Chapter Summaries

Li Xuancang led government troops to the Iron Fist Sect to seize Tie Yue, and a bloody battle broke out. Qian Qianshan arrived with constables and stopped the fighting, while Tie Shanhe appealed to him to punish Li Xuancang.

• Tie Shanhe attacked Li Xuancang, but Li Xuancang dodged his strike and overpowered him in a clash of fists.
• The Iron Fist Sect elders joined the fight, but Li Xuancang broke through toward Tie Yue and killed five elders before Tie Shanhe and the others stopped him.
• Tie Yue fled from Li Xuancang, then called for him to be killed as the battle continued.
• Qian Qianshan arrived with government constables and separated the two sides, ending the battle.
• Tie Shanhe accused Li Xuancang of abusing public authority and urged Qian Qianshan to uphold justice for the Iron Fist Sect.

Qian Qianshan sided with Li Xuancang and warned the martial world against disrupting the prefectural city, forcing Li Xuancang’s enemies to withdraw for the moment. That night, Tie Shanhe and the gathered sect leaders resolved to assassinate Li Xuancang while sparing his family to avoid provoking the Imperial Court.

• Qian Qianshan declared that martial world disputes fell outside the authorities’ jurisdiction, backed Li Xuancang’s military mission, and warned the sects not to disturb the city’s peace.
• Tie Shanhe accused the authorities of injustice and vowed that the Iron Fist Sect would settle its grievance through martial world methods.
• Qian Qianshan warned Li Xuancang that experts from other sects were approaching, and Li Xuancang threatened Tie Yue before withdrawing with his troops.
• Tie Shanhe gathered martial world figures at the Iron Fist Sect and proposed assassinating Li Xuancang and slaughtering his family.
• The gathered elders warned Tie Shanhe that attacking Li Xuancang’s family could bring an Imperial Court purge, so Tie Shanhe agreed to target Li Xuancang alone.

After Tie Yue vanished from the Iron Fist Sect, Tie Shanhe realized his son’s flight confirmed his collusion with Evil Cultivators and ordered him captured. Tie Yue fled to the Evil Cultivators’ hideout, unaware Shen Qingshan was following him, but found the village abandoned.

• Tie Shanhe learned that Tie Yue had escaped during the chaos and concluded his son was guilty of colluding with Evil Cultivators.
• Tie Shanhe ordered the sect to find Tie Yue so he could execute him for betraying the sect.
• Tie Yue slipped out of the city and headed for the Evil Cultivators, while Shen Qingshan secretly followed him.
• Tie Yue reached the abandoned village where the Evil Cultivators had hidden before and found it empty.
• Tie Yue realized the Evil Cultivators had already withdrawn, leaving him without the refuge he had counted on.

Shen Qingshan failed to find Profound Yin Old Man and captured Tie Yue, whose confession exposed his crimes and the Iron Fist Sect’s complicity. Du Tianfeng revealed that rebellion and invading forces threatened Peace Prefecture, so Li Xuancang agreed to postpone a campaign against the sect while Tie Yue faced execution.

• Shen Qingshan discovered that Profound Yin Old Man had escaped, then knocked out Tie Yue and took him to the military camp.
• Tie Yue confessed to helping Profound Yin Old Man and murdering more than a hundred women, prompting Li Xuancang to seek permission to suppress the Iron Fist Sect.
• Du Tianfeng refused to attack the sect, explaining that Barbarians, Demons, and Prince Fu’s rebel forces threatened Peace Prefecture.
• Li Xuancang accepted Du Tianfeng’s orders to preserve stability, while Du Tianfeng promised Tie Yue would be executed and the Iron Fist Sect would be dealt with after the rebellion was quelled.

Li Xuancang kept Peace Prefecture's Third Battalion on alert as Cloud Prefecture's Evil Cultivators infiltrated the region and stirred panic, while martial forces grew restless. Du Tianfeng called for volunteers to suppress the unrest outside the city, but Li Xuancang and the others hesitated, leaving Peace Prefecture's crisis unresolved.

• After the conflict with the Iron Fist Sect subsided, Liu Qingyun gave up his authority and became a Thousand-Man Commander, leaving Li Xuancang in control of the Third Battalion.
• Cloud Prefecture's agents entered Peace Prefecture and spread out to gather military intelligence, establish Evil Formations, and stir panic among villagers.
• Strange afflictions, dying livestock, and ruined crops sparked rumors of evil spirits, spreading fear through the countryside and Peace Prefecture City.
• Du Tianfeng identified Prince Fu's forces as the source of the unrest and ordered the Thousand-Man Commanders to remain on alert.
• Li Xuancang sent his personal guards to protect his family, then watched as rumors and resentment stirred Rogue Cultivators and small sects against the Imperial Court.
• Du Tianfeng asked for volunteers to suppress the Evil Cultivators, but the commanders feared an ambush, and Li Xuancang chose not to volunteer.

