Chapter Summaries

During the snowy journey, Li Ping'an’s quiet guidance transformed A Yu’s martial arts foundation, and Wang Shan realized she had received a great fortune. The group continued toward the Yuelun Kingdom, with Wang Shan newly grateful to Li Ping'an.

• After A Yu became feverish during the night, Li Ping'an warned Wang Shan not to channel True Qi into her, and Wang Shan followed his advice.
• A Yu woke hungry and ate a large amount of food, then found that walking through deep snow felt much easier.
• Wang Shan examined A Yu and discovered that her seven apertures and acupoints had been cleared and her body greatly strengthened.
• Wang Shan told A Yu she had received a great stroke of fortune and urged her never to be rude to Mr. Li again.
• As the group traveled on, Wang Shan offered Li Ping'an and Princess Ruoyun especially large melons, while Li Ping'an explained that he had given A Yu some guidance.
• Li Ping'an estimated that the group would reach the Yuelun Kingdom in a little over a month.

Li Ping'an and his companions traveled beyond Great Sui, where they encountered lawless cultivators, oppressed townsfolk, and demons. At a neglected Temple of the Literary Sage, they met a talking Big Yellow Dog just as a white-clad swordsman arrived to slay demons and mistook the dog for one.

• Li Ping'an buried the corpses of a merchant caravan and recorded the journey as he traveled with his companions beyond Great Sui.
• Yun Shu beheaded a demon that had usurped a small city's throne and eaten its people.
• A Yu beat bandits who were about to attack a mother and son near the Yongding River.
• The group rested at a tidy, neglected Temple of the Literary Sage, where Big Yellow Dog welcomed them and served tea and dried sweet potato.
• An old man in white arrived after destroying nearby demons, sensed another demon, and drove Big Yellow Dog into the ground.

Li Ping'an arranged for A Yu to face the old man in white, forcing her to break through to the second martial realm while securing Big Yellow Dog’s release. The group later resumed their journey and reached a town, where they planned to rest before continuing on.

• A Yu challenged the old man in white over his plan to kill Big Yellow Dog, and Li Ping'an proposed that she withstand one attack to earn the demon’s freedom.
• The old man in white immobilized Wang Shan and attacked A Yu with sword qi; prompted by Li Ping'an, she fought back and broke through to become a second-realm martial warrior before collapsing.
• Yun Shu caught the unconscious A Yu, and Li Ping'an used his power to stop the old man in white until he agreed to spare Big Yellow Dog and left.
• The next day, the group heard that fighting had broken out ahead and chose to detour through a small town.
• Wang Shan repeatedly thanked Li Ping'an for helping A Yu, while Big Yellow Dog accompanied the group to see them off; Li Ping'an bought wine and filled the Sword-Nurturing Gourd.

Li Ping'an refused A Yu’s petition to become his disciple but explained that he had helped her out of goodwill and urged her to avoid evil if she pursued the Martial Warrior path. After leaving the Yuelun Kingdom with Yun Shu and their companions, Li Ping'an considered what to do with the big yellow dog and remembered a friend among the Demon Race.

• A Yu knelt before Li Ping'an and presented a petition for apprenticeship, but he told her he did not take disciples.
• A Yu asked why Li Ping'an had helped her, and he said it was only a matter of lending a hand and urged her not to commit evil.
• Li Ping'an shared Yuelun Kingdom pastries with Old Ox and invited A Yu to stay for fish.
• Run Tu and the big yellow dog discussed clothing, and Run Tu wrapped a large leaf around himself and Old Ox.
• Wang Shan treated Li Ping'an and Yun Shu to a meal and gave them local specialties before they left the Yuelun Kingdom.
• As Li Ping'an traveled toward the Literary God Temple with Yun Shu and their companions, he dismissed the idea of taking the big yellow dog to Shushan and remembered a friend among the Demon Race.

Li Ping'an visited Bear Rabbit Mountain and reunited with Xiong Da and the rabbit, who feared he had come to take their food again. Their temple was under threat from a newly appointed Mountain God, whose subordinate Liu Shun had been exploiting them.

• Xiong Da and the rabbit worried that the new Mountain God might strip their temple of its recognition and incense offerings.
• Xiong Da returned from drinking with the Mountain God's subordinates without securing a meeting with the new official.
• Liu Shun arrived claiming to represent the Mountain God, then repeatedly harassed Xiong Da and the rabbit and took their valuables.
• Li Ping'an arrived at the temple, and Xiong Da recognized him as the benefactor who had once taken their food and belongings.
• The rabbit served Li Ping'an tea while Xiong Da and the rabbit anxiously wondered whether he had come to take more food.

