Chapter Summaries

After executing Wei Yuan, Jia Huan gained a major increase in strength and received a promotion, a seven-python Red Flying Fish Uniform, and a thousand additional guards. He then ordered his men to find the missing Song Xiong and pursue Wang Ziteng, who had gone into hiding.

• Jia Huan executed Wei Yuan and gained enough sin value to reach the seventh layer of the Profound Insight Realm, while his two martial arts advanced to Supreme tier.
• Jia Huan ordered his men to suppress exaggerated rumors about his exploits in Liangzhou.
• Grand Secretary Gao and the Seal-Holding Eunuch promoted Jia Huan and presented him with a Red Flying Fish Uniform bearing seven python patterns.
• Associate Commissioner Xie transferred one thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards to Jia Huan's command, while Water Skimmer received a Silver Flying Fish Uniform and a promotion.
• A General Banner reported that Wang Ziteng had hidden in the Capital Camp and that Song Xiong had disappeared, so Jia Huan ordered his men to find Song Xiong and bring Wang Ziteng down.

Jia Huan returned to Rongguo Mansion after his battlefield victory and reunited with his worried family and companions. He celebrated with them, gave An Xuan'er martial arts manuals, and the chapter ended with the household enjoying a feast in his honor.

• Jia Mu and Jia Zheng welcomed Jia Huan home, while Concubine Zhao hurried to embrace him and bring him back to their courtyard.
• Jia Huan reunited with the women who had worried over him, reassured Lin Daiyu, and playfully teased her before she fled in embarrassment.
• Jia Huan gave An Xuan'er three supreme martial arts manuals, and she asked to stay at his residence long-term.
• Jia Huan followed Wang Xifeng into a secluded room, where she treated his wounds and the two spent an hour together.
• Jia Huan joined the women at a lively banquet celebrating his service to the nation and promotion.

Jia Huan arrested several Wang Family officials to pressure Wang Ziteng, who remained shut inside the Capital Camp. Wang Ziteng finally left under the protection of the Retired Emperor’s Golden Guards, forcing Jia Huan to hold back rather than risk a charge of treason.

• Jia Huan ordered the Qi'an Office to investigate Wang officials and arrest any who had broken the law, hoping to force Wang Ziteng to act.
• The Qi'an Office arrested six Wang Family officials, alarming the capital’s nobles and government offices.
• At Rongguo Mansion, Jia Mu refused to intervene, Jia Zheng defended Jia Huan, and Madam Wang and Jia Baoyu were shaken by news that Wang Ziteng would not leave his camp.
• Wang Xifeng refused Madam Wang’s request to persuade Jia Huan, saying she had been expelled from the Wang clan and blaming Madam Wang for escalating the conflict.
• Twin Whips reported that the arrested Wang Clan Members knew nothing about Wang Ziteng’s crimes and that he remained inside the Capital Camp.
• Water Skimmer reported that Wang Ziteng was heading to the Imperial City escorted by Eastern Palace Golden Guards, and Jia Huan ordered his men not to attack them.

Wang Ziteng confessed to shielding Song Xiong and soliciting bribes, but the Retired Emperor protected him and ended the investigation. Jia Huan burned the letters and resolved to pursue a separate lead against Wang Ziteng, while the Wang Family celebrated his escape from punishment.

• Wang Ziteng publicly confessed to covering up Song Xiong’s embezzlement and soliciting bribes from Wei Yuan, and the Retired Emperor ordered Song Xiong executed.
• The Retired Emperor spared Wang Ziteng, warned him to obey the law, and secured the reigning emperor’s agreement to end the matter.
• Jia Huan burned the letters implicating Wang Ziteng and told Scholar he would investigate the link between Wang Ziteng and a Vice Minister of War’s death in Liaodong.
• A Python-Robe Eunuch delivered the Retired Emperor’s order ending the investigation and directing Jia Huan to release innocent Wang Family members.
• The Wang Family celebrated Wang Ziteng’s survival, and Madam Wang taunted Wang Xifeng for doubting the family’s power.

After Emperor Jingde pledged his support, Jia Huan pursued evidence against Wang Ziteng and prepared to investigate a five-year-old drowning case in Liaodong. He also grew closer to An Xuan'er before leaving before dawn to investigate.

