Recaps

Gu Sheng hunted alone in Cang Mountain, using his master-level archery to bring home a large haul. On his way down, he killed a red-spotted snake with his perfected Chopping Wood skill and decided to make snake meat soup.

• Gu Sheng cautiously entered the outskirts of Cang Mountain alone and adjusted to hunting without companions.
• Gu Sheng shot a fat wild rabbit from over eighty meters away and kept it for himself.
• Gu Sheng hunted two more rabbits and a pheasant, then started down the mountain before nightfall.
• A red-spotted snake ambushed Gu Sheng, but he dodged its attack and refused to surrender his game.
• Gu Sheng split the snake in half with his machete using Chopping Wood and planned to make snake meat soup.

Gu Sheng’s frequent hunting earned him growing wealth and a strong reputation, while he quit his chopping-wood job and continued practicing at home. He advanced beyond chopping wood’s Perfection to gain a Tier 1 Rend effect, and considered how powerful it might be against a martial artist.

• Gu Sheng hunted often with Gu Erniu, brought down valuable prey, and became admired by the hunters for his accomplished Archery.
• Gu Sheng accumulated five taels of silver and saved several hides to sell in Canghe County.
• Gu Sheng quit his chopping-wood job after discussing it with Gu He, then continued splitting wood at home to improve his skill.
• Gu Sheng entered a focused state while chopping and delivered a strike that split a piece of wood effortlessly.
• Gu Sheng checked his panel and discovered that chopping wood had advanced beyond Perfection, granting him the Tier 1 Rend effect.
• Gu Sheng wondered whether Rend could tear through the tough skin membrane of a Skin Refining stage martial artist.

Gu Sheng focused on improving his Archery while learning about the Great Liang Dynasty’s unrest and planning to practice martial arts in spring. At a hunters’ gathering, San Mazi revealed that a valuable Silver Fox had been sighted in Cang Mountain, setting Gu Family Village’s hunters on its trail.

• Gu Sheng noticed that Chopping Wood had gained Tier 1 Rend but no further progress bar, and wondered what effect Archery might gain at its limit.
• Gu Sheng devoted his time to Archery and reading, learned more about the Great Liang Dynasty’s disorder, and resolved to begin martial arts training next spring.
• Gu Sheng joined the hunters of Gu Family Village for a hotpot meal, where the men praised his idea and talked about hunting and marriage.
• San Mazi announced that a hunter from Dahe Village had found Silver Fox tracks in Cang Mountain, and said hunters from Dahe Village and Li Family Fort were already searching.
• The hunters accepted San Mazi’s explanation and quietly began considering how to hunt the Silver Fox for its valuable pelt.

Gu Sheng gave up prioritizing the elusive Silver Fox and hunted a doe instead, but Li Yan and three hunters from Li Family Fort ambushed him and demanded the deer. The chapter ended with Gu Sheng taking cover behind a tree as Li Yan threatened to shoot him.

• Gu Sheng realized his pursuit of the Silver Fox had reduced his other hunting gains, so he decided to focus on ordinary prey and leave the fox to chance.
• Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu entered Cang Mountain with other hunters, then split up to search separately.
• Gu Sheng tracked and killed a doe with an arrow from nearly a hundred meters away, then decided to return home with it.
• Li Yan and three hunters from Li Family Fort appeared and demanded that Gu Sheng surrender the deer.
• Gu Sheng rolled behind a redwood tree to evade Li Yan's warning shot, and Li Yan threatened to aim at his head next.

Gu Sheng was ambushed by Li Yan and three hunters from Li Family Fort while carrying a deer, but used his superior archery to strike at Li Yan and escape. Li Yan survived because a heart-protecting mirror blocked the arrow, then called off the pursuit.

• Li Yan distracted Gu Sheng while signaling three hunters to spread out and surround him.
• Gu Sheng recognized the danger and used his hidden archery skill to shoot an arrow at Li Yan before fleeing with the deer.
• Li Yan's heart-protecting mirror stopped the arrow, and the other hunters' shots missed Gu Sheng or struck the deer.
• Li Yan ordered his companions not to pursue, explaining that Gu Sheng's arrow had nearly killed him and cracked the mirror.

