Chapter Summaries

Yi Yang seized the wealth and assets of White Fish City’s major powers, but found their cultivation manuals held no advanced techniques. As he began searching Mo Qianhe’s old books for clues about Pineclear Daoist, Shadow Four and Shadow Six went to deal with the remaining Inner Qi Realm threats.

• Xu Pei reported that the Wei Family, Mo Family, Green Snake Gang, and Three Lakes Gang’s assets were seized, worth more than eight hundred and twenty thousand taels in silver and property.
• Yi Yang examined fifty-four cultivation manuals and found no true arts, True Astral Realm techniques, or method beyond third inner qi.
• Xu Pei told Yi Yang that Mo Qianhe’s study contained three chests of old books, prompting Yi Yang to hope they might hold clues about Pineclear Daoist.
• When Xu Pei worried about the surviving Inner Qi Realm experts, Shadow Four agreed to help and took Shadow Six with her to hunt them down.
• Shadow Four told Shadow Six that she acted proactively because Lord Yan’s favor toward Yi Yang suggested he was no ordinary Director and might rise further.

Yi Yang searched Mo Qianhe’s books for clues about Pineclear Daoist and found a record of a Daoist who entered White Dragon Marsh three hundred years ago and returned with a Bronze Casket after the White Dragon died. He suspected the Daoist was Pineclear Daoist and planned to investigate further in the Prefectural City, then sensed Yan Wuyuan returning from the marsh.

• Yi Yang searched the first two chests of Mo Qianhe’s books but found no clues about Pineclear Daoist or the Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art.
• Yi Yang found Chronicle of the Sunken Depths of White Dragon Marsh, which described a Daoist entering the marsh in year 672 of the Yu calendar.
• The chronicle said the Daoist returned with a Bronze Casket after a long cry sounded from the marsh and declared that the dragon’s death would enrich the marsh.
• Yi Yang suspected the Daoist was Pineclear Daoist and decided to investigate the Bronze Casket and the Daoist’s trail after returning to the Prefectural City.
• Yi Yang assessed the cultivation manuals for Xu Pei and the Patrol Guards, then sensed Yan Wuyuan approaching from White Dragon Marsh.

Yi Yang concealed his breakthrough before Yan Wuyuan returned and reported that Rampage Killer had been killed, while she revealed that the Nine Evil Sect's Incense Master had escaped after reaching outer astral power. Yan Wuyuan credited Yi Yang with uncovering the cult's plot to sacrifice White Fish City, and the chapter ended with him questioning whether the Incense Master could truly consume an entire city.

• Yi Yang hid the White Dragon Marsh Deep Abyss Record and concealed his true astral cultivation before Yan Wuyuan arrived.
• Yan Wuyuan saw the damaged courtyard, and Yi Yang explained that Shadow Four and Shadow Six had helped him kill Rampage Killer.
• Yan Wuyuan told Yi Yang that the Nine Evil Sect's Incense Master had escaped after using a forbidden art to reach outer astral power.
• Yan Wuyuan explained the true astral realm's stages and said the Incense Master had fled into the depths beneath the marsh after she overwhelmed him.
• Yan Wuyuan revealed that Wei Zhao held a list of White Fish City's martial artists for a planned sacrifice that could have killed tens of thousands.
• Yi Yang asked whether the Incense Master could really use the people of an entire city as a sacrifice.

Yan Wuyuan told Yi Yang about a Nine Evil Sect fiend who had sacrificed hundreds of thousands of people, then discussed the White Fish City plot and recommended Yi Yang for promotion. As Yi Yang prepared to strengthen himself before returning to the prefectural city, Yan Wuyuan investigated a bloodstained bead and suspected he had cultivated a soul art.

