Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu, a transmigrated soul in a slave's body, is given a chance to learn martial arts and escape his slavery status.
• He attends a swordsmanship demonstration by the instructor, who reveals that martial training depends mostly on talent and natural aptitude.
• Li Mu is given a month to learn the beginner level of Dripping Water Swordsmanship and cultivate the 'Rain Thorn' sword intent to prove his potential.
• He works as a sword-wiping slave in Myriad Swords Tower, wiping 100 swords daily, while trying to learn the swordsmanship in his free time.
• Despite his efforts, Li Mu struggles to understand and grasp the swordsmanship, feeling he has no talent for it.

Character Developments

• Li Mu: Struggles with learning swordsmanship due to lack of talent, feels anxious and lost about his future.
• Hui Zhen: A fellow slave who also struggles with learning the swordsmanship, shows concern for Li Mu's situation.

Significant Themes

• Talent and hard work in martial training.
• The struggle to escape slavery and improve one's status.
• The importance of perseverance in the face of difficulties.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu and Hui Zhen discuss their struggles with learning the swordsmanship.
• Li Mu seeks advice from others who have grasped the swordsmanship quickly, but finds it difficult to understand their explanations.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu gains access to the Great Expansion Sword Register, which condenses the myriad Great Daos into a single sword.
• He unlocks Evolution One, Clear Sword Eyes, which allows him to perceive the talent thresholds for any swordsmanship and discern its essentials at a glance.
• Li Mu uses Clear Sword Eyes to understand the Dripping Water Swordsmanship manual, absorbing its contents and mastering its moves.
• He practices the sword technique during the day, hiding his progress, and continues practicing at night in a secluded garden.

Character Developments

• Li Mu's understanding and skill in swordsmanship improve significantly due to his new abilities.
• He learns to hide his abilities to avoid suspicion.
• Li Mu discovers that his spirit is unusually high compared to others, but this advantage is currently useless.

Significant Themes

• The importance of talent and hard work in mastering swordsmanship.
• The concept of hiding one's abilities to avoid jealousy or suspicion.
• The idea that one's unique strengths may not always be immediately useful.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu interacts with the white-clad instructor, who is unimpressed with his initial performance.
• He observes and learns about other sword-wiping servants, including Wang Que, Cao A-Man, and Hui Zhen.
• Li Mu practices in secret, away from other servants, to avoid drawing attention to his rapid progress.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu diligently practices swordsmanship, making steady progress.
• He realizes the importance of the upcoming household servant assessment.
• Li Mu learns about Wang Que's side business of giving swordsmanship guidance for buns or copper coins.
• He discusses swordsmanship with Hui Zhen and helps him improve.
• Li Mu observes that Cao A-Man is close to achieving initiation, and he realizes he might be faster than Cao A-Man.

Character Developments

• Li Mu's swordsmanship proficiency improves steadily, and he is close to achieving initiation.
• Wang Que uses his swordsmanship talent to start a side business for extra nourishment.
• Hui Zhen shows improvement in his swordsmanship after Li Mu's guidance.
• Li Mu demonstrates his ability to instruct others in swordsmanship.

Significant Themes

• The importance of diligence and hard work in improving one's skills.
• The struggle for survival and resources in difficult times.
• The value of friendship and mutual support.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu and Hui Zhen exchange swordsmanship insights and help each other improve.
• Li Mu observes and compares his progress with other students, such as Cao A-Man and Wang Que.
• The white-robed instructor provides guidance to the top students but not to Li Mu, highlighting the latter's initial low status.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu practices Dripping Water Swordsmanship three times in the morning, saving the final attempt for the evening.
• Steward Leng Shuangyu arrives at Myriad Swords Tower, announcing that the Forging Sword Tower has requisitioned all spirit spring water, requiring the slaves to fetch water from Spirit Ravine Peak daily.
• Li Mu secretly practices swordsmanship at night and successfully initiates Dripping Water Swordsmanship, gaining 0.1 Vitality.

Character Developments

• Li Mu: Shows determination and caution in practicing his swordsmanship, successfully initiates Dripping Water Swordsmanship, and gains a new understanding of the world around him.
• Leng Shuangyu: Demonstrates her authority and power as the steward of Myriad Swords Tower, instilling fear in the slaves.

