Chapter Summaries

Lin Lang declined to formally join Ren Woxing’s Sun Moon Holy Cult, but accepted its Right Emissary token and argued that he could protect and strengthen the cult from his Jinyiwei post. After Lin Lang warned that Blackwood Cliff was riddled with spies, Ren Woxing discovered multiple agents and asked Lin Lang to guard the cult while he dealt with the threat.

• Lin Lang persuaded Ren Woxing that remaining in the Jinyiwei would let him protect the Sun Moon Holy Cult and pass along court intelligence, then accepted the Right Emissary token without formally joining.
• Ren Yingying took Lin Lang to the cult’s martial-manual pavilion, where he examined its collection and found no quick-mastery martial arts that suited his search.
• Lan Fenghuang arrived at the pavilion while Ren Yingying was leaving, and both women left without admitting they had overheard anything.
• Lin Lang warned Ren Woxing that major factions might have spies on Blackwood Cliff, and Ren Woxing dismissed his concern until reports arrived of eight agents attempting to send messages.
• Ren Woxing ordered Shangguan Yun to investigate the spies, while Lin Lang volunteered to guard Blackwood Cliff as the cult prepared for further danger.

Cao Zhengchun learned that Lin Lang planned to install a new leader over the Sun Moon Holy Cult, while Zhu Wushi, Zuo Lengchan, and Feng Qingyang reacted to Dongfang Bubai’s death and Ren Woxing’s return. On Blackwood Cliff, Lin Lang merged two hard-body arts and discovered a possible hidden function of his system, but a challenge from Feng Qingyang set up a deadly confrontation with Ren Woxing.

• Cao Zhengchun received word that Lin Lang intended to make the Sun Moon Holy Cult accept a new leader, then secretly sent Eastern Depot officers to Northern Shaolin and Wudang.
• Shangguan Haitang told Zhu Wushi that Ren Woxing, Lu Xiaofeng, Xiang Wentian, and a mysterious master had killed Dongfang Bubai, prompting Zhu Wushi to investigate Ren Woxing and the stranger.
• Zuo Lengchan learned that Ren Woxing had reclaimed the Sun Moon Holy Cult and planned to destroy the Five Mountains Sword Alliance, so he pressured Feng Qingyang to act.
• Feng Qingyang learned that Yue Buqun and Linghu Chong were dead and that Ren Woxing threatened Mount Hua, then agreed to send him a letter.
• Lin Lang found the Iron Crotch Skill, merged it into his Reverse Golden Body Child Skill, and suspected that his system reversed conflicts between cultivation methods.
• Ren Yingying told Lin Lang that Feng Qingyang had challenged her father to a fight to the death at the summit of Taihang on the eighth day of the next month.

Lin Lang agreed to represent the Sun Moon Holy Cult in a duel against Feng Qingyang and trained to prepare for the fight. After impressing Ren Woxing with his swordsmanship, Lin Lang set out early for their meeting in the Taihang Mountains.

• Ren Woxing received Feng Qingyang’s challenge and worried that he could not defeat the Huashan master, so Lin Lang volunteered to fight in his place.
• Lin Lang argued that he could evade Feng Qingyang’s swordsmanship with his speed, and Ren Woxing authorized him to represent the Holy Cult.
• Ren Yingying brought Lin Lang Ren Woxing’s treasured Sun and Moon sword, while Ren Woxing summoned the cult’s expert swordsmen to help him train.
• Lin Lang subdued Branch Leader Li after accusing him of undermining the Holy Cult, then fought more than twenty swordsmen over several days to improve his skills.
• Ren Woxing joined the swordsmen’s assault and tested Lin Lang; after Lin Lang adapted and counterattacked, Ren Woxing praised his swordsmanship and Lin Lang prepared to leave for the Taihang Mountains.

Lin Lang met Old Man Tianji and Sun Xiaohong while seeking a way to reach the realm of no moves, then rode toward the Taihang Mountains to keep his appointment with Feng Qingyang. As martial factions prepared to watch Feng Qingyang’s duel with Ren Woxing, Zuo Lengchan plotted to exploit the outcome and expand Mount Song’s power.

