Chapter Summaries

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.

After the procurement convoy returned to Gu Family Village with heavy casualties, the main family planned revenge and sent Gu Jingang to attack the Mangniu Mountain bandits. Gu Jingang returned with loot and martial arts manuals but failed to find their leader Wang Chong, while Gu Sheng was told the main family would meet with him the next day.

• Gu Sheng returned to Gu Family Village with the injured convoy, and grieving villagers mourned their dead as a servant escorted him to rest at the main residence.
• A physician told the main family that Gu Dajiang's shattered left arm would never fight as freely again, and Gu Changming ordered Gu Jingang to take ten martial artists to destroy the Mangniu Mountain bandits.
• Gu Dajiang quietly told Gu Changming about Gu Sheng, and Gu Changming agreed to investigate whether he showed promise and could be given an opportunity.
• Gu Jingang rode out with the martial artists, while Gu Sheng heard their departure and later their return during the night.
• Gu Jingang reported that Wang Chong had not been at Mangniu Mountain, but he brought back the bandits' gold, silver, and two martial arts manuals.

Gu Dajiang, Gu Jingang, and Gu Changming discussed the Blood Strengthening Pills and Gu Sheng’s future, agreeing to recommend him for early martial training despite the clan elders’ reluctance to support youths outside the main family. Gu Sheng accepted the offer to begin training and help protect Gu Family Village.

• Gu Dajiang gave up his share of the Blood Strengthening Pills for Gu Xiaojiang and proposed keeping the fourth pill in reserve.
• Gu Changming praised Gu Sheng’s clean background, character, and exceptional archery talent, and Gu Jingang agreed that he deserved a chance to train.
• Gu Dajiang proposed asking the clan elders to grant Gu Sheng the basic monthly Body Tempering Paste allowance for three years, offering to deduct it from his own share if necessary.
• Gu Sheng was summoned and asked whether he would begin martial training and help protect Gu Family Village.
• Gu Sheng accepted the offer with gratitude.

Gu Jingang introduced Gu Sheng to the Iron Stone Fist and explained how its training forms differed from its combat techniques. Gu Sheng practiced the eighteen moves until he could complete them, though he remained far from mastering them.

• Gu Jingang explained the four stages of body tempering, the costs of martial arts training, and the requirement not to teach the Iron Stone Fist to outsiders.
• Gu Jingang demonstrated the Iron Stone Fist's slow, steady training method and its fast, fierce combat technique to the youths.
• Gu Sheng memorized the eighteen fist forms and began practicing while Gu Jingang judged his aptitude to be average.
• Gu Sheng practiced until near sunset and managed to perform all eighteen forms passably, expecting his panel to help once he got started.

After returning home, Gu Sheng balanced the cost of martial arts training against his need to earn money and realized that his advanced wood-chopping skills were helping him learn the Iron Stone Fist faster. At the village training grounds, Gu Xiaojiang offered to guide him, leaving Gu Sheng with a new source of instruction.

• Gu Sheng ate a large meal after training and concluded that he would need to keep hunting to afford meat and medicinal meals for martial arts practice.
• As winter approached, Gu Sheng practiced the Iron Stone Fist and archery, and he realized that his wood-chopping experience was helping him control his strength and progress faster.
• At the martial arts grounds, Gu Xiaojiang advised Gu Sheng to relax and picture his force spreading through his body like ripples in a lake.
• Gu Xiaojiang thanked Gu Sheng for helping him during the bandit fight and offered to teach him the Iron Stone Fist; Gu Sheng accepted.

Gu Sheng continued training in the Iron Stone Fist and reached its beginner stage, allowing him to begin tempering his skin membranes. Gu Xiaojiang judged that Gu Sheng could become a Skin Refining stage martial artist within three years with regular Body Tempering Paste, and told him to collect his share the next day.

• Zhang Ze and his wife spoke with Gu Sheng and envied his growing prospects as a future martial artist.
• Gu Sheng practiced the Iron Stone Fist until its force reached his skin membranes, then struck a wooden post and entered the beginner stage after twenty-eight days.
• Gu Sheng checked his panel and saw the Iron Stone Fist recorded as Beginner 1%.
• Gu Sheng continued practicing to temper his skin membranes and described the resulting prickling sensation to Gu Xiaojiang.
• Gu Xiaojiang said Gu Sheng's physique was good enough to reach the Skin Refining stage within three years with two portions of Body Tempering Paste each month, and told him to collect this month's paste the next day.

Gu Sheng concealed his rapid progress in Iron Stone Fist while using Body Tempering Paste to speed up his Skin Refining training. After a month, he decided to leave the training ground and practice at home, keeping his unusual advancement from drawing attention.

