Chapter Summaries

Liu Dacheng used concealed needles to cripple Han Qing’s right hand, then killed him with needles hidden within needles. Han Qing’s death steadied the Jianghu fighters’ formation, and Liu Dacheng turned his attention to the Four Women, Ran Chou, and Min Yijiang.

• Liu Dacheng surprised Han Qing with his yin and yielding true qi, then injured the meridians in Han Qing’s right hand with three concealed golden needles.
• Liu Dacheng pressed his attack with punches and silver needles, preventing Han Qing from retreating and leaving him unable to fight effectively with his injured hand.
• When Han Qing suddenly turned to counterattack, Liu Dacheng fired eight golden needles that split into twenty-four, striking Han Qing’s vital acupoints and killing him.
• Han Qing’s death shocked the Taixuan Sect elders and boosted the Jianghu fighters’ morale, stabilizing their formation.
• Liu Dacheng looked toward the Four Women, Ran Chou, and Min Yijiang.

Liu Dacheng was forced to rely on Pulu when three Taixuan Sect Elders attacked him, while Ran Chou used Nine-Turn Heaven and Earth to turn the fight against Guo Jiao. Ran Chou gained the upper hand, leaving Gong Xi uneasy even as the Taixuan Sect's forces dominated elsewhere in the Imperial Palace.

• Guo Jiao ordered three Elders to attack Liu Dacheng, and Pulu joined Liu Dacheng to hold them off.
• Ran Chou redirected Guo Jiao's force in their palm exchange and injured him.
• Guo Jiao realized Huang Xiao had likely taught Ran Chou Nine-Turn Heaven and Earth.
• Ran Chou used the technique's intricate moves to suppress Guo Jiao and force him to retreat.
• Gong Xi grew uneasy at Guo Jiao's reversal, though his side still held the advantage across the Imperial Palace.

As the fighting in Kaifeng City reached its peak, the combatants resorted to forbidden arts, and Lei Teng saved Yu Yizhong from a fatal attack. Huang Xiao arrived in the Imperial Palace, stopped the four women’s forbidden arts, and stabilized their injuries, while the Taixuan Sect’s fighters faced the sudden turn in the battle.

• Gong Xi and Min Yijiang used forbidden arts, and Guo Jiao and Ran Chou followed suit as their duel intensified.
• Lei Teng and the four women also unleashed forbidden arts, while Yu Yizhong refused to do so until Xiao Yan and You Lian'er nearly killed him.
• Lei Teng took the women’s saber force to save Yu Yizhong, and Yu Yizhong finally used a forbidden art as the fighting grew more brutal.
• Zhuge Zheng’s arrival made the Taixuan Sect fighters believe victory was assured, and Guo Jiao and Gong Xi ended their forbidden arts.
• Huang Xiao appeared, seized Yu Yizhong, and helped the four women stop their forbidden arts and recover from their effects.
• Huang Xiao rebuked the four women, then stabilized Ran Chou and Min Yijiang while the wounded Yu Yizhong and Lei Teng faced him.

Huang Xiao returned with Wu Longfeng’s corpse, but the Taixuan Sect’s experts refused to believe their Sect Master was dead and accused Zhuge Zheng of betrayal. Zhuge Zheng named Li Wujing as the next Sect Master and moved to subdue Guo Jiao and Gong Xi, while Huang Xiao confronted Lei Teng.

• Huang Xiao stabilized Ran Chou and the others, then Zhuge Zheng arrived carrying Wu Longfeng’s corpse and announced that the Sect Master was dead.
• Gong Xi and Guo Jiao accused Zhuge Zheng of betraying the Taixuan Sect and claimed Wu Longfeng would return, while Zhuge Zheng named Li Wujing as the new Sect Master.
• After Huang Xiao warned that the Taixuan Sect’s experts needed to be taught a lesson, Zhuge Zheng attacked the gravely injured Guo Jiao and Gong Xi.
• Guo Jiao called Lei Teng to help them stall for Wu Longfeng, but Huang Xiao threatened Lei Teng for attacking his women.
• Zhuge Zheng urged Lei Teng to apologize to Huang Xiao and vouched for his character, while Lei Teng hesitated to fight Zhuge Zheng and trusted that Wu Longfeng was truly dead.

After learning that Wu Longfeng was truly dead, Lei Teng asked Huang Xiao to spare the Taixuan Sect, and Zhuge Zheng killed Deputy Sect Masters Guo Jiao and Gong Xi. Huang Xiao let Zhuge Zheng take the sect away under its incoming Sect Master, Li Wujing, while the others confirmed Wu Longfeng’s death.

