Chapter Summaries

Qin Geng began his new caretaker job at Master Ye’s residence, where he was assigned to tend Red Charcoal, hunting hounds, and a goshawk. As he worried that his earnings could not cover the cost of martial arts medicine, he considered pursuing a more profitable trade, especially armed escort work, before Master Zhu Xin arrived.

• Xiao Wei showed Qin Geng the rooms and stable, explained how to care for Red Charcoal, the hounds, and the goshawk, and listed his other daily chores.
• Qin Geng calmed Red Charcoal by suppressing his intimidating aura, while the hounds hid and the goshawk remained unfazed.
• Qin Geng accepted the job, and Master Ye watched him leave before remarking that Old Eight had chosen well.
• Qin Geng spent the afternoon pulling his cart through Tianjin, then realized at the Stewed Delight stall that his remaining money could not keep pace with his medicinal expenses.
• Qin Geng weighed possible ways to earn more, including medicine, tomb raiding, dock work, salvaging, and armed escort work.
• Master Zhu Xin arrived at the stall with a birdcage and sat opposite Qin Geng, interrupting his thoughts.

Master Zhu Xin entrusted Qin Geng with his property deeds, will, and a secret cache of antiques after his relatives tried to claim his estate. Qin Geng accepted the responsibility, then carried the ailing old man home and left into the snowy night.

• Master Zhu Xin told Qin Geng that his nephew and niece had visited to take his courtyard and savings, and he showed Qin Geng blood on his handkerchief from his coughing fit.
• Master Zhu Xin gave Qin Geng the deed to Number Twenty-Eight, Tanlong Alley, pawn tickets, and his will, and explained how to reach antiques hidden beneath the courtyard well.
• Master Zhu Xin urged Qin Geng to protect the property and antiques from his relatives and foreigners, and encouraged him to use his abilities to do something meaningful.
• Qin Geng accepted the papers, drank with Master Zhu Xin as he recounted stories from the antique trade, and listened until the old man fell asleep.
• Qin Geng carried Master Zhu Xin to Number Twenty-Eight, settled him into bed, secured the house, and leapt over the courtyard wall into the snow.

Qin Geng worked diligently at Master Ye’s home and received a meal of nourishing Blood Fare, which he recognized as a special gift. He returned to South City and found the carriage drivers gathered at Xu Jin’s Shanty, where they greeted him with respect.

• Qin Geng arrived at Master Ye’s courtyard before dawn and completed the stable chores, while Xiao Wei grew wary that the newcomer might take his job.
• Xiao Wei joined Qin Geng in working around the courtyard, and Qin Geng continued tending to the horse.
• Xiao Wei told Qin Geng that Master Ye had prepared a basin of red meat especially for him, and Qin Geng recognized it as nourishing Blood Fare.
• Qin Geng left after eating and returned to the South City shanties at noon.
• The heads of the South City shanties gathered at Xu Jin’s Shanty, and the carriage drivers welcomed Qin Geng as Fifth Brother.

Qin Geng agreed to speak with Abacus Song about Hongsheng Cart Company's increased cut, while secretly hoping to gather the South City's carriage drivers under his influence. After weeks of training and caring for Master Zhu Xin, he arrived at Zhu Xin's home and found Abacus Song's men dragging the sick man away.

• Xu Chun told Qin Geng that Hongsheng Cart Company was demanding sixty percent from South City's carriage drivers, and the drivers asked Qin Geng for help.
• Qin Geng agreed to speak with Abacus Song but made no promises, then told Jin He to keep the men calm and avoid trouble.
• Qin Geng maintained his routine of training, working for the Ye Family, and caring for Master Zhu Xin as his martial arts and carriage-driving levels advanced.
• On the fifteenth day of the twelfth month, Qin Geng arrived at Master Zhu Xin's home and found the new South City Boss and Dragon King Society fighters there.
• Qin Geng saw the fighters dragging Master Zhu Xin from the hall while Abacus Song sat in the main chair.

Qin Geng confronted the Dragon King Society men who were forcing Master Zhu Xin from his courtyard, then crippled Lin Zhihe in a single exchange. The courtyard fell silent as Abacus Song realized Qin Geng had reached Bright Force and possessed formidable skill.

• Qin Geng stopped the men from driving Master Zhu Xin out and helped the injured old man onto his heated bed.
• Master Zhu Xin warned Qin Geng not to risk his life, but Qin Geng reassured him and went outside to face the intruders.
• Abacus Song identified Lin Zhihe and three Red Poles from the Dragon King Society's Azure Dragon Hall, who had come to settle the courtyard dispute for Madam Cui.
• Lin Zhihe proposed testing hands, but Qin Geng attacked after accusing him of using his hands to hold Master Zhu Xin down.
• Qin Geng used Clawing Strike to tear open both of Lin Zhihe's wrists and sever his tendons, leaving Abacus Song stunned by Qin Geng's Bright Force.

