Ch. 26To Survive in the Martial World, You Had to Take the Long View

Lin Lang laid out a broader plan with Ren Yingying to rescue Ren Woxing and restore his leadership without exposing their intentions to Dongfang Bubai. Meanwhile, the Mount Song Sect learned its disciples had been ambushed by the Sun Moon Demon Cult, and Zuo Lengchan ordered retaliation.

  • Lin Lang urged Ren Yingying to win Qu Yang’s cooperation, prepare poison, recruit Ren Woxing’s supporters, and use the Mount Song Sect’s losses to divert Dongfang Bubai’s attention.
  • Lin Lang revealed that he served the imperial court and explained his supposed debt to Ren Woxing; Ren Yingying agreed to persuade Qu Yang and begin the preparations.
  • Dingyi learned that Lin Lang had rescued Yilin and told her to address him as Lord Lin, while Yilin hoped to see him again.
  • Yue Buqun learned Lin Lang had killed Tian Boguang and considered how the news might affect the Mount Song Sect and his plans for the Huashan Sect.
  • Zuo Lengchan learned Fei Bin and five Mount Song disciples had died in an ambush by the Sun Moon Demon Cult, then ordered the Five Mountains Sword Alliance to strike back.

Ch. 27If You Want Huge Credit, You Have to Talk Big

Lin Lang reported recruiting Liu Zhengfeng and described how he had provoked conflict between the Mount Song School and the Sun Moon Demon Cult. He proposed using the Jinyiwei and Eastern Depot to manipulate martial sects into fighting and submit them to government control, leaving Thousand-household Liu to take him to the capital to present the plan to Cao Zhengchun.

  • Thousand-household Liu learned that Lin Lang had returned and summoned him to report.
  • Lin Lang told Thousand-household Liu that he had recruited Liu Zhengfeng, a Hengshan School elder, as a Small Banner, and exaggerated the dangers he had overcome.
  • Lin Lang revealed that he and Liu Zhengfeng had killed six Mount Song School Martial Arts Masters and framed the Sun Moon Demon Cult, provoking conflict between the two sects.
  • Lin Lang proposed placing agents in the Sun Moon Demon Cult and Five Mountains Sword Alliance, then backing one sect to subdue the martial world.
  • Thousand-household Liu told Lin Lang to accompany him to the capital and present the plan to Cao Zhengchun for a decision.

Ch. 28Bamboozling Cao Zhengchun, Promoted to Deputy Thousand-household

Lin Lang persuaded Cao Zhengchun to use spies and sect rivalries to weaken the martial world, beginning with the feud between the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and the Sun Moon Demon Cult. Cao Zhengchun put Lin Lang in charge and promoted him to Deputy Thousand-household, while Liu Xiong became a Pacification Commissioner.

  • Liu Xiong brought Lin Lang to meet Cao Zhengchun, who recognized Lin Lang from his earlier intelligence report and agreed to hear his plan.
  • Lin Lang proposed weakening the martial sects by supporting rivals and secretly stirring up conflict, and Cao Zhengchun sent Iron Claw Flying Eagle away before hearing the details.
  • Lin Lang explained that he had recruited Liu Zhengfeng and used him to frame the Sun Moon Demon Cult for the deaths of six Mount Song guardians, prompting the Mount Song Sect to attack the cult's branch altars.
  • Lin Lang proposed planting spies and exploiting Zuo Lengchan's ambition to drive the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and the Sun Moon Demon Cult into a destructive war.
  • Cao Zhengchun appointed Lin Lang a Deputy Thousand-household and put him in charge of the plan, while promoting Liu Xiong to Pacification Commissioner.

Ch. 29You Can't Go Wrong Listening to Brother Lin

The Iron-Gallant Divine Marquis learned that Lin Lang had helped Cao Zhengchun devise a plan to control the martial world and resolved to watch him. Lin Lang joined Ren Yingying, Xiang Wentian, and Lan Fenghuang to plan Ren Woxing’s rescue from West Lake Plum Manor, rejecting Xiang Wentian’s approach and insisting they use his own plan.