• Lei Teng apologized to Huang Xiao and offered to accept any punishment if he spared the Taixuan Sect.
• Xiao Yan asked Huang Xiao to spare Lei Teng, and You Lian'er said Yu Yizhong was the one who deserved to die.
• Zhuge Zheng killed Guo Jiao and Gong Xi after they cursed him and threatened him with Wu Longfeng.
• Huang Xiao told Zhuge Zheng to take the Taixuan Sect's people away and leave the sect's future to Li Wujing.
• Tong Jiuyang confirmed that Wu Longfeng was truly dead, easing Zhao Yuankan's worry.

After learning that the Khitan army had forced the defenders back to Chanzhou City and left Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng gravely wounded, Huang Xiao set off to reinforce them. The group postponed discussing the Seven Spirit Blades secret, and Huang Xiao left the Minghong Saber with Qingfeng before departing Kaifeng.

• Zhao Yuankan told Huang Xiao that the Khitan army had driven the defenders back to Chanzhou City, where Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng were too badly injured to fight.
• Huang Xiao decided to go to Chanzhou immediately, while Old Sun argued that Kaifeng still needed experts to guard it.
• Zhao Yuankan said he might lead the army to Chanzhou, and Old Sun supported the idea as a way to reassure the people.
• Huang Xiao postponed discussing the Seven Spirit Blades secret and entrusted the Minghong Saber to Qingfeng because he could not wield it effectively.
• Huang Xiao left the Imperial Palace alone and headed for Chanzhou.

Huang Xiao raced toward Chanzhou City, hoping his grandfather would reach Khitan and stop Dalhe. As the Khitan army stirred, General Yang, Meng Jiu, and Liaochen prepared to defend the city, then noticed Dalhe approaching in apparent fear.

• Huang Xiao used Heaven and Earth Momentum to speed his journey and estimated he would reach Chanzhou City in four hours.
• General Yang worried that Chanzhou City could not withstand another Khitan assault with Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng badly wounded and Dalhe among the enemy.
• General Yang ordered the defenders to prepare as the Khitan army appeared to move, while Meng Jiu and Liaochen refused to abandon the city.
• Liaochen noticed that the Khitan army seemed disorganized rather than ready to attack, and General Yang and Meng Jiu prepared for any possibility.
• Dalhe rushed toward the city, but General Yang observed that he looked terrified.

Huang Xiao infiltrated the Khitan army’s Command Tent, killed Xiao Dalin and his generals, then sensed a powerful presence elsewhere and broke out of the tent. The disturbance alerted the surrounding army as Huang Xiao moved toward the newly noticed experts.

• Huang Xiao slipped into the Khitan Command Tent and confronted Xiao Dalin and the generals protecting him.
• Huang Xiao killed the generals and seized Xiao Dalin, ignoring the experts’ threats and their warning about Dalhe.
• Huang Xiao crushed Xiao Dalin’s neck and told the three arriving experts to claim that a Song Army crossbow had killed him.
• Huang Xiao sensed powerful experts nearby, blasted the three Esoteric Sect experts away, and shattered the Command Tent.
• The disturbance drew the attention of Khitan experts and soldiers throughout the surrounding army.

Huang Xiao defeated Dalhe in their brief clash, and Dalhe fled as Huang Xiao pursued him. News that Marshal Xiao Dalin and the generals were dead threw the Khitan army into chaos.

• Huang Xiao sent the three Esoteric Sect experts flying, then confronted Dalhe as he arrived.
• Huang Xiao struck Dalhe and hurled him backward, revealing his overwhelming strength.
• Dalhe fled, and Huang Xiao pursued him using the Lingbo Ethereal Steps.
• Khitan officers and soldiers reacted in shock as Dalhe ran from Huang Xiao.
• A soldier announced that Xiao Dalin and the generals were dead, plunging the Khitan army's morale into chaos.

Huang Xiao pursued Dalhe to Chanzhou City, where Dalhe tried to seize Meng Jiu or Liaochen to use as hostages. Huang Xiao used his newly gained control over heaven and earth momentum to stop Dalhe and defeat him, revealing that he had entered the Half-Step Martial Realm.

• The defenders of Chanzhou City recognized Dalhe fleeing toward them with Huang Xiao in pursuit and prepared to defend the walls.
• Dalhe ignored the arrows and siege crossbows as he approached, intending to capture Meng Jiu or Liaochen and threaten Huang Xiao.
• Huang Xiao controlled the heaven and earth momentum around Dalhe, slowing him and catching up before he could reach the city wall.
• Dalhe turned to fight, but Huang Xiao struck him with a fist and sent him crashing into the wall.
• Dalhe realized Huang Xiao had broken through to the Martial Realm, while Huang Xiao explained that Dalhe's realm was not high enough.