Significant Themes

• The harsh hierarchy and power dynamics within the manor and Myriad Swords Tower.
• The importance of perseverance and hard work in mastering skills, as seen in Li Mu's sword practice.
• The value of cultivation resources and the disparity between those who have them and those who don't.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu and Hui Zhen: Hui Zhen encourages Li Mu to join the extra training sessions, but Li Mu declines, prioritizing his sword practice.
• Li Mu and the other slaves: The slaves discuss the new water-fetching task and express their exhaustion and discontent, but they dare not disobey the steward's orders.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu enters the Sword Talisman Space and finds a black iron table with a brush and a blank book.
• He discovers that the space is the Sword-Inquiring Platform, which can record his swordsmanship and increase his talent.
• Li Mu records the Beginner-level Dripping Water Swordsmanship, increasing his swordsmanship talent by 10 points.
• He plans to record the sword manual four times to reach Major Accomplishment and unlock Evolution Three.
• Li Mu realizes he needs to improve his Qi and Blood to win sparring assessments but finds it challenging due to his limited resources.

Character Developments

• Li Mu's understanding of his swordsmanship and talent deepens as he records the Dripping Water Swordsmanship manual.
• He becomes more determined to improve his status and resources within Hidden Sword Manor.
• Li Mu's concern for his Qi and Blood grows as he realizes its importance in martial arts and combat.

Significant Themes

• The importance of talent in martial arts and the struggle to improve it.
• The disparity between Li Mu's potential and his current circumstances, driving his ambition to improve his status.
• The challenge of improving physical attributes like Qi and Blood, especially for those with limited resources.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu interacts with the white-robed instructor, Zhao Meng, who offers him pointers on his swordsmanship.
• He observes Wang Que reaching the Beginner level and compares his own progress, realizing the subtle differences in martial arts quality due to the Great Expansion Sword Register's enhancement.
• Li Mu's thoughts briefly turn to Steward Leng Shuangyu, whom he sees as a role model for improving his status within the manor.

Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu worries about his low vitality compared to Wang Que's, which could disadvantage him in the upcoming sparring assessment.
• He receives a tael of silver for his work in maintaining the swords, which he plans to exchange for medicine to improve his vitality.
• On his way to the pharmacy, he is ambushed by two fellow slaves who attempt to extort money from him.
• Li Mu defends himself using his Rain-Sting Sword Force, injuring both attackers and taking their money.

Character Development

• Li Mu demonstrates his determination to improve his vitality and status, showing that he is no longer the passive, timid slave he once was.
• He stands up for himself and takes action against those who try to take advantage of him, indicating his growing assertiveness and self-confidence.

Significant Themes

• The struggle for survival and self-improvement in a harsh, hierarchical society.
• The importance of strength and status in determining one's fate and dignity.
• The consequences of underestimating others and the dangers of bullying the weak.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu's encounter with the two extortionists highlights the power dynamics and social hierarchy within the manor, where the weak are easily targeted and exploited.
• His decisive action against them serves as a turning point, showing that he is no longer a passive victim but an active participant in shaping his own destiny.

Key Plot Points

• Li Mu buys Blood-Nourishing Powder to improve his vitality and blood.
• He discovers that two other servants were also targeted but were unable to defend themselves.
• The two servants from the previous day are found severely injured in the small garden.

Character Developments

• Li Mu becomes more determined to improve his strength and ruthlessness.
• The injured servants are desperate to reveal Li Mu as the attacker but are unable to speak clearly.

Significant Themes

• The importance of strength and ruthlessness in survival.
• The power of medicinal supplements like Blood-Nourishing Powder.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu interacts with Doctor Xing, the pharmacist, and buys the Blood-Nourishing Powder.
• Li Mu observes the other servants and realizes they were also targeted.
• Steward Leng Shuangyu and Instructor Zhao Meng investigate the injured servants.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Two sword-wiping slaves, the Gao brothers, are executed for insubordination by the Zhao brothers, leaders of the manor's servants, following Steward Leng's orders.
• Li Mu discovers that his vitality has increased significantly and his swordsmanship has improved after a night of intense practice with the help of the Blood-Nourishing Powder.
• The bodies of the Gao brothers are disposed of, and the incident is used to warn other slaves about the consequences of insubordination.

