Chapter Summaries

Lin Lang talked Ren Woxing out of attacking Northern Shaolin immediately and proposed building the Sun Moon Holy Cult’s strength through businesses that could support its followers. Ren Woxing agreed to make the Giant Whale Gang submit first.

• Ren Yingying welcomed Lin Lang back to Blackwood Cliff, and Ren Woxing praised him for recovering the Holy Cult’s Elders’ remains and Five Mountains Sword Alliance techniques.
• Ren Woxing proposed attacking Northern Shaolin with help from the imperial court, but Lin Lang warned that its hidden experts made an immediate assault too dangerous.
• Lin Lang argued that the Holy Cult should seek tangible gains from its campaigns and pay followers, then suggested escort agencies, property rentals, and other businesses.
• Lin Lang proposed making trading firms hire the Holy Cult by robbing their goods first, and Xiang Wentian began considering how the scheme could work.
• Lin Lang revealed that the Giant Whale Gang earned a fortune through secret maritime trade, and Ren Woxing decided to make it submit to the Holy Cult.

Lin Lang taught Ren Yingying the Muscle-Tendon Changing Scripture, helping her purify her absorbed true qi and break through to the Grandmaster Realm, while Ren Woxing prepared to bring the Giant Whale Gang under the Sun Moon Holy Cult. The chapter ended with a new commission on Lin Lang’s life reaching the Green Robe Third Tower, where the legendary assassin One Red Dot in the Central Plains offered to take it.

• Xiang Wentian arranged a money-making venture, while Ren Woxing investigated the Giant Whale Gang and prepared a surprise attack.
• Lin Lang taught Ren Yingying the Muscle-Tendon Changing Scripture, and she used it to neutralize foreign true qi and break through to the Grandmaster Realm.
• Ren Woxing learned that Lin Lang had given them Shaolin’s Muscle-Tendon Changing Scripture and began studying it, then discussed subduing the Giant Whale Gang with Lin Lang.
• Lin Lang warned Ren Woxing that the Giant Whale Gang might have Grandmaster Peak or Great Grandmaster experts, and Ren Woxing planned to capture its deputy leader, Li Tianhao.
• Lin Lang studied sword manuals from Mount Hua’s Siguo Cliff while a mysterious visitor commissioned the Green Robe Third Tower to kill him for five hundred thousand taels.
• Yu'er realized the target was Lin Lang, and One Red Dot in the Central Plains arrived and offered to take the assassination commission.

Lin Lang returned to Pingyang Prefecture, arranged promotions and a move to the Capital City, and secured the Fragrant Pavilion madam’s agreement to open a branch there. At the pavilion, he captured Yu’er, a Green Robe Tower assassin, and learned that the tower had sent elite killers after him, including One Red Dot in the Central Plains.

• Lin Lang left Blackwood Cliff after warning Ren Yingying to cultivate carefully and traveled to Pingyang Prefecture.
• Lin Lang promoted Liu Zhengfeng to Thousand-household and Ba Ying to Deputy Thousand-household, appointed Sun Xing to assist them, and ordered Wang Wu and Jia Liu to accompany him to the Capital City.
• Lin Lang gave Liu Zhengfeng the Hengshan Five Divine Swords and entrusted him with managing the Pingyang Prefecture office.
• Lin Lang agreed to back the madam’s Capital City Fragrant Pavilion and lend her the money, while insisting that she keep the Pingyang Prefecture establishment open.
• Lin Lang recognized Qingqing as Yu’er when she tried to poison and stab him, then captured her and discovered that the Green Robe Tower had assigned several Gold Medal Killers to assassinate him.
• Yu’er told Lin Lang that One Red Dot in the Central Plains was among the killers, and Lin Lang offered to teach her how to improve her assassination skills.

Lin Lang trained Yu'er in assassination techniques and proposed making her the Chief Leader of Green Robe Tower while he took control of the organization. After leaving Pingyang Prefecture, he killed One Red Dot in the Central Plains during an ambush and continued toward the coast, while another observer concluded the assassin had failed.

