Chapter Summaries

He Tianshu worried over how to teach Zhang Xiaohua martial arts without violating Misty Sect rules or spending the villa’s medicinal herbs. After Zhang Xiaohua arrived for practice, He Tianshu tested his Horse Stance and asked him to demonstrate the fist technique he had watched at the Lotus Escort Agency.

• Zhang Xiaohua ignored Ma Jing’s petty bullying and spent the day waiting for He Tianshu’s arrangements.
• He Tianshu considered his low standing in the Misty Sect and weighed the risks and requirements of teaching Zhang Xiaohua internal or external martial arts.
• He Tianshu went to their usual practice spot and found Zhang Xiaohua was late, then heard that Brother Xi had delayed him with another task.
• He Tianshu had Zhang Xiaohua hold the Horse Stance and found that his legs and waist did not hurt and that he rose with ease.
• He Tianshu asked whether Zhang Xiaohua remembered a fist technique, and Zhang Xiaohua began demonstrating the one he had watched at the Lotus Escort Agency.

He Tianshu tried to teach Zhang Xiaohua the Arhat Fist, but Zhang Xiaohua repeatedly forgot the forms and left He Tianshu deeply disappointed. The next morning, Zhang Xiaohua still remembered only a few imperfect moves, so another disciple was assigned to teach him.

• He Tianshu taught Zhang Xiaohua the Arhat Fist repeatedly, but Zhang Xiaohua could not remember the full routine.
• He Tianshu grew frustrated and left, while Zhang Xiaohua practiced alone and repeatedly forgot more of the forms.
• Old Yu watched Zhang Xiaohua practice and returned to his room, leaving Zhang Xiaohua to repeat the first six moves until late at night.
• Zhang Xiaohua dreamed of flickering lights and trembling limbs, then arrived early the next morning to practice the fist.
• He Tianshu saw Zhang Xiaohua performing only five and a half imperfect moves and asked another disciple to teach him.
• The disciple patiently taught Zhang Xiaohua until breakfast, when Zhang Xiaohua had learned ten forms.

Zhang Xiaohua struggled to retain the boxing forms taught by the Misty Sect disciples, who eventually settled into teaching him one set each day as he practiced relentlessly. Meanwhile, Ou Peng and the Misty Sect celebrated their victory over the Luoshui Gang in the Council Hall.

• Zhang Xiaohua repeatedly forgot most of the Arhat Fist, and He Tianshu rotated disciples through teaching him before abandoning hope of his learning the set correctly.
• He Tianshu taught Zhang Xiaohua the Heavenly Net Fist, but Zhang Xiaohua retained only a few scattered, flawed moves.
• The three disciples began teaching Zhang Xiaohua one different boxing art each day, and he accumulated incomplete sets whose linked and altered moves he stubbornly remembered.
• Old Yu secretly watched Zhang Xiaohua train for long hours and judged his persistence worthy of shaping, unaware that Zhang Xiaohua dreaded returning to Ma Jing's foul-smelling room.
• Ou Peng and the Misty Sect members celebrated their victory over the Luoshui Gang, which the Misty Sect had defeated with few losses and whose leader Ou Peng had captured alive.

Ou Yan reunited with Ou Peng after his victory over the Luoshui Gang, and they discussed the dangers of his campaign and the stalled medicinal fields at Huanxi Mountain Villa. Ou Peng promised to act more cautiously, while Ou Yan planned to seek help investigating the seeds.

• Ou Yan arrived at the Council Hall and congratulated Ou Peng on strengthening the Misty Sect.
• Ou Peng comforted Ou Yan about her worries, then recounted his campaign against the Luoshui Gang and the capture of Shui Yupeng.
• Ou Yan warned that sudden gains in power could lead to reckless choices, and Ou Peng agreed to be more cautious after his dangerous campaign.
• Ou Yan told Ou Peng that the medicinal seeds at Huanxi Mountain Villa still had not sprouted, so they agreed to ask Hall Master Bai and Elder He for help.
• Ou Peng urged Ou Yan to protect her health, and she said she preferred her life managing Huanxi Mountain Villa to becoming Gang Leader.

Ou Peng spoke with Ou Yan about the Misty Sect’s future and her marriage before she joined Elder Sister Qin for a chat. Ou Peng then went to the Law Enforcement Hall to meet the captured Luoshui Gang leader Shui Yupeng, whose family had been escorted safely as well.

