Chapter Summaries

Sun Chenzong’s army laid siege to Anbo Prefecture while Zhao Feng led seven hundred Martial Suppression Guards through the mountains to raid the rebels’ grain convoy. Zhao Feng’s ambush routed the convoy’s escort, and he killed both Zhou Hu and a concealed Demonic Dao expert, leaving the rebels’ supply line shattered.

• Sun Chenzong’s commanders agreed to besiege Anbo Prefecture while Zhao Feng’s force cut off its supplies from the mountains.
• After days of fighting, Zhao Feng led more than seven hundred Martial Suppression Guards to ambush Zhou Hu’s grain convoy.
• Zhao Feng wounded Zhou Hu with a volley of arrows, and his units attacked the disorganized convoy from the valley slopes.
• Jiang Chen and Xie Qiu killed rebel officers as Zhao Feng fought his way through the escort toward Zhou Hu.
• A concealed Demonic Dao expert attacked Zhao Feng from behind, but Zhao Feng evaded him and killed him with a spear thrust.
• Zhao Feng knocked Zhou Hu’s axe aside and pierced his chest, killing the rebel general.

Zhao Feng’s ambush and guerrilla attacks helped the Imperial Court capture Anbo and Jieyang Prefectures, earning him praise from Sun Chenzong. While resting in Anbo, Zhao Feng received news of Zhao Shuo’s provincial examination success and practiced concealing his aura before sensing the same danger he had felt when the Blood Lotus Cult Master pursued him.

• Zhao Feng’s forces killed the rebel commanders, seized three grain carts, and burned the rest of the convoy’s supplies before launching further attacks in the rebels’ rear.
• Zhao Feng’s repeated strikes disrupted the rebel supply lines, helping Xu Shan and Yu Zhinan recapture Anbo Prefecture and the Imperial Court’s army take Jieyang Prefecture.
• Sun Chenzong praised Zhao Feng’s contributions and asked about his guerrilla tactics, then told him to rest while the army advanced across the plains.
• Zhao Feng read a letter reporting that Zhao Shuo had placed first in the provincial examination, then practiced the Breath-Concealing Technique until he could make his aura seem ordinary.
• Zhao Feng felt a sudden unease identical to the sensation he had experienced when the Blood Lotus Cult Master pursued him in Bingzhou City.

Zhao Feng fought off the Blood Lotus Dharma King until Fan Tong arrived and drove the attacker away. Afterward, Zhao Feng planned to strengthen his cultivation and successfully concealed the Blood Soul Secret Art with the Breath-Concealing Technique.

• The Blood Lotus Dharma King ambushed Zhao Feng and demanded the Thousand Mechanisms Casket and the secrets behind his abilities.
• Zhao Feng resisted the Dharma King's attacks with his spear, movement technique, and primordial true essence, but was wounded and nearly forced to use Thousandfold Shatter.
• Fan Tong arrived and clashed with the Blood Lotus Dharma King, who escaped after Great Yan troops surrounded the area.
• Fan Tong praised Zhao Feng, warned him that the Dharma King would return, and gave him Soul-Nourishing Pills and cultivation advice.
• Zhao Feng decided to cultivate the Blood Soul Secret Art while concealing it with the Breath-Concealing Technique, and his first attempt succeeded.

Zhao Feng joined the Eastern Route Army’s campaign to cut off Liang Qian’s supply base and rescue He Guang. After the army freed He Guang at Pale Bear Ridge, Zhao Feng urged the commanders to reorganize and prepare to advance into the grain-producing region.

• Sun Chenzong divided the Imperial Court’s forces into three routes and placed Qingzhou and Min Prefecture’s Martial Suppression Guards under Zhao Feng’s command in the Eastern Route Army.
• Zhao Feng questioned Xu Shan about He Guang and ordered Yue Lang to have their agents investigate the former governor.
• Yu Zhiyong led the Eastern Route Army toward Pale Bear Ridge, where the rebels had surrounded He Guang’s volunteer army.
• The Eastern Route Army’s vanguard routed the rebels and rescued He Guang and his volunteers.
• He Guang thanked Yu Zhiyong and Zhao Feng, and Zhao Feng recommended reorganizing the army before advancing into the rebels’ grain-producing region.

Zhao Feng and Yu Zhiyong exposed He Guang’s planned betrayal and turned his ambush at Golden Saber Gorge against the rebels. Zhao Feng defeated the three Demonic Dao experts, while the battle against He Guang’s forces continued.