Li Yan and his men abandoned their pursuit of Gu Sheng and continued searching for the Silver Fox, while Gu Sheng resolved to strengthen his bow before taking revenge. Carrying a deer through the forest, he unexpectedly encountered the Silver Fox and shot its hind leg, slowing it down.

• Li Yan ordered his men to keep hunting the Silver Fox and planned to ambush Gu Sheng if he returned for revenge.
• Gu Sheng decided not to turn back, then resolved to buy a Two-stone strong bow and kill Li Yan after improving his archery.
• Gu Sheng spotted the Silver Fox drawn to the blood of the deer he carried and dropped the carcass to ready his bow.
• Gu Sheng shot the Silver Fox from nearly a hundred meters away, piercing its hind leg and sharply reducing its speed.

Gu Sheng killed a Silver Fox without damaging most of its valuable fur and carried it and a deer back toward safety. Elsewhere, Gu Erniu fled Li Yan and three companions after their clash over the fox, and he prepared to risk his life to take Li Yan down.

• Gu Sheng pursued the wounded Silver Fox and killed it with an arrow through its eye, preserving its valuable fur.
• Gu Sheng retrieved the Silver Fox and the deer carcass, then carefully headed down Cang Mountain with his heavy haul.
• Gu Erniu encountered Li Yan and three companions while tracking the Silver Fox, and the groups exchanged arrows as Gu Erniu fled.
• Gu Erniu, wounded in the calf and cornered behind a tree, resolved to lure Li Yan into a trap even if it cost him his life.

Gu Sheng intervened when Li Yan and three hunters cornered the wounded Gu Erniu, killing one hunter with a surprise arrow. As the remaining hunters panicked, Gu Erniu seized the opening and shot at Li Yan.

• Li Yan taunted Gu Erniu while his three hunters closed in around the tree where Gu Erniu was hiding.
• Li Yan spotted blood from Gu Erniu's injured leg and directed the hunters to surround his position.
• Gu Sheng heard that Gu Erniu was being hunted, abandoned his deer, and crept closer to help him.
• Gu Sheng shot Shunzi through the throat from concealment, killing him and startling Li Yan and the other hunters.
• Gu Erniu took advantage of their panic, rose from behind the tree, and fired an arrow at Li Yan.

Gu Sheng rescued Gu Erniu by killing the hunters with his bow, then faced Li Yan at close range. He defeated Li Yan with a single axe strike, leaving the two survivors amid the aftermath of the fight.

• Gu Erniu’s arrow wounded Li Yan, and Gu Sheng shot down two more hunters with arrows through their throats.
• Gu Sheng killed the last hunter after the man panicked and fired blindly into the woods.
• Gu Erniu recognized Gu Sheng and warned him as Li Yan charged with a short blade.
• Gu Sheng drew his woodcutter’s axe and blocked Li Yan’s attack with a powerful downward chop.
• Gu Sheng’s axe knocked away Li Yan’s blade and beheaded him in one blow.

Gu Sheng killed Li Yan and began accepting the ruthlessness needed to survive, then helped the wounded Gu Erniu escape the mountain with their spoils. They hid the weapons before returning to Gu Family Village, where Li Lian saw Gu Erniu’s injuries.

• Gu Sheng killed Li Yan with a brutal hatchet blow and resolved to show no mercy to those who threatened his survival.
• Gu Sheng pulled an arrow from Gu Erniu’s leg, treated the wound, and gathered the hunters’ weapons and a wild rabbit.
• Gu Sheng carried the deer and weapons as he helped Gu Erniu descend the mountain by a safer route.
• Gu Erniu warned Gu Sheng to keep Li Yan’s death secret because Li Yan had connections to a martial artist from Li Family Fort.
• Gu Sheng buried the bows and blades near the village, then returned home with Gu Erniu, who told Li Lian that a wild wolf had bitten him.

After helping Gu Erniu cover up the deaths of Li Yan and the other hunters, Gu Sheng preserved the spoils and trained his archery. He learned that Gu Erniu and Li Lian were reinforcing their wild-wolf story, leaving the deaths less likely to be traced to him.

