Chapter Summaries

After the Battle Soldiers defeated the Yellow Wind Stockade bandits and rescued their captives, Li Xuancang was promoted to Hundred-Man Commander for his role in the campaign. He selected and organized a hundred soldiers under his command, taking on responsibility for their training and lives.

• Zhou Xiong stopped the Battle Soldiers from pursuing the fleeing bandits and ordered them to recover the supplies and bring the rescued women to Jade Sun City.
• Three days after returning to camp, Li Xuancang received a promotion to Hundred-Man Commander under Zhou Xiong, along with new equipment, a military tally, and improved privileges.
• Zhou Xingzhan continued the awards ceremony, recognizing other soldiers and using the rewards to raise the army’s morale.
• Li Xuancang selected one hundred elite soldiers and reorganized them into squads, promoting Wang Xiaoniu to Five-Man Leader.
• Li Xuancang’s soldiers pledged to obey him as he accepted responsibility for commanding their training, battles, and lives.

Li Xuancang joined a planned counterattack against the Barbarians after months of waiting in Jade Sun City. As Gu Shuo led the Barbarians to meet the Human Race army, the outnumbered defenders feared they could not win.

• Li Xuancang appointed Nangong Zhan as his personal guard and continued growing stronger while stationed in Jade Sun City.
• Zhou Xiong ordered Li Xuancang and other commanders to take more than a thousand men to Blackwind Ridge and ambush the Barbarians' retreat.
• Zhou Xingzhan led the rest of the army, along with fighters from local gangs and factions, toward Azure Cloud Ridge to counterattack.
• Gu Shuo learned the Human Race army was approaching and decided to rally the Barbarians and meet it in battle.
• As the armies drew near, the Human Race soldiers lost morale and feared they could not defeat the Barbarians.

The Human Race army defeated Gu Shuo’s Barbarians, forcing them to retreat into Black Wind Valley, where Zhou Xiong and Li Xuancang’s troops ambushed them. The slaughter continued as more fleeing Barbarians arrived and the ambushers began taking casualties.

• Zhou Xingzhan led the Human Race army against the Barbarian charge while officers rallied the conscripts with the promise of becoming Battle Soldiers.
• Zhou Xingzhan and Gu Shuo fought as the armies clashed, but the Human Race’s gang members and experts turned the battle in their favor.
• A black-robed old Daoist and a middle-aged scholar struck Gu Shuo from behind and joined Zhou Xingzhan in attacking him.
• Gu Shuo ordered a retreat, and the Human Race army pursued the fleeing Barbarians toward Black Wind Valley.
• Zhou Xiong and Li Xuancang led more than a thousand Battle Soldiers out of ambush, killing two thousand Barbarians before the growing influx of fugitives increased pressure and casualties.

Li Xuancang fought a Bone Forging Realm Barbarian general and helped the Human Race army crush the Barbarian force at great cost. The victorious army returned to Jade Sun City, where Li Xuancang recovered with a hearty meal, while Zhou Xingzhan planned to reorganize before occupying Azure Cloud Ridge.

• Zhou Xiong ordered his thousand-man defensive line to hold off the Barbarians, while Li Xuancang fought and killed a Bone Forging Realm Barbarian general.
• Nangong Zhan helped the exhausted Li Xuancang withdraw as the Human Race army attacked the Barbarians from both sides.
• After an hour of resistance, the Human Race army nearly wiped out the more than eight thousand Barbarians, though it suffered heavy casualties and Gu Shuo was slain.
• Zhou Xingzhan led the victorious army back to Jade Sun City and planned to rest and reorganize before taking Azure Cloud Ridge.
• The people of Jade Sun City cheered the returning army, and Li Xuancang ate a large meal after receiving provisions.

After the victory, Zhou Xingzhan incorporated the Conscripts' Camp into Great Yan's regular Battle Soldier ranks and distributed rewards for merit, including a Military Merit Medal to Li Xuancang. Li Xuancang sent the medal and other rewards home, then gave his superior cultivation pills to the thirty Battle Soldiers under his command.

• Zhou Xingzhan announced that the Conscripts' Camp would become regular Battle Soldiers, and the conscripts cheered at their new status and protections.
• Zhou Xingzhan praised Li Xuancang for his battlefield deeds and awarded him weapons, armor, supplies, cultivation pills, silver, land, and a Military Merit Medal.
• Li Xuancang accepted his rewards, thanked Zhou Xingzhan, and suspected Zhou Xiong had helped secure the medal for him.
• Li Xuancang sent the silver, cloth, and Military Merit Medal home so his family could benefit from their protections.
• Li Xuancang gave his superior cultivation pills to the thirty remaining Battle Soldiers, who divided them and thanked him.