Qin Geng fought off Abacus Song’s men when they came to seize Master Xin’s courtyard, killing the new Boss of South City and crippling several gunmen. Abacus Song admitted fault and agreed to clean up the bloodshed, while Madam Cui fled.

• The newly appointed Boss of South City drew his handgun and fired at Qin Geng, who dodged the shot with Coiling Dragon Steps.
• Qin Geng killed the Boss of South City with a punch and broke the wrists of several enforcers as they tried to draw their Short Qingzi pistols.
• Qin Geng silenced Madam Cui with a threat, and she fled the courtyard in panic.
• Abacus Song apologized to Qin Geng and blamed the dead Boss for using a gun without orders.
• Qin Geng told Abacus Song to clean up the courtyard, and Abacus Song agreed.

Qin Geng dealt a devastating blow to the Dragon King Society, and Abacus Song’s men cleaned up the courtyard while bribing the Tianjin police to ignore the deaths. After Abacus Song left, Qin Geng reassured Master Zhu Xin that the Society would not dare seek revenge.

• Abacus Song ordered Dragon King Society members to remove the dead and wounded and scrub the blood from the courtyard.
• Captain Zhao and the Black Dogs arrived to investigate, but Abacus Song bribed them to accept his story that the blood came from slaughtering a pig.
• Abacus Song offered to bring Qin Geng and the old gentleman New Year’s goods, then left with his men after Qin Geng dismissed him.
• Qin Geng returned to Master Zhu Xin and said the trouble was settled.
• Qin Geng reasoned that his ruthless response would deter the Dragon King Society from attacking him again.

Qin Geng learned that the Cui Family was pursuing Master Zhu Xin’s palace artifacts, then received a secret letter from Abacus Song bearing the character “Guan.” He summoned his allies for an urgent meeting while Abacus Song pieced together Qin Geng’s connections to Ye Lanzen and other martial arts figures.

• Master Zhu Xin told Qin Geng that his niece Zhu Cui and the Cui Family wanted his palace artifacts and had ties to foreigners.
• Qin Geng fed Master Zhu Xin, put him to sleep, and returned to his shack in South City.
• Abacus Song’s son delivered Qin Geng a letter marked only with the character “Guan,” and Qin Geng agreed to visit Abacus Song.
• Qin Geng ordered Li Gou to summon Shopkeeper Lu, Third Master Cao, Daoist Miaoxuan, and Shopkeeper Zheng at once.
• Abacus Song reviewed his investigation and concluded that Ye Lanzen was Qin Geng’s master and that Lu Xingmin and Zheng Tonghe were Qin Geng’s senior fellow disciples.

Abacus Song realized the Dragon King Society was doomed and decided to seek protection from Qin Geng and his allies by exposing Jiang Hailong’s dealings. When Qin Geng arrived with Third Master Cao, Lu Xingmin, Zheng Tonghe, and Daoist Miaoxuan, Abacus Song confessed and asked them to spare his life.

• Abacus Song connected Ye Lanzen, Qin Geng, and the court-linked figures, then concluded the authorities had been investigating the Dragon King Society.
• Abacus Song burned his list of names and waited for Qin Geng, deciding to use his information to seek shelter from Cao, Lu, and Zheng.
• Qin Geng arrived at Abacus Song’s gate with Daoist Miaoxuan, Third Master Cao, Lu Xingmin, and Zheng Tonghe.
• Third Master Cao entered Abacus Song’s courtyard, announced they were there on official business, and led the group inside.
• Abacus Song confessed that Jiang Hailong had joined the foreigners to make Snake Corpses inside Bell Mountain and asked the group to spare his life in exchange for his help.

Abacus Song apologized to Qin Geng with money and a lucrative South City territory, then revealed that the foreigners were using the Snake Corpse as a cover for a treasure hunt. Third Master Cao ordered him to remain in the Dragon King Society and report any developments to Qin Geng.

• Lu Xingmin insisted Abacus Song settle his conflict with Qin Geng before discussing the Dragon King Society.
• Abacus Song apologized to Qin Geng and offered him the South City Boss position, twenty rickshaws, and a bank draft, along with a hundred silver dollars for Zhu Xin.
• Third Master Cao accepted the apology and questioned Abacus Song about the Snake Corpse and the foreigners.
• Abacus Song explained that the foreigners used the Snake Corpse as a test subject, enforcer, and scapegoat while pursuing an ancient treasure.
• Third Master Cao ordered Abacus Song to stay in the Dragon King Society and keep Qin Geng informed, then departed with the others.
• Abacus Song asked whether anyone had seen them arrive, and Third Master Cao mocked his fear.