• Lin Lang left Blackwood Cliff, heard Old Man Tianji recount Dongfang Bubai’s death and Feng Qingyang’s challenge to Ren Woxing, and joined the storyteller and Sun Xiaohong for a meal.
• Old Man Tianji explained that Lin Lang could approach the realm of no moves by abandoning fixed sword routines or by risking his life in a duel, and Lin Lang resolved to test himself against Feng Qingyang.
• Lin Lang gave Sun Xiaohong a pearl hairpin and rode away, while Old Man Tianji predicted that Lin Lang’s name would soon become widely known.
• Zuo Lengchan prepared to travel to the Taihang Mountains and planned to use Ren Woxing’s death to rally martial experts against the Sun Moon Demon Cult and strengthen Mount Song.
• Jing Wuming set out to watch Feng Qingyang and Ren Woxing fight, hoping to learn from their swordsmanship and find an opportunity to challenge Feng Qingyang.
• Lin Lang arrived in a town at the foot of the Taihang Mountains as martial artists gathered for the coming duel.

Lin Lang sealed the Taihang Mountains ahead of Feng Qingyang and Ren Woxing’s duel, sold scarce viewing tokens, and crushed attempts to force the checkpoints. As martial artists climbed the mountain by guarded routes and sheer cliffs, Zhao Min arrived nearby and planned to recruit or capture them for Mongol Yuan.

• A'Fei mocked Hero Li and Hero Zhao, then nearly fought Hero Zhao before Lin Lang and the Jinyiwei intervened; Lin Lang offered A'Fei a position, but A'Fei declined.
• Lin Lang announced that the Jinyiwei would seal the Taihang Mountains, and Wang Wu fired at Hero Zhao when he challenged the order.
• Lin Lang sold tokens for access to the duel, raised the price of the final tokens to an auction, and used crossbowmen and his peanut hidden weapons to subdue groups trying to storm the checkpoints.
• The Jinyiwei captured more than a hundred attackers, killed dozens, and collected their money; the thirty tokens sold for sixty-three thousand five hundred taels.
• Lin Lang left to change his appearance and head up the mountain, while martial artists with tokens and skilled climbers made their way past the checkpoints.
• Zhao Min discussed the duel with A'Da, A'Er, A'San, the Two Elders of Xuanming, and the Bitter-Headed Monk, then planned to capture martial artists as they descended.

Lin Lang arrived at Taihang Mountain to represent Ren Woxing in a duel against Feng Qingyang, provoking the assembled martial artists with his accusations against the so-called righteous sects. After Feng Qingyang initially gained the advantage with Dugu Nine Swords, Lin Lang broke through during the fight and defeated him, leaving Feng Qingyang gravely wounded.

• Lu Xiaofeng and Sikong Zhaixing discussed the duel as martial artists and token-buyers gathered at the summit, where Feng Qingyang arrived to await Ren Woxing.
• Lin Lang came in Ren Woxing’s place as the Sun Moon Holy Cult’s Right Emissary, and Lu Xiaofeng revealed that Lin Lang had killed Dongfang Bubai.
• Lin Lang and Feng Qingyang exchanged accusations over the conduct of the righteous and demonic factions before beginning their duel.
• Feng Qingyang’s Dugu Nine Swords suppressed Lin Lang until Lin Lang anticipated an attack, changed his swordsmanship, and turned the fight in his favor.
• Lin Lang used the Star-Sucking Great Skill to prevent Feng Qingyang from retreating, then pierced his chest while Feng Qingyang’s sword stopped short of Lin Lang.

Lin Lang killed Feng Qingyang, stopped Zuo Lengchan’s attempt to rally the martial artists against him, and discovered that Zhao Min’s group had abducted people from the mountain. He found Zhao Min and her companions at Qingliang Temple and ordered them to surrender.

• Lin Lang killed Feng Qingyang, and the other martial artists departed rather than help Zuo Lengchan attack him.
• Zuo Lengchan tried to flee down the cliff, but Lin Lang wounded him with flying needles before Wooden Daoist helped him reach safety.
• Lin Lang sent Holy Cult members to retrieve the remains and martial legacies from Mount Hua, then returned to his Jinyiwei identity and learned that no one had come down the mountain.
• Lin Lang found signs of abductions, followed them to Qingliang Temple, and discovered Zhao Min and her companions holding several captives.
• Lin Lang identified Zhao Min’s group and demanded their surrender, while Zhao Min ordered A'Da to gouge out his eyes.

Lin Lang defeated Zhao Min’s forces at Qingliang Temple, exploited the aftermath to recruit martial artists into the Jinyiwei, and framed Zhao Min for the deaths of captured experts. Zhao Min fled toward Mongol Yuan with only Lu Zhangke and the Bitter-Headed Monk, vowing revenge on Lin Lang and Great Ming.