After returning to Azure Cloud Ridge and rebuilding their camp, Li Xuancang learned that Prince Fu of Cloud Prefecture had rebelled in alliance with the White Lotus Sect and Demons. Zhou Xiong ordered the troops to strengthen patrols as Peace Prefecture faced isolation from the Imperial Court.

• Zhou Xingzhan ordered the army to rebuild Azure Cloud Ridge after the Barbarians burned the camp to ashes.
• Li Xuancang noticed civilians fleeing into the border region and questioned a man from Cloudmist Commandery.
• The man told Li Xuancang that Prince Fu had rebelled, joined forces with the White Lotus Sect and Demons, and cut off Cloud Prefecture from the Imperial Court.
• Li Xuancang brought the man to the military camp, where Zhou Xiong told the commanders that Prince Fu had rebelled and relayed Colonel Zhou's order to strengthen patrols.
• Li Xuancang had Nangong Zhan escort the man out of the camp.

After the Garrison Commander ordered the army to abandon Azure Cloud Ridge and defend Profound Sun Commandery City, Li Xuancang worried that his family in Azure County would be left exposed to the Barbarians and demons. He sent Nangong Zhan to bring them to safety, while the army prepared to retreat in three days.

• Zhou Xingzhan told the commanders that the Commandery Governor's Residence had ordered them to leave Azure Cloud Ridge, and the commanders protested before agreeing to seek the Garrison Commander's decision.
• Half a month later, Li Xuancang tested his rapidly growing strength and found that he could rival Bone Forging Realm cultivators.
• Zhou Xingzhan announced the Garrison Commander's order to withdraw to Profound Sun Commandery City and defend it to the death.
• The soldiers welcomed the retreat, while the commanders worried that abandoning Azure Cloud Ridge would leave the surrounding counties vulnerable.
• Li Xuancang ordered Nangong Zhan to take his Military Merit Medal and silver to Azure Creek Village and escort his parents and eldest sister's family to Profound Sun Commandery City.

Nangong Zhan escorted Li Xuancang’s parents and the Zhang Family to Profound Sun Commandery City after arranging their evacuation from Azure Creek Village. The families departed while the villagers watched enviously, unaware that the commandery army planned to abandon Azure Cloud Ridge.

• Nangong Zhan reached Azure County, and Yang Yunlong supplied him with carriages, provisions, and guards after learning that the commandery army would withdraw from Azure Cloud Ridge.
• Nangong Zhan arrived at Azure Creek Village and reassured Father Li and Mother Li that Li Xuancang was well, showing them his letter and token.
• Nangong Zhan explained to the villagers that Li Xuancang had sent for his family, then escorted Father Li and Mother Li away with their belongings.
• Nangong Zhan reached Zhang Family Village and persuaded Zhang Erzhu and his family to leave for Profound Sun Commandery City, where Li Xuancang would arrange for them.
• Nangong Zhan confirmed both families were present and led the three carriages out of the village.

Nangong Zhan used Li Xuancang’s Military Merit Medal to frighten away bandits threatening the Li Family’s carriages. Meanwhile, Li Xuancang’s retreating army approached Half-Moon Gorge, where Barbarian generals and a sinister Human Race man prepared an ambush, and Li Xuancang sensed danger.

• Nangong Zhan and the Azure County guards escorted the Li Family and Zhang Family toward the commandery city.
• More than twenty refugee bandits blocked the road and demanded the travelers’ money, supplies, carriages, and horses.
• Nangong Zhan displayed Li Xuancang’s Military Merit Medal and drove the terrified bandits away without bloodshed.
• The Li Family continued toward the commandery city, using the medal to pass checkpoints and displaced people safely.
• Three Barbarian generals and a sinister Human Race man prepared to ambush Zhou Xingzhan’s army at Half-Moon Gorge.
• Li Xuancang worried that the gorge was a dangerous ambush site, but he followed the army as it entered.

The Barbarians and Demon Race ambushed the Human Race army in a canyon, forcing Zhou Xingzhan to flee while Zhou Xiong stayed behind to cover him. As the army collapsed, Li Xuancang led his unit through the enemy and stunned the survivors by killing a giant black bear with his bare hands.