Qin Geng arranged the handover of Abacus Song’s cart company while Abacus Song realized Third Master Cao’s men were watching him. At the Ye Residence, Xiao Wei struggled with the thought that Qin Geng might take his job, then approached him at lunch carrying food.

• Abacus Song promised Qin Geng a welcome feast and the keys and deeds to twenty new rickshaws, and Qin Geng told him to contact Li Gou if trouble arose.
• After Qin Geng left, Abacus Song spotted Third Master Cao’s men watching from the rooftops and hurried inside.
• Qin Geng tended Red Charcoal and handled the hard chores at the Ye Residence, making Xiao Wei doubt his plans to drive him away.
• Xiao Wei decided to leave the hiring decision to Master Ye, while Qin Geng noticed that he had been sighing.
• At lunch, Xiao Wei approached Qin Geng with a jug and a parcel of food.

Xiao Wei apologized to Qin Geng for trying to drive him away, believing he was competing for his hired-hand position. Master Ye let Xiao Wei keep the job and revealed that Qin Geng had not come to work as a hired hand, leaving Xiao Wei to wonder what Qin Geng was really there for.

• Xiao Wei brought Qin Geng wine and smoked pig's face, then confessed that he had feared Qin Geng would take his job and apologized for his schemes.
• Qin Geng accepted Xiao Wei's apology, saying he judged people by their deeds rather than their thoughts, and the two became brothers over their meal.
• Qin Geng left to report to Hongsheng Cart Company, while Xiao Wei went to speak with Master Ye.
• Master Ye told Xiao Wei that he had seen his laziness and tricks but allowed him to stay and ordered him to ask his father about the rules.
• Xiao Wei asked what would happen to Qin Geng, and Master Ye said Qin Geng had not come to be a hired hand and told Xiao Wei to ask his father why.

Qin Geng arrived at Hongsheng Cart Company to a firecracker welcome, where Abacus Song announced that Qin Geng would control South City and gifted him twenty new rickshaws. The drivers celebrated his rise, while Li Gou watched, realizing the gathering had been far bigger than he expected.

• Drivers from across Ping'an County Town gathered outside Hongsheng Cart Company as rumors spread that Qin Geng had killed the former South City boss.
• Abacus Song and Dragon King Society members greeted Qin Geng with firecrackers and showed him the new rickshaws.
• Abacus Song announced that Qin Geng had the final say over South City and gave him twenty rickshaws for its drivers to use.
• The drivers reacted with awe and excitement as Abacus Song and the Dragon King Society members bowed to Qin Geng.
• Xu Chun, Jin He, and Ma Laifu celebrated Qin Geng's success, while Li Gou reflected on how unexpectedly important his gathering had become.

Qin Geng took control of South City's cart trade and announced three rules that won the carriage drivers' support. The chapter ended with the drivers celebrating him as Fifth Master outside Hongsheng Cart Company.

• Qin Geng honored heaven, earth, and Xi Zhong before the carriage drivers and declared that South City would follow the trade's rules.
• Qin Geng set the company's cut at one tenth and threatened discipline and expulsion for anyone who stole from passengers or damaged the drivers' reputation.
• Qin Geng promised to stand up for drivers facing bullies, the Black Dogs, or stolen work, and called a meeting for the next day to divide twenty new carts and settle future rules.
• The carriage drivers cheered Qin Geng as Fifth Master while Abacus Song lit firecrackers outside Hongsheng Cart Company.

Abacus Song used a new rickshaw and three silver dollars to make Chuanzi accept blame for Liu Huzi’s death, shielding the Dragon King Society from confronting Qin Geng. The drivers left knowing Qin Geng had become the power behind South City’s rickshaw trade.

• Qin Geng left the cart company to bring food home to Master Zhu Xin.
• Abacus Song gave Chuanzi a new rickshaw and three silver dollars, insisting Liu Huzi’s grievance with him was settled.
• Chuanzi understood he was being paid to stay silent and take the blame, but thanked Abacus Song rather than risk his family’s safety.
• Xu Chun, Jin He, Ma Laifu, and the other old hands recalled how Boss Lin had once framed Qin Geng to protect himself.
• Abacus Song dismissed the crowd, while South City drivers celebrated the coming division of twenty rickshaws and drivers from other districts envied their better terms.