• Gu Sheng skinned and kept the Silver Fox pelt, hid the recovered weapons, and planned to sell his hunting spoils when the manor's purchasing team went to the city.
• Gu Sheng practiced archery and believed he was close to reaching the perfected realm.
• Zhang Ze told Gu Sheng that Gu Erniu had supposedly been bitten by a wild wolf, and Gu Sheng hurried to visit him.
• Gu Erniu told the gathered hunters that a wolf had injured him near Red Maple Forest and revealed where he had found Silver Fox tracks.
• Gu Sheng realized Gu Erniu and Li Lian were spreading a plausible cover story, and he stayed silent as the hunters prepared to search for the Silver Fox.

Gu Sheng and Li Lian discussed keeping quiet about Gu Sheng’s role in saving Gu Erniu, and Gu Sheng returned to his usual hunting routine. Five days after Li Yan’s death, Zhang Ze reported that Li Yan and his lackeys were missing, while rumors blamed the Black Sand Gang, leaving Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu’s involvement concealed.

• Li Lian thanked Gu Sheng for helping her family and promised to keep the matter secret.
• Gu Sheng returned to hunting after resting, bringing half a rabbit to the injured Gu Erniu.
• Zhang Ze told the gathered hunters that Li Yan and his lackeys had not returned to Li Family Fort for several days and were presumed dead in Cang Mountain.
• Zhang Ze speculated that the Black Sand Gang might have killed Li Yan over the Silver Fox, prompting the hunters to avoid the mountains.
• Gu Sheng silently praised Zhang Ze as the hunters’ suspicions about Li Yan’s death shifted away from him.

After Li Yan’s death, Li Yu urged Du Jiangbo to seek justice, but he resolved to investigate only among hunters from Li Family Fort and avoid provoking the Black Sand Gang. Meanwhile, Gu Sheng stayed home from hunting and perfected his archery, leaving the story with his skill reaching a new peak.

• Li Yu begged Du Jiangbo to avenge Li Yan, insisting that wild beasts could not have killed him.
• Du Jiangbo warned Li Yu not to threaten the Black Sand Gang and promised to question hunters from Li Family Fort in secret.
• Du Jiangbo privately admitted that he suspected Li Yan had been murdered but did not want to risk investigating beyond the fort.
• Gu Sheng used his time away from the mountains to practice archery and improve his skill each day.
• Gu Sheng shot through a leaf and a flying insect before hitting a bullseye a hundred meters away, reaching perfection in archery.

Gu Sheng continued improving his archery and prepared to travel to the city with Gu Erniu before winter. As the Silver Fox hunt faded from memory and game grew scarcer, Gu Sheng returned to hunting but began reducing his trips into the mountains.

• Gu Sheng assessed his mastered archery, recognized the limits of his one-stone bow, and resolved to train until archery advanced beyond mastery.
• Gu Sheng visited Gu Erniu, who told him the village would organize a trip to the city before winter and that Gu Dajiang would escort it; Gu Erniu offered to conceal Gu Sheng’s bows among the furs.
• Gu He confirmed the trip and promised to speak to purchasing steward Gu Renxu about Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu joining it.
• More than half a month after Li Yan’s death, hunters resumed entering the mountains, while the Silver Fox’s disappearance remained a mystery to everyone except Gu Sheng.
• Gu Sheng returned to hunting and used his mastered archery to kill prey from over a hundred meters away, then reduced his trips as animals became scarce and winter approached.

Gu Changming arranged for Gu Dajiang to secretly take demon wolf blood and other materials to Canghe County so Alchemist Ge Qing could refine Blood Strengthening Pills. Gu Sheng prepared to enter the city with the village convoy, carrying his accumulated hunting goods, and waited for the convoy to arrive.

• Gu Changming told Gu Jingang and Gu Dajiang that Alchemist Ge Qing had agreed to refine Blood Strengthening Pills from the village's materials.
• Gu Changming chose Gu Dajiang to carry the materials into the city with the purchasing team, while Gu Jingang worried about the danger.
• Gu Sheng counted his accumulated furs and medicinal materials and expected his wealth to exceed thirty taels of silver after selling them.
• Before dawn, Gu Sheng carried his bundled goods to the village edge and met Gu Erniu and other villagers preparing to enter the city.
• Gu Erniu praised Gu Sheng's impressive hunting haul, and the villagers showed him greater respect.
• The village's purchasing convoy arrived with donkey carts and flatbed carts as the group waited to set out.

