Recaps

Zhao Yunhui and Lü Ling bought books while Yan Zhong reported that the Six Gates were taking the Heavenly Demon Canon seriously. Huang Xiao descended Zhongnan Mountain to investigate Bai Tianqi and visit Jiang Ying, but a Ten Thousand Blades Sect checkpoint stopped him and ordered him searched.

• Zhao Yunhui bought nine books after Lü Ling paid the shopkeeper with a tael of silver.
• Yan Zhong told Zhao Yunhui that the Six Gates were taking the Heavenly Demon Canon seriously, though he had no details.
• Huang Xiao told Qingfeng he wanted to descend the mountain and learn more about Bai Tianqi, and Qingfeng agreed after warning him to be careful and visit Jiang Ying.
• Huang Xiao traveled toward Huaqing City, where he encountered many Jianghu fighters heading for Zhongnan Mountain to find Zhang Hu and the Heavenly Demon Canon.
• A Ten Thousand Blades Sect disciple demanded Huang Xiao's name and sect, then ordered him searched after learning he belonged to the Green Ox Gate.

Huang Xiao confronted Ten Thousand Blades Sect disciples who were extorting and mistreating martial artists at a road checkpoint, then fought Senior Brother Gao and drew the attention of Mu Qiang. Du Ge recognized Huang Xiao as a fellow Six Gates recruit, and Mu Qiang ordered his disciples to clear the road, though he remained hostile toward Huang Xiao.

• Huang Xiao realized the Ten Thousand Blades Sect disciples were taking bribes and abusing martial artists who could not pay.
• When a disciple struck at him, Huang Xiao restrained him, threw him into Senior Brother Gao, and defeated Gao’s saber attack.
• Mu Qiang arrived and clashed with Huang Xiao using One Blade, Hundred Jins, but Huang Xiao blocked the saber force with Godslayer.
• Du Ge recognized Huang Xiao and reminded Mu Qiang that the three of them had joined the Six Gates together two years earlier.
• Du Ge urged them to let the dispute go, and Mu Qiang scolded his disciples and ordered them to remove the roadblocks.
• Huang Xiao introduced himself as a Six Gates constable, then told the passing martial artists to thank Mu Qiang, prompting Mu Qiang to snort coldly.

Huang Xiao visited the Heavenly Qilin Pawnshop to thank Jiang Ying for saving the Green Ox Gate, but he recognized a jade thumb ring on Jiang Ying’s hand and asked how long he had owned it. The chapter ended before Jiang Ying answered.

• Huang Xiao met Du Ge and learned that powerful masters, including Peerless Experts, had joined the search connected to Zhang Hu.
• Huang Xiao reached the Heavenly Qilin Pawnshop and identified himself as the Green Ox Gate’s Sect Leader, prompting Chen Gui to bring him to Jiang Ying.
• Huang Xiao thanked Jiang Ying for intervening to save the Green Ox Gate, and Jiang Ying accepted his gratitude.
• Huang Xiao told Jiang Ying he had spent the past two years in Poison God Valley, where his martial prowess had improved.
• Huang Xiao noticed Jiang Ying’s Jade Thumb Ring and asked how long he had owned it.

Huang Xiao recovered his family’s jade thumb ring from Jiang Ying and learned that Bai Tianqi was somewhere on Zhongnan Mountain, though he was warned not to seek revenge yet. After Huang Xiao left, the Dragon-Seeking Envoy ordered Jiang Ying to protect him secretly and not kill Bai Tianqi, while the Heavenly Demon Canon and the Netherworld Demon Zither remained in the hands of competing forces.

• Jiang Ying recognized Huang Xiao’s jade thumb ring by the carved character “Huang” and returned it to him.
• Jiang Ying advised Huang Xiao to stay away from Green Ox Temple for now and warned him that Bai Tianqi was too powerful to confront; he said Bai Tianqi was likely tracking Zhang Hu on Zhongnan Mountain.
• The Dragon-Seeking Envoy and Jiang Ying discussed Bai Tianqi’s Ghost Gate cultivation, the girl carrying the Netherworld Demon Zither, and the danger surrounding the Heavenly Demon Canon.
• The Dragon-Seeking Envoy tasked Jiang Ying with secretly protecting Huang Xiao, forbade him from killing Bai Tianqi, and told him to intervene only if Huang Xiao faced mortal danger.
• Jiang Ying agreed to the assignment and told a servant that he was entering seclusion, allowing only people from Green Ox Gate to disturb him.

