Chapter Summaries

Lin Lang traded the secret of Duan Yu’s parentage for Duan Yanqing’s Yiyang Finger, then killed Ding Chunqiu and absorbed his poisonous true qi. Su Xinghe invited Lin Lang to try the Exquisite Chess Puzzle, but Lin Lang yielded the first turn to the others, and Murong Fu stepped forward to play.

• Lin Lang revealed to Duan Yanqing that Duan Yu was his son, and Duan Yanqing exchanged the Yiyang Finger method for the secret before leaving with the other Three Evils.
• Lin Lang offered Murong Fu a secret about his father in exchange for Star-Shifting Change, but Murong Fu refused to trade or leave.
• Lin Lang confronted Ding Chunqiu, absorbed his poisonous true qi, and killed him with a palm strike.
• Su Xinghe, relieved that Lin Lang had avenged his master, invited him to attempt the Exquisite Chess Puzzle.
• Lin Lang said nobody else would have a chance if he played first, so Murong Fu volunteered to take the first turn.

Lin Lang drove the visitors from Deaf-Mute Valley, claimed victory in the Exquisite Chess Puzzle, and confronted Wuyazi for the Xiaoyao Sect’s martial arts. Their fight ended with Wuyazi’s Northern Darkness Divine Skill clashing with Lin Lang’s Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill.

• Wanwan’s taunts drove Murong Fu toward suicide until Deng Baichuan’s shout broke the spell, and Wanwan killed Gongye Qian when he attacked her.
• Lin Lang won the Exquisite Chess Puzzle by declaring the game Five-in-a-Row, then warned the guests that Ding Chunqiu’s poison had infected them and sent them fleeing for an antidote.
• Lin Lang demanded the Xiaoyao Sect’s martial arts from Wuyazi, who refused to pass them to an outsider and offered other martial arts or a future successor instead.
• Wuyazi attacked Lin Lang with the Cold Sleeve Acupoint-Disrupting Technique, but Lin Lang cut through his sleeve and seized the rope Wuyazi used to lure him closer.
• Wuyazi unleashed the Northern Darkness Divine Skill to drain Lin Lang’s true qi, but Lin Lang’s Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill began drawing Wuyazi’s energy away instead.

Lin Lang killed Wuyazi, absorbed his true qi, and advanced the Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill. Outside Chessboard Mountain, he tried to recruit Jiumozhi into the Sun Moon Holy Cult, but Jiumozhi refused and attacked him.

• Lin Lang disrupted Wuyazi's true qi, drained it, and killed him; Mr. Congbian then tried to avenge his master but was killed by Lin Lang.
• Lin Lang mastered the Northern Darkness Divine Skill's circulation method, raised the Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill to transcendent mastery, and buried Wuyazi and Mr. Congbian in the cave.
• Lin Lang searched Ding Chunqiu's corpse for the Divine Wood King Cauldron, found it missing, and left Deaf-Mute Valley.
• Jiumozhi stopped Lin Lang outside Chessboard Mountain and asked to trade for the Yiyang Finger, then invited him to help obtain the Six Meridians Divine Sword.
• Lin Lang offered Jiumozhi a place in the Sun Moon Holy Cult and warned that his Shaolin martial arts were leading him astray; Jiumozhi refused the conditions and attacked with his Flame Blade.

Lin Lang defeated Jiumozhi, absorbed his true qi, and recruited him as a Skill-Transmitting Elder of the Sun Moon Holy Cult. After arranging Jiumozhi’s escort and reviewing intelligence, Lin Lang encountered A'Zi and You Tanzhi, who challenged him to protect her.

• Lin Lang overcame Jiumozhi’s martial arts and defenses, drained his true qi, and offered him a place in the Sun Moon Holy Cult.
• Jiumozhi accepted the Three Corpse Brain Spirit Pill, and Lin Lang told him the Xiaoyao Sect had given him its martial arts and that Jiumozhi’s manuals came from that sect.
• Lin Lang arranged for the Five Immortal Envoys to escort Jiumozhi to Blackwood Cliff and ordered them to search the Sea of Stars and Lodgings for poison arts.
• Lin Lang read reports that Murong Fu was heading west and that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had escaped to Dali, then spotted A'Zi with the iron-headed You Tanzhi.
• You Tanzhi threatened Lin Lang after A'Zi claimed he meant to kill her, and Lin Lang warned that You Tanzhi’s challenge would end the You family’s chances of restoration.

