Chapter Summaries

Wei Yutian abducted Xiao Yu after wounding Zhu Xiaoqi with poisoned knives, and Duan Rong failed to find the culprit before treating the injured household. After learning that Luan and Sun Huang were away in Lin County, Duan Rong disappeared into the night to pursue his own lead.

• Wei Yutian carried the unconscious Xiao Yu out of the courtyard, wounded Zhu Xiaoqi with poisoned flying knives, and escaped into the darkness.
• Zhu Xiaoqi told Xiao Zongting that Xiao Yu had been abducted, prompting him to alert Shang Hongye and the guards.
• Duan Rong rushed to the courtyard and searched for Xiao Yu, but found no trace of her or the abductor.
• When Xiao Zongting and Zhu Xiaoqi collapsed, Duan Rong gave Xiao Zongting medicine, cut the poisoned flesh from Zhu Xiaoqi's wounds, and treated her.
• Duan Rong devoured the flying knife's artifact spirit and gained Thousand Leaves Three Transformations Minor Accomplishment.
• After Shang Hongye said Luan and Sun Huang were away in Lin County, Duan Rong vanished into the shadows while Shang Hongye went to report the abduction.

Shang Hongye reported Xiao Yu’s abduction to the county yamen, but the constable told him to wait for the chief constable to return. Duan Rong traced the abduction to Wei Yutian’s residence and found Wei preparing another sacrifice to the Five Manifestations God with Xiao Yu unconscious inside.

• Shang Hongye reported Xiao Yu’s abduction at the county yamen, but the constable registered the case and dismissed him until Jie Daohan returned.
• Duan Rong searched Luan Jingfu’s empty residence and recognized Wei Yutian from a figure revealed by the artifact spirit he had digested.
• Wei Yutian carried the unconscious Xiao Yu to his residence, rang for Su Di, and ordered her to prepare another ritual for the Five Manifestations God.
• Wei Yutian looked at Xiao Yu, struggled against his desire, and left her behind the screen.
• Duan Rong hurried toward Wei Yutian’s mysterious residence in Stone Monkey Alley, convinced that Xiao Yu had been taken there.

Duan Rong infiltrated Wei Yutian’s residence and discovered that Wei Yutian was performing rites for the Five Manifestations God while preparing to use Xiao Yu in cultivating the Filthy Blood Divine Skill. Unable to defeat Wei Yutian alone, Duan Rong planned to enlist Shen Yanliu and escaped with Su Di to secure proof.

• Duan Rong bypassed hidden traps in the back courtyard and found a secret chamber where Xiao Yu lay unconscious and Wei Yutian watched over her.
• Duan Rong overheard Bai Ai and Su Di discussing Wei Yutian’s rites and learned from Wei Yutian’s words that he practiced the Filthy Blood Divine Skill.
• Duan Rong realized he needed Shen Yanliu’s help to overcome Wei Yutian, but worried that the magistrate would not believe his claims without evidence.
• Duan Rong scattered medicinal powder into the breeze, made Su Di lose consciousness, and carried her away over the wall.

Duan Rong rushed into the county yamen carrying the unconscious Su Di and claimed that Wei Yutian, owner of the Weiyang Gambling House, belonged to the Filthy Blood Sect. Shen Yanliu halted his attack, and the chapter ended as he recognized Su Di as Wei Yutian’s personal maid.

• Duan Rong carried Su Di to the county yamen and pushed past the guards to reach Shen Yanliu in the back courtyard.
• Shen Yanliu attacked Duan Rong, but Duan Rong threw Su Di aside and knelt to report a Foul Blood Case.
• Duan Rong accused Wei Yutian of being a Filthy Blood Sect disciple, prompting Shen Yanliu to doubt his claim.
• Duan Rong identified Su Di as Wei Yutian’s personal maid, and Shen Yanliu recognized her from a previous meeting with Wei Yutian.

