Chapter Summaries

After discovering Blood Dragon Platform’s failed plot in the Divine Capital, Fang Yue returned to Xiahe County as tax-driven uprisings spread across the region. King Wucheng’s banner appeared before the besieged county town, and Liu Zheng summoned Fang Yue to help defend it.

• County Magistrate Wang asked Fang Yue to describe his last meeting with Wang Zili and agreed to report that Wang Zili had died fighting bandits.
• Fang Yue found a Secret Letter from Blood Dragon Platform stating that the Divine Capital Incident had failed and the regions should rise up, so he took leave and headed home.
• Yamen runners’ tax collection sparked uprisings across more than thirty towns and villages, and tens of thousands of rebels advanced toward Wenxi County Town.
• Fang Yue passed through rebel-held towns, reached Xiahe County Town, and reunited with his worried family.
• A Blood Dragon banner bearing the words King Wucheng appeared outside Xiahe County Town, while Hui Hengli warned that breached county nodes could break an ancient seal.
• After the rebel army surrounded Xiahe County Town, Liu Zheng summoned Fang Yue to the city wall and said he would help defend the city.

Fang Yue helped defend Xiahe County Town as the rebel army escalated its attacks, then was selected by Imperial Inspector Fang for a secret task. The chapter ended with Fang Yue and the other chosen officers arriving at an old temple outside the town.

• Liu Zheng appointed Fang Yue deputy general of the west gate, where Commander Lin Sizheng held a banquet and claimed he was baiting the rebels’ martial artists.
• The rebel army repeatedly probed the city before its trained troops attacked; Fang Yue used arrows to disrupt their officers, while the defenders barely held the walls.
• After the rebel army nearly broke through the south gate, Liu Zheng summoned the military officers and revealed that King Wucheng had rebelled and Imperial Court Enshrinements were pursuing him.
• Liu Zheng selected Fang Yue and nine other officers to assist Imperial Inspector Fang with setting up mechanisms inside the city, and Fang Yue suspected Liu Zheng had arranged his selection.
• Imperial Inspector Fang led Fang Yue and the other chosen officers to an old, sparsely worshiped temple west of Xiahe County Town, where elite soldiers stood guard.

Fang Yue and the Military Officers discovered an ancient altar beneath Xiahe County Town, where Inspector Fang was secretly trying to reinforce a seal. King Wucheng’s men attacked to break it, and the chapter ended with Fang Yue facing their transformed leader in a fierce battle.

• Inspector Fang revealed a hidden cavern beneath the temple and led Fang Yue and the Military Officers through its bone-filled depths.
• Inspector Fang explained that the remains included members of the ancient Demon Race, then showed the group a rune-covered altar whose seal was being weakened by blood.
• A dozen of King Wucheng’s black-clad followers emerged and attacked the Imperial Court group to break the seal with martial artists’ blood.
• The black-clad leader killed two Military Officers and fought Fang Yue, who proved stronger in their first contest of strength.
• The black-clad leader drank from a porcelain bottle, grew into a scaled giant, and forced Fang Yue back in their next clash.

Fang Yue defeated the Black-clothed Leader, escaped as the Altar activated, and fled Xiahe County with his family amid growing unrest. On the road to Shanyang Prefecture, Chen Shi urged him to take in a desperate mother and her daughter, and Fang Yue agreed.

• Fang Yue mastered Threefold Waves during his fight and struck down the Black-clothed Leader, but the leader and his followers sacrificed themselves to the Altar, triggering a deadly surge of blood-red power.
• Fang Yue escaped the cavern and met the Imperial Inspector surnamed Fang, who warned that the rebels had used themselves as bait to break the seal and then fled; Fang Yue gathered his family and left Xiahe County that night.
• At the Imperial Observatory, Hui Hengli reported that sealing sites across several prefectures were failing, and Mo Li ordered three provinces sealed off despite the expected casualties.
• Ten days into their journey toward Shanyang Prefecture, Fang Yue and his family passed destitute refugees selling their children; after Chen Shi asked him to help a begging woman and her daughter, Fang Yue agreed to take them along.

