Chapter Summaries

Mister Mo rescued fishermen from strange whirlpools on the Liao River, then plunged into the water to search for Sun Lao Er. Zhu Junfeng and others gathered on the bank and waited as a brilliant river surged into the sky.

• Strange whirlpools swallowed fishermen and pulled others under until Mister Mo arrived and weakened them with his voice.
• Mister Mo used a silk handkerchief and his own hands to rescue several fishermen, then learned that Sun Lao Er was still missing.
• Mister Mo ordered three Chongyun Sect elders to escort nearby boats to shore, sent a sword-light signal toward Changsheng Town, and dove into the Liao River.
• Mister Tai'an and Zhu Junfeng arrived, and the fishermen told them about the bizarre whirlpools.
• Qiu Jian and Li Momo warned Zhu Junfeng not to approach the river, and he agreed to wait with them.
• A brilliant surge of water shot more than ten zhang into the air and eclipsed the starlight and moonlight.

Mo Jianli returned without finding Sun Lao Er or the missing fishermen, then warned Changsheng Town’s fishermen and revealed that Chongyun Sect had sent him to investigate signs of aquatic tribes near the Liao River. After hearing of a demon spotted in town, he set out for Changsheng Academy to question witnesses.

• Mo Jianli apologized to the fishermen for failing to find Sun Lao Er and the others, warned them against fishing at night, and gave them silver for Sun Lao Er’s mother.
• Mo Jianli greeted Zhu Junfeng and Mister Tai'an, then asked about the old tales of aquatic tribes in the Liao River.
• Mo Jianli revealed that students from Jianzhu Gate’s Jingzhu Academy had died fighting the aquatic tribes and that the supposed immortal who defeated them had been a Buddhist disciple.
• Mo Jianli said Chongyun Sect had received news of aquatic tribes near the Liao River and had sent him to protect Changsheng Academy, while Little Gold Temple might also be investigating.
• Zhu Junfeng told Mo Jianli that a demon had appeared on Changsheng Town’s streets, and Mo Jianli ordered Ji Dong to keep watch as he returned to the academy to question witnesses.

Xiao Hua cultivated at Jiangchao Temple while Xiao Jian and Yuan Ya worried over their prospects and watched him practice the Big Dipper Divine Fist. The morning ended with Xiao Jian preparing to earn money in town and Yuan Ya admitting he could not remember the fist forms.

• Xiao Hua refined Earth Crystal Yao Ru and wondered whether Cangxian Continent was his true homeland, while Xiao Jian struggled to judge his origins and cultivation.
• Xiao Jian discovered Xiao Hua had vanished from the western wing, then found him practicing the Big Dipper Divine Fist outside with Yuan Ya secretly watching from a tree.
• Xiao Jian saw that no townspeople had come to Jiangchao Temple and decided to go into town to earn more copper coins.
• Xiao Jian packed his belongings and wondered whether Xiao Hua had taken temple money, but confirmed the merit box remained untouched.
• Yuan Ya admitted that he understood the Big Dipper Divine Fist's forms but forgot the later moves whenever he tried to perform them.

Fishermen from Changsheng Town came to Jiangchao Temple to worship the Sea God after a deadly disaster on the Liao River, ignoring Xiao Jian and rejecting his claim to the temple. As the ceremony neared its end, another group arrived and began a prayer that stirred both groups.

• Drums and a lion dance announced a procession of fishermen carrying offerings and mourners in white, and Xiao Jian mistakenly hoped they had come to worship him.
• Yuan Ya remembered that Jiangchao Temple had once enshrined the Sea God, and Xiao Hua urged Xiao Jian to enter and preside over the temple.
• The fishermen called Xiao Jian a wild Daoist and warned him not to interfere as they cleared the offering table and began their ceremony for the Sea God.
• The worshippers mourned nearly ten fishermen lost in a Liao River disaster, while craftsmen measured the statue to prepare a new golden body.
• Another group entered the temple, and their first words inflamed the fishermen and the newcomers alike.