Duan Rong convinced Shen Yanliu that Wei Yutian belonged to the Filthy Blood Sect by revealing Su Di’s connection to him and exposing her reaction. Su Di confirmed Wei Yutian was cultivating in a secret chamber at Stone Monkey Alley, and Shen Yanliu set out with Guards to raid the residence.

• Duan Rong told Shen Yanliu how he had met Su Di and how she offered to take him to see Wei Yutian cultivate the Filthy Blood Divine Skill.
• Su Di woke as Duan Rong stood beside her, and her frightened reaction to his question convinced Shen Yanliu that Wei Yutian was a sect follower.
• Shen Yanliu seized Su Di and tore off one of her arms when she denied the accusation.
• Su Di overcame her fear and admitted that Wei Yutian was cultivating in a secret chamber at the Stone Monkey Alley residence with two other women.
• Shen Yanliu ordered Wang Tai to lock Su Di in the dungeon and sent Li Chong to gather Guards and weapons for a raid.

Duan Rong attacked Wei Yutian’s secret chamber to rescue Xiao Yu, killing Bai Ai and Pei Qing before drawing Wei Yutian out to face Shen Yanliu. After Wei Yutian revealed the Filthy Blood Divine Skill and fled, Duan Rong returned to the chamber and found Xiao Yu unconscious but unharmed.

• Duan Rong killed Bai Ai and Pei Qing with his Plum Blossom Willow Leaf Knives as he entered the secret chamber.
• Duan Rong attacked Wei Yutian through the stone door, then taunted him into leaving Xiao Yu behind.
• Wei Yutian rushed out and encountered Shen Yanliu, who attacked him with his Steel Gauntlet Iron Claw.
• Wei Yutian unleashed the Filthy Blood Divine Skill, forming a mass of bloody threads, and fled from Shen Yanliu.
• Duan Rong returned to the altar-city chamber, checked Xiao Yu, and confirmed that she was unconscious but otherwise unharmed.

Duan Rong rescued Xiao Yu from Wei Yutian’s altar-city and discovered a copper awl that could grant the second level of the Filthy Blood Divine Skill. Outside, Shen Yanliu fought Wei Yutian, whose blood threads consumed a constable and regenerated his severed arm.

• Duan Rong revived Xiao Yu, and she recognized him and broke down in his arms.
• Duan Rong identified the chamber as an altar-city, found a Filthy Blood Copper Awl, and chose to devour its contents.
• Li Chong arrived with constables, learned Xiao Yu had been abducted for a sacrifice, and ordered the chamber guarded.
• Shen Yanliu pursued Wei Yutian and tore off his right arm, which consumed a constable and turned him into a Dried Corpse.
• Wei Yutian’s blood threads knitted together and regrew his arm as a pale, small limb.

Shen Yanliu defeated the exhausted Wei Yutian and questioned him about the Filthy Blood Sect’s Xiangu County Branch. Wei Yutian revealed his connection to Luan Jingfu before Shen Yanliu killed him, leaving Shen Yanliu to pursue Luan Jingfu.

• After Wei Yutian’s Filthy Blood Divine Skill left him weakened, Shen Yanliu severed his remaining limbs and carried him to a pavilion.
• Shen Yanliu asked Wei Yutian to identify the Xiangu County Branch’s members and Helm Master, and Wei Yutian asked how he had been exposed.
• Shen Yanliu explained that Su Di’s lover, Duan Rong of the Yuan Shun Escort Agency, had reported Wei Yutian to the yamen.
• Wei Yutian concluded that Luan Jingfu had arranged the scheme to betray him and told Shen Yanliu that he had single-line contact with Luan Jingfu.
• Shen Yanliu decided Luan Jingfu might lead him to the Helm Master and crushed Wei Yutian’s head.
• Shen Yanliu noticed that Wei Yutian’s brains had splattered across his official robe and worried that Ma Chunmin would scold him.

After Shen Yanliu killed Wei Yutian, Duan Rong realized that Luan Jingfu and Ruan Fengshan were connected to the Filthy Blood Sect. Meanwhile, a disguised beggar fled to Wild Lake and approached the City God Temple, where the Temple Keeper lived alone.