• Ou Peng praised Ou Yan’s ambition for the Misty Sect, and Ou Yan promised that Huanxi Mountain Villa would welcome him and his family in his old age.
• Ou Peng asked Ou Yan about marriage, and she blushed and went to speak with Elder Sister Qin.
• The narration recounted Elder Sister Qin’s past with Brother Qin, their forced marriage, his death, and her vow never to remarry or sing again.
• Zhang Chengyue quietly informed Ou Peng that Shui Yupeng had arrived, and Ou Peng summoned Hu the Eldest and Li the Second to the Law Enforcement Hall.
• Liu Yuzhou told Ou Peng that Shui Yupeng and his family had been escorted without casualties, and Ou Peng entered the hall to meet the captured gang leader.

Ou Peng explained why Shui Yupeng’s plan to attack the Xinrong Sect would have provoked Great Forest Temple, then demonstrated the Misty Sect’s strength through Li Jian’s sword aura. Shui Yupeng accepted that his defeat had not been mere bad luck, leaving his fate in the Misty Sect’s hands.

• Ou Peng and Shui Yupeng faced each other in the Law Enforcement Hall while the Misty Six Tigers and Liu Yuzhou gathered around them.
• Shangguan the Fourth and Hu the Eldest challenged Shui Yupeng’s claims that the Luoshui Gang had lost only because the Misty Sect attacked by surprise.
• Ou Peng explained that Zheng Rong was the abandoned lay disciple of Great Forest Temple’s Enforcement Elder, Chang Geng, and Shui Yupeng realized that attacking the Xinrong Sect could have brought the temple’s wrath.
• Ou Peng signaled Li Jian, who displayed sword aura with his treasured sword before Shui Yupeng.
• Shui Yupeng acknowledged Li Jian’s skill and admitted that Ou Peng had concealed his true strength during their earlier exchange.

Ou Peng showed Shui Yupeng that the Misty Sect had captured his family unharmed and argued that taking the Luoshui Gang before it attacked the Xinrong Sect had spared it a worse fate. Shui began to suspect Ou Peng might let him live and continue leading the gang.

• Ou Peng ended Li Jian's fight with Shui Yupeng and asserted the Misty Sect's strength.
• Shangguan Fengliu brought Shui Yupeng's wife and son Tiantian into the Law Enforcement Hall, and Shui reunited with them.
• Tiantian told Shui that Sister Xue had brought him and his mother there, and Shui promised to spend time with him later.
• Ou Peng assured Shui that all fourteen members of his household were safe, and Shui sat down to hear him out.
• Ou Peng explained that the Luoshui Gang had been captured before its planned attack on the Xinrong Sect, avoiding a conflict with Great Forest Temple.
• Shui began to wonder whether Ou Peng intended to spare him and let him continue managing the Luoshui Gang.

Ou Peng explained why he had chosen Shui Yupeng to lead the Luoshui Gang under the Misty Sect and promised a Misty Sect martial arts inheritance for Shui Yupeng’s descendants. Shui Yupeng sincerely accepted the arrangement, and Ou Peng used his powerful internal energy to unseal Shui Yupeng’s acupoints.

• Shui Yupeng pledged himself to Ou Peng and accepted the Misty Sect’s arrangement for him to return to Luoshui as its leader.
• Ou Peng explained that Shui Yupeng could quickly restore the Luoshui Gang’s morale and that Misty Sect would leave Shui Yupeng’s family at Misty Manor.
• Ou Peng promised that Shui Yupeng’s son Tiantian could study Misty Sect martial arts under Cheng Yue, A Hai, or another disciple.
• Ou Peng revealed that the Misty Sect possessed a centuries-old martial arts inheritance, and Shui Yupeng regretted that his formed meridians prevented him from learning its methods.
• Shui Yupeng sincerely thanked Ou Peng for offering his descendants the chance to inherit Misty Sect martial arts.
• Ou Peng secretly reassured himself by sending deep internal energy through Shui Yupeng’s meridians and unsealing all his acupoints.

At the Misty Sect’s victory banquet, Ou Peng welcomed Shui Yupeng and the Luoshui Gang into the sect and appointed Shui Yupeng deputy gang leader. The chapter ended with Shui Yupeng enthusiastically pledging himself to Misty and Ou Peng looking forward to their shared ambitions.

• Ou Peng offered Shui Yupeng access to the Misty Sect’s martial records, and Shui Yupeng thanked him for the welcome.
• Ou Peng began the victory banquet and toasted the Misty Sect members for their efforts in building their home.
• Ou Peng introduced Shui Yupeng and toasted the Luoshui Gang’s joining the Misty Sect.
• Ou Peng announced that the Luoshui Gang would operate as an autonomous Special Sect for twenty years, with Shui Yupeng as its Special Chief Executive and a deputy gang leader of Misty.
• Shui Yupeng accepted the appointment and pledged his loyalty to Misty, while Ou Peng spoke of their ambitions for the sect.

