Chapter Summaries

After recovering his memories of a past life, Wei Sheng discovered that the Ancient Bronze Bell could turn Dao Origin into years of martial arts cultivation. He used it to master Savage Bull Fist and left to confront Niu Er over the debt.

• Niu Er demanded twelve taels from Wei Sheng and Wei He, threatening to take their house or sell them if they did not pay.
• Wei Sheng recalled that their parents had repaid Niu Er before leaving to dig a canal, and that Niu Er had beaten him when he challenged the renewed debt.
• Wei Sheng awakened memories of his past life and discovered the Ancient Bronze Bell, which granted him the talent Nine-Breath Qi Ingestion and one point of Dao Origin.
• Wei Sheng spent the Dao Origin on Savage Bull Fist, advancing from beginner to major mastery and gaining the strength to defeat Niu Er.
• Wei He returned after Second Grandfather's family refused to lend them money, and Wei Sheng took a short saber and went to visit Niu Er.

Wei Sheng learned that Niu Er had targeted him to sell Wei He to the Hong Family, then killed Niu Er and his two followers. He returned home safely with roast chicken, easing Wei He's worries.

• Wei Sheng waited outside Niu Er's courtyard and overheard Niu Er reveal that the Hong Family's Eldest Master wanted Wei He and had paid to have Wei Sheng killed.
• When Niu Er and his followers stopped to relieve themselves, Wei Sheng twisted Niu Er's neck, wounded Skinny Monkey, and killed A Mao and Skinny Monkey.
• Wei Sheng searched the men, found two taels of silver and a small booklet, then dumped their bodies and the bloodied blade into the river.
• Wei He grew anxious after Wei Sheng stayed away for over two hours and prepared to search for him.
• Wei Sheng returned with two packages of roast chicken and reassured Wei He that he was safe.

Wei Sheng studied the White Crane Skin Refinement Method, advanced his Savage Bull Fist, and condensed his first strand of blood qi. He resolved to earn money, grow strong enough to rescue his parents, and find a backer against the Hong Family before A Chang arrived with tremendous news.

• Wei Sheng memorized the White Crane Skin Refinement Method booklet he had taken from Niu Er, then burned it.
• Wei Sheng spent a Dao Origin Point on Savage Bull Fist and reached major accomplishment after a year of practice, condensing a strand of blood qi.
• Wei Sheng shared breakfast with Wei He and realized he needed money for food, medicine, and training.
• Wei Sheng resolved to become strong enough to bring his parents back from Sishui Commandery and decided he needed a backer against the Hong Family's eldest master.
• A Chang arrived at Wei Sheng's home, announcing that he had tremendous good news.

After Niu Er’s death went largely uninvestigated, Wei Sheng used five Dao Origin points to perfect the Savage Bull Fist and reached the limits of a normal person’s physique. He hurried to the Fish-Dragon Gang’s test at the Gaoliu Street branch hall, where he found A Chang bruised and isolated.

• A Chang told Wei Sheng that Niu Er had been found dead in the moat, and Wei Sheng learned that Fire Ox’s Savage Bull Fist test would take place in five days.
• Wei Sheng spent five days practicing, learned that the officers had left Niu Er’s case to the gang, and received five Dao Origin points.
• Wei Sheng invested all five points in the Savage Bull Fist, reached perfection, and increased his blood and qi to twelve strands.
• Wei Sheng left Wei He at home and went to the Gaoliu Street branch hall for Fire Ox’s test.
• Wei Sheng found A Chang bruised and shunned by the other disciples, then asked him whether a pig had hit a tree and he had hit the pig.

Wei Sheng confronted Cao Defa after learning he had beaten A Chang, then revealed his advanced Savage Bull Fist skill before Fire Ox and the branch hall. He defeated Cao Defa in their fight, but sensed a serious threat closing in from behind.

• A Chang told Wei Sheng that Cao Defa had beaten him for spreading news of Niu Er's death.
• Wei Sheng approached Cao Defa, but Fire Ox arrived before the confrontation could turn violent.
• Fire Ox called forward those who had reached entry level and minor mastery in Savage Bull Fist, and Wei Sheng stepped forward for both.
• Fire Ox ordered Wei Sheng and Cao Defa to fight, and Cao Defa attacked Wei Sheng with full force.
• Wei Sheng deflected Cao Defa's punch, struck him repeatedly, and kicked him away, but then sensed an intense threat approaching from behind.

Wei Sheng fought Fire Ox using Savage Bull Fist, impressed him by demonstrating Perfection-level mastery, and was recruited as his personal guard. The chapter ended with Wei Sheng accepting Fire Ox’s offer and gaining the respect of the branch hall.