Lin Lang killed A'Zi and You Tanzhi, then cultivated the Reverse Five Poisons True Scripture to transcendent mastery and traveled to the Five Immortals Sect. After learning that martial artists were converging on Heavenly Mountain, he sent for a message to Blackwood Cliff and planned to capture Wu Xingyun; meanwhile, Murong Fu continued north toward Great Sui.

• Lin Lang drained You Tanzhi's True Qi, captured A'Zi after she tried to flee, and watched her poison herself with her own attack; You Tanzhi died after consuming her poisoned blood.
• Lin Lang took the Divine Wood King Cauldron and the Marrow-Cleansing Scripture, buried A'Zi and You Tanzhi, and cultivated among venomous creatures in Deaf-Mute Valley until his Reverse Five Poisons True Scripture reached transcendent mastery.
• Lin Lang left Chessboard Mountain, learned that the Five Immortal Envoys had escorted Jiumozhi to Blackwood Cliff, and traveled to the Five Immortals Sect to give Lan Fenghuang the Divine Wood King Cauldron.
• Lan Fenghuang told Lin Lang that martial artists from many regions were heading northwest, and he recognized their destination as Heavenly Mountain and ordered a message sent to Blackwood Cliff.
• Lin Lang decided to have people capture Wu Xingyun, while Murong Fu traveled north toward Great Sui and, at dusk, spotted a distant fire while seeking a place to rest.

After Ding Chunqiu’s death, Southern Shaolin and the Southern Beggars’ Gang avoided confronting the Sun Moon Demon Cult, while Dali’s leaders worried over Duan Yu, Jiumozhi, and the Song Clan. Lin Lang strengthened the Five Immortals Sect and left for Blackwood Cliff, still unable to break through to the Heaven-Man Realm.

• Abbot Xuanci refused to send Southern Shaolin against the Xingxiu Sect or join Northern Shaolin’s campaign against the Sun Moon Demon Cult, and ordered his monks to focus on meditation and martial arts.
• Guo Jing rejected an elder’s call to attack the Sun Moon Demon Cult, and Huang Rong urged him to avoid risking the Southern Beggars’ Gang without support from major sects.
• Master Ku Rong and Duan Zhengming discussed Duan Yanqing, Jiumozhi’s journey to Great Ming, and the Song Clan, then Duan Zhengming ordered Duan Yu brought back to Dali.
• Lan Fenghuang celebrated a Golden Scorpion and received Lin Lang’s guidance on developing her martial arts and the Five Immortals Sect before he promised to return the following month and departed.
• On the road back to Blackwood Cliff, Lin Lang reflected on his stalled attempt to enter the Heaven-Man Realm and considered seeking insight from Jiumozhi, Zhang Sanfeng, or Jade Rakshasa.

Ren Yingying developed the Star-Sucking Great Skill with Lin Lang’s guidance and began cultivating the Marrow-Cleansing Scripture, while Lin Lang recruited Jiumozhi to advise the Sun Moon Holy Cult. The chapter ended as someone leading the Eighteen Iron Cavalry entered Great Ming territory.

• Ren Yingying approved the Giant Whale Gang’s expansion and refused to cut staff at the Sun Moon Escort Agency before welcoming Lin Lang back to Blackwood Cliff.
• Lin Lang explained that Jiumozhi could recover his martial arts by learning the Star-Sucking Great Skill and appointed him to oversee the Martial Arts Pavilion’s second floor.
• Lin Lang gave Ren Yingying a new Star-Sucking Great Skill formula combining the Absorbing Power Divine Skill and the Northern Darkness Divine Skill, then taught her the Marrow-Cleansing Scripture.
• Ren Yingying grasped the basics of the Marrow-Cleansing Scripture after three days of cultivation and found that it improved her flexibility and let her absorb true qi without conflicting impurities.
• Lin Lang gave Jiumozhi the Star-Sucking Great Skill manual and discussed the Heaven-Man Realm and the fusion of Essence, Qi, and Spirit with him.
• Someone leading the Eighteen Iron Cavalry entered Great Ming territory.