Li Ping'an met Mountain God Liu Kan, an old acquaintance from his journey across the Vast Sea, and asked him to protect Xiong Da, Rabbit, and Big Yellow Dog. Liu Kan agreed, while Li Ping'an remembered the companions who had once traveled with him.

• Li Ping'an introduced Run Tu and Big Yellow Dog to Xiong Da and Rabbit, then offered to speak with the Mountain God about their predicament.
• Xiong Da and Rabbit arranged an audience with Liu Kan through Liu Shun, who escorted Li Ping'an, Yun Shu, and the others to the Mountain God Temple.
• Liu Kan recognized Li Ping'an as the immortal master whose accidental guidance had helped him rise from Land God to Mountain God.
• Liu Kan agreed to help Li Ping'an's friends and asked whether his former companions from the Vast Sea journey were still alive.
• Li Ping'an recalled Changqing, Zhang Song, Zhou Youcai, and Wen Tao, then quietly reflected on their parting.

After returning to Shushan, Li Ping'an paid off his debt, settled into a quiet life of cultivation and farming, and sent Aliya Spirit Stones and gifts for her family. The chapter ended when Run Tu hurried over with news that something had happened.

• Li Ping'an paid the debt collector the full amount owed and returned to Heaven-Reaching Peak with Yun Shu, Old Ox, and Run Tu.
• Li Ping'an practiced Taiji, improved Sows Go Wild into a cheaper, milder health supplement, and received twelve hundred Spirit Stones in monthly income.
• Li Ping'an reflected on Jing Yu's government appointment and enjoyed a relaxed routine developing Heaven-Reaching Peak with Old Ox and Run Tu.
• Aliya asked Li Ping'an to lend her fifteen hundred Spirit Stones, and he sent her three thousand Spirit Stones, pills, and silver for Duha's family.
• Li Ping'an transplanted rice seedlings, and Run Tu rushed over to tell him that something had happened.

Li Ping'an exposed Elder Sun and Zhou Rui’s scheme against Sows Go Wild, then used the backlash to secure money and technical support before resuming production. Meanwhile, Jing Yu paced in Yudu City, troubled by his weakness and an awkward situation at work.

• Run Tu alerted Li Ping'an that Elder Sun had collapsed after taking Sows Go Wild, and Li Ping'an removed a high-grade Breath-Sealing Pill from Elder Sun’s throat, exposing the attempted frame-up.
• Li Ping'an announced that he would stop producing Sows Go Wild and left the stall, leaving Elder Sun and his two martial nephews bewildered.
• The sect’s elders and disciples blamed Zhou Rui for the shortage, and their retaliation made Zhou Rui beg Li Ping'an to resume production.
• Li Ping'an cited his lack of funds and equipment, and Zhou Rui agreed to meet his demands, providing money and technical support.
• Sows Go Wild returned to Shushan’s market, and Run Tu praised Li Ping'an’s strategy.
• Jing Yu paced at the prefect’s residence in Yudu City, worrying about his shaking legs and having to work with a girl he had turned down.

In Yudu City, Prefect Jing Yu faced resistance from officials as he prepared to carry out Empress Liu Yun’s land and tax reforms. Li Ping'an read Jing Yu’s account and recalled an earlier summer with Liu Yun, when tax collectors arrived at their home.

• Empress Liu Yun appointed Jing Yu to test land and tax reforms in Yudu City, where powerful landlords, Lineages, sects, and schools held much of the untaxed land.
• Yudu City’s officials warned Jing Yu that reform would be difficult and defended the interests of the region’s powerful groups.
• Li Ping'an read Jing Yu’s letter, asked for details about the reforms, and recognized that they recalled events from decades earlier.
• Li Ping'an remembered a drought-stricken summer in Luoshui City when Liu Yun lived with him and they struggled with the heat and expense of ice.
• Li Ping'an and Liu Yun drank iced plum soup on the roof, then heard a tax collector and soldiers arrive to collect taxes.

Li Ping'an’s poem warning officials against corruption inspired Jing Yu’s sweeping purge in Yudu City and drew Liu Yun’s attention, leading her to order the verse displayed across the provinces. After replying to Liu Yun, Li Ping'an considered leaving Shushan with Old Ox.