Huang Xiao visited the Six Gates Branch to report that he was alive, but learned that he would need to travel to the capital to receive a higher constable rank. He reunited with Dugu Sheng and Hong Yi at the Elegant Abode, where he revealed that he had joined Poison God Valley.

• Huang Xiao met Dugu Sheng outside the Six Gates Branch, and Dugu Sheng offered to accompany him inside.
• Huang Xiao presented his Reserve Constable token, but the branch steward said he could not be appointed First-Class Constable without passing an assessment in the capital.
• Huang Xiao declined to change his token and left with Dugu Sheng.
• Dugu Sheng brought Huang Xiao to meet Hong Yi, and the three went to the Elegant Abode to drink.
• Huang Xiao told Dugu Sheng and Hong Yi that he had become a disciple of Poison God Valley, and they toasted his progress.

Huang Xiao, Dugu Sheng, and Hong Yi discussed the Heavenly Demon Canon and the history of Ling Tianya, whose mastery of a demonic art had once brought ruin to the Jianghu. Hong Yi explained that the Canon could make its possessor the leader of the fractured Heavenly Demon Sect, and Dugu Sheng questioned how that could matter when the sect no longer existed.

• Huang Xiao asked Dugu Sheng and Hong Yi about the Heavenly Demon Canon, and they discussed Ling Tianya’s past slaughter and the destruction of the Profound Ice Sect.
• Hong Yi argued that Ling Tianya’s vengeance followed the Jianghu’s persecution of him, while Huang Xiao privately related the story to his own desire to avenge his master.
• Dugu Sheng and Hong Yi said they hoped Ling Tianya might still be alive, citing both vengeance and a wish to witness the Ten Thousand Demons Formless Art.
• Dugu Sheng warned that the real Heavenly Demon Canon would make the Jianghu more violent than earlier rumors of secret manuals had done.
• Hong Yi explained that the Heavenly Demon Sect had splintered into many factions and that the Canon’s possessor was entitled to lead it.
• Dugu Sheng challenged Hong Yi’s claim, asking how anyone could lead a Heavenly Demon Sect that no longer existed.

Hong Yi explained why the Righteous, Heretical, and Demonic Three Paths might destroy the Heavenly Demon Canon rather than let the Heavenly Demon Sect rise again. Huang Xiao then learned that Bai Tianqi had reached at least the pinnacle level, making his revenge far more difficult.

• Hong Yi said the hidden successor sects would seek the Heavenly Demon Canon, while the Three Paths would prevent the Heavenly Demon Sect from uniting or returning to power.
• Hong Yi explained that the Three Paths might destroy the Canon if they could not obtain it, and Dugu Sheng and Hong Yi said they had come to meet experts rather than compete for it.
• Huang Xiao said he had come to avenge himself on Bai Tianqi, but revealed that Bai Tianqi's cultivation was probably at least at the pinnacle level.
• Huang Xiao said he had learned this from Liaochen of Shaolin, and Dugu Sheng revealed that Liaochen had mastered five of Shaolin's Eighty-One Supreme Arts.

Huang Xiao, Hong Yi, and Dugu Sheng set out for Zhongnan Mountain, hoping to encounter Bai Tianqi, but learned that Zhang Hu had been surrounded in Hu'ao Valley. There they met Liaochen and helped Master Kongming partially recover from a powerful unknown poison, then prepared to take him back to the city.

• Huang Xiao agreed to let Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng help him confront Bai Tianqi if they encountered him, while insisting that he would kill his enemy himself.
• The three heard that the Soul-Devouring Demon Sect had destroyed the Fierce Tiger Sect and continued toward Zhongnan Mountain, wondering whether anyone had found the Heavenly Demon Canon.
• On the way, they learned Zhang Hu was surrounded in Hu'ao Valley and hurried there, where they found Liaochen supporting the poisoned Master Kongming.
• Dugu Sheng offered his family's antidote pills, but Liaochen explained that Shaolin's antidote had already failed against the unknown poison.
• Huang Xiao gave Master Kongming Poison God Valley's Ten Thousand Antidote Pill, which neutralized sixty or seventy percent of the poison and removed the immediate danger to his life.
• Master Kongming thanked Huang Xiao, but Huang Xiao could not identify the poison, and Liaochen decided to take his martial uncle back to the city.