Character Developments

• Steward Leng Shuangyu: Shows her ruthless and efficient nature by ordering the execution of the Gao brothers without investigation, using the incident to instill fear and maintain order among the slaves.
• Li Mu: Demonstrates his dedication and potential in swordsmanship by practicing throughout the night, leading to significant improvements in his vitality and skills.
• Wang Que: Gathers a group of strong, talented slaves, hinting at potential future trouble for Li Mu.

Significant Themes

• The importance of talent and value in the Hidden Sword Manor, as seen in Steward Leng's treatment of the Gao brothers and her implied support for the servant who killed them.
• The harsh living conditions and power dynamics among the slaves, with those who display talent or strength gaining better treatment and resources.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu and Hui Zhen: Hui Zhen shares information about the Gao brothers' deaths and warns Li Mu about the consequences of insubordination.
• Li Mu and Wang Que: Li Mu suspects that Wang Que may be connected to the Gao brothers and anticipates future conflict with him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Wild Village brothers are found dead, and rumors spread that Li Mu might be involved.
• The servants, led by Zhao Tuo, assert their dominance after the brothers' deaths.
• Ten people, including Li Mu and Hui Zhen, successfully display Rain Thorn and enter the next stage of training.
• The instructor, Zhao Meng, collects the sword manuals from those who failed to enter and reveals that Manager Leng entered the sword force in just three days.

Character Developments

• Li Mu's vitality and blood increase to 5.6, and his Dripping Water Swordsmanship progresses to 255/500 (Beginner).
• Hui Zhen enters the next stage of training and expresses gratitude to Li Mu for his guidance.
• Wang Que maintains his position as a squad leader and collects the sword manuals from the unsuccessful trainees.
• Zhao Meng reveals that he has broken through two barriers of vitality and blood, while Manager Leng has broken through four.

Significant Themes

• The importance of talent in martial cultivation, with Manager Leng's exceptional talent highlighted.
• The role of vitality and blood as the foundation of martial arts, with nine barriers to be broken through.
• The harsh reality of the martial world, where the weak must submit, as illustrated by the female slaves' treatment.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu and Hui Zhen form a bond, with Li Mu guiding Hui Zhen in swordsmanship and Hui Zhen expressing gratitude for Li Mu's help.
• Wang Que maintains his authority among the trainees, collecting the sword manuals and berating those who try to plead for leniency.
• Zhao Meng belittles the successful trainees, emphasizing their lack of talent and the difficulty of their path.
• The female slaves, Si Xiaoshuang and Meng Ling, enter the next stage of training but face uncertain prospects due to their gender.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu, now a servant of Myriad Swords Tower, meets Zhao Meng, the head servant and instructor, who has exceptional vitality and swordsmanship talent.
• Li Mu learns about the nine vitality barriers, which represent stages of martial arts prowess, and the benefits of breaking through each barrier.
• The group of new servants learns that they will be assessed for their progress in one month to two months, with the format of the assessment kept secret.

Character Developments

• Li Mu demonstrates his eagerness and determination to learn and advance on the martial path.
• Zhao Meng reveals his frustration with the slow pace of his own martial arts progress, despite his talent, due to limited resources.
• Wang Que asserts himself as a leader among the new servants, seeking to guide and help them, especially the two women, Si Xiaoshuang and Meng Ling.

Significant Themes

• The importance of talent, cultivation methods, and resources in advancing on the martial path.
• The arduous and long journey of martial arts practice.
• The power dynamics and status differences within Myriad Swords Tower, reflected in the varying progress of servants with similar talents.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu and Zhao Meng discuss the nature of martial arts and the challenges of breaking through vitality barriers.
• Wang Que, Cao A-Man, Si Xiaoshuang, Meng Ling, Li Mu, and Hui Zhen form a group to support and guide each other in their sword practice.
• Li Mu and Hui Zhen observe Wang Que's growing influence and express their differing views on his behavior.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu struggles to increase his vital energy without money for medicine.
• He observes Wang Que's vital energy increase after taking Blood-Nourishing Powder.
• Li Mu breaks into the mastery level of Dripping Water Swordsmanship, opening an acupoint and increasing his vital energy.
• He records the mastery-level swordsmanship, increasing his Sword Dao Talent to 30 (white grade).

