Recaps

Zhang Xiaohua returned home with Zhang Xiaohu and discovered that the spring water had changed his family’s appearance and health. As Zhang Xiaohu recounted their adventures and his entry into the Misty Sect, he revealed that Zhang Xiaohua was the reason he had been accepted, and Zhang Xiaohua began to explain.

• Zhang Xiaohua noticed that his parents and Mr. Liu had black hair and seemed healthier, and Zhang Cai said they had kept the spring water secret.
• Zhang Xiaohua confirmed that tea brewed with the spring water contained Primordial Qi, but Zhang Xiaohu showed no reaction when he drank it.
• Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Zhang Xiaolong, Liu Qian, Guo Sufi, and Mr. Liu, then shared a family dinner before Zhang Xiaohu told them about their years away from home.
• Zhang Xiaohu described his time at the Lotus Escort Agency, his encounter with Zhang Xiaohua, the escort chief’s humiliation, and his acceptance into the Misty Sect as Wen Wenhai’s disciple.
• Mr. Liu questioned how Zhang Xiaohu had gained entry to the Misty Sect, and Zhang Xiaohu revealed that Zhang Xiaohua had made it possible.
• Zhang Xiaohua began telling the family how he had helped Zhang Xiaohu enter the Misty Sect.

Zhang Xiaohua recounted his life at Huanxi Mountain Villa and his reunion with Zhang Xiaohu to his family, leaving out many dangerous details. After he fell asleep at midnight, the family discovered how unusually light he was, and Zhang Xiaohu gave their parents the brothers’ savings.

• Zhang Xiaohua told his family how Li Jinfeng had taught him to read with the Shuowen Jiezi, and Mr. Liu explained that the book was not meant for basic instruction.
• Zhang Xiaohua described saving Ou Yan and yielding his chance to enter the Misty Sect to Zhang Xiaohu, moving Guo Sufi with his willingness to risk himself for others.
• Zhang Xiaohua entertained the family with stories until midnight, when he suddenly fell asleep in Guo Sufi’s arms.
• Guo Sufi said Zhang Xiaohua was extremely light, and Zhang Xiaohu suspected that his martial arts were responsible.
• Zhang Xiaolong carried Zhang Xiaohua to the small room, and Zhang Xiaohu gave Zhang Cai and Guo Sufi the brothers’ savings, including a hundred-tael note from Huanxi Mountain Villa’s manor lord.

Zhang Xiaohua returned to his family’s village and discovered that a huge stone in his field was a Yuan Stone. Absorbing its qi, he broke through to the second level of the Carefree Heart Sutra.

• Zhang Xiaohua visited his grandmother’s grave and told Zhang Cai he would act according to his conscience and avoid regrets.
• After breakfast, Zhang Xiaohua went to his fields and sensed extraordinarily dense Primordial Qi rising from the well.
• While cultivating in the field, Zhang Xiaohua felt a powerful pull from the large stone beneath him and realized it might be a Yuan Stone.
• Zhang Xiaohua used the Carefree Heart Sutra’s Yuan Stone absorption method and drew an overwhelming flow of qi into his meridians.
• Zhang Xiaohua broke through the barrier to the second level of the Carefree Heart Sutra and began refining his true qi through the new meridians.

After absorbing Primordial Qi during nine days of cultivation, Zhang Xiaohua gained divine sense and advanced his Carefree Heart Sutra to the second level. He returned home safely, reassured his worried family, and finally realized how hungry he was.

• Zhang Xiaohua discovered that his senses had become divine sense, which let him perceive everything within about five zhang, and recognized that his Carefree Heart Sutra had reached the second level.
• Zhang Xiaohua emerged from a grass shelter and learned from Zhang Xiaohu that he had been meditating for nine days and nights while his family searched for him and worried over him.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked Zhang Xiaohu not to seek guidance from Great Hero Wen about his cultivation, and Zhang Xiaohu explained how the family had found him and built the shelter around him.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu returned to the village, where Zhang Xiaohu told curious villagers that Zhang Xiaohua had gone to Lu Town.
• Zhang Xiaohua reassured Guo Sufi and Zhang Cai that he was fine and promised to tell them before practicing again, then admitted he was hungry when Liu Qian asked.