As unrest spread across Shanyang Prefecture and neighboring territories, Fang Yue decided to evacuate his family and rescued Bai Li from local thugs. Hui Hengli agreed to help Fang Yue leave, while Madam Bai offered to take his family with the White Family, leaving Fang Yue to discuss their options with his parents.

• Fang Yue learned that several prefectures were under attack and began planning to take his family south toward safety.
• Fang Yue drove off Zhu Er Gou and the other thugs who were harassing Bai Li, then accompanied her home.
• Hui Hengli recognized Fang Yue's rapid cultivation progress and agreed to arrange his departure after Bai Li pleaded with him.
• Fang Yue told Fang Cheng that their family would leave within two days and that travel arrangements were already in place.
• Madam Bai told Fang Yue that the White Family would leave Shanyang Prefecture the day after tomorrow and offered to take his family, but explained that his official credentials could prevent him from going with them.

As Shanyang Prefecture prepared to close its borders and conscript martial artists, Fang Yue secured safe passage for his family by agreeing to join the Imperial Observatory and take Bai Li with him. He learned that Xue Bing was arranging to have him sent to the vanguard, while his family welcomed Bai Li before their planned departure for Yujing City.

• Madam Bai rebuked Mother Wu for dismissing Fang Yue as a mere Imperial Martial Candidate and defended her decision to help his family leave.
• Zhang Shu learned that her father could not leave with the Chen Family, while Fang Cheng and Fang Yue prepared for their own family's journey.
• Fang Yue read an order requiring every martial artist in Shanyang Prefecture to register with the Yamen, then declined Zhang Shu's offer to find him a safer post.
• At the Imperial Observatory, Hui Hengli promised to get Fang Yue and his family out of Shanyang Prefecture with his title intact if Fang Yue joined the institution and took Bai Li with him; Fang Yue agreed.
• Xue Bing decided to have Fang Yue assigned to the vanguard's penal troops, and a Xue Family servant paid an official to arrange it.
• Fang Yue told the White Family he had found another way to leave, then brought Bai Li home, where Chen Shi warmly welcomed and entertained her.

Fang Yue used his Imperial Observatory Command Token to stop Yamen runners from arresting him and led his family out of Shanyang Prefecture City. In Sanshui County, he arrived to choose three guards for his journey to Yujing City and proposed that the six candidates compete in pairs.

• Lin Dong and the Yamen runners barged into the Tea Guild to arrest Fang Yue, but Fang Yue showed Lin Dong his Imperial Observatory Imperial Inspector's Command Token, and Lin Dong withdrew his men.
• Fang Yue and his family left Shanyang Prefecture City and traveled east to Sanshui County, where they planned to wait for the Imperial Observatory's guards.
• Lin Qingyuan toasted Xue Bing, Meng, and Chen, who expected to be selected as guards over Fang Lin and the other two low-ranking officers.
• Xue Bing mocked Fang Lin and offered the three officers ten taels of silver each to return home, but Fang Lin refused and said the selection was not decided yet.
• Fang Yue revealed himself as the Imperial Inspector and proposed that the six candidates compete in pairs while he watched and chose the guards.

Fang Yue exposed Xue Bing’s accusation, chose three low-ranking officers as guards, and continued northeast by warship while Xue Bing arranged to keep watch on him. Five days into the voyage, Fang Yue caught a Silver Thread Spirit Fish and refused to give it up, first to Official Chen and then to Commander Liu.

• Xue Bing accused Fang Yue of impersonating an Imperial Inspector, but Lin Qingyuan verified Fang Yue’s command token, and Xue Bing apologized.
• Fang Yue had the candidates compete, selected the trio of low-ranking officers, and left Sanshui County with them aboard an official warship.
• Xue Bing met a black-clothed Envoy near the docks and revealed that one of the three officers was his man, promising to keep the Imperial Observatory’s party under surveillance.
• Five days into the voyage, Fang Yue caught a Silver Thread Spirit Fish and declined Official Chen’s offer of one thousand taels and a favor.
• Commander Liu learned that Fang Yue had refused to sell the fish and demanded it from him, but Fang Yue refused again.