Huang Xiao defeated Dalhe but agreed to spare him so Hong Yi could challenge him to a duel. The chapter left Dalhe bound to fight Hong Yi in three years, while Huang Xiao stayed out of their contest and the Khitan threat appeared likely to fade.

• Dalhe accepted that Wu Longfeng was dead and asked Huang Xiao to let him witness the Martial Realm's power before dying.
• Hong Yi called from the city wall and asked Huang Xiao to spare Dalhe so he could defeat him himself.
• Huang Xiao agreed to let Dalhe go on the condition that he fought Hong Yi in a life-or-death match.
• Hong Yi set the duel for three years later, and Dalhe accepted while also challenging Huang Xiao to fight him afterward.
• Huang Xiao said he would not interfere, and General Yang realized that the Khitan army would likely withdraw after Dalhe fled.

Huang Xiao returned to Chanzhou and treated Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng, while Hong Yi explained that he had challenged Dalhe to force himself to grow despite having no confidence. After Zhao Yuankan arrived with the Song army and the Khitan forces withdrew, the Khitan envoy came to discuss a possible peace treaty.

• Huang Xiao examined Hong Yi’s severe injuries and agreed to treat him, then learned that Dugu Sheng had suffered similar wounds fighting Dalhe.
• Hong Yi admitted he had no confidence against Dalhe and had set a three-year deadline to pressure himself into improving; Meng Jiu and the others questioned his decision.
• Dugu Sheng arrived and asked whether Huang Xiao had reached the Martial Realm, but Huang Xiao postponed the discussion to treat him and Hong Yi.
• Huang Xiao told General Yang that he had killed Xiao Dalin, that Ling Tianya had returned to Khitan, and that Zhao Yuankan was leading an army to Chanzhou.
• The Khitan army withdrew, and Zhao Yuankan arrived as the city’s defenders and residents celebrated his arrival; Huang Xiao finished stabilizing Hong Yi’s and Dugu Sheng’s injuries.
• Zhao Yuankan told Huang Xiao that a Khitan envoy had arrived, and Huang Xiao asked whether the envoy had come to negotiate a peace treaty.

After securing peace between Great Song, the Khitan, and Xiazhou, Huang Xiao appointed Li Wujing as the Taixuan Sect’s new Sect Master and prepared to marry four women in a grand wedding. Just as he set out for Kaifeng, the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse struck him with severe pain, and he suspected Tuoba Ao was responsible.

• Zhao Yuankan and Huang Xiao agreed that Great Song would sign a ceasefire treaty with the Khitan, while Huang Xiao declined to attend the negotiations.
• Huang Xiao told Li Wujing that Wu Longfeng was dead and that Li Wujing would become the Taixuan Sect’s new Sect Master.
• Li Wujing accepted the position, determined to rescue his master and punish the elders who had framed him.
• Huang Xiao planned to return to Kaifeng and marry Zhao Yuankan’s two sisters, Xiao Yan, and You Lian’er.
• As Huang Xiao prepared to leave Chanzhou City, the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse caused him intense pain, and he suspected Tuoba Ao had triggered it.
• Great Song and the Khitan signed the Chanyuan Covenant, and the three countries began preparations for Huang Xiao’s grand wedding.

Huang Xiao and You Lian'er named his unfinished flute piece “Bright Moon Tide-Rising Song” before Old Sun summoned him to his bedside. Old Sun revealed that Huang Xiao’s Demon-Ghost Blood Curse remained undispelled and was draining his life, leaving Huang Xiao’s wives to face the danger as the chapter ended.

• Huang Xiao and You Lian'er discussed his flute tune and named it “Bright Moon Tide-Rising Song.”
• Xiao Yan summoned Huang Xiao to Old Sun’s quarters, where Old Sun lay gravely ill after losing his cultivation.
• Old Sun recalled his past with You Lian'er's ancestor Wan'er and urged Huang Xiao to cherish his four wives.
• Old Sun revealed that Qingfeng had told him about Huang Xiao’s Demon-Ghost Blood Curse, which Huang Xiao had kept secret from his wives.
• Old Sun inferred from Huang Xiao’s recent behavior and the lack of pregnancies that the curse was harming Huang Xiao’s body and consuming his life force.
• Huang Xiao admitted that he had not dispelled the curse, while Old Sun said he had no solution and feared Huang Xiao would not survive much longer.

Huang Xiao learned that the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse would kill him within a year unless he found help in the Martial World. He decided to go there, and Old Sun died after urging him to live on.