After waking, Zhang Xiaohua discovered that his divine sense could detect vitality and shared 3,000 taels in rewards from the Misty Sect and Huanxi Mountain Villa with his family. The money eased the family’s worries, but talk of marriage left Zhang Xiaohu resisting his mother’s plans and Liu Qian quietly affected.

• Zhang Xiaohua ate a little, then used his divine sense while resting and discovered he could sense vitality in tea and well water.
• Zhang Xiaohua brought out a bundle of banknotes and explained that the Misty Sect and Huanxi Mountain Villa had honestly rewarded him with 3,000 taels.
• Zhang Xiaohua recounted the Martial Arts Tournament, and Zhang Xiaohu blushed when he heard Changge mentioned.
• Guo Sufi returned to the room with the money and gave Liu Qian 200 taels for herself, which Liu Qian accepted after Zhang Cai urged her to.
• Guo Sufi asked Zhang Xiaohu to consider marriage, but he objected, while Liu Qian lowered her head and Zhang Xiaolong looked at her tenderly.

Zhang Xiaohua discovered that Liu Qian was pregnant and gave her a piece of primordial stone to nourish the child. He also gave Zhang Xiaolong the Big Dipper Divine Fist manual as the unborn child’s first gift, leaving the family to protect and prepare for the baby.

• Zhang Xiaohua used his divine sense to discover a tiny life force inside Liu Qian and realized she was pregnant.
• Zhang Xiaohua reassured his family and confirmed Liu Qian’s pregnancy after pretending to examine her pulse.
• Zhang Xiaohua chipped a thumbnail-sized piece from the primordial stone on South Slope and placed it in Liu Qian’s silk sachet.
• Zhang Xiaohua confirmed that the primordial stone’s vital energy was reaching the fetus and told Liu Qian to keep the sachet close to her body.
• Zhang Xiaohua gave Zhang Xiaolong the Big Dipper Divine Fist manual as a gift for the unborn child, and Liu Qian carefully put it away.

Zhang Xiaohua discovered that several objects from the cave pouch contained primordial qi and used his divine sense to uncover ancient texts and techniques. He then realized the money pouch itself held a hidden space, though its purpose remained unknown.

• Guo Sufi urged pregnant Liu Qian to rest and suggested Zhang Xiaohua write down her child-rearing advice, prompting the family to find excuses to leave.
• Zhang Xiaohua went behind the house to investigate the primordial qi he had sensed from the money pouch.
• Zhang Xiaohua found that the small stone contained an ancient text titled Beginner Alchemy, which mentioned herbs.
• Zhang Xiaohua discovered that the damaged jade pendant held a fragmentary diagram and an incantation called the Method of Earth Evasion.
• Zhang Xiaohua sensed primordial qi from the empty money pouch, examined it with his divine sense, and found a hidden space about half the size of his room.

Zhang Xiaohua discovered that his money pouch contained a hidden space he could access with divine sense, and he learned to store and retrieve objects inside it. He realized the pouch might let him transport the enormous Wo Niu Stone, though he had yet to learn whether it would fit or make the pouch too heavy.

• Zhang Xiaohua used his divine sense to explore the pouch’s hidden space and discovered that he could move objects in and out by directing his thoughts.
• Zhang Xiaohua stored the small stone, broken jade pendant, and pearl flower in the hidden space, then confirmed that he had to hold the pouch to access it.
• Zhang Xiaohua examined the space’s jade bottles and found a sealed bottle labeled "Qi Boosting Pill," but put it back after inspecting its contents.
• Zhang Xiaohua remembered the enormous Wo Niu Stone and realized the pouch’s hidden space might provide a way to carry it away.
• Zhang Xiaohua wondered whether the Wo Niu Stone would fit inside the pouch or make it too heavy to carry in his clothes.