Master Kongming recovered enough to leave while Liaochen hurried to rejoin Shaolin’s fighters, and he told Huang Xiao, Hong Yi, and Dugu Sheng about the mysterious faction behind the Six Great Sects Massacre. As the group traveled to help Zhang Hu, they spotted figures moving through the mountain woods.

• Master Kongming told Liaochen to help Kongcheng and urged the others to be cautious, then left for the city alone.
• Liaochen said the attackers were behind the Six Great Sects Massacre and revealed that Bai Tianqi was among them.
• Liaochen explained that the mysterious faction did not belong to the righteous, heterodox, or demonic paths, and that Shaolin was waiting for reinforcements while trying to protect Zhang Hu.
• Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng welcomed the prospect of facing powerful opponents, while Liaochen said their allies might arrive within days.
• Liaochen raised a warning when the group saw several figures moving through the mountain woods.

Liaochen returned to the battle at Hu'ao Valley and rescued Master Kongcheng from Lu Jiu, a dangerous Demonic Path expert who wielded the White Bone Ghost Claw. After learning Lu Jiu's identity, Liaochen refused help from Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng and prepared to face him alone.

• Liaochen charged into the fighting, struck down a burly attacker, and sent the man's cleaver flying toward Master Kongcheng's assailant.
• Lu Jiu broke Liaoping's sword with his White Bone Ghost Claw and prepared to kill the gravely wounded Master Kongcheng.
• Liaochen's thrown cleaver forced Lu Jiu to dodge, and Liaochen reached Master Kongcheng and reported that he had mostly cleared Kongming's poison.
• Huang Xiao, Hong Yi, and Dugu Sheng rescued Master Kongliang and brought him to Master Kongcheng's side.
• Master Kongcheng identified Lu Jiu as the White Bone Claw, and Lu Jiu revealed that he had refined his technique into the White Bone Ghost Claw.
• Liaochen rejected Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng's offer to fight alongside him and challenged Lu Jiu to test Shaolin's Dragon Claw Hand.

Lu Jiu chose to wait as more people from the Heavenly Demon Sect arrived, while Bai Tianqi recognized Huang Xiao and learned that he had come to avenge his master. Huang Xiao fought Bai Tianqi alone despite the danger, and the chapter ended with Bai Tianqi preparing to finish the fight.

• A subordinate told Lu Jiu that more people, apparently from the Heavenly Demon Sect, had arrived, and Lu Jiu ordered his men to wait and let the opposing groups fight.
• Huang Xiao recognized Bai Tianqi as his master's killer, and Bai Tianqi explained to Lu Jiu that he had killed Huang Xiao's master two years earlier.
• Huang Xiao charged Bai Tianqi, and their first palm clash sent both men staggering back.
• Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng offered to join the fight, but Huang Xiao asked them to wait so he could avenge his master himself.
• Huang Xiao used his Blazing Yang Palm against Bai Tianqi's icy internal force, and Bai Tianqi declared that Huang Xiao would die if that was all the strength he had.

Huang Xiao and Liaochen fought separate battles against Bai Tianqi and Lu Jiu, whose sinister powers threatened to overwhelm them. Liaochen broke three of Lu Jiu’s nails, while Huang Xiao unleashed a sudden counterattack that shattered Bai Tianqi’s arm before both fighters were hurled away.

• Bai Tianqi revealed a cold, sinister aura and pressed Huang Xiao with internal power that invaded his meridians.
• Liaochen and Lu Jiu clashed with Dragon Claw Hand and White Bone Ghost Claw, matching each other’s techniques as Liaochen struggled against Lu Jiu’s greater power.
• Liaochen clamped onto Lu Jiu’s nails and used a powerful twist to snap three of them, though Lu Jiu’s claw force injured him in return.
• Bai Tianqi drove Huang Xiao toward defeat, but Huang Xiao closed his eyes and waited for Bai Tianqi to attack.
• Huang Xiao suddenly struck Bai Tianqi with a surge of palm force, shattering the meridians in his right arm, and both men were hurled away after trading blows to the chest.

