Chapter Summaries

Li Ping'an practiced the Turtle Breath Technique while Yan Shisan and Su Jiwang watched from nearby. After racing Old Ox to collect his fried phoenix-tail shrimp, Li Ping'an joined the two men for a friendly drinking session that lasted until dusk, where he recited a poem and ended with the liquor to himself.

• Li Ping'an practiced the Turtle Breath Technique by the lake while Yan Shisan told Su Jiwang that Li had helped him enter the Third Rank Realm.
• Su Jiwang rode his Dragon Cavalry Horse after Li Ping'an to invite him for a drink, but Old Ox easily outpaced the horse.
• Li Ping'an hurried back for the fried phoenix-tail shrimp before agreeing to join Su Jiwang and Yan Shisan for drinks.
• The three men shared wine and conversation on a boat, becoming familiar and drinking from afternoon until dusk.
• At Su Jiwang's request, Li Ping'an recited a poem about a boatful of clear dreams beneath the stars, then drank more wine after the others fell asleep.

Su Jiwang asked Zhang Tai to appraise a poem composed by his new friend, Li Ping'an, and Zhang Tai was deeply impressed. Zhang Tai then visited the Duke of Southern State's Residence, where he offered the Old Madam a painting and asked to meet Li Ping'an.

• Su Jiwang returned to the Lingering Garden and told Su Xinlan and Zhang Tai that he had celebrated Shisan's breakthrough with Li Ping'an.
• Su Jiwang recited Li Ping'an's line, "Drunk, I knew not the sky lay in the water; a boatful of clear dreams weighed upon the river of stars," and Zhang Tai and Su Xinlan praised it.
• Second Madam cautiously asked whether Yan Shisan should be given a teacher, but the Old Madam dismissed the idea.
• Zhang Tai arrived at the Duke of Southern State's Residence with Su Xinlan and Su Jiwang, presented the Old Madam with a landscape painting, and asked to see Li Ping'an.
• The Old Madam sent a maid to fetch Li Ping'an from the lakeside courtyard.

Zhang Tai visited Li Ping'an seeking the rest of a verse, then recognized Yan Shisan's potential and offered to teach him. Yan Shisan accepted, and the chapter ended with him thanking Li Ping'an for helping change his fortunes.

• Zhang Tai recited the two known lines of Li Ping'an's verse, but Li Ping'an said there were no more.
• Zhang Tai admired Li Ping'an's calligraphy and discovered Old Ox practicing writing with a brush in its mouth.
• Zhang Tai spoke with Yan Shisan and grew impressed by his character and resolve.
• Li Ping'an remarked that Yan Shisan lacked a teacher, prompting Zhang Tai to invite him to study at his courtyard with Su Xinlan.
• Yan Shisan accepted Zhang Tai's offer after Old Madam agreed, despite Second Madam's objections.
• Yan Shisan thanked Li Ping'an, who told him his progress came from his own efforts and that the road ahead was his to walk.

Yan Jingyang tried to persuade Li Ping'an to abandon Yan Shisan, then had Wu Peitong attack him when he refused. Li Ping'an killed Wu Peitong, warned Yan Jingyang, and prepared to leave the Duke of Southern State's Residence with Old Ox.

• Yan Jingyang told Wu Peitong that he wanted Li Ping'an dead because Li Ping'an's presence had helped Yan Shisan prosper.
• Yan Jingyang offered Li Ping'an the Duke of Southern State's Residence's favor in exchange for ending his association with Yan Shisan, but Li Ping'an refused.
• Wu Peitong attacked Li Ping'an with vines, and Li Ping'an shattered them with his Turtle Breath Technique before killing Wu Peitong with his Xuan Paper technique.
• Yan Jingyang tried to flee, but Li Ping'an stopped him, warned him against another attempt, and told him to explain Wu Peitong's death.
• Li Ping'an left Yan Jingyang with the corpse and headed toward his courtyard, planning to depart the residence with Old Ox.

Li Ping'an welcomed Gu Xizhou to the lakeside courtyard and learned that, as a Heaven's Punishment One, he could not cultivate through ordinary paths. Gu Xizhou suggested that placing Great Dao Runes in Li Ping'an's six secret repositories might offer another way, and Li Ping'an decided he had all the time he needed to search for them.