Character Developments

• Li Mu: Becomes more determined to improve his skills and vital energy, despite financial constraints. He also grows more observant and strategic in his approach to self-improvement.
• Wang Que: Becomes complacent and indulgent, squandering his resources and neglecting his training. His vital energy begins to decline.

Significant Themes

• The importance of diligence and hard work in cultivation, even in the face of adversity.
• The dangers of complacency and indulgence, which can lead to stagnation or decline in cultivation.
• The benefits of increased Sword Dao Talent, which accelerate cultivation progress.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu observes Wang Que's actions and vital energy fluctuations, leading to envy and strategic thinking.
• Li Mu practices alone, away from the other Sword-Wiping Slaves, highlighting his dedication and determination.
• The other Sword-Wiping Slaves are shown to have given up on their martial arts dreams, focusing instead on immediate pleasures.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Steward Leng Shuangyu visits Myriad Swords Tower for a sword storage check, but the seventh-tier rack under Li Mu's care is not selected.
• Li Mu practices Dripping Water Swordsmanship and discovers that his increased swordsmanship talent accelerates his proficiency.
• The Forging Sword Tower sends sword blanks to Myriad Swords Tower, but Steward Leng Shuangyu orders them to be returned, hinting at tension between stewards.

Character Developments

• Li Mu becomes more determined to improve his swordsmanship and gain an advantage over his peers.
• Steward Leng Shuangyu is shown to have a bad temper and wields significant power in the manor.
• Zhao Tuo, a household servant, is revealed to be ruthless in enforcing orders.

Significant Themes

• The harsh life of servants, dependent on superiors' whims for rewards or punishment.
• The importance of talent in martial arts cultivation and the ease of learning swordsmanship compared to other arts.
• The tension and power dynamics between different stewards in the manor.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu silently returns to work after the sword storage check, determined to improve his swordsmanship.
• Li Mu and Wang Que exchange glances during sword practice, hinting at their upcoming competition.
• Li Mu and Hui Zhen have a casual conversation about their future plans, revealing their dreams and motivations.
• Steward Leng Shuangyu confronts Zhao Tuo about the sword blanks, showcasing her authority and anger.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ten days pass smoothly after the sword embryo incident.
• Li Mu focuses on practicing his swordsmanship, reaching 501/1000 proficiency in Dripping Water Swordsmanship, and his vitality increases to 6.7.
• Li Mu discovers Zhao Tuo and Si Xiaoshuang together and overhears their conversation about assessment slots.
• Li Mu follows Zhao Tuo and eavesdrops on his conversation with Zhao Meng, learning about the assessment slots, Leng Shuangyu's authority, and the inner courtyard.

Character Developments

• Li Mu's swordsmanship proficiency and vitality increase, making him more confident in his abilities.
• Zhao Tuo is revealed to be more interested in women and wine than training, causing friction with his brother Zhao Meng.
• Zhao Meng shows concern for his brother's future and willingness to help him improve, but also expects loyalty and hard work.

Significant Themes

• The importance of hard work and dedication in improving one's skills and status.
• The struggle for power and influence within the Hidden Sword Manor.
• The role of loyalty and value in gaining resources and status.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu observes Zhao Tuo and Si Xiaoshuang together, learning about the assessment slots.
• Li Mu eavesdrops on Zhao Meng scolding Zhao Tuo for his behavior and discussing the assessment slots.
• Zhao Meng expresses his concern for his brother's future and his expectations for his loyalty and hard work.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A heavy rainstorm begins, halting Li Mu's sword practice and increasing his workload at Myriad Swords Tower.
• Li Mu witnesses Si Xiaoshuang being rejected by Zhao Tuo, hinting at a power struggle within the manor.
• The rain continues for five days, affecting the entire manor's operations and causing tension between Leng Shuangyu and Ye Wanqing's factions.

Character Developments

• Li Mu's swordsmanship proficiency is stuck at 543/1000 due to the rain, but he gains insights into his swordsmanship by meditating on the rain.
• Si Xiaoshuang's position becomes uncertain, and she may become Leng Shuangyu's personal maid.
• Wang Que and Cao A-Man secure two spots for the servant assessment, leaving only one spot open.