Jin Zhanfei led five hundred Battle Soldiers out of Peace Prefecture City to suppress the Evil Cultivators, but Fang Tianhan lured them into a deadly ambush. The entire force was slaughtered, and Fang Tianhan planned to continue weakening the city’s defenses.

• Du Tianfeng ordered Jin Zhanfei to lead five hundred Battle Soldiers out of the city and suppress the Evil Cultivators.
• Fang Tianhan ordered his men to feign weakness and lure government troops into a valley where a killing formation would trap them.
• Jin Zhanfei’s troops won several easy skirmishes, lowered their guard, and pursued the fleeing Evil Cultivators into the valley.
• The valley entrances collapsed, the Soul-Devouring Death Formation activated, and more than a hundred Evil Cultivators surrounded the trapped soldiers.
• Jin Zhanfei tried to lead his men out, but the formation weakened them and the Evil Cultivators killed all five hundred Battle Soldiers, including Jin Zhanfei.
• Fang Tianhan resolved to keep destroying Peace Prefecture City’s military strength until its border soldiers were wiped out.

After Jin Zhanfei and his five hundred soldiers were annihilated, Du Tianfeng sent Li Xuancang out with another five hundred troops to avenge them. As Li Xuancang left Peace Prefecture, the Evil Cultivators prepared a killing array, the Iron Fist Sect plotted to attack him after his battle, and Profound Yin Old Man returned to target Li Ling'er.

• A scout reported that Evil Cultivators had ambushed and killed Jin Zhanfei and all five hundred soldiers he led.
• Du Tianfeng ordered Li Xuancang to take five hundred Battle Soldiers into the mountains to eliminate the Evil Cultivators and avenge the fallen troops.
• After learning Li Xuancang was coming, Fang Tianhan replaced the old formation with a double-layered Sure-Kill Evil Array.
• Tie Shanhe led Iron Fist Sect elites out of the city to block Li Xuancang's route and planned to strike after he fought the Evil Cultivators.
• Profound Yin Old Man secretly returned to Peace Prefecture and planned to seize Li Ling'er while Li Xuancang was away.

Li Xuancang led five hundred Battle Soldiers into the valley and deliberately triggered Fang Tianhan’s Soul-Devouring Army-Extinguishing Formation. As the formation trapped and devastated his troops, Li Xuancang broke away and slaughtered dozens of Evil Cultivators, drawing Fang Tianhan and the Blood Condensation Realm fighters into the battle.

• Li Xuancang ignored Wu Daokun’s warning and led the army into the valley to draw out the Evil Cultivators.
• Fang Tianhan activated the Soul-Devouring Army-Extinguishing Formation and trapped Li Xuancang and the five hundred Battle Soldiers inside.
• Li Xuancang steadied the soldiers and ordered the archers to shoot the formation eye, but the formation’s black Qi destroyed their arrows.
• More than a hundred Evil Cultivators attacked the Battle Soldiers, while Li Xuancang charged out of the formation and killed dozens with his fists.
• Li Xuancang taunted Fang Tianhan and the Blood Condensation Realm Evil Cultivators, prompting Fang Tianhan to strike at him with Palm Qi.

Li Xuancang fought Fang Tianhan and more than a dozen Evil Cultivators, enduring their attacks and outlasting them despite being badly wounded. As Du Tianfeng rushed into the valley, Tie Shanhe realized the army had set a trap and led the Iron Fist Sect to retreat.

• Fang Tianhan bound Li Xuancang with Astral Qi, allowing the Evil Cultivators to wound him while Wu Daokun and the army were kept from helping.
• Li Xuancang recovered his footing and struck back, knocking one Evil Cultivator unconscious and using another as a shield against Fang Tianhan’s attacks.
• Fang Tianhan ordered the Evil Cultivators to take turns wearing Li Xuancang down, but after more than half an hour Li Xuancang still showed no sign of exhaustion.
• Tie Shanhe and the Iron Fist Sect heard the battle and prepared to intervene, hoping to kill Li Xuancang and the Evil Cultivators together.
• Du Tianfeng rushed toward the valley, and Tie Shanhe recognized him and concluded the army had used Li Xuancang as bait to trap the Evil Cultivators.
• Tie Shanhe led the Iron Fist Sect away after realizing Du Tianfeng’s presence made the army’s trap impossible to challenge.

Li Xuancang and Du Tianfeng broke the Evil Cultivators’ formation and drove their forces into retreat. Li Xuancang pursued Fang Tianhan over a cliff, clinging to him as they plunged toward the rocks while Du Tianfeng followed.