• Barbarian and Demon Race forces sprang their ambush, trapping the Human Race army in the canyon and inflicting heavy casualties with poisoned arrows.
• Wu Xiaotian and two other Astral Qi Realm experts charged Zhou Xingzhan, so Zhou Xiong sacrificed his foundation to hold them off while Zhou Xingzhan escaped.
• Li Xuancang ordered his hundred-man unit to retreat in formation and led them through the attacking enemies.
• Li Xuancang killed a Bone Forging Realm black bear with his bare fists, then swung its body into nearby Barbarians and killed them.

Li Xuancang led the surviving soldiers out of the encircled valley, carrying Zhou Xiong’s corpse as they fought their way into the western forest. A Blood Condensation Realm Barbarian commander caught up with them, and Li Xuancang ordered the others to flee while he held the enemy back.

• Li Xuancang gathered the surviving soldiers and led them toward a weak point in the western defenses after the Human Race army was surrounded.
• He caught Zhou Xiong’s body, tied it to his back, and continued fighting to bring it back for burial.
• Li Xuancang led the soldiers through the enemy blockade and into the forest, covering their retreat from the rear.
• After the pursuers fell behind, a Blood Condensation Realm Barbarian commander ambushed the group and killed several soldiers.
• Li Xuancang handed Zhou Xiong’s body to Wang Xiaoniu and ordered the survivors to flee while he confronted the commander.

Li Xuancang stayed behind to face a Blood Condensation Realm Barbarian general, defeated him through a fierce battle, and survived despite being wounded. Wang Xiaoniu returned to collect Li Xuancang’s body and found him alive, but remained confused about the general’s whereabouts.

• Wang Xiaoniu and the others fled as Li Xuancang stayed behind to block the Barbarian general.
• Li Xuancang matched the Barbarian general in combat and proved his strength exceeded the general’s expectations.
• Li Xuancang took a saber wound to his shoulder and pierced the Barbarian general’s chest in a trade of injuries.
• The wounded Barbarian general threw his saber at Li Xuancang and fled into the forest, while Li Xuancang chose not to pursue him.
• Li Xuancang bandaged his wound, and Wang Xiaoniu returned, thinking Li Xuancang might have died and hoping to collect his body.

Li Xuancang survived the Barbarian attack and reunited with the remaining soldiers as news of the Imperial Court’s retreat plunged Profound Sun Commandery into panic. As Nangong Zhan escorted the Li Family toward the commandery city through a crush of refugees, a group of reckless servants rammed their carriage.

• Li Xuancang told Wang Xiaoniu that the Barbarians had withdrawn after seeing the army’s signal, then hurried away with him to rejoin the others.
• Li Xuancang and the surviving soldiers headed for the commandery city after more than half of their three thousand Battle Soldiers were killed or injured.
• News of the retreat spread across Profound Sun Commandery, sending the people into panic; Azure Creek Village decided to flee together, while its residents blamed the Li Family for not warning them.
• Nangong Zhan told the Li Family that Li Xuancang had arranged for their early departure, and the family looked forward to seeing him again in the commandery city.
• Nangong Zhan escorted Father Li, Mother Li, and Li Xiu’s family through the refugee-packed road as several servants forced their carriages forward and crashed into the Li Family’s carriage.

Nangong Zhan confronted Zhang Lingfeng and his servants after they blocked the Li Family’s carriage, refusing to let Father Li apologize. He revealed Li Xuancang’s Military Merit Medal, forcing Zhang Lingfeng to back down and clear the road.

• Zhang Lingfeng ordered his servants to attack Nangong Zhan after Nangong challenged their behavior, while Wang Xing'er watched in anger and Uncle Fu restrained her.
• Nangong Zhan warned the servants that the carriage held a Hundred-Man Commander’s family, making them hesitate to attack.
• Zhang Lingfeng demanded an apology, but Nangong Zhan refused to let Father Li give one.
• Nangong Zhan displayed Li Xuancang’s Military Merit Medal and declared that he was escorting the general’s family under orders.
• Zhang Lingfeng recognized the medal’s authority, apologized, and cleared the road; Nangong Zhan ignored him and returned to the carriage.

Nangong Zhan escorted the Li Family into the prefectural city, where their Military Merit Medal let them bypass the refugee line. After they settled in, news of the imperial army’s devastating ambush at Half-Moon Gorge left the city fearing it could no longer defend itself.

• The Military Merit Medal drew attention to the Li Family, while Zhang Lingfeng seethed over Nangong Zhan’s departure.
• Nangong Zhan escorted the Li Family to the prefectural city, where refugees faced harsh inspections and a limit of five hundred admissions per day as wealthy families entered freely.
• Nangong Zhan showed the frontier Military Merit Medal, and the constables escorted the Li Family through the gates without making them queue.
• After the Li Family settled in, news arrived that the imperial army had suffered devastating losses in an ambush at Half-Moon Gorge, terrifying the people in the city.