Significant Themes

• The power struggle between Leng Shuangyu and Ye Wanqing's factions affects the lives of the servants and slaves.
• Li Mu's determination to improve his status and avoid oppression grows stronger.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu and Hui Zhen discuss the power struggle and its impact on the servant assessment.
• Li Mu observes Si Xiaoshuang's interaction with Zhao Tuo, hinting at her uncertain position.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The servant assessment allows maids with potential to train in martial arts.
• Li Mu realizes that Wang Que manipulated the slot designation, leading to injuries among competitors.
• Li Mu discovers that Hui Zhen took the injury intended for him.
• Xu Qiubai and Wu Mo, injured by Li Mu, are found dead in the dormitory building.

Character Developments

• Li Mu: Becomes increasingly determined and willing to act against Wang Que and his allies after learning of their plans to injure him and Hui Zhen.
• Hui Zhen: Demonstrates loyalty and selflessness by taking Li Mu's intended injury and encouraging him to endure for a year.

Significant Themes

• The corrupting influence of power and the consequences of unchecked ambition (Wang Que, Xu Qiubai, Wu Mo).
• Loyalty and friendship (Li Mu and Hui Zhen).
• The struggle for fair competition and the consequences of manipulation (slot designation scheme).

Character Interactions

• Li Mu and Hui Zhen: Their bond strengthens as Hui Zhen takes an injury meant for Li Mu, and Li Mu decides to act against their enemies.
• Li Mu and Wang Que: Li Mu's resolve to confront Wang Que grows after learning of his manipulation and plans to harm him and Hui Zhen.
• Xu Qiubai and Wu Mo: Their alliance with Wang Que and Si Xiaoshuang leads to their deaths at Li Mu's hands.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Wang Que and Si Xiaoshuang discuss their plans to secure spots for the household guard assessment, including sacrificing Li Lanqiao, Li Mu, and others.
• Wang Que expresses his desire to become a steward like Leng Shuangyu.
• Si Xiaoshuang reveals her willingness to use her body to climb up the ranks.
• Li Mu assassinates Wang Que and Si Xiaoshuang, along with Xu Qiubai and another person, using his proficient Fine Rain Flying swordsmanship.
• Li Mu covers his tracks and reflects on the changes within himself.

Character Developments

• Wang Que: Confident and ambitious, he aims to become a steward and is willing to sacrifice others to achieve his goals. He is killed by Li Mu.
• Si Xiaoshuang: Clever and manipulative, she uses her charm to gain favor with Wang Que and plans to use him to secure a spot as a maid. She is also killed by Li Mu.
• Li Mu: He becomes more decisive and ruthless, choosing to kill Wang Que's group to eliminate potential threats. He also reflects on the changes in his character.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and the willingness to sacrifice others to achieve goals.
• The ruthless nature of competition and survival in the Hidden Sword Manor.
• The use of one's advantages (in this case, Si Xiaoshuang's beauty and charm) to gain power and resources.
• The consequences of one's actions and the changes within oneself due to those actions.

Character Interactions

• Wang Que and Si Xiaoshuang: They discuss their plans and express their desires, leading to their eventual deaths at the hands of Li Mu.
• Li Mu and the victims: Li Mu assassinates Wang Que, Si Xiaoshuang, Xu Qiubai, and another person, showing his growing ruthlessness and determination to secure his own survival and success.

Plot Points and Events

• Four promising sword-wiping slaves are found dead, with Wang Que being the most promising among them.
• Zhao Meng, the instructor, dismisses the incident and orders the bodies to be disposed of.
• The surviving slaves speculate about the murderer, with some blaming a woman, while others express resentment towards Wang Que and his group.
• Zhao Meng suspects Liu Yi, an instructor from the Forging Sword Tower, as the murderer.
• Cao A-Man breaks through to the proficient level in swordsmanship, causing envy and anxiety among the other slaves.
• Li Mu secretly reaches the minor achievement level in Dripping Water Swordsmanship.

Character Developments

• Zhao Meng: Shows indifference to the deaths of the slaves, prioritizing the potential of the survivors. He also displays concern for his younger brother, Zhao Tuo.
• Cao A-Man: Breaks through to the proficient level in swordsmanship, relieving the pressure he felt after Wang Que's death.
• Li Mu: Secretly reaches the minor achievement level in Dripping Water Swordsmanship, bringing him closer to surpassing Cao A-Man.