• Fire Ox ambushed Wei Sheng, then tested him in a fight using Savage Bull Fist.
• Wei Sheng matched Fire Ox’s techniques but was driven back by Fire Ox’s superior physique, until his Savage Ox Horn Thrust forced Fire Ox to retreat two steps.
• Fire Ox recognized that Wei Sheng had trained Savage Bull Fist to Perfection and offered him five taels of silver each month, personal instruction in the Skin Refinement Method, and a chance to advance.
• Wei Sheng accepted Fire Ox’s offer, received his waist token, and was told to meet him on Heavenly Sea Street the next day.
• A Chang and Hu Wan praised Wei Sheng, while the other gang members saluted him as Brother Sheng; Cao Defa approached Wei Sheng with something from inside his robe.

After Cao Defa apologized to Wei Sheng, his lackeys urged him to report Wei Sheng for Niu Er’s death, but Cao Defa refused to risk angering Fire Ox. Wei Sheng shared A Chang’s feast with Wei He, failed to make progress with the White Crane Skin Refinement Method, and went to Fire Ox’s residence, where a martial arts gathering began.

• Cao Defa paid Wei Sheng two taels and five mace of silver to apologize, and Wei Sheng gave A Chang five mace for his injuries.
• Cao Defa’s lackeys accused Wei Sheng of killing Niu Er and urged Cao Defa to report him, but Cao Defa decided against it because he had no evidence and feared Fire Ox’s reaction.
• A Chang left food and wine at Wei Sheng’s home as thanks, and Wei Sheng and Wei He shared the meal.
• Wei Sheng practiced the Savage Bull Fist and tried the White Crane Skin Refinement Method, but felt no response.
• Wei Sheng went to Fire Ox’s residence and saw three martial artists there; Fire Ox arrived and announced that they would begin.

Fire Ox taught Wei Sheng, Xiao Ran, Niu Yong, and Che Zhenzhong the Ox Demon Skin Refinement Method and explained how martial refinements developed strength. After training and learning more about his companions, Wei Sheng was asked why Fire Ox was investing so much effort in teaching them.

• Fire Ox explained the twelve martial refinements and said modern methods produced only half the strength of ancient ones.
• Fire Ox taught the four men how the Savage Bull Fist and Qi-Blood Method tempered the skin, and Wei Sheng completed three sessions before exhausting his qi and blood.
• Fire Ox told the group to train each morning and promised a tremendous opportunity to whoever progressed fastest within two months.
• Wei Sheng learned that Xiao Ran was from the High Bridge Branch Hall, Niu Yong was Fire Ox's younger brother-in-law, and Che Zhenzhong had worked as a route herald for the Shunyuan Escort Agency.
• Che Zhenzhong asked Wei Sheng why Fire Ox was teaching them the skin refinement method and training them so intensively.

Wei Sheng learned that Fire Ox was grooming candidates for a vacant Five Tiger Generals position and received money to advance his cultivation. After a month of using secret medicine and training, Wei Sheng reached entry in the Ox Demon Skin Refinement Method.

• Che Zhenzhong told Wei Sheng that Fire Ox and the other Five Tiger Generals were backing followers to compete for a vacant position under Tiger Lord.
• Fire Ox rewarded Wei Sheng with five taels of silver and urged him to use secret medicine to support his training.
• Wei Sheng tested his strength, then bought two batches of skin-refining medicine to save money for living expenses and his younger brother's treatment.
• Wei Sheng prepared the ointment and found that it let him temper his skin more often during each training session.
• Wei Sheng followed a daily routine of cultivation and work for a month, then reached entry in the Ox Demon Skin Refinement Method.

Wei Sheng used Dao Origin to simulate thirty years of cultivation, reaching the second refinement and gaining the Ox Demon characteristic, then received an assignment to deal with Zhang Yan at Gaoliu Street. After learning Zhang Yan had secretly reached the first refinement, Fire Ox sent Xiao Ran and Che Zhenzhong to rescue Wei Sheng, but Xiao Ran hurried reluctantly.

• Wei Sheng spent ten Dao Origin points to simulate thirty years of cultivation, reaching the second refinement and gaining the Ox Demon characteristic in the Savage Bull Fist.
• Wei Sheng tested his new strength, then went to the Fire Ox Courtyard, where Niu Yong told him Fire Ox wanted to see him.
• Fire Ox assigned Wei Sheng to deal with Zhang Yan, the former disciple leading the Golden Goose Gang at Gaoliu Street.
• After Wei Sheng left, Che Zhenzhong warned Fire Ox that Zhang Yan had secretly reached the first refinement, so Fire Ox sent Xiao Ran and Che Zhenzhong to save him.
• Che Zhenzhong rushed toward Gaoliu Street while Xiao Ran remained unhurried, leaving Che Zhenzhong worried for Wei Sheng.