Fishermen and townsfolk fought over whether Jiangchao Temple belonged to the Sea God Lord or True Person Xiao, until Xiao Jian persuaded the fishermen to stop by declaring the two names belonged to the same god. Xiao Hua then understood Xiao Jian’s signal and released a cold voice that left everyone but Xiao Jian and Yuan Ya clutching their heads in pain.

• A recovered elder and other townsfolk called Jiangchao Temple the sacred ground of True Person Xiao, provoking the fishermen who had come to restore and worship the Sea God Lord.
• The fishermen beat the townsfolk, and Xiao Hua ordered Yuan Ya to intervene; Yuan Ya knocked the fishermen down and frightened their elderly leader.
• As the fishermen prepared to fight again, Xiao Jian stepped forward and warned them that violence would offend the Sea God Lord and invalidate their offerings.
• Xiao Jian claimed that the Sea God Lord was also True Person Xiao, explained that the god’s original name had been forgotten, and persuaded the fishermen to kneel and repent.
• Xiao Hua noticed Xiao Jian blinking at him, understood his signal, and spoke with a cold voice that made everyone except Xiao Jian and Yuan Ya clutch their heads in pain.

Xiao Hua used a display of power to reconcile the fishermen and General's Ridge villagers, while Xiao Jian realized the display had revealed Xiao Hua's strength. At Jiangchao Temple, Xiao Hua refused Yuan Ya's request to become his disciple, and Xiao Jian confessed why he had kept Yuan Ya by his side.

• Xiao Hua made the fishermen and General's Ridge villagers believe the Sea God Lord had forgiven them, and Daoist Master Xiao pleaded for their sake.
• The villagers reconciled, donated more copper coins, and left Jiangchao Temple together.
• Xiao Jian privately asked Xiao Hua to help the temple and villagers, and Xiao Hua said miracles and gods mattered less than the hopes people placed in them.
• Yuan Ya asked Xiao Hua to accept him as a disciple, but Xiao Hua refused because Yuan Ya was too old to cultivate and might become dangerous.
• Xiao Hua confronted Xiao Jian about testing his cultivation and keeping Yuan Ya as a protector, and Xiao Jian admitted his original selfish motives while defending Yuan Ya's character.

Xiao Hua tested Yuan Ya with the Pingtian Rod but did not formally take him as a disciple, while Xiao Jian began attracting worshippers and donations at Jiangchao Temple. A legless beggar arrived carrying a badly injured child and begged Sea God Lord to save him, prompting Xiao Jian to call for help.

• Xiao Hua placed the Pingtian Rod before Yuan Ya and offered to take him as a disciple if he could lift it, but Yuan Ya could not move it.
• Xiao Hua left to practice the Big Dipper Divine Fist, while Xiao Jian advised Yuan Ya that Xiao Hua had rejected him and then received villagers seeking auspicious dates.
• Xiao Jian directed the villagers to donate their copper coins to the merit box, and worshippers steadily increased over the following days.
• A legless beggar crawled to Jiangchao Temple with the badly injured child Gouwa and begged Xiao Jian to ask Sea God Lord to save him.
• After seeing bloodstains along the mountain path, Xiao Jian called Yuan Ya to fetch warm water and asked Xiao Hua to come help.

Xiao Hua saved Dogger from the brink of death, while Xiao Jian presented the rescue as a miracle from Sea God Lord. The villagers flocked to Jiangchao Temple afterward, and Xiao Hua continued practicing while Yuan Ya secretly watched him.

• Yuan Ya alerted Xiao Hua to the critically injured Dogger, and Xiao Hua treated the child with needles, talismans, and a medicinal pill.
• As the villagers prayed, Xiao Hua noticed a Buddhist flame in his Niwan Palace respond to their faith and made a banyan fruit appear as a divine gift.
• Xiao Jian told the villagers Dogger was out of danger and arranged for them to take the child and Dogger's Father to the town Medical Hall.
• Xiao Jian explained that Sea God Lord regarded everyone equally, and the crowd departed to help Dogger receive further treatment.
• Xiao Hua criticized Xiao Jian's schemes, then went outside to practice punches as Yuan Ya climbed the banyan tree to watch.
• Visitors began arriving at Jiangchao Temple with offerings, and Xiao Jian posed solemnly before the statue to receive them.

