Capital Director post as well.
• The scout revealed that Chen Mu had reached the Duan Gu Realm and mastered both the Trigram Wind and Zhen Lei Artistic Conceptions, leaving Xue Lin and the others stunned.

Chen Mu visited Yu Jiujiang after becoming Capital Director of both the Surveillance Department and the Demon Subduing Office, and asked how his strength compared with Five Viscera Realm martial artists. He left with a clearer measure of the realm’s power and resolved to advance his Li Fire Power of Intent and Bone Tempering.

• Chen Mu reported that Yan Jingqing would warn the He Family, and Yu Jiujiang agreed that the Yu Family should not move against them yet.
• Yu Jiujiang explained that Chen Mu’s new posts brought protection and opportunity, though they would also draw attention.
• Chen Mu asked how the Second Step of Power of Intent compared with the Five Viscera Realm, and Yu Jiujiang said the answer depended on the martial artist.
• Yu Jiujiang demonstrated his second-step Kan Water Power of Intent and said he could defeat He Wuyou within a hundred moves.
• Chen Mu judged that advancing his Li Fire Power of Intent and tempering his Bone Tempering Realm were the keys to becoming safe from most threats.

After four months of cultivation and quiet administration as Commandant of the Surveillance Department, Chen Mu reached perfection in Bone Tempering and found his Fine Iron Saber unable to withstand his combined Artistic Conceptions. He sought a replacement from the Yu Family elders and left with Quicksilver Ore, though they realized afterward that he would also need scarce Mystic Iron ore.

• Chen Mu excavated a concealed underground cultivation room beneath his training chamber and spent four months cultivating while the Surveillance Department remained quiet.
• Chen Mu reached perfection in the Tiger Demon Bone Forging Method and demonstrated that his bare finger could pierce pig iron.
• Chen Mu practiced his Wind, Thunder, and Fire saber techniques, but stopped before using the fourth strike because his Fine Iron Saber was close to breaking.
• Chen Mu visited the Yu Family elders to seek a sturdier saber, and they bickered over offering him their granddaughters as additional brides.
• Yu Zuting gave Chen Mu a piece of Quicksilver Ore for forging a treasured saber, then realized he might lack the Mystic Iron ore needed to use it.

Chen Mu investigated intelligence suggesting that Yan Wansi, chief of the Black Cloud Bandits, had appeared in Jade City. He searched an East City pleasure house in disguise but found no one he could identify, leaving the hunt unresolved.

• At the Yu Family Weapon Forging Hall, Chen Mu learned that forging his Quicksilver Ore into a saber required top-grade Mystic Iron, then borrowed a Fine Iron Saber while considering how to investigate the He Family.
• At the Surveillance Department, Chen Mu reviewed reports and noticed that Yan Wansi, chief of the Black Cloud Bandits, was suspected to have appeared in Jade City.
• Chen Mu recalled the Black Cloud Bandits' possible ties to the He Family and their past role in events that injured Xu Hongyu, and decided Yan Wansi was worth investigating.
• Chen Mu disguised himself and visited Oriole Pavilion in East City's Perfume Alley, where he surveyed the guests for Yan Wansi.
• Chen Mu found no identifiable match in the hall and considered using his Autumn Wind Perception to distinguish hidden guests by their auras.

Chen Mu searched Oriole Pavilion for Yan Wansi, identified a concealed Heaven Sword Sect disciple, and tracked Yan to a private room. He interrupted Yan’s assault on a young dancer and confronted him as the Surveillance Department’s Commander.

• Chen Mu tested two martial artists in the hall with drops of wine, ruling them out as Yan Wansi.
• Chen Mu’s counter to Lu Yuan’s sword-intent-infused wine drop surprised Lu Yuan, who considered whether Chen was the Surveillance Department officer.
• Chen Mu went upstairs with Xiao Lian while Yan Wansi tried to force himself on a young dancer in a private room.
• Chen Mu’s flower branches pierced the room and drove Yan Wansi toward the window, then forced him back inside.
• Chen Mu entered and revealed himself to Yan Wansi as the Surveillance Department’s Commander.

Chen Mu captured Black Cloud Bandit chief Yan Wansi and discovered the Joyful Union Sect had sheltered him, while sparing Xiao Lian and arranging for her release. Yan Wansi’s interrogation implicated the He Family in ties to the Heavenly Corpse Sect, prompting a purge of He Family officials before Yan Jingqing’s campaign against them abruptly stopped.