Xiao Feng came to Blackwood Cliff seeking A'Zi, believing Lin Lang had killed her, but learned she had died by her own poison after trying to ambush him. Lin Lang cleared the misunderstanding and offered to use the Sun Moon Holy Cult's intelligence network to help Xiao Feng find his father, leaving Xiao Feng eager for answers.

• Xiao Feng traveled into Great Ming to find A'Zi and learned at a teahouse that Ding Chunqiu and the Xingxiu Sect had been wiped out by Lin Lang.
• Lin Lang failed to break through to the Heaven-Man Realm and discussed his stalled progress and the Holy Cult's affairs with Ren Yingying.
• Xiao Feng arrived at Blackwood Cliff and fought Yin Yeku, nearly injuring him with a dragon-capturing technique before Lin Lang intervened.
• Lin Lang explained that A'Zi had died after her own poison powder rebounded, and told Xiao Feng about the harm she had caused You Tanzhi and others.
• Xiao Feng apologized to Lin Lang and Yin Yeku, but Lin Lang offered to help him find his father through the Holy Cult's intelligence network.
• Xiao Feng asked Lin Lang whether his father was still alive and where he was.

Lin Lang revealed Xiao Feng’s parentage and the truth behind his family’s tragedy, then sent rumors about Xuanci and Southern Shaolin spreading through the Jianghu. Xiao Feng headed for Southern Shaolin to find his father and seek revenge, while Lin Lang rode toward Heavenly Mountain and Xiao Yuanshan prepared to emerge from hiding.

• Lin Lang told Xiao Feng that his father, Xiao Yuanshan, was alive and hiding in Southern Shaolin, and explained how Murong Bo and Xuanci had helped cause the family’s suffering.
• Lin Lang warned Xiao Feng about the Sweeping Monk and advised him to find Xiao Yuanshan and draw Murong Bo out; Xiao Feng rode south with his eighteen armored riders.
• Lin Lang ordered Xiang Wentian to spread news of Xuanci and Ye Erniang’s affair, and rumors across the Jianghu expanded into accusations that Southern Shaolin had manipulated events against Xiao Feng and the Southern Beggars’ Gang.
• Lin Lang learned that Jiang Xiaoyu and the others had not reported back, suspected Li Qiushui had intervened, and rode toward Heavenly Mountain while Yin Yeku guarded Blackwood Cliff.
• Ye Erniang decided to go to Southern Shaolin, and Duan Yanqing, Yue Laosan, and Yun Zhonghe chose to accompany her.
• At Southern Shaolin, Xiao Yuanshan welcomed the exposure of the old truth and planned to join Xiao Feng in taking revenge on Xuanci and Murong Bo.

Jiang Xiaoyu, Hua Wuque, and their companions were trapped in Spirit Vulture Palace with the disguised Heavenly Mountain Child Elder while Li Qiushui tried to kill her. As Li Qiushui broke into their chamber, a familiar voice intervened on behalf of the Sun Moon Holy Cult.

• Jiang Xiaoyu and Hua Wuque fled into Spirit Vulture Palace with the captured little girl after Li Qiushui overwhelmed them and the people surrounding the palace.
• The little girl revealed that she was the Heavenly Mountain Child Elder, and she asked Jiang Xiaoyu and the others for fresh blood to help restore her strength.
• Li Qiushui ordered Murong Fu and the others to search for gunpowder and blast open the chamber, while Zhu Yuyan learned of the siege and Wanwan set out to help Jiang Xiaoyu.
• Jiang Xiaoyu refused to help the Heavenly Mountain Child Elder recover, trusting that Lin Lang would come to their rescue.
• Li Qiushui blasted open the secret chamber and threatened Jiang Xiaoyu, Hua Wuque, Yin Ku, and Blue Scorpion, but a familiar voice challenged her.