• Emperor Jingde praised Jia Huan’s efforts against corruption and promised to support him, but warned that removing Wang Ziteng could provoke unrest because of the Capital Camp.
• Jia Huan sent Scholar to examine the file on a former Right Vice Minister of War who had drowned, then ordered five hundred elite men to travel to Liaodong by the Jianghu route.
• Jia Zheng urged Jia Huan to stop opposing Wang Ziteng and risk offending the Retired Emperor, but Jia Huan insisted he knew what he was doing.
• Jia Huan helped An Xuan'er master a cold claw technique, and she applied ointment to his arrow scars; the two became intimate.
• At the fifth watch, Jia Huan put on his Flying Fish Uniform, kissed An Xuan'er goodbye, and left to investigate the case.

Jia Huan investigated the drowning of Vice Minister Wei and suspected a powerful finger-technique user had secretly caused the deaths. Misty Rain Tower identified three Jurchen brothers as suspects, and Jia Huan ordered the tower to arrange contact with them.

• Hundred-Household Commander Cheng told Jia Huan that Vice Minister Wei and both of his powerful guards had drowned, and that a fingernail-sized hole had been found in the boat deck.
• Jia Huan theorized that a killer had knocked Wei into the river and sealed the guards’ acupoints with a finger strike, then demonstrated that Formless Kalpa Finger could pierce a post with a matching hole.
• Jia Huan asked Misty Rain Tower to search for a master of finger techniques at the sixth layer of the Profound Insight Realm or higher.
• After four days, the steward reported that three Jurchen brothers, all formidable finger-technique users, had bought medicinal herbs in Liaodong five years earlier.
• Jia Huan offered to reimburse Misty Rain Tower twice its costs to contact the brothers and told his subordinates that the killers most likely came from a Jurchen tribe.

Jia Huan defeated the three Wanyan brothers and forced them to reveal that General Hezhe had ordered the murder of Vice Minister Wei. Suspecting a Great Qian insider was the true mastermind, he rode toward the Jian Nu Tribe with the prisoners to investigate further.

• Jia Huan confronted the three Wanyan brothers and defeated them with his saber and palm techniques, revealing strength worthy of the Heavenly Ranking's top 130.
• Jia Huan questioned the brothers about the killing of Vice Minister Wei and learned that they had ambushed his boat on the Liao River five years earlier.
• Jia Huan tortured the third brother and forced the second to name General Hezhe as the person who had ordered the murder.
• Jia Huan poisoned the third brother with a gu insect, crippled the eldest brother, and ordered Scholar Twin Whips to accompany him with the prisoners to the Jian Nu Tribe.
• Scholar Twin Whips suspected General Hezhe was not the true mastermind, and Jia Huan agreed that someone within Great Qian had likely arranged the concealed killing.

Jia Huan forced Wanyan Hezhe to confess that Cui Sheng had conspired with the Jurchens and ordered the murders of Li Zhidao and Vice Minister Wei, then seized letters and ledgers as evidence. He and Scholar Twin Whips returned to Liaodong to arrest Deputy Thousand-Household Commander Zheng.

• Jia Huan secretly confronted Wanyan Hezhe and demanded to know who had arranged the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War’s death.
• Wanyan Hezhe confessed that Cui Sheng had betrayed Liaodong’s defenses, causing Li Zhidao’s defeat and death, and later ordered the murder of Vice Minister Wei.
• Wanyan Hezhe tried to escape through a hidden passage, but Jia Huan stopped him and took his ledgers and secret letters.
• Jia Huan told Scholar Twin Whips that Cui Sheng was the mastermind, and they read evidence detailing his crimes.
• Jia Huan dismissed speculation about Wang Ziteng and ordered the group to return to Liaodong and arrest Deputy Thousand-Household Commander Zheng.

Jia Huan confronted Deputy Thousand-Household Commander Zheng Yu and forced him to confess that he had helped Cui Sheng cover up crimes and eliminate investigators. Zheng also implicated the Ministry of Revenue’s Left Vice Minister, while denying that Wang Ziteng had colluded with Cui Sheng, leaving Jia Huan determined to investigate further.