  • The Iron-Gallant Divine Marquis burned a secret letter about Lin Lang’s promotions and decided Shangguan Haitang should watch him and recruit him if possible.
  • Lin Lang met Ren Yingying on the road and told her to have Qu Yang flee toward Great Song while Ren Woxing remained hidden there.
  • Ren Yingying explained how her attacks on the Mount Song Sect had kept Dongfang Bubai distracted, then returned to travel with Lin Lang.
  • Lin Lang and Ren Yingying met Xiang Wentian and Lan Fenghuang, and Lin Lang revealed that Ren Woxing was imprisoned at West Lake Plum Manor.
  • Xiang Wentian proposed posing as disciples of a major sect to reach Ren Woxing, but Lin Lang pointed out the risks and said they should follow his plan.

Ch. 30The Simple Way to Breach Plum Manor

Lin Lang and his companions infiltrated Plum Manor and forced the Four Friends of Plum Manor to lead them to Ren Woxing’s dungeon. They found Ren Woxing alive in an iron cage and called out to rescue him.

  • Hei Baizi tried to arrange to take food to Ren Woxing alone, but Huang Zhonggong insisted that two people follow the rules and go together.
  • After the Four Friends of Plum Manor were incapacitated by a laxative, Lin Lang, Xiang Wentian, Ren Yingying, and Lan Fenghuang confronted them and revealed they knew Ren Woxing was imprisoned beneath the manor.
  • Lin Lang offered the Four Friends of Plum Manor Three Corpse Brain Spirit Pills; when Huang Zhonggong refused, Lin Lang killed him, and Hei Baizi, Tu Biweng, and Dan Qingsheng took the pills and antidote.
  • Hei Baizi, Tu Biweng, and Dan Qingsheng led Lin Lang and Xiang Wentian into the dungeon, where they found Ren Woxing chained inside an iron cage.
  • Lin Lang called out to Ren Woxing and announced that they had come to rescue him.

Ch. 31Ren Woxing: I'll pass the Star-Sucking Great Skill to Lin Lang, whether he wants it or not

Ren Woxing was freed from Plum Manor and learned that Lin Lang had planned the rescue, then considered how to reward him. Ren Woxing decided to pass the Star-Sucking Great Skill to Lin Lang, whether he wanted it or not, and sent him and Ren Yingying to retrieve the instructions from the dungeon.

  • Xiang Wentian unlocked Ren Woxing’s cage, and Ren Woxing reunited with Ren Yingying.
  • Ren Yingying told Ren Woxing that Lin Lang had found him and devised the rescue plan.
  • Xiang Wentian explained that Ren Woxing could recover at Plum Manor while they gathered followers and prepared to overthrow Dongfang Bubai.
  • Ren Woxing offered Lin Lang rewards, but Lin Lang said he wanted nothing and noted that his true qi was weak.
  • Ren Woxing decided to give Lin Lang the Star-Sucking Great Skill and told him and Ren Yingying to read what he had left on the cage.

Ch. 32Reversing the Star-Sucking Great Skill

Lin Lang learned and reversed the Star-Sucking Great Skill at Plum Manor, then left to return to Great Ming while Ren Yingying and Ren Woxing each expected him to join the Sun Moon Holy Cult. On the road, Lin Lang planned to test his new martial art on another martial artist.

  • Ren Yingying persuaded Lin Lang to learn the Star-Sucking Great Skill from the writing Ren Woxing had left in the dungeon, and Lin Lang erased it after memorizing it.
  • Lin Lang reversed the Star-Sucking Great Skill’s flaw, making absorbed qi easier to refine and beneficial to his meridians and dantian.
  • Ren Woxing offered to guide Lin Lang at Plum Manor, but Lin Lang declined and promised to help keep Dongfang Bubai occupied while Ren Woxing recovered.
  • Lin Lang said farewell to Ren Yingying and rode away from Plum Manor toward Great Ming.
  • Lin Lang decided to train the Star-Sucking Great Skill and looked for a martial artist on whom to test it.