• He Guang persuaded Yu Zhiyong to send the army through Golden Saber Gorge, and Zhao Feng received a confidential letter from Bingzhou Prefecture.
• The Eastern Route Army entered the gorge, where rebel forces ambushed it with arrows and boulders, trapping its vanguard, main force, and rear guard.
• He Guang surrounded Yu Zhiyong’s command tent and revealed that he had secretly defected to the Liang Rebels.
• Zhao Feng arrived with the Martial Suppression Guard, while Yu Zhiyong’s concealed battalions attacked the rebels on the cliffs and rescued the command tent.
• He Guang called on three hidden Demonic Dao Astral Force experts to kill Zhao Feng, but Zhao Feng defeated and killed all three with his Nine Yang Sword Technique.

Zhao Feng helped the Eastern Route Army defeat the rebels at Golden Saber Gorge and capture He Guang, leaving Tan Bao to retreat to Jinyang Prefecture. While the army prepared to advance, Zhao Feng refined his sword technique and awakened the first trace of sword intent.

• Zhao Feng and the Martial Suppression Guards broke He Guang's forces, captured He Guang alive, and routed the rebels in a counterattack.
• Tan Bao escaped with the remnants of his Right Grand Camp to Jinyang Prefecture, while Yu Zhiyong and Zhao Feng discussed the coming battle for the stronghold.
• Yue Lang, Luo Xiong, Jiang Chen, Mu Xingze, and Xie Qiu praised Zhao Feng's abilities and resolved to keep tempering themselves under his command.
• Zhao Feng reviewed his swordsmanship and recognized that he had forced the Nine Yang Sword Technique onto the Golden Flame Sword without understanding their resonance.
• Zhao Feng adapted his movements to the sword's nature, harmonized his true essence with the blade, and awakened a faint trace of sword intent.

Zhao Feng planned a lone infiltration of Jinyang Prefecture to kill Börgö or Liang Yong and break the Eastern Route Army’s siege. As the operation approached, Börgö told Liang Yong and Tan Bao that he could prolong his spells by feeding on the city’s commoners’ heartblood essence.

• Zhao Feng reflected on the Nine Yang Sword Technique as Great Yan’s armies reclaimed territory and the Eastern Route Army began its assault on Jinyang Prefecture.
• Börgö’s unnatural wind repeatedly overturned the attackers’ scaling ladders, forcing Yu Zhiyong to reconsider his approach to the city.
• Zhao Feng learned why Great Yan’s Daoists would not assist, then proposed infiltrating Jinyang Prefecture alone to kill Börgö or Liang Yong.
• Zhao Feng’s subordinates arranged a diversion and a signal plan while he prepared to enter the rear courtyard during the third watch.
• Liang Yong and Tan Bao discussed requesting reinforcements, but Börgö claimed he could sustain his spells by consuming the heartblood essence of the city’s commoners.

Zhao Feng infiltrated Golden Sun Prefecture City and attacked the Prefectural Office during a fire diversion, killing Börgö and Liang Yong’s two hidden guards. He captured Liang Yong and threatened the surrounding rebels, leaving the false crown prince at his mercy.

• Liang Yong bribed Börgö with blood wine and offered him young women while the shaman stayed at the Prefectural Office.
• A Mu gave Zhao Feng the office’s defensive layout and planned to set the western granary ablaze as a diversion.
• When the fire drew the guards’ attention, Zhao Feng entered the rear courtyard and killed Börgö after finding him abusing captive girls.
• Zhao Feng fought through Liang Yong’s guards and killed the two Divine Dragon Guard experts who attacked him.
• Zhao Feng sealed Liang Yong’s acupoints, seized him, and warned the rebels not to move.

Zhao Feng killed the Northern Barbarian Shaman Börgö, captured the false crown prince Liang Yong, and helped the Eastern Route Army seize Jinyang Prefecture. With Northern Barbarian cavalry and rebel troops approaching, he began drilling the Martial Suppression Guards in the Armor-Breaking Formation to prepare for the coming battle.