• Lin Lang taught Yu'er how to improve her swordsmanship and other assassination skills, then offered to help her become Green Robe Tower's Chief Leader if she gathered information about its bases and leaders.
• Lin Lang arranged for Xiao He and his household goods to leave for the Capital City, visited the Fragrant Pavilion to leave Qu Yang a message about establishing a Sun Moon Holy Cult branch, and departed Pingyang Prefecture.
• One Red Dot in the Central Plains ambushed Lin Lang on the road, but Lin Lang countered his attacks and killed him with a thrust through the heart.
• Lin Lang took One Red Dot in the Central Plains's money, sword, and human-skin masks, dissolved the corpse, and headed east toward the coast.
• An observer arrived at the site of the fight, found no corpse, and decided Green Robe Tower would need to raise Lin Lang's bounty to two million taels.

Cao Zhengchun sent Iron Claw Flying Eagle to investigate the Giant Whale Gang, while Zhu Wushi and Ren Woxing prepared their own moves against the gang. Lin Lang infiltrated the gang, learned that its Nihon allies included several powerful ninjas, and fled after drawing Yagyu Piaoxu into pursuit.

• Cao Zhengchun assigned Iron Claw Flying Eagle to assist Lin Lang in finding conclusive evidence against the Giant Whale Gang, while considering Luo Jusheng as a fallback ally.
• Wan Sanqian told Zhu Wushi that Green Robe Tower’s Zhongyuan Yidianhong had failed to kill Lin Lang, and agreed to have the Four Ghosts of Western Hunan train Zhu Wushi’s secret agents.
• Xiang Wentian reported that powerful Nihon fighters were operating with the Giant Whale Gang, so Ren Woxing ordered the Sun Moon Holy Cult to mobilize its first-rate fighters and prepare to attack.
• Lin Lang infiltrated the Giant Whale Gang, beat a Nihon ronin into revealing the strength and location of the Iga School and Yagyu family, then killed him and disguised himself in his clothes.
• Lin Lang spotted Yagyu Piaoxu outside the Yagyu family’s courtyard and ran, prompting her to chase him.

Lin Lang defeated Yagyu Piaoxu, revealed that Zhu Wushi had killed Duan Tianya, and tried to turn her against her father and Zhu Wushi. At the Giant Whale Gang, Lin Lang ordered Iron Claw Flying Eagle to capture Li Zhengkai, while Iron Claw secretly sent word to Yagyu Tajima-no-kami to prepare to kill Lin Lang.

• Lin Lang lured Yagyu Piaoxu to a rocky shoal, studied her swordsmanship, defeated her, and let her go after warning that Zhu Wushi would sacrifice the Yagyu family.
• Yagyu Piaoxu questioned Yagyu Tajima-no-kami about Duan Tianya's death, but her father dismissed her concerns and ordered her to keep training.
• Yagyu Tajima-no-kami left to meet Li Tianhao as they prepared to seize control of the Giant Whale Gang, while Yagyu Piaoxu struggled with doubts about her father.
• Iron Claw Flying Eagle met Lin Lang at a posthouse and challenged his relaxed approach to investigating the Giant Whale Gang.
• Lin Lang ordered Iron Claw Flying Eagle to capture Li Zhengkai after Lin Lang lured away the gang's experts, and Iron Claw agreed while plotting against him.
• Iron Claw Flying Eagle secretly released a carrier pigeon to warn Yagyu Tajima-no-kami to prepare to kill Lin Lang.

Lin Lang set rival forces against one another to take control of the Giant Whale Gang, while Li Tianhao’s coup against Li Zhengkai collapsed into a night of battles. After Ren Woxing seized Li Tianhao, Lin Lang faced Yagyu Tajima-no-kami’s strongest sword-slaying strike.

• Ren Woxing told Lin Lang that four hundred Sun Moon Holy Cult members were hidden in crates, and Lin Lang planned to have the court’s men strike before the cult acted.
• Li Tianhao and Yagyu Tajima-no-kami arranged to kill Li Zhengkai and Li Fangen, but Lin Lang’s dart provoked Li Tianhao into killing Li Zhengkai himself.
• Iron Claw Flying Eagle’s Eastern Depot force attacked Li Tianhao’s men, but Kobayashi Tadashi and the ninja held them off until Lin Lang’s signal brought Ren Woxing and the Holy Cult into the fight.
• Ren Woxing subdued Li Tianhao, forced him to swallow the Three Corpse Brain Spirit Pill, and sent Shangguan Yun to take control of the rest of the Giant Whale Gang.
• Lin Lang lured Yagyu Tajima-no-kami away from the headquarters, then fought him as the Nihon swordsman unleashed God-Slaying One-Sword Slash and Lin Lang answered with his strongest thrust.