Ch. 33What Right Did Great Ming's Jinyiwei Have to Meddle in Great Song's Affairs?

Lin Lang ambushed Yu Canghai at Pine Wind Temple, drained most of his qi with the Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill, and killed him as punishment for slaughtering the Lin family. After taking Yu Canghai’s sword manual and valuables, Lin Lang considered how to improve his skill and came up with a new idea.

  • Yu Canghai practiced the fake Evil-Warding Sword Technique and wondered how to capture Lin Pingzhi to obtain the real manual.
  • Lin Lang appeared and demonstrated the real Evil-Warding Sword Technique’s movement against Yu Canghai, who failed to land a hit.
  • Yu Canghai attacked Lin Lang with his palm, but Lin Lang used the Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill to drain most of his qi.
  • Yu Canghai questioned Lin Lang’s right as a Jinyiwei officer from Great Ming to interfere in Great Song, and Lin Lang killed him with a sword strike.
  • Lin Lang searched Yu Canghai’s room, took the Pine Wind Sword Technique manual and valuables, and reflected on how to strengthen the Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill.
  • Lin Lang turned back as he was leaving the mountain after a brilliant idea came to him.

Ch. 34I'll Make You Famous, You Take the Blame

Lin Lang killed Yu Canghai and other jianghu villains, leaving Duan Yu's name behind so the crimes made him famous. Duan Yu accepted the mistaken credit, while Lin Lang returned to Pingyang Prefecture stronger and met Wang Wu at the city gate.

  • Lin Lang used Yu Canghai's blood to frame Duan Yu for Yu Canghai's murder, and the Qingcheng Sect soon collapsed amid ridicule and attacks.
  • A tavern storyteller credited Duan Yu with killing Yu Canghai and Mu Gaofeng, and Duan Yu chose to enjoy the praise rather than deny it.
  • Lin Lang revealed that he had killed several notorious villains, raised his Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill to minor attainment, and accumulated fifty years' worth of qi.
  • Lin Lang headed back to Pingyang Prefecture to reunite with Wang Wu, Jia Liu, Liu Zhengfeng, and Xiao He.
  • Lin Lang arrived in Pingyang and found Wang Wu waiting alone at the city gate, where Wang Wu exclaimed that Lin Lang had finally returned.

Ch. 35Your authority is no match for my fists

Lin Lang confronted Thousand-household Zhao after learning Zhao had taken credit and reward money for killing Tian Boguang and sent Lin Lang’s men to guard the city gates. Lin Lang defeated Zhao in a brief fight, demanded his stolen reward back, and left Zhao injured while ordering a physician for him.

  • Wang Wu, Jia Liu, and Liu Zhengfeng told Lin Lang that Thousand-household Zhao had taken credit for Tian Boguang’s death and punished them by assigning them to guard the city gates.
  • Lin Lang took the three men to confront Zhao at the Thousand-household’s residence and challenged him to a sparring match before the gathered Jinyiwei.
  • Thousand-household Zhao attacked with his movement technique, but Lin Lang struck him twice and sent him crashing across the courtyard.
  • Lin Lang demanded that Zhao return what he had taken and warned him that his authority could not stop Lin Lang’s fists.
  • Lin Lang ordered the men to carry Zhao to his room and sent for the city’s best physician, offering to pay the medical expenses.

Ch. 36I'm taking charge of the Thousand-household Office. Who's in favor, and who's against?

Lin Lang injured Thousand-Household Zhao and took temporary charge of the Pingyang Prefecture Thousand-household Office, ordering its men to investigate the martial world. Cao Zhengchun approved of Lin Lang’s audacity, while Iron Claw Flying Eagle decided to warn the Divine Marquis to take Lin Lang more seriously.