After Zhang Xiaohua struggled through his first sparring match, he became eager to learn more, though He Tianshu refused to teach him Misty Sect techniques without authorization. More than a month into life at Huanxi Mountain Villa, Zhang Xiaohua persuaded Ma Jing to take him along to Pingyang City, but Ma Jing delayed their departure while preparing for Zui Xiang Lou.

• Shui Yupeng returned to command the Luoshui Gang with Shangguan Fengliu and Misty Sect elites assisting him, while leaders and observers at other factions reacted to the Misty Sect’s growth.
• He Tianshu stopped teaching Zhang Xiaohua new fist routines after he repeatedly forgot them, but Zhang Xiaohua continued practicing diligently.
• He Tianshu arranged for Nie Xiao Er to spar with Zhang Xiaohua; Zhang Xiaohua was repeatedly hit, then thrown into a medicinal field when Nie Xiao Er redirected his powerful punch.
• Zhang Xiaohua begged He Tianshu to teach him Four Ounces Deflect Thousand Pounds, but He Tianshu said he needed approval and told him to build a foundation first.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked Ma Jing to take him to Pingyang City on their day off, and Ma Jing agreed to bring him along.
• Ma Jing carefully washed, dressed, and admired himself in the mirror for Zui Xiang Lou, leaving Zhang Xiaohua waiting impatiently.

Zhang Xiaohua asked Ma Jing how to collect his monthly wages and followed him to the accounting office, where he withdrew his first pay. They left Huanxi Mountain Villa by a side gate and boarded a carriage for Pingyang City, while Zhang Xiaohua thought about his family and second brother.

• Ma Jing explained that Zhang Xiaohua could collect his wages from the accounting office, and Zhang Xiaohua decided to give the money to Zhang Xiaohu or send it home to his parents.
• Zhang Xiaohua withdrew all his wages from Old Mr. Tong, who noticed that the amount was higher than Ma Jing's pay.
• Zhang Xiaohua and Ma Jing completed the exit procedures, received waist tokens, and left Huanxi Mountain Villa through a side gate.
• Ma Jing led Zhang Xiaohua to the Carriage and Horse Service and arranged a carriage ride to Pingyang City.
• Zhang Xiaohua rode toward the city thinking about Zhang Xiaohu, his parents, and the rest of his family.

Zhang Xiaohua traveled into Pingyang City, stopped a thief from robbing Li Jinfeng, and went with him to the Lotus Escort Agency to visit Shangguan Yun and Yu Lun. Yu Lun mocked Zhang Xiaohua’s hopes of learning martial arts and told him to focus on serving at Huanxi Mountain Villa.

• Ma Jing’s carriage turned toward Zui Xiang Lou, so Zhang Xiaohua got off and set out on foot for the Lotus Escort Agency.
• Zhang Xiaohua spotted a thief about to rob Li Jinfeng and called out, making the thief withdraw and slip away.
• Li Jinfeng thanked Zhang Xiaohua, apologized for forgetting his earlier promise to the Zhang brothers, and offered to accompany him to the Lotus Escort Agency.
• Li Jinfeng and Zhang Xiaohua entered the escort agency and found Shangguan Yun and Yu Lun in their rooms.
• Shangguan Yun explained that Huanxi Mountain Villa belonged to the Misty Sect, and Yu Lun mocked Zhang Xiaohua’s former plan to learn martial arts without silver.

Zhang Xiaohua listened as Shangguan Yun and Yu Lun discussed his brother Zhang Xiaohu’s unusual progress in martial arts, and he found inspiration for his own training. Yu Deyi dismissed Zhang Xiaohu’s talent and looked down on Zhang Xiaohua, then learned that Xiaohua was Zhang Xiaohu’s younger brother.

• Li Jinfeng defended Zhang Xiaohua’s ambition to learn martial arts, while Shangguan Yun explained how difficult and costly martial training could be.
• Zhang Xiaohua replied that martial arts had many paths and cited his brother Zhang Xiaohu, prompting Yu Lun to mock Zhang Xiaohu for being an escort runner.
• Shangguan Yun recognized Zhang Xiaohu’s name and explained that he had memorized a fist routine after seeing it once and later fought an experienced guard to a draw before winning.
• Yu Deyi arrived, dismissed Zhang Xiaohu’s reputation as exaggerated, and heard how Zhang Xiaohu’s persistent practice of one fist technique had helped him defeat the guard.
• Zhang Xiaohua said Zhang Xiaohu’s success came from familiarity through repeated practice, and the account sparked a new idea for Xiaohua’s own training.
• Yu Deyi objected to Zhang Xiaohua speaking up, and Yu Lun explained that Xiaohua was Zhang Xiaohu’s younger brother.