Gu Sheng traveled with Gu Family Village’s procurement convoy toward the city and watched Gu Dajiang’s reputation drive off several bands of outlaws. Near Mangniu Mountain, a disciplined group of bandits refused to yield to Gu Dajiang and demanded toll money, leaving the convoy facing a serious threat.

• Gu Dajiang, Gu Xiaojiang, and Gu Renxu led the convoy, and Gu Renxu offered Gu Sheng a ride and extra rations.
• Gu Dajiang invoked his name to persuade Yellow Mountain Stronghold to let the convoy pass without a fight.
• Gu Xiaojiang mocked Gu Sheng for being cautious, while Gu Renxu reassured him and told him to stay with the convoy.
• The convoy passed two more groups of bandits after Gu Dajiang identified himself.
• Near Mangniu Mountain, a burly bandit and dozens of disciplined followers blocked the road, dismissed Gu Dajiang’s reputation, and demanded toll money.

The Gu Family Village caravan paid Wang Chong one hundred taels to pass safely through Mangniu Mountain and reached Canghe County. After settling in the city, Gu Sheng followed Gu Erniu to the “interesting place” he had promised to show him, where a crowd was gathered around a storyteller.

• Wang Chong demanded a toll from the caravan, and Gu Dajiang negotiated the payment down to one hundred taels.
• After the caravan passed, Wang Chong told his men to investigate Gu Dajiang rather than risk provoking an unfamiliar force.
• The caravan left Mangniu Mountain and arrived at Canghe County, where Gu Renxu got them through the gates.
• Gu Renxu gave the tenant farmers travel permits and free time while the village handled its purchases.
• Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu explored the county seat and found a crowd gathered around a storyteller.

Gu Sheng listened to a storyteller describe the Fire Worship Cult’s rebellion in Yunzhou and General Flying Thunder, Qin Leiyu, before resolving to make his own way beyond Gu Family Village. The next morning, he and Gu Erniu brought their goods to Mingyu Hall to sell Gu Sheng’s Silver Fox pelt.

• Gu Erniu took Gu Sheng to hear Old Mr. Zhang recount how Qin Leiyu crushed a Yunzhou rebellion led by the Fire Worship Cult.
• Gu Sheng considered the cult and General Flying Thunder likely real and memorized the names of several renowned martial artists, including Gu Jingang.
• Gu Sheng resolved that Canghe County was only the beginning and that he would one day live freely.
• Gu Erniu and Gu Sheng went to Mingyu Hall to sell their pelts and medicinal herbs after Gu Sheng revealed that he had caught the Silver Fox.
• Gu Sheng asked Mingyu Hall’s attendant to bring the manager to assess their fine pelt.

Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu sold their hides and medicinal herbs at Mingyu Hall, earning twenty-seven taels of silver, then bought supplies and traded their stolen bows through an illicit dealer. They left Canghe County with more than thirty taels saved and a replacement two-stone bow for Gu Sheng.

• Manager Qian inspected Gu Sheng's flawless silver fox pelt and bought it for twenty-two taels, then purchased the rest of their hides and herbs for eight taels and three large coins.
• Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu browsed Mingyu Hall and bought bleeding and poison remedies, while Gu Sheng also purchased a bottle of Black Blood Powder for two taels.
• Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu sold three bows from the Li Family Fort hunters to an illicit dealer for three taels.
• Gu Sheng traded Li Yan's bow and ten large coins for a used two-stone bow like those sold at Mingyu Hall.
• Gu Erniu advised Gu Sheng to save his money, but Gu Sheng kept his reasons for replacing the bow to himself and left Canghe County satisfied with more than thirty taels in savings.

Gu Sheng and the Gu Family Village caravan left Canghe County, but Wang Chong’s bandits stopped them on Mangniu Mountain and demanded tolls. Gu Dajiang paid to avoid a fight, only for Wang Chong to demand another fifty taels for the cargo.

• Gu Sheng noticed that several villagers and a martial artist were missing when the caravan departed Canghe County.
• The caravan passed through Mangniu Mountain, where Wang Chong and his bandits blocked the road.
• Gu Xiaojiang challenged Wang Chong’s demand for tolls, and Gu Dajiang stepped in to shield him.
• Gu Dajiang decided against fighting and agreed to pay one hundred taels, while Gu Sheng kept his bow ready and watched for a target.
• After Gu Renxu handed over the money, Wang Chong demanded an additional fifty taels as a cargo toll.