Lin Lang confronted Li Qiushui at Spirit Vulture Palace, revealed that he had avenged Wuyazi, and fought her while refining his martial arts. He broke through to the Heaven-Man Realm, killed Li Qiushui, and left Murong Fu captured as Wanwan claimed the Western Xia First-Class Hall for the Yin Kui Sect.

• Lin Lang arrived as Li Qiushui attacked, identified himself as the Sun Moon Holy Cult’s Right Envoy, and demanded the Xiaoyao Sect’s supreme arts as Wuyazi’s promised legacy.
• Lin Lang revealed that Li Qiushui’s affair with Ding Chunqiu had led to Wuyazi’s crippling, and Wu Xingyun learned that Wuyazi had been avenged.
• Lin Lang used their duel to improve his palm techniques and hard-body martial arts, then entered the Heaven-Man Realm as Li Qiushui tried to flee.
• Lin Lang caught Li Qiushui and drained her true qi with Reverse Star-Sucking Great Skill while Jiang Xiaoyu and the others defeated her followers.
• Wanwan defeated Murong Fu, offered him to Lin Lang, and announced that the Yin Kui Sect would take the Western Xia First-Class Hall.
• Lin Lang exposed Li Qiushui’s feigned death and killed her for real, and Wu Xingyun celebrated Wuyazi’s revenge.

Lin Lang rejected Wu Xingyun’s plan to revive the Xiaoyao Sect, killed her, and found the Spirit Vulture Palace’s hidden martial arts inheritance. After studying its techniques, he crossed the chasm to offer the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands a way to remove their Life-and-Death Talismans.

• Wu Xingyun taught Lin Lang the Eight Desolations and Six Directions, I Alone Reign Supreme Skill and urged him to lead the Xiaoyao Sect, but Lin Lang refused and killed Murong Fu to seize his martial arts insights.
• Lin Lang rejected Wu Xingyun’s demand to rename the Sun Moon Holy Cult and killed her after she attacked him with a Life-and-Death Talisman.
• Jiang Xiaoyu and Hua Wuque found a hidden cavern containing the Spirit Vulture Palace’s martial arts inheritance, and Lin Lang ordered Jiang Xiaoyu to copy its manuals.
• Lin Lang studied the Heavenly Mountain Six Yang Palm and Heavenly Mountain Plum-Folding Hand while Jiang Xiaoyu copied the carvings.
• When a cave master’s Life-and-Death Talisman flared and he jumped toward the chasm, Lin Lang crossed it and caught him, then offered to remove the talismans for the gathered cave and island masters.

Lin Lang removed the Life-and-Death Talismans afflicting the gathered martial artists, freed Yin Ku from his gu worm, and reversed the flaws in the Eight Desolations, Six Directions, I Am Supreme Skill. After seven days of cultivation, he left Spirit Vulture Palace with his companions, while a scout reported the palace’s destruction to Prince of Ruyang’s Manor.

• Jiang Xiaoyu announced that Lin Lang had killed the Heavenly Mountain Child Elder, and Lin Lang removed Wu Laoda’s Life-and-Death Talisman, prompting the gathered martial artists to beg for his help.
• Lin Lang spent a day and night removing everyone’s Life-and-Death Talismans, then required them to provide intelligence to the Sun Moon Holy Cult rather than immediately admitting them as members.
• Lin Lang used silver needles and true qi to force Yin Ku’s gu worm from his body, while telling Blue Scorpion that he was not yet confident he could remove hers safely.
• Lin Lang reversed the flaws in the Eight Desolations, Six Directions, I Am Supreme Skill and discovered it could preserve his youth while refining his true qi; Jiang Xiaoyu guarded him as he cultivated for seven days.
• Lin Lang left Misty Peak riding the spirit vulture with Jiang Xiaoyu, Hua Wuque, Yin Ku, and Blue Scorpion, while a scout who found Spirit Vulture Palace destroyed decided to report the news to Prince of Ruyang’s Manor.