Li Xuancang returned safely to the commandery city after surviving the ambush at Half-Moon Gorge and brought Zhou Xiong’s body back to the camp. After resting, he reunited with his relieved family, who had feared he was dead.

• Li Xuancang and several dozen survivors entered the city, where Nangong Zhan joyfully welcomed him at the military camp.
• Li Xuancang gave Zhou Xiong’s body to Zhou Xingzhan, who thanked him for bringing it back and told him to rest.
• Li Xuancang learned that his parents were safe but had been grieving over his disappearance, then ate, bathed, and slept for five shichen.
• After waking, Li Xuancang went with Nangong Zhan to the Li Family’s courtyard to see his family.
• Mother Li embraced Li Xuancang through tears, and Father Li, Li Xiu, and Li Ling'er welcomed him home.

After reuniting with his family, Li Xuancang was promoted to Battalion Commander for his battlefield achievements and given command of five hundred elite Battle Soldiers. Seven days later, he took charge of his troops and promoted his veteran followers.

• Li Xuancang stayed with his family and Nangong Zhan after returning to the prefectural city.
• Zhou Xingzhan promoted Li Xuancang to Battalion Commander, citing his victories and military merit.
• Li Xuancang received a commander's residence, increased pay and privileges, and authority over five hundred Battle Soldiers.
• Seven days later, Li Xuancang took command of his newly assembled five hundred soldiers.
• Li Xuancang promoted Wang Xiaoniu and other veteran followers to leadership positions before ordering the troops to train.

After moving his family into a protected residence in the commandery city, Li Xuancang arranged servants and a yamen position for Zhang Erzhu. When Barbarians and Demons invaded Azure County and threatened the grain supply, Li Xuancang volunteered to escort it, leaving Zhou Xingzhan impressed and the other commanders relieved they would not have to go.

• Li Xuancang moved his family into the court-assigned residence, where Li Xiu, Yang Cuihua, Zhang Erzhu, and Zhang Cuier celebrated his new rank.
• Li Xuancang planned to hire servants, then warned Zhang Erzhu to obey his superiors after securing him a yamen position.
• The Barbarians and Demons invaded Azure County, slaughtering civilians as their forces advanced through Profound Sun Commandery.
• Zhou Xingzhan asked the Battalion Commanders to escort grain from Azure Origin County, but they remained silent.
• Li Xuancang volunteered for the escort mission, drawing mockery from the other commanders and admiration from Zhou Xingzhan.

Li Xuancang led more than five hundred soldiers from Profound Sun Commandery City to escort grain from Azure Origin County, while the Barbarians dispatched Huyan Zhuo and over a thousand men to intercept them. After Li Xuancang’s scouts spotted the ambush, he organized the convoy into a defensive formation and calmed the civilians.

• Zhou Xingzhan ordered Li Xuancang to bring the grain back swiftly, and Li Xuancang led his troops out of Profound Sun Commandery City.
• Wu Xiaotian and the Barbarian generals debated whether the grain mission was a trap, then sent Huyan Zhuo with more than a thousand Barbarians to intercept the convoy.
• Li Xuancang arrived in Azure Origin County, refused the magistrate’s welcome banquet, and had Yang Tiangang inspect the grain before the convoy departed.
• Li Xuancang arranged his soldiers around the grain carts and sent scouts ahead as the convoy traveled toward Profound Sun Commandery City.
• Li Xuancang’s scouts spotted the approaching Barbarians, and he ordered the civilians to shelter inside a defensive perimeter around the grain carts.

Li Xuancang’s disciplined army met Huyan Zhuo’s Barbarian forces, and Li Xuancang’s overwhelming strength shattered the enemy’s charge. As Wang Xiaoniu and his men rushed to support him, Li Xuancang gained the upper hand against Huyan Zhuo and left the Blood Condensation Realm warrior fighting desperately to survive.

• Li Xuancang ordered his soldiers into formation, and the archers fired several volleys that killed or wounded more than a hundred charging Barbarians.
• Li Xuancang charged into the Barbarian army and slaughtered dozens, causing the survivors to retreat in terror.
• Huyan Zhuo attacked Li Xuancang, while Wang Xiaoniu and his old subordinates charged forward to support their lord.
• Li Xuancang’s heavy strike overwhelmed Huyan Zhuo, breaking his grip and injuring him despite his higher cultivation.
• Li Xuancang continued his relentless assault, leaving Huyan Zhuo badly wounded and struggling to escape.