• Shen Yanliu ordered Li Chong to guard the strange offerings found in a secret chamber and then summoned Duan Rong.
• Duan Rong told Shen Yanliu that Luan Jingfu had gone out of the city with Sun Huang, so Shen Yanliu sent men to surround Luan Jingfu's residence.
• Duan Rong inferred that Luan Jingfu was a Filthy Blood Sect disciple and that Ruan Fengshan was the Xiangu County branch's Helm Master, concealing his True Qi Realm cultivation.
• A beggar who had been watching the mysterious residence fled through the alleys, crossed the frozen Wild Lake, and headed toward the City God Temple.
• The chapter described the Temple Keeper, who had inherited his post from his father and had managed the temple alone for more than thirty years.

The Temple Keeper sent a carrier pigeon to Jiuzhong County after learning Shen Yanliu had destroyed Wei Yutian’s secret chamber mandala. Shen Yanliu raided Luan Jingfu’s residence, crippled Luan Bao, and rode toward Tanghe County while Luan Jingfu and Sun Huang were returning from a drunken night there.

• A messenger warned the Temple Keeper that Shen Yanliu had destroyed Wei Yutian’s secret chamber mandala, so the Temple Keeper sent a message by carrier pigeon to Jiuzhong County.
• The Temple Keeper worried that the Filthy Blood Sect might be exposed and recalled how Ruan Fengshan had recruited him and taught him the Filthy Blood Divine Skill.
• Shen Yanliu and Li Chong led constables into Luan Jingfu’s residence, where Shen Yanliu destroyed Luan Bao’s Dantian without killing him.
• Shen Yanliu took Luan Bao’s black horse, rode through the East City Gate, and headed for Tanghe County.
• Luan Jingfu and Sun Huang, who had delivered a Letter Escort to Tanghe County, spent the night drinking with courtesans and left at dawn.

Luan Jingfu and Sun Huang were ambushed on the road, and Sun Huang was killed before Luan Jingfu discovered the attackers were fellow members of the Filthy Blood Holy Sect. Luan Jingfu fought Yu Lieting and Xiao Nan but was ultimately beheaded, leaving his final thoughts on his son Bao Er.

• Luan Jingfu and the still-dizzy Sun Huang rode out of the city and were ambushed by two masked men.
• Sun Huang was killed in a single exchange, while Luan Jingfu held off both attackers with his Steel Mace.
• Luan Jingfu unleashed the Filthy Blood Divine Skill to heal his wounds and strengthen his attacks, but Yu Lieting and Xiao Nan revealed they could use it too.
• Yu Lieting told Luan Jingfu that Wei Yutian had exposed him and that Shen Yanliu had captured Bao Er, making Luan Jingfu a threat to the branch helm.
• Luan Jingfu fought on after losing an arm, but Xiao Nan seized an opening and cut off his head.
• Luan Jingfu's head rolled onto the road as he murmured that Bao Er had to live.

Shen Yanliu arrived too late to save Luan Jingfu and found that the Filthy Blood Sect’s trail had largely gone cold, though he planned to use the evidence to claim political credit. Meanwhile, Duan Rong brought Xiao Yu safely back to the Yuan Shun Escort Agency, where she reunited with her father.

• Yu Lieting and Xiao Nan fled after killing Luan Jingfu when they heard Shen Yanliu approaching.
• Shen Yanliu found Sun Huang and Luan Jingfu dead, collected their bodies as evidence, and returned to Xiangu County.
• A woman recognized Sun Huang’s corpse as that of her neighbor, and rumors spread through the city as Shen Yanliu rode past.
• Shen Yanliu interrogated Luan Bao and Su Di but found no useful leads about the Filthy Blood Sect.
• Shen Yanliu considered presenting Wei Yutian’s secret chamber and the two dead True Qi Realm experts as proof that he had destroyed an important stronghold.
• Duan Rong and Xiao Yu returned to the Yuan Shun Escort Agency, where Xiao Zongting tearfully reunited with his daughter.