Significant Themes

• The value of life: Zhao Meng's indifference to the deaths of the slaves highlights the disposable nature of their lives in the manor.
• Ambition and competition: The slaves' envy and anxiety towards Cao A-Man's progress underscore their desire to improve and succeed.
• The power of women: Some slaves blame a woman for the murders, reflecting societal views on the dangerous allure of women.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Meng and Zhao Tuo: The brothers discuss the murders, with Zhao Meng warning Zhao Tuo about the dangers of women and the importance of focusing on swordsmanship.
• Li Mu and Hui Zhen: They spar with swords, with Li Mu guiding Hui Zhen in his swordsmanship.
• The surviving slaves: They speculate about the murderer and express their feelings towards Wang Que and his group.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu records his minor mastery of Dripping Water Swordsmanship, increasing his swordsmanship talent to 40 points.
• He plans to reach major mastery in a month and unlock Evolution Three.
• Leng Shuangyu meets with Zhao Meng, discussing the prospects of the remaining seven slaves and the need to strengthen Myriad Swords Tower's defenses.

Character Developments

• Li Mu's confidence grows as his swordsmanship improves, and he plans to secure second place in the assessment to avoid suspicion.
• Zhao Meng, the instructor, is revealed to be loyal and capable, earning Leng Shuangyu's trust. He aims to train his students well to gain rewards and favor.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and Struggle: Characters strive to improve their positions and gain more resources, reflecting the competitive nature of their environment.
• Loyalty and Trust: Leng Shuangyu values Zhao Meng's loyalty and capability, showing that trust is earned through actions and results.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu considers his strategy for the assessment, weighing the risks and rewards of competing for first place.
• Leng Shuangyu and Zhao Meng discuss the prospects of the seven slaves and the need to strengthen Myriad Swords Tower's defenses, demonstrating their working relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu and Hui Zhen spar, with Li Mu intentionally letting Hui Zhen win.
• Li Mu warns Hui Zhen about Fan Rong hiding his strength.
• The ranking assessment begins. Fan Rong surprises everyone by consecutively defeating Li Lanqiao, Qi Zhun, and Meng Ling.
• Hui Zhen fights Fan Rong but is defeated. Li Mu then faces Fan Rong and defeats him with a single move, revealing he had also been hiding his strength.

Character Developments

• Li Mu's vitality and blood reach 9.0, allowing him to lift an eighty-jin stone lock with one hand.
• Fan Rong's true strength is revealed, and he becomes overconfident.
• Hui Zhen improves his combat experience through daily sparring with Li Mu but still loses to Fan Rong.

Significant Themes

• The theme of concealing one's true strength and the dangers of overconfidence is emphasized through Fan Rong's character.
• The importance of hard work and consistent effort is shown through Li Mu's and Hui Zhen's improvements.

Character Interactions

• Li Mu guides and encourages Hui Zhen, showing concern for his well-being.
• Fan Rong underestimates Li Mu and pays the price for his arrogance.
• Meng Ling and Fan Rong's tense interaction is briefly noted, with Li Mu observing their dynamic.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Li Mu defeats Fan Rong using skill and precision, catching the attention of Steward Leng Shuangyu.
• Li Mu wins all subsequent matches, deliberately humiliating Fan Rong.
• The assessment ends, and the number of selected household guards increases to four, including Li Mu and Hui Zhen.
• Li Mu overhears that the top-ranked newcomer will be sent on dangerous sword-escort trips.

Character Developments

• Li Mu: Proves his skill and strategic thinking, secures second place, and gains Leng Shuangyu's attention.
• Hui Zhen: Overcomes his disappointment, is selected as a household guard, and becomes more grateful to Li Mu.
• Fan Rong: Loses to Li Mu, feels humiliated, and becomes resentful. He allies with Cao A-Man.
• Cao A-Man: Wins all matches, secures first place, and seems to form an alliance with Fan Rong.

Significant Themes

• Skill and strategy vs. brute force.
• The importance of hard work and perseverance (Li Mu's journey from a low-profile student to a skilled swordsman).
• The consequences of arrogance and underestimating opponents (Fan Rong's downfall).

Character Interactions

• Li Mu and Hui Zhen: Become closer, with Li Mu helping Hui Zhen improve and celebrating his success.
• Li Mu and Fan Rong: Become rivals, with Li Mu deliberately humiliating Fan Rong.
• Cao A-Man and Fan Rong: Form an alliance, possibly to counter Li Mu's influence.