After becoming South City's Boss, Qin Geng visited Master Zhu Xin and asked for guidance on managing the carriage drivers under him. He explained his ambitions beyond making money, and Master Xin prepared to teach him everything he knew.

• Qin Geng told Master Zhu Xin that Abacus Song had made him South City's Boss and that he had deposited the hundred silver dollars for Master Xin's old age.
• Qin Geng fed Master Zhu Xin and asked how to manage the roughly three hundred carriage drivers under him.
• Qin Geng explained that he planned to take a thirty percent share to win the drivers' loyalty while earning money for his martial arts training and future ambitions.
• Master Zhu Xin approved Qin Geng's plan and advised that thirty percent balanced the drivers' interests, his expenses, and his larger goals.
• Qin Geng revealed that he wanted loyal followers, capable men who could rise higher, and a network of information through the carriage drivers.
• Master Zhu Xin praised Qin Geng's ambition and began preparing to teach him everything he had learned.

Master Zhu Xin advised Qin Geng on managing his carriage drivers through profit, kindness, and strict rules. Qin Geng left resolved to manage the accounts himself and apply the old man's guidance.

• Master Zhu Xin told Qin Geng to treat the thirty-percent cut as a favor the drivers could not demand.
• Master Zhu Xin advised Qin Geng to explain that two-thirds of the cut paid for his protection and leadership, while the rest went into a Benevolence Fund for the drivers and their families.
• Master Zhu Xin urged Qin Geng to enforce dues by using unattached drivers to report skimming and punishing confirmed offenders harshly.
• Master Zhu Xin warned Qin Geng to entrust the accounts only to himself or someone he trusted, and Qin Geng decided to manage them himself.
• Qin Geng stayed to hear Master Zhu Xin's stories, then quietly left after the old man fell asleep.

Qin Geng drove Li Zhizhen back to his clinic and discovered that his [Carriage Driver] experience surged while carrying the foreign doctor, warning him that Li harbored dangerous intentions. Li revealed that he considered Qin a promising recruit for a job involving old objects, but planned to wait until Qin grew stronger.

• Qin Geng met Li Zhizhen at Xun River Wharf and drove him toward the clinic.
• Li Zhizhen asked where he could find a skilled treasure appraiser, and Qin Geng directed him to Third Master Cao at Hengtong Pawnshop.
• Qin Geng noticed his [Carriage Driver] experience rising rapidly and inferred that Li Zhizhen posed a serious danger, though [Step-Sensing Danger] gave no warning.
• Qin Geng dropped Li Zhizhen at the clinic, where Li paid him with a Silver Sycee.
• Li Zhizhen watched Qin Geng leave and said he wanted someone who could fight and assess old objects, deciding Qin was a promising prospect once he reached Hidden Force.

Qin Geng reached level forty as a Carriage Driver and had to choose between advancing as a Way Cultivator or a Still Cultivator. Unsure which path to take, he asked Zheng Tonghe about higher-level trades and ended by seeking advice on how Carriage Drivers advanced beyond the Fourth Tier.

• Qin Geng noticed that some rickshaw pullers in Jinmen City's inner districts had reached higher levels and considered the potential of training a group of pullers.
• The Book of a Hundred Trades announced that Qin Geng's Carriage Driver trade had reached level forty and offered him the choice of Way Cultivator or Still Cultivator.
• Qin Geng decided to consult Zheng Tonghe at Hundred Herb Hall rather than travel back to Ping'an County Town to ask Shopkeeper Lu.
• Zheng Tonghe explained that some trades were much harder to advance in than others and said only about a dozen Jinmen City pullers had reached the Fourth Tier or higher.
• Qin Geng asked Zheng Tonghe whether diligence and insight were enough to advance a Carriage Driver beyond the Fourth Tier.

Qin Geng considered how the Carriage Driver trade’s paths of movement and steadfastness might shape his martial training, and his insight helped Zheng Tonghe break through a cultivation bottleneck. Zheng Tonghe advised Qin Geng that movement offered greater practical advantages, but Qin Geng had not yet chosen his path.

• Shopkeeper Zheng explained that cultivators could follow established paths while developing skills of their own.
• Qin Geng connected his Book of a Hundred Trades talents to his Xingyi Dragon and Tiger training and considered how different martial arts might unlock different talents.
• Qin Geng described the Carriage Driver paths as movement and steadfastness and asked Zheng Tonghe which suited martial training better.
• Zheng Tonghe praised Qin Geng’s insight, saying it had helped him see how to advance to another level.
• Zheng Tonghe weighed the paths and argued that movement could help Qin Geng escape tough opponents, armed forces, and uncanny techniques.