• Chen Mu captured Yan Wansi after stopping him from attacking a young woman, and the woman revealed she belonged to the Joyful Union Sect.
• Chen Mu left Xiao Lian in the Joyful Union Sect’s care and took Yan Wansi to the Surveillance Department for interrogation by Pang Xiangyun.
• The Surveillance Department removed He Guangxun from his post, appointed Yu Zutian in his place, and the Demon Subduing Office dismissed several He Family officials.
• Chen Mu learned Yan Wansi’s testimony had raised suspicions that the He Family had ties to remnants of the Heavenly Corpse Sect.
• Yan Jingqing halted further action against the He Family, and matters returned to calm.

Chen Mu obtained the Quicksilver Saber and tested it with his saber arts, then continued cultivating Li Fire Power of Intent. After reaching its second step, he wondered whether his current strength could match Yu Jiujiang for a few moves.

• Chen Mu judged that the He Family was likely exchanging resources with the Heavenly Corpse Sect remnants and decided to focus on strengthening himself.
• A metallurgist at the Yu Family Weapon Forging Hall completed a treasured saber from Quicksilver Stone, and Chen Mu named it the Quicksilver Saber.
• Chen Mu tested the Quicksilver Saber with his combined wind, thunder, and fire saber move, shattering a block of pig iron without damaging the blade.
• Chen Mu planned to cultivate the Trigram Wind and Kan Water Powers of Intent after advancing Li Fire, and focused on studying the Li Fire Diagram.
• Several days later, Chen Mu mastered the second step of Li Fire Power of Intent and gained precise control over its flames.
• Chen Mu reflected on his improved strength and wondered whether he could exchange a few moves with Yu Jiujiang.

After advancing his Li Fire Power of Intent, Chen Mu discussed martial training with Yu Ru and shared a private moment with Xu Hongyu. The chapter ended as Xu Hongyu, reassured about her Ice Jade Physique, leaned closer to try something she had seen in erotic illustrations.

• Chen Mu returned from training and accidentally embarrassed Yu Ru when she entered his room while he was undressed.
• Chen Mu and Yu Ru discussed her difficulty comprehending Sword Force before Chen Yue arrived and played with her.
• Xu Hongyu visited Chen Mu, and Chen Yue took Yu Ru outside to give them time alone.
• Xu Hongyu explained that she had hoped to protect Yu Ru by finding her a steady family, and Chen Mu teased her about her matchmaking plan.
• After Chen Mu and Xu Hongyu were intimate, he reassured her that her Ice Jade Physique was not a flaw and might change when she comprehended the Kan Water Power of Intent.
• Xu Hongyu drew closer and began telling Chen Mu about other things she had seen in erotic illustrations.

Chen Mu went to a Joyful Union Sect base after Chen Yue and Yu Ru were detained, and confronted the sect’s disciples. He recognized Hua Nongying after resisting her sister’s Power of Intent, leaving the encounter poised for a discussion about his sisters.

• Xiao He told Xu Hongyu and Chen Mu that Chen Yue and Yu Ru had been detained and that guards sent to find them had disappeared.
• Chen Mu changed into his Surveillance Department uniform and followed a guard to a Joyful Union Sect residence in the Inner City.
• Hou Lingling greeted Chen Mu and said the sect had brought him there, but he demanded to know where his sisters were.
• Hua Nongyue approached and tested Chen Mu with her Joyful Union Power of Intent, but his second-step Trigram Thunder Power of Intent dispelled her enchantment.
• Chen Mu realized the woman before him was Hua Nongying, the other Joyful Union Twin, and maintained his demand for answers.

Chen Mu met Hua Nongying at the Joyful Union Sect and retrieved Chen Yue and Yu Ru, while learning that the sect wanted to share intelligence about the Heavenly Corpse Sect remnants with Yan Jingqing. He left wary of the growing conflict among the sects and resolved to strengthen himself before it spread.