Zhang Xiaohua hurried to the field to secure the Qi Stone and stored it in his money pouch after chipping off pieces for future use. He discovered that the family well contained vital energy from tiny Qi Stones, then met Zhang Xiaohu as he came to fetch water.

• Zhang Xiaohua ran past Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian, who discussed his unusual speed, prolonged practice, and possible ability to see their unborn child.
• Zhang Xiaohua used qinggong to reach the field and confirmed with his divine sense that the Qi Stone was still there.
• Zhang Xiaohua chipped several pieces from the Qi Stone, then used his divine sense to put the massive stone into his money pouch, suffering a headache in the process.
• Zhang Xiaohua sensed tiny Qi Stones in the well and realized they had enriched the spring water, so he decided not to remove them because his family drank from it.
• Zhang Xiaohu arrived carrying water buckets and asked Zhang Xiaohua whether his urgent business had anything to do with the well.

Zhang Xiaohua returned home after his seclusion and celebrated with his family, while keeping the truth about his cultivation private from Zhang Xiaohu. That night, he discovered that even tiny Qi Stones supplied abundant spiritual qi, leaving him eager to cultivate with his much larger stone.

• Zhang Xiaohua teased Zhang Xiaohu with a false message about Changge, then explained that he had avoided helping Zhang Xiaolong carry things.
• Zhang Xiaohua confirmed that his nine days of uninterrupted cultivation were real and asked Zhang Xiaohu to keep the matter secret; Zhang Xiaohu promised not to tell anyone.
• Zhang Xiaohua explained that Liu Qian's unusual pregnancy was already stable, so Guo Sufi let her help prepare the family's celebratory meal.
• After the family shared a joyful dinner, Zhang Xiaohu began practicing the Misty Divine Art while Zhang Xiaohua sensed that he could not detect spiritual qi around him.
• Zhang Xiaohua used two small Qi Stones to cultivate and found that they released abundant spiritual qi without being depleted.

Zhang Xiaohua’s family worried about Liu Qian’s unusually long pregnancy and agreed to keep it secret. During the night, Zhang Xiaohua absorbed starlight through his cultivation, while Zhang Xiaohu also drew in some of that energy and tried to cultivate with it; by morning, he found no apparent change in his internal energy or meridians.

• Guo Sufi and Zhang Cai discussed Zhang Xiaohua’s prediction that Liu Qian’s child would take several years to be born, and decided to keep the pregnancy secret from the villagers.
• Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian stayed awake talking about her pregnancy and the silver the family had received.
• At midnight, Zhang Xiaohua absorbed vast amounts of starlight through the spiritual platform atop his head, while some of the energy filled the room.
• Zhang Xiaohu felt cool energy enter his meridians as he practiced the Misty Divine Art, stopped at first, then resumed cultivation and tried to control the energy.
• When the energy stopped after Zhang Xiaohua rose, Zhang Xiaohu checked his body and found no increase in his dantian’s true qi or visible change in his meridians.

Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua visited Lu Town, where they watched a street performer demonstrate boxing and sell medicinal plasters. They recognized a notorious fat man from their past, and the chapter ended as he challenged the performer to prove the plasters worked while demanding compensation if they did not.

• Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaolong went to the fields, while Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua decided to visit Lu Town and the Li family.
• Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua arrived in Lu Town, tied up their horses, and climbed a tree to watch a monkey show.
• The performer demonstrated his family boxing and began selling plasters, while Zhang Xiaohua noticed a short, fat man pushing through the crowd.
• Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua recognized the fat man and decided to watch before confronting him because he had several attendants and a capable-looking bodyguard.
• The fat man offered to buy all the plasters if they proved effective, then asked how the performer would compensate him if they failed.