• Yan Wuyuan recounted how a Nine Evil Sect prodigy sacrificed more than three hundred thousand people, escaped a Grandmaster's pursuit, and was never seen again.
• Yan Wuyuan said she had injured the Incense Master at White Dragon Marsh, but he had escaped, and she planned to kill him; she also recommended Yi Yang for Candidate Chief Inspector.
• Yi Yang reported the Wei Family's and Ye Jin's Blood Pool scheme, the factions' crimes, their executions, and more than eight hundred and twenty thousand taels in confiscated property.
• Yan Wuyuan ordered Yi Yang to keep a quarter of the silver, remain in White Fish City until his appointment arrived, and said she would investigate the Profound Sword Pavilion's possible ties to the Nine Evil Sect.
• Yan Wuyuan left Yi Yang an unexplained surprise in the prefectural city, while Yi Yang arranged his treasure medicines and pills to prepare for strengthening himself.
• Yan Wuyuan examined a bloodstained bead bearing the Incense Master's aura and realized Yi Yang's soul cultivation art had prevented her from probing him.

Pei Zongyue received Yan Wuyuan’s report on the White Fish City case and was astonished by Yi Yang’s achievements and her recommendation to promote him to Candidate Chief Inspector. Liu Qing also learned of Yi Yang’s success and went to share the news with someone.

• Pei Zongyue read Yan Wuyuan’s report that she had wounded the Nine Evil Sect Incense Master, who fled beneath White Dragon Marsh after the sacrifice was disrupted.
• Pei Zongyue learned that Yi Yang had helped execute the city’s conspirators and Rampage Killer, clear out local forces, and confiscate more than eight hundred and twenty thousand taels.
• Pei Zongyue examined Yi Yang’s file and marveled that a sixty-year-old with Grade C aptitude had advanced so quickly in six months.
• Pei Zongyue sent Yan Wuyuan’s recommendation of Yi Yang for Candidate Chief Inspector to the Chief Inspector for judgment.
• Liu Qing read Yan Wuyuan’s letter, reconsidered her earlier doubts about Yi Yang, and left to share the news with someone.

News of Yi Yang’s destruction of White Fish City’s major powers spread through Suining Prefecture, drawing scrutiny and offers of favor from sects and families. The Chief Inspector approved Yan Wuyuan’s recommendation to appoint Yi Yang Candidate Chief Inspector, and the document was set to be sent to White Fish City.

• Caravan workers confirmed that Yi Yang had destroyed White Fish City’s major powers, and the story made him a subject of attention across Suining Prefecture.
• Golden Sun Temple ordered an investigation into Yi Yang’s past, Cangwu Mountain ordered its accounts involving White Fish City reviewed, and the Profound Sword Pavilion Branch questioned who stood behind him.
• The Liu Family offered the Evening Glow Merchant Guild two trade routes to curry favor with Yi Yang, while the Wu Family prepared treasure medicines and a letter for him.
• After learning that Yi Yang had killed Ye Jin, Xue Muci fled the Mountain-Walking Martial Hall, and the Evil Punishment Office later found him gone.
• The Chief Inspector approved Yan Wuyuan’s recommendation to make Yi Yang Candidate Chief Inspector, and Pei Zongyue prepared the appointment document for delivery to White Fish City.

Yi Yang received an appointment as Candidate Chief Inspector of the Suining Prefecture Heaven Patrol Office and left White Fish City under Pacification Guard escort. As he rode toward the prefectural city, he considered the armory, records, and clues his new position would let him pursue.

• Xu Min delivered Yi Yang's appointment document, naming him Candidate Chief Inspector and ordering him to report to Suining Prefecture within seven days.
• Yi Yang asked Xu Pei to arrange hospitality for the Pacification Guards and delayed departure while he settled remaining matters in White Fish City.
• Three days later, Yi Yang refused to take the city's great seal from Xu Pei, gave him instructions, and rode out with the twelve Pacification Guards.
• White Fish City residents gathered to see Yi Yang off, and the newly carved Tax Reduction Order remained on the city wall.
• On the road, Yi Yang considered using his new rank to investigate the Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art, Pineclear Daoist's journey, and the Bronze Casket.