  • Lin Lang ordered the Thousand-household Office to assemble and announced that Zhao would be bedridden for three to five months after their sparring match.
  • Lin Lang declared that he would temporarily oversee the office and sent its men to gather intelligence and evidence against martial sects and their members.
  • Wang Wu and Jia Liu supported Lin Lang, and Sun Xing agreed after Lin Lang asked whether he objected.
  • Lin Lang assigned Liu Zhengfeng to capture wanted criminals and returned home, where he hinted to Xiao He that he was aroused.
  • Iron Claw Flying Eagle reported Lin Lang’s actions to Cao Zhengchun, who laughed and refused to punish him.
  • Iron Claw Flying Eagle resolved to tell the Divine Marquis that Lin Lang posed a greater concern than previously thought.

Ch. 37Opening the Ren and Du Meridians, Breaking Through to Martial Arts Grandmaster

Lin Lang opened his Ren and Du Meridians and advanced to the early Martial Arts Grandmaster stage, then ordered Wang Wu to spread provocative rumors about Dongfang Bubai and Zuo Lengchan. The rumors provoked both sides into escalating their attacks, while Lin Lang prepared to practice his swordsmanship and eventually kill Dongfang Bubai.

  • Lin Lang opened the Ren and Du Meridians, became an early Martial Arts Grandmaster, and found that his true qi had become innate and more powerful.
  • Lin Lang practiced the Reverse Evil-Warding Sword Technique and ordered the seamstress to make Xiao He several unusual outfits.
  • Lin Lang told Wang Wu to spread rumors that Dongfang Bubai would destroy the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and that Zuo Lengchan planned to destroy the Sun Moon Holy Cult's Branch Altars.
  • After hearing the rumor, Zuo Lengchan ordered every sect in the Five Mountains Sword Alliance to destroy one Sun Moon Demon Cult Branch Altar that month.
  • Yang Lianting heard that Zuo Lengchan had threatened him and ordered the Sun Moon Holy Cult to kill anyone from the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, regardless of age or sex.

Ch. 38Want to Watch the Show? Then None of You Get to Sit Idle

Lin Lang ordered Wang Wu to spread rumors that stirred suspicion and ambition among the martial factions while the Sun Moon Demon Cult and Five Mountains Sword Alliance fought. The rumors prompted leaders at Northern Shaolin, the Golden Coin Gang, and Mount Song to prepare to exploit the conflict, leaving the martial world on the brink of wider strife.

  • Lin Lang reviewed Wang Wu's intelligence and ordered him to keep watch on the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, the Sun Moon Demon Cult, and Northern Shaolin while spreading more rumors.
  • Wang Wu and an accomplice planted tavern gossip claiming Shangguan Jinhong wanted to unite the martial world and that Zuo Lengchan sought to lead it.
  • Fang Zheng heard the rumors and considered using the Sun Moon Demon Cult to make the Mount Song Sect and Five Mountains Sword Alliance fight to the death.
  • Shangguan Jinhong told Jing Wuming to recruit more experts and wait for the other factions to weaken before making his move.
  • Zuo Lengchan suspected a Mount Song disciple had leaked his plans and ordered an investigation, commanding his men to kill anyone who resisted.

Ch. 39I'll interrogate this female thief myself

Ren Woxing planned to return to Great Ming and seek Lin Lang’s help against Dongfang Bubai, while Lin Lang improved the Fragrant Pavilion and expanded his intelligence network. After Liu Zhengfeng brought two wanted criminals to the Thousand-household Office, Lin Lang took a special interest in the female thief and decided to interrogate her himself.

  • Ren Woxing learned that Dongfang Bubai had left the Sun Moon Holy Cult exposed to attacks and planned to return to Great Ming next month to consult Lin Lang.
  • Xiang Wentian told Ren Woxing that Lin Lang had been frequenting the Fragrant Pavilion, prompting Ren Woxing to wonder what Lin Lang was doing there.
  • Lin Lang coached the Fragrant Pavilion’s women to attract more customers and planned to recruit some of them to gather intelligence.
  • Wang Wu told Lin Lang that Liu Zhengfeng had returned with two wanted criminals.
  • Liu Zhengfeng reported that he had captured Sun Yu, a second-rate martial artist, and a late-stage Martial Arts Master who was a female thief.
  • Lin Lang ordered Liu Zhengfeng to handle Sun Yu and took the female thief to his office for a personal interrogation.