Zhang Xiaohua watched Zhao bully a medicine seller and try to seize his monkey and inherited plaster formula, but Zhang Xiaohu stopped him from intervening because their family could face retaliation. Zhang Xiaohu then suggested concealing their identities, and Zhang Xiaohua went back to try to help the seller.

• Zhao accused the medicine seller of selling fake plaster and forced him into a wager that demanded his belongings and formula if the plaster failed a test.
• Zhao proposed breaking the seller’s leg to test the plaster, then had an attendant take the seller’s monkey when he refused.
• Zhang Xiaohua prepared to confront Zhao, but Zhang Xiaohu pulled him away and warned that their family in Guo Village could suffer revenge.
• Zhang Xiaohua declared he would destroy Zhao’s clan if they harmed his family, then agreed to follow Zhang Xiaohu’s plan to avoid trouble.
• Zhang Xiaohu covered his face with a handkerchief and let Zhang Xiaohua return to the crowd to help the seller.

The medicine seller attacked Fatty Zhao, but Sun Yiding intervened and nearly killed him before a masked young man seized Fatty Zhao and stopped the fight. The young man returned the medicine seller’s bundle and monkey, then carried him away, while Zhang Xiaohu quietly left with two horses.

• The medicine seller drew a dagger and attacked Fatty Zhao, but Sun Yiding dragged him out of danger and fought the attacker.
• Fatty Zhao urged Sun Yiding to kill the medicine seller, offering money and favor with Hall Master Zhao.
• A masked young man grabbed Fatty Zhao, slapped him, took his belongings, and kicked him toward Sun Yiding.
• The young man retrieved the monkey and bundle, returned them to the medicine seller, and carried him away over the rooftops.
• Zhang Xiaohu quietly left the square with two jujube-red horses.

Master Zhao sought the Fierce Tiger Gang’s help after his son was beaten, while Hall Master Zhao quietly avoided provoking the masked attacker. Sun Yiding earned Hall Master Zhao’s trust and a new position, but the gang still wanted to identify the attacker’s sect.

• Sun Yiding brought the injured fat man back to Zhao Manor, where Master Zhao summoned Hall Master Zhao and a physician.
• Hall Master Zhao questioned Sun Yiding, promised to investigate the attacker, and pretended he would punish Sun Yiding for failing as a bodyguard.
• The first physician refused to treat the fat man’s fractured thigh, then charged Master Zhao for the visit and ointment.
• Hall Master Zhao examined the fat man and judged that the attacker had spared him from a worse injury; the fat man woke and demanded revenge.
• The fat man confessed that the attacker had taken the jade rings he had stolen from Master Zhao’s study.
• Hall Master Zhao praised Sun Yiding for not provoking the attacker, offered him a proper position in the gang, and asked which sect the attacker belonged to.

Zhang Xiaohua rescued Qu Zhigao from the Fierce Tiger Gang and left Lu Town with Zhang Xiaohu. On the way, he discovered that the jade rings Qu Zhigao gave him held mysterious energy that repelled his divine sense.

• Hall Master Zhao and Sun Yiding suspected the masked young man was a disciple of a major sect and decided to investigate the disturbance at West Cui Mountain and Lu Town.
• Zhang Xiaohua carried Qu Zhigao to safety, returned the valuables he had taken from the fat man, and accepted Qu Zhigao’s banknotes, ornaments, and inherited medical text.
• Qu Zhigao warned Zhang Xiaohua not to cash the banknotes in Lu Town and urged him to visit Qiu Long Mountain someday.
• Zhang Xiaohua removed his disguise and met Zhang Xiaohu, then the brothers rode out of Lu Town and discussed what had happened.
• Zhang Xiaohu kept several banknotes and suggested pawning the ornaments in Pingyang City, while Zhang Xiaohua sensed vital energy in the jade rings and found that they repelled his divine sense.

Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu headed to Lu Town to visit Li Jinfeng’s family, only to find the Li Family Tailors shop closed and learn that West Cui Mountain bandits were involved in trouble. Shopkeeper Yu began explaining how the Li family’s misfortune started, leaving the brothers to hear the full account.