• Zhao Feng captured Liang Yong and escaped the city after signaling the Eastern Route Army to attack, while the army learned that Northern Barbarian cavalry and Liang Qian's troops were advancing on Jinyang Prefecture.
• Zhao Feng returned safely with Liang Yong and Börgö's head, and Yu Zhiyong ordered the army to spread the news and storm the city.
• The rebels' morale collapsed, the Eastern Route Army captured Jinyang Prefecture, and Tan Bao died fighting amid the chaos.
• Yu Zhiyong told Zhao Feng that He Guang had died in prison and that the Son of Heaven had punished the Prince of Jin over his suspected ties to He Guang.
• Zhao Feng drilled three thousand Martial Suppression Guards in the Armor-Breaking Formation, practicing coordinated attacks, defenses, and a circular formation.

Zhao Feng agreed to escort Jinyang Prefecture’s hundred thousand civilians to Jieyang Prefecture while the defenders prepared for Chimuda and Gao Cheng’s siege. After Liang Yong was executed on the city walls, Chimuda learned Zhao Feng was leading the civilians and set out to pursue them, intending to slaughter them.

• Chimuda and Gao Cheng marched on Jinyang Prefecture with Northern Barbarian cavalry, rebel remnants, and Demonic Dao experts as the city’s defenders prepared for battle.
• Zhao Feng volunteered to lead the Martial Suppression Guard in escorting Jinyang’s hundred thousand elderly people, women, and children to Jieyang Prefecture, with Yin Zheng and Huo Yao joining him.
• The civilians left Jinyang, and three days later Chimuda and Gao Cheng arrived with their army and demanded the city surrender and return Liang Yong.
• Yu Zhiyong had Liang Yong executed on the city wall, and the rebels’ ensuing siege failed to break through Jinyang’s defenses.
• Gao Cheng learned Zhao Feng was escorting the civilians, and Chimuda decided to pursue them with his armored cavalry while planning to kill Zhao Feng and slaughter the hundred thousand people.

Chi Damu pursued Zhao Feng’s civilians with twenty thousand cavalry, but Zhao Feng used traps and a disciplined battle formation to stop and devastate the barbarian vanguard. The civilians crossed the Tong River as the defeated vanguard fled, while Chi Damu faced the Martial Suppression Guard’s remaining troops and realized Sun Chenzong’s tactics had shaped the battle.

• Chi Damu left Gao Cheng with twenty thousand cavalry to pursue Zhao Feng, while Yu Zhiyong ordered Jinyang Prefecture’s forces to carry out their plan.
• Chi Damu caught up with the civilians, but Zhao Feng’s traps and arrows delayed the cavalry while the civilians began crossing the Tong River.
• Chi Damu led his cavalry along the narrow riverbank and ordered the vanguard to charge Zhao Feng’s three thousand Martial Suppression Guards.
• Zhao Feng’s battle formation repelled repeated attacks, while Yue Lang, Luo Xiong, Xie Qiu, Jiang Chen, and Mu Xingze struck the vanguard and disrupted its ranks.
• Zhao Feng ordered a full attack and killed the vanguard commander from a distance, causing the surviving barbarians to flee.
• Chi Damu watched his vanguard collapse, and Kutu blamed Sun Chenzong for teaching the Martial Suppression Guard its unfamiliar formation.

Zhao Feng and the Martial Suppression Guards battled Chi Damu’s Northern Barbarian army while civilians crossed the Tong River. After Wu Huaizhong and Shadow launched a night assassination attempt, Zhao Feng killed both attackers and defended his camp.

• Chi Damu ordered his cavalry to break through Zhao Feng’s barricades, but Zhao Feng’s archery and traps inflicted heavy losses.
• Yue Lang’s troops attacked the barbarian center as civilians crossed the river, and Prefect Liu witnessed them praying for Zhao Feng’s safe return.
• After a day and night of fighting, Wu Huaizhong proposed killing Zhao Feng in a night raid, then attacked him with Shadow.
• Zhao Feng fought off the coordinated assassins, killed Shadow with his spear, and killed Wu Huaizhong with a blast of Spear Force.

Zhao Feng helped defeat the Northern Barbarian cavalry and learned that the rebellion was nearing its end, then spent nearly a month recovering and cultivating. As he prepared to visit his injured subordinates, Qiao'er rushed in to tell him an imperial envoy had arrived at his home.