Ch. 40Even biting your tongue off won't help, as long as you're still warm

Lin Lang drained a captured Great Song Demon Cult thief of her true qi, forced her to reveal her martial arts, and killed her before ordering her remains sent away. Three days later, he learned that wanted murderer Li Fei had appeared and set out to capture him.

  • Lin Lang threatened the bound female thief and used Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill to drain her true qi.
  • The female thief revealed her martial arts inheritance, and Lin Lang killed her and gave two manuals to Liu Zhengfeng.
  • Lin Lang ordered his men to pursue wanted martial-world criminals and told Jia Liu to recover Sun Yu's stolen money.
  • Lin Lang went to the Fragrant Pavilion, and three days later Wang Wu reported that Li Fei had appeared near the Thousand-household Office.
  • Lin Lang vowed to capture Li Fei, who had slaughtered all twenty-eight members of the Sun family.

Ch. 41One Thousand Taels-Are You Insulting Me?

Lin Lang and the Jinyiwei raided the Silver Hook Gambling House and captured Li Fei, a fugitive killer and Golden Coin Gang member, with ease. Lin Lang took Li Fei’s token as evidence and turned down the manager’s small bribe, then considered how to seize the gambling house’s money.

  • A green-clad man named Li Fei lost his money at the Silver Hook Gambling House and borrowed five thousand taels using a Golden Coin Gang token as collateral.
  • Lin Lang arrived with the Jinyiwei, identified Li Fei as wanted for killing the Sun Family, and ordered him to surrender.
  • Li Fei attacked Lin Lang with dice and a short sword, but Lin Lang defeated him, sealed his acupoints, and had Wang Wu take him away.
  • The gambling house manager offered Lin Lang a thousand-tael banknote, but Lin Lang rejected it and claimed Li Fei’s token as evidence.
  • Lin Lang told the manager to collect Li Fei’s loan from the Golden Coin Gang and considered inventing an excuse to confiscate the gambling house’s money.

Ch. 42Will you talk or not?

Lin Lang extorted twelve thousand taels from the Silver Hook Gambling House, then interrogated Li Fei about the Golden Coin Gang. After draining Li Fei’s martial arts, Lin Lang let him leave but immediately called him a fugitive escaping.

  • Lin Lang and Wang Wu seized the Silver Hook Gambling House’s money, forcing its manager to provide twelve thousand taels in banknotes.
  • The manager closed the gambling house and sent a carrier pigeon to alert his backers about Lin Lang.
  • Wang Wu warned Lin Lang that the gambling house had powerful backing, but Lin Lang gave him and the other men money before questioning Li Fei alone.
  • Lin Lang unsealed Li Fei’s mute pressure point and persuaded him to reveal the Golden Coin Gang’s experts, businesses, and earnings.
  • Lin Lang used the Star-Sucking Great Skill to drain Li Fei’s true qi, then let him go.
  • As Li Fei fled through the courtyard gate, Lin Lang shouted that the fugitive was escaping.

Ch. 43Hospitality meant only food and drink? What about the fun afterward?

Lin Lang killed Li Fei, studied his concealed-weapon techniques, and angered local officials with his expectations for hospitality. Meanwhile, Zhu Wushi ordered the Li Family's Four Brothers to recruit Lin Lang or kill him, while Shangguan Jinhong decided another enemy would deal with him.

  • Lin Lang let Wang Wu kill the powerless Li Fei, then arranged to claim the reward and destroy the evidence of his own involvement.
  • Lin Lang studied Li Fei's martial arts legacy, began learning Flowers Filling the Sky, and resolved to combine it with the Evil-Warding Sword Manual's concealed-weapon technique.
  • Lin Lang left Hundred-household Sun's office dissatisfied because Sun had provided food and drink but no entertainment afterward.
  • Shangguan Haitang warned Zhu Wushi that Lin Lang was greedy and lawless, but Zhu Wushi ordered the Li Family's Four Brothers to recruit him or kill him.
  • Jing Wuming told Shangguan Jinhong that Lin Lang had killed Li Fei, and Shangguan Jinhong decided someone else would take care of Lin Lang.