Xuanci killed himself after Xuzhu learned the truth about his parentage, while Wanwan destroyed Western Xia's First-Class Hall. Lin Lang learned of the Jianghu upheavals and went to Manduo Manor, where he falsely told Wang Yuyan that Murong Fu had died and offered to care for her, only to be interrupted by an angry voice.

• Xuanci passed his true qi to Xuzhu and killed himself, while Xiao Feng and the Eighteen Iron Cavalry approached Southern Shaolin.
• Wanwan defeated Helian Tieshu, used Sorrowful Crisp Breeze against Western Xia's First-Class Hall, and searched Li Qiushui's chambers for martial arts and formulas.
• Lin Lang learned that Xiao Feng and Xiao Yuanshan had killed Murong Bo, then ordered the Five Immortals Sect to expand its medicine shops and intelligence network.
• At Manduo Manor, A Bi told Wang Yuyan that Murong Bo had faked his death and had been killed by Xiao Feng and Xiao Yuanshan.
• Lin Lang gave Wang Yuyan Murong Fu's sword and a false urn of ashes, claiming Murong Fu had died and entrusted her to his care.
• An unseen speaker shouted for guards to kill Lin Lang as Wang Yuyan sobbed in his arms.

Madam Wang confronted Lin Lang over his closeness to Wang Yuyan, but he used his knowledge of her secrets and the danger surrounding Langhuan Jade Cave to pressure her into giving him its martial arts manuals. Meanwhile, the Sun Moon Holy Cult sent Jiang Xiaoyu and Hua Wuque to seize the Murong Family’s manuals, while the Twelve Linked Docks plotted to loot the family’s legacy.

• Madam Wang ordered Lin Lang to leave Manduo Manor, but Wang Yuyan explained that he had brought Murong Fu’s ashes home and defended his character.
• Lin Lang revealed that he knew Madam Wang’s ties to Duan Zhengchun and the secrets of Langhuan Jade Cave, then persuaded her to hand over its manuals in exchange for protecting her household from danger.
• Madam Wang agreed to let Lin Lang take the manuals, while he assured her he did not intend to marry Wang Yuyan.
• Xiang Wentian told Jiang Xiaoyu and Hua Wuque to travel to Gusu and empty Repaying the Giving Water Pavilion, and both set out at once.
• Eagle-Eyed Old Seven told the Twelve Linked Docks that Murong Fu was dead and urged the dock masters to seize the Murong Family’s legacy; they agreed.

Lin Lang visited Wang Yuyan at Swallow Dock, where he rescued her from an attack by men from the Twelve Linked Docks and pretended his own injury had worsened to win her concern. After inspecting the Repaying the Giving Water Pavilion, he offered to teach her martial arts, leaving her to consider whether she could learn quickly.

• Lin Lang found Wang Yuyan mourning Murong Bo and Murong Fu, then persuaded her to leave with him despite A Bi's objections.
• Men from the Twelve Linked Docks attacked Swallow Dock, and Lin Lang killed or captured them while protecting Wang Yuyan.
• Lin Lang took Wang Yuyan and A Bi to the Repaying the Giving Water Pavilion, where he found martial arts manuals but no Star-Shifting Change or Canhe Finger techniques.
• Lin Lang claimed the attack had aggravated an old injury, prompting Wang Yuyan to worry about him.
• Lin Lang offered to teach Wang Yuyan martial arts and asked whether she would learn if he could help her master them quickly.

Lin Lang taught Wang Yuyan the Northern Darkness Divine Skill, raised her cultivation to Grandmaster Peak, and gave her further martial instruction at Manduo Manor. He left for Gusu City with the manuals from Langhuan Jade Cave, while Wang Yuyan stayed behind hoping he would return.