• Gu Xiaojiang said Gu Sheng would need to prove his worth to gain the clan elders’ recognition, while Gu Sheng privately relied on his panel to accelerate his training.
• Gu Sheng used Body Tempering Paste and practiced Iron Stone Fist, deciding to buy extra portions to hasten his progress toward becoming a martial artist.
• Over the following half-month, Gu Sheng raised Iron Stone Fist to 26% progress, and a month after first learning it, he had reached 53%.
• Gu Xiaojiang praised Gu Sheng’s improving technique, unaware that Gu Sheng was deliberately hiding how quickly he was advancing.
• Gu Sheng told Gu Xiaojiang he would train at home from then on, and Gu Xiaojiang accepted his explanation that he preferred a quiet place to cultivate.

During the harsh winter, Gu Sheng continued training and learned that Canghe County was nearing conflict between county magistrate Cao and county lieutenant Liu. Gu Family Village planned to stay neutral, while Gu Sheng resolved to strengthen himself.

• Gu Sheng practiced the Iron Stone Fist and archery through the heavy snow, bringing his fist proficiency to 99% and his archery to 43%.
• Gu Xiaojiang visited Gu Sheng with demon wolf meat and strong liquor, and the two drank and talked.
• Gu Xiaojiang told Gu Sheng that county magistrate Cao and county lieutenant Liu had fallen out, with the Black Sand Gang backing Cao as gangs chose sides.
• Gu Sheng worried that the county's conflict could make life harder for Gu Family Village, but learned the elders intended to keep the village out of it.
• After Gu Xiaojiang left, Gu Sheng ate the demon wolf meat and set out to break through to minor mastery in the Iron Stone Fist.

Gu Sheng used demon wolf meat to reach minor mastery in Iron Stone Fist, greatly increasing his strength and speeding his skin tempering. As Great Cold brought deadly blizzards to Qingzhou, he shared padded jackets with Gu Erniu’s family and heard of another villager freezing to death, while unrest in Canghe County neared its end.

• Gu Sheng practiced with the energy from demon wolf meat and broke through to minor mastery in Iron Stone Fist, doubling his strength.
• Gu Sheng tested his new power by smashing a wooden post apart, then resolved to keep training so he could reach Stone Skin as soon as possible.
• Gu Sheng estimated that Iron Stone Fist would reach major mastery in about four months and believed he could become a Stone Skin martial artist within half a year.
• As Great Cold set in, Gu Sheng gave Gu Erniu two padded jackets for his wife and Xiao Wan.
• Gu Erniu told Gu Sheng that Uncle Ergen had frozen to death after his roof was blown off, and the two lamented the winter’s growing toll.
• Blizzards battered Qingzhou for two months as Canghe County’s unrest neared its end.

Liu Yuanhu and Zhao Honglie overthrew Cao Shiduan and seized control of Canghe County, while quietly mistrusting one another. After hearing how the county’s power structure had changed, Gu Sheng remained deeply unsettled.

• Zhao Honglie led Liu Yuanhu’s forces into the county yamen and brought out the captured Cao Shiduan.
• Liu Yuanhu told Cao Shiduan he would claim the magistrate had died in a winter hunt and take over as magistrate himself.
• Zhao Honglie beheaded Cao Shiduan after Cao warned that Zhao would eventually turn against Liu Yuanhu.
• Liu Yuanhu sent Zhao Honglie and the Black Sand Gang away, then told Zhang Guangqun to watch Zhao until Liu secured control of the county.
• Liu Yuanhu’s faction purged wealthy households that had backed Cao Shiduan, while neutral and favored families faced different fortunes.
• Gu Xiaojiang told Gu Sheng about the upheaval, and Gu Sheng struggled to calm himself.

After the Black Sand Gang’s rise left Gu Family Village under greater threat, Gu Sheng resolved to keep strengthening himself rather than rely on the village’s elders. Winter passed, and news arrived that a new emperor had taken the throne and renamed the era Guangxing, but Gu Sheng doubted the dynasty could be saved.

• Gu Sheng warned Gu Xiaojiang that Liu Yuanhu would likely distrust the Black Sand Gang after its defection, giving Gu Family Village a chance to wait for the gang’s downfall.
• Gu Sheng grew wary of Du Jiangbo, whom the elders suspected had helped the Black Sand Gang take control of Li Family Fort after its martial artists and residents were massacred.
• Gu Sheng continued training, with his Iron Stone Fist and archery proficiency advancing rapidly, and decided he would find his own resources rather than depend on Gu Family Village.
• Heavy snow gave way to spring, and the people of Gu Family Village emerged to resume their lives after a difficult winter.
• County constables announced that the new emperor had changed the era name to Guangxing; Gu Sheng doubted the change could revive the decaying Great Liang dynasty.