Xiao Hua and Xiao Jian learned that Boss Zheng was coming to Jiangchao Temple after Liu Yi arrived with his unconscious, feverish sister. Liu Yi warned them of the danger and begged Xiao Hua to save her, leaving the temple facing an approaching threat.

• The Sea God Lord statue was completed, and Jiangchao Temple held a lively ceremony while Xiao Hua practiced the Big Dipper Divine Fist.
• Xiao Jian told Xiao Hua he hoped to recruit disciples and challenge Little Gold Temple, but feared the troubles that Jiangchao Temple’s growing fame would bring.
• Xiao Hua sensed two children at the mountain’s foot and sent Yuan Ya to bring them up; Xiao Jian recognized the badly injured Liu Ge'er.
• Liu Yi warned Xiao Jian that Boss Zheng and an expert were heading for Jiangchao Temple, and explained that Boss Zheng had beaten him while searching for two missing Pifeng Gang leaders.
• Liu Yi begged Xiao Hua to save his unconscious sister, whose fever had worsened despite medical treatment, and said he had come to the temple both for help and to warn Xiao Jian.

Xiao Hua took in the feverishly hot Xiao Yun and prepared for Boss Zheng’s arrival, while Liu Yi collapsed from his ordeal. Boss Zheng reached Jiangchao Temple and, instead of attacking, offered Xiao Jian a deal by showing him a mysterious object.

• Xiao Hua warned Liu Yi that his visit might lead Boss Zheng to Jiangchao Temple, then took Xiao Yun and carried the exhausted Liu Yi inside.
• Xiao Hua told Yuan Ya to welcome Boss Zheng, and Yuan Ya armed himself with a black staff and received permission to kill the gang members if needed.
• Xiao Jian feared Boss Zheng’s men would kill the witnesses, but Yuan Ya pointed out that the gang’s interest might be tied to Xiao Hua’s enemies.
• Boss Zheng arrived with more than a dozen men and greeted Xiao Jian politely, saying he had come to discuss a deal rather than collect incense money.
• Boss Zheng threw a dark object to Xiao Jian, who picked it up and froze when he recognized it.

Zheng Mou came to Jiangchao Temple to claim the origin stones, but Xiao Jian refused and the dispute turned violent. As Yuan Ya fought the Pifeng Gang, two hidden elders revealed themselves and one attacked Zheng Mou with a Buddhist Zen staff.

• Xiao Jian recognized the origin stone Zheng Mou brought and refused his offer to take Jiangchao Temple’s stones for an even split of auction profits.
• Zheng Mou threatened Xiao Jian and the temple, accusing him of deceiving the townspeople with Daoist pills and demanding the origin stones.
• Xiao Jian urged Yuan Ya to fight the Pifeng Gang disciples, claiming the battle would prove himself to his master, and Yuan Ya charged Zheng Mou.
• Zheng Mou’s men surrounded Yuan Ya, while Zheng Mou called out two elderly men who had been watching from Jiangchao Ridge.
• One of the elders launched a Buddhist Zen staff at Zheng Mou and the nearby Pifeng Gang disciples.

Hermit Xiling and the Pifeng Gang attacked Jiangchao Temple, but a sudden storm of heavenly thunder killed them all. Xiao Jian survived and told the Danliang Kingdom State Preceptors to leave, while he and Yuan Ya wondered whether the lightning had been his divine power.

• Two Buddhist elders protecting Xiao Jian fought Zheng Mou and the Pifeng Gang, while Yuan Ya struggled against four attackers.
• Hermit Xiling arrived and badly wounded the elders, then ordered Zheng Mou to kill the remaining Pifeng Gang members and threatened Xiao Jian.
• The elders revealed they were Danliang Kingdom State Preceptors sent by the king to protect Xiao Jian, but Hermit Xiling decided to attack anyway.
• Heavenly thunder struck Hermit Xiling, Zheng Mou, and the Pifeng Gang dead, leaving the Buddhist elders and the people at Jiangchao Temple unharmed.
• Xiao Jian ordered the elders to tell Xiao Jun that he rejected his protection and would reclaim his throne someday; the elders fled.
• Yuan Ya pinched Xiao Jian to test whether the events were a dream, and they wondered whether Xiao Jian had caused the lightning.