• Li Xuancang killed a Blood Condensation Realm Evil Cultivator as the battle left both sides badly weakened.
• A spear attack shattered the formation core, and Du Tianfeng entered the battle, forcing Fang Tianhan to order a retreat.
• Li Xuancang chased Fang Tianhan while Du Tianfeng slaughtered the remaining Evil Cultivators, then pursued them both.
• Trapped between the cliff and his pursuers, Fang Tianhan leaped into the abyss, but Li Xuancang jumped after him and seized him.
• Du Tianfeng followed by driving his spear into the cliff to slow his descent as Li Xuancang and Fang Tianhan crashed against the rocks.

Li Xuancang survived the fall with Fang Tianhan, then learned the Iron Fist Sect had ambushed him as Du Tianfeng returned to Peace Prefecture City. Profound Yin Old Man failed to abduct Li Ling'er and fled from Shen Qingshan, while Du Tianfeng's return exposed his successful attack on the Evil Cultivators and left Prince Fu's allies regretting their missed chance.

• Li Xuancang survived the fall that shattered Fang Tianhan, and Du Tianfeng found him and warned him against risking his life recklessly.
• Du Tianfeng told Li Xuancang that the Iron Fist Sect had ambushed him, then hurried back to Peace Prefecture City while Li Xuancang organized the battlefield cleanup.
• Profound Yin Old Man tried to enter the Li Residence to abduct Li Ling'er, but Shen Qingshan stopped him and chased him beyond the city into battle.
• Du Tianfeng returned to the military camp before the Iron Fist Sect could act, and the factions learned that he had secretly eliminated the Evil Cultivators.
• Prince Fu's allies regretted missing their chance to seize Peace Prefecture City after learning that Du Tianfeng had left the city.

Li Xuancang returned to Peace Prefecture City after the Evil Cultivators were exterminated and learned that the Profound Yin Old Man had targeted Li Ling'er again. He asked Shen Qingshan to track the Profound Yin Old Man, then returned home and gave Nangong Zhan and the others resources to strengthen themselves.

• Li Xuancang returned to Peace Prefecture City, where factions and commoners reacted to his safe return and growing reputation in different ways.
• Du Tianfeng praised Li Xuancang for his role in exterminating the Evil Cultivators and granted him five days of rest.
• Shen Qingshan told Li Xuancang that the Profound Yin Old Man had returned and was targeting Li Ling'er, but Shen Qingshan had only managed to injure him.
• Li Xuancang asked Shen Qingshan to track down the Profound Yin Old Man, and Shen Qingshan agreed to continue the pursuit.
• Li Xuancang returned home, visited the recovering Nangong Zhan and the others, and gave them pills and cultivation resources.

Li Xuancang visited the Peace Prefecture government office to secure stable work and lifelong wages for the soldiers crippled in battle. After Huang Tianyun agreed to take them in, the veterans learned of Li Xuancang’s efforts and thanked him, and he vowed to protect them for as long as he held office and commanded troops.

• Li Xuancang left home for the government office, intending to find a stable future for his crippled soldiers.
• Li Xuancang asked Sima Huang Tianyun to arrange suitable work for the veterans who could no longer serve in the army.
• Huang Tianyun promised that all soldiers crippled in the battle would receive government jobs and monthly wages for life.
• The crippled soldiers learned what Li Xuancang had done, knelt before him, and thanked him through tears.
• Li Xuancang vowed to protect his brothers-in-arms for as long as he remained an official and commanded troops.

Li Xuancang’s efforts to secure lifelong posts for disabled soldiers won him widespread support across the Peace Prefecture army. Veteran Thousand-Man Commanders, angered by how his actions exposed their treatment of wounded troops, decided to seek Captain Du Tianfeng’s intervention.

• Li Xuancang’s petition for stable posts for his wounded and disabled comrades spread through the camp, earning soldiers’ gratitude and admiration.
• Soldiers from other battalions compared Li Xuancang favorably with commanders who abandoned disabled troops, and his reputation for loyalty and compassion grew throughout the army.
• Veteran Thousand-Man Commanders gathered in separate tents and condemned Li Xuancang for breaking established rules and making them appear heartless.
• The commanders argued that they could neither follow the old regulations without losing their soldiers’ respect nor make exceptions without undermining military discipline.
• The veteran commanders decided to ask Du Tianfeng to intervene and curb Li Xuancang’s influence.

Du Tianfeng rejected the commanders’ demands to punish Li Xuancang for securing civilian jobs for disabled soldiers. He then explained the political costs of bending military rules, leaving Li Xuancang newly aware of the wider balance he had disrupted.