• Jia Huan persuaded Hundred-Household Commander Cheng to help arrange a private meeting with Zheng Yu.
• At Mingyuan Teahouse, Jia Huan accused Zheng Yu of tipping off Cui Sheng about Li Zhidao’s and Vice Minister Wei’s investigations, then struck him when he tried to evade the accusations.
• Zheng Yu admitted that Cui Sheng had leaked Li Zhidao’s military deployments and provisions, arranged his downfall, and later sent assassins after Vice Minister Wei.
• Zheng Yu revealed that Grand Secretary Cui had threatened and bribed him with promises of promotions for three members of his clan, and said the Ministry of Revenue’s Left Vice Minister was Cui Sheng’s accomplice.
• Zheng Yu denied knowing whether Wang Ziteng had colluded with Cui Sheng, but recalled that Wang and the Prince Who Pacifies the South had warned Vice Minister Wei not to pursue Li Zhidao’s case.
• Jia Huan resolved to arrest and interrogate Grand Secretary Cui and investigate the uncertainty surrounding Wang Ziteng.

Jia Huan captured Cui Sheng in Liaodong and began torturing him over his crimes, while Cui Xiangwei learned of the arrest and sought help in the capital. Cui Xiangwei and Wang Ziteng arranged a desperate ambush, sending five thousand Capital Camp veterans and recruiting palace and Jianghu experts to kill Jia Huan before he reached the Divine Capital.

• Jia Huan revealed himself to Cui Sheng, sealed his acupoints, and told him that his crimes had been exposed and Wanyan Hezhe was in custody.
• Jia Huan killed thirteen guards, cut off Cui Sheng’s right ear, and ordered Scholar Twin Whips to torture him.
• Cui Xiangwei learned that Cui Sheng, Zheng Yu, and officials in Liaodong had disappeared, then identified Jia Huan as the likely investigator.
• Cui Xiangwei asked Wang Ziteng for help, and Wang agreed to deploy Capital Camp troops under an official dispatch.
• Cui Xiangwei planned to recruit palace experts and Jianghu fighters to ambush and kill Jia Huan outside the Divine Capital.

Wang Ziteng and Cui Xiangwei arranged to use a decree from the Retired Emperor to mobilize six thousand Capital Camp troops and Jianghu fighters to ambush Jia Huan. Warned by the Misty Rain Tower, Jia Huan prepared his Embroidered Uniform Guards to counterattack and capture the officers involved.

• Wang Ziteng told Cui Xiangwei he needed the Retired Emperor’s decree to move the Capital Camp without drawing an immediate investigation.
• Cui Xiangwei presented the handwritten decree to Wang Ziteng and ordered him to assemble six thousand veterans and recruit Jianghu fighters to kill Jia Huan and his men.
• Yugezi warned the Hunchbacked Old Man that the Cui clan was organizing an ambush along Jia Huan’s route back to the Capital, and the Hunchbacked Old Man sent Jia Huan a letter.
• After reading the warning, Jia Huan rejected a proposal to enter the Capital in disguise and ordered his men to monitor the Capital Camp, prepare to leave the Capital, and capture its officers to identify Wang Ziteng.

Jia Huan survived Grand Secretary Cui Xiangwei’s attempt to have him killed and led the Embroidered Uniform Guard to defeat General Pei’s forces. He reached the Grand Secretariat covered in blood and publicly demanded that Cui come out and face him.

• General Pei prepared an ambush for Jia Huan under orders attributed to Cui Xiangwei and the Retired Emperor.
• Jia Huan slaughtered the mounted attackers until the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrived and surrounded the Capital Camp troops.
• The Embroidered Uniform Guard forced the surviving soldiers to surrender and seized General Pei, who confessed that Cui Xiangwei and Wang Ziteng had ordered Jia Huan’s death.
• Jia Huan rode into the Imperial City and shouted for Cui Xiangwei to come out and meet his death.
• When the Chief Grand Secretary challenged Jia Huan for insulting an academician, Jia Huan accused Cui of sending an army to kill him and again demanded that Cui appear.

Jia Huan publicly confronted Grand Secretary Cui Xiangwei over the Cui Family’s crimes in Liaodong and the attempt to kill Jia Huan and his guards near the Capital. After the Retired Emperor heard his accusations, Emperor Jingde demanded Cui Xiangwei’s appearance, and the Retired Emperor ordered Wang Ziteng summoned.