Lin Lang and Ren Woxing defeated the Nihon fighters at the Giant Whale Gang, while Yagyu Piaoxu escaped and began to suspect Zhu Wushi. The Sun Moon Holy Cult took control of the gang, and Lin Lang returned toward the Capital City having comprehended sword intent and broken through to Great Grandmaster.

• Lin Lang and Ren Woxing killed Yagyu Tajima-no-kami after he used feigned death and a hidden attack, while Yagyu Piaoxu escaped and vowed to uncover the cause of her father's death.
• Lin Lang's allies surrounded Kobayashi Tadashi; Lin Lang poisoned, disarmed, and killed him, while Iron Claw Flying Eagle escaped.
• Li Tianhao announced that the Giant Whale Gang would become a vassal of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, and Ren Woxing appointed him gang leader.
• Lin Lang left with the bodies of the dead to report to the Capital City, while Ren Woxing stayed behind to recover and oversee the gang.
• Lin Lang reflected that his perfected Reverse Evil-Warding Sword Technique had let him comprehend speed sword intent and enter the early Great Grandmaster realm.

Lin Lang returned to the Capital City after the Sun Moon Holy Cult took over the Giant Whale Gang, while Zhu Wushi and Cao Zhengchun assessed the fallout and maneuvered against each other. Lin Lang reported to Cao Zhengchun and earned the Emperor’s attention as Cao went to report the news at court.

• Shangguan Haitang told Zhu Wushi that the Giant Whale Gang had become a vassal of the Sun Moon Holy Cult after Ren Woxing killed the Nihon experts, and Zhu Wushi ordered her to recruit more agents at Blackwood Cliff.
• Two Eastern Depot operatives reported to Cao Zhengchun that their mission had failed, and the wounded Iron Claw Flying Eagle later claimed Guihai Yidao had ambushed him while Cao secretly investigated his account.
• Lin Lang returned to the Capital City with coffins as Wang Wu and Jia Liu arranged for word of his victory over hundreds of bandits to spread through the streets.
• Lin Lang told Cao Zhengchun that Yagyu Tajima-no-kami and an Iga School Heavenly Ninja had helped the Giant Whale Gang train death warriors, but he had no evidence linking them to Dragon Guard Manor.
• Cao Zhengchun praised Lin Lang, declined the money he offered, and left to report the victory to the Emperor, who heard that Lin Lang’s achievement was known across the Capital City and prepared to reward him.

Lin Lang strengthened his position in Capital City while Zhu Wushi abandoned his plan to assassinate him after learning that Suxin had been taken. Zhu Wushi turned to Jin Jiuling to target Lin Lang, while Lin Lang set out for Water Moon Nunnery and ordered his men to investigate major martial sects.

• Lin Lang gave Wang Wu and Jia Liu money to buy houses, then ordered them to acquire a brothel for the Fragrant Pavilion despite its Ministry of Justice connections.
• Lin Lang’s household was secured by the Five Immortal Envoys, and he privately considered Zhu Wushi’s threat before cultivating the Reverse Five Poisons True Scripture.
• A letter warning Zhu Wushi that Cao Zhengchun had taken Suxin and possessed a Heavenly Fragrant Cardamom stopped Zhu Wushi from attacking Lin Lang.
• Cao Zhengchun secured a month-long leave for Zhu Wushi, who then invited Jin Jiuling to dinner and urged him to investigate Lin Lang.
• Lin Lang ordered Wang Wu to gather intelligence on major sects, sent word to the Eastern Depot that he was pursuing Guihai Yidao, and rode to Water Moon Nunnery.