Violent Bear revealed that he was targeting Fire Ox’s promising subordinates, while Zhang Yan attacked the Gaoliu Branch Hall and brutalized its members. Wei Sheng arrived alone to face Zhang Yan, who mocked the branch hall for sending a junior in place of its boss.

• Black Vajra and One-Eye blocked Che Zhenzhong as he tried to leave Gaoliu Street and report Violent Bear’s scheme to Fire Ox.
• Violent Bear confronted Fire Ox and admitted he wanted to eliminate Wei Sheng, Che Zhenzhong, Xiao Ran, and other potential rivals for the Five Tiger Generals.
• Fire Ox attacked Violent Bear in anger after learning the extent of his plan.
• Zhang Yan, now a first-refinement fighter, overpowered Cao Defa and led the Golden Goose Gang in beating the Gaoliu Branch Hall members.
• Wei Sheng arrived at the branch hall, and Zhang Yan mocked Fire Ox for sending a junior to face him.

Wei Sheng defeated Zhang Yan and the Golden Goose Gang after revealing that he had reached the first refinement, while Che Zhenzhong and others learned the fight’s outcome. Black Vajra realized Wei Sheng had ruined Violent Bear’s ambush plan and left to warn him.

• Wei Sheng struck down the Golden Goose Gang members who attacked him, then caught Zhang Yan’s claws and crushed both of his wrists.
• Che Zhenzhong and the middle-aged Shunyuan Escort Agency escort heard Zhang Yan’s scream, while Black Vajra mistakenly believed Wei Sheng had been defeated.
• Wei Sheng lifted Zhang Yan by the neck and demanded that he hand over his lightness technique in exchange for his life.
• Che Zhenzhong arrived and learned that Wei Sheng had reached the first refinement and defeated Zhang Yan.
• Solitary Wolf and Black Vajra watched from the shadows, and Black Vajra left to tell Violent Bear that Wei Sheng had ruined the ambush plan.

Xiao Ran discovered that Wei Sheng, not Che Zhenzhong, had defeated Zhang Yan and forced him to surrender the Golden Goose Art. Meanwhile, Black Vajra reported to Violent Bear, whose confidence collapsed as he learned what had happened.

• Black Vajra and One-Eye avoided a fight with Xiao Ran, who suspected Violent Bear might be backing Zhang Yan.
• Xiao Ran found Wei Sheng and Che Zhenzhong at a tea stall with a battered Zhang Yan and his defeated gang.
• Zhang Yan and his men knelt and begged Wei Sheng for mercy, leading Xiao Ran to realize Wei Sheng had beaten Zhang Yan.
• Violent Bear told Fire Ox he had targeted his disciples to secure the fifth Tiger General position, and Fire Ox angrily objected.
• Black Vajra returned with One-Eye and whispered news to Violent Bear, whose triumphant expression turned grim as he listened.

After Wei Sheng defeated Zhang Yan and the Golden Goose Gang, Fire Ox praised his breakthrough and promoted him to resident master of the Gaoliu Branch Hall. Wei Sheng considered paying to study the White Crane Martial Arts Hall’s speed technique and prepared to count the money he had looted.

• Violent Bear left furious after his plan against Fire Ox failed, then learned that Huang Man'er had broken through to the Third Refinement Realm.
• Fire Ox learned that Wei Sheng had defeated Zhang Yan and forced the Golden Goose Gang to surrender, and hurried to the Gaoliu Branch Hall.
• Fire Ox rewarded the injured defenders, praised Wei Sheng’s breakthrough, and promoted him to resident master with double pay.
• Wei Sheng gave Fire Ox Zhang Yan’s Golden Goose Art, and Fire Ox recommended the White Crane Martial Arts Hall’s Spirit Crane Method.
• Wei Sheng weighed the ten-tael tuition that evening and decided to count the money he had looted from the Golden Goose Gang and the others.

Wei Sheng used his winnings to order heavy leg weights so he could train the Golden Goose Art, while Wei He was targeted by the Hong Residence for enslavement. As Sun Dayou tried to force Wei He’s thumbprint onto the contract, an unseen person snatched it away.

• Wei Sheng counted the money taken from Zhang Yan and the Golden Goose Gang, then resolved to perfect the Golden Goose Art.
• Wei Sheng ordered four-hundred-jin leg weights and spent more money on household supplies and a new gown for Wei He.
• Sun Dayou and a steward from the Hong Residence offered Wei He a supposed study attendant position that was actually an indenture of enslavement.
• Wei He refused and claimed a connection to Fire Ox, but Sun Dayou grabbed him and tried to press his inked thumb onto the contract.
• A slender hand swept in and snatched the contract away before Wei He’s thumbprint could be made.