Zhang Xiaohua learned from Yu Deyi that internal force came from cultivating rare, difficult internal energy methods, then accepted Yu Deyi’s challenge on Zhang Xiaohu’s behalf. The brothers reunited at the Lotus Escort Agency and went to the martial arena, where the crowd gathered for their fist-technique match.

• Zhang Xiaohua argued that mastering one fist technique could be more valuable than learning many, while Yu Deyi doubted Zhang Xiaohu’s ability until Shangguan Yun explained that Zhang Xiaohu had drawn against two escorts in fist-only matches.
• Yu Deyi offered to explain internal force if Zhang Xiaohu fought him, but Zhang Xiaohua refused to commit his brother to a match and said he would learn about it elsewhere.
• Yu Deyi explained that internal force came from cultivating an internal energy method, which was rare and difficult to master; Zhang Xiaohua decided to focus on perfecting his fist techniques first.
• Zhang Xiaohua then accepted Yu Deyi’s challenge on Zhang Xiaohu’s behalf, and Yu Lun led them to the runners’ courtyard to find Zhang Xiaohu.
• Zhang Xiaohua reunited with Zhang Xiaohu, explained what had happened, and received his brother’s approval; Zhang Xiaohu agreed to spar with Yu Deyi.
• Zhang Xiaohu and the others reached the martial arena, where a crowd had gathered for the match, and Zhang Xiaohua reflected on the power of winning people’s support.

Zhang Xiaohu’s contest with Yu Deyi turned dangerous when Yu Deyi used the Purple Sand Palm, and Zhang Xiaohua took the blow meant for his brother. Third Master Qu said Zhang Xiaohua’s right hand was ruined, and Yu Deyi promised to provide for him for the rest of his life.

• Zhang Xiaohu and Yu Deyi began with matching fist techniques, but Yu Deyi changed styles and eventually set a trap that sent Zhang Xiaohu flying.
• Yu Deyi attacked with the Purple Sand Palm, and Zhang Xiaohua rushed in to block it with his fist.
• Yu Deyi’s palm shattered Zhang Xiaohua’s hand and sent him flying, while the backlash injured Yu Deyi internally.
• Shangguan Yun confirmed Zhang Xiaohua had fainted, and Yu Deyi admitted fault and offered to pay for his treatment.
• Third Master Qu examined Zhang Xiaohua and said his right-hand bones were shattered and unlikely to heal properly.
• Third Master Qu ordered Yu Deyi to compensate Zhang Xiaohua, and Yu Deyi promised to provide him with food and clothing for life.

Zhang Xiaohua suffered severe hand and finger fractures after Yu Deyi struck him, and Zhang Xiaohu arranged for him to recover at the Lotus Escort Agency. The chapter left Zhang Xiaohua resting under his brother’s care, while an unexplained fluctuation during the night flowed toward his injuries.

• Zhang Xiaohu worried that Zhang Xiaohua’s ruined hand could end his dreams of practicing martial arts, while Third Master Qu promised to arrange work for him and offered Zhang Xiaohu free study at the Martial Arts Hall.
• The Martial Arts Hall doctor declared Zhang Xiaohua’s hand ruined, but Doctor Cheng reset his broken bones and warned that recovery would take at least half a year.
• Zhang Xiaohua worried about missing boxing lessons and losing his job at Huanxi Mountain Villa, so Third Master Qu promised to teach him after he recovered and arranged leave and medical care.
• Zhang Xiaohu chose not to send Zhang Xiaohua home, carried him to his room, and stayed beside him while he slept; an unusual fluctuation spread from Zhang Xiaohua’s left wrist toward his injuries during the night.
• Zhang Xiaohua woke with severe pain in his right hand, and Zhang Xiaohu warned him not to move his fingers; Yu Lun then delivered a nourishing breakfast from Yu Deyi.
• Zhang Xiaohu left Zhang Xiaohua resting so he could eat and handle matters at the escort agency, promising to return and explain the situation to Master Li Liu.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhang Xiaohu leaves to check in at the escort agency, leaving Zhang Xiaohua alone to think about his Fist Techniques.
• Zhang Xiaohua realizes he can't remember many moves from different Fist Techniques but can remember a few from each set perfectly.
• He accidentally bumps his injured hand, causing pain and attracting Zhang Xiaohu's attention.
• Zhang Xiaohu returns earlier than expected and shares his insights about Fist Techniques with Zhang Xiaohua.

