Chapter Summaries

Zhao Changhe sought help for his relentless, lifelike nightmares and drew three cards from a mysterious fortune-teller who claimed she could help him enter his dream with a goal. She sent him into the dream with an ability to see behind him, while the fortune-teller revealed that he had drawn a card depicting her true nature.

• Zhao Changhe fell asleep in class, dreamed of a bloody battle, and was killed by the dagger-wielding witch who had repeatedly slain him in his nightmares.
• After leaving class, Zhao Changhe visited the fortune-teller at Chaotic Times House to seek help interpreting his dreams.
• The fortune-teller explained that Zhao Changhe needed to fulfill a desire in his dream and asked him to choose a goal; he said he wanted to kill the witch.
• Zhao Changhe drew three cards, and the fortune-teller said the first would let him see behind himself while the others represented his starting location and a clue.
• The fortune-teller pressed the eye card to Zhao Changhe's forehead, sending him into the dream, then revealed that the black card depicted her true nature and said she would be waiting.

Zhao Changhe entered a village being slaughtered, tried to save a child, and was rescued by the swordswoman Yue Hongling. Yue Hongling took him to Luo Family Manor, where she began sharing confidential information with Manor Lord Luo as Zhao Changhe listened for a possible connection to his jade pendant.

• Zhao Changhe charged into the village and tried to save a child from the men in black, but they killed the child and nearly killed him.
• Yue Hongling arrived on horseback and killed the men in black with her sword.
• Yue Hongling asked Zhao Changhe to accompany her to Luo Family Manor, and he agreed after giving his name.
• Yue Hongling and Zhao Changhe reached Luo Family Manor, where Manor Lord Luo welcomed her.
• Yue Hongling told Manor Lord Luo she had confidential information and said Zhao Changhe had some connection to the matter.

Yue Hongling warned Master Luo that the Blood God Cult might attack and asked him to shelter Zhao Changhe, the sole survivor of a village massacre. After she left, Zhao Changhe overheard Master Luo and Luo Zhenwu reveal that Luo Zhenwu had ordered the massacre, and he quietly resolved to remember the truth.

• Yue Hongling warned Master Luo about a possible Blood God Cult attack and described the slaughter at Zhao Cuo.
• Master Luo agreed to bury the villagers and take Zhao Changhe in, while Yue Hongling departed.
• Zhao Changhe overheard Luo Zhenwu admit that he had sent men to Zhao Cuo after the villagers resisted his abuse of a village girl.
• Master Luo warned Luo Zhenwu that Yue Hongling was dangerous and decided to strengthen the manor's defenses and contact the Demon Suppression Office.
• Master Luo ordered Zhao Changhe taken in as an outer disciple, believing he could not learn the truth, while Zhao Changhe concealed his anger.

Zhao Changhe joined the Luo Family to learn martial arts while hiding his disgust toward the family’s motives and questioning whether he had truly traveled into a dream. After falling asleep in the estate, he woke to a Blood God Cult attack and realized he was likely trapped in the past, with no help nearby.

• Zhao Changhe suppressed his urge to attack the Luo family father and son and joined the outer sect to pursue his goal of killing the enchantress.
• Luo Qi took Zhao Changhe to a temporary room, explained the nine Profound Passes, and dismissed his chances of achieving much because he had started martial arts too late.
• Zhao Changhe wondered whether sleeping would return him to reality, then fell asleep without a nightmare.
• Zhao Changhe woke to battle cries and flames as the Blood God Cult attacked the Luo estate.
• Zhao Changhe concluded that the world was real and that Yue Hongling was likely too far away to help.

Zhao Changhe witnessed the Four Symbols Cult and Blood God Cult destroy Luo Family Manor, then killed Luo Zhenwu and declared himself the killer. First Seat Tang warned him that he would regret his choice as the surviving cultists gathered around.

• The Vermilion Bird Venerable revealed that the Four Symbols Cult was behind the attack while the Blood God Cult slaughtered Luo Family Manor.
• Zhao Changhe and Luo Seven tried to escape, but Luo Zhenwu and his pursuers blocked their way.
• First Seat Tang arrived and fought off the Blood God Cult, while the Vermilion Bird Venerable showed him Master Luo's severed head.
• Zhao Changhe helped Luo Zhenwu up, then stabbed him in the heart and offered the kill as proof of loyalty to the cult.
• Zhao Changhe revealed that Luo Zhenwu had slaughtered Zhao Cuo, and proclaimed, "The killer was Zhao Changhe!"

After the Luo family’s destruction, Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi were taken to the Blood God Cult’s North Mang Branch, where Zhao tried to adjust to his new life and learn how to gain power. As the branch chief summoned them, Zhao learned that the world’s gods were believed to perform miracles and that he had never seen the Book of Troubled Times.