Lin Lang stole Guihai Bailian’s saber arts, reversed their flaws, and combined them into a powerful new saber art. He then manipulated Guihai Yidao into pursuing revenge while Yagyu Piaoxu began targeting Dragon Guard Manor, leaving Lin Lang to choose another faction for the Sun Moon Holy Cult to attack.

• Lin Lang disguised himself as Haitang, stole the Three Blades of the Avici Path manual from Lu Huanong’s home, and copied the saber art hidden in Guihai Bailian’s cloak.
• Lin Lang reversed the flaws of both saber arts, merged them into the four-move Reverse Avici Path Saber Art, and left Guihai Yidao a letter directing him to his father’s manual and naming supposed killers.
• Guihai Yidao read the letter, learned his mother had met Haitang, and left to retrieve Guihai Bailian’s cloak and master Dominating the World so he could avenge his father.
• Yagyu Piaoxu killed a Dragon Guard Manor agent after learning he claimed the Giant Whale Gang affair had nothing to do with Zhu Wushi, and resolved to avenge her family by attacking the manor’s people.
• Lin Lang reasoned that Guihai Yidao would believe the planted accusations and fuel chaos among the martial factions, then used a falling leaf to select a faction for the Sun Moon Holy Cult to target.

Guihai Yidao mastered Dominating the World and set out to kill Qilin Zi, while Lin Lang disguised himself as Guihai Yidao and challenged Jie Feng. Lin Lang killed Jie Feng and the Nine-Bag Elder, and Ren Woxing launched a simultaneous assault to wipe out the Northern Beggars' Gang.

• Guihai Yidao mastered Dominating the World, left the barren mountain, and headed for the Qilin Sect to kill Qilin Zi.
• Jie Feng dismissed the possibility of an alliance between the Golden Coin Gang and the Sun Moon Demon Cult, then accepted a mysterious saber wielder's challenge.
• Lin Lang, disguised as Guihai Yidao, fought Jie Feng on Funiu Mountain and broke the Dog-Beating Staff Technique with his Reverse Avici Path Blade Technique.
• Jie Feng attacked Lin Lang with the Dragon-Subduing Palm, but Lin Lang killed him with a saber slash and then killed the Nine-Bag Elder.
• Ren Woxing ordered the Sun Moon Holy Cult to attack the Beggars' Gang's branch altars and declared that they would wipe out the Northern Beggars' Gang.

The Sun Moon Holy Cult launched a coordinated assault on the Northern Beggars' Gang after Jie Feng's death, while the imperial court blocked Northern Shaolin and Wudang from sending aid. Ren Woxing reached the Gang's Main Headquarters and began attacking as the two sects withdrew, leaving the Gang isolated.

• Xiang Wentian killed the Guide Branch Altar Master and routed the Northern Beggars' Gang there as the Sun Moon Holy Cult attacked multiple Branch Altars.
• At the Main Headquarters, the Green Lotus Envoy and White Lotus Envoy argued over succession until reports arrived of attacks across the Gang's territories and an advance on their headquarters.
• Fang Zheng led Northern Shaolin to reinforce the Gang, but the Eastern Depot's Black-Clad Arrow Squad barred the mountain road, so he returned to the monastery rather than risk a conflict with the imperial court.
• Lin Lang stopped Reverend Chongxu and the Wudang Sect from descending the mountain, threatened them with evidence of their crimes, and made Chongxu publicly call him a good official before the sect turned back.
• Ren Woxing arrived at the Northern Beggars' Gang's Main Headquarters, demanded surrender and vassalage, then charged into the Dog-Beating Formation when the White Lotus Envoy ordered the Gang to attack.

Lin Lang left Wudang Mountain after warning his Jinyiwei men against confronting the sect, while Ren Woxing’s forces destroyed the Northern Beggars’ Gang headquarters and discovered its immense wealth. Lin Lang caught up with Ren Woxing and Ren Yingying on the road to Blackwood Cliff, where Ren Woxing announced plans to attack Northern Shaolin after strengthening the Holy Cult.