Yunlin County officials and Zhao Gang learned that Yi Yang had become Candidate Chief Inspector of the Suining Prefecture Heaven Patrol Office, far surpassing their expectations. Zhao Gang decided to send Yi Yang a modest gift and a message inviting him to share a drink when he returned.

• Clerk Fang Xi delivered Yi Yang’s appointment notice to Qi Shujian, who was stunned that Yi Yang had advanced beyond him in half a year.
• Qi Shujian reflected on recommending Yi Yang and accepted his rapid rise without jealousy, though he felt wistful.
• Song Tiecheng learned of Yi Yang’s promotion and discussed with Chen Wuya how their Eldest Brother had recognized Yi Yang’s potential early.
• Zhao Gang heard that Yi Yang had become Candidate Chief Inspector and recalled once trying to recruit him as a hired fist.
• Zhao Gang told Ren Hao to prepare a suitable gift and include an invitation for Yi Yang to have a drink when he returned.

Yi Yang and the Pacification Guard stopped at the Long Willow Inn after two days on the road, where their arrival silenced the hall. When a drunken man threw a chicken bone at Yi Yang’s boot, Xu Min moved to confront him.

• Yi Yang agreed to stop at the Long Willow Inn so the exhausted Mutant Beast Horses could rest.
• Yi Yang entered the inn with Xu Min and the eleven other Pacification Guards, and the hall fell silent at the sight of their black armor.
• Xu Min displayed his Heaven Patrol Office Command Token and ordered tables, food, wine, tea, horse feed, and rooms for the party.
• A drunken, bearded man threw a chicken bone that stopped by Yi Yang’s boot and splashed grease onto it.
• Xu Min walked toward the four drunk men, intent on dealing with the man who had offended Yi Yang.

Xu Min intimidated a drunken group at the inn before Yi Yang stopped him and the Pacification Guard continued their journey’s overnight stay. After securing his room and finding no immediate threat, Yi Yang began cultivating the Four Symbols Six Directions Saber as the inn settled into the night.

• Xu Min ground chicken bones into powder with his inner qi and subdued the bearded man’s group until Yi Yang told him to return to the table.
• Yi Yang ate with the Pacification Guards while two escort guards recognized their black armor and left the inn in haste.
• Xu Min arranged the night watch, and Yi Yang secured his room with Tiger Roar and kept his Black Black-Iron Soft Armor on.
• Yi Yang surveyed the inn with his mental power, found no threat, and began practicing the first form of the Four Symbols Six Directions Saber as the panel’s numbers slowly rose.

Yi Yang cultivated the Four Symbols Six Directions Saber at the Long Willow Inn before an assassin attacked him in his room. He pursued the attacker into the hills, where the figure slowed and turned to face him near a hidden hollow.

• Yi Yang used the Golden-Furred Ape's guidance to practice the Azure Dragon saber momentum, gradually improving his Four Symbols Six Directions Saber.
• An assassin slipped beneath the inn's eaves and thrust a narrow blade at Yi Yang, but Yi Yang dodged and countered with Tiger Roar.
• Yi Yang and the assassin exchanged three saber strikes and a palm attack before the assassin escaped through the window.
• Xu Min rushed into Yi Yang's room and offered to pursue the assassin, but Yi Yang ordered him to protect the inn and everyone inside.
• Yi Yang followed the assassin across the hills using his mental perception and realized the figure was luring him away from the inn.
• The assassin crossed a third ridge, slowed down, and turned to face Yi Yang.

Xue Muci revealed himself as the former master of the Mountain-Walking Martial Hall and blamed Yi Yang for the loss of his livelihood after Ye Jin’s exposure. Their fight began with Xue Muci revealing his true astral realm, and the chapter ended as he launched a full-strength punch at Yi Yang.

• Xue Muci identified himself and explained that Yi Yang’s killing of Ye Jin had led the Evil Punishment Office to seal his martial hall and scatter his disciples.
• Yi Yang attacked Xue Muci with Tiger Roar to test his strength and force him to reveal his abilities.
• Xue Muci blocked Yi Yang’s heavy saber strike with a punch powered by true astral energy, but Yi Yang endured the force without revealing his own true strength.
• Xue Muci mistook Yi Yang’s resilience for the protection of armor and decided to kill him, take his appointment document and Official Token, and flee before dawn.
• Xue Muci drove all his astral energy into one punch and charged at Yi Yang’s chest.