• Lin Lang overwhelmed Zhao Min’s six experts despite the Ten-Fragrance Softening Tendon Powder, while Zhao Min tried to use hostages to make him stop.
• Bitter-Headed Monk escaped with Zhao Min, Lu Zhangke fled after He Biweng sacrificed himself, and Lin Lang killed He Biweng and the three Western Regions Shaolin disciples before absorbing He Biweng’s internal power.
• Lin Lang offered the poisoned martial artists a chance to join the Jinyiwei, then ordered his officers to take the willing recruits and dispose of those who refused.
• At the foot of the mountain, a monk spread the story that Zhao Min’s forces had tortured and killed the martial artists while Lin Lang tried to rescue them.
• Zhao Min learned that the deaths had been blamed on her and that the surviving experts were joining Lin Lang’s ranks, then fled with Lu Zhangke and the Bitter-Headed Monk and swore revenge.

Lin Lang led the Jinyiwei in a government-backed assault on the Mount Song Sect, killed Zuo Lengchan, and seized evidence and property. Northern Shaolin learned of the sect’s destruction, and Fang Zheng wondered whether the court would soon target the martial world.

• Zuo Lengchan decided to seal Mount Song after recovering from his wounds, but a disciple informed him that government troops had surrounded the sect.
• Lin Lang ordered the Jinyiwei to fire crossbows at the Mount Song disciples, then ignored Zuo Lengchan’s demand for a one-on-one fight and launched another volley.
• Zuo Lengchan attacked Lin Lang, who revealed his superior abilities, poisoned and subdued him, and absorbed his true qi.
• Lin Lang ordered the Jinyiwei to search the sect, collected its martial arts manuals and assets, killed Zuo Lengchan, and declared the sect’s treasonous crimes would be publicized.
• Fang Zheng learned that the Jinyiwei had destroyed the Mount Song Sect and considered whether the imperial court would next move against the martial world.

Lin Lang rejected Liu Xiong’s attempt to claim his achievements and threaten him, then killed him and concealed his body. He falsely announced that Liu Xiong had chased an eavesdropper and led the others away in pursuit.

• Lin Lang reviewed his martial progress and considered how to use Ren Woxing’s plans to revive the Sun Moon Holy Cult.
• Wang Wu congratulated Lin Lang on his recent merits and expected him to be promoted, while Lin Lang planned to expand his influence within the Jinyiwei.
• Liu Xiong confronted Lin Lang over allegedly exceeding his jurisdiction and offered to take credit for his achievements in exchange for protecting him.
• Lin Lang rejected Liu Xiong’s threats and promises, then stabbed him to death when Liu Xiong threatened to have him arrested.
• Lin Lang dissolved Liu Xiong’s body with Corpse Dissolving Powder and told the approaching men that Liu Xiong had pursued an eavesdropper.

Lin Lang returned to Pingyang after Liu Xiong disappeared, while Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun separately tried to understand what had happened and maneuvered against each other. Ren Woxing stopped Ren Yingying from visiting Lin Lang and began planning attacks on Shaolin and Wudang.

• Lin Lang stopped the search for Liu Xiong, let Liu Xiong's Jinyiwei pursue him instead, and took Liu Xiong's horses back to Pingyang with Wang Wu.
• Zhu Wushi proposed that Shangguan Haitang marry Wan Sanqian, but she refused and left; Duan Tianya then reported that Liu Xiong had disappeared after meeting Lin Lang.
• Zhu Wushi suspected Liu Xiong might have been killed and left a note at a restaurant, while Cao Zhengchun heard Iron Claw Flying Eagle imply that Lin Lang had killed Liu Xiong to claim his post.
• Cao Zhengchun suspected Iron Claw Flying Eagle of trying to turn him against Lin Lang and decided to question Lin Lang directly about Liu Xiong's disappearance.
• Ren Yingying asked to visit Lin Lang, but Ren Woxing refused and told her to focus on her martial arts; after she left, he resolved to target Shaolin and Wudang.

Lin Lang recruited poisoned martial artists into the Pingyang Prefecture Thousand-household Office and planned to build new disguises after realizing his Sun Moon Holy Cult identity might be exposed. After Wang Wu returned with verified evidence, Lin Lang rode out with Ba Ying and a squad to arrest someone at Xingyun Manor.

• Lin Lang gave Liu Zhengfeng Mount Song Sect sword techniques, then told Qu Yang to contact him through the Fragrant Pavilion instead of visiting his home or office.
• Lin Lang decided he needed more identities, including a disguise and martial arts styles that would conceal his Jinyiwei and Sun Moon Holy Cult affiliations.
• Lin Lang cured the captive martial artists with pills, assigned them Jinyiwei ranks, and struck down one man who challenged his appointments before the group pledged loyalty.
• Lin Lang ordered Wang Wu to investigate a target, then reviewed the verified evidence and set out with Ba Ying and a squad to make an arrest.
• Lin Lang and his men arrived at Xingyun Manor.