After reuniting with Xiao Yu and confirming Zhu Xiaoqi was recovering, Duan Rong was summoned by Shen Yanliu, who offered him a Taiyi Creates Water Merit Token for reporting the Filthy Blood Sect. Duan Rong refused it, fearing the sect would target him, and left Shen Yanliu angered.

• Xiao Yu told Xiao Zongting that Wei Yutian had abducted her and Duan Rong had rescued her, while Duan Rong explained Shen Yanliu had killed Wei Yutian.
• Duan Rong checked Zhu Xiaoqi's recovery, then politely left Xiao Yu and returned to Willow Lodge to sleep.
• An old bailiff summoned Duan Rong to the county office, where Shen Yanliu asked whether Su Di had mentioned other Filthy Blood Sect followers.
• Shen Yanliu offered Duan Rong a Taiyi Creates Water Merit Token for his role in reporting the Foul Blood Case and explained its benefits.
• Duan Rong refused the token because he feared retaliation from the Filthy Blood Sect, and Shen Yanliu angrily dismissed him.

Shen Yanliu brought Shen Mizhi to identify Su Di, triggering Shen Mizhi’s memories and distress over her upcoming sect assessment. Meanwhile, Liu Eying learned that Sun Huang might be one of two corpses brought into the city and hurried to confirm what had happened.

• Shen Yanliu showed Shen Mizhi the injured Su Di, and Shen Mizhi recognized her from Duan Rong’s painting stall.
• Shen Mizhi returned to her room, cut her forearm with a dagger, treated the wound, and went out to practice.
• Liu Eying waited for Sun Huang, then heard Cai Shi claim that he was dead.
• Liu Eying questioned a guard at the county yamen but received no definite answer.
• Liu Eying heard that Luan Jingfu’s household had been raided and that the County Magistrate had brought two corpses into the city on a horse.
• Liu Eying hurried to seek answers from Cai Shi as tears began streaming down her face.

Ruan Fengshan returned to Xiangu County and learned that the Filthy Blood Sect’s branch altar had been exposed and Luan Jingfu had been killed. Shen Yanliu summoned him to meet at Wei Yutian’s residence, leaving Ruan Fengshan uneasy about the reason.

• Liu Eying questioned Cai Shi about seeing Sun Huang’s corpse, then collapsed and awoke sobbing.
• Ruan Fengshan entered Xiangu County and noticed a black-cloth signal hanging from the City God Temple’s wind chime.
• The Temple Keeper told Ruan Fengshan that Wei Yutian’s secret altar had been exposed, Luan Jingfu was dead, and the Luan family had been imprisoned.
• Ruan Fengshan returned to the escort agency and Clerk Qin arrived with Shen Yanliu’s summons.
• Ruan Fengshan swallowed a hidden pill and followed Clerk Qin to Wei Yutian’s residence, wondering why Shen Yanliu wanted to meet him there.

Shen Yanliu tested Ruan Fengshan to determine whether he was involved with the Filthy Blood Sect and concluded that he was innocent. Ruan Fengshan survived the test but privately vowed to kill Shen Yanliu, revealing that he was a True Qi Realm expert who had narrowly concealed his secret.

• Shen Yanliu summoned Ruan Fengshan and attacked him with a Steel Gauntlet Iron Claw to test his cultivation and reactions.
• Ruan Fengshan was injured but suppressed the Filthy Blood Divine Skill, so Shen Yanliu decided he was not a Filthy Blood Sect disciple.
• Shen Yanliu ordered Ruan Fengshan to investigate the Yuan Shun Escort Agency, especially Luan Jingfu's trusted followers, before letting him go.
• After returning to the escort agency, Ruan Fengshan cursed Shen Yanliu and revealed that a pill had helped him hide his True Qi and suppress the Filthy Blood Divine Skill.

Tang Wan Hong and Shen Yanliu closed the Filthy Blood Sect case with a notice that credited Shen Yanliu and cleared Sun Huang of complicity. After returning to the yamen, Yang Zhen discovered Duan Rong's name on the Taiyi Sect Registered Disciple selection list.