Huang Xiao badly injured Bai Tianqi by unleashing the Valley Master's stored internal power, but the strain damaged his meridians and weakened the power suppressing the Heavenly Yin Silkworm's icy energy. Lu Jiu abandoned his attack on Liaochen when he learned the Heavenly Demon Sect had routed the Three Paths and was about to capture Zhang Hu.

• Bai Tianqi struck Huang Xiao away but suffered severe injuries and spat black blood.
• Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng tried to heal Huang Xiao, but he warned them that their power could rupture his damaged meridians and sat down to recover alone.
• Huang Xiao realized that the icy energy in his dantian was escaping suppression and that he might live only ten days to half a month.
• Lu Jiu rebuked Bai Tianqi for being injured by Huang Xiao, while Bai vowed to destroy Green Ox Gate after he recovered.
• A subordinate reported that the Heavenly Demon Sect had routed the Three Paths and was about to capture Zhang Hu, so Lu Jiu left to pursue them and threatened Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng.

After the Shaolin party withdrew, Huang Xiao rejected their offer to return to Huaqing City and rode south toward Dali in search of a last chance to survive. In Hu'ao Valley, Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng witnessed Zhang Hu provoke the factions seeking the Heavenly Demon Canon and learned that the Fang Family's rise had united the other Heavenly Demon Sect lineages against it.

• Liaochen led the Shaolin party away from the struggle, while Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng chose to continue deeper into Hu'ao Valley.
• Despite his grave injuries, Huang Xiao refused to return to Huaqing City and left alone for Dali to seek the Everlasting Spring Valley.
• Zhang Hu challenged the gathered factions to prove themselves if they wanted the Heavenly Demon Canon.
• Fang Qing offered Zhang Hu a position in the Heavenly Demon Sect, while Fang Heng threatened Gu Tu and the other opposing lineages.
• Gu Tu condemned the Fang Family's humble origins, and Fang Qing replied that his lineage had grown powerful while the others declined.
• Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng recognized that the Fang Family controlled the stronger faction and that the other Heavenly Demon Sect lineages had allied against it.

Fang Qing and Gu Tu joined forces to attack the other factions gathered in the valley, setting off a chaotic battle over the Heavenly Demon Canon. As the fighting continued, Dugu Sheng faced Fang Heng, Lu Jiu escaped Gu Tu at great cost, and Zhang Hu waited on the stone platform for an opening.

• Fang Qing and Gu Tu agreed to eliminate the other factions before settling their own claim to the Heavenly Demon Canon, then led the Heavenly Demon Sect into battle.
• Dugu Sheng and Hong Yi fought members of the Three Paths, while Dugu Sheng confronted Fang Heng, who declared that all other geniuses must die.
• Gu Tu overwhelmed Lu Jiu, but Lu Jiu injured himself to trick Gu Tu and flee, leaving Gu Tu to target a Soul-Devouring Demon Sect expert.
• Zhang Hu stayed still on the stone platform, hoping for an opportunity while reflecting on the Heavenly Demon Canon, his injuries, and his plan to avenge his son.

Perfected Person Deqing arrived at Hu'ao Valley and rescued Hong Yi from Gu Tu, while Dugu Sheng was wounded protecting Hong Yi. Deqing confronted Gu Tu as the fighting parties paused, leaving the contest over the Heavenly Demon Canon unresolved.

• Gu Tu attacked Hong Yi, who met his palm with the Dragon-Capturing Divine Palm but was badly injured.
• Dugu Sheng rushed to save Hong Yi and took Fang Heng's sword strike across his back rather than turn to defend himself.
• Perfected Person Deqing arrived with Zhang Daocheng, repelled Gu Tu with a powerful palm strike, and healed some of Hong Yi's internal injuries.
• Deqing rebuked Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng for acting recklessly, while Zhang Daocheng teased Dugu Sheng about his supposed defeat.
• Gu Tu admitted nothing but Deqing's strength through his silence, and Fang Qing mocked him as the fighters watched one another warily.

Fang Qing pretended to challenge Perfected Person Deqing so he could seize Zhang Hu and secure the Heavenly Demon Canon. He rushed toward Zhang Hu as Fang Heng fled, while Gu Tu’s forces and Deqing moved to stop him.