• Hua Nongying explained that the Joyful Union Sect had invited Chen Mu's sister because she possessed a Bewitching Bone, then revealed information about the Heavenly Corpse Sect remnants for him to pass to Yan Jingqing.
• Chen Mu learned that the Joyful Union Sect hoped to cooperate with Yan Jingqing and that the four sects were nearing conflict with the Heavenly Corpse Sect remnants.
• Hua Nongying brought Chen Yue and Yu Ru to Chen Mu, and he confirmed they were unharmed and led them away.
• Hua Nongying teased Chen Mu about the Joyful Union Sect's cultivation methods, embarrassing Yu Ru and Chen Yue.
• On the way back, Chen Mu assessed Hua Nongying's strength and decided to cultivate Trigram Wind Power of Intent before the looming conflict.

Chen Mu reported the Joyful Union Sect’s offer to Yan Jingqing, then went to the Demon Subduing Office to study the Trigram Wind diagram. There he met Meng Danyun, who offered to guide his Wind Power of Intent while quietly pursuing a breakthrough of her own.

• Chen Mu told Yan Jingqing about the Joyful Union Sect’s intentions, and Yan Jingqing acknowledged the report without revealing his decision.
• Chen Mu went to the Demon Subduing Office and entered the Quiet Room to study the Trigram Wind Power of Intent diagram.
• Chen Mu met Meng Danyun, a secretly arrived True Disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect, who asked him to keep her presence in Jade Commandery confidential.
• Meng Danyun invited Chen Mu to join Ling Xuan Peak, but he declined for the time being because Jade Commandery still had unsettled affairs.
• Meng Danyun tested Chen Mu’s Trigram Wind Power of Intent and offered to answer his questions while she remained in Jade Commandery.
• Meng Danyun reflected on her stalled progress toward the Second Step of Power of Intent Realm and hoped to find an opportunity in Jade Commandery.

After two months of training with Meng Danyun, Chen Mu nearly matched her in Trigram Wind Power of Intent and asked about cultivation beyond the Five Viscera Realm. He then reviewed intelligence on the Heavenly Corpse Sect remnants and discussed with Yan Jingqing what might end the conflicts under heaven.

• Chen Mu and Meng Danyun sparred, and Meng Danyun praised Chen Mu’s rapid progress in Trigram Wind Power of Intent.
• Chen Mu asked Meng Danyun about entering the Five Viscera Realm and changing the quality of Yuangang True Force, then said he wanted to cultivate Qian Heaven Power of Intent.
• Chen Mu reviewed reports placing the Heavenly Corpse Sect remnants in the Purple Mist Mountain Range and worried that a failed assault would scatter them across Jade Commandery.
• Chen Mu gave Yan Jingqing intelligence and suggested that conflicts might end when a Martial Saint like Great Xuan’s founding sovereign emerged.
• Yan Jingqing sighed at the absence of a true Martial Saint and dismissed Chen Mu before returning to the window.

Chen Mu completed the Tiger Demon Bone Forging Method and attained Jade Bone, then used his perfected foundation to break through the five viscera’s Mysterious Passes. The five viscera awakened and began circulating, leaving him newly entered into the Five Viscera Realm.

• Chen Mu spent two days intensifying his Bone Tempering practice instead of comprehending the Artistic Conception diagram.
• Chen Mu used the System Panel to complete the Tiger Demon Bone Forging Method and endured the medicinal power tempering his skull.
• Chen Mu attained flawless Jade Bone and dented an iron pillar with the force of a punch that never touched it.
• Chen Mu replenished his blood and qi, then circulated the Inner Breath Method to awaken the divine spirits in his five viscera.
• Chen Mu opened the Mysterious Passes of his heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and liver, forming an internal cycle and sharpening his senses.

Chen Mu entered the Five Viscera Realm and studied how Yuangang True Force worked, what five viscera tempering meant for future cultivation, and how the realm differed from Power of Intent Realm. After demonstrating his new ability to shatter ironstone at a distance, he planned to accumulate Yuangang and temper his viscera while considering why Five Viscera Realm disciples traveled beyond their sects.

• Chen Mu sensed his newly formed five viscera cycle drawing in the Power of Heaven and Earth and refining it into Yuangang True Force.
• Chen Mu reasoned that even the strongest martial artists could not escape aging because their power did not alter the fundamental nature of human cells.
• Chen Mu reviewed how repeated five viscera tempering strengthened Yuangang and prepared martial artists for the Six Bowel Realm.
• Chen Mu released Yuangang from his palm and shattered an ironstone block several zhang away.
• Chen Mu estimated that he would accumulate the Yuangang available to him in about ten days, then temper his viscera as his inner breath circulated naturally.