• Li Ping'an shared hotpot with Gu Xizhou and tried to get him to reveal what Old Mo had asked him to do, while Gu Xizhou pressed him about why he was wanted.
• Old Ox sneezed into the hotpot, interrupting their attempts to outmaneuver each other over the food.
• Li Ping'an asked whether he could enter the martial path, and Gu Xizhou explained that a Heaven's Punishment One could not cultivate as a Martial Warrior or Qi Refiner.
• Gu Xizhou described the martial and Qi Refining systems and explained that cultivators followed different schools and ranked paths.
• Gu Xizhou told Li Ping'an that Great Dao Runes might be placed in his six secret repositories, and that another Heaven's Punishment One had once entered the Dao that way.
• Li Ping'an resolved to search for Great Dao Runes over whatever span of time it took.

Li Ping'an decided to leave and travel to Demon-Suppressing Pass after Gu Xizhou departed, unlocking a yellow fate along the way. He said farewell to the Old Madam and his friends, then set out with Old Ox toward the northern pass.

• Li Ping'an told Gu Xizhou he wanted to seek Great Dao Runes, and Gu Xizhou advised him that they were difficult to find.
• Gu Xizhou left to visit his teacher and fight at Demon-Suppressing Pass, and Li Ping'an decided he and Old Ox would go there too.
• After Gu Xizhou departed, Li Ping'an unlocked the yellow fate “A nobleman does not act rashly; when he acts, he follows the Way.”
• Li Ping'an told the Old Madam he was leaving, packed his few belongings, and headed out with Old Ox, who had taken two roast chickens.
• Before Li Ping'an could leave the city, Yan Shisan, Lan Yue, Su Jiwang, and Su Xinlan caught up with him to say goodbye.
• Li Ping'an told his friends he was going to Demon-Suppressing Pass, encouraged Yan Shisan, and continued on his journey.

Li Ping'an and Old Ox traveled north, stopping at a village wedding where he encouraged a boy who dreamed of becoming a wandering swordsman and demonstrated his Wind-Listening Saber Technique. He continued toward Yumen Pass and spent New Year's Eve sheltering with Old Ox in a mountain cave, still unsure when they would reach Demon-Suppressing Pass.

• Li Ping'an and Old Ox left the main road and reached a mountain village preparing for a wedding banquet.
• Li Ping'an joined the celebration, played a cheerful tune, and later met a boy practicing swordsmanship with a bamboo stick.
• Li Ping'an performed the Wind-Listening Saber Technique, inspiring the boy, who resumed practicing after Li Ping'an disappeared.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox spent the night in the village, then continued north toward Yumen Pass.
• On New Year's Day, Li Ping'an and Old Ox sheltered from the snow in a cave, shared noodles and wine, and wished for a peaceful year.

Li Ping'an met a shabby old Daoist in Yumen Pass after chasing him for stealing a flatbread, then drank from his Wine Gourd and agreed to bring him a disciple. He left the gourd with Li Ping'an and went to meet Qin Shi at Dragon-Tiger Mountain.

• Li Ping'an and Old Ox had only five copper coins, so Li Ping'an bought two sesame flatbreads and began chasing an old man who stole a bite.
• Constables made Li Ping'an and the old man stand for two hours, after which the old man offered his Wine Gourd as compensation.
• Li Ping'an drank from the Wine Gourd and felt his qi and blood surge, then rejected the old man's offer to become Dragon-Tiger Mountain's Chief Senior Disciple.
• Li Ping'an learned that Dragon-Tiger Mountain had only the old Daoist and a Big Yellow Dog, but agreed to introduce him to a disciple in exchange for the gourd.
• Li Ping'an brought the old man to Qin Shi's home in Bluestone Alley, handed over the introduction, and left with the Wine Gourd.

Li Ping'an arrived in a remote village where the City God exploited the people and abducted young women, and he stayed with Jiang Yun and her father. After learning the City God was holding a wedding feast, Li Ping'an agreed to go with Jiang Yun the next day.

• Jiang Yun welcomed the traveling Li Ping'an into her home and told him the villagers were paying respects to the City God.
• Jiang Yun explained that her father kept her away because the City God abducted young women, including her cousin.
• Old Jiang returned from the temple with the offerings because the City God was absent, then accepted silver from Li Ping'an as payment for his lodging.
• Li Ping'an rested in the courtyard and reflected on how the Sword-Nurturing Gourd was strengthening him and Fine Rain.
• Jiang Yun told Li Ping'an that the City God was getting married the next day and invited him to the feast, and Li Ping'an agreed.

Li Ping'an attended the City God's wedding feast with Old Jiang and witnessed the City God abuse the villagers and demand Old Jiang's daughter. When Li Ping'an challenged him, the City God attacked, but his slap struck Old Ox instead and did no harm; the City God prepared to unleash his power.