Wei Sheng returned in time to stop Sun Dayou from forcing Wei He to sign a contract selling himself into servitude, then followed Sun Dayou and Steward Hong and killed them both. He left with the silver he found on their bodies.

• Wei Sheng caught Sun Dayou's punch, read the contract, and crushed Sun Dayou's wrist after realizing the Hong Residence had tried to enslave Wei He.
• Steward Hong revealed that he was also a First Refinement martial artist and left with Sun Dayou after Wei Sheng released him.
• Wei Sheng followed the two men into a secluded alley, blinded Steward Hong with lime, and killed him with a blow to the chest.
• Wei Sheng broke Sun Dayou's legs and arm, twisted his neck, and killed him.
• Wei Sheng searched the bodies, took a dozen or so taels of silver, and hurried away.

After killing Steward Hong and Sun Dayou, Wei Sheng trained harder and moved with Wei He to a rented house near Fire Bull, while the Hong Family began investigating the killing. A month passed as Wei Sheng kept training, but the cost of medicine threatened to slow his progress toward the third refinement.

• Wei Sheng trained with heavy weights at Fire Bull's residence while Niu Yong and Xiao Ran pushed themselves, and Che Zhenzhong warned him that the Hong Family had several powerful martial artists.
• Wei Sheng returned to the rented house, where Wei He prepared secret medicinal ointment and showed signs of recovering from the fear left by Steward Hong's visit.
• Wei Sheng used the ointment to refine his skin, discovered that his stronger body absorbed it rapidly, and calculated that reaching the third refinement would require more medicine than he could afford.
• Wei Sheng continued his daily Golden Goose Art and Bull-Demon Skin Refining practice, and a month passed.

Wei Sheng perfected the Golden Goose Art, strengthened his Ox Demon Skin Refinement Method, and discovered its power could carry him across the Outer City. On his way home, he followed cries to a family being brutalized by men from the Hong Residence, just as the masked Wei Sheng entered their room.

• Wei Sheng spent Dao Origin points to perfect the Golden Goose Art and tested its speed and Void Traversal, which drained his qi and blood.
• Wei Sheng used three more Dao Origin points to advance the Ox Demon Skin Refinement Method to the third refinement, raising his strength to two thousand five hundred jin, but he still lacked bronze skin.
• Wei Sheng heard someone crying in Black Firewood Ward, covered his face, and hurried toward the sound.
• Men from the Hong Residence bound a family and demanded that their son become a study attendant; when the boy refused, the red-clad steward killed his father and threatened his mother.
• A masked figure kicked open the door and entered the room.

Wei Sheng rescued Sun Li and his mother from the Hong Family, then returned to Fire Ox’s courtyard, where Xiao Ran’s breakthrough earned him personal instruction and a place in the Five Tiger Generals selection. Fire Ox revealed that Flesh Refinement condensed qi and blood into Bright Force.

• Wei Sheng killed the Hong Family steward and defeated his men after finding them tormenting Sun Li’s family, then gave Sun Li five taels of silver and watched him and his mother reach relatives in Black Forest Ward.
• Wei Sheng burned his bloodied clothes, checked that he had not exposed his identity, and returned to Fire Ox’s courtyard the next morning.
• Che Zhenzhong told Wei Sheng that Xiao Ran had broken through to Third Refinement after borrowing money from the Doujin Gambling House.
• Fire Ox announced that he would train Xiao Ran one-on-one for the Five Tiger Generals selection, while giving the others half a month to reach Third Refinement.
• Wei Sheng told Fire Ox that he had reached Second Refinement and proved it by lifting a thousand-jin stone lock, impressing Fire Ox and his companions.
• Fire Ox began explaining that Flesh Refinement condensed qi and blood throughout the body into force, commonly called Bright Force.

Wei Sheng learned about Bright Force and continued training after breaking through to the second refinement. After discovering that the Hong Family had killed Sun Li and his mother, he resolved to grow stronger, then went to Xiao Ran’s banquet with the Hong Residence in view.

• Fire Ox demonstrated how Bright Force could destroy a wooden dummy from within, and Wei Sheng tried unsuccessfully to develop it himself.
• Che Zhenzhong invited Wei Sheng to Xiao Ran’s celebration banquet at the Guest-Welcoming Tower, which overlooked the Hong Residence, and Wei Sheng agreed to attend.
• Wei Sheng found Sun Li and his mother dead in Peaceful Alley after the Hong Family abducted and killed the household sheltering them.
• Wei Sheng returned home, gave Wei He medicine for the White Crane Skin Refinement Method, and trained until he was close to its initial level.
• Wei Sheng stopped training the next day and headed to Xiao Ran’s banquet.