• Zhao Feng used Thousandfold Shatter to kill over a hundred barbarian horsemen and halt their charge toward the civilians at the crossing.
• Yu Zhiyong arrived with over ten thousand Yan cavalry, and Zhao Feng's Martial Suppression Guards joined the reinforcements in crushing the barbarian army; Chi Damu was killed and Kutu was captured.
• Yu Zhiyong explained that Military Supervisor Sun's ambush had helped defeat Gao Cheng's forces, and Zhao Feng withdrew with the surviving Martial Suppression Guards to recover.
• News spread that the central army had reclaimed most of Bing Province and surrounded Liang Qian's remaining territory.
• During nearly a month of recovery, Zhao Feng trained his cultivation and martial techniques, gaining new insight into fist intent and strengthening his Nine Yang Sword Technique.
• Qiao'er hurried to tell Zhao Feng that an imperial envoy had arrived at his home.

After receiving an imperial promotion and rewards for his wartime achievements, Zhao Feng discussed his political ideals with Zhao Shuo and learned that the Cloud Crane Academy’s influence had left his brother isolated. Zhao Feng accompanied him to a literary gathering, where Fei Yuanzhong and Song Chen accused him of sacrificing imperial troops and acting disloyally.

• A eunuch delivered the Emperor’s decree, appointing Zhao Feng Pacification Commissioner of the Martial Suppression Bureau and General Huaihua, and awarded him gold, silver, and tribute embroidery.
• After officials spent two days congratulating him, Zhao Feng visited his recovering subordinates and later discussed the idea that the world belonged to all with Zhao Shuo.
• Zhao Shuo explained that students tied to the Cloud Crane Academy mocked and isolated him over Zhao Feng’s theory, and Zhao Feng agreed to attend the Prefectural Academy’s literary gathering with him.
• At the gathering, Fei Yuanzhong challenged Zhao Feng’s presence and accused him of using the civilians’ rescue to seek fame.
• Song Chen argued that Zhao Feng had disloyally sacrificed the Imperial Personal Guard for lowborn civilians, leaving the Elegant Hall in a deathly hush.

Zhao Feng defended his rescue of a hundred thousand civilians and argued that the people, not the sovereign’s private interests, formed the foundation of the state. He left the gathering after defeating Song Chen and Fei Yuanzhong in debate, while the scholars praised his arguments to Zhao Shuo.

• Song Chen and Fei Yuanzhong accused Zhao Feng of treason, but Zhao Feng cited his imperial appointment and the Martial Suppression Bureau’s duty to protect the people.
• Song Chen condemned Zhao Feng’s belief that the world belonged to all, and Zhao Feng defended the soldiers’ sacrifice as necessary to save civilians from the barbarians.
• Zhao Feng declared that the people were most precious and the sovereign least, then argued that rulers depended on the people’s support and had to protect them.
• Zhao Feng explained that governing for the common good did not oppose proper moral order, leaving Song Chen and Fei Yuanzhong unable to answer before they departed.
• Zhao Feng bid farewell to Zhao Shuo and left, while the scholars praised Zhao Feng and discussed his arguments with Zhao Shuo.

Zhao Feng learned that Barbarian God Hall would support Liang Qian as the Northern Barbarians prepared to resist the campaign to reclaim Bing Province. Ying Yang was sent to Bingzhou City to aid Liang Qian, seek the Barbarian Sacred Relic, and pursue Su Qingwan, while Zhao Feng ordered intensified surveillance of his enemies and their connections.

• Lin Ziwei explained that Pure Moon Convent and secluded sects might intervene as the court fought to reclaim Bing Province, and Zhao Feng agreed to help the Four Seas Trading House secure a role in its reconstruction.
• At Barbarian God Hall, the old man told Ying Yang that a glorious age had begun and ordered him to go to Bingzhou City, aid Liang Qian, and seize Liang Qian's fortune if his cause became hopeless.
• The old man instructed Ying Yang to search for the Barbarian Sacred Relic and pursue Su Qingwan, and Ying Yang departed for the icefield.
• Yue Lang gave Zhao Feng evidence uncovered about Fei Yuanzhong, and Zhao Feng ordered it sealed away for later use.
• Zhao Feng told Yue Lang that the Martial Suppression Guard would follow Sun Chenzong's arrangements and ordered the Dark Guard to monitor the Liang Rebels, the Northern Barbarians, You Province's great lineages, and every connection of the Prince of Jin.

Zhao Feng’s forces besieged Bingzhou City as Liang Qian’s rule collapsed, while Zhao Feng strengthened his cultivation and allowed Qiao’er to join him at the front. After seven days of assault, Tian Qi opened the western gate, and Zhao Feng led the Martial Suppression Guard toward the palace.