• News spread that the Four Symbols Cult and Blood God Cult had exterminated the Luo family, and Zhao Changhe’s name appeared on wanted notices as the killer.
• First Seat Tang left with Luo Zhenwu’s body, while Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi were brought to the Blood God Cult’s North Mang Branch.
• Zhao Changhe told Luo Qi he hoped to learn cultivation and eventually find a way back to his own world, while Luo Qi explained his anger and asked Zhao to help him join the cult formally.
• The branch chief summoned Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi to the ritual altar, where Zhao saw the Blood God Cult’s members praying around a pool of blood.
• Luo Qi told Zhao Changhe that people believed in divine miracles and was shocked that Zhao had never seen the Book of Troubled Times.

Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi received their assignments from Blood God Cult branch leader Fang Buping, who offered Zhao Changhe the Blood Baleful Art while delaying his formal admission. That night, Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi began to reconcile as Zhao Changhe studied the manual and considered their need to support each other.

• Fang Buping made Luo Qi a squad leader after learning he had reached the first Profound Pass.
• Zhao Changhe asked to learn the cult’s martial arts, but Fang Buping said he first had to gain faith in the Blood God and gave him the Blood Baleful Art as a preliminary technique.
• Fang Buping assigned Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi to share a cabin and rewarded each with an extra chicken drumstick.
• Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi traded insults before Zhao Changhe offered to let Luo Qi take the bed, easing their earlier tension.
• Luo Qi warned Zhao Changhe that sharing the manual could be a test and explained that returning to Luo Family Manor to seek his family’s core technique mattered more to him.
• Zhao Changhe continued reading the Blood Baleful Art while Luo Qi offered to share his own outer sect cultivation method.

Zhao Changhe began practicing the Blood Baleful Art and learned that the Book of Troubled Times was a supernatural ranking system that could stir conflict across the world. The chapter ended with him wondering about the strange world he had entered and teasing Luo Qi before they went to sleep.

• Zhao Changhe studied the Blood Baleful Art, decided it suited him, and tried holding the horse stance shown in its instructions.
• A golden announcement appeared in the sky, reporting that Yue Hongling had defeated Xue Canghai and risen to second place on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.
• Luo Qi explained that the rankings made up the Book of Troubled Times and could provoke conflicts, while Zhao Changhe worried that Yue Hongling might attract enemies.
• Luo Qi told Zhao Changhe that the rankings judged battle achievements and potential rather than cultivation levels, and that dirty tactics could count if used in combat.
• Zhao Changhe joked about making the rankings and teased Luo Qi about his growing cheerfulness, prompting Luo Qi to return inside angrily.

Zhao Changhe went to the training grounds to begin learning saber techniques and quickly grasped Instructor Sun’s turning slash. Instructor Sun praised his aptitude and set him against the other students as an example, leaving Zhao Changhe to face their hostile glares.

• Zhao Changhe complained about the poor breakfast and the discomforts of life in the stronghold, while Luo Qi grumbled about their situation as wanted criminals.
• Zhao Changhe went to the training grounds to learn martial arts from Instructor Sun, where he watched the instructor teach a controlled turning slash.
• Instructor Sun asked Zhao Changhe to try the move, and Zhao Changhe copied it convincingly with a saber.
• Instructor Sun corrected Zhao Changhe’s hand position and told him to practice the technique every day.
• Instructor Sun ordered the other students to learn from Zhao Changhe, making them glare at him.

Zhao Changhe learned how to practice the Blood Baleful Art and was promised instruction in its accompanying saber technique. After Zhang Quan and his allies attacked him over his larger portion of meat, Zhao Changhe’s blood-fueled rage erupted, and he left Zhang Quan motionless on the ground.

• Instructor Sun warned Zhao Changhe about the Blood Baleful Art’s drawbacks and agreed to teach him the basics of saber use before the Blood Baleful Saber Technique.
• Instructor Sun taught Zhao Changhe how to activate his blood’s vitality, and Zhao Changhe felt his strength and endurance increase as he trained.
• Zhao Changhe received a generous piece of braised pork at lunch, prompting Zhang Quan to accuse him of taking resources and favor from others.
• Zhang Quan and several bandits attacked Zhao Changhe and spilled the food in his bowl while nearby cult members watched.
• Zhao Changhe smashed his bowl, seized Zhang Quan, and repeatedly slammed his head into the food and broken porcelain until Zhang Quan lay motionless.
• Zhang Quan’s allies backed away in fear as Zhao Changhe left the crowd.

After Zhao Changhe killed Zhang Quan, Instructor Sun excused the fight and praised his ferocity, then began training him in saber fundamentals. As the cult prepared to send its recruits on missions, Zhao Changhe wondered whether he could keep his former principles while serving a group that made its living through violence.