Character Developments

• Zhang Xiaohua: Struggles with remembering Fist Techniques, feels frustrated about his aptitude, but remains determined to learn.
• Zhang Xiaohu: Shares his unique perspective on Fist Techniques, reveals his dedication and insight into martial arts, feels discouraged about his future prospects.

Significant Themes

• Aptitude and determination in martial arts practice.
• The importance of focus and specialization in learning Fist Techniques.
• The role of Internal Energy in martial arts.
• The vastness of the Jianghu and the mysteries of secret techniques.

Character Interactions

• Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu: The brothers share their thoughts and experiences, comforting each other in their respective struggles.
• Zhang Xiaohua's conversation with his brother reveals his determination to learn Fist Techniques despite his limitations, while Zhang Xiaohu shares his insights and discouragement about his future prospects.

While recovering, Zhang Xiaohua tried to piece together the fist moves he remembered into a technique of his own, but realized he needed more moves and had no clear way to learn them. Li Jinfeng’s visit brought him an old Boxing Manual, giving him a possible way to study new fist techniques on his own.

• Zhang Xiaohu told Zhang Xiaohua that the Martial Arts Hall might teach him an Internal Energy Cultivation Method, though aptitude and connections could determine whether he qualified.
• After Zhang Xiaohua slept, Zhang Xiaohu practiced his fist technique while Zhang Xiaohua recalled scattered moves and began trying to link them into a complete set of his own.
• Zhang Xiaohua linked two moves successfully, then realized he would need to learn more techniques to find the remaining moves but could not think of anyone who would teach him.
• Li Jinfeng visited Zhang Xiaohua, brought him pastries, and gave him an old Boxing Manual he had found at the academy.
• After Li Jinfeng explained what a Boxing Manual was, Zhang Xiaohua realized it might let him study more fist techniques by himself.

While recovering from his injuries, Zhang Xiaohua asked Li Jinfeng to teach him to read so he could study fist manuals, and Zhang Xiaohu secured permission for him to borrow manuals from the Martial Arts Hall. Zhang Xiaohu was also invited to attend lessons there starting the next day, while Zhang Xiaohua’s future work at Huanxi Mountain Villa was arranged.

• Zhang Xiaohua found a move he remembered in the Erlang Fist manual, and Li Jinfeng read and explained its instructions to him.
• Zhang Xiaohua asked Li Jinfeng to teach him to read so he could study martial arts manuals while recovering, and Zhang Xiaohu offered to seek advice from experienced fighters about their risks.
• Third Master Qu warned Yu Deyi about using Purple Sand Palm against Zhang Xiaohu and discussed how Zhang Xiaohua’s strength had caused Yu Deyi’s internal injury.
• Third Master Qu told Zhang Xiaohu that Zhang Xiaohua could work at Huanxi Mountain Villa after recovering and that Zhang Xiaohu could attend Martial Arts Hall lessons starting the next day.
• Zhang Xiaohu asked to borrow fist manuals for Zhang Xiaohua, and Third Master Qu wrote him a note permitting him to borrow any manuals he wanted, provided he did not share them.

Third Master Qu revealed that he had let Zhang Xiaohu borrow a fist manual to win his loyalty, while believing Zhang Xiaohua could never cultivate martial arts. Zhang Xiaohua discovered differences between two versions of Erlang Fist and reconsidered his own practice, while warning Zhang Xiaohu not to alter his established form.

• Third Master Qu told Yu Deyi that he intended to keep Zhang Xiaohu dependent on him and believed Zhang Xiaohua's injured hand would prevent him from cultivating martial arts.
• Zhang Xiaohu borrowed a fist manual from the Martial Arts Hall, and Li Jinfeng praised Zhang Xiaohua's rapid progress in reading and writing while urging him to study.
• Zhang Xiaohua refused to abandon martial arts, but welcomed Li Jinfeng's offer to bring him scholarly classics.
• Zhang Xiaohu brought home an Erlang Fist manual, and Zhang Xiaohua compared it with Li Jinfeng's copy and noticed that its version matched the mistakes in his own remembered moves.
• Zhang Xiaohua concluded that he would rely on his memory when practicing, then cautioned Zhang Xiaohu against changing his own familiar fist form after Zhang Xiaohu lost his balance while trying an altered move.