After Wang Chong extorted Gu Family Village’s caravan, he ambushed it on the road and demanded whatever valuable goods Gu Dajiang was hiding. Gu Sheng fought cautiously with his bow as the villagers scattered into the forest, awaiting reinforcements.

• Gu Dajiang ordered the caravan to hand over the demanded goods, and Wang Chong let them pass through Mangniu Mountain.
• Gu Sheng warned Gu Erniu that the return journey might be dangerous, while Gu Dajiang’s party stayed on guard.
• Wang Chong’s bandits ambushed the caravan with organized volleys of arrows, killing several villagers.
• Gu Dajiang confronted Wang Chong, who revealed his plan to kill a Blood Refining Realm martial artist and establish himself in Canghe County.
• Gu Sheng shot a bandit and fled into the forest with Gu Erniu, firing occasional arrows to help the villagers while they waited for Gu Jingang’s reinforcements.

Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu fled into the forest after Gu Renxu was killed, then Gu Sheng used his archery to strike bandits from hiding and relieve pressure on Gu Family Village. With most of his arrows spent and the village fighters holding their ground, he stopped shooting and waited for reinforcements.

• Gu Sheng shot a bandit who was about to kill Gu Renxu, but another bandit martial artist threw a sword through Gu Renxu's chest.
• Gu Sheng pulled Gu Erniu into the forest, deciding they would use their archery to kill bandits and buy time rather than flee.
• Gu Sheng used his Two-stone strong bow to kill a bandit threatening a young man from Gu Family Village, then changed positions.
• Gu Sheng continued shooting bandits from the forest, easing the pressure on Gu Family Village and making the bandits fear the hidden archer.
• After using most of his arrows, Gu Sheng stopped shooting and said they had done what they could and must wait for reinforcements.

Gu Sheng watched Gu Family Village’s battle against the bandits reach a stalemate until Zhang Da killed a villager and attacked Gu Xiaojiang. With Gu Xiaojiang down and Zhang Da poised to finish him, Gu Sheng fired a Black Blood Powder arrow.

• Gu Dajiang rallied Gu Family Village’s fighters as both sides fought to a stalemate while they waited for Gu Jingang’s reinforcements.
• Zhang Da suddenly killed Gu Nian, breaking the villagers’ momentum and lifting the bandits’ spirits.
• Zhang Da charged Gu Xiaojiang, killed a young villager in his way, and knocked Gu Xiaojiang down when he tried to intercept the attack.
• Zhang Da raised his saber to kill Gu Xiaojiang, and Gu Sheng shot a Black Blood Powder arrow at him.

Gu Sheng’s arrows wounded Zhang Da and poisoned him, allowing Gu Dajiang to kill him while rescuing Gu Xiaojiang. Wang Chong advanced against the injured villagers, but Gu Jingang arrived with reinforcements and hurled a bluestone slab at him.

• Zhang Da deflected Gu Sheng’s first arrow, but Gu Sheng’s second arrow struck his arm and carried Black Blood Powder into his bloodstream.
• Zhang Da’s Blood Boiling Pill accelerated the poison’s effects, leaving him numb and unable to pursue Gu Xiaojiang.
• Wang Chong crippled Gu Dajiang’s left arm, but Gu Dajiang broke past him and cut Zhang Da in two.
• Wang Chong advanced to attack the villagers, but Gu Jingang arrived and threw a bluestone slab at him.

Gu Family Village defeated the bandits, but suffered heavy losses, and Wang Chong escaped after taking another Blood Boiling Pill. Gu Sheng's role in the battle was recognized, leaving the village leaders to consider how to reward him once they returned safely.

• Gu Jingang and Gu Dajiang joined forces against Wang Chong as reinforcements helped Gu Family Village rout the bandits.
• Wang Chong took another Blood Boiling Pill, wounded Gu Jingang and Gu Dajiang, and fled; Gu Jingang pursued him but failed to catch him.
• Gu Sheng and the surviving villagers emerged from the forest, and Gu Sheng mourned Gu Renxu as the village counted its dead.
• Gu Jingang learned from Gu Dajiang how Gu Sheng's archery and judgment had helped the defenders and said they would discuss his prospects after returning to the village.
• Gu Xiaojiang thanked Gu Sheng for saving his life and admitted that he had been wrong to dismiss caution.