• Zhao Changhe worried that the Blood Baleful Art had affected his reason, and Instructor Sun confirmed Zhang Quan was dead and dismissed the killing as the result of Zhang Quan provoking him.
• Instructor Sun called Zhao Changhe a born bandit and told him that fear and strength, not attempts at peaceful compromise, earned respect in the rivers and lakes.
• During the two hours before saber practice, Zhao Changhe beat Zhang Quan's companions, took their food, and ate his fill.
• Instructor Sun taught the recruits basic saber movements, and Zhao Changhe studied intently before practicing until his arms were sore.
• Instructor Sun told Zhao Changhe that the cult gave recruits food and martial training so they could serve on missions, and revealed that Luo Qi had already been sent out.
• Zhao Changhe reflected on how the cult resembled the violent Luo Family and wondered whether he could still turn back, remembering someone who had hoped he would remain honest.

Luo Qi returned from an unsuccessful mountain-road ambush and found Zhao Changhe waiting with a warm meal. As they discussed resisting the Blood God Cult’s orders and shared a room, Luo Qi agreed to sleep in the same bed with him.

• Luo Qi’s squad found no merchants to rob, and the stockade’s higher-ups berated him and gave him no food.
• Luo Qi returned to find Zhao Changhe practicing with a saber and reading; Zhao Changhe had saved him a warm meal, which Luo Qi accepted.
• Zhao Changhe suggested choosing targets such as the Luo Family and becoming strong enough to gain control of the stockade, while Luo Qi warned that they were trapped in the cult.
• Luo Qi thanked Zhao Changhe for the meal, and they acknowledged that they were friends who depended on each other.
• After Zhao Changhe insisted they share the bed, Luo Qi agreed, though he called Zhao Changhe vulgar.

Zhao Changhe trained through the snowy night while sharing a bed with Luo Qi, and the two grew more comfortable as friends. Zhao Changhe fell asleep quickly, while Luo Qi wrestled with his nervous thoughts before dreaming of his mother.

• Luo Qi asked Zhao Changhe about the strain of practicing the Blood Baleful Art, and Zhao Changhe explained its effects and mentioned winning a fight.
• Luo Qi urged Zhao Changhe to call on him for help and advised him not to be reckless, while Zhao Changhe questioned why Luo Qi cultivated while lying down.
• Zhao Changhe practiced a thousand saber chops, improving the precision of his strikes, while Luo Qi cultivated in bed.
• Zhao Changhe wiped off his sweat and climbed under his quilt, and Luo Qi reassured him that he could keep practicing despite the noise.
• Zhao Changhe fell asleep without moving, while Luo Qi stayed awake watching him before eventually dreaming that his mother brought him food.

Zhao Changhe consulted Instructor Sun about his rapid progress in the Blood Baleful Art and continued honing his saber skills. He learned that Luo Zhenwu may have been the emperor’s son—and that the emperor had no other sons left.

• Zhao Changhe asked Instructor Sun about his fast cultivation, and Instructor Sun attributed it to his strong constitution and intact Original Yang, saying he could reach the First Layer and first Profound Pass within a month.
• Instructor Sun tested Zhao Changhe’s saber strike and judged his talent ordinary but praised his persistence in practicing a thousand repetitions.
• Zhao Changhe trained through the day, embraced his growing reputation among the bandits, and promised to treat them to drinks when they could go out.
• A bandit told Zhao Changhe that Luo Zhenwu was rumored to be the emperor’s son and that an Imperial Palace Expert had protected the Luo Family.
• Zhao Changhe learned that the Crown Prince was dead and the emperor had no other sons, leaving him stunned by the implications of Luo Zhenwu’s rumored parentage.

Zhao Changhe learned that Luo Zhenwu had been an imperial prince whose death coincided with the Crown Prince’s, then worried when Luo Qi returned late. The two shared wine and food, and Zhao Changhe told Luo Qi what he had discovered, prompting a barely concealed reaction.

• A bandit told Zhao Changhe that Luo Zhenwu was the old emperor’s hidden son and became the last surviving heir after the Crown Prince died hours before Zhao killed him.
• Zhao Changhe connected the timing to the Luo Family’s destruction, then dismissed his doubts and went to find food for Luo Qi.
• When Luo Qi returned late, Zhao Changhe hurried to meet him; Luo Qi explained he had bathed in a stream and brought wine and roast meat.
• Zhao Changhe went out to bathe, while Luo Qi ate the food he had saved and reflected on how quickly Zhao Changhe was adapting to the stockade.
• Zhao Changhe returned and shared wine with Luo Qi, telling him that Luo Zhenwu had been an imperial prince.
• Luo Qi’s hand trembled as he took the wine, but he hid his reaction and warned Zhao Changhe to be careful outside.

Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi discussed the Blood God Cult’s suspicious presence near the Luo Family and the possibility that it was searching for a hidden secret. After Zhao Changhe confirmed Luo Qi was a woman by grabbing her shoulder, Luo Qi covered his reaction by treating them as close brothers, leaving Zhao Changhe flustered by her closeness.

• Zhao Changhe told Luo Qi he wanted to learn the Blood God Art and questioned why the Blood God Cult had established a branch in winter.
• Zhao Changhe reasoned that the cult’s main force had come to investigate a hidden site, possibly connected to the Four Symbols Cult, and that the new branch was continuing the search.
• Luo Qi warned Zhao Changhe not to trust anyone, including Luo Qi and Instructor Sun, and went to bed after their drinks.
• Zhao Changhe put an arm around Luo Qi’s shoulder and confirmed that Luo Qi was a woman, then hid his arousal by practicing his horse stance.
• Luo Qi put an arm around Zhao Changhe and called them brothers, teasing him about his stance and offering to take him to a brothel.

Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi gradually grew comfortable sharing a bed and daily life, while Zhao Changhe continued his martial training. Nearly a month after arriving in this world, he mastered the fundamentals of saber technique as winter set in.

• Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi struggled to sleep beside each other, then drifted off as they grew used to sharing a bed.
• Luo Qi woke up clinging to Zhao Changhe and realized he had been the one to grab him in his sleep.
• Zhao Changhe pretended not to notice Luo Qi's embrace, fetched breakfast, and went to train with Instructor Sun.
• Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi settled into an easy routine of sharing meals, training nearby, and sleeping together, while keeping their baths separate.
• Zhao Changhe accurately struck a moving iron rod at its marked spot and demonstrated that he had mastered the fundamentals of saber technique.
• Nearly a month after Zhao Changhe crossed into this world, the season had reached the winter solstice.

After passing Instructor Sun’s saber test, Zhao Changhe prepared to break through to the first heaven of the Blood Baleful Art. On the winter solstice, Luo Qi shared tangyuan with him and agreed to watch over him during the risky breakthrough by the cold pool.

• Zhao Changhe passed Instructor Sun’s basic saber technique test after training intensively for more than twenty days.
• Instructor Sun gave Zhao Changhe a pill and told him to attempt breaking through to the first heaven of the Blood Baleful Art that night.
• Luo Qi welcomed Zhao Changhe back, complained about rumors that he was Zhao Changhe’s private pet, and served him tangyuan for the winter solstice.
• Zhao Changhe told Luo Qi that Instructor Sun planned to teach him the Blood Baleful Saber once his cultivation advanced.
• Zhao Changhe asked Luo Qi to watch over him at the cold pool in case the demonic art made him lose control, and Luo Qi agreed.

Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi met at the pool so Luo Qi could bathe while Zhao Changhe prepared to break through the first level of the Blood Baleful Art. After Luo Qi agreed to guard him, Zhao Changhe began circulating his art, still uneasy that the breakthrough might be dangerous.

• Zhao Changhe agreed to practice out of sight while Luo Qi bathed, but Luo Qi called him back and asked him to face away where he could see him.
• Zhao Changhe used his Eyes Behind the Head to watch as Luo Qi removed his disguise and chest bindings, then turned to practicing in a Horse Stance.
• After bathing and restoring his disguise, Luo Qi teased Zhao Changhe, kicked him away, and asked how his warm-up had gone.
• Zhao Changhe explained that he feared the Blood Baleful Art could make him lose control during his breakthrough and asked Luo Qi to splash or kick him into the pool if needed.
• Zhao Changhe tried to send Luo Qi back to rest, but Luo Qi insisted on guarding him, and Zhao Changhe began circulating his art while recalling Instructor Sun's ominous expression.

Zhao Changhe endured the painful first breakthrough of the Blood Baleful Art without taking Instructor Sun’s medicine, while Luo Qi helped ease his suffering. After Zhao Changhe succeeded, they discovered the blood in the pool was moving in an eerie, dragonlike pattern around the half-moon.

• Zhao Changhe circulated blood-baleful qi into his arms and fists as he attempted to gain control of his body and break through the first profound pass.
• As the blood qi brought severe pain and threatened to cloud his reason, Luo Qi steadied him and helped calm the turmoil.
• Zhao Changhe refused to take Instructor Sun’s medicine, fearing it might be used to control him, and chose to endure the pain himself.
• Zhao Changhe persisted through the agony and successfully broke through the first profound pass, leaving a faint bloody hue around his fists.
• Zhao Changhe and Luo Qi noticed the blood in the pool twisting like a dragon and circling the half-moon.