Lin Lang forced Lin Shiyin to hand over the Lianhua Treasure Manual in exchange for releasing Long Xiaoyun, then left Xingyun Manor with the Jinyiwei. At an inn, he studied the manual’s Disguise Technique, while Long Xiaoyun plotted revenge and Sun Er continued watching the manor.

• Wang Wu and Lin Lang entered Xingyun Manor and confronted Lin Shiyin with evidence of Long Xiaoyun’s crimes.
• Lin Shiyin offered money and martial arts manuals, but Lin Lang rejected them and threatened to take Long Xiaoyun away.
• Lin Shiyin brought out Wang Lianhua’s legacy, and Lin Lang took the Lianhua Treasure Manual before releasing Long Xiaoyun and warning him to reform.
• Long Xiaoyun blamed Lin Lang for his punishment and planned to enlist Li Xunhuan against him.
• Sun Er questioned the gatekeeper about the Jinyiwei’s visit and waited for Li Xunhuan to return for the manual.
• Lin Lang studied the manual at an inn and learned that its Disguise Technique required changing more than just one’s face.

Lin Lang used the Disguise Technique to uncover and arrest Dragon Guard Manor spies in the Pingyang Prefecture Thousand-household Office, then traveled to the Eastern Depot after Cao Zhengchun summoned him. Cao Zhengchun appointed him Pacification Commissioner and ordered him to seek the Emperor’s approval, while Lin Lang privately considered the Eastern Depot his future inheritance.

• Lin Lang tested his disguise on Wang Wu, then studied the Lianhua Compendium and used disguises to investigate suspicious people at the Thousand-household Office.
• Lin Lang exposed Chief Banner Officer Ma as a Dragon Guard Manor spy and led arrests that uncovered eleven spies in the office.
• Jia Liu delivered Cao Zhengchun’s summons, and Lin Lang rode to Capital City while planning to bring Wang Wu and Jia Liu with him after his promotion.
• Shangguan Haitang told Zhu Wushi that Lin Lang had arrested their spies, while Cao Zhengchun heard that Iron Claw Flying Eagle had found two Dragon Guard Manor spies inside the Eastern Depot.
• Lin Lang told Cao Zhengchun that Liu Xiong had tried to claim credit for his work and explained his contact with the Sun Moon Demon Cult; Cao Zhengchun named him Pacification Commissioner and chose Liu Zhengfeng to replace him in Pingyang Prefecture.
• Cao Zhengchun told Lin Lang to accompany him to the palace the next day to obtain the Emperor’s approval for the appointment.

Lin Lang received the emperor’s approval for promotion to Southern Pacification Commissioner, but Yunluo challenged him before he could meet His Majesty. After Lin Lang repeatedly defeated her with Black Tiger Digs Out Heart, Yunluo made him her martial arts master, just as an assassin slipped into Jingyang Palace.

• The emperor approved Cao Zhengchun’s recommendation to appoint Lin Lang Southern Pacification Commissioner, while Zhu Wushi considered how to deal with him.
• Yunluo challenged Lin Lang in the side hall, and he repeatedly countered her attacks with Black Tiger Digs Out Heart.
• Yunluo took Lin Lang to Jingyang Palace, where he struck her repeatedly during their sparring match and proved she could not counter his move.
• Yunluo asked Lin Lang to teach her martial arts, and he made her call him Master before beginning to teach her acupoints.
• An assassin slipped into Jingyang Palace as Yunluo arranged for Lin Lang to stay and teach her.

Lin Lang captured Cheng Shifei after he escaped into Jingyang Palace, copied and erased the martial arts tattooed on his body, and took him away before Cao Zhengchun discovered the Empress Dowager had been abducted. At the inn, Lin Lang claimed Cheng Shifei’s meeting with Gu Santong had been engineered and offered him a red pill in exchange for his cooperation.

• Cheng Shifei fled the castration chambers into Jingyang Palace, where Yunluo exposed his false claim to be Gu Santong’s disciple and Lin Lang subdued him.
• Lin Lang copied the eight great sects’ martial arts from Cheng Shifei’s tattoos, erased them from his body, and failed to absorb his inherited true qi.
• Cao Zhengchun arrived to search Jingyang Palace, and Lin Lang and Yunluo explained that they had caught Cheng Shifei as an intruder.
• After Lin Lang left with Cheng Shifei, Cao Zhengchun discovered that the Empress Dowager was missing.
• At the inn, Lin Lang told Cheng Shifei that his encounter with Gu Santong might have been arranged and offered him a red pill if he wanted to live.