• Jia Huan defied the ministers outside the Grand Secretariat by repeatedly demanding that Cui Xiangwei come out.
• The Retired Emperor arrived and rebuked Jia Huan for humiliating a grand secretary in public.
• Jia Huan recounted the Cui Family’s betrayal of Liaodong, the deaths of Li Zhidao and Vice Minister Wei, and the ambush of his men near the Capital.
• The Retired Emperor listened to Jia Huan’s defense and accepted that he had faithfully served Great Qian.
• Emperor Jingde called for Cui Xiangwei, and Jia Huan accused him and Wang Ziteng of plotting the ambush with Capital Camp troops.
• The Retired Emperor admitted Cui Xiangwei had deceived him and ordered Wang Ziteng to appear before him immediately.

Jia Huan helped bring down Cui Xiangwei, executed him under imperial orders, and gained new martial arts rewards that raised him to the eighth level of the Profound Insight Realm. After Commissioner Ouyang announced that Jia Huan’s promotion to Pacification Commissioner was all but assured, Jia Huan celebrated achieving the position he had long sought.

• The Retired Emperor ordered Wang Ziteng to apologize to Jia Huan’s office and reprimanded him for allowing Pei Yu to run wild.
• Jia Huan handed over evidence and prisoners, including Wanyan Hezhe, Zheng Yu, and Yan Danchu, and then executed Cui Xiangwei under orders from the emperor and Retired Emperor.
• Jia Huan tortured and killed the remaining Vicious Fiends, received Flowers Seen Through Mist and the first three forms of Buddha’s Palm, and advanced to the eighth level of the Profound Insight Realm.
• Jia Huan sent Twin Whips to deliver three martial arts manuals to the Misty Rain Tower in thanks for its warning.
• Commissioner Ouyang told Jia Huan that a grand court assembly would take place the next morning and that his promotion to Pacification Commissioner was expected.
• Jia Huan recalled his vow to become a Pacification Commissioner and celebrated that he had achieved his goal.

Jia Huan was promoted to Pacification Commissioner in a grand court ceremony, earning a Purple Python Flying Fish Uniform and carving his name into the Jade Pillar. He returned to Rongguo Mansion to a jubilant welcome, while Jia Baoyu and Madam Wang despaired over his growing power.

• Jia Huan was summoned before Emperor Jingde, who promoted him to Pacification Commissioner and presented him with a Purple Python Flying Fish Uniform, a Purple Jade Waist Token, and an Embroidered Spring Saber.
• Jia Huan carved his name into the Jade Pillar and resolved to pursue the position of Commanding Commissioner despite the powerful rivals ahead of him.
• Jia Huan rode back to Rongguo Mansion, where the family celebrated his promotion and Concubine Zhao proudly praised his new rank.
• Jia Baoyu despaired at Jia Huan's success, cursed Emperor Jingde, and was rebuked by Lai Da for speaking recklessly.
• Madam Wang worried that Jia Huan had become too powerful to control, while Jia Mu and the rest of the Jia Family celebrated his achievement.

After Jia Huan celebrated his appointment as Pacification Commissioner, he spent the evening with Wang Xifeng, An Xuan'er, Lin Daiyu, and Ping'er. Lin Daiyu gave him a sachet and agreed to consider moving into his courtyard, while Jia Huan ended the night with his maids warming his bed.

• Jia Huan avoided the visiting nobles at first, then met Wang Xifeng privately after she praised how far he had risen.
• At the banquet, the Jia family celebrated Jia Huan's promotion, and Jia Mu became tipsy with pride.
• Jia Huan gave An Xuan'er a saber manual and spent time with her in the Warm Chamber.
• Lin Daiyu gave Jia Huan an embroidered sachet, and he asked her to move into his courtyard; she said she would think about it.
• Lin Daiyu kissed Jia Huan on the cheek and ran back into the Garden after promising they could discuss his wish when she was ready.
• Ping'er came to Jia Huan at Wang Xifeng's behest, and Qingwen and Xiangling later warmed his bed.

After ten days at the estate, Jia Huan returned to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and took charge of the new Kirin Office. When Commanding Commissioner Jiang limited his force to seven thousand men, Jia Huan resolved to seek the full ten thousand and began an investigation into the Prince of Zhennan and Wang Ziteng.