• Zhao Feng learned that the Lone Star Plan had intensified suspicion among Liang Qian’s officials, and he advanced his Tai Chi Golden Body Art.
• Zhao Feng said farewell to his family, marched to Bingzhou City with more than ten thousand guards, and cultivated while Sun Chenzong prepared the assault.
• Qiao’er arrived disguised as a soldier and persuaded Zhao Feng to let her follow Yue Lang.
• After seven days of fighting, Zhao Feng gave Sun Chenzong a confidential dispatch, and Sun ordered the army to attack with full force.
• Tian Qi opened Bingzhou City’s western gate, and Zhao Feng led his guards through it toward the imperial palace, killing rebel officers along the way.

Zhao Feng and the Martial Suppression Guard fought through the rebel forces and advanced into the imperial palace, where Zhao Feng defeated a Blood Lotus Sect expert who had tried to ambush him. He continued deeper into the burning palace after discovering the eunuch had led him to a hall of valuables rather than Liang Qian’s treasury.

• Zhao Feng led Yue Lang, Luo Xiong, Jiang Chen, Mu Xingze, Xie Qiu, and Qiao'er through rebel forces toward the palace, while Innate Realm experts battled overhead.
• Zhao Feng killed a rebel general and two Demon Sect experts, and his companions joined forces to kill the palace guard general.
• Yue Lang and the others fought through the palace guards and Divine Dragon Guard, then reinforced their advance when Qianhu Fan, Qianhu Dong, and other officers arrived with several thousand Martial Suppression Guards.
• Zhao Feng forced a supervising eunuch to guide him toward Liang Qian’s treasury, but a blood-robed Blood Lotus Sect expert ambushed them and killed the eunuch.
• Zhao Feng countered the man’s Blood Shadow Secret Art and Blood-Transforming Sword Technique with his Nine Yang Sword Technique, killed him, and took his heart’s essence blood and Mustard Seed Pouch.
• Zhao Feng found that the burning hall contained silks, paintings, and antiques rather than the treasury, so he continued deeper into the palace.

As Great Yan’s forces captured Bingzhou City, Zhao Feng escaped Ying Yang after a fierce treasury fight, unaware that he might have taken the Barbarian God Hall’s sacred relic. While Liang Qian fled with Ying Yang and the pursuing experts scattered, Zhao Feng heard Su Qingwan chase Ying Yang and followed them.

• Liang Qian lamented his defeat as Zhao Feng searched his plundered treasury and pocketed a jade box.
• Ying Yang attacked Zhao Feng, but Zhao Feng held him off with his martial arts and escaped the vault; Ying Yang suspected he had taken the Barbarian Sacred Relic.
• Zhao Feng hid and treated his injuries while Liang Chao urged Liang Qian to flee the advancing Yan army.
• Ying Yang offered to escort Liang Qian to the Northern Barbarians, and Liang Qian appointed Liang Chao regent before leaving with him.
• Great Yan’s Innate Realm experts pursued fleeing enemies as the Yan army flooded the palace.
• Zhao Feng heard Su Qingwan pursue Ying Yang and followed their battle with the Tiger-Subduing Bow.

Zhao Feng helped Su Qingwan stop Liang Qian and fight Ying Yang during the capture of the imperial palace. Liang Qian died, but Ying Yang escaped after Su Qingwan wounded him, leaving Zhao Feng and Su Qingwan reunited.

• Su Qingwan pursued Liang Qian and Ying Yang, while Ying Yang used the Cold Sky Bow to slow her with freezing arrows.
• Zhao Feng shot down Ying Yang’s arrow, then struck Liang Qian repeatedly with astral-qi arrows until Liang Qian fell from the sky.
• Ying Yang attacked Liang Qian instead of rescuing him, but Liang Qian fought back before Zhao Feng’s arrows killed him.
• Su Qingwan fought Ying Yang while Zhao Feng’s arrows disrupted his defense; Ying Yang taunted Su Qingwan about her Senior Sister Guo, briefly weakening her swordplay.
• Su Qingwan pierced Ying Yang’s chest, and he escaped using a secret art that burned his essence; Su Qingwan said the escape might cost him his cultivation.
• Zhao Feng and Su Qingwan greeted each other after the battle, and Su Qingwan noted that Ying Yang had ruined many women.