• Lin Lang ordered his Jinyiwei men to leave Wudang Mountain, warned them to improve their martial arts, and gave them a share of money; Reverend Chongxu sent a message to Northern Shaolin, while Wooden Daoist plotted to take over Wudang.
• Ren Woxing’s forces searched the Northern Beggars’ Gang headquarters, found no copies of the Dragon-Subduing Palm or Dog-Beating Staff Technique, and discovered a storehouse packed with wealth.
• Ren Woxing took Ren Yingying and the treasure toward Blackwood Cliff while Xiang Wentian stayed behind to oversee attacks on the remaining Branch Altars; Ren Yingying advanced to the Mid-Grandmaster Stage during the journey.
• Lin Lang caught up with Ren Woxing and Ren Yingying, explained how the Beggars’ Gang had amassed its wealth, and accepted more than a hundred thousand taels in banknotes from Ren Woxing.
• Lin Lang told Ren Woxing that Wudang had not resisted his blockade, and Ren Woxing said he would reward the Holy Cult’s fighters, enter seclusion, and then attack Northern Shaolin.
• News that the Northern Beggars’ Gang headquarters had been destroyed spread through the martial world and reached the Capital City.

The Golden Coin Gang began taking Northern Beggars' Gang Branch Altars as the Sun Moon Holy Cult moved to finish destroying the gang, escalating tensions between the two powers. Lin Lang persuaded Ren Woxing to avoid a clash and enter seclusion to pursue a breakthrough, leaving Lin Lang in charge of the Holy Cult.

• Shangguan Jinhong ordered Jing Wuming to investigate Jie Feng's killer and direct the Golden Coin Gang to destroy Northern Beggars' Gang Branch Altars.
• Xiang Wentian found that the Golden Coin Gang had already destroyed a Branch Altar and hurried his forces toward the next one.
• Cao Zhengchun learned that Guihai Yidao was being blamed for Jie Feng's death and ordered the Eastern Depot to spread rumors linking him and Dragon Guard Manor to crimes and disloyal ambitions.
• Ren Woxing announced silver rewards for the Holy Cult's followers, then learned the Golden Coin Gang had seized at least four Branch Altars.
• Lin Lang stopped Ren Woxing from confronting Shangguan Jinhong and persuaded him to enter seclusion, leaving Lin Lang to handle the Holy Cult's affairs.

Lin Lang had Ren Yingying spread rumors that Shangguan Jinhong planned to unite the martial world, provoking a coalition against the Golden Coin Gang. As Shangguan Jinhong prepared to confront his enemies and Yaoyue ordered attacks on the gang, Lin Lang sensed an immense aura near Blackwood Cliff.

• Lin Lang persuaded Ren Yingying to delay having a child and asked her about the Golden Coin Gang, then told her how to counter Shangguan Jinhong’s seizure of Northern Beggars' Gang branch altars.
• Sun Baifa and Sun Xiaohong heard a storyteller claim that Shangguan Jinhong sought to unite the martial world, recruit every Weapons Ranking expert, and destroy Northern Shaolin and the Wudang Sect.
• Jing Wuming warned Shangguan Jinhong that rumors had sparked calls for martial artists and orthodox sects to unite against the Golden Coin Gang, but Shangguan Jinhong welcomed the challenge and ordered continued recruitment.
• Shangguan Jinhong learned that the Sun Moon Demon Cult had withdrawn from the disputed branch altars and ordered Jing Wuming to keep investigating its Right Envoy.
• Yaoyue ordered Hua Wuque to kill Golden Coin Gang members on sight after hearing rumors that the gang planned to destroy the Moving Flower Palace and abduct its women.
• Ren Yingying told Lin Lang that she had spread the rumors as instructed, and Lin Lang sensed a powerful aura coming from a nearby courtyard.

After Ren Woxing broke through to Great Grandmaster, Lin Lang left Blackwood Cliff and met Li Xunhuan on the road. A friendly exchange over wine and food let Lin Lang study Li Xunhuan’s famous flying dagger before he continued toward the Capital City.