• Jia Baoyu blamed Jia Huan for his failed examination and vowed to become a top scholar once Jia Huan fell into ruin.
• Jia Huan arrived at the Kirin Office, where Scholar and Twin Whips welcomed him to his new post as Pacification Commissioner.
• Commanding Commissioner Jiang told Jia Huan that the Kirin Office would receive only seven thousand subordinates for now, citing the shortage of men and presenting the emperor's sealed approval.
• Jia Huan privately vowed to take power from Jiang once he earned eight kirin patterns and decided to appeal to the emperor for the full ten thousand men.
• Jia Huan ordered Scholar to send Water Skimmer and elite guards to the Southern Borderlands to secretly investigate the Prince of Zhennan's ties to Wang Ziteng.
• Jia Huan told Twin Whips to move Drunkard, Iron Palm, Fathead Fish, and the others into the new office.

Jia Huan appealed to Emperor Jingde for more Embroidered Uniform Guards and secured an order to bring the Kirin Office up to ten thousand. That night, Misty Rain Tower told him two Deputy Cult Leaders of the White Lotus Cult had appeared in Tianjin, and he recognized the chance for a major achievement.

• Jia Huan met Xu Jingchun, who warned him that seeking an audience with the emperor could damage his reputation and said Jiang Wuyuan was likely acting on the Retired Emperor's instructions.
• Jia Huan told Emperor Jingde that the Kirin Office had only seven thousand guards, and the emperor ordered Jiang Wuyuan to raise its strength to ten thousand.
• Jiang Wuyuan delivered an official document transferring elite guards to Jia Huan's Guard Station, while Jia Huan dismissed his oppressive presence.
• Iron Palm reported that Misty Rain Tower's Capital branch manager wanted to meet Jia Huan.
• The Hunchbacked Old Man told Jia Huan that two Deputy Cult Leaders of the White Lotus Cult had appeared in Tianjin, prompting Jia Huan to rise at the prospect of a major achievement.

Jia Huan uncovered the White Lotus Cult's secret shipment at the Tianjin ferry crossing and confronted its two deputy leaders. He defeated both of them, leaving their fate unresolved as the battle continued.

• Jia Huan questioned a Misty Rain Tower steward and learned that Deputy Leaders Sima and Leng had appeared in South Jian Gu.
• Jia Huan traced the cult leaders' visit to the South Jian Gu estuary and ordered his men to question White Lotus Cult members there.
• Scholar reported that the cult planned to clear the ferry crossing and load twenty ships with cargo, so Jia Huan had portraits of the two deputy leaders made.
• Jia Huan and his followers watched the White Lotus Cult move weapons, silver, grain, and salt to the ferry crossing, then fired Signal Arrows to draw the leaders out.
• Deputy Leaders Leng and Sima attacked the teahouse, but Jia Huan emerged in his Purple Python Robe and fought them.
• Jia Huan struck down several White Lotus Cult experts, crippled Sima Kui with a palm strike, and brought Leng crashing to the ground.

Jia Huan captured two White Lotus Cult deputies, uncovered clues about their mysterious backer Partridge Sky, and earned a promotion and a breakthrough in cultivation. He ordered the Kirin Office to investigate Partridge Sky and the Prince of Zhennan as it prepared to pursue threats on two fronts.

• Jia Huan ordered his subordinates to destroy White Lotus Cult hideouts and torture the two deputies until they revealed their leads.
• Twin Whips reported that the masked cult leader was among the world's strongest and that the powerful backer known as Partridge Sky supplied the cult and sought young boys and demonic arts.
• Jia Huan returned to the Divine Capital and asked Commissioner Ouyang to seek instructions from the Central Court about the captured deputies.
• Jia Huan executed Sima Kui and Leng Ting, gained sin value and Buddha's Palm techniques, and advanced to the ninth level of the Profound Insight Realm.
• Grand Secretary Gao and the Directorate of Ceremonial awarded Jia Huan a Purple Python Flying Fish Uniform with a kirin emblem, promoting him to pacification commissioner.
• Jia Huan directed the Kirin Office to investigate Partridge Sky and await Water Skimmer's findings on the Prince of Zhennan before heading south.