Yi Yang revealed his true astral realm cultivation and killed Xue Muci with an imperfect Azure Dragon Saber Stance strike. He took Xue Muci’s true art and valuables, concealed the evidence, and returned toward the inn with his cultivation hidden again.

• Yi Yang revealed his true astral force and evaded Xue Muci’s punch, surprising him with his breakthrough.
• Yi Yang forced the Azure Dragon Saber Stance’s seventy-two nodes together with mental power while Xue Muci prepared his Mountain-Guarding Fist.
• Yi Yang slipped through a gap caused by Xue Muci’s old injury and beheaded him with Azure Dragon Emerges from the Abyss.
• Yi Yang searched Xue Muci’s corpse and took the Mountain-Walking Heroic Peak Art, silver notes, pills, and a Hall Master’s Token.
• Yi Yang buried Xue Muci’s corpse and weapon, erased the traces of the fight, and returned toward the inn while concealing his true astral force.

Yi Yang returned to the inn after killing the assassin, then continued toward Suining Prefecture while studying his saber art and the Mountain-Walking Heroic Peak Art. He reached the city with his Candidate Chief Inspector’s badge and twelve Pacification Guards.

• Yi Yang confirmed the area was clear, concealed his True Astral Realm cultivation, and returned to the Long Willow Inn after killing Xue Muci.
• Xu Min asked about Yi Yang’s injuries and the assassin, then followed his instructions to record the guests’ identities and destinations.
• Yi Yang paid the innkeeper for the damage, while Qian Wu destroyed his horse-sedative powder and decided to quit stealing horses.
• Yi Yang and the twelve Pacification Guards departed before daybreak in a tighter formation and rode for two days toward the Prefectural City.
• Yi Yang practiced the Four Symbols Six Directions Saber and compared the Mountain-Walking Heroic Peak Art with his existing body-refinement method.
• Yi Yang arrived at Suining Prefecture with his Candidate Chief Inspector’s bronze badge and twelve Pacification Guards.

Yi Yang returned to the Prefectural City as a Candidate Chief Inspector, prompting the city’s powerful families and Heaven Patrol Office officials to reassess him. After reporting to the Judgment Hall and receiving his new benefits, he sensed two unfamiliar auras inside his courtyard and stopped before entering.

• Yi Yang entered the Prefectural City with the Pacification Guard escort, and Xu Min gave him a calling card before the squad departed.
• The Liu Family prepared a gift and banquet invitation, the Wu Family planned to send a calling card and property register, and Li Yuzhao ordered the Evening Glow Merchant Guild to clear stalled trade routes.
• Xiao Zhengyan reconsidered his earlier judgment of Yi Yang, while Ji Yunzhang and Wen Shiheng ordered their offices to take note of him.
• Yi Yang reported to Pei Zongyue, signed the White Fish City case documents, and received three True Pills along with details of his Candidate Chief Inspector benefits.
• As Yi Yang approached his courtyard, his Heart Ape Mind Guarding Art detected two distinct auras inside, and he gripped the hilt of his Tiger Roar Saber without opening the door.

Yi Yang returned home and discovered that his granddaughter Jiang Yuexin had reached qi-blood fifth level after receiving instruction from Yan Wuyuan. Learning she possessed a rare martial bone and practiced a cultivation art above a true art, he accepted Yan Wuyuan’s help and encouraged Yuexin to keep training; he planned to visit the Armory’s fifth floor the next day.