• Li Ping'an recalled discussing reforms with Liu Yun and sent Jing Yu a letter of encouragement with a poem condemning corrupt officials.
• Jing Yu had the poem carved onto tablets after his investigation of the Yudu Rice Theft Case implicated thousands of officials.
• Liu Yun and her ministers discussed Jing Yu’s actions, and she revealed Li Ping'an had written the poem and ordered tablets erected at government offices throughout the provinces.
• Liu Yun wrote to Li Ping'an, who replied after receiving her letter at Shushan.
• Li Ping'an watched Run Tu chase butterflies and asked Old Ox whether it was time for them to leave Shushan.

Li Ping'an prepared Heaven-Reaching Peak for life after his departure, leaving supplies, plans, and brewing instructions in Run Tu's care. He left Shushan quietly with Old Ox, leaving Qingfeng asleep behind.

• Li Ping'an rebuilt Heaven-Reaching Peak's facilities and Scripture Pavilion, then decided to leave without telling anyone but Old Ox.
• Li Ping'an strictly trained Run Tu and taught him to manage Qingfeng's wine ration and brewing methods.
• Li Ping'an compiled his brewing knowledge into an unfinished book titled "Li Ping'an's Brewing Technique."
• Over the next year, Li Ping'an and Old Ox stocked the cellar with ten years of wine, deposited four thousand Spirit Stones, and prepared medicines and plans for Heaven-Reaching Peak.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox left Shushan without saying goodbye after Li Ping'an tidied Qingfeng's room and tucked him into bed.

Li Ping'an left Shushan with Old Ox and traveled to White Horse Temple, where a young monk warned him about a demon in the mountains. Back at Shushan, Yun Shu learned that Li Ping'an had gone and Run Tu said he would take on his responsibilities.

• Li Ping'an and Old Ox left the mountain as Qingfeng and Run Tu bid them farewell.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox reached White Horse Temple and spent the night with its young monk, who said he was the temple's only monk.
• Li Ping'an practiced the Turtle Breathing Method and Embryonic Breathing in the mountains, while Old Ox found Indian gooseberries.
• The young monk warned Li Ping'an that a powerful demon lived in the mountains and had killed his master and senior brothers.
• Yun Shu learned that Li Ping'an had left Shushan, and Run Tu said he would shoulder his responsibilities.

Li Ping'an stayed at White Horse Temple and encouraged the little monk, who had spent years training to slay a demon, to imagine a future beyond that mission. After half a year of practice, the little monk finally split a boulder with his saber, then sharpened it by the river while remembering his absent master and dreaming of the demon.

• Li Ping'an watched the little monk practice saber strikes against a boulder and learned that defeating a demon was his reason for training.
• Li Ping'an stayed at White Horse Temple for half a year, helping with chores while the little monk practiced each day.
• Li Ping'an asked what the little monk would do if the demon were already dead and offered to teach him eighteen saber moves.
• The little monk diligently practiced the moves, especially the unnamed eighteenth move, until his saber split the boulder in two.
• Li Ping'an lent the little monk a whetstone, and the little monk sharpened his saber by the river as he remembered his master and dreamed of the demon.

Wuchen confronted Guankong, the monstrous former third abbot of White Horse Temple, and defeated him after awakening his spiritual power. After Wuchen left the temple, Li Ping'an altered the surrounding terrain with a single strike of his Staff-Sword.

• Wuchen found Guankong in a ruined temple and learned that the monster was White Horse Temple's third abbot.
• Guankong attacked Wuchen, overpowering him with his staff and sending him crashing through the rain.
• Wuchen recalled his master and senior brother, awakened his spiritual power, and cut Guankong's throat.
• After recovering, Wuchen bid farewell to Li Ping'an and left White Horse Temple.
• Li Ping'an rode into the woods, judged the feng shui unsuitable, and split a nearby mountain with his Staff-Sword.

As New Year approached, Li Ping'an and Old Ox visited a lively temple fair, where Li Ping'an amused the crowd and gathered supplies for their travels. He also worked on a nourishing medicine to ease the strain that cultivating the Six Mysteries of the Human Body placed on him.