Fang Yue advanced into the Qi Sensing Realm after eating Silver Thread Spirit Fish, then condensed the Wutu True Body talent. After arriving in Denglai City with his family, he explored the city and entered Qingyun Pharmacy to ask about Blood Ginseng.

• Commander Liu threatened Fang Yue before leaving the ship, and Fang Yue later shared Silver Thread Spirit Fish soup with his family.
• Fang Yue ate the remaining spirit fish meat, broke through to Qi Sensing, and raised his Wutu True Art to Mastery.
• Fang Yue spent 1,500 aptitude points to condense Beginner Wutu True Body, greatly increasing his strength and defense.
• Fang Yue and his family arrived in Denglai City, passed inspection, and settled in a quiet courtyard behind an inn.
• Fang Yue explored Denglai City with Bai Li and Xiao Tiedan, then entered Qingyun Pharmacy and asked its owner whether it had Blood Ginseng.

Fang Yue searched Denglai City for Blood Ginseng, then went to the Yamen to obtain valid travel documents and encountered its corrupt gatekeepers. As the Yamen prepared for an important Imperial Inspector from Shanyang Prefecture, Fang Yue remained outside after the runners refused to process his document.

• Fang Yue failed to find Blood Ginseng after other buyers had purchased the city’s supplies, while Chen Shicheng explained that his family had bought three roots to establish themselves in Guangfeng Prefecture.
• Fang Yue saw Yamen runners arrest a wealthy convoy, then met Zhang Shu near the Yamen and told her he had business there.
• The gatekeepers demanded a bribe before agreeing to verify Fang Yue’s Shanyang Prefecture document, while Inspector Qi Ming warned City Lord Zheng Changsheng to assist an incoming Imperial Inspector.
• Chen Shicheng left the Yamen pleased that Zheng Changsheng had accepted his gift and mocked Fang Yue for giving the gatekeepers too little silver.
• A Yamen runner claimed the Magistrate was absent and told Fang Yue to return the next day, just as an official ordered the gatekeepers to promptly receive the incoming Imperial Inspector.

Fang Yue visited City Lord Zheng, secured a travel document, and returned to his rented courtyard with valuable gifts. The next morning, yamen runners raided the courtyard under the pretext of searching for spies, just as Magistrate Lin and Imperial Inspector Qi arrived to visit Fang Yue.

• Magistrate Lin recognized Fang Yue as an honored guest, punished the gatekeepers who had extorted him, and apologized with banknotes.
• Chen Shicheng boasted to Zhang Shu about his meeting with City Lord Zheng while Xiao Lu disparaged Fang Yue.
• Zheng Changsheng warmly received Fang Yue, arranged his travel document, and gave him valuable gifts and cultivation supplements.
• Xue Bing ordered a subordinate to keep investigating Fang Yue's group, suspecting they were hiding a secret.
• Yamen runners smashed into Fang Yue's courtyard and accused its residents of harboring enemy spies as Fang Yue protected his family.
• Magistrate Lin accompanied Imperial Inspector Qi to visit Fang Yue, unaware that the yamen runners had already begun their raid.

Magistrate Lin and Qi Ming encountered corrupt Yamen runners who were trying to extort Fang Yue’s family, then confronted them at Fang Yue’s courtyard. Fang Yue suspected someone was monitoring Bai Li’s journey, and after Qi Ming left, he consumed the Blood Ginseng Qi Ming had given him and began cultivating.

• Magistrate Lin slapped two Yamen runners after they insulted him and tried to inspect Qi Ming, then led Qi Ming to Fang Yue’s courtyard.
• Lin San arrived with his hoodlum subordinates, recognized Magistrate Lin, and beat the men who had offended him before begging Fang Yue for forgiveness.
• Fang Yue learned that a little beggar had supplied the runners with detailed information about his family and ordered them to investigate the source.
• After Qi Ming and Magistrate Lin left, Fang Yue suspected that someone was watching Bai Li and that their journey held hidden complications.
• Fang Yue opened Qi Ming’s gift, found Blood Ginseng inside, ate it, and cultivated as its medicinal power strengthened his body.