• Zhang Xiaohua found a booklet titled “Bone Condensing Pill” in the oilcloth bundle and stored it with the jade ring.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu ate at a restaurant, where they heard exaggerated rumors about the masked hero who had broken the Zhao family son’s leg.
• The brothers reached Li Family Tailors and found it shut, so Zhang Xiaohu questioned nearby shopkeepers before entering a jade shop.
• A clerk mistook the brothers for people from West Cui Mountain and begged them to spare his life, revealing the bandits’ connection to the Li family’s troubles.
• Shopkeeper Yu recognized Zhang Xiaohua and invited the brothers into his rear hall after Zhang Xiaohu proved their friendship with Li Jinfeng.
• Shopkeeper Yu explained that his daughter Bihe and Li Yinfeng had encountered West Cui Mountain bandits during an autumn outing more than ten days earlier.

Shopkeeper Yu told Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua that West Cui Mountain bandits had attacked the Li family and likely abducted them. The brothers decided to go to West Cui Mountain together to search for and rescue Li Jinfeng’s family.

• Shopkeeper Yu recounted how bandits from West Cui Mountain had abducted Bihe and Yinfeng, then attacked the Li residence, carried away sacks, and set the house on fire.
• Shopkeeper Yu said the bandits had also searched his home for Bihe, whom he had since sent somewhere safe.
• Zhang Xiaohu asked Shopkeeper Yu for directions to West Cui Mountain, and Shopkeeper Yu gave them the route after warning them about the bandits.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu visited the Li family’s burned ruins, then rode out of Lu Town and agreed they had to help their friend Li Jinfeng’s family.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu argued over who should go to West Cui Mountain before agreeing to travel there together, with Zhang Xiaohua scouting ahead while Zhang Xiaohu kept watch.

Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu traveled to West Cui Mountain to rescue the Li family, then entered the bandit stronghold to scout its defenses. Zhang Xiaohua slipped inside undetected while Zhang Xiaohu waited outside for news.

• Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu discussed their rescue plan as they rode toward West Cui Mountain.
• At night, the brothers reached the mountain, wrapped cloth around their horses’ hooves, and rode quietly along the path.
• They left the horses in the woods and Zhang Xiaohua carried Zhang Xiaohu through the trees, avoiding bandit patrols on their way to the stronghold.
• Seeing the stronghold’s strict defenses, Zhang Xiaohu told Zhang Xiaohua to scout inside and learn where the Li family was being held.
• Zhang Xiaohua threw a stone to draw the guards away, then climbed over the wall and slipped into the stronghold unnoticed.

Zhang Xiaohua infiltrated West Cui Mountain stronghold and learned that Li Yinfeng and her parents were still alive, while Li Yinfeng was being offered to Divine Sect envoy Ying. He reached the chieftain’s hall and overheard the banquet preparations, leaving him poised to act before the wedding night.

• Zhang Xiaohua used his divine sense and lightness skill to cross the stronghold unnoticed and make his way toward its central buildings.
• Zhang Xiaohua overheard Brother Xu and Old Cao discuss the Divine Sect’s influence, the chieftain’s new military-style management, and the beauty taken from the Li family.
• Zhang Xiaohua learned that Li Yinfeng and her parents were alive and that the chieftain planned to let envoy Ying spend the night with her.
• Zhang Xiaohua continued toward the central hall and saw Chieftain Liu welcoming Envoy Ying while a maidservant served dishes.

Zhang Xiaohua rescued Li Yinfeng from the stronghold and reunited her with her parents, but he hesitated over how to get the family out safely. The chapter left them preparing to escape while Shopkeeper Li suggested they simply follow Zhang Xiaohua.