Ch. 44The Iron-Gallant Divine Marquis Was Far Too Kind

After celebrating his subordinates’ promotions, Lin Lang was ambushed by four Dragon Guard Manor fighters who tried to recruit him for Zhu Wushi. Lin Lang defeated them and looked forward to the Iron-Gallant Divine Marquis sending more opponents.

  • Lin Lang celebrated his colleagues’ promotions and promised that loyal followers could rise to become Thousand-households.
  • Lin Lang gave his subordinates five days off, then left the Fragrant Pavilion to return home.
  • Four men in black confronted Lin Lang and demanded that he pledge allegiance to the Divine Marquis in exchange for advancement.
  • Lin Lang rejected their offer, and the four attacked him in the alley.
  • Lin Lang used his movement skills and a short sword to defeat all four men.
  • When the leader threatened that the Divine Marquis would send more experts, Lin Lang welcomed the prospect of fighting them.

Ch. 45Though Cao Zhengchun Was No Longer a Man, He Sure Acted Like One

Lin Lang killed Zhu Wushi’s four agents and continued drawing Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi into a struggle over his loyalty. Cao Zhengchun publicly defended Lin Lang before the emperor, while Lin Lang rejected the Eastern Depot’s pressure and decided to cause another major disturbance to secure Cao Zhengchun’s support.

  • Lin Lang drained the true qi from Zhu Wushi’s four agents, killed them, and had their bodies secretly disposed of.
  • After arresting Li Fei, Lin Lang sent Cao Zhengchun a letter asking him to deal with the troubles Zhu Wushi had caused.
  • Cao Zhengchun praised Lin Lang’s arrests before the emperor, while Zhu Wushi accused Lin Lang of misconduct and urged that he be investigated.
  • Cao Zhengchun defended Lin Lang as a loyal officer who had killed the wanted criminal Tian Boguang, and Zhu Wushi chose to postpone acting against him.
  • Lin Lang burned Cao Zhengchun’s letter and resolved to stir up another major incident to keep the eunuch supporting him.

Ch. 46Teaching Zuo Lengchan How to Fulfill His Dream

Lin Lang used intelligence about Dongfang Bubai’s injury to steer Zuo Lengchan toward attacking the Sun Moon Demon Cult, giving him a path to gain prestige and later pursue the Five Mountains merger. As the sect leaders gathered at Mount Song, Lin Lang prepared to send another letter to Blackwood Cliff to ensure the alliance would attack.

  • Wang Wu reported that the Sun Moon Demon Cult and the Five Mountains Sword Alliance had suffered heavy losses, while Zuo Lengchan’s merger plan faced resistance from three sects.
  • Lin Lang sent Zuo Lengchan a letter claiming Dongfang Bubai had suffered cultivation deviation and urging him to unite the righteous martial world against the Sun Moon Demon Cult.
  • Zuo Lengchan decided to postpone the merger and summon the Five Mountains sect leaders to Mount Song to plan an attack on the cult.
  • Yue Buqun agreed to attend the meeting and privately considered using the campaign to strengthen his own position, potentially exploiting Linghu Chong’s swordsmanship.
  • Wang Wu told Lin Lang that the sect leaders and core disciples were heading to Mount Song, and Lin Lang revealed that he had sent a letter to Blackwood Cliff to bolster their resolve.

Ch. 47Dongfang Bubai, Go Raid the Five Mountains' Home Bases!

Lin Lang’s letter persuaded Yang Lianting to send the Sun Moon Holy Cult’s four halls against the Five Mountains sect strongholds while Dongfang Bubai prepared to face an attack on Blackwood Cliff. Lin Lang learned that the cult had mobilized as planned and expected the resulting conflict to win him Cao’s praise.