Xiao Jian learned that Miss Hao was gravely ill and struggled with whether he could answer Steward Hao’s urgent plea for True Person Xiao. He decided to consult Xiao Hua before going to help, while Xiao Yun remained unconscious in the western wing.

• Xiao Hua examined Xiao Yun in the steaming wooden barrel and told Liu Yi that her condition was strange.
• Xiao Jian reported the deaths at Jiangchao Temple to the yamen, and Dean Zhu concluded that Zheng Mou and his men had died from heavenly lightning.
• The yamen’s investigation and rumors about True Person Xiao drew crowds of worshippers to Jiangchao Temple for several days.
• Xiao Jian ignored Yuan Ya’s goose-feather letter while preparing for the contest with Little Gold Temple.
• Xiao Jian opened the letter and learned that Miss Hao was gravely ill, then decided to consult Xiao Hua before responding to Steward Hao’s plea.

Xiao Jian received a plea for help from Hao Manor and persuaded Xiao Hua to accompany him there. They arrived at the estate, where Steward Hao welcomed them, but the nature of Miss Hao’s trouble remained unexplained.

• Xiao Jian showed Xiao Hua the feather letter asking for help, and Xiao Hua agreed to go with him to Hao Manor.
• Xiao Hua used a Flight Talisman to carry Xiao Jian through the night while Yuan Ya watched them leave with envy.
• At Hao Manor, Xiao Hua told Xiao Jian to lead while he posed as his attendant and would intervene if needed.
• Steward Hao Renjie welcomed Xiao Jian at the main gates and said his master was waiting, but declined to explain Miss Hao’s illness.
• Xiao Jian and Xiao Hua entered the manor and were led toward a moon gate, where a plump old steward awaited them.

Xiao Jian and Xiao Hua arrived at the Hao family residence, where Little Gold Temple had already begun chanting outside Miss Hao’s embroidered tower. Hao Yulong explained that Miss Hao’s habit of sheltering stray animals had once brought a dangerous beast into the courtyard, and the chapter left the source of the current disturbance unexplained.

• Xiao Jian greeted Steward Hao, then agreed to let Little Gold Temple try its hand before Jiangchao Temple intervened.
• Steward Hao led Xiao Jian, Xiao Hua, and Hao Yulong past the monks of Little Gold Temple, including Mingfa, who had taken the place before the embroidered tower.
• The Osmanthus tree shook violently and showered the group with leaves as they passed beneath it, while Hao Yulong remained calm.
• Hao Yulong showed Xiao Jian the offerings prepared behind the tower and asked whether anything else was needed to subdue the demon.
• Hao Yulong explained that Miss Hao secretly sheltered stray animals, despite one mysterious beast once biting off a woman’s arm and devouring many of the courtyard animals before escaping.

Xiao Jian attempted to subdue the supposed demon in Miss Hao’s embroidered tower, but his talisman attack failed. After Xiao Hua revealed that a white rabbit was inside, Hao Yulong explained that Miss Hao had kept the rabbit close since rescuing it, and Xiao Jian realized why Steward Hao had concealed the matter.

• Hao Yulong told Xiao Jian that Miss Hao had barricaded herself in her tower and that strange forces had driven off the guards.
• Xiao Jian performed a ritual with talismans, a bell, and a Peachwood Sword while Xiao Hua watched.
• Xiao Jian sent flaming talismans toward the tower, but they vanished before reaching it.
• Hao Yulong sought Xiao Jian’s promise to keep the matter secret because it concerned Miss Hao’s chastity.
• Xiao Hua said there was a little white rabbit in the tower, and Hao Yulong revealed that Miss Hao had kept one she rescued close by her side.
• Xiao Jian inferred that the rabbit was no ordinary animal and thought Xiao Hua could help subdue it.