• Fang Qing offered Perfected Person Deqing a reward to stay out of the conflict, but Deqing refused and agreed to fight him.
• Fang Qing and Deqing prepared to clash, and Fang Qing secretly told Fang Heng to get ready to flee.
• Fang Qing feinted toward Deqing, then leaped toward Zhang Hu’s stone platform while Fang Heng ran for the valley exit.
• Gu Tu ordered the Heavenly Demon Sect experts to stop Fang Qing from taking Zhang Hu.
• Perfected Person Deqing chased Fang Qing and resolved to prevent him from escaping with Zhang Hu.

Fang Qing tried to seize Zhang Hu, but You Lian'er stopped him with her Netherworld Demon Zither and challenged the Fang Family's claim to the Heavenly Demon Canon. Fang Qing proposed that she marry his young master to make him sect master, while Perfected Person Deqing explained the You Family's traditional influence and its alliance against the Fang Family.

• Fang Qing lunged for Zhang Hu, but You Lian'er struck him with two zither notes and forced him to fall from the air.
• Dugu Sheng, Zhang Daocheng, and Hong Yi speculated about the veiled woman's beauty and identity until Gu Tu and the others addressed her as their young mistress.
• Fang Qing greeted You Lian'er politely, then she rebuked Gu Tu's group for their failures and told Fang Qing he could not obtain the Heavenly Demon Canon while she was present.
• Fang Qing urged You Lian'er to marry his young master, arguing that the alliance would make him the Heavenly Demon Sect's rightful sect master and insulting the other lineages.
• You Lian'er questioned whether the Fang Family already considered itself the Heavenly Demon Sect, and Perfected Person Deqing explained the You Family's traditional role and its alliance with other lineages against the Fang Family.

You Lian'er explained why the Fang Family sought a marriage alliance with her family and why the Heavenly Demon Canon had become a threat to every faction. She offered to let Perfected Person Deqing destroy the scripture if he stopped Fang Qing from obtaining it, leaving Deqing surprised by her request.

• Perfected Person Deqing explained that the Fang Family wanted the You Family's support to gain legitimacy and unify the Heavenly Demon Sect.
• You Lian'er refused Fang Qing's marriage alliance and rejected his threat.
• You Lian'er asked Perfected Person Deqing whether he would destroy the Heavenly Demon Canon if he could not obtain it.
• You Lian'er promised not to stop Deqing from destroying the scripture if he defeated Fang Qing and prevented him from taking it.
• Gu Tu and the others protested, but fell silent after You Lian'er argued that the Fang Family obtaining the scripture would leave them powerless.
• Perfected Person Deqing was surprised that You Lian'er would permit the Heavenly Demon Canon's destruction.

You Lian'er persuaded Deqing to help kill Fang Qing and revealed that her Netherworld Demon Zither could disrupt the cultivation of Heavenly Demon Sect practitioners. Fang Qing used a forbidden pill to overpower Deqing and reach for Zhang Hu, but You Lian'er's music weakened him, leaving Gu Tu worried that Deqing would take the Heavenly Demon Canon after Fang Qing fell.

• You Lian'er convinced Deqing that she would destroy the Heavenly Demon Canon, and he agreed to confront Fang Qing.
• Deqing recognized the Netherworld Demon Zither, and You Lian'er explained that her Netherworld Demon Eight Tones were incomplete but still powerful.
• You Lian'er left the stone platform to show she would not seize Zhang Hu while Deqing fought Fang Qing.
• Fang Qing tried to reach Zhang Hu, swallowed a forbidden pill, and struck Deqing hard enough to send him crashing to the ground.
• You Lian'er played a note that disrupted Fang Qing's demonic energy and reduced the strength he gained from the pill.
• Gu Tu warned You Lian'er that Deqing might destroy the Heavenly Demon Canon after defeating Fang Qing, but she gave no audible reply.

Fang Qing’s attempt to seize Zhang Hu was repeatedly thwarted by Deqing, whose Dragon Tiger Dao Seal forced Fang Qing to retreat. As their exhausting duel neared its end, You Lian’er turned her zither against both fighters, and Deqing accused her of breaking her promise.