• Tang Wan Hong and Shen Yanliu agreed that Ruan Fengshan was unlikely to belong to the Filthy Blood Sect and decided to close the case as planned.
• The yamen posted a notice naming Luan Jingfu and Wei Yutian as Filthy Blood Sect followers, crediting Shen Yanliu with their capture and deaths, and describing Sun Huang as a righteous victim.
• The yamen restored Sun Huang's body and delivered it to Liu Eying, while Duan Rong felt relieved that the notice did not mention him.
• Jie Daohan returned from the prefectural city, learned he had missed the case, and found that Shen Yanliu had already left to submit the case-closing documents.
• Jie Daohan assigned Yang Zhen to review the Taiyi Sect Registered Disciple selection list, and Yang Zhen was shocked to find Duan Rong's name on it.

After learning that Duan Rong had registered for the sect’s selection and reached Minor Accomplishment, Yang Zhen tested his childhood friend with a concealed crossbow bolt and blade. Their reunion ended in an awkward drinking session, but Duan Rong discovered Yang Zhen had made the bolt harmless, leaving him aware that their friendship had changed even as Yang Zhen remained proud of him.

• Yang Zhen found Duan Rong’s registration records and was stunned to learn he had reached Third Level of Inner Breath, Minor Accomplishment.
• After helping prepare Sun Huang’s ancestral hall, Duan Rong met Yang Zhen, who invited him to drink on Little New Year’s Eve.
• Yang Zhen asked about Duan Rong’s cultivation, then attacked him with a blade and a concealed crossbow bolt during a supposed friendly spar.
• Duan Rong disarmed Yang Zhen and learned that Yang Zhen had discovered his true realm and sect registration from the records.
• The two drank together, but their former closeness was gone; Duan Rong helped the drunken Yang Zhen to bed and left.
• Duan Rong found that the crossbow bolt had a wooden, lead-weighted tip, while Yang Zhen lay awake and admitted he was jealous of Duan Rong but happy for him.

After Sun Huang’s funeral, Duan Rong overheard Wang Chun and two pickpockets plotting to rob the grieving Liu Eying. Duan Rong disguised himself as Sun Huang’s ghost and waited to catch them at her home, where he killed one intruder and incapacitated the others.

• Duan Rong heard Wang Chun persuade Haozi and another pickpocket to rob Liu Eying during the Chou Hour.
• Duan Rong used the Mastery Level Disguise Technique to take on Sun Huang’s appearance and hid inside a jar beneath Liu Eying’s window.
• Wang Chun and the two pickpockets climbed into Liu Eying’s courtyard and used Bewitching Incense to put her to sleep.
• Duan Rong spoke in a ghostly voice and emerged from the jar, terrifying the intruders.
• Duan Rong crushed Huang Geng’s neck, then used medicinal powder to knock out Haozi and Wang Chun.

Duan Rong discovered that the Filthy Blood Divine Skill could activate on its own and drain a man into a Dried Corpse, so he hid the remains and left two thieves hanging by Wild Lake. After the thieves’ story spread and protected Liu Eying from further danger, Duan Rong investigated the skill and found its source inside his Luminous Consciousness Sea.

• Duan Rong’s Filthy Blood Divine Skill activated at the scent of blood, drained a dying man into a Dried Corpse, and filled Duan Rong with revulsion.
• Duan Rong checked that Liu Eying was unharmed, hid the corpse pieces in a clay jar, and carried Wang Chun and Haozi to Wild Lake, where he tied them to a Phoenix Tree.
• The old Temple Keeper found and rescued Wang Chun and Haozi; Haozi believed a vicious ghost had attacked them, while Wang Chun returned home and later gave up crime.
• Haozi quit thieving and spread his account of Sun Huang’s ghost, while Liu Eying heard the tale and found the clay jar missing from beneath her windowsill.
• Duan Rong used his Divine Sense to examine the Filthy Blood Divine Skill as it activated and detected a blood-red fluctuation coming from his Luminous Consciousness Sea.