• Li Ping'an and Old Jiang slipped into the feast, where Li Ping'an helped with chores before concentrating on the food.
• The City God kicked Old Wu, who had once lost his son building the City God's temple, and Old Wu died from the blow.
• The City God threatened villagers over unpaid grain, then ordered Old Jiang to bring his daughter to the wedding.
• Li Ping'an signaled Old Ox to steal roast chicken, but the City God threw a wine vat that smashed the table and scattered the food.
• The City God demanded to know who Li Ping'an was, and Li Ping'an insulted him; the City God's slap hit Old Ox without injuring him.
• The City God gathered the power of incense offerings and threatened to send Li Ping'an to the Eighteen Levels of Hell.

Li Ping'an killed the City God, destroyed his temple, and continued traveling. Meanwhile, Qin Shi agreed to go with the old Daoist to Dragon-Tiger Mountain, and the old Daoist worried that a Great Calamity threatened the Nine Provinces.

• Li Ping'an beat the City God to death after the City God threatened him, then told Old Man Jiang not to reveal that he had brought him to the feast.
• Li Ping'an visited the City God Temple and collapsed it before leaving the village with Old Ox.
• The old Daoist invited Qin Shi to Dragon-Tiger Mountain, and Qin Shi agreed after failing to move him from a circle or land a punch.
• Half a month later, Qin Shi traveled with his mother and the old Daoist, practicing the Stance Walking Li Ping'an had taught him.
• The old Daoist told Qin Shi that a Great Calamity was approaching and wondered whether the Nine Provinces would survive it.

Aliya, Wang Yi, Yan Shisan, and Liu Yun each moved forward with their lives while Li Ping'an continued his journey across the snowcapped mountains. The story appeared to end with a message that the road was still long, before the narrator revealed the ending was a joke.

• Aliya wrote to her sister about life at Huailu Academy, then sent a paper airplane carrying a letter to Li Ping'an; Jing Yu found it while stuck in the latrine and sent it flying again after using it.
• At Yumen Pass, Wang Yi cracked walnuts for Old Mo until the girl beside him joined in.
• Yan Shisan copied Li Ping'an's words of encouragement, then left the Duke of Southern State's Residence with Lan Yue and their luggage.
• Liu Yun rode out through Meridian Gate on the Son of Heaven's horse to lead a campaign against the Turkic Lands.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox reached the highest snowcapped peak, while Qin Shi carried his mother down a mountain path with the old Daoist and their companion.

Li Ping'an traveled with a horse caravan through rainy mountain roads, where Hezi befriended him and Red Girl helped with the difficult climb. After the caravan encountered a striking woman riding alone, Scarface warned Hezi that appearances could hide dangerous skill and hinted that Li Ping'an was more than he seemed.

• Li Ping'an joined Scarface's horse caravan for meals and modest pay after he ran out of money.
• When the rain stopped, Li Ping'an traveled with Hezi and Red Girl as the caravan climbed a steep trail.
• Li Ping'an steadied the cargo and pushed a horse uphill with surprising ease, leaving Hezi and Red Girl impressed.
• The caravan encountered a beautiful woman riding alone, and its men stared at her as she passed.
• Scarface warned Hezi that the woman likely had hidden abilities and said the same caution applied to Li Ping'an.

Red Girl and Hezi secretly brought food to a stranded mother and child, who transformed into Spider Demons and attacked them. Li Ping'an killed the demons with his Hiltless Flying Sword, then returned to resting by the caravan.

• Scarface refused to let a woman and child join the caravan, but Red Girl and Hezi later slipped away to bring them food.
• The woman revealed herself and the child as Spider Demons and attacked Hezi and Red Girl.
• Li Ping'an sent his Hiltless Flying Sword to kill the Spider Demons and save Hezi and Red Girl.
• Li Ping'an recalled the sword to the Sword-Nurturing Gourd and calmly drank from it.

Li Ping'an traveled with the Horse Gang along the Northern Road while Hezi tried to persuade him to join their trip to the grasslands instead. As the group cleared dense brush, Li Ping'an revealed his remarkable skill with a brush knife, while remaining set on continuing toward the Vast Sea and Cloud Province.

• Hezi told Li Ping'an that a flying sword had saved him and Red Girl from a giant spider spirit, and Li Ping'an advised him to think carefully before risking his life to help others.
• Li Ping'an learned from the deputy leader that the Northern Road ended at the Vast Sea and that Cloud Province lay beyond it, and he said he wanted to travel there.
• Hezi tried for days to convince Li Ping'an to go with the Horse Gang to the grasslands, but Li Ping'an remained determined to follow the Northern Road.
• The travelers struggled through steep, muddy terrain and dense shrubs as the weather grew hotter, and Hezi offered to help clear the path.
• After the deputy leader taught Hezi how to use a brush knife, Hezi saw Li Ping'an cut through the shrubs with extraordinary ease, earning Scarface's praise.