After breaking through to the Five Viscera Realm, Chen Mu felt more at ease and arranged for Wang Ni to begin martial arts training. He found that Meng Danyun and other key figures had left Jade City for the increasingly tense Purple Mist Mountain Range, while he remained without orders and planned to keep cultivating.

• Wang Ni sensed that Chen Mu seemed more relaxed, and he realized she was reading his mood rather than detecting his breakthrough.
• Chen Mu told Wang Ni to start learning martial arts at the Yu Family Martial Academy, and she gratefully accepted.
• Chen Mu considered the Joyful Union Sect's reasons for Hua Nongying keeping his Zhen Lei Power of Intent secret and recognized that the hidden information was already outdated.
• Chen Mu went to the Demon Subduing Office and learned that Meng Danyun had left, leaving a message for him to seek her out at the Seven Mysteries Sect.
• Chen Mu visited the Surveillance Department and found that Meng Danyun and the other commanders had likely gone to the Purple Mist Mountain Range, while Yan Jingqing had given him no orders.
• Chen Mu decided to remain in Jade City, build up his Yuangang True Force, and work toward advancing the Trigram Wind Diagram.

The Profound Mystery Pavilion offered the He Family a Blood Fiend Explosive Flame Arrow in exchange for killing Chen Mu, destroying the Yu Family, and pledging allegiance. Chen Mu reviewed reports of the Heavenly Corpse Sect’s escape from the Purple Mist Mountain Range as Jade Commandery faced more turmoil.

• The black-robed figure told He Zhengya that Yan Jingqing had left Chen Mu in Jade City and offered the He Family a chance to survive by joining the Profound Mystery Pavilion.
• The black-robed figure gave He Zhengya a Blood Fiend Explosive Flame Arrow and demanded that the He Family kill Chen Mu and destroy the Yu Family.
• He Zhengya revealed that his apparent resignation had been a test, accepted the offer, and ordered Zheng Guang, Zheng Dao, Zheng Ying, and others to discuss their plans.
• Chen Mu read reports describing how the Heavenly Corpse Sect’s remnants had escaped the Purple Mist Mountain Range amid poor cooperation among the four sects.
• Chen Mu burned the intelligence reports and left his office, while Jade Commandery continued searching for the escaped remnants.

Chen Mu escaped the He Family’s ambush and confronted its assassins in the rain. He killed them all, leaving the conflict between the Yu Family and the He Family unresolved while Yu Jiujiang and Meng Tianzhang were held off by Profound Mystery Pavilion disciples.

• Chen Mu left the Surveillance Department in a sedan chair while Yu Jiujiang was intercepted by Cheng Houhua, who used his Rime Winter Power of Intent to counter Yu Jiujiang’s Kan Water Power of Intent.
• Han Guang confronted Meng Tianzhang and tried to keep him from interfering in the conflict between the He Family and the Yu Family; Meng Tianzhang attacked him but did not get past him.
• The He Family attacked Chen Mu’s decoy sedan with explosive arrows and other weapons, believing they had killed him.
• Chen Mu appeared unharmed and revealed that Yu Jiujiang’s Water Mirror Technique and his Mimic Wind method had concealed his true location.
• Chen Mu declared that the He Family’s assassination plot amounted to rebellion and killed He Zhengguang, He Zhengdao, and the other attackers with his saber.

Chen Mu arrived after Cheng Houhua and Yu Jiujiang’s fierce battle and learned that the Profound Mystery Pavilion had used the He Family as part of a larger scheme. He went to the He residence to settle matters, where the three city departments had already surrounded the He Family and begun suppressing its forces.

• Yu Jiujiang fought Cheng Houhua, but the Profound Mystery Pavilion disciple escaped after leaving an ice clone behind.
• Chen Mu reached Yu Jiujiang, confirmed that the Profound Mystery Pavilion’s people had withdrawn, and decided to go to the He Family residence.
• Yu Jiujiang realized the Profound Mystery Pavilion intended to draw the He Family’s remaining elites, including He Wuyou, into its ranks.
• He Zhengya and He Guangxun discussed the He Family’s plans to align with the Profound Mystery Pavilion when Chen Mu entered their lavish main hall.
• Chen Mu told He Guangxun that the Surveillance Department, Inner City Guard, and Demon Subduing Office had surrounded the area and were attacking the He Family rebels.