Lin Lang coerced Cheng Shifei into serving him and learned the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill before being assigned to investigate the empress dowager's disappearance. As Lin Lang trained Princess Yunluo and delayed Wuwan's audience, Duan Tianya's surveillance of Princess Lixiu ended with him being discovered.

• Lin Lang fed Cheng Shifei a Three Corpse Brain Spirit Pill, secured the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill's upper half, and promised to teach him the lower half if he obeyed.
• Lin Lang took Cheng Shifei out of the Capital City, then returned and began cultivating the Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill.
• Cao Zhengchun told Lin Lang that the empress dowager had disappeared, and Lin Lang helped postpone Wuwan's audience with her for two days.
• Lin Lang taught Yunluo the Muscle-Tendon Changing Scripture and reviewed her acupoints at Jingyang Palace.
• Wuwan returned to Princess Lixiu's guesthouse, where Duan Tianya secretly watched her and was spotted after dodging a hidden weapon.

Lin Lang helped the Eastern Depot capture Duan Tianya and persuaded Cao Zhengchun to cripple him, while Zhu Wushi concealed his larger scheme. Guihai Yidao raided the Heavenly Prison to rescue Duan Tianya but escaped after Cao Zhengchun confronted him, giving the Eastern Depot grounds to challenge Zhu Wushi.

• Lin Lang arrived with Eastern Depot fighters and captured Duan Tianya after he was accused of spying on Princess Lixiu bathing.
• The Emperor handed Duan Tianya over to Cao Zhengchun and forbade Zhu Wushi from intervening, while Shangguan Haitang pleaded with Zhu Wushi to save Duan.
• Lin Lang suggested crippling Duan Tianya before interrogating him, and Cao Zhengchun destroyed Duan Tianya's dantian before ordering Iron Claw Flying Eagle to question him.
• Lin Lang told Cao Zhengchun that the Izumo Kingdom's guards and ninja methods raised suspicions about the Empress Dowager's disappearance, and promised to find evidence.
• Guihai Yidao stormed the Heavenly Prison to rescue Duan Tianya, but Cao Zhengchun confronted him; Guihai escaped after a hidden-weapon ambush, and Cao Zhengchun prepared to confront Zhu Wushi.

Lin Lang helped foil a plot by disguised Nihon ninjas to assassinate the Emperor of Great Ming, rescuing both the emperor and the Empress Dowager. The emperor promoted and richly rewarded him, while Zhu Wushi left determined to kill him.

• Iron Claw Flying Eagle returned to the Heavenly Prison and learned from Lin Lang that Duan Tianya had not been rescued and Cao Zhengchun had already gone to Dragon Guard Manor.
• Cao Zhengchun confronted Zhu Wushi over Guihai Yidao's prison break and revealed that Duan Tianya's martial arts had been crippled.
• Iron Claw Flying Eagle told Cao Zhengchun that Duan Tianya had died under torture, and Cao Zhengchun blamed Guihai Yidao for the death when reporting to the emperor.
• At the guesthouse, the disguised Princess Lixiu attacked the Emperor of Great Ming, but Lin Lang and Cao Zhengchun fought her; Zhu Wushi arrived and killed her before she could be captured.
• Zhu Wushi explained that Wuwan and the false Princess Lixiu were Nihon ninjas plotting to kill the emperor and provoke war, while the Empress Dowager arrived after Lin Lang rescued her.
• The emperor promoted Lin Lang to Jinyiwei Assistant Commander and granted him a Douniu Uniform, money, goods, a mansion, and servants; Zhu Wushi resolved to kill him.

Cao Zhengchun gave Lin Lang a lavish residence and promised to teach him the Heavenly Dipper Child Skill if he helped subdue another major sect. Lin Lang left the capital to stir up trouble in the martial world, while Zhu Wushi arranged for Wan Sanqian to have him killed.

• Cao Zhengchun showed Lin Lang his new residence, urged him to help the Eastern Depot control the martial world, and offered to teach him the Heavenly Dipper Child Skill if he destroyed another major sect.
• Lin Lang revealed that he was still a virgin and had cultivated his Golden Body Child Skill, but refused Cao Zhengchun's suggestion that he join the Eastern Depot as a eunuch.
• Lin Lang received valuable gifts from Jinyiwei officials, ordered his steward to restrict access to the rear courtyard, and prepared poison-laced supplies before leaving the capital.
• Zhu Wushi learned that Lin Lang had left the capital and could not pursue him without risking Cao Zhengchun's political gains.
• Wan Sanqian visited Zhu Wushi and agreed to arrange Lin Lang's assassination so Shangguan Haitang would not have to face him.