• The commanders accused Li Xuancang of violating military regulations and demanded that Du Tianfeng punish him severely.
• Du Tianfeng dismissed the accusations, defended Li Xuancang’s actions, and ordered the commanders to return to their duties.
• After the commanders left, Du Tianfeng summoned Li Xuancang and told him they had demanded his punishment.
• Du Tianfeng explained that exceptions for individual soldiers could undermine the systems and balance supporting the army and local government.
• Li Xuancang thanked Du Tianfeng for the guidance and recognized that his compassion had overlooked broader consequences.

Li Xuancang reflected on his growing strength and continued training the army while keeping a low profile. Meanwhile, the Pei Family considered a marriage alliance with him as unrest threatened Peace Prefecture.

• Li Xuancang judged that he needed to reach at least the Late Astral Qi Realm to face the coming turmoil and focused on training his army.
• The Pei Family elders gathered to discuss finding a marriage match for Pei Qingyuan.
• A clan steward proposed Thousand-Man Commander Li Xuancang as a suitable match because of his promise and military ability.
• Pei Hongwen agreed that an alliance with Li Xuancang could help the Pei Family survive the coming chaos.

Madam Pei visited the Li Residence to propose a marriage between Pei Qing Yuan and Li Xuancang, offering the Pei Family’s support for his career. Li Father and Li Mother welcomed the match but left the decision to their absent son, and Madam Pei agreed to wait for his answer.

• Pei Hongwen asked Madam Pei to visit the Li Residence and formally propose a marriage alliance.
• Madam Pei arrived at the Li Residence with the Pei Family’s chief steward and lavish gifts, surprising Li Father and Li Mother.
• Madam Pei proposed that her daughter Qing Yuan marry Li Xuancang and pledged the Pei Family’s support for his future.
• Li Father and Li Mother said they would not decide without Li Xuancang’s consent, and Madam Pei accepted their response.
• After Madam Pei departed, Li Father and Li Mother celebrated the proposal and hoped their son would agree.

Madam Pei reported that the Li family welcomed the Pei Family’s marriage proposal but left the decision to their children. Pei Hongwen and the clan elders decided to meet Li Xuancang and judge him for themselves, while Li Xuancang heard about the proposed match and considered the security his family might gain from it.

• Madam Pei told Pei Hongwen that the Li couple had received the marriage proposal warmly but would let Li Xuancang and Pei Qing Yuan decide.
• Pei Hongwen voiced doubts about Li Xuancang’s character and resolved to meet him before committing the Pei Family to the alliance.
• The Pei clan elders agreed to invite Li Xuancang to a banquet at Pei Residence and observe his conduct.
• Father Li and Mother Li told Li Xuancang about the proposal and urged him to consider marrying Miss Qing Yuan.
• Li Xuancang listened to his parents and, moved by their hopes for his family’s safety, did not reject the alliance.

Li Xuancang accepted the proposed marriage alliance with the Pei Family to reassure his parents and strengthen his position amid political turmoil. He reported the decision to Du Tianfeng, who endorsed the alliance while warning him not to become dependent on the Pei Family.

• Li Xuancang agreed to the marriage after weighing his parents’ hopes and the political advantages, while cautioning Li Xiu and Li Ling'er not to announce it before both families finalized it.
• The next morning, Li Xuancang went to Du Tianfeng’s tent and explained the Pei Residence’s proposal to marry Prefecture Vice-Governor Pei Hongwen’s legitimate daughter to him.
• Li Xuancang asked Du Tianfeng for guidance because the alliance could stir rumors about military and civil affairs.
• Du Tianfeng praised Li Xuancang for reporting the matter and explained how the Pei Family’s official connections could complement his military authority.
• Du Tianfeng warned Li Xuancang to treat the marriage as an alliance, not let the Pei Family control him, and face them calmly.

The Pei Residence invited Li Xuancang to a banquet that was actually an assessment of his character as a potential husband for the Pei Family's legitimate daughter. Li Xuancang accepted and arrived with composed courtesy, earning the old patriarch's first approval as the clan's evaluation began.

• The Pei Residence's steward invited Li Xuancang to Pure Elegance Hall, and Li Xuancang accepted calmly and courteously.
• After hearing the steward's report, Pei Hongwen and the elders approved of Li Xuancang's composure and set the gathering for three days later.
• The Pei clan assembled its senior figures to assess Li Xuancang, with Pei Hongwen prepared to call off the marriage if he failed their test.
• Li Xuancang arrived at the Pei Residence in simple blue brocade robes and passed through the watching crowd without losing his composure.
• Li Xuancang greeted and bowed to the gathered elders with steady courtesy, and the old patriarch nodded in approval.