Li Ping'an parted from the caravan and continued along the Northern Road with Old Ox, then met the Bear Demon Xiong Da and took his food. As Li Ping'an and Old Ox ate in Xiong Da's cave, the mountain began shaking and the sky seemed to split open.

• Li Ping'an and the caravan members celebrated reaching a lake, then spent the night resting beside it.
• The next morning, Li Ping'an parted from the caravan, accepted two bolts of cloth from Scarface, and said goodbye to Hezi before setting out with Old Ox.
• Li Ping'an encountered the Bear Demon Xiong Da, who tried to demand a toll but gave him a flatbread after Li Ping'an split a tree with his internal force.
• Li Ping'an and Old Ox ate Xiong Da's food in his cave, and Li Ping'an teased Xiong Da about bear meat.
• The mountain shook violently and the sky seemed to split open.

Li Ping'an opened the Mud Pellet hidden treasure, greatly strengthening his Qi and Blood, then searched for food in the flooded mountains. Xiong Da introduced him to a little white fox, whose supplies Li Ping'an took before roasting a wild wolf.

• Li Ping'an visualized in Xiong Da's cave while Old Ox kept watch, and Xiong Da and Old Ox became friends over games and radishes.
• Li Ping'an opened the Mud Pellet, transforming his Qi and Blood and making his body radiate heat.
• After finding the roads submerged by the rising river, Li Ping'an asked Xiong Da for meat, and Xiong Da suggested borrowing food from other monsters.
• Xiong Da led Li Ping'an to a little white fox, who accidentally revealed its stored food.
• Li Ping'an shattered a tree with his Qi and Blood, and later roasted a wild wolf while Xiong Da and the little fox trembled in the cave.

Li Ping'an sheltered with Xiong Da and Little Fox as they cultivated and learned that Zhang San was attempting to become a Jiao. The chapter revealed that a white-robed child diverted the tribulation onto the mountain’s living creatures, and floods swallowed nearby villages.

• Li Ping'an shared wine from the Sword-Nurturing Gourd with Xiong Da and Little Fox, and its power helped them cultivate for two days.
• Xiong Da and Little Fox grew stronger and told Li Ping'an that Zhang San was attempting to become a Jiao, a passage that brought catastrophic floods.
• Xiong Da and Little Fox explained that Zhang San ate spirits after failed attempts, and Little Fox revealed that Zhang San had eaten Little Fox's grandmother and mother.
• A white-robed child used a magical treasure and sinister art to make the mountain’s living creatures bear Zhang San’s tribulation lightning and karma.
• Zhang San entered the river as thunder and floodwaters surged, while the child sang and the flood swept into nearby villages, drowning their inhabitants.

As a giant python attempted to cross a bridge and become a Flood Dragon, a child used the mountain’s creatures’ Karma to dispel the gathering Tribulation Lightning. The python was struck down anyway, and the child fled as another, even more powerful tribulation appeared; afterward, Li Ping'an and Old Ox continued on their journey.

• Li Ping'an ate noodles with Old Ox while Xiong Da and Little Fox hid from the storm.
• The giant python raced down the mountain toward the bridge, hoping to cross it and become a Flood Dragon.
• The child borrowed the mountain creatures’ Karma to dispel the python’s gathering Tribulation Lightning, transferring part of their Karma to it.
• The python began crossing the bridge, but a streak of lightning struck and killed it, erasing its cultivation.
• The child transformed into a Flood Dragon and fled from a powerful Tribulation Lightning as two streaks of rainbow light approached.
• After the storm passed, Li Ping'an and Old Ox set off again while Xiong Da and Little Fox watched them leave.

Li Ping'an and Old Ox encountered the weakened Tong Zisheng, fought him, and escaped with Flood Dragon spoils. They continued along the Northern Road toward the Vast Sea, Cloud Province, and Demon-Suppressing Pass.

• Tong Zisheng attacked Li Ping'an and Old Ox while trying to feed on Li Ping'an's vitality.
• Li Ping'an dodged Tong Zisheng's fierce attacks until he found an opening and struck with a fire-and-wind-enhanced saber slash.
• Li Ping'an killed Tong Zisheng, and he and Old Ox took his gallbladder and some meat before fleeing.
• Old Ox cooked the Flood Dragon meat, and Li Ping'an stored the gallbladder in his Sword-Nurturing Gourd.
• After traveling onward, Li Ping'an and Old Ox resumed their journey along the Northern Road toward the Vast Sea.