• Chieftain Liu offered Envoy Ying a young woman and discussed the Divine Cult’s promises and its expected important visitor.
• Zhang Xiaohua searched the rear courtyard, overheard maidservants describe Li Yinfeng’s danger, and found her bound in a garden tower.
• Zhang Xiaohua freed Li Yinfeng and told her he was a friend of Li Jinfeng who had come to save her.
• Li Yinfeng guided Zhang Xiaohua to the room where her parents were held, and he reunited the family.
• Zhang Xiaohua paused to consider how to get them out, and Shopkeeper Li asked whether they could simply follow him.

Zhang Xiaohua rescued Li Yinfeng and her parents from the bandit stockade and escaped with them to the forest, where he reunited with Zhang Xiaohu. The group then faced the problem of getting down the mountain, and Zhang Xiaohua prepared to carry everyone himself.

• Zhang Xiaohua carried Li Yinfeng on his back and her parents in his arms, sneaking them across the stockade rooftops and square.
• Zhang Xiaohua distracted the bandits patrolling the wall by throwing a stone, then carried the three escapees over it and into the forest.
• Zhang Xiaohu met Zhang Xiaohua and the rescued family in the forest, and the brothers confirmed that the escape had gone smoothly.
• Li Yinfeng suggested that Zhang Xiaohu carry her father while Zhang Xiaohua carried Zhang Xiaohu, but Zhang Xiaohua rejected making two trips.
• Zhang Xiaohua told Li Yinfeng to climb onto his back as he prepared to carry the whole group down the mountain.

Zhang Xiaohua rescued Li Yinfeng and her family from West Cui Mountain, then sent them toward Lu Town while he stayed behind. After restoring his true qi with primordial stones, he returned to the stronghold intending to kill the bandits threatening his family.

• Zhang Xiaohua carried Li Yinfeng, her parents, and Zhang Xiaohu past the forest sentries, but ran out of true qi before reaching the horses.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu arranged for Li Yinfeng and her parents to ride to Lu Town while Zhang Xiaohua stayed behind.
• Zhang Xiaohu departed with the Li family after warning Zhang Xiaohua to restore his strength and catch up.
• Zhang Xiaohua absorbed qi from his primordial stones and decided to eliminate the bandits who threatened his family and nearby villages.
• Zhang Xiaohua returned to the West Cui Mountain stronghold, slipped over its wall, and realized he had overlooked something.

Zhang Xiaohua infiltrated the West Cui Mountain stronghold and killed six bandits after learning they had targeted the Li and Yu families. He decided to assassinate the stronghold chief as well, but his divine sense detected primal qi beneath the rear hall.

• Zhang Xiaohua overheard the bandits boast about abducting a girl and discuss their plans to target the Yu family.
• Zhang Xiaohua killed Old Cao and another bandit when they came outside, then killed Xiao Shunzi and his companion.
• Zhang Xiaohua entered the drinking room and killed Brother Xu and the last bandit before realizing he had forgotten to ask where they hid their valuables.
• Zhang Xiaohua headed toward the main hall to seek a chance to kill the stronghold chief and detected fluctuations of primal qi beneath the rear hall.

Zhang Xiaohua plundered West Cui Mountain’s secret chamber and killed Chieftain Liu while escaping from Envoy Ying. Envoy Ying pursued him toward the rear mountain, where Zhang Xiaohua jumped from a cliff onto a pine tree.

• Zhang Xiaohua found the secret chamber beneath Chieftain Liu’s bed and took its incense burner, gold, jewels, and other valuables.
• Zhang Xiaohua overheard Chieftain Liu and Envoy Ying discussing the divine cult, the Drunken Monk, and a promised visit from an elder under Lord Garuda.
• As Chieftain Liu opened the secret passage, Zhang Xiaohua burst out and killed him with a dagger.
• Zhang Xiaohua shoved Chieftain Liu’s corpse at Envoy Ying and fled, while Envoy Ying discovered the chamber had been emptied and pursued him.
• Zhang Xiaohua reached the rear mountain’s cliff, took a yuanstone, and leaped onto a pine tree growing down the mountainside.