Xiao Jian and the monks of Little Gold Temple tried to subdue the demon in the embroidered tower, but the creature overwhelmed them. Miss Hao warned her father that Changsheng Town faced an imminent calamity and urged him to flee, while the demon’s shrieks incapacitated everyone around her.

• Xiao Jian tried to keep Steward Hao from reporting the situation, but the tower’s shrieks shook him and prompted Steward Hao to send guards inside to rescue Miss Hao.
• A shadow attacked the guards as they entered the tower, throwing all five back out through the broken windows and leaving them bloodied.
• Mingfa used a purple-gold alms bowl to attack the tower, but a huge shadow struck the bowl, defeated the monks, and sent the artifact crashing to the ground.
• Miss Hao appeared at a window in her wheelchair and warned Steward Hao to evacuate the Hao household because a great calamity was coming to Changsheng Town.
• Steward Hao dismissed his daughter’s warning as Rabbit Lord’s influence and promised to seek help from Dean Zhu, while Miss Hao threatened to jump if he left.
• Miss Hao’s shrieks shattered the remaining window lattices and overwhelmed the guards and servants, while Xiao Hua alone showed no pain.

Xiao Hua sent Xiaohei and Little Yellow to subdue Miss Hao’s rabbit, Little Jade, while he went to speak with her. Miss Hao defended the wounded rabbit and revealed the childhood accident that had left her unable to move her legs as the confrontation continued outside.

• The rabbit’s black vapor incapacitated the Little Gold Temple monks, and Xiao Hua told Xiao Jian to send Xiaohei and Little Yellow after it without killing it.
• The rabbit’s shriek injured nearby guards, but Xiaohei’s bark countered the sound and protected them.
• Little Yellow and Xiaohei wounded Little Jade when it attacked, driving it onto the osmanthus tree as it grew larger.
• Xiao Hua entered the embroidered tower to speak with Miss Hao while the two creatures kept Little Jade from reaching her.
• Miss Hao pleaded for Little Jade and explained that her mother had died saving her from a carriage, leaving her legs unable to move, and that her father had never treated her as a person.

Miss Hao revealed the loneliness and grief behind her life in seclusion and begged Xiao Hua to spare Little Jade, whose warning of a coming calamity had been ignored by her father. Xiao Hua brought her down from the tower, where Steward Hao confessed his reasons for controlling her life and explained that the maid had plotted to abduct her.

• Miss Hao described how Steward Hao had hidden her disability, how Hong'er had died after secretly taking her outside, and how her father had killed the animals she kept for company.
• Miss Hao explained that Little Jade had become her companion and warned her that Changsheng Town would soon face a deadly calamity.
• Little Jade attacked Xiaohei, but Xiaohei scattered its demonic qi and Little Yellow knocked it onto the offering table; Xiao Jian asked them not to kill it.
• Miss Hao pleaded with Xiao Hua to spare Little Jade and said she had tried to warn Steward Hao, who had wanted to take the rabbit away.
• Xiao Hua reassured Miss Hao, challenged her view of her father’s motives, and carried her down from the tower in her wheelchair.
• Steward Hao embraced Miss Hao, apologized, and explained that he had restricted her movements to protect her future and that Hong'er had plotted with bandits to abduct her.

Xiao Hua learned that the rabbit had warned Miss Hao about demons approaching Changsheng Town, though its report had caused a misunderstanding. After reassuring Steward Hao that the rabbit was female, he witnessed father and daughter reconcile, and Miss Hao chose to stay so Xiao Hua could treat her legs.

• Xiao Hua learned from Xiaohei that the rabbit had stayed with Miss Hao and warned her that demons might come to Changsheng Town.
• Xiao Hua confirmed that the rabbit was female and reassured Steward Hao that Miss Hao’s chastity was unharmed.
• Xiao Hua told Steward Hao to handle the unconscious guards, monks, and servants while the household cleaned up.
• Steward Hao placed the rabbit in Miss Hao’s arms, and they reconciled as he promised to take her to their country estate.
• Miss Hao told Steward Hao she would stay until Xiao Hua treated her illness, and Steward Hao asked whether Xiao Hua could heal her legs.