• Deqing unleashed the Dragon Tiger Double Seals, driving Fang Qing away from Zhang Hu and blasting a huge cavity into the cliff.
• Fang Qing ordered his subordinates to attack and charged Deqing again before he could recover from the technique’s heavy cost.
• Fang Qing and Deqing fought until both were bloodied and nearly exhausted, while You Lian’er watched and Gu Tu remained by her side.
• You Lian’er resumed playing the Netherworld Demon Zither, targeting both Fang Qing and Deqing.
• Deqing accused You Lian’er of going back on her word about letting him destroy the Heavenly Demon Canon.

You Lian'er killed Fang Qing and blocked Perfected Person Deqing while Zhang Hu fought his way toward the valley exit. She promised to heal Zhang Hu and preserve his cultivation, and Zhang Hu said he would give her the Heavenly Demon Canon if she kept her word.

• You Lian'er refused to destroy the Heavenly Demon Canon and killed Fang Qing with a note from her Netherworld Demon Zither.
• Fang Heng retreated with the few Fang Family disciples who survived as the Jianghu fighters turned their attention to Zhang Hu.
• Zhang Hu fought through the crowd, killing dozens, but was trapped by powerful fighters guarding the narrow valley exit.
• You Lian'er stopped Perfected Person Deqing from pursuing Zhang Hu, and Deqing told Zhang Daocheng, Hong Yi, and Dugu Sheng to stay back.
• You Lian'er told Gu Tu she had promised to heal Zhang Hu and preserve his cultivation, then ordered him to hold off the pursuers.
• Zhang Hu told You Lian'er he would give her the Heavenly Demon Canon if she fulfilled her promise, and said he would go ahead.

Zhang Hu revealed that he had secretly learned Dragon Tiger Mountain’s Dragon Tiger Dao Seal, shocking Perfected Person Deqing and the other experts. He used the technique to break through the encirclement and escape with You Lian’er’s help.

• Zhang Hu recalled agreeing to give You Lian’er the Heavenly Demon Canon in exchange for saving his life and preserving his martial power.
• The experts guarding the exit dismissed Zhang Hu’s claim that he could use the Dragon Tiger Dao Seal.
• Zhang Hu demonstrated the Dragon Tiger Dao Seal, leaving Perfected Person Deqing, Zhang Daocheng, Hong Yi, and Dugu Sheng astonished.
• You Lian’er told Gu Tu that Zhang Hu had kept a hidden move in reserve.
• The experts dodged Zhang Hu’s attack, allowing him to break through their encirclement.

Zhang Hu escaped the valley, but You Lian'er and Auntie Guo delayed Han Bo and the other pursuers long enough for him to get away. His escape set the Jianghu searching for him, while Huang Xiao entered the Dali Kingdom unaware of the turmoil.

• Zhang Hu escaped the experts surrounding him by controlling the Dragon Tiger Dao Seal and fleeing at speed.
• Han Bo tried to capture Zhang Hu outside the valley, but Zhang Hu evaded him until Auntie Guo intervened.
• You Lian'er ordered Auntie Guo to hold Han Bo back, allowing Zhang Hu to escape and considering whether to give him aid in exchange for the Heavenly Demon Canon.
• Han Bo agreed to wait after Perfected Person Deqing explained that no one else could stop Zhang Hu, while Deqing hoped to prevent more casualties.
• The Jianghu dispatched experts to hunt for Zhang Hu, while Huang Xiao entered the Dali Kingdom without knowing what had happened.

Huang Xiao reached the Dali Kingdom while the icy energy in his body rapidly worsened, leaving him with little time to live. He asked a tea stall owner for directions to the Peak of Immortality but learned nothing, then noticed a group of twelve arriving as other customers fled.

• Huang Xiao arrived in the Dali Kingdom after seven days of travel, with the icy energy freezing his dantian and meridians.
• Huang Xiao accidentally chilled a server and froze his tea as the cold energy became harder to control.
• Huang Xiao asked the tea stall owner where to find the Peak of Immortality, but the owner had never heard of it.
• The owner noticed the frozen tea and realized Huang Xiao was an extraordinary martial arts expert.
• Huang Xiao resolved to keep searching and turned to watch a group of twelve approach, led by a young man and an old man.