• Yi Yang returned to his courtyard and was stunned to find Jiang Yuexin practicing at qi-blood fifth level.
• Jiang Yuexin greeted Yi Yang warmly, and he told her to finish her stance training before they talked.
• Liu Qing told Yi Yang that Jiang Yuexin possessed a rare martial bone and had been taught the Profound Heaven Daoheart Scripture by Yan Wuyuan.
• Liu Qing explained that Yan Wuyuan and she had instructed Jiang Yuexin for two months, and that Yan Wuyuan had left Liu Qing to continue looking after her.
• Yi Yang admitted he had neglected Yuexin’s training and told her he was glad she had learned from Yan Wuyuan, while reminding her to eat and rest properly.
• Jiang Yuexin learned that Yi Yang had become a Candidate Chief Inspector and promised to protect him when she grew stronger; Yi Yang decided to visit the Armory’s fifth floor the next day.

Yi Yang entered the Heaven Patrol Office Armory’s fifth floor and discovered that an unmarked booklet contained the complete Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art. He took it with him to study, while resolving to investigate the mysterious Faceless Statue later.

• Yi Yang returned the Heart Ape Mind Guarding Art to the old Armory guard, concealing that he had already made progress with it.
• After verifying Yi Yang’s promotion to Candidate Chief Inspector, the old man opened a hidden staircase to the fifth floor, where Yi Yang searched the available true arts.
• Yi Yang found an offering table with a Faceless Statue and recognized the unmarked booklet at its feet as the complete Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art.
• Yi Yang chose the booklet, and the old man explained that other Candidate Chief Inspectors had borrowed it before but returned it without understanding it.
• Yi Yang left the Armory for the Nether Spring Office, intent on studying the art and later learning the identity of the Faceless Statue.

Yi Yang met fellow Candidate Chief Inspector Zhou Fangyu, who explained the two career paths available and the Pure Heart Pavilion’s cultivation resources. After learning that its water-wood essence could help with a True Astral Realm breakthrough, Yi Yang headed to the pavilion to investigate.

• Yi Yang found the Nether Spring Office hall empty and encountered Zhou Fangyu, another Candidate Chief Inspector.
• Zhou Fangyu explained that Candidate Chief Inspectors could lead a stationed squad or take dangerous solo assignments, and said he had chosen to work alone.
• Zhou Fangyu told Yi Yang about Qi Zhi, who was stationed elsewhere, and described the Pure Heart Pavilion’s water-wood essence as an aid to cultivation.
• Yi Yang considered using the water-wood essence to support his Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art and went to the Judgment Hall to find the Pure Heart Pavilion.

Yi Yang cultivated in a Class B room at the Pure Heart Pavilion, where water-wood essence increased his progress sixfold. After more than half a month, he completed the conversion of his true astral force into wood-aspected true qi and left with nearly thirty percent progress toward the hundred-forged body.

• Yi Yang paid five thousand taels for Class B room six and entered the underground chamber to cultivate.
• Yi Yang discovered that the chamber's water-wood essence raised each cultivation cycle's progress to 360 points.
• Yi Yang cultivated for more than half a month, gradually converting his true astral force into wood-aspected true qi.
• Yi Yang checked his panel and found his Wood-Nurturing Longevity Art progress had reached 285,360 out of 1,000,000.
• Yi Yang left the Pure Heart Pavilion and suppressed his new aura back to third inner qi completion.

Yi Yang tested the strength and self-healing of his yin-wood true astral force, then returned to find Jiang Yuexin rapidly advancing in her cultivation. Three days later, Yan Wuyuan summoned him and said the Chief Inspector was calling all Candidate Chief Inspectors back to the Heaven Patrol Office.

• Yi Yang used yin-wood true astral force to break boulders and unleash Azure Dragon Emerges from the Abyss without the meridian pain he had suffered before.
• Yi Yang returned to his courtyard and watched Jiang Yuexin practice, realizing she was nearing the qi-blood sixth level.
• Jiang Yuexin greeted Yi Yang warmly, and he promised not to stay away so long again.
• Three days later, Liu Qing told Yi Yang that Yan Wuyuan had returned and wanted to see him.
• Yan Wuyuan told Yi Yang that the Chief Inspector would summon every Candidate Chief Inspector from the four offices to the Heaven Patrol Office, postponing his mission.