• Ren Woxing emerged from seclusion as a Great Grandmaster and left Ren Yingying in charge of the Holy Cult while he continued cultivating.
• Ren Yingying told Ren Woxing that Lin Lang had turned the Golden Coin Gang into a target for martial-world forces, and Ren Woxing approved of their plans to strengthen the cult.
• Lin Lang left Blackwood Cliff after spending the night with Ren Yingying and rode toward the Capital City, reflecting on his martial arts.
• By a river, Lin Lang met Li Xunhuan and Tie Chuanjia, shared Five Treasures Flower Honey Wine and roasted fish with them, and became friends with Li Xunhuan.
• Lin Lang watched Li Xunhuan kill a snake with his flying dagger, grasped how intent guided the weapon, and improved his own hidden-weapon technique.
• Li Xunhuan and Tie Chuanjia continued toward Great Song and Dali, while Lin Lang rode on toward the Capital City and hoped Li Xunhuan would remember him.

Lin Lang helped Cao Zhengchun turn Guihai Yidao’s attack on Northern Shaolin into a political weapon against Dragon Guard Manor. After the emperor summoned Zhu Wushi to the palace, Zhu Wushi emerged from the manor and agreed to go.

• Guihai Yidao stormed Northern Shaolin to avenge his father, fought Fang Sheng and Liao Fan, killed Liao Kong, and escaped with help from a hidden rescuer after Fang Zheng intervened.
• Wang Wu and Jia Liu reported that the Jinyiwei had seized and sold Northern Beggars' Gang leaders’ property for 733,600 taels, and Lin Lang rewarded them.
• Lin Lang gave Cao Zhengchun Five Treasures Flower Honey Wine and learned that Cao Zhengchun would teach him the Heavenly Dipper Child Skill.
• Lin Lang urged Cao Zhengchun to blame Guihai Yidao for Jie Feng’s death and accuse Dragon Guard Manor of destabilizing the martial world, and Cao Zhengchun embraced the plan.
• A report that Guihai Yidao had attacked Northern Shaolin and killed Liao Kong delighted Cao Zhengchun, who went to the palace to press the emperor against Zhu Wushi.
• The emperor summoned Zhu Wushi, and Zhu Wushi emerged from Dragon Guard Manor and set out for the palace.

Zhu Wushi faced Cao Zhengchun’s accusations over Guihai Yidao’s killings while secretly preparing to seize power and targeting Lin Lang. At the newly opened Fragrant Pavilion, Dragon Guard Manor’s Liu Yangzheng tried to arrest Lin Lang for consorting with prostitutes, but Lin Lang challenged his evidence and ordered Wang Wu to seize the agents.

• Cao Zhengchun accused Zhu Wushi of directing Guihai Yidao’s attacks, and the Emperor gave Zhu Wushi ten days to bring Guihai Yidao before him.
• Zhu Wushi privately revealed that he held the command tallies of ten garrison commanders and planned to take the throne, then ordered his steward to investigate Lin Lang.
• Lin Lang advised the Eastern Depot’s Second-in-Command to seek the Punishment-Supervising Thousand-household post and visited the Fragrant Pavilion before its opening.
• Lin Lang proposed promotional gifts and performances for the Fragrant Pavilion, then watched the Sixteen Musicians rehearse while the courtesans attended him.
• Liu Yangzheng entered with Dragon Guard Manor agents and accused Lin Lang and Wang Wu of consorting with prostitutes, but Lin Lang challenged his claims and ordered Wang Wu to seize them.

Lin Lang arrested five Dragon Guard Manor agents and kept Iron Claw Flying Eagle from quietly rescuing them, while Zhu Wushi negotiated their release with Cao Zhengchun. Cao Zhengchun ordered the agents released and gave Lin Lang the Heavenly Dipper Child Skill manual.

• Wang Wu defeated Liu Yangzheng while Lin Lang sealed the other four agents’ acupoints with melon seeds, and Lin Lang had all five taken to the Eastern Depot’s Heavenly Prison.
• Iron Claw Flying Eagle began having the agents interrogated, but Lin Lang stayed to watch and insisted he would share responsibility for whatever happened.
• Cao Zhengchun learned Lin Lang had arrested the agents and laughed that the accusation gave them grounds to interrogate them.
• Zhu Wushi offered to support Cao Zhengchun’s candidates for court appointments in exchange for the agents, and Cao Zhengchun also demanded the names of Zhu Wushi’s people inside the Eastern Depot.
• Cao Zhengchun told Iron Claw Flying Eagle to release the agents that night, then gave Lin Lang the Heavenly Dipper Child Skill manual.