Chen Shicheng and Commander Liu mocked Fang Yue and plotted against him, while Fang Yue met Official Chen, secured help finding Fang Hu and his son, and received a Blood Ginseng. The chapter ended with Magistrate Lin learning that suspicious people had been watching Fang Yue’s residence.

• Chen Shicheng brought Zhang Shu to meet Commander Liu, who showed improper interest in her and entered their carriage.
• Qi Ming brought Fang Yue to meet Official Chen, and Chen Shicheng and Commander Liu insulted Fang Yue outside the courtyard.
• Official Chen recognized Fang Yue, agreed to help search for Fang Hu and his son, and gave Fang Yue a letter to deliver and a brocade box containing a Blood Ginseng.
• Chen Shicheng saw Fang Yue leave with the box, assumed he had stolen it, discovered where he lived, and quietly followed him.
• A candied-hawthorn vendor followed Chen Shicheng, while Magistrate Lin learned that suspicious people had been watching Fang Yue’s residence.

Magistrate Lin arrested Chen Shicheng, while Fang Yue fled Denglai City with his family and Zhang Shu as martial law loomed. After Fang Yue defeated Commander Liu at a tax checkpoint, he secretly pursued him to kill him, but found a group of black-clad assassins attacking Commander Liu and his soldiers.

• Magistrate Lin gathered yamen runners and captured Chen Shicheng outside Commander Liu's residence.
• After Shanyang Prefecture fell, Fang Yue left Denglai City with his family, Zhang Shu, and Xiao Lu before the city sealed its gates.
• At a tax checkpoint, Commander Liu ambushed Fang Yue, but Fang Yue struck him down and Magistrate Lin arrived to prevent further conflict.
• Fang Yue escorted his family to a nearby town, then disguised himself and pursued the wounded Commander Liu to take revenge.
• Seven or eight Black-clothed Men ambushed Commander Liu's group in a deserted area, killing several soldiers before Fang Yue could intervene.

Fang Yue uncovered Blood Dragon Platform’s plot to impersonate Liu Xun and later exposed Xue Bing’s ambush at a tea stall. Though Xue Bing believed poison had left Fang Yue helpless, Fang Yue struck back, leaving the fight unresolved.

• Fang Yue shot and killed the fleeing Commander Liu, then found the Sishui Fist Art on his body.
• The Black-clothed Men took Commander Liu’s face and identity, impersonated Liu Xun, and sent a warning about Fang Yue to Xue Bing.
• Fang Yue learned that Xue Bing was connected to Blood Dragon Platform, warned Magistrate Lin, and continued toward his parents while resolving to kill Xue Bing.
• When a landslide blocked the route, Fang Yue suspected Xue Bing’s interference and changed course; three days later, he recognized Fang Lin as a Blood Dragon Platform infiltrator at a tea stall.
• Xue Bing revealed himself, demanded to know what Fang Yue was carrying to Yujing City, and attacked after claiming Fang Yue had been poisoned.
• Fang Yue evaded the poison and wounded Xue Bing, who staggered back in shock as Fang Yue pursued him.

Fang Yue killed Xue Bing and Fang Lin after learning little from them, then reached Jade Capital City's satellite city, Wutu City, with his family. There, he encountered a staged carriage accident and learned that the red-clad girl who intervened had recognized his strength.

• Xue Bing swallowed a pill, transformed into a wolf-like monster, and exploded after Fang Yue struck him.
• Fang Yue questioned Fang Lin, then killed him despite saying he would consider sparing him.
• Three months later, Fang Yue and his group arrived in Wutu City, one of Jade Capital City's five cities, with Old He.
• Chen San faked a carriage accident to extort Fang Yue's group, but a red-clad girl exposed him and made him flee.
• Fang Yue suspected Chen San and the girl were in cahoots, then paid a high price for rooms at an inn.
• The red-clad girl told Chen San that Fang Yue was at least a Qi Sensing Martial Master and warned him not to provoke him.

Fang Yue secured a copy of the Wutu True Art from the Imperial Observatory library and spent more than half a month cultivating in Yujing City. After Hong Ling visited his family and Chen Shi encouraged him to pursue her and Bai Li, Fang Yue went to investigate the hooligans who had harassed his mother.