• Li Ping'an exchanged New Year wishes with Happy Big Boy, Advancing Eagle, and Soaring Fish through the Great Dao Rune fragment.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox visited a crowded temple fair, and Li Ping'an moved Old Ox onto his shoulder to make room for other spectators.
• The crowd applauded Li Ping'an's feat and gave him copper coins, which he collected before continuing through the fair.
• At a restaurant, Li Ping'an prepared medicinal ingredients and studied gu insects as a possible component of a remedy for his cultivation-related symptoms.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox left the restaurant and bought supplies at the last market before New Year.

At a winter temple fair, Li Ping'an met a Southern Border woman with gu insects and intervened when she was attacked after she offered to provide them. He brought her home, and the chapter ended with them and Old Ox sharing New Year's Eve dinner as fireworks lit the sky.

• A Southern Border woman jumped into the river to rescue a drowning woman, and Li Ping'an helped treat the rescued woman after they reached shore.
• After sensing gu insects on the foreign woman, Li Ping'an asked to buy some, but she refused until Wu'a and his men confronted her.
• When Wu'a's fat subordinate overpowered the woman, she offered Li Ping'an gu insects as medicinal catalysts, and he stopped the man's punch.
• Wu'a offered to supply gu insects, but Li Ping'an honored the woman's first offer, so Wu'a and his men left.
• Li Ping'an brought the woman to his temporary home, where she spent New Year's Eve with him and Old Ox.

Li Ping'an spent New Year’s Day with Old Ox, then worked on a poison using unusual medicine-making tools that startled the woman staying with him. After tasting the poison, he collapsed, and Old Ox carried him to bed.

• Li Ping'an returned fifteen copper coins to a child who had lost his lucky money, then bought firecrackers with Old Ox and accidentally set off one inside cow dung.
• Old Ox chased a man in blue robes through the street after the firecracker exploded in the cow dung.
• The woman noticed that her wounds had stopped hurting and watched Li Ping'an prepare medicine with unfamiliar tools.
• Li Ping'an explained his medicine-making tools and mixed several medicines into a potent poison that made the woman and her gu insects uneasy.
• Li Ping'an tasted the poison, turned green, and collapsed, so Old Ox carried him to bed.

Li Ping'an recovered from testing poison, studied the foreign woman's Gu, and bought Zombie Gu to complete his medicine research. After she left, he and Old Ox continued their journey, and Li Ping'an tested his new Divine Power Pills before reaching the Tongtian River, where a boatman refused to carry them across.

• Li Ping'an woke after two days and nights of poison testing, found himself alive, and resumed his research.
• The foreign woman showed Li Ping'an her Gu, and he studied them with Old Ox while finishing his medicine research.
• Li Ping'an bought three Zombie Gu for two hundred Spirit Stones, warned the foreign woman about her pursuers, and parted ways with her.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox traveled onward, and Li Ping'an tested his newly developed Divine Power Pills beside the river while Old Ox cooked a fish.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox reached the Tongtian River and asked a boatman for passage, but he said small boats could not carry passengers across.

Li Ping'an and Old Ox boarded a large boat on the Tongtian River after learning that small boats had been capsizing. When a green fish revealed it had been overturning boats to repay the boatman who once saved it, Li Ping'an warned it to stop and struck it when it failed to understand.

• Li Ping'an and Old Ox paid to travel downstream on a large boat because fierce currents had made small boats unsafe.
• A small boat capsized, and a strange current brought everyone aboard, along with their luggage, to safety.
• Li Ping'an used his Dharma Eye and realized that a river creature had helped rescue the passengers.
• At the bow, Li Ping'an questioned a large green fish and learned it had been overturning small boats to repay the boatman who once saved it.
• Li Ping'an warned the green fish to stop before its actions brought trouble upon the boatman, then slapped it when it did not understand.

Li Ping'an spared Big Blue Fish after making it promise to do good deeds, then traveled with Old Ox and shared a communal meal with fellow passengers. On the road toward Shang County, he met Chaolong Temple disciples Xuan Ruo and Wen Ruohai, who said they were going to slay a monster.

• Li Ping'an ordered Big Blue Fish to remain in Tongtian River for a year and atone through good deeds, then let it go.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox shared food with the boat's passengers before reaching shore three days later.
• Xuan Ruo and Wen Ruohai heard Li Ping'an playing the erhu and met him on the road.
• Li Ping'an agreed to travel with the two Chaolong Temple disciples toward Shang County.
• Wen Ruohai warned Li Ping'an about a monster in Shang County and said they planned to slay it.