• Huang Xiao told Qingfeng, Old Sun, and the four women that the curse was worsening and he had at most a year to live.
• Old Sun and Qingfeng advised Huang Xiao to seek experts in the Martial World, where someone might be able to dispel the curse.
• Xiao Yan spoke for the four women and urged Huang Xiao to go, promising they would reach the half-step martial realm and join him.
• Huang Xiao accepted that he would go to the Martial World and promised Old Sun he would keep living for the women.
• Old Sun asked to be cremated and buried with Wan'er, then died as You Lian'er and the others grieved.

After Old Sun died, Huang Xiao prepared to leave for the Martial World in search of a way to dispel the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse. He entrusted his cultivation methods to his loved ones, and they decided to establish a sect to pass them on while he faced an uncertain future.

• Huang Xiao and the others buried Old Sun beside Youwan, then Huang Xiao announced that he would leave for the Martial World.
• Huang Xiao arranged for the Heavenly Demon Sect to preserve its canon and wait a hundred years before choosing a new Sect Master if he had not returned.
• Huang Xiao entrusted the Everlasting Spring Youth-Restoring Art and his other cultivation methods to the four women, with instructions for passing them on carefully.
• Huang Xiao gave Xiao Yan the compendium titled 'Free and Easy Wandering,' which gathered cultivation methods and other arts for future generations.
• Zhao Yunhui suggested establishing a sect, and Huang Xiao agreed to let his four wives build it and train disciples in his place.
• You Lian'er proposed Liu Qin's youngest daughter as a suitable disciple.

Huang Xiao and his companions chose a name for their new sect while discussing his wish to roam the world freely. The chapter ended with Qingfeng revealing that he would not accompany Huang Xiao to the Martial World.

• You Lian'er said Liu Qin's youngest daughter had considerable talent, and Huang Xiao agreed to leave her training to the others.
• Qingfeng argued that the new sect should not use the Green Ox Gate's name, and proposed calling it the Free and Easy Sect.
• Huang Xiao accepted the name and said he would keep striving toward his goal of freedom and ease.
• Qingfeng told Huang Xiao that he would not go with him to the Martial World, alarming Xiao Yan and the others.

Huang Xiao planned to leave for the Martial World in three days to try to dispel the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse, while Qingfeng chose to stay and guide the Four Women. At the farewell gathering at Yama Ridge, Huang Xiao parted from his companions and helped Dugu Sheng rethink what it meant to pursue victory.

• Qingfeng decided to stay behind to guide the Four Women and other disciples, and Huang Xiao set his departure for three days later.
• Huang Xiao spent the final days with the Four Women and his parents, including Princess Longli, who feared she might never see him again.
• At Yama Ridge, Tong Jiuyang told Huang Xiao he would become a monk at Shaolin after settling his worldly concerns.
• Huang Xiao encouraged Hong Yi and Dugu Sheng to follow him to the Martial World, then told Dugu Sheng that seeking to remain undefeated mattered more than pursuing victory.
• Dugu Sheng embraced the idea of pursuing an undefeated state and declared that success would come when he sought a defeat and could not find one.

Huang Xiao said goodbye to his companions and family before leaving for the Martial World to seek a way to dispel the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse. He entered the Heaven-Piercing Grand Formation with Qingfeng, who stood ready to help activate it.

• Dugu Sheng challenged Huang Xiao and entrusted Little Eagle to his care, while Huang Xiao urged the Heavenly Demon Sect to keep the peace.
• Huang Xiao comforted his parents and grandfather, promising Yelü Yushi that he would dispel the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse and assuring Ling Tianya he would make a name for himself.
• Huang Xiao joked with his four wives about finding other women, and they urged him to return safely so they could join him in the Martial World.
• Huang Xiao took the Minghong Saber, said farewell to everyone, and leaped into the pool with Qingfeng.
• Huang Xiao and Qingfeng reached the Heaven-Piercing Grand Formation, and Huang Xiao stepped inside to try activating it with his control over the Heaven and Earth Momentum.

Huang Xiao activated the ancient formation and was transported from the rock cave to the Martial World, where he found himself alone on a mist-shrouded mountaintop. He could not find a corresponding formation or any way to return.

• Huang Xiao controlled Heaven and Earth Momentum to activate the formation, which filled the cave with dense Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth.
• The formation transported Huang Xiao away, and Qingfeng concluded that he had reached the Martial World and urged him to break the Demon-Ghost Blood Curse.
• Qingfeng sensed that the surge of Spiritual Energy might allow Huang Xiao’s wives to reach the Martial World sooner.
• Huang Xiao arrived on a mountaintop and recognized the Martial World by its dense Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth.
• Huang Xiao searched for a matching formation but found only an ordinary patch of ground, leaving him unsure how he could return.