• Hui Hengwu told Fang Yue that his Imperial Inspector appointment would be revoked unless he served in Guangfeng Prefecture for a year, and gave him a token to enter the Imperial Observatory library.
• Fang Yue studied the library’s materials on Qi Cultivators, copied the Wutu True Art, and resolved to establish his home in Yujing City.
• Fang Yue trained daily at the Imperial Observatory, improving his Wutu True Art over more than half a month.
• Hong Ling met Fang Yue, then visited his family and told Chen Shi that she had driven away hooligans who were bullying her.
• Chen Shi urged Fang Yue to thank Hong Ling and suggested he pursue both Hong Ling and Bai Li.
• Fang Yue followed Chen Shi’s clues to a brothel to find the hooligans and determine whether someone had arranged the harassment.

Fang Yue retaliated against the Caobang Gang leader Luo Cheng for plotting against his family, then accepted a post as an Imperial Observatory Imperial Inspector to protect them. Luo Cheng’s elder brother Luo Wei blamed Fang Yue and rushed to attack his family, while Hong Ling sought help to intervene.

• Fang Yue overheard Luo Cheng and his companions planning to extort his family and learned that Luo Cheng intended to use Young Master Dong as bait.
• Fang Yue beat Luo Cheng unconscious and arranged events so Young Master Dong found Luo Cheng assaulting his wife and killed him.
• Hong Ling told Fang Yue that Luo Wei, Luo Cheng’s elder brother and a City Patrol Guards commander, might seek revenge, so Fang Yue accepted Hui Hengwu’s invitation to become an Imperial Observatory Imperial Inspector.
• Luo Wei decided Fang Yue was responsible for Luo Cheng’s death and set out to kill Fang Yue’s entire family.
• Hong Ling learned Luo Wei was heading for Fang Yue’s home and ran to ask her master to protect the family.

Fang Yue faced the threat of Luo Wei, who backed down after seeing his Imperial Observatory identity, and sought protection for his family before leaving for Guangfeng Prefecture. Hui Hengwu brought him to Wenyuan Pavilion to meet Wen Tailai, while Widow Yu and Anu arrived in Wutu Great City with the Wen family.

• Luo Wei left Xinyi Square after the Black Armored Army guards barred him from harming Fang Yue's family, and Hong Ling's master decided not to intervene.
• Fang Yue learned that Luo Wei was a powerful, ruthless late Qi Sensing Martial Master and resolved to kill him if he threatened his family.
• Widow Yu, Wen Lan, and Anu arrived in Wutu Great City, where Anu confessed she wanted to marry Fang Yue and Wen Lan disparaged him.
• Fang Yue encountered Luo Wei outside Xinyi Square, but Luo Wei left after noticing Fang Yue's Imperial Observatory Inspector token.
• Hui Hengwu advised Fang Yue to secure a powerful family's protection and brought him to Wenyuan Pavilion to meet Wen Tailai.

Hui Hengwu introduced Fang Yue to Wen Tailai as a potential husband for a Wen Family woman, and Wen Tailai enthusiastically recommended him to Wen Lan’s branch. Widow Yu realized the man was the Fang Yue she remembered, while Anu spotted someone who looked like him the next morning.

• Hui Hengwu brought Fang Yue to Wenyuan Pavilion, where Wen Tailai recognized his Qi-sensing martial cultivation and praised his literary talent after hearing what Hui Hengwu told him.
• Wu Wende saw Fang Yue leaving with Hui Hengwu and dismissed him as an unimportant rival after his page said Fang Yue was not among the celebrated scholars.
• Wen Tailai visited the Wen Family estate and told Widow Yu and Wen Lan that Fang Yue, author of “Jiang Xue,” was an excellent marriage candidate.
• Widow Yu concluded that Wen Tailai’s Fang Yue was the same man she had known in Shanyang Prefecture, while Wen Lan assumed they merely shared a name.
• The next morning, Anu spotted someone she believed was Fang Yue while she was out shopping with Wen Lan and hurried after him.