  • Yang Lianting opened a letter warning that Zuo Lengchan had summoned the Five Mountains Sword Alliance to attack Blackwood Cliff and urging the cult to strike their strongholds.
  • Yang Lianting obtained Dongfang Bubai’s approval to send Tong Baixiong and the other three hall leaders against four sects while recalling cult members to defend Blackwood Cliff.
  • Tong Baixiong and the other hall leaders agreed to investigate the intelligence and prepare their forces, with Tong choosing to target Huashan if the other sects were undefended.
  • Yang Lianting told Dongfang Bubai about the planned attack, and Dongfang Bubai vowed to kill the Five Mountains Alliance and any other forces that joined it.
  • Wang Wu and Jia Liu told Lin Lang that the Sun Moon Holy Cult had mobilized toward the four sect strongholds, and Lin Lang modestly predicted the ensuing conflict would earn Cao’s praise.

Ch. 48We're going to uphold justice for the common people

Lin Lang received the Eastern Depot’s support to act against the Northern Mount Heng, Southern Hengshan, and Eastern Mount Tai sects. After arranging to depart for Hengshan City, he said he would uphold justice for the common people.

  • Cao Zhengchun received Lin Lang’s plan and ordered evidence prepared against the three sects, communications blocked, and local authorities ordered to cooperate.
  • Shangguan Haitang reported that spies in the Five Mountains Sword Alliance and Sun Moon Demon Cult had gone missing, and Zhu Wushi decided to wait for both sides to weaken before recruiting new spies.
  • Lin Lang ordered Wang Wu to stew the Eastern Depot carrier pigeon so he could cut off communication and avoid interference.
  • An Eastern Depot official delivered the requested evidence and assured Lin Lang that Cao Zhengchun would overlook minor matters.
  • Lin Lang sent Wang Wu and fifty men to Hengshan City, saying they were going to uphold justice for the common people.

Ch. 49Aged Wine Was Fine, but Unopened New Wine Was Even More Tempting

Lin Lang explained his revised plan to Ren Yingying for Ren Woxing to reclaim leadership of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, using the Five Mountains Sword Alliance to test Dongfang Bubai. He brought Ren Yingying home under the guise of discussing the plan, leaving Xiao He waiting as he prepared to dine with his unexpected guest.

  • Wang Wu and Jia Liu departed with their men, while Lin Lang prepared to lead a mission to the Hengshan School the next day.
  • Ren Yingying met Lin Lang alone and told him Ren Woxing had left Plum Manor with Xiang Wentian to recruit former followers and visit old friends.
  • Lin Lang proposed changing the plan because Ren Woxing might have been betrayed, and because a failed ambush could put Ren Yingying in danger.
  • Lin Lang said he would use the Five Mountains Sword Alliance's attack on Blackwood Cliff to test Dongfang Bubai and create an opportunity for Ren Woxing.
  • Lin Lang took Ren Yingying home to eat and discuss the plan, then sent Xiao He away when she brought a late-night meal.

Ch. 50You Have to Take Responsibility for Me

Lin Lang manipulated Ren Yingying into opening her door and sleeping with him, then used the encounter to perfect his Reverse Golden Body Child Skill. The next morning, he told Xiao He he was leaving on an assignment, foiling her hopes of getting close to him.

  • Lin Lang discussed Ren Woxing's strength and plans to help him challenge Dongfang Bubai, then left Ren Yingying alone for the night.
  • Ren Yingying heard Lin Lang groaning next door and rushed to help; he drew her in, and they spent the night together.
  • Lin Lang's Reverse Golden Body Child Skill reached perfection, and he resolved to help Ren Woxing reclaim leadership of the Sun Moon Holy Cult now that he had Ren Yingying's support.
  • Xiao He saw two shadows in Lin Lang's room and realized he was with another woman, then returned to her room without confronting him.
  • The next morning, Lin Lang told Xiao He to pack clothes because he was leaving with the brothers on an assignment, then ordered her to empty the chamber pot.
Arc 2 of 2