• Lin Lang guided Wang Yuyan in absorbing the True Qi of three Twelve Linked Docks masters, helping her reach Grandmaster Peak.
• Jiang Xiaoyu and Hua Wuque arrived at Swallow Dock, knocked A Bi unconscious, and ordered their men to loot the Repaying the Giving Water Pavilion.
• Lin Lang returned Wang Yuyan to Manduo Manor, where Madam Wang worried that the Twelve Linked Docks might threaten them.
• Lin Lang taught Wang Yuyan another martial art and continued instructing her privately through the night; afterward, Wang Yuyan chose to remain with her mother.
• Lin Lang departed for Gusu City with the martial manuals from Langhuan Jade Cave, while A Bi woke at Carefree Estate and discovered the Pavilion and storerooms had been emptied.

Lin Lang arranged for the Sun Moon Holy Cult to use the Twelve Linked Docks' attack on Swallow Dock as a pretext to expand into Great Song, while the Great Ming court began investigating the Cult's masked Right Envoy. Ren Yingying decided to lead the campaign herself, leaving Blackwood Cliff to prepare for war.

• Lin Lang told Jiang Xiaoyu to send the recovered treasures to Blackwood Cliff and organize an attack on the Twelve Linked Docks, claiming he was avenging his friend Murong Fu.
• A Bi warned Madam Wang that Swallow Dock had been plundered, but Madam Wang rejected her and ordered Manduo Manor's servants to drive her away; she then planned to teach her daughter a movement technique and have her thank Lin Lang.
• Liu Xi reported to the Great Ming Emperor that the Wudang Sect and Northern Shaolin had rejected recruitment, prompting the Emperor to investigate the Sun Moon Holy Cult's mysterious Right Envoy after Jiang Yuyan suggested that someone might hide behind a woman for various reasons.
• Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou discussed recent Jianghu events, including the Sun Moon Holy Cult's plan to avenge Murong Fu, before two men looking for Lu Xiaofeng threatened Hua Manlou and left for the capital.
• Ren Yingying rejected Xiang Wentian's proposal to wait for reinforcements and declared that she would lead the Sun Moon Holy Cult's campaign against the Twelve Linked Docks herself.

Lin Lang returned to the Capital City, trained his Jinyiwei subordinates, and learned of several developments in the Jianghu and Dali. Meanwhile, Ren Yingying annihilated the Twelve Linked Docks in retaliation for its attack on the Murong Family, and Lin Lang heard of her victory.

• Lin Lang returned to the Jinyiwei Office, reviewed his subordinates' martial arts, and taught Wang Wu and Jia Liu a movement technique.
• At Number One Manor, Lin Lang found that Shangguan Haitang had advanced to early Great Grandmaster and heard reports about Lu Xiaofeng, Duan Yu, and a Dali marriage delegation seeking Yunluo's hand.
• Eagle-Eyed Old Seven learned that seven of the Twelve Linked Docks' strongholds had been destroyed after the alliance attacked the Murong Family.
• Ren Yingying arrived at the Twelve Linked Docks' Main Headquarters, killed Eagle-Eyed Old Seven and the others, and ordered the destruction of its remaining branches.
• News of Ren Yingying's destruction of the Twelve Linked Docks spread through the Jianghu, and Lin Lang approved of her actions.

Yunluo resisted the Emperor of Great Ming’s plan to marry her to Dali’s Crown Prince Duan Yu and sought Lin Lang’s help. After Yunluo challenged the marriage on ancestral grounds, the Emperor prepared for a possible martial contest with Dali and asked Lin Lang to face Duan Yu, who claimed he could defeat him.

• The Empress Dowager told Yunluo to marry Duan Yu, and Yunluo refused, worrying that she would be sent far from Lin Lang.
• At Fragrant Pavilion, Lin Lang advised the madam on expanding the business and then went to Jingyang Palace when Yunluo summoned him.
• Lin Lang outlined ways Yunluo could oppose the marriage, and she later told the Emperor that the proposal violated ancestral teachings and that she would rather never marry.
• The Emperor considered how to respond to Dali and learned from Wei Ziyun and Liu Xi that neither was confident of defeating Duan Yu.
• The Emperor summoned Lin Lang to ask whether he could face Duan Yu, and Lin Lang said he could win; Zhang Banban promised to intervene if he lost.